Chapter 73: To the North (4)
mqGECrunch, crunch.8U0
EKKJThe crunching of Dereck’s boots on the snow was clearly audible.rOFy
Ccz9In the snow-covered field whipped by the blizzard, Dereck finally appeared approaching the carriage, carrying Siern over his shoulder.yD1GrN
6TPzHer limp body swaying in the wind made it look as if he were carrying the corpse of a wild beast, causing the gathered servants to tremble in fear.58q
dbS“I apologize for the commotion.”7CqII
px9N3dJ“N-no… how…?”v0qwu46
mMtzecbSiern’s eyes rolled, unable to regain consciousness.VRo2x
bukdkAlthough it wasn’t clear what kind of exchange had taken place between Dereck and her in that nearly zero-visibility blizzard, Dereck had nothing more than a faint trickle of blood running down his temple.K7w
ocgSsB‘Did he subdue Lady Siern that easily, who is nearly equivalent to a three-star mage…?’3W0
qzdButler Layton looked at Dereck in disbelief, but he, showing not the slightest concern, asked while carrying Siern.KvHl1
nbN“The carriage is completely destroyed. Is the Rochester estate far?”1t2
OMus“N-no… It’s not too far on foot. The weather is quite harsh, so it will be difficult, but…”Ivvqf
jtOI9JH“Then let’s go quickly.”yqa4
6EeWWith that said, Dereck stepped into the blizzard.9gU
2BsThe extreme cold seemed to have no effect on him at all.qqAg
Wst***JSNk
JrJuACrackle, crackle.Puc
x7LcEvTThe Rochester estate rose like a tower amid the blizzard.YMoP
Lho12CAlthough the building was of considerable size, its grandeur seemed diminished by the harsh surroundings.xTap
yltUd5SUnlike the Duplain estate, which overwhelms you with its vast garden as soon as you pass through the gate, the Rochester estate felt purely functional.fCsq1Kz
jSEConsidering that monsters often appeared out of nowhere and attacked, it was completely natural.Ljsp6h
hLdT9“It must have been very hard to arrive like this in Rochester territory. As the butler, I feel deeply ashamed.”lDLvtM
lWc“Don’t worry. I now understand what kind of person Lady Siern is.”Bbx
gaVk5It seemed customary in this region to lead guests straight to the fireplace as soon as they arrived from afar.8z3HMg
JxZm6QnDereck, warming himself before a fireplace taller than a person, made a dismissive gesture when the butler brought the servants to greet him politely.ks2Qfxo
9Y8M“Where is Lady Siern?”or9
WVGlPRw“She’s unconscious. We’ve placed her in a private room in the tower.”Omw
6ws“I must go see her. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”jcdTT
O2eoJMcThe butler swallowed hard as he looked at Dereck.y1k
yBjnNyEven after being attacked without provocation by Lady Siern with dangerous aggression during their first meeting, he remained composed.DumGAp8
zoH6FIf he had been an inexperienced mage, he would have been defeated instantly. In fact, Siern often ambushed and seriously injured high-ranking mages when she caught them off guard.EdHnavL
DKkikYH“He’s even more formidable than I thought. I’m not sure I can fulfill my role…”2xUaQG
AqKjgkHAiselin, who was warming herself by the fire behind Dereck, spoke in a low voice.OdoF
lxu09KUpon arriving in the north, she seemed to realize that this place was fundamentally different from the fertile and beautiful Duplain domain.StezF
cQLcVKAlthough she had cheerfully shouted that she would take on any task due to the urgent need for money, she seemed terrified after actually facing Siern, who tried to kill her.Iy2Wd
dDXW“Not only can’t I communicate, but I could be seriously injured if I try anything. Mr. Dereck has a lot of experience and skill… but I don’t…”hHriRE
soO“Are you very scared?”zBDnuQ
l8Zay“…Yes.”271rIWq
a2hiAiselin spoke honestly.kHcvbg
SYFHer gaze reflected a lack of confidence. However, she wasn’t someone who simply complained.kG0
