Chapter 160

Chapter 160
Here is the complete translation of the text provided, preserving the original tone and structure.

***

Chapter 160
Katia Flameheart had visited the southwest of the continent.

To Katia or to Dereck, it was of no particular importance, but the other nobles who heard the news were placed in a state of maximum alert.

Lately, both in social circles and in the realm of magical education in Ebelstein, Baron Ravenclaw’s movements had been receiving extraordinary attention.

And in the midst of all that, the appearance of someone capable of directly influencing Baron Ravenclaw near his social circle made it impossible for them not to react sensitively.

Countess Rodelia, who was holding the head of her beloved horse and stroking its mane, showed an expression of regret upon hearing the chief butler’s report.

“Are you saying she already passed the gate and entered directly? I was already ready to cross the meadow immediately…”

“When the news reached us, it seems she had already passed the meadow area and was heading toward Ravenclaw territory. They say she is a person of quick action and that she detests unnecessary pomp; seen this way, it may have been intentional.”

“In the Beltus territory, they say that, as much as possible, they complied with the protocol. What a tremendous oversight!”

“Would you like us to prepare a separate gift?”

“Hmm… I don’t know if she is the type of person who would receive it well. Let us observe the situation first.”

“Understood.”

Countess Rodelia was a person who liked clarity in everything she did.

That was why the speed with which Katia had begun her journey and crossed the territory was especially frustrating for her.

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While Rodelia showed that expression of disappointment, the butler continued with his report.

“It seems that not everything is a cause for disillusionment. A report has arrived from the gate soldiers, as if the heavens had intervened; Miss Trisha met that mage there.”

“Oh? Trisha?”

“Yes. And furthermore, they say she personally accompanied her to the outer area of the territory. At the very least, couldn’t that be considered a minimal display of courtesy?”

Faced with that unexpected news, Rodelia’s face lit up.

Taking into account Trisha’s usual behavior, there were aspects that worried her, but the fact that a young woman from the Renuel family had personally accompanied her to the outskirts of the territory indicated that, at the very least, she had been treated with respect.

Surely she had not yet received detailed information about Katia, so it was strange that she had reacted so impeccably, but even so, Rodelia could not help but smile with satisfaction at her daughter’s insight.

“Trisha, you say? Haha, I thought that, due to Hutton’s influence, she had a somewhat rough side, but in the end, with time, everyone matures. Becoming a disciple of Baron Ravenclaw, arriving just in time to help with the protocol… I truly had an excellent daughter.”

Rodelia let out a loud laugh, typical of a woman of strong character, and puffed out her chest with pride.

Whatever people said, Trisha was, at least in appearance, an elegant and distinguished young noblewoman.

If Katia had behaved with due courtesy, it was very likely that she would have formed a good impression of the Renuel family.

When Trisha returned, she would praise her.

Thinking that, Rodelia adjusted the reins of her horse again, with a faint smile on her lips.

“……That was how it happened, Mother.”

The corners of Rodelia’s lips curled with bitterness.

Pressing her temple with her fingers, she showed a grim expression, as if she were mired in deep contemplation.

At the dining table, where a snack had been prepared to welcome Trisha after a long time, Rodelia occupied the main seat, frowning and emitting sounds of irritation, wondering if what she had just heard was really true.

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At that moment, the maid who had accompanied Trisha returned with a completely pale face to give her report.

“It is a message from the magic master Katia Flameheart, of the Elvester family from the east. She says that thanks to Miss Trisha accompanying her personally, many inconveniences were reduced and she received great help, so she expresses her gratitude. However, regarding the proposal to enter into Miss Trisha’s service as a maid… she deeply regrets having to decline it, as she originally belongs to the Elvester family… that is what she said…”

“You proposed that Katia Flameheart enter your service as a maid? Into the direct service of Baron Ravenclaw…?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

If there was any positive quality in Trisha, it was that she did not lie about her mistakes and confessed them immediately.

When Rodelia looked at her with fury, even adult men trembled with fear.

And Trisha, whose presence was nothing more than that of a small rodent before her mother, had no choice but to hold back her tears and apologize the moment that fierce gaze, similar to that of a tiger, fell upon her.

“I really wanted to explain many things to you, Mother. It’s just that… from the outside, anyone would have thought she was of humble origin… and given the situation, I had to get angry… and then… while we were talking, we understood each other quite well… she had a great command of noble culture and a very sharp tongue, I let myself get carried away by the atmosphere… and then…”

“Trisha. In all my life, I have never seen anyone propose that someone’s master’s master submit to their command. I don’t know what reaction Baron Ravenclaw will have when he finds out about this…”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Countess Rodelia pressed her forehead hard and let out a long sigh from the very depths of her abdomen.

One of the Renuel family’s great goals was to bring Baron Ravenclaw under their influence.

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Rodelia was a woman with a fierce obsession for attracting talent, even if she had to sell her soul to do so.

And Baron Ravenclaw was, among the lesser nobles she had seen lately, the easiest to exploit of them all.

«I thought everything was going quite well, and just then my only daughter commits a fatal error…»

If this news reached Dereck’s ears through Katia, it was certain that he would feel deeply offended.

Having forged a relatively cordial relationship, they could not allow it to be broken by something like this.

“Trisha……”

“Hiiek…!”

