Chapter 67
Chapter 67
Translator: XZY
Chapter 67: The Noblest and the Poorest (4)
***
“Lord Melverot of the north is known by almost every mage, but his family relations aren’t as well-known as you might think, are they?”
Denise, crossing through Ebelstein’s noble district, in the Elfontaine Hall, spoke with an indifferent expression to Derek, who was following behind her at a suitable distance.
“Lord Melverot, isn’t he the only combat-type mage among the known 6-Star mages?”
“Yes. Well, he’s famous for all sorts of things. The head of the Logost count family, the owner of the 5-Star magic wand ‘Dawn,’ the nephew of the greatest magical scholar, Robenkheim, the hegemon of the north, the sword of the Imperial Family... anyway, he’s a man with a great many titles.”
Currently, there were only four living 6-Star mages on this continent.
Lord Melverot, the hegemon of the empire’s north; Kohella, the chief magic advisor of the central Imperial Family; Pine, from a minor baronial family in the southeastern granary region; and Drest Wolftail, a commoner from the southwest. It was a realm so distant that only four such individuals existed on this vast and immense continent.
Among them, the most famous 6-Star mage, Lord Melverot, was hailed as a hero of heroes who had killed countless demonic beasts and led the Dawn War to victory.
He was a true great man of this era who loved the arts, cultivated refinement, and even held the pride of a warrior, all within the rugged cultural environment of the north.
It was said that anyone who walked the path of magic, no matter who they were, famously wanted to meet him at least once... so when Derek heard the news that he had personally requested a meeting with him through the Imperial Family, he could not help but be surprised.
“You know the atmosphere of the north well, Derek. It’s the closest place to the battlefield with the demonic beasts, so it’s a place where bloodshed is rampant and people die at the slightest opportunity. To reign like a king in such a place and make a name for himself as a war hero means he’s no ordinary man.”
“That may be so, but what is the reason his family relations are not well-known?”
“What do you think it is? It’s because they’re not people worth announcing to the public. I don’t know about the countess or his sons, but his only daughter, Lady Siern, is a truly unmanageable person.”
Derek’s contract period was coming to an end.
Denise could easily predict that the Beltus family would no longer try to hold onto Derek.
From Denise’s perspective, she desperately wanted to keep Derek a little longer, but she knew well that if Lord Melverot of the north extended a hand to Derek, there was nothing she could do.
Therefore, Denise had thought that she should take the opportunity to warn Derek.
“You, being a commoner, wouldn’t know, but the young ladies from noble families who have attended a northern event even once roughly know. She’s not even a ruffian. It’s a bit of a vulgar term, but a psycho... or a lunatic... it’s hard to describe her with anything but words like that.”
“...”
“Why do you think Lord Melverot himself wants to see you, the most renowned magic teacher? He must be searching for someone who can handle his daughter.”
The corridors of the Elfontaine Hall were filled with noble young ladies returning to their respective residences after the meeting had ended.
Lady Denise, while giving a benevolent smile and a cheerful greeting to the followers who spoke to her, took advantage of the gaps as she crossed the corridor to continue speaking to Derek.
“You should probably think of a way to refuse Lord Melverot’s offer, if you can. I strongly recommend you avoid becoming Lady Siern’s master, at the very least.”
“Is it that bad? Being insolent, or having a disposition to crush people... I’ve experienced that much quite a lot.”
“Would I be worried if it were just that, Derek?”
Derek was someone who had already been covered in filth while teaching Diella.
He was a man with a naturally strong mentality, who would carry out his duties without batting an eye even when faced with considerable insults.
“There’s no proof, but the rumors are rampant. That she tortures servants to death, that she bathes in blood, that she pulls out the fingernails of innocent subjects with a smile full of ecstasy...”
“....”
“I told you. A lunatic or a psycho. It’s important for you to raise your name as a magic master, Derek, but it’s better to just avoid a lunatic of that level.”
“Can she maintain her position even while committing such acts? No matter how much of an authority gap there is between nobles and commoners, the empire wouldn’t just stand by if she were to engage in purposeless torture or murder, would it?”
“That’s why I said they were ‘rumors.’ It’s clear she has her own way of finding pretexts or concealing her crimes. She’s already famous in the north as the ‘Blood-Soaked Lady,’ doesn’t that sound chilling just from the rumors?”
It was not right to judge a person by rumors alone.
However, it was also rare for smoke to rise from a chimney that had not been lit.
