Chapter 1374 |
Evangeline gritted her teeth and held on at first in the face of Perserque’s punishment. After all, she had just broken through to a new stage. She couldn’t imagine herself possibly screaming at a mere club when her body was evolving in real time from mana.
She was no different from others. No matter how solid, no plan ever survived contact with the enemy.
Bam!!
“Aaargh!!! It hurts! My butt’s splitting! My butt’s splitting in two!”
“Nuh-uh. Your rear’s already in two halves with a big crack down the middle, so don't act like a drama queen.”
Thwack!!
“Aaaargh!!! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!” The pain was so agonizing it made her head spin. She leaped around, clutching her butt and rolling on the floor. “Wait... wait! You hit my bones... my bones! Seriously!”
“There's no way your dad would be so incompetent. This thing was made from a pillar pulled out from Neltarid’s sanctuary. It's a divine artifact that won't cause any major damage, only pain, so you don't gotta worry ‘bout a thing.”
“W-what…” Evangeline truly had nothing to say to that.
“But you just said it was fine!”
Perserque was quite ruthless with her corporal punishment. The more she hit, the darker her own expression became.
“This is too hard for me...” Perserque lamented.
“T-then maybe you should stop...” Evangeline replied.
“It’s too hard for me to watch you in pain...”
Once Illyna stepped in to intervene, she finally dropped the club and collapsed on the spot.
Illyna quietly told Evangeline to go inside.
“Sniff. I'm sorry, Mom.”
Perhaps because Perserque seemed to be suffering more than she was, Evangeline couldn't take it anymore. She cautiously backed away, went into her room, and burrowed deep beneath the comforter of her favorite bed.
“Sniff, sniff.”
Hearing the choked-up voice, Perserque sighed softly and covered her face with her hands.
Illyna cautiously asked, “Sister... are you okay?”
“Yes... I have to be, considering Eva was in a hundred times more pain.”
‘Hmm…’
Even though Perserque was the one doing the hitting, Illyna felt that she was the one suffering more.
“I only hope this incident will keep Eva from taking the world too lightly.”
The important thing wasn't actually how much money she’d spent. It was that she’d acted without thinking and went beyond her capabilities just to achieve some arbitrary goal.
It was only about three hundred million won this time, but the more accustomed she became to that lifestyle, the harder it’d be for her to control herself. Given her nature as an ancient dragon, such a disposition was highly likely to turn into extreme arrogance later on.
If she kept acting without thinking things through, she’d eventually face something beyond her ability to handle and completely fall apart.
That was why Davey, Perserque, and everyone else wanted so badly to instill discipline in Evangeline.
Rich people spending a lot of money wasn't because they lacked self-control—it was because they judged they had enough resources to allow for it. Those who didn't would have already fallen into the abyss.
A famous general who had won dozens of wars didn't boldly execute a strategy with a thoughtless, charge ahead mindset. It was a conclusion reached after sufficient consideration, keeping the worst-case scenario in mind.
Lashing out haphazardly simply because one was angry, thereby falling deeper into a swamp without understanding the current situation, was no different from sinking endlessly into the abyss after visiting a casino.
The core idea behind what Davey always said was simple: think carefully, act swiftly.
Yet, her current behavior was a perfect example of the exact opposite.
“Telling her even a hundred times wouldn’t help. She has to realize it herself,” Illyna assured her.
“What about Davey?”
“I'll have to tell Davey. It’s his time to go comfort her.”
It was heartbreaking to see her whimpering under the covers.
* * *
After Evangeline went into her room, Perserque asked Super Ribbon, who came to check on the situation, for a favor. “Please take care of your sister.”
“Don't worry, Mother. Eva probably understands why you scolded her.”
“It’d be great if this could help her grow more...”
Hearing her bitter words, Super Ribbon smiled faintly and closed her eyes. Light then flowed from her body as she changed into the forms of Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon.
“Evaaaa!”
They scampered over, jumped onto her bed, and slid under the sheets.
It was a nice bonus that she screamed, “H-Hey?!”
“Hehe! Does it hurt a lot? Red Ribbon will kiss it better!”
“Kyaaak! What are you doing?! Get away from me, you perverts!”
Hurt by the abrupt scream, Red Ribbon started to whimper.
“Uuuuw. Waaah! Red Ribbon just wanted Eva not to hurt anymore...”
Once she started crying, Blue Ribbon also began to tear up.
Naturally, the one who panicked the most was Evangeline. “I-I’m sorry, Red Ribbon! I was wrong! Don't cry! Okay?”
In a way, Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon were her greatest natural enemies.
* * *
While Evangeline was struggling to escape from Perserque and Illyna, Emperor Deorte el Lyndis slowly approached, then slapped Vashas on the cheek. “You pathetic fool...”
