༺ Turning the Worst into the Best (2) ༻
“Ugh, I can still taste that repulsive thing.”
“Indeed, it was my first time eating monster meat, but I can say without a doubt those meals are truly fit for the lowliest of curs.”
“The Third Northern Duchess has some bizarre tastes. However, it seems that Elden also enjoyed that abomination of food.”
Following their first official meeting with the Duchess, they huddled in a corner outside the Grand Hall, struggling to suppress their rising nausea.
After they had somewhat recovered, Kyle initiated a conversation with Blund and Deron.
“Did you notice how the Duchess smiled at Elden?”
“She didn’t only smile, did she? She also expressed her ‘delight’ in meeting him again. We barely received even a passing glance.”
Blund joined Kyle as they vented their frustrations.
Bonding over a shared disdain or hate for an enemy was a typical thing for villains.
“No, he has done something more. Despite announcing his withdrawal, that beast had a private meeting with the Duchess.”
“That’s not all, is it? He mocked us, eating that disgusting dish while we barely managed to swallow a single bite.”
“Preposterous! He pretended to enjoy that horrible abomination just to make a favorable impression on the Duchess.”
“We’ve been slighted. He must have staged his withdrawal, just so that he could plot to win the Duchess’s favor in secret.”
After venting, Kyle and Blund turned their heads toward the silent Deron.
It was the look of an underling waiting for his superior’s orders.
Despite the contest, the hierarchical bonds formed at the Academy naturally created a social structure.
Of course, their relationship was brittle and fragile like glass, ready to shatter at the slightest of conflict.
With crossed arms, Deron finally broke his silence.
“It’s unlikely that such a fool could plan all of this. His aide must be the one pulling the strings.”
“Indeed! Without Lord Deron’s grace, that scoundrel wouldn’t even have graduated from the Academy.”
“I can’t even imagine what you are feeling like right now, Lord Deron. They say even a beast won’t bite the hand that feeds them. That wastrel is an unforgivable wretch.”
Their words were filled with contempt and disdain.
Blund spat on the floor as he finished speaking.
Without an audience, his wicked behavior was left unchecked.
Yet, an uncomfortable sensation still lingered in his mouth, a mixture of disgust for the meal and a distaste for Elden’s actions.
The horrible taste in his mouth was akin to a fire that needed extinguishing.
While he pretended to care for Deron’s feelings, Blund was also greatly annoyed by Elden’s actions.
As such, Blund leaned closer to Deron and said.
“Are we going to let this go?”
“Of course not, Lord Deron. We must punish the fool who doesn’t know his place.”
“……”
However, Deron held his tongue.
A hasty action now could cause misfortune in the future.
Deron had learned a long time ago that inexplicable actions often had hidden motives.
Elden’s withdrawal had been surprising, but what was even more puzzling was the Grand Duchy’s lack of response. They had neither approved nor denied his claim.
Whether the Grand Duke or Duchess had withheld the decision was unclear but for now, it seemed that a direct confrontation was the only way to unearth the truth.
“Hm……”
Ever since declaring his withdrawal, it seemed as if Elden had become a different person.
He seemed to have undergone self-reflection and even spared some words judging their past actions.
Now that the shackles known as the evaluators were gone, a confrontation was necessary.
Elden Raphelion.
Perhaps he had noticed something and this spurred him into motion.
From the start, it was somewhat odd that among hundreds of participants, they became the finalists.
Furthermore, the Duchess’s voice was strangely familiar, and her insistence on having that meal appeared to be forced.
If Deron wished to know the truth about Elden’s action, he had no choice but to confront him.
As such, Deron unfolded his arms and began to walk.
“We should meet him. Let’s go, you two.”
In their eyes, having Elden alone in a secluded space was the perfect opportunity.
**
“Such esteemed guests have graced me with their presence. What can I do for you all?”
Entering the training grounds, Deron quickly approached Elden, who jested.
Before his eyes stood a beast that used to lash out at everyone, but now was strangely calm and smug.
Seeing him like this, Deron felt a sudden desire to crush that mocking stance out of, however, he refrained himself from doing so as he opened his mouth.
“Studying and now even training……You’re having quite the carefree life, aren’t you, Elden?”
But of course, his patience was depleted after a single conversation.
It was all because of Elden’s infuriating and smug smile.
“I can do this because I am a withdrawer.”
**
A 3 vs 1 standoff.
Of course, the word ‘standoff’ usually implied a nerve-wracking confrontation, however, despite being outnumbered, Elden continued to be calm.
“Well? Do you all have some business with this withdrawer?”
Deron scoffed at his words, stepping forward.
“You keep mentioning your withdrawal. Do you really believe that you could pretend to savor that disgusting meal just to curry the Duchess’s favor, and still be considered a withdrawer?”
Elden simply burst into laughter as he heard Deron’s words.
“Hahaha! Really……Being condemned just for enjoying good food… Isn’t that a bit too much, Lord Deron?”
