Chapter 102: Power and Love (7)
WSR“W-why did you break the window…?”0xTR1TE
60czst“Shh.”PYn9Mo
2rVvgoThud, thud.4WSno
jufcDereck shook off the water, tended to the wound on his hand, and looked again through the broken window.JrrQlws
1rKmRain was pouring down in torrents, and the growing darkness outside the window covered the landscape like a curtain.S4C6vw
CaI0Fortunately, it seemed no one had seen Dereck climb the outer wall and break the window.yMlU
vBN146RWhile slowly repairing the shattered glass with transmutation magic, Dereck spoke.dgxVdL
doDPlVB“Currently, Lady Ellen cannot meet outsiders nor obtain information without the consent of the high servants. If anyone outside were to discover that I slipped into the room without the servants and vassals knowing, things would become needlessly complicated.”z6SW
uKs“Y-you slipped in? The number of servants in Belmierd mansion easily exceeds a hundred, and with the soldiers stationed, it’s not a place one person could handle quickly…”mJYhqm0
w4j“There was someone who helped me. Now is not the time to explain the details.”yZrZSbc
Jpk1QWhen the window was perfectly repaired, Dereck began to bandage the blood dripping from his hand with a piece torn from the collar of his shirt.YV4A2
bsQ1“I had not planned on making such a fuss by breaking the window, but I had to burst in a little violently, fearing that Lady Ellen might make a rash decision because of the situation.”9nilOl9
dUH“That…”BrEbRc
iDGDereck’s blood was on the dagger rolling on the floor. Ellen looked at her own disheveled appearance with a sinking heart.QG2fE2
aU4What had she tried to do?HRbko0T
jXyIf she had gone through with it, it would have been the most futile and foolish decision of her life.suDQYY
DVfCg15Yet Ellen’s fingertips still trembled.xeeIXqP
eXImoA single step away, she was caught in the sweeping intrigues of nobility, bearing the blame for a crime she had not committed.gnf
3RTh8For someone who had already fought within the social circles of Ebelstein, it was not a trial she could not endure.o1yhI1
gVIsPBut more important than all that was the doubt about the values she had pursued all her life.pMfmqEu
KqtZpWhoever one may be, to rule over the masses one must know it. The human being is, by nature, a being that betrays.SO9y
cIkIVThose subjugated by authority and power may turn their backs on you at any moment if you fall.WJmOsZ
pr2YXmSome criticized this as ruthless, while others accepted it as human nature.Lhq
p2jTyXEEllen gathered strength in her trembling chin and slowly raised her head.S4mXc6t
ArUWdOFrom her shrunken position, looking up at Dereck, he appeared tall.086
KrbHis eyes, visible beneath the cloak, did not seem to hold much emotion.vfQTyP
5ZHWThat appearance was not so different from when he had walked past her with Leonard.JLWsjy
PvjsuNBut why had she forgotten? Dereck had always been like that.PSyc2ic
JS9a“…”BcPazR
oL56bXNDereck remained silent for a moment.kA7B
adsxpFor Ellen, who had only just returned to the path of life before making an extreme decision, he might have recited lines from the third-rate romance novels Denise loved.tNKkmv
eYGrYour life is noble and valuable, so don’t make foolish choices.f2Bsi
lOHI will be by your side, so cast away that fear.yb6nJ
xORrTrust only in me and give me your heart, and surely I will heal your wounds.Q6on
9IHYex2It was easy to imagine that process where he consoled her with grand words, became her pillar, and rewove trust by holding hands.EfF03K
qxrSeLike pulling a girl’s arm trapped in a pit.Jqs
JDD9However, Dereck did not do that.BDEJUY9
kRZ6zDereck was Ellen’s master.UQ7D0i
WBXzalYDereck did not believe in one-sided words of salvation from the heart.EypcfB
hGMwTo see a girl who sought power, who believed in righteous values and carved her own path of life, and then extend a one-sided hand of salvation, he thought, was not to respect her life nor her ideals.PL8f
CaiThat is what teaching someone means.xEGmEI
