014 Counting Soldiers, Whoever Is Chosen Suffers Misfortune

In the imperial year 1197, Erica Grant was born within the castle of House Grant. As the firstborn daughter, both Junyuan and his wife Avra placed great importance on her upbringing. Hoping their daughter would become exceptional, they raised Erica from infancy with a curriculum designed for boys.

Erica did not disappoint her parents’ expectations. Whether in magic, administration, or economics, she excelled, earning astonished praise from her tutors. This young girl possessed a will as unyielding as any boy’s, was intelligent and vivacious, quick to learn and eager to engage. If only she had been a boy, she would surely have been named the next heir of House Grant.

Erica enjoyed the undivided affection and attention of her parents until she turned six. In the imperial year 1203, the second daughter of House Grant was born: Ida Grant. For this pink-haired girl, Junyuan and Avra devised a different method of upbringing. They wished for Ida, with her delicate coloring, to be as sweet and gentle as her appearance suggested. Thus, from a young age, Ida’s lessons centered on etiquette, needlework, and cookery. When it became clear that Ida was innately resistant to magic, Junyuan and Avra’s resolve only deepened: their second daughter would be raised to be nothing more than a gentle lady.

By this time, Erica had already begun assisting Junyuan in business affairs, gradually gaining authority within the household. Ida continued her carefree existence as the second young lady of the castle. Life seemed destined to remain peaceful: Erica managing the outside world, Ida tending to the home. But fate had other plans; Avra became pregnant once more.

By the third pregnancy, Avra was no longer young, and her health was not what it once had been. Though Junyuan worried, Avra merely smiled and insisted on carrying the child to term. Seeing her determination, Junyuan had no choice but to keep his fears to himself. On the day of the birth, Avra went into a difficult labor. Throughout the night, her cries echoed through the halls, while Ida and Erica paced outside the chamber, praying for their mother.

Avra could not endure. After naming her newborn son Junyan, she passed away in Junyuan’s arms, her eyes closing forever. The entire household was plunged into grief, but even in mourning, Erica could not help but glance at Junyan. This fragile new life was, aside from her father, the only male in the family. Erica could not shake the feeling that her life would change because of him.

Indeed, Junyuan, unable to bear the constant reminders of Avra’s absence, decided to leave home for business. Before departing, he meticulously arranged Junyan’s education and spent an entire night in conversation with Erica.

At breakfast, Erica and Ida watched their father’s silhouette disappear in the distance. Ida wept openly, dabbing at her eyes, while Erica sat stupefied. She could not believe the words her father had spoken: Why was it inconvenient for a girl to conduct business? Why must a girl, destined to marry, now devote herself to raising her brother instead? Did all her years of effort amount to nothing now that Junyan had appeared? Would this little demon not only take her mother, but also steal the fruits of her labor? Was Erica, no matter how capable, doomed to follow in Ida’s footsteps, acting sweet and coquettish, destined only for marriage and domesticity?

The fire of anger in Erica’s heart blazed into a fierce conviction for female emancipation—radical, progressive thoughts. Had Erica met a certain someone earlier in life, perhaps the two would have forged a lasting bond through shared ideals.

Erica began to suppress Junyan’s development. Tutors continued to visit, meals were provided, but Erica forbade Junyan from stepping outside his room or having much contact with others. Once, a young maid, unable to refuse Junyan’s pleas, took him for a stroll beyond the castle. Upon their return, Erica caught them. In front of the young Junyan, Erica threw the maid into the castle well and weighted the cover with a heavy stone as a warning.

From that moment, Junyan grew silent and withdrawn, shunning all contact with others. When Ida learned of this incident, she stormed off to confront Erica. At that moment, a harried Erica—overwhelmed by household affairs—was in no mood for Ida’s reproach. Unable to contain her anger, she slapped Ida and confined her to her room.

Ida, spoiled and sheltered, had never suffered such indignity. She ran to her chamber in tears, feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Her mind raced: her mother’s smiling face, her brother’s innocence, Erica’s severity, her father’s uncertain return. She had no way of contacting him, and sorrow overwhelmed her.

At that time, Erica heard that the eldest son of House Taylor—a major business partner—had fallen for Ida at first sight. Sensing a solution to both her business concerns and her "Ida problem," Erica readily agreed to the match.

When the details of her future husband were delivered, Ida was already teetering on the edge of a breakdown. She had never been taught how to handle such matters. Upon learning that her engagement was settled so carelessly, Ida finally snapped. Using a slender cord, she ended her young life.

Junyan, learning of the tragedy, disregarded Erica’s prohibitions and rushed to Ida’s room. She had been dead for some time, her face pale but marked by a hint of release.

