Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 223

"I never imagined you'd be given separate quarters in the Palace of Truth. The imperial court is treating you quite lavishly."

"Probably because of my position as Derek's teacher. Even when the Flameheart family was intact, I never received such treatment. I'm benefiting greatly from my disciple."

"No need to flatter me so. Though... I don't see Lady Freya anywhere..."

"..."

The first place Derek headed after his title conferment ceremony was the massive marble structure in the northeast corner of Gremfort Palace—the Palace of Truth.

This space, filled with special rooms for palace guests and external visitors alike, was so renowned that simply staying there once would be something to boast about for generations.

Spotting Katia occupying one such space, Derek bowed his head in warm greeting.

Katia Flameheart—the hottest topic in Gremfort Palace these days as the direct mentor of the newly appointed Count Ravenclaw.

This was their first meeting since the bloody battle in Elvester County, and Derek couldn't help but notice how much she'd aged.

Compared to when he first learned magic from her, wrinkles had multiplied and half her hair had turned gray. Though never young to begin with, years of hardship had visibly weathered her.

Parents always age faster than their children expect. Though not related by blood, Derek recalled that saying as he observed Katia's appearance.

"Lady Freya has gone to Elvester County."

"..."

"I know what you want to say. There are times when one needs to see things with their own eyes."

The Elvester family was already beyond recovery.

What remained were mostly powerless retainers or distant relatives—minor officials wandering the outer regions or handling paperwork in Gremfort Palace.

"I heard you've been granted nearly all of Border Count Elvester's rights."

"Yes. I have full authority over the remaining Elvester forces. Though... I don't plan to intervene actively."

Derek shed his stuffy noble attire, rolling up his shirt sleeves as he perched on a tea table in the corner.

Though somewhat improper, both being former street mercenaries, this level of informality didn't register as rude between them.

Katia also sat casually on the windowsill, gazing sideways at the panoramic view of the imperial capital.

"Keeping the existing territorial administrators in place should prevent major disruptions."

"You don't seem particularly happy despite receiving such extraordinary treatment."

"Empress Rozelyn—no, Empress Roselyn likely granted these rewards as both bait to tie me down and a means to check rival factions."

Derek crossed his arms, chewing his lip.

Though granted vast territories, his lack of visible joy stemmed partly from disinterest in secular power, partly from unease about the empress's intentions.

His new title and lands also served to counterbalance Kochella, head of the pro-magic faction.

As Elvester family's matriarch, Kochella stood to lose significant influence with Derek inheriting their territory—yet she'd raised no objections.

"Is Elder Kochella troubling you?"

"Yes. Even if she can maintain authority without family backing, I doubt she'd want the Elvesters to collapse so easily."

"Naturally. No noble willingly discards existing prestige."

Yet Kochella had voiced no opposition to Derek's inheritance.

With their matriarch silent, remaining Elvester forces couldn't protest either.

Thus Derek smoothly assumed control, gaining full authority over the eastern territories in three days—including resource rights, taxation, territorial sovereignty, and judicial power.

Once fully transferred, it would no longer be Elvester territory but Ravenclaw domain.

Its four cities and thirty-seven villages would move under Derek's banner.

Obtaining such substantial holdings without conflict felt suspicious—almost as if Kochella wanted him to have this authority.

"What do you think, Master? You knew the Elvester atmosphere better than I, and have observed Head Magic Advisor Kochella longer."

"Hmm... Elder Kochella's motives are often inscrutable even to me. One certainty—she never acts against her interests."

Her silence about Derek inheriting Elvester lands surely had reasons.

Having lived long years in Elvester County as a tutor, even Katia could offer little more insight.

Derek sighed deeply.

"If even you see nothing... then so be it. What are your plans now, Master? Without fixed residence, I can arrange quarters in Duplein Territory."

"First I wish to check on Lady Freya. After all our time together, she must be terribly distraught by these sudden changes."

"Then why not go to Elvester County to meet her?"

"...?"

Derek tossed a handwritten appointment letter onto the tea table, accompanied by a leather pouch overflowing with gold coins and a small chest of magical items.

"Derek?"

"Frankly, governing Elvester County alone would be difficult. Though I've gained retainers from the Roheltum family with this baronial title, they're all outsiders needing time to adapt."

"I think I know where this is going."

"Exactly as you guessed. This appoints an administrative officer for Elvester County. Though hardly a proper proposal, it provides legitimate authority to manage affairs."

He planned to employ remaining Elvester personnel anyway—the question was who would oversee them.

