Chap 17-Lady Bennett

 

Crystal Orbs throughout Terra’s plazas shone, floating in the air.

It was a signal that new news had arrived.

People, as if accustomed to it, stopped walking and gazed at the Crystal Orbs from their respective spots.

From commoners to nobles, no one seemed willing to miss this news.

As the Crystal Orb flickered and emitted light, a Magic Circle rotated, and a screen appeared.

A woman was visible, along with the logo of Mirage Times.

Serena Bennet.

Terra’s best swordswoman, the next successor of the Duke Bennett family.

If someone spoke about the Lady Bennet, there was always a question that followed.

In a good way? Or a bad way?

Naturally, the bad way was Yeon Bennet, and the good way was Serena Bennet.

The only hope of the Bennett family, known to be corrupted.

The pitiful Lady who had her father’s love stolen by a wicked villainess.

People momentarily buzzed at her appearance.

But soon, they quieted down after seeing the look in her eyes.

A cold and resolute gaze.

A perfect noble’s face that showed no emotion.

And she opened her mouth with a voice as if prepared.

“Hello. This is Serena Bennet.”

Her one word made the space sink heavily.

Serena took a deep breath.

Her neat face spread throughout Terra through the Crystal Orb.

“I have come to this place because I have something to say to everyone, with the family name on the line.”

At that moment, murmurs erupted from various plazas.

Serena continued speaking in an unwavering voice.

“The second daughter of the Duke Bennett family and my younger sister, Yeon Bennet, has committed numerous misdeeds.”

As she continued, many people held their breath and waited for her words.

Serena continued firmly.

“However, there is a greater sinner than she is.”

She slowly raised her head.

“My father, Isaac Bennett.”

The plaza became silent for a moment.

“Duke Isaac Bennett condoned the actions committed by Yeon Bennet and even protected her.”

Until now, criticizing Isaac Bennett was not easy.

Duke Bennett was strong, and his influence was immense.

But now…

His own daughter was criticizing him head-on.

“As the successor of the family, I will no longer stand by and watch the Bennett family become more corrupt.”

Serena took a deep breath.

And slowly bowed her head, saying.

“In the name of the Bennett family, I apologize to everyone in Terra for our past actions.”

People held their breath at her perfect noble etiquette and attitude.

The successor of the Bennett family was apologizing to the entire Terra.

That alone was huge news.

But the highlight was yet to come.

Serena immediately raised her head.

With a resolute voice, she declared.

“Therefore, I formally declare.”

She looked at the Crystal Orb and said firmly.

“Isaac Bennett is not qualified to be a Duke.”

The plaza erupted as if exploding.

Something that no one dared to say…

Serena Bennet said it herself.

Those who were quick to notice already realized that most of the family’s power had turned their backs on Duke Bennett and supported Serena.

“The Bennett family will no longer cover up her misdeeds.”

…

Beneath the dazzling chandelier, red hair swayed.

Camilla Medici stared at the screen with an expression devoid of any emotion.

“And as the rightful successor of the Bennett family, I will no longer consider Yeon Bennet as a member of the family…”

Beep.

Slender fingertips brushed through the air.

At the same time, the Crystal Orb flickered and went out.

“Duke Bennett… he was more incompetent than I thought.”

The Medici Ducal Family.

The family that was most actively absorbing the power of the Bennett family, using the excuse of protecting the villainess Yeon Bennet.

“I didn’t expect Unni Serena to come out like that.”

To openly reveal the family’s flaws and confront them head-on.

It was something that anyone couldn’t do, but it was the most certain method.

“Lady, what will you do?”

Camilla lightly tapped the glass with her finger.

A clear sound spread into the air.

This was clearly a warning.

Serena’s warning that attacking the Bennett family using Yeon Bennet as an excuse would no longer work.

“I should be cautious for now.”

“…Yes?”

“I think I can use this in my own way.”

Yeon Bennet, she had been a truly precious woman to Camilla.

Thanks to the stupid and disgusting misdeeds she committed, the Bennett family collapsed on its own, and the Medici family had a golden opportunity to expand its power.

She was rumored to be trash who even sold her soul to an Evil God in her obsession with power, but she was a valuable existence to her.

She had no doubt that Yeon would help her again so that the Medici family could rise to the top.

The corners of Camilla’s lips faintly rose.

The smile was beautiful, but at the same time, it was chilling.

…

After Serena Bennet’s bombshell declaration, Mirage Times continued to release new news.

But people’s interest was no longer there.

The Bennett family’s internal strife, the controversy over Yeon Bennet, and Serena Bennet’s challenge…

Compared to that shocking news, the next content was the same boring story that the media always talked about.

“Next news. The Saintess of the Holy Kingdom has once again performed a miracle!”

“Saintess Candidate Lina suppressed a sudden Magical Beast attack that occurred in the outskirts of the Holy Kingdom two days ago and protected the villagers!”

“Saintess Candidate Lina also participated in this relief effort, and her prayers contributed to purifying the Contamination of the Magical Beasts!”

It was always the same story.

