Chapter 195: Talent and Its Value (3)
NMjJo“If there is no consistency when evaluating the value of a talent, that will later return as major discontent. A deal comparable to the one received by Countess Rodelia of the Renuel family, who has devoted her entire life to hunting black mages… From my point of view, it may be something good, but other loyal supporters might perceive it as hollow.”Tnf3dpk
EMobThe words sounded elegant. For a mere frontier baron to reject a title granted directly by an imperial princess was something practically inconceivable.CgbMZ2
nrOoxQPrecisely because of that, Dereck spoke in a reasonable tone, presenting plausible reasons and appearing to be concerned for the princess.jC1
4kOBut if one looked at his true intention, it was practically the same as saying that he did not want to accept it.Ds1eCj
s4CGk6V“You say interesting things. You know very well what kind of opportunity you are rejecting right now, don’t you?”roB1g0
weaIZ“I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. From now on, I will also strive even harder to contribute to the Empire.”Ub5
EGzPrincess Roselin silently observed Dereck, who had raised an insurmountable wall, passed a hand over her face, and spoke in a low voice.IvRDr
BczoR“This does not seem like an appropriate place. Follow me.”l9PV
JG9WeoThus, Princess Roselin led Dereck into the corridor adjacent to the main hall, entered an empty room, and closed the door.12gDvx4
kuKTShe considered that what they were about to discuss was better done away from prying eyes.fEnLnWt
psS“I see. You know how to negotiate. There aren’t many who have the courage to stand up to me like that.”3gBKIT
0xEWOEqIn that empty room, whose purpose had yet to be defined, where there was only a table and some wooden chairs, Roselin sat on the medium-sized table, crossed her arms, and continued.OBYLtdZ
aBUUL3i“This isn’t a negotiation. I only spoke the truth.”b7K89s
jEVqkwz“I brought you to a place without witnesses out of consideration, so tell me again. I offer you a vast territory on the western frontier, the rank of frontier count, and in addition, the title of count. And you still shake your head? Then there are only two possibilities.”GmauU
SAibKHer dark red hair, which stuck out in sharp tufts, seemed to reflect a strong personality.Vcs
IqCZJPPThe muted-toned dress blended into the dimness of the room, as if it were part of the shadows.yAeN
OHhKBYThere was nothing about her that matched the bright, lively image one would associate with a princess.WKutsIv
eCHXWIRoselin was, if one had to say it, someone closer to darkness.d2O
s26F“Either you feel that the reward is insufficient, or you do not wish to enter under my command.”T6t
f21B“…”Z3OWQ2
aXHrs1“If it were the former, I could simply think you are an arrogant type and let it go. But no matter how I look at you, you don’t seem like someone like that.”GXi
wVTJnSRoselin also had a good eye for judging people.DUb
C56zThe proposal itself was already extraordinary; Dereck did not seem like someone with such poor judgment as to aim for something even greater.C7IRnQR
CYYIn the end, the only certain thing was that he did not want to place himself under Roselin’s command.rvZaCvu
o8pThen she had to find out why.e7IPzb
hGA4Whether he simply had no interest in power, or whether he did not value Roselin very highly as a person.WxL
5w2CfADepending on which answer it was, the princess’s attitude could not be the same.LwwI
lfArW7From experience, she already knew this well.n9ji9
1fyXOn this political board as fragile as thin ice, there were only allies or enemies.rAb
uFVKsYtThose who rejected becoming allies would, sooner or later, end up wielding a sword under the command of her enemies, pointing it at her.LDn
nqfAb“For me, it is enough to train my magic and teach the young ladies of the academy. If, in this stage of political transition, you wish for my support, Princess Roselin, I will gladly provide it.”sdME
adeAmsHowever, Dereck’s reaction was completely different from what Roselin had expected.s21mmoI
UffiIt did not seem like a simple polite response, but neither was it.VCxE
Dg97T6zThere was no intention in him to flatter her or to justify himself.BvxF
LNpkRoselin understood why Melverot valued him.YgEaMEz
NDWwCHe was a man who did not speak unnecessary words.7gUoBtD
e5eZDiI“This is the first time I’ve seen a noble who scorns territory and a title. Weren’t you the one who even asked Melverot for a letter of recommendation to obtain the title of baron?”1MaERDx
p3HDh“In this era, to properly learn magic it is essential to have a title. But one of this level is enough for the magical training I desire. Nothing more than that.”pcPq8gR
vHZ4YPrincess Roselin’s eyes opened wide.Ybt3b3
J6oIn an age where magic represented the authority of the nobility, she felt repulsion toward those nobles who, possessing magic as just one more quality among many, boasted of their innate nobility.3TYT
