Chapter 29: Choking Fate by the Throat and Force-Feeding It Rat Poison

After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic Martin—and agreeing to help impoverished mountain villages together the day after tomorrow—I walked home. The other end of the tracking magic still seemed to show only ordinary staff serving customers. Was I really overthinking things?

I’d spent most of the day wandering outside without a proper meal. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, dragging along icy memories from my youth. Back then, going hungry was daily life. Even after my situation improved, I’d rather sleep on the streets than face an empty belly.

“No way! I *need* food. This is unbearable.” Rubbing my stomach, I slipped through the gate. When I’d asked Martin to stockpile supplies, why hadn’t I thought to grab ready-to-eat stuff? Now, with several carts of grain stored in magic crystals, not a single loaf of bread existed. I was starving, but I couldn’t exactly eat raw wheat.

“Everyone’s probably finished lunch… Helle shouldn’t be in the kitchen, right?” I tiptoed into the villa, crouching behind a cabinet near the entrance. Seriously, why did the master install alarms inside his own home? The moment my spiritual sense brushed against anything, sirens blared. My hard-earned 3,000+ karon of spiritual power was useless—I had to hunt for threats with my *eyes*.

“Okay, looks clear. Everyone’s likely napping.” I muttered to myself, “Hmph. Corrupt nobles, sleeping right after eating. Not an ounce of hardworking spirit! I’m the heir to communist ideals—seizing from the rich to feed the poor is perfectly reasonable!”

I zeroed in on the kitchen door and crept toward the enemy’s supply depot. Three steps, hide. Two steps, scan. Thanks to those old black-and-white war films, I’d learned from revolutionary heroes who blew up blockhouses. I made it to the stronghold—no, the *kitchen* door—and slipped inside, exhaling a long, shaky breath.

“What are you doing?!”

“Eeek!!!! Mercy, Imperial Army! I’m a good citizen! A very good one!”

“What nonsense are you spouting, Klath? What’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s just you.” I turned to see Monaluna standing in the doorway. “You scared me half to death! How do you walk without making a sound? My heart’s thumping like crazy!”

“*My* fault? I saw you sneaking from the entrance all the way here, having fun. I didn’t expect such a reaction when I called out.”

So I’d been spotted the moment I walked in? Ugh… I’d disgraced the Eighth Route Army’s guerrilla squad.

“I had my reasons. You wouldn’t understand. What are *you* doing in the kitchen? Shouldn’t you be napping?”

“Oh, I was tidying up this morning’s leftovers. I thought you’d be back for lunch, but you weren’t. There’s quite a bit left.”

“Isn’t that Helle’s job? Why are you doing it today?”

“Helle seemed unwell. I’m helping her.”

Sick? Is she alright? I should check on her later. But first—food.

“Tsk tsk! Such a waste to throw leftovers away. Hand them over—I’ll finish them.”

“Oh, great! Eat up, then tell me your thoughts!” Monaluna beamed.

Thoughts? On *what*?

I took the steaming plate she offered. Staring at the unidentifiable substance masquerading as lunch, my stomach twisted. *What new ‘dish’ did Helle invent?*

Hunger overruled suspicion. I shoveled the food down in three bites and set the spoon aside.

“Nana… who cooked this lunch?”

“Me! I learned from Helle. She made one sample; I made four portions. Bobo got full on snacks, so I skipped hers.”

“And… Helle’s portion?”

“I ate it. Cindira, Grandpa, and Helle all had mine. See? This last one’s yours.”

“Mmm… I’m *so* grateful.” I choked back the urge to vomit.

“Hehe, was it tasty? Let me try too!” Monaluna reached for the spoon.

No way! I snatched the plate away, squeezed my eyes shut, and tipped the entire mess down my throat in one gulp.

“Honestly! So eager? Since you love it this much, I’ll cook for you every day!” Monaluna clapped happily.

“Cough—cough! We’ll… we’ll see. Nana, I’ve been busy all morning. I’m not feeling well. I need to lie down.” I stood, swaying like a drunkard as I stumbled out. A warm white light shimmered before my eyes… so inviting…

Behind me, Monaluna mumbled, “Weird. Why is everyone feeling off today? But my cooking debut was a success! I’m amazing.”

*Successful at lethality. Amazing at destruction.*

*******************************************************************************

“Seriously, Cindira? Why does your entrance *always* follow the same script? I locked my window! How do you even—does the Military God Clan teach lock-picking?”

