Chapter 107 - Aiseline and Elente (3)
Aiseline and Elente (3)
Translator: XZY
Chapter 107: Aiseline and Elente (3)
***
To explain Baron Derek Ridolf Ravencrow, in truth, not many words were needed.
He was a commoner mage from the slums who had awakened to 1-Star magic on the streets without any bloodline.
After that, he lived as a mercenary for a while, and by a stroke of fate, he entered the noble world as a magic teacher.
Naturally, as a mercenary mage of humble origins, he was not particularly recognized, but the young ladies he taught began to produce rather outstanding results.
As they began to produce results one by one, rumors about the magic teacher Derek began to circulate, centering on Ebelstein's high society, and a competition to recruit him slowly began, and at some point, he began to make quite a name for himself on the floor of the noble world.
Then, he rendered distinguished service in the necromancy tragedy that occurred in the Duplein family, saved the lives of numerous nobles, and finally, under the protection of Sir Melverot of the North, he received a barony and had now become a noble with his own territory.
‘He is somewhat plain to be called an extraordinary person, but his magical achievements are certainly not ordinary.’
The Margrave of Belmeade sat in a corner of his office and stared silently at the piled-up documents.
There was a considerable amount of work that had piled up while he was dealing with Leonard’s affair.
His youngest son had dabbled in necromancy, and when he was in a situation where he had to cut him off with his own hands, his heart became complicated and he could not bring himself to work.
‘Leonard… it’s unfortunate… but it can’t be helped…’
Leonard, whose body had already become a wreck, could no longer be helped.
Even in a state covered in blood, he was begging the Margrave of Belmeade to believe him just once. The sight of him making ugly excuses, saying he could explain everything, made even the last remaining pity disappear.
However, if asked if it was solely Leonard’s fault, the Margrave of Belmeade could not just nod his head.
It was said that a child’s fault is originally the parent’s fault.
He had only paid attention to the heirs Linus and Elente, and had not even been interested in what ambitions and goals his youngest son held.
Therefore, the Margrave of Belmeade could not bring himself to be angry at Leonard.
He could not say that he had no responsibility for his deviation.
Therefore, Belmeade, faced with his own lack of virtue, gently closed his eyes and spoke.
— ‘Leonard. I have asked Viscountess Rodeia to at least spare your life.’
— ‘F-father…!’
— ‘However, I have told her that anything else does not matter, so please, in your atonement, fully realize the weight of your mistake.’
Belmeade did not scold or get angry… he just gently closed his eyes and then made the notification.
The sight of Leonard’s expression turning pale again made his heart ache even more.
To be in the clutches of Viscountess Rodeia, being able to keep one’s life was not a blessing but a curse.
He had seen countless times the necromancers of Rodentz Island begging to be killed instead.
Leonard screamed in despair, but the Margrave of Belmeade just turned his head and ordered his retainers to take him away.
Just like that, Leonard’s affair was settled, and it was time to handle the next matter with a heavy heart.
There was a lot of work, but what he had to think about right now… was none other than his beloved daughter Elente’s shocking declaration.
In fact, the reason he had been reading the report on Baron Derek Ridolf Ravencrow was an extension of that matter.
The Margrave of Belmeade certainly thought that Derek was a quite competent and useful talent, but he did not hold any interest beyond that.
In fact, when looking down on everyone from a high position, it was a common occurrence for one or two humans with extraordinary and outstanding abilities like Derek to pop up.
It was a matter that could be passed over with a simple, ‘he’s an impressive person,’ but… because of Elente’s bombshell declaration, he could not do that either.
“F-for now… I’ve asked him to stay for about three more days. B-because… I-I… need some time to organize my thoughts…”
Whenever Elente handled the mansion’s affairs, she always showed the demeanor of the master of the Belmeade mansion, but when it came to Derek, she would uncharacteristically stutter or fidget.
The Margrave of Belmeade, who had watched Elente his entire life, found this side of his daughter so awkward that a cold sweat would break out on his nose every time he saw it.
“I was a bit late because I had too much to think about, but i-is there any reason it has to be the Baron of Ravencrow…?”
