episode_0175

Revenge. Or should I call it a reckoning?

The plan was immediately put into action.

“All members are ready.” “If you just give the order, we can go out and slaughter them immediately.”

The members had gathered in just a few hours. Everyone was disciplined and rigid. This mission was the destruction of a family, the toppling of one of the Empire’s pillars. As such, everyone’s gaze was sharp, filled with a cutting edge. Because it was the process of erasing a piece of history.

‘Not that there would be any problems…’

First, I had also given a hint to the Emperor. The whole story related to this attempted kidnapping. The circumstances indicating that the Benity family had joined hands with cultists. And furthermore, the fact that they had planned to overthrow the Imperial Family.

It felt somewhat sudden, but Valkaros would listen. Because there was a debt I had erased last time.

‘I cured Rose’s incurable illness and even returned his emotions to him… so now it’s time to collect that favor.’

He’s a quick-witted person. Aside from the previous debt, if the information I provided was confirmed, the Imperial Family would have no reason to hesitate. Including Emilia’s testimony as the party involved, various circumstances pointed to Benity’s defection. Rather, they would step forward to nip the coup in the bud.

‘What I asked for was the right of first strike regarding that.’

I’d rather pay them back directly, if possible. In any case, if the Imperial Family intervenes, there will be about two days of grace. I planned to exploit that gap and take care of them. Since we had no intention of revealing ourselves, the final credit would naturally go to the Imperial Family. A situation where there was nothing to lose.

“[Do as you wish.]” “[Why would I not grant the request of someone who will one day be the Imperial Son-in-Law?]” “[I only advise you to be careful not to cause any trouble.]”

Naturally, Valkaros did not refuse. Rather, a letter offering support. There were strange titles mixed in between… but for now, I decided not to pay attention to them. Because for now, the matter concerning the Benity family was the priority.

I finished preparing to storm in with my members. And then.

“Young Lady.”

Before implementing the plan. I sought out Emilia. She was still standing in the sickroom, watching over Ruthka. Could it be that she couldn’t bring herself to accept her brother’s decision? The villainess seemed unusually confused.

“……Yuda.” “It seems you have a lot on your mind.” “It’s just, my stomach feels queasy.” “I understand.”

Ruthka’s sacrifice. The choice to liberate his sister by offering himself as a sacrifice. He claims it was for Emilia’s sake. But for the girl, it was a path where she would lose even the kin she had always relied on. Therefore, in some ways, the boy’s choice was cruel. Because he hadn’t considered the one who would be left alone.

“He’s being foolish.” “……” “He only thinks about dying alone, when I don’t even wish for it.” “The Young Master must have been worried about you.” “Who wished for something like this? I, Ruthka…” “He must have agonized for a long time.” “……He’s foolish.” “Even such foolishness is love.”

Ruthka, who had been unconscious since yesterday. However, he was not in critical condition. He had simply exhausted himself severely, fainting from fatigue. Even the health professor’s opinion stated that there was nothing to worry about.

Emilia gripped the bedsheet with her slender hand. A faint ripple spread across the sickbed.

“Ruthka…”

The vainglorious girl trembled weakly. Her usual vanity had disappeared somewhere, leaving only the girl behind. Was it due to the shock of almost losing her family? Or was it due to the helplessness of not being able to protect him? I had no way of knowing.

“Young Lady.”

I merely spoke of what was next.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

I slowly conveyed it to the villainess. The destruction of the Benity family. The plan for it, and the pretext of thwarting the coup. Finally, even the current situation, on the verge of eruption.

Emilia listened silently.

“I hope you will entrust it to me.”

I bowed my head. Though it may have been hateful at times, to her, it was the family she had been proud of her entire life. At the same time, it was also the legacy inherited from the Duke and his wife. Would she truly welcome the word ‘destruction’? The honor, attachment, and vanity that had shaped the villainess’s life. It wouldn’t be strange even if the answer was a refusal.

However.

“I’ll refuse that.”

The girl’s pride was a step ahead of even her honor. Her blue eyes shone clearly.

“I can’t entrust such a task to others.”

And for good reason. Because it was a legacy she had been proud of her entire life, and her vanity. Corruption, degeneracy, defection… if responsibility was to be taken for these, it was only right that she do so herself.

The villainess declared with cold, sunken eyes. That she would not remain a bystander.

“I will lead the way.”

Transparent blue. Emilia’s pupils were still trembling. Nevertheless, her red lips and tightly clenched fists held a trace of determination. To not be servile, even if it meant rotting away. To the girl, that was vanity. And her name.

“Are you truly alright with this?” “Why wouldn’t I be alright?” “Turning your back on Benity… would mean a great deal to the Young Lady.” “What a foolish thing to say. Which of them do you think is Benity?” “Hmm.”

A voice that shot out chillingly. The villainess was speaking.

“Benity is me.” “……” “The rightful successor, and the talent who will one day become the continent’s greatest ice mage. Beautiful as a single bloom, noble as a winter’s day, a guardian in harmony with the seasons. Benity is a name granted only to such people.”

It was self-praise poured out to an embarrassing degree. Yet her unique domineering aura erased even such shame. As if there was no need for shame when speaking the truth. It was perfect vanity.

The girl asked again. As if telling me to answer now.

“Tell me, who is Benity?” “Why, it is the Young Lady, of course.” “Those ruffians who dared to harm my kin. Do you think they are worthy?” “Of course not. They were too depraved to be noble, and too vile to be proud.” “They are nothing but fakes. False pretenders of Benity, with their lowly birth.”

