Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 177

The Evelstein noble district, visited after a long absence, remained as luxurious and dazzling as ever.

By the time I returned from my northern journey, winter in Evelstein was already nearing its end.

Though patches of unmelted snow still lingered in shaded areas, the temperature had warmed considerably, with new leaves budding on roadside trees.

The longer the cold lasts, the more welcome the returning warmth becomes.

The nobles strolling the streets, dressed in even more elegant attire than last year, were thoroughly enjoying the seasonal warmth.

Tea houses lining the roads were packed with noble ladies engaged in conversation, while young lords heading out for horseback rides and their attending servants moved with light steps.

Having just returned from the cold, lonely northern snowfields, Derek keenly felt the contrast.

The Rocheste territory in the north naturally induces melancholy if you simply sit quietly. Clearly, for emotional well-being alone, it was much better to send those kids to the Evelstein noble district.

"...Then I suppose we'll meet next at the Duplein territory."

"Yes. Please be sure to listen carefully to Mr. Hamilton in the meantime."

After dropping Sirine off at her private residence, Derek gave his final instructions.

The mage standing beside her—Hamilton—appeared elderly and gaunt. In truth, it was an alias for Kalimford... but revealing that name in Evelstein would bring no benefit.

Kalimford's sole wish was simply to watch Sirine grow up well from the sidelines.

His decision to stay at Sirine's private residence assisting her until Ravenclaw Academy's opening also reflected this desire.

"Hmm..."

Arms crossed, Sirine looked up at Kalimford with a sulky expression, clearly having much to say.

Kalimford swallowed dryly. Ever since ruthlessly attacking Derek, he'd sensed Sirine's subtle hostility toward him.

Of course, Derek had repeatedly reassured her that he was fine and bore no ill will toward Kalimford.

But psychological barriers, once formed, aren't easily overcome.

Seeing Kalimford's pale expression, Derek silently wished him luck.

How Kalimford would navigate his relationship with Sirine from now on was entirely up to him.

With his limited remaining time, Derek could only hope he'd manage well.

"Well then, we'll meet again at the Duplein territory."

As Derek boarded the carriage while speaking, Sirine looked at him with evident disappointment.

She'd be visiting Ravenclaw territory soon for magic lessons anyway—this separation would be brief.

Yet after spending so much time together, parting seemed particularly difficult, judging by her pouting lips.

Derek bowed slightly to them before settling comfortably into the carriage seat.

'Hiring Kalimford as an academy instructor...'

An academy where a 6-star mage personally taught magic—just imagining it was astonishing.

Though he wouldn't reveal his true identity given his circumstances, anyone could tell Kalimford was no ordinary mage just from his magical proficiency.

Ravenclaw Academy's standards seemed to grow increasingly extraordinary.

With this thought, Derek instructed the groom to depart.

Derek's next destination was the outskirts of Duplein territory—the Ravenclaw Academy construction site.

"...Why has the construction scale grown so much larger than originally planned?"

"...Lady Aiselin persuaded southwestern nobles to secure additional investments. After several visits to the Renuel family, she even obtained two hundred additional laborers."

"What on earth happened while I was in the north?"

"Explaining everything would take far too long. Would... a written report suffice?"

At the entrance to Duplein Mansion's approach.

The peaceful Lerghal Plains stretching eastward now featured rows of magnificent buildings where none had stood before. Each structure was elegantly decorated with marble, adorned with intricate carvings, and complete with well-prepared infrastructure like walls, benches, fountains, and landscaping.

It appeared roughly twice as large as Derek had anticipated before leaving for the north.

Head Butler Delbritton, who'd come to greet Derek and rode with him in the carriage, recalled that period with a pale expression—when Aiselin took direct command of construction operations.

Great individuals achieve great things, but their subordinates inevitably suffer—Aiselin seemed the worst possible boss despite being an ideal business partner.

"Might I ask an impertinent personal question? I'm fully aware it's presumptuous."

"...Go ahead."

"...Will Lady Aiselin continue overseeing operations in the future?"

Delbritton was a veteran butler who'd served the Rocheste ducal family for decades.

For such an experienced butler to ask about matters his lord should decide was peculiar—some might even consider it highly disrespectful.

Aiselin's overwhelming presence seemed to challenge even decades of butler experience—her capabilities were beyond Derek's comprehension.

Still, Derek couldn't give Delbritton the answer he wanted.

"Does that... really depend on my wishes?"

"Baron..."

"Just endure a little longer... I'll be meeting with Lady Aiselin anyway..."

"H-hi... D-Derek..."

Even Diela, the little tyrant who usually intimidated everyone with her lion-like energy, sat pale-faced in the mansion's guest room.

