24-Hour Regression Counseling Center – Episode 6
The Klan Empire.
In this land, there were only two duke households and three marquis households.
Even among count households, there were barely ten.
Compared to other kingdoms, the Klan Empire had vast territory, but surprisingly few high-ranking nobles.
‘That was all because of the first emperor’s decree.’
Emperor Ren, the founder.
He distrusted the growing power of the nobility, so he limited the number of high-ranking noble houses.
‘…Like that kind of decree can’t just be ignored.’
But because the founding noble houses drew their legitimacy directly from the emperor, they were unusually strict about obeying his words.
‘That’s why the whole process of “noble expulsion” exists.’
And now, the Lien family was their latest prey.
Crack.
The telegram in Lora’s hand crumpled mercilessly in her grip.
It wasn’t just wrinkled—it was about to be shredded.
‘Just because Grandpa’s gone, they’re doing this?!’
For over a year now, she’d been getting constant notices to attend noble council meetings.
What started as gentle reminders had turned into barely veiled threats.
‘Right, this is their perfect chance to expel our house from the nobility!’
After all, their noble house was being led by a young woman barely over twenty.
Back in her room, Lora slipped on the white, long coat symbolic of the Lien family’s head.
“Twenty-one daggers, all accounted for.”
Naturally, all 21 daggers were concealed inside the coat.
After preparing, Lora placed her hand on a certain spot on the wall of her bedroom.
Click.
A hidden space opened up in the wall.
Inside was a magical vault, and inside that vault—just one item.
A small badge, engraved with a golden sun.
“So this is what everyone’s so desperate for.”
A badge gifted by Emperor Ren to each of the five founding noble houses. Five badges, each a different color.
This was proof of imperial recognition, a mark of a founding noble.
It was also the minimum qualification required to preside over noble council meetings.
“…And a pardon.”
It could grant amnesty—once—for any crime except treason.
‘And each house has its own unique privileges, too.’
Secret privileges, passed down only to the head of the household.
“Of course they’d covet it.”
Lora gave a dry, hollow laugh.
“They can’t even steal it. Not unless I willingly pass it on in front of witnesses at a noble meeting.”
A badge meant nothing unless publicly transferred.
‘And if a house loses its noble status, its head is forced to transfer the badge.’
She had once thought about just handing it off and living a quiet life in the countryside, but things had changed.
A client had appeared.
And not just any client—the Crown Prince.
“…First, I need to find Tom.”
“Tom, you’re free to leave the household now.”
“…Are you serious, my lady?”
“I am.”
“…Sigh. Very well. If you ever want a business partner, don’t hesitate to call me.”
Tom had been more than just a butler. He was like a close friend.
And now, Lora needed him back.
Clang!
Lora stepped out of the mansion and began walking.
‘Still so many eyes on me.’
The Lien Count family was located right in the center of the noble quarter. Lora was used to the stares, but today she could feel the murmurs more than usual.
‘Every time I take a rental carriage, it’s the same thing.’
“The Lien Count house can’t even afford a carriage anymore!”
That was the gossip going around.
“Well… it’s true.”
So it didn’t really bother her.
‘Do you know how expensive it is to keep horses?’
With that money, she could buy more daggers. Or food. Or pay the bills.
Whoosh—
A breeze fluttered her long white coat.
Despite her situation, her golden hair, long limbs, and the elegant silhouette of her white coat gave off a noble presence.
Inside, she wore a neat beige suit.
And on her lapel—a golden badge.
‘Maybe I’ll mooch lunch off Tom.’
As she walked, a servant from a nearby noble house muttered while watching her through the window.
“She’s broke, but her dignity’s still intact.”
“Right? Our young master could learn a thing or two from her.”
Lora’s graceful steps and perfect posture had become second nature.
‘To keep living in the capital, I’ll need a basic source of income… Where can I get one?’
The worry deepened.
‘…Maybe I should ask the client for an advance? No, I can’t—didn’t I say no compensation talk up front?’
Whoosh—
Lora walked quickly but with poise, her long limbs moving elegantly.
‘There’s gotta be a way to earn some money. Worst case, I could secretly take on a few mercenary jobs…’
And then—
BOOM!
“Whoa!”
Startled for real, Lora reached inside her coat.
Her hand wrapped around a poison-laced dagger.
It was pure reflex. A habit.
‘What the heck was that?!’
Wide-eyed, she turned toward the sound of the explosion.
Next door to the Lien estate—the Cheors Duke house, one of the five founding families.
A family famous for producing swordsmanship prodigies.
“…The window broke.”
One of their windows had shattered.
‘Must’ve been that good-for-nothing son again.’
Servants were rushing around frantically.
‘That household’s a mess, too.’
Thanks to the infamous troublemaker, the Cheors family hadn’t shown any interest in messing with the Lien estate. They were just distant neighbors.
‘I heard the Duke and Duchess are having a tough time. Supposedly, it’s a mental health issue?’
The Cheors’ eldest son was, in some ways, a pitiful soul.
He had lost both grandparents in a tragic accident as a child and suffered immense trauma.
‘I heard he can’t live without alcohol.’
He lived with painkillers and booze, constantly causing trouble. Hence, the nickname “Mad Dog.”
‘Didn’t he even beat up a few nobles?’
Technically, it wasn’t really his fault when you looked at the circumstances.
‘I also heard he’s insanely talented with a sword.’
He passed the knight’s exam as soon as he became an adult. Though his knighthood was in name only.
Even so, he had beaten nobles so efficiently that a palace knight once famously said he was “jealous of that satisfying feel.”
‘In any case, he’s a real headache for a Duke—gasp!’
Lora froze.
Their eyes met.
Even from a distance, she could tell the man standing by the shattered window was Sorinte, the eldest son of the Cheors house.
‘Look away! Fast!’
Black, shoulder-length hair.
Yes, it was definitely Sorinte.
Lora quickly turned her head—gracefully, but urgently.
‘If I get tangled up with that madman…!’
If he smashed her estate, fine. The Duke would pay for it.
‘But if I accidentally destroy his estate…!’
There’s no way she could afford the damages!
Not a chance—not even if she sold everything she had.
‘No matter the reason!’
It was best not to get involved with him.
‘I’ve got to go!’
She quickened her pace, putting distance between herself and the Duke’s estate.
Cheors Duke Household.
Not quite as big as the Lien estate, but still the third largest in the capital.
The man gripped the shattered window frame, wind brushing past his cheek.
His lips parted slowly.
“This… this isn’t a hallucination? Not Hell?”
He turned to the mirror.
Staring at his reflection, at those faint red eyes.
“…This really is reality…?”
Ah.
With a sigh, he collapsed where he stood, his legs giving out beneath him.
Click.
Lora stepped out of the carriage.
“Should I wait for you, my lady?”
“Would you?”
“Of course, Countess.”
The old coachman gave her a warm smile.
“I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”
“Yes, Countess.”
Jack, the aged coachman, had once worked for the Lien household.
Now he ran a rental carriage business.
“Jack.”
“Yes, Countess?”
Lora approached him and whispered her next destination.
“I’m going to see Tom.”
“…Milady!”
He accidentally called her by the name he used when she was a child.
His eyes trembled.
The former head butler of the house, being visited again by its current head—
It could mean only one thing.
“Countess…”
Jack whispered.
“…Are you planning to rebuild?”
He didn’t need to ask what.
There was only one answer: the house.
“I don’t know yet. But… I do plan to hold out in the capital a little longer.”
The moment he saw the mischievous smile on Lora’s face—one she used to wear as a child—Jack felt a chill.
Whenever their precious young lady smiled like that, she always caused a magnificent mess.
