Chapter 123: Characters (4)
vhjThe commotion caused by Aiselin’s collapse from overwork had finally subsided, and the young noblewomen who had come from various regions to visit her were about to depart.oNzVwn
iFnOAll of them felt relieved after confirming that it was only a temporary condition and that there would be no serious aftereffects.1l0
3w6JoEllen and Denise were no exception.wyLRN
00hfcAfter checking on Aiselin’s condition in the reception hall, they assured the young ladies of the Rose Hall that everything would be fine.xBCw
nph“Don’t forget that Belmierd has always been favorable toward the Ravenclaw Barony. If any problems arise in the future, send a letter at any time.”Pav
wz6a3yx“Thank you for your concern, Lady Ellen.”gCYSQ
ALOEllen looked at Aiselin with a faintly displeased expression, but soon boarded her carriage; she seemed to be quite busy with her family’s affairs.63dYAdM
fPUnThe carriage was enormous, and the number of servants accompanying her was also unusual. After all, she was the person destined to become the lady of Belmierd.U2Gk25
WOMSEThus, Ellen departed from the Ravenclaw Barony early the next morning.38kQAx6
YeuMd‘It’s about time I leave as well; staying any longer would be strange.’MBjQN
frl5For her part, Denise woke up around noon and strolled quietly through the barony’s garden, lost in thought.UpbN
dXbuShe hadn’t slept well due to the many things running through her mind.RMEebl1
AQsv1Above all, Dereck knew perfectly well that there was a possibility Denise might betray him.v8JW
3fq3That meant that, whatever she did, she was probably already part of Dereck’s calculations.PBeIXsw
M8jO‘…Even if I betray you, it doesn’t matter… What did you mean by that, Dereck…?’fvk
QB9lDereck’s apparent composure only made her thoughts grow more tangled.Y1qsg87
aJyOUAs a member of the Beltus family, she could never betray her house.Jl79UM
JXHqE3However, the idea of openly betraying Dereck was also unbearable.OEO
IaaT1qThe fact that he seemed to have read her inner conflict only made her doubt even more.dRqo2o
R115BDenise let out a deep sigh and ran a hand over her face.ZGXyB9
GzLIf she left the barony and returned to the Beltus residence, the Grand Duke would summon her immediately to question her about the situation.GZluQD
AsNH13And she had much to report.RyAUw
1BWtgMThat newly established rural barony had too many weaknesses that the Beltus family could exploit.EyHD
g9ENJEven if the Belmierd family tried to protect the Ravenclaw Barony, that territory was practically a direct neighbor, sharing a border with the Beltus lands.RdYsge
LCdIn the end, Beltus’s influence would be the strongest.zIrJNN
X9zJ2‘If only Dereck would lower his head and submit to the will of the Beltus family, my mind would be at ease… But he’s not that kind of man…’Tx1Z
nulDereck was not someone who served his lord out of loyalty.iiJI8hf
tpI7FJCTherefore, a clash between the Beltus and Ravenclaw families seemed inevitable.c2hez
B2ZCAThe Grand Duke of Beltus was a man who eliminated any threat to his power without hesitation.ffLmbjD
JHV9e6s“It seems you have many things on your mind, Lady Denise.”kIheDgN
Ojz5gwLAs she sighed, a feminine voice interrupted her.RlMFu
FA3kzOhWhen she looked up in surprise, she saw a young noblewoman delicately holding her skirt and curtsying.rIPL
IGMHer hair, a shade between lavender and silver, radiated a mysterious aura.THD4P1
vJ1mWAlthough the quality of her dress did not suggest a particularly high rank, an indescribable elegance emanated from her.ejGJj
ZCcfNOmDenise, with the usual composure of a noble lady, responded with a gentle smile.Z2yaqQ
2a3M6“Oh, thank you for your concern.”g8Tl
Pxe6The girl with the enigmatic aura returned the smile warmly.XDBvj
WIcWatching her, Denise spoke politely.G1i4v1l
slH4“I sincerely appreciate your consideration, but I fear my memory fails me and I do not recall the name of such a beautiful lady. Please forgive me.”o5lt0H9
D2cj“No, there’s nothing to forgive. I am not someone whom the lady of the Beltus family needs to remember. I am merely a girl from a small baronial family on the southeastern frontier. My name is Fina Raffaella Tigris.”Dw627
GYYGJp“I see, Lady Fina. I’m sorry to have troubled you with my concerns upon our first meeting.”OMSfV
