We stepped back into the mansion.
The massive wooden doors closed behind us with a low, heavy thud—like they were sealing our fate inside that place.
We walked in silence, the only sound being the echo of our footsteps on the polished marble floor.
When I looked up, I saw several figures on the staircase leading to the second floor.
They stood halfway up the steps, watching us with a mix of disdain and curiosity.
My mother stepped forward and bowed slightly at the base of the stairs.
The first one to catch my attention was a tall, slim man in his late forties.
He carried himself with elegance, but there was a coldness in his gaze that couldn't be hidden.
His well-kept chestnut hair and neatly trimmed beard gave him a noble appearance—but it was obvious that this was the lord of the house.
[NPC STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Henry ValentineRace: HumanAge: 48Title: 4th Count of LichsteinLevel: 95Vitality: 10,640 / 10,640Mana: 13,100 / 13,100Unique Trait: Authoritative, Premature EjaculatorJob: Royal Court Member (CC+)Class: Warrior (C)
Strength: 130Agility: 110Speed: 100Vision: 100Endurance: 100Intelligence: 70Wisdom: 60Adaptability: 100Luck: 80Charm: 100
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Skills: Warrior's Drive (C), Sword Techniques (C+), War Knowledge (B+)Condition: MarriedAffection: 43Sex Drive: 78Stress: 55Status: Strong sexual desire toward Karen
My eyebrow twitched as I read his stats.
"Pfft, just a low-tier noble… a glorified background character."
But when I saw his unique trait, I couldn't help but laugh to myself.
"Haha… so he's a horny quick-shooter. Pathetic."
Still, one thing stood out—Karen.
"Who the hell is she? Hm… I'll look into that later."
Next to him stood a woman around fifty.
Her face wasn't exactly pleasant, but her body…Even at her age, her curves were well-defined and her chest… generous.
Suddenly it made sense why she was still married to that loser.
[NPC STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Patrice ValentineRace: HumanAge: 49Title: Count Valentine's WifeLevel: 53Vitality: 6000 / 6000Mana: 8100 / 8100Unique Trait: Lustful WomanJob: NoneClass: None
Strength: 19Agility: 69Speed: 69Vision: 20Endurance: 30Intelligence: 54Wisdom: 54Adaptability: 10Luck: 15Charm: 170
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Skills: Hip Movement (E+), Moaning Techniques (F), Sexual Provocation (EE+)Condition: MarriedAffection: 50 [+10]Sex Drive: 58Stress: 35Status: Intrigued by the appearance of a handsome boy
[Ding][System Notification: Lady Valentine +10 Affection]
My eyes narrowed.
"What the actual hell…? Is this whole family full of degenerates?"
The irony couldn't have been more brutal:A premature old perv and a nympho noblewoman with too much time on her hands.
"Rich but weak. Figures he can't keep her satisfied."
I shook my head, trying to shut down those thoughts.
"No—stop. What the hell is wrong with me?"
I reminded myself of my loyalty to Lilia. To myself. To who I was.
"Okay… moral line drawn. Stay away from that chewed-up temptress at all costs."
Standing with them was a blond teen—around seventeen or eighteen.
[NPC STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Jeremy ValentineRace: HumanAge: 18Title: Heir to the Valentine FamilyLevel: 60Vitality: 6720 / 6720Mana: 8200 / 8200Unique Trait: SadisticJob: NoneClass: Swordsman (D)
Strength: 60Agility: 50Speed: 68Vision: 48Endurance: 23Intelligence: 42Wisdom: 40Adaptability: 130Luck: 90Charm: 50
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Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (F), Thrust (E+), Sword Slashes (EE+)Condition: VirginAffection: 00Sex Drive: 88Stress: 23Status: Already looking forward to tonight, hehe...
Reading that last line sent a wave of nausea through me.
"Yep. I officially hate this bastard."
Next to him stood a young girl, maybe eleven, with light brown hair.She looked quiet, but her expression was different—gentle, almost sweet.A sharp contrast to the filth that was her family.
[NPC STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Sharon ValentineRace: HumanAge: 11Title: The Genius of LichsteinLevel: 90Vitality: 10,000 / 10,000Mana: 35,000 / 35,000Unique Trait: Subconscious MasochistJob: NoneClass: Apprentice Mage (E+)
Strength: 34Agility: 41Speed: 38Vision: 120Endurance: 28Intelligence: 190Wisdom: 160Adaptability: 53Luck: 56Charm: 180
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Skills: Magical Calculation (A), Basic Spells (E), Low Mana Perception (E)Condition: VirginAffection: 45 [+5]Sex Drive: 08Stress: 48Status: "That boy is really cute..."
