Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 184

-'The necromancers of Rodentz Island, the barbarians of the Rapus Mountains, the magical beasts of labyrinths—all threaten the Empire. But if you ask who has held a blade to my throat the longest, it was always the Empire's bureaucratic nobility.'

-'I wield them like a sword, yet they could turn their blades on me at any moment... Roselyn, you must never let your guard down.'

Princess Roselyn stared at Emperor Gertrel's corpse slumped against the chair as if asleep.

He hadn't been a particularly affectionate father, yet he'd always showered her with worried words whenever their eyes met.

Death comes without warning. So do farewells.

She thought the brutal imperial power struggles had eroded all sentiment from her heart, yet something clenched painfully in her chest as she faced this wrinkled corpse.

Don't be shocked. Stay cold and composed. Assess the situation rationally without panic.

Even this habitual self-hypnosis meant nothing before the body of the man who'd given her life.

Princess Roselyn stood motionless, biting her lower lip.

No tears or screams escaped her—the typical reactions of children facing parental loss. She'd long mastered suppressing her emotions.

Yet her expression remained hidden behind her bangs.

She simply walked out of the scene with measured steps, silent and unceasing.

Her gaze brimmed with chilling malice.

"This news will shake the Empire. We can't conceal it—an official announcement must be made soon."

One floor below where Emperor Gertrel's body was being prepared.

Three figures sat around a conference table in the dim room.

Derek Raidof Ravenclaw, Baron—the academy's supreme authority and final responsibility holder.

Princess Roselyn—Emperor Gertrel's daughter, heir apparent, and immune to all magic.

And Kohlera—Imperial Head Magic Advisor, 6-Star transformation mage, and the inspection team's true authority.

The core figures who'd witnessed the emperor's death firsthand.

Now tasked with damage control.

"Father was..."

Roselyn's voice grew colder as she processed the details.

Emperor Gertrel, who'd consistently supported her succession, must have loved her deeply.

Flames of fury flickered in the princess's eyes as she clenched her jaw.

"Undoubtedly killed by a confusion mage."

"...The circumstances suggest so. While opinions differ on 6-Star confusion mages'existence, the perpetrator appears at least 5-Star caliber."

"This barrier enveloping the academy grounds—you created it personally, Head Magic Advisor Kohlera?"

"Correct. Not even a mouse can escape these premises while my magic holds."

The scale was staggering—dozens of buildings sealed by one mage's power.

Yet magic isn't infinite. Even a 6-Star mage couldn't maintain such a barrier indefinitely.

"It should last three days... Beyond that is uncertain."

"Then we have three days to find Father's killer within this barrier."

Roselyn exhaled through clenched teeth before steadying her breath.

The flames in her eyes burned brighter.

This was when curses, lamentations, or emotional outbursts should surface.

Yet the princess suppressed her trembling voice with practiced control.

"First—why kill Father? If political rivals did it, that's understandable... But an outsider with no connection to Gremfort Palace assassinating the emperor implies either a conspirator or ulterior motives."

She maintained rationality despite the emotional storm.

A necessary skill for surviving as heir apparent in Gremfort Palace.

Derek observed her with folded arms.

Someone who could compartmentalize emotion and reason. She'd have made an excellent mercenary.

An inappropriate thought about royalty, but people judge by their own standards.

"...The'Light of the Empire'is gone."

"...What?"

Kohlera seemed to already know why Gertrel was killed.

The legendary 6-Star magical weapon—allowing its wielder to project magic's influence anywhere in the Empire—had vanished.

Clearly the killer's objective.

"The Light belongs solely to Emperor Gertrel. No ordinary thief could wield it. I spent weeks forging its magical restraints so only His Majesty could access its power."

"You're suggesting the killer murdered His Majesty to break those restraints and steal the staff?"

"Currently the most plausible theory. Since I couldn't dismantle my own restraints, they killed the owner to nullify them."

A 6-Star confusion mage stealing an empire-spanning magical weapon—this carried grave implications.

"Such artifacts aren't easily activated. Even I, a transformation specialist, need nearly ten days to imprint magic and bind it to an owner."

No mage could wield such power overnight.

Thus recovering it now remained possible.

