bookpower Chapter 448: Expansion (1)
Chapter 448: Expansion (1)
Click, click.
The sound of my footsteps echoed through the empty library.
“What’s your name?”
“...Harin Suevi.”
“Your name is as unique as your appearance.”
Actually, my words could be considered racist.
Well, if a human had said them, that is.
‘Being a barbarian is great.’
I’m a barbarian, immune to accusations of racism.
Harin didn’t seem offended either, as she replied calmly,
“It’s understandable that you find it unfamiliar. There aren’t many families left in this city with such strong Eastern Continent bloodlines.”
“Your ancestors were from the Eastern Continent?”
“Yes. My ancestor was a merchant who happened to be in this city when it was destroyed. Thankfully, he survived and escaped the disaster.”
“...I see.”
It was a concise explanation.
I was the one who was flustered.
Most evil spirits wouldn’t know so much about their family history...
‘Hyunbyul might be different.’
I couldn’t shake off my suspicions as I moved on to the next question.
“What’s your relationship with Viscountess Peprok?”
“I’m fortunate enough to be serving her.”
So, it hasn’t been long.
My suspicions grew.
But...
Click.
Unfortunately, we arrived at our destination before I could interrogate her further.
“I’ll excuse myself.”
“Thank you, Harin. You’ve been a great help.”
She bowed politely and left the room, and I focused on the present.
“.......”
Blue eyes and blue hair.
Her hair was styled in an updo, revealing her elegant neckline, and she exuded a noble aura.
But...
“It’s been a while, Bjorn Yandel.”
Her way of speaking hadn’t changed.
I felt a momentary awkwardness at her unfamiliar appearance, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of familiarity.
“Yes, it’s been a while, Ragna. Or should I call you Viscountess Peprok now?”
“You’re still as playful as ever.”
Playful? I was just confirming something.
I could guess what kind of relationship she wanted from the fact that she didn’t object to me not using honorifics.
“You’ve changed.”
“Have I...?”
She mumbled, touching her hair, but it wasn’t just her hairstyle or attire.
She had matured.
Before, she had seemed fragile and insecure despite her sharp tongue. But now she seemed more composed and confident.
“I never imagined... that you would be alive, Yandel.”
“Neither did I. I knew there was a story behind your name, but I didn’t expect you to be the Marquis’s daughter.”
“.........What?”
“.........Huh?”
She froze and then frowned at my casual remark.
“...What are you talking about? Me, the Marquis’s daughter?”
“...You’re not?”
“No! No, I... Well, if it’s true, it would explain a few things...”
What’s going on?
______________________
“We need to clear this up first. Yandel, where did you hear that I’m the Marquis’s daughter?”
“Uh...”
“If you can’t tell me, at least tell me how reliable your source is. Please.”
“I thought it was a reliable source. At least until I met you.”
“So you trust your source...”
Hmm, is that right?
I don’t even know Stag Antlers’ name or face.
I was confused, but I tried to remain calm and asked,
“Can you... tell me your story? Maybe I can give you some advice.”
Ragna hesitated for a moment and then spoke cautiously.
“...Alright. I can’t hide it forever.”
“.......”
“And besides... it’s not something I should be hiding.”
Her words showed how much she had changed.
Before, she would have just refused to answer, her eyes filled with sadness.
She had matured, both inside and out.
I listened to her story.
“When I was young, my nanny always told me, ‘Ragna, you have to live quietly and avoid attention. That’s the only way to repay him.’”
“.......”
“As you know, I’m not really from the Peprok family. My father just borrowed the name of a fallen family to create a new identity for me.”
“I see...”
“I don’t know who my father is, but my nanny told me he was a high-ranking noble. And that he would be in trouble if my existence was revealed. Ah, she also said that he loved me and was always watching over me, even though he couldn’t meet me.” RἈƝổβЕṧ
“.......”