yCNnLower-ranking nobles often hesitated before addressing a lady from a powerful house like Beltus.lIuFuE3
tAbOf course, there were some who, dreaming of advancement, tried to form connections, but such relationships were usually one-sided; high-ranking nobles rarely regarded them as equals.cVt
6ARpAOn the contrary, getting too close to a lady of higher rank could be seen as opportunism—a blatant display of ambition.01GAL
F2LXnBnThat class divide existed even among the nobility.d9TrTih
TRctDHowever, Fina did not let herself be intimidated and continued speaking respectfully.nbO
ZUr“As a low-ranking noble, I know I must be cautious when speaking to the lady of the Beltus family, but even so, I wished to address you, even if it may seem bold.”LI9Xt
9Ggrv“Don’t underestimate yourself so much. Lady Fina, you also possess enough beauty and grace.”1NvDjB
jM4ae8“I thank you for your kind words, Lady Denise. But our Tigris family has received great favor from Duke Beltus, and I wanted to express my gratitude.”rCIQgnS
a96vFina smiled and drew from her chest a small box about the size of a fist.1VVXlD4
SHRUoIt was wrapped in colorful paper and adorned with a ribbon and flowers, clearly prepared with care.Co0
pyegU8“F-Favor?”8KRa
fY0d“Duke Beltus may not remember, but when my father, Baron Tigris, inherited his title, the Duke sent a congratulatory letter and a wreath of flowers.”1zjt
W6E7s“Oh, right. I had completely forgotten.”aWL43pd
xpsxrBe“It’s understandable. The Beltus family must have attendants in charge of such ceremonial duties. With so many celebrations and condolences to handle, it would be impossible to remember every letter sent to the frontier baronial families.”UTRXd
ZkU2Fina smiled politely as she approached Denise.ni3cYxD
ZQxY4YV“But for a small family like ours, such a letter carries great meaning. If Duke Beltus hadn’t sent it, it would have been difficult for my father to be officially recognized as the leader of our territory, given how complicated the internal situation was back then.”7GcwY
VkYorm“I see. Baron Tigris must have gone through difficult times.”t2ecE8
wlLrf“No, as I mentioned, we received great help from Duke Beltus’s authority. As his daughter, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude.”M3enO
MztIn truth, the Beltus family had never sent such a congratulatory letter to the Tigris.kpo
dGTiBBut, as Fina said, with the number of formalities noble houses handled, such a story could easily seem credible.VpK
rVvp0kyNo one could remember the names of all the frontier nobles who had received courtesy letters.bBdEypd
WflAfter many years in noble society, one learns well how to identify the gaps in bureaucracy.U6tI4
BxS2RFina was precisely one of those people.ljyLl
sR0OwY“This is a small gift from me. It’s a ring with the most beautiful gems from the Tigris Barony, along with a tie ornament.”dd5EHr
HWtQBj“Is it all right for me to accept something like this?”D2W
P18gn“On the contrary, it would be a great honor if you did. I hope His Excellency the Grand Duke Beltus will also appreciate our sincerity. Please show him this gift.”g5q
FM6GvAs Fina handed over the box with a bright smile, Denise returned the gesture with the ceremonial smile typical of nobles.j7na9Jf
MhBs3After all, as a member of the Beltus family, she was used to such situations.m7GU549
E57d***QooY8f
9akWhen all the young noblewomen who had come to see Aiselin’s condition returned to their homes and a certain calm returned to the Ravenclaw Training Center,gli
ckHFGcwDereck, who was reorganizing the delayed schedules and preparing a response to the maneuvers of the Beltus family, thought he could finally relax a little.B71PI
5iOwbP“The Baroness of Ravenclaw… has arrived…”2x03kT
uCZqLhtHowever, with just that single report from Delbriton, the Ravenclaw Training Center was thrown into chaos again.CHfW
W7FECfWho was the Baroness of Ravenclaw?UWUcQ3
keyOh27Among the young noblewomen at the center, countless rumors circulated.rlM9D
i8mDOZgMuch was known about Dereck Lydorf, Baron of Ravenclaw.VzVrW
nYfHe personally led the faculty and often appeared in practical classes.ZT1no7
ySWBDkvHandsome, efficient in his work, usually cold in demeanor but able to be kind when needed and assertive when required—a capable man.T993N
