22. The Path Walked is the Road to Hell (4)
The Imperial Court Wizard — Carlo della Cascata.
A man respected by his surname, addressed with the honorific ‘Lord,’ known as Lord Cascata.
He checked if there were any wrinkles in his shirt and whether his tie was properly aligned before cautiously extending his palm.
The hefty stone door, boasting of its weight, emitted a soft white glow as if inviting his palm to the center of its height. A square pattern shimmered on the surface.
As Lord Cascata placed his palm on the pattern, there was a grand sound — drdrdr — and the stone door opened.
The revealed stone chamber within was not particularly dark.
A round table stood vacant.
Instead, atop the table lay seven beads — arranged in a circle, each exhibiting the colors of the rainbow from red to violet.
“Lord Cascata has arrived.”
At the low voice of Lord Cascata, the red bead rippled.
— It’s been a while, Lord Cascata. Have you been well?
— Yes, I’ve been well, thanks to the elders.
Scarcely had his words ended when the beads of various colors rippled and began their chatter.
— That’s fortunate to hear. Your health comes as the utmost priority.
— At a time like this, it’s far better for the likes of us with younger vitality to make moves rather than old ones such as ourselves.
— Indeed, indeed. Especially since the time is nearly upon us.
— Understood, elders. With that advice in mind, I’m thoroughly preparing. I’ve also entered the Academy this time… and having dropped one sponsor, I’m seeking to further enhance my reputation.
— A cautionary note, Lord Cascata. A misstep, and an invocation could occur.
— Understood. The plan is proceeding well. Mercurio has been detained, and Venere has perished, but replacements are in abundance, so no problems will arise.
— That is correct. I’ve heard of Venere’s demise. It’s unfortunate, but given how the main body and clones are indistinguishable, we can count ourselves lucky.
— I see.
— As for the plan, all seems in order. However, regarding your nephew, it’s extraordinary. We’ve no idea how he could have deceived us so completely. We even thought he was Cascata’s successor.
Lord Cascata could not respond to the question.
He had a rough understanding of what transpired.
His nephew, Carlo della Cascata, had now revealed himself to be a girl, overturning the guise that had been in place — a surprise even to Lord Cascata.
Certainly, his sharp mind quickly pieced together the situation and found ways to deflect the matter.
— Isn’t this common? To sacrifice a daughter to protect a cherished son, it’s nothing extraordinary.
— That’s true. Still, for a girl, her competitive spirit seems rather remarkable. With a demeanor like that, it will be difficult to find her a proper place in marriage.
— She’s a kind child. Unfortunately, due to an accident…
— I see. In any case, you should head over to the Academy soon. I’ve heard there’s been a major event involving your niece.
— Yes. Isn’t it simply her destiny?
— Could you not employ one of Venere’s clones?
— Once all plans are concluded and neatly wrapped up, I will consider it then.
— I understand. The planning for the future, we entrust solely to you.
— Yes.
As Lord Cascata bowed deeply, the beads one by one lost their glow, reverting to a gray hue. Raising his bowed head, the face of Lord Cascata looked stiff as stone.
‘What an idiot…’
“… Assist me, she will find it hard to descend alone.”
For a long while, Enrico stared at the sleeve of his son — now properly called his daughter — and turned around while saying this.
The butler, Basileorf, who had been waiting by the carriage, stepped forward in place of Enrico and extended his hand toward Karla.
“Move your hand. I can descend myself.”
As Karla spoke, keeping her gaze on Enrico’s back, Basileorf retreated silently despite not hearing the icy rebuff from her.
The narrow stairs descending from the carriage.
Cautiously placing her foot, Karla stepped down. With her right hand gripping the side of the carriage barely maintaining her balance, she managed to descend after much difficulty.
It was only after that, she noticed the gazes of the servants.
Was it pity?
Was it lamentation?
Perhaps it was compassion?
The ambiguous looks made Karla want to yell out when suddenly, Enrico, standing on the doorstep of the mansion entrance, turned around and said,
“Since you’re down, come in already. Dinner will get cold.”
With those words, Enrico turned around.
Even after turning, his lips parted a few times as though wanting to say more, but without waiting for his daughter, he returned directly to the mansion.