Seeing Trisha grab her shoulders with tears in her eyes, Rodelia adopted a fierce, almost beastly expression, and spoke with a voice laden with tension.

“We will have to fix this, won’t we?”

“Yes!!!!!!!”

***

“On the way, I ran into two of your disciples. They seem like good girls.”

“Are you referring to Miss Trisha and Miss Denise?”

“Yes. Both have quite strong personalities. You must have gone through a lot.”

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“That is not the case. Both have some knowledge of magic, so what I have to teach them is not that complex.”

“Magic, perhaps… but…”

Upon crossing the main gate of Baron Ravenclaw’s mansion, Katia showed a complex expression.

Dereck watched her in silence, but she seemed slightly worried.

Katia was a person close to perfection.

A mature three-star mage, with a level almost equivalent to that of a four-star, vast knowledge of the social world, great insight, and remarkable ability to deal with people.

When someone fell under her critical gaze, most young noblewomen ended up revealing their true nature.

With Trisha, it went without saying, and even Denise, as cunning as a snake, let slip part of her true nature before Katia’s eyes.

Just by seeing how, every time Dereck’s name was mentioned, she would open her eyes wide and start asking endless questions, it was evident that she did not see him simply as her master.

From that moment on, the matter became delicate even for Katia.

Beyond the relationship between master and disciple, she had looked after Dereck almost with the heart of a mother.

That was why, from then on, she had no choice but to sharpen her hearing.

“From what I have heard, there is a baroness named Pheline, isn’t there?”

“…”

«You said she came from among the mercenaries and that, as she practically had no awareness of her status, there was no one more suitable to serve you in name only as your wife. But don’t think that kind of benevolent deception can be maintained forever. It is too naive a way of acting.»

“Master…”

“Do not take this as a simple reprimand. Among the nobility, the choice of a partner can be a matter of life or death.”

In Katia’s eyes, always kind and relaxed, a spark seemed to ignite.

Dereck was already old enough.

He was attractive and capable; it was impossible for the women in his social circle to leave him alone.

Of course, he was also aware of it, and that was why he had considered Pheline as his wife in name only, but that measure was reaching its limit.

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More and more people were beginning to realize that Pheline was nothing more than a baroness in name, someone who did not care at all about noble authority or the relationships between men and women.

Therefore, he could not continue to handle things in that way indefinitely.

“Dereck… tell me the truth. Among the people in your social circle, can you assure me that there is not even one with bad intentions?”

Just by seeing the special interest that Denise showed towards him, Katia had already intuited it.

Around Dereck, without a doubt, there were people watching him with greedy eyes, waiting for an opportunity to snatch him away.

She could not allow her disciple—no, her son—to be snatched by wild snakes from anywhere.

The social world was full of vipers capable of devouring a man without blinking.

“…”

Dereck could not answer with certainty.

He had already noticed the affection of some women, but he had always deflected it by using Pheline as an excuse.

In any case, he lived obsessed with magic and deeply feared that unnecessary relationships would complicate his situation.

That was why he was grateful to have an almost deceptive excuse like Pheline’s.

In exchange, he never forgot to send her high-quality fruit regularly.

However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not deceive Katia’s eyes.

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She grabbed him firmly by the shoulder and, in a manner unusual for her, looked at him with burning intensity.

“Dereck. Your dedication to raising your magical level may be one of your greatest charms, but don’t forget that building a stable home with a good partner is also something truly valuable. I want you to be happy.”

“Master… I appreciate your advice, but…”

“I am not forcing you. I am just telling you to be careful with the women in that social circle, they are poisonous like snakes. You know well that in that world you are a top-tier target, someone anyone would drool over. Do not let yourself be carried away easily.”

How many times had she seen experienced noblewomen seduce distinguished young knights?

She did not think Dereck would fall so easily, but the world always held surprises.

Although Dereck was already old enough, in Katia’s eyes he still seemed like that child who wandered the slums.

That was how mothers usually were.

“Anyway, let’s leave the details for after we enter the mansion. You said you had prepared plenty of high-quality alcohol, and just thinking about it makes this aging body recover some vitality.”

“Let’s put the carriage in the depot first.”

“We shall do that… hmm.”

Upon hearing the carriage mentioned, Katia brought a hand to her chin and pondered for a moment before speaking.

“By the way, besides me, there is another guest. Listen without being startled.”

“…It was to be expected.”

The faces of the family members who were watching the carriage approaching from behind gradually began to tense.

From that battered vehicle, which they believed only carried insignificant luggage, a young woman in a splendid dress descended, accompanied by her servants.

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With narrowed eyes, as if everything bothered her, she looked up toward the Ravenclaw mansion and then looked at Dereck with a smile of apparent familiarity.

“We meet again. It has been a while, and it seems your situation has changed quite a bit since then.”

She let out a suppressed laugh, handed a large bag to an employee, and stretched lazily.

Her silver hair, of a soft shade, fell over her shoulders, and the mint-colored ribbons that adorned her two braids swayed gently.

She had already met Dereck once, quite a long time ago.

She had been invited during the great tragedy of the Duplain family.

In eastern social circles, she was treated like a queen and was a direct disciple of Katia.

The young Countess Freya, of the Elvester family.

“I smell bread…”

With a sweet and relaxed expression, which openly revealed her appetite, that young woman was a mage who had learned illusion-type magic directly from Katia.

Furthermore, she was the youngest disciple of Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw.