Chapter 55

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: No Mercy - Chapter 55

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I set the invitation down and fell silent. My mother cautiously spoke up.

It was a natural reaction from her, worried about any entanglement with Bellieta.

Given what had happened in the past, it was understandable.

I gazed at my mother's still pale face, gathered my thoughts, and let out a breath.

"I don't know yet. I'm busy anyway, and I have no desire to go. Even if I did, it wouldn't be any fun."

Why would I walk into a place where I know I'll face nothing good, just for some fleeting glory?

This invitation was a trap in itself, luring me straight into one.

I pushed the letter aside and flashed a smile at my parents, who still looked worried.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of going there alone."

"That's a relief, but..."

I gave another smile to my hesitating mother before handing the letter to Daytum.

"Butler. Please send an official letter to Bellieta declining the invitation. Say it's due to family matters, and even the Bozbon family won't make a fuss about it officially."

"Understood. However, I'm not sure if that's wise."

"Is there something else bothering you?"

Daytum, holding the letter, hesitated briefly at my question before pressing his lips together and continuing.

"It's not confirmed yet, but from what I've heard, all the companies and merchants doing business with Brilloxen have been invited."

"...What does that mean?"

"Those invited to the hunting tournament hosted by the Bozbon family aren't just nobles. Merchants and guild masters are included as well. As a result, all the major companies associated with Brilloxen received invitations. This is just hearsay, so it's not entirely certain, but that's the situation for now."

The news that everyone connected to Brilloxen had been invited sent a chill through me.

Inviting merchants to a hunting tournament instead of nobles wasn't all that unusual.

But the numbers were usually quite small.

What if Bellieta had deliberately pulled in these merchants?

Bellieta...

This was bait, a trap, and a provocation all at once.

The Bozbon family already had a history of targeting Brilloxen and putting us on shaky ground.

No matter how long-standing our business ties were, there were surely those who would turn if the Bozbons reached out with intent.

They were merchants, driven by profit.

It wouldn't be strange if they switched sides for better terms.

Some might stay out of loyalty from years of dealings, but many would leave.

Losing them would undoubtedly shake Brilloxen to its core.

"Where did you hear this rumor?"

"From those who gather market intelligence. The guest list isn't fully complete yet, and it's unconfirmed, so I held off on reporting. But if you wish, I can bring it right away."

The fact that unconfirmed information already included all our key associates meant it was all premeditated.

"They spread the rumor on purpose."

My father, who had been listening quietly, offered his thoughts.

I nodded in agreement.

A sneer rose within me.

Impressive, Bellieta.

I knew you were cunning and clever since we were kids, but I didn't expect you to be this blatant.

Even now, will you stay away, Sierra?

Bellieta was making it clear.

If I didn't come, she would uproot Brilloxen.

I had no justification or means to stop those people from attending the tournament.

I couldn't beg them not to go based on vague rumors.

As unpleasant as it was, I had to admit it.

You were smart and shrewd.

Threatening Riplton while targeting Brilloxen at the same time.

It wasn't something one could come up with lightly.

It was the product of the Bozbon family's influence and Bellieta's cunning mind.

"I'll go. The invitation was to Brilloxen, not you personally, Sierra, so it won't be odd if I attend."

My father set down his butter knife and spoke calmly.

He had noticed my reluctance and was being considerate.

"No. I'll go. Father, you need to stay by Mother's side. Besides, what big deal could it be? I'll just drop by, chat with the associates, and come back. Ah, I should head out first. I need to wrap up work before being away for a few days. Enjoy your meal. See you later."

I smiled at my worried parents, approached them, kissed their cheeks, and turned away.

The smile faded from my face, replaced by a cold hardness.

You're starting this again, Bellieta.

Daring to touch my family and house once more.

"You've crossed the line, Bellieta."

I'll make you understand just what kind of line you've crossed.

"Piolett, come here."

Bellieta lowered the bow in her hand and called for Piolett.