Hence Kohlera's barrier.

Letting the killer escape with the staff meant unpredictable consequences.

The Light wasn't just a powerful weapon—it symbolized imperial authority itself.

It couldn't remain stolen.

This was Kohlera's unspoken message.

"Everyone saw the barrier go up. We can't conceal this incident. Gather all guests in the main hall—as the academy's administrator, you should lead the announcement, Baron Ravenclaw."

"Understood. With so many influential nobles from the Southwest present, we must prevent further panic."

"Panic's inevitable. The question is catching the killer."

Roselyn bit her lip again.

Amid swirling emotions, she distilled the situation concisely.

"The suspect freely manipulates memories and likely disguises themselves with confusion magic. Even if found, we might forget. They could erase their presence and vanish into the crowd."

"Undoubtedly difficult. Yet even 6-Star mages have limits."

6-Star mages tire.

Kalimford gasped after summoning a meteor. Kohlera can't maintain this barrier forever.

Erasing hundreds or thousands of memories would drain tremendous magic.

This explained why most dismissed Roselyn's claim about a world-altering confusion mage—such feats exceeded human capacity.

"Most importantly, any suspicious changes... Princess Roselyn would notice, wouldn't she?"

"That... is true."

"Then... Your Highness must remain perfectly composed."

Derek wiped his face and slapped his cheeks.

The situation demanded absolute focus.

Even his own memories and perceptions were suspect now.

The killer could be any mage present—nearly every prestigious family had representatives here.

Time was limited. The killer's identity unknown. They might be disguised among acquaintances.

A fog of confusion thicker than any labyrinth.

Derek stood from the table.

"First, gather all magic-capable individuals in the main hall. It'll... get chaotic."

"Before that, there's something you should know."

As Derek rose, Kohlera called softly with a meaningful smile.

That viper's grin never grew familiar.

When Derek turned, Kohlera conjured a glowing object from her fingertips.

A book.

Hidden until now by transformation magic.

"...What is this?"

"The Book of Resentment. A 5-Star magical artifact."

Roselyn watched uneasily—clearly familiar with it.

5-Star artifacts rival the value of entire mansions. Only labyrinth relics or master transformation mages produce them.

Derek's questioning gaze met Kohlera's.

"I believe in 6-Star confusion mages,"Kohlera continued smoothly."Thus I've always prepared for this encounter. We'll need countermeasures."

"This book... is that countermeasure?"

"Indeed. Its power is simple. Read it, comprehend its contents, chant the incantation..."

Kohlera rose with a scraping chair, her tone deepening.

"...and it grants wishes."

"..."

Derek sensed omissions.

Such fairytale power would rate higher than 5-Star if truly limitless.

There must be a price or severe restrictions.

"As you've guessed, the power isn't free. Nor does it guarantee catching a 6-Star confusion mage—its capabilities are finite. But it may prove crucial."

"..."

"If I forget this book's existence, please remember it for me."

A weighty request.

Even a 6-Star confusion mage would struggle erasing Kohlera's memories.

Resistance to confusion magic varies by individual.

If Kohlera starts forgetting... Derek likely wouldn't fare better.

Yet Kohlera made this request deliberately.

"Wouldn't Princess Roselyn be a better candidate for such a request?"

"I've already informed Her Highness."

"Is that so?"

Roselyn nodded silently when Derek looked her way.

She clearly knew more about the book.

Derek closed his eyes briefly before exhaling sharply.

"Understood."

The enemy defied perception—shapeshifting, erasing and implanting memories at will.

The killer could be anyone here.

"Then let's begin."

Eyes blazing, Derek strode from the room.

"What... what are you saying?!"

"His Imperial Majesty... is dead...?"

"How... how could this...!"

Ravenclaw Academy's central main hall.

Derek stood firm on the podium after gathering all magic-capable individuals.

Chaos erupted instantly.

Nobles from Duplein, Belmierd, Beltus, Renuel—every influential family had representatives present.

Even guards trembled at the unbelievable news.

Each subsequent revelation worsened the shock.

No one could leave until the killer was found.

The suspect could manipulate perception—likely a 6-Star confusion mage.

"Does this mean... any of us could be the killer?!"

