Chapter 187: Confusion (4)
sugIQ7Creaak!Qjc33lU
QMyIURWhen Dereck opened the door on the ground floor of the Main Hall and came down, the gazes of the gathered nobles immediately focused on him.BqA7R
efmrYUnlike Princess Roselin, who merely observed everyone from the balcony above, Dereck was the true person in charge of the place, the one who knew every corner of this academic facility and who held effective control of the situation.gnyk
aQkSAs soon as they confirmed his presence, the murmur among the guests only intensified.HwD
bJEh“H-h-hey! Tell us how the situation is!”9Yfsh
FBr“H-haven’t there been any more victims? How is the search progressing?”ySX
XJdjy“P-please…! I’ll pay anything, just get me out of here…!”4nu
eAf91“Hieeek… hng…!”TrShg6V
bXG7When he directed his gaze toward a corner, Dereck saw the last magical advisor Kohella had brought, trembling while crying inconsolably.mnv
a1XyEven in that state, he had positioned himself in a spot clearly visible from the balcony so as not to leave Princess Roselin’s field of vision.CnUhm
mKF9pJcOnly by remaining within her gaze could he feel even minimally safe from the machinations of the confusion mage.UxqtjPg
ADNR‘It’s an atmosphere that could explode at any moment.’24i
AEkhDereck walked among them with steady steps, observing the faces of the guests.kU23
ryE2Among them, he distinguished Siern, sitting silently with an expressionless face; Ellen, tense and with a drop of sweat running down her cheek, yet not raising her voice; and also Diella, Aiselin, Denise, Trisha, Leigh, Linus—since this was a gathering of guests from the southwest of the continent, familiar faces abounded.GYv
r0waflHe climbed onto the platform, where all gazes converged, and took a deep breath just once.dGzDGc
OZ7IvThen he placed a large book on the lectern and swept the place with his eyes.oazEdiq
ABskBIThud!8I1
Asq“…”TmQG
kjMMA heavy silence settled over the atmosphere.HPQ
DH4Dereck closed his eyes for an instant and, when he opened them, spoke in a calm tone.rADdHdm
NX4L“I have decided to employ an extreme solution. It is a measure approved by both Princess Roselin and the great magical advisor Kohella.”PtESW
xbfvT“E-an extreme… solution?”rtIoK
5u1tmf“If things continue like this, it’s clear that nothing will be resolved and that the number of victims will only increase. That is why we have decided to accept a certain level of sacrifice.”KED3J
v5cQBOne of the nobles asked with a trembling voice.Ui4H
LumA2qDereck kept his breathing steady and looked once more at the book on the lectern.OSGZqR
kTls“This is a magical artifact known as the Book of Longing. It is an artifact that the great magical advisor Kohella created after devoting countless years to it, and it is said to possess the power to grant wishes.”GNvyW4
QvMYq“W-what did you say?!”8cH
boxbn“An artifact created by Lady Kohella herself…?”jFiy9n
JmlNeZWhile stroking the book’s cover, Dereck continued, focusing.zCnf2IO
VgK8Mf“However, whoever reads it and fully comprehends its contents sees their mana burn away until it disappears, and they end up bleeding to death. If they manage to endure that searing pain, they can perform miracles that exceed the power normally permitted to them—though that limit is also defined.”daycsnl
b7izRlIn other words, even the wishes it grants have a limit.ptF7Z
evSThe most unjust part is that no one knows what that limit is.xh5
DPxvIt is an artifact that, at the moment of use, practically guarantees death.lhDMMAH
cMAnBAccording to what Kohella had explained to Dereck, in many cases it allowed the use of magic of a rank far higher than what the user was normally permitted.fqANCeQ
VA1In other words, there was a possibility that Dereck, who was brushing against the level of five stars, could deploy power close to that of six stars.oKz1C0s
6OUThe price, however, was the total loss of mana and the death that followed.mtHwdcN
IHqHnA legendary grimoire that opens only to those willing to gamble everything they have in life to fulfill an impossible wish.H1UuU
