Chapter 133: The Subjugation of Beltus (7)
Fgu‘Maybe I should tie my hair up once in a while.’hcFir
kFsxRNA girl walking through the middle of a forest, where the sounds of insects echoed, casually lifted her hair behind her head.Det
DjNUhAfter living so many years following a similar pattern, it was natural to think of trying small deviations.z1kdMpW
XF8R7She liked how her abundant hair covered her body, giving her the appearance of a slightly frail girl, but showing a livelier side from time to time was also part of a person’s varied charm.ECOmI
NqD2The girl walking out of the forest with such trivial thoughts was a great 6-star mage whose name would not be strange to leave engraved in history.yDdV
jY6F4TvFina Raffaella Tigris, daughter of a baron, was quietly leaving the Beltus estate without anyone noticing.PAkKC
wFfKrZaThe sun had already set. For her, who could hide among the shadows, leaving the place unseen was as easy as breathing.i8IlL
RpXShe turned and silently looked at the mansion standing on the hill.O0Bn
k1Rv8IWithin the burning grounds, numerous soldiers ran toward their own goals.LilH
IiiXcWhat rose toward the sky were spirits materialized by necromancy. The chaos and confusion pouring out of that cursed mansion were so satisfying that, for this girl made of pure wickedness, they were a spectacle more thrilling than any other.pof
Ae72Sl‘Melverot and Drest won’t stay still.’QoH4uX
cRQmThe 6-star mages who despised chaos would probably frown upon Fina’s actions.OTppxcA
0R9However, Fina was someone who would use any method to fulfill her purpose.XQi
CQtK0D‘Even if Melverot doesn’t understand, Drest will. After all, times change.’hI5jL
7QxfAs she walked through the forest, a damp wind blew.yX9ded
xPTThe forest’s breeze, tinged with the scent of grass, remained the same despite the passage of time, but people always changed.LSEJkKa
FEguLThe young heir of Duplain, Leigh, was regaining consciousness and rising to his feet.reL3
RH5WiHe would resolve all the regrets of what he had lost and, with the help of Aiselin and Diella, attempt to rebuild his family’s prestige.Xhb7HK
pSVxQ1mThe next heir of Belmierd, Ellen, already had a reputation that reached the heavens.AN8aN
8zMsRShe would become a symbol of power, wield enormous influence over the southwest of the continent, and even attempt to swallow the social circles of Ebelstein.N9m
UyG53TiThe next heir of Beltus, Robenalt, was still going through growing pains.9Ab1ke
xtwMgnLIt was uncertain whether he could become a proper lord, but at least his mental fortitude was firm. In any case, he was someone who would surely be eliminated if things continued as they were, so Beltus’s future was uncertain as well.qu3UWYG
U4IIn the end, generations change, and she had merely given them a small push.QAnPV
siNFina smiled faintly as she walked deeper into the forest.AKshL
5IhoTimes change. What can the old do?2eZWpn
smHdIn the meantime, take everything you can.SwZ
RzJmIBMThe only thing those old foxes could do, at most, was that.EWwMRKF
UL56OvA halo of light rose from the mansion’s main building.d2qYd
dYB8What filled the sky was the form of a demon summoned by Grand Duke Beltus, master of summoning magic.iRs8N7a
ySlsmNIndeed, being originally of 5-star class, even the newly infused necromancy had a considerably high level.QVTE7
cnFnbX***LNGmMug
3GDB4FICrash! Crash!VUm
N6j4Breaking through the roof of the mansion’s main building, a gigantic demon revealed itself.AEv1N
E68WrpThat demon, with the head of a bull, had huge horns jutting out from its temples, and its rough, muscular body was covered in heavy armor.GGBQoYN
1Go0jwAmong the forbidden spells of necromancy, the most evil were those that manipulated demons from hell.g1ec0
1X73MOf the many mages who had fallen under the vile aura of necromancy, it was especially the experts in summoning magic who handled such spells.UXXqZH
PsGJAnd when one spoke of summoning magic, the name that came to mind was undoubtedly Grand Duke Beltus.kePLuiq
tE2If anyone could summon a demon of that magnitude, it was him.CmDczxQ
g4g9v29Bang! Bang!ZDspSo
xG5– Rooaar.r07
5zZhThe enormous demon, half-emerged through the mansion’s roof, let out a sound.wFKzj9e
ctXIts scale was so immense that it sounded more like the horn of a massive ship than a roar.6PZMDi
8dSvm9cEveryone around the mansion had to cover their ears, their faces contorted in pain.8Agbj
RVU0Taking advantage of the moment, numerous bat-like monsters began swarming out from the broken roof of the mansion. The horde was so vast it could be considered an army.B6GND
