“Uh… while that is indeed true, how did you come to know it?” Edwin asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Then, as if a sudden realization struck him, he sighed, a knowing “So that’s it” escaping his lips. “It seems little Leya truly is connected to the Blonde Sword Princess, whose reputation has been soaring lately!”
“Hmph, it’s good that you know. That woman was the first to offend this young master, and no matter what, I cannot simply swallow this insult so easily!”
“Uh…”
Listening to Harvey’s impassioned declaration, Edwin was momentarily stunned. ‘Cannot simply swallow this insult easily’—what exactly did he mean by that?
One couldn’t blame Edwin for overthinking. If it were the usual Harvey, would he speak in such a manner?
Shouldn’t the normal script involve him loudly proclaiming he would personally cut her down, or perhaps, in a more aggressive scenario, be currently combing the streets with soldiers, searching for the Blonde Sword Princess?
How peculiar.
To resolve this nagging question and to subtly probe Harvey’s true thoughts about his young apprentice, Edwin promptly spoke.
“Haha… Young Master Harvey, you jest. She is merely a commoner, a girl at that. Why would she warrant such a grand display from you?”
He paused briefly, as if weighing his words, then continued, “However, since we’ve touched upon the subject… please do not fault this old man for speaking bluntly. I simply cannot comprehend it. Given your social standing and status, why would you constantly clash with commoners, especially a young girl this time? If word of this were to spread, it would likely affect not only you but your entire family!”
Edwin’s words were incisive, each one hitting its mark with precision.
Indeed, Harvey’s arrogance, haughtiness, and vengeful nature had long ceased to be a secret. His deplorable character was already widely known, even among the common folk in the northern regions.
Even the current Duke Edgar, who was also Harvey’s father, had chastised Harvey several times over this very issue. Unfortunately, such efforts had yielded minimal results.
Predictably, upon hearing Edwin’s blunt assessment, Harvey immediately felt his pride wounded. He let out a cold snort, forcing an air of composure, and spoke with an arrogant, yet twisted, logic.
“Clash with them? What a joke. Do they… even qualify?! That’s as ridiculous as someone asking this young master how many ants he stepped on today!”
“Then you still…”
“Still what!? If this young master were truly serious, everyone present that day would have died, do you believe that? Tsk…” Harvey grew agitated, nearly rising from his seat as he roared.
“But this young master spared them! Even that wretched old beggar and the two young pickpockets beside him—I didn’t pursue their transgressions afterward! They simply weren’t worth my efforts, do you understand? Haha… But she, she alone, is the one this young master can never forgive!”
“Moreover, someone who could single-handedly defeat the warriors this young master brought from the Northern Marches and escape unscathed? Tsk, tsk… a commoner? Is that even possible?”
****
Dong dong dong—
As an eerie silence settled in the room, a sudden, urgent knocking echoed from outside the door, almost as if on cue.
“Young Master, Young Master… there’s someone at the association’s entrance who…”
The messenger’s words were cut short. Harvey, already in a foul mood, became even more volatile, impatiently cutting them off. “Stop them! If they try to force their way in, knock them out and toss them onto the street. Tell them if they’re not satisfied, they can come find me again! Now, all of you, withdraw!”
“But… but she is…”
“Tsk… Who they are has nothing to do with this young master! Or perhaps you didn’t hear what I said, and you wish to suffer the same fate as them? If not, then now, immediately, at once, withdraw!”
“Uh… Yes!”
With such a clear command, the soldier outside the door dared not disobey. They could only slink away, tail between their legs, to relay the message.
Though a far more brutal hell might soon await them.
****
Meanwhile, on the first floor of the Magic Association’s main hall.
“Now, Miss Leya, if it’s truly impossible, perhaps we should just head back…”
“No, no, don’t worry, Elina. The head of this association is my master, so rest assured! We’ll be able to go up in no time!”
Having confidently made this declaration, Leya was also somewhat puzzled by the sudden influx of fully armed soldiers within the association today.
What was going on? Was martial law being declared, or was there a war brewing?
Especially after being informed that the second floor and above were now off-limits! When she inquired about the reason, she was told it was a classified matter, and they could not elaborate.
Hmm… Normally, Leya might have simply left. After all, if she couldn’t practice magic, she could always go back to practicing swordplay, or even just enjoy a stroll through the streets.
But today was different!
She had brought a girl out with her, after all!
Yes, Elina had expressed a desire to accompany her and see things for herself. Of course, Leya had initially refused. But Elina’s persistent pestering had eventually led to a compromise: ‘Just for one day, okay!’
Perhaps it was that last shred of chauvinism within her, but Leya truly didn’t want Elina, who had gone to such trouble to come all this way, to leave empty-handed. It was evident that Elina, having only recently recovered, was not in the best physical condition.
And more importantly, there was something Elina had said on their way here.
‘Wow! The Magic Association?! How… how amazing! I’ve wanted to see it for a long time! But I heard the membership fee is very expensive, and you have to pay a hefty monthly fee too, so… well, it always remained a dream. To be honest, I never… never thought I’d actually have the chance to go inside the Magic Association one day!’
So… since she had said all that, how could Leya possibly refuse now?!—
Besides, Leya didn’t consider it a big deal herself. Classified matter? What was that? She just wanted to go up and practice magic in the training room. She wouldn’t disturb anyone, and there were no practice rooms on the first floor, right?
Moreover, Leya’s master was the head of this association, wasn’t he? She had already had the soldier relay her identity. So, such a small matter should be fine, right?
Right?
She held onto this naive thought until the messenger soldier returned.
Only then, everything came crashing down.
“Alright, brothers! The young master has given orders: no one is allowed entry! If anyone tries to force their way in, knock them out and throw them onto the street!”
“Uh…”
She couldn’t believe her ears!
Leya’s brow immediately furrowed in displeasure. Disregarding Elina’s protests, she pulled her arm free from Elina’s grasp and walked directly in front of the soldiers guarding the staircase.
“Did my master say this himself?”
“Oh, Miss… We apologize. It’s truly not that we don’t want to help, haha… It’s just that there are strict orders from above.”
The soldiers treated Leya with considerable respect. Well, of course. They knew that eight out of ten people who entered this place were nobles. They, as mere soldiers, couldn’t afford to offend them, especially since Leya was the sole disciple of the Archsage Edwin.
Putting that aside, to be more pragmatic, simply based on Leya’s captivating beauty, few men would dare speak coldly to her. If there were any such kind-hearted souls, they were either lifelong bachelors or fools whose brains had been kicked by a donkey.
“From above… Alright, if that’s the case, then there’s nothing that can be done…”
Honestly!
At that very moment, Leya still wanted to let the matter rest. She simply didn’t have the energy, and more importantly, the power, to cause trouble right now.
But… reality often proves to be quite dramatic.
“Oh, by the way, Miss, our young master also said that if you have any complaints, you’re welcome to find him, hehehe…”
“…………”
W… WOCFUCK?
What kind of person could be so arrogant?!
“Uh… May I ask who your young master is?”
“Eh? Forget it, Miss, you wouldn’t want to provoke him. And if our young master were to see you, it would be too late for you to run…” the soldier teased.
“After all, he is the Sword of the Kingdom, the eldest son and first heir of the Edgar family of the Northern Marches, Harvey Edgar!”
“…………”