Chapter 2.4
Furthermore, her responses were perfect.
“Thank you for your concern. Thanks to the devoted assistance of my vassals, I believe there will be no hindrance to my studies.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. I was worried after hearing the news that someone I used to associate with when we were young couldn’t get out of her sickbed for a long time.”
“I, too, only felt sorry that I couldn’t personally offer words of congratulations whenever I heard there was much good news at the Melun Viscount’s mansion.”
Levi smiled softly and subtly revealed that she had continued to have an interest in the person who spoke to her.
The Head of the family was on a business trip near the border, and even if she, the Acting Head of the family, didn’t have the strength to care about family events, the family continued to run because of her overflowing loyal vassals.
Such as by sending a simple gift along with a formal letter of congratulation on a family level.
Or by gifting specialties produced in each other’s fiefs in time for the Harvest Festival.
Levi had come out after receiving a list from her vassals of the families Heron had interacted with in such a way over the last ten years and memorizing it by heart.
The more she responded to those who offered simple greetings, the more the content of the conversations mentioning Heron in the background changed.
“She was just sick—it seems she was reported on all the major details even from her sickbed. She seems to have a good grasp of the family’s affairs.”
“One’s mind usually becomes clouded when the body is sick, but this is unexpected. I suppose the rumors of her being a defective product were somewhat exaggerated.”
“Honestly, I thought she would struggle desperately to sit at a table close to Lord Frid, the object of her unrequited love…… but it seems she clearly knows that maintaining neutrality is the Heron family tradition.”
Until now, all evaluations of her were based not on what they had seen directly, but on rumors they had heard.
Therefore, as Levi showed more than they had expected upon meeting her in person, the bad reputation was quickly replaced.
Of course, at the base of it all lay thorough calculation.
‘Seeing as she looks capable of conducting both political and social activities normally, it will be troublesome to treat her like a defective product any longer.’
‘Since there is no family that can openly declare neutrality like the House of Heron, it would be fine to create a loose connection in preparation for when we lose a political battle.’
It was exactly as Levi had thought.
Since she was no longer a spoiled child suffering while blaming her sickly body, she could see the value of Heron more objectively than anyone.
‘I think making an impression that I have the brains to act as the heir of a centrist family is enough with just this.’
Levi looked around the picnic, which was proceeding well according to her plan, with reasonably satisfied eyes.
The leader, Frid, had not yet made an appearance, but Holy Knights were stationed everywhere.
‘Come to think of it, there was a brief mention that lower-grade demons appeared at Ayla’s first picnic.’
That was the very reason Frid had been busy with Holy Knight duties recently instead of attending Academy events.
However, since the security was this tight, even if demons appeared, she wouldn’t have to step forward and exert much strength.
It was just when she was about to relax and enjoy tea and scones.
Zing—
“……!”
The supernatural power inherent in her body captured a wave of Demonic Energy that was hot and sticky somewhere.
‘What was that just now?’
Levi momentarily focused all her senses in the direction where she felt the eerie energy.
However, the Demonic Energy had vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed in the world.
The dozens of Holy Knights guarding the garden where the picnic was taking place also seemed to have felt nothing.
‘But I definitely felt a disgusting power just now.’
Had she hallucinated from fatigue because she had drawn upon her power to show her worth in the <Demonology> lecture and had continued rough training after that?
However, it felt too unpleasant to simply dismiss it as such.
‘I have to check it out.’
If she checked the place where the Demonic Energy was felt and found something strange, she could just give a tip to the Holy Knights.
Having quickly made a judgment, Levi spoke with a soft smile.
“Ah, the introduction is late. This is Lady Ayla Ryner, daughter of Baron Ryner.”
“Le-Levi?”
Ayla was flustered, but she began to calmly respond to the people who spoke to her.
Because her original personality was one that enjoyed getting to know people—it was just that her self-esteem had lowered because she had suffered from her uncle’s abuse and interference.
‘I’ll be back after going to the restroom for a bit.’
Levi mouthed a suitable excuse to Ayla and then stood up from her seat.
She had felt the Demonic Energy for only a very short time, but since it was a sticky and hot feeling that made her skin crawl, she remembered which direction it had originated from.
Preparing for a potential emergency, Levi summoned a small knife, hid it in the sleeve of her dress, and walked quickly.
Then, she realized an unsettling fact.
There was only one building in the direction the Demonic Energy was felt.
‘That’s…… the tea house Demian uses as an office and rest area.’
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