I Have No Intention Of Training The Male Leads - Chapter 1 Part 7

01. A Beaten Man (7)

Translated by: ???

Watching in astonishment from behind as Eve overpowered a male servant more than twice her size with a single leap of her foot, Alberic opened and closed his mouth a few times before shutting it as she stepped into the hallway and helped him up.

They followed the door to the boudoir and reached Alberic’s bedroom, which seemed to be three times the size of Eve’s. It was decorated in a calm, old-fashioned way, as if to match its owner’s personality, but Eve didn’t even bother to look inside before she lifted Alberic by the shoulders and carried him to bed.

Alberic’s expression was clear of emotion. He let out a small groan of pain through his clenched jaw, but it was barely audible compared to the screams he’d let out when he’d been beaten.

He blinked slowly a couple of times, seeming to endure the pain. Then, in a futile act of compassion, he looked up at Eve, who had come to carry him to the bedroom, standing more than a head taller than him. He asked.

“What do you want?”

“What?”

“It’s not even a weakness, anyway. Even if you’ve heard stories about how the Little Count of Vermell was whipped…….”

“Ah, you were thinking of something else. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that Brother is a pervert who gets off on being spanked.”

“I’m saying that this attitude is unbecoming of an aristocrat.”

“As my brother pointed out, I spent thirteen years growing up in a pigsty nursery with kids who didn’t know any better, and besides, the Count and Countess don’t really like me to learn and pick up things like a real Count’s young lady. I think they’re afraid that once my hair grows out, they’ll realize that I’ve stolen my grandfather’s inheritance, which was given to me and my mother, so they’re keeping their hands off me, because I’m probably never able to live like an aristocrat.”

“Did you know ……?”

The question flashed in his eyes, “How on earth? Oh, no. So you knew about it, too.” Eve saw his reaction and plopped down beside him. Alberic’s eyelids twitched, but he didn’t react negatively by yelling at her to get lost or pushing her away.

“I don’t intend to stay here forever either. I’ll stay for a reasonable amount of time…… and leave when I’ve amassed enough of a fortune to pull my own weight. I don’t have many years left, so bear with me. And to be honest, I didn’t mean to push you this far. I wanted to scare you a bit. I just got scared upon seeing the collections on display in your punishment room…….. I’m sorry.”

“Scared, you say.”

“I’m not as wimpy and fragile as you think I am, and if you want to bring me to my knees, you’d better be prepared to kill me, because that Derek fellow isn’t going to protect you.”

“You don’t mind revealing your capabilities like that?”

“If you’re intending to kill me instead, Brother will have to risk his life as well, isn’t that obvious?”

Alberic sucked in a breath at Eve’s answer, and his mouth fell open. For a moment, the look in Eve’s eyes was one of living a difficult life. For a moment, it choked him, an old look that was completely unbecoming of a lady in her twenties. But then, as if on cue, Eve smiled, a smile that seemed to be painted on a mask. Alberic’s head, frozen with fear and shame, began to spin, and he was able to speak to Eve again after a long moment.

“……Evelyn. Do you need money?”

“I need it.”

“Then how about following me?”

“Aha, headhunting?”

“Head……?”

“That’s bullshit. More than that, tell me exactly what you mean by following you.”

“Let’s write a contract. I’m sure you have a great talent for using your body, and I promise to give you the support you deserve. In return, you will be responsible for my well-being as the Little Count.”

“Are you asking your spoiled little sister, who just slapped her brother across the cheeks, to be your escort?”

“I’m not stupid enough to take it personally when I see a solution to a problem that I’ve been mulling over for a long time… When I return from graduation, attempts on my life will probably be frequent within three years. However, unfortunately, Vermell is unable to raise a proper private militia because of an oath the family made to the imperial family long ago……. It’s not like others can’t pay someone outside to do the job, and assassinations are a dime a dozen.”

“And you’re in such a difficult financial situation that the Count and Countess have to intercept the inheritance given to their youngest sister?”

Eve’s snide remark interrupted him, causing him to pause in his story and exhale deeply, almost like a sigh, before he nodded.

“I’m ashamed to admit it, but……. it’s a mess compared to what it was when my grandfather was alive, and I’m personally mending it, but there are limits to a Little Count’s powers.”

“And why are you going through all this trouble to tell me?”

