Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 59: Drop of Blood (5)

Chapter 59: Drop of Blood (5)

Drip,‍‌ drip.

“It’s‍ raining.”

Diella⁠ Katherine Duplain was‍‌ exhausted.

After‌⁠ completing her debut‍ events near the imperial city over⁠ two days, she⁠ had barely slept‌ and only eaten‍ in a hurry.‍‍

There‌ were several banquets⁠‌ in between, but‍ when dressed elegantly⁠⁠ and acting like⁠ a refined lady,⁠⁠ she often had‌ to forgo meals.⁠‍‍

Maintaining‌‍ a beautiful appearance‍ amidst hunger and⁠ fatigue was mentally‍ draining.

Somehow,⁠‍‌ she managed to‍⁠ complete the schedule‌⁠ in the capital,‍⁠ and now the⁠‌ major event was‌ nearly over.

But‍‍ it wasn’t entirely‍⁠⁠ finished yet.

Now‌ she had to return to the‍‌ mansion and attend⁠⁠‍ the ball, showcasing‍ her splendor as‍ the star of⁠ the event. By‌ conversing with many‌ distinguished guests and making her presence⁠⁠ known, she would‍‌ finally be recognized as the lady‍ of House Duplain.‍‌⁠

Diella⁠ sighed deeply as⁠‍ she looked out‍ the carriage window.‌

The‌ maid serving tea⁠⁠ beside her had‍⁠‍ accompanied her for‍‍ a long time,‍‌‍ even back in the pavilion. This‌‌ person had followed Diella when she⁠‍ was assigned the mansion in Ebelstein.‌

“Since⁠ the ball is‍⁠ indoors, the rain‌⁠ shouldn’t be a problem, right? I just hope my⁠ dress doesn’t get⁠ wet on the‍ way…”

“Please‌‍ don’t worry too much, Lady Diella.‍ The main house⁠ has surely prepared⁠ everything.”

As‍⁠ the raindrops grew⁠ heavier, Diella took‍‍ a deep breath‌⁠ and clenched her‌‌ fists.

This‍ arduous process was‌⁠ almost over. She‍ wanted to arrive⁠‌⁠ at the mansion‍‌⁠ and thank her⁠‍ beloved family for‌ their support.

For‌‍ Diella, who rarely⁠ expressed emotions, making‌‍ such a decision‍‌⁠ was uncommon.

“My‍ sister Aiselin, my‌ brother Valerian, and‌ my brother Leigh‍ have all suffered⁠ for me…”

“…”‌

“If⁠ not for this‌⁠ opportunity, I would⁠ never be able‌‌ to thank my⁠ family. So I must take it…”‍‌⁠

Everyone‍ knew how hard⁠ Valerian and Leigh⁠ had tried to get close to⁠ Diella, even discussing⁠ their preferences in women to win over a teenage girl. A truly‍‍‍ shocking sight.

Though⁠⁠ she felt overwhelmed⁠ and pushed them‍ away, she couldn’t help but acknowledge‍ their sincere efforts.‍‌ Diella thought maybe⁠⁠ she should open‌‍⁠ her heart a little more to‌‍⁠ her family.

Inside⁠‍ the carriage that⁠ moved through the⁠ rain, Diella reflected.⁠

She‌ hoped this debut⁠‌‌ would mark a turning point in⁠ her difficult life.‌

***⁠

Bang!⁠

Upon‍⁠ entering the mansion’s⁠⁠ main hall, many⁠ servants were moving‌ food in the‍⁠ dim light.

“Gasp…!”‌⁠

The‌‍ servants, carrying trays‍ and dishes or⁠‌ moving fabrics and‌⁠ blankets, all turned‌⁠⁠ their heads sharply‌ toward Dereck and⁠‍ Denise.

