There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Awareness (2)

Even if one was a baron of the frontier, at most they were a minor noble responsible for a couple of villages.

Especially if it was a baron of a remote area like the Rodelen region, their tax revenue was minimal, and the number of troops they could mobilize often ended in the dozens… Among the nobility, they were often regarded as little more than the head of commoners.

The shabby barons of the frontier that Lady Trisha had seen usually had long beards and wore worn-out leather armor.

Most of them rolled up their sleeves and directly supervised the village affairs or went out to hunt monsters themselves… They were mostly hands-on individuals.

Such a minor noble had renovated an old mansion to make their residence. It was unnatural for the lady of the Rochester duchy to be in such a place.

The Rochester family was one of the most prominent among the high nobility.

“I apologize for last time. My gaze was a bit sharp, wasn’t it?”

—

—

Trisha, who had reluctantly agreed to sit with Lady Sierne, already wanted to go home.

However, Sierne greeted Trisha with more ladylike manners than expected.

“Sometimes I can’t control my aggression and act rudely. I hope Lady Trisha can be understanding.”

Sierne’s white hair is rarely well-kept.

She uses acceleration magic to run around whenever she gets the chance. Occasionally, when her violent instincts surge, she goes around killing nearby beasts indiscriminately.

Contrary to her explosive nature, one might wonder if there could be another girl who looks as mysterious and holy as she does.

Realizing this gap, one can’t help but swallow dryly. Trisha felt the same.

‘She doesn’t seem to have this nature… It looks like someone has taught her manners properly…’

At a glance, Sierne is much younger than Trisha.

With more experience in social circles, older age, and better etiquette, it would be problematic for Trisha to feel intimidated in front of Sierne. In social battles, the one who gets scared first loses.

Anyway, to gain power in the Rosea Salon, Trisha must not be intimidated by Sierne.

Just as Trisha was steeling herself and trying to take the lead in the conversation, Sierne spoke.

“But, Lady Trisha, what brings you to the Ravenclaw Barony?”

“Y-Yes…?”

“Derrick is very busy right now. He always sets aside time in the morning to help me with my magic, and he’s also busy attending to other noble ladies who visit frequently, leaving him with no time to practice his own magic.”

Trisha had come to the Ravenclaw Barony to see this Derrick and, if he seemed suitable, to make a request.

Sierne frowned as if displeased with Trisha’s intentions.

“If more ladies, not just foxes… but other noble ladies, come asking for magic help, he’ll get even busier.”

“…”

“If Lady Trisha came to ask Derrick for magic help, I don’t think you’ll get a positive response.”

Sierne smiled faintly.

Though she looks like a harmless little girl, Trisha knows. This woman is a beast ready to tear someone’s throat out without hesitation if things go wrong.

Sitting in front of this monster, who can corner people with just her murderous intent, one can’t help but habitually check if their neck is still attached.

Even though it seems unlikely that she would commit murder in the Ravenclaw Barony’s reception room, one can never be sure.

A killer’s intent knows no time or place.

“So, wouldn’t it be better for you to leave now?”

Though spoken with a smiling face, the words carried a sharp hostility.

Sierne does not welcome the increase in Derrick’s students.

That much was clearly conveyed.

Even so, sending back the daughter of the Viscount of Renouel, who came all this way, without even seeing the head of the household, would be excessively rude.

—

—

Leaving here with a simple “Yes, I understand” would be a blow to my pride.

If it were just my pride, it would be better. But being overwhelmed like this and swayed by the young lady of the Rochester family, I might end up giving up my position as the real power behind the Rosea Salon.

It was at that moment when Trisha was briefly contemplating how to respond.

– Creak

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Siern.”

It was Derek who opened the door to the worn-out reception room and entered.

Following him was a familiar face. For some reason, it was Lady Ellente, dressed in a plain blouse that commoners might wear.

“Oh, Lady Trisha?”

Ellente, who was sweeping her red hair back, widened her eyes at the sight of Trisha.

