There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Power and Love (9)

– ‘It’s a witch, there’s a witch passing by!’

– ‘She acted more noble than anyone else under the protection of Belmiard…’

– ‘Shh! She’ll hear you!’

Ellente walked gracefully down the corridor.

After the meeting in the main hall ended, she climbed the central stairs of the Belmiard mansion to receive her final death sentence and headed to the lord’s office.

As she passed by, the high-ranking retainers, servants, and even the squires began to whisper.

Some high-ranking retainers regretted their years of loyalty to her and began to revise their future plans, the head maid closed her eyes and avoided her gaze, and even the visiting collateral relatives looked at her with contempt.

If she had just walked the smooth path, she could have walked the journey of a powerful person that no one would envy, but the girl’s life, having chosen the wrong path, was filled with voices of criticism.

The girl’s appearance as she walked through it all was always elegant.

Accepting even the thick malice and criticism, she walked and walked and walked.

When she came to her senses, she had arrived at the grand office entrance.

As the squire who was escorting her opened the door, she saw the figure of the Duke of Belmiard sitting inside with a complex expression.

Grabbing the lace-trimmed dress hem, she stepped into the office, and the Duke of Belmiard spoke.

“For you alone, more than thirty retainers who took on all the dirty work entered the Belmiard mansion. There were nine squires assigned to be your bodyguards, and more than twenty servants attached to your mansion. Did you meet them on your way here?”

The tone of the Duke of Belmiard, who always spoke to his beloved daughter Ellente with a voice dripping with honey, was cold today.

Ellente hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

The retainers glared at her and furrowed their brows as soon as they met her eyes, the bodyguards looked at her with eyes full of contempt, and the servants who had followed her to the mansion were just sweeping their faces in betrayal.

They had already labeled Ellente as a witch.

“There were those who dedicated more than ten years of their lives.”

“…”

“But now, no one remains by your side.”

Ellente looked up at the Duke of Belmiard again.

His expression, heavy with the weight of responsibility, was tinged with sadness. The Duke of Belmiard was a lord who loved Ellente more than anyone else.

When Linus left the main house, and Leonard also vacated his position, it was Ellente who endured the weight as the successor by his side until the end.

Ellente understood the weight of that sadness and quietly held her breath.

—

“Baron Derek Lydorf Ravenclaw has brought letters. Two of them.”

“…What?”

In the empty office, Elente quietly took out two letters from her bosom and placed them on the table.

“What is this…?”

“These are from the Duplain family. One letter claims that Prince Valerian did not research necromancy. And the other one informs us that Viscount Renouel’s family is coming to our Belmiard mansion to investigate necromancy.”

As Elente said this, the Marquis of Belmiard widened his eyes and unfolded the letters.

The content was not long. He quickly read through them, but his intelligent eyes began to show signs of doubt again.

“…”

“Have you read them all?”

At first glance, it seemed like a letter proving Elente’s innocence. If Valerian did not research necromancy, the letter found in Elente’s room could be circumstantial evidence that it was forged.

However, the letter from Viscount Renouel’s family was different.

It was meticulously crafted, but the Marquis of Belmiard, who had checked Viscount Renouel’s seal several times in various official documents, quickly saw through it.

“This is a forged letter.”

Such a crude letter could not deceive him.

Moreover, a coldness began to settle in his gaze.

*

“Master Leonard, what brings you to this basement?”

“Sister Elente has admitted to all suspicions. Now, Sister Elente will lose her power, and this basement will return to its original state.”

A cold chill pervaded the basement.

The two men standing there were staring at each other.

Leonard felt a strange unease as he looked at Derek, whose eyes were filled with a chilling gaze.

He surely thought that Leonard had been persuaded, but now it was hard to trust him easily.

However, that might just be Leonard being sensitive.

Because everything was over. Elente had confessed her sins, so it would not be easy for anything to be overturned here.

But that unease never disappeared.

“So I came to check one last time. Just in case Sister Elente left any suspicious traces.”

“I see. You are thorough.”

“What were you doing here, Sir Derek?”

“The same as you. I was just taking one last look before this basement is cleared.”

Saying so, Derek sheathed his sword and stood up.

—

—

A cold sweat trickled down the back of Leonard’s ear. He had a gut feeling that he had to uncover the identity of this unknown sense of crisis.

– “Young Master Leonard, you are truly an angel sent by God to save me. What a fortunate event.”

The image of him shaking hands with Leonard with a bright smile was still unforgettable.

