Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 119

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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 119

“…The Holy Church? What in the world are you talking about!”
“Those fanatics who worship fallen angels and seek to open Seraphim’s Paradise have been exposed in Bloodmere.”
Duncan’s breath caught in his throat. He’d always thought the zealots existed only as whispered conspiracies, yet they were real?
“What do you mean?”
“Everything will be revealed soon enough, but with our Father gone and my brother away from the Manor, it’s because of this matter.”
Docheop shared only that much information.
Then he posed a question to the bewildered Duncan.
“What do you think they’re targeting?”
The Holy Church’s target was obvious.
“Us, wouldn’t it be.”
The Hero Families. As long as the power that sealed Johannes exists, he cannot escape Paradise unscathed.
“Could that be why Brinihanta was…?”
The Hero Family whose name was erased from the world. Their eradication was justified by claims they sought to dominate the world using spirits, but countless conspiracy theories had followed in its wake.
“I cannot be certain, but I cannot entirely rule out the possibility. Nor can I say with certainty who will be next.”
“This is….”
Duncan had never imagined fanatics could actually exist. As shock consumed him, Docheop added in a calm tone.
“Bloodmere is already preparing.”
“…Preparing for what?”
“Contingencies for if we are next.”
Duncan felt cold sweat trickling down his spine. Bloodmere was mobilizing. Only then did the full force of Bloodmere’s military might flash through Duncan’s mind with chilling clarity.
‘Francesca Bloodmere, Duchess at 9-star, two 8-star Swordmasters. And standing before me, a 7-star Docheop….’
Their power was formidable beyond measure. Moreover, hadn’t Bloodmere achieved overwhelming victory even in their recent war with the Northern Kingdom?
By contrast, Cardia had devoted little effort to military strength since peace had endured. Instead, they had focused on accumulating honor and wealth.
‘But if the Holy Church has appeared, Cardia could be annihilated without resistance.’
Duncan’s mind raced frantically. Cardia, lacking in military might, was the easiest prey among the remaining Four Ducal Houses.
‘Marriage negotiations are not the priority now.’
Survival. For the Family to endure, overwhelming military power was essential. The 7-star awakened one before him and Bloodmere—that colossal blade poised for war.
Duncan, growing desperate, spoke first.
“Prince. No, Lord Docheop.”
“Yes.”
“What if Cardia and Bloodmere renewed the ancient covenant of the Hero Families once more?”
Urgency was evident in Duncan’s voice.
“To prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Were we not originally one as Hero Families? It is also our duty to face the coming crisis together.”
Though his words trailed off, the intent was unmistakable—a proposal. Cardia had become the one pleading for alliance first. They would offer vast wealth if Bloodmere would protect Cardia with their overwhelming military might.
Docheop gazed calmly at Duncan, who waited anxiously for his answer. Everything had unfolded exactly as intended. He had taken the bait perfectly.
“A wise investment surely deserves its proper reward, would it not?”
Investment. That word made Duncan’s eyes gleam.
‘Yes, this is business.’
By positioning the continent’s mightiest force as a shield, Cardia would make the grandest and most certain investment in its history. How could I make the beasts of Bloodmere prioritize protecting Cardia above all other Hero Families?
The answer was simple: transform Cardia into their most valued patron—one they could never afford to lose.
Having finally found his path forward, Duncan’s lips curved into a relieved smile.
“Of course. Cardia never hesitates to invest in worthy endeavors. The moment I return to my Dominion, I’ll arrange not only support for my wife’s enterprises, but also substantial military funds for Bloodmere.”
“I look forward to it.”
Docheop smiled faintly.
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***
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Tap, tap-tap! Tap!
Crisp sounds echoed through the warehouse. I watched the scene unfolding before me with wide eyes.
“My lady, you truly have a gift for this?”
“Hehe, didn’t I tell you I’m quite dexterous?”
Eva smiled, sniffling slightly.
“Still, be careful with your hands. You can see in front of you, yes?”
Her large eyes were puffy and swollen—a disaster caused when she’d accidentally rubbed her eyes with garlic-scented hands.