She seemed genuinely surprised to meet her here.

Trisha, who had been feeling like a thorny seat in her private meeting with Siern, felt as if a savior had arrived.

*

Baron Derek Lydorf Ravenclaw was not a person who exuded any particular noble authority, just as Trisha had thought.

He was young. Tall, but rather slender for a man.

With white hair, red eyes, a tunic made of patched fabric, and a simple cloak, he did not look like a noble.

If you met him on the street, no one would guess he was a noble.

He had an impression that was far removed from authoritarianism.

However, no matter how comfortable his impression was, there were limits.

“Derek… can you brush my hair?”

“Have you been to the forest?”

“Unlike the snowy fields here, the forest is full of the scent of life. I got so excited that I ran around without realizing it.”

Even though she was the owner of this mansion… Siern, sitting in front of Baron Ravenclaw and openly asking him to brush her hair, was one thing…

But Derek, who was casually brushing Siern’s white hair, was also quite unusual.

“…”

Trisha was momentarily at a loss for words.

She couldn’t get used to such a casual display. There was almost no sense of authority.

In fact, if you were to list the four people gathered here in order of authority, it would be clear without any room for debate.

The most authoritative person was undoubtedly Lady Ellente of the Count of Belmiard.

She was the legitimate heir to the Count of Belmiard, who had swallowed up the entire coastal area south of the Velcos Peninsula.

—

—

More than half of the trade route leading to Ebelstein passes through there, and within the territory lies the largest magic society in the southwestern continent, the Drest Magic Society.

The person who would become the ruler of such a place was not just a noble child but held a status close to that of a young countess.

Next was Lady Siern, the beast of the Rochester Duchy.

Favored by Sir Melverot, she was steadily walking the path of a great magician at a young age, making her the most authoritative figure among all the young ladies of the north.

Even the high-ranking ladies of Ebelstein’s social circles, known for their strong personalities, were cautious around her.

Next in line would be Derrick, who had just entered the ranks of nobility, or Trisha, the young lady of the Renwell Viscount family, who was still gathering power. The two were meeting for the first time, so it was naturally awkward, but compared to others, they seemed rather comfortable with each other.

In such a vertically established power structure, the atmosphere was bound to be somewhat rigid.

However, Ellente, dressed comfortably, and Siern, who was being groomed by Derrick while sniffing the air pleasantly, looked as if they were in their own living room.

“I’m sorry the atmosphere is a bit chaotic.”

“Oh, no… it’s fine… Is it always like this?”

“…”

Trisha spoke awkwardly, but Derrick had a somewhat complex and subtle expression.

He seemed to know that the current situation was not entirely natural.

In fact, Trisha intended to show off her arrogance and crush Derrick.

After all, he was just a newly titled baron. He had no supporters, and though he called it a family, he was just a lone head of a remote area.

He wouldn’t be able to hold his head high in front of the young lady of the Renwell family, who was soon to be titled a countess.

So she intended to make the hierarchy clear, but seeing him casually with Ellente and Siern on either side, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

She suddenly felt that if she treated Derrick poorly, she might be retaliated against by Ellente or Siern.

However, Trisha was a tough one in her own right.

Clearing her throat, she pulled her head back arrogantly and said,

“For someone sitting in a mere noble’s seat, the mansion is well managed.”

“You’re too kind.”

“…”

She had blurted out an arrogant remark, but Derrick didn’t seem particularly affected.

Rather, he looked as if he had dealt with enough arrogant and stubborn noble ladies to be tired of them.

In fact, compared to the prime of Diella or Siern, Lady Trisha’s arrogance was just a drop in the bucket. To Derrick, it was merely cute.

If she knew the thorny path he had walked, she would quickly realize how insignificant her bold step was. But Trisha couldn’t know that.

‘It’s not like he’s hurt his pride, nor is he bowing his head… It feels like I’m punching a stone wall for no reason…’

Indeed, Derrick had a temperament as solid as a wall.

