Chapter 71

Chapter 71
## Chapter 71

Unlike the southwest of the continent, which boasts three great families, the North—always close to the battlefield—has only one person with the title of Duke: Lord Melverot.

He is the head of the ducal house of Rochester and the only six-star battle mage still alive.

It was also he who personally killed the demonic beast Noir, the primary cause of the greatest disaster to ever occur in the North: the Dawn War.

Dereck had heard the gruesome scenes of that day many times narrated by Jayden, the mercenary leader who directly participated in the Dawn War.

Famous warriors from all over the continent gathered to hunt down the gigantic demon Noir, visible even from the horizon, but the only thing that kept growing was the mountain of corpses.

The sight of the snowy plains dyed red with the blood of fallen warriors seemed to have been a lifelong trauma for him.

The six-star mage Kalimford, Lord Melverot’s lifelong friend, also died in the Dawn War.

The story of how Lord Melverot used his friend’s sacrifice as a stepping stone to deal the final blow to Noir’s heart is legendary and the reason why Lord Melverot still reigns as the ruler of the North.

“I’ve heard this story so many times since I was a child, but it seems that even a mythical character cannot raise his children well.”

“It’s true. But we cannot rush to judge until we see Lady Siern in person.”

“Of course. Although Diella might have seemed like an uncontrollable girl according to the rumors, she had a tender side, right?”

The carriage swayed gently. The warm climate of the southwest was beginning to feel like a distant memory. As the journey lengthened and they approached the North, the weather began to grow cold.

Autumn had already begun, and in the North at that time, there were places where the intense cold was already starting to be felt.

Perceiving this reality, Dereck exchanged his mercenary cloak for a thicker one with some fur. Aiselin, who was wearing a cloak decorated with pretty floral patterns, also seemed to feel the cold in her fingertips and asked the servants for gloves.

Dereck took out the winter clothes he had prepared in advance and handed them to Aiselin.

She accepted the gloves and the outer garment with a dazed look.

“Use them.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

He had only given her the coat and gloves out of consideration, but Aiselin’s mind began to wander with all sorts of unnecessary thoughts.

Giving her winter clothes in such intense cold was not just a kind gesture; didn’t it also mean he trusted her enough to hand over something so personal?

The fact that he gave her used gloves could be interpreted as a sign of closeness. And that he didn’t ask for them back could imply that their relationship was close enough not to require formalities?

It was typical of girls starting to take an interest in the opposite sex to attribute exaggerated meanings to every gesture.

And Aiselin was the type of person who reflected everything on her face.

Dereck momentarily rested his chin on his hand, biting his lower lip, thinking he would have to be careful even with things like this.

‘It’s fine for Lady Aiselin to be kind, but if I don’t maintain the proper distance, it could backfire.’

Dereck was, without a doubt, a dangerous man. He had a high opinion of Aiselin; he considered her admirable, kind, and respectable. But he did not hide that her kindness could be useful in many ways.

His basic rule was to take advantage of anything that could be beneficial. If it was simply the innocent affection of a young noblewoman who didn’t yet know the world well, it wouldn’t be hard to go along with it and, perhaps, teach her something about life in the process.

However, if the situation got out of control, there would be consequences. Stay close, but with limits. If things got serious, it would be impossible to control them.

‘If Pheline saw this, she would hate me.’

Thinking that, Dereck rested his chin on his hand and looked sideways at Aiselin.

Unaware that her ears had turned red, she stared fixedly at the gloves Dereck had given her, as if she were immersed in a useless visual duel with a natural predator.

It was hard to deny that she looked adorable at that moment, so Dereck let out a dry chuckle and shook his head.

Dereck was a cold person, capable of measuring emotions with a cost-benefit ruler.

However, apart from that, Aiselin was a good person, and it couldn’t be denied that her moments of clumsiness were quite charming.

So, Dereck let out a slight sigh and directed his gaze toward the landscape seen through the window, which was gradually beginning to be covered in white.

***

“I am Layton, the head butler of the Rochester family. And this is Serena, the head of the maids.”

“…”

That happened when Dereck, who had just stepped down from the large carriage with his luggage, met the two people in charge of administering the Rochester estate. The place was the entrance to the northern territory of Rochester.

There was still some distance to the mansion, but it seemed the two had come out to receive the distinguished guests by direct order of Lord Melverot.

‘What…?’

Dereck felt a strange discomfort. Layton, dressed in an impeccable suit, was a gentleman with a well-groomed beard. Standing in the snow in a fur coat, he looked refined for someone from the North.

However, the head of the maids, Serena, did not project the same image.

