Survival 84

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“Welcome.”

Fern.

No, Wolbaek, the regional chief of the Central Thieves Guild, cocked her head at me.

Her faded blond hair and strong jawline were reflected in her dark eyes.

Soon, the corners of her eyes, revealed above her folding fan, curved beautifully.

“You’ve dyed your hair and become more robust. Even your demeanor has changed. Apart from your voice, I wouldn’t have recognized you, and it hasn’t been long since we parted.”

“How could that be.”

I promptly threw off the wig in a natural gesture of flattery.

And with it, the pieces of leather I had over my face.

“Hmm. My room was just cleaned, and now it’s going to be dirty again. It’s going to be troublesome to welcome guests.”

Including the fluff I stuffed inside my clothes for disguise.

As those flurries danced around the room, Wolbaek’s complexion solidified in real-time.

But I just shrugged nonchalantly.

It’s her fault for teasing me so shamelessly despite knowing such inconveniences.

“There are other guests in line. This is troublesome.”

“Ha-ha. Maybe we can do something with this dressing table for now?”

“Let’s go with that for now.”

Wolbaek, who had shown a troubled expression, silently passed it off with a wry smile.

The debt of life.

In the Manhett Empire, for curing Hanhyul syndrome, a disease deemed incurable, she was quite lenient towards me.

Me? I’m also generous towards her, in my own way, following my standards.

“Anyway, you came in a hurry. As far as I know, the dormitory head here is someone who bristles at the sight of nobles.”

“Given the importance of the matter. It was tough pretending to be a devout religious follower to avoid the warden’s obstruction, but you know? The value of information secured in advance.”

In the original story, it might have been half or less significant, but for me, it’s about Luciana’s fate at the academy, which could go either way.

Reconfirming the information I knew from the original story.

And the potential appearance of characters I might not know.

Considering all that, I had requested information from her.

“You’re cautious.”

“Thank you for the compliment. So, what about the information on the students?”

She pulled out an antique scroll from the long sleeves characteristic of the East and handed it over.

“Here it is. This document briefly summarizes key students entering the academy this year.”

Standing with her fists on her hips and shrugging her shoulders, there was a sense of pride in her profession.

However.

“Seriously?”

Am I supposed to unroll this scroll every time I want to check the documents?

Seriously?

“You don’t understand romance.”

When I stared at her intently, she sighed and pulled a bundle of documents from her other sleeve.

I quickly scanned the documents, focusing on the listed names.

[Garon Manhett]

[Luke Daimon]

[Theodor Treha]

These three names caught my eye first.

‘As expected, all the male lead candidates are at the top.’

The chosen individuals connected to the original protagonist.

Following were detailed descriptions of each character.

As the main characters of the game, their appearances hardly needed rating.

All possessing perfect features as if painted, with tall and handsome appearances.

“Ugh, how annoying.”

“……?”

“Ah, I forgot there was someone watching. Let’s pretend you didn’t hear my unguarded thoughts.”

Wolbaek nodded silently at the customer’s request.

However, she couldn’t hide her smirk, even though she kept her mouth shut.

I also pretended not to notice.

Just as Oparn had done with his kind nature and occasionally melancholic eyes.

The other male leads also had their own charms.

Luke, gentlemanly on the surface but a cunning snake inside, perhaps even more so than a seasoned noble.

Theodor, young and passionate, shouting about honor, brotherhood, and justice.

And the one who is cold to others but warm only to the protagonist, a guy without manners.

Moreover, they had one more advantage that Oparn didn’t — their background.

Wolbaek, fluttering her fan, casually mentioned,

“By the way, this year’s freshmen could rightly be called a golden era. Not to mention the crown prince, but to have the scions of all the ducal families from every region in one batch.”

“…Indeed. The dean must be having a headache, to receive such high-profile individuals.”

Yes.

The royal family of the Central, the Treha ducal family from the East, the Daimon ducal family from the South…

Not only of the noblest birth but also possessing outstanding abilities, it made sense they topped the document.

[Luciana Speda]

[Camilla Loberk]

Below them were the daughters of ducal families I was well aware of,

[Oparn]

[Riki Circleia]

‘She really has good information.’

Promising new mercenaries appearing like comets and the successors of the Magic Tower.

And all the potential male lead candidates were included without omission.

‘I wish the saintess would end up with a male lead other than the crown prince.’

Ah, of course, it’s the same for Luciana not to end up with the crown prince.

It’s merely my wish for Luciana’s happy future.

‘Indeed, it’s necessary to keep probing.’

With the royal family as the strongest backing, at this point, his apparent advantages would far outweigh his irredeemable flaws.

