Chapter 97 - Power and Love (3)
Power and Love (3)
Translator: XZY
Chapter 97: Power and Love (3)
***
The mansion of the Belmeade Count's family was located in Floren, a small city that appeared after crossing a vast plain beyond the Latman Gorge, a natural fortress.
This small city, which was also Elente’s hometown, was a place that most of the southern trade routes entering Ebelstein inevitably passed through.
Therefore, it was not difficult to see mercenaries setting up bases or middlemen flocking to the roadside to haggle.
Floren was a city small in size but large in influence.
Although it took less than half a day to reach from end to end, the volume of its logistics distribution was enormous, to the point that it could be seen as a miniaturized Ebelstein.
Since this was the place with the highest tax revenue within the Belmeade County territory, it was safe to say that this city was the Belmeade family’s most precious treasure.
To see the mansion of the Margrave of Belmeade, the ruler of this region, one had to cross the city and look up at Lavir Hill, which appeared as one advanced through the plains again.
The mansion on that high ground, built as if contemplating Floren from above, had now become a place like a symbol of this region.
It was precisely the Belmeade Count's residence.
“…”
As soon as Derek got off the carriage, he couldn’t help but flinch.
“Your Excellency, Baron Derek Ridolf Ravencrow. It is an honor to serve you. I heard you served as Lady Elente’s master and gave her many teachings.”
It was an obvious story, but the scale itself was bound to be different from Elente’s private mansion arranged separately in Ebelstein.
A welcome much grander than Derek had expected followed.
Derek thought he had become fairly accustomed to seeing magnificent buildings while visiting various noble families, but whenever he saw the main residence of one of the Three Great Families, that thought would vanish.
‘Come to think of it, most of the mansions I’ve visited were private residences of young ladies in the Ebelstein noble district; I’ve never visited the main residence of any of the Three Great Families except the Duplein family. Other than that, perhaps the Rochest Ducal House in the borderlands.’
Neither the Duplein Ducal House nor the Rochest Ducal House were of normal size.
However, this Belmeade Count's residence did not pale in comparison to the size of those powerful families at all. Although the rank was one step lower, it was proof that its influence on the region or authority did not lag behind.
A main building like a palace, an annex glimpsed behind it, guest buildings separated apart, a church with a spire structure built separately, and on top of that, there were three gardens: the main garden, a garden for servants, and a maze-shaped garden.
An armory, training grounds, and small barracks were also built on the outskirts of the mansion, and if the stables and artisan workshops were included, the scale was as if a small village was attached next to the city.
It was a spectacle to see even a large lake entirely within the outer walls of the mansion. The scale of the mansion was to that extent nonsensical.
At this point, it hit home.
Lady Elente, whom he had seen in the Ebelstein noble district, was just one of many noble young ladies there, but looking at the reality, her authority itself was entirely different.
Because all of this mansion was destined to become hers.
<><><>
It was now old news that Elente had joined the ranks of those with real power in the Belmeade family.
She received the full support and favor of the Margrave of Belmeade, and it had already been several years since she stood out the most, surpassing the pathetic eldest son and the third son who had turned to religion.
Since he was the master who taught such an Elente, even Derek, who was nothing more than a minor noble from the borderlands, could receive treatment equivalent to a VIP in this Belmeade mansion.
The guest room guided by the servant was the size of the main hall of the Ravencrow Barony, and the single cup of tea to drink while waiting briefly was a high-grade item more expensive than a decent high-class meal.
Actually, putting such treatment aside, the most shocking thing was that the owner of this mansion, the Margrave of Belmeade, personally came out to see Derek’s face.
“It’s been a long time, Kuh-haha. In the past, I once chased you all the way to the commercial district to try and hire you once, and sure enough, your value has become several times more expensive than back then.”
The Margrave of Belmeade was a figure with a public reputation as a magnanimous person.
Wearing a large suit of armor and a luxurious cloak, he looked as if he was ready to go to the battlefield at any time.
In fact, since it was said he would go out to inspect the barracks or armory whenever he was bored, it seemed understandable why the private army of this territory was rated higher than the other two families.
“It was a sudden visit, so I do not know what to do with myself since the Head of the House personally welcomed me.”
“Don’t know what to do with yourself, indeed. There is no one who doesn’t know the rumor that you are under the protection of that fierce Rochest Ducal House of the North.”
“That is correct. I owe a great debt to Lord Melverot.”
The Margrave of Belmeade crossed his arms with his large forearms and laughed magnanimously again, then sat on a chair in one corner of Derek’s private room and spoke.
