Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 106: Aiselin & Ellen (1)

With a grating sound, Leonard ground his teeth.

He clawed at Dereck’s hand, which was gripping his neck and lifting him up, trying to break free, but the sturdy arm did not budge an inch.

Leonard’s eyes were bloodshot, drool dripping as he couldn’t breathe properly. Still, with a desperate determination to survive, he struggled to free himself from Dereck’s hand.

After a long struggle, his strength finally gave out and his body went limp.

With a choking sound, a flash of determination appeared in his eyes for a moment.

“…”

At the same time, Leonard’s already white hair began to turn completely white.

‘…What?’

As Dereck frowned and looked at him, an incredible amount of mana and vengeful spirits began to burst out from the area around Leonard’s heart.

Whooosh!

The sudden explosion of physical force pushed Dereck back, and Leonard, freed from his grip, fell to the ground sneezing.

“Cough, agh… cough!”

As he resumed breathing and let air fill his lungs, life returned to Leonard’s eyes.

However, blood leaked from his nose, ears, and mouth. Seeing this, Dereck narrowed his eyes and took a combat stance.

The necromancers of Rodentz Island had fields of specialization different from common necromancers.

Their specialty was sacrificial necromancy, which produced strange miracles using flesh and life as mediums.

Although they usually used wooden dolls or mammal corpses as offerings for their rituals, in the end, the most efficient method was human sacrifice.

However, when cornered, there was no practical way to find someone to sacrifice. That’s why, when the Rodentz necromancers were driven to the wall, they began offering their own flesh and body as sacrifice.

Their end was usually horrific. Many of them bet everything just to drag their enemy down with them before being captured and executed.

After all, those who practice forbidden arts usually end up either executed atrociously or spending the rest of their days in prison. In that case, they preferred to take their enemy to the grave, even if it cost them an arm or a leg.

Perhaps Leonard thought the same, for one of his legs had vanished without anyone noticing. Only fresh blood poured from his thigh.

Propping himself up with his arms from the ground, he vomited blood and shouted.

“Do you think… I’m going to die here…?!”

“…”

“I can’t… I can’t die here. After living in the shadow of my brother Linus, unable to spread my wings, I finally gained an opportunity, and now my sister Ellen stands in my way? Ugh… Ugh… If you thought I’d give up because of that, you’re dead wrong…”

Leonard exuded a strange aura, letting blood drip onto the garden floor.

“Do you think I’m different from Sister Ellen? I wanted power too. I wanted to stand above everyone and give orders. That’s all. How am I different from Sister Ellen?”

“So this is your plan?”

“So what? Baron Ravenclaw. Life must seem easy to you. Born with innate magical talent, you can master new magic just by seeing it, leaving your peers behind with extraordinary marks. You don’t understand someone like me.”

As the aura of vengeful spirits engulfed the garden, skeletal soldiers reeking of rot began to emerge from the ground.

The swirling group of spirits around Leonard was so ghastly that all the servants began to scream and flee.

The high officials shouted to call the soldiers, and the squires, without even thinking of drawing their swords, collapsed as their legs gave out.

Dereck stood firm before them, clutching his fluttering cloak tightly.

Leonard, crawling on the ground, glared at him with bloodshot eyes.

“I am not like you. I know how harsh and shitty life can be. To achieve your goals, you must use any means. Push your rivals over the cliff, deceive those who would deceive you, be ruthless, cold, and relentless. Without heaven’s blessing, it’s better to be a despicable winner than live shoved around and miserable.”

“…”

“The reason Sister Ellen can act so noble and elegant is because she’s been blessed with talent. You still don’t understand. Do you know why Brother Linus gave up his position as heir and left the family?”

Amid the whirlwind of spirits, Leonard spoke each word like a curse.

“Brother Linus, from the very beginning—”

“I don’t care, you talk too much.”

Dereck cut off Leonard, who was spitting resentment and rage in the howling wind.

Seeing Dereck’s expression, Leonard’s pupils dilated for an instant.

Then, gritting his teeth, he tried to scream something filled with hatred.

Thud, Thud!

Two magic arrows pierced his shoulder.

Although it was a first-level spell and its power wasn’t high, Dereck’s magic was different due to its destructive force. In that instant, Leonard realized the nerves in his shoulder had been paralyzed.

Crack!

“Aaaargh!”

Dereck then crushed the skeletal soldiers one by one and rushed to the center of the garden. His figure, advancing through the furious wind, looked like that of a reaper.

When he reached Leonard, he kicked him in the head, causing fresh blood to gush out again.

