Chapter 144: Hello, I’m Here to Kill
“.”
Eleanor sat quietly in front of the vanity, expressionless, picking up her long, dark hair and mechanically stroking the comb from roots to tips, repeating the motion endlessly.
She was dressed in a beautiful gown, looking like an elegant and noble lady, shining brightly as if she were the star of any ballroom event.
And indeed, she was set to attend a ball tonight.
The dispatch feast from the Royal Extraordinary Academy was to send off the fourth-year students heading to battle against the demon race.
This was a tradition upheld by the academy for hundreds of years.
On the night before their departure, the girls would don extravagant dresses while the boys would wear their issued military uniforms; after the cold buffet, they would dance in the ballroom.
After all, many of these students might not return from the battlefield, and this could be their final gathering.
So even though Eleanor disliked such occasions following the decline of the Bartleon family, she had no choice but to adhere to the academy’s regulations.
Having lost the privilege to be reckless, she needed to avoid expulsion from the academy.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
The sound of knocking pulled Eleanor back to reality.
After a brief pause, she furrowed her brow. “Come in.”
To her relief, when the door opened, she saw a freckled maid with braids tiptoeing into her room.
Seeing this, she released a small sigh of relief, though her eyes still held a glint of despair. “Serene, why are you here?”
The maid placed a finger to her lips. “Shh, Miss Eleanor, keep it down. I snuck over here away from the head maid.”
She quickly approached Eleanor’s side.
Noticing her once delicate and cute face had become paler, Serene’s eyes flickered with sympathy.
She gently took the comb from Eleanor’s hands and began to brush her hair while whispering, “Miss Eleanor, I just received word that Lord Wilson’s family seems willing to offer you protection. He used to serve as an aide to the Marquess, so he should be relatively trustworthy.”
“Uncle Wilson?”
At the mention of the name, a glimmer of hope appeared in Eleanor’s eyes.
Currently, she was under the tight scrutiny of the Mosgra Family, surrounded by new servants who were clearly acting on their orders.
Her every action was closely monitored, and she didn’t feel much like a noble lady but more like an imprisoned captive.
Even her desire to purchase a book had to go through the head maid Maria for inspection first, worried she might connect with any of the people tied to the late Marquess Bartleon.
Fortunately, today, her personal maid Serene brought some good news.
“Did he say when?”
Eleanor instinctively clutched Serene’s arm, as if she were a drowning person grasping at their last lifeline.
Being trapped in Bartleon Mansion, with her father lying unconscious in bed, made her extremely cautious about any actions she might take.
If Lord Wilson could facilitate an escape for both her and her father, at least it would preserve the flicker of hope for a resurgence.
Serene’s expression turned serious. “Tonight, after the banquet at the academy ends, he’ll arrange for your carriage to be intercepted midway.”
“As for the Marquess, you don’t need to worry. Lord Wilson said he has it all planned.”
At this, a flicker of excitement crossed Eleanor’s face.
Having been caged inside the Mosgra family’s iron grasp for too long, she was beginning to lose sight of hope for freedom.
Finally, a familiar face was willing to lend a hand. How could she not feel overjoyed?
However, during the year of her family’s decline, she had gradually built a certain level of cunning.
Silence is golden.
With that thought, Eleanor took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Moments later, when her eyes opened again, her look had turned dull, as if nothing had just happened.
Half an hour later, after completing her makeup, Eleanor left her room, temporarily parting from Serene. With two unfamiliar maids “accompanying” her, she made her way to the head maid’s quarters.
It was a master bedroom much larger and more lavishly decorated than Eleanor’s own.
It practically screamed decadence.
When she walked in, Head Maid Maria was already waiting in the room.
“You’re late.” The middle-aged maid, with a cold expression, checked her pocket watch. “Being punctual is a virtue that nobility should embody, but it seems you lack such refinement.”
With that, she pocketed her watch and assessed the pretty young lady with an appraising look, as though examining an item.
Despite being just a head maid, she carried herself with an air of superiority.
