Home/The Only Sunshine in a Toxic Novel/ch41

Episode 41. Two Letters

"You're also strange for caring about a bastard like him. Lucy Ohan, do you think that kind of obsession is fine?"

I'm not Ohan anymore.

Damian always attached the surname I'd discarded whenever he got fed up.

"I'm not letting this slide."

"…."

"Punishment will be decided later."

It was true that Lapin had done wrong, but having just returned from a long expedition, there wasn't even a perfunctory 'well done' or 'good work.'

"Submit the expedition expense report with every single item listed without omission."

"I also have something to ask."

I needed to say something too.

"What."

"How many people did you fire?"

At my question, Damian's shoulders flinched.

As far as I knew, it was well over five.

Two of them were fired for letting arrogant noble guests into the guild.

Something about insulting visiting guests, probably. It wasn't right for him to ruin all the business himself and then harass the members.

Though Damian had never been normal from the start.

"Lapin, you get out."

He waved his hand at the innocent Lapin.

"I refuse."

"If you stay, I'll hold Lucy Ohan responsible."

Who was the arrow aimed at now?

"You won't die a peaceful death."

"I know, so get out."

Good that he knew.

"Tch."

Lapin clicked his tongue openly and turned his gaze away.

"Lucy. I'll be waiting outside."

On the other hand, giving me a kind smile, he stepped out.

"…."

Now only Damian and I remained in the study.

He put the contract on the desk and clasped his hands together.

"I had reasons for firing them all."

"I'll ask Annie."

"…More importantly, something big happened."

"Are you deflecting?"

"It's no joke. While you two were having a nice expedition, I received a letter."

Damian, slithering out like a snake, pointed to the pile of envelopes at the edge of his desk.

Most were still sealed, the stamps intact — apparently unopened.

【From Mrs. Carding】

Almost all of the letters were from Mrs. Carding.

'Probably another marriage pressure.'

That meant the reason Damian's mood had worsened so much over the past 15 days was…

"So you finally agreed to an arranged marriage!"

"No."

He shot me a glare and rummaged through the pile of envelopes.

"Not the letters from my mother —. Here it is. Read this."

Damian held out a dark teal envelope made of leather.

"It's from the Tulda family."

My hand, reaching for the letter, stopped.

"…The Tulda family I know?"

"Has another Tulda family appeared without my knowledge?"

That can't be.

'Why Tulda…?'

I didn't open the envelope immediately, just stared at it.

On the first day of the expedition, we'd encountered Tulda knights at a village restaurant. At first I was startled, but I managed to improvise.

Not only did I act discreetly, but I used disguise magic and intentionally let slip misinformation about Lapin and my relationship.

But we were discovered anyway?

"…."

Moving my stiff fingers, I pried open the tightly sealed stamp.

A rough-textured paper was neatly folded inside. Carefully unfolding it, I saw unexpectedly polite greetings.

I slowly read the following sentences.

"…Are you sure this letter is really from Tulda?"

When I asked, Damian nodded.

The letter's content was simple.

They wanted to trade with the Bendon Guild. And that they would visit the Bendon territory soon for that purpose.

"The whole empire is unsettled these days."

He leaned back in his chair and spoke.

"Apparently, someone with strong divine power made an ominous prophecy. That the empire is in great danger."

"…."

"Several families preparing for that disaster have proposed trades to us. They were the ones who cut off our demand back then. Tulda is probably preparing for that prophecy too."

What ominous prophecy now?

「Lucy, this is definitely a harbinger.」

Could it be the wave omen Triton mentioned?

"They told me to set a date and time convenient for me."

"So did you set one?"

"Not yet."

"Are you planning to refuse the meeting?"

"Tulda is different from the other riffraff that have come."

Damian's face darkened.

"It'll be a headache if we refuse the meeting outright."

He was right.

'Here, talent is more important than money.'

No matter how wealthy, one cannot surpass a family with outstanding talent in any of the three abilities — aura, divine power, or mana.

That's why the Ohan family, the foremost among mage families, holds such immense influence.

The Tulda family doesn't yet feel as dominant as Ohan, but they've grown in power by absorbing the Hänslock family. Refusing even a meeting would bring serious backlash.

"When the Tulda family comes, I plan to send Lapin on an expedition far west under the guise of punishment."

"…That's an excellent idea."

Especially recalling how he trembled abnormally after meeting those Tulda knights.

"And also."

Damian, having more to say, handed me another letter.

"This is from the Magic Tower."

"…The Magic Tower I know?"

"Like with Tulda, has another Magic Tower appeared without my knowledge?"

If not, just say no — no need for sarcasm.

'Tulda, and now the Magic Tower.'

The empire's most important institution and the symbol of mages. A place no family can treat lightly.

Many Ohan family talents currently belong to the towers.

This time, I didn't hesitate and took out the letter.

【To you.

I have heard the rumors.

The North Tower is currently seeking a capable mage like you.

After reading this letter, please send your reply to the address on the envelope.

If possible, including your mana.

We await your response.

The North Tower. 】

"Someone must have talked about Lapin, and it reached the Tower's ears. It's only natural that rumors spread since he's been handling requests left and right."

"…."

"If things go wrong with Tulda, I plan to send Lapin to the Tower. Regardless of his wishes. You know the reason better than anyone, don't you?"

"I know better than you."

No matter how much the Tulda family, if Lapin was at the Magic Tower, they wouldn't dare touch him. And if it were the North Tower, the most powerful of the four, it would be even safer.

Moreover, the North Tower was famous for being strictly merit-based. If Lapin went there, he'd soon have his abilities recognized, become a Tower Master, and earn the respect of mages.

"First, we need to deal with Tulda, not the Tower."

Damian pressed his temple.

"I'll set a date and meet them, but honestly, I have no intention of yielding."

That was true. A tiger like Damian and an even more tiger-like Tulda.

'I can already picture it.'

Mess or not, Damian wouldn't hold back in front of Tulda, and he'd become a target.

"I'd like you to be there when I talk to Tulda."

Even the mighty Damian looked troubled by the Tulda family.

"You can refuse if you don't want to."

"No."

I answered firmly.

"I want to see the faces of those who took away Lapin's family."

Lapin's trembling fingertips remained as an afterimage.

Though we'd encountered Tulda knights, they were merely the low-ranking ones. Yet Lapin, who possessed the most noble power in the world, couldn't even draw his sword and trembled in fear.

"And as for the Tower matter, I'll speak to Lapin myself after the Tulda situation is resolved."

I subtly took the letter.

"He might want to go. You won't force him to stay, will you?"

"What would I do keeping someone who doesn't listen to me?"

At that refreshing answer, I felt relieved.

"Thank you, Director."

At my thanks, Damian shifted his gaze to me.

"You were thinking of Lapin."

No matter how vicious the Tulda family, they were still a famous house. If a trade was successful, the Bendon Guild's reputation and wealth would grow exponentially.

Yet Damian was willing to give up that important trade for Lapin's sake.

"It's not because of that bastard. Trading with coercive families like Tulda is a headache."

"Still."

Wasn't he thinking of him?

"If you ever have a hard time, Director, tell me. I'll definitely help you."

With Damian's favorite — you work, no pay!

"If this matter is resolved well, I'll tell you then."

"Then I'll be even more grateful."

"…."

"So I'm grateful even now."

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