So the Duchess Disappeared

35. A Man Trapped in Illusions

“Gasp.”

Cain, witnessing the vase flying, swallowed an exclamation. It happened so quickly.

Johnny still seemed to struggle to comprehend the situation, standing motionless until the vase hit his head and shattered on the ground.

They were all surprised by Psyche’s actions.

She wasn’t the Psyche they knew, and that made it even more shocking.

Psyche used to be fragile and fearful, making her an easy target for everyone.

That’s how they remembered her.

“Now… How dare you.”

“How dare I?”

Psyche raised her voice at Johnny’s words, taking another step closer.

“Just being grateful you can silently watch the enemy who killed my parents, Johnny?”

Using ‘Johnny’ with disdain, Psyche wiped her forehead and noticed the blood on her fingers, causing Johnny to let out a horrified cry.

“Niece! You’re not afraid of your uncle!”

“Why? Now that you see your own blood, are you scared? You should have thought about the value of your life when you killed my parents, Johnny.”

Unfazed, Psyche took another step closer.

“I plan to formally bring the accused murderer of my parents, Johnny Alister, to noble trial.”

At this statement, Johnny flinched.

It was not true.

Psyche had no intention of returning to the capital to face noble trials.

However, there were indeed trials among nobles when conflicts arose.

Psyche added more convincingly.

“Do you think I would come here without exploring such an option? I came here momentarily to gather evidence. But you people are attempting a petty conspiracy. Do you even understand your situation?”

Psyche glared at the old man in front of her.

Above all, Uncle ‘Johnny’ was no longer a fearsome figure, old and ailing.

Despite having caused trouble with the Duke before, the elderly’s greed, even in old age, was perfect for trampling.

Ignoring Johnny’s somewhat frightened expression after her words, Psyche continued confidently.

“You are not aware of your situation! Johnny!”

Johnny, seemingly not able to defeat Psyche, raised his voice.

He remained despicable even in old age.

“Fleeing the territory and marrying like you’ve run away, and now, daring to claim the Lord’s position?”

“Be careful with your words, Johnny.”

Ignoring Johnny, Psyche spat out her words as if chewing them.

She took another step closer, staring at him directly.

“You should have thought about your life when you killed my parents, Johnny.”

Psyche’s words seemed to unsettle Johnny slightly.

But he quickly composed himself, as if pretending to be unaffected.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about, Psyche!”

He raised his voice as if challenging her.

Even in his old age, Johnny remained detestable.

“Claiming rights as an exiled lord who left his territory and got married? Now daring to assert your rights?”

“You better watch your mouth, Johnny.”

Psyche ignored his words and dismissed them as if mumbling to herself.

After that, she quickly spat out the next words.

“I’d rather it turned out this way. This is an opportunity to get rid of all these scum.”

With a tone like calling someone a scoundrel or vermin, Johnny started trembling.

The hand holding the cane was shaking.

Perhaps out of anger, he began to lift the cane, cursing at her.

“You were raised and fed after losing your parents! This is how you repay kindness. You show mercy because you feel pitiful? Is this how you repay it?”

His words had no coherence.

He probably just wanted to suppress Psyche as before.

At this point, Psyche felt like all her remaining sanity was slipping away. She had reached the limit of what she could endure.

Listening to the absurd claim that the murderer of her parents had fed and raised her, she wasn’t such a kind-hearted person.

“You truly have lost your mind.”

She said this, and suddenly, with a swift motion, she drew the sword from Claude’s waist, making a sharp sound that resonated through the space.

It happened so quickly.

“Mi… Mister!”

Claude’s face was astonished, but Psyche had already drawn the sword.

Although the sword was large and heavy for a woman to wield, Psyche supported it with both hands and rushed directly at Johnny.

Everyone watched with mouths agape.

“Ugh, ahhh!”

As Psyche rushed forward with the sword, Johnny was so shocked that he promptly sat down on the spot.

She didn’t stop even if he reacted this way.

She swung the sword high and thrust it directly into Johnny.

