52. Exchange Battle (1)
Perhaps it was thanks to Ivan’s awkward but well-intentioned words of comfort.
The next morning, Karla awoke feeling unusually light. It was true that her body physically felt lighter, but she also felt as if a layer of the apathy that had been weighing her down had been lifted.
“Did you sleep well?”
Ivan, who had already risen and changed clothes, extended a cup toward her with a smile.
Though Karla couldn’t quite manage to smile back at him, she nodded faintly.
“Good. It’s an important day today, after all.”
“…Yeah, it’s an important day.”
Karla drained a glass of water and handed the cup back to Ivan.
“I need to get ready to go. Help me, Ivan.”
“Huh.”
Ivan nodded lightly. Karla stiffened her resolve and headed toward the bathroom.
*
“The commoner looks like he’s at least good with his hands.”
“It’s probably become a habit. Doesn’t have anything to do with being a commoner, does it?”
“If it’s this good, it’s praise. You should gratefully accept it.”
“Ah, thanks. So grateful.”
As Karla frowned, thinking his tone sounded somewhat sarcastic, she sensed a very familiar vibration of mana.
Sure enough, a familiar figure stood behind her.
“Enrico.”
Enrico della Cascata, Karla’s father, stood there. He wasn’t alone; beside him stood Fabio, looking somewhat awkward. Judging by his stance, which was trying to appear earnest despite his unease, it seemed that since being thrust into the role of the young master in Karla’s place, he was receiving some form of instruction.
“Come here, Karla.”
Karla intended to ignore Enrico’s call.
“Let’s go, Ivan.”
However, Ivan, who was supposed to be moving with her, remained standing there with his head bowed. Recognizing that this was due to Enrico’s presence, Karla clicked her tongue and turned back to look at Enrico.
“Come here. Karla, come here. Ivan, was it? You go ahead.”
“…Yes.”
Ivan glanced at Karla and moved his lips faintly. Though it was unlikely Enrico could hear from such a distance, Karla caught a murmur of encouragement.
“Hang in there, Karla. I’ll always be cheering for you.”
Karla simply gave a slight nod and stepped closer to Enrico as Ivan politely bowed again and then headed toward the grand hall where the exchange battle was to be held.
“What brings you here at all?”
“Karla.”
Karla maintained an obstinate stance toward Enrico.
There was no way she could feel good about this man, Enrico.
No matter how hard she tried, she could read nothing from Enrico’s expression or gaze as he stared at her silently.
She couldn’t tell what emotions he harbored toward her, but they surely weren’t well-meaning.
“You called me so speak…”
Before she could finish her sentence,
—Zzaak!
Sparks flew before her eyes.
Karla’s left cheek was struck with a tearing pain, shaking her entire body without warning.
“Nee-san!”
She might have fallen if Fabio hadn’t rushed to catch her. Karla would have probably slammed her face into the cold gravel if not for him.
“…What is this? Aren’t you supposed to be selling me at a high price? A blemish like this won’t do, will it?”
Karla glared at Enrico. The heat on her cheek suggested it might already be swelling, which confirmed that Enrico had genuinely struck her with emotion.
“Karla, Karla della Cascata. Didn’t you hear the head of the family’s words?”
“…What are you talking about?”
Spitting on the ground, Karla glared at her father.
Enrico’s expression finally changed, revealing an emotion Karla was very familiar with — anger.
“You are to become the hostess of our house. Yet, how dare you throw yourself around so carelessly?”
“…Ah, so you heard about that, huh?”
—That commoner, the first man I spent the night with.
It was from several days ago, somewhere in the restaurant or somewhere like that. What she had whispered into Lucas’s ear had obviously reached Enrico’s ears.
“You know very well that you should preserve your purity until you’re married. Moreover, giving yourself to a mere commoner? Can you really claim to be in your right mind?”
Enrico’s eyes were now ablaze with fury.
However, as Karla faced his gaze, she instead found herself regaining her composure.
The side of her face burned as if on fire.
But contrary to that, her mind was cold.
“Ah, so you heard about that. Yep, it’s confirmed. So, about that commoner, you mean Ivan, right? You’re questioning me for being with Ivan? Then what are you planning to do? Are you going to call off the engagement?”
“Call off the engagement? That’s irrelevant.”
Enrico’s voice began to fade.
“All that’s necessary is to silence the one who started the scandal. Simply killing him will suffice. If no one knows the truth, it’s as if nothing happened.”
“Silence Ivan by killing him? That’s ridiculous.”
