Chapter 291

(291)

You’re not human.

To an average person, this would have been an insult worthy of offense, but in Solletarass, a place filled with hybrid nobles, it wasn’t such a negative statement.

Cariosa takes pride in being a descendant of Summerlin, I owe my title as Duke to the blood of Solletarass, and the craftsman who forged Trentia’s new sword, Manha, owes his metallurgical skill to the blood of the dwarves.

Thus, I retorted to Laurelai’s remark with a smirk.

“So you’re saying it’s dangerous that I’m not human? How about we deal with those teeth of yours first before you speak?”

Laurelai also possessed shark-like fangs.

She shook her head, her voice tinged with anger.

“That’s not what I mean.”

The tone of her voice, filled with fury, wasn’t bad at all.

I responded with a wry smile, slowly moved forward, and gestured for her to follow while naturally taking control of the conversation.

“Is that so? From what I see, you’re worried that dear Princess might be dishonored by the Bandit Duke.”

“!”

Laurelai’s mouth dropped open.

It was the kind of statement that wouldn’t seem strange if I got struck by a gauntlet across the face or stabbed with a sword.

But I had already demonstrated a fiery storm engulfing the area hours ago, was a guest of Cariosa, and most importantly, an accomplished person-squasher.

Even if Laurelai, who was about a foot and a half shorter than me, shouted “You cursed beast!” and came at me with a dagger, I could pin her against the wall in one go.

So, it was crucial to let her say everything she knows about me.

The more she denounces me with passion, the clearer it will be what’s happening between my body and soul.

Laurelai bit her lip and shivered.

“Those circumstances… I don’t fully understand them. The important thing is that the Duke has used psychic waves.”

For a moment, I thought water had entered my ears.

“Psychic waves?”

“I saw a red wave earlier. That was psychic waves.”

It felt as if I’d been struck hard on the back of the head.

Laurelai slowly spoke.

“Talking about purifying and absorbing foreign entities with fire means such an entity has merged into this world. It will surely blend completely now through the Duke. But is the presence from another world inherently dangerous?”

I hesitated before nodding.

The foreign entity I used at the border with the Land of 랭스와 공화국 was close to a monster and was dangerous by itself.

Laurelai’s voice resonated directly inside me.

“It’s not about the Duke being connected to another world that’s the issue. It’s the act of merging with anything that’s the problem.”

I suppressed my confusion and responded as calmly as possible.

“Understood.”

She raised her voice almost rudely.

“Not understood—”

“Enough.”

I leaned forward and faced her directly, a chilling smile on my face.

Laurelai’s slit pupils dilated, her orange irises trembled, and a mysterious flush appeared on her scale-like white skin.

“Your Highness?”

“Grateful for the treatment. But if you keep following me secretly and get caught again, I’ll hold you accountable.”

It’s the fusion itself that’s the problem.

That fact wouldn’t leave my mind.

Meanwhile, a thought crossed my mind.

If Summerlin descendants’ preference for draconic royals is instinctual, then perhaps Laurelai’s rival isn’t me but Cariosa.

…What a mess.

I frowned as I returned to my quarters.

The earlier sensation of presence was definitely more than one.

* * *

“I wonder if Lord Valencia is doing well.”

With this thought, Rudi attended the ball hosted by the bourgeois of the capital.

Her long hair was tied high, an elegant white dress covered her, and over it was a lacey brown shawl. Her spectacles were tucked away, revealing her gem-like eyes.

“I’m doing well. Or rather, even though no one recognizes it, I’m working hard.”

Taking over Valenciaunos’ social activities, he must ultimately become the powerbroker or influential figure of high society.

“It’s fun. Bringing together people who’ve had enough education and making them uncomfortable is amusing.”

Worthy of their wealth in gold and silver coins, the hall’s décor and lighting were beyond extravagant.

“Lord Consecratus, what an honor to meet you!”

“I’m from the Argenta Magic Tool Workshop.”

“I’m Rafi from the Ezra Construction Guild.”

Yet, Rudi could detect the court nobles sneering at the bourgeois’ vulgarity.

‘The decorations don’t match the season or situation. You’re not supposed to use live flowers in spring.’

The custom during balls was not to use seasonal decorations.

It signified that there was no need to display what one could see outside and also demonstrated the attention put into the ball.

Thus, for spring, using dense foliage or simple summer flowers was preferred over lavish spring blossoms.

‘You shouldn’t pair flowers with gold. I learned that the hard way by getting slapped by my senior.’

Live flowers symbolize love and the moment, typically used in masked balls or gatherings of the young, while gold, symbolizing wealth and permanence, is better suited for more formal events.

But Rudi was not someone who felt the need to criticize unnecessarily.

“Lord Rudi, is there something troubling you?”

“No, I was just reminiscing.”

She smiled brightly and lifted her glass of white wine.

“Is that him?”

“Valenciaunos Duke’s blade.”

“Could it be true they acquired their title through coercion?”

“Should someone like that even be allowed in the Imperial Palace?”

Rudi noticed the bourgeois of all ages stealing glances at her.

‘I see you all.’

At times like this, her sense of being a senior maid was frustrating.

‘You envy and admire the nobility, don’t you?’

That was the foundation of their gazes.

Earning wealth comparable to nobility and hosting extravagant balls, yet some inferiority complex lingers.

‘That’s because they’re not trying to become true nobles but imitating the surface of nobility.’

Rudi held her head high, unaffected.

‘As Duke Valencia’s representative.’

She wasn’t here to play or ask but to request something.

“Lord Rudi. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.”

“Could we have a few moments to discuss business?”

Two middle-aged men bowed deeply to the young woman who could have been their daughter.

