My eyes rolled on their own.

“Ah, so... um...”

I hesitated without realizing it to outright name the culprit.

‘Because I feel like it would cause a huge problem.’

It’s one thing to welcome the suffering of our enemies, but it would be troublesome if the fallout spreads elsewhere.

Yet grandfather kept waiting for my answer.

I fidgeted and looked at him.

“Well, um... the ancient monster attacked...”

Grandfather’s gaze shifted toward those who had made the ancient monster.

The Magic Tower mages who had directly created it.

The elders protecting those mages.

The mastermind behind all this, Hernan.

And...

“The Girards.”

At grandfather’s words, father answered.

“They are in the underground prison.”

“Children must bear responsibility for the actions of their parents.”

“I will prepare accordingly.”

Their eyes blazed.

‘Hmm, this is going to be chaos.’

The Duke of Astra entered the great hall.

An old man bearing the full weight of the years—the pinnacle of the pyramid.

His mere presence weighed heavily on the chamber.

All—2nd generation, retainers, administrators—watched him report the situation.

Each face watched his every move.

Except for Daymond Astra.

The duke glanced at Daymond.

“You searched the Magic Tower, huh? You readily accepted a child’s word?”

A question implying he allowed it quickly because his beloved child, Erilot, insisted on it.

“The monster that broke into the shrine looked like an ancient monster’s form but was ridiculously weak.”

“So?”

“I agreed with the opinion that it could be a manufactured monster, and judged there was a risk of a second intrusion before the red moon set, so we searched the Magic Tower.”

The 2nd gens looked at the Duke tensely.

‘No matter what, this is a direct strike at the elders’ council...’

‘If the elders rise up, it will be father’s responsibility to clean it up. Acting so hastily without thinking about that was reckless.’

‘If father finds this unpleasant, Daymond’s position might be in danger...’

The duke spoke in a flat voice.

“Well done.”

“......!”

“......!”

“......!”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Was that his impression of attacking one of Astra’s symbols, the elders’ council?

Amid the shock, Viscount Debussy quietly smiled.

The fools thought the duke compromised with the elders because he feared the information they held.

But the duke’s true intention was...

‘He was just waiting for a legitimate reason.’

The Duke of Astra killed his predecessor and took the family head position.

In other words, it was a rebellion.

Despite usurping the position through rebellion, the collateral branches did not rise in revenge because of one reason.

‘Rational estate management.’

He didn’t squeeze the lifeblood from the estate for the “main house,” as the predecessor did.

Even those who followed the predecessor were given opportunities if they had ability.

He accepted the rational parts of the predecessor’s methods and discarded the irrational.

‘Abolishing the elders’ council just because it belonged to the predecessor would be self-denial of his own way...’

If he attacked the elders, retainers and branches loyal to the predecessor would be gripped by intense fear.

Is he trying to wipe out all who followed the predecessor, starting with the elders?

The grudge from the predecessor’s era clearly remains.

‘Fear leads straight to rebellion.’

Thus, the duke was waiting for a reason to strike the elders.

‘Since he moved before the elders could manage the situation, it can only please the duke.’

It was astonishing that Erilot was the center of all this.

A clever child would not act without thinking of cleanup.

‘In other words, the young lady must know the duke’s true intentions.’

Insight that reads the superior’s true mind precisely.

Calm courage in urgent situations.

Quick and accurate judgment.

Execution ability.

‘There is nothing to fault.’

It was like seeing the duke as he was when young.

The eleventh son of the predecessor, with nothing but himself, struck down the predecessor who was regarded as a god and took the family head position.

To the people, the duke’s life story was like a legend.

It felt like watching the young duke from that legend.

‘Truly remarkable.’

Apparently, I was not the only one thinking that.

The old retainers who helped build the present Astra with the duke’s side eyes glittered.

As if...

“Let us follow the young lord.”

“Ten thousand soldiers of Viscount Akintora’s domain. We will lay down our lives for the eleventh young lord.”

“Florence’s seventeenth eldest daughter, Carl. I entrust the future to the young lord.”

Just like the day they rallied for Astra’s throne.

‘When they discover a gold mine, they can’t help but bet everything.’