And when he lifted him by the head, Leonard, his eyes completely white, kept bleeding.

Yet his determination was chilling.

Leonard, who quickly regained clarity, gathered his magical power.

The reason the necromancers of Rodentz Island were so troublesome was because, when cornered, they all used high-level necromancy.

Even a criminal who had barely reached the level of a one-star could use three-star spells or higher if they were willing to burn their entire body and life.

Watching them use their body as a projectile was sheer madness.

Three-star Necromancy: “Advanced Soul Absorption.”

He stretched out his hand toward Dereck and tried to snatch his life in an instant.

Slash!

Leonard’s right hand vanished.

It was not sacrificed for necromancy.

Dereck’s sword, which had already done its work, was returning to its sheath.

Blood sprayed.

Leonard couldn’t even scream.

Zap!

Necromancy that touches the soul directly causes lethal wounds with just one success. The veteran mercenary, who knew this very well, would never allow himself to be touched.

But humans have two hands.

Just as Leonard tried to grab Dereck’s thigh with his other intact hand, Dereck kicked his forearm.

His response, never allowing necromancy, was so precise it seemed he had faced it many times before.

“Ugh, agh!”

As Leonard, rolling on the ground, extended his palm toward Dereck to launch another spell…

Thud! Thud!

Slash!

At the moment Dereck took a defensive stance, a third person appeared between them and swung a sword.

It was as if time slowed.

In that fleeting instant, Dereck clearly saw how the sword cut through the necromancy Leonard had manifested along with his magical power.

The sacred text engraved in red letters on the silver blade caught his attention.

It was the “Sacred Blood Sword” of Rodelia, the hero who had slain hundreds of necromancers on Rodentz Island.

Flash!

Roar!

Soon, the spirits Leonard had summoned turned into light and disappeared.

The mysterious power that nullified all necromancy in the area with a single slash was undoubtedly worthy of the title of hero.

The light that burst was so dazzling that Dereck squeezed his eyes shut.

When he opened them again, the only thing he saw was Leonard, eyes wide open.

And a figure standing before him.

“You weren’t late. Were you the one who sent the letter to Viscount Renouel?”

The one who had intervened and ended the fight was the heroine of the Renouel Viscounty, Lady Rodelia.

The scars covering her face were proof that she was a veteran of the battlefields.

Though already a middle-aged woman with a few fine wrinkles, her white hair braided back was worthy of a holy knight.

Despite the years, her vigor had not waned.

She wore silver armor heavy even for men and leapt from a great white horse, glaring fiercely at Leonard.

She was a slayer of necromancers.

And before her, there remained only one necromancer crawling with severed legs.

Soon, Leonard’s eyes began to distort with fear.

*

Clank, clank.

“Huff, huff… Ugh…”

Each time the middle-aged heroine moved, her silver armor resounded with a clang.

Lady Rodelia approached Leonard, who was crawling on the ground, and lifted him by the collar of his shirt. Blood began to drip to the ground. From the amount he had already lost, his life was in danger.

Rodelia looked at him silently and said.

“If we leave him like this, he’ll die. We must stop the bleeding immediately.”

No matter how evil a person was, not allowing their life to be extinguished in vain would have been a touching story, if that had truly been the case.

“Don’t think you’ll die so easily. Isn’t that right?”

Rodelia’s attempt to keep him alive had nothing to do with compassion.

Leonard’s face twisted in fear again, but Rodelia’s expression did not change in the slightest.

She looked toward the entrance of the Belmierd mansion, where her companions were arriving on horseback.

Dereck easily grasped the situation.

After receiving his letter, Rodelia had sensed the trace of necromantic magic from afar while heading toward the Belmierd mansion.

It was impressive that she had detected necromancy from such a distance. She had gripped the reins tightly and galloped at full speed, even ignoring the gatekeepers to burst straight into the property.

She had arrived so quickly that she even preceded the Belmierd family soldiers, who had already been alerted.

A heroine never arrives late in times of crisis. Rodelia’s punctual arrival was proof of that.

Now, her companions, who had followed behind, entered the garden with sweat-drenched faces.

“The situation is already under control. This man is a criminal who has violated the taboo. First, stop the bleeding and treat his wounds. Then we’ll interrogate him about the necromantic magic of Rodentz Island.”

“Huh? It’s already over?”

“The competent mage has already resolved almost everything.”

Saying that, Rodelia handed the trembling Leonard over to her companions. Trisha, who had just arrived with them, turned pale at the sight of Leonard covered in blood.

After organizing the situation, Rodelia dusted off her hands and walked firmly toward Dereck.

