episode_0198

As she stepped out of the carriage, she saw knights and maids lined up on both sides, along with her father, Count Gardin Bretes, Countess Madeleine, and finally, her eldest brother, Alfred Bretes. Unlike the slender and beautiful Alisa, these three individuals, whom it was difficult to even call family, all boasted an imposing physique. The fact that Alisa could be born into such a family was a miracle in itself. Perhaps it was because she was an illegitimate child and had inherited all of her mother’s genes. Alisa paid her respects to them. “Mother, Father. Have you been well?” “Hahaha! Yes, I’ve been well. And you?” “…I’ve had no major issues either.” Despite knowing full well that she had recently been confined to the recovery room due to mana backlash, there was no sign of concern from the Count. As for the Countess, she had always viewed Alisa as an eyesore, so a positive reaction was out of the question. However, what tormented her the most was none other than her eldest brother, Alfred Bretes’s gaze. “Alisa. You’ve become much prettier in half a year. Especially… sensual. Heh heh, did you meet a man behind Father’s back?” Despite being half-siblings, his eyes constantly swept over Alisa’s chest and hips. To him, already addicted to debauchery, incest was not even an obstacle. Yet, the only reason he hadn’t touched her was one: Count Gardin meticulously managed Alisa as a tool for political marriage. “What!? Meet a man? Alisa, is this true! Did you defy your father’s words!” “…No. I haven’t been in a relationship.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “Hmm… Alright. I understand. Alfred. Don’t say useless things! Understood?” “Yes, Father.” If he reacted this way to simple sexual harassment, his limbs wouldn’t be intact if something truly happened. And Alfred was a coward who treasured his own body terribly. Count Gardin belatedly pretended to be calm. “Then, let’s all go inside. Dinner has been prepared, so let’s eat and talk slowly.” “Yes, Father.” Leaving the ugly reunion behind, Alisa followed the Count to the dining room.

Thereafter, a difficult meal continued. “So, Alisa. You’ve had your Dantian sealed?” “Yes. They said I can’t use mana until the mana backlash is resolved.” “Hahaha! That’s even better. What’s a woman doing with swordsmanship! Take this opportunity to marry and devote yourself to household affairs. Understood?” “…Yes.” The Count was truly a patriarchal man. Even his praise when she awakened her talent for swordsmanship as a child and defeated her eldest brother in a spar was merely because her value as a tool for political marriage had increased. Unlike back then, now that she was deeply engrossed in swordsmanship, he found her bothersome, fearing she might slip from his grasp at any moment. Alisa clenched her fists, unnoticed by anyone. ‘If only I had one more year…’ Given her current growth rate, with just a little more time, she would have gained enough power to break free from the family’s control. Then she could have enjoyed the freedom she had so longed for, but it had all come to naught. Even now, within her mind, hatred for Ruan and affection for Eunrang clashed fiercely. Due to this, her body’s balance was on the verge of collapsing, barely held together by divine authority. While Alisa quietly suffered internally, the meal ended, and tea time began. The Count instructed a butler to place three photographs in front of Alisa.

“Alisa. These are the nobles I’m considering as your potential partners. Take a look.” “…” Alisa stared blankly down at the photos. Though their appearances differed, their common traits were that they were all lecherous-looking old men in their sixties with receding hairlines. Their dull eyes revealed how much they indulged in pleasure. ‘Me, with these kinds of old men…’ For a moment, she even thought it was fortunate she had been raped by Ruan instead. It was far better to give her first experience to that hateful yet loving man than to have it with such old men. Alisa let out a hollow laugh to herself. Without her realizing it, her anger towards Ruan had been significantly diluted. Now, she didn’t know her own heart. “Well, Alisa. What do you think? Who looks better?” “…It doesn’t matter who it is. Who do you want, Father?” “Hmm… I think Count Geto in the second photo would be good. They say Count Geto cherishes his wife very much.” “Is that so?” The talk of cherishing his wife was laughable. How could such a man have more than three concubines while his wife was still alive? As far as she knew, Count Geto was a rich man who owned dozens of mines. The types and quantities of minerals extracted from there alone accounted for about 15 percent of the entire empire’s mining output, so if they could just arrange a marriage, the Bretes ducal family could instantly elevate their prestige. It was more than enough compensation for merely sending off an illegitimate daughter. She wished he wouldn’t try to sugarcoat it when he clearly just chose him for the money. “Do as you wish. It doesn’t matter to me.” “Haha! Thank you for following your father’s wishes. Then I’ll arrange the date for the formal family meeting right away. Go to your room and rest comfortably.” “Yes. Thank you.” Expressing her gratitude, she left the dining room under Alex’s watchful eye.