“I loved my nanny, but I didn’t believe her when she said my father loved me. But I followed her advice. I lived a quiet life and even gave up magic, my only hobby. I just enjoyed learning magic, but for some reason, it always attracted attention.”
But I soon got to the point.
“Ragna, I have something to tell you.”
It wasn’t what I had planned to say.
I had intended to subtly gather information about the Marquis and perhaps even recruit her as an ally.
But...
“Are you planning to give up your title?”
After hearing her story, I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I just wanted her to be safe, away from this power struggle.
Of course, my hope was immediately crushed.
“I don’t know why you’re asking, but no. I’m not giving up my title.”
“Why? Because the Marquis might be your father?”
“That’s irrelevant. Whether he is or not, he’ll always be a stranger to me.”
“Then why are you clinging to your title? I’m back now, and the misunderstanding has been cleared. You don’t need it anymore.”
“Because it’s the most valuable thing I can do. Of all the things I can do.”
“...I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been researching and analyzing various cases to support this proposal. To prove that not all evil spirits are evil.”
“...So you’re saying you’re serious about this, regardless of me?”
“Yes. In short, that’s right.”
She was serious.
“Haa...”
I changed my approach.
“Then how about leaving the Marquis’s side? He doesn’t seem to be interested in passing the proposal anyway.”
“...What do you mean?”
“I heard that he was the one who opposed it the most when it was first brought up at the royal council meeting.”
“That’s... something I found strange as well. But he said he only did it because my proposal was poorly supported. He didn’t want the other nobles to attack me.”
“...What?”
“He said he would fully support me if I came back with a revised proposal that could convince the other nobles.”
“You believe him?”
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t? That’s why he summoned me in the first place.”
“That’s...”
Well, that was the official story.
I had tried to sow discord between them, but I still didn’t know what the Marquis’s true intentions were.
Why did he summon Ragna? And why did he suggest the integration proposal to her—
“Yandel, you seem to dislike the Marquis.”
She asked, her tone slightly sharper than before.
‘...She said he would always be a stranger... But I guess blood ties are hard to break.’
Things were getting complicated.
“I don’t dislike him. I just... find his motives suspicious.”
I quickly clarified before our relationship soured.
Thankfully, she seemed to believe me.
“I see. Yandel, I understand your concerns. But... don’t worry too much. I can take care of myself now.”
I envied her.
‘Take care of herself...’
I was still struggling with that.
_______________________
I left the library after my conversation with Ragna. It was just past noon. She had been summoned by the Marquis.
“Harin, the Marquis wants to see me...?”
“Yes. He said he’ll tell you everything in person.”
“...Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t worry, I was about to leave anyway. I’m hungry.”
“I’ll contact you again.”
“Okay. And don’t tell the Marquis about our meeting.”
“Of course not. I don’t want him to use our connection for his political gain. Ah, and Harin is trustworthy, so don’t worry.”
Ragna left with her secretary, Harin, and I watched them leave.
‘Harin...’
I had learned a few things about ‘Harin’ while chatting with Ragna.
They had met about a year ago.
At the library.
Ragna had quit her job as a librarian, but she still frequented the library to research the integration policy. That’s where she met Harin and became friends.
And...
‘She liked Harin, and she was impressed by her skills, so she recently revealed her identity and hired her as her secretary and advisor.’
‘Harin is... definitely Hyunbyul.’
There was no other possibility.
Ragna didn’t have any other vassals.
But the problem was...
‘Hyunbyul must have known. She could tell that Ragna was a noble just by looking at her clothes. She must have deliberately approached her and gained her trust.’
[I’ve recently found a powerful backer.]
I was worried.
[I’ll use my influence to help you.]
Was Hyunbyul’s ‘powerful backer’...
Really Ragna?
Thump, thump.
If not...
‘...No, she didn’t seem to be lying when I asked her who she was working for.’
I shook my head.
I thought I knew Hyunbyul well.
She wouldn’t lie to me.
‘Ragna Ritanyel Peprok has a secret.’
A secret I didn’t know about.
A big one.