Chapter 5

As I stared blankly, Duke Ruthius said sternly.

“It seems you need to relearn your table manners.”

“That’s a rather bold statement coming from someone who barged in during my meal.”

“Astell!”

“There’s no need to raise your voice. Do I still look like the child who would cower and whimper at your shouting?”

“…”

My gaze clashed with Duke Ruthius’s.

Surprisingly, it was Duke Ruthius who backed down first.

He slowly took a sip of water, calming the tense atmosphere.

Duke Ruthius hadn’t avoided a confrontation out of any sense of remorse for Astell.

It was merely a strategic concession, a means to get more out of me.

“It’s a bit early for dinner, isn’t it?”

“I was feeling famished after all that activity. I’m going to eat now, so if you have something to say, make it quick. I plan on sleeping as soon as I’m done.”

At my insolent tone, Duke Ruthius’s jaw tightened.

But instead of reprimanding me, he calmly explained the situation.

“This morning, a colossal spire appeared in the sky above the Gray Forest. We haven’t been able to determine how it stays afloat, where it came from, or what its purpose is.”

*So, the apocalypse brought on by the Constellations has come to this world as well.*

I was unfazed. I had expected as much, having been through it once before.

I cut a small piece of steak and put it in my mouth.

“The monsters that attacked the estate came from a gate that opened in the nearby Hegea Grand Plaza.”

“…”

“Even with the Magic Tower, the Temple, and the Imperial Family involved, they couldn’t suppress the monsters. They say the creatures just kept reviving, no matter how many times they were killed. It was as if the world was ending.”

Duke Ruthius’s tone was devoid of emotion, almost as if he were someone who had been awaiting the apocalypse.

He lifted his deep green eyes to watch me.

“But then, people with special abilities appeared. They were able to eliminate the monsters completely. Their power helped us overcome the immediate crisis, but it isn’t over. The spire hasn’t disappeared.”

“…”

“In response, His Majesty has named these individuals ‘Hunters’ and promised them his full support. He has also ordered the Magic Tower to research the Hunters and monsters, and the Temple to manage potion supplies and monitor the appearance of gates… Astell, are you listening?”

I had been savoring the steak with my eyes closed, and only then did I open them.

But I couldn’t answer. If I opened my mouth, I was sure a cry of delight would escape.

*’Holy crap, this is delicious!’*

The texture, the flavor, the perfect harmony with the sauce, this tingling sensation on my tongue…

*’This isn’t just food; it’s art!’*

The bridge of my nose tingled. I felt like I was about to cry.

“Is the food not to your liking? If so, don’t force yourself to eat it. You should have asked for something else.”

I ignored him and focused on my meal.

*What is he talking about? It’s delicious.*

— Anonymous Constellation: lol she has no idea what her face looks like right now

— Anonymous Constellation: Your face looks like you’re chewing on the flesh of your mortal enemy, not a steak.

— Anonymous Constellation: Nah, not that bad. More like she’s chewing on a tire.

“Astell, you will become a Hunter for the House of Ruthius.”

Finally, the real reason for his visit. He wanted me to step up and represent the family.

And to think, he was the one who’d shoved me into the annex, unable to stand the sight of me.

“Are you asking me to protect the people in this house? If so, I refuse.”

“They are responsible for their own lives. I mean for you to become a Hunter and elevate the family’s honor.”

I leisurely wiped my mouth with a napkin.

“And what’s in it for me?”

“…What did you say?”

“If I am to become a Hunter for the House of Ruthius, what will you give me in return, Duke?”

“Are you daring to negotiate with me?”

“You catch on quick.”

Duke Ruthius slammed his fist on the table.

*Bang!*

The massive six-person marble table shook.

I met his gaze and slammed my own hand down on the table.

*Wham!*

Though it was just my palm, not a fist, the impact sounded like a sledgehammer striking rock.

The marble table cracked like a dried riverbed before collapsing with a groan.

All the plates and dishes on top crashed to the floor, shattering with a deafening clamor.

“W-whoa!”

“Aah!”

The servants waiting nearby screamed in shock, but neither Duke Ruthius nor I moved from our seats.

*So, I really have gotten stronger. Astell must have been quite powerful. Did she get it from her father?*

I glared at Duke Ruthius across the ruins of shattered marble, spilled food, and broken glass.

“You’re not the only one who can use force, Duke.”

“So, you intend to show off your strength in front of me?”

“That’s the idea. You enjoy showing off too, don’t you, Duke?”

“Indeed, I do. When my only flaw has finally become something worth boasting about, why should I be frugal in using it?”

“Do as you please. But you’ll have to pay a price every time you wish to show me off.”

“I don’t see why I should. Everything that bears the Ruthius name is mine.”

“Have you gone senile? You were the one who cast me out, Duke.”

“I was also the one who allowed you to live, even as you tarnished the family name. If I truly intended to discard you, I wouldn’t have done it so leniently.”

“Oh, is that so? Then allow me to ask a favor. Duke Ruthius, would you please disown me?”

I leaned back leisurely in my chair.

“You can take back the family name. In fact, I insist. I’m sick to death of the name Ruthius.”

Duke Ruthius’s sharp eyes narrowed menacingly.

In his youth, he too had been known as the finest knight.

Though he had laid down his sword after his wife’s death, the aura of a seasoned predator had not faded.

He studied me with a piercing gaze, then let out a short laugh.

His seemingly satisfied smile left a sour taste in my mouth.

“Very well. Name your price.”

“Let’s keep it simple: money. We can specify the details in a contract.”

“A contract?”

“Wouldn’t a contract be more convenient for you as well, Duke? Can you really trust me?”

“…I will have it prepared.”

“You’d best hurry. My price is about to go up.”

I deliberately omitted any mention of leaving the estate.

I’d drop the bomb about my independence *after* the contract was signed. The shock value would be much greater that way.

*I wonder what his face will look like when I tell him I’m leaving the moment the ink is dry on the contract.*

Will he slam the table in a rage, just like he did today?

Or will he just tell me to do as I please with that impenetrable expression of his?

*Actually, he probably won’t even care.*

As long as I bear the Ruthius name, I’m still the family’s Hunter.

He wouldn’t care where I lived, so long as that condition was met.

That’s all that matters to him.

The value his children possess.

*That’s why he could so easily cast aside a child he deemed worthless.*

His business concluded, Duke Ruthius rose to his feet.

Standing over 180 centimeters tall, he wore a flawless, high-end suit that complemented his firm physique and handsome features.

Looking not at all like a man in his middle years, he said impassively.

“It is time for you to return to the main residence.”

“Goodbye.”

“Is that a refusal?”

“Yes.”

“Astell, you are my daughter and a princess of the House of Ruthius. That fact will never change. Therefore, learn to distinguish between when you can be stubborn and when you cannot.”

That was the most ridiculous thing I’d heard since waking up in this body.

*His daughter? Now, of all times?*

I slowly rose to my feet, straightening my back.

“Let me ask you one thing. If you can answer my question honestly, I promise I will not only return to the main residence, but I will do whatever you wish. I won’t even ask for compensation.”

“Go on.”

“If I hadn’t defeated those monsters today—if I were still the same old Astell—would you still be acting this way? Would you have come to this annex yourself, suppressed your anger, and asked me to return to the main residence?”

“…”

Duke Ruthius said nothing.

*I knew it.*

He was the type to remain silent rather than utter a lie.

His near-obsessive perfectionism meant he couldn’t tolerate the slightest flaw, nor could he bring himself to offer empty pleasantries.

If he had possessed even a shred of flexibility, he wouldn’t be so rigid in a situation like this.

He would have tried to coax me with sweet words, perhaps even feigning tears.

“Time’s up. Your chance is over. You can go now.”

“…So, your return to the main residence?”

“I’ve already given you my answer. I refuse.”

“So you refuse to yield…”

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. I’m not being stubborn or throwing a tantrum. People do that when they want something. But I want nothing from you. I suggest you remember that, Duke.”

“Then what is the meaning of this behavior?”

“It means I’m rejecting any offer with unclear intentions that falls outside the scope of our contract. I have no desire to accept something blindly only to have it used against me later.”

Duke Ruthius wore a strange expression, as if he were facing a complete stranger.

It seemed he was finally sensing the disconnect. Finally.

*How little attention did he pay his own daughter to only be realizing this now?*

I wasn’t even angry anymore. I just found him pathetic.

“Why do you call me ‘Duke’?”

“Certain events can change a person.”

“You mean awakening as a Hunter? Yes, you certainly seem to have changed. Your weak, dependent nature is gone.”

“I’ve decided to be ruthless from now on.”

“Ruthless… We shall see how long that lasts.”

“By all means.”

After Duke Ruthius left, I went up to my bedroom.

I washed up, got into bed, and was about to fall asleep when I noticed the chat window buzzing.

— Anonymous Constellation: Astell, aren’t you gonna check the tutorial reward? Astell, aren’t you gonna check the tutorial reward? Astell, aren’t you gonna check the tutorial reward? Astell, aren’t you gonna check the tutorial reward? Astell, aren’t you gonna check the tutorial reward?

— Anonymous Constellation: Stop spamming

— Anonymous Constellation: Seriously!!! She’ll look when she gets to it!!!

— Anonymous Constellation: They’ve been at it for a while. Just check it so they’ll shut up, it’s getting annoying.

I started by kicking the spammer from the channel.

“The tutorial reward… that was the Memory Fragment, right?”

It was probably a memory from my past life—one of the major events I couldn’t recall.

But I had no interest in memories of a past life, nor in a second awakening.

There was no reason for me to get any stronger here.

*I just plan to live a life of leisure, so why would I need more power?*

What I needed wasn’t memories of the past or points to spend in some shop.

*Just money!*

But there was no need to share these thoughts with the Constellations.

“Oh, I forgot. I’ll check it now.”

[System: Would you like to play the first Memory Fragment?]

[YES] / [NO]

“Yawn…”

I selected [YES] with a yawn.