“Do not joke with me. Do you really think you have fooled us with this fake withdrawal? There’s a limit to acting foolish, so I advise you to stop this nonsense immediately.”
While Deron poured out his scorn, Kyle and Blund stood behind him, ready to join in and crush a common enemy.
Elden, the focus of all their negative emotions, walked towards Deron.
Deron faltered at his uncharacteristic move.
Getting closer to him, Elden looked him straight in the eye.
This marked the beginning of his contingency plan, a time for Elden to briefly ‘return’ to his beastly behavior.
Even his bad reputation could be useful at times.
“Look into my eyes. Are these the eyes of someone who would resort to pitful tricks?”
“……!”
It was a clear provocation.
The lone heir of a declining County challenging the heir of a thriving Duchy.
Deron’s body shook in rage.
The wretch before him, a beast who didn’t know his place had dared to provoke him, mock him.
A fire was ignited in Deron’s heart.
Furthermore, Elden Raphelion was nothing but another fool he had tamed.
A wound inflicted by a tamed beast wouldn’t heal properly, even if the offense had been paid back tenfold.
One must always beat a beast back into submission.
Yet, despite his rage, Deron maintained his composure.
For even a lowly beast must have a reason to show their teeth.
“Don’t be ridiculous. That disgusting thing being delicious? Even animals wouldn’t consider that food.”
“It seems my tastes are simply too exotic then.”
“Besides that, why has the Grand Duchy delegated its decision of your declaration?”
“That is something beyond my knowledge. If you’re so curious, why don’t you go and ask the Grand Duke directly?”
“You dare to order this Lord now?”
“Ordering you? No, I’m just pointing you to the easiest way to find your answers.”
The unyielding spirit of a beast that refuses to back down.
As their confrontation escalated, Deron felt like he was being pushed back as he clenched his mouth.
Kyle and Blund,
Those underlings of his were watching.
Showing weakness here would damage his standing and pride.
“Let me ask you one thing. It would be wise to answer carefully. Depending on your response, your future could change.”
It was a clear and direct threat.
One that Elden took it in stride, not even flinching.
“Well then, what is the question?”
“What is the meaning of your withdrawal? Are you truly giving up, or is this all a ruse to deceive us? There are no evaluators here, so speak the truth.”
“Sigh-. How many times do I have to say this? I realized my place and withdrew because of it-”
Deron cut off Elden’s words.
“No. Wrong answer. You don’t seem to understand your position right now.”
His tone carried his anger, as Deron continued.
“You should have confessed the entire truth to me, bowing your head and kissing my boots, pleading my forgiveness just as in the past. That is your place.”
Sadly, his words had no effect on Elden, who had become slippery as an eel.
“I have no plots to admit, nor reason to seek your forgiveness. Contrary to your words, I am quite aware of my place.”
Deron’s brows furrowed deeply.
The loathsome words of a wastrel.
His audacity was as nauseating as that monster meat.
Deron clenched his fists.
The humiliation of being beaten back by a nobody from a fallen house, an orphan with no kin left to defend him, ignited a furious rage.
As such, Deron’s blue eyes became hard as steel.
“Because of the Betrothal Contest, I was forced to tolerate your presence, however, should you mock me one more time, prepare yourself for the consequences. There are no ears here to hear you scream for help.”
“Ah, but there are? Look, we have one, two, three, oh, four pairs right here.”
As Elden continued to mock Deron, his eyes became bloodshot as he rolled his sleeves while walking towards Elden.
Deron’s breathing became erratic as his anger grew, playing exactly into Elden’s plans.
The kind of anger that could cloud one’s judgment, and make them lose all sense of reason.
A fit of explosive anger that makes a person act impulsively,
Anger that demands instinct over reason.
Like this, the worst had turned into the best because of a fit of rage.
As planned, Deron Caelid had fallen into such a state.
Because of this,
Elden had chosen a secluded training ground.
For this reason, he lured those who had shadowed him to this place.
For this reason, he provoked them.
And, for this reason, he had told his butler Rendler to fetch a seemingly useless item on his first day after being transmigrated.
It was the same item that Deron Caelid carried in the novels, something that saved him from the shadows of Winterfell.
A [ Mana Recording Device ].
After all, villains always have their shady dealings.
And Elden had no doubts the Regretful Trio would take the bait.
Their dynamics have changed drastically since the Academy.
And fortunately, Lee Jun-Woo had the brains to take advantage of this.
“……You seem to have forgotten your place since the Academy, allow me to refresh your memory.”
Wooosh-!
Deron’s fist flew towards Elden’s face.
Thwack-!
However, before the blow could connect, it was blocked by Elden’s hand. At that moment, Deron realized why the beast had bored his fangs.
Indeed, Deron realized he had been played by the same beast he had scorned.
“Did you really think that I would sit here and take your blows like I used to?”
A deranged smile found its way onto Elden’s face.
A sharp smile, fitting for a bloodthirsty beast.
TL Note:
You can take the muscle out of the brain, but not the brainmuscle out of the…musclebrain.