She wore a clean uniform, but she had bandages on one arm, her ankle, and her neck. She also had one eye bandaged and her fingers full of scratches.

“Forgive me for presenting myself in such a disheveled state.”

When Serena bowed her head in respect, Aiselin, who had just stepped down from the carriage, shook her head.

“It’s alright. Wounds do not heal easily. You look seriously injured, are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you for your concern. It is a great honor for the Rochester family to personally receive Lady Aiselin, the noblest flower of the Duplain family.”

The rumors about the decline of the Duplain family must have already spread to the North.

They might not understand the gravity of the situation, but they certainly knew that their authority and splendor were no longer what they once were.

Even so, the treatment of the Rochester family was truly polite. Even in decline, a ducal family was still a ducal family.

Dereck’s expression hardened as he observed Serena’s state. At first glance, the wounds on her arm, ankle, and neck seemed to be of a different nature and occurred at different times.

‘This is not an accident. She has been continually assaulted… even tortured.’

If she introduced herself as the head of the maids, she had to be someone of high rank among the servants of the Rochester mansion.

Despite this, if she had to continue working in that state, he could only imagine the situation of the other maids.

Dereck thought the task ahead of him would be more difficult than expected.

“Was this the work of Lady Siern?”

Dereck did not hesitate to ask direct questions. Upon hearing them, both averted their gaze with expressions of discomfort.

Even Diella, in her worst moments, had never laid a hand on someone who had reached the rank of head of the maids.

This went beyond physical punishment and bordered dangerously on torture.

What were Lord Melverot or the other high-ranking members of the house doing? If someone was causing so much harm, shouldn’t they have intervened…?

Despite being a military warlord, Lord Melverot was a person with common sense.

There must have been some reason to allow his daughter to act with total freedom even when the lives of the servants were in danger.

“We will explain the details to you at Rochester Mansion.”

With that said, Dereck and Aiselin were led by two servants toward a luxury carriage and climbed aboard.

Now they were heading directly to the Rochester mansion.

“I’m a little scared…”

“I already told you it wouldn’t be easy.”

“Yes… I need to stay focused…”

Despite her anxious expression, Aiselin pressed her lips firmly and adopted a determined look.

She needed to gather as much money as possible. Many people depended on her and her family was on the verge of ruin.

She possessed a sense of responsibility that did not match her delicate figure, but she did not show it openly.

“In any case, Lady Siern does not seem like an easy person.”

“I expected that, but I think we need a concrete plan. It doesn’t seem like she’s going to listen just because we speak to her with kindness.”

“I already have a plan. In fact, I have three.”

Dereck said he thought it was better to clarify it before they arrived.

“The first is to connect with her personally. If we manage to create a bond, we can move forward with the lessons without problems.”

“That would be ideal. I hope it works…”

“At first glance, it doesn’t seem likely. So we have to resort to the second method. Reprimand her, get angry, or try to persuade her… do whatever is necessary to move Lady Siern.”

“That is also valid. I will also do my best… But if that doesn’t work…”

When Aiselin asked worriedly, Dereck clenched his fist and replied.

“Then we will use the third method.”

“…”

“One that has proven its effectiveness throughout history.”

“…”

Sometimes, Aiselin thought. Dereck’s methods were too blunt for a noble lady. He was a man who moved forward like an iron horn.

And that’s why it worked. Greenhouse flowers, like young ladies from good families, did not understand the fear that a fist could instill.

She didn’t know what the family would do if he made a mistake, but Dereck no longer cared.

From the beginning, many of those who came to him could not be treated delicately.
The first to benefit from this was his own sister, Diella.

“It won’t be easy.”

At that moment, Layton, the head butler, who was sitting across from him, intervened.

They were plotting how to deal with the lady he served. Dereck thought maybe he should measure his words, but then he shook his head. What was wrong was wrong.

“What do you mean it won’t be easy?”

“You still don’t know Lady Siern well.”

Layton spoke in a low voice, with his head down.

“The North is a dangerous land where high-level magic beasts frequently appear. Its inhabitants are rough, extremely reserved, and have developed their own methods of survival.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

‘There are no fertile lands, and people live off hunting magic beasts or royal subsidies. In a place like that, only the strong survive. Lady Siern is a symbol of the North.’

From what he was saying, she seemed like a person with a wild charm.

In Dereck’s mind, the image of Lady Siern was already overlapping with that of mercenaries in a tavern, flaunting their muscles while drinking rum.

“What kind of person is she for you to say that?”

“She is none other than the only daughter of Lord Melverot. To put it bluntly…”

Just when Layton was about to continue.