However, Eleanor stood silently, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
Seeing this, Maria raised her brows. “Your style leans toward the innocent look, not the overly mature look. I think your hairstyle doesn’t suit tonight’s banquet. It reveals the Bartleon family’s unbecoming side.”
The head maid stated blandly.
Eleanor remained expressionless. “You can decide.”
Seizing the moment, Maria nodded. “Bring her.”
Moments later, two maids approached and guided Eleanor to the mirror, undoing the painstakingly crafted hairstyle according to Maria’s instructions and redoing it in a less eye-catching manner.
Perhaps the real motive was simply to prevent the stunningly beautiful Eleanor from outshining others.
As for who the main attraction was, it was obvious.
“Miss Eunice from the Mosgra family will also be attending the banquet.” As she watched the maids style Eleanor’s hair, Maria continued, “As one of the initiators of the banquet and a prominent figure in the Glosteen social circle, you should follow her lead in your conduct.”
Though she asked, there was an air of command in Maria’s voice.
Ever since the Mosgra family sent them here, they had indirectly taken control of the mansion.
After all, the owner of the estate, the Marquess Bartleon, was currently in a coma, essentially a vegetable needing constant care.
With such a vulnerability, they had no fears of Eleanor rebelling.
Hearing her words, Eleanor instinctively covered the needle marks on her wrist with her sleeve, and a flicker of anger ignited in her azure eyes.
Since the prior conflict with Eunice, the Fourth Prince’s demand for blood had indeed increased; it went from one vial to ten.
Yet she wouldn’t be foolish enough to let them butcher her like that.
She immediately severed the deal.
However, it seemed the Fourth Prince was particularly interested in her, or rather, the blood of the Bartleon family.
To force her into compliance, various pressures had been hounding her, even the high court had resumed investigations into the Bartleon family.
This left Eleanor feeling disheartened, even thinking that dying wouldn’t be so bad.
But thankfully, Serene had delivered one of the few glimmers of good news today.
“I understand.”
After a moment of silence, Eleanor replied quietly.
Maria’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Miss Eleanor seems particularly obedient today. Did something good happen?”
Her words carried a hint of insinuation.
Eleanor felt a tightness in her chest, but feigned calm. “This is what you all prefer anyway, isn’t it?”
Maria squinted at her for a moment, then nodded. “You’re so understanding; it makes our work much easier.”
Saying this, she patted Eleanor on the shoulder.
Without saying a word, Eleanor lifted her skirt and slowly walked out of the Bartleon Mansion, accompanied by Head Maid Maria.
Gazing at the approaching carriage and recalling the news Serene had provided, her heartbeat quickened.
It was happening.
Tonight, she would finally break free from this cursed cage, escaping the Mosgra family’s clutches!
When that happened, I will definitely—
Just as that thought crossed her mind, a sudden and jarring sound of shattering glass rang from behind.
Eleanor instinctively turned her head, only to see a figure plummeting from above.
As their eyes met, she read fear and despair in theirs.
“Thud!”
With a dull thump, the body hit the ground, sending dust flying around.
!
Then, she watched in horror as vibrant red, like paint, pooled out from the distorted body, gradually spreading out.
She stood frozen, staring at this scene; her once passionate heart felt as if it was slowing to a stop, her blood nearly freezing in her veins.
The maid, who had just been brushing her hair, was now nothing more than a warm corpse.
“Maybe it was one of those disobedient maids who couldn’t handle the punishment.” Maria’s voice drifted into her ears as if she had foreseen this moment. “You see, if one learns to obey, they can secure a brighter future.”
At this, tears welled at the corners of Eleanor’s eyes, her already hollow gaze deepening in despair.
It turned out everything she did was under their scrutiny.
You damned devils.
As she watched Eleanor listlessly board the carriage, Maria’s gaze drifted away, resuming her return into the mansion alongside the other maids.
It seemed that Eleanor Bartleon’s spirit of defiance had been utterly crushed.
