Chapter 48

Chapter Twenty-Two Hit Me

“Indeed. Lafayette is my firstborn son and also yours… and Peyalo’s elder brother. The one you met yesterday, Perceval, is our second son, hahaha.”

Duke Scarlajj sat down across from me.

“He is different from Perceval, that pleasure-seeking brat. He has always been very responsible since young, so I have already entrusted most of the territories under my jurisdiction to him. Most of these territories are far from the Winter City, so he rarely stays in Shantel Castle. However, I informed him two days ago about your visit, so he should be on his way back now.”

“…”

As expected. Last night’s dream was not just a simple dream but a memory truly existing within this body.

Otherwise, how could I dream of someone I had never seen but who actually exists?

Since Lafayette is really Peyalo’s brother, then who is that young man who pushed her off the cliff?

In my memory, that person’s name is Edward, with the same black hair and eyes, which means he also bears the surname Winter Moon. And based on the information in the dream, Peyalo seemed to trust him, at least she once did. But that person deceived Peyalo for some purpose, ultimately leading to her accidental death three years ago.

Three years after that, I suddenly arrived in this world for some unknown reason and unexpectedly gained a face identical to Peyalo’s, even glimpsing fragments of her memories twice.

Following this line of thought, regardless of whether I am Peyalo or not, her death must be related to the Abyss. I must uncover the truth no matter what.

Where should I start?

Should I ask Duke Scarlajj about Edward first?

… No good. There is a high chance that Edward is also a member of the Valen Empire’s royal family, which undoubtedly involves deeper reasons. Currently, the information I have is too limited. Since I will be staying here for some time, it would be better to ask after gathering more information.

So it seems there is only one direction left.

“Duke, there are cliffs here?”

Duke Scarlajj looked somewhat puzzled, as if he didn’t quite understand what I was saying.

“She is asking if there are any cliffs around the Winter City,” Carlos added beside me, and I nodded slightly.

“Cliffs,” the Duke pondered for a moment, then continued, “There are none nearby, but there are many further away. I wonder what Miss Silvija is asking?”

“Find, very deep, cliffs. Many, big snow piles.”

“Big snow piles?”

“Are you saying there are many hills near the cliffs?” Carlos supplemented.

“Yes,” I nodded again, giving Carlos a thumbs-up.

Good job, Carlos, you perfectly interpreted what I meant.

As a retainer, you can barely be considered qualified, deserving praise.

“Hills… the terrain around the outskirts of the Winter City is quite complex, and places like you described are countless.”

Hearing the Duke’s response, I tried hard to recall the scenes in the dream, attempting to catch any useful information to minimize the search range.

After much thought, I found that there was nothing distinctive about the place where Peyalo fell off the cliff, apart from the ubiquitous hills, there seemed to be nothing else that could serve as a reference point.

I felt a bit discouraged.

It looks like the plan to go to the scene to look around will have to be abandoned. Can’t possibly check every cliff near the Winter City, right?

“Little Sil, just say what you want to do. With your infantile level of expression, don’t try to be subtle like adults.”

Upon hearing Carlos’ words, I immediately gave him a glare that could kill.

How dare he look down on me? Just now, I praised him, pfft, I need to retract the approval I gave him.

Always making me angry, does he think he doesn’t know how to write the word ‘death’?

“Miss Silvija is looking for somewhere?” the Duke asked.

I thought for a moment, then slowly shook my head. Seeing this, the Duke understood that I didn’t want to continue this topic and did not press further.

Unlike yesterday’s formal attire, the Duke was dressed casually at this moment. The sleeves of his simple shirt were rolled up high, revealing most of his muscular arms.

Only then did I notice that his left arm was a metal prosthetic, with five sharp blades for fingers, the black color gleaming ominously, the other end firmly fixed by a leather strap. Apart from being unable to move normally, its lethality as a weapon should be terrifying.

“Hmm? Curious about this?” Seeing me staring curiously at his arm, the Duke placed the prosthetic on the table without hesitation and said, “Two years ago, during my battle with the Abyss, my left arm accidentally touched the Black Mist and had to be cut off. Hahaha! Carlos was there too; we almost lost our lives back then, and later I got this.”

I nodded to show I understood, then couldn’t help but poke it with my finger.

“Zeng—”

The moment my fingertip touched the metal, the five blades that originally served as fingers rapidly extended, turning into nearly half a meter long sharp blades, scaring me so much I almost jumped up.

