Chapter 122: Characters (3)
MNb“D-Dereck. It seems you’ve become busier since the last time we met. It didn’t seem like such a big deal during the opening ceremony of the Ravenclaw Training Center.”X8zL0Jl
7Wk“That’s how things turned out. But when winter arrives, I plan to take a period of rest, so I think I’ll have more free time and be able to focus more on my training.”sNi0
wvt4Pk“It seems that the finances of the barony have also stabilized quite a bit.”QUmNw
mWXMKQ“The issue of livelihood has already been resolved. It’s a considerable improvement compared to when I was wandering through the slums.”E1XHwU2
rI4Dereck took off his coat and hung it on the back of the chair, then sat down in front of her with a polite greeting.cvD
akYBLAlthough he could already be considered an expert in magic, he couldn’t handle the situation surrounding Ebelstein on his own. His power was still weak compared to that of the great nobles.GgSOy2D
mhxXuTherefore, if he was going to involve himself in a psychological war with the powerful, he would inevitably need the help of other forces.7q4GUWX
t5rTdOqFortunately, Dereck was in a position to maintain a fairly solid relationship with the Belmierd family.KOy
0qnxRe“I heard that Lady Aiselin is not in good health, so I brought some medicinal herbs and potions. The butler should have received them separately.”EWFj4
xlyH4w“Yes, I’ve already been informed. Lady Aiselin said she would come personally to thank you.”7RF
641qAfter exchanging some courtesies and chatting about trivial matters related to the Belmierd and Ravenclaw territories, Dereck got straight to the point.50NCHe1
DAwF79“It seems that the Beltus family sees me as a thorn in their side.”jTiQ
lkX“…”lxf71
c0RvtUAt those words, Ellen’s fingers trembled slightly. It seemed she too had anticipated a similar reaction from the Beltus family.X6G
T3UTp“Since the Duplain family faced a great crisis, the Belmierd and Beltus families have ruled as the true powers of Ebelstein. To be honest, if the Beltus family decided to crush me, I’d be in serious trouble.”37dg
9OpDereck spoke frankly, looking downward.JmXO2
WZtrNo matter how high he had risen among magical instructors, he could not raise his voice against a ducal family that had devoured an entire region.2j0Y
bnWThe number of Dereck’s vassals barely reached a few hundred, so he couldn’t even imagine competing with the size of the Beltus territory.nIh0cB
9N3GKtk“…The Grand Duke of Beltus is a man who takes power struggles very seriously, especially in the southwestern part of the continent. Although Count Renouel has gained a lot of influence and begun to stand out, he wouldn’t easily accept the emergence of another new force.”w28Vvp6
6FHTEllen sighed deeply, crossing her arms.TZ9
qoBThe Grand Duke Beltus was also a troublesome adversary for the Belmierd family.lxXH1
9TLcPyHe was a 5-star summoner, a collateral member of the royal Guttrel family, and a competent official who monopolized high-ranking positions in the capital.rMeHqm
6rp81kHowever, compared to the other three great families, the Beltus family had a shorter history, and despite its vast territory, its foundational power was weak.lNAfnc3
RAQIts military strength was worthy of the high nobility, but half of it consisted of mercenaries under the command of General Orel, a former soldier.xfshj59
oSuaThey were brave and loyal, but their loyalty lasted only as long as the gold kept flowing.uHZ
Qsf7XRMoreover, maintaining such a large force required astronomical amounts of money.gZQ
Ny5aE9AThe Grand Duke Beltus’s expeditions to the White Zone labyrinths to monopolize treasures were carried out precisely under the pretext of maintaining the stability of his domain.TKx
Z0OQGiven his position, it was natural for him to react sensitively to the appearance of new powers.0eRh
lkdxIf he managed to crush Dereck and subdue him, that would be one thing; but as Count Belmierd had said, Dereck was more like a lone wolf roaming the wild mountains than a loyal servant who obeyed his lord.XgTEA4
k36XG“But it’s strange. Didn’t the Grand Duke Beltus vote in favor when you were granted your title?”QADJki
HXdN“That… I did receive some help. Young Master Linus interceded with the eldest son of the Beltus family.”gOefA
BSQVz2“Linus…? You mean my brother Linus? Now that you mention it, I think he did say something about that…”JAMm
p8XThe one who had helped Dereck the most when he obtained his baron title had been Linus, the eldest son of the Belmierd family.o48p
