Chapter 181: Inspection (1)
RnCzIt did not take long for the imperial inspection delegation to be organized.fglqT
oA9Me8Among the noble bureaucrats of the Gremport Palace, the construction of the Ravenclaw Academy was already considered approved, so the emperor’s direct visit to inspect the academic facilities was nothing more than a procedural formality.hqT510a
RA90Emperor Gattrel, whose golden age lay far behind him and who was now completely consumed by old age, no longer exercised any real influence over affairs of state.5W67pHG
DfNDay after day, he barely managed to endure his fragile body while clinging solely to memories of the empire’s glorious past that he himself had built.PqY
JUSUeiZThe political tension was clearly divided into three factions the imperial faction led by Princess Roselin; the noble faction headed by President Damon and the aristocratic bureaucrats; and the purely magical faction commanded by the archmage Kohella, chief magical adviser.ifYOV
KiBIn a situation where the imperial succession was already practically decided in Princess Roselin’s favor, countless figures crowded around the throne, trying to claw out even a little more power.FTU
FFwbg“What use is crushing rivals and relatives to obtain imperial authority, if at this rate I’ll end up becoming nothing more than a puppet empress?”oZTQJ
tEjzZnRoselin, sitting in the carriage with her chin resting on her hand, pressed her brow hard.qUk
60PTcjkThe first prince, Bulris, and the second princess, Lavender, who in the past had competed for the throne, had already yielded before Roselin’s overwhelming momentum.Dav
NZVTo face vipers like the noble faction or the magical faction and maintain even a minimum balance, there was no one more suitable than her—firm, dominant, and unwavering.jkKAf
SlBuQlNBulris was nothing more than a scholar absorbed in his studies, and Lavender a delicate, gentle, and pure flower.OBhX
bzNGV7AIf one member of the imperial family had to appear elegant and majestic, then another had to walk through mud and fields of thorns to uphold that power.R9PLGTp
6peRAnd no one in the imperial family denied that Roselin was the right person.e9B
AjKQHD“I need talent. Someone who won’t be seduced by vipers like Kohella, who has some command of magic, but doesn’t see it as an absolute privilege…”5LA
KPWPeople like that were rare.Wx5nwO
0eaREdMelverot would have been ideal, but he did not trust her.57kjV
YsaDp1No matter how much she provoked him, he always responded with exasperating indifference.6n7Z
xauQRoselin openly despised the aristocratic bureaucrats, calling them obese pigs, but she knew well that corruption was not absent even within the imperial faction.174HnHP
gdKGqLHPower and rot always went hand in hand; what mattered was who held the balance.BbTPEe
WKDThat was why she desired someone like Melverot.Izy
KbZo1But Melverot was like a proud wolf.izVz
SCiHe never submitted to anyone.GwKTVH
omIfXHe simply protected his northern territory and lived by his own rules.CBYsN
szdJrBpEven his role as the Sword of the Empire was nothing more than the fulfillment of an old promise made after the end of the Great War.PVc
Pfd2To make matters worse, lately he seemed to be dominated by his daughter, Siern.U1l
ErzD1Under the pretext of her education, he had taken Dereck Lydorf, Baron of Ravenclaw, under his protection, granted him authority without restraint, and even turned a blind eye to the construction of an academy.Vxyb
kZMjMelverot might value Dereck highly, but it was impossible that Siern’s will had not influenced that decision.w1WRkfg
8VEM“Dereck Lydorf, Baron of Ravenclaw…”j5Uk
rYPHvNRoselin gazed silently out the carriage window.tw5Th0
5iEIUThe Gremport Palace, considered the greatest architectural work created by humanity, rose with overwhelming magnificence.3eYFJ
SUBAIts size was such that even by carriage it took a long time to cross its grounds.Ur5cSyv
jU3jWhoever managed to control that palace would hold absolute control of the board.Qscb7b
iX0aDamon of the noble faction, and Kohella of the magical faction.Txu
T0HykcThinking of those two thorns embedded in her side, Roselin sank back into her thoughts.APmwdi9
PGzYP6NShe needed a weapon.NB0CDd2
520LA perfectly sharpened blade, capable of confronting both the most brilliant official and the most powerful archmage.gC7
7pu“It seems the carriage will depart soon, Princess Roselin.”RHJD
TWx“…”4EhCD7
lqPbWWhile she was lost in thought, someone opened the carriage door and entered.JKz2FJN
17qThere were not many people with permission to do such a thing.SpG
