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Chapter 56: Quickening (3)

The Empress had postponed the knight\'s training until now, citing retreat training as the reason, though no one knew what that involved.

"That is a relief," Yulie said with a sigh.

Sophien looked at her and commented, "However, I found your chess skills lacking."

During a break in the training, Yulie had played chess with Sophien. Despite being a skilled amateur, she was no match for the Empress.

"I had higher expectations given that he is your fiancé."

“... Professor Deculein?” Yulie asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Sophien scoffed and said, "Do you have another fiancé I should know about?"

“No, Your Majesty. You are indeed correct.”

"Learn from him. What is the benefit of having him as your fiancé otherwise?"

Yulie was unaware of his chess abilities, but he appeared skilled enough to impress the Empress. She realized how little she truly knew about him.

“Additionally, my brother desires your fiancé\'s autograph,” the Empress said, handing Yulie a book authored by Deculein.

“The Grand Prince Kreto?”

“Yes. I haven\'t taken on the sisterly role in quite a while. It\'s beneath my pride to ask personally, so I\'m having you do it.”

Deculein’s book, Understanding the Element Magic, was infamous for its difficulty and high price. Yulie had purchased it to learn more about him but couldn’t get past the first ten pages.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

"He mentioned it was too complex and difficult, though he added he was just saying it out of courtesy. Convey that as well."

“... Yes, Your Majesty,” Yulie replied briefly.

Sophien appeared displeased with her brevity. With a wave of her hand, she said, "You may leave."

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

"Next time, be more forthcoming. An instructor knight’s duty extends beyond teaching me; you must also serve as my companion and conversational partner."

“... Co-companion, Your Majesty?” Yulie asked, her eyes widened in surprise.

The Empress chuckled and nodded, prompting Yulie to take a deep breath to steady her emotions. Sophien said, “That will be all. You may go now, my companion.”

“... Yes, Your Majesty. It has been an honor,” Yulie replied, bowing as the Empress walked back to the palace with Knight Keiron.

"This way, please," a maid instructed, guiding her along a separate path in the garden. Soon, the maid disappeared, and a eunuch took her place.

"Good day, Grand Knight Yulie. My name is Jolang."

“... What is it that you require?” Yulie asked, her tone filled with suspicion.

Jolang smiled warmly and said, “May I have a moment of your time? For the sake of the palace\'s peace, there is a matter I need to discuss with you. The other knights are also waiting.”

Although hesitant, Yulie decided to follow him.

“Here we are,” he said, guiding her to a secluded area in the eastern part of the vast and intricate palace.

Inside an annex, she found Raphel, Sirio, and Gwen waiting with unreadable expressions.

“... Hey Yulie,” Gwen waved.

Yulie nodded and took her place beside them.

“Is everyone here, Mr. Jolang? What is this concerning?” Sirio asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Jolang said softly. “We have a mission to request of all of you.”

“A mission?”

“Yes. A monster lurks in the Imperial Palace’s underground. The imperial family is hesitant to confront it, so we request your assistance.”

“Is this an imperial decree?” Raphel’s deep voice asked.

“It is not an official imperial decree, but it is a matter of loyalty. If you succeed, your achievements will be reported, and you will be duly rewarded.”

The knights pondered for a moment. Gwen then spoke up, pointing at Yulie. “If Yulie is involved, her fiancé should be as well.”

“Her fiancé?”

“Deculein.”

Jolang appeared uneasy at the mention of the name. Gwen chuckled, noting that even a seasoned eunuch in the Imperial Palace feared Deculein. His political prowess was well-known, and the influence of the Yukline family was undeniable.

“It sounds dangerous. Her fiancé should at least give his approval,” Gwen said, smiling at Yulie.

Yulie quickly shook her head and said, “N-no, it’s perfectly al—”

“It is true. Deculein’s combat skills are undeniable. He is remarkably sturdy for a mage,” Raphel interjected, and Sirio nodded in agreement with a gentle smile.

