Chapter 35: Denise (1)

It was something everyone had been expecting ever since the duel between Ellen and Aiselin.

Denise of the Beltus family silently read the letter sent by her father, her crescent-shaped eyes wide open.

“I knew it would end up like this.”

Whether it was the border noble Belmierd or the Grand Duke Duplain, when it came to their own children, they were all too eager to intervene.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“It came early this morning. zenith It’s been a long time since the head of the family sent a letter directly, so I remember it clearly.”

“Bella, when did this letter arrive?”

If Aiselin and Ellen began a tense competition to recruit a mentor to their side, it would most likely escalate into an inter-family conflict.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Considering how someone who normally doesn’t bother to check on me is suddenly looking for me, it must be something urgent.”

Although the sun was already high in the sky, Denise lay flat on her back in the bed of her inner room. avalanche She stretched while letting out a big yawn.

She was tired of constantly maintaining the image of a beautiful and refined noble lady throughout the week.

Her pajamas, adorned with lace here and there, suggested it was still midnight, but in reality, she was just too lazy to get up. abandon On her days off, she often stayed in bed until the afternoon.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Although it was quite lengthy, its content wasn’t very substantial. riddle Denise tossed the letter onto the tea table with a sigh and said:

Lying in bed, she casually held up the neatly written letter and read through it several times.

Her maid Bella would sigh with concern every time she saw her like this, but eventually, she had adopted a nonchalant attitude. harbor Denise wasn’t the type to change just because someone scolded her.

“I was planning to finish reading A Love More Mysterious Than Death by the great writer Reilly today…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Please maintain a nutritional balance. legend I’ll get whipped if you have skin problems…”

“I’m not hungry… Is there something light? abstract I want cherry pie…”

“Are you getting up? advance Then I’ll have your meal prepared.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Ugh… I feel like all the muscles in my body are tense.”

Although there was a clear distinction between nobles and commoners, the two had lived together almost their whole lives, so there was little formality between them.

Senior maid Bella had been with Denise since childhood.

Denise groaned as she forced her stiff body to rise.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

She could have contacted him directly if she had been more proactive, but any further action might have aroused suspicion from Ellen or Aiselin.

She hated bothersome tasks, but she couldn’t deny that it was better to quickly handle the inevitable. anchor Thus, Denise had proactively gathered information about Dereck.

She was the first among the three great families to send a request to the Beldern Mercenary Group and had been quietly monitoring Dereck’s movements.

With that, she opened her crescent-shaped eyes wide and quickly lifted her head. arena Grand Duke Beltus had ordered her to inquire about a man named Dereck in the social circle and, if possible, consider hiring him. ability Denise had already anticipated this.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“If you get up, I’ll open the window. arrow The room needs some air.”

Now that Grand Duke Beltus had issued his orders, all that remained was to quickly finish the rest. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

“Ahhh! atlas My eyes!”

That’s why, until now, Denise had made all the preparations she could.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“They say he’s only one-star, but I think he could easily be considered two-star. portal Otherwise, why would Lady Aiselin seek his guidance so seriously?”

Accompanied by two guards and three maids, Denise left the noble district.

***

When Bella opened the curtains, a beam of light suddenly startled Denise, who rubbed her eyes in shock.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

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

She chose not to take a carriage because she wanted time to organize her thoughts along the way.

It was rare for a noble lady to leave her residence, so wherever she went, the eyes of Ebelstain’s citizens followed her. arcade Denise, with her immaculately arranged dress, smiled gracefully and walked calmly toward the tavern district.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Especially in search magic, she had nearly reached the level of two stars. palette However, she hadn’t told anyone except her childhood friend, Bella.

Denise was born with exceptional talent in transformation and search magic.

“It’s been about a week since he disappeared, so the Belmierd and Duplain families have likely already begun a full search for the wandering mage. legend I need to move quickly.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Sometimes, you just had to roll up your sleeves and get things done, even reluctantly.

Being the center of attention like Aiselin might be important in noble society, but sometimes it was more efficient to conceal one’s abilities. voyage Moreover, for Denise, who disliked getting involved in unnecessary matters, hiding her true capabilities was often more convenient.