BopgIiAs if summoned by her thoughts, the elderly archmage Kohella appeared.1ZLIhip
H1pwP“The chief magical adviser Kohella showing such concern for me almost makes me feel uncomfortable.”A9P
Vec“There is no need to be on guard, Princess Roselin. We share the same objective, do we not?”ahR5
coapAs Roselin frowned, Kohella smiled gently and sat down across from her, taking out an enormous grimoire.Rj6JCZ
2Oi“It has taken quite some time. This is the result of my personal work—an ancient labyrinth grimoire forged through transformation magic. Its name is The Book of Longing. I aspired to create something comparable to a six-star artifact, but despite all my efforts, I was only able to complete it at the five-star level.”UKh
BBJKU17“So even a six-star mage cannot always create six-star artifacts?”KBFC
4Quh62“Of course not. Preparation, time, and many variables are required.”bAG
ipnIewOfficially, Kohella had created only three six-star magical artifacts.8u1WNQv
oS9FOne of them had been offered to Emperor Gattrel—the magical weapon known as ‘The Light of the Empire,’ an enormous catalyst capable of projecting magical influence to any point on the continent.TCW
2xjgQAlthough the emperor could no longer wield power of such magnitude, its symbolic value as the ‘emperor’s magical weapon’ was incalculable.eD1
iCpkcXKohella placed the book, as large as a child’s torso, in front of Roselin and smiled.96P
hTe46h“If the six-star mage of the illusion school truly exists, this book will allow us to find them.”a60wP
wdN49“What kind of magical effect does it contain exactly?”rV8P2w
mvMdZpb“Would you not like to see for yourself?”nIPUh
vq2pRRoselin slowly turned the pages of the massive book with a wary expression.twO
wziraE6Each rune overflowed with overwhelming meticulousness.VCI2l
5a8LT6VWithout a doubt, it was the work of the greatest transformation mage on the continent.EUo3D
KLzZaZBut the more she understood its contents, the more her expression hardened.c4fkMLV
IT4OwuF“With what intention did you create something like this? My constitution protects me, but even so…”XoJn7
NsEILt“It is a necessary sacrifice. If that mage exists, there is no other way to find them.”87LY
Ou91KRoselin closed the book with a serious expression.GOiY34Z
6TCTUnder the pretext of an academic inspection, Kohella’s true intention was laid bare.eibYJ1I
P90“The six-star mage of the illusion school you mentioned. If they truly exist, we will find them during this inspection of the Ravenclaw Academy.”JeskQI
Z9FGPThe old woman’s sinister smile sent a slight chill through her, but Roselin concealed any trace of fear.5hGs
KuN2QbGEvery elder in the Gremport Palace was a venomous serpent.WdVJXue
lCq6DDPFeeling uneasy now would change nothing.kFWNLa
N5LShe did not know exactly what Kohella was planning, but her determination was obvious.TIaKkaS
nCNIgAt the very least, one thing was clear this inspection would not end peacefully.j5HY
styOne way or another, an incident would occur.XhH
suQ5sShe only hoped it would not end in a bloodbath.48Y3BC
lSE7l***ixFQFIF
0tTr1“It seems that tomorrow the imperial inspection delegation will arrive in the Ravenclaw territory. Since Emperor Gattrel will be coming in person, it is a matter of the utmost importance, so it appears that all members of the academy will also have to attend.”ure
Y066zFy“I’ve already heard the news.”OUQAxgS
zZDvBRAfter finishing the academic meeting in Elfontaine Hall and heading toward the noble district of Ebelstein, Ellen proposed having a cup of tea with the young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw Academy.Pwsi1
wTDbConsidering that she occupied the second position in the school’s hierarchy and was, in practice, the mistress of the Belmierd house, refusing her invitation was practically impossible.hALm5
ansegaEFor that reason, as soon as the gathering in the hall ended, they all assembled at a tea house beside the fountain in the central square.l2HFp5j
x8p7pDiella, Ellen, Denise, Siern, and Trisha.LMP
LEpCounting only the servants who accompanied them, the number easily exceeded thirty.C6ypFm
CRZXIt was inevitable that the gazes of passersby would focus on them.PD7h1
KV0Za3kThe place where the disciples of the Ravenclaw Academy gathered emanated an authority impossible to describe in words.WDhZn
w7HEach of them was a figure of power within a renowned noble family.bynCi2
EynnGO“The Duplain house has already completed the preparations for the banquet, the venue, and the reception. All events will take place on the academy grounds, within the Duplain duchy.”w0FKjF
