A palpable weight descended upon the air, instantly growing heavy.The dull thud of footsteps and the clinking of scabbards against the ground further intensified the menacing aura.The Raindrop soldiers approached, their blue cloaks swirling around them.Within their full-face helmets, their eyes gleamed with an unsettling light.
“My Lady.”
Winz rushed to my side, her clothes torn in several places, a testament to the fierce battle she had endured.A wave of unwarranted guilt washed over me, wondering if I had burdened her with too much.Yet, this was a moment for performance, and I greeted them with composed dignity.
“Are you the Raindrop?”
A soldier bearing a cross badge on his chest stepped forward.It was the badge of a sergeant, signifying the commander of the Raindrop unit.He struck his chest twice with a clenched fist.
“Juan Lata, commander of the Raindrop, at your service!”
“From the renowned Lata family of twin swordsmanship, I see. What brings you here?”
“Our Lord sent us as a precaution. But… did you really handle all of this by yourself?”
I deliberately let out an arrogant laugh.As if such a trivial matter was hardly worth boasting about.
“Yes, I did it alone.”
“Even if they are just a gang, to commit such extensive slaughter…”
“Perhaps you’re unaware, but these scoundrels abducted Winz. They even forced her to work as a dancer, you know?”
I twisted the truth.The Raindrop soldiers were taken aback.This wasn’t some generic fantasy novel (TL Note: ‘yangpan-so’ refers to mass-produced, often formulaic fantasy novels.) where reality bends so easily.A rogue noble couldn’t simply wipe out an entire gang out of anger and expect no repercussions.But what if there was a justifiable reason?What if the stage had been set for it?
Winz was also flustered.She mouthed a question.
–What?
I simply waved my hand.As if asking her to play along.
Winz, her smile awkward, covered her face with both hands.
“Y-yes, yes! *Hiccup*, that’s right. I, I didn’t want to, *hiccup*. Suddenly, big, burly men came and tore my clothes, pulled down my undergarments, *sob*…!”
Public opinion instantly shifted.The soldiers were enraged.
“These insane gang bastards!”
“It seems we were mistaken.”
“What? To think the Young Lady could be so righteous!”
“This is how it should be. Who do these gang members think they are? *Spits*! What a waste of parents to have spawned such filth.”
“Indeed, servants are also family property.”
That was true. Servants, both male and female, were considered family assets.To abduct and attempt to violate such property with impunity?This was a direct challenge to a noble house.
*Clink, swish.*
Juan Lata removed his helmet.A moderately handsome face with bronzed skin was revealed.Juan’s blue eyes gleamed as he asked.
“Are you alright, My Lady?”
“Yes, both I and Winz are fine.”
“Nevertheless, you should return. We will handle the clean-up.”
“Alright. But for the Raindrop, who are said to be so fearsome they can make birds fall from the sky, you seem rather… mild-mannered?”
I had expected them to subdue me, regardless of my status as a noble lady, given the gravity of the situation.However, Juan merely tilted his head.
“Even the Young Lady harbors such a misconception…?”
“A misconception?”
“That’s a fabricated image. Isn’t that right?”
Juan turned to a soldier who, caught in the act of trying to sneak a drink of leftover draft beer, offered a sheepish grin.
“That’s right, My Lady. The rumors about us being so fearsome we can make birds fall from the sky, or that we rule nobles with an iron fist… they aren’t true! We are merely employees, after all.”
Of course. They weren’t the Shinsengumi (TL Note: A special police force in Japan during the late Edo period, known for their strict enforcement and sometimes brutal methods.) from the Edo period, after all.Even with some authority, one couldn’t just climb over anyone they pleased. That was simply the way of the world.
Winz chuckled brightly.
“Oh my, it seems we’ve been mistaken!”
The soldier, having finished his beer, pointed at Juan.
“But with the commander’s intimidating face, perhaps half of it is true?”
“Your face isn’t much better, Renson.”
“Commander’s face, an impressionist’s face.”
“Oh, your face, a mint chocolate face.”
“Woah… Commander. That’s a bit much!”
In that instant, the stern image of the Raindrop shattered completely.They were merely soldiers, treating each other with familiarity and equality.I couldn’t help but laugh, and Winz joined in.
“Ah, Juan. If you happen to find anything while cleaning up here, could you bring it to me first? I’d appreciate it.”
“Yes, My Lady. Understood.”
Leaving them with that instruction, I moved.And so, I naturally exited the pub.
“You did well today.”
“I merely helped, that’s all.”
“Even in the smallest of skirmishes, having someone watch your back is, in itself, a precious memory.”
“Oh my, is that so? Hehe.”
“Let’s go back, Winz.”
“Yes, Young Lady Queen!”
Winz, naturally, clung to my right arm, charmingly fawning over me.Somehow, I felt even closer to her. Or perhaps, I desired to be closer.The night sky was exceptionally clear and beautiful.It was a day that made one wish to soar through the heavens.
****
The next morning.
The Family Head summoned me early in the morning, so I headed towards his office.
