Chapter 54 – The Truth

Miria took her blade away and returned to Ast’s side. There was no further need for her to keep the Marquess at bay. She was glad he didn’t try summoning any more of his familiars, even though part of her was looking forward to seeing how she would fare against other summoned beasts. But, they didn’t come here to play, so she obediently followed Ast’s mental instructions.

Selene kept her sensory ability up to watch their surroundings. It didn’t look like anything or anyone was going to interrupt them anytime soon. Ast’s decision to cast the silencing spell on the room while talking to the man was a good one and definitely helped in making things seem less disturbing than they really were.

Now, Asterios stood on the side of the chair on which he seated Roz and stared at the boy with his arms crossed, waiting for him to finally get over the recent events. Wilhelm was anxiously looking at his son, wanting to call for his familiar specializing in healing right now, but also didn’t want to tip off the mysterious youth by accident. He couldn’t deny being curious about what the two of them had to say too.

“Alright. Enough time wasted. Let’s start from the end and the most important part. It seems obvious to me, but are those completely baseless accusations your doing?” Asterios glared at Roz and asked.

The boy looked pleadingly towards his father with lowered head, hoping he would now intervene, but was met with a cold and calculative gaze from the man. He knew it well. His father showed this expression each time he wanted to get to the bottom of something using all he had. Roz could tell his father was in fact concerned about his well-being, but he chose not to act for some reason.

Not hearing any response, Asterios gave the side of Roz’s face a solid punch, managing to control his strength in time, almost forgetting he was still boosted by Miria’s power. The hit was strong enough to almost push the boy out of the chair, but Selene stopped his fall and put him back in place. Asterios moved to his front and leaned forward.

“I have many more toys like the previous one in my pockets. You should even recognize a few of them if you paid some attention in the classes.”

Roz's eyes widened and he hastily shook his head. “No! I’ll talk! It’s… I… I hired some professional mercenaries to hide a box of unmarked gold in one of the shop’s warehouses…”

“I see… Before I ask why, where did you even get unmarked gold in the first place? Those mercs definitely wouldn’t have some if they are pros. It’s too risky,” Asterios inquired.

“I… I took Father’s Family Sigil and entered the Dark Below to get it… One of my friends told me how to—”

“What?!” Wilhelm shouted in surprise, startling Roz a little. “You used our sigil to enter where?! That’s like telling everyone I sent you on behalf of the family! Surely, you must be joking.”

The Dark Below was the name used for the criminal circles over all of the Human kingdoms spanning the whole continent. It was pretty much a black market and a place where you could buy not only illegal goods but also shady services. If you were looking for an assassin or a skilled thief, it was your place. Pretty much every developed town had such an underbelly, smaller or bigger, so no one would deny its existence in Rosewind too, even if they personally didn’t come across it.

Roz tried not to look his father in the eyes, avoiding answering his question. Asterios slapped the top of his head to urge the boy. Then, after that looked at him, he started bringing out a dagger from behind his waist.

“I’m not! I met with a merchant there who goes by the name of Royal Candlesniffer and he sold me the box! I don’t have any proof of the purchase but that should be obvious, no?”

The Marquess sighed. If what Roz said was true and not just something Asterios was forcing him to say, then he would have to take immediate action to learn if any rumor about their Family Sigil being used this way came up. 

It would be a pain to explain without losing face and experiencing potential questioning if other families heard about it. He would have to start coming up with a proper excuse just in case. He couldn’t believe his son would do something so stupid that could ruin their renown and even risk offending the king of the territory which housed Rosewind.

“Why am I not surprised you’d go there. It’s as if scum like you fits perfectly with the environment. Anyway, it’s not my problem. Why would you even attempt fabricating this whole situation? Marquess told me you acted as if you were scammed. Did you even go there in the first place?” Asterios kept pressing further.

“I didn’t. For sure, a shop run by that bitc—, your mother, couldn’t have anything good in it anyway… And isn’t it obvious? You humiliated me so badly in public the last time at the academy’s grounds! I could not live with letting you go away just like that! But you suddenly decided to fuck out of the town exactly when I finished preparing my payback!” 

Roz flared with anger for a brief moment and glared at Ast. 

