Chapter 122 (1/2)

“By the time my child grows into a fine lady, you will be the head of the Pendletons, Lady Rivelia”

Rivelia wanted to scream through her closed lips, to ask if t.i.tle and power was worth more than one watching their parents die.

“My child will be your equal. She will become a grand n.o.ble, who need not bow to anyone else. She will become a n.o.ble who is both considerate and empathetic. A n.o.ble who understands the pain of others and offers a helping hand. My child…”

Elena couldn’t finish her words, sobbing as she held her dead husband tightly, caressing his cheek.

“I….”

Just when Rivelia finally managed to utter a word, Elena raised her head. A trail of blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.

“My child will be the first hereditary n.o.ble who climbed to the t.i.tle of d.u.c.h.ess from the rank of Baron, and she will become your rival.”

Clang!

Rivelia dropped her sword—something she had never done in her life. She held her mouth with both of her hands. She couldn’t understand it. Perhaps she never would in her entire life. Someone who had stood at the summit since the beginning simply didn’t live in the same world as those still scaling the cliffs.

Elena mustered her last ounce of strength to look at Laila, and then she whispered to Isaac.

“Thank you…”

Elena’s body collapsed on top of Wolfgang’s, and Isaac’s expression twisted.

“Two? Not just one but two? Just what was Central’s reasoning for not recruiting them? Were they ignored simply because they had an overabundance of talents? Or is this what it means to be parents? Or are they the true n.o.bles?”

Isaac’s face contorted in untold fury for reasons unfathomable to Rivelia, and she asked.

“What is it that I’m missing? What did they figure out?”

Isaac looked into Rivelia’s burning eyes and clucked his tongue in disappointment.

“It’s your homework. Why don’t you figure it out yourself?”

Isaac tapped Laila’s shoulder as well.

“You think about it too. But you don’t have to tell me the answer. Just keep it to yourself when you find out.”

“Enough with this stupid homework! I am not your student!”

Rivelia shouted out in frustration. Isaac looked between Laila and Rivelia before he spoke.

“Fine. I will tell you the answer to my homework just to make things fair. Listen well. All power corrupts. Especially when you abide by a grand cause of ‘only we can save this world.’ Makes it very easy for arrogance to possess r.e.t.a.r.ds.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

“Where is the demon? The turncoats? Why was Central so sure that Wolfgang was a demon?”

“There must have been an error in the reports.”

“Arrogant and innocent. This is the result of that error.”

“…”

Isaac opened his arm to showcase the Banquet Hall, and Rivelia fell silent.

“Let me ask you this. Was Marquis Lichten truly unaware that Count Wolfgang was possibly involved with a demon?”

“…”

When Rivelia failed to answer, Isaac smirked as if that’s all the answer he needed.

“There was only doubt in my mind when I first received this mission.”

Isaac paused to tap Laila, who was staring at her dead parents.

“Focus now. First lesson, always question ‘why’ at all times. First question: was Marquis Lichten truly unaware of Central’s involvement when he was the one to benefit the most if Wolfgang were to fall? I tested this by sending a single letter to delay the war for a month, yet instead of rejecting it furiously, he took it as granted. Why? Because I’m the Director of Central? Or because he knows Wolfgang will fall no matter what?”

“That’s…”

“Second question: what will Central gain from this involvement? No organisation moves if there isn’t any profit. From Central’s perspective, it’s much better to keep the cooperative Marquis in power and maintain a constant stream of supplies instead of wasting time and money checking in on this new rising power. That alone is enough for Central to intervene.”

“The Grand Council would never allow this.”

“Third question, would the non-humans care about a war between humans?”

“If a sliver of information was leaked, even Central wouldn’t be able to escape the allegations”

“Fourth question: this is done by the organisation that creates and maintains the law of this world. Can this be overruled?”

When Central labels one as turncoats or demons, they were turncoats and demons. Rivelia never questioned this.

“That is just your personal opinion, Director. I refuse to believe this. I will request an official reinvestigation. There must have been an error in the information. We’ll discover the true reason if the Directorate of a.n.a.lysis runs a thorough investigation.”

Isaac burst out in laughter and watched as Rivelia refused to take his word for it, still firmly believing that this was all another party’s devious scheme that would be punished accordingly in the name of justice. She always looked at the world on the bright side—perhaps because she was still young and innocent.

Isaac took out a cigarette and lit it as he grasped the air with one hand.

“Those who hold onto power can never let it go until they die. That is why they’ll do whatever they can to keep it. If you request a reinvestigation, it’ll just come back saying that there wasn’t any demonic involvement. Then?”