Chapter 144

Chapter 144
## Chapter 144

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Excellency.”

Clank, clank.

Rodelia, who had removed the silver armor that was larger than her own body, was drenched in sweat.

Her physical prime was long behind her, and the marks of the passage of time were visible on her face, but she did not seem to care.

This noblewoman, born with the instincts of a warrior, had been fighting for her life on that terrible battlefield, and yet she showed almost no signs of exhaustion.

After receiving help from the maids and finishing her bath, she sat in a comfortable chair, her body much more relaxed, and sank into deep reflection.

«It seems there is nothing more I can do regarding the Beltus matter. All that remains for me is to trust that the young lady and the firstborn son resolve it well on their own.»

The fact that Duke Beltus had fled was worrying, but for now, her priority was to report everything to Emperor Guttrel.

She had to report on the events that occurred at the Beltus mansion and the birth of a new 4-star mage.

Derek Lydorf Ravenclaw, Baron.

Recalling the man who had collapsed at the scene of the accident, covered in blood, Countess Rodelia clenched and unclenched her blistered hands several times.

«In truth, I want that man under my command.»

However.

No matter how she analyzed it in her mind, Derek was not someone who would easily swear loyalty to others.

He was only under the protection of Lord Melverot, the ruler of the north, because the latter could guarantee his safety.

But considering his willingness to risk his life fighting necromancers, and the fact that he had reached the level of a 4-star mage at such a young age, he was not someone she wanted to “hand over” to another noble house.

Above all, she had gained knowledge of his existence before the other high-ranking nobles.

If this had occurred in the central area of the continent, Kohella would already have found out immediately, and Emperor Guttrel seemed to have heard rumors even before Rodelia sent her report.

Rumors were already circulating about Baron Derek, and once the official report was completed, his name would be on the lips of all the high nobles.

To capture talent, one must act when it is at its lowest point.

From that perspective, having had contact with Derek before the others was a huge advantage.

But he was not an easy person to influence.

If he were someone who could be convinced simply with good treatment, there would be no cause for concern.

«…Even so, it seems there is a solution.»

The advantage of having met him first was this: that she knew something about Baron Derek’s private life.

During the recent subjugation in Beltus, Rodelia had heard and seen several things about Derek, but what impacted her most was the presence of Baroness Pheline.

The Baroness, who had originally been a common mercenary, surprisingly did not seem to have a particularly close relationship with Derek.

Of course, they had shared many years of battle, and a beautiful camaraderie existed between them, but that was different from romantic affection.

Rodelia, a great connoisseur of aristocratic culture, understood it instantly.

The presence of Baroness Pheline was merely nominal, an arrangement to stabilize the family image and receive the title, but Derek did not yet have a suitable partner.

At that instant, Rodelia felt as if a lightning bolt had struck her head.

A man who, apparently, had a partner.

But in reality, he was only focused on magic.

And most importantly: she was the only one among the high nobles who knew this fact.

In short, if she managed to link him with her daughter, she could draw him into her sphere of influence.

Perhaps it was divine help.

It just so happened that she had a daughter who, although full of flaws, was at least pretty.

Trisha Lemina Renuel, the Countess’s daughter, was somewhat vain and had a bad temper, but if they could get her to keep her mouth shut, her appearance was acceptable.

Of course, compared to the dazzling young noblewomen Derek accepted as disciples, Trisha did not measure up, but romantic relationships were often resolved if one insisted enough.

«Trisha, who had always been a headache since she was little, might finally fulfill some function in the family this time.»

Heaven had not granted her dignity or character, but that could be corrected through severe discipline; Rodelia knew how to educate using reality checks.

In the social circles of Ebelstein, Trisha strutted with arrogance, but in the Countess’s mansion, she trembled like a small animal at just a side-glance from Rodelia.

Considering the strict education she had received since childhood, it was natural that she feared her so much. Rodelia was more tenacious than most men.

With a satisfied smile, she ordered a servant to call Trisha.

***

“I learned recently that he has been staying at the residence of Duke Duplain. Apparently, he is investigating family matters for his disciple, Lady Diella, or for his partner, Lady Aiselin.”

