Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 185

The isolated Ravenclaw Academy construction site contained seven buildings in total.

The central academic building handling core administrative tasks—Delphinia Hall—along with the ladies'education facility Silver Crown Hall to its east, magic lecture halls Ravenclaw Hall and Liberten Hall, dormitory building Amarilis House, social activity center Clementon Cultural Hall, and the imperial guest residence Bellos Hall.

Though more structures stood along the periphery, Kochella's barrier spell only covered this central area.

"We've gathered all distinguished guests in Delphinia Hall's main chamber. The imperial guards thoroughly searched every corner within the barrier, but found no suspects."

Head maid Elfin reported to Derek seated in the administrative office corner.

This space meant for faculty had become a temporary command post for imperial guards assessing the situation.

Delphinia Hall's central location made it ideal for coordinating the academy's overall status.

Within the barrier's confines, multiple factions intermingled—Princess Rozelyn's inspection team with imperial guards, southwestern territorial nobles centered around Baron Ravenclaw, and Kochella's magic advisory group.

While their leaders avoided open conflict, unrest simmered among subordinates.

"Damn it! People still believe that nonsense about a 6-star confusion mage?!"

"Even if such a person exists, how could we catch them? More victims appeared last night... We'll all die at this rate!"

Panicked noble voices echoed from the corridor.

Head maid Elfin bowed nervously, but Derek showed no emotional disturbance.

"Status of the main hall guests?"

"Provisions are sufficient—no shortages. But after two more magic advisors died last night... tensions escalated further."

"Understandable."

During last night's building searches, two more of Kochella's subordinates were killed.

One hung spread-eagled at Ravenclaw Hall's entrance, the other similarly displayed at Liberten Hall—both without clues, witnesses, or evidence.

The method was clear: kill, erase all memories of the scene, then vanish.

Only one imperial magic advisor remained—a young man named Dalton, already showing signs of mental collapse from terror.

"Where's that last advisor now?"

"In Delphinia Hall's main chamber. Though nearly broken by fear... it's the safest location with other guests."

Derek exhaled sharply, wiped his face, and stood.

"I'll assess the situation."

"But..."

"Problem?"

"The main hall is... chaotic. Given circumstances, it's unavoidable."

"Even Princess Rozelyn can't maintain order?"

"Correct... Rumors say once Kochella's subordinates are all dead... distinguished guests will be next."

A logical assumption.

If Kochella kept the barrier up after losing his staff, high-profile nobles would start dying one by one.

Higher status meant bigger targets.

Public pressure would force Kochella to lift the barrier.

But Derek knew better.

-'Don't worry, Sir Derek.'

That fanatic wouldn't drop the barrier until finding his 6-star confusion mage—no matter the cost.

Derek headed down the corridor toward the main hall, Elfin following anxiously.

-'Damn it... damn it... I'll die...! Unless I act now, I'll die...!'

-'We know he assassinated His Majesty and stole imperial treasures... but we'll all perish at this rate...!'

-'Hush...! Quiet...! The Princess might hear..!'

Delphinia Hall's main chamber resembled a war refugee camp—overturned tables, scattered dishes, nobles huddled on makeshift cushions with ashen faces.

From the second-floor balcony, Princess Rozelyn surveyed the hall with exhaustion-lined eyes.

Derek approached and bowed.

"So it's you. Reports say you searched every corner with the guards last night. No progress, I see."

"You haven't slept."

"Obviously. I won't rest for three days straight. Expected as much."

Princess Rozelyn bore the imperial family's rarest trait—complete magic immunity.

Her unique constitution made her fearless toward magic and central to this investigation.

Logically, catching a confusion mage was impossible—they manipulate memories, perceptions, even senses.

But Rozelyn's immunity created an exception.

Any large-scale memory or perception alterations would instantly alert her, making reckless manipulations risky for the mage.

"Still, staring down from this balcony has its amusements."

"Oh?"

