Chapter 6: Duplain (3)
tyI5D“You’ve probably never heard of my younger sister Diella, have you?”EQft
a930e3Compared to the wagons used for subjugating monster tribes, this one was several times more luxurious inside.i6lXwbl
eRjcIThe carriage, bearing the seal of the noble Duplain family, was filled with gold accents and ornate decorations—just stepping inside felt overwhelming.29F
zqbZInside, seated among the attendants, was Lady Aiselin of the Duplain family. Across from her sat Jayden, representative of the Beldern Mercenary Band and Dereck’s companion. Dereck himself remained silent beside them, observing his surroundings.o3YY
0r3dWith the sound of the wagon wheels as background, a conversation began between Jayden and Lady Aiselin.NDWrsjU
DYziAd“Lady Diella… I believe I’ve seen her name on the Duplain family tree.”KcqpUU
BDRJSYKJayden no longer laughed without reason. The noblewoman of the Duplain family seated before him wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. It was easy to joke and smile when their identities were hidden, but the situation had changed.yN0l
obPNK“But she’s not someone often seen in public.”TQXTlkt
PURnE“Yes, that’s true.”yO3uAJP
cTx36yiDereck observed Lady Aiselin’s expression for a moment.uyqU
02r09It seemed that speaking of her sister, Lady Diella, was not a pleasant topic.6H7a
51O‘The Duplain line of succession… Yes, two sons and two daughters.’6OO
wxpUnder Grand Duke Raymond Oswald Duplain, a five-star mage, there were four children.173E
vVdzukHe had heard the third and fourth were regarded as ladies of House Duplain, preparing for their social debut.NMR37j
0a39However, while many stories circulated about the third child—Lady Aiselin’s elegance and kindness—very little was known about the fourth, Lady Diella.VWVyWRW
kxjag1o“Lady Diella needs a magic instructor.”CeGQfg
IACi“…So you’ve assigned various mercenaries to assess their qualifications?”ojiDU
oYd“Yes. I apologize for concealing our identities. As you know, revealing them gains us nothing.”eDga
6BrqvfSilently at her side, steward Katarina respectfully served tea.QaEd9b7
No5VThe wagon’s wheels were as tall as a person, and six horses pulled it. It was so stable one could drink hot tea without spilling.3Fe
TAZSSdROn the small table between the seats, tea cups filled with a rich aroma were lined up.MLz5Ae
aaZwGHowever, no one reached for their cup.jELD
Tobz“Strange, isn’t it? I didn’t expect a simple magic instructor to be suitable for teaching a noble lady of House Duplain.”lZvpXeh
V0hiKJayden’s remark was accurate. Dereck himself nodded, finding the situation odd. The nobility’s sense of privilege and authority went beyond imagination.cdsaGuZ
2e8Seeking a magic instructor from low-ranking mercenary mages for a noble lady was unheard of.pPs
Zx5TAs mentioned, nobles would sell their souls for a good tutor for their children.mvSmzj7
xnATWith the Duke of Duplain’s authority, they could easily hire a famous, well-educated mage. Wasn’t this one of the most prestigious families in the empire?fIBo
yJPoeGkIn fact, they wouldn’t even need to search beyond the household—there were many people within the family with profound magical knowledge.gE2ty
EaX6j0vSo for Lady Aiselin herself to come looking for an instructor meant this wasn’t a normal situation.JSJ
LtcbfLDereck spoke softly.sXpWUiL
LDoF83X“I heard House Duplain has at least three or four recognized four-star mages. Why search among mercenaries when you already have such talented instructors?”Dwq
YaWiWD8“…Being skilled in magic and being able to teach it well are very different abilities.”ypLYM
mIsBR“…That’s true.”RYnS
Sym4l54“And of course, I’ve already tried many such instructors. But things haven’t gone as I hoped…”dEsH