At the very least, to the extent that the protagonist would frown upon just seeing the crown prince.

It was crucial to drive a wedge between them firmly.

“Excellent work. I’m pleased.”

“Hehe, no, it’s not just you. Many people want this information, so I took care of it while I was at it.”

Of course, I gave you the best information, she implied with a playful wink, which I chose to ignore as I delved into thought.

After all.

The academy itself is a massive social arena.

Even simple information like whether someone is from the imperial faction or the nobility faction would be helpful.

‘Especially since most are ignorant about other regions aside from their own ducal families.’

This ignorance makes the Thieves Guild thrive in handling information.

Just looking at Wolbaek, who took a hefty sum from me, her cherry lips puckered at 2 and 10 o’clock, it was easy to guess.

As I was about to ask something,

“You know why the saintess isn’t included. Of course, I deliberately omitted the name of my benefactor.”

“I express my gratitude.”

Her response came back neatly and sensibly, fitting for a competent individual.

I should be supporting Luciana from behind.

Having my name on such a document would do me no good, likely for the same reason the saintess’s information wasn’t handled.

‘Selling information but getting marked by the temple would be a loss far greater than the gain.’

“However, I can’t interfere with requests from other branches, so it might be mentioned there.”

“Do you think I’m that significant? I’m merely a third son of a baronial family.”

“You lack self-awareness. You’ve already become a controversial figure who emerged like a comet, to the extent that other branches have asked for cooperation multiple times. Aren’t you the champion of that martial contest?”

I turned away from Wolbaek, who countered my argument with facts.

Avoiding unfavorable topics was basic in conversation.

“Ahem! And this is an urgent request I have for you.”

“Oh, we always welcome additional requests from our premium customers. As long as you have the corresponding amount ready.”

Was it my imagination?

Her black eyes seemed to flicker momentarily with the gleam of gold coins.

“…Is there no discount?”

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have taken off my disguise.’

Considering my servant’s salary and the money earned from moonlighting as a thief were barely enough.

Feeling a belated regret, I awkwardly smiled.

***

“Hmm~.”

Even while mopping the floor, Bathory couldn’t stop the humming that bubbled up.

‘The first tribute from a minion. Never before have I found work hours this hard to endure.’

In truth, she had experienced tributes countless times before.

During her reign as a regional ruler.

Tributes towards herself, the ruler, piled up like mountains every other day.

Countless relics whose names were hard to remember.

Mountains of gold and platinum stacked high.

High-quality blood from monsters and demons.

The sweet scent of blood swirling in a glass…

As she reminisced about her past glory, she now wrung out a mop.

With a sweep, suddenly.

The floor being cleaned so neatly was quite satisfying.

‘Back then, even when I received something valuable, I felt no excitement.’

Perhaps it was because there was no lack of them, as if they were as common as dust.

Or perhaps it was because it was a tribute from her first vassal.

Bathory herself couldn’t distinguish the reason.

However, there was no denying that she was enjoying the moment…

“Keep it down. You’re interrupting my enjoyment of the tea.”

Such a disturbance shattered her happiness.

Bathory glared at a woman who, even at a glance, was sitting at a stark, undecorated table leisurely drinking the tea she had made.

“…Such a narrow-minded master. How can you earn the loyalty of your subordinates if you treat your maid so poorly?”

“Hmph. I have no need for the loyalty of demons. So, as I commanded, quietly do your job properly.”

Grinding her teeth in secret, she dipped the now dirty rag back into the water.

Always bitter in her tasks, her nature was truly narrow-minded.

‘Frost Mane, you need to broaden your vision.’

What can be done?

A contractor must know how to generously embrace even the mistakes of their vassal.

Imagining a bright future that would someday arrive, Bathory had already cooled her anger.

-Knock knock.

“Excuse me, Lady Luciana. May I enter?”

Just in time, a person who could melt this cold conflict appeared, turning not only the warrior’s descendant but also her head towards the door.

“Come in.”

Under her permission, he showed himself from beyond the door.

“You’re late. Did you gather the information successfully?”

“Of course. Even the lowliest ones have their uses. I’ve obtained it from those who specialize in handling information among them.”

Just as she was about to join the conversation with her vassal in a welcoming mood.

“Well done. You can leave for today.”

The warrior’s descendant coldly decreed.

Though it was called leaving, Bathory saw it clearly.

‘Tell my servant to stop bothering me and leave the room.’

The despicable command to leave was as cold as winter.

“What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to leave? I have important matters to discuss with my servant, not for a maid to overhear.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Bathory. It’s certainly a conversation that requires secrecy.”