Young ladies from renowned noble families often possessed, to some extent, an eye for seeing through a person’s true nature.
Those who had seen Lord Melverot’s only daughter, Lady Siern, seemed to have all, without exception, detected the madman’s disposition that lay at her core.
It might have been too blatant an expression, but she was simply a crazy bitch.
It would be a pity if he got swept up in her affairs, was falsely accused of a crime, and was tortured or even lost his life. That was why Lady Denise was speaking with such a serious expression.
“The north is a very remote place, and since battles with demonic beasts are frequent, casualties often occur. In a rugged place like that, concealing a death is not a very difficult task.”
“...”
“So, Derek. Don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Denise was speaking with a serious expression. They were words spoken out of genuine concern for Derek.
Since that concern was clearly felt, Derek did not immediately argue with her words.
However, there was no telling what kind of conditions a person of Lord Melverot of the north’s stature would present when scouting someone.
It was Derek’s honest opinion that he should at least hear him out.
Of course, he did not voice these inner thoughts, but Denise suddenly stopped walking, placed her hands on her hips, and stared at Derek. With her crescent-shaped eyes full of dissatisfaction, she pouted her lips and then, finally, hit the nail on the head.
“You have an expression that says you’re thinking you should listen carefully to Lord Melverot’s offer.”
“You are sharp at times like this.”
“It’s been a day or two. Sigh. By the way, did you help out with the Duplein situation?”
“They said there wasn’t much to help with. That they had already received a lot of help.”
“Did Lady Aiseline say that?”
“Yes. The mansion’s situation certainly didn’t look comfortable, but it seems they are holding up well in their own way.”
“Hmm... I see...”
Lady Denise brushed back her platinum-blonde hair once, then glanced around.
There was no one around the two of them, who had come to a corner of the Elfontaine Hall. Most people had already left after the meeting had ended.
Denise stroked her chin once, then approached with a slightly nervous air and said to Derek.
“D-Derek... this is my personal advice... it would be best for you to keep some distance from Lady Aiseline...”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t ask why. J-just doing as I say will be good for you too...”
As Derek stared at her silently, Lady Denise cleared her throat a few times and then took a step back again.
It was said that noble young ladies were perfect, aloof, and beautiful in every aspect, but if there was one area where they were weak, it was ultimately their sense of male-female relationships.
A unique case like Denise was one thing, but it was a common occurrence for someone like Aiseline, who had been raised like a flower in a greenhouse, to not be aware of her own romantic feelings.
Denise, who had become an expert (self-proclaimed) by devouring all sorts of romance novels, knew well. A person like Aiseline was a prude who could not even properly distinguish between goodwill and romantic feelings. This was actually a good thing.
No matter how much their influence had waned, a noble was a noble. For a commoner man from the slums to get into this and that kind of relationship with her, only an unhappy ending awaited them both.
Therefore, it was a good thing to nip it in the bud. When a person with a good sense for these things, like Denise, noticed, taking action quickly would be the best response.
“There’s nothing good that can come from getting close to the young lady of a fallen family, right?”
“I don’t particularly judge people based on such things. Isn’t Lady Aiseline a good person?”
“Ugh... if you put it like that, I don’t have much to say... but anyway, I’m not a person who gives advice without reason.”
“I will take it to heart.”
“Anyone can see that’s the face of someone who let it in one ear and out the other...”
Lady Denise scratched her head and made a troubled expression.
It was nice when she was handling everything moderately and living a comfortable daily life, but with Derek’s appearance, it seemed the entire structure of the Rosea Salon was in turmoil.
“Then I must go to the cultural hall to meet the people from the Imperial Family. I apologize for not being able to escort you to the end.”
“No, it’s fine. I didn’t hire you to be an escort secretary in the first place... The letter from the Imperial Family is a much more authoritative and important matter, so go ahead. I’ll see you at the mansion later.”
Lady Denise let out a sigh with a weary face and got into the carriage.
When one was too quick-witted and sharp, there were bound to be many things to worry about.
A person needed to know how to be moderately oblivious.
Today, for some reason, she had keenly realized that fact.
<><><>
It was while Derek was crossing the opposite corridor to leave the Elfontaine Hall.
It had been a while since the Rosea Salon meeting had concluded, so apart from the servants managing the corridor, the place was sparsely populated.
Being surrounded by all sorts of noble young ladies was not very welcome. This was because the number of people who were covetously watching Derek had increased quite a lot recently.
It was probably because they were aware, to some extent, of the fact that his contract with the Beltus family was about to end.