0dkSIt hadn’t gone as hoped.2Us
jFnfiIt was an implied expression, but Lady Aiselin’s face looked conflicted.uAmTpp
AEQStill, her underlying emotion was clear. It was love for her one and only younger sister.803Kyi
dH32w“Diella has… no magical talent.”MBp
o62Sq“….”A17W
r9oTJayden fell silent for a moment at her words. He didn’t fully understand.nsO3
rlRxHouse Duplain was a renowned magical lineage—those born into it rarely lacked magical talent.qHhu9vG
Wlp“If this continues, she’ll be treated as a burden before even entering society. I can’t allow Diella to be treated that way.”lL4Duc
7seruIn the Velkos region, it was common for noble young ladies to come to Ebelstein in preparation for entering society once they came of age. They were usually gifted a mansion and even served as hosts.ZxNk
sfKV3Lady Aiselin herself, seated before Dereck, was already immersed in Ebelstein’s aristocratic society—not merely in title but in life.QKL
zRup8Beyond the northern walls, in the prosperous district where nobles lived, they engaged in various exchanges and studies, honing the qualities of a proper noblewoman.F5QenI
cvgBut only if they had the minimal qualifications. For someone born into House Duplain but unable to wield magic, it was a fatal flaw for a noble.hAMM
hHNjRather than being the family’s pride, she’d more likely be its stain. This was probably common knowledge within the mansion.E2HGuR
cwZtHQIt wasn’t hard to imagine how a girl like Diella would be treated.ncDs
mRUv“I understand. But I’m not sure digging through mercenaries is justified. If she struggles to learn magic, wouldn’t it be better to find a more capable instructor?”Kbpd46E
sQrgtQd“…”A0ajys
MxuNmy“…Did I say something inappropriate?”ZNNI
WfwQ“No. It’s just that… I’m thinking about how to answer.”0lMKqD
ow6JqLady Aiselin, her face full of worry, spoke calmly.7j9SHXU
DU8arb“Diella has had over twenty instructors in the past eight months. There’s no one left who can handle her.”zuAcNz
1H8“…”wNRhe
sCt“But I can’t give up.”z843vH
fQeEAs she said this, Lady Aiselin’s expression grew more serious.2Ne9
9kVlXG“Sir Dereck is different from past mages, both in mindset and magical approach—so who knows what might happen? I’m willing to try anything.”PDh
nfiqp3Gradually, Dereck began to understand. In short, the girl named Diella didn’t seem easy to teach.OQL
mp1U6It was often said that noble girls could be rude or stubborn. In Diella’s case, it was hard to tell what she was truly like.nEU
TNHho6***paj
8B0GOBang!wpkf2
haxZIn the Velkos region stood the majestic mansion of Grand Duke Duplain.hE8
IBXAHVnThe door to the Grand Duke’s office burst open as if it were about to break.lsPhe
PocRVery few people could open the duke’s office door like that—something even nobles couldn’t do.OGM6
xnuOPX“Father! Brother Valerian! I apologize for interrupting your conversation!”y8Tuur
lV5180lInside the office, Raymond Oswald Duplain, the Grand Duke, was seated behind a large desk, and in front of him, a young man with tousled blond hair was discussing the duchy’s quarterly tax revenues.HmTKG
ZXqGValerian, the eldest son, was a tall, well-built, and handsome man. Named as the next head of the family, he had come of age the previous year, and during his coming-of-age ceremony, he had mastered the basics of two-star magic—a true prodigy. The elders of House Duplain held him in high regard.keJdKkM
Mo0He placed the report he was presenting on the desk and spoke in a calm voice.xp4z8
0EHnG“Leigh. What’s with the commotion? Please conduct yourself with dignity.”xaO
5IdjS4“Please listen to me, brother! I really can’t take it anymore!”Arn
