Chapter 80: People (7)
tQ7SwThe blizzard intensified.71b
PV0keWith each step Siern took across the snowy field, the snow around her scattered into the sky from the force of her magic.3mdKFI
UTMQEwSIt looked as if a living whirlwind was in motion.ngF
7lt3Whooosh!BKH9
qAB6Whistle!4yEH
fBkvThough her eyes were filled with emotions of rage, Siern no longer raised her voice.l4QRK
gOEbAiselin was merely someone she had met a few weeks ago, just a passing acquaintance.29Vhiie
irWXHShe was the complete opposite of Siern. They had nothing in common, so they couldn’t have been particularly close.Tsl8
hg9v5OKThat was why it was strange that her death enraged her so much.e8y
7NDq3ZWhistle!ccam
9BYYet, seeing Aiselin buried in the snow, unmoving, Siern bit down hard on her lower lip.5nHjcj8
eSAqEven with such a brief encounter, Siern could tell.TUezl
iL5She was a person of such integrity that she deserved to be called the flower of the Duplain family, and so understanding that she tried to comprehend even someone like Siern, who everyone called a monster. She was a beautiful girl, as if everything in the world had blessed her.6y8tR
ll7hpluEven Siern’s frozen heart trembled when she saw her.NIjhQDm
ah01dSiern, who couldn’t control her murderous instinct, probably would’ve tried to push her away somehow… but even so, she wasn’t someone who deserved to die so easily.7g40rS
CvC‘Even human life has value and dignity.’2Fw5zLU
ivak‘If someone had to die, it should’ve been me.’DGs
Wbb0R‘It’s far too unjust that someone so precious, who tried to embrace and care for me despite what I am, should die like that.’9EN
KqrTThat’s why the girl raised her head and looked at the mercenary before her.IFQPTzP
Yo7gRFLifting her hand and clenching her fist tightly, she effortlessly invoked a second-tier summoning spell: “Call of the Beast.”MYy
yCpvWhooosh!wLWNkmI
Rw1zLEKDozens of wolves made of magic emerged onto the snowy field.Pmf6o
qhuIQKaThose spectral beasts bared their fangs and lunged at Dereck. Each one was human-sized, but Dereck stepped back without a trace of panic and brandished his staff.c0D
yTfC7kwGrrrr! Grrr!v1Cru
r06Clang!dB3E
tvD2RSteam burst from the fiercely bared fangs.AJlr
6wlDereck kicked the belly of a drooling wolf that lunged, rolled once on the ground, unsheathed his sword, and slashed its throat.QqPG
YpRfrvLSwoosh!QyLUCf
3M6AkJThe series of movements was so fluid and skillful.IGCx
lRWThe wolf, not even realizing it had been struck, returned to magic and vanished.pt9D
XCLMNYet dozens remained. The pack surrounded Dereck and charged in unison, but not a single one managed to scratch him.hkRWFk
S0GoSFwoosh! Whoosh!niDdlb5
6IRThe massive flames that exploded engulfed the surroundings, and the summoned wolves screamed as they were consumed by fire.Tojb
C0kSome managed to get close to Dereck, but were soon taken out by his sword.uZKk8HU
DLtNSlash! Whoosh!XvPs
yysufDereck, who rolled once in the snow and stood, held a long sword in one hand and a staff in the other.bPItK
8uoxn2EDereck, skilled in both magic and melee combat, could handle any attack Siern threw at him.WIRqIlZ
XVM7ypSiern knew this as well.LrIS
xTjEThough her magical achievements were astounding for her age, she couldn’t surpass Dereck. Knowing she could never beat him in a direct confrontation, she thought only of distracting him.4Kk
TtADZAnd so, among the many spectral wolves, she blended in a real beast.bvDj
xcamSUjKaang!Nc9P1i
SaimSiern’s claws flew and clashed against Dereck’s drawn sword.lcVCs7f
VmRMgw3Though her small, white fingers had soft, blunt nails, when they struck the blade, sparks flew and a fierce sound erupted.yt1Oe9
WwDCrack! Crackle!dC9yW