O4kljbUBecause of this, some of the young noblewomen at the center harbored quiet admiration for him. His reputation was good, and his name well-known.d2DTu
2c0So then, who was the woman who had captured the heart of such a man?NLWPyJE
IHKVoEven in front of the flowers of nobility, Dereck maintained an unapproachable attitude; what kind of person had been able to enchant him?vPV9IB
WGvkV1SIn the dormitories, the speculation was already endless.V6I
joXThey said she was a commoner, a fragile girl.Cz4H
ruTgpdThey wondered what her beauty was like, how much knowledge she possessed, or how noble her bearing might be.bEH
1cJjMOften, when the girls gathered at night in frilled pajamas, sitting on their beds and chatting by lamplight, the subject of the imaginary Baroness of Ravenclaw always came up.f3IDa7U
wwaJK“I heard she smells of freesia flowers, and her voice is so soft it caresses your ears when she speaks. They say that when you look into her eyes, it feels like warm sunlight, and that talking to her brightens your whole day.”SSi
pXfrLady Rointel, a freckled and cheerful young woman, spoke with a dreamy expression while hugging a pillow.p4N20Dz
nPNWYb“I heard about her from the servants. They say she’s elegant but brave, and she knows when to stay silent and when to act. I’ve never seen her, but I admire her.”3nQ
M6elao7“Do you know the romance novel The Arrogant Lord Robain, written by an anonymous author?”BSuE
xnaqxi“Ah, yes! I saw a sample copy at the Largo Bookstore when I went to Ebelstein.”ih9y9TS
QUuC01U“Oh, Lady Sidmer knows it too! They say the baroness resembles the heroine Tracy from that book—lively yet refined.”DYdI
GSGB“Really? I thought she was just a fictional character if that’s true, she might be the perfect match for Baron Ravenclaw.”Fxx
DifqVyTLady Sidmer, always shy due to her slowness in learning magic, was glowing with excitement as she imagined a love story between a handsome man and a perfect lady.pNknIl
Wwls5zNo matter the era, girls that age could never resist romantic tales of impossible love.F3B
1yW“Well, without a doubt, if she managed to win over Baron Ravenclaw, she must be an exceptional woman…”icP3uJ
pB6oUE“We must also work hard and make our social debut as true ladies.”Fs9H
6OxCpTa“Y-yes… But if we could see the Baroness of Ravenclaw in person… it would be so inspiring… I heard she’ll visit the barony this time, do you think we might be able to speak to her, even just once…?”dlk
eeJ“Now that you mention it, I’m curious… Who do you think is nobler, Lady Aiselin or the Baroness of Ravenclaw?”v6k
DrxLJQf“Well… we shouldn’t compare them, but… so far, I haven’t seen anyone as admirable as Lady Aiselin…”FMVA
aCj7Thus passed the night for the young ladies, amid whispers and laughter by the light of a single candle, sharing stories of forbidden love.0Vc36
MeRagVIThey dreamed of the elegant Baroness of Ravenclaw—and of the day when they themselves would become dazzling ladies.2MC
Vv33C***GP7
VOI“Ugh.”bmZw9p
6zuRUw“If you’re going to burp, at least cover yourself.”whdhvL
HODM6Y“Ugh… the hangover… I’m dying after that carriage ride since early morning… This place is so far from Ebelstein…”hiHFS
MpBuPheline, who had arrived at dawn, was covered in blood.2KsWBGQ
MEU8PODelbriton, who had gone out to receive her, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat when he saw her step down from the carriage.WhwnOz8
2slCRiEven the coachman wore a tense expression, as if fearing for his life upon seeing the bloodstained girl.d95
qLlcG“Listen, Dereck. Last night I was drinking at Tears of Beldern… and some weird guys, no insignias, no affiliation, tried to attack me.”6pIeY
MQ1BH2N“Yes. I can tell from the bloodstains on your clothes.”uS1TS8
x92K“I only defended myself. If they suddenly throw magic at you in the middle of Tavern Street, they’d better be ready for a beating. Ugh… ugh…”V5DG
qwj8Her tight mercenary outfit exposed her abdomen and shoulders. Her arms and legs had a few scratches, but no serious wounds.e8GjCFR
sUQV4gIf Pheline had come out almost unscathed, there was no need to ask how her attackers had ended up.8vH
gJEZEven so, it was necessary to confirm whether they were still alive.1aVLYz
D9Ge“What happened to them?”GnWt8g
JpHh“If they were lucky, they survived. Poor Jayden… cleaning the tavern must have been hell…”bP5
