Episode 42

The sound of Viscount Lorelei slapping someone’s cheek could be heard.

He had built a reputation through his work at the orphanage.

It was different from the self-introduction of having a good character.

“I’ll knock your teeth out since you’re grinding them.”

Viscount Lorelei shouted loudly.

“Wait, stop!”

The video that was playing diligently stopped, showing a black screen.

Ishael leaned leisurely against the backrest.

She had obtained various help from the Tower of Magic in this incident.

First.

After borrowing a video magic device from the Tower of Magic, she hid near the Lorelei mansion.

She was lucky.

She could capture the scene of Soldika sending a letter to Dylan.

Dylan faithfully attached Soldika’s letter and sent it.

[I haven’t read it. Please believe me.]

…It was a bit cute.

Second.

She also proceeded to film Viscount Lorelei’s tantrums in a similar manner.

She used both the tracing potion and the video recording magic device.

Inside, there were things she could uncover, and outside, there were ways to uncover them.

Count Lorelei had been tormenting the attendants at the gambling den where he frequented.

Thanks to that.

After sprinkling the tracing potion at the gambling den he frequented, his criminal actions were revealed completely.

The magician supported by the Tower of Magic had recorded all the footage that the tracing potion had shown.

Lastly.

She switched the video magic device.

That was the masterpiece that appeared as a result.

Everything was done secretly.

Of course, there was a risk of being in front of the Emperor.

But I had already conveyed the story to the Emperor through Duke Saboia.

“When I become a rising noble and meet my family, I plan to prepare a small event.”

“Hmm? What kind of event are you planning?”

“…On that day, I want to publicly humiliate my family using the video. I will never undermine Your Majesty’s authority. So, I hope you understand and allow it…”

“I will inform Your Majesty. It is a request from my lifesaver. Moreover, Your Majesty is someone who enjoys interesting theater, so I’m sure you will like it even more.”

Although I had reservations about Duke Saboia’s words…

“Interesting, very interesting.”

…Look at him now.

While watching the Emperor pondering with his chin in hand, Lady Masha vigorously shook her head.

“Your Majesty, this is not true!”

Viscount Lorelei bowed down and spoke.

“It’s all a conspiracy, Your Majesty!”

“Please highly regard the sincerity of our family, who even sacrificed the Blue Diamond!”

“It’s manipulation!”

Ishael, who was listening to their defense, said sharply.

“Your Majesty, you may ignore their trivial matters. You can also show your emotions freely.”

With that, Lady Masha, who was completely stunned, spoke out again.

“…Right now, you are bringing private matters into the public domain. This is clearly impolite.”

Viscount Lorelei was right about that.

The Emperor frowned and tapped his chin with his fingers.

“Ishael! How dare you play a video exposing scandals in front of me? You are incredibly rude!”

His body trembled and even his fist did the same.

Ishael flinched as she saw Viscount Lorelei and remembered her past trauma.

It was a sensation as if the past trauma was being replayed.

She tightly bit her lips, trembling with both hands held together.

And at that moment.

Dylan whispered softly.

“It’s noisy.”

“What, what did you say? Who do you think you are? You may be a knight of His Majesty, but aren’t you just a commoner!”

He said coldly to Viscount Lorelei.

“If there is a problem, the palace magicians and administrators will handle it. Elon Lorelei, it means that it’s not your place to meddle.”

“How dare you call me a commoner! I am a noble and you–!”

And then, right at that moment.

The Emperor cheerfully tapped his thumb and index finger together.

“Now, let’s stop here.”

Everyone fell silent at the Emperor’s simple conclusion.

Only Viscount Lorelei gritted his teeth and blushed.

“We will thoroughly investigate the truth behind the accusations against Count Lorelei.”

“Your, Your Majesty.”

“It’s a rather perplexing matter, but it is a private affair. Dylan, what are your thoughts?”

When the Emperor mentioned Dylan’s name, Soldika’s complexion brightened.

Soldika believed that Dylan would support her.

In Dylan’s gaze, there was clearly longing.

Perhaps because of the stigma of adultery, she couldn’t openly express her feelings.

Ishael must have stolen her letter and secretly made it public!

So, just this once…!

“Your Majesty, if you would allow me to proceed as I intend.”

The Emperor pondered with his hand on his chin and nodded.

“Since I trust Dylan greatly, let it be so.”

“Then, I understand that you have given me control over the punishment of the guilty.”

“Yes. Do as you wish, Dylan.”

Dylan stood up with a cold gaze.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“May I draw my sword?”

There should be no weapons near the Emperor.

But as long as they were knights, it was permissible to enter with swords.

This time, Dylan had taken on the role of the Emperor’s guard as well.

The Emperor, looking at the sword at Dylan’s waist, answered with surprise in his eyes.

“…As long as you don’t draw it against me.”

“As you command.”

The Emperor admired the theatricality unfolding before his eyes and whispered.

“Impressive, isn’t it?”

The newly admitted rising nobles in the social circle exchanged glances.

They understood that it was a serious matter.

But they were still nobles in the early stages of their admission.