After all, these were people who succeeded in this gamble for life and family to gain such power.

If someone reminded them of their brightest youth, it was natural to covet it.

‘Maybe it’s time for me to also make a move.’

Viscount Debussy chuckled softly.

The duke slammed a report down noisily and looked around.

“Decon.”

“Yes, father.”

“You will go and cut off the head of the elders’ council chairman.”

“Yes... what?!”

Decon, who had been nervous and bowed, suddenly raised his face.

‘Is he really going to abolish the elders’ council?!’

The duke stared at Decon with an indifferent gaze.

“Do I have to say it twice?”

“Ah, no.”

Decon hurriedly bowed again.

“Vasile.”

“Yes, father.”

“Bring back the wrists of the mages involved in the experiment. Even if they are relatives, you must show no mercy.”

“I will obey your command.”

Vasile bowed deeply as well.

“Gustav, Sylvain.”

“Yes, father.”

“Command them.”

“I will provide 30,000 soldiers. If anyone, young or old, is even slightly involved in this matter, bring them all here, even if it overturns the estate.”

“Yes!”

“Yes.”

Gustav and Sylvain both placed their hands over their left chests.

“Balderic, Bastina.”

“Yes, father.”

“Report to me.”

“You two will cooperate with Vasile to investigate if other families are involved.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, father.”

The duke’s gaze turned toward Daymond.

“I appoint Daymond Astra as the overall person responsible for this matter.”

“Yes.”

The duke slammed the table and shouted.

“Hear me, family members of the main house!”

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

“Yo—!!”

His gaze darkened deeply.

“Bring me the heads of those who dared to point their blades at Astra.”

Daymond stood and kneeled toward the duke.

“I obey your order.”

The eyes of the father and son, who resembled each other, silently blazed.

Thus, the Astra estate was turned upside down.

With the duke’s eldest son Grimier joining in and the entire 2nd generation armed, unprecedented tension flowed through the estate.

A week later.

Only the 2nd generation was busy; we 3rd gens were freer than before.

“Ah, if only it was always like this. No classes, exams postponed... is this heaven?”

“The search for the third seat is over now, right?”

“I heard they will announce that the search for the third seat is suspended this afternoon.”

The cousins each enjoyed their leisure.

With classes canceled, it was a free-for-all.

3rd generation education was temporarily stopped.

‘Because of the Madok poison.’

The ancient poison, Madok.

It was still an unidentified toxin.

Fortunately, it was confirmed a few days ago that it was not contagious, so we could go outside.

But because it might affect our blessings, the 3rd gens who had been near Madok were examined by doctors all day.

‘So we couldn’t even go to the Imperial Capital.’

Liantin was thoroughly annoyed.

“Because of Erekka Girard, what is this? We don’t even know if the year-end exams will happen!”

Then Dionera sipped warm tea and spoke calmly.

“That’s a good thing~.”

“What’s good about it? Without the schedule, how do we know when or what to prepare? How far is the exam scope?”

Liantin flipped through a book angrily, and the cousins shook their heads.

Our cousin Ayla said.

“Seriously, she’s an odd one. Getting more anxious just because exams are delayed. Rather, shouldn’t we go see the underground prison?”

At that, the cousins’ eyes widened.

“Prison?”

“Why the prison?”

Ayla folded her arms and smirked with a terribly wicked face.

“There are the collateral kids.”

Indeed.

The collateral kids were also imprisoned in the underground prison for investigation.

It was to confirm whether they really knew that Erekka Girard was carrying artificial monsters.

“Let’s go see. And... aren’t you curious how Erekka Girard looks?”

Ayla’s eyes glittered.

‘She must still hold a grudge from the fight ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) with Erekka.’

If it weren’t for me, she would have been seriously harmed by the swamp fairy, so she was still bitter.

Then the other cousins’ eyes sparkled.

“Good idea.”

“Now? We’re going now? I want to go too!”

The cousins, rarely united, rushed out.

Liantin ran crazily faster than anyone. Dionera shouted, “Me too! Me too!” and followed.

I also got up.

Selene asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“Erilot, you’re going too?”

“Yes.”

“Unexpected.”

“Why?”