Jolang, appearing displeased but eventually nodding with a forced smile, said, “... Hmm, very well. I shall convey this to Lord Yukline.”

Gwen found it amusing. The eunuch called the other knights by their names, but for Deculein, he always used Lord Yukline with utmost respect. She wondered if this was why nobles were so particular about their titles.

“Do as you wish. Yulie, come and join me for dinner,” Gwen said as she headed out of the palace with Yulie.

***

— We are still following your orders.

I had planned to contact them, but I would never show any impatience or unease. There could be no room for them to find fault in my expression or behavior. Maintaining a facade was easier for me than breathing, as it was already ingrained in my personality and body.

“... Master, here are the documents,” Roy said respectfully as he handed them to me.

As I pondered my next move, Roy presented me with a file. I carefully reviewed its contents.

Luxury Hotel Renovation: Black Cryne

Future Trade Routes and Plans

Mercenary Guild Mission Overview

These were the reports from the businesses I had invested in. I used my Comprehension to examine their account books. Everything was settling in without any issues.

“Good. You may take it away now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Despite the good news, I had no time to dwell on it. After sending Roy away, I began to consider how to respond to them.

... There was no need to overthink it.

─ Master.

A shadowy figure flickered in the corner of the study. It was not real, merely a magical projection. I looked at it calmly, and my words came almost instinctively.

“Lead the way.”

***

There is no utopia in this world. Even in the capital of the continent’s most powerful Empire, light and darkness coexist. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows. Since the mines closed, Oklan in the southeast part of the capital has turned into a slum.

Deculein’s former subordinate guided me to the underground of that slum. The cave was damp and musty. Thick humidity clung to my skin, and a pale lamp flickered precariously.

“My master.”

In the cave, two people knelt before me. One was a man, the other a woman, and they bore a striking resemblance to each other, likely siblings.

“Repeat my orders. What were they?” I demanded as I was testing them before they could speak.

“You instructed us not to show mercy to Louina if she set foot in the capital.”

I examined them closely. There were no death variables at play, and their ability to capture Louina independently was impressive. However, their true intentions were the real question.

Feigning indifference, I said, “You acted too soon.”

“We are aware,” the man replied, his tone tinged with insolence. “We believed you had abandoned us. Our doubts remain.”

“Is this defiance?”

“No, sir. If you had abandoned us and were no longer our master, it could not be considered defiance.”

“I have never abandoned you. Lead the way,” I said calmly.

The two stood from their kneeling positions. The man walked ahead, and I followed, with the woman trailing behind me. We soon arrived at a vast, empty chamber. In the center of the expansive underground room, Louina was bound. A black hood covered her face, and her hands and feet were shackled. She looked like a prisoner of war.

“What actions have you taken?”

“We administered anti-matoxtin to her.”

Anti-matoxtin is a well-known poison for mages, even famous in games. It resembles a tranquilizer in composition, but when injected into the bloodstream, it prevents the use of magic for at least three days.

I examined their faces and said, “You have done well.”

The atmosphere shifted subtly at my words. They tried to hide their expressions, but they couldn\'t fool me—they were dissatisfied. I realized something important—they did not seek my praise. I glared at the battered Louina. A red aura flickered vividly around her. She had resolved to kill me. The real challenge began now. I thought through possible scenarios in my mind.

The first option: I will speak to her, “Louina, I saved you. Those who kidnapped you have no connection to me.” Louina will respond, “I don’t believe you!” and the death variable remains unresolved.

The second option: I will leave immediately without revealing my identity and set Louina free. Still, Louina would suspect me, and the siblings would continue to doubt me. The death variable remains unresolved.

The third and final option: I kill Louina. Her screams will fill the chamber, and she will disappear forever. The death variable will be resolved, but I will become eternally vulnerable to the suspicious siblings. Furthermore, any positive developments involving Louina would be lost.

Though she is an enemy to me, in the grand scheme of things, she is a clear protagonist. Losing her would be a severe blow.

