Episode 7. Clear the Way for Me
“I see. I understand that you didn’t attack Cardine without any calculation.”
Yustia nodded.
Currently, Sirius and Yustia were having a conversation on the 3rd floor of the annex.
“Your analysis is correct. Just because you harmed Cardine doesn’t mean the Uterus family will immediately retaliate against the Rigel family.”
Yustia showed a calmer reaction than expected.
Although it was enough to cause an uproar over what he had done, Sirius listened to him with a composed attitude.
“However, Sirius… this incident will not just pass by.”
Yustia spoke in a firm voice.
“If it’s true that Cardine tried to assassinate you, then you have the right to retaliate against him. So, attacking Cardine itself can be considered a just act.”
“…”
“So, I don’t want to criticize that action. Honestly… it felt refreshing, didn’t it?”
Cardine had made many unreasonable demands on the Rigel family.
Among them was wanting to take Yustia as his wife.
So Yustia must have felt relieved that Cardine got what he deserved.
But it was not a situation to be entirely pleased about.
“However, the Uterus family will never let this go. Instead, they will see this as a great opportunity to put strong pressure on the Rigel family.”
“…”
“Nial Uterus is a cunning person. He will undoubtedly use this opportunity to strengthen his dominance over the Rigel family.”
Yustia didn’t scream and make a fuss, asking how this would be resolved.
She simply analyzed the situation calmly and rationally.
Observing her attitude, Sirius felt that Yustia was also a person with firearms.
The twenty-year-old daughter of a distinguished family was showing the composure of an experienced bookkeeper who had been through all sorts of trials.
As expected, he was similar to Jegal Chonggwan.
Sirius recalled his right arm, which had shown exceptional marksmanship from a young age.
“Moreover, the Uterus family will never forgive you.”
“…”
“Nial Uterus will definitely try to kill you. If that happens, as a member of the Regel family, we won’t be able to protect you.”
Yustia’s expression was bewildered.
Looking at her face… Sirius slowly spoke up.
“Yustia.”
“Yes?”
“I appreciate your concern for my life, but it’s completely unnecessary.”
Yustia’s eyes widened.
“I’ll take care of my own life, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Sirius, boasting like that in the current situation…”
“And.”
Interrupting her, he added in a cold voice.
“It seems like you plan to continue living while bowing your head to the Uterus family in the future.”
“What?”
“Hey, Yustia.”
Sirius leaned forward and asked.
“I heard from the other maids that you’re working to rebuild the Regel family. But do you think it’s possible with parasites like the Uterus family clinging to you?”
“…!”
“They will never allow the Regel family to rise on its own. They will squeeze the Regel family as much as possible, making it impossible to breathe without relying on them.”
Earlier, Yustia had complained to Cardin about taking too much money.
As time passed, more and more money would be taken… and things other than money would be taken away as well.
“If you don’t drive out those people, the rebuilding of the Regel family is impossible.”
“You don’t know anything.”
Yustia said in a trembling voice.
“Right now, the Regel family is weak. If the Uterus family doesn’t provide troops, the Regel family’s territory will be overrun by the Heukhoe in no time.”
Heukhoe.
A term referring to a group similar to the underworld of the martial world in this world.
Without being bound to a specific family, skilled individuals gather to form power.
While the legitimacy of a family’s fight is important, the Heukhoe doesn’t care about such things.
They are individuals who do not hesitate to harm people and plunder wealth for their own benefit.
Protecting the members from such individuals is the duty of the family, but currently, the Regel family lacks the strength to defend its territory from the Heukhoe.
That’s why the Uterus family has dispatched Cardin and others to protect the Regel family’s territory.
However…
“You don’t need to worry.”
“What?”
“We can defend the territory on our own, without the help of the Uterus family.”
Yustia blinked.
“That, is it about seeking help from another clan? The Yuterus clan wouldn’t just sit idly by….”
“It’s not about that. It’s about rebuilding the clan by our own efforts, not seeking help from other clans.”
“Sirius, that talk…”
Confidence in oneself meant the Regal clan didn’t need to rely on other clans.
Sirius was saying that.
His firm attitude left Yustia feeling perplexed.
“You, is it really Sirius?”
“What do you mean?”
“I never knew you were this kind of person.”
Yustia asked, her voice trembling.
“Why have you been hiding it until now? What’s your motive…?”
“Yustia.”
Interrupting Yustia’s words, Sirius spoke up.
