Chapter 181: Inspection (1) |
It did not take long for the imperial inspection delegation to be organized.
Among the noble bureaucrats of the Gremport Palace, the construction of the Ravenclaw Academy was already considered approved, so the emperor’s direct visit to inspect the academic facilities was nothing more than a procedural formality.
Emperor Gattrel, whose golden age lay far behind him and who was now completely consumed by old age, no longer exercised any real influence over affairs of state.
Day after day, he barely managed to endure his fragile body while clinging solely to memories of the empire’s glorious past that he himself had built.
The political tension was clearly divided into three factions the imperial faction led by Princess Roselin; the noble faction headed by President Damon and the aristocratic bureaucrats; and the purely magical faction commanded by the archmage Kohella, chief magical adviser.
In a situation where the imperial succession was already practically decided in Princess Roselin’s favor, countless figures crowded around the throne, trying to claw out even a little more power.
“What use is crushing rivals and relatives to obtain imperial authority, if at this rate I’ll end up becoming nothing more than a puppet empress?”
Roselin, sitting in the carriage with her chin resting on her hand, pressed her brow hard.
The first prince, Bulris, and the second princess, Lavender, who in the past had competed for the throne, had already yielded before Roselin’s overwhelming momentum.
Bulris was nothing more than a scholar absorbed in his studies, and Lavender a delicate, gentle, and pure flower.
If one member of the imperial family had to appear elegant and majestic, then another had to walk through mud and fields of thorns to uphold that power.
And no one in the imperial family denied that Roselin was the right person.
“I need talent. Someone who won’t be seduced by vipers like Kohella, who has some command of magic, but doesn’t see it as an absolute privilege…”
People like that were rare.
Melverot would have been ideal, but he did not trust her.
No matter how much she provoked him, he always responded with exasperating indifference.
Roselin openly despised the aristocratic bureaucrats, calling them obese pigs, but she knew well that corruption was not absent even within the imperial faction.
Power and rot always went hand in hand; what mattered was who held the balance.
That was why she desired someone like Melverot.
But Melverot was like a proud wolf.
He never submitted to anyone.
He simply protected his northern territory and lived by his own rules.
Even his role as the Sword of the Empire was nothing more than the fulfillment of an old promise made after the end of the Great War.
To make matters worse, lately he seemed to be dominated by his daughter, Siern.
Under the pretext of her education, he had taken Dereck Lydorf, Baron of Ravenclaw, under his protection, granted him authority without restraint, and even turned a blind eye to the construction of an academy.
Melverot might value Dereck highly, but it was impossible that Siern’s will had not influenced that decision.
“Dereck Lydorf, Baron of Ravenclaw…”
Roselin gazed silently out the carriage window.
The Gremport Palace, considered the greatest architectural work created by humanity, rose with overwhelming magnificence.
Its size was such that even by carriage it took a long time to cross its grounds.
Whoever managed to control that palace would hold absolute control of the board.
Damon of the noble faction, and Kohella of the magical faction.
Thinking of those two thorns embedded in her side, Roselin sank back into her thoughts.
She needed a weapon.
A perfectly sharpened blade, capable of confronting both the most brilliant official and the most powerful archmage.
“It seems the carriage will depart soon, Princess Roselin.”
“…”
While she was lost in thought, someone opened the carriage door and entered.
There were not many people with permission to do such a thing.
As if summoned by her thoughts, the elderly archmage Kohella appeared.
“The chief magical adviser Kohella showing such concern for me almost makes me feel uncomfortable.”
“There is no need to be on guard, Princess Roselin. We share the same objective, do we not?”
As Roselin frowned, Kohella smiled gently and sat down across from her, taking out an enormous grimoire.
“It has taken quite some time. This is the result of my personal work—an ancient labyrinth grimoire forged through transformation magic. Its name is The Book of Longing. I aspired to create something comparable to a six-star artifact, but despite all my efforts, I was only able to complete it at the five-star level.”
“So even a six-star mage cannot always create six-star artifacts?”
“Of course not. Preparation, time, and many variables are required.”
Officially, Kohella had created only three six-star magical artifacts.
One of them had been offered to Emperor Gattrel—the magical weapon known as ‘The Light of the Empire,’ an enormous catalyst capable of projecting magical influence to any point on the continent.
Although the emperor could no longer wield power of such magnitude, its symbolic value as the ‘emperor’s magical weapon’ was incalculable.
Kohella placed the book, as large as a child’s torso, in front of Roselin and smiled.
“If the six-star mage of the illusion school truly exists, this book will allow us to find them.”
“What kind of magical effect does it contain exactly?”
“Would you not like to see for yourself?”
Roselin slowly turned the pages of the massive book with a wary expression.