For now, the Margrave of Belmeade pushed all the documents on his office desk to the side, composed himself, and spoke.
It wasn't that there was anything lacking about Derek, but a beautiful lady like Elente could pick and choose any man more noble, more capable, and more handsome than him.
The marriage proposals that flew into her private mansion in Ebelstein and the main family house every time were too numerous to count with both hands, and among them, there were often well-known young lords whom anyone would recognize just by name.
Although a person’s heart does not always follow reason and logic, how could a beauty among beauties, who could be courted by anyone short of the crown prince, possibly meet with Derek of all people?
Moreover, he was officially a married man.
According to the information that the retainer Briana had found out, he had married an insignificant commoner archer who had been wandering in the Ebelstein mercenary district and started a family, so this too was not easy.
From the perspective of the Margrave of Belmeade, who was a doting father, he thought that there was nothing to prevent the worldly beautiful and flawless Elente from pushing aside one archer riffraff from the slums… but the public’s gaze might be a little different.
For the flower in a boudoir who had reigned as the master of the Belmeade family to be bewitched and snatched away by a country baron who took care of vineyards in the frontier, and a married man at that… regardless of the Margrave’s prestige, shouldn’t she also think about her own prestige?
Including all those things, the Margrave of Belmeade spoke calmly.
“Elente. I feel I should say this, so I will. Baron Ravencrow is a quite excellent man, but there are quite a few individuals in Ebelstein’s noble society who are just as good as him. Do you know Robenalt, the eldest son of the Beltus family? He is the grand duke’s son, has outstanding looks, and is said to have the family’s protection.”
“I know from hearing about him from Lady Denise at the Rosea Salon. However, I heard that his magical achievements are insignificant, and he lacks a manly spirit, so he is always swayed by his retainers.”
“I-is that so…”
In fact, Elente, who was the most closely active in high society, would know more about the people of noble families than anyone else.
Elente fidgeted with her fingertips as if she was somewhat embarrassed, and then finally spoke in a voice as small as a crawling ant.
“And, as for Derek… wouldn’t you say he’s quite handsome…”
“…”
“His build is also quite solid for his age… and he has ambition… and his magical achievements are excellent… he has his own firm convictions… and he’s not rude…”
“…..”
The Margrave of Belmeade felt as if his vision was becoming hazy.
He had raised two sons, but this was the first time he was raising a daughter.
Therefore, this was the first time he was seeing this side of a girl, and she was already in a state where she could not find any flaws in the man named Derek.
It was what they called being blinded by love, and it was to the point where he felt a bizarre feeling, unable to understand what on earth had made Elente this way.
“The fact that he’s surprisingly picky about food feels like it has a strange gap… the way the capillaries show when he rolls up his sleeves is strangely charming… seeing him being serious about equipment management, it seems he has a delicate side too… he has an uprightness that doesn’t act servile even in front of the powerful… and also…”
“Th-that’s enough… that’s enough, Elente.”
“…”
As if she suddenly realized that she had talked too much, Elente herself swallowed once, and then just stared at the innocent window, running her fingers through the ends of her hair.
As if it was awkward to make eye contact, she deliberately did not look towards the Margrave of Belmeade.
The Margrave of Belmeade pressed his temples and fell into thought.
For his beloved daughter Elente, he was willing to pluck the stars from the sky, but getting Baron Ravencrow in his hands was by no means an easy task.
He was a man who had left even the Duplein family in its prime, shaking his head. He was a person with a strong wanderlust, and a person with such conviction that he would ruthlessly abandon any environment that hindered his magical achievements.
Above all, whether he liked Elente was another matter.
Of course, in the eyes of the Margrave of Belmeade, Elente was an angel descended to earth, and he was convinced that even if all the peerless beauties of the world were gathered, they would be nothing but a group of ugly women who could not even reach her toes… but of course, all these perspectives were only from the Margrave of Belmeade’s point of view.
In any case, Baron Ravencrow would have many opportunities to come into contact with young ladies from noble families due to his profession, so there must have been a reason why he had married a mercenary from Ebelstein of all people.
