Chapter 183: Inspection (3)
bVn5wSeeing people driven mad by magic is more common than it seems.kEWE
DMjrXZOMagic has become the foundation of power and the symbol of nobility in this era.v5qKx
nQEFor those who lift their gaze toward the clouds, dreaming of someday becoming exalted beings, magic is an inseparable element.T3WH
4oORqyHowever, most people conceive of magic merely as a means, not as the goal itself.f6ei
Vp6xThat was the world.L0L6Kx
zVeTAnd yet, even in such an age, from time to time different people appear.q0Yf4
z8pVpTIndividuals who become fascinated by magic itself and end up devoting their entire lives to it.Xle6YZ
zGASVwKFrom the most luxurious guest room in the dormitory of Ravenclaw Academy, Roselin observed the man who had personally raised that vast expanse of land.D70vSYh
xsyDWvTo Princess Roselin, Dereck was nothing more than a version of Kohella who had not yet reached 6 stars.BlmicD
PVoiBZKA monster buried in magic, for whom everything else held no meaning.CGt
z7N8dKohella and Dereck did not seem all that different in essence.zP5
S7RjWhat was it that drove those people to go mad over magic?1LUh4
kFTAFrom Roselin’s perspective, who maintained a critical stance toward the supposed inherent nobility of magic, it was something impossible to understand.Ec1Ys
8MxcAdxBut precisely because of that deranged nature, he was able to take seriously even a hypothesis as illusory as the existence of a 6-star mage of the confusion system.jZp
3I9T81“After learning of your story, Princess Roselin, I investigated several things on my own. It seems that many people have treated you as an immature child who merely babbles empty theories.”XZ8fa1
cBs“Would you believe something like that without evidence? Talking about someone whose existence cannot even be perceived or proven only serves to have you labeled as insane.”k0vYKI
KQ1r3v“You must have felt lonely.”JCa
mDRGz46“Not particularly.”4VdR
OA0mWith her arms crossed, seated on a chair filled with ornamentation, Roselin appeared completely calm.VjT
Y1rEThat no one believed her, that she was alone, that the world was full of idiots—she had left behind that kind of useless rumination long ago.zcbywm1
fqVMoThe world does not believe words without proof.cov
7rpAnd repeating them for years only succeeds in branding you a lunatic.1nXi5K
PEPUHowever, even in this world there are lunatics who do believe.qDq7p
lVIWhether Kohella or Dereck, all of them had something clearly abnormal.yIuzx
ja6That was the reason Roselin did not open her heart easily, even when someone said they believed her.dzUl
FUoYb“I am aware that my words sound absurd. If I were to repeat them publicly, I would only endanger the position I worked so hard to obtain as heir to the throne. Do you think I am incapable of judging something that basic?”gEXt6
J9bLKQ“I understand.”dzNLCy8
lXkJRL6Dereck had even left Delbriton and Elpin outside the room.U9at
MG3x8MBringing only subordinates of absolute trust was a silent sign that he was willing to speak without reservations.Llhb
YtMSB“And yet it seems you were alone.”6RfCQ
Xxld“……Not really.”PKCPO
VumhbRShe recalled her childhood, but felt no particular emotion.YbgTcj4
LQxouqAs she had said, all of that was already in the past.cvm9
hyR“Then you say that you believe my words and are convinced that a 6-star mage of the confusion system exists and must be found?”9YIol7
SRJ“Of course. If someone like that exists, leaving them unidentified would be an irreparable loss to the history of magic.”3tN
Gk8o“The more you speak, the more you sound just like Kohella.”EWjlvS
xyBywYU“It is an honor.”fTtZZD
pOFe“That was not a compliment.”hapMIa
LKLnRoselin rested her chin on her hand and observed Dereck with a sullen expression for a moment.d92Lw3
sTvynyIn many respects, he overlapped with Kohella, the viper of Gremfort Palace, but they were not identical.YOd8AK
Jlieh2In Dereck, that sinister nature that characterized Kohella was not perceived as strongly.qi4np
zj4Kohella seemed like the type of person capable of sacrificing anything in order to reach 7 stars.9xx