At least, for the foreseeable future, she would be unable to ignite any fighting spirit.
It seemed the last bastion of resistance for the Bartleon family had vanished.
In that sense, she had perfectly fulfilled the task assigned to her by the family.
With this thought, a smile crept onto Maria’s lips.
Right now, in the entire mansion, besides the comatose Marquess Bartleon, it was just Eleanor left.
The eldest son had long since died on the battlefield, and though his widow’s whereabouts were unknown, she was pregnant with the bloodline rightful to inherit the Bartleon title, which still posed a threat.
People from the Mosgra family were probably already sending out search parties.
But Glosteen was too vast; it would take a while to yield results.
Fortunately, that was not something Maria had to worry about.
Her duty was to keep this mansion under her control and await orders from the Mosgra family.
With that thought, Maria suddenly halted, turning to the maid beside her. “Do we have any news about the second son exiled to the borders?”
“None. He’s probably dead.”
Maria nodded in acknowledgment.
Moments later, a servant approached with a report. “Head Maid, dinner is ready. Would you like to dine now?”
Minutes later, she found herself seated alone at the head of the dining table in the Bartleon Mansion.
Staring at the sequence of dishes being served, the candlelight flickered, and all at once, she felt a sense of power as if she truly had become the head of this family.
Even if she wasn’t, so what?
Even the once-favored daughter of the Bartleon family must bow before her.
This was the thrill that power brought.
In a pleasant mood, Maria thought.
Just as she was enjoying the delightful atmosphere of dinner, an unexpected change occurred.
“Bang!”
With a loud crash, the previously closed front door of the mansion was suddenly kicked open.
She instinctively rose and exited the dining room, peering toward the source of the noise at the entrance.
She saw a group of rugged-looking attendants, rough around the edges, with border bloodlines, surging into the Bartleon Mansion with palpable intensity, forming a line in the hall as if waiting for someone of noble standing to arrive.
“Who are you? This is Bartleon’s territory. You have no right to intrude without the lord’s permission!”
As she signaled her subordinates to summon the estate guards, Maria boomed, embodying the authority of a superior.
However, those people ignored her entirely, not even bothering to blink.
A moment later, a leisurely footstep resonated from the entrance.
Clearly, the main character had arrived.
Maria frowned, wanting to see just who was audacious enough to provoke the Mosgra family, who were on the rise in the imperial capital.
No matter who they were, they would undoubtedly be in for a reckoning.
With that in mind, she lifted her gaze.
But in an instant, her expression froze.
A少年 with black hair and blue eyes entered against the light, a smile on his face but none in his eyes, surrounded by an aura of violent snow and wind.
“It’s you?”
Her voice was filled with disbelief.
Not long ago, she had heard from a servant that this second son of the Bartleon family had likely died at the border.
Yet here he stood, alive and well before her.
It felt like a dream.
Recalling the entangled grudges between him and the Mosgra family, it became clear that it all had roots from the connection between Miss Irina and this very son.
For some reason, gazing into his eyes filled Maria with an ominous premonition.
“It’s been over a year since I returned; the family is filled with unfamiliar faces.” The young man brushed off the dust from his shoulders. “Hello, I’m Lynn Bartleon, the only legitimate heir of this family. You may call me Master or Young Master Lynn.”
Trouble is brewing.
Maria suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind and took a deep breath.
“Sorry, we haven’t received any notification regarding your return, Young Master Lynn.” Her tone remained flat. “Before entering, please provide some identification to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.”
This wasn’t meant to be difficult; she had already informed the Mosgra family. It was best to buy some time for their arrival.
With no authority to handle Lynn herself, she resorted to this strategy.
However, Maria seemingly underestimated one thing.
At her words, for some reason, Lynn sighed.
“Clearly, the routine of ‘first courtesy, then violence’ doesn’t suit me. Let’s skip the pleasantries.” He shook his head, signaling to the border attendants. “Kill them. No, first capture them.”
“And then find out where Eleanor is right now.”
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=151,215 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