201giu8“But I have to do it. I’ll find a way in my own way.”wIgF
e2nLe0Soon, she clenched her fists tightly and spoke with determination.H8SoefJ
pEnl“If I’ve already decided to do it, then I have to do it. Besides, nothing will change if I just complain.”Rmpr
Rik“That’s a good attitude. Actually, there’s no need to worry so much.”hV4c
she41“Huh?”YQdFr
YC6JCT“Even though I suspected it would be quite tough, do you know why I asked you to come with me, Miss Aiselin?”SoSHY
z77v“…Because you thought I’d accept right away since I desperately need the money?”U8TnBl
hbS“…That reason isn’t entirely absent.”50PE1mk
O8lvleDereck sat next to Aiselin by the fire and spoke to her.GU4b
3O6“Because someone like you needs to accompany me.”Z1Gp1b
yTm“Someone like me…?”utGBIU
I3xYd“Specifically, someone who is obviously elegant, refined, and beautiful.”lSRYL0
3l443“Eh?”A5e
Zyf8uzoAt that sudden shower of compliments, Aiselin held her breath and awkwardly lowered her gaze.QGyQWe4
RS8“E-even if you flatter me like that all of a sudden… nothing special is going to happen…”v2i3d
orKnsZa“I’m just telling the truth. Unlike me, who is a bit rough and vulgar, you’re clearly a cultured and elegant person. That difference is important.”W7IMNig
YBN5wAiselin’s face turned red at Dereck’s blunt words, but she knew he wasn’t saying them to flirt with her.HHsJtlr
U4i“I mentioned I had a plan. I’d already heard about Lady Siern, and there were aspects that would be difficult for me to handle alone. I planned to ask for your help with that.”EDri
7IlRXj9“Things like etiquette, social manners, and knowledge about dancing…?”emYRk
UdbB“No. All that is secondary.”L9xDRlb
Unk“What…? Isn’t that important…?”hxmcV
0kazPMsAfter all, that kind of cultural knowledge could be taught as long as they managed to win Siern over. The most important thing was how to dominate Siern.NptHhqf
olw“We need a carrot-and-stick approach. I’ll be the stick, and you, Miss Aiselin, will be the carrot.”IvV
BGs“W-what do you mean by that…?”7tO
zilR1“Hmm… I already have a plan. Want to hear it? Actually, it’s a strategy I learned from an old friend in the slums. It seemed pretty convincing, so I decided to adopt it.”RoW
0vlDereck had many acquaintances in the slums, but few he could call “friends.”EK4Xk3M
Tr0CgSince he had always been treated as an outsider in noble circles, Aiselin felt curious to know who this old friend he mentioned was.9uSLf
ENwI5k‘Why am I so interested in that…? I think I’m getting too nosy…’lROE
JNqxFIOHowever, she quickly shook her head and refocused on Dereck’s words.1Ab
7o75fzI“It’s called… the abused wife strategy.”pRQ
IQw“…”415bYm
d4aW“Sounds strange?”CxnIidi
hzAnvG“Your friend’s family life… must not have been easy…”j2hsDr6
qiVeohDereck remembered the young archer who used to run through the slums to support her elderly mother.xV1q23k
pFbNow that her mother had passed away, her life as a total orphan wasn’t any easier than his.Aou69O3
w7XR“There’s no one in the slums who doesn’t have a story. I didn’t bring it up to talk about sad things. Miss Aiselin, you just have to play the role of the abused wife.”mye
2n2Ru7What the hell did that mean? That was the question about to come out. Aiselin waited silently, thinking Dereck would explain soon.eaI6Iaq
6jpnVbw“Then I’ll play the pathetic husband.”WGSm9
9HnXiC“H-husband? W-what do you mean by that? H-husband… If someone hears that, they’ll get the wrong idea…”niQsWP
ZBXyVpX“It’s a metaphor. I’ll explain the plan in detail.”e08gG9n
05h87Dereck looked out the window at the swirling snowstorm.w2618tg
3wmmBehind Aiselin, who twisted her fingers and looked around, the storm intensified.KpxNKN0
