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chapter 13
Lady Isdel was smiling with satisfaction, as if she had expected this.
On the other hand, Tera’s gaze momentarily hardened, thinking that her indirect provocation hadn’t worked.
But Tera quickly recovered, curling her eyes into a smile as she spoke.
“…Ah, now that I think about it, it seems that many people’s efforts went into this building. Isn’t that right?”
It was an attack meaning, ‘You didn’t build this building yourself, did you?’
“Yes, indeed, a great deal of my effort went into it.”
…This method didn’t work either. But Tera knew Serenitia just a little.
“Could you tell me what kind of effort that was?”
“I considered everything—from the absorption rate of the stones used on the walls to the bearing capacity of the foundation soil beneath. Judging by the way you ask, you must know architecture quite well. Would you like to check how I calculated the thermal expansion coefficient of this place? Ah, I mean no malice.”
“…….”
“I ask without malice… You can calculate this much, can’t you?”
“…….”
“Come to think of it, I heard Lady Tera is also talented in architecture, but since you’re not answering… Ah, I assure you, I mean no malice in my words at all.”
Tera stared blankly at Serenitia’s face.
Her expression was exactly…
‘Only you can be without malice? I can be without malice too, huh.’
Having her trademark “no malice” tone taken away, Tera felt the soul drain from her face.
But that wasn’t the end.
Serenitia then took out her <Cairosen Castle Cooperative Architect> badge from her pocket and waved it gently.
“Ah! And my fiancé, His Highness the Grand Duke, personally gave this to me in praise of the salon’s completion.”
Lady Isdel set down her teacup and laughed sharply.
People whispered quietly as they looked at Tera.
Mostly light criticism, like ‘Why bother making a scene…’
But Tera couldn’t just back down after being embarrassed.
She lifted her teacup and forced a smile, raising the corners of her eyes as if to seem cheerful.
“I see. Such an impressive building, and it’s the work of Her Highness the Grand Duchess-to-be… Surely His Highness the Grand Duke would be interested as well? I imagine so. Ah! I ask without any malice. You know that, right?”
In other words, what she was really saying was, ‘No matter how much you show off, the Grand Duke doesn’t really care about you.’
And Serenitia…
‘Ah, right. She hit the core perfectly. Honestly, it’s not wrong.’
I said nothing, and Lady Tera looked triumphant.
But I wasn’t facing her anymore.
I was just remembering the first time I made a contract with Raphael before my return, and the first building I created.
That day was different from today.
It was just Raphael and me alone, meeting quietly in front of a small building.
“Impressive.”
It was the first time I had ever received praise, and I had smiled broadly and said,
“Please take care of me from now on!”
Here, Raphael wasn’t present.
So unlike earlier, when I had spoken freely and triumphantly, I couldn’t say a word…
‘Yes, no. Whether Raphael likes you or not is none of your concern.’
“Of course His Highness the Grand Duke is interested. He entrusted me with the construction of this salon himself.”
I smiled lightly and said,
“It’s almost time.”
The reason I had planned the salon’s completion party for today, even considering the risk of embarrassment, and why it had to be this specific day and time…
Ding, ding, ding.
At that moment, the noisy clocktower struck nine.
With the chimes, the door opened.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
“…I-Isn’t that His Highness the Grand Duke?”
“Why… why is His Highness suddenly at the salon…?”
Finally, Raphael stepped in.
For some reason, his expression was rather grim.
I smiled lightly and said,
“Here comes Raphael, who’s very interested in the <Epinethia Salon>.”
I could hear the murmurs of the surrounding people.
But in my eyes, it wasn’t a shocked Tera or a smiling Lady Isdel.
It was only Raphael standing there.
He slowly approached me. And…
His foot was exactly next to mine.
Of course, it wasn’t touching me, maintaining a perfect distance of over 30 centimeters.
I tried to step a little closer to his side, but…
Swoosh.
Raphael pulled back instantly.
A perfect, razor-sharp wall of defense.
‘As expected, still within my palm…!’
“What brings you here?”
“Building safety inspection.”
He said coldly.
Raphael’s expression was still relaxed and calm.
“Lie down.”
But…
“A magical beast earthquake is coming soon.”
…The words coming from his mouth were far from calm.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
“Ma-Magical beast earthquake?”
“My goodness, that’s terrifying…!”
Yes. Today, at this place, an earthquake would occur due to the massive remnants of magical beasts.
‘Because past Raphael told me before my return!’
That day, after a magical beast earthquake occurred on the salon site, almost causing serious injuries, the safety regulations in the north had been greatly strengthened.
‘Raphael knows about the magical beast earthquake in advance and will come to handle it!’
So I chose today, this very time, for the party, so that I could meet Raphael.
Bang, crash!
The windows began to tremble with a loud noise.
“Objects will fall to the floor!”
“If the windows break…! Ah!”
Everyone quickly took cover under the tables.
“…Huh?”
“What… what is this?”
Hiding under the table, I slowly curved my lips into a smile.
Yes, they must be puzzled.
Because…
“The earthquake… happened? It did seem to shake a little.”
“Nothing fell from the ceiling…?”
“The tiles on the outer walls are intact!”
“This is strange! I can’t feel the vibration…”
After the brief quake, Raphael spoke indifferently.
“The earthquake is over. Come out now.”
I was the first to rise. Seeing the dazed people getting up, I spoke seriously.
“You were all startled, right? This building was designed to absorb the seismic energy emitted by magical beast remnants, so it’s completely safe. For example, laminated rubber was installed between the building and the ground to physically separate them, reducing the acceleration of shocks transmitted to the building by roughly 70–80%!”
As I spoke, people looked bewildered. Especially on Tera’s side.
Then Raphael spoke a single phrase.
“Quite a detailed explanation.”
It wasn’t much of an assist, but seeing Tera’s embarrassed expression, the effect was clear.
To her, it must have felt like Raphael had taken my side, or in other words, delivered a final blow to her.
But Raphael no longer looked at either me or Lady Tera.
He seemed to have other business.
Raphael no longer paid attention to Serenitia.
He adjusted the window frame, then casually raised his hand.
Magical beast earthquakes occur because of “magical beast remnants” buried underground.
Magical beast remnants.
They could be the corpses of magical beasts or residual magical energy hidden beneath the ground where no one would know.
This time…
‘The former—i.e., a magical beast corpse.’
Unlike humans, magical beast corpses are usually transparent and imperceptible.
They only appear and trigger an earthquake when certain conditions are met—a very annoying trait.
He snapped his fingers casually.
Immediately afterward…
On one side of the tea table.
The corpses of magical beasts floated wildly in the air.
A huge mammoth-like corpse drifting in midair was truly terrifying.
Thunk.
Raphael had only pushed it once.
Wham, crackle…
All the corpses vanished quickly.
Raphael remained silent, but he knew well how the people present perceived the situation.
Everyone wore shocked expressions.
A disgusted, hair-raising look of seeing him handle magical beasts so easily unconsciously appeared on their faces.
Even though they knew he survived thanks to that ability.
But he was already used to being looked at with discomfort.
“Then.”
He didn’t even bother saying “enjoy the party.”
Raphael left the party hall.
Two paths appeared before him.
One led through the garden, the other toward the corridor.
‘The garden path is faster.’
Yet, for some reason, he headed toward the corridor.
Leaving the cheerful tea room behind, he walked through the silent, empty corridor.
Behind him, a small, chick-like scuttling sound followed.
