CH 115.1

Eri couldn’t comprehend what Calion just pronounced.

Retrieve her last name?

Dug out of the family register?

That meant…

“No, don’t talk nonsense. Who wants to dig me out of the family register? No matter how much you hate me, this is crossing the line. If father comes to know—”

“Did I not told you? I’m telling in stead of the head of the household.”

“What? So… does that mean it’s father’s will to erase me off the family register..?”

Her voice trembled uncontrollably. To that, Calion was delighted beyond measure. It was not common to see his cheeky half-sister so flustered.

‘Ah, she’s not even my sister anymore.’

She was just a stranger, no strings attached.

He smiled and responded to her words.

“You are right. It’s the will of the head of the household on which you are excluded from the family register this time.”

“Nonsense… father couldn’t have…”

Eri murmured in denial of reality, and Calion scrunched his brows in displeasure.

“Who is your father? The head of the household is no longer your father. There is no one in the world you can call your father!”

“You..!!!”

Losing sanity in boiling rage, she chanted a wind blade spell instantly. The jewel on her wand glowered and mana condensed as two well-forged blades touched his neck.

Calion’s escort knights pulled out their swords.

“You, you…”

Eri’s gaze trembled. Although she was the youngest daughter, she was treated well in her own way. That was why those escort knights were also familiar faces.

“Eri, let go of the mana.”

They warned her with an infinitely cold face, bringing their blades to her. Originally, they used the title of lady, but now they called her just ‘Eri’.

The changed attitude of the escort knights forced Eri to accept reality.

She was really abandoned by the family, by her own family.

“…why? What did I do wrong…”

“I don’t believe you ask because you really don’t know.”

“…”

Eri shut her mouth.

This time around, she understood.

It was most probably an extension of what they talked about at home the other day.

Her family’s declined status due to what she did in the past.

Yeah. She understood.

Because she too was aware of her own faults.

But…

“If you’re doing this because of that… Why, why do this now?”

If she was being expelled because she disgraced the family’s status, shouldn’t she be punished at the time she did the wrong?

Not now. Not so out of the blue.

To her question, Calion replied as if it was no big deal.

“Because you are useless.”

“Useless..?”

“Indeed, useless.”

From the Oller family’s perspective, Eri was a nuisance. She was a mischievous troublemaker who somehow managed to attain attraction. They wished it would have ended there, but the problem was that the troublemaker was unnecessarily good at her job.

Since she was kicked out of the Mage Tower, she had taught herself magic on her own, and she was so much better than most wizards in the Mage Tower.

Her genius was recognized, and she even became a Hero’s ally.

Thanks to which, the Oller family had to be dragged along by her actions for a while.

Not until she returned to Cloud’s party, let alone when she voluntarily walked into Lorian’s party.

They were somehow responsible for all of her actions, but the family could not punish her.

Because you never know what the next day would be.

In the future, Cloud’s teammate Eri might be needed.

But now it was all different.

The Oller family had lined up with Prince Lorian.

Not vaguely, but explicitly.

Even if the Cloud’s party made her name known and Eri’s influence became stronger, it would become difficult to use her.

So it was more in the family’s advantage to earn Lorian’s favor by demonstrating their willingness to cut off the relationship with her with a single stroke.

Duke Oller’s decision carried such an intention.

And Eri, not knowing the details of the situation, felt a terrible sense of betrayal.

“Used and thrown, just like a tool…!”

“It’s not about being a tool, it’s about being useful.”

“What?”

Looking at Eri, who frowned at him, Calion continued with a stern expression.

“Not only you, but me, my sisters, and even the family head. All of us are tools for the Oller family to shine.”

But you were just a tool that could be thrown away.

That was all.

His part said, Calion raised his right hand. The swords that had been aimed at Eri’s neck were withdrawn.

“You wasted time needlessly, custron.”

Calion passed by Eri, who had her head dipped low, along with his escort knights. Grounding her teeth, she turned around and called after Calion.

“Yeah, do whatever you want! I don’t need an unfeeling family either! Rather thank you! For getting me out of the damn family soon! For not ruining my life!”

Unlike harsh words, her voice was teary.

Calion stopped short and raised his right hand, which then clenched into a fist.

And the moment Eri narrowed her eyes.

* * *

“Are things going as planned?”

A large room in an inn.

Lorian asked, looking at Calion and some nobles who were in charge of supplying food.

In response, Calion, who supplied the most food among the nobles, responded on behalf of the nobles.

“Yes. The princess herself is also actively cooperating, so the work itself is proceeding without a hitch.”

“How do people feel about us?”

“Every day it’s getting better.”

“I’m glad.”

“But…”

Calion added with a slightly exasperated expression.

“But?”

“It is true that public sentiment towards us is improving. But there is one problem.”

“That is?”

“Citizens’ support for the Hero, Hero Cloud, is stronger than expected. They keep talking about miracles, I think the biggest reason is that they saw the events of that particular day in person.”

“Speaking of that day…”

“Yes. The day the Hero Cloud defeated one of the four Heavenly Kings alone.”

At Calion’s words, Lorian hummed while crossing his arms together.

Miracle day.

The citizens of Lupus referred to the day the Heavenly King fell.