IDEFYEM - Chapter 40
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
"I've been hiding this fact for a while, but I'm actually a wizard."
I said, taking back the burning flame from my fingertips.
In fact, it is nothing more than a decoration and is of little use in real life. There don't seem to be any high-ranking wizards here, so I just need to gain public opinion somehow.
I could hear people gasping in surprise.
"Wintersoar's eldest daughter was a wizard?"
"Didn't she only stay at the Duke's residence because of her weak health?"
Amidst the whispering, I immediately cleared my throat and spoke. I had to bring this now-reversed atmosphere to my own.
"On the first day of the banquet, I was exploring the forest with my escort when I heard a scream coming from nearby."
"Ah, that Lady back then... !"
Someone in the crowd spoke as if they had realized something. When I made eye contact with him, the memories of that time came back to me.
"Boo, I'm sure hunting banquets have been held for several years and nothing like this has happened.. A large monster was just seen."
He was the first witness I encountered. I greeted him warmly and called him over.
"It just so happened. Would you please come here and help me testify?"
He seemed to pause for a moment, but then he seemed to have made up his mind and walked out.
"This is Tom of the Hylo family. It is just as you said."
"What are you suddenly saying when you haven't said anything until now?"
Martha's friend shouted sharply.
Tom seemed taken aback by the pouring of evil looks and attention. But soon he opened his mouth and began to speak.
"On the first day of the banquet, I started hunting with a group of friends. We were making bets with each other."
"..."
"While driving the fox into the deep grass, I heard a scream and went closer with my friends."
"..."
"There was a big monster there. It disappeared quickly without harming anyone, but while I was confused and didn't know what to do, the Lady came."
The voice that listed all the facts became increasingly calm. Having a witness was the crucial difference between Martha and me.
I didn't think anything good would come of bringing Kael in, so I spoke up instead.
"If I had told everyone about it, it would have caused more confusion than it is now. Rather, I decided it would be more effective to track down the monster and deal with it right away."
The excitement grew at the honest answer. A middle-aged man with the appearance of a dignified knight opened his mouth.
"It was a reckless decision. If you had failed, the unarmed people would have suffered great harm."
It was a completely understandable statement, so I chose an apology instead of an excuse.
"I don't regret my decision, but I agree with what you pointed out. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize."
It was a clear apology that could no longer raise issues.
"While we were chasing the monster, an accident occurred where we lost control of our excited horses, and we, that is, me and the escort driver, fell off the cliff."
I continued the explanation without mentioning the mysterious assassins.
"I was swept away by a waterfall and pushed to a far place, and the moment I got out, I encountered a monster. I took away the monster's eyesight using the flame magic I showed you earlier."
In addition, I tried to describe the battle in as much detail as possible.
"But the blade could not fit through its thick scales, and I was able to end the battle by stabbing it through the gap in its mouth that opened to attack me."
I reached into my pocket and took out a magic stone and a fang.
"I can also show you these magic stones and teeth collected from monsters as evidence."
As I rubbed the surface of the stone, a brilliant light moved along my fingertips. People who had no connection to magic cried out in surprise when they saw the mysterious scene.
"Well, then there is no more danger? What are the chances of it appearing again?"
A noble lady asked me a question in a weak voice.
"I used a tracking spell and confirmed that there were no remaining individuals nearby. You can rest assured, just like you have done so far."
"Why did this happen? I have never heard of a monster appearing in the royal forest."
Another person asked that question even though he was watching. I somehow felt like a representative officially dispatched to handle the accident.
The original reason I went out was to prove that I had hunted monsters. With the facts so clear, people suddenly began to ask essential questions.
"What I can say for sure is that it is a very rare accident...."
At this point, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at the royal family. Not only am I concerned about Kael's position. No matter what anyone says, I'm a snob.
"It does not appear to have happened due to negligence in management. It was just bad luck."
