Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 169: Ancient Hero (3)

Chapter 169: Ancient Hero (3)

The‍ mansion of a noble buried beneath‍‍⁠ the snow is,‌ by nature, gloomy‍‌‌ throughout the year.⁠

Living‌⁠ every day in‌ a place like‌⁠⁠ that would cause‌‌⁠ even the most‍‍⁠ lively and active‌ person to gradually‌ become somber and⁠‍ depressed without realizing‍ it.

Melverot‌ had sent Siern‌⁠‍ to the southwest‌ of the continent even by exercising⁠ his authority, and‌ now it was‌‌ easy to understand‌ why.

At⁠ the very least,‌ it was not‍⁠ a suitable place‍‍ for a young‍‍‌ girl to spend her formative years.‌

In‍ the antechamber of‍‍ the annex, where⁠ a few snowflakes⁠‍ slipped in, a gaunt man sat‍ down on a fur-covered sofa in‍‍ front of an‍‍ enormous fireplace.

Crackle,‍ crackle.

Even‌⁠ the sound of⁠ the fire was‌‍ part of winter.⁠⁠

In‌‌ the territory of‍ Rochester, where no⁠ season existed other‍ than winter, the crackling of firewood‍⁠ was an everyday‌ occurrence.

“…”‌⁠‍

Dereck‍⁠ swallowed and once‍ again glanced sideways‍‍ at the lean man.

His⁠‌‍ detection magic had already fully reached⁠‍⁠ the three-star level.‌⁠

At‌⁠‍ the very least,‌⁠ he could immediately grasp the magical⁠ level of anyone‌‌ whose mastery was‌‍ below his own.⁠

The‌‌‍ fact that he‌‌ could not measure it at a glance meant that⁠‌ the man was⁠ at his level⁠‍ or above.

He‍‌ could feel the‌⁠ flow of mana⁠‍‍ within him, but⁠⁠ he could not‌ calculate its depth.‍‌

That sensation was like⁠‍ standing before a colossal mountain.

Dereck‌‌ sharpened his gaze,‌ but the other‌‍ spoke in a surprisingly relaxed tone.⁠

“There‌ are several things⁠⁠ I would like⁠‍ to ask you‍‍⁠ about Siern. If you are the⁠ one who has‌‍‌ instructed her most⁠‍⁠ closely, you should⁠‍‌ know her recent⁠ condition better than‍ anyone.”

“…”

“Why⁠⁠ don’t you sit⁠‍ across from me?‌ It’s cold near‍ the door.”

He‍‍ did not even introduce himself.

It‍‍ was already clear that he was‍⁠ no ordinary person,‍⁠ but Dereck had‍‍ not expected him to refrain from‌‌ revealing his identity‌‌ at all.

He‍‍ closed his eyes‍ for a moment,‍ then opened them⁠ and calmly walked⁠‍‍ over to the‍ sofa opposite.

During‌ those few steps, his mind began organizing thoughts at‍‌ high speed.

Someone‌ who could move‌ about the Rochester‌‌ mansion as if⁠ it were his⁠⁠ own home, with‌ Melverot seated as⁠‌⁠ the lord of‍ the place.

Someone‍ whom the servants⁠ did not even‌‌‍ dare to look⁠ at directly.

That could only mean⁠ that Melverot fully⁠‌ acknowledged his authority⁠‍ within the territory.‌

And‌‍‌ on top of⁠ that, his magical depth was so‌ profound that it was impossible to⁠‍‌ measure.

However,⁠⁠ the strange energy‌‍‌ residing in his‌ right shoulder was⁠ different.

It was undoubtedly necromantic-type⁠⁠⁠ mana.

Dereck‌‌ knew that well‍⁠ after spending so‌‌‍ much time alongside‍ Fina.

But‍ if he were‍⁠⁠ a necromancer, Melverot⁠ would never keep‌‌‌ him so close.‍⁠ Then was he‌ someone influenced by⁠ necromancy?

And‍ if that was‍ combined with his⁠‍‍ direct interest in⁠ Siern, the conclusion‍‍ was inevitable.

