The Real Confrontation, Holan's Challenge
The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.
The dull thud of boots striking the ground and the clatter of scabbards made everything feel even more menacing.
The Raindrop soldiers approached, their blue cloaks billowing behind them.
Inside the full helms that covered their faces, sharp glints flashed from their eyes.
“My lady.”
Winz rushed toward me, trying to shield me. Her clothes were torn in several places—she must have fought hard.
I felt a pang of guilt. Had I placed too heavy a burden on her?
But this was the time to act. I greeted them with composure.
“Raindrop, is it?”
One soldier wearing a cross badge on his chest stepped forward.
It was the insignia of a sergeant, the leader of the Raindrop unit.
He struck his chest twice with his fist.
“Raindrop Captain, Juan Lata, reporting!”
“So you’re from the Lata family, renowned for dual-sword techniques. What brings you here?”
“The head of the house sent us just in case. But… did you really handle all of this alone?”
I deliberately let out an arrogant laugh.
As if something like this was worth bragging about.
“Yeah. I did it by myself.”
“Even if they were just a gang, to slaughter them to this extent…”
“You don’t seem to know. These bastards kidnapped Winz. They even forced her to work as a dancer.”
I twisted the facts.
The Raindrop soldiers looked flustered.
This wasn’t some cheap fantasy novel.
A disgraced noble couldn’t just wipe out an entire gang because she was in a bad mood and expect to get away with it.
But if there was a justifiable reason?
If the stage had been properly set?
Winz was flustered too.
She mouthed the words silently.
—Huh?
I simply waved my hand.
As if telling her to play along.
Winz, who had been smiling awkwardly, covered her face with both hands.
“Y-yes! Sob, that’s right. I-I didn’t want to, sob. Suddenly these huge guys showed up and started tearing my clothes, pulling down my underwear, ahh…!”
Public opinion flipped instantly.
The soldiers were enraged.
“Those crazy gang bastards!”
“We must have misunderstood.”
“What the— I never thought the young lady was this righteous!”
“This is how it should be. Who do they think they are, a bunch of gangsters? Tch! Their parents must be ashamed for raising such scum.”
“Even a servant is family property, after all.”
Exactly. Servants and maids were also assets of the house.
To kidnap and attempt to violate that property?
This was a direct challenge to the noble house itself.
Clack. Swish.
Juan Lata removed his helmet.
A tanned face with moderately handsome features was revealed.
Juan’s blue eyes gleamed as he asked,
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Me and Winz both.”
“Anyway, let’s head back. We’ll take care of the cleanup.”
“Fine. By the way, you’re surprisingly lenient for the legendary Raindrop who can even shoot down birds in flight.”
I had expected these guys to suppress the young lady of the house without hesitation. After all, this was a serious incident.
But Juan merely tilted his head.
“Even you misunderstand us, my lady…?”
“Misunderstand?”
Juan glanced at the soldiers. One who had been caught trying to sip leftover beer grinned.
“That’s right, my lady. We’re supposed to shoot down birds and rule other nobles with an iron fist, but that’s not actually true! We’re just hired help, after all.”
Of course. This wasn’t the Shinsengumi of the Edo period.
Just because you were given a bit of power didn’t mean you could lord it over anyone. That wasn’t how this world worked.
Winz smiled brightly.
“Oh my, I guess we misunderstood after all!”
The soldier who had finished his beer pointed at Juan.
“But Captain’s face is so scary, maybe half of it is true?”
“Your face isn’t much better, Renson.”
“Captain’s face is straight out of an impressionist painting.”
“Yeah, and yours is mint-chocolate flavored.”
“Whoa… Captain, that’s going too far!”
The stern image of the Raindrop shattered in an instant.
These were just soldiers who treated each other like comrades.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Winz laughed with me.
“Ah, Juan. If you find anything while cleaning up, bring it to me first, okay? I’m counting on you.”
“Understood.”
After giving my instructions, I moved.
We naturally left the pub behind.
“You did well today.”
“I only helped a little.”
“Even a small fight becomes a precious memory when someone has your back.”
“Oh my, really? Hehe.”
“Let’s go home, Winz.”
“Yes, Lady Queen!”
Winz naturally linked her arm with my right arm, acting coy.
For some reason, I felt closer to her than before. Or maybe I simply wanted to get closer.
The night sky was unusually clear and beautiful.
It was the kind of night that made you want to fly.
The next morning.
The head of the house summoned me right after breakfast. I headed to his office.
Thud. Thud.