Her complexion was normal, and her features, marked by the passage of time, reflected her age. However, her intelligent eyes shone with vitality, and the metallic sound of her armor commanded respect.

Though a woman and quite older, she was still a warrior who had soared across battlefields.

Even Emperor Gatrell had recognized her, granting her the title of count and elevating her to countess to dignify her status.

Those under her protection must have felt as if they had a thousand soldiers at their back.

Of course, if she became an enemy, she was more terrifying than a demon from hell.

When it came to killing necromancers, she was a ruthless figure, capable of ripping out intestines or flaying without a blink.

Her kind appearance was merely a mask to conceal her ferocity.

As if to confirm this, Rodelia greeted Dereck with a warm smile like sunlight.

“You seem skilled at dealing with necromancers. Are you Baron Dereck Lydof Ravenclaw, who made a great contribution during the disaster in the Duke Duplain’s household?”

“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Rodelia.”

“Yes. I thought it would be nice to meet you someday, but I did not expect it to be under such circumstances.”

Rodelia let out a short laugh while wiping the blood off her silver gauntlet.

“It seems my foolish daughter Trisha went alone to the Ravenclaw household… If her insolent attitude caused any trouble, I apologize as her mother.”

At those words, Trisha, who was giving orders to the attendants, turned pale.

Though she usually overflowed with arrogance, in front of her mother Rodelia, she became like a meek lamb.

The brat who had thrown tea at Ellen in the Rose Hall now simply stood there, her face blue.

Raised under a heroine like Rodelia, it seemed the only thing she had learned was cunning.

“Usually, when faced with necromancy, people panic and flee, or freeze in terror… But you seem to have calmness carved into your soul. You look like you have real combat experience.”

“Thanks to my long life as a mercenary, I rarely lose my composure in real battle situations.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Rodelia rested her chin on one hand and observed Dereck carefully from head to toe.

Though her satisfied smile was unsettling, Dereck simply remained silent, hiding his discomfort.

From experience, he knew well that when a powerful person smiled that way and their eyes gleamed, it meant something bad was about to happen.

“Well, there are many things I want to ask you in person, but now is not the time. Although it was an emergency due to the necromancy, I entered the Belmierd mansion on horseback without requesting permission, bypassing the gatekeeper… That could be considered a grave disrespect toward Count Belmierd.”

Given the circumstances, it seemed unlikely anyone would question that breach of etiquette. Still, Rodelia valued order and rules greatly.

As she sheathed the Sacred Blood Sword, she said.

“First, I must present myself to Count Belmierd and apologize. It would be better to speak with you later, Sir Dereck.”

With that, Rodelia turned toward the main building of the Belmierd mansion.

The place was steeped in chaos. The garden was half destroyed, a necromancer had appeared among the staff, and Rodelia had burst in directly.

All this had happened in just a few minutes, leaving the staff utterly bewildered.

It was time to begin resolving the confusion.

Just as Rodelia was about to mount her beloved horse.

Crrreeeek.

The door of the Belmierd mansion opened, and the master of the house appeared.

*

A red and gold silk doublet, with the family crest embroidered in golden thread over the chest. A cloak made from the pelt of a giant gray wolf rested on his shoulders, giving him an imposing air.

He stroked his thick brown beard as he descended into the garden, followed by Ellen with a serene air.

At the sight of them, the servants of the mansion could not help but shudder.

Noble and elegant. Already dressed in a new gown and with her hair carefully arranged, she had the appearance worthy of being called the Rose of Belmierd. Her flaming hair flowed down like butterfly wings.

The haggard look from her long confinement had vanished, and walking alongside the Margrave of Belmierd, the message was clear.

She had been scorned as a witch, but now she had regained all her authority.

“Rodelia of the Renuel family greets Count Belmierd. Upon sensing necromantic magic, I entered the mansion without permission, committing a grave discourtesy.”

“…”

Count Belmierd looked at the devastated garden, then at Leonard, who was being tended to by the vassals of the Renuel family.

A dense emotion weighed in his gaze. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and spoke slowly.

“Lady Rodelia, soon you will be in a rank equal to mine. It will not be necessary for you to treat me as a superior.”

“Even so, compared to the dignity of Count Belmierd, I am insignificant. Authority is born of discipline, and as the leader of a humble viscounty, how could I not bow before you?”

“You are still as rigid as ever, Lady Rodelia.”

“I am grateful you say that I value principles, Count Belmierd.”

Rodelia’s smile was infinitely gentle. But the Margrave of Belmierd knew well.

