Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 74

- Thud! Splat!

- Crash!

This was from when Derek was still unaccustomed to the scent of demon blood.

It was during the time he'd just begun associating with mercenary groups, following Jayden around while familiarizing himself with labyrinth ecology.

Goblins, trolls, ogres and other humanoid monsters carried such overwhelming presence that most mercenaries exploring labyrinths for the first time would tremble or prove useless in combat.

Yet despite his youth, Derek beheaded them and severed limbs without hesitation, displaying the demeanor of a cold-blooded veteran.

Jayden often marveled at Derek's demeanor, sometimes wondering if the boy lacked human emotions entirely.

- Crackle, crackle, crackle.

After concluding that day's exploration and before returning to Evelstain, Derek showed no signs of fatigue as he tended the bonfire at their campsite.

A born mercenary. That was Jayden's assessment as he watched Derek.

-"Derek. You worked hard today."

-"Not at all. Just make sure to pay me generously when we return to Tavern Street tomorrow."

-"Of course. By the way, aren't you tired?"

-"I can manage. The market district doesn't offer jobs this profitable, so I'm actually in good spirits."

These words came from a boy not yet of age, after slaughtering dozens of monsters in a single day. To outsiders, it would have been a chilling sight.

The harsh winter-like environment of life sometimes produced humans like this boy. Beings who wore human form yet seemed to lack some fundamental humanity.

Jayden was a renowned mercenary who'd wandered battlefields for years, even participating in the Dawn War.

Having spent so long in brutal combat, he understood the preciousness of a child's innocent smile.

Which was why seeing this boy, who'd already learned all the battlefield's cruelty at such a young age, left him with complicated feelings.

Jayden sat across the bonfire from Derek.

With a warm, human smile, he said:

-"Derek. You're human."

-"..."

-"When you lose yourself slaughtering monsters, there will surely be moments when you question your own humanity. Don't forget to remind yourself when those times come."

- Crackle, crackle.

Derek stared blankly at Jayden.

Though Jayden wore a kindly smile, Derek could sense the firm conviction beneath it.

This was advice born of experience. This veteran mercenary had wandered battlefields, experienced his own wanderings, and found his own answers.

-"What's the difference between humans and monsters?"

-"..."

-"I've heard some monsters can take human form. Most are just crude imitations where you can immediately tell from their habits... but high-ranking monsters are apparently indistinguishable from humans."

Jayden instantly grasped the intent behind Derek's question.

The boy was already wrestling with the very concerns Jayden had worried about. The anguish veteran mercenaries only began feeling later in life, this boy was experiencing now.

-"You know monster behavior well, Derek?"

-"...They kill people."

-"Right. Monsters kill people. It's pure instinct. No different than humans eating to survive, reproducing, or seeking entertainment. That's why we kill monsters, and how mercenaries like us make our living."

Jayden looked up at the sky. Many stars were visible.

Comparing the number of monsters he'd killed to those stars, it was hard to say which was greater.

Such was the blood-soaked nature of Jayden's life.

-"Think of it as pest control. Live with that mindset."

With a wistful smile, Jayden offered this conclusion in a low voice.

Derek saw no reason to argue. After all, living creatures harming and killing others to survive was simply nature's way.

That was all there was to it. No need to assign deeper meaning.

-"They say you were hailed as a hero in the Dawn War."

Derek asked about the war that had ended over a decade ago yet remained vivid in northern memory, spoken of as if it happened yesterday.

To kill the Archfiend Noir, humanity had to lose 6-Star mage Lord Calimford. The war ended when one of the era's only two 6-Star mages, Lord Melberot, delivered the final blow to Noir after exterminating all demonic forces.

Jayden's expression always darkened when recalling those days.

Even for a veteran, that massive northern war left scars so terrible it remained hellish in memory.

The colossal fiend visible beyond the horizon became a symbol of terror for all northerners.

-"Yet you came all the way to Evelstain to work as a mercenary. Why?"

-"Don't even ask, Derek. I'll never return to that battlefield."

Jayden said while staring into the bonfire, arms crossed.

-"Those who remember the madness of that battlefield Noir swallowed all think alike. Such things... shouldn't happen twice."

Monsters have innate olfactory senses.

Different from human smell, they can detect the distinct metallic scent clinging to those raised amid monster blood.

When first killing monsters, Derek showed no such signs.

After a hundred kills, he occasionally noticed their fear. By a thousand, it became certain.

They sensed the monster blood on Derek's body.