“Kuh-huhu. It seems like only a few years ago that I heard rumors of you being from the slums, but to visit the Belmeade Count’s residence as a respectable noble wearing a baron’s title… it’s a pity I couldn’t catch you back then.”
“I had circumstances at the time. I apologize.”
“Well, those who know, know how troublesome it is to find a single useful magic teacher. If it were up to me, I wanted to tuck you right into my back pocket, but the ways of the world don’t go as one pleases.”
Unlike his rugged appearance, he had intelligent eyes.
It was an appearance that forced one to think that this was exactly the aura of a veteran general who had experienced all sorts of hardships.
“Gold, silver, treasures, and jewels rarely disappear once you pile them up in your arms, but that damn thing called useful talent disappears if you take your eyes off it for a moment, no matter how much you press it down. It’s just heartless.”
“There is a reason for the saying that talent is more precious than a thousand pieces of gold.”
“Right. Especially guys like you who know their own worth are the trickiest to use. Anyway, quick-witted, Kuk-kuk.”
The Margrave of Belmeade, who had offered a joke, soon let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“Since you are someone my beloved daughter Elente follows like a master, I should give you appropriate treatment, but in fact, the conditions are not favorable right now. I hope you understand even if you feel a bit neglected.”
It was a puzzling statement for Derek, who had not felt neglected at all.
If this was being neglected, he was curious about how they would receive a real VIP if one visited.
“…It seems something has happened inside the mansion.”
“…”
When Derek spoke, the Margrave of Belmeade’s expression stiffened for a moment.
Soon he showed a magnanimous smile laughing Kuh-huhu again, but Derek did not miss that brief gap.
“Well, even if I don’t say it, you’ll find out someday. There are many servants who like rumors, and those who know inside the mansion probably already know everything.”
“…?”
“Looking at the letter, you’re starting a new business? You wanted our Elente to show her face in person when opening the training center… that isn’t such a difficult request, actually.”
The Margrave of Belmeade uncrossed his arms, stood up from his seat, and spoke.
“However, I’m not sure if that will be possible at this point.”
“…Why is that?”
“Elente is currently under house arrest under my personal judgment.”
“Pardon?”
Since it was a sudden story, Derek had no choice but to ask back.
Looking at the Margrave of Belmeade’s expression, it was complicated. He spoke with a subtle expression that looked like he was smiling and frowning at the same time.
“For the time being, a guard will be attached to Elente, and even within the mansion, she will only be able to move between the annex, the spire, the church, and the garden vicinity. If the situation is resolved, I might allow outings outside the mansion, but at this point, it’s a distant prospect.”
“What happened for her to be put under house arrest?”
At those words, the Margrave of Belmeade fell silent for a moment as if pondering.
The Margrave of Belmeade was a renowned fool for his daughter. For such a man to block his daughter’s outing, there must have been a suitable reason. It was obvious just by looking that he had given an instruction he wasn’t keen on.
He seemed to be contemplating whether or not to tell Derek the detailed circumstances.
Seeing that appearance, Derek was certain. The information the Margrave of Belmeade was currently contemplating whether to bring up was probably a tremendous secret that could have a great impact on the entire Belmeade Count’s residence.
If it was someone Elente trusted entirely, the Margrave of Belmeade would also trust them to some extent.
However, there seemed to be a definite reason for hesitating this much.
While Derek was gauging what that might be, the Margrave of Belmeade soon spoke as if vomiting it out.
At the words that popped out of his mouth, even Derek, who always maintained a calm appearance, had no choice but to narrow his brow for an instant.
“Traces of researching necromancy were found in Elente’s room.”
Derek corrected his posture.
It was content he could not possibly listen to lightly.
<><><>
The beginning of the incident was when a maid, requested by Leonard, the third son of the Belmeade family, entered Elente’s room.
It was Leonard’s request to find a magic book by the author Hamilton to train 2-Star magic.
Since Hamilton’s magic book was a non-mainstream book, it was not provided in the Count’s residence library either. When she reported that to Leonard, he had said:
— ‘I have seen Elente-noonim reading Hamilton’s magic book avidly. I will speak to Elente-noonim separately by letter, so bring that magic book from Elente-noonim’s bookshelf.’
Elente was residing almost exclusively in Ebelstein due to the Rosea Salon’s work.
Since Elente’s room was also often empty, borrowing one magic book wouldn’t be a big problem.
Since Leonard said he would obtain permission from Elente himself, the maid began to search Elente’s room bookshelf without complaint.
And soon, when she discovered one of the shelved magic books and pulled it, something like a strange space was revealed on the wall behind the bookshelf.