9SzThe demon had arrived.ExP
JprUWho controlled that demon? Everyone could only answer in unison.22LG
jAy5It was undoubtedly Grand Duke Beltus.CedoHJ
XBnUbLj“Has the tower’s protective magic not been withdrawn yet?”l2HXaW
gc6jARodelia, advancing with a detachment toward the main building, cut down monsters in her path.1JCD
c4nDereck had gone alone to destroy the magic tower. Leading an army would only provoke the defensive forces to appear, so it had been decided that infiltrating alone amid the chaos caused by the monsters was the best course.mrFbGSc
fzC1Thus, Rodelia advanced by herself toward the main building to subdue Grand Duke Beltus himself.89lF
kcG2However, the protective magic deployed atop the eastern tower showed no sign of fading.jLRyx
JAhUnless that enormous battle formation was completely neutralized, entering the main building was far too risky.sa2MXR
MtyBAs Rodelia clenched her teeth, staring at the tower—xRBAK
TzYfP6hFlash!IOM43l6
4QoBang!yLrOI0
nOBXDCDThe size of the magic circle blooming at the top of the tower began to shrink little by little until it finally lost all light and vanished.8Zs2aF
f2Lv30Dereck had indeed managed to infiltrate alone and resolve the situation.OsMe3
yUQvNo matter how chaotic the area around the tower was, or how urgent the situation, it was an incredible feat.mflA
YNKLEbi‘Wasn’t he a former mercenary? It seems he possesses exceptional experience in these guerrilla operations.’Fv5i4
9WpHe was a veteran who had repeatedly infiltrated labyrinths and hunted monsters in small groups, accumulating abundant real combat experience.t6k5Y
F0dI‘Steady, experienced, and mature, yet young. If possible, I’d like to have him under my command.’6Mopk
pY1kxBut those who saw Dereck usually thought the same. He would be a useful talent as an officer, but he wasn’t the type to easily submit to anyone.9kvyU
wLcBOThe only person he even pretended to respect was Melverot, who had reached the rank of 6-star mage. Competing with such a monster was impossible.048
Fvj‘Rather, if I could bind him through marriage…’S0ty
z7e6UJBut he was already married, and even if his marriage were annulled or he took a second wife, it was unlikely that he would be paired with her fierce daughter Trisha. In any case, it wouldn’t be easy to have Dereck under her wing.fXhmPHE
RHubX‘…’DitVaC
0pMSetting that aside, the path was already open, and the task was clear.ObEl5v
9ggo6BKRodelia drew her sacred blood sword and raised it high, shouting to her detachment,GTuelJ
PtOfSAn“The path to the main house is clear! Capture the master of that vile necromancy and report to Emperor Guttrel that we have resolved this disaster!”E0o2
Avvkgcc“Yes!”dMY
LaBP3“Let’s go!”MXqJ
IeyTap, tap, tap.JlFYr
T6lUUMsEven within the hill where the mansion grounds lay, the main house of Duke Beltus stood at the highest point.Kukaw
7uLkThey were going to storm that nest of evil, where all kinds of monsters raged and vengeful spirits emerged, and bring the situation to an end.0Zdo3f
lR8TBEmperor Guttrel, who abhorred necromancy, would surely recognize their merit.JGgdj
LOGlASoldiers are always thirsty for honor.GX8Ns
8WDLiTdMany members of the detachment following Rodelia cheered. They were veterans among veterans, having conquered Rodentz Island at her side.x6Y
VatS06As they advanced toward the main entrance, Rodelia’s army arrived at the scene.Yg8qhB
JTR– Grooooh.pUP8xl
cVKThe main house of the mansion no longer belonged to Duke Beltus.grE
mQrWhen the enormous doors of the main hall opened, an Archlich floating in the air awaited them.TD6Xa5
PhXoJQThey saw pods spewing swarms of vengeful spirits and monsters.S3V
Gm7e67BThe monster that had nested in that mansion had no intention of allowing intruders.oWGLdj
3eL9XMA monster summoned through advanced 5-star-level necromancy or higher.4H9Zd
eO59Seeing that gigantic creature—something they hadn’t even encountered on Rodentz Island—the expressions of Rodelia’s detachment hardened instantly.f34F12
8vjlqQ***VpZzgG
WvlU2MIThud! Thud!w3pDD3x
dOPGrrr!m2N9lP
x0npnyDenise ran out of the main house and down the northern hill.4iB
gQBThe Rodelia army was approaching from the south.nsM93uK
Ao5EAlthough the mansion grounds were filled with monsters, excluding those inside the main house, their level was not particularly impressive.iJk
ZCUpUGoblins and trolls with corpse-like appearances — their looks were grotesque and terrifying, but since their movements were slow, one could escape from them simply by running at full speed.nvln7j6
