Chapter 194: Talent and Its Value (2)
qlcDSChirp! Chirp! Chirp!rYx
DSg8iZB“…”iO24X
CtIBWhen Linus opened his eyes, the cool morning air already filled the room.VAQ
XJxyInside Ravenclaw Academy, everything was in chaos as the aftermath of the incident was being handled, but the room in which Linus had awakened was wrapped in absolute silence.PEch
qYtjeaCBandages covered his body everywhere, accompanied by a sharp pain that surged up all at once.rG3MOZ
nGoLinus let out a groan and, at the same time, a bitter laugh.OiBuw
3YEfClm“So… it’s already morning.”24JQ
hzU3He gathered his greasy red hair into a low ponytail, ran a hand over his face, and over his bandage-covered body put on a clean robe and a leather vest.wyAO
4gTdNOn the dresser he saw a full bottle of wine.6jrZsq
aVgk0From the color and the aroma, it was wine from the mountains of Rodelen, a specialty of the Ravenclaw territory.ZLUAu0W
Eh0SLjThere was no need to think too much to know who had left it there.EfxtKgA
j7yiL3cThey knew perfectly well that, upon waking up, the first thing he would look for was alcohol.U3Jd9p
ho2o58All things considered, it was surprisingly considerate of them.fr6B1
VJ2Linus shook out the hem of his pants, took several long gulps straight from the bottle, and staggered out into the hallway.8zqaz
89BLL83As he passed through the morning sunlight, he could see soldiers everywhere, busy organizing the scene.oWuOE
vwHKQSince he had no desire to get caught up in the commotion, he pursed his lips, scratched the back of his neck hard, and took the opposite path.Ody
vUI2St1That was when he ran into a familiar face.1gQ
2Q7HT0“Brother Linus?”s7acX
xV6u“…Oh, Ellen.”Thl
5UA0IE“D-don’t tell me that in that situation… you were sleeping until now? After all that disaster…?”JCci6m
cWQJwqEllen opened her eyes wide in astonishment.G6Q6Md
6QiLinus let out a carefree laugh and shook the wine bottle, making it clink.r9dT
Dc0VsbEHer face looked visibly tired, as if she had stayed awake all night.khYRk
8AB3That was only natural, given the circumstances.mHS
ObK“Who can beat alcohol? It seems the grapes from Dereck’s territory are of tremendous quality. Just imagine, knocking out the great Linus with a single bottle.”Nmhn0aY
9xM“…”e7S
x3zYFacing Ellen’s incredulous stare, Linus gave her a few light pats on the shoulder.QUFytQS
uGQHe had no intention of detailing what had happened the previous night or embellishing his own achievements.DnrXVs
kp0oHe always lived walking a tightrope, betting his life at gambling tables.2Bxx
8NsmHe fell asleep drunk on good wine and, when he saw the sun rise the next day, smiled, thinking that he had survived one more day.u55Ca
OU3aWhat happened the night before stayed buried in the night before.pr5OJU
QPapThere was a time when he lived as the proud heir of a powerful family, chin held high.7NwIS9
kzTZIfNow, on the other hand, his life was nothing more than that of a drifting vessel, letting itself be carried by the current.ePrMfG
sbvdUIt seemed that Ellen still had not learned about the bloody battle of the previous night.sL4LYP
GKHtThe sun had just risen and the situation was still chaotic, so it was understandable.iLGXkyV
xahhB4When she spoke at length with Dereck, she would undoubtedly end up scolding Linus with a mixture of anger and concern for having gambled with his life as if it were just another bet.ZexpG
sBaIt would not be strange if one day he were found dead in some alley.GUhU
DzzEven if she acknowledged his merits, to Ellen he was still a constant source of anxiety.Ez3SPHx
1Ivo3Having someone in the family who always lives on the edge of the abyss means carrying that worry forever.1dM
S9hBThat was why Linus simply brought the bottle to his lips and continued toward the exit, swaying.ehx1Lo4
ajc“From what I can see, everything’s already settled and the barrier broke too… So I’ll head back to Ebelstein. They say that tonight that guy Lapen is setting up a pretty good gambling table.”OtCs0q
jCXVJGc“…”4JA1y
OE7p“If I win big, maybe I’ll buy some whisky from the Rublen mountains and go visit our father. It’s expensive, but I’m sure you’d like it too.”S1KEN9
rBjaK“I don’t drink alcohol, brother.”5IjDq5h
8sDvB“Ah, right. Well, living such a boring life gets you nothing. Nothing at all, really.”hHxG2Z
