Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 4

It's quite common for noble ladies to set foot in Evelstain's mansions to prepare for high society engagements.

And to assist a single noble lady who's been granted her own separate mansion, they say you need at least forty servants.

A head maid, head butler, three house maids, three chefs, four kitchen maids for culinary assistance, three scullery maids, five personal handmaids, a head handmaid to manage them, butlers and squires, grooms, gardeners...

On top of that, you'd need at least one high-ranking retainer, and if preparing for a social debut, private tutors for each subject - often numbering over a dozen.

Particularly prized were magic instructors, considered both a noble privilege and a mark of quality. There were hardly any high-ranking mages with deep magical expertise to begin with, and even those who existed usually occupied important positions rather than tutoring noble daughters.

The fact that Count Elvester, the most famous war hero of the eastern regions, personally recruited Katia speaks volumes about this situation.

A talent who understood noble culture deeply, possessed outstanding magical skills, and had the charisma to teach was rarer than gold. It was no wonder prestigious families would scramble to recruit such individuals.

The northern Dominator Count Dellars had become famous for personally riding his carriage all the way to the capital to recruit a single 3-Star tutor. Though they said he was in a hurry lest other nobles snatch the tutor first, it was still unbecoming behavior for his station.

In the end, parents were willing to sell their livers and gallbladders just to secure good tutors for their children.

Even nobles who ruled the world from their seats of power were no different.

With retainers, servants, tutors, and even knights for protection... it amounted to mobilizing an entire small army or trade caravan just for one noble lady.

It felt like the whole world revolved around one petite girl who hadn't even come of age yet.

Such was the prestige carried by a noble lady from a distinguished family.

...Derek lived in an entirely different world, so it was only natural they should have no connection whatsoever.

"Finally caught a big fish. A commission from none other than the Duplein Ducal Family."

Jayden was both owner of the inn"Beldern's Tear"at the deepest part of Tavern Street and leader of the Velderun Mercenary Group.

"So don't grumble about me calling you last minute, Derek. You know I usually follow proper procedures."

"The Duplein Ducal Family? Hard to believe... What would they lack that they'd hire us?"

"Hard to believe, but it's real. For the Velderun Mercenary Group, opportunities like this don't come twice."

When commoners thought of mercenary groups, they imagined one of two things.

One was genuine military organizations stationed in specific regions, handling territory-wide or national-level commissions.

Usually formed around retired generals, they rarely ventured beyond their bases, making them hard to spot.

The other were smaller groups operating around places like Evelstein's Tavern District, taking on local commissions.

There were limits to what individual mercenaries could accomplish alone, so seasoned fighters banded together to take on tougher jobs.

The former had strong camaraderie, while the latter felt more like business partners than comrades.

Jayden was the middle-aged man who'd founded the Velderun Mercenary Group. Though he made it sound grand, its scale wasn't particularly impressive.

Still, his ambition to grow it into something greater was admirable.

Derek wasn't deeply involved with Velderun but occasionally took jobs with them.

"If we let this golden opportunity slip, even if God forgives me, I Jayden never will!"

Jayden himself had been a formidable warrior who'd fought in numerous wars.

Nowadays, he was just a scruffy-bearded uncle running a tavern and bossing people around.

Since capable mercenaries naturally gathered at decent taverns, this arrangement suited him.

"You know how nobles spend money. They'll toss gold coins for trivial tasks, and if they like your work, they become premium repeat customers."

"So what's the job?"

Derek asked indifferently, letting his robe drape as he sat at the tavern table.

"Like I said, nothing major. Just exterminating some magical beasts on the ducal territory's outskirts."

"What level of beasts are we talking about..."

"From what I heard, mostly small Ains. At worst, maybe some trolls."

"That's it?"

"Yeah. Honestly, just sending you or Pellin could handle it, but given the circumstances, I'll go myself. Can't have the leader sitting idle when our mercenary group's future is at stake!"

Behind the tavern table hung Jayden's massive greatsword from his active days.

Though now playing mercenary leader and tavern owner, in his prime Jayden could humble even the most boastful warriors.

Derek had to acknowledge that much.

Jayden had the skills to call himself a mercenary leader. Even if he was a bit greedy, optimistic, and overly ambitious.

"...The Duplein Ducal Family."

