Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 71: To the North (2)

Unlike the southwest of the continent, which has three great families, the north—always close to the battlefield—only has one person with the title of duke: Lord Melverot.

He is the head of the ducal house of Rochester and the only six-star battle mage still alive.

He was also the one who personally killed the demonic beast Noir, the main cause of the greatest disaster to ever occur in the north: the Dawn War.

Dereck had heard many times the gruesome scenes of that day told by Jayden, the mercenary leader who directly participated in the Dawn War.

Famous warriors from all over the continent gathered to hunt down the gigantic demon Noir, visible even from the horizon, but the only thing that kept growing was the mountain of corpses.

The sight of the snowy plains turning red with the blood of fallen warriors seemed to have been a lifelong trauma for him.

The six-star mage Kalimford, Lord Melverot’s lifelong friend, also died in the Dawn War.

The story of how Lord Melverot used his friend’s sacrifice as a springboard to land the final blow to Noir’s heart is legendary and the reason why Lord Melverot still reigns as the ruler of the north.

“I’ve heard this story so many times since I was a child, but it seems even a mythical figure can’t raise their children properly.”

“True. But we can’t rush to judge until we see Lady Siern in person.”

“Of course. Even Diella might have seemed like an uncontrollable girl based on the rumors, but she had a tender side, didn’t she?”

The carriage swayed gently. The warm climate of the southwest was starting to feel like a distant memory. As the journey lengthened and they approached the north, the weather began to turn cold.

Autumn had already begun, and in the north around this time, there were places where the severe cold was already setting in.

Feeling that reality, Dereck changed his mercenary cloak for a thicker one with some fur. Aiselin, who wore a cape decorated with cute floral patterns, also seemed to feel the cold in her fingertips and asked the servants for some gloves.

Dereck pulled out the winter gear he had prepared in advance and handed it to Aiselin.

She accepted the gloves and outerwear with a blank stare.

“Use them.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

He had only given her the coat and gloves out of consideration, but Aiselin’s mind began to wander with all kinds of unnecessary thoughts.

Giving winter clothes in such cold weather wasn’t just a kind act, didn’t it also mean he trusted her enough to hand over something so personal?

The fact that he gave her gloves already used could be interpreted as a sign of closeness. And not asking for them back might imply that their relationship was close enough not to require formalities?

Assigning exaggerated meanings to every gesture was typical of girls beginning to take interest in the opposite sex.

And Aiselin was the type to show all of that on her face.

Dereck momentarily rested his chin on his hand, biting his lower lip, thinking he’d have to be careful even with things like this.

‘It’s fine that Lady Aiselin is kind, but if I don’t maintain proper distance, it could backfire.’

Dereck was, without a doubt, a dangerous man. He had a high opinion of Aiselin as a person; he found her admirable, kind, and respectable. But he didn’t shy away from thinking that her kindness could be useful in many ways.

His basic rule was to use whatever could be of benefit. If it was merely the innocent affection of a young noblewoman who didn’t yet know the world well, it wouldn’t be difficult to go along with it—and maybe teach her a little about life in the process.

However, if that got out of hand, there would be consequences. Stay close, but with limits. If things got serious, there would be no way to manage it.

‘If Pheline saw this, she’d hate me.’

Thinking that, Dereck rested his chin in his hand and glanced sideways at Aiselin.

Without realizing her ears had turned red, she stared intently at the gloves Dereck had given her, as if she were locked in a futile visual duel with a natural predator.

It was hard to say she didn’t look adorable in that moment, which is why Dereck let out a dry chuckle and shook his head.

Dereck was a cold person, able to measure emotions with a ruler of cost and benefit.

Nonetheless, aside from that, Aiselin was a good person, and it couldn’t be denied that her clumsy moments were quite charming.

So, Dereck let out a faint sigh and turned his gaze toward the landscape outside the window, which was slowly beginning to be covered in white.

*

“I’m Layton, the head butler of the Rochester family. And this is Serena, the head maid.”

“…”

That happened when Dereck, who had just stepped down from the large carriage with his luggage, encountered the two people in charge of managing the Rochester estate. The location was the entrance to the northern Rochester territory.

There was still some distance to the mansion, but it seemed the two had come out to receive the distinguished guests by Lord Melverot’s direct orders.

‘What…?’

Dereck felt a strange discomfort. Layton, dressed in a flawless suit, was a gentleman with a well-groomed beard. Standing in the snow in a fur coat, he looked refined for a northerner.

However, the head maid, Serena, did not present the same image.

She wore a clean uniform, but had bandages on one arm, her ankle, and neck. One of her eyes was also covered with a bandage, and her fingers were full of scratches.