I used telekinesis to raise a stone slab from the cave floor, fashioning it into a chair. Its antique beauty reflected my character. I sat down and carefully considered every possibility. The situation was far from ideal, but I still held the upper hand. After all, this command and the situation were entirely under my control.

“Here is the account book," the man said, presenting it to me.

I took it silently. As I read its contents, a faint smile formed on my lips. Deculein was ruthless—remarkably so. I wondered if there could be anyone else in the world as tenacious as him.

“Interesting.”

As I read those astonishing words, I had to admit that resolving this death variable through peaceful means was impossible.

Therefore...

***

Louina drifted in and out of consciousness, feeling as though she were floating naked in an endless ocean, overwhelmed by dizziness and nausea. She could no longer perceive the passage of time. All she could do was endure, fueled by her burning anger. She knew exactly who was behind her kidnapping; only a fool would be ignorant of it.

Deculein.

Swish—!

As she bit her tongue and silently repeated his name, the bag covering her face was suddenly removed, causing pain in her eyes. Her tightly sealed mouth and ears were instantly freed.

“Ah...!”

Louina gasped for air and bent over, panting. As she caught her breath, she noticed a pair of shoes firmly planted on the dark ground. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. The shoes were spotless, the pant cuffs neatly folded, legs crossed with distinct elegance. An expensive tie, incongruous with the dank surroundings, adorned his neck. And then... his face.

Her heart sank. He was watching her, his sharp features cast in cold shadows, and his murky eyes as piercing as a raptor’s.

“... You,” Louina said, her voice trembling.

Fear, terror, and anxiety gnawed at her weakened mind, emotions she despised acknowledging. It felt as though a heavy weight was crushing her entire body.

“Never set foot in the capital again,” Deculein said.

His tone was flat, devoid of any inflection. He was a true psychopath.

“I made myself clear when I said that. What did you hope to achieve by coming to the capital?”

Louina remained silent.

Deculein regarded her with mockery and said, “I heard you purchased a mansion in the capital.”

“... Do you think you can get away with this? I’m also the Empress’s instructor—”

“I don’t need your meaningless words.”

Deculein extended his hand and began counting down with his fingers. Five, four, three, two...

“... The magic vision,” Louina said, but Deculein’s expression remained unchanged. “I\'ve requested its return several times before. I’m sure I repaid the borrowed money with interest, yet you ignored me.”

Deculein listened quietly, his face indifferent and calm, like a monster devoid of emotion.

“That is correct. However...” Deculein said as he used telekinesis to retrieve a document. “Louina, in this world, there is something called compound interest. Fifteen years ago, I lent you 100 million elne at an annual interest rate of 20%.”

The contract, drafted fifteen years ago and still binding, brought a twisted smile to his lips as he read it.

“The total now stands at 1.547 billion elne.”

“What?”

With simple interest, the amount would have been 400 million, but with compound interest, it ballooned to 1.5 billion. It was a malicious clause. Although the contract clearly specified simple interest, Yukline had manipulated McQueen\'s debt through a hidden special agreement, converting it to compound interest.

“Your family still owes 1.14072 billion elne,” he stated. “Ah, and additionally, the interest increases by 200 million each year.”

Louina looked more than stunned; she seemed utterly lost. She stammered out her next words, “I will appeal to the Imperial Palace Court. This is absurd—”

“By Imperial law, appeals are allowed only within ten years of the contract signing. You did not appeal. Furthermore, this contract was officially endorsed by the former Emperor, making it immune to scrutiny by the current Imperial Palace Court.”

Deculein truly admired the cleverness of his former self’s schemes. In addition to this debt, other traps were ticking time bombs within the McQueen family.

“We could initiate the seizure process as early as tomorrow.”

Louina glared at Deculein, but his unchanging expression terrified her more than anything.

“You... you truly are...”

He had not released her. He had not forgiven her. He was merely waiting for the right moment to strike, ensuring her fall would be as painful as possible.

“You may continue. I am listening.”

At that moment, all strength drained from her body. She understood that this was not the time for pride.

