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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Ilia Marcus
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Ilia Marcus
House Lox, the Marquisate, had made its name as a renowned house of the sword, guardians of the southern frontier of the Kransis Kingdom. The sword of Lox was an impenetrable iron shield and an invincible, undefeated spear.
With a reputation built over hundreds of years, the name Lox had become synonymous with trust for the people of the Kransis Kingdom.
But the prestige that the elites of House Lox had built with their blood and sweat was slowly crumbling because of a single scoundrel.
Had his misdeeds been confined to the Marquisate's territory, they might have been covered up somehow, but Yuren's rampage knew no time or place. He had even caused trouble in the royal capital, so it was only natural that his reputation as a scoundrel spread throughout the entire kingdom.
And now, rumors of that very Yuren's transformation had begun to quietly circulate.
"Have you heard the rumor that the Lox scoundrel has started training?"
"Come on! As if that lump of flesh, the Grand Prince, would ever do something like that. He's probably just tormenting the powerless and harassing maids again."
"I only heard it secondhand, so I don't know for sure, but they say he does nothing but exercise all day."
"Hey! Don't say things that'll ruin the taste of my drink! If you ask me, that guy is a lost cause. Did you forget the trouble he caused in the capital? How much the Marquis suffered because of it…"
"That's enough! I'm not defending that scoundrel either. Sigh, let's just drink."
"Hmph…"
Though rumors of his change existed, people didn't believe them. In fact, far more people dismissed them as nonsense and cursed Yuren. But as one week, then two, passed, more precise and credible rumors began to surface.
"I heard the scoundrel hasn't missed a single day of training."
"I heard that too. They say you can't even call him a lump of flesh anymore, that he's lost a lot of weight."
"Really?"
"Yes. My cousin works as a servant in the Marquis's household. He sees the scoundrel from time to time and says he's become a completely different person. In both character and appearance."
"Character? You mean it's not just the weight he's lost?"
"They say he doesn't torment the other servants or knights anymore. His entire day consists of training at the training grounds, coming home, and sleeping."
"Has that scoundrel finally come to his senses?"
"Not so fast. We'll have to wait and see. Do people really change that easily?"
Because Yuren was so infamous as a scoundrel, the news of his transformation spread rapidly throughout the kingdom, carried on the lips of gossips.
The rumors about Yuren even reached House Marcus, the guardians of the kingdom's western border. House Marcus, like House Lox, was a family of the sword sworn to protect the Kransis Kingdom. It was also the house of Ilia Marcus, Yuren's fiancée.
House Marcus had already decided to break off the engagement with Yuren, but Ilia insisted on seeing him one last time to decide for herself. Defying her family's opposition, she set out for the Lox estate alone.
Arriving at House Lox, Ilia felt a growing sense of anticipation as she waited for Yuren. She also felt she had acted too impulsively.
'What should I say when I meet him? Was it too sudden for me to come here?'
"The Grand Prince has arrived."
Before she could sort out her thoughts, a maid from outside announced Yuren's arrival. Ilia suddenly felt her heart begin to pound.
"Hoo…"
Ilia let out a sigh, composed herself, and looked toward the door behind her.
"Ah?"
Standing before the door was an overwhelmingly handsome man she had never seen before. With his refined features, long limbs, and cool demeanor, he was more beautiful than any man she had ever laid eyes on.
The change was so dramatic that Ilia's mind couldn't even process the thought that this man was Yuren.
"Who?"
**
"Who?"
"Hm?"
The word "who," spoken the moment I entered the drawing-room, left me momentarily stunned.
But damn, she really is pretty.
As expected of a heroine from the novel, Ilia Marcus was a peerless beauty with stunning features that could put any celebrity to shame and vibrant violet hair.
Just as she was shocked by my transformation, I couldn't help but be astonished by her appearance. Her harmonious features and a physique toned by training made it impossible to look away.
Perhaps because I'd already been through so many absurd events, I was the first to regain my composure and sat down across from her.
"It's been a while."
Even though it was our first time meeting.
"H-How…"
Ilia's green eyes trembled like aspen leaves, as if she still couldn't believe my transformation.
"It hasn't even been two months, how did you change so much!"
"I worked hard."
"You worked hard?"
"After you beat me up, I did a lot of thinking. And I decided to change."
Hearing my words, Ilia's eyes darted to the left, as if lost in thought.
"Are you bringing that up now?"
"No, I'm thanking you. It's thanks to you that I was able to come to my senses."
*Screech!*
Startled yet again by my serious tone, she pushed her chair back.
"Thanking me? You… Who are you!"
"The former scoundrel, Yuren Lox."
I answered with a faint smile, finding her wide-eyed expression cute.
*Screech.*
I stood up from my seat and bowed deeply to her, who was still bewildered.
"What are you doing!"
"Everything that happened back then was my fault. I would have had nothing to say even if you had beaten me to death. I am truly sorry."
I kept my head down, apologizing on behalf of the scoundrel Yuren.
"What on earth are you…"
Ilia was flustered, unsure how to react to my words and actions.
Ilia, you must have come here on an impulse after hearing the rumors about me. But I was already prepared.
