Hate me, Miss Witch!
Chapter 44 - 37: Bearing the Name of Shiayar, I Must Not Lose (Two in One)

Chapter 44: Chapter 37: Bearing the Name of Shiayar, I Must Not Lose (Two in One)

"Have you heard? Silvia seems to have caught some strange illness. She’s locked herself in her room for a whole week already, and she might even miss the adult ceremony."

"I’ve also heard about this. It seems she can no longer speak and can only communicate by writing."

"It’s more than that. I heard from the servants in the mansion that her hair and eye color are changing, turning pale. It could be some sort of curse."

"Curse? I’d say it’s retribution—the retribution of the tens of thousands of wronged souls she has harmed!"

"If she were to die completely cursed, that would indeed be the best outcome for everyone!"

"As for her not attending the adult ceremony, well, that might be a blessing. After all, it’s the family’s annual grand event. If she were to show up, she’d just dampen everyone’s spirits."

"And then there’s that Shiayar, an outsider to the family... Seems he’s always been in contact with Silvia, probably trying to use her status to infiltrate the family. Too bad he’s run into such an incident."

"I heard his parents also died in that disaster... It’s said that he is ruthless in his pursuit of power, acknowledging no kin, stopping at nothing, truly a hard-hearted one."

"But alas, he bet on the wrong horse. After the adult ceremony, he’ll probably have to leave the Royal Capital."

The idle gossip floated on the wind, but Shiayar paid it no mind.

What was that old saying again? "Don’t argue with fools." "Master, I strongly disagree with your opinion!" "You’re right."

A heartless person who acknowledges no kin and stops at nothing for power? So be it. Shiayar actually found this image quite convenient, as it spared him the trouble of interacting with acquaintances and exposing his lack of memories related to the Echo of History.

At the moment, most of his attention was invested in the panel in his mind.

[Newcomer Task Status Updated]

[Objective 4: Complete the Azure Garden Duke family’s adult ceremony, and become a core member of the family by passing the ceremony, truly joining Elder Norton’s plan.]

This was the new task stage target that appeared after he completed the prior stage’s favorability task.

Elder Norton wants to make a big splash, Shiayar concluded at a glance.

After all, according to the intelligence Shiayar collected within the Echo of History, the Azure Garden Dukedom was currently in the "Calamity Land" period. Its borders were often in peril, and the Duke himself was compelled to be stationed there year-round. Despite this, the country was still stable, far from the verge of collapse.

Only internal strife could cause the rapid downfall of the Azure Garden Dukedom within a year.

However, the historical records about the Azure Garden Dukedom were scarce, and Shiayar could only guess the details, unable to grasp them comprehensively.

Although he had earlier gained Elder Norton’s trust through a performance, aside from the initial riddles, he had received no further clear instructions.

How pragmatic. Even for a subordinate whose very life he holds in his hands, if I don’t demonstrate sufficient strength and status, I won’t be able to truly enter the core of the plan and grasp the full picture.

Shiayar’s gaze lingered on ’adult ceremony’ within the system interface.

After all, the Brunestadt family was in control of an entire dukedom. Therefore, their adult ceremony was naturally not just a simple event commemorating the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

It was an assessment, or rather a trial, somewhat akin to the Maasai coming-of-age rites from Shiayar’s previous life.

Completing the trial symbolized the family’s recognition of one’s potential. It qualified one to be nurtured as a key family member, likely to join the family’s management in the future.

If one failed the trial, they’d usually be neglected and not further cultivated—a bleak outcome.

For someone like Shiayar, an outsider adopted by the Brunestadt family, failing the trial wouldn’t even grant him the chance to be a lazy good-for-nothing. He’d most likely be directly assigned to various villages and towns under the dukedom’s jurisdiction. To put it nicely, it was called receiving a local post to slack off; to put it bluntly, it was banishment.

Although Shiayar naturally had no regard for future prospects within an Echo of History, the upcoming adult ceremony presented the best opportunity if he wanted to genuinely gain Norton’s attention and get involved in his plans.

On the outskirts of the Azure Garden Royal Capital.

A vast logging site nestled in the midst of rolling mountains.

Several huge magictech arrays designed for surveillance enshrouded the entire logging site.

An old man with white hair, wearing a robe, stood in the center of the clearing in front of the forest, his authoritative gaze sweeping over the many youths gathered.

He too was one of the Brunestadt family elders. However, unlike Norton, who acted on behalf of the Family Head and wielded significant Authority, this elderly man usually stayed here year-round. He seldom interfered with internal family affairs.

The old man’s aura was subtle, but according to Shiayar’s spiritual perception, he was assuredly a genuine 4-Ring Beastmaster.

His Soul’s strength had weakened with advanced age, so it couldn’t compare to his youth. He was no match for a 4-Ring powerful pro in their prime, like Colonel Zieg. Nevertheless, he was still far beyond what ordinary 3-Ring High Order Beastmasters could hope to match.