“Running away, yes, running away……”

Ibril muttered with a blank expression like someone awakening from a hallucination spell.

“The witch is coming. We need to escape before she arrives. If we’re caught this time, we might be dragged to Igmal.”

His complexion, which had been excited with worry about Wallit, turned pale again.

“She’ll throw us in prison, feed us only bread, and make us create reagents and magical tools. That witch will exploit us until only our bones remain.”

“Cough, no, Ibril. That’s not possible.”

I wondered who this witch could be that would frighten the Marker brothers, who feared nothing in the world.

With their coffers abundant thanks to the panacea, they had become even more arrogant than before, freely using expensive ingredients to achieve results.

“Madam Callian is someone who would boil even our bones for their nutritional value. Cough.”

“Huh, that’s right. I was thinking too kindly of that witch. Aaron! Your hands are idle! Hurry and pack!”

“Madam Callian is a witch?”

As I watched the Marker brothers bustling about as if fleeing in the night, I suddenly remembered what Kaien had mentioned yesterday.

“No nonsense is harsher than Madam Callian’s training.”

Even Benji was determined to win at least once against the Black Lions Commander.

I couldn’t picture what kind of person Madam Callian was.

“Cough, cough. My lady, what brings you here?”

“Ah, well….. Could I get some of the panacea extract if you have any? If you’re busy, I can come back later.”

“It’s right here. I made plenty before coming to the grand duchy so I wouldn’t be in your way.”

Ibril placed a wooden box filled with small clinking bottles on the table and slung a leather bag over his shoulder.

Then he supported Wallit with his other shoulder.

“Well then, goodbye. Brother, let’s go! We just need to hide until the first supply shipment departs!”

“Ibril, I’m sorry for being a burden to you as your older brother……”

“What are you saying! Everything worked out so well because of you!”

“Ibril, my brother……”

“Brother!”

As I watched what felt like a dramatic performance of brotherly love, a long horn trumpet sound echoed throughout the grand ducal castle.

I casually glanced out the window when, gasp, Ibril quickly drew in his breath. Even Wallit forgot his cough and turned ashen.

Aaron approached the window excitedly.

“Madam Callian has arrived!”

Standing beside him and looking outside, I saw the tightly closed castle gates opening.

A unit of white knights entered.

***

The Marker brothers had fled somewhere, and I headed toward the entrance of the grand ducal residence.

All the servants of the residence were rushing toward the entrance. Seeing them, I felt anxious about whether I should run there too.

Merin Gohalm and Mrs. Moson had already arrived and were standing with straight backs, visibly tense. The servants were lined up in formation more perfectly than when Kaien had returned to the residence.

“My lady, His Grace has gone to the gates to welcome Madam Callian. You may wait here. A chair.”

“I’m fine standing.”

With me at the front, followed by Mrs. Moson who quietly supported the grand ducal household and performed her duties, we stood in formation.

Having experienced the journey from the gates to the residence amid people’s cheers, I knew how long it would take. The waiting time wasn’t boring at all.

Cheers rose like a massive wave, gradually building from a distance.

The wave of cheers slowly rose upward, as if announcing how far Madam Callian had progressed.

It was like a sacred hymn.

Like the majesty of a giant pipe organ, people’s cheers and shouts blended into one, creating a rhythm like music that covered the sky over the grand ducal castle.

“Callian! Callian!”

The sound of approaching cheers.

As I listened to the name people were calling out, despite having only heard it a few days ago and never having met her, my heart swelled with pride.

A white-haired female knight appeared, her white cape fluttering alongside Kaien.

“Those white knights are the Ice Wall Knights.”

Merin explained about the knights standing behind Madam Callian.

Madam Callian.

Wrinkles and scars marked her face beneath her flowing white hair. Though not large in stature, she possessed a spirit that wasn’t overshadowed by larger knights.

It was hard to believe she was 68 years old, the elder sister of Elder Marien.

Seeing her solid presence that wouldn’t waver before any enemy, I understood why the people of the grand ducal castle showed such respect.

As I watched them approach the residence, I scanned their surroundings.

I quietly asked Mrs. Moson behind me, so she could hear,

“Where is Madam Callian’s daughter?”

“Ah, she isn’t here.”

“……Oh.”

I should have checked beforehand.

I had only heard from Kaien that Madam Callian had a daughter and made a mistake.

I thought she must have died.

Mrs. Moson noticed the meaning of my sigh and corrected me.

“No. She’s alive. It’s just that…… they don’t get along. Though she lives in the grand ducal castle, they haven’t seen each other’s faces for over 20 years.”