mhcAfter saying that, Pheline took a big bite of the snacks Delbriton had brought.OYV
ioVX“They attacked me first, so I didn’t have to hold back, right?”W7CKv
5gKj“…”fw0J7
7jvFL8x“But it was strange. If they were just perverts, they wouldn’t have acted so coordinated or hidden their identities. They were too clean to be other mercenaries. It was suspicious, so instead of returning to my lodging, I called the coachman and came straight here. Hmm… this is delicious. Is it expensive?”GcW
yfl7“I don’t know. I got it from a local producer.”KVkelWB
V99t6“They say the fruits of this region are really good, and these grapes… wow, delicious. But eating something this juicy all at once… my stomach… ugh…”z3oKcSb
czDwYvi“That’s why I told you to drink in moderation.”T1T
SujJyThe nearby servants moved nervously as they watched her make gestures of nausea.D7Qq0B
qsO6If an accident occurred, they would be the ones to clean the floor and tablecloths.aTHaSc8
mwcfns“If you feel sick, stop eating, idiot.”w9o3l
ZFp2okY“No way. Do you think I’m going to waste free food? Even if I throw it up later, I’ll still put it in my mouth first… ugh…”HTu
QZECOfficially, she held the title of Baroness of Ravenclaw, but Pheline despised the nobility so much that she rarely visited the barony.L3Qxs
YKJ0IContinuing to live as an ordinary mercenary was her own principle, so she didn’t care about appearing careless.8lfn49l
rItEh“If I’d known, I would’ve left one alive to ask who sent them.”BoT7
4fpnH“So you didn’t leave any?”1BIRA
nwA“Depends on how tough they were. If you go easy on them, they think they won’t die and start gambling with their lives. You have to face them with the intent to kill, and then they get scared. Isn’t that right?”lh1R9sv
JopzThat was something Dereck often said back in his mercenary days.NFX
MmWuzymThat’s why he couldn’t refute it; he just rested his chin on his hand with an indifferent expression.XdxD
ECIIn any case, he thought he should inform Pheline of the situation, so he explained how things were unfolding across the continent, as well as which faction might be behind the attack.riM3y
aQQ9f“The Beltus family, huh? Even someone like me, who doesn’t care about noble nonsense, has heard that name. Dereck, you’re wading into deep waters.”61qC
mxolP“Unfortunately, I’m now the noble you despise so much.”XOJrS4
4ODyZ“I know what you’re thinking. You think I don’t notice that you’re clinging to your title just to learn more magic.”w9Sh4
8bgjS8bDereck was different from the arrogant nobles obsessed with appearances, and that’s why Pheline didn’t mind that he had a title. She knew him far too well from the old days.KAPVRW
hAI“Still… it’s unfair that I’m getting dragged into all this just because I lent my name as baroness.”q8yD
56apD“I have no excuse. I’m sorry.”I5De
Q0iTw“Well, Dereck, the refined noble, apologizing to me. It must be the end of the world.”a8QjHLA
wqBWDereck admitted it—Pheline was right. She had been dragged into all this simply because she was associated with him.0mUy
u1CLjpHe acknowledged it sincerely, but Pheline just burst out laughing.iECO2
pOnzA3“In short, those damn degenerates who tried to attack me were hounds sent by some noble. It felt good to give them what they deserved.”gByD
JEXyD“It won’t be that simple. If they failed this time, they might send more skilled people next.”fxDvs7
yOcFZX“So what? Beltus or whoever—they attacked me, so it was self-defense. In other words, now I’ve got a legitimate reason to hit nobles.”tpO
7nxWIgPheline, somewhat recovered from her hangover, drank some cold water and let out a relieved sigh.q4EVB
LtmPqThe servants, who had been anxiously waiting in case she vomited, finally relaxed.dgu
R7vDereck, seeing the wooden bucket Delbriton had prepared “just in case,” almost wanted to applaud his foresight.LYftF
RGgr“If anyone dares touch me, I’ll cut off their hands.”qzWVBG
NVLsShe meant it.Sovz5m
6PrPheline might seem clumsy and careless, but when her mercenary instincts awakened, she didn’t hesitate for even a second.yS7
EMw1ymShe was, perhaps, the one who most resembled Dereck among all the mercenaries of Beldern.GEA
lnEv“A justification, huh…?”4AlZk
C9gDereck looked at her with a complicated expression, somewhere between pity and concern.EyEfpbh
DhVyJMIn any case, he decided that, for the time being, he had to protect her.J2qLH
