Chapter 52: The Power to protect my stuff – 3

Vivian, as she had promised, continued her efforts to get closer to the young soldiers of the punishment unit.

She frequently made appearances, occasionally provided food like at a banquet, and greeted them with a warm smile.

The young soldiers, already somewhat lax, gradually began to open their hearts even more.

“Is that so? You’ll do even better next time. Please, beat up Kailo soundly then.”

“Yes…! Yes…! I will! I’ll beat that bastard to death…!”

Today, Vivian visited the punishment unit’s cafeteria again, chatting affectionately with the young soldiers.

The soldiers seemed to forget their meals, eagerly waiting for Vivian to approach them.

Several maids followed behind Vivian.

It had recently become common knowledge in the castle that Vivian was growing close with the young soldiers of the punishment unit.

Some people started whispering about it, but Vivian didn’t seem to care.

Vivian, moving among the rough, dirty, and hideous-looking men, was starkly out of place.

Her gentle smile, kind words, and the soft atmosphere she exuded were so different from the Vivian I knew.

I knew well that all of it was her effort, a mask, yet I couldn’t help but be amazed at how flawlessly she could act.

Watching her effortlessly smile and behave in ways she had rarely shown to me left me feeling oddly uncomfortable.

But at the same time, I could sense that she was truly putting her all into this.

“Yanes.”

After conversing with the soldiers around the cafeteria, Vivian stopped in front of Yanes.

“…Yes?”

Usually showing off his masculinity and strength among his peers, even he became visibly tense in front of Vivian.

He hurriedly wiped his mouth and tried to compose himself.

Vivian gestured to one of the maids standing behind her.

Serena, who had once shown slight affection for me, appeared with a wooden cup and a bottle, looking a little nervous.

Vivian spoke.

“I heard you’ve come of age. Since you’re serving here, you probably haven’t had a chance to drink.”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“My father used to say that a man should know how to drink when he becomes an adult. So, have a glass.”

Sounds of admiration and envy burst around Yanes.

Everyone laughed at his bewildered expression.

I chuckled at his silly face as well.

For some reason, I didn’t dislike the sight of Vivian getting closer to these young soldiers.

Serena handed the cup to Yanes and poured a purple wine into it.

Men gathered around him like wild dogs, sniffing the aroma.

Yanes, flustered by the curious noses coming at him from all sides, pushed them away in irritation.

Then, looking at Vivian, he spoke.

“…Lady Vivian, I… I won’t forget this. Thank you.”

Not just his words but his expression showed genuine gratitude.

He took the wine in a single gulp, then exhaled sharply with a startled expression, looking around.

It was clear the taste wasn’t to his liking.

Nevertheless, he handed the cup back to Serena and bowed deeply to Vivian.

Vivian smiled, seemingly finished with her conversation, and turned to look in my direction.

It was clear that her decision to get close to the young soldiers and her efforts to have them by her side lent her an air of authority that felt different now.

Perhaps one could say she finally carried the presence of a leader.

It was subtle, but certainly better than lacking it.

She smiled at me briefly.

I pretended not to notice and continued eating.

***

Vivian looked down over the training grounds from the castle of Rondor.

There, the young soldiers of the punishment unit were continuing their training.

Following Kailo’s suggestion, Vergor had delegated training authority to him.

As promised to Vivian, Kailo guided the young soldiers, wielding his wooden sword energetically.

The relentless training alone was enough to leave one breathless.

Vivian couldn’t take her eyes off Kailo as he shouted, working hard in the center.

For some reason, she felt she could watch him all day.

Despite his rough words, it was pleasant to see him working so hard for her.

A strangely warm sensation welled up from her chest.

She didn’t particularly dislike the feeling.

Being such an unfamiliar sensation, Vivian didn’t quite know what to call it.

It merely felt like the thrill of mischief, like playing with fire as a child.

Moreover, seeing all the young soldiers training gave Vivian a sense of reassurance.