And cruelly,

The vassal also said with a troubled expression.

“…Understood.”

Normally, she might have slammed the door to express her feelings.

-Did you get it? A maid must always hide her emotions in front of her master!

Perhaps it was thanks to the etiquette training forcibly taught by the head servant.

Instinctively, she closed the door as gently as possible.

“…Displeasing.”

Only after returning to her room did Bathory honestly express her feelings.

The rudeness committed by the descendant of the warrior was less displeasing than the bitter smile shown to her by her only vassal.

“Couldn’t you side with me, just for a moment…”

The fluffy mood crashed into a mire in an instant.

A profound sadness washed over her as she hugged her knees together, contemplating her own situation.

Then, suddenly, the firmly locked door opened without any warning.

“An intruder? Dare to invade my quarters.”

It was a fortunate moment.

Just as a sharp magical power was gathering at her fingertips, since contract magic did not reach this place,

“And your alarm spell, too. You really should pay more attention to security.”

The tension she had built up relaxed at the sight of the intruder, who was now grinning at her.

“…What are you doing here?”

Upon reflection,

She was the one who would visit, never having been visited by Frost Mane, and her complaints about him quickly turned into a terse tone.

“What other reason would I have to come here, if not to see Lady Bathory?”

‘What?!’

An unexpectedly warm, almost scalding hand overlapped with her own.

Just as that hand was about to leave, bringing a sense of loss,

Something slid into her hand.

“Didn’t I tell you? I was preparing the finishing touch to the tribute.”

“This is…?”

“A gift solely for Lady Bathory, who, like me, has a discerning taste in gourmet experiences.”

Bathed in the glow of the full moon shining through the window,

Frost Mane spread his arms wide.

“A platinum chain to complement your blonde hair and enhance your beauty, Lady Bathory! Indeed, my taste was correct! You look absolutely beautiful!”

He was always a man of flattery, but this time, Bathory could recognize,

That this compliment was sincere.

“And it doesn’t stop there. Try touching the jewel in the middle.”

The centerpiece of the necklace,

The gem, reflecting a brilliant red light, fell out as soon as she touched it.

“Such poor preparation for you. It lacks durability… Such a shame for the ruby set as a decoration.”

“Ha ha, how could that be? It’s all intentional. It’s something more meaningful than a ruby. Why don’t you try biting it?”

Biting into a hard jewel?

Surprised by the absurd response, her true thoughts inadvertently slipped out.

“I can never understand your diet.”

“It’s a request from your vassal. Just try it once, pretending to be fooled. For a gourmet like Lady Bathory, you’ll understand it in no time!”

Bathory smirked at the exaggerated praise that elevated her status.

“Fine. With that kind of dedication, I’ll give it a try…”

However, her words were cut off before she could finish.

Crunch—

Under the sharp fangs, the sensation of crumbling followed by

The concentrated sweetness enveloping her tongue.

The pleasant feeling of fullness filled her blood pouch.

It was the supreme delicacy she had tasted before, making Bathory’s rose-colored pupils fully bloom.

“Ah…!”

“Ta-da. It wasn’t a ruby, but a magic stone filled with my blood. How does it taste to you?”

The phrase ‘to your taste’ was an understatement.

The crispy texture added to the sweet, rich, and fragrant flavor.

Not even the finest wine could possess such taste.

This surprise was truly a first in Bathory’s life.

“Such a necklace should pose no problem to conceal within your attire. I will continue to provide you with such jewels from time to time. As demons like us, let’s survive well in the lands of humans.”

“…Hehe, mere words.”

“Not at all. The enrollment ceremony tomorrow, and someday the graduation ceremony as well. You will always be by my shadow, won’t you?”

His pale neck, spouting such smooth words, caught her eye.

A neck that her fangs should someday penetrate and claim as her own was unprotectedly showcasing its beauty.

“Leave it to me. I will protect you from anyone who tries to harm you.”

Such actions would surely only be before her.

The sorrow from moments ago melted away as if it were snow.

A deep connection with her vassal that no one else could infringe upon.

Just confirming that was satisfaction enough for Bathory.

“Having received such a tribute, I cannot simply stand by. I have something to pass on to you.”

“Hm?”

Toward Frost Mane, who tilted his head slightly, Bathory smiled, revealing her fangs.

“Though it may be a bit early, shall we discuss the next stage of blood magic?”

Her red eyes, reflecting the full moon, glamorously shone their light.

The loneliness and gloom from before had long been washed away.

Bathory, extending a hand to her precious vassal, smiled joyfully.

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