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Chapter 55
Kiera rubbed her throbbing temples. It had already been six months since she’d assumed the role of acting authority.
Summer was in full swing.
With the endless chorus of cicadas, there were many nights she couldn’t sleep, and still, Tybern had not been found, nor had Herden returned.
The war that plagued the north had ended. The sources of corruption had all been burned, and the werewolves had vanished. For a time, the north would be safe.
All authority of the Cartieron family still rested in Kiera’s hands.
That old man must be dead by now, yet he still refuses to let go.
No matter how many letters she sent Herden—begging him to come back and put an end to things—there was still no reply.
Messengers returned saying the north had no capacity to search for Tybern at present.
Wasn’t he the one cursing that damned old man?
Kiera trembled. She thought that once she had all of Cartieron’s power, she would finally be happy. But she was wrong.
The Cartieron trading company had slipped from her grasp, reforming itself as the Dell Company, which was beyond her control.
When she attempted to seize it again on her father’s orders, she had been thoroughly reprimanded by the Empress herself.
“Do you think a shattered bowl will fulfill its purpose simply because you try to glue it back together? You’re the one who sold it off in the first place. Why drag Dell into this and cause me trouble?”
“Duchess, I had hoped our alliance would be long-lasting. But if this continues, it will be difficult. I must be fair to everyone, for I am the Empress. If you persist in harassing Dell, I can’t promise how I’ll respond.”
In other words, the Empress had forbidden her from touching Dell.
On top of that, Kiera had to endure the scorn of the noble ladies. Remembering the shame of that day still made her want to hide her face. With the noblewomen and the Empress united, the names of Aites and Cartieron alike had been reduced to dust.
In the end, Kiera had no choice but to retreat. Who could have guessed so many relied on Dell’s services?
If she pressed further, she risked earning the Empress’s wrath—and that could jeopardize the Cartier–Aites engagement. Unjust as it was, royalty could be unjust and still prevail.
And that wasn’t the only problem.
That damnable Count Zech.
From the beginning, his relationship with her had been strained, and now he was outright defiant.
“You funneled every coin from the bank into the east. There’s no liquid cash available.”
“Retrieving the funds you lent to House Aites should be the top priority.”
The cursed bank was always empty. They kept pointing fingers at Aites, and since it was true she had taken vast sums, she couldn’t even deny it.
But still—her rage boiled.
If I want money, he should bring it—even if it doesn’t exist!
That was the servant’s duty: to fulfill the master’s will. So much for Count Zech’s reputation as a capable man. He seemed anything but.
She considered dismissing him and placing someone new at the bank, but that, too, was impossible. No one wanted to take charge of what was being called a bankrupt Cartieron Bank.
Nor were the mines in any better shape. Since the acquisition of the emerald mine, operations had been in decline. Though other mines still produced gems, all revenue went straight to repaying investors.
Debt that had been incurred precisely because of the emerald mine purchase.
The situation was enough to give anyone a headache. She wished Herden would return and fix everything.
But instead—
“Kiera, are you listening? You said you needed money. There’s going to be a new diamond mine up for auction! If we secure it, we won’t have to worry about funds for a while!”
Marquis Aites barked at her. His eyes, bloodshot with greed, made his face resemble a venomous toad.
Kiera shot him a glare and ground her teeth.
“I told you, we don’t have money! Where am I supposed to pull it from?”
“What do you mean, no money? There’s Cartieron Bank. Don’t tell me Count Zech dared to defy you?”
He snapped irritably. When Tybern and Herden had vanished and Kiera had taken over, he had painted many grand visions.
The eastern construction projects were nearly complete. By autumn, the hotels and resorts would open.
Yes, they would generate profit—but at first, most of it would go toward covering past investments. For at least four years, they’d see no real income.
Even if they defaulted on Cartieron loans, investors had to be paid to keep them hooked.
Thus, they needed a new stream of money.
“Don’t be ridiculous! You’re acting duchess. If you demand it, Count Zech must hand over the funds!”
“And you already drained them all, Father. It’s not as if money springs forth from an endless well.”
Marquis Aites slammed his fist on the table.
“And what about the mines? Shouldn’t their profits be flowing into the bank?”
“After the emerald mine fiasco, investors pressured them to pull out their capital. They’re scrambling just to cover that.”
“Damn it all! If only you’d taken Dell back when you had the chance!”
“It wasn’t possible then, Father.”
With another furious strike on the table, he fumed.
Watching him made her headache worse. Kiera pressed her fingers against her brow. Leading a great house was anything but easy.
At that moment, deep within the source of corruption.
Time had lost all meaning. His senses were fading.
Ever since receiving what he suspected was Rani’s blessing, Tybern hadn’t even felt hunger—but his mind was eroding, growing dull.
His steps slowed. He no longer knew where he was going, only that he must continue forward.
Then—he stood before a massive root. Rotting. Decayed.
Monsters swarmed around it. The werewolf that had dragged him here was among them.
The foul aura emanating from the place was so vile it was almost tangible. He understood instinctively: this root was the source of the world itself.
“What is it you wanted to show me?” Tybern rasped. Surely the werewolf had driven him here for a reason.
He drew his sword.
The monsters lunged all at once. Tybern fought, ceaselessly, cutting them down as he advanced—until at last, he reached the root.
By then, autumn had begun.
Hider had grown considerably during that time—especially in height. He now stood half a head taller than me.
“Wow, young master, you’ve grown so much!”
“…It’s nothing special.”
Hider scratched his neck awkwardly. I handed him a vial of tonic, and he flinched, stepping back.
“You’ll be an adult soon enough. Surely you can drink this much!”
His boyish face twisted unhappily. Lately, I’d been giving him my specially-made tonics every day.
He’ll likely reach achievement soon. Of course, even then he’ll need to keep training until his aura stabilizes.
Then what should I do to help?
To surpass human limits is no small feat. Maintaining health is the most important thing.
And so I did what I did best—packing every meal with nutrition and brewing tonics to strengthen him.
I had been doing it ever since I arrived here, so it was second nature.
Hehehe… the youngest-ever Sword Master!
Reaching achievement at fourteen—that was even earlier than in the original story. Back then, he had only broken through right before leaving for war.
If he stabilized his aura and trained further now, he would become even stronger by the time he set out.
Then both fighting there—and returning—would be easier.
Hider, of course, had no idea what was in my heart. All he tasted was the bitterness of the tonic, and that alone horrified him.
“Come now, young master! Bottoms up!”
I chased after him as he tried to escape, shuddering at the thought of drinking it.
