NOVEL WEB Chapter 109.1
Chapter 109.1. In the Beginning, Everyone
From that point on, it must have been hell for Clyde.
“There were too many issues with your words and actions before and after the duel. Previously, you could only get away with it because Prince Aster was around to suppress things. But now, you’re just being openly stupid by continuing that way in public. Now, everything can officially become a ‘problem.’ …Oh, and it’s not just about your words. We also know you tried to fabricate evidence against Class B as a last resort, and we have physical proof.”
Katia had done what was previously thought impossible—something Clyde assumed she couldn’t do because of her reputation as a ‘flawed noblewoman.’
Yet, in reality, it was something she simply hadn’t felt inclined to do.
Far from it—when she set her mind to it, she could far surpass Clyde’s expectations, extracting promises, identifying clear issues from gray areas, and exposing weaknesses with terrifying investigative skills and insight.
He had forgotten—no, he couldn’t realize it because it was inconvenient for him.
Katia was—the daughter of that Jurgen von Trakia.
As the daughter of a Minister of Justice still feared within the aristocracy, it was only natural she could do this much.
With her hidden claws revealed, Katia intended to tear Clyde’s throat out without mercy.
“…Well, that’s the extent of the issues confirmed so far. There are still plenty more if we include the information that’s almost certain, and even just this much could cause significant damage to your family. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
“This—This is absurd slander!”
Yet, though Clyde could not afford to acknowledge this, his counterarguments and choice of words were clumsy at best.
“This is a blatant act of hostility against us! If you’re going to come at us like this, we’re prepared to face you head-on!”
“Go ahead. It’s not like we would do something like this without being prepared ourselves. Unlike you, I don’t have the shamelessness to call it shameless.”
“You…! I know, the Trakia family has focused its power on monster extermination, leaving the main house’s defenses weak!”
Clyde, in his desperation, pointed out something ominous.
“Are you sure? You seem confident, but there are many ways in this country to neutralize a single magician that you might not know about!”
“Oh? Is that a threat?”
“It’s just a hint. If something unfortunate were to happen, no one would protect you. You don’t even have proper guards with you today—”
“Ahahaha.”
Katia laughed involuntarily.
I see, so he’s trying to deny it, but this is a clear threat. In other words, if I don’t back down here, something terrible will happen to me.
…How ridiculous.
No guards? Indeed, from Clyde’s perspective, it might seem that way.
And Katia herself being attacked and suffering?
What is this man talking about?
That’s the most impossible scenario.
“Go ahead, if you think you can.”
Thus, Katia responded calmly, without flinching.
…And also because she was getting fed up with ‘him’ being underestimated.
“Well then, Herm.”
“…Uh, is that alright?”
Predicting that Clyde might take this route, she had already exchanged a prearranged signal with her servant—Hermes.
Hermes, though slightly hesitant, responded in a tone that indicated she was fine with it.
“It’s fine. I’ve got my father’s permission… and besides, he won’t admit it anyway.”
“…I see.”
Finding her reasoning unusually convincing, he nodded and began walking.
Seeing this, Clyde cast a contemptuous glance at Hermes.
“Haha! Hermes, are you seriously her bodyguard? After how she treated you during the duel? A bodyguard weaker than their charge—that’s quite the joke—!?”
And then, he froze instantly.
Because, in that split second, faster than the blink of an eye—Hermes vanished.
And at the same time, he was standing behind Clyde, where he had been across the room, with a hand chop pressed against Clyde’s neck.
“What…?”
It was too fast. Not only could the eye not follow, but even his mind couldn’t keep up—it was as if time had been stolen.
This was beyond even what Nina could do. It was an unimaginable feat using normal magical body enhancement.
And Clyde realized… something had been off from the start.
When Hermes first appeared, he stopped Illumina from striking Sara. But even that—when did he arrive?
“Clyde. You don’t have to believe it, but let me tell you the truth.”
With undeniable evidence before her, Katia calmly stated her conclusion.
“Herm is stronger than I am.”
“Impossible…”
“It’s strange, isn’t it? …How could you ever think that ‘hiding magic’ was something only you could do?”
Hermes was currently using a Bloodline Magic.
It was [Lunad Saraka], a magic meant purely for physical enhancement, and as expected of a Bloodline Magic, its power was unparalleled. Against an ordinary magician, it wouldn’t even allow a reaction, just as seen now.
Public use of Bloodline Magic was forbidden, but this time, given its relatively subtle effect, and as Katia mentioned—there was no one who would believe or acknowledge it, so it was exceptionally allowed.