It was a world where, if one could obtain a capable magic master, the head of a family would personally ride a horse and come running.
From the moment he had started to make a name for himself, it was inevitable that interest would be focused on Derek, who would soon be a free agent.
Still, everyone was busy with their own schedules. It was impossible that there would be anyone left so long after the meeting had ended. That was why he was crossing the corridor with a more relaxed mind.
Hwik—
Derek had well-developed senses. If one did not develop the sense to perceive their surroundings after spending a long time as a mercenary crossing through labyrinths, they would frequently face life-threatening crises.
“...?”
He had a feeling that someone had been following him for a while now, so he would turn around a few times while walking.
Then he would see the hem of a dress disappearing around a bent corner of the corridor, and seeing the navy-blue skirt hem, it seemed clear that it was Lady Aiseline.
‘...What is it?’
In short, Lady Aiseline was tailing him.
If she had business, she could just talk to him. Although there was a wall of status difference between Aiseline and Derek, they had known each other for a long time, and the path for conversation between them was somewhat open, was it not?
Nevertheless, there must have been a reason for her to check on his whereabouts without directly speaking to him.
Understanding Aiseline’s situation to some extent, Derek intended to just pretend not to know and walk away. After all, he had to meet the person from the Imperial Family and also discuss Lord Melverot. Being commended for his merit during the Duplein catastrophe was a bonus.
As he walked on for a while like that, he continued to feel Lady Aiseline hiding here and there and quickly following him.
“...”
In the end, Derek stroked his chin once, then quickly turned around and approached her.
“...!”
As Derek quickly closed the distance, a startled Lady Aiseline almost fell over.
She quickly grabbed a display case in the corner of the corridor to maintain her balance, then held her breath, her pupils spinning.
“Young Lady Aiseline. Is there something you wish to say?”
“D-Derek-ssi. D-did you know I was following you?”
“I just found out.”
Derek mixed in a moderate lie so as not to embarrass her.
“Ah, r-really. Actually, I had something I wanted to ask about the geography of the commercial district. I was just contemplating how I should start the conversation.”
“...You can just call me. Why would you go to the trouble of contemplating that...?”
“No, I mean... you’re busy too, Derek-ssi, right? I heard you were summoned by the Imperial Family, and you must have your own personal schedule... so I thought I should ask just the simple business, but then I was personally practicing how to summarize that...”
Aiseline’s way of speaking was strangely rambling. Derek immediately noticed that Aiseline was feeling uncomfortable around him.
“You don’t need to be so considerate of me. Even if her influence has waned a little, are you not the eldest daughter of the Duplein ducal family, Young Lady Aiseline? For a noble young lady to be wary of a mercenary from the slums is absurd.”
“S-still, I have to have the basics. And I need to prepare my heart a little... and clear my throat a little... and do some vocal exercises... and m-make a plan... on how to respond when the conversation takes an unexpected turn...”
“...”
Watching her fidget and just poke at her own fingertips, her usual aloof and graceful appearance was put to shame.
The image that the nobles of Ebelstein associated with Lady Aiseline was a flower blooming on a cliff.
If they saw her rambling without even making proper eye contact, they would surely stare with wide eyes and wonder who on earth this was.
It was the same for Derek.
For her, who had reigned as the noblest young lady in the Rosea Salon, to fidget like this was not like her.
Derek saw this change in Aiseline and organized his thoughts.
Ah...! Lady Aiseline has fallen head over heels for me, and she’s so shy that she can’t show her usual bold self─── He did not have such a crazy, narcissistic thought.
In fact, that was only natural.
She, who had grown up as a flower of a traditional noble family, would have frequently seen all sorts of handsome and reliable men from well-managed noble families.
Her own family member, Valerian, was a handsome man who had been stealing the hearts of maids, and as for Reigh, he was a fine, reliable man even from another man’s perspective.
To imagine that a noble young lady whose standards had been raised as high as they could be had lost her heart to a mere mercenary who grew up eating discarded food from the bottom of the slums was to see the world too much like a fairy tale.
In the thoughts of the realist Derek, such a thing was almost impossible, so he could only think of other possibilities while looking at the unconfident and fidgeting Aiseline.
There was only one difference between the always aloof Aiseline and the Aiseline of now. It was the change in her family background.
In the situation of her greatly faltering family, even her always aloof and graceful self-esteem had greatly crumbled.