In⁠ the hallway leading‌ to the staircase,‍ near the main⁠ stairs, beside several‌‍ antiques displayed along‍⁠‌ the walls, even‍ at the entrance‌‍‌ to the basement‌‍ stairs… the sight‌‍‍ of so many⁠‌⁠ servants turning simultaneously toward Dereck as‍ if they were‌⁠ a single body.‍

Feeling‌‍ an unexplainable chill,‌⁠⁠ Denise swallowed hard.⁠‍

She‍‌‍ had just witnessed‌‌ the butler Delron‍⁠ transform strangely. It‍ was no surprise‍‍⁠ that the other‌ mansion servants were⁠‍ also not in‌ a normal state.‌

As⁠ the tension rose,⁠‌‍ just when Dereck‍‍‌ was about to‌⁠ draw his sword—⁠‍

“Excuse⁠⁠ us.”

All‍‌ the servants bowed in unison and‌ then returned to their tasks.

They‍‌ prepared the banquet in the ballroom,‍ the butler cleaned‌‍‌ the marble floor,‍ and the pages⁠⁠ moved ropes and⁠ fabrics… all busily‍⁠ working as if‍ Dereck and Denise’s‌ agitation meant nothing‍‌‌ to them.

They‌⁠ seemed like machines⁠‍ programmed to follow‌‌ orders.

Not‌‍ even a hint⁠‌⁠ of panic appeared⁠ at the sight‌‌‌ of the corpses‌⁠ rushing the door.⁠ Their unfocused eyes‍‍‍ stared blankly ahead in the direction⁠‌ they moved.

Denise⁠ felt a deep,‌‍ inexplicable fear.

Among‍⁠‍ necromantic spells, there⁠‌⁠ were many that‍ charmed people, similar to confusion spells.‍ Dereck was well⁠‍ aware of this.‍‍‍ The servants were⁠⁠ likely under such‌ enchantments.

As‌ long as they‍⁠ weren’t attacked, there⁠⁠‍ would be no⁠ major problem. Thinking⁠ this, Dereck blocked‍ the mansion’s main door and kicked⁠ over a nearby‌‌⁠ display cabinet toward‍‍‌ the entrance.

Crash!‌‍⁠ Bang!

The⁠‌ blocked door shook‍‌‍ with a heavy‌‍ blow. The corpses⁠‌ on the other‌⁠ side began to‍ struggle to enter.‌‍⁠

Dereck⁠⁠ grabbed Denise’s arm‍ and ran upstairs toward the main‍ hall.

On the way, they‍⁠ passed many servants‌⁠ and attendants. Yet,‌ not the slightest⁠ reaction came from‌⁠‍ them at Dereck’s‍ urgent movements—they simply‍‌‍ stood back up‌⁠‍ and resumed their‍ work.

When‌⁠ they first arrived⁠ at the mansion⁠⁠ and were guided⁠ through it, it‍‌⁠ hadn’t seemed abnormal.⁠⁠
But now the influence of necromancy‍‌ was clearly growing‍ stronger.

“D-Dereck…⁠⁠ It looks like⁠ the servants have‍‍ already been consumed.”‍

“If⁠‍ we do nothing,‍‌ the guests will‌ be in danger⁠⁠ too. Let’s rescue‍ as many as⁠ we can. There’s‍ somewhere we need‍ to go first.”‌‍‍

The‌‍ outside was swarming‌‍ with corpses, but‌ if they grouped⁠ with people who⁠ could fight, they‌‍ might be able‍ to break through.‌

As‍ Dereck headed to‍‍ the room where the guests had⁠‍ gathered—

“Gasp…!”‍

Denise⁠⁠ covered her mouth‍‍ with both hands‌ in shock.

When‍ Dereck and Denise reached the hallway,‍‍ it was full‍‍ of servants dragging‍⁠ unconscious guests along‌⁠ the floor.

Most‍ were powerful mages.

‘Poison?‌‍ Or a surprise‌‍ attack? They must’ve‍⁠ taken down all‍ the mages before everything began.’

Dereck‌ calmly assessed the‍⁠ situation.

There‌‍ was no focus‌‌ in the eyes of the servants⁠⁠ doing the dragging.‍

The‍‍ Duplain mansion was⁠‌ the safest zone,‍⁠⁠ free of external‌ threats.

It‍‌ was hard to⁠⁠ imagine something important‍ happening in such a place. Therefore,‍‌ the distinguished guests‌ had mostly relaxed‍‍ and enjoyed the⁠‌‍ party.

Moreover, the Duplain family’s⁠ servants were among‍ the most professional⁠‍ and capable among‍ noble households.