Karla smirked.
Killing Ivan? By Enrico? — Perhaps it was possible.
Ivan was strong, but Enrico was likely stronger. Moreover, Enrico had a level of experience Ivan lacked and, thus, he could certainly achieve this if he decided to kill Ivan.
But that cannot be allowed.
Killing Ivan cannot be allowed.
“If you kill Ivan, do you think I’ll just stand by and do nothing?”
“And what will you do if you don’t stand by?”
A purple glow of mana burst from Karla like a blooming flower.
Despite losing an arm, it didn’t stop her magical circuits from functioning; her mana still overflowed like an ocean.
Amid the crackling sound of electric sparks, Karla spoke to Enrico.
“Then I follow him in death, don’t I? Why? In our empire, when a widow dies with her husband, it’s considered a virtue, right? Isn’t it?”
“Have you gone completely mad?”
“You’re saying you won’t do it because it’s unreasonable, right, Enrico?”
Karla slowly reined in the mana that had been surging from her. Calming herself, she advanced step by step toward Enrico.
Though her cheek still tingled with pain, it only strengthened her resolve.
The fiery pain spread like flames across her tingling cheek.
Will Enrico really kill Ivan?
Surely, he wouldn’t go that far.
But Ivan is common-born, and on top of that, a commoner who dared to pursue a great noble—
Just this fact alone might lead Enrico to really kill Ivan.
That cannot be allowed.
That simply cannot be allowed.
That’s why.
Ivan is strong.
Ivan is really strong.
And that’s what I’ll use.
“Hey, Enrico.”
Standing before Enrico, Karla spoke.
Once taller than he, now she had to look slightly upward in this situation.
Even in this place, Karla realized her own weakness.
“Think carefully, as the head of the household.”
“What do you mean?”
“Think carefully. If you want to grow the influence of the family faster. Capturing Shaiskeil with me would be slower than replacing him with a new pillar—Contadino.”
Enrico’s eyebrows twitched at Karla’s words.
What she was saying was absurd even to him.
“Karla, do you understand what you’re saying right now?”
“It’s saying that it’s more promising to replace the idiot trash with Ivan… Are you not getting my point? Shaiskeil will fail. Whatever I do or don’t do. You’re considering absorbing them, aren’t you? Just observe how Ivan fights, and you’ll understand what I’m saying.”
Karla was certain.
Lucas, that waste of space, would undoubtedly ruin the family.
Rather than betting their future on such a person, she suggested absorbing a new family centered around Ivan Contadino.
This wasn’t something to say lightly.
The pillars of the empire weren’t called pillars for nothing—they had a long history and tradition, proving their worth through prolonged wars; thus, they became pillars supporting the empire. And suggesting to replace Shaiskeil with a new pillar?
It was, in fact, a suggestion that could make one question her sanity.
“Karla, you’re spouting nonsense.”
“Whether it’s madness or not… you’ll see when you take a look, right? You know today is the Exchange Battle, after all.”
Karla took a deep breath.
“Isn’t that why you came? If I show an unsightly form here, they’ll kick me out quietly by the midterms. That’s probably why.”
Enrico didn’t respond.
However, his tightly pressed lips silently affirmed Karla’s words.
“That guy promised he’d dedicate his victory to me. He said he’s confident in defeating all five opponents.”
“It’s impossible. For fledglings like you.”
“That guy can do it. …If Ivan loses, I’ll quietly drop out and go to Shaiskeil. So, watch. Watch Ivan’s match. Watch his match instead of mine, and determine then whether my choice was right or wrong.”
Enrico gazed at Karla for a long time.
Karla kept her eyes wide and spoke to Enrico, her gaze sharp and determined.
“This shouldn’t be possible…”
“Wouldn’t magic make it happen, though?”
“…”
Enrico said nothing.
After staring at Karla for a long time, he simply turned away.
Karla realized her persuasion had worked. She turned around, sighing in relief.
Enrico would head to the audience seating, while Karla needed to go to the waiting room—different directions they headed.
“…Nee-san.”
It was Fabio.
Fabio, watching between Enrico and Karla nervously, seemed to relax slightly upon seeing no major conflict erupt.
“Thanks earlier. You’ve become faster than I expected.”
“…I made an effort. For someone.”
Fabio smiled as he answered.
“That’s good. That’s how a Cascata should be.”
“Uh-huh.”
Karla quietly broke into a smile.
It was a fleeting moment of lightness amidst her heavy heart.
Now, only entering the Exchange Battle remained.