“Arm…”
“Shut up and eat, brat.”
On the table in front of Karla, there was no steak to be eaten only in bite-sized portions. Not only would she be incapable of cutting it, but given her severe injuries, having a normal meal was somewhat challenging.
As a result, while Enrico and Fabio enjoyed their steaks, the only two family members present, Karla was consuming a rich congee made by simmering chicken to extract its nutrients.
Even this was inconvenient.
Thanks to her right hand being intact, she was able to manage eating the congee. Otherwise, even feeding herself this gruel would’ve been difficult.
“What do you plan to do about your arm?”
“That’s none of your concern. This is enough for me.”
“That’s your own thought.”
Ignoring Fabio’s question, Karla slowly ate the congee.
Indeed, the gruel was easier on the stomach.
“Fabio’s not wrong, Karla. Do you have any plans for your arm?”
“…”
Karla said nothing in response to Enrico’s question.
It’s not as if she had any remedies herself either.
“To carry on the Thunder Magic Tradition, wouldn’t it be problematic without an arm?”
That was true.
Thunder Magic was fundamentally based on physical enhancement.
Based on enhancing the senses with a powerful physique, it guided battlefield situations using amplified physical abilities — making it a robust and direct combat style.
For a far more enhanced body and additional mana, she had already contributed both lateral circuits of her magic ten years prior through a consecration ritual. And now, she’d lost her arm. Not to mention the Waterfall Temple wouldn’t answer prayers for regrowing it, and what was left for Karla to offer?
“…I will somehow procure a prosthetic arm. One that can suffice for daily life. You should quit the Academy and prepare for marriage with the House of Shaiskeil.”
“What?”
Karla’s eyes widened.
She’d never heard such absurdity.
Moreover, speaking of the House of Shaiskeil,
“Yes. Lucas. The eldest son of the House of Shaiskeil, Lucas.”
“What? Are you insane?!”
— Bang!
Karla slammed her fist on the table and abruptly stood up.
Her bowl of congee toppled, and Enrico’s and Fabio’s plates both rattled dramatically.
“Are you aware of what you’re saying right now?!”
“Sit down, Karla.”
“Do you think I can sit here and listen to this? Lucas?! That lunatic?! Why the hell should I?! Besides, I was originally—”
It was forbidden to speak of the consecration.
It was also forbidden to mention that she was originally a man.
Especially here in the dining hall where attendants diligently served meals.
Among the attendants bustling about to clean up the spilled congee, it was inappropriate to bring up such things.
Still, suggesting that a girl originally a man marry a man was utterly absurd.
Not only would she never accept it, but such a thing mustn’t even be considered!
“A girl with flaws being accepted is already a blessing, Karla. I assume you’re well aware— surely you know the role daughters play in noble families.”
“Drop the nonsense! I absolutely cannot do marriage.”
“… Karla.”
Zap!* Like the crackle of lightning, Enrico stood before her. Known for his recklessness on the battlefield during wartime, Enrico now faced her with a sharp, menacing aura as his fierce eyes bore down at Karla.
“You told me yourself. That not even the famous Holy Creation could achieve, right? So what about now?”
Enrico’s hand pressed down on Karla’s shoulder.
On her severed left shoulder no less.
“And what can you do now as a magician— as a Cascata magician? What can you do if you cannot move? Can you truly be called a magician?”
“I am—”
Karla wasn’t idle either.
Lightning sparked from her right hand as it swung for Enrico’s face. But Enrico effortlessly deflected her punch.
“Your strikes have all been countered. I, on the other hand, have one left to spare. Kicking? Do you think I can’t do that either? What is left for you to do now? Nothing. The firstborn of Cascata, Karla. Karla della Cascata. Answer me, Karla.”
With her lips tightly clenched, Karla trembled fiercely as she glared at Enrico through eyes ablaze with fire.
Receiving her fiery gaze, Enrico continued.
“There’s about two months left. Until the Academy’s midterm exams. Take them. If you pass, I will trust and watch you more closely. If you can’t and get expelled…”
Enrico paused as he turned around.
“—your name will become Karla von Shaiskeil.”
