Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 34

'That Duke Beltus... the man seems utterly immune to aging.'

Count Belmierd muttered to himself.

The central conference room of Cleon Hall in Evelstein's Noble District.

The sight of the three great noble families from the western empire gathered in one place made the attending servants gulp nervously. Each was practically a king in their own territory, and even minor missteps could bring great shame to their houses.

'There must be some truth to those rumors about him dabbling in forbidden arts.'

Count Belmierd presided over the meeting with hearty laughter, but as usual, the Duke of Duplein and Duke Beltus maintained their heavy, gloomy expressions.

Family heads tended to be like that. In truth, someone like Count Belmierd was the exception rather than the rule.

"If Your Grace of Duplein intends to expand your domain north of the Velkos Peninsula, you should be wary of the labyrinths in the White Wilderness. Controlling the trade tolls there would bring great profit, but provoking high-level labyrinth monsters could cause more harm than good."

"You worry too much, Duke Beltus. My knights have scouted the area and found no major anomalies."

"Lives of your territory's people are at stake—we must exercise caution. If needed, I can dispatch knights from my territory as reinforcements."

"You call those mercenary rabble knights?"

Duke Beltus—his pale face framed by bluish hair—scowled.

The Beltus territory was vast and fertile, but couldn't compare to the other two nobles present. Most of it consisted of islands and mountainous regions.

While their military strength rivaled high nobility, over half consisted of mercenaries hired from General Orel's former troops. Compared to Duke Duplein—whose lineage included imperial blood—Beltus constantly struggled with talent shortages, always teetering on the edge of falling from the three great families.

"Your Grace of Duplein speaks too harshly. General Orel's mercenary group stationed in Beltus territory fights with conviction and honor."

"The same men who'd stab their previous employer without hesitation for enough gold? I wonder how you sleep at night entrusting your lands to such scoundrels."

"Do you truly believe you can maintain that vast territory solely with private soldiers forever? Rumors say crime runs rampant in Duplein's outer regions."

Duke Duplein scoffed. While acknowledging General Orel's mercenaries'prowess, there was a vast difference between hiring them for occasional jobs and entrusting them with territorial security.

"You'll hit your limits eventually. Or do you intend to remain content at this level?"

"Amusing provocation."

"Did it sound like provocation? I merely stated facts."

Count Belmierd sighed deeply. He understood why these two were so tense.

The White Wilderness north of Duplein territory was a forbidden zone filled with high-risk labyrinths. Successfully securing trade routes and treasures there would bring immense profits... but Duplein's military alone couldn't handle it. Labyrinth exploration required more than sheer numbers.

Duke Beltus'offers to dispatch knights were thinly veiled attempts to claim a share of those treasures. He kept needling Duke Duplein, suggesting he'd request help when overwhelmed.

While such power struggles were common, this wasn't the place for them. With tariff negotiations concluded, Count Belmierd decided to lighten the mood before adjourning.

"Still, discussing matters face-to-face in Evelstein is far more efficient than correspondence. With all contentious issues resolved, let's conclude today's meeting. Having come all this way, shouldn't we check on our children in the Noble District's social circles?"

Count Belmierd steered the conversation toward their children.

Despite their differences, all three men doted on their offspring. Each took pride that their daughters held positions in Evelstein's prestigious Rosea Salon.

Fathers engaged in constant rivalry naturally wanted their daughters to stand tall.

"I hear Lady Diela of House Duplein will debut in Evelstein's social circles after her coming-of-age ceremony. Though she went through a wandering phase, her recent magical achievements are remarkable."

No parent dislikes praise for their child.

As Count Belmierd complimented Diela to lighten the mood, Duke Duplein crossed his arms and leaned back in his luxurious wooden chair.

"Hmm... She did have her struggles, but has improved considerably lately. Though she tends to underestimate herself compared to Aiselin's accomplishments."

"She'll forget such pessimistic thoughts once busy with debut preparations."

Count Belmierd offered pleasantries to ease tensions, but when it came to boasting about children, he had no equal. Especially since his daughter outshone others.

"Though she can't compare to my Elente, of course."

"..."

"No need for such pessimism, Your Grace. Even if she falls short of my Elente's achievements, there's no shame in that."

Duke Duplein's brow twitched.

