Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: A Peculiar Beginning
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The Black Mambas were one of the three most powerful clans on the entire continent.
I naturally assumed they would be one of the last to form, given their history.
The fastest to be established? And with no internal problems, to boot?
It was a story that was hard to believe.
"Actually, an incident occurred around that time."
"An incident?"
"…The oppression of the clans had begun."
"Oppwession… you say?"
Just hearing the first sentence made my body stiffen.
Who on earth would do such a thing?
Could that be why they all started gathering in the south?
To escape the oppression of the clans.
But at the same time, a question arose.
...But how could they have been oppressed? Is something like that even possible?
"Who did such a mean thing?"
I frowned.
The thought that my family’s origins were rooted in oppression from others was instinctively repulsive.
But Kasana seemed unfazed, her expression placid.
If anything, her reaction suggested it was only natural.
"The beginning of it all was our clan’s doing."
"Huh?"
"You know this as well, my lady. The fact that the Black Mamba clan is born with venom."
"I know."
The potency of the venom varies from person to person, but I was told everyone is born with it.
I’d also heard that some are born with a constitution specialized for venom.
"While it depends on their constitution, our clan members can spread their pheromones several meters to poison others. The stronger they are, the wider the range."
"I see."
I thought of the pheromone stone piercing Mesis wore.
I thought it was just for releasing a burst of pheromones, but I guess that wasn't the only reason.
Since it changes the range at which he can use his pheromones, it must make it easier for Mesis to deal with enemies.
"But what does that have to do with anything?"
"That is because… that was the ability of the first Family Head, Lord Tamur."
Kasana sighed.
"Lord Tamur was extremely averse to sharing his territory with others."
"…"
"And the power he possessed was second to none."
No way…
It’s not what I’m thinking, is it?
He didn't drench his entire territory in venomous pheromones just because he didn't want to overlap with other Su-in, did he?
Hoping I was wrong, I waited for Kasana's next words. Then, her lips parted.
"It is exactly as you predicted, my lady."
"…Gasp."
"Because of that, other clans began to complain, and sensing the gravity of the situation, our clan hastily established a family."
Kasana pointed to a map of the continent drawn in the book.
A star was marked in the center of the southern region, where the Astrofel family was first established according to the compass rose.
"That is the reason the Astrofel family first appeared on the continent."
"I-I see."
"The Black Mambas declared they would settle in the south before the entire clan could be suppressed."
…So that was the reason.
Honestly, when I first heard the word 'oppression,' I was expecting a heroic tale.
One of those common stories about saving the clan from villains and gallantly founding a family.
Nothing is ever easy to predict.
I looked at the portrait of Tamur Astrofel with a wry expression.
Somehow, I get the feeling he was a real troublemaker as a child.
I immediately judged Tamur Astrofel through that biased lens.
"…There aren't more stories like this, are there?"
We've only just started the story of the first Family Head, so why do I already feel exhausted?
"So… they made Gwandpa Tamur the head of the family."
It was a kind of shackle to keep him from wandering off elsewhere.
So Tamur was forced into the position of Family Head, a role anyone else would consider an honor?
The more I thought about it, the more I was left speechless by the family's dumbfounding and bizarre backstory.
Kasana cleared her throat.
"That is not to say Lord Tamur neglected the family. It is because of him that we are able to live in the south today."
"Twue. That is twue."
Then again, it seemed like a very Black Mamba-like beginning.
I giggled. It was quite entertaining to listen to.
It felt like I was learning an old folktale passed down through generations.
I thought a history lesson would be boring. That was a needless worry.
"But even after establishing the family, there were problems. Everyone worried whether Lord Tamur would lead the family properly."
It was a natural concern.
It would have been stranger to expect someone who was forced into the role to do a proper job.
In fact, I would have thought Tamur would have refused the position of Family Head.
As if sensing my curiosity, Kasana turned the page.
In elegant cursive, the name 'Grace Astrofel (510-609)' was written.
"This is the first Mistress of the House, Lady Grace Astrofel."
