Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1408. Crimson Ball (18)

From Lady Paint’s perspective, one ought to scream here.

“Please stop these absurd accusations, Duke Pinkrain.”

“I have no intention whatsoever of slandering Lady Peneloti. I’m merely speaking of a very small possibility. If she truly discovered Marquis Jayce’s identity right before the incident erupted, or if she had known all along and deliberately concealed it, Lady Peneloti’s testimony alone isn't enough for us to learn everything,” Duke Pinkrain said.

‘Damn, what an absolute piece of trash.’

“What did you just—”

“What kind of insane nonsense did you just say, damn it?!” Lady Pastel shouted.

Lady Pastel’s blood had to be boiling over right now.

“Did you not hear Peneloti telling you to run for your life?!” she screamed.

However, the despicable pig ignored Lady Pastel's words.

“Of course, there’s no conclusive physical evidence. However, does she not possess more than enough motive to betray the Union of Kingdoms? Especially when one considers her unfortunate past.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if the cursed third daughter, who had been living a life of solitude within the Peneloti viscounty, harbors hatred toward the Union of Kingdoms. The probability that she’s not connected to Jin Cheong is not zero.”

“That’s not even worth listening to!” Lady Pastel shouted.

“At the very least, I believe she should be investigated,” he suggested.

“You’re nothing but a pig who has been running for his life with your tail between your legs. We saved you, and that's the garbage that comes out of your mouth?!”

‘Pastel really has no filter at all.’

Even in a situation this disastrous, she openly hurled insults at a duke.

‘She really was something else.’

Of course, Duke Pinkrain was also something. He could actually spout such words despite the fact that he was relying on us.

‘In a situation like this, people are normally too ashamed to even speak at all.’

The reason he was targeting me was so obvious that it was actually funny. Rather than genuinely suspecting Peneloti, it felt far more like a cheap maneuver to increase his own influence within the group.

If matters ended here, his reputation would be utterly ruined, so he was desperately trying to tear into the young ladies of the Black Rose Salon to protect his standing.

Simply put, he was engaging in a smear campaign. In truth, rather than targeting us, it would be more accurate to say that his true target was Paint. From her position, she would have no choice but to defend me without reservation.

As expected, Lady Paint chimed in, “Lady Peneloti is our comrade who stood with us from the salon to the ballroom, protecting the venue and rescuing the survivors together with us.

"I understand what you’re trying to say and your concerns, Duke Pinkrain. However, hearing such words spoken without any concrete evidence leaves me with no choice but to take it as an insult.”

“...”

“...”

“Oh? Is that so?” Duke Pinkrain nodded, looking strange.

“...”

“...”

‘Wow... for the sake of the young ladies’ future, I really need to kill this bastard before we leave. Altanus, please wait just a little longer. One more will be joining you soon.’

Anger swelled up within me when I saw him glancing at the commander of the royal guards. He hadn't said it outright, but it was easy to tell what he wanted to say.

It felt as though he was questioning the very fact that they managed to fight their way here together with Lady Peneloti. His mocking was clear; he was questioning how we made it this far, and he was obviously suggesting that we received help from the Republic.

In other words, he was completely dismissing the young ladies’ devotion, sacrifice, and effort. It was an insinuation that they got here only because there was a traitor colluding with the Republic.

If taken even further, it was an accusation, stating that the young ladies were in cahoots with the Republic. I knew he was a thoughtless bastard, but still...

‘Damn it, he’s nothing but a walking bundle of inferiority complex.’

While he was busy running for his life, the very young ladies he regarded as nothing more than pieces in a marriage alliance united as one. I felt like that alone was enough to make him seethe with petty resentment, resulting in him lashing out like that.

At this point, I could no longer tell whether this was simply an outburst of inferiority or a calculated attempt to seize control of the situation. Even Lady Paint, who had always been rational, looked as though she was on the verge of losing her composure—no, she had clearly lost it at this point.

“What did you just say?!” Lady Paint shouted.

“I didn’t say anything, Lady Paint,” Duke Pinkrain said.

“You may not have said it out loud, but your actions are insulting every single person who risked their lives to climb up here together. What exactly is your problem? What kind of person are you, really?! Lady Peneloti, come here. There’s no need to waste words on someone like that,” she remarked.

“Are you trying to stir up discord?” he questioned.

“You’re the one creating pointless discord, Duke Pinkrain,” Lady Paint argued.

“I merely spoke of a possibility. What’s wrong with being cautious? I never imagined you would react so emotionally to this... Tsk, how do you expect to get anything done...” he mumbled.

‘This bastard is really pushing it.’

Slap!

The grown Aina Peneloti had no choice but to step forward. From a narrative standpoint, this was the only correct answer. Peneloti couldn't say a single word the last time she clashed with him and could only struggle to hold back her tears, but now, she was standing before him as a changed woman.

Her face was, of course, suffused with anger, but it was not fury at the insult directed at herself, but fury at how he belittled the young ladies who fought beside her and Lady Paint.

“Do not insult my friends.”

‘This is overwhelmingly powerful, emotionally-wise.’

“...”

“...”

‘Who the hell cares about some damned duke at a time like this?’

'This place is already in ruins, damn it. Can status feed people?'

“How dare you?!” he yelled.

“She and I are both members of noble families who uphold the Union of Kingdoms. I have no memory of ever doing anything shameful, nor do I have any intention of doing so,” I said.

“...”

“I have no intention of hiding and running away like you. I’m fulfilling my duty. I’m carrying out the duty that you, despite being a noble of the Union of Kingdoms, have chosen to abandon,” I continued.

A strike straight to the vital point.

