Chapter 86

Chapter 86
## Chapter 86

Master,

I hope you are in good health.

Quite some time has passed since winter ended. The cold seems to be receding, and it feels as though the Eastern Continent is already preparing for spring.

It has been a while since I arrived in the North at the Rochester family home, and I believe I will soon return to Ebelstein.

As a magic teacher, I feel I have improved a bit, but as a mercenary, I worry I may have lost some of my instinct. I should stay in shape by practicing real combat when I have the chance.

The reason I have taken up the pen to write this letter is because…
…I am getting married.

However… I do not have a partner.

—

The mansion of the Marquis of Elvester, known as the seat of the social circles of the Eastern Continent.

A woman, sitting in a corner of the grand and luxurious garden, trembled as she read the letter sent by her lifelong disciple.

She had only read the beginning, but it already seemed unusual to her.

Her disciple, who rarely contacted her except for important matters, had written to her first, and she was already bewildered.

The woman set the letter down for a moment, pressed her temples, and looked at the sky.

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How many years had passed since she separated from her young disciple in Ebelstein…?

She could not imagine what kind of tumultuous life her only and beloved disciple must be leading.

***

To receive a title, one must belong to a family.

In that era, it was natural, but Dereck, an orphan from the slums, had not given it much thought.

As he watched the carriage preparing to depart for Ebelstein, Dereck scratched his head and sat by the fireplace in the main hall.

Before Siern made her official debut in social circles, they planned to visit Ebelstein to familiarize themselves with the environment.

Meanwhile, Dereck and Aiselin would also have the chance to set foot in their homeland after a long time.

It was a relief to escape that desolate snowy region and finally enjoy the food of Ebelstein. Aiselin, with a bundle of bills given to her by Melverot, surely felt satisfied as well.

However, Dereck could only hold his head in his hands.

*’I have three options.’*

Being adopted by an existing family, finding a trustworthy person to marry and starting a family, or renouncing the noble title.

Since the title was essential to reaching the 4-star level, the last option was ruled out.

That left only two options.

“Dereck… you seem to be very pensive…”

Aiselin, who had somehow appeared on the other side of the fireplace, sat down timidly.

She had just finished all the lessons prepared for Siern that day and seemed to be getting ready to return to Ebelstein.

Despite the excitement of returning to the Duplain mansion and seeing familiar faces, Aiselin looked at Dereck with even more tension.

Dereck was now facing a decision that would mark his life.

“…Yes. I never imagined I would have to think about a partner so suddenly.”

“The granting of a title is quite strict. Not only the existence of a **family** is taken into account, but also magic skills, character, merits, and reliability…”

“I believe I do not lack magic skills, and Lord Melverot will speak well of the other aspects…”

Dereck sighed deeply and brushed his bangs away from his face.

Undoubtedly, the existence of a partner was an unexpected variable. He thought about marrying any woman, but remembered that it was not a problem that could be resolved so easily.

“It isn’t necessary for you to find a partner… There is the option of being adopted by an existing family, right? Who would refuse to adopt someone who is about to receive the title of Baron…?”

“Then I would need someone to officially accept being my father. It isn’t easy to grant recognition and authority as a father to someone you don’t even know.”

Dereck was not satisfied with the title of Baron; he aspired to become a higher-level mage.

As his authority increased, so would that of whoever became his father. He did not want to introduce unnecessary variables.

“You only need to find someone trustworthy. Like Mr. Drest, who already holds the title of Baron…”

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“Master Drest is so fond of wandering that it is impossible to find him. No one on this continent can locate a 6-star scout mage who has chosen to isolate himself from the world…”

“Then… yes. You mentioned that you had another master before. Although her family is almost ruined, weren’t they originally a noble family?”

“Master Katia belongs to the family of Viscount Flameheart.”

“…”

There is always a reason behind the fall of a family.

The family of Viscount Flameheart had rebelled against the empire and had been ruined.

Starting from scratch with a title, there was no advantage in using the name of a rebel family.

“…Is there no one else?”

“Well, there’s Uncle Jayden and some other elders from the commercial district… but, honestly, it isn’t easy to ask such a favor from people who have their own **family**.”

“T-Then… Then…”

*«There must be a reason why Lord Melverot told me to look for a partner. Instead of belonging to another family, it would be much more practical for me to form my own family. That way, I can make all the decisions for myself.»*

However, he needed a partner to form that family.

It might be easier than finding parents, but he still needed someone he could trust.

