Chapter 571: Relationships
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 571: Relationships
"As a passing kind-hearted person, it’s perfectly normal for a meteor hammer to accidentally fall out from under my skirt, isn't it?"
The girl swung the lethal weapon in her hand, yet her face wore a smile, and her voice was filled with a sense of gentle compassion.
"Yes... yes, of course. Something like that is... very normal."
The butler seemed to be swayed by the harmless, sun-drenched atmosphere she radiated, nodding repeatedly in a daze.
Right, right, it’s just a meteor hammer falling out from under a hem. Anyone can see that’s perfectly normal... like hell it is!
How stupid do you think I am to believe that ghost story?
The butler’s expression suddenly turned feral. At the very moment he nodded to make her lower her guard, a cold, glinting dagger lunged toward the girl like a predatory viper.
Regardless of who she was, he would strike first! He wouldn't be fooled by her appearance!
However...
The alchemical dagger, which the butler had acquired at a high price through the Dion family’s influence, stopped dead just a hair’s breadth away from her fair, delicate skin.
It was stopped by only two slender fingers.
Those fingers, as pale and elegant as peeled scallions, looked utterly non-threatening, yet they pinched the blade lightly. No matter how the butler surged his fighting spirit or how the dagger’s eerie blue light flickered, his attack could not budge an inch further.
It was as if a venomous snake had been effortlessly seized by its vitals.
"You..."
Horror dawned on the butler’s face. Looking at the girl swinging the meteor hammer, he finally understood that the Princess—or rather, the mastermind behind tonight’s events—hadn't just sent the Dion family a few carriages of bombs.
Or perhaps, the bombs were only meant to...
Thud.
A dull sound cut off the butler’s thoughts.
Next came the agonizing sensation of his internal organs being pulverized, followed by the weightlessness of being sent flying like a sandbag.
But soon, he couldn't feel even that.
By the time he hit the ground again, the life force in his body was leaking out rapidly, like air from a punctured ball.
His consciousness faded into darkness.
"Spare... spare me..."
The butler crawled feebly on the ground, reaching out a hand toward the blurred shadow.
"I... I’m just a... butler... Whatever the Dion family did... has nothing... nothing to do with me..."
"Ah, is that so?"
The girl pressed her hands together in a gesture of pity. "That truly is a shame. In that case, the Goddess... no, the One we serve, will surely forgive your sins."
"Theresa."
Another steady, exasperated voice rang out near the butler’s cooling ears.
"How many times have I told you? As a nu—as a passing kind-hearted person, it’s best not to use a lethal weapon like a meteor hammer so recklessly."
"Ah, my deepest apologies."
The girl named Theresa bowed her head. "It seems I’ve grown lax and forgotten myself."
"You... you..."
Seeing the monster of a girl actually act submissively, the butler grasped at this straw of hope. He reached out toward the figure that had approached unnoticed.
"Save me... save me..."
"How pitiful."
A man dressed in simple gray robes looked down, his eyes full of compassion reflecting the wretched butler.
"It seems that only my cherished Holy Scripture can grant you salvation now."
"Yes... salvation... I want salvation..."
"Then, may... that One bless you."
The man pulled a massive, heavy tome from his robes. Under the butler’s expectant gaze, he did not open the book. Instead... he raised it high.
CRACK.
Blood mixed with brain matter splattered everywhere.
This time, the sound was even more muffled. The butler would never again utter a plea for salvation.
Presumably, his wish had been granted.
The Goddess would give him his salvation.
"That’s quite cunning of you, Father Cooper," Theresa said, wiping a stray bloodstain from her cheek with a pout.
"You won't let me use my meteor hammer, yet you’re still bashing people with your scriptures just like always. What if someone recognizes us?"
"I am letting him feel the truth of the scriptures. The path to salvation lies within," Father Cooper said calmly, reverently stroking the heavy black tome.
"As for our identities, don't worry. I’ve disguised my scriptures this time by wrapping the cover in parchment. Ordinary people won't be able to tell."
Cooper rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, come to think of it, this method is quite good. I don't have to worry about the scriptures being defiled by the filthy blood of sinners anymore."
"It really is a good idea."
Theresa stroked her cheek fretfully. "Unfortunately, my 'little darling' isn't as convenient as a holy book. Therefore..."
Theresa turned to look at the members of the Dion household who were gathering due to the explosions and fire. She swung her meteor hammer again, an unnatural, excited flush rising to her cheeks.
"Therefore... I can only let these sinners go and beg the Goddess for forgiveness in person!"
"Please show some restraint, Sister Theresa," Cooper sighed helplessly while stretching his limbs.
"Our mission is only to keep them pinned down for a while."
"Of course, of course."
Theresa smiled, then pounced toward her targets like a wild beast.
"Goddess above, I will be... very gentle."
*
While chaos erupted within the sprawling, magnificent Dion mansion, two figures continued their unfinished conversation deep within the night.
"Your Grace, where on earth did you find these two... 'brave warriors'?"
Watching the increasingly gruesome scenes unfolding in the mansion from afar, Muen’s eye twitched.
"I hope they don't overdo it. Our goal isn't to exterminate the entire Dion family."