That thick aura definitely existed around humans who'd spent lifetimes slaughtering monsters.

With each humanoid monster killed, Derek clearly observed their pupils trembling before the final blow.

Prey realizing they'd become the hunted, sensing that bloodscent and instinctively knowing their end had come.

Weaker monsters would wet themselves or even commit suicide.

Of course, stronger monsters resisted. Some wounded Derek or forced retreat.

But weaker monsters not yet spread their wings often went limp upon smelling Derek's bloodscent.

Thus Derek intuited.

-"Eek... hic..."

In Lady Sieren trembling before him in the snowfield... he sensed something beyond mere frightened human.

Her magic usage also differed completely from orthodox Discipline School mages like Melberot, creating clear dissonance.

Impossible to classify by star ranks, Sieren's magic felt closer to that of aberrant beings than humans.

Yet intuition isn't proof.

Which was why Derek researched records about Lady Sieren.

- Stomp, stomp.

Derek strode down the Rochester Mansion's ornate corridor, followed by Aiselin whose cheeks glistened with cold sweat.

Reviewing records of Lady Sieren's childhood and servant testimonies revealed many red flags obvious to a monster specialist like Derek.

Killing servants without reason, frequently rushing into snowfields to slaughter beasts, abnormally rapid magical progress...

The fates of high-ranking mage tutors who'd died, been injured, or abandoned teaching her.

Why Melberot so emphatically demanded silence about Sieren.

All puzzle pieces were falling into place.

This went beyond bad temperament or lack of magical talent.

Sieren Aleina Rocheste would be Derek's most challenging student yet.

Derek never worked for free.

High risk demanded appropriate reward—the natural order.

"Mr. Derek...!"

As Derek organized his thoughts, Aiselin hurried ahead to block his path.

"Mr. Derek. Where... are you going?"

"To Lord Melberot's office. The large main manor beyond the spire, so we should walk briskly."

"What... do you plan to tell Lord Melberot?"

Derek answered expressionlessly:

"I intend to negotiate."

"..."

Aiselin's face stiffened further. This boy planned to negotiate with a 6-Star mage.

Though Derek had likely considered this, Aiselin pointed out anxiously:

"Assuming your hypothesis is correct—if he's sheltering a monster disguised as a noble daughter, even enabling murders... exposure would be catastrophic."

After repeatedly confirming the empty hallway, Aiselin lowered her voice:

"If I were Lord Melberot, I'd consider silencing you first."

"..."

"You've said it yourself—negotiation is meaningless against overwhelming force. Even if we threaten with Sieren's secret... we have no proof, and he wouldn't yield easily. Derek."

Aiselin continued nervously:

"You said many magic tutors died, were injured, or quit teaching Sieren. Do you really think... she was solely responsible?"

Aiselin made a serious point.

Anyone who'd tried leveraging Melberot's secret likely met terrible ends.

"..."

But Derek shook his head.

He sought not coercion but negotiation—entirely different matters.

Rochester Mansion stood amidst howling blizzards.

In the spire's office, the 6-Star mage sat gazing out the window, elegantly resting his chin—a man of vast power yet rarely leaving this barren territory.

-"Those at magic's pinnacle all have their quirks. Old wanderers like Drest care nothing for worldly affairs, and Kochella's clearly insane."

-"And I'm hardly normal either."

Melberot's own words.

No normal 6-Star mages exist. Even as he criticized, he excluded none—himself included.

Here in monster-infested northern lands, he'd placed a monster in human guise as his daughter, hiring expensive tutors to socialize it.

Such madness surely had purpose.

That purpose remained unclear. Impossible to discern. Likely only Melberot knew.

Thus, Derek had to speak with Melberot directly.

"I heard you encountered Sieren on the way. No major incidents—fortunate. As her father, I apologize. Now you understand why I carefully selected her tutor?"

"Yes, Lord Melberot."

Northerners typically waited months for audiences with Rochester Mansion's lord—privileged only to high-ranking figures.

Yet upon requesting through the head butler, Derek and Aiselin were immediately admitted. Proof of how highly Melberot valued Sieren's tutors.

Entering the lavish office, Derek saw the man lounging with his chin propped, wearing an antique fur coat. His shoulder-length silver hair was striking.

Still reviewing territory matters with leisure, Melberot glanced at Derek. After studying his expression, Melberot set aside documents and leaned back.

"Given the earlier commotion, I'll overlook your delayed greetings. So—how was Sieren? Can you teach her society's manners?"