mQrT9cAStaying too long in this remote place wouldn’t be good. The best thing was to get everything they could from Lord Melverot and leave as soon as possible.18QDlzr
DHtjNlvFor that, they needed to reform Lady Siern’s mindset as quickly as possible. After all, she was the only daughter of the continent’s greatest mage.KGBT
Zl7Once they had her under control, it wouldn’t be surprising if rumors spread that there was no lady on the continent they couldn’t educate.lablkKa
F02AqnUPersonal gain was important too, and besides, there was a magical artifact that Dereck wanted to obtain from Lord Melverot.gG05
gcLb4There was no reason to waste time here. Dereck spoke with a more serious expression.ZRex
MQUUjIS“Miss Aiselin. Are you good at acting?”vjPFg
m69“Y-yes…”IRHc97
BtwkAs Dereck continued explaining his plan, Aiselin’s expression gradually hardened.khtYAQb
7kyb“D-Dereck… are you really okay with this?”yY2NqkE
oRHkAs***dwsz
CKj– U-Ugh! It’s a monster!3PA
nHc– Lord Melverot! No matter what, how can you bring something like that to the mansion! This isn’t something that can be taught or controlled! We must report to the royal family officially…!Sxk7Pp
hsgWzF– S-Save me! Please! Just my life… You can cut off my arms and legs… Just let me live…R9HWJQW
c4id– What… it’s you…?ViT2
QDuaWhoosh!hNEKE
fj2The moment countless fragments of memories surged from the other side of the dream, Siern’s eyes flew open.PsL
wHKNR9The air was warm from the cozy fireplace. The scent of freshly washed blankets tickled her nose, and from time to time, the sound of a snowstorm striking the glass filled the room.eyeKlxq
zX6e7Siern, who sat up abruptly, remembered her last memory. It was the memory of having exchanged magic with a man named Derek.2oK
NgZmmHe moved as if he knew exactly where Siern was heading, predicting every one of her movements, and without giving her a chance to counterattack, he had subdued her with a three-star spell.IbH6
jJSWaJust before falling, when their eyes met, Siern had involuntarily swallowed dryly.JOW8S
ApLH4nHe was different from the magic instructors who had come to this far northern land to teach her.nzEz7
P9fc3He wasn’t a scholar locked away in books, but a man who had truly survived countless battles, ripping monsters apart entirely.NuM
m5aPlSpAlthough Siern had no prior information about him, she could feel it just by facing his murderous intent.hPg
cOrg64DHe had killed countless monsters. He was a man used to taking lives.bm7sL
2t4WjK‘It’s better not to face him head-on. I should ambush him when no one is around or attack while he’s asleep and somehow drive him out of the mansion.’v9QsxT
o5EOJust as she was thinking that and turned her gaze away from the bed…Ln46w
MMspj“Ah.”YtVC
9SU“You’re awake?”k966
Ie2The white-haired man she had just been thinking about was sitting at the table in the corner, reading a book with his legs crossed.Yg9daCS
RKtgBdYHe looked so relaxed that the image of him chasing her through the snowy field, bleeding, seemed like a thing of the past.bGI6U4
eIRMdxYSiern quickly threw off the blanket and jumped to the opposite corner, taking a defensive stance.XhWXuA
YdxjuPW“You… you… why are you here…?”4xM
oojh0fU“You already know the reason, don’t you? Lady Siern, you will learn magic from me.”0Oguhp
jPaxjN1“Why should I learn magic from you? You’ll probably just spout nonsense, then give up and leave.”Wr4a
kvBSkg“That’s for me to decide. I’ll also set the class schedule starting tomorrow.”dBaPAM6
Z6Cu“Go to hell.”QUjd2m0
eB07Siern used telekinesis to hurl the table. Dereck closed his book, lowered his stance, and rolled across the floor to dodge.vKe
YgXCrash! Crack!7Oo
xXY7Thud! Boom!hx1f
