Eleonora recovered faster than I had anticipated.
"I’m quite all right now," she said. "Please forgive my lack of composure."
"No need for that," I replied. "When you went back to your family home, you said it felt as though nothing had changed. I assume your family wasn't always like that before you left for your marriage?"
"Indeed... 'The King sets the example for the high nobility, and the high nobility sets the example for lesser houses like our own. We, in turn, must set the example for the common people.' 'Nobles are those who live for the sake of the populace. To that end, there are times when we must endure shame and persevere.' My father spoke those words so often they became a mantra for us. He taught us to live righteously, both as nobles and as human beings."
She sighed, her gaze distant. "Back then, my father lived by those principles. Even in the face of hardship, he confronted problems with sincerity and fought to improve the situation, however slightly. My brothers studied diligently under him as well, training to become the future lord and his faithful assistant... They were a family I could trust, and a leadership the people could rely on."
I’d suspected as much. The way Eleonora spoke felt less like simple disappointment and more like the pain of being betrayed by those she loved. If her family had transformed that drastically in her absence, anyone would be shaken.
As we continued to talk, she explained that it was because of her faith in them that she’d tried to master every skill she could. Her ambition to become a Court Mage had been part of that drive.
"A Court Mage is more than just a specialist in the arcane; they serve the King directly. That status carries immense weight in noble circles. They earn a salary far beyond that of a typical mage, and a significant achievement can lead to rewards directly from His Majesty. Furthermore, the mere title attracts marriage proposals from high-ranking houses seeking to incorporate talented bloodlines. If I had secured a match with a house more powerful than the Four Houses... or really, anyone with enough influence to resist them, that would have sufficed. As a daughter of House Lansol, I was prepared to sacrifice everything for our land. I never looked away from my goal."
Her voice, which had regained some of its strength, faltered slightly. She spoke self-deprecatingly of her success, saying she had grown narrow-minded in her pursuit of power.
If her becoming a Court Mage offered a path to independence, the Four Houses—shrewd and malicious as they were—would never have let it happen. As soon as she received her recommendation, they applied pressure to her family. Her path was severed under the pretense of a strategic marriage, and after graduation, she became a hostage used against her own kin.
"Even then, I believed that if it were for the sake of the territory and its people, I would be content even if my family set me aside. I trusted that my father and brothers understood the stakes and would keep fighting. I suppose that is where the betrayal lies... though considering the burden I left them with, perhaps I have no right to blame them."
She fell silent, having finally unburdened herself of the heavy thoughts she’d been carrying. I stayed quiet for a moment, waiting for her to continue or for my own thoughts to coalesce.
Naturally, an outsider like me couldn't possibly know what was going through the minds of the Lansol family. Even if I did, this was a matter of the heart. Even if I could perfectly articulate their feelings, it didn't mean Eleonora could accept them.
"Eleonora-san," I said finally, "I can’t give you a definitive answer on this. I could offer empty platitudes or sound like a moralist, but I think you’d find that more annoying than helpful."
"I... suppose you’re right."
"However, you’re my subordinate now, and someone I consider a friend. I want to help you. To that end, I’ve put together a few options for how we might move forward. Broadly speaking, the choices are: maintain the status quo, flee, or fight."
I held up a finger. "Maintaining the status quo means exactly what it sounds like. I’m in no hurry to push you into a decision, nor do I have any intention of letting you go. Until you’re ready to decide your future, you’re more than welcome to stay in Gimul and continue helping me."
Then I moved on to the more active choices.
"Fleeing doesn't have to be a negative thing. If you decide to put your past behind you and live a life completely separate from your family, I’ll support you. If you want to keep working for me, you have a job. If you want to try something else, I’ll accept your resignation and even use my connections with the Ducal House to help you settle elsewhere. If you want to escape civilization entirely, like I did, you could live with Kormi in the Sea of Trees. It’s safe within his territory, and having someone to talk to would help him while I work on my curse magic."
I paused, considering a darker alternative. "If you want to disappear completely, we could even stage your death. If I feed a Mimic Slime some of your hair, it can perfectly replicate your appearance. If I remove its core afterward, it becomes a convincing corpse. It’s a bit of a grim misuse of the ability, but it’s a viable option."
I caught my breath and continued. "I’m sure we could devise other plans with more time, but that covers the basics of 'fleeing.' Then there’s the final option: fighting. Depending on your choice, that could mean targeting your family, the criminal syndicates, or both. It means actively seeking a resolution."
"Lord Takebayashi, that is far too dangerous," Eleonora interrupted, her voice tinged with alarm. "They may lack the political standing they once had, but their capacity for violence is undiminished. They have nothing to lose, and they won't hesitate to retaliate with lethal force. They are not the sort to be intimidated."
"Eleonora-san," I said calmly. "Generally speaking, resorting to violence is not a virtue."
"Then why suggest it? What do you mean?"
