Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 136: 4-star (1)

Chapter 136: 4-star (1)

“We’ll‍ see each other‌ again after winter,‌ Lady Aiselin.”

With‌‍ Lady Rointel’s farewell,⁠ the first semester‌ of the Ravenclaw⁠‍ Training Center came⁠‌‍ to a flawless close.

Due‍‍‌ to a major⁠ external incident, Dereck‌‌ had been unable‍ to take up‍ his position as‍⁠ an instructor, but‍ since he had⁠‍ done some work‍ during the semester,‌⁠ it didn’t become a significant issue.

The‍‍ scenery of the‌ Ravenclaw estate, once‍ filled with fallen leaves, began to⁠ look more desolate.⁠

Although‌⁠ it was a place full of⁠ young nobles who‌‌ spent their time⁠ in their own‌⁠ ways, it was‍‌⁠ still difficult to⁠ endure the harsh‌‍‌ winter in such⁠⁠ a remote barony.‍

When‌‌‌ the winter ended‌‍ and the weather⁠ began to soften, more nobles would visit the Ravenclaw⁠‌ Academy.

‘Next‍⁠ semester we won’t‍‍‍ be able to⁠ manage with this‌‌ number of staff.’‌

The‍‌‌ classes held during‍⁠⁠ this semester had already received considerable⁠‍⁠ recognition, and rumors‍ were spreading among‍ the nobles of‍‍⁠ Ebelstein.

If‍ things were already‍‍‍ like this from‌‍‌ the very first‍ semester, when everything⁠ was still new,⁠ they might truly⁠ need to expand‌ the center.

‘Well,‌‍ that’s something I can consider gradually‌ during the winter…‌ I should rest‌‍⁠ too.’

Watching⁠ Lady Rointel return‍‌ home, Aiselin silently gazed over the‍⁠‌ empty campus.

“…”‍⁠‌

Dereck‍⁠ was absent, urgently⁠ dealing with the conflict against Duke‍‌⁠ Beltus.

Since‌ the Ravenclaw Center‌ had to keep‌ operating, it was⁠‌ only natural for‌⁠ Aiselin to remain‌ at the estate.‌

And‌‍ so, after completing‍⁠ her assigned duties,‍‍ only the empty‍ barony remained.

Whiiing.‍

When‌ a place that‌ was always full‌‍ of people becomes completely empty, sometimes‍‍‍ an inexplicable sense⁠ of loneliness arises.

Especially‍‍⁠ in winter, when⁠‍ not even leaves‌ remain on the⁠ ground and the⁠ bare branches begin‌⁠ to show.

“Now that I see‍‌ it clearly… we really have grown⁠ too much…”

As‌⁠‍ if she had⁠‌‌ regained a bit‍ of clarity, Aiselin⁠ sighed deeply while‍ looking over the estate.

If‌‍ one calmly observed‍ the barony, one‍‍ might start to wonder if it‌ could truly be⁠‍ called that.

The⁠⁠ main building of‍⁠ the center, located‌ at the most strategic point, was‍‍ undoubtedly where Dereck‍‍ lived. There resided‌‌ all the staff⁠⁠‍ who served Baron⁠ Ravenclaw, and all‌‍ living facilities were‌ concentrated there.

But‍‌ the rest of the buildings existed‌ solely for the‍ center—it was inevitable⁠‌ to wonder if‌ that was really‍‌⁠ a noble’s private⁠ residence.

She⁠ had heard that⁠‍‌ Count Elvester, on‍⁠‌ the far eastern‍‌ side of the‍‍‍ continent, had also‌‌‌ turned his domain‌ into a cultural⁠ hub for that‌⁠ region’s society.

But⁠⁠ she had never⁠ imagined that the⁠‍ Ravenclaw Barony would⁠‌‍ end up becoming‌ something similar.

‘I‍ feel like I’m‌‍ quite to blame⁠ for how this‍⁠‌ turned out…’

It⁠ wasn’t just a feeling. It was‍ a fact.

With‍⁠ a strange sense‍‌ of responsibility, Aiselin⁠‌ was about to⁠⁠‍ cross the garden.

“…Oh.”‍

In⁠ one corner of⁠ the garden, there‌‌ was a girl‍‌ sitting, her ash-gray‍⁠ hair cascading down⁠ her back.

Most‌ of the young⁠ noble ladies had‍‌⁠ already returned home.‌ It was far‌ too difficult to‌⁠ endure such a harsh winter in‍ the baron’s residence.⁠‌

However,⁠ the girl wore no coat, as⁠⁠ if even this⁠‌ cold weather felt‌⁠ warm to her.‍

It⁠ was understandable. She‍ came from the‍‌ Rochester territory, located in the heart⁠⁠‌ of the northern‍⁠‌ snowfields.

