Chapter 104: Power and Love (9)
nuw0e– She’s a witch, a witch is happening!MoMY9
qrc– She acted more noble than anyone under Belmierd’s protection…lhPB
fQNl9v– Shh! She’ll hear us!3oCr
I4OTd1Ellen walked gracefully down the corridor.sHEVC
amtPeEAfter the meeting in the main hall, she climbed the central stairs of Belmierd Mansion to receive her final death sentence and headed for the lord’s office.mhJZ
6aDkAs she passed, the high vassals, the servants, and even the squires began to murmur.LOEnNm6
nUV8Some high-ranking vassals lamented the years of loyalty to her and began to reconsider their future plans. The housekeeper closed her eyes and avoided her gaze, and even the visiting collateral relatives looked at her with contempt.cvL3Mgn
SiBHad she followed the straight path, she could have walked the road of a powerful one whom no one would envy, but the life of the girl who chose the wrong path was now full of critical voices.fjNAN
AOKNThe image of the young lady, as she passed through all of it, remained always elegant.GINx
jsvrNAccepting even the thick malice and the criticisms, she walked, and walked, and walked.1GV
M9aRl37When she came to her senses, she was already standing before the imposing entrance of the office.PYO
BBgThe squire who escorted her opened the door, and inside she could see the figure of Count Belmierd sitting with a complex expression.D6zz
hFMZqP3Holding with one hand the hem of her lace-trimmed dress, she stepped inside the office, and Count Belmierd spoke.0LoDB65
iwFv“For you alone, more than thirty vassals who handled all the dirty work entered Belmierd Mansion. There were nine squires assigned as your personal guards and more than twenty servants attached to your mansion. Did you encounter them on your way here?”2uE5NK
meLplVThe tone of Count Belmierd, who always spoke with a voice drenched in sweetness to his beloved daughter Ellen, was cold that day.3CzsD
iSLp9sUEllen hesitated for a moment and then nodded.x2PYKLL
SVEQ1MZThe vassals glared at her and frowned as soon as their eyes met hers, the guards looked at her with disdain, and the servants who had been at her side in the mansion now barely showed faces of betrayal.GOWNK
fBm13They had already labeled her a witch.wwhW38K
Dvs“There were those who dedicated more than ten years of their lives.”iO9du
sMuc52c“…”WSkrJ
R7oyh“But now, there is no one at your side.”SRfeF
ZKDEllen lifted her gaze again toward Count Belmierd.rAINakH
io0Aa02His expression, burdened with the weight of responsibility, was tinged with sorrow. Count Belmierd was a lord who loved Ellen more than anyone.KtKZGcO
AgnOWhen Linus left the main house, and Leonard also abandoned his post, it was Ellen who bore the weight as successor, staying by his side until the end.GdJn
4zHfZSEllen understood the burden of that sadness and held her breath in silence.ER2
3EI“Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw has brought letters. Two of them.”AXwhqA
pncXwx“…What?”yAN
kqZYsIn the empty office, Ellen drew two letters from her chest and placed them on the desk.qnw
Fhl“What is this…?”m4za
h0EM9“They are from the Duplain family. One letter asserts that Prince Valerian did not investigate necromancy. And the other reports that the Viscount Renouel’s family will come to our Belmierd Mansion to investigate the necromancy.”6kf
XpkhoI8At hearing this, Count Belmierd widened his eyes in surprise and unfolded the letters.TGbSo
Q3DGkmThe content was not long. He read them quickly, but his sharp eyes soon began to show signs of doubt again.6jcsb
852QP“…”Qt7Ac
204Ge“Did you read them all?”aKkTzl
P78zAt first glance, it looked like a letter that proved Ellen’s innocence. If Valerian had not investigated necromancy, the letter found in Ellen’s room could be circumstantial evidence that it had been forged.I5Or
KsWHowever, the letter from the Viscount Renouel’s family was different.JLTMIj
pDiDqTrIt was meticulously crafted, but Count Belmierd, who had reviewed Viscount Renouel’s seal on official documents many times, noticed immediately.ADwy8k
SRH0ce“This is a forged letter.”xs8Utu
2RONAeSuch a crude forgery could not deceive him.rjE
P48KaZ8Moreover, a coldness began to settle in his gaze.U3dN0c
3ojEr***wZRuPoW
tvlY“Young Master Leonard, what brings you to this basement?”u8HKGK6