ciBCIt had been quite some time since he had last set foot in the main house.KRDpHI
5g32GWhenever Ellen remembered that unkempt brother who always smelled of alcohol and tobacco and laughed loudly, she couldn’t help but feel disgusted.k5N
p4F“It’s understandable if that reckless brother of mine pulled a few strings. At least he had a wide network of contacts. He must have talked too much to Prince Robenalt of the Beltus family.”32Dcw1
jC1V3l“You don’t get along with Young Master Linus, do you?”pieeFi
ypx9“Rather than not getting along, I’d prefer not to talk about that person.”LG3
hCyEllen had never felt affection for Linus, though it seemed more like a natural sibling aversion than true resentment.hzjAcZ
iEMNVcz“…”hAOf
IW8ed2In fact, even for Dereck, Linus was someone difficult to sympathize with.bkx
7fRTDespite his sharp and handsome face, he was a man who burped with the smell of alcohol, never shaved, and tied his greasy hair into a ponytail while wandering through gambling dens.2QlZc
u9MbuWlHe was the complete opposite of noble ladies, who always had to maintain an impeccable image, making it hard to believe he was the firstborn of the Belmierd family.uN3PVC
2bRZCompared to Valerian, the eldest son of the Duplain family, the difference was abysmal.TRejde
FVuId“Although it might not sound good, if he had been a man like Valerian of the Duplain family, the line of succession of the Belmierds might have changed. I don’t know if that would have been a blessing or a curse…”StT03
6GeTGsd“Certainly. Brother Valerian was truly a man worthy of a high-ranking noble.”OySwa
0SV“…!”NKC
Mz8zlumAt that moment, as Ellen spoke with a complicated expression, Aiselin, who had just finished getting ready, opened the door of the reception room and entered.DO6
qjdf0IIt was a curious coincidence—just as they were talking about the late member of the Duplain family.dWS10
lYK***3qIDSzk
u3aClfhThe three-way meeting between Aiselin, Ellen, and Dereck began without warning.dY9KFG
HZ5NT9None of the three felt comfortable in that situation.6tA
2Pi0SWGEllen had already declared war on Aiselin, and Aiselin didn’t feel at ease with Ellen either.7EKM
r3QTaNWAs for Dereck, he couldn’t act lightly in front of two women regarded as the flowers of Duplain and Belmierd.K1Q
2obbprAs a result, the scene of the three of them watching each other from opposite sides of the round table looked like a triangular battle.aca3
GsDkXWiIn reality, it was nothing more than a silent war of glances between Aiselin and Ellen.orzE
Nez“I misspoke, Lady Aiselin. The subject of Prince Valerian must have been a sensitive one.”3hjw2
lCla“It’s all right. It’s my fault for entering so suddenly. You came worried about my health, so how could I hold a grudge?”lRD
XjMb9jZ“I see. Still, I can’t deny that I acted rashly. Please accept my formal apology.”Abha
H69KY“My, someone called the Flower of Belmierd shouldn’t bow her head so easily. I’ll accept your apology in spirit.”xzrsuc
imAoB“Hoho, as expected of Lady Aiselin, your heart is as vast as the sea.”dRVV
g0tnqf“Rather, Lady Ellen, you seem very considerate and open-minded. Hoho.”9FeoxvP
zzl4YoV“That can’t be. Hoho.”sP5K4
mqC“Ahahat.”Cwr
BYMrt“Hoho.”xKGgyZ
HhB“Ahaha.”hN6
kzH7zOTo the casual ear, the conversation sounded like a warm chat between elegant ladies, but the butler Delbriton, who stood behind Dereck, was drenched in sweat.yl4Hp
su5TWfEllen showed open hostility toward Aiselin, while Aiselin tried to smooth things over with delicate grace.LrN
QZ4duThe tension between the two had changed quite a bit from what they displayed in the social circles of Ebelstein.PxX
hi7z5One sought to steal away the old-fashioned man who only knew magic, and the other sought to protect him.Eu2S
5oYThe situation felt far more mundane—and harder to interpret.W80i
tGfEMeanwhile, Dereck sipped the tea Delbriton had served him, lost in thought.Odz
j9pQywuNo matter the war of nerves between the two women, Dereck was focused on anticipating how Grand Duke Beltus would act.eMX
AEiAs a noble responsible for a mansion, personal disputes had to take a back seat to political and strategic decisions.IQjotJ
W95MAiselin and Ellen watched each other in silence until both sighed at the sight of Dereck’s serious expression.I5FDl8
6m6jt1HFinally, Aiselin lowered her head and spoke.GKgVWlz
MqA3“The maneuvers of Grand Duke Beltus against new powers are already an open secret. Just by listening to the rumors circulating in Ebelstein’s social circles, there are many unsettling things.”fTS
