Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 229

- Bang!

- Whoosh!

Battling through the rain, Chairman Damon burst into the Mercy Palace's clerk quarters, his bandaged body tumbling across the floor.

- Crash! Bang!

- Splash!

The startled night watch rushed out, lifting the rain-soaked man to his feet.

"Wh-what... Chairman Damon... at this hour... how...!"

"G-gather... all reachable nobles in the imperial capital... Chief Magic Advisor Kochella has rebelled...! She's attempting to assassinate Her Majesty Rozelyn and restructure Gremfort Palace's order...!"

"Wh-what do you mean? Is... is this happening in Gremfort Palace... the main palace right now?"

"No time...! I barely... escaped myself...! Move quickly...! Her Majesty is in danger...!"

The usually composed and authoritative chairman's frantic shouts left the bureaucrats swallowing dryly.

- Whoosh!!

Princess Rozelyn's office.

The massive dagger embedded in Kochella's chest pulsed with ominous violet magic energy.

Derek swallowed hard, examining the weapon.

A magical artifact of at least 5-Star caliber—undoubtedly Kochella's own creation. Its presence in her chest suggested she'd fallen victim to some scheme.

Someone had betrayed Kochella, stabbing her with this magic-suppressing blade. Even a 6-Star mage would struggle against such restraints, yet Kochella still managed to emit faint magic—a testament to her prowess.

"It was Chairman Damon who employed Confusion Mage Marilyn to assassinate Emperor Gertrel. Koff... ugh..."

Kochella braced against the table, rising with difficulty as she spoke through gritted teeth.

"This wound... might be the worst I've suffered in forty years..."

"Chairman Damon... killed Father...?"

"Hard to believe? Soon... he'll storm Gremfort Palace with all available forces. With me temporarily neutralized... this is his best opportunity..."

Gasping for breath, Kochella suddenly lifted her head.

"Let's make a deal, Princess Rozelyn. Shouldn't we stop Chairman Damon—the true regicide plotting to overthrow the empire?"

"You've got nerve, Kochella. As if I'd forget you also pointed a dagger at my throat."

Empress Rozelyn kicked her chair aside and slammed the table.

Amid the crashing sounds, she grabbed Kochella's collar and yanked her up.

"Not even if the heavens split would I join hands with you."

"I thought... you'd say that."

- Flash!

A brilliant light erupted from Kochella—2-Star Transformation Magic:"Flashbang."

Derek shut his eyes against the blinding light. Magic-immune Rozelyn whipped her head around, but Kochella shoved her away.

- Crash! Bang!

In that split-second blindness, Kochella swung her bleeding arm, triggering a massive explosion. Despite the artifact suppressing 80% of her power, her spellcasting speed remained inhuman.

- Kaboom! Whoosh!

Blast waves and scorching heat filled the room.

Derek lunged forward, deploying defensive magic to absorb the impact. While Rozelyn was immune to magic, collapsing debris remained a threat.

- Rumble! Crash!

Thus, in Gremfort Palace's most prestigious office, a tremendous explosion erupted—audible throughout the imperial grounds despite the downpour.

- Rustle, crunch

- Drip drip

Derek shook his head and rose from the dusty wine cellar floor.

The storage space—larger than most conference halls—lay in ruins. Over half the wine bottles had shattered, their contents mixing with blood on the stone.

As grape-scented vapors swirled, Derek studied the hole in the ceiling.

'Escaped.'

He frowned, brushing wine from his sleeves.

'She came to reveal Damon as the true regicide. Smart... prevents Rozelyn from siding with him.'

Despite her injuries, Kochella had ensured the palace's three factions would remain divided.

Now, Empress Rozelyn could trust neither Kochella nor Damon.

The imperial guards were split between magic and noble factions. Even the Rose and Lily Palace defenders were divided three ways.

A tangled web where drawing first blood would drag all parties into conflict.

- Rustle! Flash!

"Cough! Gasp... ugh..."

"Your Majesty."

"Unhurt, Derek? No—Lord Ravenclaw."

From beneath rubble and barrel fragments, the wine-scented empress struggled up. Her fine silk dress was half-burned, one shoulder strap dangling.

While magic couldn't harm her, collapsing structures remained dangerous.

Rozelyn gathered her singed hair, tying it up with a salvaged ribbon before limping toward Derek.

"An impromptu wine tasting? The aroma alone might intoxicate me."

"Quality vintages, now wasted."

"Your territory produces excellent wine... replenish these later. Palace stock mostly comes from eastern Spidel—too tannic for my taste."

"..."

"The eastern nobles would scowl at that."

Exchanging dark humor, Rozelyn suddenly noticed Derek's wine-soaked shirt concealing blood.

She yanked his collar open, revealing a wooden beam puncture wound.

"You should've said you were injured!"

"Common during labyrinth raids. I've treated it—let's find shelter."

"Shelter?"

Rozelyn laughed bitterly.

"With imperial guards and central military split three ways, where's safe?"

"..."

"Kochella and Damon have bared their fangs. Unless resolved tonight, they'll push each other off a cliff."

She tore her dress hem to staunch Derek's wound.

"Palace Steward Rible and Vice Captain Pelomier are loyal... but likely already neutralized. Anyone proclaiming allegiance would've been compromised."

The realization chilled them.

An empress without unquestioning loyalty in her own palace.

"...Frightening. Even as sovereign, I'm being evaluated."

Tonight would test whether she truly controlled Gremfort Palace.

- Whoosh

Loneliness—an emperor's inevitable companion.

Rozelyn tightened her makeshift ponytail, steeling herself.

"Guh...! Ugh...!"

The corridor door was jammed by debris. As Rozelyn strained against it:

- Crash! Bang!

Derek kicked it open, catching her as she stumbled.

"Gasp..."

"Let's go."

He strode into the corridor, Rozelyn blinking before hurriedly following—her face oddly flushed.

"Lord Ravenclaw. You're taking my side?"

"..."

"Escorting me despite Kochella and Damon's open hostility... truly loyal. All that feigned reluctance, yet you choose me. Knew it!"

"..."

"Modern nobles overvalue themselves, always testing waters. But your support tonight feels like gaining an army! Some posturing is forgivable."

Her chatter grew increasingly animated.

"After this, I'll strip those magic faction lands for a proper dukedom. You've bet right—no regrets!"

"Your Majesty..."

"What? Need magical equipment?"

"I haven't formally declared support..."

"Not this again! Even treasury officials don't haggle so much!"

"...Survival comes first."

Derek drew his sword.

"The situation is chaotic. Both Kochella and Damon seek your life tonight—each hoping to frame the other."

"So we rally loyalists—"

"Too slow. Let's be decisive."His eyes glinted ominously."One must die first."

"Decisive... how?"

As Derek advanced, Rozelyn stumbled back.

"First... you'll need to die."

"What?"

- Crack!

Lightning illuminated Derek's blade.

"Wha—! Aah!"

Before Rozelyn could react, Derek pounced.