The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority-Chapter 39 : Plan (2)

Plan (2)
'How did things end up like this?'
Aris Hisperion.
Who could've imagined I'd end up having tea with this crazy hypocrite all of a sudden.
"......."
– Sip.
Presently, they were at the drawing room in the Lunabreeze estate.
Across from Ian sat a woman with abundant platinum blonde hair and crimson eyes.
Aris Hisperion was calmly sipping tea with graceful movements.
"......."
– Smile.
When her gaze met Ian's, Aris beamed, her eyes shining with naïve innocence.
As though she had been raised within a greenhouse, without ever encountering the world's filth—her very appearance overflowing with love.
Just by looks alone, you wouldn't find another lady so perfectly crafted by hand.
Yet within that exterior lurked a monster that could make even demons weep.
'It's a damn good thing I know this woman's true nature. Anyone fooled by her looks wouldn't even find their bones left.'
Aris, with a single hand gesture or step, exuded malice.
Her wickedness and cruelty could be compared without exaggeration to the demon grand dukes of the demonic realm.
'I had enough of her during the Hisperion civil war—never again.'
Wherever Aris went, there was always gruesome blood and screams in her wake.
Viscera strewn about, shattered bones, flesh flying everywhere... It was beyond such simple descriptions.
'... Just the memory disgusts me.'
Several horrors flickered across Ian's mind.
A laboratory of human experiments filled with a stench.
And the horrific monsters born from that abominable lab.
The rotten pus he saw in her torture chamber.
Piled high, festering and as sticky as a swamp.
Those sacrificed to her torture hung everywhere like works of art or banners.
'Among them were old people and children.'
All her victims were the families of those who had dared to oppose her.
'A madwoman.'
Aris Hisperion was someone who cared nothing for means or methods to achieve her goals.
That gentle, benevolent appearance—just a thoroughly played mask for her own gain.
'Now that I'm inside the Heavenly Sword Palace, I couldn't help but get involved with her one day... but I'd hoped to put it off as long as possible.'
Who'd have thought that stubborn woman would come to me of her own accord first?
No way she came just to make friends.
She's the very sort who weaves deceit into every breath.
Just what kind of scheme did she come here to propose?
Aris Hisperion.
"I apologize for coming unannounced, young lord Ian."
Aris smiled bashfully, feigning embarrassment.
At her innocent-looking face, Ian nearly let out a hollow laugh.
"Yet you welcomed me with such fine tea and hospitality... This lady was deeply moved by your kindness, young lord."
Ian hadn't prepared the tea.
Cheryl, the estate's manager, had done so.
It was nothing more than the customary treatment for guests.
And yet, she pressed her hands together over her chest as though genuinely thankful and moved.
She looked truly modest and compassionate—but, knowing Aris's true nature, Ian only felt chills.
"... So, what brings you here?"
"Oh... Right..."
Aris lowered her neatly clasped hands to just below her navel.
"I've come and taken up so much of your time without warning. My apologies. I know you must be busy with many matters... I was just so happy and delighted to meet the new family member... Of course, I'd love to converse longer if I could, but I'll deliver my message and withdraw promptly."
Aris performed the role of the pitiable lady to perfection.
Most people, when faced with such an act, would respond along the lines of, "No, not at all! It's fine! Please stay as long as you wish! Let's talk slowly. Servants! Bring more refreshments!"
But—
"Yes. Please finish within a minute."
To Ian, who saw right through Aris's intentions, her act was just sickening.
'She's just pretending to be sociable to pry loose information from me.'
It was obvious she wanted to learn about Ian to find a way to exploit him.
If she found a weakness, she'd bite down. If she spotted desire, she'd dangle bait.
'I must never reveal any hint of weakness or desire to Aris.'
For that reason, Ian hadn't brought Sophia along.
Sophia was currently hidden away in a second-floor room.
If Aris learned of Ian and Sophia's relationship, who knew what she might do to Sophia just to get to Ian?
"Young Lord Ian! Aren't you being terribly rude?"
At that moment, a knight standing behind Aris barked angrily at Ian.
