Chapter 24
“Supporting those wretches…?”
“Calling them wretches is inaccurate.”
Though he now lived in seclusion, Silvan Hallhoren was once celebrated as a genius.
And his daughter, Kalmia, had awakened to Core Level Two, just like Meitenche.
It was only natural that she would rise much higher in the future.
“Right now, everyone’s blinded by anger, but this is exactly when we should be seeking advantage.”
Her father frowned in silence.
“Those who are hated by the others—what meaning could there be in being the first to extend a hand and place them in our debt?”
“Then what is it you’re suggesting?”
Lila stifled a short sigh. Her father always grew irritable when he failed to grasp the point, so she spelled it out as though feeding him a spoonful.
“That girl will face severe opposition at the upcoming Hallhoren Assembly. If we can help her at the right time…”
“Hmm…”
As Lila carefully laid out the reasoning step by step, her father gave a half-hearted nod.
“Well… fine. I understand. I’ll review that matter myself.”
“Yes, Father.”
But even then, the Lord of the Behe family pressed his forehead, grimacing with a troubled expression.
After a pause, Lila cautiously continued.
“And, Father… regarding the approval for the next successor to the family head…”
His sharp eyes turned on her, full of disapproval.
“Do you think anything will change? Even with Nergal’s Trial, the Assembly will handle other matters as usual.”
“…Yes, of course.”
“If you’ve time for idle thoughts, spend it on your work. Is there anything you can do to help me in this matter?”
“I only wished to ask if—”
“Enough. Focus on the accounts you’re in charge of. Do not meddle in your father’s greater affairs. I forgave your insolence today because of the occasion, but I will never allow it again. Remember that.”
“…Yes, Father.”
Lila bowed her head and swiftly left his chamber.
She had long grown accustomed to insults and even blows, but that did not mean she felt no wound from them.
Still, she endured—for the chance to finally secure the position of successor.
This annual Assembly was her long-awaited opportunity.
“Just a little longer…”
But as she rounded a corner, a young woman leaned against the wall with a sly smile.
“My, sister. Your cheek is badly swollen. Shall I fetch you an ice pack?”
Lila moved to pass her without answering, but Suzanna would not let her go.
“Why do you always invite punishment? It’s fine for your looks to be lacking, but if your mind is lacking too, that’s truly tragic.”
Her words, dripping with false concern, made Lila’s stomach churn at the very word sister.
Both girls were twenty-six years old. Suzanna, born a few months later, always sneered by addressing Lila as “elder sister.”
As one might guess from that detail, the two were half-sisters. Suzanna was the illegitimate daughter, born of a mistress.
The Hallhoren domain was known for accepting talent regardless of birth, but that did not make the existence of bastards respectable.
Mistresses had no rights, and bringing them into the household was a grave taboo.
Yet the Lord of Behe despised his lawful wife for her plain appearance, favoring his mistress instead.
It was bitterly ironic—for the Behe family had been weak until Lila’s mother brought them wealth through her dowry.
Unable to bear the humiliation, Lila’s mother had eventually succumbed to illness and died when Lila was still young.
Her father had wanted to marry his mistress as a second wife, but doing so would forfeit the wealth his first wife had left.
So he left the position of wife vacant, while openly doting on Suzanna and her mother.
Thus, Lila became the neglected child of the family.
But no matter how she was treated, she was still the legitimate daughter—the heiress by right.
“Suzanna, everything you eat, wear, and flaunt in luxury comes from my mother’s fortune.”
“…!”
“As long as I live as her daughter, this household’s wealth will never be yours. Remember that.”
With that, Lila shut the door behind her, leaving Suzanna glowering with venom.
A moment later, Suzanna’s face softened into sweetness. She turned and walked toward her father’s study.
“Father… you look so tired.”
“Suzanna… You’re the only one who understands me.”
“No, I’m the one who’s lacking.”
With a gentle smile, Suzanna clasped his hand.
“What did my sister say just now?”
“Hmm, well…”
The Lord of Behe recounted everything Lila had said, including her suggestion.
Suzanna’s face hardened.
“What nonsense. Supporting Silvan Hallhoren and his daughter, who have no standing? That’s absurd.”
“Exactly. I thought so too. To think my own daughter would suggest something so foolish.”
“We should do the opposite—ally with the families who resent them. Crush them completely.”
“Indeed, indeed! That’s my clever girl. You’re far more capable than your sister, who can only count coins.”
“Once I become the successor, Father, I’ll be able to help you even more.”
At those words, his gaze turned unfocused, almost dazed.
“Yes… yes, you will. It makes me glad to think of it.”
“If that means my sister must be… removed along the way, then it can’t be helped. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes… yes. You’ll be acknowledged soon as successor, and that thought alone delights me.”
Suzanna’s lips curved into a cold smile.
Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous, foreboding light.
One Week Later
At dawn, I was set to travel to Eisadra Castle, where the regular Assembly would be held.
The castle wasn’t the family’s main seat, but a separate estate often used for banquets and events.
“Haa… I’m nervous.”
The Hallhoren territory was vast, too vast for the Grand Lord to oversee every detail personally.
So while he determined the overall direction and major matters, other issues were addressed at the regular Assembly.
Contentious issues were put to a vote—somewhat similar to a modern parliament.
Those who held voting rights were called Delegates, chosen from among the most prominent noble families of the Hallhoren domain.
For instance, Marie, the mother of Burfure, had once been such a Delegate.
The Assembly was no minor institution—it carried real influence.
Among its duties was reviewing those children sent from the Tower of Command to join the main family.
This procedure was formally called “Nergal’s Trial.”
In truth, however, it was little more than a confirmation hearing. The child would sit before the Delegates, who would ask questions about their background and values, sometimes test their skills, or request a demonstration of magic.
Rarely did anyone fail. After all, if the Grand Lord himself had ordered the child be accepted into the main family, who dared oppose without a grave reason?
“Yes… unless a truly serious fault were exposed.”
Which meant, of course, that the vultures were already circling, eager to manufacture such a fault for me.
But before that main course, there was the appetizer.
On the way to Eisadra Castle, I was to stop at Palmos Rest, halfway between the Tower and the main seat.
There, I was meant to meet my father and continue on with him.
“…But that’s only the official excuse.”
In truth, there was someone else I was meant to meet at Palmos.