“Because you, too, are now a person of Vermell.”

“Ah……. So it’s no one else’s business now?”

Alberic didn’t answer. Eve, who had fallen silent at his response and was staring off into the distance as she recalled the game’s story, spoke up again after collecting her thoughts.

“Is this a succession battle?”

“To a certain extent, yes.”

“Not a succession fight in the House of Vermell.”

“I can’t say more than that until you sign a contract with me….”

“And if I refuse?”

“You’ll be out of this mansion soon enough, just like I wanted you to be— dead.”

“You’re adamant. Hmm…… I think we should end this conversation here, for now. I need time to think, don’t you agree?”

“I can’t wait that long.”

“Okay. It won’t take me long to decide. Oh, by the way, what were you going to do before you asked me to do this?”

“I was planning to ask the Duke of Treve for protection until I succeeded as Count.”

“So this is why Archmage Callisto Langrada is coming to the Count’s residence.

Once again, Eve was silent. The game’s story is told from Eve’s point of view, making it difficult for players to know exactly what’s going on. Similarly, the story of Vermell’s legacy is not revealed until after Elver’s appearance.

Callisto Langrada was one of the main southern lords at the beginning of the game. Callisto Langrada came to the manor unannounced, stalking around as if he knew the place like the back of his hand and wreaking havoc. Despite his magical prowess, Callisto Langrada’s harsh, cruel, and sensitive nature meant that he rarely socialized and always kept to himself.

It wasn’t until he stumbled upon Eve within the manor, who was giving everyone a headache with her demanding requests. He realized it wasn’t every day that an archmage came to visit, that Callisto’s path began. Of course, if she desperately avoids him in the mansion, she’ll only meet him after she’s been kicked out of the Vermell family.

Callisto Langrada’s mother is the sister-in-law of Bastian Treve, Duke of Treve. It makes sense that Callisto would come to the Vermell family’s Countess of Calais with no connections, if it was at the Duke of Treve’s behest. When Eve realizes why he’s come to the manor, she suddenly realizes that something is amiss.

That a Duke would so readily send an archmage at the request of Alberic, who was not even the Count yet himself. He was merely a Little Count who had not yet succeeded in the title. It smelled like there was more to the story.

The conversation was full of questions, but I knew that if I dug any deeper, I’d never get out. Eve pushed off her seat and stood up. Alberic tried to push himself out of the bed, but instead let out a small groan of pain. Eve held out a hand to stop him.

“Don’t get up. You’ll probably have to sleep on your stomach tonight. I really didn’t mean to do this, I’m sorry.”

“N-No.”

Alberic’s answering voice felt like he was gritting his teeth, but Eve didn’t let it bother her.

“Like I said, make sure you keep a cold washcloth on the affected area until the heat settles down, and ask your doctor if there’s any kind of ointment for bruising, just in case. Um……. I think I’ll have to look at the wound to be sure…….”

“What are you looking at……!”

“No, what are you being so sensitive about……. Don’t look at me like I’m some kind of molesting neighborhood hoodlum. Ugh……. I’ve got the right mentholated ointment for that……. Anyway, take care of yourself, and if you’re feeling down all of a sudden, just call me instead of grabbing all the other maids.”

“Ha……. That’s it. Please leave.”

“Oh, for the next “lesson”, I hope I’ll have a proper etiquette lesson by then.”

“…… I will send someone when the time comes.”

“Okay, I’ll wait. Oh, right. I completely forgot about the gift.”

Eve pulled a reddish-orange silk pouch from her pocket attached to her boudoir dress. Alberic’s eyes narrowed at the unidentifiable object, which seemed to be about elbow-length from Eve’s fingertips.

“This is for Brother, please take it.”

“Is this another…….”

Before he could finish his sentence, Eve opened the pouch, pulled out what was inside, and placed it on his lap. It was a well-made horse whip with a rather unique design, dyed black and even. Only it was a bit too short for a horse.

Alberic immediately realized that this whip was not meant to be used on horses. At the same time, he felt a sharp sensation run down his spine, as if he had been struck by lightning.

“You still have ten to go.”

“…….”

“Call me when you think of it.”

Whispering softly, as if telling a secret story, Eve turned to Alberic, who was staring down at the object in his lap as if he were nailed to it, and said, “I’ll be leaving then,” before turning lightly and exiting his bedroom.