Ilia's visit to break the engagement was an expected event, but it was different from the novel. In the novel, she comes with members of her family to formally request the annulment.
But this time, Ilia came alone. The story had changed. Thanks to that, I had two options.
Either break the engagement and become complete strangers, or win over the woman who was destined to be the protagonist's love interest.
After much deliberation, I had reached a conclusion. And there was only one reason for my decision.
[Creator's Eye is activating.]
[Name: Ilia Marcus]
[Traits: Nation-Toppling Beauty, Sword Empress]
[Favorability: -16 (Dislike)]
It was because of her trait, Sword Empress, which I could see through the Creator's Eye.
Ilia was not a heroine who simply received help from the protagonist. She grew strong through her own traits, eventually saving the fallen protagonist and even cutting down a major villain. What made that possible was her trait, Sword Empress, which had no level.
Even if the engagement with Ilia is broken, restoring our relationship will surely be a great help.
"I am truly sorry. If your anger hasn't subsided, you can hit me until it does."
I spoke with my head still bowed, infusing my voice with internal energy. A voice laced with internal energy had a peculiar way of resonating with the heart, and it would surely create a greater ripple in hers.
"Mm…"
I heard Ilia let out a soft sound. She still seemed to be at a loss, lost in her thoughts.
"Stand up!"
At Ilia's shout, I lifted my head and met her eyes. Her pupils were still unsettled, as if she was still shaken by my actions.
"Are you serious?"
"I am. I woke up after you hit me. Nothing like that will ever happen again. Please believe me."
*Gulp.*
She swallowed dryly, and finally looked me straight in the eyes. Seeing her gaze no longer waver, it seemed she had made up her mind.
"Promise me. No, swear it."
"Swear?"
"Yes. Swear that you will not live like you did before. If you break that oath, I will beat you to death myself."
*Woooong.*
Ilia released her aura, beginning to pressure me. A suffocating pressure washed over my entire body.
*Drrrk.*
*Clang!*
The teacup in front of me, pushed by the force of her aura, fell to the floor.
"I'm serious. If you walk the wrong path again, I will kill you myself."
This was a line Ilia said to the protagonist. To think I would be the one to hear it.
I slowly opened my closed eyes and looked at her. As the pressure from her aura intensified, the Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi activated on its own, neutralizing the oppressive force.
*Woooong.*
"Huh?"
The Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi not only neutralized her aura but began to push back, exerting pressure on her instead. Having reached the third star, it already surpassed the aura Ilia had cultivated for years.
"Wh-What in the…"
Shocked that her momentum was being pushed back, Ilia unknowingly took a step backward.
I showed her a genuine smile and replied.
"I swear."
**
"Have you met with Yuren?"
"Yes."
After her meeting with Yuren, Ilia had been summoned by Marquis Willington and was now in his office.
"Have you made your decision?"
"I have."
Her eyes were resolute, as if nothing could make her change her mind. The Marquis waited for her words with a faint smile.
"I will not break the engagement."
"Hmm…"
Surprised by Ilia's words, the Marquis's mouth fell slightly open.
"May I ask why?"
The Marquis was also aware of Yuren's dramatic change. But it hadn't even been two months since he'd changed.
As Yuren's father, he had no choice but to watch over him, but Ilia had no such obligation. With her looks and skills, it wouldn't be out of the question for her to marry into a ducal house.
"My father always said that people don't change. He told me that if I was going, I should just say we're breaking the engagement and come back."
The Marquis nodded as if that made sense.
"But I wanted to see him once for myself. To see how much he had changed, if he had returned to the kind Yuren from our childhood."
Ilia's gaze drifted upward as if reminiscing.
"But he wasn't the Yuren of the past, nor the scoundrel Yuren. He had become someone else entirely."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I've decided I want to trust him."
"Hoh…"
"If he ever returns to being a scoundrel, I've decided I will beat him to death."
Ilia declared without hesitation, right in front of the Marquis, that she would kill his son.
"Hahaha! What a heroine! I'll be counting on you."
"Leave it to me."
"Khaha!"
The Marquis seemed to find her words rather pleasing, as he burst into hearty laughter.
"So, how long will you be staying?"
"I ran away from home, so I should probably head back right away."
"Ran away?"
"As I said, my father wouldn't let me come unless it was to break the engagement, so I snuck out."
"Khahahaha!"
The Marquis seemed genuinely amused, his laughter unending.
"I would have liked for you to stay a few days, but if that's the case, it can't be helped."
"I will visit again formally soon."
"Haha, please do. You must have used the warp gate to get here?"
"Yes."
"Then I suppose I should have that Yuren fellow see you off."
"That won't be necessary. I can go by myself. I heard he's been training every day."
"Ah, that's right."
The Marquis also knew from reports that Yuren had been training without rest.
"He already spent time on me today, so it would be better for him to make up for his missed training. Consistency is important."
Finishing her words, Ilia closed her eyes for a moment.
"You're more considerate of that boy than I am. Alright then, travel safely. And send my regards to your father."
"I will."
"And on your way out, could you tell Yuren to come see me?"
"Pardon?"
The Marquis gave her the kindest smile imaginable.
"Your words have helped me make a decision as well. It's about time that Yuren fellow got started, too."