He genuinely expressed his gratitude and shamelessly asked for help from the Ravenclaw Barony in the future.

Derek, who claimed to be a devout believer like Leonard, and Derek, who had the eyes of a beast in the corner of this basement.

It was hard to believe that these two were the same person, so Leonard forced himself to speak without trembling.

“Sir Derek. There is nothing more to worry about. The work has been well completed, and the Ravenclaw Barony will also see the light in the future.”

“…”

“Sir Derek, shouldn’t we both be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves in this noble society? I hope we can become good nutrients for each other.”

“A serpent and a dove. An interesting metaphor. I understand.”

After answering so perfunctorily, Derek passed by Leonard and headed towards the stairs leading to the ground.

Leonard, who was about to let Derek go, suddenly turned his head to look at him.

Derek, who was about to go up the stairs, paused at his strange reaction.

“Is something wrong?”

“Is this the first time you’ve heard this metaphor?”

“…?”

“The Holy Scripture of the Lord Reelon, Chapter 7. ‘Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.'”

“…”

“It’s the first verse of Chapter 7 of the Holy Scripture that every Reelon believer learns first.”

Leonard said as he stepped back.

– “Aren’t you the lamb of the Lord Reelon? I am also a devout believer.”

It was what Derek said with a bright smile to gain Leonard’s trust.

However, Derek tilted his head even after hearing the most famous verse of the scripture.

“──You, you are not a Reelon believer from the beginning.”

– Creak

– Bang!

Derek, who was about to leave the basement, pulled the huge wooden door shut.

Derek’s fierce eyes turned towards Leonard as he looked back.

“Indeed, you are quick-witted.”

—

—

Eventually, Leonard leaped to quickly dash out of the basement.

However, Derek kicked Leonard’s solar plexus with his boot.

– Crash! Bang!

“Argh!”

Leonard, who was thrown into the corner of the laboratory, screamed.

The bookshelf on the side where he was thrown collapsed, and dust began to rise in the dark basement.

*

– ‘Derek. When my father comes to question my sins tomorrow, I plan to confess everything in front of everyone.’

– ‘…’

– ‘Aren’t you going to ask why?’

After Derek explained the whole situation, before leaving the room…

In the dark room of the Belmiard mansion where the rain was pouring, Elente spoke to Derek in a whispering tone.

Sitting side by side on the bed, the darkness of the night doesn’t feel so frightening.

Just having someone sitting next to me makes the darkness, which felt like endless emptiness, feel so familiar. It’s amazing.

– ‘That’s how Leonard will think something is wrong and get anxious as if his feet are on fire. Then it will be easier for you, Derek, to catch that sly guy’s tail.’

– ‘…Are you really going to take the blame just for that?’

– ‘Well… strictly speaking, that’s just a pretext. In fact, taking the blame itself is the purpose.’

Derek looked at Elente with bewildered eyes.

Elente no longer had a haggard expression as if cornered.

– ‘They say that only when you’re cornered and hit rock bottom, your true people remain. I don’t think that’s wrong, but I don’t think it’s truly wise either.’

– ‘What do you mean?’

– ‘It’s only natural that people are around me when I have power and strength. The fact that such people are supporting me means that my power and strength are real.’

With eyes that finally regained their brilliant light, the girl spoke to Derek.

– ‘Yes, that’s right. How can I rule over people as someone who wields power if I become pessimistic and struggle with this? The more the situation is like this, the more I will use my current solitude.’

Having lived half her life as the heir of Belmiard, and four years at the pinnacle of the Ebelstein social circle.

Perhaps she had realized something in the process, as her eyes shone even more brightly.

– ‘If I have to fall once and hit rock bottom, I will fall to the very bottom with all my might.’

– ‘…’

– ‘Still, Derek, you’ll stay by my side, right?’

Elente said with a gentle smile.

—

—

– ‘From the very bottom, I will endure the criticism, the trash thrown at me, the ridicule, and the disillusionment. People will hurl blasphemous words at me, resent me, and hate me. Since it has come to this, I must go all the way to the very bottom.’

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And the girl, with her fist clenched tightly, extended it towards Derek.

It was the same gesture that Aiseline had shown in front of the Elfontaine Hall one day.

– ‘Only by falling completely can one rise again more splendidly.’

– ‘…’

– ‘Not only my direct vassals but also the opposing forces and high-ranking vassals who have always looked down on me will all unite in criticizing and attacking me. I will plant a sense of guilt in their hearts. I will make them think they have slandered and criticized an innocent flower, and then… I will forgive them.’