KfYu5HLShe had only just recovered from her collapse due to overwork, yet she was already up to date on the social news surrounding the Ravenclaw Barony.doU
5sSvY“Baron Lotoel, famous for his labyrinth conquests, and Lady Crella, who was once an adventurer, both suffered severe setbacks from the pressures of Grand Duke Beltus. I thought Dereck would be safe, but it seems that as the training center grew, the Duke’s opinion changed considerably.”Ydh
OxuNAiselin spoke in a subdued tone, barely audible.XDMhFW
Biv“And I had a part in creating that center. If I think about it, it’s largely my responsibility that Dereck has fallen out of favor with Grand Duke Beltus.”r8Am
K5xU“Do you really think so?”9ebBA
5IS2Jp“I’m not wrong, am I?”PLpR
E5dtGIndeed, it had been Aiselin who took the initiative to establish a training center of such scale for Dereck.6NnD7
izem0She had never intended for things to become so complicated.S9PXh
kg5OFeeling responsible, Aiselin spoke with determined eyes.JzlkDT
HSu4IY“I promise that the Duplain family will support and protect Dereck, no matter what happens.”XRtme
HU8Mw“It seems Lady Aiselin trusts Dereck deeply. With due respect, that trust is noble and beautiful, but it doesn’t carry enough weight to change the situation.”iJdZh
R4b7kzAt that moment, Ellen intervened with a refined voice.8E7BzI
ffpeThose words could have sounded hurtful, but Aiselin couldn’t deny them.6QdDNEF
DquHLugThe Duplain family, once more powerful than Beltus, had lost much of its influence.ifP7Xh
rSQfThat was why Aiselin called herself a fallen lady.sEll7Ll
DlK“But with Belmierd, it’s a little different.”wvhB
xFv5v0VEllen smiled and looked at Dereck.CAal
gQI“My father, Count Belmierd, holds you in high regard. And at this point, he has delegated nearly all of his political authority to me. I also believe you are someone who can be completely trusted.”I7xk
XYIrWhatever their pasts, Aiselin and Ellen now stood on different levels.s9ELet
Ygsj6UTo emphasize that, Ellen brushed her red hair aside elegantly and smiled with confidence.lPdM
Rn8C“I told you before, didn’t I? Dereck, you are the person I trust most in this world.”vYvJ6
CIsVGlBWhile Dereck hesitated, unsure how to respond, Ellen stood up, leaned forward, and looked straight at him.rmu
Ashtll“And I am Belmierd.”IRp8
MINa7LvHer seductive smile was full of meaning.Z1MZC
TFLHyATWhatever the Duke of Beltus tried, Belmierd would not stand idly by.c4qpTMU
tMrh8EJThat was as good as gaining a thousand allies—but even so, it remained uncertain what kind of moves the Grand Duke would use.nK8jK3u
0oy“Lady Ellen, thank you for saying that…”kwhSM
b2p“Yes! Exactly!”dpnNc
8y9U7JAAiselin, who had remained quiet, suddenly cut in with a sharp, nervous voice.kmQs
6nK“T-that’s right! Lady Ellen’s words are very encouraging for us in the Ravenclaw Barony.”vtF7L
4Ye“Us?”AxrVay
SEcA“Us…!”X2HD
50arxEX“…”qWR3XR
OIpWith narrowed eyes, Ellen sighed and sat back down.aSP
nEj“In any case, it’s still unknown what kind of move Grand Duke Beltus will make. When he crushed Baron Rotoel, he only spread slander and rumors to ruin his reputation. But when he destroyed Lady Crella and Baron Bilton, he imposed border tariffs and incited their servants to betray them. It was truly despicable.”4CR5xEj
OGPv“Despicable.” Using such a word to describe the leader of one of the three great families of the southwest was an act of insolence.fG8DV
iVEQIEllen would never make such a mistake. On the contrary—she did it deliberately, to make her position clear to Dereck.pGrK3
0BFIt was her way of showing that she stood by his side; by insulting a common enemy together, the bond between allies naturally deepened.NhP
x3s“It’s something only a few know, but he’s also instigated family assassinations or kidnappings to use as threats. It’s an old story, but unpleasant to hear. If he finds an excuse, he might even take military action. He’s the type of person who would.”qflf
yysb9“…”Oc2Mn
khPSeeing Aiselin lower her head without surprise made it clear that this was already a well-known rumor among the high nobility.iPcV
Tn9BGrand Duke Beltus was desperate to maintain his power. Once someone fell from his favor, something inevitably happened.2yRjXk
RFZ“If it’s just rumors, Lady Aiselin and I can handle them—we have influence in social circles. But if it goes beyond that, Dereck, your reaction will be crucial.”FrjEPF7
NgtFH“B-but Dereck has a lot of experience as a mercenary, right? He wouldn’t fall easily to a simple assassination attempt. He might even track down the source.”i4xlH
