Chapter 36: Denise (2)
hv6v0CThe massive Raspah Cave on Ramhel Hill had been abandoned for quite some time.eESw
Ra2ZmLong ago, it housed a treasure-filled labyrinth, but a maze so close to a metropolis like Ebelstain would surely have been conquered swiftly.SvVtVa
b1miDc8Now, it was nothing more than an empty maze—yet merchants still avoided the area.dyPEcF
bwOZxIt wasn’t a major thoroughfare, and roaming monster tribes frequently wandered into the desolate place.O4rZB
5taNo one wanted the trouble of crossing a seldom-visited, danger-filled zone. Thus, it was the perfect hiding place for Dereck and Drest.fY7
LuyObserving the cavern entrance from a distance, Denise maintained a composed expression, though Bella, her chief maid, was deeply worried.NQz
xHIwyi“Lady Denise, I think it’s unwise to go too deep. Let’s explore around the cave first, and if it seems difficult to find him, we can alert the master and consult the private guards, alright?”OTrzRQ
8LvShe was eager—excited to be the first to pinpoint Dereck’s whereabouts—but it seemed unwise for a noblewoman to venture inside with only a few guards.k8WD6
TFAIf Dereck was simply near the cave entrance, locating him wouldn’t be hard, but if he was deeper inside, prudence would call for retreat.IVUOic6
wS8Still, Denise had no intention of backing down.2F8658
6fe5Y“There might be monster tribes… The interior is vast and complex, so entering cautiously is wise. But Bella, if we report from here, all my effort will have been wasted.”Ggk3yxW
ghZx“Really?”sIZ
gVRCe“If we bring in all the private guards, the other houses will notice. And Dereck, inside, wouldn’t want to deal with nobles arriving in force.”1fjGYU
jiZSNz“So you intend to go in?”89xl
0D2“Talk is wasted words.”w1apL
ya0dBella exchanged anxious glances with the guards.DmATwqT
XxxDauyThe men responsible for Denise’s protection looked at each other. If she were injured inside the cave, they’d all be doomed.6k8
gX0hBut stopping her wasn’t an option: her magical status had been assessed, and she was steadily moving into the cave. Their only choice was to follow.pQxwRe
vJ2QIVDenise formed a glowing orb of light with magic to illuminate the path, stepped forward—and the guards immediately followed, scanning the area.yoeA
5mCkzThe maids wondered if she planned to go all the way to the cave’s depths.d6Z
lvVO“Ah…!”Udi9
x4oDE9fThankfully, it happened before they ventured too far. There, seated on a wide, flat boulder, sat a man.MjTJ
KTXWsHe looked far more gaunt and exhausted than when last seen from a distance—during the magical duel.v3e6ZcZ
kZ3Rt8UHis thick white hair, unkempt, fell over his eyes; his worn gear showed neglect.Xsyo
gmVGjIt was impossible to guess how much he had endured in the past week. The mage, motionless on the rock, seemed to have reached some form of enlightenment.jWJ
CutHe wore no flashy attire nor carried an aura of dominance. Yet his silent presence, calmly waiting on the rock, was quietly compelling.EHuz
c6NEj0Indeed, he was different. Denise recognized this and approached him.MTr332C
xkbM5FW“What brings you to a place as modest as this?”oUyyEcP
w1xzHer words came out extremely polite and formal. He looked up and responded directly to Denise, his tone measured.6huca
hggThe maids accompanying her swallowed hard.PckWi
4BqxThey were tense, not knowing who this “Dereck” might be. Yet Denise herself wore a confident expression upon seeing him.5BDl
f4Bw‘He may appear shabby and humble, but perhaps it’s due to immersion in training… He’s courteous—surely reasonable. He looked impressive during the magic duel, after all.’XsKgyoF
Aeh4The mage before her was the much-coveted tutor sought by both the Belmierd and Duplain families.EvZt2Du
tKHIIf she could persuade him, Grand Duke Beltus would gain influence at the upcoming tripartite negotiation. The Count Belmierd and Duke Duplain would do anything for their daughters, and the Beltus family could leverage his position in many ways.IyAdAT
klkQRSIf she could bring him into the Beltus fold, all the praise would fall to Denise.Puz
VuaShe cleared her throat and smiled, lifting her chin.qwv1gD
7KpszN“Mr. Dereck… it is you, isn’t it?”HsAKbl
DfeEE70Her face glowed with the innocence of someone unversed in worldly ways.pDBo3vT
7T5gyrkHaving straightened her outfit in the carriage and restyled her hair en route, she presented herself exquisitely. With sleek silver-gray hair pulled back, she looked almost like a living work of art.PR05TMT