R94WoShe remembered that the first time she met Siern, her fingers had been vividly stained with blood.CkA2c5b
wQtxShe uses transformation magic to control even the hardness and strength of her body. There’s no one else in the world who uses such advanced transformation magic at her age.ro1u
Xuc4Siern then saw the expression of the white-haired mercenary across the blade.wSZmPJN
mAoThat expression was so serene that Siern clenched her mouth tightly again.hBb
5Y8Ji“You must see me as a monster too.”RluQZT
ctxFfW“…”1EqTR
f5Fh“But you don’t seem particularly human either.”UoXM
LJsmSSiern gritted her teeth and gathered more magical power.XNz
AgZAs mana flowed into Dereck’s sword, Siern grabbed the sharp blade.ySk
IkJrCrunch, crunch.dXN
GTKehHCrackle!2gdJ
ocsaaQFinally, the sword Siern held shattered. As Dereck scowled and leaped back, Siern’s claws slashed at where he had been just a second before.oPA5kX
rsJGkWhoosh!W8tTUuh
zgUWith one strike, the massive surge of mana blew away all the accumulated snow. And through the swirling snowflakes, she charged with glowing white eyes.4Iv8
vJhqh1She had the appearance of a beautiful young girl, but she was no different from a beast blinded by bloodlust.T6PQs
AsUg‘Transformation magic?’IRA
2Z4rJDereck threw the sword, now reduced to just the hilt, into the middle of the field and picked up his staff again.LCwgyGm
12T9The magic that changes the properties of matter is extremely difficult and requires a vast amount of mana.iVtVWW6
D7AxfIf she altered the essence of Dereck’s solid sword to break it like a cracker, even a second-tier mage would be gasping for breath.mXOm
79vlS8However, Siern’s nimble movements didn’t slow. Using third-tier transformation magic and acceleration, she ran through the snowy field with even more determination.GTaNuy
SwaF1By this point, it was obvious why even the most renowned mages couldn’t control her.EiDo
Q6UWKH3To subdue a girl who charges without warning and radiates murderous intent, magic knowledge, culture, or elegance alone aren’t enough.ve6NDrD
xdh2What’s needed is an overwhelming spirit that crushes her.3vkxis
b2asnjLBang!7iC34jB
GNBysKnWhen Dereck conjured a magical shield to block Siern’s next attack, she was already panting heavily.mTR7y8
9wSolShe had used too much advanced magic in a short amount of time. Any ordinary mage would’ve collapsed from exhaustion.MyM80p
BI9nK4LYet Siern stared at him intently.sVE
KsXi9Faced with the clear murderous intent radiating from her body, anyone would swallow nervously.dmS
JrCLlVBut Dereck let out a low chuckle.xPBst
N3kGGk“Are you this angry because Lady Aiselin died? What is it that angers you so much?”SnQ
Qh3uJ“…”CdIB
ZI2MV8E“Do you really think Lady Aiselin would’ve accepted and embraced you, Siern? Are you angry because you feel like you lost someone so valuable? What does that even mean?”s5cvjK
NtLH2CyCrackle, snap.VUg
2Ky9IDereck’s protective magic showed no sign of breaking. In front of him, Dereck lowered his gaze and spoke with a fierce look.qDJ56qU
GBO“Either way, weren’t you the one who killed her?”mbBBo5
YWFk“…”ZAPwZI
u8tn“So it doesn’t matter at all, does it? Lady Siern, you truly are peculiar.”23S5vM
ncNMDIn those ice-cold eyes was an emotion that seemed to genuinely not understand Siern.r4A4XD
t7Q3Y“Isn’t it better this way, that her hands aren’t stained with blood? Or are you disappointed that you didn’t get to kill her yourself? If that’s the case, I understand.”nCdD
BJy5“…”20EwEVy
q7y“I can’t quite understand the mind of a monster driven by a killing instinct. If you feel some kind of pleasure or joy from directly killing someone you cared about, well, I don’t respect it, but I can understand it. Is that it?”VWAM