"Watching pompous nobles in fine dresses and suits tremble at death's approach—where else could you witness this? Status means nothing when facing mortality."

Fatigue etched deep lines around Rozelyn's eyes.

Her voice cracked, hair dulled—yet she remained vigilant as the sole safe zone against confusion magic.

"Myself included, I suppose."

"..."

"As you see, exhaustion consumes me. Missing one night's sleep is normal during studies, but after three days... I may collapse. Then nobles might truly start dying."

Though disliking nobles, Rozelyn understood the repercussions of their deaths.

Yet something else concerned her more.

"He killed Father."

Rozelyn's eyes burned fiercely—remarkable vitality amidst her fatigue.

However she felt about Emperor Gertrel, her vengeful fury was unmistakable.

"I'd do anything to tear that bastard apart. But emotions mustn't cloud judgment."

"Objectively, the situation worsens. If the last advisor dies... consequences could escalate."

"Right. The guard captain says that constantly. So? Should we release that regicidal monster who stole our greatest treasure back into the world?"

"..."

Rozelyn's icy stare implied many had suggested lifting the barrier if things worsened.

A monarch's reasonable choice—abandon hunting an elusive killer to ensure survivors'safety.

Yet Rozelyn clenched her teeth.

Her opposition stemmed from different reasons than Kochella's.

"Once Kochella's men are dead, nobles will start falling—Duplein's lioness, Beltus'Lady Elennte, perhaps Belmierd's Denis. The southwest's most influential houses."

"..."

"If your precious disciples die, you'll burn with rage like me. Won't you?"

Derek nodded. Having benefited from mentors'guidance, he valued teacher-student bonds deeply.

Losing disciples would drive him to hunt the killer relentlessly.

"As mentioned, time isn't on our side. We must act decisively now."

"Have you a concrete plan? The Book of Resentment seems unreliable."

Rozelyn clearly distrusted Kochella's artifact.

Derek shook his head.

"Your Highness, I'll gamble."

Rozelyn lifted her weary face, studying Derek.

Though usually monotone, his words carried weight.

Derek raised a slightly trembling hand—rare visible tension for someone normally unshakable.

"Consider this—after killing the imperial advisors, who would the confusion mage target next? Duplein? Belmierd? Beltus? None of them."

"...!"

Rozelyn suddenly understood Derek's tension.

To maximize chaos, the killer would strike leadership.

Three figures held command here—Rozelyn (imperial), Kochella (magic), and Derek (academy).

Rozelyn was immune. Kochella too formidable.

That left one option.

"You... you're..."

Even the usually arrogant princess's pupils shook momentarily.

Derek's expression remained typically blank.

"..."

Derek could die anytime.

Without warning, like a snuffed candle.

Every second balanced life and death.

In dungeon exploration, one could find safe zones or stay alert.

But here, resistance was impossible—wandering death's fog, never knowing when the end would come.

Everyone fears death—Rozelyn's own words moments ago.

Derek was no exception.

Across the hall, the last advisor urinated himself in terror—pitiful but understandable.

Being hunted by an imperceptible killer shattered rationality.

Yet Derek only showed slight hand tremors—no cowering or panicking.

A man accustomed to death's constant proximity.

"You... you're maintaining sanity in this?"

"As you see—my hands tremble."

Rozelyn recognized Derek's extraordinary composure.

If the academy's leader showed fear, chaos would engulf everyone.

Perhaps noble politics had honed his leadership qualities.

No mere vineyard caretaker, this man.

"This pressure... might present opportunity."

"Opportunity...?"

"That terrified advisor stays safe under Your Highness's watch. Thus... the confusion mage must come for me."

Predicting the killer's next move allowed setting a trap.

But opportunities demand sacrifice.

"I'll stake my life. If I win, will Your Highness collect the winnings?"

Gripping Rozelyn's slender arm, Derek spoke with terrifying intensity.

His following proposal left the princess speechless.

He truly intended to resolve this extreme situation immediately.