The one chosen by the sword, Erin Liserth, continuously yearned to hold a sword.

Whenever this happened, she recalled the words she had heard just before coming to the Duke’s castle.

A blonde, arrogant man. The Emperor who looked down on everything from the highest place had whispered to her.

“Corelia, I don’t intend to simply watch situations I cannot control.”

“…”

“Make sure Sword Masters can no longer interfere.”

The Emperor wanted to grasp the nobles in his hand and manipulate them.

The more Sword Masters there were, the more peaceful the world became, but that wasn’t what the Emperor wanted.

She was sent here to eliminate the Sword Master chosen by the “Sword’s Choice” who would be born in the Liserth family.

But her pushing Erin to the edge of a cliff… was also because she hated seeing talent superior to her own blooming before her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I’ll do better… Please don’t hate me, Mother…”

“I’m not your mother! Tsk.”

Corelia recalled Erin apologizing without even knowing what she had done wrong.

Foolish thing. Her crime was having talent.

No matter what Erin Liserth did, Corelia would not have changed. But Erin Liserth seemed unaware of this fact.

She tried desperately to make a good impression, thinking Corelia might love her if she did something good.

That small child didn’t realize all those actions were meaningless. To Corelia, those behaviors were no different from a laughable comedy.

She was determined to properly crush the seedling called Erin Liserth. The abuse that followed spanned over ten years.

During that time, Erin steadily broke down.

Corelia became certain that Erin’s mind was completely broken after killing a servant named Calips.

“God will not forgive you!”

She remembered the servant who boldly spouted such words while looking at her.

How impertinent. To threaten her with such a trivial reason.

In truth, Corelia hadn’t thought much of it at the time.

She had merely discreetly disposed of an insolent servant who dared to come before her and threaten to tell the Duke everything.

But his death had better effects than expected.

She could see that Erin’s eyes, which had always shone brightly despite her torment, had sunk into darkness.

Only then could Corelia be certain.

That tormenting those around Erin was more effective at driving her into the abyss than tormenting Erin herself.

And so she decided to drag Erin into a matter that needed resolving.

By that point, even Corelia had to admit it. She knew better than anyone why she was going this far.

‘I couldn’t stand that damned talent.’

She couldn’t bear the thought of that child walking the path of a Master that she herself couldn’t attain. But it didn’t matter anymore.

Erin Liserth was broken, and would continue to break further.

Ferdin, whom the Emperor considered a thorn in his side, was in a relationship with the Saint, which was practically the same as having Count Asili as a good shield.

The Emperor wanted to separate Count Asili from Ferdin.

The engagement between Ferdin Lexia and Erin was arranged for that reason.

Erin’s enrollment in the Swordsmanship Department was also for that purpose. To drive a wedge between Ferdin and the Saint.

Sending Erin with her genius talent to the Swordsmanship Department carried some risk, but she was confident enough.

Corelia remembered Erin’s eyes the last time she saw her.

Those dead eyes.

Looking at those eyes that had lost all hope, she could be certain. Erin would obviously refuse to even hold a sword.

So why was she hearing such rumors? Had Erin Liserth really picked up a sword?

The mere thought was unpleasant.

“Annoying b*tch.”

Raymon, standing before Corelia, trembled at her muttering.

“This charade will end soon anyway. I’m tired of dealing with these idiots.”

“…”

“The Emperor has begun to move in earnest. Once Count Asili completely separates from Ferdin, everything will be perfect… and that should be today.”

As Corelia spoke, her gaze turned toward the door of the Duke’s castle. She could see a messenger entering through that door.

It was probably the news she had been expecting.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have sent her to the Swordsmanship Department.”

For the first time, she felt regret. But she quickly forced herself to change her thinking.

Erin Liserth’s talent was brilliant, but too much time had passed. No matter how much that thing rebelled, she wouldn’t even reach the level of a high-ranking knight.

It was common sense that without systematic training from childhood, even someone with brilliant talent would struggle to become a high-ranking knight.

Because bones and muscles harden, and mana no longer moves freely.

Moreover, what Corelia had focused on most when tormenting Erin was shattering her skeletal structure so she couldn’t properly use mana.

Thanks to this, Erin was always sick during her childhood. She had difficulty moving properly and struggled to travel without a carriage.

‘Well, with such outstanding talent, perhaps she could become a high-ranking knight.’

With that chilling talent, maybe that much was possible. But literally, that was the limit.

Having finished her thoughts, Corelia felt somewhat at ease. Yes, Erin Liserth would never become a Sword Master.

Knowing Erin’s overly gentle personality, she could only be more certain.

That stupid girl would die being called a villainess her entire life. That was the punishment Corelia had decreed for Erin.

“My lady, a messenger has arrived with news.”

At Raymon’s words, Corelia smiled kindly.

It was such a natural change in expression that no one could imagine she had worn such a fierce face just moments ago.

“Send him in.”

The door opened, and the Duke’s messenger entered.

He looked somewhat surprised.

“Lady Corelia.”

“What is the matter?”

“The subjugation team from Atenz Academy that went on a monster subjugation was attacked by a monster horde!”

This was expected. But Corelia put on a tragic expression.

It was an incredible acting performance that even Raymon, standing before her, admired.

“No…! Are our Karon and Erin safe?”

The messenger nodded, suggesting there was nothing to worry about.

Corelia’s face stiffened slightly. The Liserth brats seemed to have long lifelines.

“Was anyone injured?”

This time, Corelia had to give her best performance. The expectant tone in her voice would have felt strange to a perceptive person.

But the messenger didn’t notice anything unusual. He exclaimed with a bright face, seemingly relieved: “Fortunately, no one was injured. A passing Sword Master defeated all the monsters…”

“A passing Sword Master?”

What nonsense is this? Corelia stared at the messenger.

But the messenger had no way to explain further.

A monster horde had appeared, and Erin Liserth and Princess Asili had nearly been in danger, but a passing Sword Master appeared and saved them.

That was all the information he had received.

“That’s truly fortunate…” Corelia replied as she dismissed the messenger.

By now, her face had hardened completely.

Corelia turned her gaze to Raymon, who was standing with his head bowed and a composed expression.

“What do you think?”

Even as she asked this, she gritted her teeth.

A passing Sword Master? Was this a joke?

If meeting a Sword Master were that easy, everyone and their dog would be Sword Masters.

Princess Asili should have died during this monster subjugation.

The goal of this plan was to make Count Asili angry due to Princess Asili’s death. This would cause one of Ferdin Lexia’s allies to fall away.

If Erin Liserth or Karon Liserth were injured in the process, that would have been the perfect outcome.

But nothing happened. The failure of this plan would cause many things to go awry.

“A passing Sword Master? Is there anyone who doesn’t know the locations of all Sword Masters on the continent? There’s no way a Sword Master would be in such a forest. How busy are these people?”

“It is certainly strange.”

“This won’t do. Raymon, go to Atenz Academy and find out what’s happening.”

After saying this, Corelia fell into thought for a moment. Then, seeming to remember something she had forgotten, she added:

“Ah… we should also confirm if that rumor about Erin using a sword is true. And if it is true… wouldn’t it be fun if one of her wrists accidentally got cut off?”

“…”

“That would be entertaining in its own way.”

Corelia said this with a beautiful smile.