The girl, who had returned from despair and grief, began to think as sharply as she originally did.

The way to command, control, and make people her own.

The picture the girl, who had instinctively learned that sense, drew was one step larger than what Leonard had drawn.

Forgiveness speaks of generosity.

By forgiving and embracing all those who criticized her, Ellen, who was like the flower of Belmiard, she plans to make all the skeptical internal vassals her own.

She intends to use Leonard’s slander to further solidify her position.

Another name for crisis was opportunity, and for those who do not despair, a new opportunity always comes.

– ‘Derek.’

Ellen looked at Derek’s hand, which was bleeding from blocking the dagger she was holding.

Although it was now well bandaged and the bleeding had stopped, it was still a serious injury caused by Ellen’s own mistake.

Ellen, as if heartbroken, caressed the wound and then looked up at Derek and said.

– ‘If things go well, all the vassals and people of Belmiard will compete to catch my eye. Even the closest vassals have turned their heads and left me, so there will be many who will struggle to fill that void. Power has a way of enticing people.’

– ‘Yes, and Miss Ellen, you are the very embodiment of power.’

– ‘Yes. If one can win the favor of me, Ellen, the flower of Belmiard, it is tantamount to holding Belmiard in their hands in the long run. But, Derek, there is one thing I can say for sure.’

Ellen tightly grasped Derek’s bandaged hand and managed to smile at him.

– ‘My protection will be Belmiard’s protection. And if someone asks who is the most protected and trusted by Belmiard, the answer will be clear.’

– ‘…’

– ‘You can be proud. When the world turned its back on me, you believed in me, so I will surely believe in you even if the whole world turns its back on you.’

With that, the girl hugged the man’s wounded arm tightly and whispered.

– ‘Derek, you are the person I trust the most.’

– Crash! Bang!

Leonard, who had risen again, glared through the dust.

For a young master who grew up in a wealthy family, the veteran mercenary’s kick was excessively harsh. Just one kick to the solar plexus made it hard for him to breathe, and he had to gasp for air.

“Huff, huff… Do you think… you can get away with this…?!”

—

—

It had been a long time since he had discarded any semblance of respect.

Leonard gritted his teeth and rose from the wreckage of the collapsed bookshelf. He had only been hit once, but his body was already staggering, indicating that his physical abilities were far from exceptional.

“Elenete has already fallen into the abyss. Do you think you can handle the aftermath by beating me up now? You’re just a lowly baron responsible for a nominal estate on the outskirts, while I’m destined to become the heir of the Belmiord family, to whom even the most powerful nobles bow down…!”

“You’re quite the talker. Do you think you won’t die if you’re stabbed, just because you have the illustrious power of Belmiord behind you?”

Derek drew his gleaming sword and flicked the blade once.

Seeing the blade shine even in the darkness, Leonard took another step back.

“Ha, haha… Kill me? What a bluff.”

“…”

“Kill the third son of Belmiord in the heart of the Belmiord family? Even if I’m a villain, you won’t be able to handle the consequences of such an act. You can’t kill me.”

Coughing, Leonard leaned on the edge of the desk and gave a sly smile.

“Go ahead, beat me up or do whatever you want. But don’t think for a second that the family will believe your words. You’ll just be an arrogant low-ranking noble who beat up the virtuous third son of Belmiord.”

“…”

“Heh, heh… The situation is quite peculiar. So, it was you who brought that letter Elenete had early in the morning.”

Leonard chuckled as he supported his staggering body.

It seemed that even the servants assisting Elenete were on Leonard’s side, as he was aware of the existence of the two letters Elenete had brought early on.

He had seen through all the moves Elenete could make. In fact, this was exactly what Derek had hoped for.

“I’ve already received the contents. Do you think such crudely forged documents will turn the situation around? Ridiculous. You underestimate my father.”

Derek, holding the sword, and Leonard, with a sly smile, exchanged words.

The tension between them was escalating.

“My father has ruled as the master of Belmiord for decades. His eye for official documents is sharper and wiser than mine. He’ll see through those letters as fakes at a glance. Even if the retainers don’t recognize it immediately, my father will never be fooled.”

Derek flicked the sword again and sheathed it.

Knowing full well that he couldn’t kill Leonard, the sword was no longer a tool for intimidation.

“The Lady of Rodeia won’t come. You only used that letter to make me anxious and try to escape from this mansion. Rodeia, who is more proficient in necromancy than anyone else on Rodentz Island. Hearing her name and running away would only mean one thing: she’s a necromancer. Am I right?”