*Thump-thump.*
Then I rummaged through my pocket, finding a badge attached to a single thread.Before I could reach the office, I had a visitor. Loretta had given me this token, expressing her gratitude for dealing with Sinbad.
Her name was engraved upon it, making it quite a significant item.
[Actually, I’m involved with the Aldebaran Grand Merchant Guild. You could say I’m the guild master’s daughter… While I might not be able to offer grand assistance, please take this. If you ask for help, they’ll usually grant it!]
In the original story, Loretta was a born socialite. Her ordinary appearance was the only reason she didn’t make it into the heroine lineup.Being a good-natured socialite, she had always played the role of a well-connected individual.
‘To think I’ve acquired something the original protagonist would have obtained, and so much earlier. Things are going to be much smoother from now on.’
I yearned for more adventures, knowing this token would be a great asset in the challenges to come.
*Knock, click.*
I entered the office. Blaken greeted me alone.
“You’ve arrived, Queen.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
Blaken first spoke of yesterday’s events, his tone more congratulatory than reproachful.
“You did well, Queen! You’ve been surprising me quite a lot lately.”
“It was unavoidable, it seems.”
“No, it’s actually good. It was refreshing. I summoned you today not just to praise you, but because of something we found.”
*Thud.*
Blaken produced a document.It was just an ordinary yellow file, so why did he bring it out?It hadn’t even been opened yet.
“What is that…?”
“We haven’t opened it, but it was found when Juan raided the gang’s hideout after cleaning up the pub. He brought it to me. It’s yours.”
“Are you certain, My Lord?”
Blaken smiled at my question. Of course, it was a pity Juan hadn’t handed it directly to me.But the true master of this family was still Blaken, the Family Head.Whatever it contained, it was proper for it to be conveyed through him.
“Of course, Queen. You’ve achieved such a remarkable feat this time. The spoils of war are yours.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Received.
As if something had just occurred to him, Blaken pointed at me.
“Ah, Holland mentioned he wanted to see you later. In the first-floor garden.”
“Understood.”
He wants to see me? Suddenly?
As I made my way to Holland, I examined the document.
*Rustle, rustle.*
I was astonished by what I saw.Astonishingly, it was evidence linking Miranda to the gang.It detailed how Miranda had used the gang to make investments and orchestrate schemes behind the scenes.
‘And this seal is Miranda’s. Ha, what kind of woman is she?’
I knew she was a crazy black-haired foreigner (TL Note: ‘geommeo-oe’ is a derogatory slang term combining ‘black hair’ and ‘foreigner,’ often implying someone who is an outsider or acts against expectations.), but *this* much?
A laugh escaped me. In truth, this was precisely what I needed most.
‘This could be quite useful, couldn’t it?’
I licked my lips, reorganizing the document. After I left this family,it would be perfect as a means to utterly ruin Miranda.
Keeping the evidence safe, I walked out into the garden, where beautiful sunlight greeted me.The verdant green lawn and the fragrant, well-tended flowers enticed my senses.Family retainers were visible, enjoying their leisure.Among them, Holland was also present.
As I approached, he merely glared at me arrogantly from his seated position.I met his gaze without a flicker of emotion.
“Did you call for me?”
“Yeah, Sis. Your recent exploits are quite something, aren’t they? Anyone would think you weren’t my sister. *Heh*.”
“Why? Do I have to grovel like a pathetic fool because I can’t wield mana for me to be your sister?”
“Exactly! Someone who understands!”
Holland winked. I returned the wink, dipping my upper body slightly.
“Then perhaps it’s time for the tables to turn. This time, *you’ll* be the pathetic fool. Just like Jerome, how about it? Does that excite you?”
Holland laughed coldly, the corners of his mouth curving into a chilling smile.The surrounding family members pointed fingers at me.
“Acting like a ruffian, utterly unbecoming of a noble! Get out!”
“She should be sent to a brothel!”
“From today, you no longer deserve to bear the Wednesday name! You filthy wretch!”
“The Family Head permitted it? Nonsense.”
The news must have already spread.That I had stepped forward, crushed a gang for the commoners, and that the Family Head had permitted it.But they were still spouting nonsense.Aren’t there many such parasites in online communities as well?Armchair strategists (TL Note: ‘bang-gu-seok yeopo’ refers to someone who acts tough or opinionated only from the safety of their home, like an armchair general, often used to describe online trolls.) who only see what they want to see and only criticize what they want to criticize.They were exactly that level.And *those* people called themselves nobles?I sighed and retorted.
“On what grounds do you judge me? Is it a crime for a noble to protect tormented commoners?”
“Sis, wait a moment.”
Holland raised a hand. It seemed he had something to say to me.
“Sis, first, let me just say this.”
“What? Are you going to apologize for everything that’s happened? Not that I’d accept it.”
“Oh come on, what do I have to apologize for? It’s not my fault you’re pathetic, is it? Anyway, let’s wager the Family Head position and fight. What do you say?”
A whistle involuntarily escaped my lips.Both my cheeks twitched on their own.
‘This bastard, he’s finally saying what I’ve been waiting for, isn’t he?’
My chest fluttered, and a tingling sensation began in my nonexistent perineum.