rLLThe one speaking from the center of the group was Diella, first in the academy’s hierarchy.zLSTV
7UGHcdM“Belmierd will also send support staff. If the inspection is imperial, not the slightest mistake will be tolerated.”9cHXa
FyxThe red-haired noblewoman with her arms crossed was Ellen, second in the hierarchy.Mjlr
RYRK“From Beltus, I must apologize. The internal situation has not yet fully stabilized. Even so, I will attend personally, so there should be no issues with protocol.”7gqi
hVEDWith her silver hair falling elegantly and an air of natural nobility, Denise spoke, third in the hierarchy.V6O7
Uv4OBdj“…Understood.”YBzTKx
KcmMQwThe one with the highest magical level, backed by no less than two six-star mages and with an aura tinged with blood deep within her being, was Siern, fourth in the hierarchy.aY9cP
rv9A‘A-and I too… am a legitimate member of this group… hehe…’JORe21
YY2And lastly, the simple noble Trisha.5y9
pNiYBSince Emperor Gattrel himself would be visiting the Ravenclaw Academy, it was necessary to carefully coordinate what each of them would say and do.qxPSGE
HWHOn the day of the inspection, there would be multiple welcoming events, a luncheon, and a banquet in the academy’s main hall.O9uQ
mdBK9Then, after a formal inspection and some ceremonial exchanges of words, it would normally all conclude without incident.2ZT6i
0f8FZSyThe Ravenclaw Academy had been founded under the leadership of the Baron of Ravenclaw’s house, and it went without saying that the young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw Academy would be the visible face of the institution.NF26PX
bM680FvA single mistake would be enough to tarnish its name, so it was natural to feel a certain tension.dJHc
UPMBEven so, the atmosphere was light.Lyuod
O5iEach of them was accustomed to representing their family’s prestige at major events.G8Y6
sifrDiella was more concerned about which dress to wear, Ellen showed no signs of nervousness, and neither Denise nor Siern seemed affected in the slightest.jF8tkp3
wDvThe only exception was Trisha, who was breaking out in a cold sweat without realizing it.u1EMDpl
0Lxmos‘Hehe… attending the inspection of the Ravenclaw Academy directly… how interesting… how fun…’fS5o
1c5W5XAlthough her inner monologue sounded carefree, her hands were visibly trembling.I7aihU
1mDsQE0After being mercilessly beaten by Siern and receiving ample emotional consolation from Ellen, Trisha now clearly understood the difference in authority between them.vlbOU
MwDEven so, lowering her head and cowering did not suit her.W5R
q8o0bShe straightened her neck, wiped away the sweat with a forcedly relaxed expression, and thought.ecDjlb
p6ga‘Me, nervous? Me? The jewel of the Renouel house, Trisha?’wBVn1f
cpVuyrShe, who danced without the slightest hesitation at social events in Renouel County and displayed her beauty with pride, could not allow herself to tremble now.31bf
JBl8With a theatrical gesture, she unfurled her feather fan and let out an exaggerated laugh.i65L
Lhlp“…?”Oy5WPt
YPF5j“…?”v4p
NDwHNoticing the puzzled looks of the others, Trisha realized she had overdone it and shrank back slightly.QJR
wYZ***2SwyIXB
DXh‘My stomach hurts…’dgEUFp
a8K5sPAfter finishing the brief tea gathering among disciples and stepping out into the street with her servants, Trisha’s face was completely drawn.JyHf
W2oS1uShe had thought that simply showing up and making an appearance would be enough, but she had never imagined that all the academy’s disciples would go out together to receive the imperial delegation.ZWLATbS
UHHF82rEven if they belonged to the same group, when gathered in one place, comparisons were inevitable.ihG1G
bg2Her motto of “never cower” felt ridiculous when her counterparts were Diella, Ellen, Denise, and Siern.HWM2Bh
OTd5LW6The servants accompanying her watched her with concern.iJOX8fS
1Ab‘Ugh…’FMk
Zgp5hA6Trisha shook her head forcefully and straightened her back again.rHhhtT
uLsHz3hBeside the central fountain of the noble district, in that luxurious and peaceful setting, she took a deep breath while watching the water rise and fall.FBxog4i
MMH‘With my appearance, my bearing, and my elegance, I have no reason to cower. That’s right!’5OpORS
CfGNothing in life is solved by shrinking back. With enough confidence, even the impossible can become possible.VLgiFQ
pHAkaJust as her familiar arrogance was about to resurface, a voice stopped her.6w2N0
vGH22I“It seems you have many worries… Lady Trisha.”tdDjINM
EDFIK0“Kyaaah!”MAwYZX
EQbJHearing that familiar voice, she jumped in surprise.qOW
