Sword Emperor, Becoming the Young Lady of a Viscount House

Chapter 50: Lurking Danger (1)

"Ah, anyway, it's over now. Miya confessed everything. So, could you… let me go now?"

Miya put on a pitiful expression.

"…Are you saying you're not the one who killed the villagers?"

Beatrice frowned.

'Is there no such function as detecting lies?'

[If you form a contract, it’s possible.]

It would be convenient if she did. Beatrice thought.

Of course, she had no intention of doing so.

'Stop pitching it.'

[It's true! Just trust me and make a contract, young Beatrice.]

There was a way to discern lies without making a contract.

The girl in front of her, Miya, was at most ten years old. If she were lying, her words wouldn't align when questioned.

"Then who killed the villagers?"

"Miya doesn’t know! When I went to the village, the people were already dead."

Beatrice asked a few more questions after that.

No matter how she looked at it, Miya didn’t seem to be lying.

But at that moment—

"Liar!"

Adam glared at Miya as if he wanted to kill her.

"Don’t be fooled. Just a few minutes ago, I nearly lost my life because of her!"

Flinch.

…It was a statement that couldn’t be refuted. Because it was the truth.

Beatrice lowered her eyes thoughtfully.

'Adam's words make sense.'

She couldn’t disregard his claim. Thinking logically, it was a ridiculous situation.

A noble swearing on their honor.

It was no different from staking their life.

"M-Miya just… just told him a way because he looked like he wanted to get stronger!"

"Liar! You tried to use me to kill everyone!"

Adam shouted in a frenzy, and Miya flinched before defending herself.

"No-! Miya doesn’t want to kill anyone. Miya is a pacifist. I just wanted to scare him and drive him away. Now let me go! I want to go home!"

Miya claimed her innocence.

"It was the devil’s whisper. Without a doubt, if I had been a fool, I would have accepted that proposal. A terrible disaster would have begun. And that disaster is not over yet! Look, even now, she’s trying to deceive us. That witch must be killed immediately!"

Adam warned them not to trust her under any circumstances.

"…Black mages are practically extinct. The value of discovering her is high. Cadet Adam, I’m sorry, but her treatment will not be decided immediately. She should be captured, and the truth thoroughly investigated."

Reiser argued that practicality should prevail. Killing her wouldn’t gain them anything.

"Hey, Captain. I don’t think so. A hapless rookie almost died, and you’re saying she should be spared? That’s unacceptable. Even if he’s a rookie, he’s still our comrade. Are you planning to repeat the mistake of doubting a comrade? You should believe the rookie’s words now."

Falcon emphasized loyalty. Adam could have died unjustly. To clear his name, Falcon believed Miya should be executed immediately.

Adam’s insistence on killing her right away.

Reiser’s argument that her rare identity as a black mage warranted investigation.

Beatrice thought both had valid points.

Beatrice was a rational person overall. She didn’t hesitate much but usually chose reason when faced with a binary choice.

If this had been a simple battle between emotion and reason, she would have sided with reason.

However, this situation was a clash of ideals and principles. Neither side could be said to be wrong.

She was conflicted. Beatrice bit her fingernails. For once, she hesitated.

[Young Beatrice, how intriguing. What choice will you make?]

With Solid's words,

"…Beatrice. What do you think?"

Argos addressed her.

The gazes of those who had been fiercely debating naturally shifted toward Beatrice.

In that moment, Beatrice instinctively knew.

Her words would likely dictate the course of action.

In other words, the choice was hers.

To kill or not to kill.

"…I."

The options were twofold.

The pros and cons were clear.

If she spared Miya, Beatrice would likely lose the trust of the cadets.

The influence she had painstakingly built could be undermined.

On the other hand, if she killed Miya, it would reflect poorly on her in the Crown Prince's eyes.

For him, Adam's loyalty mattered less than pragmatic benefits.

He might think her unwise.

Disappointing the Crown Prince was a significant loss for Beatrice.

A commander who couldn’t earn trust, no matter how skilled, couldn’t attain a prominent position.

