Chapter 44

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: There Is No Mercy 44

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자비는 없습니다

44화

The words that cut into the Mormond Marquis's voice as he spat out his anger made his mouth snap shut.

Bellieta's eyes flickered with a momentary shake, and she let slip a thin smile.

"The Bozbon merely suggested it. You were tempted by our promise that if you followed our words, we'd recommend you for the next Commander-in-Chief position. Isn't that right?"

"……."

"Even before Riplton appeared, the Mormond Marquis family has never once held the Commander-in-Chief seat in all its history. It was always snatched away. Isn't that why you agreed—because we promised to solve the longstanding problem that even the empire's most historic and prestigious house, the Mormond Marquis family, couldn't?"

Bellieta sneered at the sight of his lips, which had been babbling uncontrollably just moments ago, now clamped firmly shut.

"I acted within the limits of what I could do, and you took it all. But now you're blaming me?"

No longer bothering to hide her emotions, Bellieta spoke coldly, her eyes icy.

"You shouldn't have come here today. Who do you think I did all this for? You? Or that stupid money gamble? As if."

Bellieta leaned forward, narrowing her eyes.

"It was all to crush Sierra. But instead of crushing her, I've been dancing in the palm of her hand."

Sierra, whom she'd thought would fall right into her grasp, had slipped away once more.

And she'd done it mockingly, with leisure.

Her brilliant mind had shone through, and Bellieta was the one who'd been crushed.

The thought of Sierra sneering at her right now made Bellieta's gut rot with fury.

"……."

Bellieta stared fixedly at the rigidly frozen Mormond Marquis, then let out a long breath and softened her expression.

She curved her lips into a smile once more.

"We used each other out of necessity, took our promises, and now you're blaming me? That's a problem. Isn't it?"

Judging the conversation over, Bellieta rose from her seat.

Even as she moved, the Mormond Marquis's head stayed still, his gaze fixed on the table.

Bellieta gazed down at him with a blank expression and continued.

"Cooperate nicely with the investigation and answer well. You don't think they'll boot the Mormond Marquis from the commander position over something like this, do you? Right? Oh, and one more time—don't go blabbing about today or what happened before anywhere. You know what happens if even the Mormond Marquis family makes an enemy of the Bozbon, don't you?"

There was no reply, but Bellieta smiled as if she'd already heard one, her face relaxing.

As she turned to leave, the Mormond Marquis finally lifted his head to follow her movement.

He watched her retreating figure in heavy silence until the doorknob clicked.

Then he spoke.

"The Brilloxen truly seem remarkable."

"……."

At the name that fell from the Mormond Marquis's lips, Bellieta froze mid-door-open.

Her waist twisted as she turned back, and there he was, rising from his seat to straighten his collar.

"If they know exactly whose hand to take, their eye for people must be spot-on. Rumors be damned—they're better than me at spotting who'll bring them gain."

"What are you trying to say, Mormond Marquis?"

"Nothing in particular. Just my impression."

The Mormond Marquis stepped out, slipped on his discarded suit, and lifted his chin haughtily.

"I thought the Brilloxen were just lucky upstarts who'd struck it rich, but now I see otherwise. From their skill at persuading and drawing people in, to their foresight in knowing exactly who they need. Their wealth and status weren't won by chance, that's clear."

"Mormond Marquis."

"Thanks for the reminder. The Bozbon is undoubtedly a great house, but you've shown me how they built their foundation. So, my thanks. As the Lady said, I'll play nice with the investigation. Hope we meet again. Farewell."

Bellieta's eyes twisted in rage as she glared at the Mormond Marquis's back while he strode out the opposite door.

She stared after his vanished form until the end, then bit her lip hard.

His parting words had scraped at her nerves.

More than anything, he'd compared her to Sierra.

That, she could not endure.

She took deep breaths over and over to steady herself, but in the end, Bellieta snatched the vase from the table and hurled it.

Crash! She grimaced, glaring at the shards exploding against the wall.

Bellieta reminded herself once more: the Mormond Marquis knew too much, and he was untouchable.