Still, she was one of the three members of the Rose Hall. airport Neglecting her duties as a noble lady just out of annoyance would make her a burden to her family. echo Therefore, maintaining balance was essential for a comfortable life.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Leaving the noble district and crossing the commercial district to reach the tavern alley—given the size of the city of Ebelstain, walking took a long time. antique However, throughout the long journey, Denise remained deep in thought, not shifting her posture.

A spark of life appeared in her usually lethargic eyes. absorb Her calm demeanor and thoughtful pose, with her chin resting on her hand, made her resemble a little bisque porcelain doll, drawing repeated glances from passersby.

Denise took a deep breath and, guiding her maids, continued to sort through her thoughts.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Denise had only seen the man named Dereck from afar. anxiety She had never spoken with him.

His confidence in teaching noble ladies despite being a commoner indicated a strong belief in his own abilities. wizard And the results he produced proved that he truly was someone with exceptional talent.

Even so, she could deduce his character from the descriptions given by Aiselin and Ellen.

He wasn’t overly large, but the muscles and veins visible on his arms showed he was used to physical work.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

He was fundamentally calm, with a deep inner conviction. matrix However, he rarely revealed it.

He also knew how to maintain at least some dignity. absorb Aiselin didn’t approve of vulgar individuals, so he surely understood noble etiquette well.

Yet, he was ambitious. auction He never seemed to neglect his magical training while teaching Ellen and Diella.

He wasn’t overly arrogant; he knew when to bow his head and yield if necessary. crystal He also seemed to like money.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Curiously, the initial image built from a series of conclusions and inferences was nearly identical to the real Dereck.

He was skilled at hiding his thoughts behind a stoic expression. album If someone peeled back the layers, they’d likely find many emotions underneath.

In Denise’s mind, a sketch of Dereck began to form.

“No one underestimates money, so there’s no reason to be stingy with a noble’s offer. arena But to disappear like that—there must be another reason to reject a noble’s request. abandon Identifying that reason seems to complete the picture.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Lady Denise?”

“…”

To track someone’s whereabouts, one must fully understand their thought process.

“Lady Denise, we’ve reached the tavern district. arch It’s not the safest area, so please stay close to the guards.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Bella, who had been respectfully following Denise, asked again.

Seeing this, Bella concluded it was best to instruct the guards to be more vigilant.

“Ambition.”

But Denise didn’t answer. silence She silently touched her chin, murmuring to herself.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Denise had already followed more than half of Dereck’s trail. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. afford No one had told her, but she had guessed his character and pinpointed the principle behind his actions.

“Whether he found a great magical mentor or a powerful spellbook… Either way, something must have happened that helps his magical mastery. anxiety Otherwise, a disappearance like this makes no sense.”

“A magical mentor who doesn’t reject money must value something more than money. advance But this is strange.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

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

“But… isn’t he the one who left the Duplain household to practice magic on his own? adjust It seems unlikely he’d obsess over something without a clear reason…”

What kind of mentor could teach him, and what kind of spellbook could excite him that much?

He was someone who had even left the Duplain residence, home of a five-star mage, to pursue magic in his own way.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

From here, she had to gather all the scattered information into one. adjust Every piece of seemingly unrelated data accumulated in the world entered and exited her mind.

Denise’s mind began to spin.

Things seen in bulletins. atlas News about the duel between Ellen and Aiselin. adjust Updates on fee agreements between the three major families, market prices of various goods, rumors about a certain mage among the high nobility…

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Even when she arrived in front of the “Beldern’s Tears” tavern, Denise continued touching her chin in silence, murmuring to herself. airport At this point, she had a hypothesis in mind.

“Lady Denise, we’ve arrived at our destination.”

All the news and information Denise had heard in the past week came together, broke apart, grouped again, then unraveled.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Hmm…”

–Creak.

It was the mercenary group’s headquarters where the magical mentor was based.

