Chapter 152: The Lavender Barony’s Underhanded Schemes II
The head of the Lavender Barony, Luzer Lavender VI. His granddaughter, Ula Lavender, was raised from birth to fight against the Empire.
“…”
After concluding her discussion with her grandfather, Ula returned to her room and took a seat at the table. Despite being alone, her posture was impeccably straight, and her white dress remained unruffled. Her movements were not merely polite or respectful; they were mechanical, devoid of the warmth one would expect from a living being.
“Everything is under the name of ‘Luzer’… to deliver the righteous hammer of justice upon the Empire.”
With a voice still tinged with childhood, Ula murmured to herself.
The Lavender Barony has a long-standing tradition where each head of the family adopts the name ‘Loser.’ Luzer is the current sixth head. The reason they continue to bear such a dishonorable name is to never forget their hatred for the Empire.
The Lavender Barony fought against the Empire as border nobles until a treaty was finally established. Many soldiers perished in that conflict, including members of the direct lineage of the barony. When the treaty was signed, while many nobles breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the war with the great nation, the Lavender Barony alone opposed both the peace and the alliance.
The name ‘Loser’ symbolizes the Lavender Barony’s enduring hatred. It serves as a reminder of their repeated invasions by the Empire and their reluctant acceptance of a treaty born from defeat.
“I will head to the center… participate in the development of the Demon Realm… persuade the other nobles… petition to subjugate the Empire…”
With vacant eyes, Ula repeated the orders she had been given. From a young age, she had undergone rigorous education aimed at revenge against the Empire. This education had become nothing less than brainwashing. If commanded by her grandfather, she would not hesitate to charge into enemy lines, even if it meant sacrificing herself.
Ula had no parents or siblings. Her father had infiltrated the Empire as a spy and had since cut off all contact, while her mother had grown weary of this household and abandoned Ula to escape. Thus, no one was there to halt her grandfather’s indoctrination. Ula was being shaped into a weapon, a puppet for revenge and war.
“To achieve my mission, I must investigate the pioneering group in advance… Everything is under the name of ‘Loser’…”
As if to remind herself, Ula reached for the crystal ball resting on the table.
“…Demon Realm… development… nobles… Empire… magical beasts…”
Muttering a string of words like a mantra, Ula placed her hand over the crystal ball. It resembled the act of a fortune-teller, but it was more than mere imitation. Ula had inherited the talent for divination from her mother, who had abandoned her. She possessed the ‘Fairy Eye,’ a gift that allowed her to perceive otherworldly entities and gaze into distant places through the crystal ball.
“…Information… development… who…?”
As if commanded by her grandfather, Ula sought to gather any information she could using the crystal ball. Everything was for the Lavender Barony—a course of action for revenge against the Empire under the name of ‘Loser.’
“…Huh…?”
Gradually, a white mist began to swirl within the transparent crystal ball. The fairies residing in the Astral Realm responded to Ula’s call, revealing the scenes she desired to see.
“…”
What appeared within the crystal ball were the figures of individuals who would likely play significant roles in the development of the Demon Realm. Young people gathered around Andrew Aiwood, the Second Prince. He was surrounded by peers of both genders, engaged in conversation within a room indoors. They were discussing the development of the Demon Realm in the Student Council Room.
“…”
Ula’s gaze was fixed on Andrew and the others surrounding him. For instance, there were Yusugos Beturas, a close aide and member of the Student Council, and Rilanda Maka. Both were children of nobles closely tied to the royal family. Normally, she would need to gather information on them as well.
“…”
Then there was Celestine Crocus, the daughter of the foremost noble, the Crocus Duke House, and the second highest in status at that gathering. Without a doubt, she was an important figure. Ula needed to prioritize gathering information on her.
“…”
Next were Wilhelm Lübesse and Isis Carbelt. Both were promising candidates for the next generation of heroes, likely to emerge as key players in the development of the Demon Realm. Ula had to actively collect information on them.
“…”
Lastly, there were the sisters Viola Rosemary and Primula Rosemary, both under the influence of the head court magician. While they held a lower priority among the group, acquiring information about them would not be a loss when petitioning the King regarding the war with the Empire.
“…”
However, Ula’s eyes were not on any of them. She was not looking at Andrew, Celestine, or any of the others. Her gaze was fixed solely on one person—the young Count, Rest Clover.
“~~~~~~”
“…”
Rest was speaking about something within the crystal ball. Though the sound was inaudible, Ula was transfixed. She stared intently, as if her gaze alone could pierce through the very fabric of reality.
“…”
She gazed at him, thoroughly, deeply, and with unwavering focus, as if time itself were suspended. If her gaze possessed physical power, it would surely bore a hole through the very air.
“…”
With unwavering intensity, Ula continued to watch Rest, her lips quivering slightly.
“…I…”
It was as if a new joke had emerged, as Ula whispered softly. Her expressionless face flushed a deep crimson, as if it might ignite at any moment.
“I… really, really like him. I like him so much… I definitely like him. I like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like…”
Her limited vocabulary crumbled under the weight of her feelings, as Ula gazed longingly into the crystal ball, repeating her declarations of love. Her eyes sparkled with a rainbow hue, revealing that she was indeed perceiving something otherworldly through her ‘Fairy Eye.’
“I like…!”
This was the first time she had ever felt such an emotion. For Ula, who had been created as a tool for revenge and to fulfill the will of ‘Loser,’ this overwhelming passion swept away everything she had known. It was a soul-shattering revelation that turned her very essence upside down.
“I like… I like… I have to go to him…!”
Finally, Ula uttered words beyond just ‘like.’ Though her composure began to return and her vocabulary expanded, the flush on her cheeks remained unchanged. She did not divert her gaze from the crystal ball even for a moment.
“I like… oh, I truly like him… how beautiful he is…!”
From that day forth, Ula would spend her time facing the crystal ball whenever she had the chance. As a result, Rest found his every privacy invaded, even in the bath and toilet, though he remained blissfully unaware of it.
Ula Lavender had transformed from a puppet for revenge into a spiritual stalker. This was a tale from ten days prior to her departure to the Royal Capital for the development of the Demon Realm.