"I must manage the academy in Duplein Territory while continuing magical training. Though I'll regularly visit Elvester lands, I need someone handling daily operations."

"Too grand a position for me."

"Truthfully, no one else qualifies. My connections barely reach the eastern regions."

While Derek knew key figures in the southwestern continent's core, the east remained unfamiliar—making experienced eastern operators ideal for key posts.

"Don't worry overly. For Duplein's academy, I installed a former mercenary comrade as my proxy. Officially... my wife, though."

"...Placing all old acquaintances in high positions?"

"The higher one rises, the fewer trustworthy allies remain while key posts multiply."

Sighing, Derek set down his teacup.

"I hope you'll accept."

"You really should accept, Dame Katia."

- Creak

The door opened despite Derek having firmly locked it.

Turning sharply at the unnatural sound, Derek saw a magician with long crow's feet smiling meaningfully.

Kochella entered, speaking softly.

After his title ceremony at Gremfort Palace, Derek sensed the atmosphere during the banquet.

Every official and functionary sought to bribe him or secure connections, subtly probing which faction he favored among Empress Roselyn, Head Magic Advisor Kochella, and Chairman Damon.

Roselyn and Damon had already conversed extensively with Derek after Elvester County's catastrophe.

Only Kochella—leader of the magic faction among the palace's three powers—had yet to hold in-depth discussions.

"I didn't expect Elder Kochella to visit the Palace of Truth."

"With Ravenclaw being the talk everywhere, this old woman can't fall behind trends. Don't you agree, Count Ravenclaw?"

Striding in and brushing Katia's shoulder, Kochella smiled gently as she sat opposite Derek.

"Count Ravenclaw Manor once, Duplein Territory once, and Elvester County's battlefield once."

Her light tone carried hidden weight.

"Three meetings, each time your prestige soaring higher... Now you've gained a count's title and vast lands. When we first met in Duplein, I said we'd eventually discuss grander matters in Gremfort Palace's higher circles, didn't I?"

Adjusting her large shawl, Kochella continued.

"This old woman's prophecy came true. My intuition isn't completely dead—I feel rather proud."

"You suffered greatly in Elvester County. Without your 6th-Class magic, Pine wouldn't have left any openings."

"Yes, indeed. I was near death then, and you severely wounded—we parted without proper conversation. Now we should finish that talk."

Katia gulped dryly from her windowsill perch.

Even Katia—seasoned in noble society—felt tense around Kochella.

Her mere presence raised goosebumps, an aura of razor-sharp intensity.

Derek already knew enough about her.

Beneath her benevolent, wise exterior as the magic faction's leader and the continent's most renowned grand mage lurked a research-obsessed madwoman.

Those unaware of this duality could never truly see through the elderly mage.

She'd do anything for magical discovery—dabbling in necromancy, abandoning lifelong subordinates, even discarding her own family without hesitation.

"Pine Rafaela Tigris—6th-Class necromancer and Baroness of Tigris."

Kochella carefully voiced the name of the calamity that had shaken the eastern continent.

"The most sought-after mage in Gremfort Palace... Who'd have imagined the legendary necromancer's direct disciple?"

Katia's eyes widened.

Though aware of Pine's existence, she hadn't expected Kochella to know.

Understandable—had Kochella known Derek studied under a necromancer, she'd never have remained passive.

Yet she'd kept silent—not revealing Derek's connection nor protesting his inheritance of Elvester rights, waiting patiently for this reunion.

Initially baffled, Derek now understood why.

"Not to mention... you're closer than anyone to Adelbert's 7th Domain—time magic..."

"..."

"Truly, Count Ravenclaw is most worthy of being called my'kindred spirit'!"

Kochella bore no prejudice against necromancy, considering it just another magical field.

Moreover, she'd never want to drive Derek—the best lead for 7th-Class magic research—from Gremfort Palace.

Though serpentine in nature, her driving principle remained simple:

Magic. Higher realms of magic.

Just the single-minded ambition to soar through skies and grasp the North Star itself.

Anyone glimpsing this madness understood.

Katia, trembling behind them, seemed to realize it too.

"Count Ravenclaw."

"You have something to say?"

"Let's kill Chairman Damon and Empress Roselyn together."

Her casual tone—as if discussing lunch—carried terrifying conviction.

Derek studied Kochella intently.

In her half-mad, excited pupils, his reflection shimmered faintly.

"Seize this empire, and you'll reach 7th-Class."

As Kochella finally shed all pretense, Derek could only hold his breath.