Chapter 98: Power and Love (3)
ukgpThe mansion of Count Belmierd was located in the small city of Floren, beyond the natural fortress of Ratman Gorge and across the vast plains.VuAwM
SgjBKVThis small city, which was also Ellen’s birthplace, was a mandatory stop for most of the southern trade routes leading to Ebelstein.cSJ
6xW6YmBecause of this, it was not unusual to see mercenaries establishing bases or brokers crowding the main road to haggle.xaC
PW3lFloren was a small city, but one with great influence.MHW6
29quEven though it could be crossed from end to end in less than half a day, the volume of logistics distribution was so great that it could be considered a miniature Ebelstein.f9vg
Ad44GAs the place with the highest tax revenue within the Count Belmierd’s territory, this city was the family’s most treasured possession.6sOytgz
NpBCXVbTo see the mansion of the ruler of this region, Count Belmierd, one had to cross the city and look up at Rabir Hill, which rose after the plains.RL7xC88
RN6dThe mansion, built as if to overlook Floren from above, had become a symbol of the region.AtPQm
zSCdIt was the mansion of Count Belmierd.dSJPpq
dqQ“…”8pH4
t3fDereck could not help but shiver the moment he stepped down from the carriage.meMLgf
1SB0WZd“Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw. It is an honor to receive you. I have heard that you were Lady Ellen’s tutor and gave her great guidance.”T6aaWsM
vw8baOf course, the scale was far different from Ellen’s private mansion in Ebelstein.lbxWQTU
TPP3GThe welcome Dereck received was far grander than he had expected.fYyV
j9mHe thought he had grown used to seeing large estates, as he often visited various noble families, but that thought vanished when he saw the main residence of one of the three great families.0x4
KIzV‘Well, the mansions I used to visit were mostly the private ones of noble ladies in Ebelstein’s noble district. The only main residence I knew was the Duplain family’s. Outside of that, perhaps Duke Rochester’s on the outskirts.’kUrCda
jR2eqFThe ducal houses of Duplain and Rochester were not of ordinary size either.5HJInSV
cAjuHowever, the mansion of Count Belmierd did not pale in comparison to such powerful families. Though the title was one rank lower, its influence and authority in the region were no less.r530Dj
SH83qaVThe palace-like main building, the annexes extending behind it, the separate guest pavilions, a church with a tower, three different gardens (the main one, the servants’ garden, and the labyrinth), an armory, a training field, and even a small barracks.nFLfD
JcF60Added to the stables and artisan workshops, it gave the impression of a small town adjoining the city.PXkUw4
LTDhEven within the outer walls, there was a large lake.UWF
e6FvThe scale of the mansion left one speechless.8nOa
dMGHere was where reality became clear.lLOfI
rooMQlEllen, whom he had seen in Ebelstein’s noble district as just another lady, in truth possessed a very different kind of authority.wqu
yyPERqAll of this mansion would someday be hers.3falTX
lhFX1D***4YNTU
bkWIt was no surprise that Ellen had risen to the rank of true power within the Belmierd family.LANtf9
yvWOShe had received the absolute support and affection of the count, and it had been years since she had overshadowed both the incompetent eldest son and the third son, who had turned to religion.Don
fUohAs Ellen’s tutor, even Dereck, a simple frontier noble, could be treated as an honored guest in this mansion.fDDMS
GDbQ9CThe guest room to which the servant led him was as large as the main hall of Ravenclaw Barony, and the tea served while he waited was of such superior quality it was more expensive than most fine dishes.hfI
VFYWKPIn fact, more surprising than such treatment was that Count Belmierd himself came to receive him.L0Xm
qTgAja“It has been a while, hahaha. Once I chased you down to the commercial district to hire you, and as expected, your value has multiplied several times since then.”CiV
hBVCount Belmierd was known as a generous man.PtyHX
IIRbVZHe wore an imposing suit of armor and a luxurious cloak, as if he could march to the battlefield at any moment.0Ov
ZAPGIn fact, he often personally inspected the barracks or the armory, which explained why the soldiers of this territory were considered superior to those of the other two families.rqn9
rTTvd“It was a sudden visit, but I am honored that you yourself received me.”j50SnO
d30CEc“Honored? Everyone knows you are under the protection of the cold Duke Rochester in the north.”nPKESLA
K6TxDVw“Yes, I owe Lord Melverot a great debt.”SE4Qb3
NREIgCount Belmierd, crossing his massive arms, laughed again and then sat in a chair in the corner of Dereck’s private room.9sBZW2k
Rrs“Hahaha. It feels like yesterday I heard rumors you came from the slums, and now you come to the count’s mansion as a titled noble… I regret not having managed to retain you then.”HNb
phhAi“There were circumstances at that time. I apologize.”Cvp