"I believe power is necessary to protect what is important—be it yourself, your family, or your home. I don’t dismiss force entirely. However, if used recklessly, it breeds grudges. The larger the conflict, the more people suffer. It should always be a last resort. Ideally, I’d prefer a peaceful reconciliation through negotiation... but that final resort just happens to be what I’m best at."
It was the first time I’d ever admitted that to another person. It was a long way to go to make a point, but I truly felt that if an opponent wanted to settle things with violence, it was almost a relief. It would be so much simpler that way. I was a little appalled at my own coldness.
"It’s not something to be proud of, which is why I’ve kept it to myself until now. But putting that aside... do these syndicates possess anyone on the level of Sieber Galdak, Remily Cremis, or S-Rank adventurers like Glen?"
"No... that’s highly unlikely," she admitted. "If a single organization had a fighter of that caliber, they would dominate the others. As it stands, the four groups are in a deadlocked stalemate. The chances of them having multiple knights of that level are even lower. Most organizations consist of a few strong leaders and a mass of low-level thugs. At least, that's my assessment from observing the town."
"In that case, I think they’ll be easy enough to manage. For instance, if I were to seriously injure a few members of one group—without killing them—how would the organization react?"
"They would be forced to respond. I dealt with those types often in the military. If they don't retaliate, their reputation is destroyed."
"And if they believe the culprit was a member of a rival gang?"
She froze, staring at me as the realization dawned.
"I’ve seen the Mimic Slime’s abilities," she whispered. "No one would suspect it at first glance. If you had it mimic a rival member and ensured there were witnesses... you could spark a gang war."
"Exactly. And that’s just one path. I don't know the specifics of their operation yet, but if one trick doesn't work, we just try another. I’ve also begun learning curse magic."
Combat applications for curses filled my mind. "Heart Concussion" was the first. A blow to the chest could trigger ventricular fibrillation, stopping the heart instantly. Normally, it required perfect timing and angle, making it unreliable. But if I wove a curse into the strike? If I ritualized the act of punching the chest to guarantee the cardiac arrest, it would become a lethal technique. I could do the same for brain concussions or organ ruptures. With curses, I could even delay the onset of the effect.
Or "Osteoporosis." If I could project a curse that instantly made bones brittle at the moment of impact, any strike would shatter a limb, even through plate armor.
I knew Lord Rosenberg hadn't intended for me to use his teachings for assassination, but the synergy with my martial arts was too perfect to ignore.
"Even without physical combat," I mused, "I could use a curse like a 'Chain Letter.' Though... maybe that's too dangerous. The range might expand indefinitely. If it spiraled out of control, it wouldn't just be the gangs—it could destroy the territory, or even the whole kingdom."
"That is terrifyingly grim!" Eleonora blurted out. "Is such a thing truly possible?"
"Probably? I haven't tested it, and I don't plan to, so I'll keep the specifics to myself. But to be honest, it doesn't feel like something I cannot do. I seem to have a natural aptitude for this."
In just a week, I’d realized that curse magic was essentially a game of association. It carried a higher risk of backfiring than other magic, but if you could visualize the connection, you won. You could fuel the mana with negative emotions and simply force the spell to manifest. Imagery from video game status ailments was surprisingly helpful. An osteoporosis curse was just a "Defense Down" debuff. If I only triggered it for the split second of impact, it would even be mana-efficient... but I was getting ahead of myself.
"I've strayed from the point," I said, bringing myself back. "I’m not saying we do this tonight. I just want you to know that I am capable of it. You’re a valued subordinate, Eleonora-san. If you ever need my strength, it’s yours. Whether it’s money, force, or political influence—though for the latter, I’d have to borrow it from the Duke—I have more than enough to help you."
A small, genuine smile touched her lips, and the shadow that had been hanging over her seemed to lift. She’d gone through a whirlwind of emotions tonight—grief, confusion, panic—and I was glad to see her find some peace.
I felt a sudden chill in the air.
"The wind is picking up," I noted. "I think that’s a good place to end our session. We shouldn't stay out in the night air for too long."
"You’re right," she agreed. "I seem to have done all the talking again, despite this being for your training."
"Don't worry about it. It was more helpful than it looks. We can do my turn next time. Oh, wait—there was one more thing I wanted to give you."
I pulled a small bag from my Item Box.
"What is this?"
"I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but if you find yourself with free time, here’s a job for you. Inside are materials and instructions for weaving something called a 'Misanga.' It’s a decorative cord. Since it’s a form of rope-work, it’ll help you get used to the feeling of mana flow for curse magic."
I remembered the old schoolyard legend that if you wore one until it broke, your wish would come true. It was a simple craft, perfect for passing the time.
"There’s no quota or deadline," I added. "Just make them whenever you’re bored. Can I count on you?"
"Certainly," she said, accepting the bag.
We made our way back to the lodge, and I headed straight for my room. I’d learned a lot about Eleonora’s burdens tonight. A venting session wasn't a bad way to spend an evening every now and then.