Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 98

Born and raised in wealth, advancing through life without hesitation makes one feel invincible against all worldly matters.

If you were to paint the journey of such a life, it would undoubtedly be an ever-ascending heroic path.

Elennte had never changed this belief since childhood.

Moreover, she assumed the same applied to other powerful families beyond Belmierd, so sitting at the head table of Rosea Salon often made her feel a strange kinship with two others.

At first glance, Iselin of Duplein and Denis of Beltus seemed completely different from Elente in temperament, but upon closer inspection, their ways of life shared oddly similar aspects.

They were all chosen ones.

Blessed by all from birth, they were destined to keep reaching for the skies following their family's prestige.

Continuing upward and upward, they would eventually embrace greater power.

Living one's entire life in such ambition could truly be called the meaning of existence.

However, something beyond Elente's worldview shattered that belief.

The Duplein family, who seemed destined to reign eternally from Evelstain's pinnacle, began to falter. Half its members died, were injured, or left, their territory reduced by more than half, and high nobility scorned or ostracized them.

The days of walking among clouds ended abruptly, and Iselin—once treated like a sheltered flower—was instantly cast down to roll in the mud.

Except for a few lower nobles who admired her character, everyone regarded Iselin as outdated, pitying or mocking her desperate efforts to scrape together even a single coin.

Having witnessed Iselin's downfall up close, Elente's heart ached, prompting her to approach:

"Lady Iselin. Are you alright?"

The location was Elfontaine Hall's corridor.

Iselin, exhausted from a day spent seeking lenders, sat resting in a corner, likely worn out by the heat.

Her still-beautiful face resembled an angel's reincarnation, and her rolled-up sleeves revealed arms as pale and delicate as ever.

Moreover, the smile she gave Elente seemed no different from when she walked among clouds.

"Oh my, Lady Elente. What do you mean by'alright'?"

"Just... everything, really."

Having witnessed Duplein's collapse firsthand, Elente couldn't help but feel complex emotions seeing Iselin's resilience.

The entire ordeal had been shocking to Elente.

If the seemingly invincible Duplein could crumble so swiftly, then Belmierd might one day face the same fate.

"Lady Elente's face is full of worry. Your rose-like beauty might wither. Don't worry—Duplein merely suffered overlapping misfortunes. Nothing so catastrophic would ever befall Belmierd."

"..."

"I'm not concerned about Belmierd. I'm worried about you, Lady Iselin."

"Ahaha, don't fret over me. Though Duplein suffered greatly from necromantic magic, our lineage endures. In a way, it served as a warning about necromancy's dangers—perhaps preventing similar incidents in Beltus or Belmierd."

Unbelievably, Iselin was expressing concern for Beltus and Belmierd.

Even as her own family teetered on collapse, this celestial maiden still had room in her heart to worry for others.

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Elente. Though we didn't start on good terms in Evelstain's social circles, we've grown close enough to worry for each other. That itself is a great gain."

Stretching her arms with a bright smile, Iselin showed clear signs of a day spent trudging through noble districts.

"I'm hardly wise enough to lecture Lady Elente about life... but some things can only be realized in adversity."

"..."

"You love power more than anyone and possess an unyielding drive to climb higher, right? Yet my eldest brother once told me: life is long and tumultuous—it can't always improve."

Watching Iselin, Elente—and every noble lady strolling through Elfontaine Hall—couldn't help but feel peculiar.

Despite facing trials that could crush one's life, Iselin never lost her determined expression.

Where did such strength come from? The question arose unbidden.

"Life's path has stumbling stones and cliffs where you might fall flat. Rolling in the dirt under suspicion and mockery may feel like the end, but only then do certain truths become visible."

"..."

"You'll surely face moments in noble society—whether tripping over stones or enduring scorn. Even if not as catastrophic as my downfall, such trials will corner your heart and mind."

Iselin clenched her delicate fist and thrust it before Elente's eyes.

"That's when you must look around."

"What's the point?"

"When the world seems to mock you, when closest friends turn away, when trusted retainers shake their heads—even at rock bottom, someone will stay. Someone like you would never be abandoned."

Perhaps this was advice born of experience.

No one knew exactly what this fragile girl endured after Duplein's tragedy.