"Sister Theresa was a member of the former Saintess’s choir—someone personally trained by her. After the former Saintess stepped down, she left the choir and came to work for me as a freelancer. That’s all," Canterbury Eng said, stroking his beard with a smile.
"As for Father Cooper... as you can see, he’s just an ordinary priest. Nothing special. But rest assured, Father Cooper is very sensible. He’ll keep an eye on Sister Theresa and make sure she... kills a little less."
"...As expected of you. You’ve hidden your cards even deeper than I imagined," Muen said meaningfully.
"Hehe, this is Belland, after all. If one doesn't have a few trump cards, how could they dare to mingle in waters this deep? An old man like me wouldn't be able to sleep without something to rely on."
Canterbury glanced sideways at Muen. "Besides, doesn't having a reliable ally make you feel more at ease?"
"Those are cold words, Archbishop. We aren't just allies."
Muen spoke with total sincerity. "We’re family! And since we’re family, about the payment..."
"Not a copper less. If you’re short by even one coin, I’ll strip you naked and send you back to the Saintess. I imagine she’d be quite delighted by that," Canterbury sneered.
"..."
This old geezer. How can a grand Archbishop be so stingy?
Muen cursed him inwardly. After a few dry coughs, he got back to business.
"In that case, I need to get busy as well. Oh, and just to be safe, I have to ask one more time..."
Muen asked as if suddenly remembering something, "Is that other matter I troubled you with truly reliable? It’s the most critical part of my plan. If something goes wrong..."
"Boy, how little do you think of my Life Church?"
The corner of Canterbury’s mouth curled into a disdainful smirk.
"Rest assured. That 'thing' is absolutely foolproof."
*
Dion Mansion, Drawing Room.
Orange candlelight flickered, creating an intimate atmosphere. Soft music played, highlighting an air of elegance. A gentleman and a lady sat opposite each other at the dining table, backs straight, cutting the beef on their silver platters with meticulous precision.
It looked exactly like a well-matched noble couple enjoying a harmonious dinner... if not for the sharp, confrontational tension between them.
"The beef is too tough. It’s terrible."
"Didn't you ask for it well-done?"
"The wine is bitter and astringent. It’s undrinkable."
"You picked the wine yourself."
"The cutlery—"
"You chose the cutlery too! What more do you want?!"
Sharp Dion finally snapped, slamming his hand on the table in fury.
Wei'er immediately put on an innocent expression, blinking her eyes piteously in a textbook display of "white lotus" manipulation. "Eh? Did I? I totally forgot~"
"..."
Sharp felt his vision go dark, but he took a deep breath and slowly sat back down.
Calm down.
Calm down.
Sharp, you must stay calm.
This girl is intentionally disgusting me. She probably wants me to leave in a rage so she can do something behind my back. I can't fall for it.
The more she acts like this, the more I must maintain my refinement.
Since she was so annoying, he simply wouldn't look at her. He would look out the window instead. The night was so beautiful, so peaceful.
Sharp temporarily averted his gaze from that irritating, pouty face to admire the scenery outside.
As a room designed for entertaining guests, the view was excellent. One could see the gardens designed by master landscapers. Even in the dark, the white jade hot spring exuded a refined, understated beauty.
Look, such a peaceful night. So peaceful that even the splashing water seemed still... wait.
The water is still?
Sharp’s eyes widened. He stood up abruptly, his expression darkening.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?"
Wei'er started making a fuss, reaching out to pull Sharp back down. "Can't you let a girl eat in peace?!"
Sharp dodged Wei'er’s wandering hands and pointed a finger, gathering a surge of mana.
"Chaos Magic."
In an instant, the peaceful scenery outside the window rippled like a lake hit by a stone.
Only then did the clear, chaotic shouts from the other side of the mansion—and the firelight that had turned half the sky red—pierce through the invisible barrier and reach Sharp’s senses.
"This is..."
Dammit, I’ve been played!
Sharp reacted instantly. This girl’s goal from the start wasn't to get rid of him... it was to stall him!
The shame of being toyed with burned in his heart like fire. Sharp turned a monstrous, feral gaze toward Wei'er, his voice sounding like a demon from hell.
"You dare do something like this? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?"
"Of course I know what I’m doing."
Now that her little trick had been exposed, Wei'er didn't seem particularly flustered. She remained seated calmly.
Even though the man before her was an elite mage who had graduated from St. Maria Academy years ago, with strength far exceeding her own.
"Then do you know the consequences of your actions?!"
"If you’re so upset, then why don't you just kill me?" Wei'er said, sticking her neck out proudly.
"What?"
"I said, go ahead and kill me."
"You think I won't?!"
Sharp smashed the dining table with a palm strike, roaring, "Publicly attacking a Marquis’s estate—even if I kill you on the spot, no one can say a word against me!"
"Of course no one would blame you. But..."
"But what?"
"But you don't know, do you?"
Wei'er’s lips curled into a smirk.
"My grandfather is the former Guild Master of the Royal Mage Corps—a genuine, old-school Truth-Tier Grand Magister!"
"You kill me, and my grandpa kills your whole family!"