Gently patting my chest, my gaze at the prosthetic gradually brightened.

“How amazing!”

“Hahaha! Amazing, right,

“It is my most precious weapon now.” The Duke let out a hearty laugh.

Right, weapons.

Angel said Duke Scalliger was the most formidable deceiver weapon designer in the Central Workshop, and this was the perfect time to discuss my requirements with him.

“Your Excellency, Duke…”

“There’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle Scalliger.”

I nodded.

“Uncle, I want a weapon.”

“A weapon? Oh, His Holiness did mention something about that. Miss Silviga, you’ve come here because you want a suitable weapon, right?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Tell me, what kind of weapon do you want?”

“I want a scythe,” I said without hesitation.

“A scythe? Are you sure about that? To be honest, that thing isn’t very practical. While there are soldiers in Shanter who use scythes, they are all strong and stable. Look at your slight build… You probably don’t weigh more than a hundred pounds. Have you considered a lighter weapon, like a fine sword?”

I shook my head firmly.

“I want a scythe.”

“Alright, then we’ll go with a scythe. Now, tell me more about your specific requirements. What kind of scythe do you want?”

I tilted my head for a moment, then looked at him seriously. “Big, long, and very hard.”

“…Can you be more specific?”

I frowned. Isn’t that specific enough?

“One that can pierce through someone two meters away.”

“Uh…” Duke Scalliger twitched his mouth, struggling to hide a smile.

Carlos covered his face.

“Forget it, let me explain. Before, when little Hill fought the Abyss, she used a scythe-like tool. I think what she needs is a weapon with a large range to make up for her small size…”

“You’re the one who’s small!” I punched Carlos’ waist, causing him to raise his hands in surrender.

“Cough, alright, stop it. That hurt… Where was I? Oh yes, making up for her lack of size.”

“You’re the one lacking!” I raised my fist again.

This guy is really getting on my nerves. Is he helping me or just being annoying?

“Are you going to say anything? Otherwise, you can say it yourself.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t bring myself to punch him. I just glared at him.

“Make up for that, anyway, Your Excellency, I hope you understand the meaning?”

Duke Scalliger glanced at Carlos, then back at me, nodding with a smile.

“So the length and size of the scythe should match that of a scythe. About two meters would be good. As for the details, I believe Your Excellency will handle it. Of course, the material should meet the highest standards of the Central Workshop. And as for weight… Little Hill, how strong are you?”

How strong am I?

I hadn’t really paid attention to that. Recently, I haven’t been using my full strength.

The only time I could think of was when I fought the Abyss in the small village. Back then, I held my farming tool and managed to block its terrifying black blade, which could easily cut through huge stones, and changed its trajectory with sheer brute force.

This isn’t something anyone could do, right?

Thinking this, I nodded confidently at the two of them.

“Quite strong.”

“Let’s try it then. Little Hill, use half your strength first, not your full power. Come on, hit me.”

“Mr. Carlos, there are tools in the castle to test grip and arm strength. We can get them later to see how strong you are.”

“No need for that,” Carlos waved at the Duke and looked at me. “Little Hill, hit me.”

“…”

Fine.

Since you insist, how could I refuse?

After taking a shallow breath, I raised my little fist toward Carlos.

“Wait! What are you doing?”

Carlos jumped to the side hastily, and I, already prepared, looked at him in confusion.

“You want me to hit you.”

“But you can’t just hit me in the face! Where were you aiming? At my face, right?”

…Damn, this guy noticed.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

“Come on.” This time Carlos was much more cautious. He placed his hands together in front of his chest and spread his legs into a horse stance. “Hit my palm.”

I stood up and walked to him, raising my fist again, and swung it towards him with a slight wind sound.

“Bang—”

Carlos’s body immediately retreated, even briefly losing touch with the ground. He quickly regained his balance, his shoes scraping against the floor, making a shrill noise before he crashed into the wall behind him.

“Sss—” Carlos kept shaking his hands, wincing in pain.

“Who told you to hit me so hard?”

“I didn’t use much strength.”

“Bullshit, do you think I’d believe you?”

I hummed twice and ignored him, sitting back down and giving the Duke, who looked surprised, an innocent look.

“How can you have such strength? How did you achieve such a level of physical prowess?”

“I just woke up like this.”