So it was inevitable‍‌ to let one’s guard down. After⁠ all, they were⁠⁠ in the safest‍ place with the‍ most experienced staff.‍⁠

Whether it was offering‌‍ drugged cold water,‍‍‍ pretending obedience and using chemicals to‍‍ knock someone out,⁠⁠ or just outright‍‍ clubbing someone unconscious…⁠ the opportunities were‍ endless. The servants⁠ approached guests without‌ raising suspicion.

“Excuse⁠‍ me, we’re moving‍ some luggage. Could‍ you step aside?”⁠

One‍‍ servant, dragging the‍ unconscious Baron Olden—head of House Rodelail—spoke⁠‍ to Dereck. He⁠ was unconscious, foam‌ at the mouth.⁠⁠‍

It⁠⁠‌ was a bizarre‍ sight, but the‍⁠ servant made the‍ request with an‍ unchanged expression.

The⁠ scene was so⁠⁠ eerie that Denise‍‌ swallowed hard several⁠‌ times.

“Hurry,⁠⁠ the guests…”

“Please,⁠‌⁠ go ahead.”

Dereck⁠ raised his arm⁠ to stop Denise‌⁠ and stepped back⁠‌‌ against the wall.⁠⁠ The servant bowed⁠ politely and dragged⁠‌ the old man⁠ toward the ballroom‍‍‌ staircase.

If‌‍ left alone, the‍ servants didn’t attack.‍⁠ They were merely‌‌ enchanted to fulfill‍ their given orders.⁠‍

Still‌‌ holding Denise to‌⁠ the wall, Dereck silently waited for⁠‍ all the servants‌ to pass.

The‍⁠⁠ procession of servants‍ dragged all sorts of distinguished guests.⁠‍ Witnessing it from⁠‌ the side was‍ a truly surreal experience.

‘Dereck…!’‌

Denise‌ clamped her mouth‍⁠ shut and trembled like a leaf. She clung to‌ Dereck’s neck with‍⁠ her other hand, her body shaking⁠ so violently she‍‌ could barely breathe.⁠‌‌

All‌ kinds of prominent‍‌ figures were dragged‍ past them. People foaming at the mouth, others with‌ arms twisted at‍‍‌ odd angles, bleeding individuals, and some⁠ with eyes rolled‌‍ back… all once-proud‌ attendees.

After‌‌ the procession passed,⁠ Dereck quickly moved⁠ again.

Most rooms along the‍‍ hallway had their doors open. Few‍⁠ suspected an attack⁠ by House Duplain’s‌ own servants.

‘Even‌‍ so, perhaps some sensed the danger⁠ early and hid‍‍ well. We must⁠‍ find as many‍‍ as we can.’

Dereck⁠ grabbed Denise’s arm‌‍ and pulled her‌ into the room‌⁠ labeled “Baron Olden.”‍

He⁠ pushed her into⁠‍‌ the closet.

“D-Dereck…!‌‌⁠ Ah!”

“This⁠ is Baron Olden’s‌ room. You just‍ saw him being⁠ dragged away by‌⁠‍ the servants. Since‍⁠ it belongs to‍⁠ someone already subdued, the servants won’t‌ return here. Stay here until the⁠‌ situation changes.”

Identifying‌ a safe place‌ was vital.

At⁠ this point, this⁠‌⁠ room was the‌ safest bet.

“Dereck.‌‌ And you?”

“I’m‌ going to search⁠ for survivors. Outside, the place is‌ crawling with necromantic⁠ enchantments and corpses.‍ If we move‌‍ recklessly and trigger‍ hostility, it will‍⁠‍ be dangerous. Lady Denise, please stay‍‌‍ here.”

“I’m‍⁠ going with you.‍‌ At least I can use basic‍ detection magic.”

“It’s‍‍ better if you‌ stay safe here.”⁠

“No.‌ Dereck. You mean‌ to enter that‌‍ death trap alone?‍‌ Do you think‌ I’d allow that?”⁠

Denise‌‍ swallowed and spoke firmly.

“I⁠ can’t let you go.”

“Lady Denise, your hands⁠ are shaking.”