From the insignia on the armor, Ian could tell he was from Aris's personal Celestial Water Knights.
"No matter if you're the guest of the Heavenly Sword Lord, the lady is the direct line of the Lord himself! What, within one minute? If you do not observe proper courtesy, I'll be forced to show you what rudeness truly means!"
Even as he finished, the knight unleashed the full aura of a late-stage Expert and glared at Ian.
"B-Brienne!? S-stop! Please, that's enough!"
Aris hastily tried to hold back the knight.
Ian could only laugh lightly in response.
"Hah."
"D-did you just laugh at me!?"
So, when pity didn't work, the next step was intimidation.
Most would shrink, their spirit suppressed when threatened by someone of higher cultivation.
Then, seeing Aris step in to protect them, they'd feel relieved and perhaps even unconsciously grow fond of her.
If Ian were simply a fourteen-year-old boy, such tactics might have worked.
Fourteen is an age too young for courage and sensitive enough to be touched by the smallest bit of kindness from the opposite sex.
But—
'What a farce.'
Ian may have looked fourteen, but inside was a war-hardened veteran who had survived the Hisperion civil war and the war against the demon army.
Threats and cheap theater like this didn't even scratch him.
"If you're here to pick a fight, I'll be leaving first."
"W-what...!?"
"Uh, um...?"
As Ian stood up to leave, both Aris and the knight were visibly flustered.
In truth, for a guest—even one invited by the Lord—to walk out first before a direct family member was a serious breach of courtesy.
That Ian dared do so was a bold move—but with Aris Hisperion, showing this much firmness was necessary.
If he showed even a lukewarm attitude, she'd keep coming at him with nonsense.
"Y-young lord Ian?"
As Ian started to leave the drawing room, Aris sprang to her feet and called out urgently.
"I came to visit only to offer my help, young lord Ian! I absolutely didn't come to pick a fight!"
"..."
Help?
She means a scheme.
"... Young lord Ian. I heard you're searching for an Elder Vampiric Sense, aren't you?"
"...?"
What?
Was that why you came?
Rumors sure do spread quickly in the Heavenly Sword Palace.
I don't think it's even been two hours since the master of the alchemy atelier left.
"Where did you hear that?"
Only when Ian showed interest did Aris's smile return.
"Looking after the palace members is my job. Especially when someone is troubled, these walls and pillars become my eyes and ears."
Ian nodded.
Of course. She wouldn't say where she heard it.
"So, if you wish, I can procure the Elder Vamp..."
"I refuse."
Ian cut Aris off without hesitation.
Now that he knew her real reason for coming, there was no need to listen further.
"... Pardon?"
"I'll find the Elder-rank Vampiric Sense myself, with my own power."
"Uh, um... Young lord? I haven't even begun to explain properly..."
"You wanted to offer your help acquiring an Elder Vampiric Sense, didn't you?"
"..."
"I refuse. Now, I wish you a pleasant return."
Ian strode toward the drawing room exit.
A clear signal he didn't wish to speak further.
"... This is difficult to understand."
Just as he opened the door to leave, Aris's voice stabbed into the back of his head.
Now her tone was completely different from before—
Low and cold.
For an instant, Aris's aura changed, and when Ian looked back, she was smiling at him, but her eyes were not smiling at all.
'Half the mask is off now.'
Her expression still showed composure and gentleness, but within those unamused eyes, anger and murderous intent burned unmistakably.
"I came to help you out of pure goodwill—and yet why do you treat me so coldly, young lord Ian?"
"... Hah."
Pure goodwill, she says.
She means pure malice.
"Have I ever committed any offense against you, young lord?"
You have.
Not just in his previous life—even in the present you already have, once.
At the entrance exam.
Didn't she try to probe his skills by using her slave, barbarian Kuga?
But Ian had no intention of bringing it up.
Whether the matter of a past life or the entrance exam—
There was nothing to gain by confronting her, only further entanglement.
'The best course is to minimize all contact with that woman. Breathing the same air is a risk.'
Ian shook his head and offered a final farewell in lieu of a sigh.
"I take it you have nothing more to say. Then, good day."
