Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 76

"Are there any sizable labyrinths within the territory?"

The next morning during breakfast preparations, Derek asked Head Butler Leighton an abrupt question.

As the magic instructor who'd traveled all the way from the southwestern grasslands to teach Lady Sirine, the butler diligently answered all his inquiries per Lord Melberot's orders to cooperate fully.

"In the northern snowfields, you'd find it quicker to locate areas without labyrinths. There's good reason why monster tribes are so active here."

"I'd like to visit one personally. Could I borrow some horses?"

"That wouldn't be too difficult, though I worry you might get hurt. Not that I doubt your skills, but northern monsters tend to be fiercer than southwestern ones."

Derek had already noticed this firsthand.

The monsters encountered en route to the mansion were larger and more aggressive—though none surpassed Lady Sirine herself in ferocity.

"It's fine. Thank you for your concern. By the way, may I ask you something?"

"Yes? Of me?"

"You've served here long, haven't you? I'm curious about Lord Melberot."

The northern continent often saw snowfall lasting until late afternoon.

Though Derek had adapted somewhat during his journey, cold weather still gradually eroded one's mental fortitude.

Settling into an armchair by the main hall's bonfire, Derek quietly organized his thoughts.

His approach was set.

When dealing with monster kin, conventional human methods rarely worked—an obvious truth.

If bloodlust stemmed from instinct, education and persuasion couldn't reform it. Instinctual issues required overriding them with other instincts.

And Derek knew monster instincts better than anyone.

'The basic strategy remains unchanged from my initial plan. We'll proceed with the"Beaten Wife"tactic...'

.

He'd spent nights reviewing the spire servants'logs, gathering all possible intelligence about Lady Sirine—her habits, preferences, daily routines.

He'd even investigated Lord Melberot as thoroughly as possible, though servants wouldn't easily betray their master's secrets, making progress slow.

Ultimately, he concluded that persistence with the original plan was best.

No need for drawn-out efforts. With the approach decided, resolving matters quickly to lay groundwork for his noble title was ideal.

Yet one problem remained.

-'Mr. Derek!! If you!! Keep trying to control Lady Sirine with violence!!!! I, I swear by the Duplein name!!!! Won't stand!! Idly by!!!'

Derek massaged his temples at the memory of Lady Aiselin stuttering like a broken machine, sighing deeply.

Her acting skills were hopeless, making coordination difficult.

While her innate noble grace captivated people, deception clearly wasn't her forte.

'I'll need to adjust the plan somewhat...'

Chin resting on hand, Derek sank into the chair's backrest, pondering.

Eventually making a firm decision, he rose and strode down the corridor.

He hadn't been at Rochester Mansion long and had no intention of staying. Whatever the task, swift resolution was key.

"Lady Sirine, you look lovely today. Last night's blizzard gave me quite a fright."

Lady Aiselin greeted Sirine with a radiant smile after breakfast.

The corridor felt refreshingly crisp—servants must have aired it out early.

Lady Sirine walked briskly with servants in tow, her every step radiating prickly irritation.

"..."

"Oh my, that's a dress from Calloin Atelier, isn't it? The layered waist fabric is exquisite. How lovely. Your servants have excellent taste. It suits you perfectly."

"..."

"I heard they infuse preservation magic into the fabric itself with fragrance. You truly carry the scent of a blooming flower garden. A lady who attends to both appearance and demeanor—such admirable refinement."

Sirine immediately backpedaled, breaking into a cold sweat.

Such types were weaker to defense than offense—something Aiselin knew well.

Her noble grace and pure-hearted nature could soften anyone's heart. Even those unfamiliar with high society sensed something extraordinary about her.

Facing this sunbeam of warmth, Sirine retreated further before shaking her head.

"D-don't... mind me! Stop meddling!"

With that, she vanished using acceleration magic, moving so fast she practically disappeared down the long corridor.

The servants left behind exchanged awkward glances.

"Oh my, she used honorifics with me. How delightful."

Aiselin clasped her hands, eyes sparkling.

She was resilient in her own way.

Derek had been absent lately, claiming to prepare lessons.