Junyan’s features hardened, his mind echoing a single thought: Ida must not die!

As the only one in the family who could speak for him, Ida’s death would make his situation even more precarious. Gritting his teeth, Junyan made a momentous decision. He activated the secret network of contacts he had cultivated and, before Erica could discover the truth, found a woman in the city who bore an uncanny resemblance to Ida—enough to serve as her double.

Erica was stunned to learn of Ida’s suicide. She rushed to her sister’s room to find Junyan seated at Ida’s bedside, his eyes red and swollen from what seemed to be weeping (though in truth, it was anxiety from his search for a double). Watching Junyan, sniffling and breathless, beg her not to force Ida into marriage, Erica’s mood improved. With a grand gesture, she agreed: very well, there would be no marriage. She would apologize to the Taylor family herself.

Thus, Young Master Junyan took his first step in resisting Erica’s autocratic rule—a step of monumental importance, a milestone that would have an indelible impact on his future successes.

Applause and a shower of flowers!

Now, let us return to the present, to the Lane family’s auction house, now in chaos. The expected scene of mutual slaughter did not occur. From the very beginning, the battle was decidedly one-sided—the scale of the defeat so overwhelming that for the Lane family, it was as if the apocalypse had arrived.

If you doubt it, let us survey the current battlefield. On the far left, a horde of Lane family warriors brandish powerful weapons, poised to surround the auction house from the outside. At the entrance, Junyuan stands at ease, betraying not the slightest concern for his own safety. Panning right, we see the supposedly mortally wounded “Ida” now fighting energetically. She has completely neutralized Erica’s fierce attacks; Erica is immobilized, bound by Ida’s water magic. To the right, the beautiful younger sister stares in panic toward her father. Clan chief Brook Lane, who had worn a mask of cunning, now appears ashen and fearful, a gleaming dagger pressed to his throat—wielded by none other than our “certain someone,” dressed in the Lane family uniform.

To clarify these events, let us rewind a few minutes. Erica shouted, “Kill!” and charged at Junyan, who looked as fragile as a chick. Suddenly, she felt a powerful force restrain her, rendering her immobile. “Ida,” resting in Junyan’s arms, opened her eyes at some point, and with a deft reversal, deflected Erica’s onslaught. Seizing the opportunity, she bound Erica’s hands tightly with rope, the icy blades vanishing. Erica, her hands securely tied, could only glare helplessly as Junyan’s energy sphere drew in water elements, reinforcing her bonds.

Seeing Erica falter, Brook was about to order his warriors to seize control when he felt a sudden chill at his neck. The unassuming guard at his side pressed a poison-laced dagger to his throat. From the corner of his eye, Brook could glimpse the dagger’s gleaming edge and the scarlet hair of the young woman restraining him. He heard his daughter’s incredulous voice: “You?”

“What a performance,” Junyan said with a smile that did not reach his eyes—a cold, superficial grin. “Too bad you’ve lost your place in the cast, Brook. All thanks to this young lady here. Otherwise, today would have been much more troublesome.”

“What do you mean?” the beautiful sister asked, stunned by the sudden turn.

“If I told you I happened to find your family’s storeroom, happened to smell the scent on the Staff of Eternity, happened to meet your uncle on my way out, who happened to tell me everything, and then happened to run into your father, who happened to want to hear a tale of familial intrigue, and then I happened to knock out a guard with an upset stomach, put on his uniform, and he just happened to be Brook’s personal guard—would you believe me?” said “someone” with utter seriousness.

Everyone fell silent.

“Well then,” the young woman shrugged, “I knew you wouldn’t believe me, but that’s reality. Dreams are grand, but reality is stark. Accept your fate.”

And so, in the most unlikely and theatrical fashion, the matter concluded. Dear readers, remain composed—history is, after all, nothing but a tapestry of chance and coincidence.

With Brook’s downfall, the Lane family now rested solely on the beautiful sister’s weary shoulders. Ironically, as our mysterious young woman quipped at the beginning, the Lane family must now hand over ten percent of its annual profits to House Grant, and Grant receives exclusive rights to all new products. This year, everything present was simply handed to the Grant family.

Thus, the Lane family, once the second power in magical goods, fell into vassalage to House Grant. A dispirited Erica was brought home and confined indefinitely to her room for reflection. “Ida” collected her reward and departed without a backward glance. Jane was promoted from probation to squad leader, and “someone,” for her meritorious service, became Junyan’s sole personal guard, resuming her comfortable life with a monthly salary of twenty gold.

Stardust Chronicle 014_014: “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, Whoever’s Chosen Suffers the Blow”—End of Update!