Each rune overflowed with overwhelming meticulousness.
Without a doubt, it was the work of the greatest transformation mage on the continent.
But the more she understood its contents, the more her expression hardened.
“With what intention did you create something like this? My constitution protects me, but even so…”
“It is a necessary sacrifice. If that mage exists, there is no other way to find them.”
Roselin closed the book with a serious expression.
Under the pretext of an academic inspection, Kohella’s true intention was laid bare.
“The six-star mage of the illusion school you mentioned. If they truly exist, we will find them during this inspection of the Ravenclaw Academy.”
The old woman’s sinister smile sent a slight chill through her, but Roselin concealed any trace of fear.
Every elder in the Gremport Palace was a venomous serpent.
Feeling uneasy now would change nothing.
She did not know exactly what Kohella was planning, but her determination was obvious.
At the very least, one thing was clear this inspection would not end peacefully.
One way or another, an incident would occur.
She only hoped it would not end in a bloodbath.
***
“It seems that tomorrow the imperial inspection delegation will arrive in the Ravenclaw territory. Since Emperor Gattrel will be coming in person, it is a matter of the utmost importance, so it appears that all members of the academy will also have to attend.”
“I’ve already heard the news.”
After finishing the academic meeting in Elfontaine Hall and heading toward the noble district of Ebelstein, Ellen proposed having a cup of tea with the young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw Academy.
Considering that she occupied the second position in the school’s hierarchy and was, in practice, the mistress of the Belmierd house, refusing her invitation was practically impossible.
For that reason, as soon as the gathering in the hall ended, they all assembled at a tea house beside the fountain in the central square.
Diella, Ellen, Denise, Siern, and Trisha.
Counting only the servants who accompanied them, the number easily exceeded thirty.
It was inevitable that the gazes of passersby would focus on them.
The place where the disciples of the Ravenclaw Academy gathered emanated an authority impossible to describe in words.
Each of them was a figure of power within a renowned noble family.
“The Duplain house has already completed the preparations for the banquet, the venue, and the reception. All events will take place on the academy grounds, within the Duplain duchy.”
The one speaking from the center of the group was Diella, first in the academy’s hierarchy.
“Belmierd will also send support staff. If the inspection is imperial, not the slightest mistake will be tolerated.”
The red-haired noblewoman with her arms crossed was Ellen, second in the hierarchy.
“From Beltus, I must apologize. The internal situation has not yet fully stabilized. Even so, I will attend personally, so there should be no issues with protocol.”
With her silver hair falling elegantly and an air of natural nobility, Denise spoke, third in the hierarchy.
“…Understood.”
The one with the highest magical level, backed by no less than two six-star mages and with an aura tinged with blood deep within her being, was Siern, fourth in the hierarchy.
‘A-and I too… am a legitimate member of this group… hehe…’
And lastly, the simple noble Trisha.
Since Emperor Gattrel himself would be visiting the Ravenclaw Academy, it was necessary to carefully coordinate what each of them would say and do.
On the day of the inspection, there would be multiple welcoming events, a luncheon, and a banquet in the academy’s main hall.
Then, after a formal inspection and some ceremonial exchanges of words, it would normally all conclude without incident.
The Ravenclaw Academy had been founded under the leadership of the Baron of Ravenclaw’s house, and it went without saying that the young noble ladies of the Ravenclaw Academy would be the visible face of the institution.
A single mistake would be enough to tarnish its name, so it was natural to feel a certain tension.
Even so, the atmosphere was light.
Each of them was accustomed to representing their family’s prestige at major events.
Diella was more concerned about which dress to wear, Ellen showed no signs of nervousness, and neither Denise nor Siern seemed affected in the slightest.
The only exception was Trisha, who was breaking out in a cold sweat without realizing it.
‘Hehe… attending the inspection of the Ravenclaw Academy directly… how interesting… how fun…’
Although her inner monologue sounded carefree, her hands were visibly trembling.
After being mercilessly beaten by Siern and receiving ample emotional consolation from Ellen, Trisha now clearly understood the difference in authority between them.
Even so, lowering her head and cowering did not suit her.
She straightened her neck, wiped away the sweat with a forcedly relaxed expression, and thought.
‘Me, nervous? Me? The jewel of the Renouel house, Trisha?’
She, who danced without the slightest hesitation at social events in Renouel County and displayed her beauty with pride, could not allow herself to tremble now.
With a theatrical gesture, she unfurled her feather fan and let out an exaggerated laugh.
“…?”
“…?”
Noticing the puzzled looks of the others, Trisha realized she had overdone it and shrank back slightly.
***
‘My stomach hurts…’
After finishing the brief tea gathering among disciples and stepping out into the street with her servants, Trisha’s face was completely drawn.