WnWyq“Yes, that’s me.”deF
5pt“I—I found the right place…! I’m just… so nervous… I lost my words for a moment… please excuse me…”fly0
Q0RQZMn“Huh?”0IEu
0XJ“I-I wanted to meet you, Dereck. I searched so diligently… just… to speak with you, even once…”DQxMF6
dTbHer poised but gentle demeanor, striving to maintain composure, made Bella—standing behind her—swallow hard.78rHBxw
3aFiIndeed, now in noble attire, Denise was almost a different person.X5M
22X5WQ***p87O
XskmWhat is the art of captivating someone?lydx4
IpcDr8Denise, who spent her days studying the works of a famous romance novelist and upholding the dignity of a noble lady in society, had a solid philosophy on how to captivate someone.v8s2HF
SbwSFirst of all, one must be beautiful. With confidence in her appearance that could pierce the sky, she lacked nothing in that regard.Mmfdnzt
vCO2ijHowever, not every character in the world can be captivated by looks alone.RAxXZ
tNOlTo make others want to follow you and be with you, one must possess a dignity and charm that go beyond mere appearance.8V9b
P2IglOEven Denise herself did not consider herself internally perfect. However, she had the ability to make it seem like she was.UomJ8
k1KA5HDenise humbly brought her hands together, her face blushing.xj1pnV
kAiQE“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Mr. Dereck in my dreams. There are quite a few rumors among the ladies. They say there’s a skilled and reliable magic mentor, and if you learn magic from him, you can rise several levels overnight. He’s also personally admirable—a true gentleman.”ubmHZ
ry2T0“That’s an exaggeration. And those I teach do receive direct help from me, but many achieve success on their own. I can’t create qualities that don’t exist, and as a commoner, it’s hard for me to accept such admiration.”mJeEnW
BCwBK“That humility is one of the reasons you are so respected, Mr. Dereck. Even so, I sincerely wish to learn magic from you.”qxp
somoZDenise’s gaze, full of pure admiration, seemed wrapped in awe. Anyone’s heart would soften seeing the respectful expression of such a beautiful girl.FvD
oPceZeMen have a strong desire to be recognized. When a noble lady like Denise looks at them with pure admiration, their hearts melt.zmgMM
CG6HDenise knew how to use her noble heritage and beautiful appearance to her advantage. No matter how skilled Dereck was in magic and teaching, he was still a young man.uM7hhzz
I9M7VHow could he easily ignore the advances of a lady from the Beltus family? Denise, wearing her mask of innocence, spoke kindly to Dereck. However, Dereck was not as swayed as Denise anticipated and did not become someone who nodded at everything she said.wkXl
ci7Yb“Why are you speaking in such a theatrical tone, Lady Denise?”Ljw
JE2k“…”KQV8
WrcH“I’ve heard a lot about you from Lady Aiselin and Lady Ellen. They praised you as someone perceptive and wise.”We9
gDYQBfIt was expected. Dereck was well aware that Denise was not as naive and pure as she appeared.HPnSCR
ZOGJyD7Bella, who stood three steps behind Denise with her hands clasped, adjusted her expression. If she were Denise, she would surely want to die of embarrassment at that moment.Cmv
6921But Denise was a strong-willed character. What could be done? Even if one was aware, it was known that beauty could still deceive.dr5YFb6
2XX“Lady Aiselin and Lady Ellen praised me too much. I’m just one of the three of the Rose Hall, always trying not to bring shame.”TRZITrH
Ufyv“I see. I apologize for judging someone I hadn’t met based solely on others’ opinions.”rXm4Ml
s4S5m“No need, Mr. Dereck. It’s fine. You think kindly of me.”Z9Z
XBjwtK‘…Did Lady Denise’s act work…?’vEaV
ByZ1Dereck’s intentions were hard to read.Ln9PsX
WYwgvqThe young magician seemed kind to Denise but also maintained a certain distance… It was unclear what he truly wanted.w895DP
Q7aVDenise sensed the same but remained unfazed. She never thought he would be an easy target. Not even Aiselin or Ellen had managed to sway him.u1uBJ
xLk‘Now… how should I handle this…’e3sLct
yRgfbmDenise looked at Dereck calmly and deliberately blushed again.jvf
4w1o“Anyway, what I wanted to say is… the Beltus family is looking for a magic tutor. I came here personally because I really wanted to ask you to consider it.”J0n