Like Francesca before her, Eva had wept for quite some time before rising to work the dough. Yet her expression now suggested she felt refreshed after her tears.
“Of course. No problem at all.”
With practiced skill, she kneaded the flour dough, stretching it long and drawing out noodles.
These were noodles for bibim-guksu to be eaten with meat. Honestly, given how clumsily she’d peeled the garlic, I hadn’t held high expectations for the flour work. I’d simply hoped her elegant dress wouldn’t end up dusted with flour.
“How are you drawing them out so uniformly? The dough’s elasticity is remarkable. Yet you said you’ve never cooked before?”
Eva answered my question, brushing the pale noodles clean with graceful hands.
“Cooking is entirely new to me, but precise measurements and hand techniques like these are quite familiar.”
“Familiar?”
“Yes. Actually, my grandmother was a renowned alchemist. I learned alchemy from her side since childhood.”
My goodness.
An alchemist.
I was suddenly reminded anew that this was a fantasy world.
“Matching powder ratios without error, adjusting viscosity, kneading it together, then reshaping it into new forms—that’s the very foundation of alchemy. This flour dough, when I think about it, operates on the same principles.”
Eva’s face brightened as she recalled old memories.
“When I was young, I missed my dead puppy so much that I secretly shaped one from dough without grandmother knowing.”
“…Pardon? You made a puppy from dough?”
I doubted my own ears.
“Yes. Its tail wagged and it was quite affectionate. Though the magic only lasted two days before it reverted to hard clay.”
Incredible. She’d created life from clay.
‘That’s completely homunculus!’
I alternated my astonished gaze between Eva and the dough she was kneading.
This wasn’t mere manual dexterity—it was dough infused with the techniques of an alchemist who could synthesize homunculi. No wonder the elasticity was extraordinary.
In that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
‘Wait. If I use this technique well… couldn’t I create a fake that looks exactly like Elise from dough?’
If a situation arose where I needed to spirit Elise away, there would be no more perfect bait than this.
Of course, I had no guarantee that Eva would comply with my wishes.
“Next comes boiling the noodles, yes? May I try my hand at it?”
“Of course. It’s the most crucial step. The timing must be precise.”
“Leave it to me.”
Eva’s eyes gleamed with determination. The timid figure who had recoiled in horror at the sight of raw meat had vanished entirely. Her eyes were puffy, her clothes caked with flour and the lingering scent of garlic.
Had Duncan witnessed this spectacle, he might have clutched his head and collapsed, but what did it matter? She was making an effort to grow closer to her daughter Elise, after all.
No one could fault her for that.
[Heeek. I went out to play because of the garlic smell, and why does the Duchess’s face look like that?]
Well, except for the spirit.
[These days, Duchesses really… tsk tsk. Where have they all left their dignity?]
I quietly covered Junel’s mouth.
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***
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The Western Empire’s Imperial Palace. A suffocating silence hung over the vast round table.
This chamber was accessible only to the emperors of the Four Empires that commanded the continent—the supreme powers’ conference hall.
Currently, only the Emperor of the Western Empire and the Emperor of the Southern Empire occupied seats at the table.
“Does Maximus’s arrogance grow more insufferable by the day?”
The Western Emperor furrowed his brow and set down his teacup with a harsh clink. The Southern Emperor made no effort to conceal his displeasure, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Upon his arrival, we must sternly address the Northern Kingdom’s violation of international law. How dare they suffer defeat at the hands of Bloodmere and then stab us in the back.”
“For now, this conference’s agenda concerns the Holy Church, so let us discuss that matter first.”
Unlike the Southern Emperor, who spoke in hushed tones, the Western Emperor’s voice grew louder.
“That too falls squarely on the Northern Kingdom’s shoulders. They reduced the personnel sent to Paradise and dispatched them to the battlefield instead, did they not?”
“Let us observe how the Northern Kingdom responds.”
The Western Empire bristled, ready to strike at any moment, while the Southern Empire held back a step, using the Western Empire as a vanguard to gauge the Northern Kingdom’s movements.

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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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