The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living [Novel] Chapter 77

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Chapter 77

About two months after that.

It wasn't harvest season yet, but the outcome had already been decided.

After a single torrential downpour swept through, the wheat in Dalia's field collapsed all at once.

"It's lodging. That's why planting tall varieties of wheat isn't a good idea."

Upon hearing the news, Brisa simply shrugged.

"Once the wheat lodges like that, the yield drops dramatically. Besides, the soil probably wasn't in very good condition to begin with."

Leopold, who had been listening, said 'I don't know'

"Mmm…"

"It used to be a tomato field, so it was probably deficient in nitrogen. There's also a good chance fungal pathogens were still lingering in the soil."

"Brisa?"

"The truth is, we had the advantage from the start. Herb fields rarely have fungal diseases."

"Um… Brisa."

"Dalia probably had no idea and just thought, 'It looks clean enough,' so she only had the surface cleared. Leopold, I know you don't understand a single thing I'm saying, so just stay quiet and listen. I don't feel like explaining it any more simply, I just want to show off how knowledgeable I am."

Of course, because she sowed earlier and the soil temperature was just right, Dalia's wheat initially grew better.

On top of that, she kept pouring on fertilizer and water, but too much fertilizer often has the opposite effect.

Too much water also prevents the roots from breathing properly. As a result, even the grains that remained were sparse, lightweight, and poorly filled.

Brisa carefully composed a letter.

When Dalia read the letter, her hands trembled uncontrollably.

In the end, she wrote to the Duchess of Devostan, asking for advice, but no reply ever came.

She hurried to the Ducal House of Devostan herself, only to find that even the gates remained shut.

"Her Grace is currently away."

That cold response from the butler was all she received.

"No… That's impossible… It can't be!"

Dalia screamed at the top of her lungs, but no one paid her any attention.

Several more days passed.

Brisa decided she had given her enough time.

"Well?"

Accompanied not only by a society reporter but also by Leopold and Alpheus, she appeared before Dalia's field.

"Just admit it already."

Brisa looked at her coldly.

"It'd be a waste of the land to keep dragging this out."

Another powerful gust swept across the field, flattening what remained of Dalia's wheat.

She had never truly cared about farming in the first place.

Wasn't farming simply a matter of plowing the field quickly, planting strong, high-quality seeds, and giving them plenty of water?

As long as the giant ants—far stronger and more diligent than humans—followed her every command, she had believed everything would work out perfectly.

"Say it."

Lifting her chin proudly, Brisa gave the order.

"Admit that you lied."

The crowd murmured among themselves as they looked at Dalia.

This had never been her land to begin with. There wasn't a single person here on her side.

As Dalia stood there trembling, Alpheus stepped forward.

"Hey, Cousin?"

Judging by the large sack he was carrying, he had apparently come straight from the fields.

Still dressed in that rather ridiculous state, he cautiously said,

"Everyone makes mistakes when they're young. It's okay to admit that you lied. There's nothing shameful about it. Life is still long, and if you live each day with a repentant heart…"

His sincere attempt at forgiveness and guidance only backfired.

"Shut up!"

Dalia shouted in fury.

"How dare someone with filthy mixed blood tell me what to do?"

Brisa calmly answered,

"Because I'm talking to the loser."

She couldn't refute that. So instead, Dalia redirected her anger.

"Your mother's gone insane."

She laughed mockingly as she glared at Brisa.

"I know everything. After your family's butler was thrown out, he came to our barony and told us all about it. Your mother was locked up every night, screaming and crying, wasn't she?"

Brisa's eyes wavered for just a moment.

Dalia didn't miss it.

"Five years ago, your family spent every last penny you had to manipulate public opinion and cover it up, didn't you? Honestly, who spends money just to spread rumors that someone isn't insane? Isn't that hilarious? Maybe you're already crazy too."

Alpheus was about to step forward in anger.

But Brisa stopped him and calmly walked ahead herself.

"Yeah. How did you know? It's been about six months now."

To everyone's surprise, she remained completely composed.