[Ding][System Notification: Sharon Valentine +5 Affection]
My jaw clenched.
"Why does she like me too?"
Before I could process that, a new notification popped up.
[Ding][System Notification: Karen Olws Affection +28]
My eyes narrowed further.
"Karen...? The same one from the count's status...?"
I'd definitely be digging into that name later.
After soaking in all that info in under two minutes, Lady Valentine spoke with a smile that made my skin crawl.
—"Well, well… Elisa, your boy has grown up quite a bit."
My mother kept her expression neutral, though it was clear she was uncomfortable.
—"Yes, Lady Patrice. He has."
—"He'll soon be of age, won't he? When the time comes, I want him as my personal assistant."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Personal assistant," huh? Right. What she really wants is a personal toy, you filthy hag.
The sheer absurdity of this world was sickening.And sadly, not far from the way ancient societies used to work.Didn't make it less disgusting.
My mother's face darkened at those words.She lowered her gaze and responded quietly:
—"My son turns of age in two months, my lady."
—"Good. Then in two months, he'll be under my care."
"Yeah, not if I get out of here before then, you crusty succubus."
Before I could speak, Henry Valentine stepped forward.
—"Boy. I want you to tell me everything that happened. In detail."
His tone was dry, commanding. This wasn't a question—it was an order.
I looked at him with boredom and replied in kind.
—"What you've already heard, sir. There's nothing else to add."
His face turned red with fury.He clearly wasn't used to being spoken to like that by someone beneath him.
Alarmed, my mother jumped in to try and defuse it.
—"Forgive him, Lord Henry. He's still learning proper speech—"
But the bastard cut her off with contempt.
—"Elisa, I wasn't speaking to you. Be silent."He sneered."Filthy slave..."
Something inside me snapped.
"Who the hell do you think you are talking to my mother like that, you rotten bastard?"
My mind flooded with curses:Wanna die, you piece of trash? You're less noble than my ass. Disgraceful perv. Discount noble. Premature pig. Pretentious scum.
Henry turned to me again and asked coldly:
—"Tell me the name of the goddess who healed you."
I frowned.
—"And why should I? She healed me, not you. What would I gain by telling you?"
That pushed him over the edge.
—"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, YOU FILTHY RAG?! YOU'RE A MISERABLE SLAVE! YOU DON'T GET TO TALK TO ME THAT WAY!"
I stared him down, unafraid.
—"Who am I? Just a loser who bows to no one. I don't care who you are. Noble? You don't deserve that title. And I may not either—but don't you dare speak that way to someone I care about. If you want something from me, then treat me like a human being. Because unlike you… I am one."
Then it happened.
A searing pain tore through my chest, like an invisible fist crushing my heart.I collapsed, clutching my chest, barely breathing. My vision blurred, and I saw a green glow spread over my skin.
"What... what the hell is this?"
I looked up and saw Henry smirking.
"That bastard did something!"
I tried to move, but the pain had me paralyzed.I knew he was about to give the order to execute me.
Teeth clenched, I readied myself. If I was going down, Quincy would boost my stats before I fell.
But before I could act, Patrice stepped in.
—"Darling, don't stoop to the level of a slave boy. He's not worth it."
Henry huffed, then relaxed.
—"You're right. He's not worth dirtying my shoes over."
Just like that, the pain vanished. I gasped for air, still trembling.
"Shit… if not for that hag, I'd be dead right now."
As Henry pulled himself together, Jeremy leaned in and whispered something to him.Henry nodded and turned to me with a wicked grin.
—"I understand you were recently ill. And while I'd love to torture or kill you, I'd rather not offend the goddess who healed you. So... get the hell out of my mansion and never return. That's an order. Got it, you filthy brat?"
"Oh, gladly. Like I want to stay in this rat hole. A day ago, I was dying—and now you pull this cheap trick? You're worse than scum."
But then… his eyes landed on my mother.
—"My son has requested that you mentor him, Elisa."
My muscles locked.
My mother's face tightened with discomfort.
—"I-I don't think your son needs my guidance, sir…"
—"Did I ask what you think?"His voice turned ice cold."You'll repay your son's attitude. From today on, you'll 'mentor' my son at night. He's busy during the day. That's an order."
She swallowed hard. Her face was pure resignation.
—"U-understood, my lord…"
—"That'll be all. Dismissed."
—"Thank you, sir. We'll take our leave."
I couldn't move.
"Shit..."
It all clicked.
"The one trying to abuse my mother… isn't Henry.""It's that damn little bastard, Jeremy."