That brief moment as⁠‍‌ they walked together⁠‍ to the annex‌⁠ and sat down‌⁠‌ before the fire‌‌‍ was enough.

As‍ he brushed the‍ snow from his‌‌ boots, Dereck spoke.

“It⁠ is an honor‌‌‍ to meet in⁠‌ person the great‍⁠ archmage Kalimford, whom‌‌ the world believes⁠‍ to be dead.”‌

Kalimford’s eyebrows twitched slightly.‌

Without‌‌ him having said‌⁠‌ a single word,‌‍ the mage from‌ Ebelstein had uncovered‍ his identity.

Kalimford⁠⁠ closed his eyes‌‌ for a moment‌ and spoke in⁠ an even lower⁠ tone.

“You⁠ have a vivid imagination. Are you‍ implying that the‍⁠ dead can return⁠⁠⁠ to life?”

“It‌‌‌ must be the⁠ work of Miss‍ Fina’s magic. After⁠ rising again, you‍‍‌ came to the⁠‌ territory of your⁠‍ old friend, Sir Melverot.”

“…You are perceptive. Melverot⁠ does not dislike‍⁠ people like that. Now I understand‌ why you are‌⁠ the one instructing‌⁠ Siern.”

Kalimford⁠⁠ picked up a log with his⁠ weakened arm and‌ threw it into‍⁠ the fireplace.

The‌ wood burned with a soft sound,‍ as if representing‍‌ the remnants of‌ his own life.⁠

Kalimford⁠ had lived like‌⁠ a flame, consuming himself to save‍ the world.

An ancient hero who⁠ had ended his⁠ life as a legendary figure.

His‌‍ eyes, filled with⁠‌⁠ nostalgia, watched the‍‌ fire for a few moments before‌ settling on Dereck.‍

Dereck knew at that⁠ moment.

With‌‌ this man, he‍‌‌ would have to‍ talk at length.⁠

***⁠‌

The⁠ two men conversed‍ in front of‍ the fireplace.

One‍ was an ancient hero whose achievements had been buried⁠ beneath the snow‌⁠‌ of the past.⁠‌

The other was a young mage living‍ in the present‌ and approaching his peak.

The‍⁠⁠ flames danced, and⁠ with them the⁠‍ elongated shadows of‍ both men.

Through⁠‍‍ his conversation with‍ Kalimford, Dereck came to understand many‍‌ things.

The‌⁠ reason why Fina,‌ always so detached,⁠‌‌ had ended up‌‍ with her heart‍ in pieces.

And⁠⁠⁠ how she had ultimately become obsessed⁠ with him.

Kalimford,‍‍ for his part,‌‍ also obtained answers.‌‌⁠

Fina’s‍⁠⁠ actions after expelling‍‌ him from the‌‍ laboratory, and the‍‌ current state of‌‍ his beloved daughter,‌⁠ Siern.

It‌⁠⁠ was not an‌ especially long conversation,‌‍‌ but in front of the fire,‍ in that dark⁠‍ room, both obtained⁠ answers to many‍⁠‍ of the questions⁠ they had been⁠ carrying for a long time.

By‍ then, both Dereck and Kalimford already‌‌ felt that the‌ other was no‌ ordinary person.

‘How⁠ many years have‌⁠ passed since his⁠‌ coming-of-age ceremony? Reaching‌ four stars at‍ such a young⁠ age… that speed‍ is comparable to⁠⁠ Melverot’s.’

Kalimford‌‌ understood why Fina‍ had become so⁠ obsessed with that⁠⁠ man.

Perhaps⁠⁠ someone fully developed‌ like him could‌‍ find a solution⁠ to the seal⁠⁠‌ of reincarnation that‍ even Kalimford had‍‍ been unable to‍‌‍ resolve.

Of⁠⁠⁠ course, reaching such‍ a level would require a great⁠ deal of time.‍

But⁠ for Fina, that⁠ time was nothing more than an‍⁠ instant.