JneiPcHadn’t the young lady from the Beltus family come all this way after reflecting deeply?QPsJk25
5b3MNo matter how talented someone was, if they came from the slums, they were just a commoner. The gap born from inherent status difference would surely be a heavy burden.ugt
OxbwKAIndeed, Dereck wore a slightly troubled expression. He surely hadn’t expected to be found in such a remote place while hidden in training.69Jx4
pcsGDeIf they just needed a mercenary, there were many replacements. However, Dereck was the only one sought after by the three great houses. Even though Dereck himself, hidden in this cave, seemed unaware of recent events in Ebelstain’s social circle, this was rather advantageous for Denise.Xu1Q84A
UsFMfAfter all, she was the first of the three houses to find Dereck. If she hesitated, the others would soon catch up.RnI
vcuhH0If she couldn’t persuade Dereck today, things would only get more complicated. And Denise, who hated complications, was determined to bring Dereck back today.73UYW
nKT9n78“I truly appreciate that someone like you found a commoner like me. However, as you can see, I’m not sure I’m capable of teaching or doing that kind of work.”JiAUNkE
M5m0RG“Is it because you’re focusing on your magical training?”cdMf
qUvS“Yes. I’m currently facing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My sincere wish is to focus on my own training.”ij2
cKjDxdThere was an exchange of glances among the maids.rTNgeX
gU57HZThe young lady from the Beltus family had come in person, and he rejected her directly? There might be a major reason, but brushing off her request just to train wasn’t easy.jXQCB
l85Denise wasn’t the kind of person to give up. If a noble lady decided so, it wasn’t hard to play with a commoner.PzbhxPa
WRUHowever, Dereck had risen to a position where he wasn’t easily looked down upon. His origins were humble, and he lacked connections, but he was a talent coveted by all major families.635
owCdRaising one’s voice in pride here risked ruining everything. Of course, Denise was the type who could handle such insult gracefully, like a snake sliding through grass.VLU
4ey“Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Dereck. But I am desperate too.”SHy
NxPna“Really?”w8D
BOufL“Yes. In the last magical duel, the efforts of Lady Aiselin and Lady Ellen in their training deeply impressed me. You, having seen them closely, Mr. Dereck, must know better than anyone how hard they worked to uphold the dignity of a noble lady.”Bmf
JNGJK3dDenise spoke with a firmer and more sincere expression than ever. Watching her, Bella was speechless.ygvx
6yz381Denise knew exactly what moved people’s hearts: sincerity. It was ironic that Denise was the one talking about sincerity, but at least her external charm was unmatched.HKQ
PIC6aynWith clenched fists and teary eyes, her pleading gaze awakened anyone’s protective instincts.QO4t
m52nAEven Bella, who knew her well, found herself swallowing dryly upon seeing her.HDjcVy
jxUcg6“Being left behind is a sad thing.”OcQi6D
PmpU“…”63a19
XNJYKl“When everyone steadily ascends to a higher realm, being the only one left behind destroys self-esteem and weakens the heart. I won’t hide it anymore; I fear not being able to match their achievements.”NOJacyi
fsDDenise took a step forward and grasped Dereck’s thin, tanned hand with her soft, pale ones.tzR7
NpTWithout hesitation, she held it, looked him in the eyes, and pleaded with all her heart.xRsM0BL
bBXop“That’s why I came to find you after all this time, Mr. Dereck.”R00
Rsf3lDenise asked with an anxiety that seemed on the verge of breaking her.A0q4r3
e1PQ“Please, I beg you. Save me from the swamp of anxiety I fall asleep in every night. With my own magical progress… it’s too much to bear.”EaKP2CE
NK7“…”so6j4m
ysyjA4NDereck silently watched Denise.yeA
la8xgdaIn the dark cave, Denise, with teary eyes, looked longingly at Dereck. She maintained eye contact with him for a long time.HsWtef
sSwsB5How many men could endure that fragile and ghostly gaze without wavering? Not just Bella, but even the guards sworn to protect her couldn’t help but shake their heads in their hearts.SJsL1
oaF2However, Dereck spoke softly.3A4qW
vkhKotp“Lady Denise, it seems you don’t have strong ambitions for magical accomplishments. You used a one-star light spell on the way into the cave, didn’t you?”KO4CL
nH0Myf“Eh? You sensed that from here?”g1NVO
