novelraw Chapter 107 : Chapter 107
Chapter 107 : Chapter 107
Chapter 107: Vivi and Otilia (Part One)
“Erika, when Isana brought you home that day and I saw you walk into my room, I even wondered if I was dreaming. Vivi is already dead. I know that the dead cannot be brought back to life. But you look far too similar. After you came to the Aarlan Empire, has no one ever told you that you look very much like a girl named Vivianna?”
“I think… someone did say that before…”
Erika recalled the past. Vanessa and Andy both seemed to have said something similar, mentioning that she resembled someone else.
“Vivianna was the daughter of the Duke of Night, but she was practically invisible. She rarely interacted with others and had only met a few members of the imperial nobility.”
As she spoke, a bitter smile surfaced on Otilia’s face again. “Do you know? The Duke of Night was also one of the uncles I respected the most. I will investigate the cause of the fire back then. It’s just that what’s involved may be far more complicated than I initially imagined.”
“Just say it. How do you want me to cooperate with your investigation?”
Erika saw through Otilia’s intentions at a glance.
This woman clearly wanted Erika’s help investigating the incident involving the Duke of Night, yet she insisted on beating around the bush.
Erika also understood that doing so would undoubtedly push herself into danger. She had no desire to get involved in political struggles among nobles, but…
She had already taken Otilia’s money before to stop Gladys from selling blood. Now that she was on this ship, there was no getting off.
“There’s no rush.”
Otilia gazed out the window, a trace of coldness flashing in her eyes. “The Duke of Night’s death was not an accident. Not only was the imperial family involved, but so was an organization called the Cage.”
“This is related to the Cage too!?”
Hearing that name, Erika was genuinely surprised.
“You know about the Cage?”
“I know… a little.”
Erika answered hesitantly.
She had never expected that the Duke of Night’s death would also be connected to the Cage.
Just how many evil deeds had that organization committed…?
“Two years ago, the last time Vivi and I parted ways, my parents and I were returning to the southern region. We took a very secluded path, and along the way we were attacked by the Cage. My mother died there trying to protect me. That route home was extremely secretive. Only the imperial nobles knew about it. So why was the Cage able to find me and launch an attack?”
“You mean… someone within the imperial family leaked the information to the Cage?”
“Yes.”
Otilia nodded. “And every member of the imperial nobility who knew our route home will be attending this banquet. In other words, among the people attending tonight, someone is in contact with the Cage.”
“And the Duke of Night’s death—was that related as well?”
“Isn’t it obvious, my dear Erika?”
Otilia explained calmly. “Think about it. The Duke of Night possessed fire-attribute magic. How could he possibly have been burned to death by ordinary flames? Such a flimsy excuse could only deceive ignorant civilians. In the Imperial Capital, aside from the Duke of Night’s exceptional fire magic, no one else was even worth mentioning. So there must have been members of the imperial family colluding with the Cage, seeking the Duke of Night’s life.
My father and the Duke of Night both maintained political neutrality. They had never offended any imperial nobles. But what I cannot understand is this: if someone within the imperial family wanted to eliminate one of the Twin Stars of the Empire, why did the Cage come after me instead of my father? Do you know? I spent most of my life in the southern region and hardly ever interacted with nobles. The only noble I ever had contact with was Vivianna.”
Hearing this, Erika narrowed her eyes. “So you believe the reason the Cage attacked you was because you had contact with Vivianna?”
“Exactly. I can think of no other reason.”
Otilia nodded. “But my contact with Vivi was brief. At the time, she admired me greatly and wanted me to teach her magic, and I promised her that I would help her become a great mage.
But if that was all, why would I be attacked? Clearly, the problem lay with her. I believe that back then, the Duke of Night’s family must have gotten entangled in something extremely serious, something possibly related to Vivi. Vivi used to be timid and socially withdrawn, with no friends at all. I don’t know whether that was her own nature or someone’s deliberate doing. But shortly after I began interacting with her, the Cage attacked me. My mother died protecting me…The Cage includes many members of non-human species. They all cast spells without chanting and are extremely powerful. Some of them can even rival Saint-rank powerhouses. Since I didn’t die, they would surely come after me again. Forgive my cowardice, but since the Cage is intertwined with the imperial family, even if I returned to the southern region, they would still find a way to act against me. In order not to drag my family into further danger, I locked myself in my room, cut myself off from the world, and severed all ties with Vivi.”
“So… after you isolated yourself, did the Cage stop appearing?” Erika asked.
“Yes.”