She had thought that simply showing up and making an appearance would be enough, but she had never imagined that all the academy’s disciples would go out together to receive the imperial delegation.
Even if they belonged to the same group, when gathered in one place, comparisons were inevitable.
Her motto of “never cower” felt ridiculous when her counterparts were Diella, Ellen, Denise, and Siern.
The servants accompanying her watched her with concern.
‘Ugh…’
Trisha shook her head forcefully and straightened her back again.
Beside the central fountain of the noble district, in that luxurious and peaceful setting, she took a deep breath while watching the water rise and fall.
‘With my appearance, my bearing, and my elegance, I have no reason to cower. That’s right!’
Nothing in life is solved by shrinking back. With enough confidence, even the impossible can become possible.
Just as her familiar arrogance was about to resurface, a voice stopped her.
“It seems you have many worries… Lady Trisha.”
“Kyaaah!”
Hearing that familiar voice, she jumped in surprise.
Seated beside the fountain was a familiar figure.
Neat, beautiful hair, a reddish semi-tunic draped over her shoulders, and beneath it, an elegant dress just barely visible.
Aiselin.
The very young noblewoman who should have been extremely busy preparing the imperial welcome banquet was sitting there, staring vacantly, in the noble district of Ebelstein.
“A-Aiselin… Lady Aiselin?”
“It’s been some time… you are still very beautiful.”
“Ah, no… b-but… why is Lady Aiselin here…?”
“Vacation… forced vacation… so I’m wandering aimlessly…”
“…Forced?”
Although Aiselin had said that Trisha seemed worried, to Trisha’s eyes, Aiselin looked even more exhausted and distressed.
“It seems that… I worked too much… and the servants are exhausted…”
“…Eh? What do you mean? Isn’t working a lot… a good thing?”
Aiselin’s eyes immediately lit up.
“R-right? Working hard isn’t a bad thing, is it?”
“W-well… yes…”
Hearing that answer, Aiselin smiled, as if she had regained a bit of energy.
“Exactly. One must work hard. Human life is finite, so we must not take lightly each day we live.”
“Y-yes…”
“Sir Dereck told me to please do nothing and rest, but I think I should still occupy myself with something. By the way, Lady Trisha, you also seemed worried. I assume it’s because of the imperial inspection, right?”
“Eh? Y-yes… something like that…”
“Would you like me to help you?”
“…Eh?”
Aiselin Eleanor Duplain.
A model of Ebelstein’s noble society and an extraordinary figure who had single-handedly raised House Duplain.
Who would refuse her direct help?
In Ebelstein’s high society, there were countless people who would line up just to exchange a word with her.
But Trisha did not know.
The elegant Aiselin who walked like a living painting through the salons was only a small part of what she truly was.
Aiselin Eleanor Duplain was a talent that, if not handled properly, could end up destroying her own owner.
A poisoned cup.
A cursed sword.
Without knowing it, Trisha nodded happily, thinking that luck had fallen from the sky.
Thus began the greatest catastrophe in the history of House Renouel.
***
[I’ll be leaving home to reconnect with myself. I’ll be back in a week.]
“…”
She had taken a vacation and run away from home.
Dereck let out a deep sigh as he read the note that had been left in Aiselin’s room.
A servant had found it that morning and brought it to his office.
“I was planning to make her return to work starting tomorrow…”
As he muttered that, the faces of the head maid Elpin and the other maids immediately turned pale.
Over the past week, with Dereck personally managing the mansion, it had been paradise for the servants.
After enjoying a hot bath, cold water feels even harsher.
Just from the normal, human way Dereck managed them, the servants had developed a special loyalty they would be unlikely to feel again.
But spring always ends.
And Dereck could not afford to leave a talent like Aiselin doing nothing.
Her working capacity surpassed even that of veteran officials.
“Well, another week of rest won’t hurt. She’s worked too hard.”
When someone works well, even if they stray a little, superiors usually understand.
In Aiselin’s case, even one or two months would not have been a problem for Dereck.
She had earned it.
Aiselin was already a mature two-star mage, with prospects of soon reaching three stars.
She was unlikely to run into danger, and taking a break from her routine would undoubtedly do her good.
With that thought, Dereck carefully folded the note and put it away in a drawer.
“Anything else to report?”
“…A letter has arrived from the imperial palace.”
Dereck nodded and took the ornamented envelope that Delbriton handed him.
Upon seeing the sender’s name, he frowned.
Kohella, chief magical adviser.
She herself had sent him a letter.
‘She’s plotting something.’
With his chin resting on his hand, Dereck narrowed his eyes.
He had a feeling that this imperial inspection would not pass quietly.