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Chapter 295: Carol’s Story
"The devils’ involvement, huh? Alright, you’ve piqued my interest. So, what is it about? I want to hear it first," Aldrian said.
Carol sighed in relief. She remained silent for a moment, seemingly trying to compose herself before telling her story.
"If you know my name, then you must know where I’m from, bu—"
"No, I only know your name. I don’t know your origin or anything about you. Just your name."
Carol was speechless. What kind of logic was that? They had never met before, yet he already knew her name. Wasn’t he supposed to know her origin as well? If he didn’t know her family or anything about her, then how did he know her name? Was this man playing a prank on her or something?
Carol felt genuinely exasperated but decided to keep it to herself.
"Alright, I apologize. I’m actually a young miss from one of the duke households in the Vindas Empire—the Duclan family. Or at least, I used to be," Carol said.
Aldrian raised his eyebrows. A young miss of a duke household? That’s quite a high status, but she ended up here? And what did she mean by used to?
Looking at Aldrian’s reaction, Carol realized that he genuinely didn’t know her origin.
"I lie if I said I’m not surprised, how the young miss of the duke household can end up in this place?" Aldrian asked.
Carol gritted her teeth as her eyes turn full of hatred.
"It’s because of the Larson family and the imperial family! They betrayed my—no, they betrayed the entire empire."
"Explain it to me in detail. Keep in mind that I don’t really know much about the nobles in your empire," Aldrian said, narrowing his eyes.
Carol nodded in understanding. It seemed Aldrian was from outside the Vindas Empire.
"Alright, then let me start with the basics of the story. The Larson family is one of the grand duchy families in the northwest of the empire. My family, the Duclan family, is located near the border between the Flamecrest Grand Duchy and the Larson Grand Duchy.
Our family and the Larson family had a good relationship. In fact, we maintained close ties with the neighboring noble territories due to our geographical proximity."
"One day, they suddenly came to our family—or more specifically, their young master paid us a visit. It was an unexpected visit, and unlike their usual interactions with us. During this visit, they actually proposed a marriage alliance with our family.
Of course, the marriage proposal was for me. But it wasn’t just about marriage—they also tried to offer us treasures. We were confused by their sudden generosity and the abrupt move to propose a marriage alliance."
"We knew there had to be a reason for the Larson family’s sudden move. We didn’t want to recklessly fall into their game, so we tried to postpone the proposal for as long as possible while searching for a way out of the situation. However, the longer we delayed, the more aggressive the Larson family became in their pursuit.
In the end, my father decided to accept the proposal. The Larson family had offered so much that we thought it would be a pity to refuse. But that decision marked the beginning of our misfortune. At the time, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into."
"As the young miss of a noble family, I, of course, followed what my family decided for me. At the time, I tried to stay positive. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Perhaps I could live a life of love in marriage.
Over time, my relationship with the young master of the Larson family grew closer and closer, and at one point, I decided to trust him with my heart," she said, but then her eyes turned hateful.
"However, one night, when he visited our mansion, I accidentally overheard him communicating with someone through a communication artifact. I didn’t know who he was speaking to, but I heard phrases like ’it’s time,’ ’the energy stone mines will be ours,’ and ’the Lust Devil and the devils.’
I was shocked and immediately ran from there, determined to tell my parents about the snake we had unknowingly invited into our home."
"But it was already too late. Suddenly, the imperial family arrived with Princess Loraine, accusing us of collaborating with the devils. They claimed that the energy stone mines under our territory were being used as secret passages for the devils.
Of course, we denied the absurd accusation, but the imperial family seemed adamant about it."
"When we thought the Larson family would help us, they actually backstabbed us! They claimed they had just discovered that our family had connections with the devils and would report it to the imperial family.
When they sent people to check our mines, we found traces of the devils! How is that possible? The area is under our strict control—how could there be traces of the devils there?"
"At that moment, everything finally clicked in my mind. From the start, this was all just a ploy! The imperial family was also involved in this. The Larson family approached us with a marriage proposal to lower our guard. Although they never told us why they were targeting us, I now believe it must have something to do with the mines in our territory."
"Energy stone mines in the Duclan family?" Aldrian asked.
"Yes, and why did I come to this conclusion? Because after that, my family was demoted to commoners, and the imperial family executed my parents. Our family’s territory at the part where the mines were located, was given to the Larson family. Combined with what I overheard from that bastard that night, it all makes sense. I don’t know why they’re targeting our mines—after all, the Larsons have their own. I doubt it’s just because they want to expand their wealth. Given the involvement of the imperial family, none of this makes any sense."
"The only possibility is that it has to do with the devils. They must have done all of this in the interest of the devils! That has to be it!" she said in a spiteful tone.
"And that bastard Clark... He actually gave me to the devils as a present! That’s why I ended up in this cursed place. All of this—it’s because of them!"
Aldrian finally grasped the overall situation. From her story, it seemed the princess also had a hand in this. They wanted to use almost the same method against the Flamecrest family, to frame them for involvement with the devils. Fortunately, he could prevent that from happening, if they succeed, the scale would be far more devastating due to the Flamecrest family’s status and position in the empire.
If what Carol said is true, and the Larson family or whoever else wants the energy stone mines, then what is their purpose? Why mines? Aldrian didn’t believe it was just about wealth—there must be something deeper behind it.
It was also fortunate that he had heard Carol’s story, as it provided useful information. Now, he had another target to eliminate. He hadn’t read this part in the memories from the princess or her guardian knight.
Aldrian smiled at her. No wonder she wanted to commit suicide. The desire for revenge, coupled with a lack of power, was what led her to such thoughts. Her opponents were noble families of a higher rank than hers, and even the imperial family. With such powerful enemies, there was no way she could exact revenge. She had already lost everything and had no power left.
When she saw his power, she found a glimmer of hope for revenge and wished to borrow his strength. Aldrian grasped what she was thinking.
"It’s truly tragic for you and your family. I can only imagine the suffering and pain you’ve endured after all of that. However, what makes you think I’ll take on the Larson Grand Duchy and even the imperial family? Even if they are all connected to the devils, I don’t think I have enough motivation to face them and endanger myself," Aldrian argued.
Carol bit her lip as she heard the subtle meaning behind his words.
"Then what do you want to give you enough motivation? I already have nothing left, so I don’t think I can offer you anything," she said to him.
Aldrian smiled at this. He liked how smart this woman was, even though she had just wanted to end her life not long ago.
"I suppose you would do anything for revenge?" he asked.
"Of course, I’ll do anything!" she said, full of confidence and anger.
"Then, I won’t ask much. I just want you to be bait."
"Bait?"
"Yes, bait. If what you said is true, then you can serve as a perfect bait to lure the Larson family out. They’ll show their true colors." Aldrian leaned in close, his voice low as he revealed his plan.
Carol seemed surprised by Aldrian’s plan, but she thought it was actually a brilliant one!
Although it could be dangerous for her, as long as it led to her revenge, she didn’t care. She could watch as the Larson family was played to the very end!
