Chapter 4: DCH

 Chapter 4

The reason she had been able to encounter monsters usually handled by the Imperial Family or the North was because additional manpower was needed as a variable.

The monsters that were originally being handled in secret had suddenly grown exponentially stronger, and the original expedition forces had been wiped out.

The reason Maya—someone with no connection to the knight order—was called in at all was largely because of the “name value” of House Pendragon.

The reputation of the Pendragon family had not completely disappeared yet.

They needed someone to assess the situation, but it would be a waste to send knights.

They also needed time to come up with new plans after encountering unexpectedly powerful monsters.

In other words, Maya was a stopgap.

A disposable substitute whose death would not matter.

“If you weren’t a Pendragon, we wouldn’t have even called you.”

The former Knight Commander’s smug, arrogant face still lingered in her memory.

But in the battle against a completely unknown monster, Maya had returned alive.

She survived multiple life-or-death moments.

In those battles, she felt exhilaration.

When she swung her sword, she truly felt alive.

And so, she accepted every additional mission without complaint.

Afterward, she fought many more monsters—and when she defeated that monster, she awakened as a Swordmaster.

Combat is that important to me.

That future must not change.

If she were expelled from House Pendragon, she would no longer be able to fight monsters.

Most monster incidents occurred in the Sirak Mountains near the Grand Duchy—nearly half a month away.

Thinking of the Grand Duchy naturally brought Tristan’s face to mind.

“…Grand Duke Tristan.”

Remembering his youthful face, Maya recalled his last words.

“I wanted to meet you too.”
“…You were the only way to break my curse.”

What does he mean, I’m the only way to break his curse?

Was Maya really the key to breaking Tristan’s curse?

…Was that why he sent the marriage proposal?

No way.

There was no way the great Grand Duke’s curse could be connected to someone like her, who had once been the Emperor’s dog.

Maya respected Tristan as a person.

But she did not want to become entangled with him in this life.

He was fundamentally different from her.

…Let’s not overestimate MacGuire.

MacGuire was stupid.

That much was obvious from how consistently he lost money at gambling.

In a few days, he would forget everything and come at her again.

Then she would just let him hit her once.

Perfect.

That was the plan.

Until Elise called her in.

“You will be disowned from House Pendragon.”

She said it like it was a death sentence.

Honestly, that would be great.

It would mean escaping this rotten family without lifting a finger.

But right now, that was a problem.

I need monsters for my awakening.

The exact locations of monster incidents were shared only with a select few assigned to missions.

The area was also surrounded by barriers, preventing ordinary people from entering or leaving.

But the real problem was elsewhere.

I can’t find my way.

Maya was extremely bad with directions.

…If I had known I was reincarnated, I would’ve lived quietly.

In her previous life, Maya had genuinely pitied MacGuire and obediently followed Elise’s orders.

She had even felt guilt due to their constant manipulation.

Not anymore.

She had to stay in this dysfunctional household.

Maya’s mind raced.

They once tried to use me to get money.

Maybe she could use that.

She blinked innocently, putting on a pitiful expression.

“Isn’t this a bit hasty? Think about it. I’m actually very useful for arranged marriage deals.”

The only thing Elise valued was money.

“I can bring wealth and—”

But Elise cut her off.

“You insulted MacGuire.”

The situation was urgent, so Maya corrected herself.

“But that wasn’t my fault. Honestly, MacGuire is just too weak—”

She stopped herself mid-sentence.

Trying too hard to be honest is also a sin.

She had been following her “live honestly” philosophy a little too faithfully.

But there was still hope.

Maybe she didn’t hear it.

Her voice hadn’t been that loud.

And she hadn’t even finished speaking.

“What did you say?”

Unfortunately, Elise had heard everything.

“How dare you do this to us! After everything we’ve done for you!”

Like mother, like son.

Her face turned red as she trembled—just like MacGuire earlier.

“Using your name for debt is nothing! Who gave you that strength? You should be grateful to us your whole life!”

She vividly remembered Elise demanding money without shame during their last meeting.

Of course, Maya wanted to become a Swordmaster.

…But do I really have to tolerate this too?

Her patience had already run out in her previous life.

I said I would live saying whatever I want. There must be another way.

Maya narrowed her eyes and spoke coldly.

“There is a reason. You never really raised me in the first place.”

“What…?”

“You can’t say you raised someone when you gave them nothing.”

At this point, it was all or nothing.

“This girl is insane! MacGuire! MacGuire! I can’t live with her!”

Elise screamed.

“Mother, I can’t tolerate this anymore!”

MacGuire rushed in, shouting like a slaughtered pig.

“You are a disgrace to House Pendragon!”

Even Otto Pendragon joined in.

“I think you all are the disgrace of House Pendragon.”

Maya corrected them bluntly.

“Gasp—!”

This time Otto clutched the back of his neck.

In the end, negotiations broke down.

After that

Maya was thrown out of House Pendragon with nothing.

At a time when she had no money, there was nowhere for her to go.

She sat down in an alley and thought.

Let’s think positively.

Even without the Pendragon name, her strength hadn’t disappeared.

So how do I awaken now?

Swordsmanship was like breathing to her.

Becoming a Swordmaster was as natural as her own birthday.

She intended to live long enough to rot in this world if needed.

To do that, she needed money and power to protect herself.

But there was another reason.

I need to awaken to survive.

Maya knew of the prophecy about the Demon King’s arrival.

The growing signs in the Empire were proof it would come true.

Rivers turning red, strange climates, monsters unlike anything before…

Even Maya herself was evidence.

The Pendragon swordsmanship was exceptional, but no Swordmaster had appeared since the founding ancestor—until Maya.

[The power of the White Dragon will return with disaster.]

That was the last words of Ariette, the first head of House Pendragon.

Even in her previous life, the situation of the Empire had been worsening.

Stronger monsters became a growing problem even in the North.

Of course, the Emperor didn’t care.

To protect the people dying in the North, the Grand Duke eventually rebelled.

The flames of rebellion spread across the Empire.

And Tristan eventually invaded the Imperial Palace.

Maya remembered his face before she died.

I thought he was my age… but he wasn’t.

He looked like a teenage boy at most.

One phrase from his subordinate kept echoing in her mind.

“Grand Duke… you finally had a chance to return to your proper age…”

That overlapped with Tristan’s words about her being the only one who could break his curse.

A curse.

It might not be true—but it was possible.

And it was the most hopeful option she had.

If I have a contract binding me, then the Black Dragon’s heir must have his own restraints too.

House Beyaden, the Grand Duke’s family, was one of the founding noble houses alongside Pendragon and the Imperial Family.

Their symbol was the Black Dragon, opposite of the White Dragon.

I wanted to avoid meeting him… but.

There was no other way to awaken without involving the Emperor.

She had to meet Grand Duke Tristan and negotiate.

She had to learn the truth behind the marriage proposal and gain mutual benefit.

He needs me.

Maya decided to propose a deal to Tristan.

In her previous life, he had been a man of upright character—someone who even treated the Emperor’s “dog” with mercy.

He’s the perfect contract partner.

In her tyrant-like past life, she had learned how important contracts were.

And since he lived in the North, there was no better partner.

It felt morally questionable to use someone like him…

But it couldn’t be helped.

I’m already a selfish, terrible person.

To live this life properly, the deal was necessary.

I need to move fast.

By now, Tristan likely had other options besides her.

She had to take advantage of the situation.

…Sorry, Grand Duke. But a deal where we hold each other’s weaknesses is always the safest.

If she truly was the key to breaking his curse, then together they could become the perfect negotiating partners.