Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 172: Ancient Hero (6)

Chapter 172: Ancient Hero (6)

Thud!‌

“Excuse‌‌‌ me.”

When‍‌ Dereck entered the room where Siern‌ was recovering, the‌‍ first thing he‍ saw was an⁠ enormous mountain of‍⁠ fabric.

For‌ an instant he⁠‌ thought it was‌‍‌ something else, but⁠ when he looked‍‍ more closely, he‍‍ understood the situation⁠ the elegant young‍‌⁠ lady had set‍ aside her beautiful dress and was‌⁠ now lying buried⁠‌ under a pile‍‌ of blankets, wearing‍ pajamas full of‍ lace and frills.‍⁠

“…”⁠‍⁠

“Dereck…”

“Could you tell me…‍ what exactly is⁠ this situation…?”

“My‌ father said that⁠ since it’s cold outside I have⁠ to keep my‍‌ body heat at‍ the maximum… so‌‌⁠ he had all‌ the wool blankets⁠‍ in the mansion⁠ brought in…”

Though‍ he wore an⁠⁠⁠ incredulous expression, Dereck⁠⁠ examined Siern’s face.⁠‍‍

It⁠ was clear she‌‌ had a bit‍‌ of a fever.⁠‌

She⁠ sneezed a couple of times and,‍‌ with slightly moist‍‌ eyes, spoke in⁠‌ a weak voice.‌

“I⁠⁠ know I have‍‍‍ a bit of‍‌⁠ a fever, but I said resting would be enough… even so, my‍ father put on that furious tiger⁠‍‌ expression and canceled⁠⁠ the entire dinner.‍‍ You came from‌⁠ so far away…⁠ I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t come for⁠ the dinner, so‍ it doesn’t matter.‍‌ Though it seems the fever has‌‍‍ risen more than you thought.”

“The‍ maids already wiped‍ away the sweat‍⁠ and changed the‍‍ towels. Really, it‍‌ wasn’t that serious…”‍

The⁠‌ servants must have⁠ seen her state‍‌ the moment they entered.

Seeing⁠ the jewel of⁠ the Rochester family wrapped up like‌⁠ a cocoon in‍‍‌ bed and being‌ unable to do‍⁠ anything could only⁠ mean one thing⁠ Melverot had given‌‍‍ direct orders.

After‌ all, no one‌ would have imagined that the girl‍ who ran barefoot⁠ through the tundra⁠ hunting monsters would‌ end up bedridden‌‍ by a simple‍ cold.

Dereck‌‍‍ sat beside her,⁠‌⁠ examined Siern’s reddened skin several times,‍⁠‌ and took one of her hands‍‍‍ to check her⁠‍⁠ mana.

“You‌‌⁠ overexerted yourself more‌‌ than usual.”

“Really?‌⁠ It didn’t feel⁠ like that…”

“You⁠ probably used too‍‍ much mana while‍⁠ fighting the monsters⁠‍ along the way.”‌

The‍ reason a girl⁠ so small could‌‌⁠ run barefoot through⁠‌ the snow without⁠ trouble was her‍‍ innate talent in⁠‍‍ transformation magic.

Though‌ it looked as⁠ if she were‍ simply playing on‌ the snow, in‍⁠ reality she instinctively‌ used acceleration and‍‍ state alterations, without‍ even being aware⁠⁠ of it.

The problem was that after learning combat‍⁠⁠ magic and illusion‍⁠ magic from Dereck,‍‍ her repertoire and⁠‍⁠ level increased, and‍‍ she ended up abusing her power‍‌ without realizing it.⁠⁠

As‍ a result, the transformation magic that⁠ wrapped around her‍⁠⁠ body like a second skin temporarily‍⁠ weakened.

“You⁠ must have felt⁠‍ colder than usual.”‌

“I thought it was‌ because I hadn’t‌ returned to the‌⁠‍ Rochester territory in‍ a long time.⁠‍‍ I lived for‍‍‍ a long time‍⁠‍ in prairies where‍ the sun shone‍‌ all year… I guess I relaxed‌ too much.”