HDxrsnf“Hahaha…”ylm
id1ioNySnap!iqRus
c5l6R0Siern leapt back, widening the distance.4N4q5sN
VmiaAs she landed on the snowy field, she straightened up with her blue hair fluttering in the wind.IW3ng
pzfQHer face was shadowed by her deeply bowed head, hiding her expression from view.PZc
7y3bSMeanwhile, Dereck casually shook off his staff with an indifferent expression.07wZv5d
8rC“Yes. The lady you killed was truly wonderful and complete, to the point that she didn’t even seem to match a monster like me. Even so… I don’t think I can agree with everything she said.”dHUOxm
d9sI0N— There is no one in this world who deserves to die, Lady Siern.bUd9dg
k9ZNSHdEven amid the freezing snowfield, she reaffirmed it to the end, speaking with a determined face.GgEgLLW
Iha3QIUntil the moment she coughed up blood from Dereck’s sword, she looked Siern in the eyes and spoke.YRFu
7Z2WGSRecalling that scene, Siern slowly revealed her fierce gaze. She pronounced each word, laden with seething hatred.Qmw0ZFA
3FbG3K“People like you deserve to die.”sMbk
2kOFinally, even the faint light of humanity left in her pupils disappeared.fqbGSd4
AGatzgiAbandoning her human reason, she listened to the voice of the great monster that wished to dominate the world.jS6
nkxt1SoSomeone whispered in the heart of Siern, who had been suppressing her true nature.fWpgf2x
a1TyeQ‘He is a person who deserves to die. He is a person who deserves to die.’xquMWu
I930Thus provoked, the beautiful lady of the Rochester family finally hid herself from the world.SnPcT
0zDpzHwaaak!3eA
QhulNJDWhat took her place was a monster driven mad by slaughter.qxbC
7xVNSy2***Bb3
kuVKA massive swirl of mana could be seen from the window.4v3lKuE
bupwuSeated in his office with his chin resting on his hand, Lord Melverot maintained the same expression as he looked up at the scene.u5tc1Y4
jpNMHIt was a phenomenon that occurred when Siern completely lost her reason and revealed her true monstrous nature.m7HlCr
T4Up2cWhen she showed her monstrous form, she destroyed everything in her path and killed indiscriminately.4KHsjg
a6yWithout even her own will, she moved like a natural disaster, guided solely by instinct.hz10
hfjlESUsually, Melverot personally intervened to suppress or stop her.fkFZH
AjOHowever, Dereck had asked him not to interfere until the end, only to observe from there.uMW
M1I4GPerhaps it was an arrogant judgment.VvN
mDJgxThe unleashed murderous intent of Siern would make even the most seasoned veteran sweat cold.2ka6oSy
EUzYPerhaps everything would end with one more victim of Siern.JVaoyl
scqgw6— If you taught her the weight of death, you must also teach her to control her instincts.dfMp
mmo— Is it possible to control a monster’s instincts?h6zI9r
dpCCdKE— It shouldn’t be impossible. After all, humans don’t live by instinct alone. If you can create just one chance for her to overcome that intense impulse, and if she succeeds just once… the second, third, and fourth times will be easier.gcH4aC
PzyAT— …r7IlM2P
4mXDo— So what’s crucial is after she completely loses her reason. I’ll take responsibility and try to restore Lady Siern’s reason. Will you trust me just this once?zJBQcW
ZgcA64GDereck was an expert on monsters. Melverot knew that, but it didn’t mean he could trust him blindly.oMk
GpLDHowever, from Melverot’s perspective, he had nothing to lose. If Dereck acted recklessly and died, it would be solely his mistake.JbrIg
58TaBut as he observed, Melverot felt a strange certainty.2Nc18be
0gSuOa3Melverot murmured to himself with his chin still resting on his hand.pgP
df8If‘If he really is that capable of a talent, I wouldn’t mind granting him one or two titles.’70X5NE