“I see…”

Snow fell softly over the residence of Count Renouel.

Upon the wide table was a variety of refreshments, but neither Rodelia, who loathed sweets, nor Trisha, who was extremely tense, reached out to take any.

Countess Rodelia looked at her only daughter, Trisha, and interlaced her hands while speaking solemnly.

“It seems you have contacts in the social circle of Ebelstein, especially in the Rose Hall. Trisha, I think you should strive a bit harder to strengthen your relationship with Baron Derek.”

“If… if my mother orders it, I… I will do it… b-but… I must think about how to do it specifically…”

“Isn’t it obvious? There are quite a few women linked to the Rose Hall. Lately, in particular, they have been collaborating a lot with the Duplain family; you should contact them and look for an opportunity.”

“T-those people… you mean…?”

With an expression suggesting the question was unnecessary, Rodelia responded naturally.

“Well, as the eldest daughter, Lady Aiselin…”

“…”

In Trisha’s case, she had the precedent of having poured tea over Aiselin’s head.

And furthermore, she had laughed with arrogance, as if it were funny.

Trisha’s face turned pale.

“If that turns out to be too complicated, I have heard that the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, Lady Diella, is also linked to the Rose Hall…”

In Trisha’s case, there also existed the precedent of having received a slap from Diella.

Rodelia, who paid no attention to the trivial disputes between the young women of high society, was unaware that Trisha’s relationship with the Duplain sisters was already broken beyond repair.

Why had it reached that point?

Because she believed nothing was going to happen.

Because it seemed obvious that Duplain would crumble and collapse, while the Renouel family, rising like foam thanks to Rodelia’s merits, would prosper eternally.

It was more than shortsightedness: it was a reckless arrogance dominated by vanity; but now, regretting it was useless.

And even though Trisha’s original assumption was not wrong.

The variable named Derek had already reached a level capable of changing the power structure of the southwest of the continent.

In fact, the only difference between Duplain and Trisha was whether or not they had any connection to Derek; unfortunately, in noble circles, those apparently trivial differences determined the outcome.

It was truly exasperating.

***

“Ah, hello, Lady Diella.”

As a result, at the Rose Hall meeting two weeks later, Trisha ended up approaching Diella first.

An unthinkable situation: Trisha, daughter of Countess Renouel, whose prestige was on the rise, speaking first to Diella, the youngest daughter of the Duplain family, with whom she had a terrible relationship.

That someone—and worse yet, Trisha—would voluntarily approach Diella, known for pouncing like a wild animal at the slightest inappropriate comment, was like seeing someone voluntarily enter a lion’s den.

Pure madness. Diella was the kind of person who could slap someone without hesitation if something displeased her.

Among the young noblewomen, there already existed such an intimidating aura around Diella that they hesitated even to address her. It was hard to believe that girl belonged to a family fallen into disgrace.

“…”

Diella, who was leafing through a rather advanced philosophy book, looked up and observed Trisha in silence.

Her gaze asked clearly: What is she up to this time?

Just by looking into her eyes, Trisha felt as if a lion had roared, and her body shuddered involuntarily.

“Get lost.”

Having said that, Diella lowered her gaze back to the book.

It was an open declaration of war.

Trisha’s temple throbbed, but she forced herself to suppress her anger.

By then, Diella had already perfectly understood Trisha’s intentions.

The fact that the arrogant Trisha approached with such a docile attitude could only mean one thing: she wanted to get close to Baron Ravenclaw’s family, just like many others.

Unfortunately, this social trend forming around her deeply irritated Diella.

Being treated like a guardian protecting Derek was humiliating!

To get close to Baron Ravenclaw, they first had to be recognized by one of his four direct disciples: that detestable unspoken system!

And to top it off, Derek hadn’t been paying any attention to her lately.

Even though he was staying at the Duplain mansion, he spent the whole day talking business with Aiselin, ignoring her completely.

Everything was frustrating, one way or another.

And, furthermore, that Trisha, one of her arch-enemies, would approach to earn her favor was unbearable for this girl with the instincts of a wild beast.

Trisha was breaking into a cold sweat.