Otilia’s voice grew heavy. “At that time, I was certain that Vivi was entangled in something enormous, and anyone who got close to her would suffer. Later, my father secretly informed the Duke of Night and asked him to keep an eye on the people around Vivi. Because it involved the imperial family, the Duke of Night cautiously agreed. But who would have thought… a year ago, news arrived of the deaths of the Duke of Night and Vivi. The Duke of Night was my father’s comrade-in-arms through life and death. After that, my father could no longer endure it, which is why our family moved to the Imperial Capital to investigate.”
Otilia’s words left Erika struggling to process everything.
If Otilia was right, then many people had died because Vivianna had become entangled in trouble.
That meant Erika impersonating Vivianna this time could have extremely serious consequences.
She might provoke not only the imperial family, but also the Cage.
And all of that—for only 300 gold coins?
That was far too little!
“We need to raise the price!” Erika blurted out.
“Erika?”
“Otilia, this absolutely requires more money!”
Puffing out her cheeks, Erika planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t treat me like a child who’s easy to fool. If I appear as Vivianna this time, my life afterward won’t be peaceful. I’ll provoke trouble with the imperial family and might even be targeted by the Cage. For a job like that, you’re only offering 300 gold coins? I’m losing out badly! If I hadn’t already agreed, I’d want to back out right now!”
“You can ask for anything, Erika. I’ll give it to you.”
Otilia smiled bitterly. “I never intended to scheme against you, Erika. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told you any of this. I sincerely hope you will help us. For that, the Elfreid Family is willing to pay any price. My father is hosting this banquet because he has already decided to strike back. Don’t worry, Erika. At the banquet, you only need to show your face. We won’t let you come to harm. Your appearance will be the starting point of our counterattack!”
Sounds nice…
Erika frowned deeply.
At first, she thought this was merely a simple act—pretending to be a noble girl. Even if exposed, it would only offend a few nobles.
But now, the Cage was involved as well. One misstep, and her life could be in danger.
“Haah…”
She let out a sigh from her cherry-colored lips. Her expression darkened, but since she had already given her word, she knew she could not escape.
“So what do we do?”
“Vivianna’s death is already a confirmed fact in the Aarlan Empire. So, Erika, tonight you will attend the banquet under Vivi’s identity. We’ll observe the reactions of the imperial nobles.
We need to find a breakthrough target first. That fire destroyed everything back then, leaving us without a single clue.”
Hearing this, Erika could only nod.
She knew Vivianna was dead.
Since there were no leads, appearing as Vivianna would surely prompt action from those imperial nobles who once colluded with the Cage.
But that might also drag her into danger once again…
At that moment, Otilia suddenly reached out. Her slender hands gently cupped Erika’s cheeks, her determined gaze meeting Erika’s directly.
“Look at me, Erika.”
Staring into Otilia’s eyes, Erika froze for a moment.
Was she being sincere with her feelings, or was it just an illusion?
“I once made a promise to Vivi like this. I said I would make her into a great mage. Unfortunately, I failed to fulfill that promise back then. But this time, just like before, please trust me, Erika. I will do everything I can to protect your safety and strike back at those despicable people. I will find the murderer hiding within the imperial family. For my mother, for Vivi, I will take revenge. I will uproot every imperial noble who colluded with the Cage!”
“…”
For a moment, Erika did not even know how to express what she was feeling.
She had boarded a pirate ship, and now the captain was trying to sweet-talk her.
No. Once this was over, she absolutely had to demand more money!
“Vivi.”
Otilia whispered softly. Noticing Erika’s expression, she slowly pulled her into an embrace, pressing Erika’s face against her chest while gently stroking her gray-white hair.
“Please allow me to call you that tonight, Erika. This time… I won’t break my promise.”
“I-It’s… fine… but… could you not hug me…”
Aside from Gladys, Erika disliked being hugged by anyone. Even with Isana, she felt a slight sense of resistance.
“Sorry. It’s just that holding you feels like holding Vivi from back then…”
After the brief embrace, Otilia smiled bitterly.
Erika shook her head.
“Otilia, let’s go to the banquet and get this over with.”
“Of course we’ll go. I’ve stayed in this room for two years. Today, since you’ve come, I’ll walk out together with you.”
As she spoke, Otilia gently pulled Erika to her feet.
“However, before attending the banquet, I need to carefully dress you up.”
“Dress me up?”
“That’s necessary. You’re playing the role of the Duke of Night’s little princess. I’ll make you look beautiful and have you attend in full elegance.”
“All right…”
Since arriving in this world, Erika had never properly dressed up before. She knew nothing about makeup or such things.
But before the preparations even began, Otilia’s hands started acting improperly as she began helping Erika remove her clothes.
“W-Why do I have to take my clothes off too!?”
“You don’t plan to attend wearing what you have on now, do you?”