Derek couldn't recall ever seeing her so drained of color before.

Though she pretended otherwise, Diela always showed subtle delight at seeing Derek. Her golden hair flowing over her small frame resembled a lion's mane, making her presence seem larger than her petite stature.

But not today.

Sunk into the guest sofa, Diela looked like she might exhale her soul at any moment.

Her haggard appearance almost suggested she'd mastered necromancy.

"Lady Diela, what... happened to you?"

"Nothing much. While Sister Aiselin took charge of academy affairs, I ended up handling about half of Duplein's main household management... Managing servants isn't hard, but balancing it with studies is exhausting..."

"...Half?"

"Yes, half. Meanwhile, Sister Aiselin handles the other half while consistently attending Rosea Salon, participating in social gatherings and academic conferences, managing the territory, and overseeing academy construction..."

"..."

Diela shivered with crossed arms.

Most noble ladies in Evelstein freeze under Diela's gaze, yet even she seemed to feel indescribable terror at the thought of Aiselin.

"Listen, Derek. With academy construction nearly complete, do you know what Sister Aiselin said recently while walking down the hallway?"

-'Lately... I've been so bored... Must be because my workload decreased...'

"..."

"...Even as her sister, I'm starting to feel afraid. I resolved to become Duplein's central figure and eventually a renowned ruler, but... my confidence is waning these days..."

Diela usually bounded around like an excited puppy when meeting Derek.

For her to groan like this upon his return from the north was unusual.

"Isn't that good? Central region rumors about Duplein's decline are long outdated."

"It is... but Sister doesn't seem to think so..."

- Click! Whoosh!

At that moment, the guest room door swung open forcefully.

"Mr. Derek! I heard you returned! Oh dear, the door's creaking. I should order lubrication..."

"Lady Aiselin."

"It's been so long. Was your northern journey satisfactory?"

If today showed Diela at her most exhausted, Aiselin was the complete opposite—radiant with energy.

Early spring suited her perfectly. Like budding greenery symbolizing new life, Aiselin's face glowed with vitality.

As always impeccably dressed in elegant noble attire, she carried a massive stack of documents in one arm. To her, that bundle seemed more beautiful than any bouquet, meticulously organized by category.

While everyone involved in the nearly completed academy wore deathly expressions, Aiselin alone bloomed like a freshly blossomed flower.

Derek conceded.

Regardless of her managerial style, no one could match her reliability.

"How does it look? Perfectly constructed, right? Let me give you a tour. This main building is Delphinia Hall. East of it are lecture buildings—Silver Crown Hall primarily for ladies'education, Ravenclaw Hall and Liberten Hall for magic instruction. Dormitories are in Amarilis House to the west, with a large training ground to the north. Along the southern path connecting to the main house, we plan facilities for cultural activities."

"What kind of facilities specifically?"

"After business trips to Rotain Commercial Alliance ports and Bulix harbor city... many merchants and craftsmen showed interest. They're willing to invest if we establish trade connections with an educational facility of this scale early—meaning more budget."

While Derek was in the north, Aiselin had apparently made three major business trips.

"But... how did you manage your studies?"

"Carriage rides are boring anyway. Plus I don't sleep much."

"..."

"Too many matters requiring your approval piled up in your absence. If it's not too presumptuous... could you review everything here now?"

Though Aiselin had brought only essential documents needing Derek's approval, the stack was already too large to carry one-handed.

Derek considered.

Why not just gift the entire academy to Aiselin?

"We need you as overall director for smooth operations!"

Yet Aiselin saw through even this wicked thought.

Her bright, cheerful smile carried terrifying pressure—more frightening than White Wilderness labyrinth monsters or Beltus Mansion's corpse hordes.

No matter what, Derek must remain the final authority.

Though revered as the southwest's noblest lady, Aiselin's talents lay more in advisory and administrative roles than leadership.

For the first time, Derek felt inexpressible, overwhelming terror.

"Please review the faculty list and opening schedule. I prepared a draft speech if needed..."

"Lady Aiselin... Doesn't this seem like I'm overworking you?"

"Mr. Derek... don't misunderstand... I think I actually enjoy being overworked... Saying it aloud is embarrassing..."

"..."

Twisting her fingers as if confessing some peculiar preference, Aiselin looked surreal.

Touring the academy grounds with her, Derek resolved to surrender. Like it or not, he was now Ravenclaw Academy's director.

"The enrollment list is mostly finalized. We could accept more, but currently about 96 students. Seems small for the campus size, but each brings a dozen servants... with carriages and luggage, it'll be chaotic."

"We'll need to manage merchants in the commercial district too."