But surely, she had seen something in those thorny paths.

And surely, someone had stood by her side.

When all others turned away, there must have been a mercenary who grabbed her arm to pull her up.

"Life's journey isn't just about climbing upward. Only by wandering thorny paths do you learn who truly stands with you."

"..."

"That lesson is worth more than gold. So I've no reason for sorrow."

Duplein was crumbling tragically.

Yet seeing this girl made even such trials seem meaningful... leaving Elente at a loss for words.

Magic and knowledge can be learned from good teachers.

But who teaches such strength of heart?

Only the harsh winds of this vast world.

"Hmm...! Just need to adjust this crooked signboard, and it'll be decent! Pretty good for a rush job!"

Ravenclaw Barony's garden.

A girl wiping sweat with one hand on her hip had eyes that always sparkled like starlight.

Surveying the newly completed dormitory, her face radiated refreshing smiles.

She'd been taught since childhood:

Only those who can walk thorny paths like flower-strewn roads deserve to be called sheltered blossoms.

"Lady Elente would do anything for power. Everyone in Belmierd Manor knows this."

As Derek was guided into Leonard's private quarters, the sturdy youth personally prepared tea instead of summoning servants.

Placing the cup before Derek, Derek glanced at it briefly without drinking.

"Thank you."

"No need. For someone like me still learning the world, connecting with an esteemed magic tutor like you is invaluable. I should be thanking you for visiting. Hehe."

Leonard sat opposite Derek, his pale hair cascading down.

"You taught Lady Elente, correct? How was she?"

"'How'? I'm not sure what you're asking. The Elente I taught was diligent and earnest in all matters."

"I see. But... you shouldn't be easily swayed by that facade."

Leonard's words carried clear intent.

As a guest at Belmierd, Derek had no reason to involve himself deeply. Yet Leonard seemed eager to convey something.

"Having grown up with Lady Elente, I know this well—she spent every day acquiring skills necessary for seizing power. Sometimes studying diligently, sometimes immersed in magic training... and sometimes mastering deception and ingratiation."

"..."

"I don't know what version of her you saw, but that couldn't have been her true nature. Ask any Belmierd servant—no one matches Lady Elente's endless lust for power."

Derek listened silently.

In such moments, Derek maintained critical distance, filtering every word. Noticing this, Leonard lightened the mood with a laugh.

"I've spoken too harshly of my sister. I worry I've made a poor impression."

-'Leonard's a snake—charming, scheming, and adept at fraud. Don't believe a word he says. *Hic*... *cough*.'

Ryner's drunken warning at Beldern's Tear resurfaced in Derek's mind.

Derek finally smiled slightly.

"No need for such concern. I've heard young master Leonard abandoned family prestige for pilgrimage at a tender age—a testament to your piety."

"My faith is merely a gift from Lord Leuron. Nothing praiseworthy."

Both exchanged forced smiles.

"Before getting to the point, let me explain why I sought this meeting. As mentioned in my letter, I firmly believe you're an exceptional talent destined to leave your mark on magical history."

Leonard maintained his ingratiating smile.

"It would be tragic for such promise to be hindered. Thus, I wish to prevent your entanglement in Belmierd's current affairs."

"What exactly do you mean?"

"As Lady Elente's mentor who shared a special bond, defending her is natural. But you mustn't recklessly support her."

Leonard spoke with genuine concern.

Clearly, he had summoned Derek to recruit him.

"Soon, Lady Elente will suffer a great fall. Don't let her drag you down."

"..."

"Her noble facade is mere pretense. Once you see her true nature, you'll regret taking her as a student."

Leonard stood, lowering his voice solemnly.

"Do you know of Ryner, Belmierd's former heir?"

"..."

"He suddenly abandoned his heirship to wander the world. Strange, isn't it? What greater position exists than Belmierd's heir? It makes the world feel beneath your feet."

Yet Ryner abandoned it all—a true oddity among nobles.

Seeing the heir drown in drink and gambling left even the border count and senior retainers deeply concerned.

So why did Ryner renounce his birthright?

"Lady Elente framed Ryner to usurp the heir position and research necromancy. The evidence... is now emerging. I can explain in detail."

"..."