AiOThe one who unilaterally pulls the arm of someone trapped in the mire is not a teacher.4z2hBym
pfBFgvA true teacher is one who rolls up their sleeves, presses against the ground, and teaches how to climb out of the mire by oneself.5RTK
AwuiGE6That was why Dereck did not lift Ellen up, but knelt on one knee at her side and met her gaze.eSfe34k
L86bCWEllen, who was sitting on the floor, raised her head and met his eyes.uHfw
yR8dHer appearance was gaunt. Her tangled hair clung to her cheeks, and her dull eyes were like those of a living corpse.3WhhIr
x51eBK“You have understood loneliness.”mUdNuJA
DR40vjfIn an empty room, the experience of seeing those you believed would follow and believe in you for life turn against you one by one left a void and a hollow in the heart.s9TD
Zh3Those who advance to reign over the masses must experience it at least once, sooner rather than later.b2Uj
CwQq1oDEllen was also in that process.2KOk4b
5hRUxrEven those who reigned over the world from on high had lived it at least once.Ujq
WGBOvBut there was no one to tell her.TDnl
myOoSo Dereck whispered quietly, without the need for many words.RJ6v
3VT“You have grown again.”w43
7VncnAt hearing that, Ellen’s eyes widened.7dc
HCmhSeeing the blood dripping from Dereck’s fingertips, she finally felt as if cold water had been poured over her.jkv9x
t3GyOne who would be the next head of Belmierd must always live with dignity, like a single flower.YoHU
YFFbvSHowever, mental strength is a consumable resource.Awh3
Y1yzSometimes, you must let it all go and prepare a place where your mind can rest.L3SvSt
Mv76Only now, feeling a great doubt about the purpose of life and as if she had hit rock bottom, could she understand the importance of that.T6XDN
cnqQ“Dereck.”cCo53
yuOjShe pressed her nose tightly and held back the tears that were about to burst.2hlvR
3KVEllen stood up on her own without Dereck’s help.Nln
H9QpbsThen, after lifting her chin again, she raised her still gaunt eyes, but now with a spark of life regained.biJf
XrY“I made a fool of myself. I’m sorry, Dereck.”KHG
3EX“It’s fine. Anyone would be cornered mentally in a situation like this.”cKR
tnKX“Hahaha… Such slander can be refuted by gathering evidence and responding logically. For a moment I nearly went astray thinking it was difficult, but it was only an illusion. As heir of Belmierd, who has reigned for so long, I will not be swayed by such a small obstacle, so…”tuIBk
6X9HPEllen, who was once again speaking fluently, revealing her strong character.0P1l
JN29But when she saw the young man in front of her, who watched in silence without refuting or agreeing, she was left speechless.1EN1bx
KA2eXY“Then…”Mz8
A2qgMHer voice faded as she looked around the room.Q1eKEn
IA33GWA dagger stained with blood, an overturned table, a carpet soaked with rainwater. It was a complete mess.nS3N
I4MIDHer reflection in the mirror looked so gaunt she could hardly recognize herself at a glance.wY9pX
0QxAnd the same was true of her reflection in Dereck’s eyes.E7mNF
cWAdn6Ellen faltered and finally, with a trembling chin, spoke.ghOhEFe
hT7C“So I was struggling.”TO7fNai
hz3“…”8ijoH
Ozy“Dereck, I understand what you meant. Even though I’ve had much authority and power at this age, my core wasn’t that strong. But still, Dereck…”efRbl5
QYNTw4Ellen finally embraced Dereck’s chest and spoke in a trembling voice.0kVW
E1Tg2“I’m so glad you’re still on my side.”z41qkS
FIRTgbvAfter an emotional storm, people quickly regain composure and calm.W8IvO
oUfyWhen Dereck finished cleaning, Ellen was sitting quietly in the corner of the bed, her head turned toward the wall.viOiW
19fDx2Seeing her fidgeting with her fingertips and avoiding his gaze, it seemed that, as her head cooled, she felt embarrassed.xqRbqU
pdlMLN“Lady Ellen.”CD0xDh8
yomc“Yes! No, I mean, yes…”gHX
44OTUYHer voice rose suddenly, and Ellen hurried to lower it again.keIIi
jxudThe calm that comes after an emotional jolt, as if one had become a sage.72G
e8AHowever, that calm did not drive away the embarrassment.sv5Pb
