Chapter 187

Chapter 187
Chapter 187
## Chapter 187: Delirium (5)

—You are accustomed to putting your life on the line. It is practically a miracle that you continue to breathe.

**Princess Roselyn** observed the heavy atmosphere of the main hall from her elevated position, holding her face in her hands with an evident weariness in her gaze.

She had spent more than thirty hours without sleeping. Although she still retained some vigor, she knew her resistance would reach its breaking point if the situation continued for more than two days.

Opening her heavy eyes, **Princess Roselyn** mentally reviewed the exchange she had with **Derek**.

—It was the only way to get out alive; I had no other alternative.

—That is true. I suppose there are men with your mettle in this world.

Immersed in the exhaustion that enveloped her, the princess meditated on the strange depth she perceived in the young baron’s eyes. His goal was to capture the **6-Star Confusion Witch**. Even in such a desperate scenario, where the majority still denied the existence of such an entity, the conviction that moved him was an authentic enigma. However, if he had found a lead, her only option was to back him.

Strengthening her resolve, **Roselyn** continued:

—Then, you must be clear on this: they violate memory. They are capable of implanting fictional experiences or suppressing authentic memories.

—Understood. Although it is quite disturbing to be in a position where I cannot even trust what I remember.

—That is so. That implies that they can scrutinize the memories of every person present here. Of everyone, except mine. Even if you plan a strategy to catch them, they could discover it by reading your mind.

**Princess Roselyn** launched those words to test **Derek**. It was logical to think that memory manipulation intrinsically requires the ability to read it. Without access to information, alteration is unfeasible.

However, **Derek** shook his head in a sign of denial.

—Perhaps they have access to memories, but we do not know if they possess the faculty to read current intentions or thoughts.

—They can observe what I have seen and experienced, but can they truly process everything I have reasoned or attempted to plan?

Accessing a memory is merely observing the experiences of others. As if one were watching a scene through a crystal sphere or monitoring someone from a distance; penetrating current intentions and thoughts is linked more to detection magic than to confusion magic.

Leaning on that magical reasoning, **Derek’s** conclusion was forceful. Similar to hidden surveillance devices, they can capture what is heard and seen, but it is highly probable that intentions remain private. Therefore, there was still a chance.

—Certainly, lacking such magical training, I had not stopped to consider it.

—This is not just magical theory, but a deduction based on observed facts.

**Princess Roselyn** felt increasingly intrigued by **Derek’s** logic.

—If they had the ability to read every thought and intention, they would not be limited by the sealing lock of Head Counselor **Kohlera**, nor would they be forced to eliminate the magical counselors one by one.

**Kohlera** would never bow to such coercion. Those who do not know **Kohlera’s** nature might see her as a leader who esteems her subordinates. In reality, she is an obsessive woman who would give anything for the progress of magic. If the infiltrators had understood this, they would not have wasted time murdering counselors.

Their magical faculties have boundaries. Although altering the memories of ordinary people is simple, trying to break the minds of magic masters demands a colossal effort and carries restrictions. Their failure to attempt to manipulate **Kohlera** or decipher her plans was proof of that.

—They read memories, but not consciences.

**Princess Roselyn** spoke with a more solemn tone: —For that reason, you do not reveal your strategy. If you entrust it to someone, the information will reach them immediately.

For that reason, **Roselyn** could not intervene directly. All sorts of suspicions would be stirred up if she got involved. He had to act alone. This man held the fate of all the aristocrats in the hall on his shoulders. **Roselyn** knew that weight of isolation and pressure well.

Noticing that **Derek** did not waver, she forced a faint smile and took a quill. She tore some papers from the edge of the table and began to write on the railing. Faced with **Derek’s** confused look, **Roselyn** folded the message and handed it to him to keep in his clothing.

—It is a blessing from the imperial family. The resource that the heroes of **Rosenheim** and **Kalimford** used during the expedition to the **Levelen Labyrinth**.

—I did not count on such significant support from you.

—Is this the first time you see something like this? This blessing note is designed to be read only in a moment of absolute crisis or when everything has concluded.

