There Is No Mercy

Chapter 55

My mother, clearly concerned about me getting involved with Belietta, hesitantly started to speak as I set down the invitation.

Given what had happened in the past, her reaction was understandable.

I looked at my mother, her face still pale, and sighed as I tried to gather my thoughts.

“I don’t know yet. I’m busy, and I don’t really feel like going. It doesn’t sound fun either.”

Why would I walk into a place where nothing good is bound to happen? This invitation felt like a trap, plain and simple.

Smiling at my parents, who were still looking at me with concern, I tried to reassure them.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of going there by myself.”

“That’s a relief, but…”

Smiling again at my mother’s hesitation, I handed the letter over to Dayton, the butler.

“Butler, please send a formal reply to Belietta saying I won’t be able to attend due to family obligations. I doubt the Bozebourne will press further with that excuse.”

“Understood. However, I’m not sure that will settle everything.”

“Why? Is there something else on your mind?”

Dayton hesitated for a moment, then pressed his lips together before continuing.

“It’s not confirmed yet, but I’ve heard rumors that all the merchants and business partners connected with Brilloxen have been invited.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It’s not just the nobles who have been invited to Bozebourne’s hunting competition. Merchants and guild leaders have been included as well. That means most of the companies we have business with through Brilloxen have also received invitations. This is just a rumor for now, so it’s not confirmed, but it’s something to keep in mind.”

The thought of Belietta pulling in everyone connected to Brilloxen filled me with unease.

It wasn’t that strange for merchants to be invited to a hunting competition, but it was rare.

The number of invited merchants was usually very small.

If Belietta had intentionally invited all those business people…

‘Belietta…’

This was bait, a trap, and a challenge all wrapped up together.

Bozebourne had already stirred trouble with Brilloxen in the past, making things shaky. Even though many of our business partners had long-standing relationships with us, if Bozebourne decided to extend a hand, some of them could easily turn away.

After all, these merchants were businessmen, driven by profit.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they switched sides for better terms.

Some might stay out of loyalty, but many could very well leave.

And if we lost them, Brilloxen would definitely face a crisis.

“Where did you hear this rumor?”

“From the people who gather market intelligence. Since the guest list isn’t finalized yet, I didn’t want to report until it was certain, but if you request it, I can give a full report now.”

If the rumor included all those tied to Brilloxen, it meant this had been planned from the start.

“They spread the rumor on purpose.”

My father, who had been silently listening, voiced his thoughts.

I agreed with him. I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

Oh, Belietta, you really are something. I always knew you were cunning and smart, but I didn’t expect you to be this brazen.

‘Will you really not come, Sierra?’

Belietta was making it crystal clear.

If I didn’t show up, she would go after Brilloxen’s roots.

I had no way to stop people from attending the competition.

I couldn’t tell them not to go based on rumors.

As much as I hated to admit it, I had to acknowledge her cleverness.

Touching Rippleton and threatening Brilloxen at the same time—this wasn’t a simple scheme.

It was the combined result of Bozbourne’s influence and Belietta’s sharp mind.

“I’ll go. The invitation is to Brilloxen, not just you, Sierra, so there’s no issue if I attend.”

My father calmly put down his butter knife, noticing how much I didn’t want to go.

“No, I’ll go. You should stay with Mother. Besides, nothing major will happen. I’ll just stop by, talk with the relevant people, and leave. Ah, I’ll be heading off early. I have to wrap up some things before leaving for a few days. Enjoy the rest of your meal, and see you later.”

I kissed my parents on the cheek and turned to leave, their concerned eyes following me.

As soon as I turned my back, my smile vanished, replaced by a cold, hardened expression.

You really are starting again, Belietta. Threatening my family and our house…

“You’ve crossed the line, Belietta.”

I’ll make sure you realize just how far you’ve gone this time.

 

* * *

 

“Fiorétte, come here.”

Belietta lowered the bow she had been holding and called for Fiorétte.

Fiorétte, who had been waiting at a distance, approached her.

Belietta handed the bow to Fiorétte, motioning with her chin.

“Hit that target.”

Fiorétte glanced at the distant target, then took the bow.

It was a small, lightweight bow, the kind young noblewomen would use—not a large longbow or recurve bow.

