Chapter 181

Chapter 181
Chapter 181
## Chapter 181: Inspection (2)

“It is exactly like stepping into a viper’s den.”

That observation from the old monarch came out of nowhere, devoid of any preamble.

It occurred just as Princess Roselyn’s ascent to the throne seemed a *fait accompli*, with the bureaucracy of the imperial faction chanting her name to the four winds.

In the solitude of the audience chamber, Emperor Gertrel addressed Roselyn, who had managed to successfully navigate the tortuous path that led to the very base of the throne.

“What did you say, Father? What do you mean by…?”

“You will be surrounded by predators anxious to devour you alive. You must remain on high alert with every blink; even the simple act of breathing will feel suffocating.”

“That is… what is expected, Father.”

Roselyn had pushed aside numerous political opponents to consolidate herself as the undisputed successor. There was no longer room for fear or regret.

Shadows were beginning to envelop Gremfort Castle.

Roselyn felt prepared to assume command as empress. Or so she told herself as she sketched a faint smile.

“I will not fail you.”

“On the contrary, it is highly probable that you will.”

…

In the opulent imperial room.

As he dragged his fatigued body toward the balcony, where a cool breeze circulated.

Spring could be felt in the air, and he turned his gaze toward the starry firmament.

That silhouette was that of an old man who had traveled thorny paths, accumulating scars and experiences that far surpassed anything Roselyn had faced.

The radiance of the stars seemed to embrace him, whispering hidden truths. His era of glory had been left behind; the world was mutating.

The skin of his fingers, taut over bone, was more reminiscent of the touch of ancient paper than the vitality of flesh.

As if he were visualizing an inevitable destiny, the old emperor stated:

“When that serpent finally sinks its fangs into me and takes my life… engrave this on your mind.”

It was a warning laden with dark omens. However, the slow tone of his following words suggested he was truly reading the future.

“You only need one.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Do not place your faith in multitudes. Do not lose yourself in romantic fantasies about group loyalty or leadership grounded in sentimental bonds. Just identify one person: the most capable, the most loyal. That will suffice for you.”

The emperor’s gaze had lost the vivacity of yesteryear. However, for brief moments, glimpses of his legendary past could still be perceived.

While Gertrel observed the stars with apparent emptiness, a spark of intensity regained its place in his eyes after a long time.

Princess Roselyn could only contemplate him, plunged into bewilderment.

When Roselyn woke from her lethargy, the carriage was already crossing the boundaries of the Duplein ducal property.

Behind the vibrating glass, Ravenclaw Academy rose up. Each building, preserved with impeccable neatness, seemed to have been designed with the same solemnity as the Palace of Gremfort.

Although it was foreseeable that effort would be put into the education of the young aristocrats, the level of detail surpassed what was imagined.

“I understood that the nobles of the southwest were heavily financing Ravenclaw Academy, but this is much more impressive than I believed.”

A work of such magnitude was only possible thanks to the Duplein house ceding the land at no cost, allowing the regional nobility to unify their resources and support.

Anyone would think Lady Aiselin was the key piece in this project. However, she was not the mastermind behind the curtain.

Even the woman who dominated the society of the southwest was backing a low-ranking rural aristocrat: Baron Ravenclaw.

And behind Baron Ravenclaw was the support of Melberot of the North. Upon analyzing this network of connections, the vastness of the institution made sense.

Would they have built all this without Melberot’s consent? That old hero was a master in the art of manipulation.

In reality, it was a feat achieved by Derek, working side-by-side with House Duplein. However, for Roselyn, the idea that someone could achieve this without the direct intervention of the central high nobility was inconceivable.

“The most influential families of the southwest… Besides Duplein, there are Belmierd, Beltus, and Renuel…”

It had reached her ears that each lineage had sent a representative to study under Ravenclaw’s wing.

Beyond Derek’s real power, if the heirs of those houses followed him with devotion, he was a figure that could not be ignored.

Even so, Roselyn’s gaze remained laden with distrust.