yq7psyTheir endurance was also mediocre, so well-trained soldiers or mages capable of using even level 1 magic could handle them without much difficulty.yJYA
ACFcEven though the urgency of the moment and their horrifying appearance were unsettling, as long as one remained calm, surviving wasn’t too difficult.62TA8ty
2ozeAHowever, someone had to deal with the disaster at the main house, block the armies advancing toward the Beltus mansion, and at the same time protect the servants and retainers.198
FXpl1yThe ones responsible for those tasks were already decided.TahG
WTKhRqEThey were the Orel Mercenaries, who had protected the territory under contract with Grand Duke Beltus for many years.0PU7
Z18They had maintained such a special relationship that they even had their own barracks within the Beltus mansion grounds. Now was the time to show their full strength.GLW2A
dYSd1At that moment, Denise was heading to the western barracks to resolve the anomaly at the main house together with the Orel Mercenaries and somehow block the incoming armies.DWzXo
C68cvudIt seemed like an overwhelming task, but Orel, the group’s leader, had served as commander of the royal guard for a long time. Without a doubt, he had survived countless crises like this one.kjd2t
fItvZeThat was why Denise’s destination was the Orel Mercenaries’ barracks.ARnsH
64YSBut even as she hurried her steps, Denise couldn’t help but hold her breath.GnWx
8M66WP‘If everything gets resolved… what will happen to me…? And to the servants who followed me? And my personal maid, Bella? No… what will happen to our family…?’S66v
O7h6uqiShe pushed aside those negative thoughts. Do what you can right now.QxX1H
BCq5Even though she repeated that to herself several times, the anxiety boiling in her chest wouldn’t subside.MBZS
SovQEspecially because she herself had made an enemy of Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw.RnRkd
Pb6mfThat fact alone was like a thorn lodged in her heart, tormenting her without end.lDIU
bEPhO1Now, she and Dereck were enemies.HBerS
fM6Even if the situation were resolved, Dereck would treat her with hostility.S4K
KE8SHmSometimes she remembered Dereck’s cold gaze — those sharp eyes, the same ones he showed when facing monsters he had to kill or enemies he had to subdue. They were completely opposite to his usual calm and serious demeanor.IgGy
No9S5nNow, the target of that gaze was Denise.3E7Oa
fuHmpAnd the reason wasn’t even deep — it was simply because she belonged to the Beltus family.PRoL3W
L3ZTjShe had been used as a chess piece under the cruel Grand Duke Beltus, contributing to the family and living under his shadow for a long time.yQr
myRrvONow the time had come to pay for those sins.kNm
ee4Tap, tap.AI3QR
KEEDenise’s hurried steps began to slow.dxJ
37USjlSoon, she leaned one shoulder against a tree in a corner of the garden, grabbed a handful of her messy hair, and tried to catch her breath.JGnwU
gjJYZn0She had run too long with a fragile body. To save her strength, she breathed shallowly and soon pressed her forehead tightly, feeling as if she were about to cry.D7x
rcRXkeZ‘Even though I lived pretending to be rational and intelligent… now that everything’s fallen apart, I’m nothing more than just another daughter…’slxd1Ws
chAXjMZA hollow laugh escaped her. While suppressing the tickle in her nose, Denise mocked herself.3Zp
xnAv1‘Don’t cry. Crying won’t change anything. Letting emotions take over in this situation will only hasten my death. I have to judge everything calmly.’rpk4
78eftThe Orel Mercenaries must have already begun to move. They would be eliminating the monsters around the barracks and preparing to clear the main base where the demon had appeared.iuiLCzv
A6dXvZGIf she headed toward the western barracks, she would surely find them.mjg
cqvEIf she moved west, maybe she could save her life.7aZTSn
FvUJust as Denise finished catching her breath and stood up—aL4
AR2WZbTThe heavens abandoned her.gJqkV8
AVhKSomeone appeared from within the forest.xXE
ylvazkA man covered in monsters’ blood emerged from the bushes.IQFzgd
YyyDUNSomeone she should never have encountered at that moment was there, walking with a deadly stride, drenched in blood.rd3
sgjMB1His eyes still gleamed with a chilling red hue. Though he was covered in dust, his pure white hair shone under the moonlight as always.k46uS
UWYieQHe was carrying someone unconscious over his shoulder.5hD
