Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 181

-'This feels like entering a den of vipers.'

It was an abrupt remark from the aged emperor without any forewarning.

At a time when Princess Roselyn's imperial succession was practically confirmed, with all imperial faction bureaucrats elevating her name.

Left alone in the audience chamber, Emperor Gertrel spoke to Roselyn who had survived the thorny path to reach just below the throne.

-'Pardon? Father. What do you mean...'

-'Predators wanting to devour you whole will swarm everywhere. You'll need to stay tense with every blink, find even breathing difficult.'

-'That's... only natural, Father.'

Roselyn had cleared numerous political rivals to become the de facto heir.

It was too late to tremble in fear or feel disillusioned by Gremfort Palace's suffocating darkness now.

Roselyn was already prepared to become emperor.

At least she believed so, slowly raising her refined lips.

-'I won't disappoint you.'

-'No, you may disappoint me.'

-'...'

The opulent imperial chamber.

Dragging his aged body toward the terrace where late spring breezes blew, he gazed at the starry sky.

That silhouette belonged to an old man who'd weathered countless thorny paths far beyond Roselyn's experience.

Starlight enveloped the elder as if whispering secrets.

His golden age had passed, times had changed.

The skin on his fingertips clung tightly to bone, resembling parchment more than flesh.

As if foreseeing something, the decrepit emperor spoke.

-'When the vipers finally bite me dead... remember this one thing.'

An ominous statement.

Yet his gentle continuation sounded like he was seeing the future.

-'You only need one.'

-'...Pardon?'

-'Don't trust too many. Don't get swept up in romantic idealists preaching about embracing people with trust or leading subjects through sincere bonds. Just remember one - the most useful, most reliable one. That's all you need.'

The emperor's eyes had lost their vigor.

Yet occasionally, flashes of his prime would return.

As Emperor Gertrel stared emptily at the stars, that intensity returned to his gaze for the first time in years.

Princess Roselyn could only stare blankly at him.

"..."

When Roselyn realized she'd dozed off, the carriage was already entering Duplein Ducal territory.

Through the shaking window, Ravenclaw Academy's scenery came into view.

Each meticulously maintained building appeared as painstakingly crafted as Gremfort Palace's structures.

While such care was expected for educating noble scions, the scale exceeded expectations.

'I'd heard southwestern nobles were actively investing in Ravenclaw Academy's establishment, but this surpasses imagination.'

This absurd scale was only possible because the Duplein Ducal family donated land freely while southwestern noble houses united in funding and support.

Most would assume Lady Aiselin was the central figure.

But she wasn't the true power behind it.

Even the so-called queen of southwestern high society moved behind a mere frontier rural noble - Baron Ravenclaw.

And supporting Baron Ravenclaw was Melberot of the north.

Considering this web, the academy's massive scale became understandable.

'They built this academy without Melberot's voice? That old hero's grown adept at deception.'

In truth, it was purely Derek's achievement through collaboration with House Duplein.

But to Roselyn, accomplishing this without central noble influence seemed impossible.

'The southwest's prominent houses... Besides Duplein, there's Belmierd, Beltus, and Renuel...'

She'd heard each family had sent a disciple to Ravenclaw School.

Regardless of Derek's actual influence, if scions from such houses unanimously revered him as master, he couldn't be taken lightly.

Yet Roselyn's gaze remained sharp.

'Undoubtedly another fool intoxicated by magical privilege like Kohlera.'

Thinking this, she swept back her crimson-black hair.

Derek Raidof Ravenclaw, Baron.

She had no intention of lowering her guard toward this still-imaginary figure.

"...This looks less like an inspection team and more like a massive migrant group."

Elennte, dressed in a beautiful gown, quietly observed the inspection team's arrival at Ravenclaw Academy's main entrance.

Carriages continuously streamed through the academy's ornate wrought-iron gates.

The procession stretched endlessly, creating an illusion it extended to the horizon.

Escort troops numbered nearly hundreds, with over thirty carriages mobilized.

The imperial carriage's grandeur required at least twenty horses to pull.

Now she understood why imperial family members were notoriously slow-moving.

Rumors said the emperor's travels consumed unimaginable budgets.

While imperial escorts were always ostentatious, at this rate the day would end just managing formalities.

"Lady Elennte. Why come out here?"

"Oh, Derek... There's little to do at the banquet hall anyw—"

Elennte swept back her red locks and turned toward the voice, then blinked incredulously.

"Derek... You're meeting the emperor... dressed like that...?"

"As you see, my usual attire."

Derek wore his standard white tunic with leather belt, black trousers, boots, and cloak.

More mercenary than noble, leaving Elennte baffled, though Derek found her reaction puzzling.

"Influential nobles invest heavily in imperial audiences, but a minor frontier baron like me would only stand out by being ostentatious. A frontier lord should look the part."

"Even so, you're my teacher... I worry you'll be underestimated before royalty..."

Elennte pouted before crossing her arms disapprovingly.

Though Derek governed a minor frontier territory, his influence now rivaled prominent nobles.

Most nobles would leverage such connections to climb higher.

But Derek cared only for magic. This single-mindedness showed clearly.

Elennte sighed deeply in resignation.

Come to think of it, this was his nature.

Living among Belmierd's power-hungry retainers had made her forget people like Derek existed.

Ironically, this was why she liked him.

With him, she could set aside complex politics and simply learn magic as student to teacher.

'Perhaps his talent lies in remaining upright while teaching so many noble scions.'

Her expression softened as she recrossed her arms.