Piolett, who had been waiting at a distance, approached Bellieta's side.

Bellieta stared at her for a moment before handing over the bow and nodding toward it.

"Try hitting that."

Piolett glanced at the distant target, then took the bow.

It was a small shortbow, suitable for a lady—not as large as a longbow or recurve.

Piolett drew an arrow from the quiver nearby, nocked it, and pulled the string with practiced ease.

It required considerable strength, but it was no challenge for her.

With the string drawn, Piolett looked at Bellieta.

Bellieta leisurely observed her form, then tilted her head upon catching her gaze.

"What are you doing? Shoot."

At those words, a sharp twang rang out as the arrow flew true and struck the center of the target.

Bellieta clapped, her face full of admiration as she eyed the bullseye.

"You're amazing, as expected. I could never hit it properly."

"...No, Lady. With practice, you could shoot just as well."

"Really? It never worked for me."

Bellieta refused the bow Piolett offered back and held up a finger.

"Shoot again."

What is she thinking?

Piolett eyed Bellieta curiously for summoning her suddenly to shoot, but quickly dismissed it.

Just do as ordered.

No need for questions or doubts.

Piolett nocked another arrow from the quiver.

"Shoot."

The arrow flew and hit.

Then came Bellieta's voice: "Again."

Piolett silently nocked another.

"Shoot." Another hit. "Again."

Piolett mechanically nocked arrows, swallowing softly.

"By the way, I got word from Sierra. She's accepting my invitation."

"That's fortunate."

"Isn't it? I was relieved too. We haven't seen much of each other lately, and I thought our friendship had soured—she might decline. But she's coming. You can't imagine my joy."

"Shall I shoot?"

Piolett, holding the draw longer than usual, bit her lip and asked. Bellieta smiled and nodded.

Another arrow flew. Piolett's eyes flicked sideways.

As Bellieta looked at her questioningly, Piolett nocked yet another.

"Still, I'm grateful she's coming, but I'm worried about something."

"May I ask what?"

"It's nothing major, but people are talking. They say our family deliberately scheduled the hunting tournament to overlap with the Riplton beast subjugation."

Bellieta crossed her arms, feigning frustration with a dissatisfied expression.

"Which is totally not true. We're doing something good, but everyone reads into it negatively. It hurts and upsets me. Father seems worried about it too, which weighs on me."

"...I'll take care of it."

"Oh, would you? That would be a big help. I've been stressing over it myself. Ah! Shoot."

Another arrow hit.

Piolett wondered if that was enough and glanced at Bellieta.

Bellieta smiled as if asking what she was doing.

"Nock another."

"..."

Piolett's arm trembled faintly after over ten consecutive shots.

Not just firing, but holding the full draw for long periods—it was taxing her strength immensely.

Unlike at the start, sweat dripped from Piolett, her breaths growing ragged.

"Shoot."

The arrow flew and hit, followed immediately by "Again."

Piolett felt the quiver emptying and nocked the next.

Bellieta gazed at the taut string, then spoke.

"Shoot."

Hit. "Again."

"Again" and "Shoot" repeated endlessly as sweat poured down Piolett's face.

As she nocked the final arrow, breathing heavily, and raised it for a long draw, Bellieta's mouth opened.

"How tenacious, just like someone."

"Pardon...?"

Instead of "shoot," the unexpected words made Piolett turn in confusion. Her arm slackened, releasing the string prematurely.

In that instant of Eh?, the arrow flew past the target and embedded in the ground behind.

The first miss.

"Haa... haa..."

Piolett panted heavily, staring at the errant arrow, then slowly turned her head.

Bellieta was smiling at the one in the dirt.

Her eyes shifted from the front to Piolett.

In that moment, Piolett understood why she'd burned through all those arrows.

'You're amazing. I could never hit it properly.'

'Because she hit it every time...'

Unlike Bellieta, who had never once hit the target, Piolett had struck true despite fatigue and faltering focus.

She had to keep shooting.

Until she missed.