The mansion of Count Belmierd was located in the small city of Floren, beyond the natural fortress of Ratman Gorge and across the vast plains.
This small city, which was also Ellen’s birthplace, was a mandatory stop for most of the southern trade routes leading to Ebelstein.
Because of this, it was not unusual to see rcenaries establishing bases or brokers crowding the main road to haggle.
Floren was a small city, but one with great influence.
Even though it could be crossed from end to end in less than half a day, the volu of logistics distribution was so great that it could be considered a miniature Ebelstein.
As the place with the highest tax revenue within the Count Belmierd’s territory, this city was the family’s most treasured possession.
To see the mansion of the ruler of this region, Count Belmierd, one had to cross the city and look up at Rabir Hill, which rose after the plains.
The mansion, built as if to overlook Floren from above, had beco a symbol of the region.
It was the mansion of Count Belmierd.
“…”
Dereck could not help but shiver the mont he stepped down from the carriage.
“Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw. It is an honor to receive you. I have heard that you were Lady Ellen’s tutor and gave her great guidance.”
Of course, the scale was far different from Ellen’s private mansion in Ebelstein.
The welco Dereck received was far grander than he had expected.
He thought he had grown used to seeing large estates, as he often visited various noble families, but that thought vanished when he saw the main residence of one of the three great families.
‘Well, the mansions I used to visit were mostly the private ones of noble ladies in Ebelstein’s noble district. The only main residence I knew was the Duplain family’s. Outside of that, perhaps Duke Rochester’s on the outskirts.’
The ducal houses of Duplain and Rochester were not of ordinary size either.
However, the mansion of Count Belmierd did not pale in comparison to such powerful families. Though the title was one rank lower, its influence and authority in the region were no less.
The palace-like main building, the annexes extending behind it, the separate guest pavilions, a church with a tower, three different gardens (the main one, the servants’ garden, and the labyrinth), an armory, a training field, and even a small barracks.
Added to the stables and artisan workshops, it gave the impression of a small town adjoining the city.
Even within the outer walls, there was a large lake.
The scale of the mansion left one speechless.
Here was where reality beca clear.
Ellen, whom he had seen in Ebelstein’s noble district as just another lady, in truth possessed a very different kind of authority.
All of this mansion would soday be hers.
*
It was no surprise that Ellen had risen to the rank of true power within the Belmierd family.
She had received the absolute support and affection of the count, and it had been years since she had overshadowed both the incompetent eldest son and the third son, who had turned to religion.
As Ellen’s tutor, even Dereck, a simple frontier noble, could be treated as an honored guest in this mansion.
The guest room to which the servant led him was as large as the main hall of Ravenclaw Barony, and the tea served while he waited was of such superior quality it was more expensive than most fine dishes.
In fact, more surprising than such treatnt was that Count Belmierd himself ca to receive him.
“It has been a while, hahaha. Once I chased you down to the comrcial district to hire you, and as expected, your value has multiplied several tis since then.”
Count Belmierd was known as a generous man.
He wore an imposing suit of armor and a luxurious cloak, as if he could march to the battlefield at any mont.
In fact, he often personally inspected the barracks or the armory, which explained why the soldiers of this territory were considered superior to those of the other two families.
“It was a sudden visit, but I am honored that you yourself received .”
“Honored? Everyone knows you are under the protection of the cold Duke Rochester in the north.”
“Yes, I owe Lord lverot a great debt.”
Count Belmierd, crossing his massive arms, laughed again and then sat in a chair in the corner of Dereck’s private room.
“Hahaha. It feels like yesterday I heard rumors you ca from the slums, and now you co to the count’s mansion as a titled noble… I regret not having managed to retain you then.”
“There were circumstances at that ti. I apologize.”
“Well, anyone who knows how hard it is to find a good magic teacher would understand. I wanted to keep you by my side, but things don’t always go as one plans.”
Despite his rugged appearance, intelligence shone in his eyes.
It was the bearing of a veteran hardened by countless battles.
“Gold, silver, and jewels stay in the chest once you lock them away, but no matter how much you want to hold onto talent, just look away and it disappears. It’s frustrating.”
“That’s why they say talent is more precious than gold.”
“Exactly. Especially those, like you, who know their worth. They’re the hardest to use. Anyway, you’re clever, hahaha.”
After joking, the marquis sighed deeply.
“Since my dear daughter Ellen considers you her teacher, I should treat you with the utmost honor, but the situation is not favorable. I ask for your understanding if you feel we neglected you sowhat.”
Dereck, who in no way felt neglected, found it strange.
If this was “neglect,” then what would the treatnt of a true honored guest be like?
“…It seems sothing is happening in the mansion.”
The count’s expression hardened for an instant. Then he smiled again, but Dereck did not miss that fleeting mont.
“Well, in the end you will know even if I don’t tell you. There are many servants given to gossip, and those who need to know already know.”
“…?”
“According to your letter, you are starting a new business, correct? You want Ellen to appear at the inauguration of the training center… that is not a difficult request.”
The count uncrossed his arms and stood.
“However, I am not sure it is possible right now.”
“…Why?”
“Ellen is currently under house arrest by my decision.”
“What?”
It was so sudden that Dereck couldn’t help but ask again.
The count’s expression looked complicated, sowhere between a smile and a bitter grimace.
“For the ti being, Ellen will be under surveillance. Within the mansion she can only go to the annex, the tower, the church, and the gardens. When the situation is resolved, she may be allowed to go out, but for now I doubt it.”
“What happened for her to be under house arrest?”
The count was silent for a mont, as if pondering.
He was known as a loving father, so he must have had a grave reason to forbid his daughter from leaving. It was clear he had given an order with which he was uncomfortable.
He seed to be debating whether to tell Dereck the details.