BBs7VcSeated beside the fountain was a familiar figure.HsU
nfCb4Neat, beautiful hair, a reddish semi-tunic draped over her shoulders, and beneath it, an elegant dress just barely visible.xDY
meaPMj8Aiselin.FXogj
cKluxOThe very young noblewoman who should have been extremely busy preparing the imperial welcome banquet was sitting there, staring vacantly, in the noble district of Ebelstein.a5jF
mQRZuS“A-Aiselin… Lady Aiselin?”idl0k
jNO9LQ“It’s been some time… you are still very beautiful.”wh0
rt5U“Ah, no… b-but… why is Lady Aiselin here…?”dBO8ZD
yIm“Vacation… forced vacation… so I’m wandering aimlessly…”eTOd
YmU“…Forced?”sP239
aAAaYUAAlthough Aiselin had said that Trisha seemed worried, to Trisha’s eyes, Aiselin looked even more exhausted and distressed.gpcp
qPe9bt“It seems that… I worked too much… and the servants are exhausted…”APLsN
d7OfZ“…Eh? What do you mean? Isn’t working a lot… a good thing?”g9kyWL
KbBZAiselin’s eyes immediately lit up.12mXqz
cqF8“R-right? Working hard isn’t a bad thing, is it?”nvmwD
cmBp“W-well… yes…”PWpzx
ccIqHearing that answer, Aiselin smiled, as if she had regained a bit of energy.jzs0k9
6TZScb“Exactly. One must work hard. Human life is finite, so we must not take lightly each day we live.”e3dhHLx
OknWB“Y-yes…”XKzCMXL
EK3Zd“Sir Dereck told me to please do nothing and rest, but I think I should still occupy myself with something. By the way, Lady Trisha, you also seemed worried. I assume it’s because of the imperial inspection, right?”YrtlQ
oZOVn“Eh? Y-yes… something like that…”piL
4aF3y“Would you like me to help you?”aR6
2dTDK“…Eh?”oYKK0
QdSI8rSAiselin Eleanor Duplain.MFc
Eh5pA model of Ebelstein’s noble society and an extraordinary figure who had single-handedly raised House Duplain.K2N
aSm23Who would refuse her direct help?HaYEA
3jNfU7In Ebelstein’s high society, there were countless people who would line up just to exchange a word with her.vnU
znxBut Trisha did not know.udrD2d
9KTB2DThe elegant Aiselin who walked like a living painting through the salons was only a small part of what she truly was.uJl
BgZtAiselin Eleanor Duplain was a talent that, if not handled properly, could end up destroying her own owner.YWPJe1f
rucVNA poisoned cup.CRukT
hyiA cursed sword.naQxn
wO4RWithout knowing it, Trisha nodded happily, thinking that luck had fallen from the sky.eQjD1S3
0dyThus began the greatest catastrophe in the history of House Renouel.edLv4Q
AnbAJwI***cfIjHG6
ArV[I’ll be leaving home to reconnect with myself. I’ll be back in a week.]CYThr8
2do“…”kihZ
oBb31KTShe had taken a vacation and run away from home.i1Q
0QAIDereck let out a deep sigh as he read the note that had been left in Aiselin’s room.mAGPOZ
bey67uxA servant had found it that morning and brought it to his office.SYG
Uk5N“I was planning to make her return to work starting tomorrow…”iZx
NRGPGAs he muttered that, the faces of the head maid Elpin and the other maids immediately turned pale.BXl9
7tJbRB0Over the past week, with Dereck personally managing the mansion, it had been paradise for the servants.cMB7
nVuYGAfter enjoying a hot bath, cold water feels even harsher.k8rHz9
4BF9uJust from the normal, human way Dereck managed them, the servants had developed a special loyalty they would be unlikely to feel again.bp3Uj
juwbBut spring always ends.Jow5ok
1OHs6TYAnd Dereck could not afford to leave a talent like Aiselin doing nothing.d3LDB
tjfHer working capacity surpassed even that of veteran officials.WIHvRyd
5jD3y“Well, another week of rest won’t hurt. She’s worked too hard.”AHC0TN
AMoWhen someone works well, even if they stray a little, superiors usually understand.UfzQ
mHGOtIn Aiselin’s case, even one or two months would not have been a problem for Dereck.U8Gn
pEq07aShe had earned it.gPvP
mQnvJuAiselin was already a mature two-star mage, with prospects of soon reaching three stars.1O5r
iEFuhEShe was unlikely to run into danger, and taking a break from her routine would undoubtedly do her good.AQr
peNmIWith that thought, Dereck carefully folded the note and put it away in a drawer.76drb
XZqW“Anything else to report?”fqgtu
zc9Z“…A letter has arrived from the imperial palace.”9LWtf
5gA5shDereck nodded and took the ornamented envelope that Delbriton handed him.S5S
Sp7XrUUpon seeing the sender’s name, he frowned.yC27tx
aXQuM3Kohella, chief magical adviser.3FcyUZ
gEzShe herself had sent him a letter.HbJ
CHtI0‘She’s plotting something.’stc5PEI
KKF1CWith his chin resting on his hand, Dereck narrowed his eyes.EDr
1H16JLHe had a feeling that this imperial inspection would not pass quietly.03d
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