Chapter 39
The Chairman briefly explained the current state of the family before speaking.
"...Thus, the matter of succession to the Marquisate has already been discussed multiple times. In this meeting, please express your opinion by raising your hand. The final decision will follow a majority vote. Now, let us proceed."
Given the gravity of the moment, even the vassals were tense. Only Viscount Kaiman sat leisurely with his fingers interlocked.
"Those in favor of Viscount Kaiman’s succession as family head, please raise your hands."
"......"
One by one, hands began to rise. Many loyal vassals who had supported Calyphe in the political marriage dispute also raised their hands—all because Calyphe lacked the essential magical abilities required of an Ophensa family head.
Just as the votes were about to reach a majority...
"Wait."
Calyphe interrupted.
"Do you know what the nobles said to me when monsters rampaged at Baron Lorton’s banquet?"
"...Miss, is this truly relevant now?"
"Of course, Viscount Kaiman. I’m particularly curious about your opinion."
Calyphe addressed the room with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
"The public claims the Ophensa family must compensate victims because we created illegal magical artifacts. What do you think of that?"
"Preposterous! Why would our family produce such things?"
"There’s no need to dignify every rumor, Miss," a vassal said uncomfortably.
Calyphe shook her head and stood.
"Rumors? They’ll soon become accepted truth once the market drowns in illegal artifacts."
"Miss Calyphe!"
Viscount Kaiman’s voice sharpened.
"Must you always act alone? Propose agendas through proper channels if you wish to be taken seriously."
"Proper channels haven’t solved this issue despite months of effort, have they?"
Calyphe’s gaze pierced Kaiman.
"Viscount Kaiman—head of illegal artifact enforcement."
"......!"
All eyes turned to Kaiman. While the Magic Tower focused on magical research, the Ophensa family managed its regulation. Tracking illegal artifact rings had recently become their headache—Kaiman’s responsibility.
Kaiman’s eyes narrowed as he understood her game.
"...Exposing my failures? How amusing. But what would a mansion-bound lady know of real work?"
"......"
"Contrary to your assumptions, I’ve arrested numerous dealers at trafficking sites with my team."
"Then where are the results?"
"They consumed crude memory-erasing potions upon capture," a Kaiman loyalist interjected.
"The potions scrambled their minds. Even restored, their memories were useless. What could we do?"
"Their transaction methods constantly change too, forcing us to restart investigations each time," another added.
"Viscount Kaiman has done all possible! You criticize without understanding!"
Calyphe smirked.
"What if I do understand?"
"...What?"
"Rynen."
Rynen distributed documents she’d brought into the chamber.
"My records tracking the illegal artifact ring these past months."
Vassals initially skimmed dismissively before their eyes widened.
"This—!"
"It details patterns in their changing transaction methods and predicts future ones. The next will involve antique artifacts meeting specific criteria."
"If true, we could crush them in one strike...!"
The documents also revealed the organization’s structure, scale, and recent clientele—information only an insider could provide.
Dovian’s intelligence, naturally.
"This comes from a whistleblower whose identity we must protect," Calyphe said.
"Absurd!" Kaiman snapped, scanning the papers.
"We can’t mobilize forces based on anonymous claims! Without credible verification—"
"Credible verification? How about a VIP client’s testimony?"
Calyphe tapped the document’s last page.
"See for yourself. A noble staked their honor to guarantee this information’s accuracy."
Kaiman flipped to the scrawled signature and froze.
"Dietrich Lorton?!"
"The illegal artifacts that failed to control the rampaging monsters—if Baron Lorton didn’t obtain them from the Magic Tower, where else? The black market, obviously."
"Lorton confessed? To you?!"
Kaiman’s hands trembled around the papers.
If I confirm this, Dietrich becomes compromised—he’s Kaiman’s lackey after all.
Calyphe answered firmly.
"Yes."
"Impossible!"
Of course Dietrich resisted.
But he’d been bound by their contract—signed when his butler visited, designating Calyphe (Party A) and Dietrich (Party B):
Party B shall obey Party A’s orders without compromising their safety or freedom.
Party A shall keep Party B’s secrets while the contract stands.
Breaching terms forfeits a portion of the violator’s magic—potentially lethal if drained completely.
Though set to expire in six months, the stakes forced Dietrich’s cooperation.
He seemed willing to comply from the start. Not that he’d become docile.
Calyphe continued, "Baron Lorton testified the ring always evaded crackdowns by anticipating our moves. Meaning..."
She locked eyes with Kaiman.
"There’s a leak within our ranks."
"...Petty spite doesn’t suit you, Miss." Kaiman’s mouth twisted.
"Accuse me of treason with proof, then."
"Proof isn’t the point."
Calyphe crossed her arms.
"The point is our enforcement head remained oblivious to internal leaks for months—casting doubt on his competence."
"......"
Murmurs spread among uneasy vassals.
The chairman announced, "Viscount Kaiman’s succession... 3赞成, 3反对, 1弃权. No majority. Motion rejected."
Kaiman’s face contorted.
"Can’t you see this farce? She’s sabotaging me out of spite!"
"Yet your failures remain undeniable. We require time to reconsider," a vassal countered.
Perfect.
Calyphe hid her triumphant smile behind a fan. She’d bought time until the next council.
Fortunately, the Deputy Tower Lord didn’t attend.
Her gaze flicked to Marcel’s empty seat.
He demanded an impromptu magic aptitude test earlier.
In the heated moment, she’d reluctantly used a basic kit. The result—gray, indicating below-average magic for a commoner.
She’d coldly refused his request for precise equipment.
Revealing this would reduce all my arguments to "a magic-deficient’s jealousy"!
As the chairman declared the meeting adjourned—
"Wait!"
BANG! The doors slammed open.
Deputy Tower Lord Marcel stood there, arms laden with crystal orbs.