IoI4HBut Dereck was the opposite.N7xyy
keKSHe was not someone who learned magic to obtain authority, but someone who sought authority in order to learn magic.nnXU
smFOnce he had secured the status he needed, he did not demand more; it was enough for him to be able to fully immerse himself in the magical training he loved so much.w45XL
qYPU9bIt was often said that Kohella and Dereck were similar, but their directions were completely different.Fr2
SdxIf Kohella was a lunatic capable of sacrificing everything to reach greater heights of magic and its results, this man found meaning in the very process of magical training.hqQh
BBEr‘He’s more upright than I thought…’rrc2oj
ruoxqaRoselin swallowed.mAoZ5wz
anuRaSUAt this point, even she had to admit it.zdb
s6wDereck was someone with great potential to be used politically and with more than sufficient abilities, but before that, a desire was born in her to retain Dereck as a talent in and of himself.k9GC3Ww
VwbLKW‘Even so, to use him properly, I would need to push a higher title on him. With just being a frontier baron, he won’t be able to say a single word in front of the central nobles. If he merely limits himself to standing by my side without authority, he will only end up being manipulated by old foxes like Damon or Kohella.’A0kViQ
ylxRoselin let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through her abundant hair, scratching it forcefully.ml8
yOsIt was behavior devoid of all elegance, but Dereck was in no position to point that out.U6tf
E9nHe could only look at her as if asking whether there was some problem.pRPp1
jpE6“Fine… since we’ve come this far, I’ll speak frankly, without beating around the bush.”UrLmsn
qxUPU“Yes, go ahead.”wtHJh
BBEKIB“I like you. If possible, I would like you to help me while I properly consolidate my imperial power at the Gremport Palace. However, I don’t quite know how I should convince you.”itlc
VzJPrincess Roselin gave ground by one step, but without bending her pride.jdZq
Vp4WEven as she spoke, she kept her arms crossed, pursed her lips, and maintained a somewhat surly expression.kIV
SJut“Then how about this? If you’re so interested in magical training, I’ll have the Academy Ravenclaw recognized at the imperial level as a directly affiliated institution. It will be able to receive support in magical materials and supplies from the Gremport Palace. Needless to say, each and every one will be of the highest quality.”65e
wYIfXAt those words, Dereck’s eyes opened wide.nuJ
fbUunSomeone who had not changed his expression in the slightest when offered a county now reacted just upon hearing that magical education and training would be supported.5EFmW
5c9AtVThe feeling was strangely complex.OdbzXi
oxzn“Are you serious? For the Empire to support a magical educational facility of this scale carries a rather profound political significance.”vGdR3h
qMZf2t“Hmm, it doesn’t matter. From the beginning, I’ve thought that magic should be taught more broadly. I’ll even cover the costs of restoring and expanding the facilities and turn it into the most prestigious educational center not only in the southwest of the continent, but on the entire continent. The old geezers of the noble council will fly into a rage, but that’s my problem.”xRdXh
FpZd5w4It seemed that Princess Roselin had finally found a new approach, and she spoke with a sense of relief.OdnRVZ
iavW7XJ“In exchange, you’ll have to accept a title.”lenU
ENqQ9GAt that, Dereck once again made a face as if he were at a funeral.3x4L
p08NZ5ERoselin had never seen someone make an expression like they had bitten into something unpleasant just because they were being offered a noble title.eOZmT
4O0h9Kd“Don’t you think you should at least take some care with your expressions in front of an imperial princess…?”Hmw
US6IJ“My apologies. Princess Roselin, you have a special talent for taking people from one extreme to the other…”34lssy
ZQkFX“Who is taking whom from one extreme to the other?! I’m lowering my pride to this extent and you say that!”li2
ckQVlLooking at Dereck stirred an inexplicable irritation in her, but even so, Roselin once again pressed her temples and let out a deep sigh.fNkB
0IeWreDereck had always been like this.WVYW
CbSJAccepting that fact made it unnecessary to get so worked up.LGfGG6l
SCm“Haa…”ybM
mi1PzuDRoselin splashed water on her face again.Pzxylrp
H2Zp9Dealing with someone who never moved according to expectations was exhausting.XuabR
d96“If there’s anything else you want to ask for, say it. It’s not common for me to be this generous, so take it as an opportunity.”ZLg2PjS
aBPVzj“…”rAP4s
UcM“From that expression, it looks like there’s something you want. My, for you, it’s rare to see your eyes so full of desire.”dnam
fQeV7“…”vFwvh
xR6gMz“…Why all the hesitation? We’re already at this point, so say it.”sXZ