bzStV2Several other pieces of furniture flew at him, but none touched his body.vUAqSt6
agcDereck dodged from side to side and, before she realized it, was already in front of Siern, grabbing her arm.o6WH
v4lgQG0Snap!o5rOVeO
wqCdPS“Ahhh!”mViAIm
sjJAs he stared at her with an intimidating gaze, Siern’s body began to tremble again.MOpJu6
7PyArEven if his opponent was a haughty brat, Dereck was unfazed. His red eyes, filled with murderous intent, were excessively terrifying for such a naïve girl.uNOaRFL
a6rAt that moment, Siern understood. Her opponent was an expert in these types of situations.PpiVm0
FwAJgSurely, his goal was to subdue or manipulate people like her, taming them like docile sheep.Hsx
LwYGHoAs soon as she grasped that objective, an even stronger sense of rebellion arose.ITxDH
PEp“You think I’ll listen to you? Don’t waste your time and go back to the southwest. There’s no place for you in the north.”gARjZ
UPso7“Looks like you need a few more knocks to come to your senses.”k6FcTJP
4SmALFrom any perspective, a commoner shouldn’t speak like that to a noble. How could he still have his head on his shoulders after doing such things?juE1o
QFqIt was incredible, but Dereck had already accumulated numerous merits. The reason he could act so arrogantly in front of nobles was that he had already proven himself as a certified magic instructor.6gnbzw
z8lFThe story of how he slapped the infamous brat Diella of the southwest upon meeting her was no longer a family secret, but a fact known to those in the know.msA
8NoDereck’s unique sense of righteousness, which didn’t waver even before a noble lady, was something ordinary instructors couldn’t imitate. If a commoner without achievements did something like that, he would be treated as a traitor, but for an instructor with multiple merits, the meaning was entirely different.dIk
87pm28nOf course, he also had the skills to back it up.geT76F
JD73tKLNo matter how great Siern’s magical abilities were, she couldn’t easily break free from Dereck’s grip.8PZ7h
z5i8RXoBoom!cBJOAf
89K2But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try.xeQ
pg5ySiern cast the two-star combat spell ‘Quick Explosion’, setting the room ablaze.zjDm
UGCr1cBFwoosh!PHlWG
0dVOMDereck quickly used his magic to shield himself from the impact, but lost his grip on her wrist.0lkhW
VTEz7With her newfound freedom, Siern kicked open the door and dashed out of the tower. She was making it very clear that she had no intention of dealing with Dereck any longer.evl9Q
ADAArWhoosh!e9vc9nv
YmfAdFhHowever, Dereck chased her quickly. He moved even faster than when hunting monsters.aL7g
CM8vKThe murderous intent in his eyes remained. He was a ruthless human, as if he had come to beat Siern mercilessly.1QeU1
t5s“Ugh…!”U20ZH
qnCAamSiern wrapped herself in magic and ran out beyond the mansion wall. As long as she could put some distance, Dereck wouldn’t find her in the vast snowy field.Vrdi
QQ45FcJust as she was about to leap over the wall, Dereck, moving like a beast, grabbed her by the nape.yX5G8a
ZSI8gbSnap!PUUq
wnusSiern, still in her dress, rolled across the snowy ground, shook the snow from her hair, and glared fiercely at Dereck.YLjM
IsR“Ugh… That hurts…”oeJX
eN97ENs“It needs to hurt more. Since you don’t listen to words, I have no choice but to correct you through pain.”q7kra
M3tz8“You… think… this is okay?”9glvj
mTmst“I’ll take care of the consequences.”H4B
7ZvgaWith that, Dereck pulled out the staff he carried on his back. Seeing it, Siern’s eyes widened in shock, and she swallowed dryly.Qi8vGjp
tW4O1eIt was the four-star staff ‘Footsteps’. Four old wooden branches intertwined, with a large gem embedded at the top.VNpMm
HKHJ‘He knows how to use a staff…?’HvJ