*Thump, thump!*

Without warning, the carriage shook violently and immediately a strong impact was felt.

*Bang! Crack! Crash!*

*Thump! Clang! Bang!*

Everything happened so fast that Aiselin couldn’t even scream. The carriage tilted sharply and all sorts of objects began to fall.

*Clack, crash! Bang!*

“Ahhh! W-What is happening?!”

“Hold on tight! The carriage is shaking!”

*Rumble!*

In the midst of the chaos, through the window, the body of a magic beast covered in white fur could be seen.

Apparently, a huge magic beast had attacked the carriage. Its shape was not clearly visible, but it was evident they had to get out immediately.

“Lady Aiselin! We have to get out of the carriage right now!”

“Kyaah!”

Dereck shouted while kicking open the back door of the wagon.

He practically threw Aiselin out of the carriage, then evacuated the servants before getting out himself.

*Whoooosh!*

An icy blizzard blew among the falling snowflakes. Dereck frowned as he looked up, searching for the monster that had attacked the carriage.

But upon going out to check, he realized it hadn’t been a direct attack.

Although a huge bear-like beast covered the carriage, it was already dead, with blood gushing from its neck.

Even from a distance, it was obvious it was dead. How could a dead monster attack a carriage? It was an inevitable question.

“W-What is this…?”

“Is everyone alright?”

The alarmed servants went to see how Dereck and Aiselin were. Luckily, no one was hurt, although Aiselin was panting and her face was pale from the shock.

Dereck looked back at the beast’s corpse in the middle of the snowy field, where the cold wind still blew.

He wondered if someone had used necromancy to control the beast’s body, but that kind of forbidden magic was not common.

It seemed more likely that someone had thrown the giant monster’s corpse against the carriage heading to the mansion. The intention behind such an act was clearly malicious.

Why throw a beast’s corpse?

The carriage, tilted and stuck in the snow, could no longer move. The two white draft horses were also seriously injured and couldn’t get up from the ground. Watching them struggle was painful.

‘This couldn’t have been done with human strength… was it magic?’

With that thought, Dereck closed his eyes and activated his mana detection spell.

If magic had been used recently, it wouldn’t escape his senses.

To avoid detection required a much higher level. No common mage could hide from Dereck, who had already reached the level of a three-star mage.

Indeed, he perceived traces of mana in the treetop behind him.

Without hesitation, Dereck invoked a mana arrow and fired at the suspicious figure hiding at the top of the tree.

*Zas! Thump!*

An attack without even a spell or preparation.

The shot was so fast that it was difficult even to perceive it, much less dodge it.

The person in the tree jumped high to dodge it. It was almost an animal reflex.

*Crack! Thump!*

The figure, which did a flip in the air, was thinner than expected. By its build, it resembled Diella.

She, not he, twisted her body in the air and landed in the snowy field beyond the carriage. The sound of her landing in the snow was surprisingly soft.

“…”

Aiselin’s eyes widened at the sight of the figure landing. Dereck remained with a frown.

Her bluish hair spread over the snow, and the hem of her beautiful dress unfolded beneath her.

The girl, who had slowly stood up from her crouched position, opened her eyes slowly, revealing bright white pupils like snowflakes.

At first glance, she looked like an ice princess standing with nobility in the snowy field.

However, that impression quickly vanished upon seeing what she held in her hands.

In one, she held a deer with a twisted and bleeding neck, and in the other, a wolf cub soaked in blood.

The image of her holding the corpses of beasts larger than her own body was strangely surreal.

Her hands were stained with the animals’ blood. Below her left eye, dark red blood from the dying deer was visible. She wore no shoes, so her bare feet, white as jade, were sunken in the snow.

The smell of blood clearly permeated the air, but she didn’t seem to care.

Given the circumstances, there was no need to ask who was responsible for the giant beast corpse that had rammed the carriage.

“Lady Siern!”

The head of the maids, Serena, bowed her head, trembling from head to toe. The other servants also bowed, nervous.

Dereck observed the trembling servants. Their abrupt movements were not due to loyalty. What drove them was the fear running through their veins.

Seeing her standing there in the snowy field while the icy wind blew produced a strange sensation in me… like witnessing a wild beast dressed in an elegant suit.

The only daughter of the greatest living six-star mage, Lord Melverot.

The heir to his overwhelming magic talent.

A demented woman whom not even that great mage could tame, and to whom he finally had to yield.

A lunatic who considered human lives as mere pebbles at the side of the road.

A maniac whom not even the hardened northerners could control, no matter how much she was confronted.

All those titles belonged to her.

Siern Alaina Rochester.

Dereck frowned and stood his ground.