lGpFamily, friends, morality, ethics—nothing would stop her if it meant raising her magical mastery.YDMbH
UopJhBut Dereck was different.LCN
rGAXlQA lunatic of another kind.9MdZh
rGKHe had many disciples, and those around him spoke well of him.fMNRV
JfDelTThey did not merely respect him as a powerful mage who had reached a high level at a young age, but trusted him as a person.Jhyim
Pu4LNMelverot’s words, as well as the attitude of his disciples she had seen at the entrance, confirmed it.YYSthQ
SHSIf Kohella was closer to being a monster driven mad by magic, Dereck seemed to remain, albeit barely, within the human realm.IECcd
2oYznYEven so, his pure fervor for magic burned intensely.TVgDbP
wcoIYnyHaving reached a solid 4 stars at his age, and having all his actions revolve around magic, proved it.n4Tod
vyTCqbDereck Lydorf Ravenclaw, Baron of Ravenclaw, was a monster similar to Kohella, but not of the same type.ujA5Z
o4ATY‘I thought all lunatics obsessed with magic were concentrated in the center of the continent, and it turns out there is one like that in the southwest as well.’CbdkX
qCw8QTRoselin swallowed and slightly raised her evaluation of Dereck.mRLKoA3
BDuUvCThen, with an even more seductive smile, she continued.65x
MENAj“I will speak frankly. I do not believe that you truly believe my words.”ofRzZd
eTo3CfB“…”0d3IX
fZl6MB“In my position I have seen many like you. People who think that simply nodding and flattering me is enough to earn my favor. How can I be sure that you are not lying just to ingratiate yourself with me?”bkDb0jX
aTayw“If I thought that, I would not have allowed myself to enter this room.”k7wz93V
yo1Dereck’s attitude was relaxed.eHmbCma
RM4sHe seemed to understand Roselin’s psychology perfectly.PlQqC
rAUUnmfHe was not someone who could be manipulated with superficial probing.AepDWLm
KZhvClIn that sense, he closely resembled Melverot.MigPa
vREj‘If left to his own devices, he will end up becoming someone like Melverot, whether by his level or by his position.’pyTLHD
iyHuKRoselin abandoned the idea of imposing herself emotionally.t6gcO
91OHe was not someone she could control in that way.daj9
ozqOSKYIf she could not dominate him, she had to try to turn him into an ally.AHMD
y52qThat was the basic principle of politics, and yet she did not know whether Dereck would truly be on her side.Pyxh
x9JHe was a man full of unknowns.HFDSHm
mSnX1VShe did not know how to evaluate him, what his true objective was, or how she should treat him.T7N
pg5M75QEverything about him seemed wrapped in a labyrinth.oULOzOw
0nVS39“I understand that you cannot fully trust me. But there is just one thing I wanted to hear.”xO7Zq
9Gwb6D“What thing?”FCQ9JJ
tf1KuVX“You have repeatedly said that the world was altered. However, as far as I know, you have never clearly explained what exactly changed.”VyOQf
mTkpxIDRoselin let out a dry laugh.GE6EO8
pwcPThat was the main reason her words had been relegated to the realm of conspiracy theories.nAqnj
iqymm8iShe had never publicly explained what exactly had changed in the world.lOo
pYCWhy?eOK
FeKWhat was it, exactly, that was altered in the world?Iy76BP
07D3hpCPrincess Roselin, who claimed not to be affected by any kind of magic, needed to know at least one thing—what kind of distortion had occurred in the world’s memory that day, what exactly she had perceived.H354f7I
AlbL602Perhaps that could become the greatest clue to finding a 6-star mage of the confusion system.EtEF3
btvHowever, Roselin had kept silent for many years.qiHZjJp
JidtadAs if revealing that fact were an unforgivable sin.VPTT7
a9bqnOvShe never concretely described the turning point.4o9PX9
WYHz0There must certainly have been a reason for it.HNAXFL
SHf3trDereck wanted to know it.bAVSk
VhLXR“Ha… did you really think I would tell something I haven’t told anyone in all these years to the first rural frontier baron I meet today?”J7zrA8y
iczAY“If you do not explain the most important thing, how do you expect the world to believe the words of Your Highness, Princess Roselin?”n3tesr