“Surely he is another fool intoxicated by mystical power, just like Kohlera.”

With that thought, she pushed aside her dark reddish-toned hair.

Derek Raidof of Ravenclaw, the Baron.

She would not lower her guard before that man who, until now, only existed in her imagination.

“This resembles a mass exodus more than an inspection delegation.”

Elenne, sporting an elegant suit, observed with serenity the group’s arrival at the gates of Ravenclaw Academy.

Vehicles kept crossing the iron gates of the institution. The line seemed infinite, losing itself on the horizon.

The escort exceeded a hundred personnel, accompanied by more than thirty supply and combat wagons.

The crown’s carriage was so majestic that it required twenty horses to move. Now she understood why it was said that the royal family was slow in its movements.

It was commented that a journey by the emperor implied an astronomical public expense. Although the imperial guard was imposing, at that pace, the day would vanish just in entry protocols.

“Miss Elenne, what are you doing out here?”

“Ah, Derek… I found the banquet hall somewhat tedious…”

Elenne turned her face toward the voice, but upon seeing him, her eyes opened with astonishment.

“Derek… do you plan to present yourself before the emperor… in those clothes?”

“As you see, it is my usual attire.”

Derek wore a white tunic of simple design with a leather belt, dark pants, sturdy footwear, and a cloak.

His appearance was more reminiscent of a soldier of fortune than a noble, which left Elenne disoriented, although Derek found such surprise strange.

“Nobles with aspirations spend fortunes on these audiences, but a frontier baron like me would only look ridiculous trying to pretend. A lord of distant lands should look like one.”

“But you are my mentor… I am worried that the royalty will look down on you…”

Elenne made a gesture of discontent before crossing her arms.

Although Derek only administered a small territory, his political weight now equated to that of the great lords. Most would use that to climb positions.

However, Derek was only passionate about magic. His resolution was unbreakable. Elenne sighed, giving up.

Deep down, that was his essence. Being surrounded by the ambitious allies of Belmierd had made her forget that people like him existed.

Curiously, that was the reason why she appreciated him. With him, she could forget political plots and be simply a student under the guidance of a master.

“Perhaps his true gift is maintaining that integrity while instructing so many children of the nobility.”

Her countenance softened.

“By the way… I heard that Lord Ryner is at the school…”

“…Surely conversing with the leader of the Raeg clan.”

“They say that stain on the honor of the Belmierd does not stop visiting you. I am worried that that unscrupulous man is causing you problems…”

Upon noticing Derek’s gesture of discomfort, Elenne sighed again.

“If it bothers you, I apologize in advance. He is uncontrollable; even my father seems to have given up on him.”

“Nothing serious has happened… nothing important, really.”

“I will confront him as soon as I see him. I promise…”

Elenne showed her teeth in a warning grimace. The worst traits of Ryner were his overconfidence and his lack of personal hygiene.

Ironically, Derek’s ascent to nobility was due in large part to Ryner’s efforts, so it was difficult to complain formally. But the friction between Ryner and Elenne was a totally different matter.

“I must return to the reception, Derek. At tonight’s banquet, we will greet each other as corresponds.”

“You should rest; the journey must have been exhausting.”

“It is true. But… seeing something pleasant has taken away my fatigue.”

“Are you referring to everything being in order?”

Faced with Derek’s question, Elenne smiled maliciously before placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I am referring to the fact that I saw your face.”

With that, she retreated happily. The double meaning of her smile did not pass unnoticed by Derek, but he had more urgent matters to think about.

The entourage of Emperor Gertrel. Two princes, three ministers, a 6-star magic scholar, four imperial advisors, eighty assistants, and almost six hundred soldiers.

More than a dozen protocol transports: Elenne’s description of an “exodus” was totally accurate. Where the emperor settled, a palace arose there.

That was the golden rule of Gertrel’s protocol: no austerity.

*

“…Is this really Baron Derek Raidof of Ravenclaw?”