"I know how unbelievable this sounds. Having taught her, you likely saw only her diligent facade. But I know the truth—don't be fooled by that power-hungry vixen."

Leonard's earnest expression made him seem like a gentle lamb.

His pious reputation felt genuine.

"Senior retainers reported necromantic traces in Lady Elente's quarters. Moreover, investigations at Evelstain Manor uncovered human remains in the basement."

"Is that true?"

"Verified by our mages and renowned magical trace expert Levilton. No doubt remains."

Leonard spread his arms wide.

"Choose wisely. Join me—I'll fully support your ascent to 4-Star. I promise Ravenclaw Barony will face no obstacles under my patronage."

"Why go so far?"

"As I said—I firmly believe in your greatness. Your achievements astound me."

"..."

"My father often says: gold stays put, but talent slips away. I recognize your worth. Keeping you aligned with Belmierd would be invaluable."

Leonard's silver tongue left no openings.

His rhythmic speech, interspersed with pauses, showed careful consideration for the listener. Regardless of content, he was a master orator.

"So don't act rashly. Defending Lady Elente will only corner you. I don't expect blind trust—just cautious judgment."

"..."

"Of course you'd distrust me too. But please—be prudent."

Rather than forceful recruitment, he emphasized free choice while planting seeds of doubt—a smooth, natural approach.

Derek stroked his chin pensively.

Watching the deep contemplation, Leonard waited patiently.

His benign expression suggested victory was near.

Derek thought deeply.

He didn't trust Leonard at all.

But discerning the boy's schemes wasn't easy.

Thus, only one decision remained.

"So you've been thinking the same."

Derek finally smiled brightly.

The expression resembled plunging a dagger into a dying monster's throat.

Those familiar with Derek knew—he never smiled like this.

But Leonard couldn't have known.

"Lord Derek...?"

"How curious. While teaching Lady Elente, I often felt uneasy—as if everything was a facade. Now I see why."

"Indeed... you noticed too!"

"Hearing it from you makes everything clear. Lady Elente was... suspicious indeed."

Derek stood, extending a hand with trust dripping from his eyes.

"You've saved me from grave danger. I'm indebted."

"Not at all. Though... I'm surprised you believed me so readily."

"Aren't you Lord Leuron's lamb? I too am devout. Someone so pious wouldn't slander lightly."

Derek gripped Leonard's hand with a radiant smile.

"You're heaven-sent. How fortunate."

- Clink

Elennte set down her teacup in the guest house garden.

The senior retainers investigating necromantic traces in her quarters had returned.

Their grave expressions were unusual—normally, all Belmierd servants trusted Elente.

They bore heavy news.

"Lady Elente."

"Finished the investigation?"

"Yes. With 4-Star mage Lord Rothel and trace expert Levilton's assistance."

The retainers gathered before her quietly.

"House arrest will likely intensify. Please remain in the guest quarters. The border count will be notified."

Elennte's expression stiffened momentarily.

- Thud, thud.

'...Not a word about the findings.'

Guarded—practically surveilled—Elennte paced the corridor deep in thought.

She pondered how to counter her silver-tongued brother's schemes.

Amidst this oppressive silence, she encountered an unimaginable sight.

- Creak

"I'll contact you separately."

Even unflappable Elente was stunned.

Emerging from Leonard's room with a satisfied smile was none other than Derek Raidof Ravenclaw—the man she trusted most.

The two seemed to have established some rapport.

"Wh-what...?"

Elennte froze mid-step, forcing her escorts to halt.

The retainers'polite urgings fell on deaf ears as Leonard approached from down the hall.

With the faintest smirk, Leonard passed by without a word.

Behind him walked Derek in full mage regalia.

Time seemed to slow.

Why was Derek here?

Why had he spoken privately with Leonard?

The questions choked her breath.

Trembling, Elente called out to Derek as he passed.

"D-Derek...! Why... are you here...?"

During her lessons, Derek always responded when called.

His steadfast reliability was his greatest virtue.

Yet now, he walked past without acknowledgment.

"Derek...! Why did you come to Belmierd...?"

She called again.

But when Derek briefly glanced back, his eyes held an icy chill she'd never seen before.

Whatever Leonard said had turned him.

This realization crushed Elente's chest like a thunderbolt.