“That’s‍ understandable. With a bit of rest,⁠‍‌ you’ll recover.”

“Even‌‍ so… I don’t‍ like that the‌‍‌ dinner was canceled⁠‌ because of me.”‍

“That‌ can be done‌‌‍ when you’re better.”‍

The‌ calm way Dereck‌ responded to everything‍‍ made Siern feel‍‍ calmer, without knowing‍‍ why.

He rarely became flustered,‍⁠⁠ and just having‌ him nearby gave‌ a strange sense‌‌ of security, even‌ in anomalous situations.⁠

Cough—⁠‌‍ cough—

As‍⁠ she sneezed, her‍⁠‍ mind also seemed‍ to settle.

It⁠‌ was undoubtedly because⁠‌ he was there.⁠

Siern‌ began removing the⁠ blankets one by‍ one, trying to‍‌ sit up to⁠ cool down her⁠ body heat.

“Ah—‌⁠ ah…”

Whoosh!‍‍

With‍‍ Dereck’s help, carefully‍ removing each layer,‌‌ she managed to‌ sit up.

It‌ didn’t seem like a serious illness;‌‍ rather, a common‌ cold that anyone‍ could suffer.

Even‍ so, Siern seemed‌ intrigued, touching her⁠‌ forehead several times.⁠‌⁠

“I⁠ see… your hand‍ feels very cold.‍⁠‍ It’s not that‌ you’re cold, it’s⁠⁠ that I’m hot.”⁠‍

“There’s⁠‌ no need to⁠⁠ put it that⁠ way…”

“So…⁠ when a person⁠‌ is exposed to⁠ too much cold…‍‍ they get sick…”‌

“That’s‍‌‌ normal.”

“Yes…‍‍‍ normal.”

Siern,⁠ sitting upright, silently looked out the‌‌‌ window where the snow continued to⁠‍‌ fall softly.

The spire of the‍ tower visible in⁠ the distance was⁠⁠ a place filled‌⁠ with painful memories‍‌ for her.

She‌ had observed the mansion from the‍‌‌ tower countless times,‌‌ but this was⁠‍ the first time‍ she looked at‌⁠⁠ the tower from‍ the mansion.

She‍ thought she would⁠‌ always live seeing‍‌ the same scenery,⁠‍ and without realizing‌‍‌ it, the view‍ before her eyes‌‍ had completely changed.‌⁠

Perhaps⁠‍⁠ all of that was thanks to‍ that clumsy mage‌ instructor who did⁠ not hesitate to‍‌ risk his life‌⁠ to pull her out of the⁠‍⁠ tower.

That‌ thought gave her a warm feeling, and at the⁠⁠ same time, something‍ heavy.

“I‍ don’t know many⁠ things that are supposed to be‌ normal.”

“…”‍⁠‍

“I⁠ suppose that’s logical.‌‌⁠ How much common‍‍‌ sense can an‍ assassin who spent⁠‍ her life locked⁠ in a tower,‌⁠‌ killing people and‌‍ lamenting, really have?‍‌ Of course, I never cared much⁠⁠ about other people’s‌‍‍ looks, not even⁠⁠‌ when I walked‌‍ as I pleased‍‌ through the Rose⁠ Hall.”

The⁠‍ image of Trisha,‍‍ frozen in terror‌ when Siern released‌ her icy aura,⁠ crossed Dereck’s mind.

It‍ was the usual‍ reaction of those‌ who faced her.‍‍

Even‌ if he told‌‍ her it was‌‍ fine, he knew‌‌ it couldn’t entirely‍⁠‌ be so.

“It’s‌‌ a good thing‌‍ you’re here, Dereck.”

Siern‍⁠ wasn’t someone who‍‌ used grand words‌ or embellished her⁠‍ feelings.

That‍⁠ was why, when⁠‌‌ she spoke, she‌ did so directly.‍

Perhaps⁠⁠ because of the‌ fever, or maybe out of embarrassment,⁠‌ she abruptly turned‌ her head away.‌

“Get⁠ some more rest.”