wGKX7That book was none other than the Book of Desire.8q5NQ
4zT2j7K“I will use this grimoire to manifest six-star exploration magic.”xsmtP3
0BWTuObA murmur spread among those present.vEp
nC9rJyDereck’s wish was aimed at the pinnacle of the magical domain.tWKXhrO
EDleAThat was also his deepest longing, and the book would not ignore it.lhLwFo
HV4y1If he managed to reach, even through an artifact, the realm of six-star exploration magic, he would undoubtedly be able to reveal the identity of the confusion mage.JzdK
VRzBieThe natural enemy of confusion magic is exploration magic.q1p
07uNo matter how powerful a six-star confusion mage may be, before exploration magic that has reached the summit, they cannot hide anything.CYG
Y5NyReveal all the truth and then disappear, burning along with his mana.bjFwOax
HOw7SgThat was what Dereck was declaring.6MX
cy1KpvbA chilling silence fell over the Main Hall.XmXNluQ
phm4bNo one dared to refute his decision.gLutU30
245xwyaIn a situation where people were dying one after another, it was almost certain that the next target would be Dereck himself.LKZovI
yYIIf he offered his life first to locate and subdue the murderer, the guests had no choice but to regard it as a noble sacrifice and applaud silently.Pk6u6zM
xJKOqOtherwise, no one knew how many more deaths there would be.A17b3x
fKtBang!rxea6
fYKHowever, Siern, who had remained withdrawn in a corner, suddenly stood up.n8l
wTZYp— Screech!KbmIv
cym2b0SAn enormous surge of icy mana condensed and began to fill the Main Hall.u65Nrm
qdTs2The cold that seeped among those present caused the guests’ faces to go pale.kj39
DErUB6When Siern truly became angry, she had that quality of saturating the entire area with intense cold.oKysQ
EADIt was because she still did not fully control the innate mana she had possessed since birth.ZqaN1ji
H4mD9A“I don’t agree, Dereck.”F6aGk4W
fCrRTrue to her style, Siern did not elaborate.heIA0
pywBT5HShe did not speak of unnecessary sacrifices nor say that he should not die.CbKi
fmCShe conveyed only one clear and refined idea she did not want Dereck to die.jBg9
PhjFPNLittle by little, the other disciples of the Ravenclaw faction began to rise from their seats.BGK
QgoTD“I don’t know how reliable that Book of Longing is, but using it doesn’t guarantee you’ll catch the murderer. Don’t say nonsense, Dereck.”qem
mi69ADiella climbed onto the platform with firm steps, looked at the book, and let out a mocking laugh.khVZmxL
8b2“Die for something like that? In that case, I’d rather support lifting the barrier.”ko3rq5
Ley8qY“I think the same way, Lord Dereck.”tHBzk0
AHUY5Aiselin, who had been sitting in the area reserved for the Duplain family, stood up and spoke with her eyes wide open.rQKZV
UbkI“Sacrifice is not something inevitable, Lord Dereck. There is no reason for you to accept such an imposition…”YzTET6w
NwX“J-just as expected of Baron Ravenclaw…!”hKgs
cBQX“T-to make a decision of this magnitude…! One truly feels the dignity of a ruler worthy of his fame…!”u7pbL
T5NUpon hearing those voices, Aiselin turned her head with trembling pupils.nK3siso
kh1As soon as someone began to praise Dereck for his bravery, other guests started to raise their voices one after another.Uja
7ly3“B-Baron Ravenclaw! I had heard you were a brave and resolute man, but I never imagined to this extent…!”sJcx
YD5lH“Damn it…! He had a clear purpose, and yet we doubted him out of fear…!”6LO
ftz“I always trusted you, Lord Dereck! You’ve made the decision…!”BpZeXb
967“Such a difficult act…! The Ravent family will surely remember your merit…!”fYOGSU
elRAiselin and the other disciples of the Ravenclaw faction began to tremble as they watched the nobles, one after another, burst into cheers.cMGC
29HuPThe moment Dereck declared that he would sacrifice himself nobly, they began to rise and praise him without restraint.JvEUGa
lcUKD3CAlthough Dereck’s reputation was known in the southwest of the continent, it had never reached the point where nobles of illustrious lineage praised him in unison.1KcPNy