*How am I supposed to break through this wall and get close to Baron Ravenclaw?*

The last time she tried to act on her own, she failed miserably, so now the pressure was even worse.

And to make matters worse, the fearsome Countess Rodelia was pushing her from behind, demanding that she contact the Duplains urgently.

Trisha was cornered.

“It’s not that, it’s just that this time the Duplain family is working on something… if there were anything in which the Renouel family could help…”

“We don’t need anything. Get lost.”

Creak.

Diella pushed back her chair and stood up, staring fixedly at Trisha with fury.

The scene was that of a beast baring its fangs. Who in this world could put a leash on that girl?

Before the stunned gazes of the other young women, Diella left the hall with a firm step.

It was as if the figure of a roaring beast appeared behind her, making anyone wonder who in this world would be capable of putting a collar on that girl.

Receiving the gazes of the young noblewomen gathered there, she advanced firmly through the hallway, looking completely out of the ordinary.

‘Feeling this up and down…? Is my pride also being hurt?!’

Diella was a girl of strong character.

After returning to the main building of the Duplain mansion after a long time, she walked quickly, furious.

In reality, she had been feeling affection for Derek for some time, and she knew very well how humiliating it was to sulk and behave in an annoying way just because he didn’t pay attention to her.

As a noble with dignity, she thought she should treat him with loftiness.

But it was natural that a girl of her age could not always act according to her intentions.

As a result, she began to feel not only resentment but also a deep pain.

Diella was also a young noblewoman, and not someone who needed to cling to another person to the point of making pathetic pleas.

Even if Derek’s reputation was through the roof these days, there was no reason for Diella to feel affected by that; in fact, this whole situation of feeling so offended was absurd.

In the social circles of Ebelstein, she was known as a tyrant.

Since she was a child, she had dominated and ruled over her servants, radiating an aura that made it difficult to approach her.

The fact that she now worried about a simple baron from a remote region was ridiculous.

Therefore, Diella advanced decisively, lips pressed thin, determined to show that it was Derek who should regret things, not her.

Creak.

As Diella exited with an angry expression, the door to a reception room in one of the hallways of the Duplain mansion opened and Derek stepped out with several documents in hand.

He still had scratches all over his body, but he seemed to have recovered quite a bit.

“Oh, Lady Diella.”

“…Derek!”

For an instant she almost cheered up, but already in a very bad mood, Diella pouted and grumbled.

“I see you are very busy, Derek.”

“No, it’s just that I’ve started too many things… but it’s fine. Meeting like this is lucky.”

“Eh?”

“Lately we haven’t had many opportunities to talk, Lady Diella. Also, if the Ravenclaw Training Center branch works well, there are several things in which I would like to ask for your help.”

“F-for me?”

“That’s right. Have I offended you?”

“Ha… Well, of course… of course everything is… perfectly fine!”

“Really?”

“…”

Diella responded like that and then sighed, touching her forehead. The words had escaped her before she could control them.

In any case, it was never easy to be tough with Derek.

“It seems she has also had a lot of pressure due to the unstable situation of her family.”

Seeing Diella hit her head for no apparent reason, Derek could only look at her with eyes full of compassion.

That look killed Diella a second time.

“In fact, the reason I am pushing this matter is to normalize the Duplain figure. It would be best if Lady Diella took the initiative.”

It was truly embarrassing to feel excited simply by having tea alone with Derek after such a long time.

Even so, Diella, with her pretty blonde hair tied back with a navy blue ribbon and a ruffled dress, tilted her head at Derek’s words.

“Duplain, you say?”

“Yes. We have overcome great crises, and now that the family structure has stabilized, it is time to take the opportunity to recover.”

Aiselin was going around working tirelessly and earning money while calling herself a disgraced noble, and Diella was treated like a thorn in the Rose Hall.

This could not continue forever.

Derek intended to turn Duplain into the new social center of the southwest of the continent.

From the beginning, he didn’t want the Ravenclaw Barony to become even more complicated than it already was.

Aiselin was so capable that, if left alone, she would turn the Ravenclaw Barony into the central headquarters for all social life.

She was like a runaway train, advancing without limits.

Someone had to stop her…