Chapter 21: A Little Pup’s Arrogance

“Heh, I told you, I would have this freeloading girl properly educate you.”

Julie Crimson strutted towards the two of them, an arrogant swagger in her step.

She had been observing Lovelenica’s training of Lucia from the sidelines for quite some time, and watching Lucia collapse onto the ground from exhaustion filled Julie with an invigorating satisfaction.

Julie had mistakenly believed that Lovelenica’s compliance stemmed from the previous night’s ‘punishment,’ a lesson in the consequences of incurring her wrath.

“The roster isn’t finalized until a week before the Anomaly Hunt Exercise.

Now, abandon your team-up with Attestor and yield her to me; perhaps I can make things easier for you.”

“Wha—”

Upon hearing Julie’s words, a chilling dread instantly gripped Lucia’s heart, stealing her breath.

‘Could it be… was Teacher following Julie’s orders, which is why she’s training me like this?’

‘Was it not to enhance my strength, but merely to torment me?’

Lucia’s hard-won trust in Lovelenica began to waver once more at that moment.

“I told you, Lucia, how could this person ever truly change?”

Just then, Imeline stepped between the three, shielding Lucia with her presence.

“Give up teaming with Attestor? Absolutely not!”

Truth be told, Imeline had been somewhat reluctant to face Lovelenica today.

Only last night, the puppet familiar she used to monitor Lovelenica had been destroyed by her.

Although the familiar had self-destructed, who could guarantee that Lovelenica hadn’t discerned something?

If Lovelenica had discovered anything from the puppet familiar and used it to accuse Imeline, it could ignite a major conflict between their two families.

Moreover, Imeline’s act of surveillance would undoubtedly put her family at a disadvantage in public opinion.

Thus, Imeline had wished to avoid a direct confrontation with Lovelenica for the time being.

However, witnessing Lovelenica and Julie Crimson ganging up on Lucia, Imeline immediately cast aside her other worries and stepped forward to defend her.

“Scram.”

Lovelenica uttered a single, dismissive word, yet the other three instantly felt a coldness as if plunged into an ice cellar.

“N-no, that’s right! T-that’s exactly it, why are you meddling in this!”

Though Julie Crimson also disliked Imeline’s constant protection of Lucia, she was taken aback by Lovelenica’s unusual belligerence today.

To directly tell Imeline to scram startled Julie, causing her voice to tremble slightly.

Imeline, too, was momentarily stunned.

The usual Lovelenica would not be so blunt.

‘Could she have discovered my surveillance and, feeling justified, become so arrogant?’

‘Even if she found out, what of it? I will protect Lucia!’

“You’ve finally revealed your true nature, you—”

However, before Imeline could finish her sentence, Lovelenica spoke again.

“I was talking about you, you little pup.”

Lovelenica looked down at Julie Crimson with disdain, her mood undeniably foul.

The fleeting satisfaction from her minor retribution had completely vanished, swept away by Julie’s words.

‘My small act of retaliation against Lucia was merely because she unknowingly touched my head last night, so how did it become *your* command, Julie?’

‘Or does Julie believe that missing one meal would make me docile and obedient?’

‘In their eyes, am I truly the kind of person who would meekly follow their orders for a single blood pack?’

To Lovelenica, this was nothing short of blatant contempt, a stripping of her autonomy and an insult to her very being.

Consequently, Lovelenica was seething with anger.

“W-what? Are you talking about me!?”

Julie Crimson’s eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed at herself.

“You’re quite self-aware, aren’t you, knowing you’re a little pup.”

Not only was Julie Crimson shocked, but Lucia and Imeline were equally surprised that Lovelenica’s insult was directed at Julie.

“You! Have you forgotten what happened last night! Try to defy me one more time!”

‘Heh, just as I thought…’

Lovelenica sneered inwardly.

Indeed, they believed they could control her by using fresh blood as leverage.

“If your mother knew you were arguing with me here, shouldn’t *you* be the one getting disciplined?”

“I, for one, couldn’t care less, but the family might.”

“A good dog doesn’t block the path; if you know what’s good for you, scram.”

Lovelenica dismissed Julie’s threats entirely.

She continued to mock Julie, truly unconcerned by the repercussions.

If their quarrel exposed anything, leading others to uncover her identity, the karmic debt would fall upon the Crimson Family.

At most, Lovelenica would merely be brought back to her original cage by Liliana, while the Crimson Family’s fate would be utter annihilation.

Having spoken, Lovelenica then turned her gaze to Lucia, having noticed earlier that Lucia’s expression seemed troubled.

“Don’t listen to this little pup’s nonsense.”

“All your training was arranged by me.”

“Today was simply a test of your limits, to see the extent of your physical capabilities.”

“You can rest now for the day; remember to take a bath and massage your shoulders when you get back.”

“So… that’s how it is.”

Lucia nodded, a significant portion of her doubts assuaged.

Indeed, when implementing a completely new training regimen, it was understandable to first test one’s limits on the initial day.

“You just wait… you just wait for me! As a collateral member of our family, how dare you not side with me!

Last night was just the beginning! You’ll have much more to endure in the future!”

With those words, Julie Crimson ran off.

From her parting remarks, Lovelenica surmised that Julie was likely off to report to Theresa Crimson, who would then complain to Liliana.

Lovelenica felt a pang of sadness.

Liliana was her sister, yet she consistently favored outsiders, these loyal hounds she had nurtured.

Imeline thoughtfully propped her chin, listening to the argument between Lovelenica and Julie Crimson.

Imeline found it rather peculiar.

Their family relations seemed strained.

What struck Imeline as even stranger was that Lovelenica, a collateral member of the Crimson Family, dared to speak to a direct descendant in such a manner, even insulting Julie.

Even if Lovelenica possessed formidable strength, such arrogance seemed uncharacteristic.

There must be some unknown secret within their family.

Imeline mentally noted their conversation, preparing for future investigations.

“Teacher… what did Julie’s words mean?

What happened to you last night?

Were you threatened by them?”

Though Lucia was naive, she was not foolish.

She naturally understood the disparity in status between collateral and direct lines.

From their conversation, it was clear Julie had done something to Lovelenica the previous night.

“Ugh… it was nothing, really.”

“They just wouldn’t let me eat; it’s hardly a big deal.”

“Is that so… Then what if she causes you trouble again later?”

“It’s fine, that’s not something you need to worry about, Lucia-chan.”

“You just need to focus on your cultivation.”

Lovelenica gently patted Lucia’s head, offering her a reassuring gaze.

‘Finally, I’ve managed to pat her back.’