Aiselin toyed with her knees. She had a lot to say, but it was hard for her to speak at that moment.

*“Then, would you marry me?”*

She didn’t have the courage to say it, and even if it had been possible, it made no sense for the young lady of House Duplain to marry an orphan with no background.

Even being a family fallen into disgrace, a ducal house was still a ducal house. It was too unrealistic for the young lady of a ducal family to propose marriage just to help someone obtain the title of Baron. Even if Aiselin accepted, the servants and relatives would never allow it.

Aiselin’s marriage proposal was one of the most powerful weapons left to House Duplain.

Dereck knew this well, which is why he rubbed his forehead, not paying much attention to Aiselin.

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“Ideally, I would meet a woman with whom I connected deeply, who shared my values, who fit my ideals, we’d fall madly in love, confess our feelings, and form a family full of love, but…”

“Ah…”

“I have to return to Ebelstein before the end of this week, so where am I going to get the time for that? It isn’t very realistic…”

“Right?!”

Dereck shivered at Aiselin’s raised tone.

When he looked at her, she also seemed surprised by herself and covered her mouth while apologizing.

“…So, the best thing right now is to find a woman who understands my situation and cooperates.”

“C-Cooperates?”

“Yes. Someone who can pretend to be my partner in public… and receive adequate compensation for it.”

It was a daunting situation, but Dereck was serious.

Dereck, who normally showed no interest in anything other than magic, was now looking for a wife, so, in a way, it was the logical conclusion.

Even at the lowest level, a noble was still a noble. There would be many women willing to serve as a baron’s lady.

The problem was that most were not trustworthy. Marriage, ultimately, was a matter governed by divine will. Once united, it would not be easy to separate.

If they married formally, the woman could rebel against him and demand rights as a wife. That would be another problem.

In the end, the problem boiled down to a single question: Is there someone I can trust?

“Dereck…”

“Yes?”

“Whichever way you look at it… Marriage is a serious matter, which only happens once in a lifetime for a woman… Do you really think there is someone who would cooperate so easily with that?”

“It’s true. If you ask me if I can take responsibility for a lifetime, I can’t guarantee it…”

It is the era.

It was a time when divorced or widowed women were despised wherever they went.

If they accepted Dereck’s proposal without thinking, they could be forced to wander for the rest of their lives. There were not many women willing to go that far for Dereck.

“So, what I mean is… why don’t you consider other ways to solve this, instead of insisting on finding a partner?”

Aiselin felt that Dereck was subtly dragging her along. Dereck, aware of Aiselin’s feelings, began to sweat nervously at her unusual reaction.

In any case, it was impossible to take the only flower of the **Duplain family** and marry her.

Women from families with a rank higher than a baron would shake their heads at the idea of marrying Dereck. Why would they go against their family’s opposition and lower themselves to that status?

A trustworthy woman, who will not back out later, who is not obsessed with power or noble status, who willingly cooperates with Dereck and receives fair compensation.

Even reviewing the list of all the people Dereck had met in his life, it was not common to find someone like that.

However… it wasn’t that such a person didn’t exist.

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A person who had no ulterior motives toward Dereck, who could at least pretend to be his partner in public, and who could receive adequate compensation.

“…There is… someone…”

“What?!”

Aiselin looked at Dereck in amazement. Dereck himself didn’t seem to realize it, but the news that he had taken someone as a partner would cause a great stir in the Rose Hall.

Even if it were simply a formality to obtain a title, there were many who paid attention to who the partner was.

***

*Thump!*

Could it be called the return of the king? There was already talk of Dereck’s presence as if it were that of a hero in the Beldern Mercenary Corps.

Dereck was famous for his reliability since his days as a mercenary.

There was not a single client who did not look for Dereck, and on the days he was not there, they began assigning jobs to other mercenaries, so there was never a lack of work.

Thus, “The Tears of Beldern,” run by Jayden, was always full of customers and diners. There was not a single quiet day.

Although the owner had lost an arm while exploring the White Zone labyrinth, his sincere and cheerful personality had never changed.

In fact, he was able to focus more on the tavern work and the management of the mercenary corps, so the tavern soon prospered even more.

That is why, when Dereck—the start of that virtuous circle—opened the tavern doors after several months, he could not help but be greeted with great warmth.

“Oh, Dereck…!”

Jayden, who was counting coins behind the counter, greeted the boy returning after a long time with a big smile.