A6aQEllen looked at him as if she couldn’t believe that, after everything that had happened, he was thinking about gambling again.QkZ8ghs
raYThat expression was not one she showed when dealing with nobles using her social mask, and precisely because of that, Linus laughed even more when he saw her so exasperated.lZzck5
4UV5NSThat uprightness was, in the end, what had carried Ellen to the top.RbD
2weLinus let out a low laugh and walked past her, who stood with her hands on her hips and her brow furrowed, heading outside.ioq
FPsxPtNBefore going down the stairs, he stopped and left her with a few words.t7po
aHl“They say that in Ebelstein, a good magic teacher is as rare as a perfect jewel, without a single impurity.”Lw6
f3S“…”vjh
BCF“Your teacher is good. Don’t let him slip away, hold on to him tightly.”uv3ktZR
gt5GmIt wasn’t that Linus lived an exemplary life fit for giving advice, but even so, he left that remark behind before leaving the residence.nrSe
nooy“That… you don’t need to tell me that.”Ln99
2SUuO“Good. Then, until next time.”oMiF
vOYtaPerhaps, once everything settled down, his achievements would be recognized and he would receive a reward.uvDXDc
AfvXpZGPerhaps he would even earn the respect of many.TiQjUa
9sLBut, as always, the man left all of that behind and followed his own path.hhJzKE
5PlThe sun was already climbing high in the sky. The warmth of the light, so gentle that it erased any memory of the night before, the fresh air, and the untended paths filled with overgrown grass.cioG4
DC2avp3Wearing a worn robe, frayed leather pants, greasy red hair tied back, and a coarse beard growing unchecked, Linus took another swig of his Rodelen wine and let out a satisfied sigh.72d
OqaiJ3fThe promising heir of the Belmierd family, or a mere ruffian rubbing shoulders with vagabonds in alleyways while gambling money.NOuBYBk
F6H7t0AIt didn’t matter who you were—with a good bottle of wine in hand and the open sky before your eyes, anyone would end up saying the same thing.7ft5x8
VHJ“It’s an incredible life.”uG0qC
BoZAbThat was, to him, life.vml
WTrOo***5itx2Ua
OoCThe disposition regarding the confusion mage Marilyn would be formally debated at Gremport Palace.PaI
q933fsConsidering the severity of her crimes, it was impossible for her to avoid the maximum penalty.1MNRAS0
yQSjuR2However, if she truly was an existence invoked by a 6-star summoning mage, it could not be ruled out that there was something more hidden behind it.Htb
6EqF2GRTo grasp that trail, a far more exhaustive interrogation was necessary.fu0
7V5JuPFor that reason, the trial for the murder of the emperor had to be postponed.XuZMcKd
WjYrx6hSlap!DtV6QH
LaUq0TA“…”epa
T3kPCfJHowever, the first thing Princess Roselin did upon waking was slap Marilyn across the face.88xc
gYh0After receiving four consecutive slaps while bound, Marilyn simply lowered her head without uttering a single word.7gR
8aeRoselin felt the urge to hurl insults at her immediately, but letting herself be swept away by emotion and losing authority at that moment would serve no purpose.7oBuvX9
NnZ8oEven so, though her voice was low, an icy hatred seeped through it.GOq3qMa
PORm“Do not think you will die comfortably.”vR92p
VXuD7With those words, Roselin left the room where Marilyn was being held.lN87k2M
OfjGUntil they reached Gremport Palace, she would have to be watched constantly to prevent her from recovering even a single shred of magical power.91aTw
8bMOpKohella, who knew the curse attached to the Book of Longing well, would be monitoring her continuously, so there was no cause for concern on that front.Qou33g
1PxVBmRoselin moved down the corridor, wiped her face dry, and let out a long sigh.KUF
nIXPpb4She felt her chest pounding violently and her teeth grinding together.7N0
g1kHNAt that moment, all she wanted was to send the mage called Marilyn straight to the executioner’s block.Mjg
4wkIPeEven so, after taking several deep breaths and gradually calming herself, reason began to prevail.iwX
nr386“Father is dead. The other members of the imperial family will not seek power. By the time I return to Gremport Palace, the situation will already be almost settled, and I will be the strongest candidate for the throne.”4bG
aIQUGremport Palace had been built for the emperor, but those who truly took up residence there were the central bureaucratic nobles.0sN