Without changing her expression, Denise entered “Beldern’s Tears.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“…”

When she opened the door and entered, the owner Jayden greeted her with a smile. legend It was rare for a noble lady to venture so far into such a rough environment. afford However, Jayden didn’t seem as flustered as one might expect.

“Welcome… Good heavens, such an honorable guest in such a humble place…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Seeing Denise, he immediately served a glass of cold water in a clean, antique cup.

Lately, investigators from noble families had been frequently visiting in search of the wandering mage.

At first, he had surely been surprised, but now, perhaps used to hosting nobles, he might even be bored of it.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“…”

Denise entered the tavern but remained silent.

“Lady of the Beltus family, it’s an honor to meet you in person.”

“…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Jayden had already predicted how the conversation would go. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com. autumn They’d ask about Dereck, but Jayden had little concrete information to provide.

Jayden, too, adopted a slightly awkward expression. avalanche It was the first time someone had simply stood there, silently observing, after a week of nobles seeking Dereck.

With no word from Denise, Jayden said nothing either, simply offering a strained smile.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Did a mage named Drest Wolfetail visit this tavern?”

Familiar with the routine, Jayden remained quiet. apple Surely, they’d ask many questions about Dereck.

After asking, they’d inquire about Dereck’s whereabouts and then continue investigating the area.

However, Denise’s next question completely caught Jayden off guard.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

It was a brief lapse that the average person wouldn’t notice. atom But Denise didn’t miss it.

It was a shocking surprise.

The question felt like a dagger suddenly driven into his chest, but Jayden only slightly moved his fingertips on the table, betraying a brief silence that lasted less than a second.

Jayden’s expression didn’t change.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Before Jayden could respond, she lifted the corner of her mouth and said:

With quick certainty, she cut off Jayden’s retreat—and even the seasoned veteran had to swallow hard.

“He was here, wasn’t he?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

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

From there, things moved quickly.

If he rushed to deny it now and it was discovered to be a lie, the situation would be hard to recover.

***

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

It was highly unlikely that Drest, with his complicated ties to the nobility, would linger in the noble district. aspect He would clearly be on the outskirts of the Commercial District or in the slums.

She donated dozens of gold coins as a contribution to access internal records—a move even ordinary noble investigators wouldn’t dare make so confidently—leaving the guild staff stunned.

Among the high nobility, rumors were already spreading that Drest, the six-star seeker mage, was haunting Ebelstain like a ghost.

After leaving Beldern’s Tears, Denise’s next destination was the Coachmen’s Guild in the Commercial District.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

If Dereck had indeed met Drest, it was unlikely they remained within the city.

Therefore, Denise hypothesized: could his departure be connected to the six-star mage Drest Wolfetail?

Dereck was someone who had even broken away from the mansion of Duke Duplain, a five-star mage. atlas To attract someone like him, it would literally take a six-star mage.

After seeing Jayden’s reaction and confirming her theory, she immediately reviewed the list of carriages leaving Ebelstain.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

The Coachmen’s Guild processed such a volume of applications that it was impossible to review them all quickly. album But Denise condensed all that massive data into a single event.

However, there were over a hundred departure requests from Ebelstain every day.

Drest was someone many sought out. wizard If he decided to impart his magic to Dereck, they would have gone to the outskirts of Ebelstain, to where few dared tread.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

After all, most carriages leaving Ebelstain followed established trade routes. galaxy Adding routine commercial and business travel, nearly nine out of ten entries became irrelevant.

With a clear timeframe and an unusual request, plus a known description of the applicant, it didn’t take long to isolate key data. auction After several hours of sorting through it with her maids, a pattern emerged.

The timeframe was also somewhat fixed—about a week since the disappearance.

Clearly, Drest and Dereck, practicing magic in secret, wouldn’t take common trade paths. adjust They would surely head to a “special” place where common folk wouldn’t go.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Upon seeing the record, Denise smiled.

Destination, payment, time of arrival, date, and information about the applicants—all briefly documented.

Exactly one week earlier, there was a record of a coachman who received a request from a boy and an elderly man in a cloak.