No one had yet pledged their loyalty, but she felt her plan was progressing smoothly.

Lady Linne had said,

“A woman’s weapon is beauty.”

Vivian, not deaf to the whispers, could easily hear the soldiers’ murmurs.

She knew they praised her beauty endlessly.

Perhaps that’s why growing closer to them didn’t feel particularly difficult.

Recently, Vivian herself had been growing up a little bit.

There was beauty that blossomed at the cost of uncomfortable chest bindings and monthly pains.

Maybe due to Lady Linne’s teachings, Vivian would sometimes unknowingly wield her beauty.

Lately, she realized that simply flashing a slight smile was enough for many to think favorably of her.

Not just the young soldiers, but even soldiers, knights, and maids would sometimes gaze at her blankly.

If anyone was unaffected by that smile, it would probably be Kailo Alan.

He was always the same, either quietly watching or turning his head away without reaction.

Of course, Vivian had never shown him such a masked smile.

She had no reason to with him… and besides, she felt too embarrassed given how long they had been together.

Swish.

Vivian turned away from the window and began to return to her room.

Though she wanted to keep watching the training from the same spot, she was focused on her decision to grow stronger, as she had declared to Kailo.

She couldn’t stop thinking about that night.

Not the harassment by Kailo, but the incident before that.

She remembered Lani circling around Kailo, laughing like a bird.

And whenever she did, an intense, undying anger would rise in her chest.

If anything, the anger only grew fiercer—more than the day before yesterday, more than yesterday, and even more today.

The more she watched Kailo, the more she thought about him, the stronger this anger became.

She wondered how Kailo might behave when she wasn’t watching.

Did he ever give others the same embrace he had given her that day?

If only she could monitor him every moment.

She didn’t know why she started thinking this way, but regardless… it all began that day.

After nearly losing Kailo, who she had saved in exchange for her family’s lives, she was resolute.

Vivian would never experience such a thing again.

Without realizing it, Vivian began to picture a scenario.

It was an impossibility, but if the events of that day had gone differently and Lani had managed to take Kailo away from her…

If Kailo had given his life, not for her, but for Lani, to protect her…

If everything he did was directed at Lani instead of herself…

“…Ugh.”

Vivian groaned at the dull ache near her heart, shaking her head quickly to dispel the unpleasant fantasy.

In any case, as long as she held power, that future wouldn’t come.

Late into the night, Vivian was sorting through various documents.

The documents were filled with information about those she suspected as potential adversaries, all gathered by her spymaster, Nestor.

It wasn’t because Nestor was especially skilled that she had these documents; Vivian had to threaten him to get them.

She had to take that thin thirty-year-old man, berate him for his incompetence, accuse him of failing to contribute to her safety, and even hint that she might introduce him to her executioner, Kailo.

Only then did he hurriedly bring these documents to her.

Vivian reviewed the papers.

They were people who wouldn’t think twice about targeting her life.

Robert Rondor—he had hinted at regency and harbored deep ambitions.

With his extensive support base from his time in the knight’s order during the war, he was lately traveling frequently between Rondor Castle and his territory, Nerumport, increasing opportunities to meet her vassals.

Count Corrode—an individual to whom Rondor was once in debt.

Though she had repaid it, with interest, using the spoils from the dragon Kailo had subdued, they had never had a particularly friendly relationship.

It might have been inevitable, given their positions as count and duke.

Long ago, the Delum royal family had granted land to the former Count Corrode to counterbalance the growing power of Rondor family.

There were many more—heads of families loyal to Rondor, merchants trying to take over trade in Rondor…

There were too many to even start deducing motives.

“You seem deep in thought, Vivian?”

It was Elena, the witch, who had been keeping her company, who spoke.

Vivian nodded, letting out a deep breath.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“Still, you’ve decided to recruit soldiers. That’s a significant first step.”

Vivian nodded, feeling slightly comforted.

Elena, exhaling a long trail of smoke, approached Vivian with an unusually serious expression.