“Lady⁠ Siern. You’re outside.”‍

“…”‍⁠‌

Siern‌ had begun to acquire a basic⁠ air of dignity,‌ but the peculiar‌‌ wildness within her‍ showed no sign‍ of fading.

Living⁠‍ in Dereck’s mansion‌‍⁠ had somewhat tempered‌ her untamed nature.⁠ However, lately she‍⁠ had been sulking and complaining more‌⁠ often—and the reason‍ wasn’t hard to⁠⁠ guess.

Dereck was so busy⁠‌ that he couldn’t⁠ pay her any‌‍⁠ attention.

That‍ was, essentially, the⁠‌ entire problem.

Siern‌ felt a kind⁠‍⁠ of possessiveness toward⁠ Dereck, and seeing‍‌ so many people‍ coming to the‌‍‍ Ravenclaw Center as‍⁠ his students, she‍ had unknowingly built⁠‌⁠ up a lot‍ of frustration.

Aiselin,‌ accustomed to Siern’s‌ childish behavior, sat‌‌ down beside her with a gentle⁠‌‌ smile.

“Sir‍‍‍ Dereck seems very‍‍⁠ busy.”

“Yes.‌ I thought I’d‍ be able to⁠ learn a lot‌‍⁠ after leaving Rochester⁠ territory…”

“Don’t‍ worry. During the‌‌ winter, this residence‌‍ will be empty, so Sir Dereck‍‌ will have plenty⁠ of free time.”⁠⁠⁠

When⁠‌ Aiselin patted her‍ shoulder, Siern dropped⁠‌ her pout and⁠⁠ let out a deep sigh.

It seemed she wasn’t⁠ unaware that Dereck was involved in⁠⁠‍ something important.

From‍‌ time to time,⁠ Siern would gaze⁠ fixedly toward the‍⁠‌ western sky from‌ the mansion rooftop—the‍ direction of the‍‍ Beltus estate, where⁠ Dereck had gone⁠ with his key‌‌ personnel.

When asked what she‌‍ was looking at,⁠ she would reply⁠⁠ that she sensed‌‌ an immense, indescribable magical energy emanating‍ from that direction.‍‌

A mutant among mutants,‍⁠ heir to the‍‌ blood of the‍‌ great demon Noir.‌‍

If⁠ she could sense‌ such magical energy,⁠‌‌ its nature and‍⁠ scale must have⁠‍ been truly extraordinary.‌

“…I’m⁠‌ uneasy, Sister Aiselin.”‍⁠

“Don’t worry, Lady Siern.‌‌ Sir Dereck is‌‌ strong and wise; he won’t suffer‍ any serious harm.”‍‍

“No,‍ it’s not that…”

“…?”‌

Siern‌ hugged her knees,⁠‍ pouted, and muttered indifferently.

“I⁠⁠ just have this⁠ feeling that… he‍ might bring someone⁠ back again…”

“…”⁠‌

No‍‌ matter how one⁠ interpreted it, that‌⁠ was seeing Dereck⁠‌‌ as far too⁠ flirtatious.

Aiselin⁠ wanted to refute‍‌ her, but in‌‍ truth, human relationships⁠‌⁠ rarely unfolded as‌ one wished.

“…Surely‍⁠ not.”

Delbriton,‍⁠ the head butler⁠ who had been‍⁠ attending to Siern⁠ from behind, shook‍ his head.

No⁠⁠ matter how chaotic⁠ the situation, there were limits.

Things⁠⁠ were already complicated‍ enough with Lady Ellen—formerly known as‍ Ellen—that thinking he⁠⁠ would add someone‌ else was inconceivable.‌‌

However.⁠

Siern’s⁠⁠ intuition was often⁠ shockingly accurate.

That‍ was why both⁠ Aiselin and Delbriton‍ couldn’t help but‍ swallow hard.

***‍

“…”‍‍

The⁠‍‍ woman’s finely sharpened‌‍‍ senses were so‍‍ precise that, at‍ times, they displayed‌‍ a power close‌‌ to mind reading.

There⁠ were occasions when‌‍ a sudden sense⁠‍‌ of foreboding would appear in her‌‍‍ mind, setting off‌ internal alarms loudly—and that was exactly‍ the sense of‌‌ crisis Ellente of the Belmierd County⁠ was feeling.

The mansion of Duke⁠ Beltus.

Among‍‌ the various forces⁠ that had come‍ to support Dereck, Ellen, the future‌‌ lady of Belmierd,‍‌‍ was the first⁠‌ to arrive at the scene, excluding‌ Countess Rodelia.