“... I have no intention of becoming the Head Professor. No, I did want it once, but the professors of the Mage Tower of the Empire were pushing for it—”

“It does not matter,” Deculein said, shaking his head as Louina desperately tried to explain.

Her heart pounded, and her mouth went dry. She gritted her teeth and cried out, “Then what do you want from me? Do you want me to die?!”

“... Hmm.”

However, his next words were unexpectedly strange.

“You will become the Head Professor.”

They weren\'t just strange—they were bizarre. Louina could only stare in disbelief, tears of frustration welling up in her large eyes.

“And I will become the Chairman.”

His once murky eyes now glowed with a blue light as he looked directly at her.

“If you assist me from your position, once I become the Chairman, I will consider returning McQueen’s vision and forgiving the debt. The position of Head Professor will also be yours.”

Louina couldn\'t understand his intentions.

“But you must swear an oath to me.”

Deculein stood up from his chair and started writing various terms with a fountain pen.

“First, you will never speak of today’s events.”

Vague commands to swear loyalty were ineffective. The more specific the terms, the harsher the consequences for breaking the oath.

“Second, you will adhere to this contract for five years.”

Deculein handed her the contract. Louina was horrified. It was almost a master-servant agreement, and the penalty for breach was the loss of her mana.

"This is absurd—"

“You still don’t understand. We will continue this conversation in three days.”

“No, wait—”

At Deculein’s signal, they covered Louina’s eyes, mouth, and ears once more. Leaving her to fall back into darkness, Deculein turned and walked away.

***

After completing the task, I silently surveyed the underground cave.

“What will you do if she refuses to take the oath?” the man asked.

I stared at him blankly, wondering why he would ask such an obvious question when it was clearly his fault we were in this situation.

“I will have to kill her.”

Considering how things had turned out, I had no other choice. If I didn’t threaten her, Louina would certainly attempt to kill me.

“... However, she will not refuse. She desires to live.”

[Villain\'s Fate: Death Variable Neutralized]

◆ Reward Acquired: Store Currency +2

The notification appeared belatedly. The issue wasn\'t resolved through overcoming or avoidance but by neutralization, indicating that she had decided to accept the oath.

"Is this truly acceptable?"

“What do you imply?”

“The McQueen family... they assisted in the assassination of the former head of Yukline...”

So that’s what happened. The McQueens weren’t just victims of the Yuklines. Since I hadn’t known this, Louina likely didn’t either.

I shook my head and said, “Louina did not do that herself.”

“That is true...”

Deculein had reasons to kill Louina. However, out of all Deculein\'s emotions, I did not want to embrace his hatred.

“Louina may be the current head of the McQueen family, but this collective punishment is sufficient. Nobles should not impose indiscriminate penalties.”

I glanced around the cave. It was too dark, damp, and filthy for anyone to stay. The acrid, musty smell had been bothering me for a while.

“... More importantly, have you been residing in this place?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You promised us the money!” the woman, who had been silent until now, suddenly shouted. The man glared at her, but she couldn’t hold back any longer and stood her ground. “You said you’d pay us and let us go once the job was done!”

“Money?”

“Yes. A large sum—”

Smack—!

A sharp sound echoed as the man slapped his sister.

"Apologies, Master. She lacks proper training."

I looked at the siblings. The sister, her cheeks puffed with indignation, sobbed and hung her head while the brother glared at her.

“It’s fine. For now, come to my mansion. This place is far too filthy.”

These siblings might not be named characters, but they were exceptionally talented. Their potential was evident to me, given my Wealthy Magnate attribute. They might have been deliberately trained by the Yukline family. Naturally, I had no intention of letting them go.

“From today, I will put your talents to good use. I will also pay the promised reward—double.”

The sister’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“However, all previous orders I gave you are now void.”

“Th-thank you, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

The siblings said as they quickly dropped to their knees.

“And one more thing,” I added, looking down at them. “Refrain from resorting to physical means so often. It undermines your dignity.”

A true noble exercises control without resorting to violence. That is the essence of nobility.