“Fortunately, there was someone else who could take your place. I so wondered how your face would look after learning that your bitch-of-a-mother rotted in prison to her death while you were gone! You should be grateful I didn’t send the guys meant for you after her or—”

*THUMP*

*CRACK*

Ast’s fist landed on the boy’s side quicker than Selene could react without expecting it and Roz was sent flying into the shattered bookcase again. There definitely was a sound of broken bones accompanying the hit. Asterios didn’t exactly hold back with this one. He then glanced at the shocked Marquess.

“You might want to summon a familiar that can heal if you have one. Sorry about that.”

Even while apologizing, his face didn’t actually resemble someone remorseful of their actions. Wilhelm quickly called forth a Spring Fairy and ordered the spirit to start healing his son as Selene scraped him off the wall and seated him on the chair again.

There was an urge rising in him, telling the Marquess to strike back, but he tried his best to keep it in check. He was obviously angry at Asterios for hurting his son again and again, but the situation appeared more complex than he was aware of and the youth truly didn’t seem to be aiming for Roz’s life. He could have easily ended it a long time ago if he wished to do so.

After Roz stopped clutching his side, Asterios returned his gaze to him. “I think you are forgetting what kind of situation you are in. I’m trying my best not to slaughter you like a pig, but you are making it increasingly more difficult with each word your filthy mouth utters. Don’t think I can’t do it because your father is here. Depending on what I decide, he might be joining you in the afterlife soon after.” He then turned to the Marquess. “How are you going to fix the mess your idiot son created?”

Wilhelm nervously rubbed his hands together. It was not that easy to untangle without completely shattering his family’s reputation. He didn’t want it to be tarnished due to a single, stupid decision of his son to take revenge or whatever. 

The issue was much bigger now. Not only the Dark Below was brought into it, but also a party of mercenaries and of course Rosewind’s Peacekeepers. If he didn’t tread carefully, everything could lead to a huge disaster. He had to think about it deeply before taking any action.

The Marquess raised his gaze at Asterios. “I need time. I’ll make sure to straighten everything out if this really is the truth—”

Asterios sighed heavily. “I’m starting to get tired of this.”

He unsheathed the dagger completely and stabbed the chair Roz was sitting on from above, shortly before his crotch.

“IT'S THE TRUTH! I WAS NEVER BULLIED! I WAS THE ONE HARASSING HIM ALL THE TIME! HE WAS SO FUCKING WEAK HE COULD BARELY SUMMON A FUCKING SQUIRREL BUT HE HELD HIMSELF LIKE HE WAS SOME FUCKING LEGEND! IT WAS INFURIATING! HE SHOULD HAVE JUST FELL INTO THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR AND OFFED HIMSELF SOMEWHERE OR SOMETHING! I TRIED TO FUCK WITH HIM ALL THE TIME SO HE WOULD FINALLY QUIT BUT HE JUST KEPT GOING AND GOING AND IGNORING EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED! HE IS NOT A FUCKING HUMAN! MONSTER! I BET YOUR REAL MOTHER FUCKED AN OGRE OR SOME—NGUH?!”

Asterios punched the boy in the stomach, effectively shutting him up.

“I’d have thought you’d learn by this moment that going after my mother is not something you should do. No matter which one,” he commented and withdrew his fist, turning to the Marquess again. “I don’t need to hear a recount of everything that happened those past years so question that idiot yourself. And maybe start asking others too instead of living in a self-created illusory bubble.”

He glared at the man and grabbed Roz by the throat, lifting him up while he struggled to breathe. He kept staring at the Marquess with a cold expression, seemingly, not even bothered by what he was doing to the man’s son.

“I’m giving you a day to settle everything properly. If you fail to do so, I’ll—”

~My Lord, someone is coming. They don’t seem to be strong though,~ Selene informed him mentally.

“Huh? Why is the door to Father’s study open?” A quiet voice reached their ears from somewhere further in the corridor.

A moment later, a person of short stature showed up at the doorstep. It was a girl, looking to be around thirteen or fourteen years old. She wore leather pants, linen shirt and held a blunt-edged shortsword in her hand, definitely meant for training purposes. Her brown hair was tied up to the back so that no mischievous lock covered her emerald eyes during whatever she was doing. 