Despite‌‌ wearing a beautiful‍ dress, she handled her horse with⁠‌ great skill.

It‍⁠ was very different‌‌ from her usual‍ image—sitting elegantly inside‌ a luxurious carriage.⁠‍⁠

Given‍‍ her talent in‍ all areas, it‍ wasn’t difficult for⁠ her to advance‍‌ through the forest,‍‍ where even visibility⁠⁠ wasn’t guaranteed, while‌⁠ leading her troops.⁠

However,⁠ the first thing⁠ she saw upon‌‌⁠ crossing the north‌ gate of the‌‍ Beltus mansion was‌‍ Denise, her face‌ strangely flushed, walking‌‌ inside the estate‌ behind Dereck.

“You’ve‌⁠‌ arrived, Lady Ellen.⁠ As you can‌‍ see, the mansion⁠⁠‌ grounds are almost⁠⁠ cleared. But we‌⁠⁠ can’t enter the‍‍‍ main building. An‌‍⁠ Archlich is blocking‌‌‍ the main hall,⁠‍‌ and other high-ranking‌⁠ monsters are guarding‍ the mansion.”

Dereck‍‌ gave a quick‌ report while checking‍ the number of⁠ soldiers coming from‌‌ the Belmierd territory.

While‌ Ellen was advancing‍‍ with her troops toward Beltus, he‍ seemed to have⁠ carried out a series of tasks inside the mansion.‌⁠

For‍‌‌ some reason, Denise⁠‌ was blushing and⁠‍ glancing sideways, and the legendary mercenary‌‍‍ captain Orel was‌‌ also at his‍‍ side, surprisingly on friendly terms.

In‌ such a short‌ time, Dereck had⁠ subdued those who‌‍ showed hostility and⁠⁠‍ persuaded those who‌‍‌ could be persuaded.‌

Although⁠⁠ his efficiency was⁠⁠ impressive, it was⁠‌ almost too fast‌‌ to be real.‍‌‌

“I‍‍‌ see. Dereck, you‌ seem to have⁠ many injuries. Shouldn’t‍‌ you take care‌ of yourself first…?”

“I’m fine. The situation‍ is too urgent‌⁠ to rest. Once‍⁠‍ we subdue the‌‌⁠ Beltus main house,‌‍ I’ll have time‍ to do so.”⁠‍

Dereck’s⁠‍ expression as he⁠ said that certainly⁠⁠ wasn’t relaxed. And⁠ it would have⁠ been strange if‌⁠ it were.

The‍‍ souls spiraling up‌‌ into the sky‍ right above the‌ Beltus main house⁠‍ were like glimpses‌ of hell itself.

The demons roaring and‌‌ spewing monsters, the‍ sounds of battle‍‌‍ from every direction—speaking‌ of relaxation in such a setting⁠ was absurd.

“I‍‌⁠ am Orel. I’m‍‍‍ in charge of⁠ security in the‍‍ Beltus mansion. It’s⁠‌‌ an honor to‌ meet the future‍⁠ lady of Belmierd‌ in person.”

“I’ve⁠‍‌ heard you were‌ the most trusted⁠ commander of Emperor⁠ Guttrel. I’m sorry‍‍‍ I can’t show‌ proper courtesy in⁠⁠ the middle of‍⁠ a battlefield.”

“Of‌ course. As you‍‌‍ can see, the⁠‍ duchy’s situation is‌ chaos. This isn’t⁠ the time for‍⁠ small talk.”

Ellen nimbly dismounted her‌ horse and joined‍ the other three⁠ beside Dereck.

Denise had several scratches,‍⁠⁠ Robenalt was completely‍ unconscious and carried⁠ on Orel’s back,‌ and Dereck looked‌ quite exhausted.

‘I‍‍ said I’d face⁠⁠ Beltus, but I didn’t think it‌‌ would turn out‍ like this. Necromancy…’‍⁠

Ellen‍ swallowed hard and‍ looked at the‍‌‌ main house turned into a hellish⁠‌ scene.

Dereck⁠ had told her⁠‍ beforehand there would‌ be a confrontation‌⁠ with Duke Beltus,‌ but she never‍ imagined such a development.

The‍ idea that Dereck‍ had used necromancy‌‍ to corrupt Duke‍‍‌ Beltus simply didn’t‍ make sense.

Especially for Ellen, who‌⁠‍ had seen him defeat Leonard and⁠‌ hunt necromancers alongside‍‍‌ Countess Rodelia in the Belmierd mansion.‍

“The‍ situation has become‍‌ rather peculiar, Dereck.”‌

“Even‌‌ so, the task⁠⁠ doesn’t change.”

