Chapter 71: To the North (2)
MQMLhBUnlike the southwest of the continent, which has three great families, the north—always close to the battlefield—only has one person with the title of duke: Lord Melverot.qTAe
R1QHe is the head of the ducal house of Rochester and the only six-star battle mage still alive.WKg
9ZM7wBEHe was also the one who personally killed the demonic beast Noir, the main cause of the greatest disaster to ever occur in the north: the Dawn War.qlCCrHp
VQGamDereck had heard many times the gruesome scenes of that day told by Jayden, the mercenary leader who directly participated in the Dawn War.coPB
Sh7BABAFamous warriors from all over the continent gathered to hunt down the gigantic demon Noir, visible even from the horizon, but the only thing that kept growing was the mountain of corpses.c9QXuS
Ps0CpThe sight of the snowy plains turning red with the blood of fallen warriors seemed to have been a lifelong trauma for him.YwzY
MX6GDinThe six-star mage Kalimford, Lord Melverot’s lifelong friend, also died in the Dawn War.r3vdDE
dFrXThe story of how Lord Melverot used his friend’s sacrifice as a springboard to land the final blow to Noir’s heart is legendary and the reason why Lord Melverot still reigns as the ruler of the north.RzY2
mDOT“I’ve heard this story so many times since I was a child, but it seems even a mythical figure can’t raise their children properly.”Lnnn
KvNW5“True. But we can’t rush to judge until we see Lady Siern in person.”h0Dn
Fvb6ylx“Of course. Even Diella might have seemed like an uncontrollable girl based on the rumors, but she had a tender side, didn’t she?”Rhcs
u1RQThe carriage swayed gently. The warm climate of the southwest was starting to feel like a distant memory. As the journey lengthened and they approached the north, the weather began to turn cold.Rd8W
ZPOAutumn had already begun, and in the north around this time, there were places where the severe cold was already setting in.72MAVg
MZX10DFeeling that reality, Dereck changed his mercenary cloak for a thicker one with some fur. Aiselin, who wore a cape decorated with cute floral patterns, also seemed to feel the cold in her fingertips and asked the servants for some gloves.QxnaQ
wnZDereck pulled out the winter gear he had prepared in advance and handed it to Aiselin.kINm
SCumShe accepted the gloves and outerwear with a blank stare.fkeS1G5
UTclug“Use them.”IbbM
AgZBj“Ah, yes. Thank you.”jvHXS
rjUA5He had only given her the coat and gloves out of consideration, but Aiselin’s mind began to wander with all kinds of unnecessary thoughts.ApxIg
vxojGiving winter clothes in such cold weather wasn’t just a kind act, didn’t it also mean he trusted her enough to hand over something so personal?vu6zw
SbyxThe fact that he gave her gloves already used could be interpreted as a sign of closeness. And not asking for them back might imply that their relationship was close enough not to require formalities?Fokt
pdd8BM7Assigning exaggerated meanings to every gesture was typical of girls beginning to take interest in the opposite sex.q4Tim2Y
kRyAnd Aiselin was the type to show all of that on her face.tdWZ76A
6seBDereck momentarily rested his chin on his hand, biting his lower lip, thinking he’d have to be careful even with things like this.Uwkhh
hV1z7C‘It’s fine that Lady Aiselin is kind, but if I don’t maintain proper distance, it could backfire.’hiAY
T3b8B8ZDereck was, without a doubt, a dangerous man. He had a high opinion of Aiselin as a person; he found her admirable, kind, and respectable. But he didn’t shy away from thinking that her kindness could be useful in many ways.Y2kY
Js8His basic rule was to use whatever could be of benefit. If it was merely the innocent affection of a young noblewoman who didn’t yet know the world well, it wouldn’t be difficult to go along with it—and maybe teach her a little about life in the process.wnH
gA5M9However, if that got out of hand, there would be consequences. Stay close, but with limits. If things got serious, there would be no way to manage it.xW6FGx
DcHSg‘If Pheline saw this, she’d hate me.’6mP
TInThinking that, Dereck rested his chin in his hand and glanced sideways at Aiselin.c12uUba
26YZip6Without realizing her ears had turned red, she stared intently at the gloves Dereck had given her, as if she were locked in a futile visual duel with a natural predator.UhU
oVEGjqIt was hard to say she didn’t look adorable in that moment, which is why Dereck let out a dry chuckle and shook his head.P8dtUJ
ZgsDereck was a cold person, able to measure emotions with a ruler of cost and benefit.NPwhjZ
BldzNonetheless, aside from that, Aiselin was a good person, and it couldn’t be denied that her clumsy moments were quite charming.3gSbM
1kXixHSo, Dereck let out a faint sigh and turned his gaze toward the landscape outside the window, which was slowly beginning to be covered in white.QRnFMj
3nJBo***xMDGC
E3OFM3“I’m Layton, the head butler of the Rochester family. And this is Serena, the head maid.”8l2
2IT“…”8Kss