Seeing this, Dereck understood. The information the count hesitated to reveal was probably a secret so great it could affect the entire Belmierd house.
If Ellen trusted soone fully, the marquis usually trusted them too. Yet there was a reason he wavered.
While Dereck tried to guess, the count finally spoke, as if forcing the words out.
Even Dereck, always calm, frowned upon hearing it.
“Traces of necromancy research were found in Ellen’s room.”
Dereck straightened his posture.
This was not sothing that could be taken lightly.
*
“Baron, a letter has arrived.”
“Hmm?”
The next day, a letter flew to the Barony Ravenclaw, which was full of construction work.
Dereck, who was watching the site with a complicated expression, received the letter that Delbriton handed him.
The envelope, richly decorated, bore the seal of Count Belmierd.
The incident began when a maid, sent by Leonard, the third son of the Belmierd family, entered Ellen’s room.
Leonard had asked her to look for a magic book by the author Hamilton to practice a second-class spell.
Hamilton’s book was quite rare, not even available in the estate’s library. When the maid inford him of this, Leonard said.
“I saw Ellen reading Hamilton’s book. I will send her a separate letter to inform her, so go ahead, take the book from her shelf.”
Ellen resided most of the ti in Ebelstein because of her work in the Rose Salon.
Since Ellen’s room was often empty, borrowing a book didn’t seem like a big problem.
As Leonard assured her that he would obtain Ellen’s permission personally, the maid began searching the bookshelf without objection.
And soon, upon pulling out one of the books, a strange space was revealed behind it.
Unable to resist her curiosity, the maid reached in, found sothing like a handle, and pulled it.
Creak.
Then, the bookshelf moved, revealing a huge staircase that descended directly underground.
The maid, horrified, imdiately inford the butler of the Belmierd mansion, and he, along with two senior servants, went down into the underground space, where a terrible scene unfolded before them.
An underground laboratory that reeked of blood.
Human parts were stored in a mutilated state, and several skulls rolled across the floor.
In one corner of the room, under the chandelier of the desk, several necromancy books were spread out, the kind carried by the necromancers of Rodentz Island.
Next to the desk were trinkets, writing instrunts, and a frilled hat that seed to belong to Ellen, scattered across the place.
After that, the mansion was turned upside down.
Ellen, who was in Ebelstein, was imdiately summoned back to the Belmierd mansion.
‘So you are finally plotting sothing interesting.’
Ellen, sitting in the garden of the Belmierd mansion’s annex, put down her teacup.
The sky was high and blue, and the garden offered a peaceful view.
However, the servants passing by couldn’t help but glance sideways and swallow nervously.
There was a woman standing behind Ellen, who drank tea under the late spring sun, her hands clasped behind her back. Her na was Briana, the most trusted maid of Count Belmierd.
It was not common for soone as capable as her, who handled all kinds of important tasks, to waste ti just to watch over one person.
In that gloomy atmosphere, the servants could not help but murmur among themselves.
‘Even the servants seem to approach cautiously.’
First, they made sure no word leaked outside the mansion, and then all the senior servants gathered to begin the investigation.
During that ti, Ellen was strictly monitored, making it difficult for her to have contact with anyone.
Although she was not confined to her room due to her position, her physical freedom was restricted.
“….”
Despite the urgent situation, Ellen remained calm. She could still sit in the garden and enjoy a cup of tea under the sun.
She had witnessed all kinds of vile struggles in the corridors of power. Sohow she was used to facing such slanders and intrigues. What mattered was to appear more dignified than anyone.
Above all, the Belmierd mansion was practically her kingdom.
Having reigned as the family’s heir for a long ti, many servants had seen her genuinely and justly fight for power.
Count Belmierd also trusted Ellen, and most of the senior servants believed she would not have involved herself in such nefarious magic.
It was not easy to undermine her authority in this place.
Certainly, sothing as serious as necromancy was needed to have a real impact.
Those who rembered the disaster of the Duplain family knew well how dangerous necromancy could be.
‘At last you have drawn your sword, Leonard.’
To bring Ellen down, all her close allies, who were like her arms and legs, had to be cut off.
They had to be made suspicious, and her family and servants dragged into a swamp of doubt.
Ultimately, no one in that mansion should be able to trust Ellen.
Of course, trust built over years does not collapse easily.
Therefore, Ellen narrowed her eyes and quietly sipped her tea.
*
When Dereck finished his conversation with Count Belmierd and stepped into the hallway, he ca across an unfamiliar face.
“Pleasure to et you for the first ti, Sir Dereck. I sent you a letter. Since you ntioned being busy, I thought of visiting you myself, but fortunately you had a reason to co to the mansion.”
From the familiarity in his words, that man had to be Leonard.
The younger brother of Ellen and third son of the Belmierd family. Though he smiled, his eyes glead coldly.
Most mbers of the Belmierd family had red hair, but Leonard’s was completely white. It was a peculiar sight.
“Young master Leonard.”
As Dereck slightly lowered his head in greeting, Leonard looked around and spoke in a low voice.
“Sir Dereck, renowned as the most famous magic master of Ebelstein, your reputation precedes you. It is truly an honor to et you in person.”
“No, not at all.”
He smiled calmly and then continued.
“Could you grant
a mont? I have sothing important to tell you.”
“Ah, yes?”
“That’s right. Despite your position, I have heard that you devote yourself sincerely to the pursuit of magic, and your achievents are also remarkable. They say you reached a level at a young age that common mages of humble origin could never achieve.”
Leonard spoke politely, without erasing his smile.
“However, Sir Dereck, you are not soone who should stop at the level of a commoner.”
At those words, Dereck frowned.
“You should aspire to the level of a 4-star mage.”
“….”
“I will help you. Will you listen to what I have to say?”
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