BmWRuz“Well, anyone who knows how hard it is to find a good magic teacher would understand. I wanted to keep you by my side, but things don’t always go as one plans.”Rb2yK5
Nkrj9jXDespite his rugged appearance, intelligence shone in his eyes.44nI
dGbYXJIt was the bearing of a veteran hardened by countless battles.GWWDBzT
aSTVC“Gold, silver, and jewels stay in the chest once you lock them away, but no matter how much you want to hold onto talent, just look away and it disappears. It’s frustrating.”z46ggHF
YhE279“That’s why they say talent is more precious than gold.”i0O
YDs“Exactly. Especially those, like you, who know their worth. They’re the hardest to use. Anyway, you’re clever, hahaha.”VpS
hizyuAfter joking, the marquis sighed deeply.OyO1q
yVxcq“Since my dear daughter Ellen considers you her teacher, I should treat you with the utmost honor, but the situation is not favorable. I ask for your understanding if you feel we neglected you somewhat.”4pQFN
BWsDereck, who in no way felt neglected, found it strange.cNf
obxgnIf this was “neglect,” then what would the treatment of a true honored guest be like?rRI
6Yu“…It seems something is happening in the mansion.”6OJHMgE
j0QThe count’s expression hardened for an instant. Then he smiled again, but Dereck did not miss that fleeting moment.rtkZA5
sJoXy“Well, in the end you will know even if I don’t tell you. There are many servants given to gossip, and those who need to know already know.”X3Bl
OSd6“…?”LHNb
DGoavXq“According to your letter, you are starting a new business, correct? You want Ellen to appear at the inauguration of the training center… that is not a difficult request.”3pB4z
DjjyThe count uncrossed his arms and stood.urHj1A7
sttGHn6“However, I am not sure it is possible right now.”eJd
Z5Rjnr“…Why?”TWy
xwte0“Ellen is currently under house arrest by my decision.”zzeico
AOgx6y“What?”U5aP0YK
5yVnm0It was so sudden that Dereck couldn’t help but ask again.9BdNOvm
wFWThe count’s expression looked complicated, somewhere between a smile and a bitter grimace.4v5aOiA
UpP“For the time being, Ellen will be under surveillance. Within the mansion she can only go to the annex, the tower, the church, and the gardens. When the situation is resolved, she may be allowed to go out, but for now I doubt it.”ii4co
uDf“What happened for her to be under house arrest?”0KFXg
kbzThe count was silent for a moment, as if pondering.BoOv79
kEdF4nRHe was known as a loving father, so he must have had a grave reason to forbid his daughter from leaving. It was clear he had given an order with which he was uncomfortable.UeO
yE9vdHe seemed to be debating whether to tell Dereck the details.GLo6
LuKDOhSeeing this, Dereck understood. The information the count hesitated to reveal was probably a secret so great it could affect the entire Belmierd house.ZCilOY
E5ck179If Ellen trusted someone fully, the marquis usually trusted them too. Yet there was a reason he wavered.ARm75m
paFHsqWhile Dereck tried to guess, the count finally spoke, as if forcing the words out.u6Cjva
2AVxDEven Dereck, always calm, frowned upon hearing it.4jNMBNh
Jvu0A“Traces of necromancy research were found in Ellen’s room.”GcuW
J2HfIMDereck straightened his posture.sYztuA
HAodspBThis was not something that could be taken lightly.0TVugST
hrw8s***2P7iG
fLkWX“Baron, a letter has arrived.”yQ1Od
VQGH“Hmm?”MGh
pPT3The next day, a letter flew to the Barony Ravenclaw, which was full of construction work.BPWgG8
eOe3Dereck, who was watching the site with a complicated expression, received the letter that Delbriton handed him.rWA
XlaChThe envelope, richly decorated, bore the seal of Count Belmierd.w9t
0ww6The incident began when a maid, sent by Leonard, the third son of the Belmierd family, entered Ellen’s room.CLb7z
RzDLeonard had asked her to look for a magic book by the author Hamilton to practice a second-class spell.qswDJm
uZx2wQqHamilton’s book was quite rare, not even available in the estate’s library. When the maid informed him of this, Leonard said.qIBtt0
BEjZM“I saw Ellen reading Hamilton’s book. I will send her a separate letter to inform her, so go ahead, take the book from her shelf.”e1m
ezYjkoZEllen resided most of the time in Ebelstein because of her work in the Rose Salon.GeMrga
NAqWSince Ellen’s room was often empty, borrowing a book didn’t seem like a big problem.YAljsy
N8EAs Leonard assured her that he would obtain Ellen’s permission personally, the maid began searching the bookshelf without objection.4g81
H3xAnd soon, upon pulling out one of the books, a strange space was revealed behind it.SICoKa
qcSUnable to resist her curiosity, the maid reached in, found something like a handle, and pulled it.O0ufoUF
q6yrxTCreak.uwi8
dFBPThen, the bookshelf moved, revealing a huge staircase that descended directly underground.epAdLi
GaGXO8LThe maid, horrified, immediately informed the butler of the Belmierd mansion, and he, along with two senior servants, went down into the underground space, where a terrible scene unfolded before them.PQgDa