“Forgive me for presenting myself in such a disheveled state.”

When Serena bowed her head in respect, Aiselin, who had just stepped out of the carriage, shook her head.

“It’s fine. Wounds don’t heal conveniently. You seem seriously injured, are you alright?”

“Yes, thank you for your concern. It is a great honor for the Rochester family to personally receive Lady Aiselin, the noblest flower of the Duplain family.”

The rumors about the Duplain family’s decline must have already spread to the north.

They might not grasp the severity of the situation, but they surely knew that their authority and splendor were not what they used to be.

Still, the Rochester family’s treatment was truly courteous. Even in decline, a ducal family was still a ducal family.

Dereck’s expression hardened as he observed Serena’s condition. At a glance, the wounds on her arm, ankle, and neck seemed to be of different nature and timing.

‘This isn’t from an accident. She’s been continuously assaulted… even tortured.’

If she introduced herself as the head maid, she had to be someone of high rank among the Rochester mansion’s servants.

Despite that, if she had to continue working in that state, he could only imagine the condition of the other maids.

Dereck thought the task ahead would be more difficult than expected.

“Was this Lady Siern’s doing?”

Dereck had no hesitation in asking direct questions. Upon hearing it, both averted their gazes with uncomfortable expressions.

Not even Diella, in her worst days, had ever laid a hand on someone who had reached the rank of head maid.

This went beyond physical punishment and bordered dangerously on torture.

‘What was Lord Melverot or the other high-ranking members of the house doing? If someone was causing this much harm, shouldn’t they have intervened…?’

Despite being a warlord, Lord Melverot was a person with common sense.

There must have been some reason for allowing his daughter to act freely even when the lives of servants were at risk.

“We’ll explain the details at Rochester Mansion.”

With that, Dereck and Aiselin were guided by two servants toward a luxury carriage and boarded.

They were now headed directly to Rochester Mansion.

“I’m a little scared…”

“I already told you it wouldn’t be easy.”

“Yes… I need to stay focused…”

Despite her anxious expression, Aiselin pressed her lips firmly and adopted a determined look.

She needed to gather as much money as she could. She had many people depending on her, and her family was on the brink.

She carried a sense of responsibility that didn’t match her delicate figure, yet she didn’t show it openly.

“In any case, Lady Siern doesn’t seem like an easy person.”

“I expected as much, but I think we need a concrete plan. She doesn’t look like someone who’ll listen just because we speak kindly.”

“I already have a plan. Actually, I have three.”

Dereck said that thinking it was better to be clear before they arrived.

“The first is to connect with her person to person. If we can build a bond, we can move forward with the lessons without trouble.”

“That would be ideal. I hope it works…”

“It doesn’t seem likely at first glance. So, we have to resort to the second method. Scold her, get angry, or try to persuade her… do whatever it takes to move Lady Siern emotionally.”

“That’s also valid. I’ll… do my best too… But if that doesn’t work…”

When Aiselin asked worriedly, Dereck clenched his fist and responded.

“Then we’ll use the third method.”

“…”

“One that’s proven effective throughout history.”

“…”

Sometimes, Aiselin thought. Dereck’s methods were too rough for a noble lady. He was a man who advanced like an iron horn.

And that’s why it worked. Greenhouse flowers like noble young ladies didn’t understand the fear a fist could instill.

She didn’t know what the family would do if he made a mistake, but Dereck no longer cared.

From the beginning, many who came to him couldn’t be handled gently.

The first one to benefit from that was his own sister, Diella.

“It won’t be easy.”

At that moment, Layton, the head butler, who was sitting across from him, interjected.

They were plotting how to handle the lady he served. Dereck thought maybe he should watch his words, but then shook his head. Wrong was wrong.

“What do you mean it won’t be easy?”

“You don’t truly know Miss Siern yet.”

Layton spoke quietly, with his head bowed.

“The north is a dangerous land where high-level magical beasts appear frequently. Its people are rough, extremely closed off, and have developed their own survival methods.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that.”

“There are no fertile lands, and people live by hunting magical beasts or receiving royal subsidies. In such a place, only the strong survive. Lady Siern is a symbol of the north.”

From what he was saying, she sounded like someone with a wild charm.

In Dereck’s mind, the image of Lady Siern already overlapped with that of mercenaries in a tavern flexing muscles while drinking rum.

“What kind of person is she for you to say that?”

“She is none other than Lord Melverot’s only daughter. To put it bluntly—”

Just when Layton was about to continue.

Thud, thump!