Without looking back, he left the drawing room.
* * *
'... Ian Greysel.'
On her way back to her own residence, Heavenly Water Hall.
– Clatter! Clatter!
In the carriage, Aris recalled what had just happened and smiled quietly.
'So... he doesn't fall for things so easily. Hmhm.'
If Ian had eagerly accepted her offer of an Elder Vampiric Sense then and there, he would have become her puppet.
She had planned to plant a Mind Worm on the Elder Vampiric Sense.
A Mind Worm.
A magical parasite created with magic power.
It could read a host's thoughts and be used for mental manipulation—a malicious creation indeed.
"Still, it was an enjoyable time, Ian Greysel."
Though she had failed to carry out a single scheme thanks to Ian's stubborn walls, Aris wasn't in a bad mood.
'It's the first time anyone has seen right through me at a glance.'
Ian's attitude—
So resolute, as if he had no wish to get involved with her at all.
No matter how prickly someone's nature was, no one would be so rude to a direct descendant of the Lord without cause.
Moreover, from the servants' talk, Ian's character wasn't bad at all—if anything, many said he was kind and mature.
He must have noticed her schemes well in advance, hence the solid defenses.
'How did he know?'
He couldn't have known her entire plan in detail.
Her decision to give Ian the Mind Worm only formed two hours ago, after all.
Yet for him to so resolutely show hostility and wariness—
'It means he knew my true nature from the start, doesn't it?'
Sensing her sadism and malice, he wanted nothing to do with her.
'How did he know? From when?'
Aris's lips curled in an ever-sharper crescent.
But her eyes only grew deeper, like the abyss.
'Ian Greysel. What an interesting child. You've become much more intriguing. I'll be keeping an even closer eye on you.'
Aris's carriage steadily rolled toward Heavenly Water Hall.
But her mind still lingered at the Lunabreeze estate.
* * *
The vampire relic gate opened in the Serion Kingdom.
'The raid is set to start the day after tomorrow, huh?'
Call it luck, but by coincidence, the raid would begin in just two days.
With preparations for the journey and a warp, they'd arrive at the gate perfectly on time.
"Sophia."
Ian called out to Sophia, who was snacking.
"Nom nom. Yes?"
"We're going out for a few days."
"Nom nom. We're going out? Where to?"
"Serion Kingdom."
"Oh!? Abroad!? Wait, is this an overseas trip to celebrate passing the entrance?"
"No. We're going to raid a gate."
"Ugh...!"
"Even if you don't want to, you have to come."
Ian had originally planned to bring Sophia, but now that Aris had visited the estate, it was even more important that he didn't leave her behind.
Who knew what might happen if she were left alone.
"If you don't like it, you can just follow me quietly. I'll get us a good hotel in Serion Kingdom."
"Oooh! I'd never refuse! How could I let young master go alone? If you hadn't suggested coming together, I'd actually be mad!"
Sophia stuffed all the snacks on the table into her mouth at once.
– Chomp! Chomp!
With a gulp, she swallowed everything and replied,
"And besides, it's a rare chance for actual combat! Of course I have to come along!"
"Ooh... Impressive, Sophia."
"Hehe! I'll get ready right now!"
"Pack your toothbrush and toiletries, and bring a big water bottle."
"Okay! I'll pack yours too, young master!"
– Dash!
"Yay! Overseas business trip!"
Sophia ran straight up to the second floor.
She could handle things like supplies and clothing herself.
She looked that way, but Sophia was actually quite meticulous.
'Then I...'
Ian took a small notebook from his pocket.
'I'd better organize the things I need to get from the vampire ruins.'
The very first objectives at the gate: Blood Demon Jades and Blood Light Mushrooms.
Crucial ingredients for Hyperperception potions and Elder Vampiric Sense.
'And... I should defeat as many monsters as possible. If I absorb their life force with Vladiark, they'll all be nourishment for my growth.'
By refining the life force absorbed with Vladiark, cultivation of inner energy would greatly help Ian advance his aura level.
'Since I'm heading into a gate anyway...'
Ian planned to extract as much benefit from it as possible.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Level up time!
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