JSqThat happened when Dereck, who had just stepped down from the large carriage with his luggage, encountered the two people in charge of managing the Rochester estate. The location was the entrance to the northern Rochester territory.qu7b6
6ZxThere was still some distance to the mansion, but it seemed the two had come out to receive the distinguished guests by Lord Melverot’s direct orders.lmcBm8
jp7Vqj3‘What…?’ca35eN
zKCnV0Dereck felt a strange discomfort. Layton, dressed in a flawless suit, was a gentleman with a well-groomed beard. Standing in the snow in a fur coat, he looked refined for a northerner.D4jQI
tETcHeHowever, the head maid, Serena, did not present the same image.hIK
qjJShe wore a clean uniform, but had bandages on one arm, her ankle, and neck. One of her eyes was also covered with a bandage, and her fingers were full of scratches.wgMqdQU
NPEN“Forgive me for presenting myself in such a disheveled state.”vID
V8gLGWhen Serena bowed her head in respect, Aiselin, who had just stepped out of the carriage, shook her head.kJy5u
J4Nd“It’s fine. Wounds don’t heal conveniently. You seem seriously injured, are you alright?”PRTxcW
3Ln3P“Yes, thank you for your concern. It is a great honor for the Rochester family to personally receive Lady Aiselin, the noblest flower of the Duplain family.”3q1
sUGpk5WThe rumors about the Duplain family’s decline must have already spread to the north.7jm
lQUkuXThey might not grasp the severity of the situation, but they surely knew that their authority and splendor were not what they used to be.8rpl
fpEqYleStill, the Rochester family’s treatment was truly courteous. Even in decline, a ducal family was still a ducal family.gMq
OczDereck’s expression hardened as he observed Serena’s condition. At a glance, the wounds on her arm, ankle, and neck seemed to be of different nature and timing.dr6
YyPkaI‘This isn’t from an accident. She’s been continuously assaulted… even tortured.’1yte
GX0If she introduced herself as the head maid, she had to be someone of high rank among the Rochester mansion’s servants.sTywL
ByzNfSDespite that, if she had to continue working in that state, he could only imagine the condition of the other maids.pn1K5
9nG56Dereck thought the task ahead would be more difficult than expected.Nyve5s
AgVftR3“Was this Lady Siern’s doing?”4Zwl
pApDereck had no hesitation in asking direct questions. Upon hearing it, both averted their gazes with uncomfortable expressions.cPX5vDN
zA9mxAkNot even Diella, in her worst days, had ever laid a hand on someone who had reached the rank of head maid.cnam3Sw
r0ENtYThis went beyond physical punishment and bordered dangerously on torture.P78
Ac3z‘What was Lord Melverot or the other high-ranking members of the house doing? If someone was causing this much harm, shouldn’t they have intervened…?’ViUJq
hc6oEydDespite being a warlord, Lord Melverot was a person with common sense.sfd
XwTUu9XThere must have been some reason for allowing his daughter to act freely even when the lives of servants were at risk.72t2SzK
8Wu“We’ll explain the details at Rochester Mansion.”1fjCyET
IE6With that, Dereck and Aiselin were guided by two servants toward a luxury carriage and boarded.xs0v5S
XgzThey were now headed directly to Rochester Mansion.fRDhR
JUjzic“I’m a little scared…”bB0U
c8dT“I already told you it wouldn’t be easy.”grz
IVB“Yes… I need to stay focused…”pZrcZA
KPdR4b7Despite her anxious expression, Aiselin pressed her lips firmly and adopted a determined look.Zuz
Wg3S6oShe needed to gather as much money as she could. She had many people depending on her, and her family was on the brink.wbTPI3
oLJYgswShe carried a sense of responsibility that didn’t match her delicate figure, yet she didn’t show it openly.gZb1
cm9P5t“In any case, Lady Siern doesn’t seem like an easy person.”JBW
b3X85ou“I expected as much, but I think we need a concrete plan. She doesn’t look like someone who’ll listen just because we speak kindly.”1RDy12Q
Qhy“I already have a plan. Actually, I have three.”IIU
AxuddDereck said that thinking it was better to be clear before they arrived.BUY
IUvv“The first is to connect with her person to person. If we can build a bond, we can move forward with the lessons without trouble.”zkKIL4v
Ibxtxi“That would be ideal. I hope it works…”sjx1g
Hbldxc“It doesn’t seem likely at first glance. So, we have to resort to the second method. Scold her, get angry, or try to persuade her… do whatever it takes to move Lady Siern emotionally.”UQf
H89XV“That’s also valid. I’ll… do my best too… But if that doesn’t work…”x2F
hjwu9fYWhen Aiselin asked worriedly, Dereck clenched his fist and responded.oUl0
Y8z“Then we’ll use the third method.”BKv0u3
Hlgo3ga“…”Qpf
RI2HF9“One that’s proven effective throughout history.”5bT
6jg“…”nmMZNx
wQqtSometimes, Aiselin thought. Dereck’s methods were too rough for a noble lady. He was a man who advanced like an iron horn.Cku6L7u
csBhAnd that’s why it worked. Greenhouse flowers like noble young ladies didn’t understand the fear a fist could instill.cXavIBg
GWAm6She didn’t know what the family would do if he made a mistake, but Dereck no longer cared.JyPLLQU
DTSGvHGFrom the beginning, many who came to him couldn’t be handled gently.
