"Duke Vitalis, a letter has arrived from Beaumont. It seems the Marchioness Vane paid a visit to the marquisate."
The duke's face darkened the moment he heard the name.
"Do you think it will be a problem?" asked his subordinate.
"They will definitely hold out longer with her help," Vitalis replied coldly, "but she shouldn't be able to trace the ones we sent."
…
The next day, the marquis—who had no idea what had happened the night before—greeted us with a cheerful smile.
"I've already sent out notices and stationed guards, especially to make sure no one leaves without first undergoing verification."
Princess Elara and Elena had gone out early to capture some corroded beasts while Elizabeth finished preparing everything.
The "marchioness" appeared to have recovered quite a bit and was wearing a false mask of strength.
…
"So… how did you end up following that devil?"
Elena looked at the princess in confusion at first, not understanding, but then realized exactly who the nickname fit perfectly.
"You know… you too…" A deep blush spread across Elara's face.
Elena looked at her with clear discomfort and quickly averted her gaze.
"Don't lump me in with your twisted mind," she declared firmly. "I only came because the headmistress asked me to."
"Sylvia Sterling? Hmm… it looks like my master is playing in the big leagues."
"Ah, but even with the spatial ring Elizabeth gave us, gathering so many beasts is exhausting," Elara complained, changing the subject as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"We have to make it believable," Elena replied in her usual tone, never stopping her work.
"I know…" the princess sighed, resigned.
…
On Elizabeth's side, people were slowly gathering.
"Almost everyone is here…" she murmured, scanning the crowd for specific figures.
By midday, everything was ready to begin.
The marquis started his speech:
"As you all know, our lands have been going through hard times. That is why I have called you here. The Marchioness Vane, owner of the Nexus trading house, along with Princess Elara, have offered to help us. Not only have they provided the grain we desperately needed, but they have also offered a solution to something that has terrified this continent for millennia. Please, Miss Vane, proceed."
Elizabeth took the marquis's place and looked out at the crowd waiting for her to speak. The air was thick with tension, fear, and hope.
"Thank you, Marquis. I'm sure you've all heard of Nexus. We have always aimed for excellence, constantly searching for new alternatives. Although we still cannot bring this to market, it will definitely change the defensive stance we have maintained for so long against the impure."
At that moment, she took out the beasts we had gathered. A collective gasp of astonishment echoed across the square.
"These beasts will soon disappear. As you may have noticed, they are corroded beasts, so keeping them from vanishing has not been easy."
Elizabeth showed a vial of powder to the crowd.
"As the marquis announced, what I hold in my hand can trace the remnants of corrosion."
She didn't wait for them to process her words. She immediately poured the contents of the vial over the beasts. Even though they had been stored in the spatial ring, the moment they touched the air they began to disappear rapidly.
The powder sparkled noticeably in the air and started moving on its own.
In reality, we were using wind magic to control it. The powder headed straight toward the people we already knew were involved.
The first one didn't even have time to react; I severed his head without hesitation.
This seemed to alert and terrify those who saw it—people who appeared to be next on the list.
Elena went further and silenced the lives of three more in the blink of an eye.
The princess, despite being someone capable of resorting to cursed practices, seemed to have no experience in killing.
Seeing this, I pulled her out of the way and finished off the remaining five myself.
The citizens fell silent as they watched people they knew—or didn't know—being suddenly executed without any explanation.
"Marquis, those responsible for spreading the corrosion have been executed," I said coldly. "If they return, we will simply repeat the process, and it will do them no good."
Merien looked at the vial of powder with admiration; he seemed to want to ask for some, but Elizabeth's stance and the recent slaughter stopped him.
"I hope you're right. I assure you we are all very grateful if that is the case."
…
The work was not over. The butler stood before us, trembling.
"I fulfilled my part. Now fulfill yours," he demanded.
"Not yet. You must send a message that you failed here—that there is no way to make progress in Beaumont unless they send someone above the ninth level."
He looked at me with contained rage but seemed to comply with what I said.
"But wouldn't that be dangerous?" Elena asked with concern.
"If it were that easy to send someone like that, they would have done it from the beginning, Professor. Not to mention we haven't heard any real proof of their existence until now."
She lowered her head, embarrassed by her own doubt.
"And if one really does come… we'll see then," I declared.
Far from the main city of Beaumont.
A rather agitated person suddenly stopped and looked back with fear.
"Whew, it looks like they really let me go…"
"This goes beyond just the duchy. I must alert the gods," he murmured to himself. But before he could take another step, the man fell lifeless to the ground.
…
In the depths of the sea, inside a submerged palace where silence was broken only by the ocean currents, a young woman with golden hair streaked with sky-blue locks stared anxiously into the abyss.
"Still no response from Hidria?" asked the princess, her voice trembling with worry.
She had overheard her father, the Sea King, say in private that there had been no news from that marine city for a long time.
"No, Princess. The messengers we sent have not returned," replied a guard, lowering her head. "The capital is isolated."
"My tutor… Thalassa was there the last time," the princess murmured, pressing her hands against her chest. "If even someone like her hasn't been able to send a message…"