With the topic shifting to daughters, he had his own boasts.

"True, Diela hasn't fully blossomed yet. But with no rivals to challenge Aiselin, has your target shifted to Diela now?"

"..."

Aiselin was the undisputed flower of Evelstein's social scene—the pillar of Rosea Salon.

Even doting father Count Belmierd couldn't easily claim his Elente surpassed Aiselin in nobility or accomplishment. Boasting about Aiselin was practically cheating in parental bragging rights.

Just as frustration mounted, he remembered something.

"Had you not heard about the recent magic duel, Your Grace?"

"What magic duel?"

"While Lady Aiselin reigns supreme in Evelstein's social circles, even such glory isn't eternal."

Duke Duplein had heard about it.

Aiselin often shared social gossip with him, especially her recent near-defeat against Elente in a magic duel. Normally unflappable, she'd clearly been shaken enough to actively seek a new magic instructor.

Elente had come dangerously close to victory. Seeing Count Belmierd's triumphant expression now, one couldn't tell who'd actually won.

"That mercenary-turned-instructor who taught Lady Diela seems remarkably skilled. Though he's now exclusively serving our Elente."

Though phrased elegantly, the jab was obvious—the instructor Duke Duplein had benefited from now served House Belmierd. Pure provocation.

Yet Duke Duplein only smirked.

"Exclusively serving Elente? Did that mercenary brat strike you as the settling-down type?"

"Pardon?"

"I gather you've never met the boy, Count Belmierd."

Duke Duplein's words struck true. Count Belmierd hadn't yet met this mercenary both Elente and Aiselin so admired.

"True, he's an exceptional teacher, but not one to be tied down easily. Forcing the issue would backfire."

Before being a teacher, he was a mage consumed by magical ambition. If teaching noble ladies hindered his progress, no amount of gold could retain him.

Such talent required persuasion, not coercion.

Duke Duplein's insight came from firsthand experience with Derek. Count Belmierd lacked such perspective.

Feeling psychologically dominant, Duke Duplein continued leisurely:

"Moreover, he's already spent considerable time at Duplein Manor teaching Diela and understands Aiselin deeply. Rather than teaching Elente, he'll inevitably return as Aiselin's instructor—that much is obvious."

"Guh..."

"Did you think briefly detaining him at Belmierd would suffice? A true lord must understand how to handle people."

Count Belmierd had no rebuttal.

Having served under Duke Duplein, Derek knew him as someone who rewarded achievements appropriately. With no loyalty to the unfamiliar Count Belmierd, his allegiance would naturally remain with Duke Duplein.

'I must meet this boy.'

Elente seemed determined to keep Derek as her instructor—his guidance had clearly helped against Aiselin. The thought of losing him to Aiselin of all people was unbearable. That simply couldn't be allowed.

'The Velderun Mercenary Group, was it?'

After this meeting, other lords would visit their daughters in the Noble District.

Apologies to Elente, but he'd head straight to"Beldern's Tear"on Tavern Street before anyone else.

Only by securing Derek for Elente could he leave Evelstein with peace of mind.

'...'

Duke Beltus listening nearby didn't look pleased either.

An opportunist at heart, if two lords like this fought over talent, there must be something special about him.

A magic instructor for noble ladies provided perfect justification. His own daughter Lady Denise had shown little magical progress lately.

To be precise, Lady Denise lacked motivation, doing only the bare minimum—a fact Duke Beltus failed to recognize despite being her father.

'I'll have Denise send inquiries about this Derek. The social circles would know best.'

Denise would uncover something. Though rarely proactive, she delivered results when prompted.

In fact, Denise had anticipated this, already sending a commission request to the Velderun Mercenary Group.

Securing Derek could shift the negotiation table's balance.

The sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern.

Drest advanced steadily through pitch darkness where even an inch ahead was invisible.

When Derek habitually reached to light a torch, the old man raised a withered hand to stop him.

"..."

"Always practice perceiving your surroundings without light."

"How exactly?"

"Release your magic power."

"..."

The old man's explanations were always brief.

Simply releasing magic power couldn't possibly reveal the surroundings in total darkness. There was a Detection Magic called"Darkvision"that allowed sight in darkness, but Drest showed no signs of using it. Even master mages couldn't cast without some preparation.