Puk!

The sword was too heavy to aim well, but it struck Johnny’s right arm perfectly, embedding itself neatly.

“Hyah, hee-hee! Father!”

“Oh my goodness.”

Claude was also stunned by what had unfolded in front of him. He didn’t expect Psyche to get this angry. She always preferred to speak quietly and calmly, rarely showing her anger.

Seeing Psyche with the sword, Cainretreated behind, but when Johnny was attacked, he crawled towards him, calling him “father.”

“Murderer! Trying to kill someone.”

Upon this, Psyche looked down at Johnny and Cainwith a terrifying expression.

“The murderer refers to your father, you scoundrel. Does that filthy neck of yours feel tough enough?”

She taunted, disdainfully ignoring Johnny and Cain’s frightened expressions.

“Now you understand my feelings a bit, right? Huh?”

With an icy glare, Psyche looked down at both Johnny and Cainsimultaneously.

“The murderer is referring to your father. Does that dirty life rope feel tough?”

After brushing her hands clean, she grabbed the sword again, turned it around, and pulled it out.

“Ahh, ahhhh!”

Johnny’s pitiful scream echoed through the space.

However, Psyche remained unrelenting.

To do this properly, she had to aim for his heart.

She had to end his life properly here, but there was nothing but regret.

Compared to the pain he was experiencing now, it was nothing compared to what she had endured.

“Now do you have a bit of an idea about my feelings? Huh?”

Psyche looked down at Johnny with an unrelenting expression.

“You crazy wench!”

Ignoring him, Psyche muttered, ignoring everything he said.

“Yes, yes… you wench!”

Still, he managed to spew out abusive words with his burst lips.

Upon this, Psyche lifted her foot and stepped forcefully on his, causing him to cry out in pain.

“Oh!”

“Call me ‘My Lady.’ The leniency ends now. Do you really want me to pierce through your heart?”

“Dad! Please stop. Psyche has gone mad! Let’s just leave.”

Cain pleaded with a face full of fear, trying to convince Johnny.

However, Johnny, enslaved by his vile desires, remained ignorant of the fact that everything was falling apart. He still craved for everything and wished it all to be his.

“Y-You!”

Although he couldn’t muster the courage to open his mouth again when Psyche threatened to harm him, his body was trembling in anger.

“Now, go back. Never appear in front of me again.”

Psyche turned away with the sword in hand.

“Claude, escort them out.”

“Yes, understood.”

Claude politely nodded towards her.

However, just when everything seemed to be settling down, an unexpected event occurred.

Suddenly, a thud sounded as if something had hit the door.

In response, Psyche swiftly turned her body.

“What is it? Could they have brought more people?”

Psyche asked, and Cain nervously shook his head.

“N-No! This is all we’ve got! We definitely didn’t bring anyone else.”

He quivered while pressing his head against the ground.

Thud.

Nevertheless, despite his words, the door creaked and cracked open.

Psyche turned her attention back to see what was happening.

“What’s this? Could they have brought more reinforcements?”

While Psyche was questioning, Cain waved his head in denial.

“N-No, it’s not that! We haven’t brought anyone else, I swear.”

He trembled, his head still lowered.

Thud.

However, despite his assurance, the noise persisted as someone continued striking the wooden door.

Psyche, with narrowed eyes, carefully observed the scene.

“…Ha! Isn’t this the place?”

Her eyes widened in horror when she heard that voice.

It was a familiar voice – Alexander.

“Incredible.”

Psyche was shocked, and she involuntarily covered her mouth.

“I used the illusion charm! Why didn’t it work?”

She anxiously watched the door being broken down.

She felt an urgency to act, but her body didn’t respond well.

Soon, the axing ceased, and the door collapsed into pieces, revealing a shadowy figure.

[We’ve arrived.]

Behind Alexander, Clint stood prominently.

“…!”

Psyche, still in disbelief, involuntarily held her breath.

The familiar surroundings of her past had caught up to her.

‘Is this not the place?’