Dereck⁠‍ decided not to‍ mention Fina’s massacre‍ to those around‌ him.

Imagining that uncontrollable necromancer⁠‍ punishing Duke Beltus just to “properly‌ educate a beloved‍⁠‌ disciple”… would only‌‌ complicate matters further.‌

However,‌ it was different‌ with Denise.

She‌⁠‍ had been directly⁠ involved and could‍‍ deduce that Dereck‍‌ was involved in‌ something related to‍‌ necromancy.

Moreover, the ornament that‌‌ had started all⁠‍‍ of this was⁠ a gift Fina⁠‌ had personally given‌⁠ to Denise.

But‌ for now, Denise kept silent.

She looked at Dereck⁠ and then at‌‌ Ellen, narrowing her⁠ eyes.

‘For⁠ now, it’s best‍⁠‍ not to say⁠ anything.’

Especially⁠‌⁠ because, if Dereck‌ hadn’t intervened, the outcome would have‌ been disastrous.

Denise‌⁠ had defied Duke‌‍‌ Beltus at a critical moment, just‍ before receiving severe punishment.

Many high-ranking vassals and‍‌ collateral members had‍ been executed for⁠ opposing Duke Beltus.‍⁠‌

The‍ likelihood of her⁠ survival had been⁠‍ practically zero.

Paradoxically,‌ if not for‌ Dereck, Denise’s fate⁠⁠ would have been⁠‍ terrible.

Even‌‍ so, Denise was‌ surprisingly calm.

She⁠‍‍ had never felt⁠‍‍ attachment to the‌ Beltus family.

In‍‍‍ a relationship where one is only‍⁠ used and uses‌ others, familial affection‌⁠ cannot be born.⁠

Duke‌ Beltus had never⁠‌ shown Denise a shred of genuine‍‍ affection.

‘Dereck has a secret.’‌

Denise’s⁠⁠‍ thoughts churned restlessly.⁠‌

That baron from the‍‌ outskirts, apparently obsessed‍‌ only with magic,‌‍ was hiding something.

An‌⁠ important secret that‌ neither Aiselin nor⁠ Ellen knew, and⁠ one he would⁠ never reveal, even⁠‍ if he opened‍⁠ his heart.

She was the one⁠⁠ closest to that⁠⁠‌ secret.

And‍ if she was‍ the only one who could get⁠⁠ near something so⁠‍⁠ deep.

‘…’‍‌

The‌‍ moment she realized‌‌ she was feeling competitive toward Aiselin‍‌ and Ellen, Denise‌‌ understood she had⁠‌ gone too far.‌⁠

But‌⁠ the wave of‌ self-reproach that followed‍ was something only⁠‌⁠ she could face⁠ alone.

“Lady‌ Denise… it seems‍ you have many‌ things on your‌⁠ mind.”

The‍ sudden voice brought‍ her back to‌‍ reality.

She⁠‌ blinked, looked up,‌ and saw Ellen⁠‍ watching her with‌ a meaning-laden expression.‌

Denise,‍ unusually nervous, swallowed‌⁠ hard.

“Y-Yes…‌‍ I’m sorry, Lady⁠ Ellen. As you‌‌ can see, the‍ family situation is⁠ chaotic. It’s natural‍⁠‍ to feel a little overwhelmed.”

“I‍‍ understand. That’s why‌‌⁠ we should focus on resolving the‍ immediate issue first.‌ We’ll reclaim the⁠‍ main house of‌‌ Beltus, and then‍⁠ we’ll carefully examine everything that happened.”

Feeling⁠ Ellen’s strange hostility,‌‍ Denise swallowed several⁠ times.

Indeed,‍ she now understood‍ why Aiselin always⁠ seemed oddly intimidated‍‌ whenever she saw‌‌ Ellen.

Ellen had an imposing presence that crushed⁠‌ anyone with an⁠ uneasy conscience.

Why⁠ did it sting‍⁠ so much?

It was obvious.

And‌ also impossible to⁠⁠‍ deny now.

Denise‌ had fallen in‍‌ love with Dereck.‍‌‍

Upon‌ realizing it, the‍ hostility Ellen radiated⁠‌⁠ toward Denise could‌ only be of one very specific‌‍ kind.

Denise—the‍⁠‌ one who had⁠ always appeared indifferent, always resting her‍ chin on her‌ hand, showing interest‍ in nothing.

No‍ one knew how she would react⁠‍ once she stood‌ up and took‌ something seriously.

If‌⁠ Denise became a rival in that‌‍ regard, she would be a fearsome‌ enemy—far more formidable than Aiselin.

Ellen⁠‌⁠ lowered her gaze⁠ slightly and stepped‌ closer.