PNhVMEmperor Gattrel knew how to handle them, but Princess Roselin stood in open opposition to them.9u0h5IR
0GL74RSSince her base of support had not yet been firmly established, even if she seized power suddenly, it would not be easy to control the imperial palace.6tLqrE
oeH5zKg‘In the current situation, it won’t be easy to crush either Damon’s noble faction or Kohella’s magical faction. At the very least, I need someone who can act as my right hand.’OzQvS0m
yv55kwRoselin thought of Melverot, who guarded the north.vjGfk
ia93Among the bureaucratic nobles, he was one of the few she could trust, but he lived detached from politics, limiting himself to watching over the northern territory of Rochester with an empty gaze.D0s
Rrvhw1I“The Duchy of Rublen will surely support me. The border count of Elvester is one of Kohella’s people, and I’ll have to feel out which side the Countess of Renuel, who subjugated Rodents Island, will take…”Fem9s
3NIPutting her thoughts in order, Roselin headed to the Main Hall.2HyeXm
HvQnThere, Dereck was informing the gathered nobles and directing the organization of the place.G15yI5d
yBIdkThough he had spent the entire night pursuing Marilyn and should have been exhausted, he did not stop moving as he worked to restore normalcy to Ravenclaw Academy.lxz0BE
3hQQ“Baron Ravenclaw. I have already heard the story.”MYN
JAph“You’ve awakened, Princess. I apologize for all the hardship you endured last night.”YV86LwB
FPPGQe“No. The situation was resolved well, so it was an effort worth making.”RVN
AvbUpon hearing Roselin’s voice, all the officials present bowed their heads and knelt.ChUzA9u
44Np21Dereck also tried to kneel, but Roselin brusquely waved her hand to stop him.0mvfirU
dUMShe wanted to speak with him, and such formality was unnecessary.FlhRytd
piDd5VFor an imperial princess and leading candidate to the throne to treat a low-ranking border baron so openly was not something common.mRofS
0ZLYjn0Even though the previous night had been an emergency, the situation was now under control, and there were many observers present.VWkKms
SbPEven so, Roselin rubbed her tired eyes and spoke as if it were nothing special.P8N
LF8D“We must discuss the future handling of that confusion mage… huff—”yMO
Uj8At that moment, Roselin saw Aiselin bowing her head behind Dereck and took a step back, holding her breath.LKjQPoR
iSt“W-what…? How is it that you…?”HNhB6E
SJqxU“Ah, no… she is the real Lady Aiselin. No, please don’t misunderstand, Princess.”8ckzwj
rqOYZFor the past three days, Roselin had been engaged in a fierce mental battle against the confusion mage who had taken on Aiselin’s appearance.h6f0rD
jOAZIt was not strange that she would be startled upon seeing her.CdDabF
R19OZW“…S-sorry…”8ogm9
mDeAiselin spoke in a weak voice, completely shrinking in on herself.ayxVb
n3GRNISince arriving at Ravenclaw Academy, she had felt as though everyone was looking at her with suspicion.wqTi
QC8XIn truth, Aiselin had done nothing wrong.r9oP9a
OlR9TSHowever, seeing even Dereck and Princess Roselin look at her with distrust, she could not help but think that perhaps she really had made some mistake.jIZT6u
BsM“I-I really… shouldn’t have taken a vacation…”7ws
LoIMlef“…”2KAz49R
NfT5“I’ll take today as a lesson… and I’ll work even harder… to fulfill my duty…”542uD
f1rPFor an instant, it seemed as though a new monster had been unexpectedly born, but it was not the time to worry about that.N0tB6
iiIUIE“I-I must apologize. Last night was mentally very hard on me…”NuRi
l2OFVs9“No, Princess Roselin. I-it’s understandable… you don’t have to apologize to me…”s7Eec
Oxkk0eAIt was not common to see Aiselin so timid.Fuk6
tQWQAfter all, she was the daughter of Duke Duplain.LTCqMb
3l7nDereck closed his mouth, filled with mixed feelings.c78sTR
BGMnWt3Roselin cleared her throat briefly to dispel the awkwardness, looked around, and finally spoke.F3Yif73
IjCjGPJ“Sir Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw.”hhpbcTp
bO6That haughty Princess Roselin even went so far as to address Dereck with the addition of “sir.”y4iu
mFQmh1Dereck immediately sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere.A3I5C
6zzlThe same was true for the other nobles and servants kneeling around him.iss
ebINAnd Roselin herself confirmed it when she saw Dereck’s gaze turn serious.kWe2t