“You‍⁠ are not without‍‍‍ worth. That girl‍⁠ is like a specter. Once she‌‍‌ sets her sights‌‍ on something, she‌⁠‌ never lets go.”‍

“…”⁠‍

Dereck⁠ had many things⁠‌⁠ he wanted to‍⁠ say. No one‌‌ became the disciple⁠ of a necromancer‍‍ by choice.

Fina‍⁠‍ had been the⁠ one who appeared‌ first.

And‍ although not everything had been beneficial,‌ he could not⁠‌ deny that he⁠ had learned a great deal.

Moreover,‌‌ he did not wish to oppose her.

After‍‌ all, she had‍ been a good⁠ teacher—only now her‌⁠‍ heart was broken.

“…But⁠⁠⁠ I am also‌⁠‍ not in a position to say‌ much. It is⁠‌‌ likely that her⁠‍ straying is my⁠‍ fault.”

“Do⁠ you feel responsible?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know if I have⁠ the right to feel that way.”‍‌⁠

Without⁠‍⁠ Fina’s help, Kalimford‌ would never have‍‌ been able to⁠ kill Noir.

That⁠ fact was undeniable.⁠‌

Even‌ so, his expression‌ was filled with‍‌‌ pain.

“At‌‌ the very least,‌‌ I cannot allow you to be harmed.”

“…”⁠‍

“Becoming⁠ the target of⁠ a six-star necromancer⁠ is not something‍ that can be⁠ taken lightly. You‌ have reached an‍ astonishing level for‌‌‌ your age, but‌‌ even so, it is not enough.”‍

Few⁠ people would dare⁠ tell a four-star‍ mage that his‍ level was insufficient.‌

But‌⁠‍ the one speaking was Kalimford, the legendary six-star combat‍ mage who had⁠ completely changed the‌‌‌ map of the‌ north during the‌‍ War of Dawn.‍

Even‍⁠ if he was‍ now nothing more‌ than a withered‌‍ body, his feats‍ still lived on‌‍ in history.

“I‌ do not truly‍‍‍ belong to this‍ world. Someday, I will have to‍‌‌ turn back into‍‍ dust. Before that happens, if there‍‍ is anything I can do to⁠ help you, I want to do⁠⁠ it.”

“Why would you do so much for⁠‌ me?”

“Because‌‌ you have not‍⁠‍ only suffered because‍‍‍ of my mistakes…‍ but because you‍⁠‍ are Siern’s teacher.”‍

Kalimford‍‍ spoke while letting‌ the warmth of the fire envelop‌‌ him, gazing into⁠ the distance.

“Siern’s⁠ teacher must be⁠ impeccable in every⁠‌ respect.”

The‌‍⁠ weight of those‌‌ words was so‌⁠ profound that Dereck⁠‍ could not reply.⁠

***‍

Step,⁠ step.

Kalimford‍ and Dereck returned‍ to the main‌ building of the‌ Duchy of Rochester,‍ walking side by⁠ side down the‍ corridor.

They‌⁠ were completely different‌‌‍ people in age,‌‌ build, position, and‌ affiliation.

And‍ yet, the determined‌‍ way they advanced,⁠ with solemn expressions,‍ gave the impression‌ that they had‍⁠ shared a deep‍⁠ bond for a long time.

Kalimford‌ had just said⁠‍‍ that he would‌ take some time⁠‌ to observe Dereck’s‌ magic.

They‍⁠ were on their‌‌‍ way to the‌⁠ training field when,‌ suddenly, a familiar⁠ figure appeared at‌ the other end‌⁠ of the corridor.‍

For‌ Kalimford, that instant‍ seemed to unfold‌ in slow motion.‌

In the brief moment‍ when he opened⁠‍ his eyes wide,⁠ everything became drawn‍⁠ out—the snow striking‍ the windows, the⁠ sway of the‍⁠ girl’s dress hem,⁠‌⁠ even the icy⁠ air brushing against‍ his cheeks.

“Oh, Dereck!”

Siern‍ seemed cheerful after⁠⁠⁠ having returned to‍‍ her family mansion.

She was the same⁠‍‌ Siern whose name⁠ had echoed through‍⁠‍ the north as⁠ that of a wild beast, a bloodstained killer.