“I am the cursed third daughter of a minor viscount’s house, and just as you said, I once despaired over and cursed my own circumstances, but despite that, I’m still fighting. I’m risking my life to protect the Union of Kingdoms. I don't deserve to be looked down on by a coward like you," I said, speaking with courage.

‘I’m precious, damn it.’

Aina Peneloti stood taller and steadier than before, as she had finally learned to love herself. It was a familiar motif in this kind of story, the cliché of realizing one’s own worth through the love of many friends.

Voices calling out “Peneloti” and “Lady Peneloti” naturally followed, coming from the young ladies of the Black Rose Salon who knew her best; they were moved by the brand-new version of her. It wasn't like she had never shone before.

To them, the Peneloti of the past was timid, lacking in confidence, needed protection, and had no idea how to truly love herself.

Through meeting many people and enduring many trials, Aina Peneloti changed drastically. Now, she could raise her own voice; she had finally recognized her worth as she stood firmly on her own two feet.

She was shining, not because of her appearance or her talents, but because of her inner qualities. Even Marina Peneloti and Karina Peneloti revealed faint smiles, nodding at the sight of their younger sister’s growth, which was fitting for their supporting roles.

‘She shines the brightest here.’

“...”

“...”

‘Aina Peneloti is shining.’

Naturally, this was a death flag.

It was about time I prepared Aina Peneloti’s eventual exit, so this kind of buildup was essential. After all, a star was always the most beautiful just before it started falling to the ground.

Of course, not everyone would see her brilliance in the same way, and the villain standing right in front of her would surely not see her that way. His face turned red like a rotten strawberry. Having been accused of disgracing the honor of nobility and being branded a "coward," it was hardly a surprise that he lost his composure.

“What did you just say?!”

A typical trait of cowards was that they were weak before the strong. The man who had been desperate to flee from terrorists suddenly became possessed by the spirit of a mighty general in an instant.

“How dare you!”

The one who couldn’t even dare to swing his sword at real villains boldly raised his hand. Of course, his hand could never come down on Aina Peneloti.

Thud!

His wrist was caught in mid-air, and the one who caught it at the right moment was Kim Hyun-Sung. Another typical trait of cowards was that they were weak before the strong.

His face changed in an instant. Just moments ago, he looked as though he were brimming with the ferocity of a war god, but now, his face resembled a mangled earthworm on the verge of being trampled to death.

“That's enough, Duke Pinkrain,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“...”

“...”

‘Damn, he can’t even give a proper answer.’

No wonder, given the overwhelming pressure Kim Hyun-Sung was radiating.

“C-Count Kim Hyun...” Duke Pinkrain stuttered. “I-I was only...”

It was the aura of a real man on a completely different level from this wretch.

The only thing he could do was bow and shrink back.

“I suggest you acknowledge that you’re the one causing discord right now. These young ladies are the heroes of this castle, and they’re not people who deserve to be treated this way.

"To speak plainly, if it hadn't been for them, you—no, all of us would have lost our lives today. Before you indulge in baseless speculation and pointless suspicion, the first thing you should do is thank them,” he suggested.

“Well...”

‘He really is the textbook type; he's strong toward the weak and weak toward the strong.’

Of course, the biggest reason behind his collapse was the sheer pressure Kim Hyun-Sung was giving off. Even among veteran adventurers, most would collapse under that.

Even so, the pig in front of us embodied the most pitiful, contemptible kind of person imaginable.

“It would be best for you to apologize to them and express your gratitude, Duke,” he said.

‘As Aina Peneloti would say, a person’s character always shows on their face.’

“...”

There was no other choice. No matter what happened to his pride or how his future plans would turn out, his top priority was to escape this situation alive.

In the end, I see him muttering, “I-I apologize. For the young ladies’ courage and resolve, I offer my thanks.”

“We accept,” I said.

When Kim Hyun-Sung let go of the pig, it collapsed to the ground at once.

“Haa... haa... haa... haa...”

‘Damn, even his breathing sounds filthy.’

At the same time, satisfaction spreads across the young ladies’ faces.

What caught me off guard was...

‘Paint.’

For some reason, Lady Paint’s looks flushed, and the way she kept glancing at Kim Hyun-Sung was unsettling. Her eyes met mine, but she hurriedly looked away. The faint trace of what seemed like guilt on her face made me wonder whether I was just imagining things.

‘What’s wrong with you, damn it?’

“Th-thank you for your help, Count Kim Hyun-Sung,” Lady Paint said.

‘Why are you stuttering? That's not like you at all.’

“It was nothing, Lady Paint,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘Why is the mood suddenly getting romantic?’

“Ah! Thank you, Count Kim Hyun-Sung,” I said.

“I merely did what was only natural, Lady Peneloti. And as for what Duke Pinkrain had said earlier, I hope you won’t take it too much to heart. He appears to have lost his mind due to fear,” he said.

‘No, that sly bastard was more clear-headed than anyone just now.’

“Right. Thank you for your kind words, Count,” I said.

“And also... it was a splendid sight, Lady Peneloti,” he complimented.

‘You don’t have to praise me that much, really.’

Kim Hyun-Sung nodded slightly, and the corners of my mouth lifted for no good reason in response to it.

Lady Paint’s face looked strangely dark for a moment, and just as I was about to wonder about how a battlefield romance could unfold from here, I snapped back to reality. After all, the matter concerning Marquis Jayce had to come first.

***

“Aina Peneloti’s location still hasn’t been confirmed?” Jin Cheong asked.

“I apologize, sir,” a soldier answered.

“Damn it...” Jin Cheong muttered.

“I apologize.”

“...”

“...”

“Damn it all!”