Chapter 198 – Love and Hate

Episode 198 – Love and Hate

As the cold wind blew, Alyssa finally arrived at the family mansion.

As she got off the carriage, she saw knights and maids lined up on both sides, her father her Gardin Bretes and the Countess Madeleine, and finally her eldest son Alfred Bretes.

The three people, who could hardly be called family, all boasted great looks, unlike Alyssa, who was slender and beautiful.

It was a miracle in itself that Alyssa could be born into such a family.

Perhaps it was possible because she was her illegitimate daughter and inherited her mother’s genes.

Alyssa gave them an example.

“Mother, father. Have you been healthy so far?”

Haha! Okay. I had a good time. How was it for you?”

“… “I don’t have any major problems either.”

Even though she knew for sure that she had been confined to her recovery room not long ago due to her mana reflux, she could not find a trace of worry in the count.

She’s a countess, and since she sees her as a thorn in her eyes to begin with, there’s no way she’ll react well.

But what was most difficult for her was the gaze of no one else but her eldest son her, Alfred Bretes.

“Alyssa. She has become a lot prettier in half a year. It looks especially sexy. Hehe, did you meet a man without your father knowing?”

Even though they were obviously only half blood relatives, his eyes often glanced at Alyssa’s chest and buttocks.

For him, who was already addicted to her pleasures, her close relatives were not even an obstacle.

But there is only one reason why I couldn’t touch it.

This is because Count Gardin thoroughly managed Alyssa as a tool for her political marriage.

“What!? Meeting a guy? Alyssa Is this true? Are you disobeying your father’s words?”

“… No. “I have never had a relationship.”

“Is it true?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… Okay. Then I get it. Alfred. Don’t talk nonsense! Do you understand?”

“Yes. “Father.”

This is how they react to even mild sexual harassment. If you really touch them, your limbs will not be in good condition.

And Alfred was a coward who cared very much for his own body.

Count Gardin belatedly pretended to be calm.

“Then everyone, let’s go in now. He has prepared a meal, so let’s talk slowly while filling our bellies.”

“Yes. “Father.”

Leaving behind the ugly aftermath, Alyssa followed the Count to the restaurant.

Afterwards, a painful meal followed.

“Yes, Alyssa. “The Danjeon is currently sealed?”

“Yes. She said she could not use her magic until the mana reflux was resolved.”

Haha! Rather, it went well. What kind of swordsmanship does a woman have? Use this opportunity to get married and focus on housework. Do you understand?”

“… Yes.”

The Count was truly a patriarchal person.

Even the praise he had given her in her youth when he awakened her talent for swordsmanship and won a sparring match with her eldest son was nothing more than a mere increase in her value as a tool in her arranged marriage.

Unlike back then, Hyeonjae, who is immersed in swordsmanship, doesn’t know when it will get out of hand, so he finds it rather annoying.

Alyssa clenched her fists without anyone noticing.

‘If only I had one more year…’

Considering her current growth, she would have been able to gain enough power to shake off the family’s control even if only a little more time had passed.

Then she would have been able to enjoy the freedom she had long for, but it was all in vain.

Even now, in her mind, her hatred for Lu An and her love for Eunrang were fiercely clashing.

As a result, the power of God is barely holding the balance of the body that is about to collapse.

While Alyssa was groaning inside, her meal was over and her tea time had begun.

The count had her butler put down three photos in front of Alyssa.

“Alyssa. These are the nobles who think of you as your future wife. “Let me take a look.”

“…”

Alyssa looked down at her photo from a distance.

Although they each had different appearances, what they had in common was that they were all in their 60s with a lewd look and bare heads.

The blurry eyes show how much pleasure one lives in on a daily basis.

‘I’m with these old people… ‘ .’

Although it was only for a moment, she felt that it was a good thing that she had been raped by Luan.

It was much better to give my first experience to that hateful and lovely man rather than to those old people.

Alyssa laughed inwardly.

Without realizing it, her anger toward Lu An had been diluted quite a bit.

Now I don’t know her own feelings.

“Come on, Alyssa. How do you feel? Who looks better?”

“… It doesn’t matter who it is. “Who does your father want?”

“Hmm… I think I like Count Ghetto in the second photo. They say that Count Gheto cares a lot about his wife.”

“Is that so?”

It’s funny to say that he cares for his wife.

Does it make sense for such a person to have more than three concubines while leaving her wife?

As far as she knows, Count Gheto is a rich man who owns dozens of mines.

It is said that the type and number of ores produced there account for about 15% of the total mining volume of the empire, so if a marriage can be held, the Count of Bretes will be able to immediately elevate its prestige.

It is a high price to pay for just sending one illegitimate child.

I hope you don’t just choose it for the money and end up with packaging that doesn’t work.

“Do as you wish. Because I don’t care.”

“Haha! Thank you for following this father. Then, let’s set a date for the meeting right away. “I want to go to my room and rest comfortably.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After expressing her gratitude, she left the restaurant under Alex’s watch.

