Thiendavis – For The Perfect Salvation

Chapter 24: This is Blackmail

"In fact, I'm currently under a curse."

Upon hearing Evie's words, the count furrowed his brow deeply once more.

Unbeknownst to herself, Evie chuckled.

She thought it was a habit of this person to frown like that.

With a gentle smile, Evie addressed the skeptical count.

"It's a curse that compels me to answer any question honestly. Isn't that odd?"

Although Evie asked playfully, the count did not respond.

He seemed suspicious whether she was being serious or joking.

Ignoring his confusion, Evie continued her explanation.

"When I first met you, I was already under the curse. That's why I bluntly said you were being rude. To be honest, since you didn't even acknowledge my greeting, I did find you somewhat rude."

Evie confessed her small misstep in a cute manner, which made Zion ponder the truth behind her words again.

Curses were not something he understood.

The astrologer hadn't mentioned anything of the sort.

Yet, dismissing it outright as a lie seemed premature.

The most familiar aspect of Evie to Zion thus far had been her odd habit of abruptly answering questions and then hurriedly covering her mouth.

"Even when you visited my house the next day or when we met again at the tower, I said many strange things, didn't I? That was also due to the curse."

Evie Ariate's strange words.

Zion couldn't even recall each one.

Instead, two scenes stood out vividly in his mind.

One where Evie Ariate kept interrupting the conversation, and the other where she suddenly covered her own mouth with her hand.

Recalling those incidents, Zion finally sensed something amiss and looked at Evie.

Evie simply deepened her sweet smile and continued speaking.

"Of course, I can't blame the curse alone because it's all a reflection of my true feelings. That's why it was really troublesome whenever the curse made me blurt things out. Regardless of whether it was the truth, trying to explain was difficult, and if others found out about the curse, it felt too dangerous."

With this confession, Zion understood the gravity of the curse.

Everyone harbors thoughts they'd never express aloud.

A curse that mercilessly exposes such inner thoughts every time a question is asked...

Even if it's due to the curse, since it reflects one's true feelings, no explanation or defense is possible.

Having reached this understanding, Zion realized how much Evie had struggled to cover up her slip-ups caused by the curse.

In the ballroom, she attempted to laugh it off as a result of drunkenness.

After revealing her hidden thoughts, she tried all sorts of explanations and excuses.

Zion gradually felt the scattered pieces in his mind coming together.

Everything he had seen and experienced regarding Evie Ariate certainly wasn't normal.

Her occasionally lucid demeanor amidst such oddity had been utterly confusing, but if she was under this curse, everything made sense.

Ultimately, Zion accepted Evie's explanation.

But a new question arose.

'Why is she revealing this to me?'

The existence of this curse is a significant weakness for Evie Ariate.

It could be exploited to uncover anything from trivial truths to hidden emotions and embarrassing pasts.

Evie couldn't be unaware of this, yet Zion couldn't fathom her reason for revealing the curse.

Was she explaining to avoid misunderstandings?

Or was she making her situation clear and seeking help?

Zion Laurel pondered the situation in his typical Zion Laurel manner.

Then, with Evie's next remark, his deep-rooted pride solidified further.

"If the tower subjects me to disciplinary action, this curse could be discovered."

Was it the latter?

Zion made a premature assumption about Evie's intention, but it was a completely unfounded belief.

Evie didn't care what misunderstandings someone like Zion Laurel might have, nor did she have any intention to seek help from him.

"Then, there would be no need to prove it."

Prove it?

An unexpected word slipped out.

When Zion looked at Evie inquiringly, Evie spoke as if teaching a child.

"You mentioned it yourself, didn't you? That no one would believe anything I may reveal and that I wouldn't be able to prove it."

Those were Zion's exact words from the previous morning.

―If you're considering blackmailing me, it'd be wise to reconsider.

―Drop it, no one—not Vis, not Thienda—would believe what you've seen, and you wouldn't be able to prove it either.

Evie reminded him of those words while flashing a bright smile.

"But now, everyone will believe me. Because, it's that kind of curse."

Evie spoke kindly.

This time, Zion understood the meaning a bit slowly.

The count's perpetually proud face turned naive.

It seemed he was quite flustered.

Thanks to this, Evie felt very delighted but feigned innocence and asked again.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Zion found himself engulfed in a surreal feeling.

Everything felt unfamiliar.

Evie Ariate, who was now laughing casually,

The sudden sense of crisis that approached him,

And even himself, caught in such a situation.

Because Zion remained frozen like a fool, Evie kindly added for the bewildered count.

"Yes, this is blackmail."

***

The headquarters of the Watchers, known as Tardes Sanctuary, was located to the east of Vis, near the border.

Nonetheless, news from Thienda arrived with only a day's delay every day.

This was thanks to messengers working diligently on both sides, delivering Thienda's updates and border surveillance reports in cooperation with the Children of Tardes.

Thus, Vis' Deputy Commander Moren Arco quickly learned about the disciplinary hearing for Evie Ariate at the tower.

'Residing in the southeastern Vis, in the territory of Viscount Brick, singing without the tower's permission, and using Manyanya's blessing in violation of the tower's regulations.'

Moren clicked their tongue while reading the reasons Evie Ariate faced discipline.

It was certain.

Upon the new moon, a curse had poisoned the village, and Evie had purified it?