“Your Majesty...”
‘Here we go again.’
Resentment surfaced on Vashas’ face.
Emperor Deorte, the absolute ruler of Lyndis, had never acknowledged him—not even once.
He only acknowledged that foolish, peace-drunk Alberth.
“I told you time and time again. Never direct killing aura at family,” Deorte sternly rebuked him.
“Your Majesty, I cannot acknowledge that bitch as my sister.”
“What did you say?!”
“How can you demand such a cruel order of me?! What did I ever do wrong?! What do I lack for you to show such blatant discrimination?!”
“How… How dare you say such a thing!!” Deorte punched him again. Yet this time, Vashas blocked it instead of taking the hit. “You?!”
“I will never forgive or accept her, even in death. Let me excuse myself.” He then bowed his head and walked out.
“Pathetic fool... I told you it was just an accident.”
Vashas’s mother had died, leading to his current mindset towards her purported beastfolk killer. Emperor Deorte couldn’t let the situation stay as is.
“How can you ignore your mother's dying wish like this?” he muttered to himself.
Davey spoke up from the side, “Your Majesty.”
“I showed a poor display. Thank you for excusing yourself while we quarreled, Davey.”
His uncharacteristic appearance sparked a question. Davey remarked, “Honestly, I'm curious, but my own affairs are pressing, so I'll visit you longer next time.”
“Punish her moderately. You can't force a child to mature by simply scolding them...”
That remark sounded like it came from personal experience.
“I'm leaving,” Deorte announced. “Royal Attendant.”
The old man bowed with shame. “Please kill me, Your Majesty. This humble servant did not conduct himself properly.”
“I'm disappointed in you, Royal Attendant.”
Sling!!
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
Aeria quickly rushed forward and blocked him, shocked by the gesture that truly seemed intent on taking a life. “Your Majesty! No... you can't! Please spare him!”
“Move, Aeria. This is a grave matter, and this must be done.”
“It's just Eva’s stubbornness! Please... I beg you, Father.”
Emperor Deorte glared at Aeria without a word before finally turning his head. “This is an act that would normally warrant immediate execution. Still… considering the service you have rendered so far, I will forgive it this once. Follow me, and we’ll discuss your penalty.”
“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty...”
The way he turned away, clearly refusing any further argument, gave off a sense of loneliness.
If not for this incident, Davey would’ve complained to the emperor about hiding Evangeline, but it clearly wasn't the time.
* * *
“Hoo-up!”
Belluard el Lyndis woke up to see himself in a large, familiar room.
“Guuuh. Agh.”
He pressed a hand to his forehead as a splitting headache hit him. He frowned and waved his other hand to grab onto something.
The liquor bottle that would’ve normally been within reach was nowhere to be seen. There was no way he wouldn’t know his own room’s contents.
“Hey... is anyone there?”
No one answered his call.
He scowled. “Hey! Is anyone there, I said! Bring me some honey water right now!”
Still no answer.
Just as his extreme annoyance caused him to leap to his feet, a click sounded, and someone entered.
“Ah. Father?”
It was a presence that shouldn't have been there at that hour.
Vashas el Lyndis, his father, looked down at him. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, yes!” Belluard sweated profusely and bowed his head, clearly terrified. Belluard was a reckless rascal who feared nothing in the world, but his father was still terrifying to him.
“That’s all that matters,” the man coldly commented.
“Yes… Cough!”
Once he answered, Vashas struck him with his fist, sending him rolling several times.
“Aaaargh!!! F-Father!”
“Do you even know how dangerous a thing you just did, you fool? How dare you bring unauthorized people into the Sun Annex?”
“T-that was—!”
“And did you truly try to clash head-on with Heins Territory?”
Only then did he recall what happened before he passed out.
The beastfolk with horns he met at the Sun Annex. His memory grew hazy after he shot a crossbow at her.
“What the hell is that woman? Why is a beastfolk allowed there...”
“She’s the Grand Duchess of Heins, not some little beastfolk like you think she is.”
Belluard was stunned. “Pardon?”
“Did you not understand what I said? I said you just poked a beehive.”
Heins Territory. Even a reckless brat too busy having fun had to know of that place.
“Ha... haha, you must be joking, Father. Even if she really is the Grand Duchess inheritor of Heins... not properly revealing her identity was—”
“Listen closely,” his father interrupted. “Forget about that part for now. What's important is that you went and picked a fight with a Grand Duchess inheritor who was minding her own business. Even worse, that place happened to be the Sun Annex.”
He had properly provoked the one wasp nest he shouldn’t have.
“The before and after don't matter. The fact is that you picked a fight with the Grand Duchess inheriter, and as a result, the Grand Duke of Heins and I almost clashed head-on. But most importantly!”