cFRKyd“Oh, I should warn you beforehand to avoid misunderstandings, but it would be troublesome if you thought I was the type of woman who easily throws her arms around a man’s shoulders. I just let myself go a little and did something I normally wouldn’t do. Think of it as if I had been drunk on strong liquor.”0WKKwg
kJielr3“Understood. I’ll consider Lady Ellen as someone who clings to a man when she’s drunk.”8vy
rar2a“…Why do you say it like that?”0znc
5lif4VB“Have you calmed down?”7tyNVR
4oI7Dereck, naturally, caused Ellen to turn her head.USK
Isi22Z6Ellen suddenly trembled and faltered, and then realized that even that reaction had been induced by Dereck.ewJ
rkeP4Pf‘Even though I possess far greater secular power and maintain strict etiquette, when I speak with this man, I feel as if I’m being swept along.’WFI9
OMwKFor Ellen, who had been seated as the next head of Belmierd since she was young, it was a new experience.N10w
WqzphIf one is above, one is above, and if one is below, one is below—it was the first time she felt that someone beneath her controlled her, and yet, it neither hurt her pride nor angered her.RH7sL
x4QUODereck was a peculiar man who seemed neither inferior nor superior.kHv
2dFTxD‘I see. I think I understand why Lady Aiselin fell for him. Noble ladies are often weak to men like this.’MVA2OC
FLKsoRThen, she put two fingers to her forehead and murmured to herself.JR5wS53
FKVlW‘A womanizer.’0pbv
1hkvlIn truth, Dereck thought nothing of the sort.60I
N3DIt was only that Ellen gave it meaning on her own.uapWm
LPVLPOHowever, Ellen was not just anyone, so her perception was not entirely wrong.UuF2
4VndqtNoble ladies had temperaments so subtle that they often found no charm in men who were overly courteous, kind, and accommodating.Jla22QK
2qGupV1Rather, they tended to feel a burning love for men who did not move entirely according to their will but still seemed within reach—it was truly paradoxical.vdKt0
nGkEDy‘Suddenly, thinking this way makes me shiver. To consider that someone who manipulates others effortlessly, while I hold all of Belmierd in the palm of my hand, makes me falter like this—it’s a harsh blow to my pride, isn’t it?’K3P
I33vxaEllen placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.Y3LQspF
LkDarX‘For Lady Aiselin’s sake, I must never lose my composure.’48m
WYHXzf0“Lady Ellen.”tJPXw4
Aaw“Eh?!”LRgVbYb
EvkpHowever, as soon as Dereck suddenly approached and called her name, Ellen broke into a cold sweat and stepped back.jwx2
zbPShe leaned against the wall and spoke with wide eyes.u93wZwk
TMC“Don’t approach me so suddenly. I only just recovered from a state of mental and physical weakness, and even a light stimulus can startle me.”gNGK8F
gtEyo“Sorry. I was inconsiderate.”FAe7
bzgd7l“No, no… strictly speaking, it’s not your fault… no, I’m the one who should apologize.”GeDPTMN
JarEllen shook her head and fanned her face with her hand.PFnOMN
1YnnDereck, after arranging the letters on the table, spoke in a slightly quicker tone.nUm
e0yTZ“Staying here too long only increases the risk of being discovered by the guards, so I’ll quickly deliver the necessary information and then leave.”InKkFe
pi1Xafo“Leave? You’re going to leave me here alone?”O7a
nSm9“Well, it’s not as if I could stay here forever…”ENI
AN4SYc“No, I was just asking. It’s natural.”ClUA
LCKQbEllen lifted her gaze and sat on the bed.87dbD3
mwptSQoAlone, the darkness of that private room seemed to weigh on her shoulders, but she didn’t want to show such weakness before Dereck.EfTaPp
7AiTAs mentioned, she was in a state of mental and physical weakness. In such a situation, saying strange things would only create problems later.1BcU
hx2“I’m pretending to cooperate with Young Master Leonard while probing him. Do you remember when Lady Trisha visited Baron Ravenclaw?”sCw
IqoRN“Lady Trisha? Yes… she asked us to investigate the necromancers who escaped from Rodentz Island.”Lv1bg