Without warning, the carriage jolted violently, and a massive impact was soon felt.

Bang! Crack! Crash!

Thud! Clang! Bang!

Everything happened so fast that Aiselin couldn’t even scream. The carriage tilted sharply and all sorts of objects began to fall.

Clatter, crash! Bang!

“Ahhh! W-What’s happening?!”

“Hold on tight! The carriage is shaking!”

Rumble!

In the midst of the chaos, through the window, the body of a magical beast covered in white fur was visible.

It seemed that a large magical beast had attacked the carriage. Its form wasn’t clearly visible, but it was clear they had to get out immediately.

“Lady Aiselin! We have to get out of the carriage right now!”

“Kyaah!”

Dereck shouted as he forcefully kicked open the rear door of the carriage.

He practically threw Aiselin out of the carriage, then evacuated the servants before rolling out himself.

Whooosh!

An icy blizzard blew between the falling snowflakes. Dereck frowned as he looked up, searching for the monster that had attacked the carriage.

But upon stepping out to check, he realized it hadn’t been a direct attack.

Although a huge bear-like beast covered the carriage, it was already dead, with blood pouring from its neck.

Even from a distance, it was obvious it was dead. How could a dead monster attack a carriage? Such a question was inevitable.

“W-What is this…?”

“Are you all alright?”

The servants, alarmed, checked on Dereck and Aiselin. Fortunately, no one was injured, although Aiselin was panting, her face pale from the shock.

Dereck looked once more at the beast’s corpse in the middle of the snowy field, where the cold wind still blew.

He wondered if someone had used necromancy to control the beast’s body, but that kind of forbidden magic was not something commonly found.

It seemed more likely that someone had hurled the corpse of the giant monster at the carriage heading to the mansion. The intent behind such an act was clearly malicious.

‘Why throw the corpse of a beast?’

The carriage, tilted and stuck in the snow, could no longer move. The two white draft horses were also seriously injured and couldn’t rise from the ground. Watching them struggle was painful.

‘This couldn’t have been done by human strength… was it magic?’

With that thought, Dereck closed his eyes and activated his mana detection spell.

If magic had been used recently, it wouldn’t escape his senses.

To hide from such detection required a much higher level. No ordinary mage could conceal themselves from Dereck, who had already reached the level of a three-star mage.

Indeed, he sensed traces of mana in the treetop behind him.

Without hesitation, Dereck summoned a mana arrow and fired at the suspicious figure hiding high in the tree.

Whack! Pop!

An attack without even an incantation or preparation.

The shot was so fast that it was hard to even perceive it, let alone dodge.

The person in the tree jumped high to evade it. It was almost an animal-like reflex.

Crack! Thud!

The figure, who spun once in the air, was slimmer than expected. From her build, she resembled Diella.

She, not he, twisted her body in the air and landed in the snowy field beyond the carriage. The sound of her landing in the snow was surprisingly light.

“…”

Aiselin’s eyes widened upon seeing the figure land. Dereck remained frowning.

Her bluish hair spread across the snow, and the hem of her beautiful dress fanned out beneath her.

The girl, who had slowly risen from a crouched position, opened her eyes slowly, revealing pupils white and bright like snowflakes.

At first glance, she looked like an ice princess standing nobly in the snowy field.

However, that impression quickly vanished upon seeing what she held in her hands.

In one, she held a deer with a twisted, bleeding neck, and in the other, a blood-soaked wolf pup.

The image of her holding the corpses of beasts larger than her own body was bizarrely surreal.

Her hands were stained with the animals’ blood. Under her left eye, dark red blood from the dying deer was visible. She wore no shoes, so her bare feet, white as jade, were sunk in the snow.

The smell of blood hung clearly in the air, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Given the circumstances, there was no need to ask who was responsible for the corpse of the giant beast that had rammed the carriage.

“Miss Siern!”

The head maid Serena bowed her head, trembling all over. The other servants also bowed nervously.

Dereck glanced at the trembling servants. Their sharp movements weren’t from loyalty. What drove them was the fear coursing through their veins.

Seeing her standing there in the snowy field as the icy wind blew evoked a strange sensation… like witnessing a wild beast dressed in an elegant gown.

The only daughter of the greatest living six-star mage, Lord Melverot.

The heir to his overwhelming magical talent.

A madwoman whom not even that great mage could tame, and whom he eventually had to yield to.

A lunatic who regarded human life as mere pebbles on the roadside.

A maniac that even the hardened northerners couldn’t control, no matter how many faced her.

All those titles belonged to her.

Siern Alaina Rochester.

Dereck frowned and held his ground.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet