Chapter 100: Power and Love (5)
fcF“Miss Ellen, until the head of the family gives further instructions, please remain in your room.”Pha
UPIhTwMThe group of servants who had escorted Ellen showed heavy expressions.qrG9RJ
d92li9Ellen remembered each of their names Monter, Briana, Revilin, Tion, Fior…6Pa8j
SJTWCzaAll of them had been with Ellen since childhood, and she had watched them rise to higher positions in the Belmierd estate from the closest distance.bfjg6
35zXTherefore, they did not seem very happy to have to confine Ellen.C1VM
sjDFmAh“You don’t tell me a single word about the results of the investigation.”kD58Cdd
B0AEllen had no intention of blaming them, but she still wanted to leave a remark.6gurYt5
gIt0IwDThe room, normally used to receive guests, was luxurious and spacious. However, it could not compare with Ellen’s personal chamber.hVB
7a9Her own room was under investigation, so it probably could not be used.qIy
nKHGVN“We are sorry, Miss Ellen. We…”PF6Lnt
WK0qxThe elderly man at the front of the group spoke hesitantly. He was Monter, the chief of the guards who managed the servants and who had been her personal guard in childhood.pids
M03DHe tried to say something but then closed his mouth again.1CrTSJ
Q4YCXPeIt seemed there were instructions among the investigators not to give Ellen any information hastily.db0d
rIQThe other servants were clearly watching him, paying attention to his reaction.T4uqet
eUIWx“…We have to suspect you, Miss Ellen.”4itV0a
rVxIn that uncomfortable atmosphere, Briana, the most capable scribe of the Belmierd family, raised her voice.c4jR
Pl9She was always direct and professional, but Ellen knew very well that she had a warm heart.OJxs1
4Y2xbN“We will inform you of the detailed results of the investigation in due time. However, for now, we cannot give you even the slightest hint. As you know, we must follow the instructions we have received.”CBOjA
1gwUz63Briana’s cold and professional tone made it seem as though her heart was as cold as her words.l2pk
GqcLQMHowever, Ellen looked at her and spoke with warm eyes.qxSk
p5E“Have you found any conclusive evidence?”WTsR
ZeKPxQ“…”LXECPHo
T1vTgBriana clenched her teeth as if she was suffering and finally spat out the words.ar32bT
c3amouQ“As I mentioned… we are in a position where we must suspect you, Miss Ellen. However, that does not mean that we have lost faith in you.”nnv
jdbOXUGStill showing deep respect, Briana spoke to Ellen.MWY6
hml“I believe this suspicion is a means to prove your innocence, Miss Ellen. Everyone here knows better than anyone that you are not someone who would involve herself in necromancy.”6KW4y4P
RyEnw“Briana…”6cnsKA
N4n1OX“Therefore, we must understand how this situation arose, who orchestrated it, and under what circumstances. Suspicion is necessary in this process. To truly prove your innocence, we must convince everyone that you had no reason whatsoever to be involved in such magic.”iGTUgTT
z2BZ6nAll verification begins with suspicion.Em4nb
bdXaKnowing this, Ellen understood the complex and subtle emotions of the servants looking at her.d0tiXUb
qUNEllen took a deep breath and observed the expressions of each one of those who believed in her and followed her.59W58uf
VPjlzThen, biting her lower lip for a moment, she nodded.v2X6
K2Su“Leave me. Since you’ve granted me some time alone after so long, I will immerse myself in Professor Felo’s magic books.”V7Z1Iwq
JHKWith a relaxed smile, she sat by the window and said.ngVbxy
WkFiVe“I trust all of you.”Np6
N7Bek***U3hw
G3h‘Stay calm.’Qxx5
tz5skOOnce the servants left, Ellen closed the book and walked toward the window.dKDIXH7
p0AWK32She saw the attendants with anxious expressions walking through the garden bathed in the warm spring light. The Belmierd mansion was now in the midst of a swamp of anxiety.SdQzMy
bBHwOThe fact that Lady Ellen, the legitimate heir of the Belmierd family, was suspected of practicing necromancy.5yTc5
UccIf this fact began to spread outside the family, the situation would spiral out of control.n5cwFmR
OAt9sNo matter what, this matter had to be resolved within the family.VWa
GdDecegNot even a year had passed since the madness of necromancy devoured the great star that had been the Duplain family.XpnYxQ
oY34fAhIn this social atmosphere, the moment one was tainted by necromancy, one’s life as a noble, much less as an heir, would be destroyed.bmG
k0gEllen swallowed with difficulty and tried to compose herself once again.3KqMAq
Oe2xLIn this situation without information, the more she appeared to falter, the worse everything would become.BsduNxJ
u1umHowever, the cold gaze of a man in the corridor kept floating in her memory.GUH1DJk
dyyjFTh“Lady Ellen. Just a little more strength. You can do it!”66aH9Z
xWT“Just one more time…! Now is the moment. When you’re exhausted and can’t move anymore, force yourself once more… that’s the secret of growth!”Yc1
jOfThe man who had cheered her on with overflowing energy while teaching her magic, with those cold eyes that looked at her, was engraved in her heart like a carved sculpture.KN9HXy
n9kThe fact that Dereck had succumbed to Leonard’s persuasion meant that he was now hostile toward her.Jlz1m
J5yX8sk“Dereck is thoughtful and quick to judge. Leonard should not have been able to persuade him so easily…”3h0
ZwBBut Ellen knew Leonard as well as Dereck.CgOA
YoyQLeonard was skilled at persuading people, sometimes with cunning whispers, sometimes with grand speeches, or if not, with offers difficult to refuse.0BAum2
VHZCmDereck was not someone who would easily fall for such tricks, but Leonard might have used some sort of scheme.zkcXI0n
Pe3He constantly spread rumors about Ellen, emphasized supposed moral flaws, and promised Dereck great rewards.AxnMpg
Z9nEspecially since Dereck was more devoted to magical achievements than anyone, he might be convinced with guarantees of magical treasures or conditions that aided his studies.aKiUPK
fkKAnd if Leonard had painted Ellen as a villain to ease Dereck’s conscience and then lured him with appropriate rewards…?z4LUK6
fWXLeonard was a young man with great skill in understanding others’ desires, so it was not impossible. Perhaps he had seen through Dereck’s obsession with magical achievements.4FJdSA
mleGE“If Dereck was simply influenced by Leonard’s words, I could defend myself by meeting and speaking with him. The problem is… this is not a situation where I can see Dereck right now…”mkSfn
yBBcEllen took a deep breath and reaffirmed her resolve once more.ae7s
NMiNHHer eyes, gripping the window frame tightly, burned with renewed determination.ul1Rih6
9JRJCaBMisunderstandings can be cleared.9SsIiv
Jk4WNo matter what tricks Leonard used to instill slander into Dereck, in the end, Dereck would understand that it was all a misunderstanding.moJf
6ZaIDo not lose composure in the face of a momentary confusion.EDQU
4bML218In this game of intrigues, the first to lose composure would be the one to fall.mUNJ6h
Fe7CbLosing Dereck could be a painful move, but it could still be recovered.M5x6
HXphgcLeonard’s tricks were nothing but false evidence to corner Ellen.ybI576
rfpb4p1False evidence always has flaws, and if those flaws could be exposed, the situation would be reversed.tBHf2g
pWSBSo the only thing she needed to know was what that evidence was.6zJsom
m3uzEllen calmed herself, repeating those words endlessly.PXT
BOYN***
Dear Prince Valerian of the Duplain family,CPxh
b6LI have been reflecting deeply since I received your last letter. Once again I have considered how dangerous the path we are following is, and what results may await us in the end.eVu5
c7mJeQBut when I think of the changes our research will bring, I believe all these risks are worth it. If we come to fully understand the secrets of necromancy, we will be able to transcend the limits of life and death. With that power, we can change this empire—no, the entire continent.kqRthv
Y4qIGThe ancient texts of the White Zone that you sent me were truly invaluable.fQw
GFSF0SEspecially the spell “Echo of the Soul” was astounding. As a result of my experiments in my underground laboratory, I was able to momentarily animate the corpse of a small animal. It is still incomplete, but I am confident that soon we will achieve greater results.GlSyu5
R28kNAt the full moon of next month you will naturally be able to visit the Duplain family during Lady Diella’s debutante ball.EtDq
u1nI hope we can meet at the promised place and talk in more detail. I also want to share some new spells I have discovered.vPgbI5
OmcXB11Please, be careful. I feel that Prince Valerian has lately been too influenced by necromantic magic. Be very cautious so that our secret does not leak out.s6Sbvh
WX028From your eternal comrade,
EllenYAJI
wRiQG7uThe Count Belmierd, who had read the letter from the underground laboratory to the end, sat at the desk in his office with a heavy expression.SDzcJ
IelWdHe placed the letter on the table and looked at the faces of the vassals who participated in the investigation.l4tN
fyZVyAmong them, Counselor Revilton, who led the investigation, spoke with his eyes closed.Jrij
RlG“Upon examining the handwriting, it was done with Beloff ink with a hydrangea scent used by Lady Ellen. It was also sealed with the secret seal of the Belmierd family.”N7Mhfyi
d7uZ3I7“…”Orcp
CtN1S“This letter was not sent and simply remained in the drawer. Perhaps it was rewritten due to some corrections, or the situation may have changed.”EkiqkQg
DkjLAfter him, Briana and the head maid also recited the results of the investigation with grave expressions.NB9y41p
s2c3d“There was also a faint trace of Lady Ellen’s perfume. We investigated it directly with our hounds, so it is most likely true.”rkL5zLU
mgC0c“…”Hj2Gv8d
rOyNtyThe letter was about exchanging opinions on necromantic magic with Valerian, the eldest son of the Duplain family.qyW
2tA9fZAccording to the known information, Valerian of the Duplain family gradually lost his sanity because of the necromantic relics of the White Zone and eventually went mad.8DQDC08
9WR1M0IIn other words, this was proof that she had researched necromancy together with that person.vIIv
2iWgkPhysical evidence and circumstances.twayEqp
W78PrWBoth matched exactly.d8Y
tOWBvIronically, Ellen had attended the Duplain family’s party on the very day of the great disaster.if4
UVjX8Even in a situation where many died or were injured, Ellen emerged unscathed… Moreover, despite such a grave incident, she did not hold the Duplain family responsible nor demand compensation.rSo
yrddUCircumstantial evidence alone is not very powerful, but when several conditions overlap, they can acquire great weight.hQAy
U4ZoEllen’s visit to the Duplain family was purely to celebrate Diella’s social debut.usJ
vvZvShe did not hold the Duplain family responsible simply because she did not want to burden Aiselin.Ook4
LZ99lqAnd she survived unharmed because she acted quickly.xyiiXDa
Idj3yJThe truth is often that simple and insignificant. Ellen was broad-minded, mature, and compassionate, so she let it pass.SYF
g9YHowever, those accumulated circumstances made her actions appear suspicious.3MP3bHk
cksuLINCould it be that she was truly colluding with the Duplain family to research necromancy?RauOpKI
9MnIt was enough to plant that seed of doubt for all this evidence and circumstance to play their role.weT9
TTexCount Belmierd pressed his temples and let out a deep sigh.IlooYuy
A8ICThen, seated at his desk, he spoke to his vassals.pnVyouB
FuPCp0Q“I don’t want to doubt Ellen.”66Asn
LlX8“…”bGU
p38SGZG“You all feel the same, don’t you?”1pLs
zEN4KBCount Belmierd, who loved his daughter more than anything, was being put to the test.Nl6mWK
keCjTIn his heart, he wanted to return her freedom and encourage her, saying Father believes in you, so don’t worry about anything.38PqVSF
QCNtVBut he was the lord of the Belmierd territory, a position that ruled over numerous vassals and subjects.kfqB5
YCu9Rumors had already begun circulating within the mansion, and if not stopped, they could spread to outside cities or even beyond the territory.Usql6
IcKIf it was revealed that he had covered up the enormous stain of necromancy simply because she was his daughter, it would escalate beyond Ellen’s problem into an issue for the entire Belmierd territory.mU8P2n
pgm8IcA father before a count. A count before a father.388JAsz
YIJhuo8Trapped in that dilemma, Count Belmierd could only writhe in agony.KxTjvYO
eKu***zw9nb6
PQ9“Did you hear that Lady Ellen was involved in necromancy? Do you think it’s true?”pIkbP
trD27qW“Oh, come on. You know what kind of person Lady Ellen is. Could that be possible?”dioG
91iSEDoubt is like a tiny spark that blooms among the branches. Usually, such doubts are not powerful and disappear quickly.mMCZy
btuVHowever, sometimes they persist, burn the branches, and end up growing.Eghb
dF4Doubt, when not resolved definitively, lingers for a long time, exerting its influence just by remaining.fC78N6
SvaGFydRumors get distorted, exaggerated, and embellished. What breaks a person’s spirit is the rumor that has been adorned.2j95fI4
4ppbUfThese baseless rumors, which are neither logical nor reasonable, corner people.WJwXPeV
ojKcZh5They break the heart and make it difficult to maintain composure. Even the wise lose clarity, and only the sense of injustice remains, rising like waves and causing one to lose calm.w5gul
S9npSWhat matters is time.3GI69
byqRWhat corrodes a person is not a great blow of pain that arrives all at once.sjmZMu
rbgxSQIt is the persistent pain that gnaws little by little at the edges of the heart.skBJ0
FBHWEach small twist that slowly pushes someone into a corner often mixes into daily life.1DNU
QFxH“Oh, it’s Lady Ellen.”fYn
26fRus“Shh, shh…! Don’t talk to her…!”DNNmK
JBgnnlPWhile being escorted by the servants to go eat, the maids cleaning in the garden sweated cold and fled.FVO
EcarPtThus, a day passes, and then another.PTO
emTMJQS“But what about Lady Ellen?”L8lh2
OpVit“She’s still under house arrest.”Su1izRT
enMFEF7“To think that the one who once reigned in the Rose Hall of Ebelstein is now confined so alone in her room… The results of the investigation must have been quite serious…”jTfyQ
o1QV“Ho… Could it be that she really practiced necromancy…?”SmoC
TscTa“Shh. Watch your mouth.”FJfv
CQC39vLate at night. Upon opening the window and reading a book, the secret conversations of the servants could be heard seeping into the room.GdvNVrZ
OEAxgAnd so three days passed, then four.JGPlM
A5J“What if, by chance, Lady Ellen really practiced necromancy?”Xx4JiHL
rIXjt“Haven’t you heard of the tragedy of the Duplain family? They will never… never let it go.”2L4buk8
Op0oY“Then, what happens with the heir position of the Belmierd family?”YdSViDi
hQn“Well… Since young master Linus rejected it, it would fall to young master Leonard, but young master Leonard insisted it would never happen, that he has no desire for power…”FQEuIyX
wiIOij“As expected… He’s someone detached…”BUp
tSMv93It was a conversation that reached Ellen’s ears, who was using detection magic to gather information from the adjoining room.AWg
hyfFzOBy the fifth day, the weight on her chest began to grow heavier.Hwovd
6tTRq1x“Lady Ellen. I brought you some clothes to change into.”Xp9
J1rCLBriana’s cold gaze, becoming ever more professional.UpIl1li
xPzYf“Lady Ellen. We need to hear your statement.”s91qcgW
fp8ePBMonter’s firm eyes, without a trace of apology. Each scene of daily life accumulated in her heart like poison.lSJ6E
IpdLOThe terrifying thing is that she didn’t even realize it. A person’s mind is cornered very slowly.doC
FRgxmdLike a kettle put to the fire, the temperature rises little by little, and before noticing, one finds oneself swimming in unbearable heat.CzFga
tTIfWhen she commanded the skies and lifted her nose with power, everyone looked up at her.x32m
dxWj4gThe servants saw her as someone above the clouds, the maids assisted her cautiously as if she were porcelain, and her family praised her as a flower.RU3
yZKk3UBut when the accumulated suspicions finally reached a critical point, something inside the heart had to break.BPyKY1d
YYnMy“Ah…”kGht
w3UzHow many days had passed?71Rxl2W
4gS4wEllen, sitting in a dark room with a candelabra lit, suddenly regained consciousness. She could barely feel how time was passing.zXdt
QeAyvS3A soft spring breeze entered through the half-open window. The moon in the sky shone, but it felt strangely cold.pkRCy
Xeob9XEllen stood up and quickly shook her head.hqT1F
FbRixWu“I lost my mind for a moment. That’s not like me.”XBqG
StvvKtsIn this time, Ellen had tried to clear the suspicions in her own way.QN0
luvQShe had tried to coax the servants into telling her what the evidence was, and sent letters outside to inform the Duplain family.fh5
pN9Ig1She also asked nobles of the Rose Hall who might defend her, but found no one with enough heart to get involved in such a grave matter.RlCnXow
MhsG1bAs a result, she found herself sitting in silence, staring at the candle in the middle of a private room where only the cold night wind entered.1NA781q
0eFoShe was not someone who lost consciousness easily. She had never lost focus even in the most boring philosophy classes.CHEVa
NTHRf1hIt was the first time she suddenly lost it, so she washed her face and pulled her hair back.bd72
t7Mxk“Yes. Do they intend to corner me this way? It’s unfortunate, but to rule means not being able to escape suspicion and evidence. Do they think I, who have reigned as heir of the Belmierd family for so long, will waver over such a petty trick?”O3tP
PFE6In the end, the Belmierd family could not easily get rid of Ellen.Vy7Ey
If9xEven with numerous pieces of evidence, there were still many servants who wanted to believe in her.jZb3Kd
6pDHowever, the dark room still remained silent. With the cold wind entering and shaking the candle, Ellen’s shadow also trembled.vmeVePw
AJPShe had not reached that position alone.kLK9c
DIBLmNFThe word “loneliness” only existed in the dictionary. With so many people who believed in her and followed her, how could a small seed of doubt bring her down?dULG