“Eek!”‌

As⁠‌‌ Dereck said, Denise’s‍‌ entire body was‌ still trembling.

She⁠‌‍ had seen too⁠⁠ many horrifying scenes‌ of twisted, deformed⁠⁠ corpses just moments⁠⁠‍ ago. She was‌⁠ completely exhausted from‌ merely trying to‌‍ control her rapid‍ breathing.

Even‌ so, Denise couldn’t let Dereck go⁠‍ alone.

It⁠‍ was obvious what‍ Dereck would object.⁠‍

I can’t leave Lady⁠⁠ Denise alone. Lady‌‍ Denise is a valuable person, so‍ please take care⁠‌ of your health. If Lady Denise⁠ gets hurt, it‌⁠‌ would be a huge problem.

The‍ cliché phrases used‍ for noble ladies‌ would surely come‍ out. Denise was‍ ready to argue‌⁠ that status didn’t‌⁠‌ matter in a situation like this.‌‍‍

However,‍‌‍ Dereck was a pragmatist.

“Lady⁠ Denise, if you⁠ follow me, you’ll⁠‌ only be a burden.”

Dereck’s⁠‌ words were harsh but true. In⁠ an urgent situation⁠‍‍ like this, there was no time to choose words‌‍ carefully.

Denise’s‍⁠ breath caught in⁠ her throat. After‌⁠ witnessing the gruesome‌ results of necromancy,⁠ she couldn’t move‌ properly.

If‌ she followed Dereck out of worry,‌ she would be⁠ lucky not to‍ get caught and‌‍‌ become a liability.‍

“This‍ is just a guess, but it’s very likely that‌ Valerian is involved in this situation.”‍‌

“Va-Valerian?‍ Isn’t he the‍ eldest son of‌‍ the Duplain family? I heard he was a good⁠⁠ and upright person…‍ Is he the‍ one leading this‌‍ disaster?”

“I‍‍‍ can’t explain all‍‍⁠ the details, but…”‍

‘If⁠‌‌ he’s dabbling in⁠ necromancy, you must‌‍‌ kill him.’

Dereck’s‌ mentor, Drest Wolftail,‌ had once told‍‌ him.

If‌⁠‌ things got out‌‍‍ of control, Valerian⁠ might use dark‍ arts.

Was⁠‍ it possible he⁠‍ had nothing to do with the necromancy that ravaged‍‍ the Duplain mansion?⁠‍ It was too‌ much of a coincidence to ignore.

Somehow, Valerian was involved⁠ in this mansion-centered‍ disaster.

“Once‌‍ the situation is‌ clearer, we’ll know‍⁠ the truth. For⁠ now, survival is⁠ our priority.”

“Promise⁠ me one thing,‍ Dereck.”

Even‌‍ while trembling, Denise clenched her teeth‌‌ and looked at⁠ Dereck.

“Don’t‌ die. No matter‌ what happens, never⁠‍‍ die.”

“Don’t‌ worry. That’s my‍⁠ specialty.”

Creak.‍

After⁠ firmly closing the closet door, Dereck⁠⁠‍ checked the condition‌ of the longsword⁠ at his hip⁠⁠ and the dagger‍‍⁠ at his thigh.⁠

They⁠‍ were always well-maintained‌ and clean.

After⁠ taking a deep‌‍‍ breath, he wiped his face and‌ walked out into⁠ the hallway.

Many‌‌ busy servants simultaneously‍ turned to look⁠‍ at Dereck.

“…”⁠

Dereck⁠‌⁠ stood still, staying‍ alert.

The servants moved solely⁠ to fulfill their‌⁠‍ tasks. As long‍ as he didn’t‌ interfere with their movement, they wouldn’t⁠‌ pay him any‌‍ attention.

Just‍‍ like the servants in the main‍‍ hall, the ones‌‌ in this corridor‌ were the same.

Then⁠ it happened.

A high-ranking servant at⁠ the front asked‍ Dereck:

“May⁠ I ask your⁠ name?”

He‌‌‍ looked young, but⁠ his voice was‍ bizarre. Blood dripped‌‌ from his mouth‌‍ as though his‍⁠⁠ throat were filled‌⁠ with it.

Without⁠ showing any sign‌‌‍ of surprise, Dereck‍ replied:

“Why‌‌ are you asking?”

“We’ve‌⁠⁠ been ordered to‌‍ kill all visitors⁠ except for the‍‍ designated mages.”

A cold voice came‍‍ from the servant’s‍⁠‍ mouth as if‌‍ it were nothing.⁠

“May‌ I verify if‍‌‍ you’re a designated⁠‍ mage or a target for elimination?”‍‍⁠

“…Dereck.”⁠

“Ah,‍ Sir Dereck. You’re‍ a visitor sent‍‌ by the Beltus‌ family. My apologies‍ for not recognizing‌‍ you. The Duplain⁠ family has instructed⁠⁠⁠ us to treat⁠ you with respect⁠ due to your⁠ nobility. My apologies.”‌

“No‍‍ problem. Then is⁠‍ your business resolved?”‍⁠

“Yes.⁠ However, Sir Dereck,‍ you are a target for elimination.”‍

Even‍ before he finished‌‌ speaking, a rotten⁠‌ arm sprang from‌ the servant’s left‌⁠ shoulder.

Slash!‍ Whoosh!

As‌ the claw flew‌ at Dereck, he‍ had already lowered his stance.

He‌⁠ had hoped to‍‌‍ avoid a fight with a bit⁠⁠ of luck, but that hope was‌ in vain.

When‌ that hope was‍⁠ betrayed, Dereck swung‌ his sword without‌ hesitation and beheaded‍ the servant.

Splash!‍‍ Swish!

A spray of blood⁠ erupted, and a red stream splattered‌ across Dereck’s face.‌⁠

The metallic scent of⁠‌ blood hit his nose, but Dereck⁠ shook his head⁠ indifferently.

Thud!‌

The‌⁠ servant’s headless body‌⁠‍ fell to the‍‍⁠ floor.

At that moment, other⁠‍‌ nearby servants turned‍ cold eyes toward⁠ Dereck.

Even‍‌ before they could‍‌ emit any strange‍⁠ sound, Dereck’s magic⁠⁠ arrows struck their‌⁠⁠ necks.

Bang!⁠ Bang! Bang!

As‍⁠ he fired magic‍ indiscriminately and tried⁠‍ to advance through‍‌ the corridor, the⁠ corpse of the‌‌‍ servant he’d just⁠ cut down moved and grabbed his⁠ ankle.

Dereck⁠ quickly drew a reverse-grip dagger from‍‍‍ his thigh and swiftly cut the‌‌ servant’s arm off.‌⁠‍

And⁠ when the uniformed‍ butler servants lunged⁠‍‍ at him, he‍‍ summoned his magic‍ again.

Woosh!‍⁠

The‍ second-level spell Fireball‍ erupted from Dereck’s‌ hand. Its target‍‌ was just beneath‍ his feet.

The‌‍⁠ corridor was too‍‌‌ narrow on both sides to use‌‍‌ as an escape⁠⁠‌ route. To create‍ a new path, Dereck’s fireball struck⁠⁠ the floor.

Bang!‍

An‌⁠ explosion rang out,⁠ and the mansion⁠ shook.

Just‌ beneath this VIP⁠ corridor were the⁠‌‍ private rooms of‌ the Duplain family‌ members.

Dereck⁠ planned to drop⁠ to the lower‍‌⁠ floor and head‍ for Valerian’s private⁠‌ room.

If‍‍ Valerian was truly behind this, subduing⁠ him might end‌‌ it all.

Swish!‍‍

Crash!⁠

A cloud of dust⁠‌ filled the hallway,‌ and the broken‌ floor began to‍ reveal itself.

To‍ reach the lower⁠ floor’s corridor, Dereck⁠ prepared to roll.‍ It seemed best‌ to draw the‌‌ servants away from‍ the room where Denise was hiding.‌‍

Splash!‍

With‌‌ his cloak billowing,‍⁠ he jumped down⁠‍‍ and rolled once‌‍ on the floor.‌‍

He⁠ rose, brushed the‍⁠ dust from his‌⁠‍ body, and looked⁠⁠⁠ around—only to find it wasn’t the lower corridor.