He reached out and grabbed Belluard by the collar. “You let that woman appear before my eyes.”
“Ah! Father...”
“...You will be confined for a week. And those sycophants who followed you? I've let your rabble be until now, but I won't overlook it any longer. I will purge all of them, so be aware.”
“B-but Father! They all swore loyalty to me...”
“Nonsense!” his father harshly shouted back. “Can't you see they are nothing but parasites trying to exploit your status for your power?!”
Belluard didn't have anything to say to that.
“I told you, again and again. If anyone gets in my way, I have no intention of forgiving them—even if that somebody is you.” He glared at Belluard, gritting his teeth with a grinding sound. “This is a warning. I will handle this matter, so don't act recklessly. And stay quiet! There won't be a second time.”
Once he watched his father walk out, Belluard screamed and threw all the objects around him, “Aaaaaargh!!!”
Crash!! Clang!!
He vented his rage, but nothing came of it. His father was cutting off the followers who understood and supported him, while leaving those who hated him alone.
To him, it was all because of that damned beastfolk bitch. Technically, he was told she wasn't a beastfolk, but he didn't care.
What made him furious was the root cause of it all, the one that had ruthlessly trampled on his pride and had his followers taken away from him. That beastfolk Evangeline.
“Damn it…”
He ground his teeth. However, knowing that his opponent was no ordinary being, it was also true that he couldn't easily lay a hand on her.
He racked his brain, but he couldn't think of anything. In fact, it only made him angrier. He felt like he couldn't stand it if he didn't do something.
Then, a certain fact suddenly came to mind.
- Your Majesty is lying, Mother. I’ll never forgive that woman who killed you.
He remembered what his father had muttered alone in front of his grandmother's portrait while drunk.
He had heard the story long ago. The story that Aeria had caused his grandmother's death when she was young.
He didn't know the details, but, apparently, at the time, Emperor Deorte covered it up, calling it a simple accident.
Belluard believed that his father, Vashas, must have thought it a lie, given how much he hated Aeria and beastfolk in general.
“I might be able to get some revenge if I take advantage of that.”
He gave a chilling smile. “How dare a lowly beastfolk… How dare that filthy bitch who relies on her father's prestige look down on me?! Give me such humiliation?!”
To Belluard, who had a superiority complex ingrained in him since childhood, the only thing that mattered was the fact that he was a noble figure destined to become the emperor one day.
* * *
“Are you sure about this, Your Highness? If you leave him alone, he'll definitely cause trouble.”
At the same time, Vashas, who was racking his brain over the current situation with the royal attendant by his side, lifted his head.
“No matter how foolish that boy is, he won't dig his own grave.”
“Your Highness... the young master doesn't know the truth. You already know that, don't you?”
Vashas didn't respond.
“Isn't it better to tell him the truth now?”
“If I do that, what does that make me, who has hated beastfolk and despised that child all this time?”
The Royal Attendant fell silent at his question before finally advising, “Your Highness, sometimes courage is required. Haven't you hated her for over a decade...”
“My mother died because of that woman! She killed my mother! That fact will never change! And on top of that, amnesia?! How can I forgive that brazen woman who alone lost those horrible memories?!”
“But Your Highness... His Majesty said it was a simple accident, and the circumstances suggest as much. Grand Duchess Aeria was too young at the time, Your Highness. I've watched you since you were a child, and I believe it too.”
“Stop.”
“Your Highness used to adore the Grand Duchess Aeria so much. Any further antagonism is essentially meaningless. It seems to me that Your Highness is simply looking for someone to hate...”
“I said silence!”
Sling!! Clang!!
A flash of light instantly streaked across, leaving a bloody line on the royal attendant’s cheek. Even so, he stood still, not taking a single step back.
“Don't overstep your bounds, Royal Attendant. I've already walked too far down this road. Even if His Majesty's words are true, I have no intention of forgiving that woman. Whether she did it intentionally or not, the fact is my mother died.”
The Royal Attendant let out a short sigh. He had no idea how a man who was once brilliant and devoted to his family had become so twisted, or how things had gotten to the point where he was raising a sword against his own sibling.
Vashas was already too far deep. So far that he couldn’t turn back.
However, Belluard could still be saved. After all, his arrogance and hatred toward beastfolk mostly came from Vashas’s own influence. If someone intervened soon enough, he could still change. Yet, Vashas’s grief and pride wouldn’t allow it.
No one knew if Vashas even realized what kind of pathetic father he had become. It was a vicious cycle.
In the end, Goddess Freyja, who watched over the world, seemed to be the only one to blame.
ChubbyCheeks & FriedNook's Thoughts
Editorb’s Thoughts
Wtf bro, Goddess Freyja catching strays on this one 😭