Admirable as it might be, regulation violation remained regulation violation.

Especially since saving only one place could cause great inconvenience.

If similar damage occurred elsewhere upon the next new moon, Vis' commoners might naturally recall this event and resent it.

Asking why they were not saved as well.

'Her narrow perspective must be due to her commoner roots.'

Since the whole idea of a saintess merely being beautiful was enough, Moren Arco had no particular objection to a commoner saintess.

But after this incident, it seemed it couldn't be, and Moren thought it was better that way.

More nobles would conclude that Evie Ariate lacked the qualities necessary to be a saintess.

Ultimately, the commander’s controversial declaration would be seen as a sound judgment.

Moren was satisfied with blindly landing in such a fortuitous scenario while contemplating.

'Do I report this or not?'

To his Excellency, the commander, who is still at the border.

Not that finding him is a walk in the park.

If Moren chose to report, the commander might chastise him for unnecessary diligence, but ignoring it would invite the wrath of dereliction.

While Moren contemplated about the difficult superior, a subordinate appeared with urgency.

"His Excellency is returning!"

When Moren looked out in surprise, he indeed saw the commander coming back from afar riding with a Child of Tardes.

Moren hurriedly raced towards the hall's entrance and saluted the commanding officer who returned earlier than expected.

"We're going to Thienda."

The commander spoke while atop the Child of Tardes.

Moren, initially inspecting for injuries, lifted his head in astonishment.

However, the commander's implausible speech continued.

"Bring the fragment."

"The fragment... you mean...?"

Moren inadvertently questioned back.

At his bewildered tone, the commander's eyes grew fierce, prompting Moren to bow hastily.

"I'll fetch it immediately."

***

Uncharacteristically heavy footsteps echoed through the main hall of Manyanya Tower.

For this reason, all the attendants were terrified.

Nearly thirty Watchers had suddenly stormed the tower.

At the forefront was Count Zion Laurel himself.

Their mere presence disrupted the peace of Manyanya Tower, and those watching them soon held their breath and lamented quietly.

Led by Count Laurel, the Watchers headed towards the hall where Evie Ariate’s disciplinary hearing was scheduled.

As the door to the hall opened, the nobles seated at the judgment seats rose in surprise.

The hall had an empty center surrounded by raised tiers.

On the tiers were judgment seats from which nobles could look down upon the one standing at the center.

Zion turned his eyes to locate Evie.

Fortunately, she had not yet taken to the stand and was waiting at the far end to be summoned.

As Zion clenched his teeth quietly upon seeing Evie, a soft voice echoed from a higher position.

"What’s happening here, Count?"

The voice belonged to none other than Lohika Sedro.

"You’ve arrived with such an intimidating look; it feels like a blatant threat."

Though adorned with the solemn robe of a presiding officer, the tower lord Lohika remained dazzlingly glamorous.

The lavish noblewoman received remarks from Deputy Commander Moren.

"We request the suspension of Evie Ariate’s disciplinary hearing."

"Oh my, are you issuing me an order?"

Lohika replied in apparent amazement.

At her brisk tone, Moren flinched back.

Zion then spoke again.

"Halt the disciplinary hearing."

"Why?"

Lohika mischievously queried with her chin propped up, waving her hand as if to change the topic.

"No, I should ask ‘how’. This is an internal matter of the tower under my jurisdiction. How do you intend to command its cessation, Count? Is this overstepping your authority? Did you get the approval from your brother? Or are you planning to wield power by force?"

Laughing gleefully, Lohika’s statement made the nobles associated with the tower silently begrudge their eccentric tower master.

With the nobles caught in between, uncertain whether to stand or sit and watching the tense standoff of two high nobles, Zion spoke quietly.

"I will transfer the Fragment of Amanecer."

With that single sentence, the playful derision in Lohika's eyes widened into surprise.

A Watcher stepped forward, carrying a velvet-covered box.

With a gesture, Lohika indicated for an inspection, prompting the Watcher to open the box and display the golden fragment within.

Resembling a part of armor, it was a scale fragment of Amanecer that had fallen when the count had repelled it at the border.

"Oh my, this changes the story a bit…"

Lohika’s eyes narrowed with delight upon seeing the precious fragment.

Fortunately, Lohika was not one to bother maintaining unnecessary airs.

Straightforwardly greedy, Lohika signaled once more.

Receiving the box and inspecting the fragment, Lohika cast a smirk at the count.

"But Count, have you fully thought this through?"

Under the discerning gaze of Lohika, Zion lowered his eyes, gritting his teeth without being noticed.

"Of course, you’ll handle it well enough. Well, Evie, you can go home now. The Count will escort you."

Lohika playfully addressed, and the attendants guided Evie over to where Zion awaited.

As Evie approached, Zion's expression grew frostier, but Evie no longer looked away.

Having successfully pulled off a blackmail, she simply matched his gaze with a dainty innocence.

Zion begrudgingly turned around, leading Evie.

Subordinates, both Moren and the Watchers, followed at a respectful distance from the intense aura of their commanding officer.

Walking beside Zion, Evie whispered in a small voice.

"You timed it perfectly."

Despite Zion’s even more menacing glare, Evie did not avoid his gaze anymore.

Like someone who had accomplished successful blackmail, she simply stared back in a petite manner.

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