The Unfilial Heir Who Tries to Kill Me Tempts Me - Chapter 18

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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 18.

Robert Gale.
A minor nobleman from the provinces who’d scraped together enough ambition to seek out Kaius when word spread that he’d descended into Lusiphenia Territory, and had managed to secure himself the post of Security Force Commander.
The frontier teems with hazards—beast attacks, natural disasters, all manner of variables. Ordinarily magic is called upon to manage such things, but in an Archduchy bereft of mages, Robert and his Security Force bore responsibility for general administration.
I brushed dust from my clothes and rose, extending a hand toward him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My apologies for the late introduction. I’m Charlotte Schmidt.”
Rather than taking my hand, Robert clicked his tongue with obvious distaste and raked me over with a sidelong, contemptuous gaze that made my skin crawl.
“My soldiers exist to maintain order, not to serve as menial laborers.”
“Menial? But as you can see, your soldiers are working tirelessly for the Archduchy’s security. Why, they’re even polishing the City Wall.”
“A thin excuse. I fail to understand what authority grants you the right to task my honorable soldiers with such work.”
“In my capacity as Exclusive Court Mage, I requested the assistance of the Security Force from the Archduke himself, and he was kind enough to grant my request.”
Robert’s face darkened.
“Ah, so you’re that wretched witch who was dragged in not long ago.”
Wait—he’s choosing his words carefully.
I really hate this kind of thing.
Charlotte may have done plenty of questionable things, but still—you don’t open with someone this way on a first meeting.
“Your manners are lacking, sir.”
“Lacking? Is it mannerly to conscript soldiers without my consent? A witch, no less, summoning my distinguished soldiers for such trivial tasks?”
“Strictly speaking, aren’t they the Archduke’s soldiers rather than yours? He did authorize the conscription.”
“Ha! A witch crawled up from the Capital to meddle with the Lusiphenia Territory itself? Insulting my soldiers in the process?”
What’s so insulting about scrubbing a wall? People help where help is needed. That’s how it works.
I worked the fields on my first day here.
Isn’t that what soldiers do anyway?
“Return my soldiers at once. Then I’ll overlook this affront to my honor and my men’s dignity.”
Honor, nothing—he’s just bitter because a young woman conscripted his soldiers, pricking his pride.
Robert isn’t being disrespectful because Charlotte is a criminal. He despises that a young, seemingly delicate woman has dared to tarnish his authority.
What a petulant, small-minded wretch.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“Excuse me?”
But I’d known all along that he’d react this way.
In fact, I’d counted on it.
Robert Gale had a reputation among Lusiphenia’s vassals for being particularly temperamental.
He played the loyal knight before Kaius while behind closed doors he sneered at those younger and more vulnerable than himself. Young women especially.
The reason I’d deliberately targeted the Security Force and provoked him was simple.
He was a traitor.
He’d prostrated himself in pretense of loyalty, hungry for advancement, but the moment Kaius showed no signs of reclaiming the throne, this spineless cur switched his allegiance to a Dark Magic practitioner.
I smiled brightly as I prepared to press on his most sensitive nerve.
“Commander Gale, it seems you haven’t grasped the situation. As I mentioned, I’m the Archduke’s Exclusive Court Mage?”
Temporary appointment or not.
“Officially, that makes me the Archduke’s attendant.”
With my life as collateral, but still.
“So what’s your point?”
He understood perfectly well.
“What rank do you hold, Commander Gale?”
“What? What?”
“As Commander of the Security Force, you rank rather considerably below an attendant, don’t you?”
Robert’s face crumpled with rage. His eyes went hard and wild as he fixed them on me.
“A disgraced witch abandoned to rot, and now that you’ve wrapped yourself in borrowed authority, you think nothing of anyone?”
Seriously? Cheap tricks?
Charlotte had earned a reputation in the Capital as the worst witch of all.
That’s underselling it considerably.
I felt a chill run through me, but I chose to understand instead.
Robert had spent his entire life in the provinces and had never had proper occasion to encounter a true mage.
“Dear me, and such language too.”
I let my brows droop with theatrical disappointment.
“I suppose it’s understandable—stalling at the rank of Security Commander despite your years does breed bitterness. Frankly, I’d have resigned long ago rather than endure such a slight to my pride. Then again, for someone of your station, even a modest title must feel desperately necessary. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“What… what…”
“But titles and ranks are what they are. I’d prefer if you withdrew. For your information, I still hold the station of a count’s daughter. As a gesture of respect, perhaps you’d kneel on one knee and offer your salutation? Do try to make it dignified.”
Watching steam rise from Robert Gale’s face, I barely suppressed a smirk.
Robert, trembling like a volcano about to erupt, raised his hand. His eyes rolled back white.
“You… you insolent bitch…!”
[Squeak… squeak-squeak! Squeak-squeak-squeak!]
Perfect.
Now if he lands one blow, everything that follows counts as self-defense. Beat him senseless, then dismiss him for rebellion against a superior, and bury him somewhere no one would ever find him…!
That’s when it happened.
Thud, thud, thud.
Crash!
The ground suddenly trembled, a thunderous boom split the air, and the man before my eyes vanished in an enormous gust of wind.
When I opened my eyes, Robert Gale was driven headfirst into the earth below the hill, nothing but his legs sticking out.
“…Huh?”
What just went through here?
[Squeak, squeak-squeak!]
[Charlotte, protecting. Friend.]
The Golem, which had been indistinguishable from the City Wall moments before, was now rising to its feet, preparing to crush Robert Gale with its massive fist.
Wait, wait—
No!
If you crush him, he’ll burst and die!
“Stop, stop!”
At my urgent plea, the Golem withdrew its hand. Then it looked down at me.
[Charlotte, attacked, we also attack.]
[Squeak!]
The Golem pointed to Golsuni.
[Baby Golem. Our eyes.]
[Squeak-squeak!]
Ah….
Golsuni….
So that’s what you were watching for.
Now that I thought about it, Golems could share sensory perception. The realization of something I’d forgotten struck me like vertigo.
[Sleep again.]
While I was still reeling, the Golem walked with heavy steps back to its position and crouched into the shape of the City Wall once more.
A cold silence settled over everything.
Tap.
A soldier with his mouth agape belatedly dropped the wooden brush he’d been holding.
“What… what did I just see….”

***

“What do I do now.”
The next day.
I arrived at the office with Golsuni, lost in thought.
My plan had been simple: take a hit from Robert Gale and return it in kind, then formally dismiss him.
But then the Golem suddenly sent him flying, and everything went sideways.
[Squeak…?]
Golsuni, seeing my serious expression, whimpered. I reached over and stroked him gently.
“No, you did well yesterday.”
I’m grateful.
Really grateful.
But if I’m careless now, I could end up in a bad position. If word gets out that I attacked a territorial subject, the Golems I worked so hard to bring here might be driven away.
I glanced sideways to gauge Kaius’s mood.
He was focused on his documents without comment, which meant fortunately the news about Robert Gale hadn’t reached him yet.
If that’s the case, I need to move before he hears about it.
“I’m going to step out for a moment.”
“…Skipping work already this morning?”
“I’m going to work.”
I answered smoothly.
“Field work, you know?”
Before he could say anything else, I grabbed the jacket draped over my chair and hurried out of the office.
“I’ll be back shortly.”

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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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