Evelstain was located at the southern tip of the massive Velkos Peninsula jutting from the continent's western side.

And the peninsula's entire northern half belonged to the Duplein Ducal Family's territory. Considering its scale, their client status seemed legit.

Which made it all the more suspicious. The Duplein Family's private forces should be competent enough without resorting to small-time mercenary groups from tavern districts.

Especially for something as simple as Ains - at worst, trolls - that their standing army could easily handle. Why feed and house knights they didn't even need to deploy?

"Something smells fishy."

"Derek. We're mercenaries."

Jayden chuckled while wiping a cup.

"We take jobs and get paid. No good comes from digging into what's behind it until it surfaces."

"Not wrong... but if you're going yourself, do you even need me?"

Derek was valuable talent.

Skilled in basic swordsmanship with some magical expertise.

In the commoner-filled tavern district, even 1st Grade Magic made him coveted by all mercenary groups. Such talents could manipulate battlefield conditions and handle unexpected variables during missions.

But no matter what, he couldn't be more valuable than Jayden, a veteran mercenary.

Jayden could probably handle Ains and trolls alone. Meaning Derek had no reason to join.

Yet Jayden shook his head.

"There's a reason I rushed to call you. For some reason, the ducal retainer insisted we bring a mage."

"A mage? For simple beast extermination?"

"I asked why too, but they just kept repeating we absolutely needed a mage in case something happened."

Jayden sighed dramatically.

"The more I hear, the fishier it sounds..."

"Well, no point worrying too much. Look at the bright side. Check this out."

Jayden placed a gold coin on the table.

Derek's eyes widened.

"One Ideal gold coin. Tossed to us without even haggling. Crazy, right? Makes all those odd jobs for silver coins seem pointless."

"Nobles really are on another level. Tossing whole gold coins for killing a few beasts."

"Want to hear something crazier? This isn't the payment - it's just the advance."

Derek had to change his attitude.

By afternoon, the clients arrived at the tavern.

Few drank alcohol this early, leaving the place quiet.

From his seat at the long bar table, Derek observed the clients. Their smooth skin and fine clothes immediately marked them as outsiders to Tavern Street.

Three people entered. The leader was an elderly man.

His shrewd, tired-looking face - half-bald with sharp eyes and wrinkled skin - practically screamed"difficult personality."

Behind him was an older woman with graying hair and a robed figure whose face was obscured.

As they settled in, Jayden personally served fruit drinks.

"Ah, you're early. We've been expecting you."

The elderly leader glanced at the drink dismissively, pushing it aside without tasting it. His manners matched his unpleasant demeanor.

"You're Jayden? The swordsman who distinguished himself in the Dawn War?"

"Yes, sir. Left soldiering behind to run this humble establishment."

"Then your skills should be reliable."

As the old man gestured, the elderly woman and robed figure joined them at the round table.

Derek, eavesdropping from the bar, sipped his cold water.

"I am Melvin, direct envoy under Steward Stewart of the great Duplein Ducal Territory."

Among ducal retainers, the steward held highest rank. Being his direct subordinate meant considerable trust.

Jayden smiled obsequiously.

"This is Delia, a scullery maid assisting me, and this robed one is a trainee inspector. Both serve the ducal territory."

While pretending to drink, Derek studied them.

Both wore robes embroidered with the ducal crest. The maid's robe hat revealed distinct facial features.

The seasoned maid carried herself neatly, her pristine maid uniform occasionally visible through the robe.

The robed figure remained mysterious, though their silhouette suggested a petite frame.

"An inspector... reporting directly to His Grace. We'll do our best. Heh."

"Still in training, so no need for formality. Anyway, about bringing a mage..."

"Ah, of course. I've brought our most skilled mage. Derek! Come greet our guests!"

As Derek rose from the bar, he felt all eyes on him.

Though slightly awkward, he nonchalantly stepped forward, removing his russet robe hat to reveal his face.

"Derek."

Neat white hair framed crimson eyes. His leather and iron equipment gleamed with careful maintenance.

The gear visible under his robe wasn't luxury but practical.

A well-laundered white tunic under clean leather armor. A quality belt held a dagger on one side and a serviceable longsword on the other.

His essential leather pouch, gloves, and boots were immaculate - clearly well-maintained.