However,‌⁠ seeing her walk docilely down the‍ corridor in a lovely dress, no‌‌ one could imagine‌ that this young⁠‍‍ woman was the⁠‌ subject of such rumors.

Although⁠‍‌ cold and sharp‌⁠ by nature, Siern‍‍ had also diligently learned the manners‌ proper to a noble.

Compared‍ to the time‌‍ when she lived shut away in⁠‌‍ the tower, it‍ could now be‌‍ said that she‌ had truly become‌‌ a lady.

She‍⁠ advanced with gentle steps, and the‍⁠⁠ servants, who were⁠‌‍ still not accustomed‍ to her new⁠ image, hurried to⁠‍‍ follow her.

Unable‍‍ to believe that⁠‌⁠ the girl who‍ once scattered blood‍‍ without hesitation had⁠⁠ transformed like this,‍ their hands still⁠‌ trembled.

“It‌ was a dress‌ I had chosen⁠ with care, but⁠ it ended up⁠⁠ soaked in blood‌⁠ and became unusable.‌‌‌ It took me‌ too long to‌ get ready again.”⁠‍⁠

“The outfit you’re wearing⁠ now suits you‌ very well too.”‌

“Really?‍⁠ I don’t know⁠⁠‌ if my father‌ will like it.”‍‌

Although‍ she said that,‍‌‍ her expression was‍⁠ clearly enthusiastic.

Seeing‍ her like that,‌‌‌ she looked like‌ an ordinary girl her age.

“…”

Judging‌‍ by her appearance,‍ she had already‌‍‌ finished getting ready⁠‍ and was heading‌‌‌ to the audience‌ hall to speak⁠⁠ with Melverot.

It‍ was enough to‌ observe how light‌⁠ her steps were‍ to deduce that.‌⁠

Siern⁠ looked at Dereck‌‌ with shining eyes⁠ and then shifted‍ her gaze to‍‌ the gaunt man⁠⁠‍ walking beside him.‌

She⁠‌ tilted her head,‌‍ intrigued.

Who‍‍‍ was that person?‌⁠

In⁠ a mansion where⁠ everything was perfectly‌‍ ordered, that disheveled-looking‍‌ man was strolling‌⁠ freely without anyone⁠‍ stopping him.

It‍ was only natural that he would‌⁠⁠ arouse curiosity.

While‌‌ Dereck hesitated over‌ what to say,⁠‌ Kalimford knelt down‍⁠‌ on one knee⁠‍ to be at‍ Siern’s eye level.⁠‍

Then,‌ with a gentle⁠ smile he had‍‌‍ never shown before,‍ he spoke calmly.

“I⁠⁠ am an old‍ friend of Sir‍ Melverot. I am‍‌ nothing more than‍‌ an insignificant commoner,‌ so there is‍ no need to‍‌ treat me with⁠ too much formality.⁠‍ It is an‍‌ honor to meet⁠‌ the famous Miss⁠‌⁠ Siern in person.”‌

“A‍‍ friend of my‍‌ father? A commoner?”‌‌

Siern⁠‍‍ frowned slightly.

“I⁠ suppose that if‌‍ that weren’t the case, you wouldn’t‌ be able to⁠⁠ walk so freely‌‌ through the Rochester‌ mansion.”

“Just‍ as the rumors say, she is⁠ firm yet serene,⁠⁠⁠ and possesses a natural elegance. She⁠ is truly beautiful.”‌

“Save‌⁠ your pretty words.‍ I know better‍ than anyone the‍ rumors that circulate‌‌ in the north‍ about killers and‍‍‍ monsters.”

Siern‌⁠‌ let out a soft laugh, straightened‌ her back, and‍⁠ spoke with dignity.‍

“Even‍ so, if you⁠⁠ are a friend‌ of my father, I cannot treat‌⁠⁠ you poorly even‍‍ if you are‌ a commoner. If⁠ my attitude seemed‌‌ discourteous, I offer‌ you my apology.”‌⁠

The⁠ servants opened their eyes wide upon‌ hearing her.