Her steps weren’t relaxed; there was a hint of urgency.

This strange behavior made Vivian look up at her quietly.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Vivian, it’s awkward to ask, but… I have a favor.”

“A favor?”

“You remember I mentioned how the Las Order’s persecution against witches is growing, right?”

“…Oh.”

“Even within Loctana, this kind of activity is intensifying. Your executioner, Kailo Alan, might be cutting a few new throats because of it soon.”

“…And?”

“It’s a request, but could you help curb the Las Order’s oppression a little? Just a suggestion to ease the oppressive atmosphere in the territory would be enough.”

Vivian mulled over her words.

Asking the Order to ease up, especially when her political footing wasn’t even stable?

And to reduce what was essentially one of the Order’s core duties: hunting witches?

Although it had been part of their initial agreement, Vivian selfishly calculated her gains and losses.

It seemed only natural, given that their relationship had always been built on such terms.

“…Teacher, I’ll be honest.”

“Go ahead.”

“To be frank, I don’t believe you’ve done enough to deserve such a request from me.”

“…What?”

“I haven’t even used any proper spells, nor have I really benefited from any help.”

“…I know, but can’t you do it just a bit sooner… isn’t there some way?”

“I don’t know. Lately, I can’t help but wonder… are you hiding something from me?”

“Vivian, how could you say such a hurtful thing… I taught you the spell to detect poison, didn’t I? The one to keep your heart steady?”

“But just that alone isn’t enough to build real power. Frankly, it wasn’t that helpful.”

“Well, powerful magic can only be wielded by adults, and it requires a sacrifice—you know this. We discussed it already.”

“…You also clearly mentioned that you’d teach me useful spells I can use as an apprentice witch.”

“Even for those kinds of spells, at the very least, you need to have a vessel… hmm?”

Elena raised a questioning eyebrow.

Holding a long smoking pipe, she quickly approached Vivian.

She crouched beside her chair and placed her hand on Vivian’s lower abdomen.

“W-what are you doing…!”

Vivian, startled by the cold touch, pushed her hand away.

However, Elena seemed to have forgotten their previous conversation and suddenly made a declaration.

“Vivian, a vessel has emerged within you.”

Vivian, confused, asked.

“A… vessel? What kind of vessel?”

“As I just mentioned, it’s a vessel needed to use useful spells.”

“It’s a sign that you’re growing up. It seems more fitting to treat you as an adult rather than a child now.”

Vivian, feeling an odd discomfort, replied.

“…This feels strange, Master. Are you saying it appeared suddenly? Right when I was questioning you?”

“…I understand. But to be precise, it seems the vessel has existed for some time. I just hadn’t noticed because I wasn’t observing closely.”

Despite Vivian’s skeptical gaze, Elena asserted confidently.

“Isn’t when it appeared irrelevant? What’s important is that you try using the spell yourself and judge whether the witch’s power is worthwhile. That way, you’ll decide if you can continue trusting me.”

…That was true.

No matter how suspicious she was of Elena, the validity of the witch’s power could only be determined by experiencing it herself.

“So, what kind of spell will you teach me?”

“Hmm…”

Elena looked over the documents scattered across Vivian’s desk, then smiled beautifully.

“Vivian, if I teach you a useful spell… will you help hinder the Las Order, even just a bit?”

After contemplating, Vivian answered.

“If I find it a worthwhile spell.”

Elena nodded confidently.

“Ah, don’t worry. It’s genuinely worthwhile.”

“…What is it?”

Elena responded.

“A spell to detect lies. Don’t you think that would be especially useful right now?”

Hearing the practical power of it, Vivian felt undeniably drawn in.

She looked up at Elena, slightly surprised that such a thing was possible.

With that ability, she might be able to identify her enemies one by one—distinguish who was an ally and who was not.

…But for some reason, when she heard about detecting lies, the first person who came to mind was Kailo.

She wondered if he had ever lied to her.