“Duke Beltus, that man never seems to age.”

Count Belmierd mused aloud.

In the central meeting hall of Cleon Hall, within the noble district of Ebelstain.

The sight of three prominent western Empire nobles gathered in one place made the attendants swallow dryly.

Each of them ruled their territories like kings, knowing that even the smallest misstep could bring shame upon their families.

“Perhaps the rumor that he touched a taboo isn’t so far-fetched.”

Count Belmierd led the meeting with a warm laugh, but as usual, Duke Duplain and Grand Duke Beltus maintained grave, grim expressions.

That was how heads of great families behaved. In truth, nobles like Count Belmierd were rare.

“If Duke Duplain plans to expand his territory beyond the Belkos Peninsula, he should be cautious of the labyrinth in the White Zone. Manipulating trade tariffs there would be a major advantage, but if powerful monsters are stirred up in high-level labyrinths, it could bring greater losses, don’t you think?”

“Duke Beltus is the most concerned. I’ve dispatched knights from my own domain to investigate, and it seems there won’t be major disruptions.”

“The lives of your people are at stake, so we must be more cautious. If needed, we can even send knightly orders from our own lands.”

“You call those people knightly orders? Aren’t they just worthless mercenaries?”

Grand Duke Beltus, his thin face framed by tousled blue hair, frowned.

The Beltus territory was vast and fertile, but nothing compared to the other two territories present. Most of it consisted of islands and mountains.

Though his military might matched that of high nobility, over half of it came from General Orel, a former mercenary.

In terms of influence, he couldn’t compare to Duke Duplain, whose bloodline was mixed with royalty, so it was natural for him to constantly worry about being left out of the three great families.

“Duke Duplain, your words are too harsh. The mercenaries under General Orel stationed in the Beltus territory wield their swords with conviction and faith, don’t they?”

“If you pour enough gold into their hands, they won’t hesitate to stab those they once protected. Can you really sleep at night entrusting your domain to such people?”

“It seems Duke Duplain is confident in managing his vast territory with his limitless private army. Rumors say the outskirts of the Duplain domain are full of crime and lawlessness.”

Duke Duplain gave a hollow laugh. He recognized the value of General Orel’s mercenaries, but entrusting them with administrative duties and territorial security was another matter entirely.

“You’ll hit a wall eventually. Or perhaps… are you content with things as they are?”

“What a ridiculous provocation.”

“Does it sound like a provocation? I’m only stating facts.”

Count Belmierd sighed deeply. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand the reason behind their tension.

The White Zone, stretching north of the Duplain domain, was a golden region filled with high-risk labyrinths.

If someone could break through and raise trade tariffs, and retrieve hidden treasures from the labyrinths, it would be a huge gain… But realistically, it wasn’t a task solvable with Duplain’s military alone. Labyrinth exploration couldn’t be handled by brute force alone.

Grand Duke Beltus’s suggestion to send knightly orders was also driven by his desire for a share of the White Zone’s treasure. If he wanted a share of the spoils, he needed a reason, hence constantly pushing Duke Duplain to ask for help.

Such interest disputes were common, but it wasn’t something that should be discussed in a setting like this.

Since the talks on goods tariffs passing through Ebelstain had concluded, Count Belmierd thought it fitting to end on a lighter note.

“Still, exchanging opinions directly in Ebelstain is far better and faster than by correspondence. Now that we’ve reached a consensus on the contentious issues, let’s wrap up the negotiations. After all, after such a long journey, don’t you agree it’s time we see our children’s faces in the noble district’s social scene?”

With that, Count Belmierd turned the conversation to their children. In truth, all present loved their offspring deeply, each in their own way.

It was also important for each of their daughters to have a place in Ebelstain’s social scene, particularly within Rose Hall.

Fathers were constantly engaged in their own battles of pride, each determined not to let their daughters be overshadowed.

“I heard Lady Diella of the Duplain family will debut soon in Ebelstain’s social circle after her coming-of-age ceremony. Though she roams a lot, her recent magical achievements are remarkable.”

No father disliked praising his child. When Count Belmierd casually offered praise to ease the atmosphere, Duke Duplain crossed his arms and leaned back in his luxurious wooden chair.