If his ideal type was a simple and resourceful person, Elente was the exact opposite.
Elente was closer to a noble saint than a good wife and wise mother, and she was a person closer to a trustworthy lord than a resourceful good wife and wise mother.
Above all, if Elente, who had to be the center of attention anytime, anywhere, were to be paired with Baron Ravencrow, there was a feeling that she would be the one being swayed by him instead.
Of course, to tell the truth… all of these might just be excuses.
‘No matter how good a man he is… it’s a waste to give Elente to him…! Elente is a treasure I have cherished all my life…!’
As fathers with daughters usually do, the Margrave of Belmeade had to hold back the tears of blood that were about to come out.
But then, when he saw Elente fidgeting as if embarrassed, his heart would soften again, and he would realize that the role of a father was not something anyone could do.
‘Right… for some reason, I have a gut feeling. No matter what, in the end, I will do as Elente wishes.’
The Margrave of Belmeade let out a big sigh.
Elente had almost never asked her father for anything, only thinking of meeting his expectations. If it was a request from such a daughter… from the Margrave’s perspective, his heart could not help but become weak again.
Baron Ravencrow. Getting him in his hands was by no means an easy task, but he had no choice but to try to devise a plan.
“Right. Elente. A person’s heart does not always move by calculating profit and loss like that.”
“Father…!”
“However, as I said, Baron Ravencrow is like a lone wolf, so he does not easily entrust himself to another’s power. But I can’t say he can’t be persuaded. I will try my best.”
After saying that, the Margrave of Belmeade rose from his office desk.
“In any case, I will have Baron Ravencrow stay at the mansion as long as possible, and in the meantime, I will think of a way to persuade him.”
Seeing Elente’s brightened face, the Margrave of Belmeade also felt his heart lighten a bit.
The wound from sending Leonard away still throbbed, but he supposed he should be grateful that he had at least protected Elente.
It was when the Margrave of Belmeade was about to rack his brains.
“A distinguished guest has arrived at the mansion’s main gate.”
“A distinguished guest? Who is it at a time like this?”
“That is…”
The retainer who had entered, bowing his head gracefully, spoke.
“Lady Aiseline of the Duplein family has come to visit in person.”
<><><>
Elente could not help but be a little surprised at the sight of Aiseline.
At the Rosea Salon, she was still dressed in a pretty dress and acted as a lofty young lady, but while helping with the work at the Ravencrow Barony, she had become a completely different person.
She was still wearing a pretty frilly dress, but her appearance, without unnecessary accessories and with her sleeves rolled up, seemed a little more active.
Still, since Aiseline was Aiseline, her unique lofty grace had not disappeared, but it definitely felt different from before.
Above all, she had not taken a carriage, but was riding a horse herself, seated on a saddle, and had something like a leather backpack slung over the saddle and her back.
The sight of her wearing a leather backpack behind a frilly dress that exuded grace just by looking at it was a scene that was hard to describe. It was a strange sight… as if an imperial princess was plowing a field.
“L-Lady Aiseline?”
“Oh my, Lady Elente! It’s been a while! I’m so sad that I can’t see you often since I haven’t been able to attend the Rosea Salon meetings frequently lately!”
Seeing her still smiling brightly and speaking gracefully, he felt that this girl was definitely Aiseline.
However, Aiseline, who had dismounted from the horse with a grunt, put down her leather backpack and wiped away her sweat.
The retainers of the Belmeade mansion who saw that were startled and ran out to receive the luggage.
Aiseline handed them the luggage and greeted them with a bright smile.
“Thank you. The servants of the Belmeade mansion are very kind.”
After saying that, Aiseline also handed over the other luggage that was tied to the saddle.
Inside were simple daily necessities and a leather blanket used on the journey. It must have been the first time she had traveled such a long distance on horseback, but she had successfully completed the journey as if it were nothing.
He had never seen a noble young lady travel without a carriage.
As Elente was momentarily surprised and dazed, Aiseline smiled awkwardly.
“I didn’t know Lady Aiseline would come all the way to the Belmeade mansion. If you had sent a letter in advance, I would have sent a carriage for you.”