No one knew exactly what it meant to “cut and drop the seal.”

As the nobles rolled their eyes at each other, when the Lorelei family swallowed their shame.

Ishael let out a small laugh.

Only Soldika, who didn’t know how to handle the situation, was rolling her eyes.

“What, what exactly is happening here?”

“Even if you have a noble title, it means you will not be treated as a noble until the seal is reattached.”

Ishael sneered provocatively.

“Since Your Majesty has allowed Dylan’s actions, I suppose so, right?”

The Emperor shrugged his shoulders.

The Lorelei family’s long-awaited dream of entering noble society.

As soon as they arrived, a huge bomb was dropped in front of them.

They were destined to be treated as transparent beings, completely ignored in noble society.

They would become living beings who were dead even while alive.

The Emperor spoke to the smiling Ishael.

“It’s turned into a mess, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Well… for now, give an ode to Lady Ishael as the Duke of Saboia suggested.”

On the day of “Summer Night’s Ode,” the Emperor presented a swan sculpture named “Ode” to the most outstanding rising noble.

It was a swan sculpture that only one person could receive each year.

Those who received the sculpture were said to make a name for themselves in politics and society.

“I gratefully accept it, Your Majesty.”

Ishael stood up and bowed to the Emperor.

The Emperor smiled and said.

“I’ve thought about it, your surname shall be Ode. Ishael Ode.”

Ishael received the surname “Ode” along with the noble title.

It seemed to imply a transformation from an ugly duckling to a swan.

She smiled and bowed deeply to the Emperor once again.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“As per the tradition of ‘Ode,’ the noble title and territory will be bestowed upon you when you make your debut in high society.”

The Emperor subtly directed his gaze towards the Lorelei family.

“…There are matters to handle as well.”

Seeing the expression of disdain for those “matters to handle,” Ishael smiled.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Ah!”

She smiled as if something had come to mind.

“Come to think of it, they received the notice of compensation but haven’t repaid my money.”

“We must also thoroughly investigate that matter.”

If Ishael were to be repaid, they would go bankrupt.

Since the Emperor himself stated that he would conduct a thorough investigation, they couldn’t come up with excuses like being unable to repay the money.

“Transparent beings in high society, now accompanied by bankruptcy.”

Ishael smiled and looked at the flushed faces of the Lorelei family.

Thus, “Summer Night’s Ode” concluded with Ishael’s perfect victory.

* * *

After the party “Summer Night’s Ode” for rising nobles.

The paradigm of the empire changed in an instant.

Ishael Ode, a rising noble.

The savior of the Duke Saboia.

A lady who gained a self-made noble title despite being of common birth.

A woman recognized by the Emperor as the “top rising noble of the year.”

Moreover, her husband was the renowned knight, Dylan.

Though he was still of common birth, it was almost certain that he would receive a noble title in the future.

Everyone was curious about Ishael.

The problem was that her true power had not yet been revealed.

No one knew how Ishael, a mere Circle 1 mage, saved the Duke of Saboia’s life.

As a result, her existence became even more mysterious and terrifying to terrorist organizations.

“How did she do it?”

It had been a long time since the terrorist organization had been in disarray.

Marriott, the leader of the terrorist organization, looked at the gambler sweating profusely in front of him.

This man had gambled and fallen into debt, putting his life on the line.

He was Elon Lorelei, the head of the Lorelei family and a Marquis.

“Was Ishael your child?”

“Yes, w-well, yes. That, Ishael said so. You have to hit him to make him listen.”

“Noisy.”

Marriott sighed with a weary expression and lit a cigar.

“If she brought a bankrupted caretaker who used to gamble around with her to a noble title, she must be rewarded accordingly.”

“Yes, yes! What should I do?”

“Stay quiet for a while like a mouse. Your usefulness has not been fully utilized yet.”

“Oh, understood!”

Elon Lorelei, now the Marquis, smashed his forehead against the floor with determination.

Marriott, the leader of the terrorist organization, gazed at the person who had risked his life with a cold gaze and left the room.

“For now, halt the attacks on the Emperor and the Imperial Palace. Change the target.”

“Who?”

“Ishael Ode, the self-made noble.”

His intuition spoke.

If he didn’t touch that woman, he couldn’t achieve his “goal.”

His comrades, who had gathered for the same goal, asked with suspicion.

“Does the target’s goal involve death?”

“No, don’t kill her.”

“Then…”

He looked at the picture that briefly depicted Ishael and smiled like a satisfied predator.

As soon as he saw her cat-like eyes, a surge of excitement coursed through him.

“It’s been a while. Quite exhilarating…”

His appetite had returned after a long time.

“I want to kidnap her.”

* * *

I had a lot to do.

I had to investigate the Lorelei family and find Lady Diana.

So, I took a temporary leave from my administrative duties.

But, you see…

“What on earth is this, Dylan?”

“This is…”

I widened my eyes as I looked at the pamphlet that had arrived for us.

“Now we have to sleep in the same bed?”

Dylan licked his lips slowly and murmured.

“Yes, probably.”

To be precise, the contents of the pamphlet were as follows.