Those eyes widened from shock after the girl saw the carnage in her father’s office and noticed her brother being held by the throat in the air by an unknown person.

“Brother!” she shouted and jumped forward.

“No! Don’t!” The Marquess tried to stop her but it was too late.

The girl must have used some kind of movement technique because she showed up on Ast’s side pretty quickly with just two steps of her short legs. Before she could swing her practice sword though, someone appeared in front of her and the next moment she felt herself flying backward with a sharp pain in her chest, completely emptied out from all the air due to the sudden impact.

Miria stood in between Asterios and the girl who just crashed into the wall with her back. Her leg was extended to the front after the kick she made. No one was going to harm her master in front of her, even if it was a kid with a toy sword.

Asterios threw Roz onto the floor and Selene pinned him down with her restraints again. He then walked closer to Miria and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You didn’t have to hit her this hard.”

The euphoric feeling from protecting Asterios died down after he calmly berated her and she lowered her head.

“I… I’m sorry, Master…”

He moved his hand to brush her cheek. “Thank you,” he said and smiled at her very faintly. 

Asterios didn’t want to make Miria feel bad for doing the right thing, even if a little bit too forcefully. He then turned towards the little girl who got up to her knees, supporting herself with the sword, and glared at him while still a little winded. Fortunately, she didn’t seem hurt. Her unexpected appearance was actually a good thing and has given Asterios an idea. Hopefully, the girl wasn’t as rotten as her older brother.

“Wait! She has nothing to do with—”

Seeing Asterios walking towards his daughter, the Marquess stepped forward but was quickly stopped by a few spiritual blades that circled his neck, forcing him to stay silent and unmoving.

The girl kept sending glares at her brother’s and father’s assailant, who was coming closer to her. She knew she wouldn’t be able to do anything to him. Her abilities were not enough to let her win against an adult, but she had to try.

Asterios stopped in front of her and leaned down, supporting himself with his hands on his thighs. He looked at the girl’s face with a kind smile on his own.

“You are a very brave girl. What’s your name?”

Seeing such a nice smile on someone who attacked her brother confused her a little bit. It looked warm and real, but it surely had to be fake. She wouldn’t be able to hurt the man without a good opportunity so she chose to answer for now.

“Irelia…”

Asterios nodded and rubbed his chin. “Irelia… You have a very lovely name.” He glanced all over her attire and stopped at the iron shortsword. “Looks like you were just training with a sword. You are not going to become a Summoner like your dad and brother?”

She pondered for a moment but decided to answer the man’s question again.

“I… I want to become a Knight.”

“Ohh. That’s commendable. Why specifically a Knight?” Asterios raised one of his eyebrows.

“Because… I want to protect my family. And everyone. From being hurt. By people like you.”

He nodded again. “I see. That’s a very noble goal you have. You must really love your family.”

“Of course! That’s why I want to protect them!” Irelia answered a bit louder this time, starting to get up.

Asterios held her shoulder down and smiled again. “It seems that you and I are not so different, you know?”

“Eh?” She tilted her head in confusion.

“You see, I also want to protect the people I love. And that’s why I’m here. To make sure no one will hurt them. Now, I have a question for you. Will you mind answering it for me?”

He waited for a moment, but Irelia finally nodded after a few seconds passed.

“You must also really love your mother, right? Let’s say that you entered a renowned knight’s academy and studied there for a few years. There was a guy who kept bullying you and saying that girls are not meant to be Knights, but you always ignored him and did everything you could to learn as much as you could. One day, because of him, you got expelled, but you ignored that too and decided to travel to gain more experience as a Knight. But, when you came back, you found your mom crying very hard for many days and learned that the same person hurt her while you were away. What would you do?”

Irelia almost answered instantly after picturing the whole story in her head with herself in it. Her imagination was always very vivid and deep. But, before any voice left her open mouth, she realized something.

She heard about a boy who her brother kept bullying in school. He often talked about it while looking really proud. Sometimes he was angry the boy wasn’t answering his provocations. She didn’t like it but couldn’t do anything to stop him. He already had her under his thumb…

She suddenly got the feeling that the man in front of her might have been that boy and her answer could affect her brother. Even if she disliked him a lot, it was still family. Family, she wanted to protect.