**Roselyn** smiled again, resting her chin on her hand.

—Read it when you feel you have no way out. They are traditional words, but they possess a powerful psychological effect.

**Derek** nodded gravely. His countenance indicated that he had understood the background. The story of the conquest of the **Levelen Labyrinth**, plagued by magical creatures, explicitly excluded the hero **Kalimford**. Any connoisseur of imperial history knew that was a deliberate historical error.

Therefore, the princess’s story about the exchange of blessings was false. What did the note really contain? Her instruction to delay reading it must have a specific end. The perceptive **Derek** caught the signal.

“I am not entirely sure if placing my trust in him is the right thing.”

From her height, **Roselyn** watched the nobles. Knowing that her proximity offered them immunity against the confusion, many feared moving away. However, some noble ladies caused a disturbance.

—**Lady Siren**! It is suicide to leave now! Stay here, under the protection of **Princess Roselyn**…

—Get out of my way. If you stop me again, I will make you disappear myself.

**Lady Siren** of **House Rochester** struggled with the sentinels after **Derek** departed alone. Her temperament suggested that she could subdue the guards without effort. As a high-ranking three-star mage, she would have no problems brushing aside anyone. Likewise, **Lady Diela** of the **Duplein** family, **Lady Elennte** of **Belmierd**, and **Lady Denis** of **Beltus** demanded that **Derek** be stopped. They argued that his intention to use the **Book of Hatred** was a too radical measure.

While **Roselyn** evaluated the situation, she noticed an absence: **Lady Aiselin**, of the **Duplein** family. Apparently, she had already slipped away in the chaos. The princess’s expression darkened. In the midst of her thoughts, a guard interrupted her.

—Your Highness. Someone requests an audience.

—…Who is it?

—**Ryner**, of the **Belmierd** family.

With a frown, **Roselyn** observed a man with a disheveled appearance who smiled clumsily, keeping his hands raised in a sign of peace. Despite looking like a vagabond, he was the firstborn of the **Belmierd** family. Escorted by spears, he knelt before her.

—I bring crucial information, Your Highness.

—I am at the limit of my patience. If this is a waste of time, you will suffer the consequences.

—I understand perfectly.

**Ryner** smiled with sarcasm.

***

The **Book of Hatred** that **Derek** had taken was a decoy. Where was the real one? It was an immediate necessity. In gambling, victory depends on cornering the rival and taking the reins. Since there was no way to point out the enemy, they had the advantage. To regain control, **Derek** had only one way out: to force their appearance.

A 4-star mage close to reaching the fifth, willing to sacrifice himself with the **Book of Hatred**, represented a real threat. Would that forbidden power be enough against the Witch? The capacity of a **6-Star Confusion Witch** was a mystery until it was tested. That uncertainty was the witch’s worst fear. For that reason, they would try to stop **Derek** at all costs. For those who dominate with certainties, variables are terrifying.

By forcing them to act, he would lure them outside. While **Derek** calmed himself observing the gloomy training field, a hooded silhouette emerged from the darkness. Its face was hidden. Despite its robust bearing, it showed no signs of physical training. From the shadows, the mage spoke with a surprisingly young voice:

—This is truly fun.

A 6-star confusion mage, hidden but present. Its essence was a mystery; even that physical form could be a visual deception. But **Derek** drew his longsword and channeled his magic. Before the enemy, he could not afford passivity.

—Immolating yourself to save them? I knew you were not that selfless. Did you really think I would take the bait?

—Was it that obvious?

—And yet, here you are. After having hidden yourself with such wariness.

—You do not understand me. I am not here out of fear of your book. You have simply piqued my curiosity.

From the gloom, the mage extended a weathered hand stained with ink, typical of a veteran scholar. Closing his fist, he continued: —I will never be captured. Even if you think you manage to do it, it will be “something that never happened.”

—…

—It is fascinating, you have discovered me twice already. This counts as our third encounter.

**Derek** listened in absolute silence. The mage’s comments were strange; according to his memory, they had never crossed paths. But that was the point: according to the witch, they had already faced each other twice, only she took it upon herself to erase those events from his mind.

—The first occasion was after the regicide of the emperor. With cunning, you found flaws in my memory alteration and almost caught me. I managed to flee by rewriting the facts.