Outside,⁠⁠ the snow continued⁠‍‌ to fall.

If‍‍⁠ the place didn’t⁠ change, the scenery‌‌ didn’t either.

Would‍ it be the‌‍ same for Melverot,‍ always sitting in‍‍ the same place,‍ watching the northern‍ tundra?

The‌ tundra was motionless‍‌ and silent.

Only⁠ the occasional cold‌ served as a reminder that life‍‌ still existed.

“It’s‍⁠ cold… here.”

And⁠⁠‌ when a person‌ is exposed to‌ the cold for‌ too long, they‌⁠ inevitably fall ill.‍

That⁠⁠ seemed to apply both to a small girl and‍‍ to a great‌ archmage who once‍ ruled the world.‌‌‌

***‍‍

“Did you confirm her⁠ condition?”

“Yes.⁠‌‍ When she ran⁠ into the monsters,‍ it seems she‍ used too much‌ magic. If she‌ rests a bit,‍ recovers her mana,‍‍ and also her⁠‌ physical strength, I think she’ll be⁠‌‌ fine.”

“Then⁠‌ that’s a relief.”⁠‍

Melverot‌‌ was standing in⁠⁠ the corridor with⁠ his arms crossed.⁠

Behind‌ him were the‌‌ servants, looking uneasy,⁠‌‍ and Kalimford, whose‌‍‍ face was still⁠ pale.

“Honestly,⁠⁠ what a troublesome⁠ amount of problems‍ she causes. Getting sick and weakened over something like⁠‍ that—how does she‍⁠‌ plan to survive‌ in this merciless‍ northern environment? It’s truly irritating.”

Melverot’s‌‌‌ tone grew even‍⁠⁠ more serious.

“But‍ when it comes‍ to resolving matters,⁠‍ it must be done with absolute‍ certainty. Most likely‍⁠ Siern will recover on her own‍⁠ if we let‍‍‍ her rest, but‍‍‍ in this world‍‍ there is always⁠ the just in‌ case. If her‍ condition affects her‌ immune system, or⁠⁠ if she contracts⁠ some infection, it⁠‌ could lead to permanent damage. To‌⁠ prevent that, we⁠‍ must take measures.”‍

“For⁠ now, what comes⁠‌ to mind is⁠ giving her medicine‌ and letting her‍‍ rest for a long time, eating‍⁠ food that’s easy⁠⁠ to digest.”

“That’s‍ not enough.”

“Excuse‌ me?”

Melverot‌ spoke in a solemn voice.

There‍⁠ was a faint‍ trace of confusion in it.

“As‌⁠⁠ a mercenary, you‌‌ should know this.‍ It only takes‍‍‌ ignoring a small‍‌ variable for everything‍ to spiral out‌⁠⁠ of control. Right⁠⁠‍ now it looks like a simple cold, but if⁠⁠ you consider all possibilities, there are⁠ too many things‍ to evaluate. How‌⁠‍ can you be‍ sure it’s a mild ailment? What‍‍ if the fever‍⁠ and cough are⁠‌‍ just symptoms, and⁠‍⁠ there’s an underlying‌ illness?”

“…”‍⁠‌

“Not‍ even the best doctor would dare‌ to diagnose a human body lightly.‍ I have survived until today governing‌‌ the Rochester territory‍ because I was‍ always cautious and‌ never underestimated the⁠ small things. Butler. Immediately gather all‍ available medical supplies‍⁠⁠ and locate the‌ people with the⁠‍ greatest medical knowledge‍⁠ in the territory.‍‌⁠ Honestly, having a single daughter is⁠⁠ incredibly troublesome.”

“To‍ that extent?”

“Whatever‍‍ I do, I do it properly.⁠‌ Honestly… it’s exasperating.”⁠⁠

The⁠ butler’s face turned completely pale.

Given⁠⁠‍ the situation, it⁠ seemed evident that⁠‌ even bringing the most famous doctor‍ on the entire⁠⁠‌ continent would not‍ be enough to‌⁠⁠ calm that man.‍‍

Still,‌⁠ obeying his lord‌‌ was his duty.⁠‍

With⁠ a haggard expression,‌‍⁠ the butler bowed⁠ his head and‍‍ replied that he‍⁠ would do so.‌‌⁠

“Melverot,‍‍ I’ve thought about⁠ it calmly, and⁠⁠ I don’t think⁠⁠‌ there’s a need‍⁠ to exaggerate this‍ much.”

“What?”⁠

Kalimford‌‌⁠ stepped forward with‌ a firm stride‍‌ and spoke in‌‍ a low voice.‍

“Seeking⁠ famous doctors just‍⁠ because it’s a cold seems like⁠‍‌ a misguided judgment‌ to me.”

The‍‌⁠ servants looked at‍ Kalimford as if‍‌‍ a savior had⁠ appeared.

In⁠ that room, he‌ was the only‍‍‍ one capable of⁠‍ saying that eating⁠‌ well, lying down,‌‍ and resting would‌ be enough to‌⁠⁠ heal.

With his arms crossed⁠ and an expression⁠⁠ as serious as⁠‍ if he were⁠⁠ facing the great‌‌ monster Noir, Kalimford‍‌ continued.

“Perhaps‍‌ it would be⁠ better to resort to a magical‍‍⁠ method.”

“…”

“If‌ the cause was‌‍ excessive mana usage,⁠⁠‍ it could be‌⁠‍ resolved with a magical artifact that⁠⁠ untangles distorted mana‌ or replenishes what‌ is depleted. It‌‍⁠ will cost a lot of money, of course—but as a preventive measure,‍ it’s worth the‍ investment.”

“This‌ year’s tax revenue⁠ was good. If‍‍ we divert some⁠‍ of the budget‍ meant to reinforce‍ the outer walls,‌‌ perhaps we can‌⁠‌ gather all the useful magical artifacts in the territory.”⁠⁠

“And‍⁠ if possible, also‍⁠‌ bring some from‍ outside…”

“But⁠‌ then we’d have‍ to spend an⁠‌ additional two hundred‍⁠ Roten gold coins…”⁠‍

“Melverot,‍ Siern is sick.‍‍ What will you‍‍ do if, to‌‍ save a few‍‌⁠ coins, she ends‌ up with permanent‌⁠ aftereffects?”

“Damn⁠ it, you’re right,‌‍ but then there‍‍ wouldn’t be any⁠‍ budget left to‍⁠ summon doctors. We’d⁠⁠ have to call‍‍ the magistrate and‌ readjust the budget,‍ and that would⁠‍‌ take too much‌ time…”

“The⁠ key is choosing⁠ what to prioritize.⁠ Please, trust my‍ judgment, Melverot.”

“No.‌⁠ No matter how⁠ I think about⁠ it, Siern’s condition‍‍ must be evaluated‍ from a medical‌‍‍ standpoint. Not everything⁠ can be resolved‌⁠ with magic.”

“Damn⁠ it! The baron‌ of Ravenclaw said‍‌ it clearly! This‌‍ is a magical‍ problem…!”

“Kh…⁠⁠⁠ but if we act under that‍‌‍ assumption and it‍ turns out to‌‌‌ be another cause,‍‍ what will you‌‌ do? If it‌ ends in permanent‍ damage, can you‍ bear that responsibility?”⁠‍

“That’s… damn it… what‍ am I supposed⁠ to do…?”

“Damn…⁠‌ how did things‌‌ come to this…?”⁠‌

“Heavens…‍‍ why such a trial…?”

“…”⁠‍⁠

Not‌ even before a battle that would⁠‍ decide the fate‌‌ of the world‌ had there been‍ such a serious‍⁠‍ argument.

It⁠⁠ wasn’t one, but⁠‍ two six-star mages, capable of destroying‌‌ the entire area‍ with a mere⁠ snap of their‍⁠ fingers.

Seeing‌ them grit their‌ teeth and act⁠‌ as if they‌‍ had lost the‌‌ world because a girl who hadn’t‌ even held her‌‍‍ coming-of-age ceremony was⁠ sick was surreal.‌

But‌‍ it was inevitable.‍ Neither Melverot nor⁠ Kalimford had experience‍‌ raising or caring‍‌ for children.