"Wow… She's so pwetty."
Now I understood.
Why the people here could be so beautiful.
It really must be a racial trait. Portraits are usually beautified, but…
This one seemed like it couldn't possibly capture all of her beauty.
As I stared at Grace, captivated, Kasana let out a small laugh.
"According to the records, she was the only one who could reason with Lord Tamur."
She sat elegantly in a chair, a long staff resting on the ground.
She wore a beautiful smile, but I could also sense a strength within it.
"It was unusual, but Lady Grace is said to have taken the lead in the family's meetings."
"Isn't that what the Family Head does?"
"That's correct. But that was an era of chaos. Wars broke out frequently."
It seems territorial disputes were common.
So, did Tamur leave often? To protect the family's territory?
I pondered the question, frowning when I couldn't find an answer.
"Is there something you are curious about?"
"When there was a war, didn't Gwandma fight?"
"…Gr-Grandm…"
Kasana stuttered before regaining her composure. Then she praised me, saying it was a good question.
"Of course, Lady Grace was also in the midst of war every day."
"So she fought alongside Gwandpa Tamur, wight?"
"No."
Kasana shook her head firmly and said.
"Lady Grace played a major role in taming the tempers of her fellow Black Mambas."
...Ah. I had a feeling Grace's story would be just as intense.
"As you know, Lady Aileen, female Su-in are relatively stronger."
*Nod, nod.*
I nodded instead of answering to show that I understood.
But their numbers were also smaller.
To the point that populations became rarer the higher up the food chain they were.
However, they were also a common sight in the manor for that very reason.
Because powerful Su-in made for excellent military strength for the family.
Rosaria, Hestia, Kasana, and Surphia all held important positions in the family.
Kasana smiled faintly.
"And as you know, the Black Mambas are one of the most powerful clans."
"Wight?"
"That is why Lady Grace focused more on the family's internal affairs."
"Ah."
"Controlling the clan during a time of chaos is also the role of the Mistress."
So, in other words, they divided the roles.
Meaning they each took on one task, as fighting a war and controlling their own kin felt comparable in difficulty.
I wondered how it could possibly be compared to a war, but…
…when I remembered this was the Astrofel family, not some other clan, it became very convincing.
Leading this family must be that difficult.
It made me realize how incredible Kaide was, to be responsible for such a large family.
"How stwong was Gwandpa Tamur?"
Kasana flinched in surprise again, but it seemed she had built up some immunity from before.
Quickly schooling her expression, she opened her mouth.
"He is the most powerful of all the Family Heads in history."
"Stwonger than Daddy?"
"He is currently assessed to possess a level of martial power similar to Lord Tamur's."
Then just how strong is Kaide?
I'd never seen him use his abilities, so I couldn't gauge it.
Will the day ever come when I get to see it?
"Then what's Daddy's ability? Is it like Gwandpa Tamur's?"
"That's correct. However, I have never seen him use his ability."
"I heard Mesis is similar."
I recalled the scent of Mesis's pheromones from the other day.
"Black Mamba pheromones have a characteristic of becoming fragrant when laced with venom. It's to lower the opponent's guard."
"Oh, I see. Yeah, I think that's wight."
It was very faint, but I had wanted to smell more of it to figure out what it was.
Agreeing with her, I nodded my head.
At that, Kasana's hands, which had been tidying up to conclude the lesson, froze.
"…What did you just say?"
"Huh?"
Why does she suddenly look so serious?
I looked at Kasana, puzzled.
"My lady, have you by any chance… smelled Lord Mesis's pheromones?"
"Uh-huh. Just a tiny bit."
But they said it wasn't enough to cause any problems, didn't they?
Rosaria and Mesis, who were there with me, didn't seem too worried either.
But Kasana was staring at me, her expression hardening.
"…You weren't poisoned, were you?"
"Wosaria pwotected me."
And Mesis also backed away quickly, so I wasn't poisoned.
"I see. That is a relief."
Despite her words, Kasana's expression remained tense.