“Hmm… She may roam, but she’s accomplished a lot lately. However, she tends to downplay her achievements, overshadowed by Aiselin’s success.”

“With her debut preparations underway, such gloomy thoughts will soon be forgotten.”

Count Belmierd shared this pleasant exchange to lighten the mood, but he was not someone who always bent to others. Especially when boasting about his children.

“Though perhaps she’s no match for Ellen.”

“…”

“There’s no need for such pessimism, Duke. While Diella’s achievements may not rival our Ellen’s, she’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of.”

Duke Duplain’s brows furrowed slightly.

When it came to boasting about daughters, he had little to say.

“It’s true that Diella’s achievements have yet to shine. But since there’s no mountain higher than Aiselin, perhaps she’s set her sights on her as a new goal.”

“…”

Aiselin was, indeed, the flower of Ebelstain’s social circle—the pillar of Rose Hall.

Even the kind-hearted Count Belmierd found it difficult to claim that his daughter Ellen was nobler or superior to Aiselin.

Having a daughter like Aiselin was akin to holding a royal flush in the game of parental pride.

To think there was no comeback could be frustrating, but the Count couldn’t stand imagining his daughter Ellen being seen as lesser anywhere.

“Perhaps you haven’t heard of the recent magic duel, Duke Duplain?”

“What? A magic duel?”

“Yes. Lady Aiselin may have long reigned in Ebelstain’s social scene, but that glory might not last forever.”

It wasn’t that the Duke was unaware of the recent duel. Aiselin had openly shared several Ebelstain social gossip bits with him.

In particular, she seemed to have learned a lot from her recent duel with Ellen.

Aiselin was always composed. However, she clearly sensed a crisis during that duel, nearly facing defeat at Ellen’s hands.

Those who always thought of their families naturally sought out new mentors.

It was true that Ellen had caught up to Aiselin’s level. With a victorious gleam, Duke Duplain quietly observed Count Belmierd, who watched him warily, and slowly frowned.

He’d heard that Aiselin had won that duel. However, judging by Count Belmierd’s expression, it was hard to say who truly won.

“It’s true, the mercenary who became Lady Diella’s teacher appears to have extraordinary skill. For now, that mercenary is firmly on Ellen’s side.”

Though he spoke gracefully and with dignity, his words were nothing more than a veiled jab at Duke Duplain.

It was essentially saying: “Aren’t you jealous? The magic tutor you got so much out of now works for us.”

But Duke Duplain also mocked Count Belmierd in return.

“On Ellen’s side? Do you think that mercenary is the type to stay in one place?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems, Count Belmierd, that you haven’t truly met that mercenary.”

The words of Duke Duplain hit the mark. The mercenary, a highly confident master of magic followed by Ellen and Aiselin, hadn’t even been seen by them.

When Count Ellen fell silent, Duke Duplain, chin held high, spoke with an arrogant expression.

“Of course, he has talent for teaching, but he’s not someone who can be easily tied down to one place, and forcing him would only backfire.”

Before being a magic teacher, he was a mage full of ambition.

If he ever felt that teaching noble ladies was negatively affecting his pursuit of magic, he would refuse to teach anyone, even for wealth.

To manage a talent like that, persuasion was more effective than coercion. Duke Duplain’s insight was something that could only be gained from meeting the man named Dereck directly. Count Belmierd couldn’t make that kind of decision at the moment.

Feeling psychologically superior, Duke Duplain’s voice became calm again.

“After all, he has worked for a long time as a teacher on the Duplain estate and is very close to Diella. Knowing how Aiselin is, it’s obvious he’ll eventually return to being her family tutor rather than Ellen’s.”

“Ugh…”

“You think you can bind him just because he deviated slightly from the Belmierd family? A ruler must know how to control and manage his people.”

Count Belmierd couldn’t refute Duke Duplain’s words.

It was true, Dereck understood very well that Duke Duplain was someone who valued earned achievements when working under his command.

He didn’t need to be overly loyal to Count Belmierd, a man he didn’t even know.

If Dereck pledged loyalty to anyone, in the end, it would be only to Duke Duplain.

With his voice full of confidence, Count Belmierd rested his chin and took a deep breath.

‘I must meet him.’

Ellen seemed interested in keeping the magic teacher named Dereck. It was true, having such a teacher had brought great success in the magical duel with Aiselin.

