Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 222

Some time had passed since the battle in Count Elvester's territory became known, and the chaotic political situation was gradually stabilizing.

Though Derek couldn't help but be concerned about Chairman Damon's departure which left only questions behind, there were more pressing matters at hand that left no room for investigation.

News of Princess Rozelyn's coronation ceremony in the imperial capital, rumors of Chairman Damon reconvening the noble council, and recent whispers that Kochella rarely left her research lab anymore.

As his status rose, the information reaching him became more diverse and profound.

Having already begun ascending to the ranks of true influence in the southwestern continent, Derek had no choice but to stay acutely aware of the surrounding political climate.

"You're walking such a smooth path now that even seeing your face has become difficult, Derek."

"Oh, Pellin! It's really good to see you after so long. I see my letter reached you."

"..."

As usual, Derek was practicing magic alone in the clearing behind his private mansion on the academy outskirts, wiping sweat as he showed genuine pleasure at seeing her.

Pellin, who'd maintained a long friendship with Derek since their days rolling through Evelstain's slums, remained largely unchanged despite the passage of time.

Her beautifully tied platinum blonde hair, the large bow visible behind it, and slightly upgraded equipment compared to before.

With her outstanding skills, steady mercenary work would have undoubtedly earned her widespread recognition in those circles by now.

"You install someone as a baroness while racing ahead to success yourself... and now you're about to receive a count's title...?"

"...That's how it turned out. I've been focusing on magic training."

"Haah..."

Pellin was a mercenary to the bone with strong antipathy toward aristocratic authority—understandable given her past.

Yet she showed little resentment toward Derek's rise through noble ranks.

Their childhood bond played a role, but more importantly, she knew Derek wasn't the type to be intoxicated by aristocratic pretensions.

Likely his obsession with magic led him here—after all, nobility and magic were inseparable. This easy explanation had Pellin massaging her temples with a weary expression.

"Derek, you're so predictable. Anyway, why'd you summon me with a special letter to the Velderun Mercenary Group? I had to turn down a pretty big contract in the Rughel commercial district to come."

"Obviously because I need to ask you something."

"You're hiring me?"

"Why? If you're too busy, I understand."

The maids assisting Derek in his training area looked bewildered.

Though officially married, Derek and Pellin conversed like nothing more than close hometown friends.

Truthfully, Derek had dragged Pellin into this primarily to establish noble authority when his influence was still weak. Now with abilities rivaling family-head level mages and recognized imperial standing, the situation had changed dramatically.

By conventional standards, Pellin occupied an incompatible position with Derek. Unless she accepted her role as baroness, she remained just a commoner.

This understandably made the surrounding maids fidget uncomfortably—in their worldview, Pellin should be kneeling in proper etiquette before him.

But this reaction stemmed from ignorance of mercenary camaraderie. Those who've shared life-and-death struggles develop bonds transcending social hierarchy.

Having dipped his toes in noble society, Derek fully understood. In this world of calculated interests, comrades like Pellin—who built trust before nobility—were invaluable.

"I'll pay well. I'm rich now."

"Well that's certainly welcome from my perspective... but Derek, whenever you talk about handing out money like this, there's always a catch..."

"What do you mean, Pellin?"

"I've known you more than a day or two—do you think I wouldn't notice? You're not one to waste a single copper coin. When you start offering big money upfront... oh, it actually makes me nervous... What terrible thing are you about to ask me to do...?"

"It's nothing that serious. You might actually welcome it."

Derek extended his arm as an attendant approached to bandage it.

Though wounds from the Elvester territory battle had mostly healed, some remained. Not fully recovered but still relentlessly training—such dedication was quintessentially Derek.

"As you probably know, managing Ravenclaw Academy has left me overwhelmed lately."

"Ah~ The rumors spread far and wide. They say you flipped the entire academy upside down while manifesting 5-Star magic?"

"Right... I always prefer handling things gently, but sometimes overturning things once becomes necessary. Teaching magic in noble districts was... on a completely different level of difficulty..."

Derek rarely opened up this candidly.

Given the lofty status of most people he interacted with, conversing with someone like Pellin felt refreshingly comfortable.

"After that one overturning, discipline settled and incidents decreased noticeably."

"Well... after having that power difference hammered in once, most would collapse trembling..."

"But soon I must visit the imperial capital to receive my count's title. While there, I need to meet Master Katia and Elvester County survivors to discuss future territory plans... Anyway, I'll be extremely busy."

"...Afraid discipline will collapse again in your absence?"

"Yes. I believe Lady Aiselin can manage to some degree, but symbolically, I need someone to represent my authority."

Derek patted his bandaged arm and swung it around experimentally.

The pain had mostly subsided, and though some discomfort remained, it shouldn't pose significant problems.

"As my official baroness, you're qualified."

"You want me to play noble among those giggling academy girls? I might vomit already."

"More precisely, to maintain their discipline."

"......Now that sounds tempting?"