nLBAfter all, he governed only a small border territory and was of commoner origin; to those with an old-fashioned mindset, he was merely a somewhat competent minor noble.jbh1X
AW3117However, observing the atmosphere of the Main Hall, where the cheers continued to swell, it felt as though Dereck were the head of a new rising power.O9lQ
3J9qf3A declaration that, even at the cost of his own life, he would find the culprit at a moment when everyone’s death was just one step away.gxqhqS
34OEdWith that alone, Dereck’s position rose as if it would pierce the heavens, and the atmosphere began to fill with praise for his noble decision.eZpUMM
XoM2J‘W-what… what is all this…? Were these people always capable of raising their voices this much…?’xSXMws
b6XTrisha, who observed the situation from a withdrawn posture, looked around several times with a bewildered expression.66OMb
FuU7cETo her eyes, the nobles offering reverential applause to Dereck looked like human sacrifices trying to escape this blazing hell first.QI6PCl
LaQMhFor members of noble houses who were supposed to know dignity, nobility, and the duty to step forward without avoiding danger or responsibility, they looked far too miserable and desperate.1zKtRp
RS4bNrThere is no one who does not fear losing their life.qFFHG
7uJuAfter spending the entire day trembling at the fear of death, if someone raised their hand saying they would die in their place, it was inevitable that applause of veneration would burst forth almost automatically.1QEKpXk
ojZ3And yet, Trisha felt nauseous.Jns
QcHMEI5Cold sweat ran down her back.nW2oW
lqqt2The fantasy she always repeated—that of dignified and elegant nobles—collapsed miserably before the fear of dying.Vkh
AgwJsn“Really…! We truly owe you an enormous debt…! Please, endure it!”BWc
tqJmyuU“If you come out alive, I’ll double the financial support to House Ravenclaw! I promise sponsorship on the level of the Duplain family!”bFmjxh
MOteEOnce the cheers began, they grew uncontrollably and completely filled the Main Hall.9bnGk
dHxbDereck was praised as a hero who saved the nation, and accolades poured over him without end.2N7
VSFrNBut at the end of that applause, what awaited him was a miserable death, bleeding out.u7xOB
HFRf8Everyone praised him, but in reality they were only grateful that someone else had offered himself as a sacrifice in their place.Y4cy
mDPngiuThat discrepancy made Trisha’s stomach churn once more.s5tYF
G8mOa1Dereck bowed his head slightly and walked, step by step, among the present crowd who acclaimed and praised him.EoyqOXu
NXdWords of encouragement flew toward him, and some even shed tears.CJVpWom
KviWl7The figure of Dereck walking away looked like that of a savior descended into the human world.ypL
Xnr33Tap!J0pw
TFgMJust as he advanced with the Book of Longing held against his side, someone stepped into his path.ehSrH
CAF0“Dereck. Think about it one more time. Is this really the best option?”XZW7
GuX5QThere was no one there who did not know who she was.SmoAg
DjuEllen, of the Belmierd family, breathed heavily as she gathered the courage to block his way.ToVdg
nFUGA tense atmosphere began to spread among those present.FfLP
Gf5xHNo matter that she was the true authority of the Belmierd family, standing in the way of a hero who had decided to sacrifice himself to put an end to this tragedy was an action that was looked upon unfavorably.euD0UE
t3vHowever, Ellen completely ignored that pressure and spoke frankly.iXXR
X3Jp“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself, Dereck. Think about it again… The situation has become extreme, and the pressure on you is too great. You’re just letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”ugTPzFo
yIvfFPWhat was she saying?edWy8nm
xga7Some murmured that someone should stop her, but few nobles of the southwest of the continent would dare raise their voices against the future head of the Belmierd family.Ejs
VFP8Ellen, visibly trembling at the neck, continued.2pq