Rudi scolded herself a little for being slightly too used to all the attention.

‘Guide me.’

She felt somewhat proud.

‘I think I’m doing well. Lord Valencia.’

In a dim corner, talks of money began.

How could one value human life in monetary terms? But that sum was enough to hire top mercenaries for years, invade smaller nations, and even proclaim the title of duke.

“Initially approved for a 15-story stone building, you want to extend it to over 20?”

Today’s guest was from the construction guild and material guild.

“Yes, Lord Rudi.”

“It will be a new landmark, like a lighthouse in the new town sector.”

“Please allow it. If successful, our guild bonds will soar in value.”

“Neighboring businesses will also thrive.”

“We have this proposal.”

They spoke without mentioning amounts or sliding any pouches of money. Their offer was clear – gold would be sent on wagons.

Rudi selected one among them.

“Renli. Stay a moment longer.”

“…Yes, Your Excellency.”

The surrounding bourgeois eyed Renli with a gaze of someone who just received a saint, then turned away with regret.

His story and the amount of bribe were similar to others except for one additional report.

Using golem magic to strengthen basement foundations and connecting support columns would make the land sturdy enough to build taller with assured stability. It was information released at the “First Academic Conference Hosted by the Ivory Tower.”

‘The priestess serving Princess Sererass. She had the ivory and red-gradient hair. Her name was Niar, wasn’t it?’

Rudi smiled.

‘What a small world.’

* * *

Duke Valenciaunos’ carriage was spacious enough to fit twelve if pushed, and Rudi sat alone inside.

‘I’m not lonely, thanks to the heaps of gold coins.’

Though curfew had begun, no constable dared to disturb the famous senior maid.

‘New technologies in construction are emerging. Higher buildings will start to rise. The value of earth mages will increase. The earth faculty at the Ivory Tower and the earth magic professors at the 아카데미 will be ecstatic. Then the high nobles will send spies to steal the knowledge, and I must tell Jin to prepare for dealing with them.’

Rudi thought this as she leaned on the cushion, slowly dozing off.

Clang!

“Neigh!”

Something flew past, and the sound of a horse’s cry startled them.

“What’s the matter?”

Rudi asked urgently, and the coachman replied harshly.

“It’s nothing, Your Excellency. Looks like some lunatics threw stones from the alley. The horses are fine; they have a touch of Vycon blood in them. Whoever doesn’t recognize you, I’ll go and teach them a lesson.”

Duke Valenciaunos’ newly hired coachman was a former elite cavalryman.

He picked up a mace by his seat, and Rudi felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

It was similar to the feeling she had when facing the southern Terrorbird cavalry before.

“No. Please stay there, sir.”

“Excuse me?”

“It seems like a trap. I’ll handle it.”

The lingering drowsiness disappeared instantly. Her green eyes sparkled with fiery red.

‘There are no street lamps in this area yet. It’s not among the wealthiest streets, and far from desperate enough to need them immediately.’

‘If they know who I am, using windows would be dangerous. There’s likely a ballista sniper in a blind spot already.’

‘Then…’

Rudi quietly extended her hand and soundlessly opened the sliding hatch in the carriage roof.

Whoosh!

A dark shadow shot into the sky.

Whoosh!

Thick ballista bolts followed and embedded themselves on either side of the carriage door.

The black and purple aura on the arrowheads emanated powerful curse magic.

“Damn!”

“You anticipated it!”

If she’d gone through the door, she’d have taken a direct hit.

‘As expected.’

With one leap, Rudi crossed the street and clung to the wall of a stone building, moving between window frames, balconies, and pipes to reach the roof. As she made her final leap, she pulled out her spectacles from her pocket and wore them.

Swoosh…

The lenses infused with Marcus, the Ironblood Party leader’s wisdom and knowledge overlaid the vision, manifesting spells for night vision, enhanced sight, and thermal imaging.

Rudi trembled as if regaining her lost limbs, and she saw the two ballista snipers targeting her from the opposite and adjacent buildings.

“Where did he go?”

“Damn it!”

The sniper on the opposite building was confused, while the one on the adjacent building was reloading.

Rudi immediately darted toward the sniper on the adjacent building.

Thud!

Her body moved with feline grace, the distance closing as if the ground folded beneath her. A cheerful smile played on her lips.

Thud!

Amidst the swirling folds of her luxurious dress, she held the magical short sword ‘Sah-dong’ in her hand.

Zzzzzt!

The ice blade elongated, matching the length of a longsword.

“Die, please!”

“Wh-!”

Swoosh!

Their paths crossed, and the elegant arc of the ice blade described death.

Thud! The sniper’s head soared into the air.

Scream!

“!”

Clang!

In the next instant, Rudi performed a backflip in the air to evade the second ballista bolt.

The sniper from the opposite building had already reloaded.

Scream!

Relief was brief as consecutive bolts followed.

‘Did they pre-load them?’

A bolt of blue lightning was attached to them.

It was difficult for even Rudi to twist her body while airborne.

However, she infused mana into her ring of reversal while simultaneously drawing the pistol Agate with her left hand.

Clang!

Zzzzt!

A translucent reversal field shimmered, deflecting the ballista bolt. The magic bullet from her pistol pierced the sniper’s forehead.

“Damn!”

“Run!”

Hearing the pistol sound, they seemed to realize something was wrong, and murmurs and footsteps echoed from the alley.

Rudi blew on the barrel of the gun, then grasped both Sah-dong and Agate, leaping down to the building below.

‘There’s Kriess Lord’s Spring Welcoming Ball tomorrow. This will be tiring. I should get a potion of vitality.’

Such was the joyful daily life of a senior maid.