“We weren’t close enough to each other to reveal secrets.”
“…!”
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t keeping quiet to harm the Regal clan.”
Sirius said in a calm voice.
“Yustia, I am the son-in-law of the Regal clan. As a member of the Regal clan, I intend to do my best for the clan.”
“….”
“So, I hope you will cooperate as much as possible.”
To make the Regal clan the center of activity in the future, they needed someone to assist from within.
The most suitable person for that position was… Yustia, Sirius’ wife.
“We may be a formal couple, but we can cooperate for the rebuilding of the Regal clan.”
“Sirius….”
“Yustia, steel yourself.”
Sirius said firmly.
“If we miss this opportunity, the Regal clan will never rise again.”
“…!”
Yustia’s eyes, looking at Sirius, trembled slightly.
* * *
Yustia left for the main house.
She intended to meet her father, discuss their future plans.
‘It’s probably better for Yustia to talk rather than me going.’
Sirius couldn’t know how much Yustia understood and agreed with what he had said.
Still, she seemed to be quite intelligent, so she must have understood to some extent.
‘If you are determined to walk the path of self-improvement, I will pave the way for you.’
Sirius didn’t particularly have affection for the Regal clan.
But the situation of a fallen prestigious family worked in Sirius’ favor.
By utilizing the name of the Regal clan, one of the five major clans on the continent, gaining recognition from the world would be much easier than starting from scratch.
Sirius planned to rebuild the Regal clan, seize the clan’s power, and use it as a stepping stone to create a true martial arts alliance.
‘However, if you choose to continue living as slaves…’
Then there is no other way.
If it feels like the Rigel family is holding you back, you should find a better place to go.
One way could be to control the appropriate Black Society and build up your power.
“Sirius.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the laboratory.
“I brought your meal.”
“Come in.”
The one who opened the door and entered was not the usual maid I saw.
She was a maid who always followed Yustia and occasionally glared at me.
“Your name… was it Maria?”
“Yes, should I place the meal here?”
“Yes, you can leave it there.”
Maria carefully placed the meal on the desk.
But even after finishing, she didn’t leave her seat.
“Why is that?”
“Sirius.”
Maria spoke with a tense voice.
“I thought you didn’t care about Miss Yustia at all.”
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“What?”
“But, I was mistaken.”
Avoiding Sirius’ gaze, Maria blushed.
“The way you bravely stood up against the Chief of Security who tried to take Miss Yustia away… It was so moving.”
“…?”
“I didn’t know you held Miss Yustia in such high regard. The other maids all say the same.”
It seems like there is a bit of a misunderstanding…
“Although we may seem distant now, once time passes, we will become a true couple.”
“No, wait.”
“Soon, Miss Yustia will also understand your sincerity, Sirius. Well then, I’ll take my leave…”
Without properly listening to the conversation, Maria left the room as she was.
“…”
It was somewhat perplexing.
Explaining to the maids that they had agreed to maintain a formal relationship would be quite a task…
‘I guess I’ll just leave them be.’
Sirius decided to just forget about it.
Regardless of whatever misunderstanding the maids might have, as long as the thoughts of the parties involved do not change, it should be fine.
‘There are plenty of other things to worry about, no need to worry about this.’
What’s most important right now is, once again, the fight against the Uterus family.
If the Rigel family cannot properly confront the Uterus family, it would be impossible to seize power.
This means that… once the Uterus family is firmly subdued, it would be easy to take control of the Rigel family.
The most talented magician in the Yuterus family… was it the head, Naiel?
Perhaps Naiel would summon Sirius to the Yuterus family.
To come and explain in person.
Of course, after summoning him, the intention would be to kill Sirius.
But Sirius was willing to respond to that summons.
Since he would have to directly enter the Yuterus family to defeat Naiel anyway.
The plan was to directly subdue Naiel and find out what kind of medicine he had given Sirius.
“Naiel seemed to know better than Sirius himself what state Sirius was in.”
You can’t obtain elixirs used in the martial world here.
But if Naiel is defeated, it should be possible to know what to take for effect.
“Come to think of it… Naiel was of the 7th Circle, right?”
Kardein was of the 5th Circle.
If he’s of the 7th Circle, how much stronger is he than Kardein?
“Well, I guess I’ll find out when I experience it myself.”
Whether the opponent is of the 5th or 7th Circle, it didn’t matter much.
A solemn aura emanated from his clenched fist.