You could tell veterans at a glance. Derek was clearly seasoned.

Though not without issues.

"...Isn't he too young?"

Envoy Melvin frowned at Jayden.

"We wanted a skilled mage. You expect us to take this uninitiated brat as our mage?"

Typical noble arrogance - discussing him like he wasn't present.

Though commoners themselves, working among nobles made them think themselves noble.

Melvin protested angrily to Jayden.

"Recommended as a steadfast man, yet you handle things this way? What are we supposed to trust? Tch..."

"Now now, don't judge by appearances. Finding mages in tavern districts is rarer than hen's teeth. Be understanding."

"A commoner-born mage's limits are obvious. At his age, he'd barely know one or two 1st Grade spells. Would we come to this backwater if that's all we needed?"

Melvin glared at Derek.

Derek just shrugged indifferently.

His nonchalance seemed to irritate Melvin further.

"If this is how it is, we might as well return..."

"Envoy."

As Melvin raised his voice, the maid at the round table stopped him.

After exchanging whispers with the robed figure, she approached Melvin.

Hearing her, Melvin sighed deeply before eyeing Derek again.

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"How much magic can you use?"

"I know some 1st Grade Magic."

"Hah, impressive for your age. Count yourself lucky."

Melvin sighed again and told Jayden:

"Fine. Given circumstances, we'll proceed."

'Running the whole show alone, huh.'

Derek nodded indifferently at the fuming envoy.

Jayden smiled approvingly, patting Derek's shoulder. Apparently, the clients wouldn't have departed without a mage.

Either way, Jayden had scored big thanks to Derek.

"You heard earlier - I'm Melvin. The envoy."

"I'm Delia. A scullery maid handling minor tasks for the Duplein Family."

The envoy was a trusted subordinate of the highest-ranking steward.

Scullery maids were low-ranking servants handling kitchen chores and dishware.

After shaking hands with the first two, Derek reached the mysterious robed figure.

Their surprisingly delicate, soft hand revealed a woman under the robe hat.

"As Melvin said, I'm a trainee inspector. A retainer verifying proper job completion."

Her skin was pale beyond white. Briefly visible hair was ebony-black, contrasting with serene eyes.

Even in the robe's shadows, those eyes seemed to glow with an elegant nobility.

Every graceful movement exuded aristocratic refinement.

"Apologies for not removing my robe. Sunlight bothers my skin."

"No problem."

Derek shook hands briefly before stepping back.

With matters settled, Jayden smiled contentedly.

"We've arranged grooms at the stable ahead. Since we've agreed, let's finish quickly. This hardly warrants such fuss."

"They're rude, but nobles are like that. Just let it go - they pay well."

Worried about the tavern argument, Jayden whispered to Derek as they headed to the stable.

"Doesn't bother me."

Derek answered dismissively, watching ahead.

The three ducal representatives walked toward the stable.

Lagging behind, Derek pondered with chin in hand.

"First impression was bad, but they clearly have money. What do you think, Derek?"

"All three seemed to be lying."

"Oh?"

Though from the slums, Derek knew about noble culture from his mentor Katia. She'd often shared noble gossip during walks or before sleep.

And as a street rat, Derek had developed a habit of scrutinizing everyone he met.

"I heard noble envoys are usually young, energetic men since they travel often. They need sociable personalities to represent their house. That old man doesn't fit."

"Hmm... Really?"

"The woman calling herself a scullery maid was odd too. She wore maid attire and carried herself like one, but... her hands during the handshake had no calluses - smooth with clean nails. Past the age for menial work."

Both seemed to be posing below their actual status.

Retainers and servants varied greatly in rank. At the Duplein Family's level, top retainers held authority beyond commoners'reach.

"Which makes that robed'trainee inspector'..."

"Derek."

As Derek continued, Jayden cut him off with a knowing smile.

As if anticipating his next words.

"..."

"Told you. We shouldn't dig too deep. Being too perceptive isn't good either."

Mercenaries worked for pay. That was enough.

Many who meddled in noble affairs ended up with nothing but trouble.

It was Jayden's mantra.

Derek agreed in principle, eventually sighing and lowering his gaze.

Jayden was right.

In this wilderness of the streets, survival was the only goal that mattered.

Everything else was ultimately unimportant.