U0N“I know. That is precisely why I have lived keeping my mouth shut. So much time has passed that everything has been reduced to a conspiracy theory.”NEf
5omr“Even so, I need to know. I have told you several times…”9pUEp
XQYRDereck’s pupils dilated for an instant.4kSSL
Vu40His expression was that of a mountaineer drawing up a plan before a colossal mountain.KeXL4
qHIa6EIf there is something to climb, he must climb it.l6Qdi
UBZA simple, but overwhelming desire.Mt1D
htagN“I believe in the existence of a 6-star mage of the confusion system.”uEwm7Lw
bhPSeeing his expression, Roselin’s face hardened even more.pYv
bY8MZHThat was sincere.yYqg
TJqxm2No mind-reading ability was needed to reach that conclusion.m3dds
q3q0y“What exactly was it that that 6-star mage altered in the world back then? And what impact is that having on this empire?”f4B3oCL
bgwc8“Ha… didn’t it occur to you that if I haven’t said it, it’s because there’s a reason?”Mxzqjq
gQic9“I ask knowing that there is one.”Ga6
f6UJzlU“What nerve.”GxvtC
NNIC5H“I am aware of that.”O6S1dn
KSLAlthough he had backing and power, he could not compare to a princess of the Palace of Gremport.yrj
5s5nDEven so, that frankness could only be innate.fZA
UMmUz6Roselin let out a short laugh and rested her chin on her hand again, falling silent.VNWQ
z8iJ7MThere was no real reason not to say it.A9b1YH
4Ts6After all, even if she told it, no one would believe her.NTZ
qrsXA long silence took hold of the room.8IqSHmj
DrcjFor a long while, only the hurried footsteps of the servants could be heard on the other side of the door.8nCGTw
G9OUQFinally, after deep reflection, Roselin opened her mouth.VnOaS
veFBy“No matter whom I tell it to, they’ll treat me like a madwoman. Perhaps I should be grateful if they only call me mad. With luck, I won’t suffer a harsher punishment.”vUYL
rU9s“…”m1P
VFYd8W4“You love magic and have lived buried in it. Perhaps my words will feel like an insult to you. Though that is not my concern.”qJJ5njo
2E2N1y2Roselin straightened up, lifted her chin, and spoke firmly.XvBj
1TayShe always appeared confident, but this time her expression was especially grave.v88
O3fTqHjWhat could it be, something she had concealed even at the cost of being treated as a conspiracy theorist?LsLAYv
BsFgdvIf there were reasons to keep silent, what were they?hst
g7FrlDereck’s gaze, filled with questions, rested directly on her.k3SO8rk
7EoFELRoselin prolonged the wait even further and finally spoke.m2zAXSm
RuGBut what she said seemed to deviate from the central topic.1YU44M
3RY3rGt“Magic is the pillar of the nobility’s power and a force that benefits the world.”EcAW
88vXG“…”cRYZ
MKP2v“That idea is based on the magical theories of the disciplinary school proclaimed by the great archmage Adelbert. That unprecedented genius observed the Big Dipper in the sky to classify magical lineages and ranks, pioneered magical theory, and trained countless disciples. That is the essence of the noble disciplinary magic system that has endured to this day.”wz9LF
hWZThat Roselin suddenly explained a history of magic known to any noble was strange, but Dereck did not react.NX8
rSF61He simply listened.xSJylRX
3acKl6Roselin smiled, as if amused, and continued.vWDr
cPnP“But tell me, isn’t it curious? A legendary being who, while young, grasped the truth of magic on his own, challenged the dominion of the gods, and established the idea that magic was the noblest power of all…”mbrc
RF82At that point, Dereck had already held his breath.hrb
7nciiM4He had a fairly clear idea of what she was about to say.aMB9
eUZmcIf his assumption was correct, it was also clear why Roselin had never spoken of this lightly.46srh7u
xpt5With her dark red hair falling loose, Roselin opened her eyes wide and continued.UI8Hol
m1BWhat she said next forced even Dereck to open his eyes wide.91u
kEM“Do you really believe that someone like that ever existed?”qf5XfL
RvlTime seemed to stop in the room.L3R
E5oLA cosmic void, like gazing at a night sky without a single star.dfU
7pwEIn that endless silence, Dereck could not utter a word.8DZcCf
OeYslnThe thorny rose of the Palace of Gremport.GHlD9Dn
