Sword Emperor, Becoming the Young Lady of a Viscount House

Chapter 46: The Suspicious Girl (3)  

Reiser pulled out a crystal orb in the secluded grassy area. It was a type of communication device, the only long-distance communication tool in this world.  

“Your Highness. This is Reiser.”  

The Crown Prince's face appeared in the crystal orb. He was working, not even raising his gaze. It was late at night, yet he was still occupied with paperwork. Reiser, knowing this trait of the prince, naturally fixed his eyes on the screen.  

[Yes. You’ve worked hard. What is the matter?]  

“I am contacting you to report something.”  

It didn’t seem to be a routine report. Luel briefly lifted his gaze from the documents.  

[If you're saying that, it must be quite serious.]  

“There are too many strange occurrences.”  

[Explain in detail.]  

“First, traces of black magic have been discovered.”  

Luel’s eyes widened in shock.  

[Did you just say black magic?]  

“Yes, I did.”  

[Are you certain?]  

“I am confident. I confirmed it on the first day. A goblin, clearly dead, suddenly moved and attacked. And that’s not all.”  

Reiser held up the crystal orb to show a nearby tree.  

The tree had turned black, devoid of even the slightest sign of life.  

“…As you can see, it’s hard to find any living creatures in the vicinity. The trees have all transformed like this. I can faintly sense the stench of mana as well.”  

[Hah… This is an ominous sign. Does black magic truly exist?]  

There were few on the continent unaware of black magic. It was a staple of myths from the Age of Magic.  

Black magicians, often compared to those who "sold their souls to demons," were unmistakable enemies of humanity.  

They were known for reviving the dead into magical beasts and commanding them to inflict great harm on humans.  

Thus, they had been branded the common enemies of the continent and were ultimately exterminated.  

Hearing that black magic had reappeared left Luel speechless. It was like adding fuel to an already chaotic situation.  

“At first, I was uncertain. But then there was an attack. An uncountable number of magical beasts assaulted us.”  

[An attack, you say?]  

“Yes. All the signs point to black magic. And this is likely just the beginning. Though we managed to fend them off without casualties, we had to resort to using our divine powers.”  

[What? Even your divine powers?]  

“Yes. Every member of the Royal Knights except myself had to use them. As a result, they’re all completely exhausted now.”  

“Good grief.” Luel muttered as he ran a hand down his face.  

Divine powers weren’t something to be used lightly.  

It was rare to strategically employ divine powers, occurring perhaps once every ten years. The Royal Knights had to be ever-prepared to protect the royal family.  

If they were forced to use their divine powers, it signified a dire situation, one beyond ordinary control.  

For the strongest group in Krapos to face a threat of such magnitude that even they couldn’t handle it was unimaginable to Luel.  

[It’s a miracle there were no casualties. Reiser, you must have gone through a lot.]  

In such times, every single life was precious.  

The lack of casualties was a small blessing amidst misfortune. Luel gave Reiser a look of trust.  

“It wasn’t me who excelled. Beatrice deserves much of the credit.”  

[What?]  

At the mention of a mere cadet’s name, Luel’s eyes widened.  

[Are you saying she contributed amidst the Royal Knights?]  

It was a somewhat unbelievable story.  

Luel was aware of Beatrice’s potential, but at most, she was just the daughter of a viscount.  

She couldn’t possibly compare to the Royal Knights.  

“Yes. She was the first to notice the traces of black magic. During the ensuing chaos, she protected the other cadets, preventing any casualties. Without her, four would have perished.”  

‘His Highness needs to recognize her value.’  

That was Reiser’s sentiment. Beatrice, he was certain, would achieve great feats on the battlefield. It wasn’t just her previous accomplishments—Reiser’s intuition confirmed it.  

“Beatrice is an exceptional talent. Your Highness must keep an eye on her.”  

[Don’t worry. I am already monitoring Beatrice closely. If her abilities are proven, she will be placed in a significant position.]  

This was Luel’s strength. He efficiently utilized individuals regardless of their status.  

Although Beatrice was a woman and the daughter of a viscount implicated in rebellion,  

If her abilities were clear, there was no reason to let them go to waste.  

Reiser, reassured by the prince’s intentions, let out a sigh of relief. As expected, his lord was wise.  