He must not be deceived by that appearance and think she was simply a kind woman. On the battlefield, Rodelia had shed more blood than he had in his years of glory.

“I thank you for coming to assist in Belmierd’s affairs, but as you can see, today I have lost a son.”

The Margrave of Belmierd’s face was somber.

He was in no condition to maintain a pleasant conversation with Rodelia.

Knowing this, she avoided any trivial remarks.

“I would like to speak with Leonard. As lord of this house, I must first resolve this situation…”

Count Belmierd straightened with difficulty and looked at the servants, who still kept their heads bowed. A shadow clouded his expression.

“Try to understand, even a little, the feelings of a father who has lost a son.”

“…”

“I leave all judgment of this situation to my daughter, Ellen. Once Leonard is stabilized, bring him to my office.”

With that, Count Belmierd, head bowed and shadowed, returned inside.

His shoulders were burdened with many weights. The responsibilities as lord and as father pressed equally, making his back bend further and further.

Rodelia said nothing as she watched him.

She too had aged, and she understood well that the duties of a father and those of a ruler often conflicted.

“As you have heard, I have been entrusted with full authority to handle this situation.”

Ellen gracefully descended the marble stairs connecting to the great hall and smiled elegantly.

Only then did Rodelia and Dereck relax and rise to their feet.

“It is an honor to meet in person the heroine of Rodentz Island, Lady Rodelia.”

“I heard you have faced much slander. My condolences, it must have been very hard.”

“Well, let’s just say I’m fine for now.”

Ellen smiled playfully and glanced at the servants gathered in the garden.

All of them turned pale and lowered their heads.

Many had not criticized her openly, but some of the higher officials had indeed blamed her for her conduct.

Was it time to pay for rash judgments? Watching them swallow nervously, Ellen adjusted her hair.

“It would not be appropriate to keep Lady Rodelia standing in the midst of this chaos after her long journey. Why don’t you rest in the reception hall, and then we’ll give you a more detailed explanation?”

“It is a great honor to receive such consideration. I have brought some companions, I would appreciate it if they could also rest.”

“Of course. It would be best if they recovered their strength.”

With that, Ellen elegantly led Rodelia into the mansion.

The servants, drenched in sweat, quickly picked up the luggage, and the idle attendants began tidying up the garden.

As he watched everything, Dereck thought that at last the situation had come to an end.

The matter of the necromancy Ellen had been involved in had been resolved, and everything had returned to normal.

What had been the original goal again? So much had happened that he had nearly forgotten.

He had gotten entangled in unnecessary trouble and wasted time, while the inauguration of Ravenclaw’s Magic Academy drew near.

Wasn’t he planning to invite Ellen, one of his most outstanding students, to make an appearance?

After all this fuss, surely she would accept such a trivial request. With that thought, Dereck felt more at ease.

The training center Baron Ravenclaw was building must be nearly complete.

While Aiselin gave her all, Dereck too had faced his own difficulties. Now that Ellen had regained her authority, it was time to get to the point.

But Ellen was busy, managing the mansion and attending to Rodelia.

He thought it would be better to ask the favor at the right moment. Just as he was turning to leave, he heard a voice.

“Dereck.”

“…?”

Ellen, whom he thought had already gone, had delegated the task to the butler and returned.

Her reddened eyes wide open, she stared at him for a moment.

Then, suddenly, she showed a meaningful smile, averted her gaze as if in thought, and looked at Dereck again… repeating actions without clear meaning.

As Dereck watched her, she grew a bit flustered and blushed.

“T-that, Dereck.”

“Is something wrong?”

“…”

Noticing all the gazes, Ellen took a deep breath and spoke again.

“It’s nothing.”

“…”

“I just wanted to say that. We’ll talk later.”

“…?”

With that, Ellen fanned her face quickly and ran toward the hall.

As she was, that figure of hers seemed so unfamiliar, the dignified bearing she had shown in the Rose Hall felt like another person entirely.

Dereck too was surprised at this side of her.

*

“Sir Dereck… you are behind schedule. The inauguration is near.”

For her part, Aiselin had already finished almost all the construction and left the documents ready, requiring only approval.

The study, which had practically become her office, was filled with documents.

She had truly managed this enormous project on her own.

Seeing all that the daughter of Duke Duplain had accomplished, Delbriton was left speechless.

Aiselin Eleanor Duplain.

She truly had a talent for business.

T/N:

As you noticed, I made some changes since the translation did not specify Rodelia’s gender very clearly. It has now been clarified in this chapter, so her name went from Rodeia to Rodelia.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet