Chapter 180: The player (3)

When they left the Duplain palace, the sun was already slowly setting.

Was the life of nobles always like this?

As he left the residence of Duke Duplain, his expression had grown even more indifferent than before.

Dereck was exhausted to the bone after spending the entire day reviewing the academy’s construction schedule, inspecting the buildings, and conversing with the head of the family.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

If all the plans he had set in motion began to bear fruit, perhaps Dereck would not remain at the rank of baron and could rise even higher.

Even so, in this era, one could not renounce the authority granted by nobility in order to become a high-ranking mage.

It was a cold and harsh environment, but for Dereck, sitting amid those snowy plains in the residence of the Duke of Rochester had been a far more fulfilling and meaningful phase.

During the time he had remained in the north, his magical aptitude had improved, and he had repeated his training until he brushed against the threshold of five stars.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

He could only let such empty thoughts slip by.

Since when magic had become the very authority of the nobility on this continent was no longer even worth asking.

That was how the world worked.

Whether that would be beneficial for his life or not was something he still could not know.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Behind Dereck, as he headed toward the carriage waiting for him at the main entrance, Linus approached him.

“You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

Scratching the back of his head, he let out a dry laugh and gave him a few pats on the shoulder.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“When your status rises and you start accumulating things, problems inevitably increase as well. shadow Doesn’t it make you understand a bit better now why I wander around like a wreck, hanging around betting tables?”

“That can be resolved by following protocol, but there are still many other things to take care of, and that’s what’s giving me a headache.”

“Well, either way, if it’s already decided that the imperial delegation will come to inspect, it’s normal for your head to be in a mess.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“That’s true, but…”

Dereck brought a hand to his chin for a moment and, as if suddenly remembering something, asked,

“Compared to your days as a mercenary, your worries and the problems you have to deal with now seem to have moved to another level.”

Linus let out a carefree laugh and then, crossing his arms, sat down in a corner of the garden bathed in the reddish light of the sunset.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“Wouldn’t it have been simpler for you to help Lady Ellen directly yourself, without involving me?”

“From the beginning, you actively helped me obtain the title of baron. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com antenna At the time you said it was to help Lady Ellen, but even so, I still had many doubts.”

“Doubts? agent It was to prevent my useless younger brother from harming Ellen. atomic Do you need any other reason?”

At Dereck’s question, Linus cleared his throat and answered as a bead of sweat slid down.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

The more one learned about Linus, the more questions arose.

“I already told you. wizard Ellen hates me. amateur Since I was a child, I abandoned the family and ran off to wander around without fulfilling any noble duties. agent Why would someone like me ever please her? anchor On the other hand, if she had someone presentable at her side, someone with the air of a respectable master, that demanding girl would eventually accept it.”

“And in the end I was right, wasn’t I? canvas Every time she sees you, Ellen can’t hide how much she likes you. audit She always tries to act like a mature lady and keep an elegant expression, but if you look closely, it’s obvious that she isn’t.”

“…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

He rested his arm over the chest of his linen robe, yellowed by wear, and stroked his poorly shaved beard with a thoughtful expression.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“The Belmierd family is far more ruthless than you imagine. galaxy To survive there, you need at least one master you can truly trust. altitude Although I didn’t expect you to end up with so many disciples, not just Ellen.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Linus spat out the phlegm that had accumulated in his throat and, without wasting time, pulled a small bottle of liquor from his waist and drank deeply.

“Maybe yes, maybe no. antique In any case, I wanted to raise you as high as possible because I was sure that, one way or another, you would continue to be an ally of Ellen.”

“Ahh!”

“…So there’s still something more.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“I’m a gambler. apron I make my living betting money, and when the time comes, I’ll simply disappear. orbit I, who fell from high society to the bottom, it doesn’t matter how I end up—but you, who climbed from the bottom to the elite, need to become someone more solid.”

It could not be considered noble behavior even as a joke.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“With great influence comes great responsibility. matrix Living like that is damn crazy, isn’t it? crystal Hahaha.”

Linus let out a dry laugh.

“Lately I have indeed felt some pressure.”

“It’s inevitable. auction At least among the people I know, you’re the one with the broadest ties to six-star mages. artist Aside from you, at most Kohella, in the Gremport palace, could compare.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“From my point of view, the six-star confusion mage does exist.”

“…”

Had he come just to mock him?

As Dereck thought that, Linus leaned back against the wooden bench again and spoke in a heavier voice.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“Do you have any basis for saying that?”

He delivered that conclusion with unusual weight.

Although he was usually drunk and unsteady, there were moments when his voice became surprisingly firm. apron This was one of them.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“You know how busy the empire’s chief advisory mage is. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. apple She already visited the academy grounds once and even gave her approval. athlete For her to come again in person is strange.”

“It’s not tangible proof. matrix But the fact that Kohella is accompanying Princess Roselin on this inspection is already out of the ordinary.”

“…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“That… is hard to deny.”

“That old snake only moves like this when there’s a six-star mage involved. shadow She’s obsessed with magic.”

He took another drink from the bottle and let out a long sigh.

Paradoxically, his eyes were clearer than before.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Humans obsessed with magic.

Kohella was the one who had been researching seven-star magic the longest.

Only those willing to offer everything to raise their level can even brush against the threshold of seven stars.

“I don’t know whether you’ll take this as praise or an insult, but from my point of view, Kohella and you aren’t that different in essence.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

It was highly likely that her inner self was distorted in one way or another.

“The fact that Kohella is personally accompanying Princess Roselin to such a ceremonial event means there’s more to it. absorb This story may have been treated as nonsense for years, but even so, it might be wise to act under the assumption that it exists.”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“That’s true. absorb Hahaha. zenith But not even a six-star mage is omnipotent. audit They all have weaknesses, limits—there has to be something.”

Linus raised his gaze toward the sun slowly setting.

“I understand. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com. arch But even if that were the case, how could we deal with a mage who transcends all perception?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Combat, transformation, exploration, necromancy.

Dereck also stared at the horizon beside him.

Dereck had personally encountered six-star mages in four different disciplines.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

All of them truly existed.

“In the end, it’s not that different from gambling. amber If you’re unsure whether something exists or not, it’s best to assume that it does and act accordingly. album If you don’t calculate every possibility, you always end up losing the money.”

Linus, on the other hand, seemed strangely relaxed.

Trying to act against someone whose very existence is not even certain is, in practical terms, impossible.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

***

“That’s the true charm of the game.”

“Tomorrow I’m going to sleep in a bit, so let the servants know they don’t need to wake me in the morning.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Compared to the imposing size of the Duplain mansion, the residence of Baron Ravenclaw was fairly modest.

Even so, there were still some buildings constructed for the operation of the training center, so compared to a typical rural baron of a peripheral region, the size of the place was still considerable.

When Dereck returned to the residence of Baron Ravenclaw, it was already quite late.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

After giving those instructions to Delbriton and the head maid, Dereck finished his dinner simply.

Now that all those functions would be moved to the grounds of the Ravenclaw Academy, the surroundings of the residence would return to silence.

For Dereck, that was not necessarily a bad thing.

“My shoulder isn’t in good condition, so I want to rest a bit more. silence I’ll also skip breakfast, so there’s no need to prepare anything.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“Something like that. alpha First I need the shoulder wound to recover properly so I can focus on other things. acoustic If the academy’s opening schedule is already organized, leave it on the desk in my office. matrix Only come to inform me if some matter arises that requires review.”

“Yes, yes… understood. absorb Then… t-this early morning… will you be sleeping…?”

“When you say you’ll sleep in… are you planning to rest the entire morning?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

When Delbriton avoided his gaze with an awkward expression, Dereck, seated in his place, watched him for a moment with narrowed eyes.

“…”

“…Early morning?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

With some unease, Dereck asked Delbriton,

Thinking about it, this was the first day since he had taken on all the work that Aiselin had been carrying.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“Answer honestly.”

“Well… normally she slept about three hours a day and spent the entire early morning reviewing documents. antenna That’s why… the maids took turns standing night watch and assisting her.”

“…What exactly did you do when Miss Aiselin was handling everything?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

When he had first hired Elpin as head maid, she had been delighted to be able to assist Aiselin as well, who was called the treasure of Ebelstein’s high society.

Dereck looked at her in silence. autumn She had deep, dark circles under her eyes and dull skin, giving the impression of extreme exhaustion. ability Did anyone who tried to keep up with Aiselin’s pace of work end up like this?

The head maid, Elpin, answered in a trembling voice, clearly terrified.

She had been young, full of energy, and seemed like someone reliable.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“Miss Aiselin will not be touching any work for a while.”

However, in just a few months, Elpin had become so pale that she looked as though she had been resurrected through necromantic magic.

Apparently, she had felt great pride and honor in serving a lady admired by all, but now perhaps all that remained was regret, exhaustion, and an unhealthy obsession. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

That someone would even ask whether it was “possible” already said a great deal.

“Is… is that… possible?”

Even so, at least within the residence of Baron Ravenclaw, the figure with the greatest authority was Dereck.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Not only them.

No matter how much Aiselin was a lady of the House of Duplain, while she acted as an internal part of the academy, she had to respect his judgment.

When Dereck nodded firmly, little by little vitality returned to the faces of Delbriton and Elpin.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Although no one said anything, a strange atmosphere was forming among them.

The maids standing by the wall collecting the tableware, and the attendants cleaning the floor in the hallway, also shuddered.

It was as if people who had lived crushed by an irresistible force had finally found a new savior.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

And the most terrifying thing about that monster was a single fact.

Who was Aiselin, really?

Yet, for some time now, within the residence of Baron Ravenclaw, she had become a terrifying existence, impossible to resist.

A noble lady, known as the treasure of Ebelstein’s high society, admired and revered by all.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“…What kind of hell did you all live through while I was in the north?”

She had no ill intent.

She simply worked with all her strength and took charge of managing the residence.

“Then… with all due respect, does that mean that, aside from the escort personnel, we won’t have to stand guard in the early morning anymore?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“As long as the security of the residence isn’t neglected, you need to sleep.”

“Well, we’ll check the bare minimum necessary. acid But doing it too early or too late isn’t ideal, right?”

“Does that also mean there won’t be schedule reviews, meetings, or surprise inspections at unreasonable hours…?” Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“And nothing like suddenly getting a good idea and heading out to the academy site at dawn… or grabbing a shovel and starting to dig up the garden… or ordering ladders gathered because the exterior wall needs redecorating… or deciding at daybreak to tear up all the grass and replant it nicely…?”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

However, in the silence of the butler Delbriton and the other servants, he sensed a strange, shared empathy.

Seeing her bow while holding back tears, Dereck was momentarily at a loss.

“I will be loyal to you… for my entire life… Baron.”

As Dereck answered while breaking out in a cold sweat, the head maid, Elpin, suddenly bowed deeply.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

These people needed to be paid a lot more.

There was only one thought in his mind.

In the end, Dereck had no choice but to remain silent.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

***

At least, that was how she herself felt.

Aiselin Eleanor Duplain had died in a horrible and miserable way.

“……”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

It was, without a doubt, the ideal and relaxed life of a noble lady.

But now.

In the luxurious bedroom adorned with delicate lace, the only things Aiselin had done all day since returning to the ducal palace of Duplain were to stroll around the grounds a little in the morning, converse with her family in the afternoon, drink tea, read a few philosophy books, and play an instrument for a brief moment.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

In the midst of such an empty daily routine, devoid of any substance, she felt as though her soul were slipping out through her mouth.

‘Today I was supposed to finalize the budget for the second semester… Did Delbriton review it properly?’

Aiselin had been irreparably corrupted.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

‘If Emperor Gattrel is coming in person, we also need to gather the academy’s disciples… Have the letters been sent in advance…? arcade Lady Ellen has already received one, but I also need to confirm with Lady Trisha and Lady Denise…’

‘Ah…! athlete Wait…! acquire The deadline to pay for the residence’s tableware was today! arcade D-did they pay it correctly…?’

‘To match the schedule of the imperial inspection, all the maids’ uniforms need to be washed… Elpin… please tell me you didn’t forget…’

As she lay there, she felt as though the lines of the account books she herself had written were being traced across the ceiling.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

Suddenly, Aiselin waved her hand and noticed that the tips of her nails were badly damaged.

Even so, Dereck’s decision had been the right one.

For Aiselin, stopping work was an even more atrocious pain than abandoning an extremely powerful hallucinogenic drug.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

The truth was that, if she had not been stopped like this, she would never have rested until her body reached its absolute limit.

She was the kind of person who absolutely needed someone to put the brakes on her at crucial moments.

“……”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 180: The player (3) by Indra Translations.

And no one could deny that Dereck was the right person for that.