unvWQg0As expected, he was a perceptive man.vDBgC
FHwAg‘I can’t deny it. This man is valuable as a noble, as a mage, and as a ruler. Fortunately, I found him before Kohella or Damon could reach out to him.’D4v
SHuCz5aAt first, it had all been distrust.CBRoE23
9nENow she understood why the taciturn Melverot had granted a title and territory to a magic teacher from the slums, and had even entrusted his daughter to him.O8PJ
qlA9h5uThat old wolf guarding the north certainly had a keen eye for judging people.Q1PgqM
F99N“There is no need to elaborate. You personally captured the culprit behind my father’s murder, an unforgivable criminal, and furthermore you apprehended alive a formidable 6-star enemy. The merits accumulated in that process are considerable, so as a candidate for the imperial throne, I cannot leave you without a reward.”ocCev7
Qsv“…”8DAroXE
jAfk3D7“That said, understand that given the complexity of the current situation, I can only promise it verbally.”5h5u
zgYWRoselin spoke curtly, sharpening her gaze even further.pHs
EUbfHere, she had to bring Dereck in.Eg1Ge
wEIb6The value of talent can be measured in many ways, but when something truly exceptional appears, one must not be stingy.Uvblv
xyiHE1The safest reward is a vast territory and a high title.pEc
DiHIdeally, one should grant a reward that makes all the nobles drool and thereby secure an oath of loyalty.1JAH9R6
U4LqLbShe could not afford the mistake of misjudging and losing this valuable talent to another faction of Gremport Palace.TLcLm
EHKHv8BIn this chaotic juncture, Roselin needed people loyal to her.DmIKpg
CPFAHaving found Dereck at the scene felt as though the heavens themselves were helping her.slj2e
HMsu“The political landscape will change, and a long period of transition will arrive. In such unstable times, people capable of stabilizing the Empire’s borders are needed. At the very least, you are not someone who should be limited to managing vineyards in Rodelen.”7El
s2lS“…”3IpW6TA
YAHup“I need someone to govern the western region of Adenka, the direct territory of Lugtel, and the coast of Bolos. I will grant you the position of border count, with authority to command the direct knightly order, as well as the title of count as a territorial noble, if you so desire.”7KBPH
QoefThe atmosphere froze upon hearing those words.hquj
7c2A reward had been expected, but its magnitude far exceeded any prediction.XvMsb
yuCIt was a deal comparable to that received by Countess Rodelia, who had subjugated Rodents Island.JweI
NwGA territory equivalent to a third of the western frontier meant completely shaking the balance of power in the southwest of the Empire.boFP
djzFIn a single day, Dereck would become a figure so influential that even Rodelia or Count Belmierd would have to take him into account.InLfJ
ZFd2Moreover, he was on the verge of reaching 5 stars, so in terms of magic he lacked nothing.ESct8It
eodHe was someone it was prudent to align with as soon as possible.WDVymsh
5rGUg6At the very least, the nobles of the west had clearly changed their gaze.Wwjj
smgtThe place fell silent.QHFq
MKwjiBut that silence, laden with voiceless screams, was the greatest sign of shock.JaOCZtw
Ho9rARoselin herself knew that her offer was bold, but it was far better than stopping halfway.JQq8U
D5p9As she had said, the moment one hesitates in valuing a talent, the situation can change drastically.4jlUhAU
ov0o6YYWith a confident expression, Roselin was about to receive the oath of loyalty.75Uqvkf
vd1fElNHowever, there was something she had not considered.bW1WzF
JTYUpThe most important thing in bringing Dereck in was not that.h2LS
cxy“There is no need, Princess.”HY8W4yV
B8JFAt that instant, the atmosphere grew even more frigid.3kE4Y9
QJNyCTIt was a cold that, in sensation, surpassed even the snows of the Rochester territory.Jub
s9BSome nobles opened their eyes wide in disbelief.OYtYV
KddSomething unthinkable was happening before them.IS6LXA8
jxUBf8“It is a reward far too great for me.”UFE
WzM34dQDereck—rejected Princess Roselin’s offer.rF4
3F8TEven after proposing such conditions, she had failed to draw him in.qfnxVOt
LT0How could that be possible?F6pbO
2t9GeHAn absolute silence, as if time itself had stopped, enveloped the place.P8N3sF1
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