Luel chuckled softly at his expression before adopting a serious tone.  

[At any rate, based on what you’ve told me, this incident is grave. It was truly a perilous situation. You may return now. You’ve done well, Reiser.]  

The emergence of black magic was a new variable.  

Although the expedition had been dispatched to prevent greater potential harm, with the revelation of black magic’s existence, they couldn’t afford to take unnecessary risks.  

With war on the horizon, losing even a single member of the Royal Knights would be an irreparable blow.  

Thus, Luel ordered a retreat.  

However.  

“Your Highness.”  

-Thud.-  

Reiser knelt on one knee.  

“Please retract the withdrawal order.”  

[…I understand your resolve. But it’s too dangerous.]  

“Uncertain threats must be eradicated before they can sprout. If left unchecked, who knows what dangers might engulf Krapos?”  

[But if even one of you is lost, whom can I rely on to fight this war?]  

“Trust in me, Reiser.”  

He spoke again, his tone steady.  

“I promise not to take unnecessary risks. I will only investigate the mountain’s outskirts before returning. So, please grant me a little more time.”  

[…Hmm.]  

Luel weighed the situation.  

He didn’t want to take risks.  

Yet, the variable of black magic gnawed at him.  

As Reiser had said, eliminating uncertain threats before they took root was the best course of action. To prevent more troublesome problems later…  

[Very well. I leave it to your judgment. However, remember this: there must be no casualties.]  

**  

“Why do you think they were singled out?”  

At the camp without Beatrice, the cadets chatted among themselves.  

“Isn’t it obvious? They’re probably talking behind our backs.”  

“Damn it. Who do they think they are?”  

“They’re better than us, aren’t they?”  

“…Still, there’s a limit to everything.”  

Most of them were despondent.  

Their disgraceful performance in the recent battle was humiliating, even to themselves.  

However, those who could acknowledge their own shame were in the minority.  

“…Do you think it makes sense?”  

“…What?”  

“Beatrice acting like she’s in charge.”  

At the mention of Beatrice’s name, the atmosphere instantly froze over like ice.  

“…What about Beatrice?”  

“She acts like she’s above us despite being just a woman.”  

“Yeah. Isn’t the Cenci family a viscount family now?”  

“Exactly. She’s a viscount’s daughter. Just a viscount’s daughter.”  

“…Wow, now that I think about it, it’s ridiculous. A mere viscount’s daughter acting all high and mighty just because she has some skill?”  

Behind her back, they said whatever they wanted.  

The cadets uttered words they could never say in front of Beatrice. It wasn’t because they hated her but because they wanted to divert their shame into external anger.  

“…Cadets. Beatrice made many sacrifices during this mission. She doesn’t deserve to hear such things. So don’t say behind her back what you wouldn’t say to her face.”  

At that moment, Seria, who had been silently listening, issued a warning.  

“……”  

Her rebuke left the cadets speechless.  

However, nobles, without their pride, were as good as dead.  

“…Nobles have their own matters to handle. Stay out of it, priestess.”

However, there was no strength in their grumbling.

Seria felt it wasn’t worth responding to and turned her back to prepare for rest alongside Beatrice and Miya.

“Tch, I don’t like her either.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“…But isn’t it true?”

At that moment, a cadet with a shred of conscience spoke up.

It was Ren Severance.

“Any of you have the guts to say what you just said to Beatrice’s face?”

“…….”

Of course not.

Even if they swarmed her, they’d be swept away like fallen leaves, let alone face her alone.

Everyone had seen it.

Compared to themselves, who were trembling in fear,

“The number of magical beasts she cut down alone could fill a cart.”

Beatrice had effortlessly slain the beasts with unbelievable skill.

“So what?”

“…I’m telling you to knock it off. Beatrice didn’t say a single wrong word.”

“Damn it.”

Overwhelmed by their inferiority complex, one cadet grabbed Ren by the collar.

“Is the virtue of a noble just about being good at fighting? We’re not knights, and we’re not going to fight on the frontlines. A noble’s skill in battle doesn’t matter in war. What’s important is leadership!”

“Hear, hear!”

“Beatrice may be good at fighting, but she lacks dignity.”

