Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 248

-"Once this mission to Gremfort Palace concludes, I have something important to discuss with Lady Aiselin. It's a rather serious matter... I'm not sure how you'll take it."

The carriage procession carrying Empress Rozelyn and Derek was disappearing beyond the plains to quell the chaos at Gremfort Palace.

Standing by the window in Ravenclaw Academy's office, Aiselin wore a grave expression as she quietly gazed outside.

-"From my perspective as well, it's a matter requiring deep consideration, so we'll discuss it properly then. For now, I'll focus on resolving immediate tasks."

'Derek usually speaks directly when he has something to say... For him to call it a matter requiring deep thought... What could it be...?'

After his private audience with Empress Rozelyn in Lavender Dormitory, Derek had worn an unusually pensive expression.

Of course, seeing Derek agonize wasn't uncommon. Managing the academy's mischievous students inevitably gave him constant headaches.

Watching this man who usually handled everything with superhuman efficiency become flustered by teenage girls'antics... often reminded her that Derek was human after all.

But this time, Derek's demeanor suggested something far more serious than usual concerns... something profoundly weighty.

'......What could possibly trouble Derek this deeply..?'

Initially, Aiselin mechanically ran through possible work-related issues.

The annex facilities showing signs of aging, scheduling conflicts in the cultural department... needing to reorganize staff working conditions... While she had numerous administrative matters in mind, none warranted such deep concern.

That left only personal matters concerning Derek himself.

But what personal matters could Derek possibly have? He was a man wholly consumed by magic.

The only recent personal matter involving Derek had been the marriage proposal from House Rocheste.

Marriage proposal.

Reaching this thought made Aiselin's head spin.

'Could it be...?'

As the saying goes,"what ifs"can drive one mad—was it possible that iron-willed man's affections might be directed toward her?

Upon reflection, Aiselin and Derek shared an inseparable bond of trust that had become impossible to sever.

Imagining Derek—who'd never glanced at noble ladies from prominent families—potentially harboring feelings for her... she suddenly realized she'd been holding her breath.

'Calling it a matter requiring deep thought... naturally leads one to wild speculations.'

Fanning her flushed face, Aiselin quietly watched the distant carriage procession disappear.

Whatever important matter Derek wished to discuss after careful consideration would be revealed upon his return from this expedition.

- Creak

"Um, Lady Aiselin... a-are you here...?"

Then, without warning, someone opened the office door.

The hesitant voice belonged to Lady Tricia of the Renuel Family, peering in with obvious discomfort.

"Considering Damon's situation, he likely has no retreat left."

Inside the swaying carriage, Derek spoke with firm resolve to Empress Rozelyn.

Once their procession entered Gremfort Palace to announce the return of Gertrel Imperial Family's legitimate heir... there was no telling what actions Damon might take.

"After painstakingly ousting Kohlera's faction to establish himself as Gremfort Palace's dominant force, he lacks political legitimacy before Your Majesty's rightful claim to succession."

"Indeed. I'll personally remove that viperous noble who murdered my father."

"A cornered enemy is most dangerous. We can't predict what desperate measures he might employ."

Chairman Damon wasn't driven by grand ideals but by survival—a man who'd always found escape routes through life's darkest labyrinths.

Such a man wouldn't go down without a fight.

At this juncture, eliminating Empress Rozelyn might be his only path to survival.

"It would be convenient if simply commanding his execution at Gremfort Palace's guillotine resolved everything... but reality won't be so kind."

Empress Rozelyn seemed equally aware.

The carriage's rhythmic sway mirrored her unsettled heart. Though typically composed, thoughts of avenging Emperor Gertrel's murder stirred rare agitation.

Outside the window, the sun sank in the western sky.

Despite their early departure from Ravenclaw Academy, Gremfort Palace remained distant.

Empress Rozelyn's expression grew complex.

"Will Gremfort Palace's bureaucrats and aristocratic council truly follow me? I've been absent during this critical period, am still young, and have long alienated magical faction officials."

"Ryner has already informed the imperial capital's loyalist faction. Properly mobilizing them should prevent major issues. The real challenge lies in suppressing the aristocratic council's bureaucratic nobles as you mentioned."

Derek spoke matter-of-factly with folded arms.

"While consolidating Gremfort Palace's internal factions may be feasible, securing the empire's overall leadership requires winning over regional territorial nobles."

"With Count Ravenclaw—who holds influence across the southwestern and eastern continents—supporting me, it feels like having an invincible army at my back."

"Many nobles remain wait-and-see. And those favoring Chairman Damon from the central aristocratic council won't be easily swayed. Uniting them requires... more than mere charisma."

