Chapter 24: I’m the Heir of the Poison King? (1)

“So, let me get this straight. That wretched scum attacked Rachel, who went to the dungeon to get Yona’s medicine. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Delkarmen Muelia briefly imagined.

A scenario where Emily hadn’t sent Aris, and Rachel was assassinated.

If that had happened, Rachel would have been killed on the spot, and the elixir that could cure Yona would have been stolen.

Srrr.

The intangible energy emanating from him made the surrounding air heavy. His expression was completely different from when he was worried about Yona.

Sensing Delkarmen Muelia’s unusual atmosphere, the two silently looked at him.

Having seen him for a long time, the two knew that Delkarmen Muelia was contemplating something.

After a moment of contemplation, Delkarmen Muelia tapped his fingers on the desk.

“Emily. Does the Meren family have a grudge against Yona as well?”

“Well. Since the incident started because Yona was hit, they probably have a grudge against Yona, too.”

“Then it’s safe to assume they’ve crossed us, a Great Duchy?”

“They may not have known what Rachel was doing, but looking at the result, yes. What are you thinking?”

“A territory war. Send a mage to retrieve the imperial seal.”

Delkarmen Muelia growled. The image of Yona crying in pain replayed in his mind.

“Kill every single one of them who carries the Meren blood. Within the next three days, the Meren bloodline will be erased from this world. Aris. Take the vanguard. Can I count on you?”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

Aris stood up and bowed her head.

“I’ll assign you two regular knights and one hundred soldiers. Move immediately.”

“Yes!”

She immediately went outside. This was because Delkarmen Muelia had limited the period to three days, and time was short.

Normally, at least a week is needed to prepare for a territory war.

Because it’s a moment that determines not only the fate of the territory but also the life and death of a noble.

Some even prepare for years and launch an all-out war.

But Emily wasn’t worried about just 100 soldiers.

It’s not arrogance or conceit.

What she’s worried about is the surrounding reputation.

“Father. We can’t tell the public about Rachel. Even if we wage a territory war, we don’t have enough justification to destroy a barony.”

Emily was right.

There was no direct evidence that Meren had touched Muelia.

The only indirect evidence was Rachel, and Emily didn’t want to reveal that.

If rumors spread that a mere commoner had cured a disease that even the Cardinal couldn’t cure, her safety could be at risk.

Even if Muelia thoroughly defends, you never know what will happen in the world, so they are trying to block the cause itself.

Delkarmen Muelia also read Emily’s intentions.

Tap tap. Tap tap tap.

The fingers tapping on the desk. Another moment of contemplation.

“If there’s no justification, we’ll create one. Emily. Make one up if you have to.”

“But then the other nobles will criticize you, Father.”

For nobles, social reputation and face are more important than money. The extravagance, the praise from others, it’s all for that reason.

But Delkarmen Muelia shook his head.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been using the nickname Iron-Blooded Duke for this very occasion. And wouldn’t it be fine if you just create a good justification?”

“Father.”

“Surely you wouldn’t let your father be criticized, would you?”

“Of course not. I’ll do my best.”

Delkarmen Muelia’s eyes, looking at Emily, had become warm again.

“We can see Rachel after three days, after the territory war is over.”

“Yes. The reward…”

“I’ll give her the best I can, so don’t worry. You can go now.”

Emily went outside.

Left alone, Delkarmen Muelia rested his chin on his hand.

“Rachel… Does she visit the library every day? Did they become friends?”

It was a good sign.

Emily had never had a proper rest since she was a child, as a member of the duchy. Sadly, there was no one she could call a friend.

“They’re around the same age, and she seems capable. Perhaps they could become good friends.”

Rachel’s evaluation skyrocketed simply because she saved Yona and was on friendly terms with Emily.

He pondered for a moment and took out a piece of paper from the safe.

“A knighthood. Or a baronetcy. What should I give her?”

After a moment of contemplation, he began to write his name and signature on the baronetcy certificate.

It wasn’t just because she saved his daughter that he was granting her a baronetcy.

Even if a baronetcy doesn’t make it into the five ranks of nobility, it’s still a hereditary title, and technically higher than a knighthood.

The reason he’s giving her the title is because she’s the heir of the Poison King.

“If she becomes the Poison King, it would be to our advantage.”

He wanted to give her a barony, but from a barony onwards, it requires royal approval.

The royal family, wary of increasing power, would never approve it.