‘Really… ‘You’re getting married.’

It didn’t feel real when she heard about it from Alex, but it felt real right away when she came to this ugly mansion.

There is not even a smile in the pitiful situation.

For a moment, I even thought about just taking her life.

However, the reason I can’t put it into practice is because of the vain hope that someone might come to the rescue.

There is no need to say who that someone is.

‘Fool.’

Alyssa was proud of herself for her unchanging heart even after coming this far.

*

Babababbabang!

Magical showers pour down from all directions.

I glided through it flexibly and quickly.

It’s been half a year since I started using this training center.

As a result of my hard training, I have now reached a level where I can block and dodge magic balls using only my feet, excluding my fists.

At least, it can be said that her bare body technique has clearly surpassed the standard.

The problem is that in order to reach a higher level than this, you must achieve that level of enlightenment.

‘How was it in the game?’

It obviously varies depending on the choice, but I remember being trapped in a dungeon near the Friuli territory and gaining enlightenment while fighting monsters.

Did you say that the mind and body are unified and the external and internal energy are in harmony?

Speaking of harmony, one thing caught my eye.

I quickly deactivated the training area and then placed my hand on my heart.

Exciting! Exciting!

I could feel the Taegeuk coiled there along with the beating of my heart, which was beating violently due to overuse.

Inside, the flames of the divine beast and the dragon were roaring, each occupying half.

It’s quiet right now, but it’s unstable and could lead to destruction if even the slightest deviation. It was difficult to call it harmony even with empty words.

‘Should we improve it?’

Taegeukhwasingong is an excellent mana practice.

However, once you realize that this alone is not enough, you cannot remain complacent forever.

We must move further forward.

‘Good. Let’s grab the strand this way.’

I still had no idea what to do, but I was glad that I was able to at least decide on a direction.

Just when I was satisfied and was about to sit down on the bench, Cain came down the stairs.

“What? Cain? What happened? “It’s not time to close the store yet.”

“I came because I wanted to ask you something.”

Cain took a seat next to me.

He arbitrarily took the water bottle I was trying to drink from, drank it, and continued talking.

“Ethan Gloucester. How long are you going to leave her alone?”

“It’s a bit unexpected.”

“Answer first.”

“… Well. I also want to deal with it right away, but I don’t have the chance. How about Cain? Do you have any clues about Huschkler?”

After the summer break, Cain wandered from place to place, chasing the Huscular’s trail while strengthening his own powers.

I was so busy that I only saw her face once a week.

Moreover, she couldn’t even have a proper conversation because she was receiving intensive tutoring.

In response to my question, Cain took out an object from his pocket.

“Look at this. “I picked it up from the Dark Church’s hideout.”

What he held out was an ominously shiny red piece of metal.

It’s a strangely familiar color.

“This… “It’s similar to a magic sword.”

“Okay. It seems that the Dark Church is mass producing magic swords. “This must be that failure.”

“It’s pretty fast. I thought there was still time left.”

“Did you know? Well, you said you know the future. Anyway, it seems like the research is almost at completion.”

“It’s dangerous.”

As you can see from Remian, the power of the magic sword exerts tremendous power.

If thousands or tens of thousands of such things are mass-produced and dark sect members are armed, they will suffer enormous damage.

To subdue them, you will need at least twice as many troops.

‘I’m going to have a headache.’

My head is already busy with a lot of things going on, and new incidents keep happening.

I first returned the piece of iron to Cain.

“First of all, please move as you are now for the time being. “I will think of a way.”

“Okay. See you later.”

Perhaps this was really the end of the matter, but Cain left the training ground.

I drank the water roughly.

“Ha… “I need to meet Roxana.”

I can’t think of a solution right now, but if she’s smart, she might come up with something clever.

Until then, we have no choice but to maintain the status quo and look for opportunities.

After taking a short break, I finished training and headed to the dormitory.

It was when I arrived at the entrance.

“Ah, Luan!”

Abel and his group, who had been waiting in advance to find out what was going on, approached me.

“Abel? What’s going on?”

“I’m going to visit Alyssa tomorrow, how about we go together?”

“… What. Was that what you were talking about? “I told you it happened last time.”

I’ve already rejected it several times, but I never get tired of it. It’s the same story again.

When I frowned, Abel flinched but did not back down.

“I know you two have a bad relationship. But this is a different story. Huh? Are you really going to let Alyssa get married like this? Let’s go together!”

“That’s right! We are friends with Alyssa. At least I should comfort you.”

I ended up laughing at Uni’s words.

‘Comfort…’

I am the one who threw Alyssa’s life into the gutter. Will going and looking for her now really bring any consolation?

Instead, they’ll just curse and say it’s a deception.

No, it would be a good thing if it stopped from cursing, but maybe I would have recklessly attacked him with a rapier.

I don’t really want to go through that.

“No matter what you say, it’s useless. I’m not going. So give up.”

I shot back coldly and forcibly pushed Abel away and entered the dormitory.