‘The Saintess has once again dedicated herself to humanity.’

‘The Saintess Candidate has once again performed a miracle.’

Not a special event, but a repeated announcement like an alarm sound.

“As expected of the Saintess. She is always grateful.”

“The Holy Kingdom did relief work again!”

“I heard that the Saintess Candidate is also growing more and more.”

However, not many people were interested.

Just like the news that ‘Yeon Bennet did something bad again.’

A natural thing.

An unchanging story.

It was so familiar that it was nothing new.

…

A quiet chapel where faint candlelight flickered.

Soft light permeated through the golden stained glass, further enhancing the sacred atmosphere.

In front of the huge statue placed in the center, a girl was quietly kneeling and praying.

Pink hair fluttered and sparkled in the ripples of the candlelight.

A clear and pure face, lips with a soft smile.

Saintess Candidate Lina.

“Please grant us your blessing. So that this land is not stained by darkness, so that people’s hearts do not lose their goodness…”

Lina quietly continued her prayer.

A faint light swirled at her fingertips.

Small particles containing Holy Power gently scattered in the air.

At that time.

Lina’s eyelashes fluttered slightly at the sound of news coming from the Crystal Orb.

She, who had been closing her eyes, stopped praying for a very brief moment.

“…Yeon Bennet.”

Repeating the name, Lina made a slightly complicated expression.

What was heard in the news was always the same story.

‘The villainess Yeon Bennet’s atrocities.’

‘Yeon Bennet has caused trouble again this time.’

Lina quietly closed her eyes again.

To be honest, she wasn’t very surprised that something like this happened.

In the first place, there were countless misdeeds committed by Yeon Bennet.

It was, in a way, inevitable that she would be judged.

“It’s her own fault, but…”

Lina thought it was a little unfortunate.

In the past, when she was living in the slums as a street orphan before being selected as a Saintess Candidate.

There was a connection with her.

They weren’t on good terms even in those days.

She always avoided Lina and treated her sharply.

But anyway, there was a time when they were together.

In the same space, under the same sky.

And above all, she couldn’t forget.

Back when she hadn’t yet awakened her Holy Power or her Unique Ability ‘Luck’.

That small back that pushed her away from the Magical Beast’s claws…

That’s why Lina couldn’t give up on Yeon.

She had a duty to lead Yeon on the right path.

…

The director’s office was filled with a gloomy silence.

Dorothy sat at her desk, watching the interview video being broadcast by the Magic Device.

In the screen, a woman was speaking with a cold smile.

Serena Bennet.

Isaac Bennett’s eldest daughter and Yeon’s adopted Unni.

And a politician who had recently graduated and was increasing her influence within the Allied Aristocracy.

Dorothy’s fingertips trembled.

“That crazy bitch.”

She had endured and endured, but this was too much.

She shouldn’t have listened to that bastard’s request.

Isaac, who begged that he didn’t care what happened to him, but to leave a hole for the family to escape at the last moment.

Dorothy didn’t like it very much, but she allowed it because they were not at fault.

On the condition that the family be thoroughly controlled.

“What the hell was Isaac doing…!”

Dorothy jumped up from her seat and raised her voice.

The Magic Circle that floated into the air in an instant called up a line connected to Isaac Bennett.

But…

『……』

“Damn it.”

Dorothy gritted her teeth and roughly erased the Magic Circle.

Something was definitely going wrong.

“Emilia Gale.”

She quietly opened her mouth.

The Magic Circle immediately reacted and opened another line in the air.

After a while.

A woman with sky-blue hair and long eyes twisted space and appeared.

“Did you call, Elder?”

A health professor and a Witch of the same clan as Dorothy.

Emilia Gale.

“Something’s wrong with the Bennett family.”

Dorothy said firmly.

“Check all our Witches left in that area… connection lines, surveillance channels.”

Emilia bowed her head.

“I will check immediately.”

Instantly, her eyes sparkled, and she began to open new Magic lines in space.

However…

After a while, she frowned and turned around.

“All connections have been cut off. The residual Magical Power has also been erased too cleanly.”

Dorothy quietly closed her eyes.

The fact that this happened when she was weakened was a very bad sign.

It was clear that a traitor who had been holding their breath had stepped forward.

“Richard, the connection with that child must have been cut off as well.”

“Yes, all means of contacting that side have been cut off.”

“Then I’ll have to go myself.”

“Yes? But!!”

Dorothy had no choice but to step into this obvious trap.

If something happened to that damn Serena, her stupid disciple would surely blame herself again.

“I’ll leave in three days. Prepare thoroughly so that the academy can run on its own even without me.”

Richard Bennett.

A level 9 swordsman.

And…

To the founder of the Bennett family.

“Then the Calamity-Class Monster’s check…”

“I killed one anyway, so there should be room. My family is about to collapse, so I have to let them know.”

She, who had already broken the Geass once, was weakening in real time.

She had to use the remaining time in the most meaningful way possible.

She couldn’t let the Bennett family collapse like this.

Even for the sake of her disciple.

Author’s Note

Thank you for watching!