When the maid, unable to overcome her curiosity, put her hand in, something like a handle was grabbed, so she pulled it.
Rumble—
Then the bookshelf was pushed away, and a huge staircase leading directly underground was revealed on the wall side.
The maid who saw that sight was startled and immediately reported to the Head Butler of the Belmeade mansion, and when the Head Butler and two senior retainers went down to that underground space… a terrible sight was revealed.
An underground laboratory reeking of blood.
Human body parts and such were stored in a mutilated state, and all sorts of skeletons were rolling around on the floor.
A desk in one corner, and spread out under the candlestick there were… four or five necromancy tomes that necromancers of Rodentz Island would carry around.
Next to that desk, accessories, writing instruments, and a hat with frills that appeared to be Elente’s were scattered.
After that, the mansion was bound to be turned upside down.
Elente, who was out in Ebelstein, was also bound to be summoned to the Belmeade mansion immediately.
‘Right, playing a funny trick.’
Elente, sitting in the garden of the Belmeade mansion’s annex, put down her teacup.
The sky was high and blue, and the mansion’s garden was a peaceful sight.
However, the passing servants were all swallowing dry saliva with sidelong glances.
Behind Elente, who was drinking tea while receiving the late spring sunlight, stood a woman with her hands behind her back. Her name was Briana, a senior retainer most trusted by the Head of the House, the Margrave of Belmeade.
It was not a common occurrence for her, who undertook all sorts of important responsibilities due to her outstanding ability, to waste time solely to monitor one person.
At that desolate sight, the servants had no choice but to whisper.
‘It feels like even the servants are approaching cautiously.’
First, they ordered silence so that words would not leak outside the mansion as much as possible, and the senior retainers all gathered to begin an investigation.
Meanwhile, Elente was thoroughly monitored so that she could not easily contact anyone.
Still, since her status was what it was, they didn’t detain her in her room entirely, but her physical freedom being restricted was the same.
“…”
It was a truly urgent situation, yet Elente actually looked relaxed. Enough to sit in the garden, bask in the sun, and have a cup of tea.
She was a person who had watched plenty of all sorts of base fights in the gaps of power. She was somewhat accustomed to dealing with such slander and intrigue. First, it was important to show a more confident appearance than anyone else.
Above all, this Belmeade mansion was a place practically like Elente’s kingdom.
Reigning as the heir of the family for a long time, countless servants had watched how sincerely and in what a legitimate way she fought for power.
The Head of the House, the Margrave of Belmeade, also trusted Elente, and most of the senior retainers also harbored the conviction that Elente would not have touched such wicked magic.
Undermining her authority here was absolutely not an easy task.
Certainly, they had to weave in something like necromancy to have a significant blow.
Because those who remembered the Duplein tragedy would all know well how dangerous that necromancy was.
‘You’ve finally drawn your sword, Leonard.’
To break Elente, he had to cut off all her aides who were practically her limbs.
He had to make all the aides fall under suspicion like that, and make the family members and retainers all fall into a swamp of suspicion.
Ultimately, he had to make it so that no one in this mansion could trust Elente.
It was an obvious statement, but trust built over a long time did not collapse so easily.
Therefore, Elente only narrowed her eyes and quietly held a sip of tea in her mouth.
<><><>
The moment Derek came out to the corridor after finishing his conversation with the Margrave of Belmeade, he encountered an unfamiliar face.
"Nice to meet you. Sir Derek. I sent a letter. Since you said you were busy with work, I intended to visit you myself, but luckily, you happened to visit the mansion."
Judging by how naturally he acted as if he knew him, this man was surely Leonard.
Elente’s younger brother and the third son of the Belmeade family. There was a smile on his face, but his eyes shone coldly.
Most people of the Belmeade family had red hair, but Leonard’s hair had turned completely white. It was a curious appearance.
"Young Master Leonard."
As Derek bowed his head slightly in greeting, Leonard looked around and spoke in a low voice.
“You are Sir Derek, whose authority is great as the most renowned magic teacher in Ebelstein. To meet you in person like this, it is truly an honor.”
“Not at all.”
He smiled with a relaxed appearance, then continued speaking.
"Could you spare some time for a moment? I have something I must tell you."
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I heard that despite your status, Sir Derek is sincere in the achievement of magic, and that the results are also tremendous. You said you reached a realm at an early age that decent commoner-born mages could never even reach.”
Leonard spoke with a polite appearance without erasing his smile.
“However, would Sir Derek be someone who ends at the realm of a commoner?”
At those words, Derek narrowed his brow.
“You must aim for the realm of 4-Star.”
“…”
“I will help you. Would you listen to my words once?”