The first one to benefit from that was his own sister, Diella.rX0
IAi“It won’t be easy.”9YazK
G8XAt that moment, Layton, the head butler, who was sitting across from him, interjected.qbY
E6jj3rThey were plotting how to handle the lady he served. Dereck thought maybe he should watch his words, but then shook his head. Wrong was wrong.5Mc
J49CobQ“What do you mean it won’t be easy?”ijKfRST
tCO“You don’t truly know Miss Siern yet.”MGUt2nq
0OeptYLayton spoke quietly, with his head bowed.yNXBXd
fZcHMXA“The north is a dangerous land where high-level magical beasts appear frequently. Its people are rough, extremely closed off, and have developed their own survival methods.”362XBC
8EyS“Yes, I’ve heard that.”NJvzK
M1C6h6“There are no fertile lands, and people live by hunting magical beasts or receiving royal subsidies. In such a place, only the strong survive. Lady Siern is a symbol of the north.”bVGQG7
15BbFrom what he was saying, she sounded like someone with a wild charm.Bx0
D4dS6In Dereck’s mind, the image of Lady Siern already overlapped with that of mercenaries in a tavern flexing muscles while drinking rum.kRmVkgO
EYUDtOR“What kind of person is she for you to say that?”7WVCjAZ
0fpUgtb“She is none other than Lord Melverot’s only daughter. To put it bluntly—”SH24Px
OgWaBJust when Layton was about to continue.oAz
N9RThud, thump!Z1xGnWa
cTQIWithout warning, the carriage jolted violently, and a massive impact was soon felt.TzPc1
wUHWBang! Crack! Crash!qXbB9
YHP04Thud! Clang! Bang!TAUb9
pRtbFFEverything happened so fast that Aiselin couldn’t even scream. The carriage tilted sharply and all sorts of objects began to fall.FPL
7kaClatter, crash! Bang!Au17
1P6v“Ahhh! W-What’s happening?!”Q1G7DY
fEPiYXT“Hold on tight! The carriage is shaking!”ZXbq
aJGcTv8Rumble!4AteF1Q
6i1yx9XIn the midst of the chaos, through the window, the body of a magical beast covered in white fur was visible.EyKAW
dr9It seemed that a large magical beast had attacked the carriage. Its form wasn’t clearly visible, but it was clear they had to get out immediately.8nhWJ
bLI“Lady Aiselin! We have to get out of the carriage right now!”8xmlXFx
j1XQ2o“Kyaah!”VYMWaHO
tLCRDereck shouted as he forcefully kicked open the rear door of the carriage.qoWm
0DCl2WSHe practically threw Aiselin out of the carriage, then evacuated the servants before rolling out himself.Mbk
jTqgSknWhooosh!h3bsv0D
GKpAn icy blizzard blew between the falling snowflakes. Dereck frowned as he looked up, searching for the monster that had attacked the carriage.TPCkuA
SGIobBut upon stepping out to check, he realized it hadn’t been a direct attack.c4Q
id1wYAbAlthough a huge bear-like beast covered the carriage, it was already dead, with blood pouring from its neck.N7Hp
md4x9YEven from a distance, it was obvious it was dead. How could a dead monster attack a carriage? Such a question was inevitable.ZxZvo2m
HtlHI4Q“W-What is this…?”sICe8z
lTpGWk“Are you all alright?”k2ZBP
vRD1The servants, alarmed, checked on Dereck and Aiselin. Fortunately, no one was injured, although Aiselin was panting, her face pale from the shock.tcWi1D
Ye2Dereck looked once more at the beast’s corpse in the middle of the snowy field, where the cold wind still blew.8NzNn
R88qHe wondered if someone had used necromancy to control the beast’s body, but that kind of forbidden magic was not something commonly found.aNp0SW
Mm8It seemed more likely that someone had hurled the corpse of the giant monster at the carriage heading to the mansion. The intent behind such an act was clearly malicious.2IzddY
nOqeHAh‘Why throw the corpse of a beast?’AJuS
