Chapter 223: The Change of the Lavender Barony (Part 1)
“Ula! What are you planning!?”
Having returned to the Lavender Barony after completing the initial stages of plain development, Ula Lavender was met with the furious voice of her grandfather.
“Hmph…”
Ula sighed as she glanced at her grandfather, who had come out to the entrance of the mansion. His gaze held a hint of reproach, causing Loser Lavender VI, her grandfather, to flinch slightly.
“W-What is with that look…? I have no memory of allowing you to glare at your grandfather like that!”
“…………”
“Enough! I told you to stop that look!”
Seeing Ula’s unusually defiant demeanor, Loser raised his hand as if to strike her. Just then, Arly, the attendant, intervened at the last moment.
“Lord, please calm down.”
“Get out of my way! Move!”
“There are servants watching. I implore you, please calm down.”
“Ugh…!”
It was only then that Loser became aware of the atmosphere around him. The entrance of the mansion was filled with servants and soldiers, all of whom were taken aback by Loser’s transformation.
“Ugh… Come here! We need to talk!”
Leading the way, Loser strode down the corridor with heavy steps.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all, it is my duty.”
After expressing her gratitude to Arly, Ula hurried to follow her grandfather. They were led to the lord’s office. Once inside, Loser plopped down heavily into a chair.
“Where did you put the ring? You stole it, didn’t you?”
With a somewhat calmer demeanor than before, Loser questioned her. Though calmer, the veins on his forehead were bulging, and his face was flushed, as if he might collapse from high blood pressure at any moment.
“That ring was definitely kept in the hidden vault! You are the only one who could have stolen it!”
“…………”
“Hurry up and return it! You know very well what that ring is, don’t you!?”
“I gave it away.”
Ula replied with a curt response, her rainbow-colored eyes glinting with defiance.
“You gave it away…? You mean to say you handed it to someone else!?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! There’s no way that could happen!”
Loser slammed his fist on the desk. His face was so red it looked like steam might burst from his head as he barked angrily.
“That ring… that ring is the key to our ‘Shadow’! To entrust it to someone else is akin to offering up your own heart!”
Recently, Ula had given the ring to a man. That ring was essential for commanding the ‘Shadow’—the covert unit of the Lavender Barony. Without it, even the lord could not issue orders to the ‘Shadow’… that was the rule.
“You… you foolish girl!”
“Whatever.”
Ula’s voice was cold in response to her grandfather, who was now so agitated he was nearly shouting.
“I entrusted it to someone I trust.”
“She says she entrusted it to someone she can rely on, so there’s no problem.”
“After stealing from me, what nonsense are you spouting! You ungrateful daughter of a harlot!”
Loser’s fury escalated further, fueled by Arly’s translation of Ula’s words. Normally, he would never voice such insults, but he unleashed them mercilessly upon his granddaughter.
“Ungrateful… After raising you, the child of an incompetent son and a harlot with nothing but strange prophecies to her name, have you forgotten my kindness? Do you have any idea how much I spent on your education!?”
“…………”
“You should only think of being a tool for the Lavender Barony, to bring ruin to the Empire! I raised you to be a convenient puppet, and now you dare awaken to some ridiculous sense of self!?”
“I killed them.”
Ula spoke softly.
“Wh…?”
“I killed them… my father and mother…!”
“Ugh…!”
Loser froze, his expression shifting dramatically from anger to pale shock.
“W-What are you saying…?”
“I killed them. You killed my father and mother. I know.”
“…………!”
Loser’s mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. His overly obvious reaction indicated… affirmation. It was a clear response that seemed to validate Ula’s words.