"Oh, I've arranged that. We're establishing a surveillance agency—I'm considering Head Butler Delbritton as director."

Derek silently mourned for the pale-faced Delbritton.

"Head Butler Delbritton will serve as Ravenclaw Barony's chief steward, Ravenclaw Academy's secretary general, commercial district manager, advisory chairman, and academic support director."

"...And Lady Aiselin's titles?"

"Mine are ordinary. Deputy operations chair, director's spokesperson, auditor, policy planner, personnel manager, ladies'education supervisor, welfare policy auditor, administrative manager... nothing special."

Derek chose silence.

"Most decisions are finalized now... My biggest concern is the royal audit."

"When is that scheduled?"

"Early spring—they'll confirm dates soon. Seventeen auditors are coming... including Emperor Gertrel himself..."

As Melberot had mentioned.

Emperor Gertrel's personal visit wasn't surprising for an academy of this scale, but protocol preparations undoubtedly burdened Aiselin.

Yet she insisted on handling everything personally rather than delegating.

"Let's see... Head auditor is Emperor Gertrel... with Head Magic Advisor Kohlera and eight magic advisors... four Gremfort Palace powerholders... guards... and Princess Rozelyn will attend too."

An extraordinary delegation.

Particularly Princess Rozelyn—Melberot had explicitly warned against her.

As Gremfort Palace fractured amid Emperor Gertrel's declining health, she stood closest to the throne.

What manner of person could command this vast empire remained unimaginable.

"Then we have about a week left."

"Essentially. We must complete imperial audience preparations quickly..."

"Lady Aiselin. You said I'm the academy's overall director, correct?"

"...Yes?"

Derek snatched the document stack from Aiselin's hands.

"Then I must assign you a crucial task."

"A c-crucial task?"

Derek rarely emphasized important assignments personally.

Whatever it was would undoubtedly be intensely demanding. Hearing this, Aiselin flushed and began breathing heavily.

"W-what is it?"

"For the next three days, do nothing."

"....?"

"Deputy operations chair, director's spokesperson, auditor, policy planner, personnel manager, ladies'education supervisor, welfare policy auditor, administrative manager... perform none of these duties. Just rest at the mansion."

Aiselin gulped audibly.

"W-what are you saying? With so much work..."

"Major tasks are mostly complete. Audit preparations need four days at most."

"B-but multiple reviews prevent..."

"Let me be clear. Just rest."

Derek realized.

Throughout Duplein and Ravenclaw territories, only Derek could take work from Aiselin.

She'd already collapsed once from overwork—an incident that shocked Derek.

Someone needed to restrain her at this point.

"Guhhh......."

Aiselin wore the expression of warriors who'd lost their homeland.

An imaginary storm seemed to rage behind her.

"Guhhh.........................................................................................."

Derek recognized that desolate look—it resembled a large dog forbidden from walks for health reasons.

Regardless, this was necessary.

"..."

Seeing Derek return with Aiselin's document stack, Delbritton fought back tears of gratitude.

Derek pretended not to notice this rare emotional display from the usually composed butler.

Since he'd come to Duplein territory anyway, Derek headed to the mansion to see Raeg.

Reviewing documents in the carriage, their impeccable organization was astounding.

'Does she really spend all day working and studying without rest...?'

Arriving at the mansion while organizing papers, Derek spotted a familiar figure in the main hall.

He might not have recognized him after so long, but the scruffy beard and red hair tied back like a tail were unmistakable.

"Well, look who's here. *Burp*. Oops, sorry."

Even the pathetic habit of drunken belching remained unchanged.

Ryner the gambler.

Instantly recognizable despite the long separation.

As the disowned eldest son of the Belmierd family, Lady Elente's elder brother, and the person who most actively helped Derek obtain his barony title.

Yet no one knew why he left the prestigious Belmierd family. He merely wasted time gambling and drinking.

His appearance at Duplein Mansion was therefore peculiar.

"What brings you here? I heard you rarely visit noble residences..."

"True enough. Just came for drinks with my old friend Raeg. He's doing well."

"You're close with Young Master Raeg too?"

"Sure. Let me tell you—my only asset is the connections I built during my noble days. *Chuckle*."

Ryner laughed while shaking a liquor bottle. Perhaps his indiscriminate sociability was his greatest weapon.

His extensive network always produced intriguing information.

"Care to join us, Baron? I've got interesting news about the imperial family's Princess Rozelyn."

"Interesting news...?"

"What if I said it involves a 6-star mage? More interested now? Not sure you'll believe it though..."

As Derek frowned, Ryner smiled wider. He knew Derek couldn't ignore what came next.

"They say there's a 6-star confusion mage in Evelstein. Funny, right?"