EoNRoselin spoke with a sigh, as if she had already given up, but Dereck still hesitated over how to begin.KCwE
YMDKAfter rejecting immense territories and lofty titles, it was impossible to know what kind of request could come next.OWv6
itr6Unless he asked to split the Empire in two, it didn’t seem like something worth hesitating over so much.Q1xhvJ
0u4q“No. In a national calamity like this, after the misfortune suffered by His Majesty Emperor Gattrel, this is not a situation to make requests.”zE9S0i
ogw2rs“If you were going to say that, you shouldn’t have started at all. There’s nothing more irritating than leaving words half-said. Stop the nonsense and say what you want.”T7ggupM
1R7jf“…”Eg0SxdM
5nHlxp3“…”BXjx2
avbMg“…Why so much beating around the bush? Seeing you this quiet makes my chest feel like it’s on fire.”O1D
MK141SAs Roselin, frustrated, scratched her head forcefully again, Dereck finally managed to let out the words he had been holding in his chest.A8cWK
rekCKz8“The 6-star magical artifact… the Light of the Empire…”YY0OQV
EyQe“……”nxezi
G83W“According to imperial law, its possession will pass into the hands of Princess Roselin. Even if only once, I would like to use it.”xKU
LURimU1“…Now I understand why you didn’t want to say it. Yes, that definitely wasn’t something that could be asked in this situation.”OarJ
mzdJAsking to touch a relic of the deceased in front of a grieving family member, no matter how one thought about it, was not appropriate.dbDyh5
DBthqvoPerhaps with time it could be asked cautiously, but it was not a request to make of Roselin, who had just lost her father.qY2WBd
BclUnderstanding that reason, the princess felt even more drained.Hmldkkt
CKsotHe was an insolent man and difficult to read, but even so he knew how to keep appearances and respect the other party.cgw
i95BLwBaron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw was someone who seemed to go off on tangents while at the same time respecting boundaries; who seemed to respect boundaries and yet step beyond them.XmN4iQ
YoQThat ambiguity had something that attracted people.a4ogI1
SXf9hpjProbably, the young noble ladies who called themselves his disciples felt something similar.KpOXh2K
ih1xIn the end, beneath everything, there was a pure passion for magic.MBXxdP
cdh0Although Roselin was not particularly fond of magic, this kind of fervor was not unpleasant to her.FFWSK
tKo‘If all mages were like this man, perhaps I wouldn’t have come to hate magic so much.’BVu
0vFvRoselin sighed once more and said,krig
CUjEGv0“I see… so that was it. It’s true that a 6-star magical artifact is not something one can easily find anywhere.”WtP6ymb
i4RIRgo“Would it be possible?”4Dk2c
iPbm“Of course not.”oNmyVHx
WkA4Sib“…”SOkNk
F0EDereck once again made an expression as if he had bitten into something filthy.EwENw
qvgg3At this point, however, Roselin no longer felt irritated, but rather satisfied at having returned the blow.Byc
pZyIt was the end of days.1v1Z
Pr8“I see you’ve completely abandoned control of your expressions.”iSXMVs
r6K“I’m sorry. I’m not very good at this sort of thing.”jbhSsy
gHdUo8“The Light of the Empire is the most noble staff symbolizing imperial authority. It’s not something just anyone can touch. As I said, the process of binding it to a user is also extremely arduous.”jO1OY
LOKzPrincess Roselin spoke while lightly kicking at the hem of her dress.Cer89Z
W7nQ“Even so, if what you need is a magical artifact, I can directly order my imperial magical advisor to hand you a decent one. You will also become a mage at the level of a family head, so you should at least have 5-star armament.”6C31r6
cGHhp“…That’s fine.”pNuv1Y
6NK“Do you have some illness that will kill you if you don’t reject a favor? Tell me honestly. Do you dislike me?”MsMPEd6
AUPj“That’s not it. I plan to forge my own magical weapon. Also to train transformation magic…”oF6A
abe“…”VC2ww
gxH4BSdPrincess Roselin observed Dereck with a gaze full of suspicion, half-lidded.e5VrHDY
k9iIt was hard to tell whether he was just making excuses or truly serious.nw9bVGu
QXXMHThere was no wall more impenetrable than that.SFvN
xOutchI“I think you are mistaken. I feel immense gratitude toward Princess Roselin. If you are helping me to this extent, why would I show hostility toward you?”pXy3p4b
tkia“…I feel like something is stuck in my chest…”u4lpD
ZTx“I ask you to dispel that misunderstanding. And moreover, preparing for the political changes of the Gremport Palace is certainly important, but isn’t there something even more important than that?”yHBdKbv
kyr5eoeThe emperor had died, and the situation of the continent would change drastically.mhIhDP
i740For Princess Roselin, the main candidate for the throne, what could be more important than that?FhXqcyd
7lIDWhen Roselin looked at him with eyes full of doubt, Dereck took out a crumpled letter from his chest.T5a