“Well, anyway, there’s a reason I came all this way.”

—

—

“Did you come here to learn magic?”

At those words, Sierne’s eyes, which had been receiving a combing from Derek, suddenly gleamed.

Derek, who was brushing Sierne’s white hair with an indifferent expression, couldn’t see it, but Trisha, who was sitting opposite, could see it clearly.

Her lips moved. It seemed like she was whispering something, but it was hard to know the exact meaning.

However, just by looking at her expression, one could guess the meaning. It was a threat to kill if she did anything unnecessary.

Lady Trisha swallowed dryly with a pale face.

For some reason, Lady Sierne seemed to have a peculiar sense of possessiveness towards this magic teacher, Derek.

She couldn’t do anything about the ladies who had formed a master-disciple relationship with Derek earlier than her, but she was extremely wary of new bugs swarming around.

Trisha shook her head with the determination to survive.

“No! No! Why would I come all the way here to learn magic?!”

“…Is that so?”

Derek replied with a nonchalant expression.

Then, Sierne’s expression changed to a gentle and radiant one, as if nothing had happened.

She trembled her nose pleasantly at Derek’s touch, who was brushing her hair, and swung her legs as if she didn’t care.

‘What the heck is this…?’

Trisha spoke while trembling her legs.

“I didn’t come here today as the daughter of the Viscount of Renouel, nor did I come to ask to learn magic.”

“…Then why did you come?”

“…I came as a client.”

Only then did Trisha get to the point.

*

The head of the Viscount of Renouel, Rodeia, achieved a great feat that even Emperor Guttel personally commended.

It was because he killed all three necromancers stationed on Rodentz Island.

Rodentz Island, located at the western end of the continent, was isolated and covered with all sorts of whirlpools and turbulence. It was the base where necromancers, who were banned from the continent, gathered and were active.

The head of the Viscount of Renouel, Rodeia, personally pushed into that place and, after more than half a year of bloody battles and chases, killed all three necromancers who ruled the island.

It was a feat that was tantamount to wiping out the evil forces active in the west in one fell swoop.

Of course, there was a price to pay. He lost the sight in his right eye and could hardly use one arm.

Rodeia had to sacrifice his life as a magician roaming the battlefield, so Emperor Guttel had no choice but to commend his feat.

As a result, at the next birthday celebration, Rodeia, the head of the Renouel family, was to be appointed as the Margrave managing all the outer regions of the northwest of the continent, and at the same time, he was to receive the title of Count, with the size of his territory increasing more than fourfold.

He was truly a rising star in the noble world.

From noble mtl dot com

—

—

“Our mother, who conquered Rodents Island, discovered numerous research documents on necromancy at its base.”

“…”

Derek was relieved that the Duplain sisters were not at the mansion.

The wound from the time when a single necromantic artifact turned the entire family upside down had not yet healed. For them, discussing necromancy would still be an act of reopening old wounds.

“Our mother, who was a loyal sword of the Empire, burned almost all of them. Except for a few documents.”

“…There were documents that were not burned?”

“Yes. Although it would be right to destroy all materials on necromancy, she thought it necessary to keep some as evidence. There were some shocking contents written in them.”

Trisha crossed her arms and glanced around.

Siern was leaning into Derek’s touch as if she didn’t care, and Elente was listening with a furrowed brow.

It seemed questionable whether a third party like Derek should hear this story, but it appeared that Lady Rodeia had judged it was okay for this fact to be somewhat known.

After all, once the request was officially carried out, those who needed to know would find out.

“The necromancers who had entrenched themselves on Rodents Island did not learn the magic on their own. They revered and worshipped a strange book that had come from the other side of the continent, receiving the magic from it.”

“What? The necromancers of Rodents Island… I heard they were the most dangerous among those who broke the taboo…”

Elente said, her expression hardening.

The head necromancer of Rodents Island was two 4-star and one 5-star.