Even if they couldn’t believe it, couldn’t acknowledge it… facts are facts.
In other words—targeting Katia directly was the most reckless thing one could do.
“Y-You’ve got to be kidding me, to have him do this… You’re—”
“You… should choose your words carefully.”
As expected, Clyde began to shout, but Hermes tightened his grip slightly, speaking in a cold voice.
“I am not as tolerant of insults to Katia-sama as she is.”
“!?”
The murderous intent from behind froze Clyde to the core.
“…Herm, you’re going too far. But now he understands.”
Seeing how angry Hermes was—angry for her sake—Katia felt slightly relieved but quickly refocused as she turned back to Clyde.
“There are countless ways to corner you. Feel free to target me in retaliation; I’ll even use that fact to my advantage… To put it simply—be prepared.”
Declaring she would crush him with everything she had, Katia glared down at Clyde.
Under her chilling gaze, Clyde finally—found himself unable to say or do anything.
“—!!”
Shaking off Hermes’s hand, he bolted out of the room.
Though it was an undeniably humiliating retreat for him, he had no other choice.
“Shall I pursue him?”
“No, there’s nothing more we can do here—he’s already finished.”
Knowing the answer, Hermes didn’t press further.
Moreover, Katia murmured, turning her gaze to another person.
“There’s still someone else who has something to say.”
The woman Katia glanced at—Illumina—initially showed a flash of fear but quickly glared at Katia with a hatred-filled expression.
“—Who do you think you are!?”
“…?”
“It’s ridiculous! The idea that House Hartmann has joined House Trakia’s faction!? I haven’t heard a word of it! This is invalid!”
“Oh, that’s an amusing thing to say. How does a mere baroness have the authority to decide her family’s fate? That’s the head’s job, isn’t it?”
From her words alone, it was clear how tyrannical Illumina had been within House Hartmann.
And by deliberately touching on Illumina’s most sensitive spot—being ‘just a baroness’—Katia saw her face contort in anger.
“What… do you think you are! You’re just a flawed noblewoman, a mere girl who lost her fiancé to my Sara!”
“Herm, stay. …Just that one word would be enough of a reason to take your head off, but let’s hear the rest.”
Katia stopped Hermes, who was about to silence Illumina without question due to her outrageous words, and urged her to continue.
But Illumina wasn’t listening to Katia’s words anymore.
“And you, what gives you the right to look down on us from your high horse? Just because you were born into a good family, you stick your nose into our business! How selfish can you be!?”
…The concept of self-reflection likely doesn’t exist in her dictionary.
Setting that aside for now, Katia simply nodded in response to Illumina’s accusations.
“You’re right, my actions are selfish.”
“Wha—”
“I’m interfering in your affairs for my own convenience, and I’m taking Sara away for my personal goals. …Oh, but it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t ask her opinion, would it? …So, Sara?”
Saying this, Katia handed over control to Sara, who until now had only been able to watch the conversation.
──This is your decision to make, she conveyed.
“What do you want to do? Will you continue to follow your mother’s wishes as before, or will you come with me? …Of course, I want you to choose the latter, but I’ll respect your opinion. Even if you choose to stay as you are, I promise the Trakia family won’t break its promise to protect the Hartmann family. So, decide based on your own feelings.”
“Sara! Hey, I raised you, everything you have, I gave it to you! Of course, you’re not the kind of ungrateful child who would abandon someone like that, right!?”
Faced with a sudden choice between two women,
Her blood-related mother and her dear friend. Normally, it’s impossible to make such a choice lightly.
…But.
She must have decided long ago which path she wanted to take.
So, Sara first turned to her mother and bowed her head.
“…I’m sorry, Mother.”
“──”
Illumina was left in shock. For the first time, Katia allowed herself to show a delicate smile of relief.
Finally realizing the situation, Illumina…
“!! You traitor──”
Walked forward in a rage, raising her hand──but of course, it was Hermes’s job to stop her.
He took a step forward. Just that was enough to remind Illumina of his earlier display of strength, and she froze in fear, shifting her hatred towards him.
…Let her hold onto her grudges. After all, she doesn’t care if people she’s not interested in harbor ill feelings towards her.
If it means Sara won’t be targeted, if it eases her burden, then I’ll gladly be the usurper, the villain. Katia must think the same way.
Sara turned back to Illumina, apologized once more, and without looking back, left the room with her master and servant.
From the now empty living room, except for one person, only Illumina’s unbearable cries echoed endlessly.
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