He'd occasionally ride to labyrinths, lock himself in his room crafting something, or investigate the Rochester family's background.

Meanwhile, Aiselin worked hard to befriend Sirine.

Through these efforts, she'd discovered Sirine's unexpectedly cute side, fueling her determination.

She'd greet Sirine radiantly whenever they met, deliver flower arrangements to the spire in the afternoons, or share delicacies when available.

It's hard to reject someone so persistently kind.

Though Sirine tried scaring her off, cheerful smiles are disarming.

No matter how rudely treated, Aiselin would smile brightly next time as if nothing happened—her persistence was terrifying.

Sirine remained holed up in the spire, plotting how to intimidate Aiselin today.

'Doesn't she ever get tired?'

Watching Aiselin arrive yet again with armfuls of gifts, Sirine sneered internally.

So this was the famed Duplein lady—spineless and frivolous. Even Aiselin's smiling face seemed unbearably shallow.

Sirine never opened her heart to anyone.

All humans bled the same when their carotid arteries were slit.

Knowing this too well, people had become little more than talking meat to her.

Why bother connecting with creatures who could die any moment?

Thus she conserved energy, isolated from the world.

"The kitchen had wonderful fruits! I brought some since you probably haven't tried them!"

Aiselin's beaming approach made her seem almost otherworldly to Sirine.

Her genuine kindness was utterly unique.

"It's time to get serious."

Nearly a week after arriving at the northern mansion, Derek made his move.

Daily, Aiselin had tried bonding with Sirine—brushing her hair, recommending dresses, making conversation at meals.

Just as she began feeling disheartened by Sirine's constant rejection, Derek initiated the conversation.

"Lady Aiselin, what are your impressions of Lady Sirine? Do you sense monster traits?"

"Hmm... Hard to say. Though guarded, she seems like any teenage girl. With sincere effort, she's gradually opening up."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I brushed her hair today. The servants had to hold her down while she glared daggers at me, but..."

"..."

It felt more like animal training than human interaction.

Motionless, Sirine epitomized noble grace. But approach her, and she'd bare teeth like a snarling beast—making conversation nearly impossible for the already disliked Derek.

"Given Noir's influence, I expected greater challenges. But treating her person-to-person seems viable. She has cute moments—I want to befriend her quickly."

"I see..."

"You've been preparing lessons, right? Busy indoors and out—what have you prepared?"

"As mentioned, I planned to utilize monster knowledge. I've gathered something from labyrinth explorations."

Derek placed a small glass vial on the table, firelight glinting off it.

"...What is this?"

"Flonen blossom extract mixed with water. Took some time to acquire."

"I see. Any special effects? Does it have calming properties when ingested? Preferably something harmless to Lady Sirine..."

"It's lethal."

Aiselin's words caught in her throat.

Thinking she misheard, she tilted her head with a smile. But Derek confirmed:

"Flonen blossoms slowly weaken monsters to death. Found occasionally in high-level labyrinths—monsters avoid them. Prolonged exposure causes gradual deterioration; continuous inhalation for half a month induces near-fatal weakness."

"Why... would you bring this?"

"Why else? With scent-masking water and transformation magic reducing the odor, it won't be noticeable in food."

"...Are you planning to weaken Lady Sirine into submission?"

Aiselin looked up anxiously.

Using what amounted to poison against monsters to control Sirine seemed ethically questionable.

But Derek shook his head.

"If mere suppression was the goal, there are simpler methods."

"Then why...?"

"As I said—to end her life."

Aiselin was speechless.

Pale-faced, she stared at Derek's unwavering expression.

"Wh-what do you... mean...?"

"Lady Aiselin. After hearing Lord Melberot's full explanation, I agonized deeply. Reaching this conclusion took time. Though I showed no outward signs, Lady Sirine's situation troubled me greatly."

Derek added logs to the fireplace, brushing melted snow from his trousers.

"I've lived killing monsters. They're vermin who murder indiscriminately. Can such creatures truly be reformed? Even if possible, should I be the one?"

"Wh-what are you saying... Mr. Derek...?"