1TpPmFThe problem was whether he could prove his ability.67vor7V
hioBang!2uyWT
wXxmYGThe bluish mana began to turn dark red and surged violently.G56D
TOoThe beast, consumed by madness, charged at Dereck with her dress fluttering.VaV
LRJhR7GThe amount and intensity of mana were several times greater than when she still retained a shred of reason.VQoWz5s
2TvRIKACrash! Crack!NJ8y8FB
PsrWlThud!by4
rrzWEvery time Siern moved her arm, combat spells that first-class mages could barely cast with full power flew forth.3oJioO
cJ3yDereck could block them all with a single movement of his staff, but he had to dodge with his own feet the body of Siern, which flung itself wildly at him.d78f5Q
y42ETWhoosh! Bang! Whoosh! Bang!oHWsTZm
rlh9Each attack seemed like a massive explosion.CTIU5oW
8AUxkFor someone without defenses, even a graze would’ve been fatal.xDkJIzP
sSNvDespite the countless heavy blows hurled at him, Dereck’s face showed no emotion.21N
gNSYfHe was a young man who had lived his life killing countless monsters.vWoh
Gc9He had eliminated so many frenzied and desperate beings that he couldn’t even count them. The strength and power of those monsters were immense, and it wasn’t uncommon to lose a limb if one let their guard down.qVv
aIdWkHowever, a monster that has lost its reason has simple attacks and predictable movements.UzVJm3
fgubpAs long as one didn’t get swept away by their momentum, dealing with them wasn’t that difficult.udK
IZYBooom!c5ZfW
4HY2VThough it was easy to say, the reality was very different.oTK8td
27g0The moment one of Siern’s magical arrows missed and hit the ground, a deep crater appeared.h0AElI
2sxHer body, leaping across the snowy field, was difficult to follow even with one’s eyes.R7pwkFu
5dtHer long hair fluttered behind her like the tail of a great beast.xcAHKU
NccCThud!H2H
ujUzAs she charged again, wrapping her claws in transformation magic, Dereck cast a protective spell.47Xp
APeWyThe tremor of her claws as they were repelled. As Siern took a deep breath on the other side of the barrier, a massive exhalation billowed into the cold air.u8nK
QWAU2DGThere was no reason in the light that emanated from her eyes.Wz1
QRMxThe masters who had fled calling her a monster had made a rational decision. That moment proved it.hZ8MG
JSmDd***KKtFBf
isg6TWhat does it mean to teach someone?orMN
lCPIt was a constant concern for Dereck, who had somehow become a magic teacher among the nobility.JdXK
y7nbjtVWhether it was Diella, Ellen, or Denise… Dereck always seemed to carry that concern when teaching someone.zz8VGF
TyssBoIf it were only about transmitting knowledge, reading a book would be better.wxgvZyr
dh3bCXIn the end, being someone’s teacher and teaching them must have a deeper meaning.tihTXz
ROxdZrAiselin always thought it was admirable to see Dereck, who constantly reflected on how to better guide people, caught up in those worries.aGMh
cLKwAiselin, who had discovered and recruited him while he worked as a mercenary in taverns, believed she understood his deepest thoughts better than anyone.Lm0owsR
foVYThat’s why she thought Dereck’s detour in trying to kill Siern was just a small misstep.GnXlh
7nDgNO‘There is no life in this world that deserves to die.’wLwnY
KIoWOW‘No matter who it is, one must think about how to guide them down a better path, not just resolve everything by killing them.’L5DBg
3piThat’s how the upright and kind Aiselin saw the world.S8HCeM
T7hLdShe believed that one day Dereck would understand that vision, and she wanted to believe in him, to wait for him until the end, even if he went down the wrong path.2FyU5
eblHowever… was that too arrogant a thought?i8UPj
P6w8At the moment Dereck’s sword stabbed her and blood spurted out, Aiselin thought:TfQFP