Sd6QBP9“Necromancy is not something ordinary mages can easily access, and its nature is difficult to grasp. But having encountered it in the Duplain family, I can understand it.”yhUZ
4MLyDereck, with arms crossed, quickly reviewed the information.d2C6
DYw4L“The necromancy lab in the basement is quite different from the necromancy I saw during the Duplain family disaster. It seems highly likely it’s related to Rodentz Island’s necromancy. Of course, it’s not a story with solid proof.”CPYr
4D9ojaW“So Leonard wasn’t on pilgrimage all this time…”159
BJJoa“For some reason, he came across necromancy and studied it on Rodentz Island.”vyxX5J5
zCOKThe six-star necromancer Fina is a person who has written numerous books on necromancy.63SSl
uddAnlXThe necromancers of Rodentz Island gathered to study the books written by Pine, venerated her somewhere on the continent, and sought her writings scattered across it.o3RVV
umuuvrLeonard also became one of them and was active until the island was subdued by the family of Viscount Renouel, after which he had no choice but to return to the family of Count Belmierd.CeD
HgrAUpon returning, he discovered that Linus had relinquished the position of heir and Ellen had taken his place.D4O
wpAkgUFrom Leonard’s perspective, having been displaced by Linus, he must have thought he was more fit to be head of the family than Ellen.Ko4O
bgbqdvl“…But the connection between Rodentz Island’s necromancy and Leonard is only speculation. Without proof, how can we counter Leonard’s slander?”3rT
zrt“There’s no need to counter it. We can return it with even greater slander.”m5xiM4
jaY1e“What…?”zV9cAb7
kfsI“Why fight on the battlefield created by the opponent? Let’s redefine the game where we are the masters.”fcRTRfA
vGykDereck unfolded a letter and showed it.QXX
0BR4U5It was a message written directly by Aiselin of the Duplain family.wKjGQ
rBorB— The late Prince Valerian of the Duplain family made a grave mistake under the influence of vile necromantic magic, but it was not of his own will; he was dominated by that magic’s control. It brought great misfortune to our family, and the outcome was not good, but he never actively researched necromantic magic.yD2mNf
rXyI— To distort these facts is a great disrespect toward our Duplain family. We sincerely mourn the late Prince Valerian and will not tolerate unnecessary slander against the deceased.unG
RdaPQirThis was a letter directly refuting the claim that Ellen had discussed necromantic research with Valerian.kZQb
y2RAnn9Of course, no one would want to proudly admit that someone in their family researched necromancy. These negative words from the Duplains might only be a formal expression.8S4
oSFbcCHowever, it would be one of many elements to prove Ellen’s innocence.BwQBV
0Y7JPzc“…Sending such an aggressive letter to Belmierd must have been a difficult decision for Lady Aiselin…”U0RfeK2
ldB“Lady Aiselin firmly believes in your innocence.”Paax
y4ez“…And this letter from Viscount Renouel?”Z75qk
a2Kn“It’s a letter stating that the great hero of Viscount Renouel, Lord Rodeia, will soon visit the Belmierd family.”We3i
LZ5xiPDAt hearing those words, Ellen’s eyes widened.iov
8pGKThe Viscount was a Hero who had conquered Rodentz Island and was recognized as someone soon to receive the title of Margrave, greatly increasing her authority.YJXFZfp
yERA6She despised necromantic magic and was a person who spared nothing in hunting down and killing all remnants of Rodentz Island.45mH5K
v4xDereck had contacted Trisha with the intent of bringing the Viscount, who was practically the nemesis of necromancers, to Belmierd.bWo0E
80A“Are you really going to escalate this matter so much? What if Leonard has nothing to do with Rodentz Island? Will you be able to handle the consequences?”a3G
TUVXVW“I can handle it.”fFnl
G0dEzN“How?”27o5kP
vim“Because this letter is a fabricated lie by me.”ZXOr
iABCFHAt those words, Ellen’s mouth fell open.Fayf
MkleRR“When the opponent argues with lies and pressures us with fabricated evidence, why should we fight fairly?”Z9W