For Beatrice, who planned to gain big rewards from war, that would be a disaster.

But would she turn her back on the cadets?

That was also unfavorable.

In the end, war wasn’t fought alone, and losing the trust of her comrades would be fatal.

'So there’s no optimal choice.'

No matter the choice, something would be lost. Beatrice could only choose the option with the lesser loss.

And that was—

"Miya."

"Y-Yes!"

Miya tried her best to appear endearing to save her life.

Unfortunately, it had little influence on Beatrice’s decision.

"Die."

She swung her sword resolutely.

'There’s no need to aim for too much from the start.'

The war hadn’t even begun yet.

For now, her comrades were the ones she’d be with for a while. She couldn’t afford to disappoint them, even slightly.

…As for the Crown Prince, she could win him over later.

Miya’s death.

That was Beatrice’s decision.

However, her choice didn’t come to pass.

-Ka-kang!

Whether it rose from the ground or fell from the sky, her sword was suddenly blocked by another blade.

It was an elf with jet-black skin.

"…You are?"

"…It seems my child has caused some unintentional trouble."

-Kang!

The elf struck Beatrice’s sword strongly aside and cradled Miya in one hand.

"Who are you?"

Beatrice aimed her sword and spoke in a tense tone.

'This guy is strong.'

The strong recognize the strong. From the brief clash, Beatrice sensed it.

This wasn’t an ordinary individual.

"I am her guardian. I wondered where she had gone, only to find her here. I’m not sure what offense she caused, but please, forgive her as it was merely the mistake of a child."

"Hwaaah! I missed you, sir…! Miya was so scared. T-That scary lady tried to kill Miya several times…!"

The knights, looking tense, prepared to respond immediately.

Beatrice extended a hand and clenched it into a fist, signaling them to remain still.

[Young Beatrice… do not act rashly.]

'I know. More importantly, what exactly is his level?'

[…That man is.]

"This child is precious to me. Therefore, while I know it’s shameless of me, if you disregard my apology and proceed with your actions, I will have no choice but to respond in kind."

Falcon ground his teeth and asked,

"Who do you think you are?"

"I told you. Her guardian."

-Woom.

At that moment, the black elf’s sword became shrouded in a vivid aura.

It was crimson, its thickness distinct from ordinary auras.

Someone who saw it spoke.

“Oh, Aura Blade.”

[He’s a Master.]

A Master.

None present were ignorant of the term's significance.

In this world, a transcendent being with overwhelming strength.

A presence whose power could not be challenged.

-Gulp.

The knights swallowed dryly.

As those who had devoted their lives to the sword, the weight of the title “Master” struck deeply.

“So, let us end this here. If you let us go, I assure you no harm will come to you.”

“…….”

‘I am not yet skilled enough to face him.’

Though the elf’s tone was excessively polite,

His demeanor was not.

The aura of murderous intent he emitted made it hard for ordinary people to even lift a finger.

Even Beatrice felt considerable pressure.

“Ugh…”

The groans of the struggling cadets grated on her nerves.

Beatrice had no choice but to decide.

“…Very well.”

“…Thank you for your understanding.”

The moment Beatrice spoke, the elf withdrew his murderous intent.

“Hah.”

The cadets, who had been struggling to breathe, clutched their throats and coughed.

Without hesitation, the elf turned his back to them.

Turning one’s back to a swordsman.

It was a declaration: “No matter what you do, you won’t touch a single hair on me.”

Beatrice let out a bitter laugh.

How many times in her life had she experienced such humiliation?

“By the way.”

The elf paused briefly and turned his head slightly toward Beatrice.

“A rat can be found anywhere there is food to be had.”

“…?”

-Grin.

For the first time, the elf smiled.

“To catch such a rat, you need to know exactly what it desires.”

“W-What are you…”

“Even though I caused trouble, you’ve forgiven me. Consider this my way of repaying you. Farewell.”

Just as Reiser was about to question him further,

The elf disappeared like a mirage.

Even after the elf vanished, those left behind were unable to speak for some time.

**

Beatrice leaned against a tree, lost in thought.

