Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 46. The Most Magnificent Hunting Ground Upon the Sea
The Eastern Port City thrummed with an exhilarating vitality entirely unlike the leisurely tranquility of the Southern Region’s resort.
Beyond the sunset that painted the horizon crimson, the colossal luxury cruise ship Esperanza lay anchored, its massive anchor descended, commanding an overwhelming presence.
It possessed such grand proportions that it seemed as though the Imperial Palace itself had been transplanted directly onto the waters.
Thousands of mana-stone lanterns brilliantly illuminating the deck reflected off the undulating waves, casting forth a dazzling and almost ethereal light as if stardust had been scattered across the sea’s surface.
We had spent an entire day at the most exclusive atelier in the harbor district, renowned for its exacting standards, meticulously preparing the perfect guise of nobility.
At last, once all preparations were complete and the carriage door waiting at the wharf swung open, the gazes of the two men standing outside converged upon me in unison.
I stepped forward adorned in a deep navy silk gown woven as though from the night sky itself.
“Forgive me for the delay. Arranging my hair and selecting the appropriate jewels took rather longer than anticipated.”
At the sound of my voice, the two men who had been standing transfixed gave a startled shudder as if by mutual agreement.
Gone was the practical appearance of one accustomed to being covered in dust and wielding a ferocious power hammer; instead, both men found their eyes unable to tear away from my figure, adorned with a brilliant sapphire necklace and the graceful curves of my gown.
Kairik von Herzen cleared his throat roughly, his fingers tugging at the silk cravat wound tightly around his neck as though it were suffocating him.
“Hmm, well. Not bad at all. I always thought you suited being wild and rough like a beast, but dressed in such expensive fabric, you truly resemble a noble lady of distinguished lineage.”
Despite his blunt manner of speech, his crimson gaze remained fixed upon the delicate curve of my exposed neck and shoulders.
He too had discarded his usual worn leather garments, now clad in a pitch-black tuxedo that fit perfectly against his muscular frame.
Though his dark hair had been combed back neatly, the few strands that fell across his forehead only served to accentuate his untamed, wild magnetism.
That dangerous and sensual appearance—as though a wild wolf had been forcibly adorned with ornate shackles—was already drawing the concentrated attention of countless noble ladies gathered at the harbor.
Demian Lyart’s appearance stood in stark contrast, equally breathtaking and dazzling in an entirely different manner.
He was impeccably dressed from head to toe in pristine white formal attire, and his silver hair, swept back elegantly, shimmered in the moonlight like a mysterious halo.
Demian approached me with careful deliberation and, observing the courtesy of a knight, knelt upon one knee while extending his hand.
“You are beautiful enough to render one blind, Violetta. I dare assert with absolute certainty that you shall shine more brilliantly than any jewel boarding this magnificent vessel this evening.”
I moved to place my hand, clad in white lace gloves, into his devoted and tender gesture of admiration.
Yet before I could accept his warmth, Kairik suddenly interjected, roughly yet gently seizing my other wrist.
Kairik growled low like a predator, his gaze fixed menacingly upon Demian Lyart.
“Spare us the honeyed words, Knight Commander. One escort is sufficient for entering this treacherous hunting ground. Violetta, come here.”
Demian, yielding not an inch, carefully grasped the hand I had been about to offer and responded with icy precision.
“I am deeply concerned that the Grand Duke’s crude and rough touch might damage Violetta’s beautiful gown. It is only proper that one who perfectly understands etiquette should serve as escort to a refined banquet.”
Even before boarding the ship, the fierce and palpable clash of wills between the two men had begun, drawing a light sigh from me.
I could already feel the curious attention of the influential nobles gathered at the wharf focusing intently upon us.
I gently withdrew both their hands and elegantly unfurled my fan adorned with feather ornaments.
“I shall decline both of your offers as escort. Tonight, I am a keen predator stalking prey within the auction house, not a delicate woman requiring an escort. I shall ascend with confidence upon my own feet.”
At my resolute declaration, both men wore expressions of deep disappointment yet obediently stepped back one pace.
I led the way, gently fanning myself, toward the VIP boarding entrance of the Esperanza.
Before the massive boarding entrance, elaborately adorned Eastern nobility were already lined up in a seemingly endless queue, awaiting entry.
Due to the stringent security measures for the confidential auction being held within the ship, the boarding process appeared significantly delayed as passenger manifests were thoroughly verified and magical items meticulously inspected.
It was just as we moved quietly to the end of the line.
A portly count from the Eastern Region standing ahead of us cast a contemptuous gaze over the three of us and let out a derisive snort.
The count spoke loudly and arrogantly, ensuring his entourage heard his mockery.
“Tsk, tsk. Nowadays, no matter how precious boarding passes are, these newly wealthy upstarts without proper lineage insist on boarding this sacred Esperanza. Accompanied by two men without a single honor guard—clearly these are vulgar individuals ignorant of even the most basic etiquette.”
It was evident he had underestimated us upon observing that we bore neither the insignia of the Knight Order nor the Eberhardt Family crest, our presence deliberately discreet for the purposes of covert infiltration.
Moreover, Kairik von Herzen’s unruly and arrogant demeanor combined with Demian Lyart’s impossibly ethereal beauty could only appear alien and disagreeable to the eyes of an ordinary, portly nobleman.