It‍ was the first⁠⁠ time they had‌ seen someone they‍‌ considered their own⁠ fall ill, and‌ so all they⁠ could do was‍‌ rub their faces⁠⁠ dry and propose‌ absurd countermeasures.

Those‍‌ who would undoubtedly‍⁠ end up exhausted⁠ by all of‍ this were the‌ servants.

Dereck,⁠‌ feeling that he⁠‍ had to shoulder‌‍ the responsibility, finally‌‌ spoke.

“If⁠‍⁠ I give my‍ honest opinion, I think it’s enough‌‍ for her to‌‍ eat well and sleep.”

At⁠ that instant, the‍ two great mages looked at him with icy intensity.‌

“Such⁠ an irresponsible statement⁠ solves nothing.”

“This‍ cannot be resolved‍‍ with such carelessness.”⁠

The⁠⁠ pressure emanating from the two of‍ them was impossible‌ to put into‌‌ words.

***⁠‌

“After‍ resting for one‍⁠ night, the fever disappeared completely. I feel fine now,‌ and my mana is full again.‌ I’m sorry for‍ worrying you yesterday.”⁠

“…”‌

Chirp!⁠‌‍ Chirp!

The‍ next morning, Siern⁠‌ arrived at the⁠‍‌ audience hall with‌‌ a radiant face and greeted Melverot.‌

She‌‌ looked healthy and‍ delicate.

After‍ eating hot porridge and sleeping all‍ day in a warm environment, she⁠‍ was in a state that could⁠⁠‍ be called excellent.⁠

White‍‌‌ hair, clear eyes,⁠‍ white dress.

She‍‍ was the perfect‌⁠‍ image of a beautiful and refined‍ lady.

Looking⁠⁠ at her, it‍‌ seemed impossible to‍ believe she had‌ had a fever‍ the day before.

Melverot⁠ was signing documents‍‌‍ with his pen‌‌ while glancing at⁠ her sideways.

“I⁠⁠ came to inform⁠ you as soon as I felt‍ better. I thought‍ you might have‌‌ been worried.”

“Worried?⁠‌ It was more‌‌ of an annoyance. From now on,⁠‌‌ properly maintain the‌ sensation of transformation⁠⁠ magic enveloping your‌⁠‌ body. If you‍⁠⁠ get sick so‌ easily, you’ll only⁠‌ lose out.”

“Yes…⁠‌‌ I’m sorry.”

“I‍⁠⁠ said I wasn’t‍‍ worried. Excessive self-consciousness‍⁠ will be a flaw in noble‍ society. Always keep‌‌ that in mind.”‌

“Yes,⁠⁠‌ yes.”

Siern‍ bowed her head‍ and went out‍‌ into the corridor‌ to have breakfast.

“Hmph.‍‌ Making such a fuss over a minor ailment.”

“…”⁠‌⁠

Melverot⁠‍ said that while⁠‍ signing the documents⁠ without much interest.‌⁠⁠

At‌ his side, Dereck,⁠ who was reporting‍‌ on the administrative⁠‌ schedule of the‍‍ Ravenclaw territory, had⁠‍ his eyes slightly‍ narrowed.

Melverot‍ cleared his throat⁠ once more, skimmed through the reports,⁠‌ and signed them⁠ quickly.

He⁠‍ seemed to think⁠ everything would proceed⁠⁠ just fine without‍ any need for‌⁠ intervention.

‘It⁠⁠ seems Siern didn’t⁠ think much of⁠ it.’

Dereck gathered the documents⁠ and reflected.

A six-star mage was‍ already more troublesome‌ than facing a great army.

Across‌ the entire continent,⁠ there was probably no one else‍‌ besides Siern Alaina‌⁠ Rochester who was‌‍ protected by two⁠ six-star mages at⁠‌ the same time.⁠

And‌ the fact that‌ she followed Dereck‍ was, in a sense, a burden‍‌ for him as‍ well.

There‍ was no alternative.⁠‌