tPwStay away from Princess Roselin.gFQas
8BPiWcVThe words Melverot had warned him of finally made sense.5nbH
V5TpkDSShe was denying the very origin of the era.tZpjUNu
N1KShe was saying that this world was nothing more than a façade constructed by a mage of the confusion system.eRZq
RrjYc***kjW
JG7bAX“Until the nighttime banquet begins, do not allow anyone to enter.”bNVJ
ZNySfIn the Bellos Pavilion of Ravenclaw Academy, an entire building had been designated as the residence of Emperor Guttrel.kx3
5NMSNiQSomeone of his rank is not given a room, but an entire building.CVs9
lak0TFollowing the advice of Aiselin, an expert in protocol, Dereck had reserved an exclusive building for the emperor.layqf7
Jad4nIn the largest hall of the luxurious building, Emperor Guttrel gave instructions to the head maid and sat alone.izw
1eEiVkThe wrinkles on his aged hands carried the weight of years.ONOv
wKH7MyWith trembling hands, he took a quill and a parchment, placed them on the immaculate table, and began to write slowly, letter by letter, pressing carefully.KYgcGew
t45bTHe had lived a long life on the throne, sometimes regarded as a tyrant and at other times as a wise ruler.nyGa
jQltnA life impossible to judge lightly.jq95p
k3XUDgWhatever the world’s opinion, the value of that life could only be judged by a god.RNDJU2a
LwQabrThinking so, Guttrel moved the quill beneath the candlelight.YIOY
PJpudnmKnock. Knock. Knock.gXr4j0p
OHmB“Your Majesty. The welcome banquet will begin shortly. The maids have come to help you prepare.”RazpWl
zojsfJfAs night fell, the head imperial maid knocked cautiously on the door.eB92sZ
di9But no sound came from inside.rLzxm
JA3UT“…What should we do, Captain of the Guard?”edC
8YBI“It seems he has fallen asleep. It would be best to come back later. Perhaps we should delay the banquet; it seems he has not yet recovered from the journey.”BwoSV4
f6Du4M“Then I will inform House Duplain. Do you need anything else regarding security?”lKkYske
MDwD“No. The imperial guard already covers everything from the surroundings to the roof and windows. Do not worry further about it.”tYW40x8
cUvHThe massive door remained closed.GqU
eSFszAWhat lay behind it could not be seen.B2ld
ZLwOnly a deathly silence reigned.je0G6PZ
u2B***EOwG
7enJz“The banquet has been postponed a little. It seems His Majesty will take some time to arrive at the main hall.”K9et
sX9When the imperial head maid delivered the notice, Trisha let out a long sigh.M8gx302
6flDressed in the gown and jewelry chosen by Aiselin, and with makeup she herself had touched up, Trisha was already drawing all the male gazes in the hall.r7dQKP
u41TH2Aiselin’s talent for adorning ladies was incomparable to that of servants who merely worked mechanically.cdkjf
pFHTrisha, who was already quite attractive to begin with, looked like a flower in full bloom.xCno
51Vgyl‘I was so nervous… but it seems not yet.’a9enpH
J6E7ucHaving tied her hair up for the first time, Trisha rubbed the back of her neck a couple of times, puffed out her chest, and regulated her breathing.6kAuG
A6VUY‘Well… since we’re here, I’ll go see the baron of Ravenclaw’s face…’rTj6N
8pNaJcSpeak of the tiger and it appears.sV6
UD6Ry0In the distance, in a corner of the hall, Trisha saw Dereck entering accompanied by servants.MXmBj
kdd5FAt the sight of him, a confident smile formed on her lips.sNhzCUi
9SV8zJust as she took a step forward, thinking of how to greet him…dvVl
klf7bKqShe stopped short.Mr5
wIPDereck’s expression was something she had never seen before.bj4DrIU
wqE36With one hand covering his mouth and his pupils dilated, his gaze was sharper than ever.TM21
c1g‘W-what…?’aUM0Qx
Og9af6hIt was the first time she had seen him like that.6qDSi
eHZDsFTrisha gave a small involuntary hiccup and held her breath.3JMKuc
phZiKIt was a completely different side from the firm yet gentle Dereck she knew, and it made her nervous for reasons she could not explain.tbU
dROdl‘What… what is happening…?’sWEu8
MniWith her heart pounding hard, Trisha swallowed.IgHIrI
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