jYf7QSVThe young man named Leigh dragged a servant from the hallway and threw him to the office floor.QKQ16u
W4B8CICrack!x3RJ8C
CX8yPE“Aaah!”OBJX
MjK1KAs the servant hit the ground, a pungent smell filled the room, which had previously held a faint scent of incense.KvXD
vDtRVUbThe servant was soaked in dirty cleaning water. His uniform was torn in several places, and his hair was disheveled. It was clear he had been mistreated.6VS1ARR
LxmN0“That damn Diella went so far as to lay hands on my personal servant!”ujW3vh
Vfl“Leigh. Lower your voice when you speak.”IHCXb
hTTlHDk“I’m speaking because I can’t stand it anymore! Last month, the number of servants who quit because of that brat reached double digits. The plates she’s smashed in her tantrums must number over a hundred. She destroyed a building because she was bored… How much longer are we going to tolerate this criminal? Just because she’s young and the youngest?”VAUo
w1rG1Leigh walked to the center of the office and raised his voice toward Grand Duke Duplain, who was reviewing documents across the desk.uBoJjk
pc78l“Father! Please answer me!”SNL9CA
eEMs7qThe Grand Duke silently set aside the paper he had been reading and fixed his gaze on Leigh.XFySYj
zC2tdTnLeigh knew those eyes well.Ipfq
sQ3“Father…”FXv6J
xzYHe held his breath for a moment and finally spoke in a flat tone, as if venting a complaint:XzZRc
OHIP8q“Can she really behave like a Duplain? We’ve done enough… as a family… and as nobles. We’ve fulfilled our duties.”r7AJS8
gyFO“It is not your place to judge, Leigh.”GyG
NWeGmpb“No, Father. Even if I can’t compare to my older brother, I am also a member of House Duplain. I have the right to speak. It’s time to accept it. Diella, that girl, is a disgrace and a liability to our family.”Z2mml
n8Z3Unlike the princely Valerian, Leigh had a sharp, commanding face, like that of a general.t2H6Jx
R0YFAcPIf one had to guess which of the two was older, many would have picked Leigh, but in truth, he was the younger son of House Duplain.sTKkUi
54XkPh3“Father. Even if Diella doesn’t belong in this family… we have Aiselin. It’s as if the gods gave all the noble grace meant to be shared with Diella solely to Aiselin. So let’s free Diella from this burden.”IR7F21D
11aVe“Leigh. Choose your words more carefully before Father.”mA5
7xo“Brother. I’m sure you think the same, don’t you?”vSVhsNu
au8Leigh’s sharp retort left Valerian momentarily speechless. Seeing his elder brother’s uncomfortable expression, Leigh, encouraged, spoke softly to the Grand Duke.EzyUj
OgIC“…I already asked a servant to look into a monastery in the Anhel region.”mJywN
1J4J“Leigh!”j05y
d13e0t“Someone has to be firm! If no one else will, then I must.”SQZE
uNC0q6aLeigh raised his voice again at the Grand Duke.egRlaC
RhpQLJx“It’s a place where many noble children gather, with excellent facilities and under constant imperial supervision. It’s better for Diella to serve the gods’ will than to stay here as a burden. Instead of risking our family’s downfall…”yENJ
lKYNAdBang!BnYiV
GqfyuePLeigh couldn’t finish his sentence.i0qkF
zbEXZThe Grand Duke grabbed Leigh’s head and slammed it onto the desk.fBhn7
OOT“Argh!”A7f3b
7RQeQ5As Leigh screamed, the Grand Duke pressed his head down and whispered in a cold, icy voice.15TiKsF
rInPF2“I believe I already told you—it is not your place to judge.”wPHwgd
JZQa“Ugh… Father…”C1nrfus
CTFS“Do I need to repeat myself?”xcIHNUb
DukIcZThough his face was pinned to the desk, Leigh didn’t back down.YS5veM
RPfGgh“Father. When the time comes to decide… you must choose…”aYp
nysCrack!WSh
hGwBTTrue to the blood of a ruler, Leigh was not easily broken. Pinned beneath the duke’s hand, he held out until the duke’s overwhelming magical pressure made him lose consciousness.lEe8D8