"Speaking of which... I heard Lord Ryner is at the academy..."

"...Likely conversing with Family Head Raeg."

"That disgrace to House Belmierd keeps visiting you, they say. I've been restless worrying if that shameful man caused any trouble..."

Seeing Derek's awkward expression, Elennte sighed again.

"If he caused inconvenience, I'll apologize first. He's uncontrollable—even Father seems to have given up."

"No significant troubles... Nothing major anyway."

"I'll grab his collar when we meet. I swear..."

Elennte gnashed her teeth threateningly.

Ryner's main offenses were his overly familiar attitude and body odor.

Actually, Derek owed his noble entry largely to Ryner, making complaints difficult.

But Ryner and Elennte's feud was another matter entirely.

"I should return to the banquet hall. Derek. At tonight's welcome banquet, let's greet properly."

"You must be exhausted from travel. Rest would be wise."

"True. Though... some good news has lifted my fatigue."

"Good news...?"

Derek's question made Elennte smirk before grabbing his shoulder.

"I saw your face."

With that, she happily strode inside.

Her smile's subtle weight wasn't lost on Derek, but he had greater concerns.

Emperor Gertrel's inspection team.

Two royals, three ministerial officials, one 6-star mage, four imperial magic advisors, eighty aides, nearly six hundred guards.

Over a dozen protocol carriages—Elennte's"migrant group"comment was apt.

Where the emperor traveled became the imperial court—literally.

The foremost rule of Gertrel imperial protocol.

No exaggeration.

'...This is Derek Raidof Ravenclaw, Baron?'

Princess Roselyn blinked at the man representing the welcome committee upon entering academy grounds.

The figure she'd endlessly imagined during the journey from Gremfort Palace to Duplein territory.

Baron Derek.

Melberot's favored protégé, personally taught magic by Drest, someone Kohlera acknowledged.

From bottom-rung mercenary to Evelstain high society's most renowned tutor, instructing countless noble ladies.

A rising star in magical education whose influence belied his baronial rank, mentioned repeatedly in imperial councils.

Yet here he was, dressed like a common mercenary with only two attendants.

To Roselyn, raised amidst constant imperial reverence, Derek appeared utterly insignificant.

"Your arduous journey is appreciated. We've prepared Amarilis House's largest, most luxurious room for your stay."

"Good. My Gremfort Palace quarters are incomparable, but this should suffice."

Roselyn crossed arms and lifted her chin, eyeing Derek skeptically.

Nothing about him matched his brilliant reputation.

'Expected someone more polished... Though perhaps better than empty pomp.'

With expectations dashed, Roselyn felt inexplicably deflated.

"The welcome banquet is tonight. Given your reputation, I trust it will meet expectations?"

"How could it satisfy Princess Roselyn, Gremfort's Rose? I'll simply do my best."

Though dressed plainly, he maintained noble etiquette.

Roselyn exhaled deeply and sharply turned her head.

"Very well. I'll be lenient. But henceforth, show more dignity when meeting royalty. If not attire, at least bring more attendants. Your authority appears pitiful."

"Wise advice. I'll comply. Though today's minimalism was necessary."

"What?"

Derek's two attendants were Head Butler Delbritton and Head Maid Elfin.

His most trusted, tight-lipped subordinates who'd never betray him.

Recognizing this, Roselyn frowned deeper.

'He came for private talks.'

As she realized this, Derek suddenly spoke.

"Did you come to Evelstain seeking a 6-star confusion mage?"

"..."

A piercing question.

Roselyn momentarily froze at the abruptness but revealed nothing.

Her past outbursts had already become conspiracy theories circulating the empire.

The world was altered once.

Servants watched worriedly as young Roselyn clutched their sleeves desperately.

-'Sebast! Lavender! Carlos! You...! Don't believe me? Think I'm mad?'

-'A confusion mage passed through! Something... something changed! I know it!'

Her ghost-sighting expression and trembling voice changed nothing.

Imperial bureaucrats only whispered about the princess's instability.

Time turned her cries into mere ghost stories.

"I too believe a 6-star confusion mage exists."

As past fragments flashed through her mind, Derek continued.

"If there's a way to find them, we must."

A mage who could manipulate memories and perceptions like some mythical being.

When Raeg and Ryner mentioned this, Derek neither scoffed nor dismissed it.

Instead, he felt excitement rising.

Roselyn studied Derek's eyes intently.

They burned with determination to uncover this mage at any cost.

The source was obsession—magical madness.

Each 6-star mage was a priceless treasure of magical history.

Leaving one undiscovered was unacceptable.

Those eyes... where had she seen them before?

Who else seriously pursued this 6-star confusion mage?

'Kohlera.'

A madwoman who sacrificed everything for higher magic, masquerading as a dignified noble mage.

Gremfort Palace's Head Magic Advisor shared Derek's gaze.

'This unimpressive man... he's of the same breed as that viper Kohlera!'

Roselyn swallowed dryly.

If determined, he would find that mage.

Recognizing Derek's obsession, she instinctively stepped back.

-'Your Highness, if meeting that frontier baron, remember this.'

Gremfort Palace's conference room.

Melberot's words as she departed resurfaced.

Eyes closed, he'd recalled Derek dueling Kalimford to the death.

-'He's likely more magically obsessed than you imagine. Don't overmention the confusion mage.'

-'What?'

-'Once hooked, his obsession won't cease until that mage is found.'

Having spent a lifetime despising magical privilege, Roselyn didn't yet understand.

What true magical madness meant.

What it truly signified.