The cadets, grasping at straws, pushed their arguments to extremes.

Beatrice already exuded enough dignity through her presence alone.

“And as a noble, if Beatrice were truly a noble, she wouldn’t flaunt her power arrogantly but would remain humble. But look at her! Instead of humility, she treats us like garbage and throws her weight around!”

Most of the cadets nodded in agreement.

Ren felt a wave of disgust rise to his throat.

He no longer wanted to share a meal with these people.

“Fine? Then don’t tell me, tell Beatrice herself. Why are you throwing a tantrum at me?”

-Thud.-

Ren pushed his opponent away with a frown.

He felt utterly repulsed.

The cadet, rendered mute, stammered a response.

“You think I won’t? I’m just waiting for the right time. This brutish place only respects power!”

“You’re right about that, you pathetic, spineless idiot. Then don’t badmouth her behind her back.”

“What? You son of a… Ren! Don’t cross the line!”

“I can’t stand hypocrites like you. If you had power, you’d be the first to abuse it.”

Ren clenched his teeth and sneered.

He was certain that the cadet in front of him would act despicably if given even a little power.

He’d bet his right arm on it.

“And you? You think you’re any different?”

The cadet, his face flushed, pointed accusingly at Ren.

“You’re just like us, so don’t act all clean and righteous! In the end, you’re just another powerless weakling like the rest of us!”

“Even so, I don’t sell my pride like you do, you bastard. That’s why women always dump you—because your personality is as pathetic as your face.”

Of course, the two were practically strangers.

Ren had no prior connection to him—it was just a wild guess.

But sometimes, a random stone hits its mark, and that was the case now.

The cadet was deeply struck.

In truth, he’d been dumped by his fiancée a year ago and had been leading a miserable life ever since.

His resentment toward those better off than him and…

Ren’s appearance, reminiscent of the man who had stolen his fiancée, ignited his festering inferiority complex.

“You… you… damn it!”

Consumed by rage, the cadet lunged at Ren.

Ren shouted firmly.

“I may be weak, but I can still beat you!”

-Smack!-

Ren’s punch landed squarely, flattening the already flat nose of the cadet.

Strength was relative.

To Beatrice, they were all equally weak, but among the weak, there were clear differences in power.

The cadet collapsed, sprawled out on the ground.

**

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

Some distance from the camp,

The cadet nursed his anger, clutching his face.

-Spit!-

Blood mixed with his spit, the impact still lingering.

“Damn bastards. Just wait until I get out of this hellhole…”

He was Adam, the third son of the Count Christopher family.

Having failed to bring any benefit to his family through marriage due to an abrupt engagement cancellation,

He had been sent here as a last resort.

Still, the Count was known for his good character and had promised to secure Adam a suitable position if he survived the battlefield.

‘I’m different. I’m not like these worms.’

Adam believed his situation was different.

Unlike those who were utterly cast out, he still had a chance if he could prove his worth.

He’d have his revenge when the time was right. Now was too early.

-Clench.-

He gritted his teeth and balled his fists in determination.

Crushing someone like Beatrice with power wouldn’t be an issue.

And as for Ren, Adam would remember him and exact his revenge.

It was the price for humiliating him.

While harboring such pitiful thoughts,

An unexpected visitor entered the space where he sat alone.

-Rustle.-

“Who’s there?”

Adam furrowed his brow and stood.

To his surprise, it was someone unexpected.

“…You.”

A very small figure.

“The little brat?”

It was Miya, the child Reiser had brought along.

“Hello, weak brother!”

“You little…!”

Even a commoner child was mocking him now.

“What did you just say? How dare you speak like that to a noble?”

Adam, enraged, approached Miya.

His intent to vent his frustrations on the child was nothing short of pathetic.

Miya, with an innocent expression, smiled brightly.

“Miya knows how to get stronger.”

“…What? What are you talking about?”

“I know a way to get this strong. Instantly! Without any effort!”

-Twitch.-

Adam froze.

Miya’s crimson eyes glistened.

Hugging her teddy bear, she spoke slowly.

“What do you think, brother? Don’t you want to be strong?”

“…You little…”

Who would listen to a child’s words, especially such an absurd claim?

Yet, Adam was already staring at her as if entranced.