IWMHWD 18

Chapter 18 – Master and Disciple
2023.11.18.

At that moment, Lily, who had been biting her lip in frustration, suddenly spoke out.

“Did Sir Ingrion really come to see that girl? Why?”

“I don’t quite understand your question, Lady Dalia. Is it so strange that I came to see her?”

“But she’s… Do you even know her?”

“Vasquez is one of the eight sacred noble houses, Lady Dalia.”

Unlike yours.

He wrapped his mockery in elegance. Lily, realizing the implication, flushed bright red with shame.

Ingrion naturally offered Cordelia his left arm as he said,

“May I ask you to guide me into the estate, Lady Cordelia?”

“…Of course.”

She had countless questions—Since when do you call me by name? Why are you even here?—but she masked her discomfort and feigned calmness, stepping forward.

The stares from those left behind burned on the back of her neck.

They passed through the central courtyard and entered the castle. When no servants were around, Cordelia came to a stop.

“Let’s get to the point. Who are you really here to see?”

“I already told you. You. The note said to come with the white snake and find Cordelia Vasquez. You didn’t send it?”

“Me?”

“You’re good at pretending not to know.”

If he had been invited by Leonard, things began to make sense.

Leonard must not have been able to reveal his presence directly, so he used her name.

“I think the one you’re looking for is not me, but the Head of the House.”

“The Head? You mean your husband?”

“No. Leonard Attilay. My mas—ugh!”

It happened in a flash. The previously kind look in his eyes vanished, replaced by cold fury, and he grabbed her neck without hesitation.

“You have no right to speak his name so casually.”

“Guh… Let… go…”

“If this is some pathetic trap using his name, you better be prepared. I’ll tear you limb from limb and feed you to the dogs.”

She couldn’t breathe. She desperately beat at his hand, but it did nothing.

Just as her vision started to darken, he abruptly let go of her, seemingly losing interest. She collapsed to the ground like a scarecrow made of straw.

“Gah… Cough cough…”

“What are you doing on the floor? Lead the way.”

He forcibly hauled her upright, urging her to move. Cordelia wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.

Her neck ached from the sudden pressure.

She was furious, humiliated, and boiling inside—but she endured it. Patience had never betrayed her.

I’ll repay this humiliation sooner or later.

Cordelia composed herself and took the lead. Leonard’s room wasn’t far. Upon reaching the door, she knocked lightly.

“You have a visitor.”

“Come in.”

Just as she reached for the doorknob, Ingrion stopped her. He took the handle himself. There was expectation—maybe even hope—in his eyes.

After a short breath, he opened the door. And immediately looked disappointed.

“Are you messing with me?”

When he saw not the person he had hoped for, but Craig Abrams, he glared at Cordelia, his voice a low growl.

Startled by the intensity, Cordelia instinctively stepped back.

“What kind of scam are you two running—?”

“Veluce.”

“You shut up. I’ll kill you right after I kill her.”

“Still temperamental as ever. And just as foolish—believing only what’s in front of your eyes.”

The familiar tone made Veluce slowly turn his head. Leonard reached a hand toward him.

“Do you still not know who I am?”

Veluce cautiously stepped closer, suspicion all over his face.

“You… really? But how?”

“I transferred my soul just before my final breath. Unfortunately, into this trash of a body.”

“Transferring your soul? That’s absurd.”

“What do you take me for?”

Leonard clicked his tongue and casually waved his arm. In the blink of an eye, the room turned into a forest. Cordelia, who had been pressed against the wall, gasped and looked around.

The scent of earth reached her nose. She swept the ground with her hand—dew clung to her palm.

Veluce wasn’t startled by the transformation. He simply stared hard at Leonard, trying to judge the truth.

“Anyone can use illusion magic at a certain level. Though if it were Master, he’d have done it with a single finger.”

“Hmph. You trailed behind me knowing nothing of magic, and your standards grew too high.”

Leonard sneered, but he didn’t deny it. In fact, the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.

“Can’t believe the day has come where I have to prove myself to you.”

“Then answer this—where did I first meet you?”