“Oh my, I’m so sorry and grateful for your words alone. But, I couldn’t do that because the situation was urgent.”
“U-urgent? Is something the matter?”
“Actually, I’ve been staying at the Ravencrow Barony and doing this and that.”
She knew that she often visited the Ravencrow Barony because of the academy.
However, perhaps not thinking that she did anything more than that, Elente tilted her head.
“W-work? How could a noble lady of the Duplein family at a barony in the frontier…”
“Ah, th-that’s right… if I go around saying things like this carelessly, it will affect the family’s prestige… can Lady Elente please keep it a secret…?”
“Ah, well, that’s not a difficult thing… but what do you mean by work?”
“Well… since the family has been in such a difficult situation lately, I’ve been studying various things. I’m also practicing and applying the things I’ve learned while helping with the work at the Ravencrow Barony. It’s quite fun.”
Aiseline’s expression as she said that was so clear and refreshing that it was to the point of making one doubt if this was really the appearance of a fallen young lady who had shouldered the crisis of her family.
“I do practical work like financial management and personnel management within the mansion… and I also look after the servants… and I also supervise major projects related to the academy business… and while doing that, I also look after the Rosea Salon… and I have to attend social events… so it feels like even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough these days. Ahaha.”
“Y-you’re doing that much…?”
Elente stared silently at Aiseline with a bewildered expression.
No matter what, to go to another noble house and look after all the internal affairs, wasn’t this no different from being the mistress of the mansion?
Moreover, even though there was a proper baroness named Felinne, the way she was freely turning the mansion upside down… it was to the point where she looked as if she was really becoming the real power of the Ravencrow Barony.
He wondered if she was planning to swallow the whole barony… but seeing her seem to want to get Derek’s approval for important matters in the end, his thoughts went in another direction.
“Since Derek-ssi has been so busy lately, I haven’t been able to get the final approval for the projects that have been laid out at the Ravencrow Barony. There are quite a few things that can be finished if he just confirms them… but waiting indefinitely was also uncertain, so I came first.”
No matter what, for the daughter of a ducal house to come galloping on a horse to get work approval from a baron of the rural frontier, there was no such protocol.
As for Aiseline herself, she didn’t seem to care about such authoritarian rules at all, and was just smiling affably.
As Elente looked at Aiseline, a strange sense of crisis began to well up.
At least Felinne didn’t even see Derek as a man. She was a person who, if asked if she could step down from the position of baroness, would say yes, thank you, and hum as she quickly left for Ebelstein.
However, when it came to Aiseline… his thoughts became somewhat complicated.
“I-I see. Then the reason Lady Aiseline has brought her precious self all the way to the Belmeade mansion is…”
“Yes! I have to take Derek-ssi back!”
Aiseline answered brightly.
At those words, Elente’s face hardened for a moment.
<><><>
“Hmm… for some reason, a chill suddenly went down my spine…”
Derek, who was sitting in the mansion’s guest room and looking at a magic book, shivered for a moment.
Soon, he put down the magic book he had brought from the Belmeade mansion’s library and let out a deep sigh.
‘As expected, unlike the Duplein family, there are no proper high-level magic books here in Belmeade.’
In fact, from the 4-Star or higher realm, there was a limit to what could be learned with a magic book. As expected, meeting a good master would be the most efficient method.
Derek crossed his arms, leaned his body against the backrest, and closed his eyes.
It seemed that Derek’s magical achievements, which had been soaring without knowing the sky was the limit, had also entered a state of slight stagnation.
In fact, it was a wall that any mage would face at least once. It had just come to Derek without exception.
Derek was contemplating how to wisely overcome this wall.
1-Star magic from a shabby old man in the slums.
2-Star magic from a fallen noble of the Flameheart family.
3--Star magic he was taught by an old archmage who wandered the world without a fixed destination.
If so, where on earth was there a person to learn 4-Star magic from?
Although Derek was considered a master by numerous mages, it was hard to find Derek’s own master.
It was a problem that was like a destiny for those born with extraordinary qualities.