Chapter 111: Intervention and Retribution

“Well, what do we have here? It seems the stray dogs from the roadside have arrived.”

Hearing Imeline’s voice and Julie’s unrestrained insults, Lovelenica finally realized that Julie had brought people to surround Lucia and her companions.

Having read the original story, Lovelenica was certain these black-clad figures were all private soldiers of the Crimson Family. Her strategies and preparations for dealing with Olivia had been meticulously laid; if this were merely a chance encounter as in the original, they could have defeated Olivia with minimal risk.

However, the sudden appearance of these black-clad figures injected renewed suspense and danger into the battle. This threatened to ruin Lovelenica’s carefully laid plans; if she failed to pursue Olivia, the trail of the Crimson Skull would be irrevocably lost.

She wouldn’t even have known of the Crimson Skull’s existence.

Furthermore, if any of Lucia’s companions were truly sacrificed or suffered irreversible, grievous injuries, Lucia’s hatred for the Bloodkin would intensify immeasurably.

In such a scenario, should Lovelenica’s true identity ever be revealed, Lucia would very likely redirect that hatred onto Lovelenica, who was also Bloodkin. Coupled with the burning fury of betrayal, Lucia would undoubtedly prioritize hunting Lovelenica down.

So, who within the Crimson Family would harbor such a grudge against Lucia, enough to target her? The only person Lovelenica could conceive of was Julie.

These private soldiers were, without a doubt, dispatched by Julie.

Consequently, seeing Julie causing trouble once more, a surge of anger immediately flared within Lovelenica. She impatiently hurled insults at Julie.

“A good dog doesn’t block the road; now get out of the way!”

Silence descended upon the group once more. For a moment, the room was utterly quiet.

Julie’s companions knew Lovelenica was also a member of the Crimson Family. Initially, they had assumed Lovelenica’s appearance was to help them teach Lucia a lesson.

However, they had never anticipated Lovelenica would unleash such a furious tirade against Julie. In their eyes, while Lovelenica might be a collateral relative of the Crimson Family, she was still a part of that formidable noble house.

Moreover, Lovelenica was their elder and held a certain standing within the Church. They instantly felt a burgeoning fear of both Julie and Lovelenica. Any further contemptuous remarks were now beyond their courage.

If a quarrel were to erupt between the two, it was certainly not for mere nobodies like them, who had achieved nothing, to interject.

“You freeloader! Are you trying to rebel!?”

Julie was utterly enraged this time. She pointed a finger at Lovelenica’s nose and began to curse her.

“You wretched parasite, living off our family’s generosity! Without our family providing your food, clothing, shelter, and travel, how could you survive in the Royal City? Who’s the stray dog here? You’re the homeless cur! Even your own sister abandoned you! You ungrateful beast, believe me, when we get back, I’ll make you live in a doghouse and cut off your—”

Clang—

Before Julie could finish her sentence, a sharp, silver sword was pressed against her throat.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Lucia had swiftly appeared beside Julie. Her gaze was dark and filled with fierce hostility, as if she truly intended to strike the next second and sever Julie’s head.

Julie felt a sudden chill at her neck. She couldn’t utter a single word, her body paralyzed as if she’d lost all sensation. Her eyes wide, tears and saliva involuntarily streamed down her face, terrified that the gleaming, cold sword might truly touch her skin.

Faced with such utterly insulting words directed at her teacher, Lucia could no longer remain still.

Originally, she had only intended to retort. However, the moment she heard Julie’s cruel jab—’Even your own sister abandoned you’—her mind instantly flared, and her body moved without conscious thought.

When she finally regained her senses, Lucia had already pressed her sharp sword against Julie’s throat.

Lucia had always held her family in high regard. Having lost her parents to Fantasy Creatures, she understood the profound pain of a loved one’s departure more acutely than most.

Although she was still unaware of Lovelenica’s true background, Julie’s words were clearly designed to provoke Lovelenica through her family.

Whether a loved one was forcibly taken or willingly abandoned, Lucia believed the anguish was equally profound and unforgettable. Julie’s insults against Lovelenica felt no different than if someone were slandering her own deceased parents. It was this sentiment that caused Lucia to lose control, her mind clouded by fury, and draw her sword.

“Lucia! Don’t be rash!”

“Calm down!”

Imeline and Attestor immediately sprang from the sofa, agitated by the scene unfolding before them. They certainly weren’t trying to protect Julie, but rather feared Lucia might actually strike.

While they despised Julie’s attitude and behavior, until Lucia drew her sword, their conflict had been confined to verbal jabs and petty insults.

With Lucia’s action, however, the nature of the confrontation completely shifted. Lucia was the one who had initiated physical force.

Moreover, they were well aware of Lucia’s strength. In such a confined room, at such close quarters, Julie’s people would have virtually no space to deploy magical defenses. Given Lucia’s physical prowess, even a simple attack could inflict severe injuries upon the opposing Mages and Nuns. If Lucia, in a fit of impulse, truly launched an assault, it would be far beyond a mere war of words.

Despite hearing Imeline and Attestor’s shouts, Lucia neither lowered her Gun-sword nor acknowledged either of them. It was as if she hadn’t heard their voices at all.

She maintained the Gun-sword against Julie’s throat, glaring intently into Julie’s eyes.

“You… what do you want…”

“Apologize to our teacher.”

“…Never!”

Despite the blatant threat, Julie still refused to back down. While Lucia had indeed startled her at first, Julie believed Lucia wouldn’t actually dare to strike; she was merely bluffing.

Furthermore, being demanded to apologize to Lovelenica only inflamed Julie’s anger. She absolutely refused to bow down to that damnable, inferior Vampire!

Thud—

“Everyone, stop this at once!”

A dull thud resounded as Lucia slammed her fist towards Julie. Had Julie offered even a perfunctory apology, Lucia wouldn’t have been so enraged. But Julie’s utter refusal to concede anything only further infuriated her. Knowing she shouldn’t kill, Lucia opted to strike Julie with her fist instead.

However, the force of that punch was secretly intercepted by Lovelenica, who had subtly moved forward, catching it with her palm.

Slap—

What followed immediately was a resounding slap across Lucia’s face. Lucia stumbled back two steps, utterly stunned that Lovelenica had been the one to strike.

‘Are you calm now, Lucia? I don’t recall ever teaching you to point a weapon at a human.’

“You! What are you doing, woman!?”

Seeing Lovelenica actually slap Lucia, Imeline was instantly consumed by rage. She wanted to rush forward and confront Lovelenica.

‘Wasn’t Lucia just trying to avenge you!?’

‘Why would you hit her!?’

“Enough.”

Attestor, however, used her arm to hold Imeline back.

“Don’t cause any more trouble… Lovelenica didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You… dammit!”

Imeline, held back by Attestor, felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head.

In truth, Attestor was correct; Lovelenica’s actions were not amiss. Private duels were strictly forbidden within the stronghold, and regardless of the reason, the party who initiated the physical confrontation bore the majority of the responsibility.

Furthermore, judging by Lucia’s stance, she wasn’t merely intending to teach Julie a lesson. That punch would likely have left Julie half-crippled. Lovelenica was right to stop Lucia.

‘But… Lucia was clearly trying to help Lovelenica. Couldn’t Lovelenica have used a gentler method, simply holding her back?’

“…Hahaha, you actually tried to strike me!? What an underdeveloped brain—”

Slap—

Thud—

Julie, having just snapped out of her daze, immediately tried to mock the retreating Lucia.

However, Julie had barely gotten halfway through her sentence before Lovelenica slapped her. She was sent flying by the force, her entire face swelling instantly.

“Who gave you permission to speak?”