“I thought you didn’t hold grudges.”

“I hold plenty of grudges.”

Seeing my expression as if that was a lot, Selene smiled.

“Me too. Shall we go together?”

“Yes.”

I headed to the underground prison with Selene.

The prison was chaotic.

“I-I was just threatened by Hernan and had money taken... really!”

“I really don’t know. I just moved experimental materials! What would I know?”

“P-please, save me! Save me!”

Many people had been brought in, and it was practically a marketplace.

Selene clicked her tongue.

“Many were caught because Baron Ailots died...”

“That’s right.”

Baron Ailots had chosen death before soldiers raided his mansion.

With the key figure gone, the main house had to catch everyone remotely related to the incident and investigate one by one.

Selene sighed.

“Uncle Hernan still claims it was all for Astra.”

“He’d better say that or he’d be dead.”

“Milan’s unfortunate.”

“.......”

Milan, Hernan’s son, was also being questioned.

Fortunately, he and his mother both betrayed before everything was fully revealed, so it seems they avoided torture.

Selene and I chatted quietly as we entered the third basement floor.

When the door opened, collateral kids were gathered in one room.

‘Since they’re children, they weren’t locked behind bars.’

The room was fairly clean, and meals were properly served—trays full of dishes.

The cousins snickered watching the collateral kids.

Joffrey was smirking and teasing the scared collateral kids.

“You acted so arrogant. Why don’t you act arrogantly like before?”

“.......”

“Huh? Tell them if their parents aren’t dukes, the direct line is worse off than the collateral branch.”

“.......”

The collateral kids looked almost like they were about to cry.

“Sorry...”

“We were just swayed by Erekka’s words...”

Their voices dropped.

Then—

Knock knock, a mature voice came with a knock.

“As ordered, we brought Erekka Girard.”

Ayla quickly opened the door.

A man who seemed to be the prison warden said to the direct line.

“Please send her back quickly. If this leaks, it would be negligence on my part...”

“Got it.”

Joffrey waved his hand and approached Erekka.

“Serves you right. Huh?”

“.......”

“Got a mouth on you? Why don’t you yap like before?”

“.......”

“Wow, that outfit suits you well.”

The cousins snickered mocking Erekka.

Erekka twisted her hem tight.

‘Why... why do I have to suffer like this?!’

The main house officials, preparing for any emergency, took her beautiful clothes.

And gave her rags fit for beggars.

Joffrey hung his head and laughed.

“Did they cut your tongue off with torture? Huh?”

Then sparks flew from Erekka’s eyes.

“I haven’t been tortured!”

“What?”

“I said I haven’t been tortured yet. Don’t you know what that means?”

Erekka glared at the direct line and shouted.

“The duke knows I was wrongfully involved in this!’

“What? Hah, she still hasn’t come to her senses...”

“He knows I was deceived and feels sorry. I really thought this was for Astra’s sake!”

Yes.

She risked her life experimenting for Astra.

‘Then why am I treated like this?’

Why wear shabby slave clothes and be mocked?

She hadn’t washed for a week, and her beautiful blonde hair was matted with dust.

‘Compared to Erilot’s blonde...’

Erilot’s hair shimmered as if it smelled sweet.

Flowing gloriously like early summer sunlight...

Erekka glared at Erilot as if wanting to tear her apart.

“They’re keeping me here only because of the public eye, but they’ll release me soon.”

Liantin let out a hollow laugh.

“Still trapped in illusions? You’re fine because of the law! A child can only be judged after a crime is confirmed—”

“Did Lady Erilot fool you with that talk?”

“Why bring up Erilot?”

“Lady Erilot always feels inferior to me and tries to bring me down—”

Then—

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Viscount Debussy, the duke, and several retainers looked into the room.

“What is this? Calling out a key person for investigation without permission.”

Viscount Debussy scolded, and the direct line flinched.

Meanwhile, Erekka’s face brightened.

‘Finally. Finally the duke is here. To save me.’

The duke strode into the room.

Erekka spoke.

“D-Duke.”

“You.”

“Yes, I’m Erekka Girard!”

“Right, the one who harmed my granddaughter’s hand.”

‘What...?’