DXHVIt was obvious who it was — the same silver-ash hair as Denise’s, a fragile noble.dpO
Z6lSGaIThe one who had been guarding the magic tower.OWmXPtV
YW2AHer older brother, Robenalt.ur9NYt3
tBkA timid man, without great ambition or notable achievements. But if he had dared to face Dereck, the result was clear — he had been brutally beaten, his face swollen, hanging limply from Dereck’s shoulder.oRkTIb4
pdkcWas he dead? No, it seemed he was still breathing.X6m9dA
CSvF1But the murderous look in Dereck’s eyes as he carried him—Ywq
4ZKDmKaAs they said, the gods had abandoned Denise.Ku0uA
HtsIn a place where there was no one left to protect her, she was now face to face with the very core of the enemy.GqGcT
1SWIRobenalt, completely subdued and unconscious, was proof enough.x2rW
dyt5KfDereck was a man filled with hatred toward the Beltus family and would never treat kindly anyone who had lived as one of its representatives.0yzSig
oCe5What should she do? Resist?ogOkrC
MNNWould there be any point in opposing someone whose magical ability surpassed hers by several ranks?dGIHm
anUZShould she throw dirt in his eyes, scratch him, and run?op9
oQj1For someone as weak as her, resisting such a formidable man was futile.Sh99P
ZHdtSo Denise let herself fall against the tree and ended up sitting on the ground.k7D
O0RLF8gDust clung to her expensive dress, and pieces of bark tangled in her messy ash-colored hair.EhtD
ecvZjph“Yes… Dereck, it was you after all.”Imhx6Bw
2CgAhIn that final instant, Denise managed to force a smile full of fake courage.3Q4JW
jtweNo matter the crisis, she always had to smile and never stop thinking rationally.QEg
GUKEven if she were to die the next moment, she wouldn’t lose that composure.DN0BD1T
n7UzThat was the attitude she had always lived with — as if it were her destiny.tS1
LEaShe recalled her private residence in Ebelstein.V587Ovu
nvQVuShe remembered the moment in the underground art storage, when Dereck had consoled her as she lamented her frail life.hk6GIpZ
Z5oRemembering that, Denise thought,a2gV6F
cBbCCpIf the blood of Beltus didn’t run through my veins… could I have gotten along with this man?RyN3HO
dYGl3tqLike Aiselin and Ellen? Could I have relied on him, shared my worries, faced dangers together, and somehow lived happily?FTVd
DiZfFWSuddenly, she recalled the presumptuous Lord Robain.5mxP88
RcwMNWhen he wrote about that foolish noble who lost Tracy because he was dominated by differences in status and family duty… perhaps he had hidden a bit of mockery toward himself.ElHHYuy
4mw544VOn a moonlit night, sitting at his desk with a pen in hand, maybe he had hoped someone would understand his inner emptiness.CBB
sSoNow it no longer mattered.US0E
v0OTwoBut she never imagined that the arrogant Lord Robain would become her final work. If she had known, perhaps she would have put in more effort — such thoughts crossed her mind.Kk2bQWC
EtgMUAnd so, when Denise gently closed her eyes, that was when she let everything go.q0O
6iKStep, step.beW
anuoBJThud!hifJE
k9DcSDereck approached Denise with heavy steps and laid the body of Robenalt, whom he had carried until now, beside her.l8N7
BvbJdRobenalt, leaning against a tree stump, was breathing heavily, completely unconscious.C4M
5PVHe was a pathetic brother, yes, but at least he had been sincere toward his family.vBxsT
2CsfFqq“He tried to stop me to the very end. Knowing what Grand Duke Beltus is like, and still remaining loyal… it seems he believes his duty is to be honest with the place he belongs to.”khxvPUd
Dv1VwDereck’s voice was much gentler than Denise had imagined.jwDGEw
ZhOHe no longer had the fierce appearance of the bloodstained mercenary who hunted monsters, but rather that of the gentle instructor who had once stayed in the mansion and taught her magic.CdiE9iQ
vh2ihhhDenise held her breath.rwSx
Ov0EG“D-Der… Dereck…?”5wSqNCb
nKNWKn“His loyalty was simply misplaced. If the Beltus family sets itself straight, Young Master Robenalt will be a great asset to it. In the end, what remains is not someone loyal to a person, but someone loyal to his family.”ioZ
a1OcK“You… you are…”DQORvd
h5QFwDenise lifted her trembling eyes to look at him.RJ4x
LhdSBLUnder the moonlight, Dereck’s calm eyes lacked the ferocity she had expected.35hkSV
PZHAwHRIn fact, they were exactly as she remembered them.TfbJzpR
Ujed3“You… didn’t come to capture me…?”eQzDg
RmzDereck brushed the dust off his neck and answered with a puzzled expression.uIEP
8W4c“…Me?”fqrs
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