Asterios didn’t miss the sudden change and appearance of hesitation in the girl’s expression. As he assumed, the girl must have known enough to figure out the situation. At least one person in this family was not rotten to the core. He was afraid for a moment that she was just the same as Roz already.

“So? What would you do? I’d like you to answer honestly,” he pressed her, keeping up his smile.

“I… ummm… I would… punish him...” She tried to choose her words carefully.

“Is that so?” Asterios reached out and patted her head a bit before standing up and turning towards the Marquess. “And what would you do, Marquess Richtenstein?”

Wilhelm also understood the situation, including the hidden meaning behind his question.

“I would also… punish that person…”

Asterios nodded. “Right? Then there should be nothing wrong with me doing the same, no?” He kept staring at the man until he nodded with a wry smile.

He then returned her focus to Irelia. “Since we are already all here, why won’t you tell me and your papa what you really think of your brother?”

She glanced at Asterios, then at her father, and finally at her brother held on the ground by something around his wrists and ankles. If it was right now… then maybe…

“He… he is the worst… He always says mean things to me but acts like we are very close when everyone is looking… He does many bad things to others, but he forbade me from saying anything after I saw him punch a girl because she didn’t want to go out with him… He sometimes lets his beasts hurt me when we train together, saying that I’m too weak and need real experience—”

*CRACK*

Something crunched behind his back and Asterios turned around. The Marquess looked quite tense as he was standing by his armchair with Selene’s knives surrounding his throat. One of his hands was resting on the backrest, which now had visible cracks at the spot under his strained palm.

Asterios chuckled inwardly. His gamble worked better than he first assumed. He walked towards the center of the room and glanced down at Roz.

“I shouldn’t pry into your family’s internal affairs too much, Marquess Richtenstein, so I’ll leave the rest to you. Now then, as I was saying… I’ll actually give you three days to fix everything up. I would feel bad if I had to get rid of such an admirable girl. But, if you fail to meet the deadline…”

He stared the man right into the eyes and focused his all on releasing as much of the scorching hot spiritual energy as he physically could. A crimson, misty aura enveloped Ast’s body and the air in the room got so heavy it was starting to get hard to breathe.

Then, an immense bloodlust suddenly appeared by their sides and everyone except Asterios turned their eyes towards the black-haired girl who started emitting ferocious growls while also adding her own pressure to the mix as she stared down the Marquees.

To top all of that, a wave of powerful, spiritual energy exploded on the opposite side of the panthergirl, immediately creating intense turmoil in the chamber and sending many books or documents into the air. 

Everyone turned their gazes again and saw the white-haired lady starting to slowly rise from the ground in the midst of this small, spiritual, gravity storm which was creating chaos in the office by lifting up countless objects present in the chamber. Not one but three tails were now visible behind her back and her eyes were glowing in white.

Selene waved her hand to the side and a huge part of the wall was blown into pieces with a loud boom. Miria walked through the room and stood by her side. The two stared at Asterios, who stayed in place for the whole ordeal, still glaring at the Marquess who just returned his eyes to him.

Asterios didn’t finish his sentence, leaving the ending open to their interpretation. He nonchalantly started walking away to join Selene and Miria. When the three of them turned towards the edge of the destroyed wall which led outside, he stopped and glanced back at Roz.

“And one more thing. If I ever hear anything connected to you and anyone from the Nobelle family... Especially their eldest daughter… Let’s say you would have been better not being born into this world.”

He returned his gaze to the front and took a step forward alongside Miria and floating Selene. Bluish, spiritual platforms appeared in the air and the two of them started walking down towards the ground, releasing soft, ceramic tink with each step.

After they disappeared from the Richtenstein’s family sight, all the objects fell to the ground with a thud and the intimidating pressure disappeared. Everyone gasped for air. Roz struggled to lift himself up to his knees and glared at his sister to his left.

Before he could utter a word, he heard heavy footsteps coming from the right and turned his eyes towards the source. His father stopped above him and looked down. Roz shivered. Never in his life had he seen this expression on his father’s face. And it certainly wasn’t an overjoyed one.