She exhaled deeply, smoothed her twisted face, and let a slow smile creep in.

"……So you're not backing down just like that, huh."

With a self-mocking mutter, the corners of Bellieta's mouth lifted softly.

"How interesting."

She turned away, etching the image of the unyielding Mormond Marquis into her mind.

"Hurry and tidy that room. We've got a ton to handle today, so no dawdling—move it!"

"Who took the vase that was here?! That's Madam's favorite!"

"Who spilled water on the floor and didn't mop it up? People keep tripping!"

The mansion was in an uproar from morning.

Servants hustled about, hauling items, scrubbing, and sweeping in a frenzy.

As Sierra eyed the sweat-drenched staff dashing through the halls, Daytum Butler, trailing behind, spoke up casually.

"The Count and Madam return tomorrow, so it'll be noisy. Apologies we couldn't prepare sooner."

"It's fine. If anything, it's Father's fault. Tell me ahead of time, and I'd prepare slowly, but he always drops in on impulse. Short notice can't be helped. More importantly, have all the training knights returned?"

"Still en route."

"Tell them to hurry. The lord's procession can't lack knights."

"Understood."

Sierra gazed at Daytum as he jotted down her orders, then looked ahead.

"What about Gilbert? Still quiet?"

"Yes, maintaining silence. No suspicious moves, and he's been low-key in the knight order lately."

Is he just planning to stall with silence?

With so much else demanding her attention, she couldn't spare more thought.

"Deadline's end of this week. Pressure him hard once the training group's back. If no response, let me know. We'll punish and interrogate."

"Understood. Ah, but a guest is due today. Your orders?"

"Who? No prior word."

"Sudden morning contact—reporting lagged."

Daytum pulled a letter from his document stack and offered it.

[Reiton Bladia.]

The crisp seal and name on the proffered letter were all too familiar.

A name that turned her stomach just to see or hear.

She handed the letter back to Daytum.

"Too busy today. Politely put the guest off till later."

"Understood."

Daytum bowed and turned away, vanishing down the hall.

Sierra watched his retreating back, sighed, and opened the office door.

"Who does he think this is?"

Daring to set foot here with those filthy shoes.

In some ways, Reiton was even more repulsive than Bellieta.

Bellieta had always been that way, so it made sense. But Reiton? No.

He'd feigned otherwise, used her, toyed with her, and betrayed her in the end.

"Your turn's coming soon."

Wait in line, Reiton.

Once Bellieta's done, you're next.

A lavish carriage rolled through the Brilloxen Count Mansion's main gate.

Its obvious extravagance and scale, unlike any street coach, snapped the eyes of garden and outer-mansion servants toward it.

'Who could that be?'

The sudden arrival had the gate guard rushing to fetch Daytum.

As Daytum emerged from the mansion, the carriage's passenger alighted right on cue.

"It's been ages here, too."

The murmurs rose as he buttoned his suit upon descending.

The maids' buzz was especially loud.

Daytum's face fell at Reiton's arrival.

He'd just prepped to relay Sierra's refusal, but here he was already.

Daytum approached with an awkward expression.

Flustered or not, the veteran butler held steady.

"Welcome to Brilloxen Count Mansion. An honor to receive the Bladia Marquis."

Reiton flashed a pleased smile at Daytum's flawless courtesy.

He tugged lightly at his suit lapels with both hands and nodded.

"It's been a while, Daytum Butler. You look even younger."

Daytum clasped Reiton's outstretched hand in a firm shake amid his hearty tone, then looked up.

Reiton scanned the surroundings, gauging the servants' reactions.

They knew his fame well enough, their gazes laced with admiration.

Reiton Bladia.

Young head of the Bladia Marquis house, the hot-blooded man steering the empire.

His talents long proven, his striking looks and polished manners captivated the empire's women.

His courtesy to all, high or low, had the empire's people hailing him as the noble worth emulating.

A noble known to noble and commoner alike.

Ask the empire's top bachelor? They'd send you to the Bladia Marquis house—Reiton's star burned that bright.

'Yes, this is it.'