Chapter 81


    A top-tier boss named Grand Duke. The scenario where you have to carry out missions at his headquarters is Act 2.


    Act 2, which carries an absurd level of danger as the final boss itself, but the crux of this scenario lies within the various monsters lurking within the Northern Dukes family.


    First and foremost, a mid-boss. Herman Pierce, a 4-Star nearte game.


    The second child, the strongest woman in the North, Yerina Pierce, at the 5-Star boundary.


    Third, a figure shrouded in mystery, Alicia Pierce.


    And finally, the heroine who reaches the 5-star breakthrough, Sharon Pierce.


    Even beyond the Northern Mountains, where foreign forces constantly invade, the children of the ruler are like strongholds themselves.


    In such a ce, to gather evidence against the Bloodstone Cult?


    It might seem obvious for yers to give up everything and hide to preserve their lives.


    Of course, there is a way to clear it without losing limbs entirely.


    Through numerous attempts and deaths, one learns.


    If too many predators gather in one ce, they eventually turn on each other.


    In short, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.


    Once realizing this fact, the scenarios difficulty drops from absolutely impossible to manageable with some effort.


    Of course, Sharon Pierce was also one of the wild beasts in that cage.


    Ian had no intention of utilizing her.


    Under the soft glow of candlelight, the melody of a cello and violin flows.


    People dressed in extravagant attire dance to the lively rhythm of a waltz, exuding grace and elegance.


    Among them, one pair stood out.


    Sharon Pierce, the youngestdy of the dukedom, and Ian ckangers, the man of the third princess.


    Their attention is drawn not only by thedys icy beauty and the mboyant title of the man but also for another reason.


    <em> Step </em>


    <em> Tap</em>


    Traditionally, the man leads in a dance, but in this case, its the man being led by the woman.


    Ian found himself lost in thought.


    Maintaining the impression of being the third princesss man like this was troublesome.


    It was evident that he hade here for social purposes.


    Karen said that dancing is like a one-on-one fight.


    Her advice came to mind.


    Though the memory seemed somewhat exaggerated, the context was likely urate.


    Gaining an advantage in an unfavorable one-on-one fight is all about psychological warfare.


    Ian was spurred on by Sharons graceful dancing to the music.


    You dance well. Have you practiced separately?


    Sharon skillfully avoided Ians advancing steps.


    Without furrowing her brows, she pursed her lips.


    Why did youe all the way to the North?


    To dance with you?


    <em> ck</em>


    <em></em>


    Ian narrowly avoided stepping on Sharons shoe.


    You cant even joke. Weve received awards together, you know.


    Your tone has be as frivolous as befitting the third princesss man.


    Ians lips curled upwards.


    Id prefer if you call itposure rather than frivolity.


    Quit joking and speak. Why did youe looking for me?


    Sharon Pierce.


    ?


    Why do you think I came looking for you? Youre more self-aware than you think.


    For the first time, Sharons brow furrowed slightly.


    Self-aware? What was he talking about?


    In other words, did she mistakenly believe that all of Ians actions were solely for her?


    No. It wasnt a mistake.


    Were all those actions, including the curse, directed towards Sharon herself?


    You say Im self-aware?


    Did I tread on your back?


    The music reached its climax unnoticed.


    The women in the ballroom twirled around their partners in unison.


    Sharon also circled around Ian.


    Every aspect of him was vividly observed by her, as if she had been observing him all along.


    Maybe its because you only looked at me, Sharon.


    What nonsense is this?


    I confessed not only to you but to three others as well. I was just coincidentally at the Median Girls Dormitory. The Disciplinary Committee med you and the others for picking a fight with me, and at the Grade Assessment, I simply showed the results of my efforts.


    T-Thats


    Well then, Sharon Pierce, answer me now. Why do you think I came looking for you? Is there a reason for me toe looking for you? Why do you think everything I do revolves around you?


    Sharons steps faltered for a moment.


    Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ian interjected himself into her assertive rhythm.


    Tsk.


    But it was Sharon who regained herposurete.


    She straightened herself out, refraining from rebutting directly.


    I see.


    Ian sighed softly.


    Sharons eyes gleamed with a sharp light.


    As expected, youre still the same, Ian ckangers.


    Dont try to confuse and deceive your opponent with nonsense. And behind, youre just a dirty trickster.


    That was a mistake. But Sharon Pierce, let me give you some advice.


    I dont need your advice.


    Still, listen. You believe that everything you see and hear, everything you feel, is the truth.


    Thats not true.


    What do you mean, not true? Look at your brother. He doubts everything and looks back again. How are youpared to him?


    Dontpare me to that trash.


    While being trampled by such trash?


    I I came out like this today for


    I dont know about your family circumstances. Why do you think Im so rxed and confident?


    What nonsense


    Ignoring Sharon, Ian continued.


    This isnt a ce for you to hide. Sharon Pierce. Within the family, you have nothing to fear.


    Sharons breathing became erratic.


    But Ian didnt intrude into her territory.


    Instead, he gently supported her lead from behind.


    Thanks to the highlight of the music, it wasnt too obvious.