qXJBut she did not know.eBk53vv
K76VjsWhat protects a person’s heart is not the respectful gaze of those who follow. Secular authority does not protect the heart.ZzYeq3M
cQmWhen anxiety and suspicion heat slowly for a long time, even a fish in an aquarium eventually stops breathing.yCPp81d
zpuAJThe only difference is whether it takes a week or a month. The moment inevitably arrives.fSM
GMu3vMAs Ellen stood and looked at the mirror in the corner of the room, she shuddered.6ft7ImD
9tXKEmpty eyes. Brittle hair.vK6Te
O9eFWondering if it was really her, she quickly rubbed her eyes and took a comb from the drawer to fix her hair.h8pI
2O2A“Maintaining appearance is the most basic of basics… What has happened to me…?”IVAZ7
A17QEllen began to comb herself with trembling fingers.xhFMx0
z7AtmBut the brushing felt clumsy. The ends seemed tangled and it was not easy to pass the comb completely.V3NsIOw
S1fIOnly then did she realize. How long had it been since she last combed herself?aQSBz3
xwhvh1The maids who always followed her as if they were part of her body were the ones who fixed her hair. She could not even remember the last time she had done it by herself.e8TCOum
HMmzAnd then, the dark room returned to her sight.wVb
Px6PEa8There was no one.i76EUwe
Mnc8t0MShe, who had ruled the world, who reigned as a king of Belmierd, who was famous as the lady of the Rose Hall, the flower of the inner chambers.K1K
zR7WShe was power itself.Hgh
oNM0MBut at her side, there was only empty darkness.hrrpJ
OrKydThere is no one here. That fact does not change, no matter how many times she closes her eyes and opens them again.CWT
hceVBWIn this narrow room, there is no one.bpXD
4pgM***2HweTA
CTPRc1‘It seems to be the necromancy book from Rodentz Island.’NZxA
Ayg2The necromancy book found in Ellen’s room was a dangerous object, so it seemed that the high servants had quickly dealt with it and sealed it with magic.0KF
FKuyHowever, traces still remained in the basement. Standing alone in the basement steeped in the smell of blood, Dereck breathed deeply as he felt the lingering traces of that magic.qXoMg
03P4h‘Yes. It was strange from the moment he suddenly converted to religion and went on pilgrimage.’GIa
SxzRJLDereck murmured to himself as he observed the basement, filled with a sticky air. It was known as Ellen’s necromancy research laboratory.KIg
8idARIuAfter reporting to the Ravenclaw Barony about the news of Belmierd, Dereck had returned as a guest. Seeing this chaotic environment, it was strange that outside guests were being received at all.VQiL
yj8CyIf the head of the family were in his right mind, there would be no reason to bring outsiders into the mansion in such a situation.ROdwf2V
fnXLUMNevertheless, Dereck could freely wander through the Belmierd family as a guest.izFw
UcAThat seemed to have some significance in this situation.kHt
yygWfQ‘…’OKJ
ynueFXfDereck rested his chin on his hand for a moment, then shook his head and heavily climbed the stairs leading to the surface.968
bfzPG— There is information that low-ranking necromancers who escaped from Rodentz Island have hidden in Ebelstein. If we capture and interrogate them, we could obtain some clues about that 6-star necromancer.WkX
5VaSqBefore coming to the Belmierd family, Trisha had made this request to Dereck.smQB
18hDereck had refused.0jcBd
QKMHe was not someone very well-versed in necromancy.h4ENwE
VblGD6However, there was something he did know.8b0jY2I
tdkwFNThe existence of the faceless 6-star necromancer, whom the necromancers of Rodentz Island revered as a prophet.q3nxo
CPqbZyIt was almost unknown to the world, but her followers had a common trait.limc1h
waRM0kA deep desire for necromancy.oWB
siFE3rpStep, step.Wrh3Tp
tKhWhile climbing the stairs, Dereck became convinced.USk
YkeWZIt seemed that Leonard was one of the necromancers of Rodentz Island who had been hunted by the Renouel Viscounty. He seemed to be a survivor who escaped when the island was raided. The fact that traces of necromancy still remained at this moment fit too well.7KZ7
sS8pXXYIn short, he had never gone on pilgrimage in the first place. If anything, his pilgrimage had been to Rodentz Island, the seat of necromancy.htPyaa
OlgW2EDereck let out a chuckle while climbing the stairs.3TmAPgM
T6d22RZThere was no proof. But it did not matter.10o
5asProof could be manufactured.RP7d
KrEmmqKJust as Leonard had done.4Wto
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