xS0b8An underground laboratory that reeked of blood.wD6vr0y
KvsjHuman parts were stored in a mutilated state, and several skulls rolled across the floor.8GZCF
DXKvWIn one corner of the room, under the chandelier of the desk, several necromancy books were spread out, the kind carried by the necromancers of Rodentz Island.feu1
WWN7sNext to the desk were trinkets, writing instruments, and a frilled hat that seemed to belong to Ellen, scattered across the place.NoSzDO
f1DdAfter that, the mansion was turned upside down.2mnEl
NN6PFXEllen, who was in Ebelstein, was immediately summoned back to the Belmierd mansion.lXqxIP
KoW‘So you are finally plotting something interesting.’qiIhA
xdMq9uEllen, sitting in the garden of the Belmierd mansion’s annex, put down her teacup.4cDb
e0XThe sky was high and blue, and the garden offered a peaceful view.fGj1zl
0esCYHowever, the servants passing by couldn’t help but glance sideways and swallow nervously.kBndN
EbwThere was a woman standing behind Ellen, who drank tea under the late spring sun, her hands clasped behind her back. Her name was Briana, the most trusted maid of Count Belmierd.1kOMlP
guc9It was not common for someone as capable as her, who handled all kinds of important tasks, to waste time just to watch over one person.xvd
hB2In that gloomy atmosphere, the servants could not help but murmur among themselves.Z65d
O7M1L‘Even the servants seem to approach cautiously.’3ZRpJ
ZFPCFirst, they made sure no word leaked outside the mansion, and then all the senior servants gathered to begin the investigation.wRh
US5P1TjDuring that time, Ellen was strictly monitored, making it difficult for her to have contact with anyone.Ugyy
zwtB6Although she was not confined to her room due to her position, her physical freedom was restricted.YPXPcl
HBbF9“….”ySj
0UqZBvJDespite the urgent situation, Ellen remained calm. She could still sit in the garden and enjoy a cup of tea under the sun.GmRr
vcuXShe had witnessed all kinds of vile struggles in the corridors of power. Somehow she was used to facing such slanders and intrigues. What mattered was to appear more dignified than anyone.HSwWAg9
4a0Above all, the Belmierd mansion was practically her kingdom.oEX3
zJ6cugHaving reigned as the family’s heir for a long time, many servants had seen her genuinely and justly fight for power.PyPqX5
UCdCount Belmierd also trusted Ellen, and most of the senior servants believed she would not have involved herself in such nefarious magic.TQtx
WRjNIt was not easy to undermine her authority in this place.D7w
YjNe8SCertainly, something as serious as necromancy was needed to have a real impact.4CY16
wEIAoThose who remembered the disaster of the Duplain family knew well how dangerous necromancy could be.an8G31
ktnkh‘At last you have drawn your sword, Leonard.’PeITg7
ClCaNEwTo bring Ellen down, all her close allies, who were like her arms and legs, had to be cut off.J5e3
WocRThey had to be made suspicious, and her family and servants dragged into a swamp of doubt.YihWoMF
OfiDOUltimately, no one in that mansion should be able to trust Ellen.Iyv
S3z6ruGOf course, trust built over years does not collapse easily.9GU
IFkP1JlTherefore, Ellen narrowed her eyes and quietly sipped her tea.FEQXg
Dqr***vYXYRT
dWgWhen Dereck finished his conversation with Count Belmierd and stepped into the hallway, he came across an unfamiliar face.IlE
lAqe4hJ“Pleasure to meet you for the first time, Sir Dereck. I sent you a letter. Since you mentioned being busy, I thought of visiting you myself, but fortunately you had a reason to come to the mansion.”o4E
QNFivW0From the familiarity in his words, that man had to be Leonard.RPu4nCV
8idThe younger brother of Ellen and third son of the Belmierd family. Though he smiled, his eyes gleamed coldly.YVOgdQz
9Hc7EcMost members of the Belmierd family had red hair, but Leonard’s was completely white. It was a peculiar sight.5QPmk
4tG“Young master Leonard.”AOC9
BIlPAs Dereck slightly lowered his head in greeting, Leonard looked around and spoke in a low voice.IThZuX
vaBrUb“Sir Dereck, renowned as the most famous magic master of Ebelstein, your reputation precedes you. It is truly an honor to meet you in person.”MNy
SI1lsH2“No, not at all.”6Oc
1WRLmHe smiled calmly and then continued.aDZ
MaNJ4H“Could you grant me a moment? I have something important to tell you.”tpPjB89
6uchaP“Ah, yes?”khojlV
Bh2lW6a“That’s right. Despite your position, I have heard that you devote yourself sincerely to the pursuit of magic, and your achievements are also remarkable. They say you reached a level at a young age that common mages of humble origin could never achieve.”VhcI
SlxLeonard spoke politely, without erasing his smile.5PlcLi
NuV“However, Sir Dereck, you are not someone who should stop at the level of a commoner.”qW9dc2f
S50At those words, Dereck frowned.KkrH
9XqUk“You should aspire to the level of a 4-star mage.”FNEuVQ
0Dx2e“….”K49
iOB“I will help you. Will you listen to what I have to say?”j1CIIlv
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