YxdyWUUsing a magical weapon requires not only advanced magical skills but also experience.CceTly4
IzUvLWhether a wand or a magical weapon… just being able to use it already far surpasses the level of an ordinary mage.dWD4lk
YlZShe had already sensed something strange when he subdued her without causing serious harm, but now it was clear—Dereck had reached a level where he wasn’t intimidated even by nobles.Yx0n6IK
7CJ“Do you know the name of this staff? Since you’re from the north, you might know it, Lady Siern.”7RR
rth“Made by Aidenbrew… ‘Wanderer’… or… ‘Footsteps’…?”dUKV
NXE“No. Actually, I renamed it.”iFekq
zVxuIt’s not uncommon for users to rename their magical weapons. Though the original name is usually more famous and, out of respect for the creator, it’s not customary… Dereck didn’t care.GUzLwfm
GFw“…It’s called the Whip of Love.”XS3rKT
YhZ“You’re… completely insane…”fvInfU
GbjVdtWhoosh! Whoosh!ErL08vb
jlEwDereck swung the staff like a club. It was questionable whether he was even a mage.y2s
GFQWhoosh! Whoosh!0pDVG
a4edThe sound of the staff cutting through the air was terrifying. Even a single hit would be enough to make her calves swell in pain.FEvgVu
jVwSiern swallowed dryly again and tried to flee. But Dereck, already familiar with her patterns, easily made her trip.de1Y2
ZraSnap! Thud!gX9bv
tUtcbRSiern rolled once through the thick snow, gritted her teeth, and got up on her hands.gRB5
RkpLLooking back, she swallowed dryly once more.Ei61
ye6YhWCHolding the Whip of Love, a terrifying man, embodying love, dedication, and the virtues of a teacher, was approaching. He was truly a master of this era.xJnwK
Q8S“I’m not doing this because I want to. I’m doing it for your sake, Lady Siern. Striking someone is never the right thing to do. When I swing this whip… my heart breaks. I feel a strong burning inside… My soul aches… But correcting people is my duty. Even if my heart breaks and my mind falls apart, I have to do it for you, Lady Siern.”SCCm
goS5“L-Liar..! Your heart breaks… W-When has that ever happened…! Don’t come any closer…!”LkFB
QVQwt“Now then, how many lashes do you think you deserve, Lady Siern? You decide. Tell me, and I’ll give you that number.”Rqo684o
fDwDereck’s eyes sparkled and his breath puffed in the cold air.WGQW
J5vSeeing him as an uncontrollable monster, Siern took a step back in the snowy field.3HQt
xK3However, she couldn’t shake off Dereck. Escaping from someone skilled in tracking magic using only acceleration and transformation magic was virtually impossible.cBdT0q
j74NlJust as Siern’s fingertips began to tremble, something unexpected happened. While she didn’t know how to escape and her vision dimmed…hUR
xZH“Mr. Dereck! Stop!”B2BX8v
MJC9Whoosh!R2w07
bDLgAiselin, who had run through the snowy field, placed herself between Dereck and Siern.aHTula
lqdbWith arms outstretched, she shielded Siern with a frown.zWToo
sATZHaving lived a long life as a high-ranking noble, she exuded elegance even while standing still.LMmoA
8R1xEven amid the snowstorm, her nobility shone brightly.AqEtbQ
NJedHer bold figure was like that of a heroine shining radiantly in the midst of adversity. It was the kind of strength seen in the protagonists of Denise’s novels.4x5
noxDereck, a devoted reader of The Arrogant Lord Robain, admired Aiselin’s appearance in silence.9Jw5oo
oYnpK2DSoon, with a face full of determination, Aiselin shouted for all to hear.9Ke
OXegm1“Violence! Is bad! Yes! It’s bad! Violence!!!”WVqD4tX
E0uPlUnfortunately, the heavens hadn’t granted her the same talent for dialogue as Denise.PlD
VsknzQ“…”EQy
k7BOya2Dereck, in essence, respected Aiselin, but he couldn’t praise her acting skills.Iv7h
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