Emilia Benity. The noble and proud name burned with cold fury. For dishonored pride was a duty she would shoulder.

“I will punish those fakes.” “……” “It’s no use trying to stop me. I can’t yield this, of all things.”

Her unwavering gaze. Her shoulders trembled with complex emotions, yet she brazenly wore a mask of pretense. At the sight of the vainglorious girl, I found myself smiling. With my lips twisting into a vulgar grin.

“As expected, you are magnificent.”

I extended my hand. To my truest girl, who was adorned with layers of pretense. I would stand by her side on the path where she walked with that pride.

“Then, I shall guide you.”

The villainess did not abandon herself until the very end. Therefore, I resolved.

“To the den of the defectors.”

That I would take this pitiful person to the stars.

***

A few hours later.

The Duchy of Benity, located in the northern part of the Empire. In the land known as the Winter Guardians, an unusual atmosphere persisted. It was none other than the aftermath of ‘a certain mission’ that had failed a day earlier.

Loud shouts echoed in the Duke’s office.

“Wasn’t that the mission *you* planned?!”

A middle-aged man poured out his anger toward the communication crystal ball. His hair was blue, as if to prove his lineage. The man’s name was Deron Benity. He was the interim head of the ducal family and the twins’ uncle. He spoke with an agitated voice.

“How are you going to take responsibility for this?!”

“Oh dear… Please calm down, Duke.” “Does it look like I can calm down right now?” “This failure was something we could not have predicted either, Duke. Who would have thought Benity’s elites would be annihilated…? And the oath made with Young Master Ruthka was broken?” “Yes! It’s a complete mess!”

Deron, as if unable to vent his anger, ran his hands over his face and took a deep breath. Because everything he had built up until now was on the verge of collapsing. This failure was so agonizing.

“Cultists… I shouldn’t have joined hands with the likes of you.” “You’ve benefited endlessly from us, yet you dare to speak such words. Wasn’t your very position as family head entirely thanks to our help in the first first place? You, who were always just a flunky serving your predecessors.” “What did you just say…!” “Let’s stop the argument here. Now is not the time for us to fight among ourselves.” “Damn it… So, have you found out the identity of the bastard who contacted us back then?” “Not at all. The signal was blocked in the first place, so I don’t even know how they managed to send the message.” “Whoever that lunatic is, they’re no ordinary person.” “I agree. To declare war against cultists, Benity, and businessmen…” “They’re someone who knew we were involved from the start.” “It seems we’ve been bitten by something nasty.”

His fists clenched tightly. Deron closed his eyes for a moment, then recalled that chilling moment. As if murderous intent was being transmitted through the crystal ball.

“Let’s leave it to your imagination.” “What price you will pay.”

Deron bit his lip. However, he soon shook off the extraneous thoughts. Because there was a more urgent problem at hand now. His blue eyebrows furrowed.

“More importantly… I think the Imperial Family is starting to catch a whiff.” “Indeed. If the Young Master and Young Lady testify, the timing will accelerate even further.” “I made them swear an oath precisely to prevent this! That damn bastard, how did he escape?” “There’s no use agonizing over it now. For now, find a suitable place to take refuge. You can’t lose everything, can you? We are not yet ready to wage war with the Imperial Family.” “Tsk… You remember the contract, right?” “Of course. Didn’t we say that once His grace is realized in the world, we would make you the Emperor of the new world? Even if the plan has gone awry, the objective remains unchanged, so rest assured.” “……Alright. I’ll contact you again later.”

Slam!

Deron put down the crystal ball, its power extinguished. As if his anger hadn’t subsided, he repeatedly slammed the crystal ball onto the desk. Slam, Crack, Thump! Just as cracks began to appear on its smooth surface. He roughly shoved his chair back and stood up. Perhaps he needed to clear his thoughts. Deron set down the crystal ball and headed out of the Duke’s office. The darkened backdrop greeted him.

“Hoo…”

A long breath. Deron walked with the cool air. It was a situation where he was cornered in many ways. The mission had failed, and the Imperial Family was on the verge of realizing the coup. Moreover, those who were in the same boat were all untrustworthy. It was a situation that inevitably made him furious.

Whoosh-.

As he was walking like that. Suddenly, the night wind brushed past him. Turning his head at the unexpected winter chill, he saw a window in the hallway was open. It seemed the maids hadn’t checked thoroughly. Deron unnecessarily transferred his anger to a side issue.

“Ha… those worthless maids, I’ll have to deal with them.”

The maids who were probably sleeping, oblivious. He clicked his tongue, promising himself to deal with it tomorrow. As he loosely turned through the hallway, about to head back to the Duke’s office… Deron suddenly felt an unfamiliar presence behind his back. As if someone’s gaze was following him.

“……!”

Deron reacted immediately, as expected of an excellent mage. Along with the mana he had gathered, at the end of his gaze stood two figures.

“Oh dear, we’ve been discovered?” “……”

A boy and a girl standing side by side. Both faces were familiar. One was the target of the previous mission, and the other was his own kin. Deron stared blankly at the blue hair, standing frozen. Especially her, as her visit was unexpected.

“……Emilia?” “It’s been a while, Uncle.”

A cold voice replied. Her blue eyes, characteristic of her lineage, shone with an endless chill.

“I’ve come to take back your name.”

The winter night was terribly beautiful.