TCWFRW 04

Chapter 4

Lady Lorraine sensed something strange and narrowed her eyes.

“Where are you glaring again?! Don’t you know you are being punished because you were born wrong?!”

I didn’t answer. I took in another breath of the hot air.

The energy from my cultivation swirled inside me, and my heartbeat grew faster.

When that energy reached its peak—

I raised my head.

My gaze turned sharp, glowing faintly red.

Lady Lorraine and Layla both flinched.

If I set up a formation, I could kill them all before the knights arrived…

[Big sister, please! You have to stop!!]

Just as my fingers began to tremble and my vision blurred—

I felt Lili’s soul tightly hugging my waist.

And then—

“Madam! You must stop!”

A maid rushed into the garden in panic.

“The Young Duke! The Young Duke of Valentier has arrived at the front gate for an investigation!”

Lady Lorraine and Layla hurried away to greet him, leaving me behind.

[Big sister……]

Thump! Thump!

My heartbeat echoed loudly, and my mind suddenly cleared.

I almost fell into inner demon…

Inner demon meant deviation.

It was when a cultivator lost control, went mad, and used up all their energy—leading to death.

I had seen people fall into it because of greed and overtraining.

But for a true cultivator—

It should never happen.

If Lili hadn’t stopped me, I would have died miserably.

No matter what happens—

I must never forget who I am.

I am a cultivator.

One who will surpass humanity.

At that moment, a chill ran down my spine.

With that realization—

I broke through.

Qi Condensation Stage — Level 2.

[Big sister, are you okay now?!]

“…Were you scared?”

[Yes! There was a dark, scary thing swirling inside you! It was really frightening!!]

“I’m sorry.”

[No! But… how are you talking without speaking?]

“It’s something like voice transmission. Just a small trick.”

[Ugh, that sounds hard again!]

“Move quickly!”

The maids hurriedly removed my outer clothes and dragged me away so I wouldn’t be seen.

I let my body move with them.

[Big sister, don’t become scary like that again. I don’t like it.]

“…Alright. Thanks to you, I came back to my senses.”

I had to rely on a child like her to regain control.

…How shameful.

I must never fall into inner demon again.

As I stepped onto the stairs in the main hallway—

I saw a man.

“…Oh.”

A perfect body.

If I had possessed that body instead—

I could have conquered the world immediately.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Rize.”

The man walked toward me with long, confident steps.

His voice was deep and pleasant.

I glanced around.

The maids were all trembling with their heads lowered.

[Wow! It’s Lord Raiden!]

“…Who?”

[Raiden Valentier! The future Duke! He’s known as a genius even in the great Valentier family!

I didn’t really understand.

Maybe in my world, that would mean someone of the highest bloodline.

“Do you know him?”

[I know him, but he doesn’t know me. I just saw him once at a banquet… but he’s handsome!]

“…I see.”

After walking the path of cultivation—

Appearance meant nothing.

Being beautiful did not make someone strong.

Still—

I could judge beauty.

But I didn’t value faces.

If anything—

His body was far more impressive than his face.

[Big sister, greet him! Hold your dress and bow a little! Gracefully!]

“…What if I don’t?”

[You have to!!]

I clicked my tongue inwardly and controlled my expression.

“Nice to meet you.”

I greeted him as naturally as I could.

“Today, you look healthier than usual. Have you recovered?”

[That means your condition!]

I see.

This world’s language and habits—

I would need to learn them.

[Don’t worry! I’ll teach you like a great teacher!!]

Lili puffed her chest proudly.

…Such a kind child.

What kind of life did she go through to end up like this?

“I’m afraid I’m still not well. May I leave now?”

I spoke weakly, pretending to be sick.

I couldn’t let them know my body had improved.

“Lady, please wait a moment…”

He guided me down the hallway.

Then he spoke in a quiet voice.

“Have you seen Lady Lorraine possessing any items related to the Eastern Continent?”

Eastern Continent?

Suddenly—

Something came to mind.

“A scroll…?”

I muttered without thinking.

On the first day—

The writing I saw was not from this empire.

Maybe it was from the Eastern Continent.

But the Young Duke tilted his head.

“I am looking for a small rod with bells attached. It is considered dangerous…”

“Dangerous… Pfft— I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh.”

I couldn’t hold it in.

His broad shoulders, his firm muscles—

Even through his clothes, his body was perfectly defined.

His chest looked like the buttons might burst at any moment.

His lower body—

No need to even say more.

His body was truly… incredible.

And yet—

Dangerous?

That word didn’t suit him at all.

“What is funny?”

His expression hardened.

Ah… mistake.

“I’ve been laughing a lot lately. Something good will happen soon.”

“I… see. Congratulations. About the item—”

“I have not seen it.”

“I understand. If you need help, please come to me anytime.”

He left after that.

Help?

For this body?

I turned away lightly.

“Haha… how interesting.”

[Big sister! Why are you laughing?!]

“…That man is a genius?”

[Yes! He’s very strong! He won sword tournaments! Many ladies admire him like a knight on a white horse!]

“A knight on a white horse… do you like that?”

[Of course! Someone who comes to save you… I used to like that too— Aah!]

Lili blushed and disappeared.

I spoke toward where her soul was.

“Lili, are you listening?”

“I will become that person for you.”

“Your knight on a white horse.”

“I will become stronger than that man.”

“I will protect you when you are in danger.”

“So don’t blush for someone like him.”

Though she didn’t reply—

I knew she heard me.

My room was quiet again.

I sat on the floor and took a deep breath.

Then I focused on my body.

“Qi Condensation Stage… Level 2.”

My abilities had increased.

My body was now stronger than an average man.

Still—

Not enough to defeat someone like the Young Duke.

But compared to before—

It was a huge improvement.

Then—

Click.

Someone tried to open the locked door again.

“…Damn it.”

Just when I wanted peace.

Before I could open it—

The door unlocked.

“…What?”

They forced it open?

I stood up and met Layla’s eyes.

She smiled while holding the key.

“Big sister, why are you locking the door? What are you hiding?”

A maid next to her spoke:

“She did the same this morning! Miss Layla, you should teach her proper manners!”

It was the same maid from before.

“What do you want?”

“I came to give you good news! You should be grateful to have such a kind sister!”

Layla kept smiling.

Something felt wrong.

Why was she so happy?

“Did you see the Young Duke earlier?”

“….”

“He’s hosting a charity party this time!”

“And he specifically asked for YOU to attend.”