Chapter 12

A hypothesis he didn’t want to assume crossed Nikan’s mind.

“You there.”

Nikan called a servant who had a stiff expression.

The servant couldn’t be here at this time, so it was obvious why that servant was here. He was a witness.

“Why was Wood trapped in water?”

“Ah… It seems that the young master summoned the water and got trapped. Lady Navia told me.”

The servant said so and glanced at Navia behind him. Nikan’s gaze also reached Navia, who was soaked in water like Wood. Even though her lips were shaking as if she were cold, Navia was anxiously looking at Wood.

The East building on the 1st floor was blocked from access.

Wood and Navia, who were soaked in water. A space where Wood’s mana can be felt. He knew the situation without having to ask any more questions.

‘Just when the brainwashing weakened!’

“Ha…”

Nikan grabbed his throbbing head. To make matters worse, the Empress had sent an invitation to ask for a portrait of Navia.

At this time, it was clear that if the foster daughter suddenly changed, the Empress would pick on all kinds of faults.

‘Looking at her, it doesn’t look like the brainwashing has been disturbed.’

Nikan’s eye’s went dark.

“Navia, you look wet, what happened?”

Navia flinched when Nikan called out to her.

“That…”

“It’s okay, so tell me.”

Navia dropped her head as if she was in agony. Her eyes, which were trembling in fear, dried cold in an instant.

‘This is a test.’

As Navia began to think earnestly, her expression faded and became blanker. It was a habit that appeared the more she would concentrate on her thoughts.

‘He’s trying to check the brainwashing.’

Even though his son was like that, Nikan was testing Navia’s loyalty.

‘Disgusting.’

This was the true appearance of a high noble.

Of course, Nikan was a considerable figure. He wasn’t called the head of the most powerful family of the three greatest Dukes for nothing.

He had an excellent talent for distinguishing long-term chess pieces and short-term chess pieces and controlling them appropriately.

‘I’m a long-term chess piece.’

So he spent a long time brainwashing her every time.

Edward confessed the truth just before Navia was sent to be Queen Barbarian.

“You still don’t know? I’m a mental domination wizard and you’ve been brainwashed.”

“But I have a clear consciousness!”

“That’s because you’ve been exposed to weak brainwashing since you were seven.”

Mental domination would blur the conscious because strong uses of it would break the opponents mind. Navia’s conscious was clear because she was brainwashed little by little, making her cravings stronger.

‘So I didn’t know until my sixth regression.’

Edward spoke for the last time.

“Your strong desire is your weakness. Well, it’s late advice.”

Navia raised her head. It was so easy to play how Nikan wanted her to.

“It’s all my fault, Father.”

She knew clearly what she looked like without having to look in the mirror. What expression she had on. The amount of breath she was exhaling. How droopy the tail of her eyes were.

‘I’ve collected a lot of data in my eight regression.’

“I asked Brother to show me his magic.”

Why would she ask Wood to show her magic after he almost burned her to death yesterday? In addition, this place was under Nikan’s orders.

It was an excuse that wasn’t elaborate at all. Just like a child’s excuse. Nikan’s eyes softened with satisfaction. Navia’s answer passed his standards.

‘But my real purpose isn’t to reassure you.’

She was throwing up water, but when she saw Wood gasping for air, like an innocent little sister worried about her brother, Navia ran to him and held his hand.

“Brother, are you all right?”

Then Wood pushed Navia down hard with an angry look.

Pak!

“I said so!”

Wood jumped at Navia, thinking he was safe now.

“You monster! I’ll kill you!”

“Kyaak!”

Navia smiled faintly, defending herself from Wood’s fists with her arms.

‘Ahh, It’s such a relief that Wood is so stupid.’

No one could stop Wood, who was running like a horse.

Nikan grabbed Wood, “What the hell are you doing!”

Then, Wood shook Nikan’s hand off and pointed at Navia.

“That low-life tried to kill me! She trapped me in the water!”

“This brat…!”

‘…wait.’

“She trapped you in the water?”

Wood looked at his father, who did not immediately punish Navia, and shouted as if he was frustrated.

“She stole my magic! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been trapped in the water! Father, you’re not going to let her go, right?!”

Nikan’s complexion suddenly changed.

Stealing magic? The only person who could do that was a wizard with the copycat ability.

‘So Navia is a copycat wizard?’

Magic had laws.

In this regard, copycat magic, which can use any magic, was a fairly unusual ability. Of course, there was a limit.

Usually, 30% of the opponents ability can be copied at best.

Even so, it was a great privilege to be able to perform any kind of magic you want. If Navia were a copycat wizard, it would be a great hidden card that would bring her closer to becoming Empress.

Nikan immediately checked Navia’s mana.

‘…there’s nothing?’

Contrary to his expectations, he couldn’t feel any mana.

At then, Navia spoke up, “I… I think I saw a blue light when brother used magic…then Brother suddenly got stuck in the water.”

It was a symptom that occurs often when a wizard would use magic beyond his or her abilities.

‘Tch! That’s what it was.’

A copycat wizard, he was hoping for too much.

“Wood! I’ve told you to be careful and watch out for mana rushes!”

Wood felt like he was going to go crazy from the false accusation and being framed.

“There was never a blue light! The low-life lied. Father, punish that low-life immediately…”

“Stop it!”

As Wood said, if Navia had used magic, there would have been traces of mana in the space. Other than Wood’s mana, there was no power felt.

In other words, it meant that Wood was lying. Nikan became annoyed that his ugly son tried to beat Navia. He spoke as softly and caring as possible to reassure the trembling Navia.

“Father is ashamed, Navia. I will firmly punish your Brother, so go and rest.”

Navia nodded cautiously.

The Wood ran wildly.

“I said she did it! Why don’t you believe me!”

Navia looked at Wood, whose face was burning red.

Smirk.

“…I’ll kill you! Let go of me!”

Navia turned away, ignoring Wood’s words.

‘Getting this worked up for something like this, it’s excessive.’

This is just the beginning.

Navia calmly walked out of the first-floor.

It was silent.

No one handed the wet and cold Navia a towel.

Her appearance resembled a shabby skeleton.

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

Now, she had no intention of proving her value here anymore.

Without paying attention to the people’s eyes, she moved on, only preoccupied with the new power that she had.

However, the silence was a different kind of contempt from what Navia had thought. The Agnes residents, as if they were lost in thought, couldn’t take their eyes off Navia, who was heading for the stairs with a blank face.

As the mansion was tall in floors, the windows were long.

As the sunlight pouring in from the huge windows shone on Navia, the drops of water glittering on her body looked like diamonds.

“Haa…”

Exclamations flowed from all over the place.

Rather than being ugly, Navia was admired from all viewers. Not because of appearance.

Because of Navia herself.

As Agnes was one of the three greatest Duchy’s, there had been numerous noble guests. Among them were not only the Emperor, but also Empress Diana.

As such, Agnes residents had high eyes. They didn’t blink at other’s etiquette.

But now, Navia’s figure was truly amazing.

Even though her shoes were wet, her steps were straight, her gaze was graceful, and her wet hem made her dress look like a magnificent velvet dress.