I glared up at the violet-haired beauty straddling me, freshly jolted awake.

“Benefactor, this humble—”

“Shut it. Say that again, and I’ll throw you off the third floor.”

“But… the heroines in my romance novels always address their saviors like this! Besides…” She smirked. “Do you *really* think your scrawny arms can overpower me?”

*She’s studying battle tactics, not trashy novels!* The mighty heir of the Purple Acacia Family—poisoned by romance paperbacks instead of dying gloriously in battle!

“Please. I’m exhausted. My stomach’s churning. I can’t handle this right now. And *get off me*.”

“Alright, alright. No more teasing.” Cindira slid off the bed, standing gracefully beside it. “I actually have urgent business.”

I forced myself upright. “What ‘urgent business’?”

“Replenishing my battle aura!”

“Get out.”

“Sigh…”

“Sighing won’t work!”

“It’s true! My Battle Aura Vortex rotation has slowed!”

I focused my spiritual sense toward her abdomen—nothing. *Right. Forgot my Elemental Sniper glasses.* Fumbling for them on the nightstand, I put them on and looked again. There it was: the Purple Acacia Family’s signature violet starry Battle Aura Vortex. Its rotation *had* visibly slowed compared to two days ago after treatment. Why?

“When did you first notice the slowdown?”

“Hmm… It dropped sharply after sparring with Monaluna. Then again this morning after eating lunch—I had to use battle aura to suppress stomach cramps. There’s been a slight decline other times too.”

*Another victim.* I needed to check on Helle immediately. With no magic or battle aura, she’d be suffering the worst.

“Go wait in the Old Mage’s lab. I’ll examine you shortly.” I scrambled for my shoes and clothes.

“An exam? Wonderful!” Cindira beamed, then vaulted out the window. *Why not use the door? Is she part ninja?*

No time to dwell. I raced to Helle’s room on the second floor and burst in.

“Helle! Are you okay? I came to heal you!”

……

A flawless, pale back faced me, utterly defenseless. Our eyes locked on her bare skin, wide with shock.

“Seen enough? *Close the door!*” Helle whirled around, clutching clothes to her chest, face flushed with fury.

“Oh! Right!” I spun and shut the door.

“You idiot! I meant *leave* and close it!” Her cheeks burned crimson—whether from rage or shame, I couldn’t tell.

“Sorry!” I scrambled out, slamming the door behind me. Leaning against it, my heart hammered wildly. *Just her back… but this was my first real glimpse! All those late-night films can’t compare. My life is complete.*

“Come in!”

I entered like a pardoned prisoner, trembling. “I’m so sorry. It was an accident. Truly.”

“Hmph. What does Master Klath want in a mere maid’s room? Borrowing perfume?”

“I—I heard you ate Monaluna’s ‘creation’ this morning. I was worried. I rushed here to heal you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’re defenseless—no magic, no battle aura. You must’ve been hit hardest. I panicked and forgot to knock.”

“Silly. I watched Miss Monaluna cook. Do you *really* think I’d eat it? Who do you think gave Bobo those snacks to fill her up?”

“Oh! Right! That explains it! Why didn’t you warn the Old Mage and Cindira?”

“Master’s been picky lately. This’ll ‘adjust his palate.’ And Cindira has too much energy—burning it off stops her midnight window-sill parkour. Less cleaning for me.”

A cold sweat soaked my shirt. *They knew all along!* I’d better scrub those window sills tonight.

“But…” Helle’s anger softened. “Since you cared enough to rush here… I’ll forgive you. I’ll make you something delicious for dinner. Consider it a reward.”

“Yes! I love you, Helle!”

“Pfft! Get out! I need to dress!” She shoved me out, face scarlet.

I lingered outside her door, watching the humming maid hold up dresses. My goofy grin faded. Thoughts raced like lightning.

*“Shadow Beneath the Holy Light”—the only Holy Light Church seal laced with dark element, a divine-class forbidden technique. Why is it on Helle’s back? And hidden by illusion magic?*

My head throbbed. Why did every woman around me carry world-shattering secrets? Was Fate’s “blessing” dragging them to my side?

I shuddered. That goddess of destiny was utterly insufferable. If I ever met her, I’d shove a gallon of rat poison down her throat.

Shaking off the dread, I headed downstairs. A certain battle-aura-obsessed vixen awaited her “full-body exam” in the lab.