phtqHVw***iM5
rqkdScN“Yes, the mind games of nobles all come down to one thing in the end—justification.”oiw0tv
DfPcoc8That night, Fina, who was showing Dereck some magical theories, smiled mischievously.dkh
AHcMThe characteristic chirping of night insects filled the baron’s residence.Crhy
3QcYThe night, when even the moon slept, was wrapped in darkness; though candles were lit, a gloomy atmosphere filled the reception hall.I3jx
XnZxtFIn that dim space, Fina, sitting cross-legged, laughed softly and licked the tip of her fingers after brushing her chin a couple of times.WrnbS
eld“In that sense, I like that girl. Someone from the bottom of the pit, full of instinct and ferocity, who instinctively understands the importance of justification. From my point of view, she’s worth keeping close. Good, good, very good.”YtrQxd7
l8iB0D“You were watching when I met Pheline?”X1r
m3qSt“Of course. My cute disciple is in trouble because that brat of a duke decided to provoke him. How could a master like me sit idly by? In fact, I should take this chance to give you a grand lesson.”y73
zHbGShe reclined on the sofa, placed her bare feet on the table, and began to speak without pause.O3W
jpc2“This master, who has lived as a noble for hundreds of years and gone through all kinds of nonsense, will personally teach you something.”YYW
YozmF“…What do you have in mind?”q4Ax
SjZhS“I already told you. If I put my mind to it, there’s nothing I can’t teach you. You have exceptional talent in magic, but your summoning magic is a bit clumsy compared to the rest, isn’t it? Let’s make a major breakthrough this time.”NgUWf
55EHwPsDereck rose from his desk and sat across from her on the opposite sofa.V9x4x
SHtLThen he narrowed his eyes and watched her suspiciously.PaON5O
nTg“Oh, look at those eyes. What’s that supposed to be—for a master like me?”39STr
xoi“If you have some sort of plan, I’d prefer to know it.”y8N
SdFyri“Wow, I like that suspicious look. Yes, you shouldn’t trust people so easily. But you should trust this master of yours completely. Everything I do is for your sake.”qDWRT
QlFpxDespite Dereck’s wary gaze, Fina didn’t seem concerned.Dyh1
XVlIn truth, she was acting for his sake; the problem was that her results were unpredictable.teBjltf
eLFbrIU“Do you know the fastest way to master summoning magic? Fight against a summoner who has reached the high rank of five stars or more.”aUU7
Oe4Xlf8“What…?”dJ8Bc
aIfsYUn“I don’t know anything about the Beltus family or their affairs, but since we have the opportunity, let’s go and beat them up. There’s no reason to sit trembling like a child waiting for them to come swinging.”p3tM
PB2CyaWhen Dereck frowned, Fina laughed even louder.F3N5Gcg
R83“Why? Are you scared because you don’t have a justification?”jRt
65Qk“…”2wL4lK
R6Qy“Don’t worry. This magnificent master of yours is a specialist in creating justifications. I need to create a situation where our adorable disciple can legally fight the Duke Beltus.”qpzshaf
GsX“The Beltus family is one of the most powerful houses that has ruled the southwest of the continent for a long time. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”dk7ior5
3Uj“Yes, exactly. But there exists a justification that once made the mighty Duplain family tremble in an instant, doesn’t it?”NLN
V5MAt those words, Dereck fell silent for a moment.GaOTF
40XqKaHe could more or less guess what Fina was planning.U5a9Z
m39kib6“Even the powerful who seemed to rule the heavens and devour the earth tremble and must prove their innocence when they’re linked to necromancy.”dAmo
dtpG“…”wysKbio
3rdam7“And I, the one in front of you, am the source of all that necromancy.”kb1pfpZ
ajTUThe only six-star necromancer on the continent, Fina Raphaela Tigris.bfY
hi5DetShe crossed her legs naturally and, with her chin resting on her hand, dropped a bomb in a calm voice.A6W
8Z7Ng“Send a letter to that novice Rodelia. Tell her it seems the Beltus family has ties to necromancy.”U6688
D5Z8j3“If we accuse them falsely, it could backfire on us.”G5o2RTX
5UktZ“Don’t worry, I’ll make it true. Our adorable disciple must handle the task, so I’ll at least do my part for it.”zqjYwZ
pT2N1That girl was, in herself, like a living curse.Em00
AnoDSjAnd she seemed ready to prove it.dAqLac
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