The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 14: A Sudden Intrusion

Chapter 14: A Sudden Intrusion

“―I didn’t see the blade coming. No, to begin with, there wasn’t even a sword in his hand. But before I knew it, my right arm felt unusually light, and when I looked down, there it was, my arm, lying on the ground. It was a foolish mistake.”

As I walked down the midnight street, I recalled the words of the adventurer who had his arm chopped off. 

Cutting off an arm without even drawing a sword could only be the work of magic.

In this world, there’s something called mana that didn’t exist in my previous life. It fills the air, and when it accumulates inside individuals, it’s referred to as magical power.

The art of controlling such power at will is known as magic.

“What a hassle.”

I sighed.

Mana is abundant in the world, but not everyone can use magic equally. 

However, mastering it makes one a formidable opponent.

In the Brave territory, the soldiers and structures suffer the most when facing enemy magicians.

Just hearing that fool’s story, it’s clear he was up against a tactical-level magician who could use magic without chanting. 

Such a person could be considered worth a thousand soldiers, but why would someone of that level be sent to the Brave territory?

“It seems they’re really out to get rid of Alicia.”

Whether it’s due to some inconvenience or the plot demands it, it’s clear they want her gone from this world. 

Or is the target me?

In the story within the game, the fact that Alicia hasn’t taken over the Brave family is largely due to my presence.

Was it some kind of force that tried to revert things back to how they were?

Or perhaps, was the reason Alicia became possessed by a demon not due to magic worms, but because of these people who showed up later?

“Well, I’ll find out if I ask.”

There’s no need for beating around the bush. 

The best approach is to quickly scatter them and interrogate who asked them to do what.

“Here goes, bam!”

With a loud crash, I kicked open the door of the newly established trading company, finding about four people inside huddled together in conversation.

“!?”

“W-Who are you!?”

Among the men who hastily stood up, one remained seated, calm and collected. 

His face was hidden under a hood, but the magical power emanating from him suggested he was a magician.

“You? Ragna Vel Brave!”

“What are you doing here?” 

“Well, you guys started this first.”

The adventurer from Brave Territory was the one who got seriously injured, having his arm chopped off.

Though it was his own foolish fault for attempting to steal, he hadn’t actually stolen anything yet. It was an attempted theft, a clear case of assault, and it’s only natural to apprehend such dangerous individuals.

“Started what? What are you talking about?”

“We were merely attacked by the robbers.”

They consistently claimed to have been attacked.

Well, I have no intention of blindly believing everything the foolish adventurer said. 

As long as there’s a good reason to capture them and hear their side of the story, that’s enough for me.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter who was right or wrong. The guy who stirred up trouble was just being foolish.”

Saying this, I tossed the adventurer’s severed arm their way.

“For now, as key witnesses to this commotion, I’d like you to come with me.”

And here’s the main point. 

“It also seems you’ve been sneaking around our area. If you tell us why, I won’t have to resort to rough measures.”

Smiling, I saw their expressions change as they realized why I had come. 

Everyone quickly drew their weapons, ready to fight.

Hmm, it’s confirmed they were up to no good.

“Drawing weapons in front of the lord?”

I warned them, but they continued to smirk. 

They said,

“It might be disrespectful, but we won’t just accept being framed for a crime we know nothing about.” 

“Besides, we have the backing of nobles from the capital. Between a noble from a remote land and one from the capital, whose word do you think the law will believe?”

“Of course, if it’s not found out that we’re armed… or if we could just silence that mouth, there’d be no problem at all—Haa!”

Without bothering to finish speaking, the three men, excluding the magician, exchanged glances and attacked.

“So, you can’t talk your way out of this, huh?”

I was thinking it would be troublesome to deal with the type who tries to talk their way out of everything, but it was a relief they decided to resort to force so readily.

“It doesn’t matter!”

“Ragna Vel Brave, after all, you are the target to be eliminated!”

“Coming here unarmed, what an ignorant youngest son!”

Heh…?

“Die, you failure from the wastelands—ugh!”

I quickly dodged the nearest man’s sword and punched him in the face. 

The sound of his nose crunching and teeth scattering filled the air as he fell unconscious.

Grabbing the sword that slipped from the hands of the knocked-out man, I then sliced off the wrists of the other two men who were holding weapons.

“G-guaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!”

“H-hhhiiiiiyaaaaaaaahhh!”

Screaming and clutching their severed wrists, they collapsed. 

“Who did you say was the target again?” 

“Hiii, hiiii, hiiii.”

I asked, grabbing the hair of one of the screaming men. 

He was too overwhelmed by pain and fear to give a coherent response. 

So much for agents from the capital; even adventurers from Brave wouldn’t end up like this after losing an arm.

“I’ll question these guys later.”

Keeping pressure on their wounds should prevent them from bleeding out. 

Turning my attention to the magician, I found him standing and clapping. 

“Impressive for someone only 15 years old!”

“Haa…”

I let out an exasperated sigh at these unexpected words from an enemy. 

“So, who hired you, magician?” 

I had thought he was a bodyguard, but he hadn’t moved during the fight.

This type usually has a different employer or, even if they share the same one, operates with a separate agenda. 

He could be the key to understanding the deeper situation here. Even if not, the confidence he exuded suggested he was a significant threat.

Yes, my Brave intuition tells me he’s the main deal. 

“Kukuku, as if I’d answer that.” 

“Fair enough.”

I wouldn’t expect an answer myself and would understand if someone didn’t respond. 

It would be lucky if he did answer, but I’d probably be amazed if he actually did.

Like, are the magicians from the capital dumb or something?

“I have a question for you.”

The magician asked me politely.

“You’re asking me something after saying you wouldn’t answer if asked?”

“Kukuku, then feel free to ignore my question.”

“No, I refuse.” 

Even though I clearly refused, the magician continued.

“How is Miss Alicia doing?”

“…What do you mean by that?” 

I wasn’t planning on engaging in pointless back-and-forth with an enemy, but the mention of Alicia made me inadvertently ask for clarification. The magician grinned, showing his teeth in a smile. 

“Has my gift made her even more beautiful? Is she spending her days in agony and suffering? Kuhahahaha.”

The magic worms were dropping and spilling from his mouth as he spoke.