dAQ5CsH“My sister Ellen has admitted to all the suspicions. Now, my sister will lose her power, and this basement will return to its original state.”5XfHa4
ehMdT5An icy chill permeated the basement.JC2qk
y9gNghThe two men present there stared fixedly at each other.zi5GvDz
nugQLeonard felt a strange unease as he looked at Dereck, whose eyes radiated a chilling gaze.1Jw
f0ySSurely he thought Leonard was already convinced, but now it was hard to trust him so easily.zrY
H1qFxhStill, perhaps it was just Leonard’s sensitivity.wy4az
oXqBecause everything was over. Ellen had confessed her sins, so it would not be easy for anything to be overturned now.Nx5omJw
gPl1But that unease never disappeared.mQ8MG
Vk9“That’s why I came to check one last time. Just in case my sister Ellen left any suspicious trace.”ousxoS
rG6L“I see. You are thorough.”43RJEt
x5xd“What were you doing here, Sir Dereck?”IdQe
yXr“The same as you. Just giving a last look before this basement is emptied.”uiX7NUY
2t2XG5At saying that, Dereck sheathed his sword and stood up.Ix8HD
0YyNA cold sweat slid down behind Leonard’s ear. He had the hunch he had to uncover the identity of that unsettling sense of crisis.7qNY
rX3R– Young Master Leonard, you are truly an angel sent by God to save me. What a fortunate event.45a7
aLv9rThe image of Dereck clasping his hand with a bright smile was still unforgettable.xJzRsrB
eTaVs8THe had expressed his gratitude genuinely and, without shame, asked for help from the Ravenclaw barony in the future.NGNK
voxLThat Dereck who claimed to be a devout believer, like Leonard, and this Dereck who now had the eyes of a beast in the shadows of the basement—it was hard to believe they were the same person.IxT0O
4IQUSo Leonard, restraining himself from trembling, forced his words.SsXXEG
oKesh“Sir Dereck. There is nothing to worry about. The work has been completed well, and the Ravenclaw barony will also see the light in the future.”LPD
Pesf8“…”NnUQhH
MsHW6A“Sir Dereck, should we not both be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves in this noble society? I hope we can be good nourishment for each other.”wWSMit
uc4KjRm“A serpent and a dove. An interesting metaphor. I understand.”nvI2nY
HeDNF92After replying indifferently, Dereck walked past Leonard and headed for the stairs leading to the surface.E4j
aI8mGaLeonard, who was about to let him go, suddenly turned his head to look at him.gcGdD
C180cLVDereck, about to ascend, stopped at that strange reaction.QUahqjW
I3N“Is something wrong?”InDe
TS0iqR“Is this the first time you hear that metaphor?”K1px0tB
kpyCKSX“…?”B2i8rLS
jt9IFA“The Holy Scriptures of Lord Ruelon, chapter 7: ‘Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’”k1kP
BrCA2XI“…”lYbg
3SFfrfh“It is the first verse of chapter 7 of the Scriptures that every believer of Ruelon learns first.”ud8byN
aJAOyLeonard said this as he took a step back.nkY
H4pw9o– Are you not the lamb of Lord Ruelon? I too am a devout believer.CoT
v2jZBThose were the words with which Dereck had smiled to gain Leonard’s trust.xymBq5
psd2lxyHowever, Dereck tilted his head even after hearing the most famous verse of the scriptures.IsRp
aZxc“…You were never a believer of Ruelon from the beginning.”Cu4A0S
xqeCreak.SY5hJxc
vxgu8bjBang!RsOFo
wh22Dereck, who was about to leave the basement, slammed shut the heavy wooden door.ygyZNe
hhxRTVHis fierce eyes turned toward Leonard as he looked at him again.DUCCo
1S7Dx“You are truly perceptive.”F8Vib
WiBAt last, Leonard tried to flee quickly from the basement.28TRi
xyGoFezBut Dereck drove his boot into his solar plexus.rJR
mimnoCrash! Bang!JuJDh
rHJ“Argh!”dgtX6
CWCJLeonard, thrown against the corner of the laboratory, screamed in pain.8Uq
uEYThe bookshelf at the side into which he had been flung collapsed, and dust began to rise in the dark basement.JNCL
PQKECcq***Tqd
Ju1oQW“Dereck. When my father comes to question my sins tomorrow, I plan to confess everything in front of everyone.”RpZgaSB
vcTSIpn“…”D3kkMyi
wgUW“Aren’t you going to ask why?”Kjl6bi4
KpiyAfter Dereck had explained the whole situation and before leaving the room.6dNRQo
QJqRIn the dark chamber of Belmierd Mansion, where the rain still fell, Ellen spoke to Dereck in an almost whispering tone.0BH5l5
FEsIMSitting side by side on the bed, the darkness of the night no longer seemed so terrifying.YdRsFb