wmH“There’s no need to shoulder such responsibility using such a dangerous method. A ruler is one who assumes responsibility, but you are only the person in charge of this place. Sacrificing yourself to this extent for such limited authority is an excessive decision.”2zObi
eKPVu“…”CrPb
RzatsWhen Dereck looked at her with expressionless eyes, Ellen bit her lower lip and clenched her fists tightly.MK3nY
qGVzkrJust as she thought of using force to stop him, even resorting to magic.Ok0MC
kFmhThud!Hux1zgh
8LHcA disheveled-looking man emerged from among the crowd.HB5
fuSHe grabbed Ellen by the nape of the neck and, brushing his bangs back, spoke.BLZtcnH
GAnHe had a poorly shaved beard, an unkempt appearance, and a strong smell of alcohol emanated from his body.LjyIip
i9i“Let’s respect his decision, Ellen.”k8XzfEo
tioVH“B-brother Linus? Now that I think about it, you said you were in Duplain territory…”njP
FNXhWhc“Why are you trying to interfere with Dereck’s noble choice? The more you do, the more miserable the sacrifice will be. If someone decides to become a hero, they should do it properly.”Sw9b78
ftKnUKAMurmurs of approval began to be heard among those present.G6gnpjV
nEAeEEllen, with an incredulous expression, sharply turned her body and grabbed Linus by the collar.vjS6
ctQNT“You, who abandoned the family to wander around, what do you know! Do you really think Dereck is someone who can just die like this?”fip
NwUood“Hey, hey. Don’t look at your own brother with such ferocity.”RQF
tyELinus steadied himself as best he could, let out a loud burp, and looked toward Dereck.9n2HbUJ
inzpmHe sketched an absurd smile for a moment, then calmly closed his eyes and spoke to him almost in a whisper.7wl
dbgdQ4Y“So you decided to make a big bet.”K1kr5N
kcFi“…”mxI
B0iizLinus was unsettlingly perceptive.OEuoT
IW0OnAfter catching something in Dereck’s movements, he let out a dry laugh and forcefully pulled Ellen’s arm to clear the way.qXbLu
jq9j“What a pity, gambling is my specialty. What do you say? Want me to check your bet?”rmWXtyp
zno“I appreciate the intention, but I’ve already done all the calculations.”w3cr
ZQhpuu“Is it a winnable bet? Is the payoff worth it?”COGvnUr
cLzi“Probably.”hVG5aj8
WMWWKJg“Probably…? I suppose in gambling there’s never an absolute.”0lLif
6D0YqEllen watched Dereck and Linus with trembling eyes.6cuLKYE
tH80EbCDereck bowed his head once more and, without saying anything, began to walk with firm steps toward the exit of the Main Hall.bBp4
MWXAs if he were going to take care of everything on his own.Upli
r3BLkIThe night was dark.vBWzR
Hwb0eThe silhouette advancing beneath the starry sky was that of someone going alone to face a six-star confusion mage.AmOb7Nb
UrDj***EHshzjG
z3yN2EfAfter walking for quite a while after leaving the Main Hall, Dereck stopped alone in a huge clearing to the north of the academy.JyGJyp
L2pThat magical training field, surrounded by forest, was submerged in darkness at night.aivxPtZ
hAEzOnly the chirping of insects could be heard among the nearby vegetation.eOyeAHu
RzGZBDereck had deliberately separated himself from the crowd.gD9c
Sm0Standing alone, he took out a sheet of paper from inside his clothes.JL2YpsJ
bgkwwUIt was the letter that Princess Roselin had personally handed him just before he came down from the second-floor balcony of the Main Hall.yranG5H
qC16‘…’Y3JU
tfGZkHe hesitated for a moment over whether to open it or not, but finally put it back against his chest.fFa4c
OlrK7Then he took out the Book of Longing he had fastened at his waist and threw it open to one side of the clearing.Y5NwsBO
A7fiWIn an instant, mana began to swirl around his body, and a light seeped through the darkness of the ground.rsI
WG19ZDereck knew it by instinct.CT16yBG
7fKKIt’s coming.Sw7PcE
4EWY83It’s coming to kill me, in person.8Nwiw21
Y6Gl2eBehind Dereck, who stood alone in the darkness, an indescribable cold rose.3qxU
ZKPJpIt was unmistakable killing intent.nfp
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