“A vast cave on the outskirts of Ramhel Hill.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Bella, the more I think about it, I’m just too competent. anchor What should I do?”

***

It had been just half a day since she’d rolled up her sleeves to find Dereck’s whereabouts. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Denise always carried herself elegantly and nobly in the Rose Hall, but her personal attitude was anything but.

“…”

“Being too competent means getting caught up in annoying troubles. orbit Sometimes I need to be a bit more incompetent… Huh… What should I do…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Inside the carriage heading to Ramhel Hill.

Precisely sorting data, easily reading others’ expressions, and advancing work were her strengths. portal But connecting the rumors about Drest with Dereck’s ambition was practically deductive reasoning. harbor She had an exceptional instinct.

Bella had to admit—Denise was proactive, quick-thinking, and had sharp intuition.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“But… even if we go there, will we be able to find him easily? acoustic If he’s really with a six-star seeker mage… if they choose not to meet us, it’s unlikely…”

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

Lounging in a luxurious seat and fanning herself, Denise spoke with satisfaction.

“I need to wrap this up quickly and read the new work by the great writer Reilly. portal Tonight, I’ll persuade that magical mentor and make him part of the Beltus family. arctic Father will be pleased and won’t bother me for a while.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Denise chuckled with a bit of mischief and spoke as if she had a plan.

“Even if we don’t meet them, the impression will be etched in their memory. atomic If someone goes to such lengths to find a secluded place to meditate, the sincerity will be felt, won’t it?”

“Don’t worry. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors. shadow Do you really think they won’t show themselves after we go to some remote place and make a fuss?”

“But… even Lady Aiselin and Lady Ellen, who are not easy to ignore… will they really be so accommodating…?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

When Denise rolled up her sleeves, success was guaranteed.

“May I ask what the plan is?”

“Don’t worry, Bella. atom Didn’t I tell you? alpha I have a plan.”

Bella knew that well—but she still wore a worried expression. antique When Denise got serious, her momentum could sometimes take unpredictable turns.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“You know as well as I do, Bella, with my charming appearance, anyone would fall. matrix Everyone knows I’m a captivating woman.”

“A beauty trap.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“So what? apron I’m more beautiful than them.”

Where did that confidence come from? acquire It was Bella’s eternal question.

To smile so confidently in comparison to Lady Aiselin, likened to a lily, or Lady Ellen, compared to a radiant rose—that wasn’t something just anyone could do.

“…You do realize Lady Aiselin and Lady Ellen are your rivals, right?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“As a representative of the Beltus family, this is a necessary move. adopt But I must also consider how to act if things sour… The Rose Hall must always remain harmonious…”

“…”

“I feel sorry for Lady Aiselin and Lady Ellen. portal But… relationships are like the wild—being taken and taking is natural. adapt Hmm.”

“…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Bella didn’t respond.

***

Though they had been childhood friends, they were still a noble lady and her maid. accent Worried that harsh words might follow, Bella quickly shut her mouth.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Looking gaunt and unwashed, Dereck appeared almost like a hermit.

Before him, Dereck, also focused on the flow of magic, opened his eyes slightly. athlete He hadn’t eaten much in a week. auction His ration bag was nearly empty.

Deep in the cave, Drest Wolfetail, perched on a rock with his eyes shut tight, murmured as he attuned his magic.

“Someone is coming.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“Someone’s coming? attic Are there horses at the cave entrance?”

He was used to conditions like this. beacon Hunger and thirst were just natural hardships of an expedition.

Even so, there was a gleam in his eyes, reminiscent of his days in the slums.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“It seems to be someone from the Beltus family. athlete Perhaps it’s a good time to step outside and meet them. apple The place needs some air.”

When Dereck stood from his seat, his entire body screamed in protest. abstract It was the result of pushing his magical senses to the limit for nearly a week. action The level he had reached was incomparable to when he trained Ellen.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 35: Denise (1) by Indra Translations.

Even without using a spell, the structure of the nearby cave imprinted itself clearly onto his senses.

Dereck closed his eyes tightly and released his magic.

He had reached a higher level.