Yet there seemed to be a method to perceive surroundings just by emitting magic.

Derek closed his eyes and complied. Releasing magic wasn't difficult, but it simply dissipated against the cave walls.

"...You can't mean."

"Correct. Quick learner. Scattering magic to gauge echoes lets you roughly map your surroundings."

Derek gulped.

Like bats using echolocation in dark caves, Drest had grown so accustomed he could walk blindfolded.

This allowed basic battlefield awareness without high-level magic. Though understanding the theory didn't make it easy.

Drest navigated effortlessly while Derek strained every sense to perceive his surroundings.

"This... works?"

After several attempts, Derek looked puzzled, but Drest's tone remained serious.

He spoke as if this incredible skill was basic Detection Magic—which it absolutely wasn't. Yet Derek didn't complain.

Drest was the undisputed authority on Detection Magic.

"You seem unaware of Detection Magic's star rankings. 1-Star detects danger or weaknesses. At 2-Star, you can track targets, sense magic itself, and glimpse into objects'or places'pasts."

Detection mages were niche—their skills didn't directly enhance combat. Specialists like Drest were rare; most served auxiliary roles.

"At 3-Star, you see through magical disguises or distant locations. 4-Star lets you gauge others'magic levels or detect lies. And this is just a fraction of Detection Magic."

"...What about 5-Star?"

"Read minds. Sometimes speak with the dead."

Derek swallowed hard.

That hollow voice declaring this meant Drest could already read his mind—that Derek wasn't of this world, his blessed magic talent unnatural.

Yet the old man showed no surprise. Having lived a century, little could shock him anymore.

"I have many questions."

"Apologies, but I won't answer. Responses might alter your future unpredictably. Futures diverge from initial observations. But one thing is certain."

Drest Wolftail's face bore the marks of time.

Having lived a century of experiences, he seemed to have realized something profound.

What goal remained for someone who'd lost everything?

Derek couldn't begin to guess.

"You must not die. So I'll ensure you survive. You must reach higher heights."

"You'll teach me Detection Magic?"

"Yes. And you should aim for 3-Star in Combat and Confusion Magic too. Achieving all would make you peerless among your generation."

"Why go so far? What do you want from me?"

Drest closed his eyes pensively before finding his answer.

"Before you come of age, Valerian Delomaine Duplein will dabble in necromancy."

Derek's eyes widened.

"If that happens, you must kill him."

Drest Wolftail didn't make empty statements.

Yet Derek couldn't help questioning what he'd just heard.

As usual, Jayden was wiping cups behind Beldern's Tear's bar.

That afternoon, his eyes nearly popped seeing their visitor.

Accompanied by numerous servants and retainers, Count Belmierd himself strode in.

Already, pedestrians had been bowing since he entered Tavern Street—someone of his status rarely walked Evelstein's commercial district so casually.

"W-welcome."

Jayden bowed deeply.

He'd heard about the tariff negotiations between the three great families, but never imagined Count Belmierd would visit personally. The tavern's patrons gaped in shock.

"My head butler sent a letter, but received no reply."

"W-we didn't expect Your Excellency's visit. We've nothing worthy to offer—only cheap liquor..."

"Enough. Do I look here to drink? I came to see that mercenary Derek."

Count Belmierd laughed heartily and sat at the bar.

With servants bowing behind him, Jayden felt immense pressure as the tavern owner obliged to serve this guest.

"W-we received the commission letter. But... there's a problem..."

"Problem?"

"Yes. You see... Derek is currently missing."

A few days prior, Derek had burst in excitedly, rejected all commissions, packed supplies, and vanished without a word.

No contact since—unusual even for his occasional breaks. Normally he'd at least check in.

'Duplein and Beltus must've sent letters too. Of all times to disappear!'

Count Belmierd's swift arrival was strategic—with packed schedules in Evelstein, he'd made significant sacrifices as a doting father.

Such overtures usually guaranteed a commoner's compliance. This level of pressure should prevent other houses from poaching.

But that only worked if the target was present.

"P-perhaps he's secluded himself for magical training..."

"Training? Where?"

"We don't know. He's always been elusive..."

With three great houses vying for him, surely no mere mercenary could refuse a family head's personal offer.

─Then it became a simple race to find him first.