She picked an arrow from the quiver, placed it on the string, and drew the bow effortlessly.

Though it required some strength, it wasn’t particularly challenging for Fiorétte.

Holding the bowstring, she glanced over at Belietta.

Belietta, observing Fiorétte’s stance, tilted her head when their eyes met.

“What are you waiting for? Shoot.”

At her command, the arrow flew, hitting the target dead center.

Belietta clapped in admiration, her expression full of praise.

“As expected, you’re really good. I can’t seem to shoot like that no matter how much I practice.”

“…No, Lady Belietta. I’m sure you’ll get better if you keep practicing.”

“Do you think so? I’m not sure about that.”

Belietta declined the bow that Fiorétte tried to return and instead pointed her finger toward the target.

“Try again.”

…What is she thinking?

Fiorétte wondered why Belietta was suddenly making her shoot arrows but quickly pushed the thought aside.

No need to question it—just do what you’re told.

She took another arrow from the quiver, not asking any more questions.

“Shoot.”

Once again, the arrow flew and struck the target.

Then, Belietta’s voice rang out.

“Again.”

Fiorette silently nocked another arrow.

Once again, “Shoot” echoed, followed by “Again.”

Fiorette, who had mechanically nocked the arrow, swallowed nervously.

“By the way, I got a message from Sierra. She said she’d accept my invitation.”

“That’s good news.”

“Isn’t it? I was relieved, too. We haven’t seen much of each other lately, so I thought she might not come. I was so happy when she said yes.”

“Shall I shoot?”

Fiorette, who had been holding the bowstring for a long time, bit her lip and asked.

Bellietta smiled and nodded.

Another arrow flew, and Fiorette’s eyes drifted to the side.

Bellietta gave her a questioning look, and Fiorette nocked another arrow.

“I’m glad Sierra’s coming, but I’m a bit worried.”

“May I ask what it’s about?”

“It’s not much, but people are talking. They’re saying our family deliberately scheduled the hunting tournament to overlap with the Rippleton monster hunt.”

Bellietta crossed her arms, looking frustrated.

“That’s not true at all. We’re trying to do something good, but people keep attaching all kinds of negative meanings to it. It’s frustrating and disappointing. My father seems worried about it too, and it’s been weighing on me.”

“…I’ll see what I can do.”

“Oh, really? That’d be a relief. I’ve been stressed about it. Oh! Shoot.”

The arrow flew and hit the target again.

Fiorette glanced at Belietta, wondering if that was enough.

Bellietta smiled as if to say, “What are you waiting for?” and spoke again.

“Nock another.”

“…”

Fiorette’s arm trembled slightly after shooting more than ten arrows in a row.

It wasn’t just the number of shots, but also the strain from holding the bowstring for so long. Her muscles were getting exhausted.

Unlike at the start, sweat was now dripping down Fiorette’s face, and her breathing grew heavier.

“Shoot.”

At Belietta’s words, another arrow flew and hit the target, followed by the word “Again.”

Fiorette, noticing that the quiver was nearly empty, nocked another arrow.

Belietta, watching the tense bowstring, spoke once more.

“Shoot.”

The arrow flew, and the word “Again” echoed once more.

“Again” and “Shoot” repeated over and over, and sweat dripped down Fiorette’s face.

When she nocked the last arrow and drew the bowstring back, breathing heavily, Belietta spoke.

“Relentless, aren’t you? Just like someone else I know.”

“Huh…?”

Hearing something other than “Shoot,” Fiorette turned her head in confusion, and her tired arm let go of the string.

Before she could react, the arrow flew past the target and embedded itself in the ground behind it.

It was the first arrow that missed the target.

“Haa… Haa…”

Gasping for breath, Fiorette slowly turned her head to look at Belietta, who was laughing at the arrow stuck in the ground.

Belietta’s eyes, which had been gazing forward, now focused on Fiorette.

In that moment, Fiorette understood why she had to shoot so many arrows.

‘Of course, you’re good at this. I could never hit the target, no matter how much I tried.’

‘Because you kept hitting the target…’

Unlike Belietta, who had never hit the target, Fiorette had to keep shooting since she kept hitting the mark, even as her strength and focus wavered.

She had to keep shooting until she missed.