    Sharons hand trembled.


    Are you making fun of me, Ian ckangers?


    Are you angry? I did try to help you this time.


    I will never trust you.


    I never asked you to. Just open your eyes properly. Like Lina Rosewell.


    Lina Rosewell? Why does that namee up here?


    Ian pointed with his eyes towards a woman dancing expertly in the distance.


    Why is Lina Rosewell here?


    That child made efforts to see the truth. Eventually, she ended up with me.


    Shes just a traitor who abandoned us in the Disciplinary Committee.


    Hmm.


    Ian, who had caught his breath amidplex steps, spoke.


    Alright, Sharon Pierce. Lets make a bet.


    A bet?


    Yes, a bet. If everything I said is true, what will you do?


    Ive never thought about such a thing. You cant be right.


    Lets just hypothetically consider it.


    Sharon, who had been silently ring at Ian, let out a faintugh.


    Kneel down and apologize, and Ill do whatever youmand.


    Are you saying that you will follow orders and even swear an oath of obedience?


    The oath of obedience. A magical covenant that engraves ones status beneath the presence of another. Terrifying in its own right, but what makes this covenant famous is the process of its conclusion.


    It is a ritual in which one kneels and bows without even a single piece of cloth on, meaning that one has not hidden anything.


    In short, it meansplete humiliation.


    !


    A chill flickered in Sharons eyes.


    Unrefined coldness flowed towards Ians hand, freezing it.


    However.


    <em> Bam!</em>


    The most intensest note of the first song, the trumpets sound towards that direction, resonated loudly throughout the ballroom.


    In the moment Sharon took a breath to say something.


    Ian extended his right foot.


    And using it as a pivot, he exerted all his strength to pull Sharon forcefully.


    !


    Caught off guard by the sudden strong momentum, Sharons eyes widened.


    Already confused by various thoughts, her center of gravity copsed due to Ians unexpected action.


    Even with the musics highlight, who could pull someone so forcefully?


    Tsk.


    She tried to pull her leg and resist.


    But Ians left foot shifted her center of gravity.


    Huh.


    He supported her waist as she fell to her left knee.


    <em> Oomph!</em>


    As the music ended.


    All eyes turned towards Ian and Sharon at the center.


    <em> p p p p!</em>


    The sound of apuse filled the ballroom.


    Seems like theyre about to devour each other What an impressive dance.


    I thought the two were sparring. I heard that Lady Sharon is very skilled with the sword, so I guess that wasnt for nothing.


    Lord Ian also seemed to be quite skilled. He even seemed fitting for the title of the Princesss man.


    As Sharon surveyed the reactions around her, she lifted her head.


    Ian pinned her waist firmly and looked down at her.


    The way shey delicately on the knee he supported.


    Sharon stood up.


    How graceful he is!


    So elegant, truly.


    It was a sound she didnt want to hear.


    She only came here to assert her own presence as one of the heirs.


    It wasnt about unting femininity.


    Sharon nced at Ian silently.


    You always hide your strength so ominously, only to unleash it like this.


    I was just dancing. Lets stop with the pretense.


    Sharon bit her lip.


    When did you be so bold? You were clearly timid andcking in confidence.


    Are you only realizing it now? Shouldnt you have realized it sooner?


    Im not praising you. Ian ckangers.


    Sharon momentarily closed her lips.


    Although she had interfered in social affairs and marred Hermans mood by attending this event, her intended purpose was somewhat fulfilled.


    However, Ians words were simply intolerable.


    Is she deluding herself into believing that shes overly conscious and only sees Ian?


    That she believes wrong things to be right?


    Ridiculous.


    Well, theres nothing you cant do.


    A clear provocation from Ian.


    Sharon narrowed her eyes and nodded.


    Fine. If by some chance youre right, then Ill perform the oath of obedience. But what if its the opposite?


    If its the opposite


    Before Ian could respond.


    <em> Kwaang!</em>


    The door opened once again.


    No, could you even call it an opening?


    Fragments of the shattered door poured onto the floor as if ignoring thews of physics.


    It was an obvious situation, with Herman Pierce on the verge of losing his temper.


    However, all eyes gathered towards the wide-open, or rather now shattered, door.


    W-whats this now!


    Whats happening again!


    <em> Thud</em>


    A solid footstep of metal rubbing against metal.


    The weight of that sound enveloped the entire ballroom.


    S-second Lady?


    Someone murmured from the front.


    There was no need to confirm the truth of that question.


    Soon, as she revealed herself.


    Thud


    Merely walking caused an immense presence that seemed to crush the entire ballroom.


    Her head was blue, but her eyes were so red they could belong to a beast.


    She was an impressive woman with her tall height and her well-pronounced thighs.


    Although she was not small, it felt that she had enormous strength that far exceeded her appearance.


    As Ian looked at the second child, he furrowed his brow.


    Is that thing shes holding a person?


    After casting a wide nce around, she opened her mouth as if a beast was growling.


    I came because they said there was a party, but it doesnt look very fun.


    <em>Thud. Thud.</em>


    The blood dripping from her hands stained the floor red.