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Chapter 81 Part 5 – The rose blooming in the shadows. Countess Rosenthal is prepared to die a horrible death as a villain. Her heart-wrenching determination struck our hearts like moonlight.

Since the countess had seen that dream, she was not so surprised to see Scarlet’s real name and gender reflected in her evil eye when she saw her up close.

Once again, she felt strongly that she was very glad that she did not lay her hands on such a kind Scarlet.

‘Cornelia …… The fact that you were blessed with such a wonderful daughter means that God didn’t abandon you when you fell into hell. As much as you weren’t fortunate, you have to be that much happier from now on. That’s why. Instead of apologizing, I will become a demon and pave the way for you.’

With her evil eye activated at maximum output, Countess Rosenthal’s intuition was sharpened to a degree that could be compared to that of Bradd and Seraphy. She knows how her words will ripple out.

The intuition of Countess Rosenthal, who was activating the magic eye at maximum output, was sharpened to the point that it could be compared to that of Bradd and Seraphy. She knows how her words will ripple out, as if in her hand. That is why she dared to say something that …… would gouge her heart. It was the last spark before the candle burned out.

「…… You idiot!! Some tribal women cut off their own left breast in order to draw their bows. But master Cornelia, the great genius of the bow, doesn’t need such tricks. She was born with a body adapted for archery. Her tiny breasts are a testament to her evolution. This is the Melville lineage of the bow engraved in her soul. How’s that? Are you filled with awe now?」

Seeing the depressed mother and daughter, Arnold forcefully stepped in and proudly declared so.

「…… He actually dealt the final blow …… is he a demon ……」

Bradd let out a sigh at the unintentional finishing blow.

Seraphy covered his face with one hand as if to imply, ‘That idiot ……’, and Cornelia and Scarlett, who were once again made aware of their cursed bloodline, became even more depressed, but the situation approximately unfolded as Countess Rosenthal intended.

「How about that!! I spoke out about master’s feelings!! Please praise me!! M-Master ……? Ouch!? Owww ……!!」

「…… Fufufu, thank you, Arnold. This grip strength is also from the Melville lineage. Let it be thoroughly engraved in your soul.」

「I’d like to thank you too. This is just a greeting …… Don’t ever forget this even when you go to hell.」

The mother and daughter pair did the ironclaw together with Cornelia from the front and Scarlet from behind.
Arnold didn’t expect that at all and screamed in pain.

Countess Rosenthal let out a sigh and interrupted them.

「It seems that you’re so confident that you can even compare her to the legendary Amazon women. Since you brought that up, we’d like to take a look at the duchess’s famous archery skills. …… Oh, I have a good idea. I have a bow with a long history in my mansion that was given to me by the late king. Since you’re here, I’d like you to use that bow.」

She said it as sarcastically as possible.

「Do you not want to do so? At the enthronement ceremony of His Majesty the King, the duchess made the arrow fly horizontally and vertically, dodged obstacles, and hit the target. …… I guess you need to use your own bow and arrow to pull off that lame trick.」

Realizing what the sighing Countess Rosenthal is trying to do, the red nobles began to grin.

Bows and arrows have their own quirks to a greater or lesser extent. It is a bit absurd to ask her to perform as she normally does with a bow she only used for the first time, moreover while wearing a dress. Not to mention that Melville’s archery techniques are all about precision. An error of a few millimeters when launched can lead to an error of several meters by the time the arrow reaches the target at a distance.

However, if she refuses at this point in the conversation, she may be taken as admitting that the archery skills she displayed at the coronation ceremony were actually a trick. Either way, Cornelia would be checkmated.

「What a dirty trick ……!!」

Arnold was filled with indignation, but Cornelia said, 「I shall accept it」, with the towering mansion in the background and calmly accepted the sudden game.

Scarlet, Bradd, and Seraphy watched in silence.

「Are you guys okay with this?」

Their reaction was totally in contrast to Arnold’s worried expression.

These three had experienced firsthand Cornelia’s brilliant archery skills in the battle against the demon dog Gallam.

「Arnold, see with your own eyes the archery skills of the person you have chosen as your teacher.」

Cornelia dispelled Arnold’s anxiety with a single sentence. There is no more uneasiness or confusion in her eyes. Her eyes are slightly squinted because she has already caught the flow of the wind. Arnold was speechless as he gazed at her dignified and beautiful profile.

Scarlet and the others knew. That when she enters this state, Cornelia is invincible. The sneers of the red nobles that once frightened Cornelia so much have now been pushed far away. Such things no longer matter to her. Cornelia was now in the divine realm that only the very best warriors could seldom reach.

「You’re acting so confident. I hope you won’t break your nose and cry. …… Hey, you guys there, do you have the resolution to put your lives on the line for the demonstration of the duchess’s skills?」

Countess Rosenthal smiled and called out to Scarlet and the others.

「I’m going to have the duchess shoot an apple with her archery. That means she needs a partner to hold the apple. If she misses, that person might get skewered.」

Countess Rosenthal’s words made the red nobles giggle.

「I will hold the apple.」

Quicker than Arnold and the others, Scarlet stepped forward without any hesitation. She said so before the countess could finish her words. Not because she could read the flow of the conversation, but rather due to her experience from having received similar harassment from nobles in the previous 「108 times」.

Countess Rosenthal turned to look at a red-faced, fat nobleman.

「Lord Bulwer, I’m sorry, but could you please bring me the bow that’s on display in the living room? And also a few arrows that are kept beside it.」

The strings had already been stretched in anticipation of this turn of events.

Getting ordered to run an errand in front of the crowd, Viscount Brewer twisted his drunken face in displeasure.

He is famous for his drinking habits and bad character, and his detestable personality is on par with the Marquis Vygod and his wife. However, right when he was about to spit and vehemently make a complaint, Countess Rosenthal said, 「As someone who is just like a family to me, I’m sure you will know where everything is located in my house」. After being flattered by the Countess Rosenthal, his slovenly face looked complacent and he gleefully went to get the bow and arrow. He had courted the countess many times, but had always gotten a cold and indifferent response from her.

Filled with anticipation that he might have a chance tonight, Viscount Brewer returned with a smile on his face while clutching the bow and arrow. He held his head high and walked with such haste that it did not match his usual appearance.

In comparison to his fast pace, he was unusually slow in coming back. Seeing his sly smile and lustful flattery, Countess Rosenthal guessed what was going on and frowned for a moment, but then, with feigned ignorance, she took the bow and arrow and handed it to Cornelia.

「…… Here you go. There’s no problem with this right. This bow was handed down in the royal family before it was given to me by the late king.」

It was the bow that the Countess had once brought with her in order to help Cornelia who was at a loss in the conversation, but she encountered the scene of the bullying when she came back, which led to Wendell having a misunderstanding and directing his murderous intent toward her. It was a longbow with splendidly decorated horns attached to both ends.

…… It took a long time. I’ve finally made it here. Now, show me what I wanted to witness back then.