**Derek** had no record of such an event. Either the witch was lying, or the event had been erased from existence.

—The second time happened after the death of **Kohlera’s** subordinate. Again, you detected my magical vulnerability and were about to kill me. I still perceive the trace of the dagger you stabbed me with.

Furrowing his brow, **Derek** checked his equipment. In the holster on his thigh, one of his throwing daggers was indeed missing.

—Everything is a mist, isn’t it?

The entity in shadows let out a broken laugh.

—Perhaps this chat is an illusion. Perhaps the book never existed, or all your memories are an invention of mine.

Her laugh evoked that of someone consumed by madness. It was a puzzle without identity. One could not grant credit to anything: not to the memories, not to the witch’s words. That confusion was like being trapped in a blinding fog. Anyone would succumb to panic.

—Come with me —the mage proposed suddenly—. I will reveal everything to you.

**Derek** remained motionless.

—Help me evade **Kohlera’s** siege and I will give you what you ask for. You have earned the trust of **Kohlera** and **Roselyn** after almost capturing me twice. You are exceptional.

The witch shook her vestments with mockery.

—The most unusual thing is that there is someone whose memory is untouchable to me.

Even with her magic at the limit, **Kohlera’s** memories were difficult to alter, but there was one person totally immune: **Princess Roselyn**. She was the anchor that prevented the witch from taking absolute control. However, this posed a paradox.

—If you have discovered me twice, why does the princess not know? Why would she keep silent?

—…

It was known that **Roselyn** despised noble arrogance. Was it all a coincidence? In the field illuminated by the moon, **Derek** wiped his face and regulated his breathing. His combat instincts returned. In this chaos, he had to trust someone. But in whom?

In **Kohlera**, the magic fanatic? In **Roselyn**, the imperial strategist? Or in the witch who offered an alliance from the shadows? Each path was a risk. Memories were treacherous and the truth was under lock and key. **Derek** inhaled deeply. He was a seasoned mercenary. It was not his first time in the abyss.

He remembered when he was trapped in high-ranking labyrinths, surrounded by magical creatures, walking on fields of corpses. At that time, many fell to fear and confusion. The young **Derek** was no different. But those days had been left behind. To decide correctly in the chaos, one must be firm in their position.

BOOM!

Before uttering a word, **Derek’s** 3-star combat spell, **Pillar of Fire**, impacted against the witch’s chest. The silhouette could barely react, stunned by the power of the blow. **Derek’s** magical flow almost rivaled that of a family leader.

—You are right —stated **Derek**, gripping his steel—. In confusion, one must choose whom to trust.

The moonlight bathed the combat ground.

—But it will not be you.

If twice were not enough, he would try ten or a hundred times more, until the veil of the witch’s magic disintegrated completely. **Derek** launched into the attack with lightning speed.

***

“It is fascinating: the inability to trust one’s own memory.”

In the chamber where **Emperor Gertrel** was executed, although the body was no longer there, the bloodstains remained. **Kohlera** laughed to herself while analyzing the environment. Capturing the witch would bring her closer to the secret of the seventh type of magic and, therefore, to the truth of the **7 Stars**.

However, she did not perceive any trace of magic. She must also be under the effect, losing memories or assuming falsehoods. Altering her mind would be a titanic task, but any advance would be an unprecedented achievement.

“Even I, a 6-star mage, am affected. What a level of confusion! It is sublime.”

As she meditated, the door opened heavily.

—**Head Counselor Kohlera** of the **Elvester** family. A true honor!

Although the tone was casual, the attitude was respectful. With messy reddish hair and a disheveled beard, **Ryner**, of the **Belmierd** family, appeared. He bowed before continuing.

—What do you want?

—I am **Ryner**, the firstborn of the **Belmierd** house.

—…Do you have business with me?

—I have come to finish with the **6-Star Confusion Mage**.

This lethal representation at **Ravenclaw Academy** had to conclude that night. He had deciphered **Derek’s** plan. **Ryner** smiled, showing his disheveled teeth. A wandering gambler with average magic threw that challenge before the most powerful transformation mage of the empire.