Certainly, she was showing a lively and resolute disposition, but it might have been difficult for her to exude the same aloof grace as before. It was a difficult thing to always maintain one’s self-esteem amidst overflowing malicious remarks and backbiting.
That was why she could not help but fidget so much even when just trying to speak once to a passing mercenary.
It was inevitable that he felt so sorry for her. This was because, in Derek’s mind, Aiseline was an upright and proper person.
“Young Lady Aiseline.”
There was nothing Derek could do for her. He could only convey his opinion with conviction, as was his way.
Derek strode over and placed his arms on both of Aiseline’s shoulders. Considering the status difference, it was a disrespectful act, but there was no one watching, and he knew well that Aiseline was a person who would understand.
Making eye contact like that, Derek spoke in a tone full of conviction.
“There is no need for your self-esteem to be so diminished. The family background of Duplein was a great strength to you, Young Lady Aiseline, but were you not a sufficiently valuable person even without it?”
“Uh... ugh... D-Derek-ssi. Y-you’re... too close...”
Aiseline tried to say something in a voice like a mosquito crawling, but she was pressed by Derek’s spirit and could not bring herself to push him away.
Derek, thinking this was his chance, raised his voice and spoke even more clearly.
“Young Lady Aiseline, you are a beautiful and valuable person, even without your family background. Please be sure to keep that in mind.”
“H-heok...”
Aiseline fidgeted with her whole body, her ears turning red.
With even the fine hairs on her forearms standing on end, she could not utter a word and just awkwardly twisted the tips of her feet.
“You know the public’s assessment, do you not? Young Lady Aiseline, you are like an aloof lily. So do not lose heart. I will always be cheering for you.”
“A-a lily, you say... a lily... a, lily...”
“I was a bit rude.”
Derek quickly lowered his arms and politely apologized. In any case, carelessly touching the body of a noble young lady was a somewhat disrespectful act.
“I offer my sincere apologies. As you know, I am in a position where I have been summoned by the Imperial Family, so I must move quickly. If your business is lengthy, I will make time to visit you separately. Then, please have a good afternoon.”
Derek, who had given a deep bow, moved swiftly down the corridor with busy steps.
Aiseline stood there blushing, her face dumbfounded, without even noticing the stray strands of her hair that had come loose.
As if she could not come to her senses from the sudden thunderbolt that had struck... she held both her cheeks for a long time and her eyes trembled.
Before long, she could only let out a hiccup.
<><><>
The first thing Derek saw when he moved to the reception room of the cultural hall was the imperial magic advisor, Roent.
“So you’re Derek. I’ve heard the stories.”
The magic advisors that Emperor Gutrel kept under his command numbered nine in total, and they, centered around the chief magic advisor Kohella, were individuals who oversaw magical research in different fields and methods.
The research group, consisting of 2 from the combat school, 3 from the transmutation school, 2 from the confusion school, 1 from the summoning school, and 1 from the detection school, would sometimes carry out all sorts of magical experiments with the emperor’s name on their backs... and since they mostly produced results and frequently discovered new talent, their standing within the Imperial Family was strong.
Roent was a 3-Star combat-type mage, and though his level was low for an imperial magic advisor, he was a person who maintained his position by being recognized for his passion for learning, his diligence, and his keen eye and achievements.
His appearance was relatively young, but in reality, he was a middle-aged man over 40. He was a quite experienced person, so as soon as he saw Derek, he immediately discerned that he was no ordinary individual.
“You have calluses on your fists, and your forearms are full of fine muscles. I heard you were a high-level mage, so I thought a bookish type might show up, but it seems you’re a person whose life has been quite turbulent.”
“Not at all. I am just a mercenary who rolled around on the streets.”
“Humble. Humility is the means most favored by beasts of prey to hide their fangs.”
The elderly mage, wearing thick leather gloves on both arms, let out a hollow laugh and then buried himself in a sofa in the corner of the large reception room.
“A distinguished guest will be arriving soon. He is a person whom it is an honor to see even once in a lifetime. Be careful not to commit any discourtesy.”
“...Could it be that Lord Melverot is coming in person?”
“You’re quick on the uptake. He is traveling in secret from the public, so don’t make too much of a fuss... well, before that, there are some things I was instructed on separately by the Imperial Family, so let’s take care of that first.”
Roent said with a gentle smile, his chin resting on his hand.
“Between a wand and a staff, which do you prefer?”
Derek was a mercenary skilled in controlling his emotions.
Nevertheless, he could not help but let his eyes widen for a moment.