MRR9Q“…”XNg80
E3xAVA brief silence followed.c8d
dJlCYS9Only the terrified servant’s sobs echoed in the office. The duke sank back into his executive chair and massaged his temples for a moment.TUV80
OBAWorries and burdens were constant companions for any ruler. Yet, one never grew used to them.i1lfKOJ
nHmiValerian quietly watched the duke with a tired face, then gently supported the unconscious Leigh.fJzWe
iHCV0ozHe also patted the shoulder of the sobbing servant, brushing him off.z8dwJe
INkiT“You must be exhausted. I’ll speak with the steward—go bathe and rest in your room for today.”VT2
w7Ei2yvWith a gentle voice, he comforted the servant, then, still holding Leigh, spoke to the duke.BFQ9j
EnBa“The taxes aren’t urgent, so I’ll take my leave for today. Please get some rest, Father.”QD6
cCOuE“Very well.”txyVhj
Yrb0oAt that moment, as Valerian was about to leave the office with Leigh and the servant—jIE5
0QI“Valerian.”Hju
ODZ“…Yes?”SEDhbPH
ORpCN1cThe duke, still seated and rubbing his temples, spoke in a low voice.gEVqgF
R9yE“Loving all your children equally is no easy task.”QMh
o3dccAJ“…”yxjzy
d3QgXiVWith a bitter smile, Valerian bowed deeply and exited the office.T8zWI
8Acosc***m5Xt
NJ97“Oh, Brother Valerian.”klEJ6YC
fTXeIn the hallway outside the office.5L2vPV
cQXwgAiselin, who had returned to the noble mansion after some time, was about to greet Valerian cheerfully as he came out of the office.fBn
YhgXHowever, upon seeing him carrying the unconscious Leigh, her expression hardened. The servant following him, covered in mud, mirrored that expression.QE0c
nLN2“Oh, Brother…”Auuseyo
gSDw“Oh. Aiselin. It’s such a joy to see you after so long. Has Ebelstein treated you well?”VLggur
AYga32Valerian managed a smile and returned Aiselin’s greeting.2yK
oaVsh“As you can see, things are a bit complicated, so we’ll have to catch up later.”aa4
wXfgC6y“…Yes.”asP
cMvKAs Valerian, holding Leigh, passed by Aiselin, several servants rushed over to take Leigh from him. During that time, Valerian caught sight of the people Aiselin had brought with her.aVS
r6bbcQAlongside her usual servant, there were two mercenaries who appeared to have come from outside the noble mansion—Jayden and Dereck.68FuNA
09SmesJ“…”QJghup
6C9ZQCValerian knew Aiselin worked tirelessly for her younger sister, Diella.FH8ao1F
FiYbBut he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sympathy at the company she’d brought. At first, Aiselin had brought in well-known instructors among four-star mages.3tlK9Ys
3FcrBut none could handle Diella. They were humiliated, injured, or gave up and left.Kmm
PsZThus, in high society, Diella’s reputation as a troublemaker spread, and fewer and fewer people offered themselves as tutors. Still, Aiselin never gave up, continuing to ask around and somehow managing to bring in three-star and two-star mages—as long as they were persistent and sincere.D9G
KrZYet even those people became disheartened, and now things had reached the point where mages recruited from mercenary bands were entering the ducal mansion.jDi
4vkjPeTHer efforts were admirable, but from the perspective of a brother watching, it left a bitter taste. It truly seemed there was no one left to bring.8Uo9vyO
MH1tbqOValerian walked past Aiselin in silence down the hallway.PhUvT
3fJIt felt as though a heavy weight had settled on his chest.5iOYW9
avsf2“Aiselin. How is life in Ebelstein?”qnC
Vdinu“Thanks to Father’s care, each day has been pleasant. Lately, I’ve been learning to paint portraits, and if I have time, I’d like to paint one of Father.”VdXV
bl6s“Ah, really? When you finish it, we should hang it in the mansion’s main hall.”89CJpi1