Derek knew his position well and exploited it thoroughly.

To install Empress Rozelyn at Gremfort Palace as her patron required his personal involvement.

Mere declarations of support or remaining as her loyal vassal wouldn't suffice.

They needed something more shocking, more spectacular to leave an indelible mark on the empire.

"Use me as your sacrificial pawn."

"What?"

Derek's words made Empress Rozelyn gasp.

After struggling to secure Derek's allegiance and extracting numerous promises... now he suggested becoming a sacrificial pawn? She couldn't comprehend his meaning.

"As you said, my influence across the southwestern and eastern continents is considerable. Not just among our school's members but regional power nobles... all share deep ties with House Ravenclaw."

Derek rarely boasted. His words simply stated facts.

"However, uniting and mobilizing them is no easy task."

"Even with Count Ravenclaw himself leading?"

"Yes. As you know, regional territorial nobles have conflicting interests and tangled histories... like a spider's web. Uniting them requires equally powerful justification—the more striking and intuitive, the better."

"..."

Rozelyn couldn't imagine what Derek intended.

Yet she agreed with his assessment. Even within the Ravenclaw School, internal tensions made control difficult.

To gain proper advantage in central power struggles, internal divisions couldn't be tolerated.

But expecting unified movement from all affiliated families—Duplein, Belmierd, Beltus, Renuel, Rocheste—was unrealistic.

They needed powerful justification and promises. Derek seemed prepared to offer something enabling this.

"Before this expedition, I informed my disciples and colleagues. That I might face a life-or-death duel with a 6-Star mage, staking my life on this endeavor."

"You... don't tell me..."

"What greater justification exists than death?"

Silence.

Only the carriage's rhythmic clattering filled the air.

Their procession had already left the southwestern continent, heading toward central regions.

Having crossed the great plains, they now entered the valley blocking the southwest—a virtual lawless zone where only occasional wild animals stirred.

Though numerous torches illuminated their path, they couldn't dispel the night's darkness.

The wilderness's gloom.

Its desolate atmosphere perfectly suited dramatic events.

"...You mentioned dispatching that man Ryner to Gremfort Palace."

"Yes. Naturally, that viper Damon would know. Gremfort Palace is his domain. He's surely deduced my involvement and sent agents to Ravenclaw Academy."

However, Ravenclaw Academy was undisputed Duplein Ducal Territory.

If Damon's private soldiers were caught operating there, complications would multiply.

Thus, if Damon planned moves... it would be after Rozelyn and Derek left Ravenclaw Academy.

This moment—when they departed to subdue Chairman Damon after assessing the situation.

If the nominally missing empress could be made permanently disappear, Damon's feared imperial return would never occur.

Hence, this desolate darkness presented Damon's perfect opportunity.

-'On the cliffs...! Someone's on the cliffs...!'

-'Not just one...! A detachment...! Includes mages...! High-ranking imperial mages..!'

Beyond the moonlit chill, torch-bearing cavalry appeared atop the cliffs. Their backer needed no speculation.

Guards protecting the carriage procession tightened formations.

Pellin—the lookout sprawled across the lead carriage's roof—narrowed her eyes.

-'All units form up..! Ambush...!'

-'Protect the VIP carriage...! Report all developments immediately...!'

Shouts from outside.

Though frantic soldiers'commands reached the carriage interior, Derek and Rozelyn remained utterly calm, simply watching each other.

"I'll likely operate separately for a while. During that time, I'll provide Your Majesty with'justification'powerful enough to unite southwestern and eastern continental nobles."

"..."

"Can you wield it effectively?"

While chaos escalated outside, the carriage interior grew increasingly tranquil.

Yet tension thrummed between them. In the dark carriage, their locked gazes conveyed volumes.

As Empress Rozelyn nodded tensely—

- BOOOOM!

- WHOOSH!

Shockwaves from the cliff-top mages sent their carriage toppling sideways.

- CRASH! KABOOM!

Thus, in a remote valley's darkness, magical energies collided and spread.

The next day, Duplein Ducal Territory.

Survivors from the night ambush returned to the academy with despair-filled expressions.

Leading them was Pellin—Count Ravenclaw's trusted sentinel—dust coating her clothes, face grim.

"Wh-what happened? Mr. Delbritton?"

"Ah, Lady Aiselin... yesterday's carriage procession... only 30% of forces have returned..."

The news reaching Aiselin in her office was unbelievable.

"───."

As Delbritton reported, Aiselin's eyes widened impossibly, her quill pen clattering to the floor.