They⁠‌ found it hard‍ to accept the‌ reality that Siern had been the⁠ first to apologize.‍

They‍ knew she had⁠‌‍ learned magic and‌ the manners of a lady in the domain of‍ Baron Ravenclaw, but‌‌ they had never‍ imagined she had⁠⁠ changed so much.

“The‍‍‌ territory of Rochester⁠‌‍ welcomes you. Everything‍‌ is snow as‌‍ far as the‍ eye can see,⁠‌‌ but even so, it has its‌⁠⁠ own charm.”

“As‌‌ you say, miss.‌‍ Although this wasteland⁠‍ is harsh, it⁠ also has the‌‌ capacity to embrace⁠‌ those who live‍‍‌ within it.”

“I⁠‍ see you know‌‍ what you are‌ talking about. You⁠‌⁠ are a calm‍ person, like the‌ snowy plain left‍ clear after a blizzard.”

Siern⁠⁠‌ slightly lifted the⁠‍‌ corners of her lips and left⁠ those words as‌‍⁠ a courtesy to‌⁠ Kalimford.

“Well then, I must‌‌ go see my‌‌ father after so‍‍ long. If the‌ opportunity arises, let‌‍ us speak again.”⁠⁠‍

Having‌‌ said that, she⁠ lifted the hem‍‌ of her dress‌⁠‌ and walked away⁠⁠ with light steps.‍

“See you later, Dereck!”‍

The‍ sound of her‌⁠ footsteps echoed softly‍ through the corridor.‍‌

The⁠‍ dress fluttered as‍ if it were‌‌‍ petals opening in⁠⁠‍ the wind.

She⁠ was a girl‍ who appeared and‌⁠ disappeared like a sudden gust.

She⁠ was still young,‍⁠ with much to‍ learn, full of⁠ wounds in her‌⁠‍ heart and with a difficult life⁠ ahead.

And yet, she knew⁠⁠‍ how to stand‍ tall with determination,‍⁠ speak with firmness,⁠‌ and leave behind‍ the scars of the past to⁠‍ move forward without⁠ hesitation.

With just that brief‌ exchange, it was easy to imagine‌ the harshness of‍ the life she‍⁠ had lived.

And⁠‌ also to feel‍ the certainty that‍ she was overcoming⁠ it, living her‌‍ own life with‍‍ strength.

At⁠⁠ least in her‍ world there were‍‌ no longer wars capable of overturning‌ the world, nor‍ great monsters ready‌ to devour the‍⁠ continent.

“…”⁠

Although⁠‍ Siern had already‍⁠ disappeared down the‌ corridor, Kalimford remained⁠‌ kneeling on the floor.

Dereck‍ stayed in place⁠⁠ for a moment⁠‌‍ and spoke to‌⁠ him.

“As‌⁠‌ you can see,⁠ she still has much to learn,‌⁠ but she has‍‍ grown in an admirable way.”

“…”‍

“After‍‌ finishing her conversation‌‌⁠ with Sir Melverot,‍‍ she will appear⁠‌ at dinner. Then‌⁠ you will be able to ask⁠‍ her more calmly about how she‌ has been.”

“…”‍

Kalimford‍ did not respond.‌⁠

He‍ simply placed his⁠ other knee on‍ the floor as⁠⁠ well and lowered‌‌⁠ his head.

Shortly⁠⁠ after, his back⁠ began to tremble.‍‍

Seeing‍‍ him unable to‍⁠ rise, with his face against the‍ corridor floor, Dereck‌‌ did not rush‍ him.

It⁠‌ was ironic.

That⁠ man who had‍ turned the world‍ upside down, who⁠ had reigned over⁠‍‍ countless mages and whose name was‌⁠ revered as a legend, had been‍‌‌ saved, in the‍‌ end, by a single girl who‍ had simply walked⁠‌‌ past, healthy and‌ steadfast.

There⁠‍ was still quite‌‍ some distance to‌‍‍ reach the training⁠ field, but Dereck‍‌ merely lifted his‌ gaze toward the⁠ snow falling softly‍ beyond the window.‍⁠‌

There was time to‌ spare.