Princess Roselyn observed with attention the man who was leading the welcome committee upon entering the academy.

It was the image she had been projecting in her mind during the entire trip from Gremfort.

The pupil of Melberot, the man who received direct instruction from Drest and whose capacity was validated by Kohlera.

From a simple mercenary to being the most coveted tutor of high society, instructing the most influential ladies. A figure whose fame in the teaching of mystical arts far surpassed his minor title, and whose name resonated in the halls of the imperial council.

However, there he was, dressed like any combatant and escorted by only two people. For Roselyn, accustomed to imperial pomp, Derek seemed like someone lacking relevance.

“We thank you for the exhausting journey. We have arranged the most luxurious suite in the Amarilis House for your comfort.”

“Good. It will not compare to my quarters in Gremfort, but it will be sufficient.”

Roselyn crossed her arms, observing Derek with haughtiness and distrust. Nothing in his presence fit with his renown.

“I expected someone with a more imposing presence… although I suppose this is preferable to baseless arrogance.”

Despite her own conclusions, Roselyn felt a pang of disappointment.

“Tonight there will be a banquet in your honor. I trust that, given your reputation, the organization will be impeccable.”

“How could it be less for the Rose of Gremfort? I will put all my effort into it.”

Despite his austere clothing, his manners were those of a gentleman. Roselyn exhaled air forcefully and turned her head.

“That is fine. I will be understanding. But in the future, show more decorum when dealing with royalty. If you cannot dress with elegance, at least surround yourself with more personnel. Your lack of presence is lamentable.”

“That is valuable advice. I will remember it. Although in these times, simplicity is a necessity.”

“What did you say?”

Derek’s only companions were his trusted men, Delbritton and Elfin. His most loyal subordinates, who would never turn their backs on him.

Upon noticing this, Roselyn’s frown deepened.

“He came here for a private talk.”

As if he read her mind, Derek blurted out unexpectedly:

“Have you come to Evelstain looking for a 6-star confusion mage?”

Roselyn was paralyzed for an instant before the abruptness of the question, although she tried not to show weakness.

Her old emotional crises had transformed into conspiracy rumors that ran through the empire. The world was no longer the same.

She remembered the servants looking with pity at how young Roselyn begged to be heard.

“Sebast! Lavender! Carlos! Do you not believe me? Do you think I have lost my mind? A confusion mage has been here! Something has changed! I know it!”

The panic on her face and her broken voice had served for nothing. The officials only murmured about the mental health of the princess. With time, her complaints became urban legends.

“I am also convinced that that mage exists,” Derek continued while she got lost in her memories. “If there is a way to find them, we must take advantage of it.”

A mage capable of distorting perception and memories as if it were a living legend. When Raeg and Ryner touched on the subject, Derek did not mock. On the contrary, he felt a genuine fascination.

Roselyn fixed her gaze on Derek’s. He was resolved to unmask that entity regardless of the cost. That determination was born of an absolute fixation: an obsession with magic.

For any scholar, an unknown 6-star mage is a historical piece that cannot be forgotten.

Those eyes… she had already seen them.

Who else searched with such intensity for the confusion mage? “Kohlera.”

That woman who lost everything to reach the summit of magical knowledge, hidden behind a facade of respectable nobility.

The chief counselor of Gremfort and Derek shared the same spark in their gaze.

“This man… is identical to that viper Kohlera!”

Roselyn swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. If he set his mind to it, he would find the witch. Before Derek’s intensity, she recoiled unconsciously.

“Highness, if you cross paths with that baron, do not forget this.”

Melberot’s parting words in the Gremfort boardroom resonated in her head. She remembered the report of the death match between Derek and Kalimford.

“His obsession with magic goes beyond what you can comprehend. Do not delve into the subject of the confusion witch with him.”

“Why?”

“Once he fixes a target, his obsession will not stop until he finds it.”

What did that really mean? After a life despising the gifts of witches, Roselyn still did not fully understand it. That was the true face of the madness for magic.