DSwkWZIt was enough for someone to be at her side for that blackness, which before felt like an endless void, to suddenly feel close, almost familiar. It was surprising.Cb16t
BXt211D“That way Leonard will think something is wrong and grow restless as if he had fire at his feet. Then, for you, Dereck, it will be easier to catch the tail of that cunning man.”3yro
AkZsd3“…Do you really plan to bear the blame just for that?”6eKbwlU
HaEF“Well… to be exact, that’s only a pretext. In truth, bearing the blame is the purpose itself.”0EX
gKehLDereck looked at her with bewildered eyes. Ellen no longer had the haggard expression of someone cornered.lCIeFvW
Cl8J“They say only when you are in ruin and hit rock bottom do the true people remain with you. I don’t think that’s a lie, but I don’t think it’s entirely wise either.”BNXpuf
u9lz6N“What do you mean?”MUynX
ICk2vf“It’s natural for people to be around me when I have power and strength. The fact that those people support me means that my power and strength are real.”UEw
GWYWith bright eyes, finally regained, the girl spoke to Dereck.6ypH39
OnxYYDs“Yes, that’s right. How could I rule over others as someone who wields power if I become pessimistic and break because of this? The worse the situation gets, the more I will make use of my current solitude.”nHQ
Pc71Having lived half her life as Belmierd’s heiress and four years at the peak of Ebelstein’s social circle, perhaps she had gained some understanding in the process, for her eyes shone more intensely.oDM
KPMyN7“If I must fall and hit rock bottom, I will fall with all my strength to the very depths.”iIzFRq
cFeuY“…”CCt
3qXEZh8“Even so, Dereck, you’ll stay by my side, right?”OpPSb
uu8kOEllen smiled sweetly.ie7MD7
1eiGYf“From the lowest point, I will endure the criticisms, the trash thrown at me, the mockery and the disappointments. People will hurl blasphemous words at me, hate me and resent me. Since it has come to this, I must descend to the deepest depths.”hIu
VOmJAnd the girl, closing her fist tightly, extended it toward Dereck.XVU
jbjpaIt was the same gesture Aiselin had once shown before the Elfontaine hall.sWYt
0pq9x4o“Only by falling completely can one rise again with greater splendor.”Z2eO
Eyj“…”oht
OsC“Not only my direct vassals, but also the rival factions and the high dignitaries who have always looked down on me will join in to criticize and attack me. I will make guilt be born in their hearts. I will make them think they defamed and condemned an innocent flower, and then… I will forgive them.”aV4aIH
ybqRO9NThe young lady, who had returned from despair and sorrow, was once again thinking with the sharpness that characterized her.bwi
vIgThe way to command, control, and seize the loyalty of people.XL7H
DzMurKUThe plan that the girl, who had learned that instinct almost naturally, was drawing in her mind was a step greater than the one Leonard had devised.RTUn9
D2OyM4AForgiveness speaks of greatness.OmyPz1L
1AzsoBy forgiving and embracing all who had criticized her, Ellen, the flower of Belmierd, planned to transform even the most skeptical vassals into her own.NdmYQ
MhvXShe intended to use Leonard’s slander to cement her position even further.8kI2Eu
FzMIAnother name for crisis was opportunity, and for those who do not despair, a new chance always arises.qLbTc
MEoGe“Dereck.”a8GHi
bMcrEllen looked at Dereck’s hand, still bandaged from stopping the knife she herself had wielded.A8gi1
HprsvrdThough it no longer bled, it was still a serious wound caused by her mistake.fFjH3Z
WJ3AmfWith a pained gesture, Ellen caressed the bandage and then raised her gaze to Dereck.gsPT
5TurRA“If all goes well, the vassals and the people of Belmierd will compete for my attention. Even the closest have turned their backs on me, so there will be many who will strive to fill that void. Power has the ability to seduce.”q3N
5uCnpHd“Yes. And you, Lady Ellen, are the very incarnation of power.”NUX1
QJk“That’s right. If someone manages to win the favor of me, Ellen, the flower of Belmierd, deep down it will be like having all of Belmierd in their hands. But, Dereck, there is something I can assure you.”Wah7BH
JgvZEllen gripped Dereck’s bandaged hand tightly and managed to smile.f2jHmw
7R5“My protection will be Belmierd’s protection. And if someone asks who is the most protected and trusted by Belmierd, the answer will be evident.”HY5Y
Hc7nSt1“…”oSFTy2S
Vbyb“You may be proud. When the world turned its back on me, you believed in me. So I will also believe in you, even if the entire world abandons you.”ksKvT
2xgWith that, the girl embraced the man’s wounded arm tightly and whispered.Pe9QI
gUw“Dereck, you are the person I trust most.”WKYh
M93U4T6***4GBAiM9
xCyXCrash! Bang!EBq569Y
jqqKj0rLeonard, who had managed to get back up, watched him through the dust.gNxQ
RT5jhQjFor a young master raised in a wealthy family, the kick of a veteran mercenary had been brutal. With just one blow to the solar plexus it was hard for him to breathe, and he gasped uncontrollably.arIM3
x3TjW“Huff, huff… Do you think… you’ll get away with this?!”PiKDy
DMrnKZ5He had long since abandoned any appearance of respect.8lf
5VpEvLeonard clenched his teeth and rose from among the remains of the collapsed shelf.cQ9aC
tTGd3GHe had only taken one hit, but his body was already staggering, proof that his physical strength was far from outstanding.bGtoeF9
mClPJ7c“Ellen has already fallen into the abyss. Do you think you’ll be able to handle the consequences just because you struck me now? You’re nothing more than a petty baron with a nominal fief on the margins, while I am destined to be the heir of House Belmierd, before whom even the most powerful nobles bow…”tZ3
s6s“You talk too much. Do you think you won’t die if pierced through, just because the lustrous power of Belmierd stands behind you?”bat4v
GCFJPDereck unsheathed his gleaming sword and let the blade whistle once through the air.iqh2Y
81jSeeing it gleam even in the dimness, Leonard stepped back again.r0Fwdj
I2n“Ha, ha… Kill me? What a bluff.”bbeJXtG
H7f“…”tuON
vrf2Y“To kill Belmierd’s third son right in the heart of House Belmierd… Even if I were a villain, you could never bear the consequences of such an act. You can’t kill me.”FIN
apO2MohCoughing, Leonard leaned against the desk and put on a sly smile.o19yj4V
cNd“Go on, hit me, do whatever you want. But don’t think for a second that the family will believe your words. To them you’ll only be an arrogant minor noble who struck Belmierd’s virtuous third son.”Lx6E
6U7“…”d9g
XOD4quT“Heh, heh… What a curious situation. So you were the one who brought that letter Ellen had earlier this morning.”sLw5
wMfl0Leonard laughed as he tried to steady his staggering body.ozUvP
q3SApparently even the servants helping Ellen were on his side, since he knew about the two letters she had presented.yJZ6G
5sHHe had anticipated every move Ellen could make. In truth, this was exactly what Dereck wanted.OYsPOh
celdM“I’ve already read the contents. Do you think such crudely forged documents could turn the situation around? Ridiculous. You underestimate my father.”VKur5
UwLrYDereck, with his sword in hand, and Leonard, smiling slyly, exchanged words.bs8NbE
ppHvXThe tension mounted.9Wlv1ug
oCUY“My father has governed Belmierd for decades. His eye for official documents is sharper and wiser than mine. He will detect those letters as forgeries in an instant. Even if the vassals don’t see it right away, my father will never be deceived.”QslY
sULL7hDereck made the sword hum once more before sheathing it.MwYyz1
bn1rn7EHe knew well enough he couldn’t kill Leonard, so the blade was nothing more than an intimidation.A6Nw5
pAZ2“Lord Rodeia will not come. You only used that letter to unnerve me and try to escape this mansion. Rodeia, the one who killed the most necromancers from Rodentz Island. To hear her name and run away would mean only one thing—that one is a necromancer. Right?”lMKb
vno“…”6ZiOJ
qPD“I’ve already figured it all out. Unfortunately.”R1BM
lNF1e2aLeonard’s lips curved again. His sinister smile erased any trace of that benevolent religious man he pretended to be.otqw
FSKG“My final bluff in life has failed. Everything has gone to ruin. What a pity. Heh, heh.”FaA
ahvqKp“…”jYm
7vLBwMY“Fine. Even if only to console you, strike me as much as you like. But you will never be able to kill me. It’s just a useless act to vent your anger. How meaningless… Even the god Ruelon would weep. Hahaha. Hahahahaha!”ail9R
EkPWith arms wide open, Leonard burst out laughing in absolute confidence.6DWuq
zFPjjhhHe mocked Dereck, provoked him, and proclaimed his victory. It was so infuriating that the witnesses ground their teeth in rage.QqC
nUDXYet Dereck remained calm.izztrN5
tjZdJBecause he understood his psychology a little.kEiOgV
DvC“Are you anxious?”WZ8
Lg3g2BmDereck’s words pierced Leonard’s heart. His laughter stopped abruptly.kYOa
rcrsFvZIn truth, Dereck had already noticed Leonard’s nervous behavior.2BFY
3ocWhen he saw Ellen confess all charges in the main hall moments before, he had sensed that something was eluding him.FTl8TY
jXL3What was it that Leonard didn’t know?4SHbg8c
OwzdTPrecisely that Dereck had a connection with the viscount of Renouel from the start.CKjI
W1qy4fVThe family’s servants resisted making the necromancy incident public. If Ellen had really been involved in it, the matter would spiral out of control.KW6
lZQTJThat’s why it wasn’t easy to officially involve external forces. A private contact had to exist.N3ZjZz
sg3xBefore all this began, Trisha had personally gone to Baron Ravenclaw to request help in capturing the necromancer. Dereck hadn’t gone to them first; they had come to him.xMuBx
95XdiTherefore, when it came to Dereck, he could directly influence the viscount of Renouel.TEv
ql8ev3V“From the beginning, I had already contacted the viscount of Renouel privately. They trust my words.”7r5Ebp4
dkGaU“W-what did you say…?”FAq64g
9ge“The hero of Rodentz Island, Rodeia, is coming straight to Belmierd Mansion. Does my word sound like a lie to you?”9tpEB
IeW4The letter was false, but the claim was true.Gjz8m
b9JAZsDereck’s face showed no signs of agitation. On the contrary, Leonard’s was beginning to harden.qjB3
ERc“Ha… haha… What a ridiculous joke. If Rodeia were really coming, there would be no need to forge a letter in the first place…! What nonsense…!”ivjAMR
I64“Why would there be no need to forge it?”SdJJm
sN0p“Because… forging it was to… confuse me… make me flee or falter…”ommb
yg9bHOv“Oh, heavens… The reason I brought the false letter was the opposite.”53qT
hQHThis time, Dereck smiled maliciously.HuEk0t
SfIgIHis smile in the darkness, with the corners of his lips raised, was very different from the kind one he had shown when he first met Leonard.t05QOT
w9FPQzThat was Dereck’s true face.KXz4O
efHR“Because I feared you would flee.”RMT
qXsLike a surge that reshuffles the map, the course shifted several times.W0kqW7X
bV4k8BOn the road toward Count Belmierd’s estate.pZNL
vFYTA dozen horses galloped through the still-wet Latman Gorge, though the rain had already ceased.i0aH
VRFefAt the front rode Rodeia, the expert and legendary heroine who had dedicated her life to hunting necromancers.j6Q9sU
07VGZBehind her came Trisha and the soldiers of House Renouel, mounted on horseback.9wW8l
U2wm4jTHero Rodeia.02M
Ge24mb4She was the figure with the most precise knowledge of the necromancy of Rodentz Island, among the many branches of necromancy.pqke9o
Tn8pIn a corner of Ebelstein’s commercial district, at a gambling table, a man with a reddish beard and hair tied in a ponytail chuckled.1m1RuEv
FDY6He spoke mockingly to the gamblers playing with him.3RDi
FVrm“Hey, do you know the surest way to trick someone as sly as me?”tFyMi
XA8Sh“It’s to make him believe he’s tricking you.”pABHOJC
WdWTossing new chips onto the gaming table, the man smiled showing his teeth. It was Linus, the former heir of Belmierd.TAb
EzN6WIn Count Belmierd’s office, with her face full of conviction, Ellen spoke to the count.WkLHA
IGTAs he listened, the count’s expression grew ever sterner.zF0jlPK
FXAlBCount Belmierd, who did not want to doubt his daughter, began to pay closer attention to her words.2ZAgk
uBr3And then, in the underground laboratory where it had all begun, Leonard, whose face had been hardening, finally jumped to his feet.iQI
MqOBYttThe composure had disappeared from his expression.PAA
Zvgrw“Move, move, move…”BuB4f
JVFfLeonard said in a slightly trembling voice.hkm
vaF8But Dereck, shaking his hand a couple of times, looked coldly down at him, blocking the way out of the basement.bJq
2dZTWo“No.”OL5PuR
Lyyj“Damn you…! Get out of my way!”RnzAWo
eWmERCA dark red magic began to emanate from Leonard’s body.asuDjJd
H5mXfThe necromantic energy lingering in the laboratory responded to his call and began to turn into sorcery.BJC88CB
jisfoIt was a first-level necromancy spell: “Soul Summoning.”JnYNr
VtFF1Just before the necromantic energy condensed into his body, Dereck kicked him in the stomach again.uQIgm
kEW2DJCrash!rfDF
yO5MWith a muffled sound, Leonard was sent flying.hRF0lGi
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!