Even in noble families, it was difficult to produce such high-level magicians, let alone those who practiced necromancy… Subduing them would not have been an easy task.

Could there really be someone who could teach them?

If there was…

“──Mother concluded that a 6-star necromancer… might be somewhere on the continent.”

Derek furrowed his brow. Elente, who was sitting next to him, also widened her eyes.

The existence of a 6-star necromancer was a top-secret known only to the most authoritative figures among the central nobles of the continent.

Not even the rulers of southwestern Ebelstein or most of the royal family knew of it. Among those Derek had met, Sir Melverot was the only one who knew of the 6-star necromancer’s existence.

However, it seemed that Lady Rodeia had caught wind of the 6-star necromancer’s existence during the conquest of Rodents Island.

Therefore, she wanted to trace the source of that scent.

“There is intelligence that low-ranking necromancers who escaped from Rodents Island have hidden in Ebelstein. If we capture and interrogate them, we might get some clues about the 6-star necromancer.”

“That’s why you came to me.”

“Yes. We needed someone familiar with the geography and circumstances of Ebelstein, who could move freely from noble districts to slums, who had experience fighting necromancy, who was skilled in magic, discreet, and thorough in completing requests. There aren’t many who meet all these conditions.”

Trisha placed the document summarizing the request on the table and then placed a large pouch of gold coins on top of it.

“This is the advance payment.”

“Northwestern Rophelon gold coins. Did you get them directly from the barony?”

—

—

“With this, you could build another mansion as big as this one. Even if it’s just an empty title, shouldn’t you live in a more splendid mansion once you’ve got a noble rank?”

Trisha said with a seductive smile.

If the down payment alone was this much, one couldn’t even begin to imagine how much gold would come as a reward upon completing the commission.

“Find the necromancer hiding in Ebelstein. They will be carrying the necromancy book they brought from Rodentz Island. Find them well, interrogate them thoroughly, and if you can extract information about the 6-star necromancer… I’ll double this gold.”

“I’m sorry, but I must decline.”

“That’s how you should respond~ Then I’ll send a letter once you start the job… huh?”

Derek flipped the document Trisha handed him onto the desk.

Then, with a serious expression, he spoke directly.

“This task is too significant for me to handle alone. I recommend you commission a more proper mercenary group.”

“There’s no way such an official route can handle a task involving necromancy…”

“In any case, it seems difficult for me to handle with my capabilities.”

Derek made it clear.

Trisha was dumbfounded by his words. She hadn’t expected him to refuse a commission with such an amount of gold at stake.

“I think it’s best if you leave now.”

However, Derek knew.

The granary area at the southeastern tip of the continent.

The youngest daughter of Baron Tigris, Lady Fine Raffaella Tigris.

“…”

She was known as the Witch of Tigris.

The only 6-star necromancer on the continent, she was someone who should never be recklessly provoked.

Even Derek, who had no qualms about subduing Lady Siern, who inherited the blood of Noir, had no intention of provoking Fine.

It was a well-known fact among those who knew.

─There isn’t a single sane person among the 6-star mages.

Especially Fine, who was an exceptional figure among them.

It was wise not to create any entanglements if possible.

“Lady Trisha, if you’re not confident, it’s best to withdraw. This commission is too dangerous to use as a stepping stone into the Ebelstein nobility.”

Looking at Derek’s stern expression, Trisha swallowed dryly once again.

Though he was endlessly young, his eyes held the maturity that only seasoned nobles possessed.

Pretending not to be interested, he was trying to gauge and see through what kind of person Trisha was.

One of the reasons Trisha wanted to commission Derek was because he was a famous magic teacher in the Ebelstein nobility. She wanted to create a connection with him through the commission.

—

He had even seen through that fact.

He was not someone who would move like a chess piece just because he was given money.

Though his title was merely a facade and his attire lacked any semblance of dignity… there was a reason why even the daughters of influential families did not treat him carelessly.