Along the way, I rummaged through my pocket. There was a badge with a thread attached.
Before reaching the office, I had received a visitor. Lorett had given me this token as thanks for helping her out.
My name was engraved on it. It was quite an important item.
Actually, I’m connected to the Aldebaran trading company. You could say I’m the daughter of the company head… I can’t help you much, but please take this. If you ask for assistance, they’ll grant most requests!
In the original story, Lorett was a natural social butterfly. She just wasn’t a heroine because her looks were average.
With her good personality, she had played the role of a well-connected informant.
‘I got something the protagonist was supposed to obtain first. This should make things easier from now on.’
I wanted to go on more adventures. This badge would be a huge help in the adventures ahead.
Knock knock. Click.
I entered the office. Blaken greeted me alone.
“You’re here, Queen.”
“Yes, Lord Blaken.”
Blaken spoke about yesterday first. His tone was more congratulatory than reproachful.
“You did well, Queen! You keep surprising me these days.”
“It was unavoidable.”
“No, I rather like it. It was refreshing. I called you here not just to praise you, but because we found this.”
Thud.
Blaken pulled out a document.
It was just an ordinary yellow file folder. Why was he showing me this?
It hadn’t even been opened yet.
“That is…?”
“We didn’t open it, but it was discovered when the Raindrop raided the gang’s hideout after cleaning up the pub. Juan brought it. You should take it.”
“Is that all right?”
At my question, Blaken smiled. I was a little disappointed that Juan hadn’t handed it to me directly.
The true head of this house was still Blaken.
Whatever came out of it, it was right that it passed through him first.
“Of course, Queen. You achieved great merits this time. The spoils are yours.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Receipt confirmed.
As if remembering something, Blaken pointed at me.
“Ah, Holan said he wants to see you later. In the first-floor garden.”
“Understood.”
He wanted to see me? Suddenly?
While heading to meet Holan, I checked the document.
Swish. Rustle.
After reading it, I was shocked.
It was, surprisingly, evidence that Mirinda was connected to the gang.
It recorded how she had been using the gang to make investments and carry out behind-the-scenes schemes.
‘Even the seal on this is Mirinda’s. Hah, what the hell is that woman doing?’
I already knew she was a crazy, scheming bitch, but this much?
A laugh escaped me. This was exactly what I needed most right now.
‘This could be useful.’
I licked my lips and put the document away again. After I left this house, it would be perfect as a tool to ruin Mirinda.
Keeping the evidence safe, I stepped out into the garden. Beautiful sunlight greeted me.
The scent of lush green grass and well-tended flowers teased my senses.
I also saw members of the house resting there.
Among them was Holan.
When I approached, he simply glared at me arrogantly while seated.
I accepted his gaze without flinching.
“You called?”
“Yeah, sis. Your recent activities have been quite something. If anyone saw you, they wouldn’t think you’re my sister. Heh.”
“Why? Because I can’t handle mana and have to crawl around pathetically like an idiot, that’s what makes me your sister?”
“Exactly. Someone who knows!”
Holan winked. I winked back and leaned forward slightly.
“Then it might be nice to switch roles. This time, you’re the one who becomes the idiot. Just like Jerome. How’s that? Exciting?”
Holan smiled coldly. The corner of his mouth curled up menacingly.
The house members nearby pointed fingers at me.
“Acting like a thug instead of a proper noble—get lost!”
“Someone like that should be sent to the brothels!”
“From today on, you don’t even deserve to use the Wednesday name! Filthy thing!”
“The head of the house allowed it? Bullshit.”
The story must have already spread.
That I had personally crushed a gang for the sake of commoners, and that the head had permitted it.
Yet they were still spouting nonsense.
There were plenty of these kinds of vermin on internet communities too.
People who only saw what they wanted to see and only criticized what they wanted to criticize—basement warriors.
They were exactly that level.
Calling themselves nobles, my ass.
Letting out a sigh, I retorted,
“On what basis are you judging me? Is protecting commoners from being bullied a crime for a noble?”
“Sis, wait a moment.”
Holan raised his hand. He seemed to have something to say to me.
“Sis, let me say just one thing first.”
“What? Are you going to apologize for everything so far? I won’t accept it, though.”
“Hey now, what do I have to apologize for? It’s not my fault you’re an idiot, is it? Anyway, let’s bet the position of head of the house and fight. How about it?”
Without realizing it, I whistled.
My cheeks twitched on their own.
This bastard was finally saying what I had been waiting for.
My heart trembled, and a nonexistent groin area began to tingle.