“…”

“Everything has been seen through. Unfortunately.”

Leonard’s lips curled up again. The creepy smile left no trace of the image of a benevolent religious man.

“The final bluff of my life has failed. Everything has gone to waste. Truly unfortunate. Heh, heh.”

“…”

“Fine. Even if it’s just for consolation, beat me up as much as you want. But you can never kill me. It’s just a futile act of venting your anger. How meaningless… Even the god Ruelon would shed tears. Ahaha. Ahahahah!”

With arms wide open, Leonard laughed heartily, filled with nothing but confidence.

—

—

He laughed at Derek, provoked him, and declared victory. It was so exhilarating that it made the onlookers grit their teeth.

However, Derek remained calm.

Because he had some understanding of his psychology.

“Are you anxious?”

Derek’s words pierced Leonard’s heart. Leonard’s laughter abruptly stopped.

In fact, Derek had already noticed Leonard’s anxious demeanor.

Seeing Elente confess all the charges in the main hall just now, he had a hunch that there was something he hadn’t grasped.

What is it that Leonard doesn’t know?

It is precisely that Derek had a connection with the Viscount of Renouel from the beginning.

The family’s retainers are reluctant to publicize the incident related to necromancy. If Elente had really dabbled in necromancy, the matter would become uncontrollable.

Therefore, it is not easy to bring in external forces publicly. There must be a private connection.

Before all this started, Lady Trisha had personally come to the Ravenclaw Barony to ask for help in capturing the necromancer. Derek didn’t go to them first; they came to him.

Therefore, if it were Derek, he could directly influence the Viscount of Renouel.

“I had already contacted the Viscount of Renouel privately from the beginning. They trust my words.”

“What… did you say…?”

“The hero of Rodentz Island, Rodeia, is coming to the Belmiard Mansion. Does my word sound like a lie?”

The letter was false, but the proposition was true.

Derek’s expression showed no signs of agitation. On the contrary, Leonard’s expression was gradually hardening.

“Ha.. haha… What a joke. If Rodeia were really coming, there would be no need to forge a letter in the first place…! What nonsense…!”

“Why wouldn’t there be a need to forge it?”

“Because… forging the letter was to… confuse me… make me run away or waver…”

“Oh dear… The reason I brought the forged letter was the opposite.”

This time, Derek smiled slyly.

His smile in the darkness, with the corners of his mouth raised, was quite different from the kind smile he had shown when he first met Leonard.

This was Derek’s true nature.

“Because I was afraid you would run away.”

Like waves crashing, the drawn map changed several times.

On the way to the Belmiard Count’s estate,

A dozen horses were running across the still humid Latman Gorge, even though the rain had stopped.

Leading them was Rodeia, the expert and legendary hero who had spent her life tracking down necromancers.

—

—

Following behind were Lady Trisha and the soldiers of Baron Renouel’s household, riding their horses.

Hero Rodeia.

She was a figure who possessed the most accurate insight into the necromancy of Rodentz Island, among the many branches of necromancy.

In a corner of the Ebelstein commercial district, at a gambling table.

A bearded man with red ponytail hair chuckled.

He spoke jokingly to the gamblers who were playing a game with them.

“Hey, do you know the most certain way to deceive a sly person like me?”

“It’s to make them believe that they are deceiving you.”

Throwing new stakes onto the gambling table, the man grinned, revealing his teeth. He was Linus, the former heir of Belmiord.

In the office of the Marquis of Belmiord.

With a confident face, Elente spoke to the Marquis.

As he listened to Elente’s words, the Marquis’s expression grew even more stern.

The Marquis of Belmiord, who did not want to doubt his daughter, began to listen more closely to Elente’s words.

And then, the underground laboratory where it all began.

Leonard, whose expression had been gradually hardening, finally stood up abruptly.

The composure on his face had disappeared.

“Move, move, move….”

Leonard said in a slightly trembling voice.

However, Derek, shaking his hand a few times, coldly looked down at him, blocking the exit of the basement.

“No.”

“Damn it… Get out of my way!”

Dark red magic began to emanate from Leonard’s body.

The necromantic energy left in the laboratory responded to him and began to transform into magic.

It was a first-class necromancy spell, ‘Soul Summoning.’

Just before the necromantic energy gathered into his body, Derek kicked him in the stomach again.

– Crash!

With a choking sound, Leonard was thrown out.