"Of course. Though as you said, more challenging than expected."

"Naturally. I know this task's difficulty. But seeing your expression—you want something."

Derek had initially planned to claim some valuable Rochester magic artifacts—useful for transformation magic training and mercenary work.

But reassessment demanded revised terms. The risk/reward calculation no longer balanced.

"An impertinent request—might you dismiss the guards?"

Melberot's brow twitched slightly.

Derek wished to speak privately.

"Is that necessary?"

"I only have one matter to discuss."

Meeting Melberot's gaze directly, Derek stated:

"I've spent my life killing monsters. Regarding their ecology, habits and behavior—I'm more knowledgeable than any magic tutor."

Most high-ranking magic tutors in fancy suits lacked practical monster knowledge.

But Derek, risen from the bottom drenched in blood, operated on entirely different levels.

"If you wish, I'll state my business here. But I'll let you judge the wisdom of that."

"Enough. All of you—out."

After hearing that much, Melberot waved off his guards.

Leaving an armed outsider alone with their lord unsettled the guards. But their master was 6-Star mage Melberot.

They hesitated only briefly before exiting.

Silence filled the office.

Derek and the nervous Aiselin rose. Though Aiselin was visibly tense, Derek remained calm as ever.

An extraordinary individual. Melberot easily recognized Derek's caliber.

"Speak."

"Is Lady Sieren human?"

"You already know she isn't."

Melberot answered matter-of-factly, showing no emotional reaction.

When Derek silently stared, Melberot smirked and continued:

"Having second thoughts?"

"Why did previous tutors quit?"

"I dismissed the incompetent ones who failed to recognize Sieren's nature."

"...What happened to those who did?"

Derek asked bluntly. Behind him, Aiselin sweated nervously.

"Two outcomes. Either they screamed to quit, or persisted and met terrible ends."

"How many survived?"

"Best you don't know."

Derek pressed no further.

Oddities had been evident since fighting Sieren.

Her magical prowess was abnormally high.

Even with elite lineage, wielding 3-Star magic before adulthood was extraordinary. Barely conceivable for humans.

Countless tutors had likely approached, drawn by such talent, only to meet bad ends.

Sieren Aleina Rocheste wasn't a student anyone could handle. That much was clear.

"A bit late for regrets. Having come this far, you can't easily leave. Do you think you could traverse these frozen wastes alone?"

Entering this mansion meant playing by Melberot's rules from the start.

No one left without his permission.

Melberot's eyes gleamed as he emphasized this.

"The north teems with monsters. Harsh environments claim many victims. And monsters attack commoner and noble alike."

"..."

"Unless you wish to join that list, focus on your task rather than regrets."

"No regrets. In fact, you've found the perfect candidate."

"...?"

This was blatant intimidation.

Facing a 6-Star mage's pressure, most would crumble in fear or submit.

Yet Derek smiled approvingly and stood.

Melberot briefly faltered but hid it well.

"I mentioned during our initial discussion—this won't be easy, but doable. However... mere gold coins or magic tools won't suffice."

"Oh? Negotiating payment?"

"Something deeper. As you said—you know what I want better than anyone."

Melberot studied Derek's expression intently.

The boy's confident demeanor showed no hesitation. He genuinely intended to handle Sieren.

He didn't ask why Melberot sheltered a monster—not that Melberot would answer—but his lack of curiosity was remarkable.

Derek simply laid out his terms.

"I'm a mage. Mages dream of higher realms."

"True. But gutter rats reaching upward only get slapped down."

"Exactly. Which is why I need weapons to resist. Help me, and I'll take your secrets to the grave while solving your Sieren problem."

His confident tone declared he wasn't cheap labor.

Ambitious talent wasn't unusual. Melberot didn't necessarily disapprove.

But what could this gutter rat possibly demand that made him smile while negotiating under threat of death?

Commoners'grandiose demands usually amounted to pocket change for an imperial star like Melberot.

Hearing him out couldn't hurt.

"What do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious? If you want my silence, you'll need to gag me properly."

Melberot's expression hardened at Derek's reply.

"A title."

Competent talent never comes cheap.

Melberot knew this, but the demand exceeded expectations.

"Rank matters not—any noble title will suffice."

He was born in the slums'depths.

Under gloomy rooftops blocking sunlight—a place where vision and thought remain eternally trapped in the mud.

Yet his gaze fixed squarely upon magic's highest peaks.

"Even the lowest rank—I must become nobility."