Bw1K3crThe carriage, tilted and stuck in the snow, could no longer move. The two white draft horses were also seriously injured and couldn’t rise from the ground. Watching them struggle was painful.HOQ8nr
et3‘This couldn’t have been done by human strength… was it magic?’3nhhW
kJlUdh9With that thought, Dereck closed his eyes and activated his mana detection spell.Ko5
zP27If magic had been used recently, it wouldn’t escape his senses.cdbBEK
QpUWbL0To hide from such detection required a much higher level. No ordinary mage could conceal themselves from Dereck, who had already reached the level of a three-star mage.pVg
hJNwPuTIndeed, he sensed traces of mana in the treetop behind him.SMElsb
42UYQ6Without hesitation, Dereck summoned a mana arrow and fired at the suspicious figure hiding high in the tree.iaEn
mbZWhack! Pop!osb3r
g9eVAn attack without even an incantation or preparation.3IvLO2
ICa9The shot was so fast that it was hard to even perceive it, let alone dodge.0CaDh
n9MlCdhThe person in the tree jumped high to evade it. It was almost an animal-like reflex.rCs
s7TiCrack! Thud!ByJ
vgWTzThe figure, who spun once in the air, was slimmer than expected. From her build, she resembled Diella.33LH
lfxOjShe, not he, twisted her body in the air and landed in the snowy field beyond the carriage. The sound of her landing in the snow was surprisingly light.lVG0
7EN9Q1h“…”9wtBMm
d4KzAiselin’s eyes widened upon seeing the figure land. Dereck remained frowning.bV7thI
WlTuPHer bluish hair spread across the snow, and the hem of her beautiful dress fanned out beneath her.Xw37C1
7KcpThe girl, who had slowly risen from a crouched position, opened her eyes slowly, revealing pupils white and bright like snowflakes.rzjZAx
3nFqAt first glance, she looked like an ice princess standing nobly in the snowy field.wNCdq
aBW4rHowever, that impression quickly vanished upon seeing what she held in her hands.6lpNY
O4a1In one, she held a deer with a twisted, bleeding neck, and in the other, a blood-soaked wolf pup.8jbi
MV5mqThe image of her holding the corpses of beasts larger than her own body was bizarrely surreal.S2xq
EnHnHer hands were stained with the animals’ blood. Under her left eye, dark red blood from the dying deer was visible. She wore no shoes, so her bare feet, white as jade, were sunk in the snow.5qk
vjBThe smell of blood hung clearly in the air, but she didn’t seem to mind.uAVC8
32CqbGiven the circumstances, there was no need to ask who was responsible for the corpse of the giant beast that had rammed the carriage.TFXhoU
uSV6“Miss Siern!”cSC
cOPIyFqThe head maid Serena bowed her head, trembling all over. The other servants also bowed nervously.JO4
tmEwDereck glanced at the trembling servants. Their sharp movements weren’t from loyalty. What drove them was the fear coursing through their veins.Di9
fd1vfSeeing her standing there in the snowy field as the icy wind blew evoked a strange sensation… like witnessing a wild beast dressed in an elegant gown.jUw6
YpWeThe only daughter of the greatest living six-star mage, Lord Melverot.Uz8I
KYg8DbQThe heir to his overwhelming magical talent.6sMNNZ
2ILQUOOA madwoman whom not even that great mage could tame, and whom he eventually had to yield to.ONAQm7N
7xDB1A lunatic who regarded human life as mere pebbles on the roadside.fsS
qXS0cTrA maniac that even the hardened northerners couldn’t control, no matter how many faced her.VW6DNg
dj5N59All those titles belonged to her.81e7
S3XSiern Alaina Rochester.wUoGW
Fb9dvUDereck frowned and held his ground.8yS82
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