Finding someone to represent Derek's authority wasn't hard—the challenge lay in trust.

After returning from the capital, Derek would officially become a count. The imperial court would assign many retainers, and numerous talents from Elvester County would join House Ravenclaw.

As his faction grew, he couldn't trust just anyone—those enjoying the leader's confidence naturally gained real influence.

Those managing Ravenclaw Academy would wield considerable power within Derek's circle. Especially Aiselin—most titled nobles would defer to her.

It felt like just yesterday her family collapsed under necromancy, yet now even southwestern territorial nobles lowered their gazes before her.

Such was the unpredictability of life.

"If Lady Aiselin plays the carrot, someone must wield the stick. I believe you're perfect."

"Wow... So now I'm not just a baroness but acting countess... Where is my life headed..."

"The workload shouldn't be too heavy..."

"Derek, you have no idea how stressful it is sitting in official positions as your so-called wife."

"That bad?"

"Those noble girls'stares alone are unbearable. Their eyes scream'You? His mistress?'I constantly want to snap'Got a problem?'"

Pellin shuddered as if recalling unpleasant memories.

She harbored no romantic feelings for Derek—paradoxically why he placed her in this position.

But how other women around Derek perceived this was another matter entirely.

"I absolutely detest those noble girls'scheming glances... but maintaining discipline does sound appealing... And you'll pay handsomely."

"If you really dislike it, I can find someone else. It's not mandatory."

"Ah... Refusing a commission from the southwestern continent's most prominent noble would raise eyebrows among mercenaries. Besides, we go way back and you trust me... Truthfully, I wasn't planning to refuse."

Leaning against the mansion wall with folded arms, Pellin embodied the seasoned mercenary in midday shade.

"For better or worse, no one's done more for me since my mercenary days than Derek. I live and die by loyalty like any proper mercenary."

"You seem to take care of yourself pretty well despite that..."

"Money matters~"

Pellin laughed brightly, flipping her cloak dramatically.

"Guess I'll have to practice wearing those frilly dresses again. Ugh."

"Hey, Pellin."

"?"

Derek pressed his bandaged arm and spoke casually.

"Having someone I can make these offers to without power games is truly fortunate. As noble authority grows, relationships unconstrained by such things become rare."

"..."

"I'm grateful you always come running when needed. Just wanted to say that."

Leaning against the wall with folded arms, Pellin smiled wearily at Derek's offhand remark.

"Well you're the client—I'd come running barefoot if needed."

Theirs was that kind of relationship.

And that suited them both perfectly.

After settling academy affairs, Derek headed to Gremfort Palace in the imperial capital.

Gremfort Palace—the most magnificent and colossal human construction, the empire's heart so vast that merely reaching the audience hall from the main gate took over an hour.

Dressed in a linen shirt with semi-robe and gold-trimmed jacket, escorted by courtiers into the audience hall, he finally saw Empress Rozelyn.

Looking up past her revealed the massive crown symbolizing the empire's apex. Indeed, she could no longer be called Princess Rozelyn.

Empress Rozelyn—head of the imperial faction, strongest of Gremfort Palace's three powers and the empire's most influential figure.

As she rose sword in hand, Derek bowed quietly.

Amid fluttering petals and courtiers'reverent gazes, Derek finally received the sword.

This sharp blade was no mere ornament—its inscribed words symbolized the empire's history and authority. Similar inscriptions adorned Countess Rodea's Holy Blood Sword.

"You took long to reach this position, Lord Ravenclaw."

Empress Rozelyn spoke solemnly. Derek remained silent, bowing.

Derek Raidof Ravenclaw, Count.

Having reached 5-Star mastery and contributed greatly to the empire, Derek now occupied a position even central bureaucratic nobles couldn't disregard.

Head still bowed, Derek properly grasped the sword and completed all formalities. After a final respectful bow, he turned and strode away.

Pushing aside the drape at the audience hall entrance, he gazed pensively down the long corridor.

Come to think of it, he'd felt similarly back in the slums while disposing of an old man's corpse and rummaging through tents.

The boy emerging from that destitute tent with nothing but some bread and rags, his eyes unchanged then and now.

That boy who only knew basic 1-Star magic, pushing aside the tent flap to walk along the riverbank.

Chatting with hometown friend Pellin made him realize—while much around him had changed, Derek himself remained the same.

That same feeling from when he first stepped boldly into the world still lingered wonderfully in his heart.

"Let's go."

His retainers followed quietly behind.

One final step to 6-Star.

The realm he'd dreamed of felt almost within reach.

"Derek Raidof Ravenclaw... no longer a baron but count now... So he's finally entered Gremfort Palace?"

Gremfort Palace. Chief Magic Advisor Kochella's research lab in the"Mercy Palace."

Surrounded by countless bookshelves, Kochella's eyes gleamed with excitement—the long-awaited moment had arrived.

"Yes, my lady."

"Good... I always knew I'd meet him here in this palace."

Kochella smiled ecstatically at the small dagger on her desk.