"I've made my decision. Why spare a dangerous heir to Noir's power—humanity's calamity? Thus... I'll conclude matters my way. It's the righteous path."

"But... you'll forfeit your noble title... Lord Melberot won't let this stand..."

Derek smirked confidently.

"What's a noble title compared to preventing another Dawn War massacre?"

"..."

Righteous cause.

As a morally upright person, Aiselin couldn't refute such logic.

Derek knew how to handle people like her.

"Why else would I painstakingly create this toxin? As explained, affected monsters waste away—appearing to die naturally from illness."

"You'd... go that far...?"

"Disgusted? But my actions are justified."

"But... Lady Sirine is... innocent."

"She's killed people."

"Only drawn by Noir's blood."

"The fact remains."

"But if we kill too..."

"We'd be killing a monster, not a person."

The discussion ended there.

Diela, Elente, Denis—all agreed Derek always spoke undeniable truths.

His arguments were flawless.

If there was any risk of another Dawn War, eliminating Sirine was the pragmatic choice.

Yet Aiselin kept recalling Sirine's image—curled up alone in the spire, watching blizzards through the window.

Loneliness was her constant companion. Happiness was foreign; misery felt natural.

Though arrogant and violent, holding a young girl fully accountable felt wrong.

She hadn't chosen to inherit Noir's blood.

She simply existed.

Hadn't Derek himself often said? There are no bad noble ladies—only inadequate teaching.

The thought of Sirine—who'd lived isolated in the spire—wasting away unaware... made Aiselin's pupils tremble.

She tried protesting but found no words.

Facing Derek's resolute stance, any argument seemed futile against his irrefutable logic.

Truth was invincible—it brooked no rebuttal.

Aiselin agreed with Derek's principles—one should live rightly.

Yet sometimes, principle alone couldn't move the heart.

"All lives matter, but priorities must be set. Weren't the servants Sirine harmed someone's family too?"

"..."

"People matter more than monsters."

Aiselin washed her face and slumped onto a sofa, pale but unable to counter Derek's decision.

"I'll retire now."

Derek left decisively, his resolute back showing no room for reconsideration.

Biting her lip, Aiselin watched him go with hollow eyes.

Northern winters are harsh. Blizzards after sunset are expected.

The southwestern continent with cities like Evelstain basked in perpetual sunshine—walking noble estates there supposedly felt like paradise, merchants said.

Overhearing such tales, Sirine often dreamed of those grasslands.

Surely those treated as proper ladies there lived happier lives than hers—constantly feared as a monster amidst bloodshed.

People like Aiselin could maintain noble grace precisely because they'd known such happiness.

Thus Sirine envied Aiselin—wishing to be troubled only by noble responsibilities rather than inexplicable bloodlust.

'How stupid.'

She sneered. Reaching for impossible dreams only bred misery.

Her fate was to live wretchedly here until death—a life stained by killing.

Lush greenery under warm sun might only be seen in the afterlife.

She accepted this reality without tears—it simply was.

As darkness settled in as usual—

- Creak

Someone entered.

Despite guards, the intruder—Aiselin in a black hooded robe—had slipped in unseen.

"Wh—"

Before Sirine could react, Aiselin pressed a finger to her lips. She'd come secretly.

"Listen carefully."

Ignoring the snow clinging to her, Aiselin fixed Sirine with intense eyes.

"Derek plans to kill you. Not figuratively—he's completely serious."

Sirine's eyes widened violently.

Aiselin's expression darkened.

'Mr. Derek... I'm sorry...!! But... I can't accept Lady Sirine dying like this...!!'

Guilt and remorse overwhelmed her. How could she ever face Derek again? Her head spun already.

Yet she resolved to do what she believed right.

What truly defined a person? Without clarity, one shouldn't take lives lightly.

That was who Aiselin was.

The blizzard's moon remained bright.

Reading a spellbook alone, Derek glanced outside to see a hooded girl battling through snow toward the spire.

Recognizing the ebony hair and clear eyes fluttering in the wind, he closed the curtains.

Settling back, he smiled in satisfaction.

Everything was going according to plan.