"Gods... Gathering magic users was rounding up suspects...!"

"A 6-Star confusion mage? Who still believes such nonsense?!"

"Damn it! You expect us to stay with a murderer?! This is insane! Let us out!"

"I thought Ravenclaw Academy was reputable and safe...! How could this happen...?!"

Amid the uproar, Derek remained steadfast.

Memorizing every face among the hundred nobles present.

The killer had to be a magic user.

- BANG!

A table slammed.

Silence fell as all turned toward the red-haired girl.

"Maintain decorum. The Belmierd family formally supports and trusts Ravenclaw Academy. Hostility toward this institution is unacceptable."

Elennte's sharp gaze swept the crowd.

"Under these circumstances, we should follow Baron Ravenclaw's lead. The emperor's assassination cannot be taken lightly. With Princess Roselyn and Head Magic Advisor Kohlera overseeing matters, remaining calm is wisest."

"House Beltus fully concurs. Authority should remain with those most familiar with these premises."

"Duplein stands with Derek. Opposing him means opposing us—and we never forgive such slights."

Denis and Diela's endorsements cowed the dissenting nobles.

The Southwest's three most powerful families'support carried immense weight.

'Sh-should I say something too...? Did I miss my chance...? Now? Or too late...?'

Only Tricia hesitated, too busy gauging reactions to speak up. Ever consistent.

With the region's powerhouses united behind Derek, outright opposition became untenable.

Order could be maintained. Once the crowd calmed, individual testimonies could be collected.

As Derek prepared to address them again—

"Baron Ravenclaw."

Head Butler Delbritton whispered urgently:

"More bodies have been found."

Derek massaged his temples.

The situation worsened by the minute.

Aren—senior magic advisor to the imperial court, golden-haired—hung spread-eagled on Amarilis House's main gate.

Blood dripped from a chest wound identical to Emperor Gertrel's.

"..."

The embroidered robe sparked Derek's memory.

Kohlera's subordinate who'd summoned him earlier.

Of the four advisors Kohlera brought, this woman was one.

"Aren...!"

The remaining three advisors swallowed hard, staring at their longtime colleague.

"Even an imperial magic advisor..."

Kohlera arrived moments after Derek.

She'd been reviewing the assassination details when notified. Her shock seemed genuine.

"I grew suspicious when she didn't respond to summons... She served me faithfully for seven years... A tragic loss..."

Kohlera bowed deeply in mourning.

Her other advisors concealed their expressions but clearly reeled.

Aren had evidently been a key subordinate.

"We'll preserve the body for proper funeral rites. Might you assist, Baron Ravenclaw?"

"Of course. But... never mind."

Derek swallowed his questions—no need to interrogate the bereaved.

"...This accelerates the chaos. I hadn't anticipated further killings."

Yet Kohlera voiced Derek's unspoken thought:

"You wonder why Aren was killed?"

She leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially.

"This is a threat against me."

"..."

Derek had guessed as much.

The killer was pressuring Kohlera by eliminating her staff.

Killing Kohlera directly was near-impossible—6-Star mage duels typically end mutually.

So they targeted her subordinates instead.

A message: Disable the barrier or more will die.

Yet Kohlera's lips curled further.

"Don't worry, Baron Ravenclaw."

Her smile would chill any observer.

"I'll never lower this barrier."

Derek studied her calmly.

Kohlera remained composed as ever, merely lowering her voice to avoid being overheard.

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

That familiar, chilling smirk emerged beneath her hood.

"This is my once-in-a-lifetime chance to find a 6-Star confusion mage."

With that, Kohlera bowed her head again and returned to her grieving subordinates.

The perfect image of a bereaved leader.

But those who'd glimpsed her true nature knew.

She was a madwoman who lived only for magic.

She would catch the confusion mage here—no matter the cost.

- Step, step.

As Kohlera departed, Derek gazed up at Amarilis House.

The marble dormitory meant to house noble daughters now bore a gruesome corpse.

He recalled Aiselin laboring over blueprints late into the night—sometimes grabbing shovels herself in her stubbornness.

Her efforts now reduced to a murder scene.

"..."

Expressionless, Derek pulled his robe's hood up and vanished into the crowd.