pj1dMB“…”1ic0Wi
mIG“Viscount Rodeia of the Renouel family is practically a Reaper for the necromancers of Rodentz Island. With just her name mentioned, we’ll gain the advantage.”31G
sS26S0dIf Rodeia, who had killed more necromancers than anyone, visited and inspected the place, she could detect the magical energy left in the traces of Rodentz Island’s necromancy.KAyDjpU
ArmV4jdIt would be a difficult task for most experts, but for a master like Rodeia, it was different. No one in the world knew Rodentz Island’s necromantic magic better than she did.TOdkU
bf0md7If that happened, Ellen’s innocence would be proven.TeTxCEG
AdCEllen had spent her whole life in Ebelstein and with the Belmierd family, and had never been near Rodentz Island.Xke
bYQx“Dereck. Leonard is skilled at forging documents and creating situations. This letter may look good at first, but Leonard could quickly see it as a crude and clumsy forgery.”dnC2
Kw31“That’s what I expect.”G4I
f5BSeeing Dereck smile as he said that, Ellen could no longer argue. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Dereck was laying a trap.BGy
td4yp“Staying here any longer will only increase the risk of being discovered, so I’ll leave now through the window.”P4BO
OadenO“A-already?”ofW
mjI“Yes?”VVlw
qHoX4V“Oh, no… I mean, it’s a relief that the rain has already stopped.”df7l8BA
f1cXHaving received Dereck’s plan, Ellen looked at him with a complex, subtle gaze as he tied a rope to the window frame.XfBLO
wgf4vnIt was the first time she had poured out her deepest resentment to someone, especially someone of the opposite sex, so it was hard to easily correct that awkward, faltering attitude.AhDsdR
bx2However, she couldn’t continue like this, so Ellen shook her head vigorously and said.udX5J
zJ6aO“The outer wall will be slippery, be careful not to fall.”Uhv
tC8LKw“Don’t worry.”CFvOuP
KTjXWhooosh.Bgo
nzk6yqWhen the window opened, the wind of the sky rushed into the room.CwwO
F9XXMFeeling the cold night air, she suddenly realized. That man had burst in like the wind, deflecting Ellen’s dagger, and now was about to leave again like the wind.go8
01Q8eWell, they would meet again tomorrow morning when the plan was set in motion.4nWt3G
TcHskBut why did that brief farewell make the empty darkness seeping in from behind feel a little heavier?bjoBG
3jtO“Tomorrow, Count Belmierd will come to hear everything in person. That’s the moment we act.”qSMDc8c
WsCxT3o“Don’t worry. I can clearly convey my opinion to Father.”PcDqE
IEce“Yes, I trust you will. Then rest well for the remainder of the night…”CHyJdas
irRBKkcBefore descending the rope, Dereck made eye contact with Ellen and assured her firmly.MBjOiy
QOlJ7O“Don’t forget that I’m on your side, Lady Ellen.”Het3
f32E3iConfirmation of the facts.SaxBSaO
fDpjThat was all, yet Ellen suddenly felt as if a knife had been thrust into her chest.KVjo
DzdKOiRAs always, she only needed to nod coolly and say “Yes.” But… it was strange that her heart felt so full with just those words.q7fB3UG
PwHJDfWhen Ellen nodded, the man quickly descended into the darkness of the night. Soon he landed on the ground and melted into the shadows.X5SUi
CmBVConfirming this, she untied the rope, closed the window, and returned to the empty darkness.4cQxxxT
Ctv6OLying on the bed, she silently looked up at the ceiling.qDblPk
URjE4DP“Don’t forget that I’m on your side, Lady Ellen.”Eem54xy
hUGThe words he had left behind as a gift before leaving seemed to echo in her ears.7aWKEI
5P2Ns“Don’t forget that I’m on your side, Lady Ellen.”8Uj
cmhj“Don’t forget that I’m on your side, Lady Ellen.”cKxtd
Aos0iFyWas it because of those words that echoed like a refrain?EE5
6P5bIZWhen she suddenly came to herself, she no longer felt the empty darkness of the room, but instead, a strange sense of fullness welled up inside her.q4y2LOj
2g3dbEllen thought calmly and rationally.xIe
aMoAThis is definitely dangerous.aC7b
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