AvmvAY‘Trying to embrace and understand everyone might be overestimating oneself.’rOwuN
i74‘Maybe Dereck’s impulse to resolve things through killing was something innate, something I couldn’t change.’U2fa4
kFDL‘There are many things that can’t be solved with warm idealism.’xUBg63m
9pKAs if to remind her of that fact, the young man’s sword turned toward Aiselin.VE0
sfSLwKWhile slowly losing consciousness in the middle of the snowy field… Aiselin thought:W64
JmRB‘I still don’t know anything about this boy named Dereck.’XYzkz
yvZ3EAThat ignorance and arrogance must have been the cause of her death…qjq
KjVSU“…Ahchoo!”fRK
L6WVThat was the moment Aiselin accepted her death.KlJxj
jMgzrWhen she regained a bit of consciousness, it was so cold that she sneezed.HsfK
DdO1H1H“…?”Km2
MPCThe blood spreading beneath the accumulating snowflakes was undoubtedly from Aiselin.UsQ
zSSHowever, as soon as she came to, she was able to sit up quickly. She didn’t feel any pain in her body, just a bit of cold in her fingers.ol5BN
g8pCQKang! Kang! Kaang!P3rwjpp
a6A3JWhile the sounds of battle echoed in the distance, she finally came to completely.0X92i
0xzY“Huh…?”oryqO
1jISAiselin opened her eyes wide and looked around.R0qStf
bvuVShe clearly remembered being stabbed by Dereck’s sword. However, there was no wound on her body, just a large hole in the side of her blouse.PF5moz
NxpDereck’s sword had only pierced her loose clothing. It wouldn’t have been hard to miss, considering Aiselin usually wore loose and billowy clothes.s9q
XjTz“….”UU50gn
NhJerLooking around, she saw a large leather pouch with a hole lying on the ground.GBKq
u3xMiShe picked it up with a trembling hand and found that it was filled with red dye soaking into the ground. The distinct floral scent of dye from the western continent floated in the air.rwo
R9F1SrAiselin instinctively understood.TFuwpV6
chlZAt the moment she was stabbed, she had definitely felt mana rising.l5dOz
gLoUsing the confusion spell “Chaos,” her consciousness had been temporarily scattered.OSEaL
JkzpO“Oh… my God…”15Nq6
1XqSThe reason for such a troublesome act was obvious. It was to fake Aiselin’s death and provoke Siern.qu4qC
diqxDWMWhy do something like that? To imprint the weight of death into Siern—at least once.Owl
Cj2VzEOnly by making Siern understand the deep meaning of the word “death” over and over again could the foundation to control her instincts be laid.qufCkn
050XstThat’s why Dereck took on the role of the villain.GjQs5
YhmShe remembered the back of that man, standing firmly on the snowy field, holding a sword dripping red dye like blood.QR0Y
FKyvBAs she understood the whole scene, Aiselin’s fingertips began to tremble even more.QVVLJtm
A2olVbI“When… did it all begin…?”3OIns5f
dQY8W0pFrom where had he been painting this picture? It was obvious. From the very beginning.FugO6b4
eWrDereck, who didn’t trust Aiselin’s acting skills, had prepared the entire setup so that she would believe everything was real.t5V8Qh
4CkVAiselin, without knowing it, had tried to stop Dereck by rebelling against him.JAgP
9O4DNWhat is a teacher? What does it mean to teach someone? If necessary, it means pushing the student off a cliff and enduring being seen as a demon.8yrzo
XIkwKRxThe grace of such teaching is only understood too late. If the student detects those intentions from the beginning, then they have no value.iCn2X
o7OSbc8That’s why Siern would still know nothing.C0L
ZwB271wDereck’s uproar was only to correct Siern. That fact hadn’t changed from the beginning.jzODSS
6yFwjQwAnd the fact that Aiselin was still alive was the clearest proof of that.t2rEkRI
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