‘What a truly miserable feeling.’

It had been a long time.

Since she had felt such helplessness.

‘…But what did he mean by a rat? What’s that about?’

Rather than getting angry, Beatrice recalled the elf’s parting words.

They were too meaningful to ignore.

A rat. A rat…

-Woom. It was this strange man wearing a hood that only showed his eyes. Everything was pitch black!

She briefly recalled her encounter on her way to the capital.

Hadn’t she seen those hooded figures before?

‘Could it be?’

A thought crossed her mind.

One thought led to another,

And it culminated in a conclusion.

‘I must not let anyone know the girl is alive. If I do, I’ll die. But if I don’t die…’

This was an opportunity.

A chance to gain an overwhelming advantage in the war.

Her pupils dilated.

-Thud.

Beatrice quickly scanned her surroundings. Nearby, she spotted Reiser, who was staring blankly into the distance.

She approached him and tapped his shoulder.

“…Beatrice?”

“Reiser. Stop dawdling and pull yourself together. I need to speak with you.”

“…Yes. What is it?”

Beatrice narrowed her eyes and bluntly asked,

“…Are you good at lying?”

**

-Knock, knock.

“It’s Reiser.”

“Come in.”

The royal palace’s office.

As usual, Crown Prince Luel was signing documents.

Soon, the door opened, and Reiser entered. Clad in a neat uniform, he bowed once before standing before Luel.

“I’ve heard roughly, but I understand you encountered a black mage.”

“Yes. She was a girl who lived in the Alps. She could revive any deceased being.”

“That’s fascinating. Write a detailed report on the matter and submit it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Though this mission hadn’t significantly reduced the magical beasts in the Alps,

The information Reiser brought back was valuable enough.

Luel was satisfied with the results of the mission.

He spoke with a tone of approval.

“By the way, I heard Beatrice made significant contributions again this time.”

“Yes. It was Beatrice who recognized the girl as a black mage. …To my embarrassment, I didn’t even consider it until she drew her sword.”

“How could that be your incompetence? It only means she is exceptional.”

“…I apologize.”

“What is there to apologize for? The appearance of such a remarkable talent on the brink of war is nothing short of a miracle for Krapos!”

While being outdone by a mere girl could be perceived as shameful,

Reiser felt no resentment.

He had already recognized Beatrice as a knight.

She was a knight. A brilliant commander.

Especially the plan she had told him before their return…

-Shudder.

The thought alone sent chills down his spine.

“If she’s made contributions, it’s only right she’s rewarded. Did she ask for anything specific?”

“Yes.”

Luel propped his chin in interest.

“Well, what is it? I’m willing to grant it, whatever it may be.”

“…That is.”

Reiser spoke calmly.

“She asked for a hair ribbon.”

“…A hair ribbon? What kind of nonsensical request is that?”

“It was among the black mage’s belongings. Beatrice wanted the ribbon the girl was wearing.”

Luel frowned.

“Just that? Did she give a reason?”

“…That is.”

Reiser hesitated for a moment before replying.

“She said her hair is long, and she wants to tie it up.”

“What?”

“She said she doesn’t want anything else and that other cadets should be rewarded instead.”

An unexpected answer.

A brief silence followed.

Then—

“Ha-ha-ha! How amusing. Truly amusing.”

Luel burst into hearty laughter, even tearing up.

“She made an absurd request last time, too, and now this. The Crown Prince himself is offering a reward, and…”

“I was quite taken aback as well.”

“Well, a hair ribbon is convenient and practical. Let her have it. As many as she wants!”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll inform her. Then, I shall take my leave.”

“Go ahead. You’ve worked hard. Focus on training for now and take some rest. I won’t assign any missions for a while.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s consideration.”

Reiser exited with a formal gesture.

As he turned the doorknob,

Luel suddenly remembered something and asked,

“By the way, what happened to that girl? I heard about it, but I don’t recall the details.”

“…That girl.”

Reiser hesitated as if recalling the past, then spoke in a low voice.

“She died. Beatrice. She personally severed her head.”