"Still, I guess seeing her a few times when you were little was enough for you to recognize her. I'll give you credit for that. It seems you have a much greater talent for observation than for pronouncing 'Po' or growing wheat."

Everyone assumed it was nothing more than an elegant, sarcastic insult. Dalia thought so too.

"You really won't stop until the very end…!"

At the same moment Dalia exploded with rage, the giant ants charged straight at them.

Dalia knew just how terrifying her ants were. Their speed had increased in proportion to their enormous size. No ordinary attack could possibly keep up with them.

She wasn't even afraid of Leopold. After all, the one who had granted her this ability had told her,

The giant ants fearlessly rushed toward them—

At that moment…

"You're right."

With that lazy remark,

The ants' heads were severed in a neat line. Leopold had used Air Sever.

"No… That's impossible!"

Blinking in disbelief, Dalia stared at the pile of fallen ants.

"But… But they said it was faster than Air Sever…"

"Ah, they certainly were fast."

Leopold nodded.

"If they'd charged straight in, we'd all be dead by now. But they hesitated at the critical moment."

At the same time, mint leaves fluttered down in front of them. The large sack Alpheus had been carrying was filled to the brim with fresh mint leaves.

"Ants hate the smell of mint, so I came prepared. No matter how fast a monster is, I figured it'd still hesitate for a second."

Brisa spoke matter-of-factly, without the slightest sign of tension.

"I knew you'd make exactly the same choice as last time. Just as foolishly."

The same choice.

Attempting to kill someone in front of countless witnesses.

Dalia had attacked because she thought she had nothing left to lose. She had never imagined it would be stopped so effortlessly.

"Could you hand her over to the Western Court, Leopold?"

Brisa asked with an expression so calm it almost looked bored.

Only her legs trembled ever so slightly. Ever since Dalia had mentioned her mother.

She simply hadn't let it show.

Keeping her proud composure until the very end, Brisa said,

"I'd like them to handle the rest."

Just then—

"That might be a little difficult."

A cheerful voice came from behind them. Everyone turned at once.

From among the gathered farmers, a boy with dark reddish-blond hair that reached his shoulders walked forward with a mischievous grin.

"She shouldn't be sent to the court. She should be sent to the Magic Tower."

His pale white skin contrasted sharply with the crimson glow of his eyes.

Although he was dressed like an ordinary commoner in simple clothes and comfortable shoes, his striking appearance left everyone speechless.

Even Dalia, who had been screaming moments ago, stared at him blankly with unfocused eyes.

As though accustomed to attracting everyone's attention, the boy spread his arms dramatically and declared,

"I can sense the presence of dark magic."

Brisa's eyes widened.

"Harrison?"

"It's been a while, Brisa."

Walking straight toward them, he flashed Leopold a grin.

"It's been a while for you too, Leo."

"I'm not particularly fond of nicknames."

"I guess I should've stayed away even longer. Could you at least pretend you're happy to see me?"

Despite the banter, the two were actually quite close. They had been roommates for a year during their Academy days.

Frowning, Harrison nudged one of the giant ant corpses with the tip of his foot.

"I can smell experimentation all over this. Send it to the Lord of the Magic Tower immediately and request an investigation."

"Can you really do that?"

Brisa asked skeptically.

"If you request an investigation based solely on your opinion, won't they drag you away too? Do you really think the Lord of the Magic Tower would leave someone alone after discovering a prodigy who can recognize dark magic at a glance?"

"It's fine."

Harrison dramatically raised both arms into the air.

"I'm over fifteen now! That means I don't have to hide my abilities anymore!"

"Really?"

Leopold asked flatly.

"So it turns out you were actually gifted in magic."

"Exactly! That's my secret. You had no idea, did you? Well, to celebrate, how about I show you some incredible magic?"

"I'd appreciate that. Could you cast a spell that turns time back?"

"Huh? Why? Is there some happier time you want to return to?"

"Yeah. The days when you still kept your abilities hidden."

Leopold let out a deep sigh.

"I never realized how wonderful those days were until now."

Meanwhile, the knights were binding Dalia in chains.

She desperately cried out the Duchess of Devostan's name at the top of her lungs. But not a single person came to her aid.