kPNIDX“What is this…?”eByoRpr
G1DuBgx“It’s the last letter His Majesty Emperor Gattrel wrote before he passed away. It seems he intended to send it to Princess Roselin.”y2LjeX
E5hgThe princess’s eyes opened wide.P5E8
WIuA1“And this… why only now…?”yTjs
X7pjTV“It appeared during the subsequent investigation. It was under the carpet. I suppose they were the last words he left thinking of you before going to sleep.”BM0cl5
4u585Emperor Gattrel probably did not think those would be his last words, but even so, for Roselin it was something she absolutely had to read.mgo
tejOThe contents would surely be filled with wishes for his daughter to survive in the Gremport Palace, as harsh as a wasteland.pHz8l4
9U7R“Princess, you seem to be someone capable of suppressing your emotions and judging calmly and rationally. Even in such a pressing situation, you sought the best possible option and did not give up until the end when everyone was immersed in chaos.”w8P1Zu
zOHFs8nDereck handed her the letter and added, as if making an offhand remark,Woi
wBQ“However, it isn’t always necessary to be rational. When there are emotions that need to be released, if they aren’t let out clearly, don’t they end up becoming a problem later on?”1SSd
0gtCeKE“…”7Q8uS
GdmRiz“His Majesty the emperor, who protected you your entire life as if you were in a cradle, has passed away. What Princess Roselin must do now is not think about the future of the empire or changes in power.”ySdH
QpvIt seemed that Dereck had understood quite well the emotions lying deep within the princess’s heart.Bt8V
gVFznTXHer father had died.HE3nUrt
LcU6alThat fact alone remained there, bare.e6rsnmT
Op17Amid situations where life and death hung by a thread, she had been forced to move desperately just to survive.XrjKv2
cpwA confusion mage had caused havoc, the area had been sealed by a barrier ritual, and the political landscape would also be shaken.rJ6t
Vdc1GpIt was like being crushed by a storm-lashed sea route—she could not afford to set aside the emotions that needed to be released at that very moment.b9Q25Fq
CRezhIf she did, sooner or later a person would break.dV3z
StzejAt least, Dereck knew that well.FF2kNbu
Y403sf“…”Bag
sa8Y6“Then I’ll take my leave. If you have any additional orders, find me in the main hall.”PwV
6NuKOWith that said, Dereck made a brief bow and left the room, as if leaving the princess alone was the right thing to do.raRzA
gbtrFIt seemed he considered negotiating terms with her to be, in truth, a secondary matter.gsAuZk
a0DPrincess Roselin was left alone in the empty room, sitting on the desk, and carefully opened the letter Dereck had left.ng2fk
d9ADAs always, Emperor Gattrel wrote words of concern and good wishes for his daughter.JFIqBek
rGJWithout imagining that these would be the last words he would leave her, the emperor had been sitting in his chambers late into the night, moving his pen.sFp8zf
OZWThat scene came easily to her mind, and Roselin lowered her head in silence.xv6Djh
d5zuAJCAmid the shifting situation and political chaos, no one had stopped to measure the princess’s feelings.bVgulZ
w6VZTo her subordinates, she was an untouchable existence, so it was not strange.5Edy
WNVazDisplaying calmness and rationality in the face of the emperor’s death and the confusion mage’s upheaval, organizing the place, she certainly seemed like material for a future empress.XEzeCE
djvv2ABut before anything else, she was a daughter who had lost her father.57K
eADqDLoss comes to everyone, and its pain does not distinguish between ranks or titles.w7qfPu3
qwLFWEHEven if she was busy responding to the urgency of the immediate situation, she could not completely isolate herself from that feeling of emptiness.Wt9F
o5zEBecause she was human.Hoxf
F0iIt was a type of person often seen in life.gkrJz
w9fVI0AThe stronger and sharper someone seemed on the outside, the more shattered they often were on the inside.6Hg0QY
GFdkAnd the more that was the case, the louder they raised their voice.WfVzE
VweIAt least, that was how it had seemed to Dereck.nxc5c
TBwD2Q“…How shameless.”9tAAc7
1KUPrincess Roselin let that superficial comment about Dereck slip while keeping her head lowered.gIBur
9nJtOZThen she continued to stare at the letter in silence for a long time.kNtsX8B
p07The tips of her hair trembled.T80RTWY
NxXoNUAt least within the main palace, there was no one who could see her in that state of weakness.qFNsq
WGdqD“….”7kck
M8aVJwSOut in the corridor, Dereck stretched his arms a couple of times and silently looked at the sun through the window.6vS3Z2Q
c3nThe sun high above shone so brightly that it blinded the eyes.oQje
gI3u8He let out a hollow laugh and began to walk, step by step, toward the main hall to check on the state of the young ladies.1V7W
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