Wjz“Yes. Although the amount of magical power is exceptional, it doesn’t feel like it’s refined daily. It’s not about talent—it’s about will.”lS1
Ld7Denise’s pupils widened for a moment before returning to normal.Yrwb
897z“What do you mean…?”vUq
G4TCgw“Lady Denise. With all due respect, it’s unwise to feign sincerity about magic in front of someone immersed in it.”oRcHzAc
8cE6FrODereck was a man who could be called obsessed with magic. Those to whom Dereck had dedicated time to teach had one thing in common: whether Diella or Ellen, all were individuals genuinely devoted to magical achievement.BUJ
xcGOjg“Some might consider it an insult.”XGrst
QtSUYPFaced with his cold gaze, Denise had no choice but to realize the truth. She wore a thick mask, but this boy had seen through her from the beginning.z4KxFuP
8GrUAv1“I’m not sure why you need me, Lady Denise. But it doesn’t seem to be for magical accomplishments.”dXpJJ
w5JWAP5Dereck brushed himself off and stood. He had been so absorbed in magic that he could barely sleep, yet he managed to restrain himself.2RK
w6Ve“How can I accept a task when I don’t even know what the client wants? I don’t take on work I can’t handle. That would be disrespectful to the client.”Ls1
m5FWith that, Dereck bowed his head. It was a polite but firm refusal.CFGyW9K
rTwpy“So please, find someone more suitable than a humble wandering mercenary like me. Someone fit for your stature, Lady Denise.”ANno7vz
sNs7AHis demeanor was so respectful and formal that there was nothing more to say in reply.Rrcj6
YBxpm1w“Eh…?”ctMfP
6WL5pDenise felt like she had been hit on the head with a hammer. Her performance—one that could surprise the heavens—was rendered useless, and she stood in silence. Soon, she felt a deep scratch in her pride.hh3jkZg
nIN7yShe had prepared, knowing that even Aiselin and Ellen had failed to acquire such talent.o0ZrMg
p1AzxpBut she never imagined Dereck would reject her so swiftly. Even a bit of hesitation on his part would have spared her this feeling.NhbWrYj
CviLQsL“No, how could it be that I, a lady of the Beltus family, went to such lengths to find this place, and bowed openly…?”lmglGXB
6FNThe sting surely came from aristocratic pride… But there was another, deeper reason.fnMebI
yeUS“How could it be that I, who look so beautiful, shed tears…?”RXK8
oju7What was the point in saying it? The axe wound to her pride was already severe.YOzgV
iZU01“Then, I’ll go and finish my training for today.”dmWNq
ww08“Wait a moment. Mr. Dereck. First…”VS1K
3zbeuDBefore Denise could call him, Dereck lightly leapt from the rock and walked toward the depths of the cave.YJnI
CkJcqvmThe maids watching were left speechless. They had heard rumors of the boy who lived like a hermit, but they hadn’t expected him to be such a mystical figure.r0a
0lmFc“Should we… should we follow him, my lady?”QQoSX2a
4scWWhen Dereck disappeared into the darkness, Bella quickly approached and asked. If they were going to follow, they had to act fast.WkokJU
nibHowever, Denise just stood there with a broad smile.AniqYvD
VcXW“Lady Denise?”0aXUD
tg2D“Hmm. I thought he was someone with clear convictions, but I didn’t know he was this resolute.”n08
k2M24lBella looked anxious.Dtodx
VYs98“Yes, it seems so. I came here with tears in my eyes, wearing lovely makeup and expensive perfume, and he just threw me a cold look.”2hHd
8SJN8Kg“My lady, please calm your anger and think rationally. We need to report the cave’s location to the main house first…”EguR
DcFPE4G“Eh? Anger? Why would I be angry? That’s funny, Bella. Anyone would think I’m mad.”vUvMlHs
AEb1SlThough she said it, Denise was smiling only with her eyes, while a vein visibly throbbed on her forehead. Bella swallowed hard.W5qK
PzbFrankly, she wondered if this was about her pride being hurt because her beauty hadn’t worked, but she bit her tongue for fear of the consequences.LEmZ1cw
siQN9wDenise was someone who found everything bothersome and rarely got motivated—but once she rolled up her sleeves, she was relentless.x16Z6
j0UrFmz“Just… a little… the stubbornness is starting to show… hehehe…”FBx1pzk
SlJBBella had to press her temples and suppress a headache as she looked at Denise. After so long together, Bella knew her well.4Yvw7a4
7iaWNvwShe was the type to bite harder and cut deeper if a tree didn’t fall.hJP6U4
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