To⁠ assume that breaking⁠⁠‌ through the corridor‌ would land him‍ in the lower⁠ hallway was perhaps‍ too simplistic.

It⁠‍ was a luxurious⁠ and spacious private‍ room. If someone used a room this grand, they‌ had to be‍ a direct descendant⁠ of Grand Duke⁠‌ Duplain.

The‍⁠‌ room was filled⁠‍ with armor and⁠ training equipment, furnished‌⁠‍ with a desk‍‌ and sofas for‌⁠‍ receiving guests.

On‍⁠‍ one side of‍ the room was a large map‌ of the continent,‌⁠ along with books‌‍⁠ on military terminology.‍‌‍

At‍ a glance, it⁠ was clearly the⁠ room of someone‍ exceptional. As Dereck⁠ stood, there was‍ a figure seated confidently at the desk in the‍ center of the⁠ room.

Even⁠ amid this chaos,⁠ the fact that‍ someone sat calmly in their private‍ room was already‌⁠ strange.

“…What‌ are you doing here?”

The figure seated alone‍ among so much equipment was someone‌‌ familiar.

With⁠⁠‌ short hair and‍ a solid build,⁠‍‌ eyebrows raised sternly,‌ dressed in noble clothes adorned with‌‌ all kinds of‌ insignia.

Yet⁠⁠ there was no‌‌⁠ trace of awareness⁠ in his vacant‍ eyes. He didn’t‍‌ even flinch at‌‍ the sight of‌ Dereck falling from‌ the ceiling.

Dereck immediately sensed something‌‌⁠ was wrong. He‍ gripped his sword‌ tightly and gathered⁠⁠⁠ magic in his⁠ other hand.

Clang.⁠⁠‌

A metallic sound rang‌ from the light‍‌ armor he wore‌‍‍ over his noble‍ attire.

When‌ he stood up,⁠‌ he was definitely‌‍⁠ a man of‍⁠ sturdy build.

“…Dereck.”⁠‌‍

It‌⁠ was Leigh, Valerian’s‌⁠ younger brother.

The‍‍ second son of‍ the Duplain family,⁠⁠ and one of‍ the family’s pillars‌‍‌ who, though he⁠⁠ pretended otherwise, deeply‌‌⁠ loved Diella and‌ Aiselin.

The brawny man stared‍ at Dereck with‌ a cold gaze.‍‌

He‍‌ opened his mouth⁠‌‍ and said something.‍‍ His words were⁠ incoherent.

“Death…⁠‍ will come… Death…‌ sweet, painful, noble…‌‍⁠ the embrace of⁠⁠‍ death will come…”⁠‍‌

Whoosh.

Dark⁠ red blood dripped⁠ from his mouth.

A reddish spiritual aura glowed in his⁠ eyes.

Dereck‍ could feel it.‍‍‌

Leigh⁠‍ was in no‌‍ condition to communicate.‍‌

“Dereck,‍‌ yes… Dereck, agh…‍ aghghgh… kuh, khuhuk…”‌

“…”‍

“Kukuk,‍‍ kigegek aghgh… not⁠ dead yet.”

Twisting⁠ and making bizarre‍⁠ noises, he suddenly‍ spoke to Dereck‍⁠‌ in a normal,‌‍ cold tone. At‌‌ some point, his‌‌⁠ eyes also focused⁠ clearly on Dereck.‍‍‌

The‍‌‍ contrast alone was‍ enough to make the skin crawl.‍

The‌ burly Leigh burst‍‌ forth in a dark red magical‍ aura.

Bang!‌⁠

At‍ the same time,‌ a magic arrow‍ flew and struck‌‌‍ where Dereck had‌ been.

A cloud of dust‌ rose, but Dereck⁠‌ rolled to the‌‍ side to dodge.‍ Dereck’s reflexes weren’t‌ something a mere⁠⁠‍ magical manifestation could match.

Watching⁠‌‌ Leigh’s condition through‌ the rising dust,⁠‍⁠ Dereck took a deep breath and‍ ran a hand‍‌ through his hair.‌

“Hooh…”‍

No‍ matter how he‍‌ looked at it,⁠ Leigh was already‌ insane.

It‌⁠ was time to‍⁠‍ make a decision.‍