bz3q“That’s right, Lady Aiselin. But the problem is that Grand Duke Beltus isn’t unaware of that fact.”EDZ
CQQtWith a serious expression, Ellen stood up and walked toward the salon window.34v
OHhuIn her line of sight, she saw a silver-haired girl being guided by the servants from the central garden toward the main building.6Oq
lV4YMThat elegant bearing, her loose silver-gray hair flowing freely, made it clear she was coming to greet Aiselin upon hearing of her arrival.DsVtt
kHkHer name was Denise—and she was one of the most capable pieces employed by Grand Duke Beltus.mVVmS7H
oJwn9GEllen’s eyes narrowed even further.opX
G6pNRwRDereck trusted Denise greatly—but Ellen did not.Ywq
82quD4j“Then, what would be the most extreme move Grand Duke Beltus could make?”vQUZVp
l3NAiselin asked, her face tense.8uqy
az34oYW“Whether assassination or kidnapping, attempting something direct against Dereck wouldn’t be wise. If he does act, he’ll probably target someone close to him. Someone whose disappearance wouldn’t cause too much commotion, but whose loss would deeply affect Dereck emotionally—someone like…”ksGN0Z1
LNHAiselin swallowed hard.pc9W
GYkDUIt seemed both she and Ellen thought of the same person at the same time.oZQwt1
8qyIV3The person officially closest to Dereck.rmqkd
7vQY6ASomeone whose status wasn’t high enough to provoke repercussions if touched, but whose safety Dereck deeply cared about—there was only one possible candidate.bWrp
qwoA moment of silence.QXR
bTrKPThe worried faces of Ellen and Aiselin.uStfu
MrtkLQaAnd amid that tension, Dereck finally spoke in a low voice, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple.OGB0uA
1kZ“That… wouldn’t be a very wise move…”TiIlq9G
8GwJSC***AE7XNy
MAYjqGU“Ugh, I’m getting drunk…”W8ZOceH
fkmAfter completing the subjugation of the harpies in the Roben Mountains, Pheline, who had returned to the tavern Tears of Beldern after a long time, was slumped over the counter, letting out pitiful groans as she drank mead.IiSI
e7nWLzThe place was almost empty, as closing time was approaching.G01
9mYA few mercenaries were still drinking beer and swearing, while at a table in the back, a suspicious group in cloaks watched Pheline.YTAFPJ
p6o0The tavern owner, Jayden, had already gone to prepare for closing.8puvf
JmBaPwTIt was nighttime—the hour when even the moon seemed ready to sleep.hTqvMM
QmBq7SnAmid the tavern’s noise, if a drunken girl were enchanted with a confusion spell and disappeared into the dark streets, few would notice.8aVr
BhhThree hooded men approached the counter where Pheline was still groaning.iVjb
MEFUSjThey watched her from behind as she hummed an unfamiliar tune, and just as one of them was about to place a hand on her shoulder—er2
ts4DOQThud!nFtvTg
RlJWithout warning, a dagger sank into his shoulder.VT9L
KBTjEYBlood sprayed into the air.rA7fOad
uNs5AY“Wha—!”hW1
aFOThe man reacted, but a sharp pain shot through his shoulder.vjOA
09fGxThe strike had been measured precisely not to be fatal—but the pain that followed was anything but merciful.BLka
he1t5“Ugh, ugh!”EOyP
4u4“Do you want to die?”gZ35
bcB2qBeneath the bloodied shoulder, a pair of red eyes glowed.3IEg
o8JShe had the delicate appearance of a noblewoman, but beneath that skin lurked a bloodthirsty wolf.RDdqn
qmw2iLAShe was a comrade who had shared half her life with Dereck on the battlefield, surviving in the brutal mercenary world without a single scar.uQIXPN2
hUwh3OEA beast raised on the streets is born with a sixth sense for detecting hostility.AObRQST
NAtProof of that was how Pheline, without giving them time to react, kicked the hooded men in the face.Ibdlo2P
5eCCrash! Bang!A43c
xtzOne of the burly men was thrown against the counter and rolled across the floor with a loud crash.1GSOvs
XGjNyThe blood-stained dagger still trembled, embedded in his shoulder.Doq7oJ
3xNThe other two, still standing, stared at her with trembling eyes.TPbUwCV
8WQYPheline, swaying from drunkenness, steadied herself on the counter as her eyes began to shine again.Ldbek8K
yjuDeT“Ugh… I’m already feeling dizzy…”CrQvnd
iTlJ9MShe was officially the consort of Baron Ravenclaw, and if she dressed properly, she could look like an elegant and refined lady.DTsp47
4EQeGHowever, in reality, the number of lives she had taken far exceeded double digits.exJeVlO
oKBGThe killing intent was already part of her being, clinging to the corners of her eyes like a ghostly aura.9r6p
xLle9To survive in the underworld, that, in a way, was completely natural.ffIf
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