Sssssk.
And so, Rachel, unknowingly, was being misunderstood and was on her way to becoming a noble.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

“Haaam. I slept well.”

I stretched and yawned.

In the beginning, I was very uncomfortable with a woman’s body, but after a few months, I got used to it.

“How long did I sleep?”

I checked the clock.

The current time was 9:21 AM.

Since I fell asleep around 11 PM yesterday, it’s safe to say I slept all day.

I felt a bit bad about wasting my vacation, but it was nice to be refreshed after a long time.

“What should I do now?”

I sat still on the bed and muttered.

Now that the important matter was over, I had nothing to do.

A part of my heart felt empty.

“Should I read a novel?”

There’s literature in this world, so there are novels.

During the first week of working as a librarian, I read a few novels that looked interesting.

They weren’t bad.

Most of them were fantasies based on the mythical age, a genre I hadn’t read in my previous life, so it piqued my interest.

“I wonder if Yona is still resting?”

Even if she’s immune to all poisons, her health that has been depleted so far won’t return immediately.

Since she’s the daughter of a duke, she can recover quickly if she drinks elixirs like water, but it will take some time.

I washed up roughly and made coffee.

I felt good because I thought I made it pretty well.

“Mmm. The fragrant smell.”

As I smelled the coffee, Emily suddenly came to mind.

“She must be working. I wonder if she’d like it if I brought her some.”

Since she’s not good at making coffee, she’s probably drinking bitter coffee again today.

While I was thinking about her, someone knocked on the library door.

Knock knock knock.

“Rachel?”

It was Emily’s voice.

Speak of the devil.

But she knows I’m on vacation, so why is she here?

I opened the library door with a puzzled look.

“Miss Emily?”

“May I come in?”

“Yes. Well. Come on in.”

The library itself is hers anyway, what permission does she need?

I turned on the vacuum robot at the desk.

It must have accumulated dust since I hadn’t cleaned it for two days.

Emily came in and sat in front of my seat.

“Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I made a latte by adding steamed milk to the pre-made coffee.

Based on what I’ve observed for two months.

She definitely liked lattes.

“Here you go. By the way, why did you come here?”

“I have a few things to tell you, and I also wanted some coffee. Have a seat.”

Drrrk.

I sat down.

As I was taking a sip of coffee, Emily spoke.

“You’ll be able to receive the reward for saving Yona in about three days. Instead, my father wants to meet you in person.”

“The Duke?”

Delkarmen Muelia, the Iron-Blooded Duke.

The only time I met him in this life was briefly during the interview for the librarian position.

I felt a little nervous.

“And the assassin who attacked you recently. He said he was a hunting dog belonging to the Meren family. So my father declared a territory war.”

“Excuse me?”

Did I hear that wrong?

It doesn’t make sense to start a territory war just because I, a mere commoner, was attacked.

The opponent isn’t a small barony, the Meren Barony is a rising new barony that’s been on a successful streak.

Emily smiled, noticing my doubt.

“It’s not just because of you. If you had been attacked then, Yona couldn’t have been cured, right?”

“Ah, I see.”

Considering his daughter-loving personality, it’s entirely possible.

‘Tsk tsk. Stupid Meren Barony. Of all people, they had to mess with Delkarmen Muelia.’

The outcome of this territory war is obvious.

No matter how much of a rising new barony they are, they’re no match for the Muelia family.

Delkarmen Muelia alone could charge in, kill all the soldiers and knights, and win the territory war.

Even if they were blinded by revenge, how could they do such a foolish thing?

Considering the nickname Iron-Blooded Duke, there’s a high chance that the Meren family will disappear due to this territory war.

I don’t feel sorry for them.

Anyway, they were third-rate villains who would later commit all sorts of atrocities with the support of the Second Prince.

I brought the beans, dripper, and milk.

And so, the two of us sat facing each other and did our own thing.

Before we knew it, the sun had set.

When Emily left, I saw her off at the door

“The coffee was delicious today. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I’m grateful that you enjoyed it.”

Emily smiled and waved her hand slightly.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Goodbye.”

I bowed my head in greeting.

Emily, who was getting farther and farther away.

She suddenly stopped and approached me.

She looked around and whispered softly in my ear, then started walking away again.

“Oh, right. I didn’t mention this. It’s best not to tell others that you’re the heir of the Poison King.”

“Excuse me?”

“Then, see you tomorrow.”

“W-Wait, Miss?”