When I stared back at him, Duke Luteous spoke sternly.
“You need to relearn table manners.”
“Isn’t it inappropriate for someone who barged in during someone else’s mealtime to say such things?”
“Astel!”
“Don’t raise your voice. Do I still look like a frightened, stuttering child who trembles when you shout at her?”
“….”
My gaze clashed with Duke Luteous’s.
Surprisingly, it was Duke Luteous who backed down first.
He calmly took a sip of water, diffusing the tension in the air.
Duke Luteous’ retreat wasn’t due to any remorseful feelings towards Astel.
It was simply a strategic concession to extract more from me.
“It seems it’s too early for a meal.”
“I moved a bit, and now I‘m so hungry. I’m going to start eating now, so if you have something to say, please hurry. I’ll go to bed right after the meal.”
Duke Luteous’ jaw stiffened at the rude tone.
However, instead of raising a fuss, he explained the situation calmly.
“This morning, a gigantic tower appeared in the sky above the Gray Forest. We don‘t know how it can float, where it came from, or what its purpose is. We couldn’t find anything.”
Indeed, the destruction caused by the Holy See has arrived in this world as well.
I sighed. It was something I had already anticipated, and having experienced it once before.
I finely sliced the steak and put it in my mouth.
“The monsters that attacked the mansion were those that came out of the gate in the Hegea Plaza nearby.”
“….”
“Even with the involvement of the magic tower, the temple, and the royal palace, we couldn‘t subdue the monsters. They kept coming back to life no matter how many we killed. It’s as if the end of the world has come.”
Duke Luteous’ tone was dry. There was no change in his emotions, as if he had been waiting for the invasion.
He lifted his dark green eyes and stared at me.
“However, there have been sightings of individuals with abilities. People who can completely eliminate the monsters. We managed to overcome the crisis with their help, but it‘s not over yet. The tower hasn’t disappeared.”
“….”
“In response to this, His Majesty has named these individuals Hunters and promised them full support. Furthermore, he has instructed the mausoleum to research the Hunters and the monsters, the temple to monitor potion supplies and gate appearances… Astel, are you listening?”
I closed my eyes and savored the steak. Only then did I open my eyes.
But I couldn’t respond. If I opened my mouth, I felt like I would let out a sigh of admiration.
‘It’s fucking delicious!’
The texture and flavor of the meat, the harmony with the sauce, and the tingling sensation on the tip of my tongue…
‘It‘s not just tasty, it’s art!’
My nostrils flared. Somehow, it felt like tears were about to well up.
“The food doesn‘t suit your taste buds? If that’s the case, instead of lingering, you should ask for a change in the dish.”
I focused on the food without retorting.
‘What nonsense? It just tastes good’
— Anonymous Holy See: I don’t think she even know what expression she have now, lol
— Anonymous Holy See: It looks like she is chewing on the flesh of their enemies, not eating meat, you know?
— Anonymous Holy See: Nah, it‘s not that extreme. It’s just the expression of chewing on a tire.
“Astel, become the Hunter of House Luteous.”
Finally, we got to the main point. The conclusion was for me to step forward as the representative of the family.
When will they stop treating me like an eyesore and shove me into some side building?
“Is it to protect the people of this house? In that case, I refuse.”
“You should know how to protect your own life. Becoming a Hunter is about elevating the honor of the family.”
I leisurely wiped the corners of my mouth with a napkin.
“And what will be the reward?”
“…What did you say?”
“If I become the Hunter of House Luteous, what will you give me, Your Grace?”
“Are you daring to negotiate with me?”
“You catch on quickly.”
Duke Luteous slammed his fist on the table.
Thud!
The heavy 6-seater marble table shook.
I, too, looked straight at Duke Luteous and slammed the table with my hand.
Thump!
Even though it was just the palm of my hand, it made a sound as if I had struck the rock with a hammer.
Then, the marble table, as dry as a parched field, cracked open and collapsed with a thud.
As a result, the plates that were piled up high toppled over and shattered, creating a tumultuous noise.
“Whoa, whoa!”
“Ah!”
Even though the startled employees screamed in surprise, Duke Luteous and I remained seated in our chairs without moving.
‘Indeed, my strength has increased. Maybe Astel inherited the business. Do I resemble my father?’
With the debris of shattered marble pieces, food, and shards of glass strewn around, I glared at Duke Luteous.
“Power is not something only you, Your Grace, can wield.”
“So, are you trying to show off your strength in front of me?”
“Yes, I want to see. Your Grace, you also enjoy showing off, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do enjoy it. It was the only flaw, but now it has finally become something worthy of pride. However, I won’t spare it.”
“Do as you please. In return, you must pay a price every time you boast.”
“Why should I do that? Everything in Luteous Castle belongs to me.”
“Are you delusional? It was you who provoked me, Your Grace.”
“I am the one who let you tarnish the family without taking action. If I wanted to discard you, I wouldn’t have done it in such a way.”
“Oh, is that so? Then please, allow me to make a request. Duke Luteous, would you kindly excommunicate me from the family?”
I leaned back leisurely in my chair.