“Hello, Uncle Jayden.”

“I heard recently that you were in the north, but you’re already back in Ebelstein. I’m glad to see you. Tavern Street is still the same, eh? Do you want something to drink?”

Jayden stood up with his usual warmth, but suddenly his expression hardened.

He was accompanied by quite a few people. Elegantly dressed butlers and servants were lined up at the entrance.

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They did not follow Dereck inside, but the two people escorting him were different.

The girl clinging to Dereck’s neck, looking around, was Siern Alaina Rochester, the young lady of the Rochester family.

And the girl who remained close to her was Aiselin Eleanor Duplain, the young lady of the Duplain family.

It was unheard of for young noble ladies—one look is enough to realize they came from prestigious **families**—to set foot on Tavern Street, a place teeming with common people.

And not just one, but two! Jayden’s smile disappeared completely.

“She is Lady Aiselin, of the Duplain family. And this is Lady Siern, of the Rochester family from the north.”

“…I had heard you were working as a teacher in the north, but you bring important guests without hesitation.”

Jayden, leaning on the bar, respectfully bowed his head in greeting.

“I am Jayden.”

“Oh, it has been a long time. You haven’t changed.”

“Yes. I am glad to see Lady Aiselin looking well. I heard of the misfortune… I can only offer my deepest condolences.”

While Aiselin exchanged formal greetings, Siern hid behind Dereck, looking around. Everything was unfamiliar to her and she seemed a bit scared.

The tavern, normally lively and noisy, had fallen silent. The customers could only swallow hard and observe the atmosphere in the presence of the three figures.

Staying longer would only cause more tension. Dereck, realizing this, quickly scanned the place.

And in a corner of the bar, he saw a drunk girl slumped over the table. Her hair, carefully tied up, ended in a large bow beneath her.

She was his closest companion during his days as a mercenary on that street.

Dereck immediately approached and shook her shoulder.

“Ugh… Ugh… When did I fall asleep…?”

“Pheline. Wake up, Pheline.”

“Eh? What, what… Dereck? Dereck? When did you return to Ebelstein?”

Still not understanding the situation, she opened her eyes half-asleep and smiled, her cheeks flushed with alcohol. Just looking at her, Dereck felt exhausted.

He nodded and, sitting next to her, spoke quickly.

“Pheline… listen without misunderstanding.”

“Eh? What? You appear like a comet, and now what are you going to say? While you weren’t around Tavern Street, where were you, what were you doing…?”

“Marry me.”

“…”

*Hic.* A hiccup escaped her and, shortly after, Pheline’s face stiffened.

The flush caused by the drink disappeared, and all the color drained from her face.

“Dereck, you went north and came back with bad jokes.”

“I’m serious. Marry me.”

“Did you eat something spoiled?”

Dereck even felt grateful for Pheline’s reaction of genuine disgust.

Pheline had been his lifelong companion, but she did not see him as a man. She considered him more like a member of the **family** or a close friend, so her surprise at the sudden proposal was completely natural.

Not only was she uninterested in noble power, she directly despised it.

Having known her for so long, Dereck trusted her, could offer her fair compensation and, since she was also an orphan and had no family ties, there would be no complications.

Where would he find someone better than her? Dereck looked at her seriously. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, not knowing where to start or how to explain himself.

“…”

Pheline felt the effect of the alcohol quickly disappearing and finally began to look around.

At a glance, two women dressed in luxurious attire had entered the tavern.

Anyone could have realized they were noble ladies from distinguished families.

Even Jayden, who was watching them, had an impassive expression. It was not easy to see that veteran mercenary—who smiled mischievously even after losing an arm—so shocked.

Two noble ladies, prominent figures of their time, appeared together and declared they would take a third woman and make her theirs.

A man should have the ambition to encompass the world, but reaching that level was no easy task. He had the ladies of Duplain and Rochester on either side.

And the third woman he chose was nothing more than a mercenary wandering Tavern Street… What kind of story and background were hidden here?

Who in the world could resist such curiosity?

Meanwhile, the two women did not even show signs of anger; they simply looked around, uncomfortable. It was a situation that should have provoked their fury, which only made the atmosphere even stranger.

Who knows what had happened in the North, but that diligent young man who only knew magic… had become a beast. Jayden finally managed to speak.

“Dereck… You… Your ambition as a man has grown enormously since the last time I saw you…”

“…”

Dereck realized he was not being well understood.

It was time to go somewhere far from prying eyes.