For the first time in front of people, the man who wore the royal military uniform and was in charge of the proceedings was seen secretly sighing with relief. At that time, I heard someone whispering in a lower voice.
"Then what about Lady Martha...?"
"What happened?"
The small voice turned into a large ball and was launched into the sky.
"Are you trying to steal the credit from your sister who came back from the brink of death?"
A young noble lady said. That question had quite a big impact.
"I asked you if you were jealous of her. Oh my god, how can you be so shameless?
The Lady's friend with thin ears helped from the side.
"I've never heard of anything like this in my life."
A decent-looking middle-aged man also added his opinion. Some of the ladies who had taken Martha's side earlier were already lowering their red faces.
Martha, unable to withstand the pouring gaze, finally shouted with shaking eyes.
"No, no. I can say things like that too! Why only to my sister...."
"Then shoot the bow."
I said calmly as if I knew it would happen. Martha's face suddenly distorted as if asking what he was talking about.
The more I did this, the more clearly my voice rang out in front of people.
"I proved my abilities by casting a spell. Show your strength too."
I asked a passing servant to bring me the extra wooden bow I had in my tent. Martha stammered as she opened her mouth.
"Get ready, get ready... I need time. Like this....."
"Did you have time to prepare even in front of the monster?"
Martha stuttered and answered as if she had missed it.
"Well, since then... Still, there's time to prepare..."
The audience was mercilessly amused as they watched the young lady break down. But I wasn't the only one who felt refreshed when I saw that scene.
Even if it is the object of revenge that has eroded my life for a long time.
"..."
Even if I stopped at this point, I still had a lot to gain.
First of all, Marta, who was quite active and had great influence in the social world, would have to reflect on herself for the time being. Even if you are not obligated to do so, you will probably be reluctant to do so.
I've shown my face to everyone today, and I'll be able to easily take that empty seat.
'No matter how much she has benefited from her social status, seeing how she has been hanging out with people so far shows that she is not stupid.'
How on earth did you ignore Enrica so much that you saw her as an idiot who had nothing to say?
However, I ended up benefiting from it.
I glanced at Martha, who was shaking to the point where I felt a little sorry for her. I took a step closer and whispered quietly enough that only she could hear.
"You should have known it would be like this."
I spoke with strength, remembering Kael's injured arm while fighting together.
"You should have known that there are one or two things I don't want taken away from me and that I won't tolerate it if you touch it."
"..."
Martha lowered her gaze without saying anything. Suddenly, I realized why Martha was able to act so confidently.
If it were the old Enrica, I would have just stayed behind and watched Martha steal the ball from me.
When I thought about it that way, I no longer felt sympathy. I immediately cleared my throat and shouted.
"Would you like to give Martha some time to prepare while you guys take a break?"
Someone giggled and answered.
"Yes, if you have anything to prepare!"
Amid the crowd's ridicule, Martha lowered her head and quickly headed to the tent. Her backside was the shabbiest thing I've ever seen.
"..."
After about 10 minutes, the Duke's servant appeared and spoke.
"The lady is not feeling well, so she is going back to the Duke's residence first."
Because it was what I expected, I ended up laughing without saying a word. However, the crowd temporarily became agitated, as if surprised by the unconventional behavior.
"I'm sorry for making a fuss."
With these last words, I passed through the crowd and returned to where I was standing.
Everyone seemed excited about the incident that passed like a storm. People seemed to have a lot of things they wanted to ask, but they couldn't approach me quickly.
Meanwhile, the royal family member who had taken a step back stood in front again.
"There was a brief commotion. Thank you all for your patience."
A young man with eloquent speaking skills naturally took control of the atmosphere.
"Now it's time to announce the winner again... Before that, I would like to say something to Lady Wintersoar."
Ah, so I'll repay the royal family's favor.
"Thank you for your hard work, Young Lady."
It was an obvious political joke, but I didn't feel bad.
Someone started clapping their hands. The sound of applause gradually spread until it became deafening.
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