“It‘s fine if you take the castle. No, I would actually prefer it if you did. I’ve grown sick of the name Luteous.”
Duke Luteous’ narrow, elongated eyes narrowed even further with intensity.
He, too, had been a renowned knight in his prime.
Although he had abandoned his sword after his wife’s death, he had not lost the aura of a seasoned predator.
As he scrutinized me as if dissecting my thoughts, he let out a brief laugh.
Somehow, I felt dirty from that satisfied smile.
“Very well, tell me the desired price.”
“Let’s keep it clean and settle with money. The details will be specified in the contract.”
“A contract, you say.”
“Wouldn‘t it be more convenient for Your Grace to have a contract? Can’t you trust me?”
“…I will prepare it.”
It would be best for him to hurry. Soon, the value of my services will rise.
I deliberately omitted the part about leaving the house.
The plan for independence should be executed after the contract is written. That way, the impact will be greater.
‘How would he react if I said I would leave the house right after signing the contract?’
Would he express his anger by slamming the table like he did today?
Or would he calmly instruct me with a face that wouldn’t even flinch?
‘In reality, he probably wouldn’t even care.’
As long as I bear the name of Luteous, it is true that I am the Hunter of the family.
As long as that condition is maintained, I don’t care where I live.
What matters to him is that.
The value his child possesses.
‘So, it would have been easy for him to discard a worthless child like me.’
Duke Luteous stood up immediately as soon as the matter was settled.
With a height exceeding 180cm, a flawlessly tailored suit without a single wrinkle, a sturdy physique, and a refined appearance.
Looking nothing like a middle-aged man, he spoke languidly.
“Now, let your true nature show.”
“Goodbye.”
“Is that your way of saying you don’t like it?”
“Yes.”
“Astel, you are my daughter and the Princess of the Luteous family. That fact will never change. So, distinguish between what you can stubbornly insist on and what is unacceptable.”
Among the voices I heard after possessing her, that was the most absurd.
“A daughter? Now? Is that what she is saying?”
I slowly stood up and straightened my back.
“I have one question. If I had not subdued the monster today, if I had remained as the old Astel, would you still have behaved like this? Would you have personally come to the separate residence, endured my anger, and told me to let my true nature show?”
“…”
Duke Luteous did not offer any response.
“I knew you wouldn’t.”
Rather than telling lies, he chose to keep his mouth shut. That was his nature.
Due to his almost obsessive-compulsive nature, he couldn‘t tolerate the slightest flaw. He couldn’t even utter a word.
If he had shown even a hint of flexibility, he wouldn’t have been so rigid in this situation.
He probably would have shed tears and tried to manipulate with all sorts of sweet words.
“Time’s up. The opportunity is over. Please leave.”
“…So, you’re rejecting what comes from your true nature?”
“I’ve already told you. I decline.”
“It seems you won’t break your stubbornness…”
“You‘re misunderstanding. I’m not being stubborn or acting out right now. Those are behaviors that occur when one wants something. But I don‘t want anything. That’s something you should keep in mind, Your Grace.”
“In that case, what does your current behavior mean?”
“I reject proposals with unclear intentions beyond the terms of the contract. I don’t want to accept just anything and end up regretting it later.”
Duke Luteous made a peculiar expression. It was as if he was facing a stranger.
Now, he finally felt a sense of unfamiliarity. Finally.
‘How could you realize now, after not caring about your daughter for so long?’
He was no longer angry. He was just pitiful and pathetic.
“Why do you call me ‘Your Grace’?”
“Some events can change a person.”
“Is it because of awakening as a hunter? Yes, indeed, it seems like you’ve changed. Your weak and dependent attitude has vanished.”
“I’ve decided to live fiercely from now on.”
“Fiercely… Let’s see how long you can keep that up.”
“Please do.”
After Duke Luteous left, I also went up to my bedroom.
I meticulously washed up and lay down on the bed, intending to sleep, but the conversation window was buzzing.
— Anonymous Holy See: Astel, haven‘t you checked the tutorial rewards? Astel, haven’t you checked the tutorial rewards? Astel, haven‘t you checked the tutorial rewards? Astel, haven’t you checked the tutorial rewards? Astel, haven’t you checked the tutorial rewards?
— Anonymous Holy See: No spamming.
— Anonymous Holy See: Just a bit!!! Figure it out yourself!!!
— Anonymous Holy See: You‘ve been like this since earlier. I’m so bored, so check it for me, please.
First, I banned the Holy See that was spamming.
“If it’s about the tutorial reward, is it the fragment of memory?”
It‘s probably memories from a past life. One of the significant events that I can’t recall.
But I had no interest in past life memories or secondary awakenings.
There was no reason for me to further strengthen myself here.
‘Why bother increasing my power when I intend to have fun and enjoy life?’
What I needed wasn’t memories from the past or points that were used in the store.
“Just money!”
However, there was no need to let the Holy Sees know about such thoughts.
‘Oh, I forgot. I’ll check it now.’
[System: Would you like to replay the first fragment of memory?]
[YES] / [NO]
“Yawn…”
I chose [YES] while yawning.