3QkHA“Father, please. I’m not that skilled yet. I need to improve enough so the servants don’t tease me, so give me a little more time.”z6E9
1lDLuSlWith a broad smile, Aiselin kept the conversation light, and the Duke’s expression—full of concern and burden—softened somewhat. No matter what others said, Aiselin was deeply loved by the residents of the ducal mansion.bljW
QzaARBorn with the dignity and grace of a noble lady, she was adored by her parents, her two older brothers, and even her retainers.FsKFv
60tXM30So much so that, upon coming of age, she was given a large mansion in the wealthy district of Ebelstein and quickly began her social education. She was truly the jewel of House Duplain.byDT
SZx“Ah, and before I forget—I’ve brought a mage from Ebelstein.”IQGtaG
HLW“…I see.”FB6
a96W6The Duke’s brow furrowed slightly when he saw Dereck. The people Aiselin had brought in as tutors for Diella were more than just one or two. And no matter who they were, they never lasted more than a few weeks before fleeing.H0q1
QLclejNIt was hard to take anyone she brought seriously anymore. But even so, it was a choice made by his beloved daughter Aiselin.lEI3
SbAH“Very well.”DhFS44s
2pZ1VzBut that was all he said. For some time now, the Grand Duke Duplain no longer gave long opinions.M9g
ZX0Aiselin quietly observed his demeanor and then smiled faintly, with a hint of resignation.IwzxmP
z9Wlw1“Well then, I’ll freshen up from the trip and we can talk more in the sitting room. Father, there’s much I’d like to discuss.”fS2OiZp
RLe“Very well. See you later.”N9h
PElGNWWith that, Aiselin bowed and turned to leave the office.Wu0
LH5pLs“Wait. You stay.”9Bb
tOolmThe Duke called out for Dereck to remain behind.uac
iFgDpGK***y07vH
7aMA silent office.dx69
ITV7uThe Duke of Duplain scratched at his quill, reviewing documents attentively for a long while.pPQ8PL
Hj0mbIt appeared to be important business concerning the management of his lands. The Duke treated nothing lightly, pondering deeply over every detail.NObgHwW
pyXHe seemed to live each day immersed in work.1xt
PO1SZAfter signing one of the documents that needed immediate attention, the Duke spoke without even looking up, as if casting his words into the air.zhm
exK“You’re very young.”N9g
mQlN0“Yes.”hofW
ZoQg7T“Sixteen, you said?”FThb
zl1T95“That’s right.”Z0Fi
inUYThe Duke flipped briefly through the next document, his pen tracing a few lines.dGbik5
7wuJWhile tending to his affairs, he continued with his deep, weighty voice.YzbbbrE
KT6f“…How far can you handle magic?”NLXof
GY8Asked this while twirling his quill, Dereck answered without hesitation.Kz6PRd
A4gre“I can handle first-level magic to some extent.”CCmU9
Thr“Haha…”3mk
40jhThe Duke let out a brief laugh.PD0gD4U
VNgRThe meaning behind that chuckle wasn’t hard to guess. For a sixteen-year-old who had studied magic properly and reached a level where he could teach others, it was remarkable to commoners.Oeh
hG1LluDIt was a mix of admiration—and lamentation.xojrz
5zXHfAfter all, it was still the level of a commoner.QenGN5D
KWo8AT4Was it a laugh of regret, perhaps for having to entrust his daughter’s magical education to someone like this?qrvht
HAvlXbDereck speculated—but his guess was only half right.lc2idQH
ubery“Don’t bother lying.”szU859
mkyz7YlBefore he realized it, the eyes of the Duke of Duplain—bright and piercing—were locked directly onto Dereck. Residual magical energy shimmered in them.IjrDVJ
qXJ“Modesty isn’t always a virtue.”2kb
sPmHHe had already seen through the fact that Dereck’s magical abilities didn’t stop at first level.BQ3
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