‘I’m really… getting married.’ When she heard it from Alex, it hadn’t felt real, but coming to this ugly mansion made it immediately palpable. Her pathetic situation didn’t even allow for a laugh. For a brief moment, she even considered ending her own life. Yet, what prevented her from carrying it out was a faint hope, a baseless hope that someone might come to rescue her. There was no need to say who that someone was. ‘Idiot.’ Alisa trembled with self-loathing at her unchanging heart, even after coming all this way.

Whiz whiz whiz! A shower of magic rained down from all directions. I moved flexibly, yet shot through the barrage like an arrow. It had been about half a year since I started using this training ground. As a result of diligent training, I had now reached a level where I could bat away and dodge mana orbs using only my feet, completely excluding my fists. At least in terms of unarmed techniques, it was safe to say I had clearly surpassed the current realm. The problem was that to reach an even higher realm, I needed to achieve that damned enlightenment. ‘How was it in the game?’ It certainly varied depending on the choices, but I remembered gaining enlightenment by being trapped in a dungeon near the Friuli territory and fighting monsters. Was it said that the mind and body became one, and external and internal energy achieved harmony? Speaking of harmony, one thing bothered me. I quickly deactivated the training ground and placed my hand on my heart. Thump! Thump! Along with the violent pounding of my overworked heart, I felt the Taegeuk coiled within it. Inside, a divine beast and a dragon’s flame each occupied half, growling at each other. Though quiet for now, it was an instability that could cause destruction with just a slight slip. That could hardly be called harmony. ‘Do I need to improve it?’ Taegeuk Hwashin-gong is an excellent mana cultivation method. However, now that I knew it wasn’t enough, I couldn’t remain complacent forever. I had to move further forward. ‘Good. Let’s head in this direction.’ I still had no idea how to do it, but I was pleased that I could at least determine a direction. As I was about to sit on the bench, satisfied, Cain came down the stairs.

“Oh? Cain? What brings you here? It’s not time to close the shop yet.” “I came to ask you something.” Cain took a seat next to me. He snatched the water bottle I was about to drink from, took a gulp, and continued. “Ethan Gloucester. How long do you plan to leave him alone?” “That’s a bit out of the blue.” “Just answer.” “…Well, I’d like to deal with him right away, but I haven’t had the chance. What about you, Cain? Any clues about Hersculer?” Since the summer vacation, Cain had been cultivating his own strength while traveling around, chasing Hersculer’s traces. He was so busy that I barely saw his face once a week. Even then, we couldn’t have a proper conversation because he was taking intensive tutoring. In response to my question, Cain pulled an object from his pocket. “Look at this. I picked it up from a Dark Cult hideout.” What he presented was a ominously glowing red piece of metal. It was a strangely familiar color. “This is… similar to a demon sword.” “Right. It seems the Dark Cult is mass-producing demon swords. This must be a failed attempt.” “That’s quite fast. I thought there was still more time.” “You knew? Right, you did say you knew the future. Anyway, their research seems to be nearing completion.” “That’s dangerous.” The power of a demon sword, as seen with Remian, unleashes tremendous might. If thousands, tens of thousands of such weapons are mass-produced and arm the Dark Cult members, it will cause immense damage. To subjugate them, at least double the military force would be required. ‘My head’s going to explode.’ My mind was already complicated with various matters, and new incidents kept arising. I handed the metal piece back to Cain for now. “For now, please continue to act as you are. I’ll think of a way.” “Alright. See you later.” As if that was truly his only business, Cain left the training ground. I gulped down the water roughly. “Haa… I need to meet Roxana.” No immediate solution came to mind, but perhaps she, with her intelligence, could come up with a clever plan. Until then, I had no choice but to maintain the current situation and wait for an opportunity. After a short rest, I finished my training and headed to the dormitory. It was when I arrived at the entrance.

“Ah, Ruan!” For some reason, Abel and his companions, who had been waiting, approached me. “Abel? What’s up?” “I’m planning to visit Alisa tomorrow. How about coming with us?” “…What? That’s what this was about? I already said no last time.” I had refused several times already, but they didn’t seem to tire of it and brought up the same topic again. When I frowned, Abel flinched but didn’t back down. “I know you two don’t get along. But this is different, isn’t it? Huh? Are you really going to let Alisa get married like this? Come with us!” “That’s right! We’re Alisa’s friends. At least we should comfort her.” At Uni’s words, I couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Comfort…’ I was the one who pushed Alisa’s life into the gutter, so would visiting her now truly bring comfort? She’d probably just curse me, asking if it was another deception. No, if it just ended with curses, that would be a relief; she might even blindly thrust her rapier at me. I really didn’t want to go through that. “Whatever you say, it’s no use. I’m not going. So give up.” I snapped harshly, then pushed Abel aside and entered the dormitory.