At the Portly Count’s overstepping rudeness, Demian Lyart’s azure eyes froze over in an instant like a sheet of ice.
“Your words exceed all bounds. If you do not silence that disrespectful mouth at once and apologize to this lady, you will come to bitterly regret your shallow arrogance.”
Demian Lyart warned in a low voice while gripping the hilt of his holy sword, but the Portly Count instead lifted his chin and raised his voice with acerbic sharpness.
“Ha! Does a mere pretty-faced bodyguard dare threaten me, the true power behind the Eastern Trading Company? Drag out those rude, baseborn wretches this instant and force them to their knees!”
It was the moment the Portly Count’s guards began drawing their weapons with menacing expressions.
Kairik von Herzen stepped forward with a bloodthirsty smile, as though ready to sever those dogs’ leashes, but I gently pushed his firm chest back with my fan, restraining him.
There was absolutely no need to expend effort or reveal my identity to cause a commotion over such a contemptible pawn.
I quietly withdrew a special golden-embossed credential from my possession and tossed it lightly toward the chest of the cruise ship’s chief administrator standing guard at the boarding gate.
“I find standing in line like a fool amidst such vulgar and tedious noise hardly to my taste. Open the way at once.”
The chief administrator, reflexively catching the credential, went deathly pale in an instant.
It was an absolute VIP credential of the “Unlimited Free Pass” grade—a rank that only the Imperial Court, the Grand Magic Tower, and the Continent’s Highest Trading Company could possess.
The chief administrator bent his waist at a ninety-degree angle until it nearly touched the ground, crying out in a trembling voice.
“A-a supreme honored guest! Clear the way! Escort these esteemed individuals at once to the finest suites and the center of the Banquet Hall!”
The Portly Count and his guards, who had been arrogantly strutting moments before, recognized the value of that golden credential and froze in place, trembling like aspen leaves.
Before the symbol of overwhelming wealth and power beyond imagination, that petty Eastern nobleman’s shallow pride was trampled to the ground in a single instant.
I turned my gaze toward the Portly Count, whose jaw had dropped in shock, and bestowed upon him an endlessly elegant and merciful smile.
“How fortunate that you’re a nouveau riche without proper breeding. With money overflowing in such abundance, there’s no need to stand behind others and sweat while waiting your turn.”
The Portly Count could only move his lips silently like someone who had eaten honey, his face flushing crimson with embarrassment.
Feeling as refreshed as if I had drained an exquisitely satisfying beverage, I led the two men with light steps into the interior of the Esperanza.
However, to pursue the clues of the auction, I declined the conspicuous VIP reception and blended naturally into the crowd within the Main Hall.
Kairik von Herzen leaned close to my ear and whispered with an amused chuckle.
“You never disappoint me. That skill of yours for humbling fools with mere money—it’s truly the finest on the continent. I feel absolutely vindicated.”
“I’ll take that as the highest compliment. Now that the warm-up is finished, let’s focus on the real game.”
The Esperanza’s vast Main Hall that greeted us was far more opulent and dazzling than it had appeared from outside.
An enormous chandelier adorned with hundreds of crystals embroidered the ceiling like the Milky Way, and across the mirror-like marble floor, nobles dressed in elaborate gowns and formal attire clinked champagne glasses while flashing artificial smiles.
It was such a perfect tableau of indulgence that one could scarcely believe a terrible calamity lurked behind the sweet mask of this glittering ball.
We naturally positioned ourselves in a secluded corner of the ballroom’s balcony, away from prying eyes, and began keenly observing our surroundings.
Demian Lyart, holding a champagne glass, swept his sharp gaze across the room and reported quietly to me.
“According to intelligence, the problematic shipboard auction will be held at midnight when everyone sleeps, in the Ship’s Deepest Basement. We have considerable time before then, so we must search the Main Hall for any suspicious individuals or faint traces of crimson magic.”
“I entirely agree. It would be most efficient for the three of us to disperse and conduct a quiet search. Demian, would you examine the nobles in the center of the Main Hall, and Your Highness, would you discreetly observe the rear where the crew passes?”
Just as Demian Lyart was about to nod at my reasonable proposal—
A soft and romantic waltz melody began flowing gently from the center of the Main Hall, and the gazes of both Demian Lyart and Kairik von Herzen locked onto me simultaneously as though by agreement.
Kairik von Herzen set down the champagne glass he had been holding with a sharp clink on the table and suddenly extended his large hand toward me.
“Tedious searching can wait until after we’ve danced a waltz to our hearts’ content. Why don’t you see with your own eyes just how well this Northern beast can master the noble steps of the aristocracy?”
Before I could even pause my fan in surprise at his unexpected directness, Demian Lyart swiftly positioned himself before me and extended one arm with a courteous yet earnest gesture.
“I am deeply concerned that Violetta’s delicate feet might be trampled by His Highness the Grand Duke’s untrained, rough steps. Would it not be preferable for you to grace the center of the stage with me for the first dance, displaying elegance beyond compare?”
In the midst of the glittering Banquet Hall where gentle waltz music flowed, another intense, unyielding contest between two fierce predators began anew.
The persistent and yearning gazes of the two men before me felt far more chilling and dizzying than the shadow of calamity lurking in the ship’s depths.
I found myself caught in a delightfully perilous dilemma—uncertain which hand I should take to step into this sweet tempest.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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