“How should I know? You think I remember every little thing?”

“Where did I swear loyalty to you?”

“You think I still remember that?”

He answered everything dismissively, showing no real intention of proving his identity. Cordelia grew more frustrated listening in.

What kind of answers are those? At least pretend to try remembering.

Even with the half-hearted responses, Veluce didn’t say anything. Then, Leonard seemed to recall something.

“Ah, I remember one thing.”

“What is it?”

“You clung to my ankle and begged to be taken as a subordinate, didn’t you?”

“…”

“Said you’d die if I didn’t?”

“…I don’t remember that.”

“Sure you don’t. Terrible memory. Should I keep going? Like when you were fifteen and I beat you up and tossed you into the river?”

Leonard chuckled while recounting detailed, one-sided memories. Even Cordelia, who knew nothing, found it convincing.

She glanced at Veluce—his expression had softened. He finally seemed to realize Leonard’s true identity.

The dark-haired knight took a step toward him.

“You are…”

“Yes. I am Leonard Attilay.”

Only Leonard, Cordelia thought, could make saying his name sound that smug.

Veluce smiled—the same smile he had once shown her—and drew his sword from his waist.

“If you’re truly my Master, you should be able to handle this.”

“Hmm?”

It happened instantly. Without hesitation, Veluce swung the sword. Cordelia was too shocked to even scream.

“Have you lost your mind?!”

“You dodged it?”

“Veluce, what part of ‘don’t attack each other’ did you not understand?”

“Let’s try another one.”

No explanation needed—the room turned into chaos. The forest vanished, the castle reappeared, and the sound of blades and shouting filled the room.

“Kyah!”

A dagger flew and embedded itself in the wall near Cordelia. She screamed in terror. Leonard briefly glanced her way.

“Well, it’s been a while since you got hit. Let’s bring back some memories.”

With a twisted grin, Leonard raised his fist. Thick vines burst from the floor, wrapping tightly around Veluce’s legs.

There was no time to marvel at the magic.

Veluce cut the vines with his dagger and widened the distance between them. Then, with a pained look in his eyes, he said,

“My Master would’ve knocked me down in ten seconds. It’s already been more than twenty—clearly, you’re not him.”

Cordelia stared at him, stunned. In all her life, she had never met someone so spectacularly unhinged.

Leonard must have felt the same. He let out a hollow laugh and conjured a sharp ice blade.

“I forgot just how insane you are.”

That ended the conversation. The two clashed again.

Fireballs flew. Furniture was smashed to pieces or turned to ash.

Cordelia trembled, desperate to escape the madness. But every time she moved toward the door, something flew by—too terrified to take another step.

They’re not going to fight all day, are they?

Thankfully, the fight didn’t last as long as she feared. At some point, Baron burst in, pale-faced, and jumped between them.

“Veluce! How dare you raise your sword at Master and fail to recognize him!”

“Step aside.”

“I swear, this is truly Leonard Attilay. Though the body is not his, the soul—”

“Did I not tell you to get lost?”

It happened in a flash. Without hesitation, Veluce thrust his sword and cleanly sliced Baron in half.

Though Baron’s body was made of water, Cordelia had heard that when a summoned body is struck, the summoner also suffers.

“Veluce!”

Leonard shouted for the first time. He raised his palm and shot a massive orb of light at Veluce. The blast sent Veluce staggering and finally to his knees.

Baron’s form was now faint, barely holding together. Cordelia, who had stayed close behind, rushed to him.

“Are you okay, Baron?”

“Ugh… Y-yes… I’ll be fine.”

Usually, his watery form was as solid as wood, but now even her hand passed through him.

Leonard looked down at Veluce with stern, cold eyes.

“How many times have I told you not to raise weapons against your own?”

“Why him?”

Veluce clutched his stomach in pain, blood dripping from his ears and nose. Still, he glared at Baron.

“What?”

“Why was that old, mangy dog the first to know Master was alive?”

“…Sigh.”

“I’ve searched endlessly for you all this time. Why didn’t you give me even the smallest sign? What does he have that I don’t?!”