Imagining his daughter losing her teacher due to differences in parental authority was unbearable.

Even worse, losing him to Aiselin of all people—such an event would keep him from sleeping at night. It was something he had to prevent at all costs.

‘Is it the Beldern Mercenary Band?’

After this meeting ended, the other nobles would go see their daughters in the noble district.

He felt sorry for Ellen, but decided he had to get to ‘Beldern’s Tears’ in the tavern alley faster than anyone else.

Only by pushing the mercenary named Dereck into Ellen’s arms did it seem he could leave Ebelstein with a relieved heart.

‘…’

However, the expression of Duke Beltus, who had been listening to the two’s conversation, was also not light.

He was an opportunist.

If figures like Count Belmierd and Duke Duplain were competing over a single talent, there was definitely something worth noting about him.

Being a magic tutor for noble ladies was reason enough. His daughter, Denise, hadn’t shown significant progress in her magical achievements lately.

Precisely because Denise lacked motivation and just did what others did. Even as her father, Duke Beltus couldn’t understand such a lazy temperament.

‘I must send a letter to Denise to ask about the magic teacher named Dereck. The fastest way is to inquire through the social circle.’

In any case, Denise would provide some information if he took action on his own.

She may not initiate things, but once she did, she always got results.

In fact, Denise had anticipated such instructions from Duke Beltus and had already sent a request to the Beldern Mercenary Band.

If she could obtain the man named Dereck, it would clearly hold importance at the negotiation table.

***

The sound of water dripping from stalactites echoed throughout the chamber.
Even in the darkness where not an inch ahead could be seen, Drest moved forward without hesitation.

When Dereck tried to light a torch, the old man raised his withered hand to stop him.

“…”

“Always be careful observing your surroundings in darkness.”

“How exactly should I do that?”

“Release your mana.”

“…”

The old man’s explanations were always brief.

It seemed impossible to discern beyond the darkness just by releasing mana. Among detection-type spells, there was one called ‘Night Vision’ that allowed one to see in the dark.

However, there was no sign the old man used that spell. Even a mage at the pinnacle of skill couldn’t manifest magic without a process of mana refinement.

Yet, there seemed to be a skill to perceive the surroundings just by emitting mana. Dereck closed his eyes and tried as the old man instructed. Emitting magical power wasn’t too difficult.

But within the dark cave, his magic clashed and disappeared into nothing.

“…Is it possible?”

“Yes, you catch on quickly. By extending your magic and feeling its echo, you can roughly understand your surroundings.”

Dereck swallowed hard. It was like a bat emitting sonar to navigate dark caves. The old man seemed familiar with the process, able to walk even with eyes closed.

This way, one could understand a battlefield without using high-level magic.

However, just because the theory was clear didn’t mean it was easy to execute.

The old man seemed to easily grasp the cave’s structure, but Dereck had to stay completely alert just to sense his surroundings.

“Is this… possible…?”

Dereck tilted his head after several attempts, but the old man’s voice came seriously.

He spoke as if this wasn’t a great feat, but merely the fundamentals of search magic.

His standard was too high. Skills like that weren’t basic. Still, Dereck didn’t complain.

This old man was an undisputed master of search magic.

“It seems you still don’t fully understand the level of search magic. Level 1 search magic can detect dangers or weaknesses, but at level 2, you can track a specific target, sense magic itself, and glimpse objects or places in the past.”

Search mages were a minority. They didn’t contribute directly to combat power.

Mages specializing in search magic like Drest were rare, most acting as support.

“At level 3, you can see magical camouflages or view distant places, and at level 4, you can discern magic levels or lies from others. This is just part of the wonders of search.”

“…What about at level 5?”

“You can read people’s minds. Sometimes, even talk to the dead.”

Hearing those words, Dereck had to swallow again. The old man, who read aloud as if he had seen all the world had to offer, also seemed to read Dereck’s mind.

That is, he knew Dereck wasn’t bound to this world and that his blessed magical talent wasn’t ordinary.

However, the old man showed no surprise at Dereck. He had lived a century. It seemed there was nothing left in the world that could surprise him.

“At level 6, you can sometimes glimpse the future and destiny. You can’t use it freely, but occasionally, it feels like seeing through the eyes of a god. Of course, surrendering to such arrogance never ends well. We must not forget we are just ordinary humans on this earth.”

“…Then, is there a reason Sir Drest sought me out?”

“Correct.”

As the old man went deeper into the dark cave, a wide open space appeared.

Bats chirped and flew in the dark, and unknown rodents scurried across the ground.

In the middle of it all, an old man sat silently atop a large rock.

“You are destined to die before your coming-of-age ceremony.”

“…”

“I just hope it won’t happen.”

You are destined to die. Hearing such a statement from a six-star search mage was shocking.

However, Dereck didn’t appear surprised or emotionally shaken.

As a mercenary who crossed battlefields, he had always lived close to death. He found it curious that he felt no emotional disturbance inside.

“There are many things I want to ask.”

“Sorry, but I have no desire to answer. I can’t predict how my answers might change your future. The future can unfold in many ways, diverging from what was initially seen. But I can assure you one thing.”

Drest WolfTail’s face showed the accumulation of years. After living a century and experiencing many things, he seemed to have come to a deep realization in the end.

What could be the purpose of his life, after losing everything?

Dereck couldn’t understand it.

“You must not die. So I will make sure you don’t. You must reach a higher level than now.”

“Are you offering to teach me search magic?”

“Yes. And if you can aim for three-star in combat and confusion magic, it would be wise to achieve it now. If you do, no companion of yours will be able to match your accomplishments.”

“Why go this far? What do you want from me?”

Drest closed his eyes for a moment, then remained silent, as if searching for a compromise.

“Before you come of age, Valerian Delomaine Duplain will attempt necromancy.”

Dereck’s eyes widened in shock.

“If that happens, you must kill him.”

Drest WolfTail was not someone who spoke nonsense.

Yet even so, Dereck found himself needing to ask again what he had just heard.

***

As usual, Jayden was polishing glasses at Beldern’s Tears bar.
However, that afternoon, the face of the visitor who entered the tavern nearly made his eyes pop out.

Assisted by many servants and followers, the head of the Belmierd family, Belmierd the Prince, walked in with difficulty.

The commotion had made everyone at the tavern alley entrance bow their heads.

He was not the type of person to stroll through Ebelstein’s market block casually.

“Ah, welcome.”

Jayden immediately bowed deeply.

There had been rumors of an agreement between the three noble families in Ebelstein. It was just passing news.

No one, including Jayden and the gathered tavern patrons, could have imagined Count Belmierd would set foot here, so all watched with incredulous eyes.

“I heard my servant sent a letter, but there was no response.”

“Ah, I didn’t expect you to come in person. I have nothing special to offer right now. Just low-quality liquor…”

“No matter. Do you think I came here to drink? I need to see the face of that mercenary, Dereck.”

Count Belmierd laughed heartily and then sat at one side of the bar.

With many servants bowing behind him, Jayden, standing on the other side of the counter, felt unbearable pressure.

After all, he was now the owner of the tavern. If Count Belmierd came as a guest, then it was his duty.

“I already received the commission letter. But… there’s a small problem…”

“A problem?”

“Yes. The problem is… Dereck is currently missing.”

Dereck had entered the tavern a few days ago, face full of emotion, left a message saying he’d reject all commissions, took his ration bag, and immediately left.

Since then, there had been no contact. He sometimes rested, claiming he needed a break, but he had never completely disappeared.

‘Surely they received letters from the Beltus and Duplain families too, but to vanish at a time like this…’

Count Belmierd had rushed to the tavern faster than anyone else, a bold move on his part.

He had a tight schedule in Ebelstein. Forcing everyone to come here in person meant he had sacrificed a lot. He was a father who would do anything for his daughter.

If the Count showed his sincerity by coming in person, no mercenary could reject an offer. Such pressure was necessary to prevent their minds from drifting to offers from other houses.

However, that was only possible if they could see his face.

“Maybe… he went into seclusion for some magical breakthrough… That’s what I think.”

“Seclusion…? And where would he do that?”

“That, I don’t know. At times like this, it’s pretty hard to understand…”

Beltus, Belmierd, Duplain — all were eager to recruit him.

Whatever the issue, he wasn’t the type to boldly refuse a direct offer from a head of house.

So, the first to find him would be his Lord.

____

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