The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 88

“This tea has such a delightful aroma, Count Veilmar. It’s truly delicious,” I remarked.
“Can you tell? It’s a new tea leaf recently introduced by the Gombot Trading Company,” he replied.

“Is that so? This tea would also make an excellent iced tea. Lee, try it and remember this flavor for me.”

I directed the conversation about the tea toward Lydia.

“Milady, that’s quite improper. If you’re fond of it, I’m sure the Count would be happy to arrange for it to be delivered to you.”

“But it’s just so delicious! I’d love to have it at home. Before that, Lee, could you make it into iced tea? I know you can do it,” I said with a touch of whimsy.

“…Understood,” Lydia replied, slightly exasperated.

Playing the part of a slightly spoiled noble lady, I subtly guided the conversation to suggest that my maid had magical powers while I had none. Observing our interaction, the Count joined in.
“Well then, let me have some glasses brought in. Since we have the chance, I’d like to try it as iced tea too,” he said, instructing the butler to fetch glasses.

The butler poured the slightly cooled tea into the glasses and handed one to me.
“Lee, please,” I said, passing the glass to Lydia.
Lydia used magic to turn the tea into iced tea in my stead.

The Count, of course, didn’t miss this. While pretending to sketch, he observed us closely. I discreetly channeled magic into the ear cuff to ensure my allies could hear the conversation.

“I’ve heard that the Lady of Marquis Efsee is unable to use magic. Is that true?” the Count asked.

“Yes, everyone likely knows because my mother and sister have made it widely known. I was born without any magic power. Because of that, my family shuns me. It’s painful… though I manage by using a magical bracelet in my daily life,” I replied with a sorrowful expression.
“I see. That must have been difficult. What are your plans after graduating from the academy, Lady Efsee?”

“I doubt there’s any nobleman eccentric enough to marry me. I plan to leave the country and dedicate myself to work. My family already has an heir, so it wouldn’t be a problem if I weren’t around,” I said with a soft smile, sipping the iced tea. The flavor seemed slightly different from before.

“In that case, why not work with me in the neighboring country? There are plenty of men who would love to spend time with someone like you,” the Count suggested with a broad smile.
It seemed the tea contained a sleeping drug. My body grew sluggish, and my eyelids became heavy. I hoped the Zero Division was receiving the audio transmission. Even if I fell, Lydia would handle things.

“…What a joke. I’m not feeling well. I’ll be leaving now. Lee, let’s go,” I said, standing unsteadily.

But as I tried to rise, the Count’s cold voice stopped me.

“The drug is already taking effect. Lee, was it? If you don’t want your mistress harmed, you’ll comply.”

The last thing I saw was the Count’s cold smile before I lost consciousness.

When I came to, I was lying on a stone floor in a dimly lit space with only a small, high window. My head still ached slightly.

As I sat up and looked around, it seemed I was in a dungeon. Beside me lay Lydia, gagged and bound hand and foot.
In the corner of the room, several frightened women clung to the walls. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. All my accessories, including my bracelet and ring, had been taken. Fortunately, the three small daggers strapped to the inside of my thigh were still intact.

After surveying the area, I sat Lydia up and removed the cloth gag from her mouth.
“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Yes, somehow,” she replied.

Upon closer inspection, Lydia had a collar around her neck.

“Lee, what’s this collar?” I asked.
“It’s likely a magic-suppressing collar. Milady, are you injured?”

“I’m fine. But where are we?”

“This may be a dungeon in the annex of the Count’s estate,” Lydia answered.
“I see,” I murmured.

It took some time, but I managed to untie the ropes binding Lydia’s hands and feet. While I could have used a dagger to cut them, there was a reason I didn’t.

The women clinging to the walls made me cautious.
Though they seemed scared, there could be allies among them—or worse, those coerced into betraying escape attempts.

As I explained to Lydia what had happened when we were captured, I discreetly sent an encrypted message to our allies.

This should help us.
Lydia handed me the ear cuff she had been wearing, which hadn’t been confiscated. I quietly put it on and addressed the women in the corner. Upon closer inspection, they didn’t appear much older than me.

Judging by their clothing, most seemed to be commoners or maids. I appeared to be the only one dressed as a noble.

“Have you been here since you were captured?” I asked.
A woman with a blank expression, seated in the center, responded.

“I’ve been here the longest. Women are brought here and locked up. Occasionally, merchants or the Count come to select a few they fancy, taking them away.”

It appeared to be human trafficking.
“Are you all from orphanages? How did you end up here?”

They began speaking all at once. Some were orphans or girls with no family. Others had been abducted from the slums or brought here after failing in dealings with the trading company.

After gathering as much information as I could, I clung to Lydia, feeling anxious.
“Milady, it’s alright. I’m here,” Lydia reassured me.
I was so grateful she was with me.

Time passed, though I wasn’t sure how much.
Escaping on our own would be easy, but without the leader’s signal, we had to wait. While waiting, I inspected the iron bars at the entrance.

They seemed like ordinary bars. If necessary, I could force them open.

Just then, I heard the sound of several footsteps approaching. I stepped away from the bars and clung to Lydia.

“Awake, are we, Lady Marloa?” came the voice of Count Veilmar.

He appeared with several rough-looking men.
“Count Veilmar! Why are you doing this? My father won’t stand for it!” I shouted, clinging to Lydia.

The Count laughed.

“The Marquis of Efsee coming to your rescue? Impossible. By the time they find you, your life as a noble lady will be over.”

“What do you mean?” I demanded.

“You’re going to be these men’s plaything. After they’ve broken you in, you’ll be sold as a slave to a neighboring country. There’s high demand for well-trained, obedient girls, especially noble ladies. They fetch a high price.”

“Disgusting!” I spat, furious.

Captain, where’s the signal? I’m losing my patience.

I was seething, but Lydia seemed even angrier. She leaned in and whispered, “Marl, please remove my collar.”

I positioned myself out of the Count’s sight, placed my hand on the collar, and channeled magic to deactivate it.

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