There was no time to ask more as Kaien and Madam Callian arrived.

“Madam Callian. I’ve heard much about your reputation. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Ivy Blemer.”

I felt more nervous and tense than when I stood before the Emperor.

Eyes that revealed nothing of their thoughts looked at me. That inscrutable gaze seemed to peer into the depths of my being.

“I am Callian Maska. I was curious about whom the Grand Duke had married.”

Even her smile felt cold.

And then? Something like “pretty” or “clever”?

I waited, but no adjectives followed.

Was it just my feeling that she seemed to be taking a wait-and-see approach?

‘If Kaien’s mother were alive, she would probably feel like this.’

I felt slightly constricted inside.

“You’ve had a difficult journey, Madam Callian.”

“We’ve prepared a hot spring bath in your usual room, so the knights may also rest from their travel fatigue.”

After Mrs. Moson welcomed them, the wife of Administrator Drid added, as if competing.

Kaien was also respectful to Madam Callian.

“You must be tired from your journey. Please rest first, and we’ll meet in the evening.”

“Rest!”

“Yes!”

At Madam Callian’s command, the Ice Wall Knights in white capes dispersed. Some could be seen reuniting with family members in the crowd.

Once a year, they come to the grand ducal castle only during the Great Snowfall to confirm who is alive or dead.

How anxious they must be for each other.

“More than travel fatigue, I heard you received a territory near the Rogna Forest Mountain Range from the Emperor. A magic stone mine, they say?”

“Let’s go to the office. Ivy.”

Madam Callian’s gaze turned to me.

Why is the Grand Duchess participating in business talk? Her expression didn’t change, but I could read her thoughts exactly.

“Let’s go, my lady. The deposit survey is complete. This is a good opportunity to hear how much is deposited in the territory you chose.”

“Yes, let’s.”

I was about to decline, but when Ransel stepped forward to explain, frost appeared in Madam Callian’s expression.

Though I had confirmed the extent of the deposits in the novel, I couldn’t refuse and headed to the office with them.

***

“Impressive. This amount is similar to the combined total of all currently operating magic stone mines.”

After reviewing the magic stone mine deposit report in the office, Madam Callian expressed her admiration. Everyone in the office looked happy.

But I couldn’t be completely joyful.

‘When I go to the capital, I must give Rebecca a big gift.’

Using the excuse of a wedding gift, I had repeatedly promised myself to spend half my fortune on a present for her.

I didn’t know it would be this significant.

Originally, this was meant to be imperial property, with Rebecca discovering the magic stone mine’s potential, enriching the imperial family and earning their love as a foundation.

I had brought that to the grand ducal family instead.

“You say the lady chose this land when the Emperor mentioned compensation? This was nothing but useless land.”

“Yes, isn’t she remarkable? My lady is truly a blessing.”

As Ransel excitedly praised me, Madam Callian agreed.

“Indeed. To even remove the Grand Duke’s curse and extract the Black Dragon, truly impressive.”

I gulped nervously.

Looking at Kaien, he nodded.

“I told her. It’s something Madam Callian should know.”

“Very well. Then introduce me now. To the Black Dragon, the demonic beast that has tormented the Blemer family for generations.”

The atmosphere around Madam Callian, who was leaning casually against the sofa, changed.

His hand covering my arm on the armrest tensed.

Ransel, sensing the unusual atmosphere, laughed awkwardly.

“Since we don’t know where Lord Helbaitz is right now, when he returns.”

[You want to meet me, the Black Dragon Helbaitz?]

Helbaitz’s eerie laughter spread throughout the office.

Madam Callian’s eyes narrowed.

Madam Callian, respected for her skills by the grand ducal castle and the Black Knights. I was overwhelmed by the aura she emanated.

Helbaitz could be in danger.

That thought occurred to me when I saw Madam Callian’s changed energy.

[This is our first meeting like this, Callian.]

I searched for Helbaitz but couldn’t see him. Like when I first met Helbaitz, a powerful invisible force heavily pressed down on the air in the office.

The voice continued.

[I am the great Black Dragon, the strongest being on earth, Helbaitz, kheuk!]

“Ah, oh my, I’m sorry, Lord Helbaitz. Oh, what should I do. I didn’t know you were on the floor.”

“Lord Helbaitz! Are you hurt anywhere? Such a precious being.”

Benji, who had entered the office carrying tea, was startled looking at the floor. Ransel jumped up and crouched on the floor.

Helbaitz, who had become round like a ball, was rolling on the floor, flapping his small wings.

Goodness, he can’t even fly anymore.

[I, lift me up! Hurry!]

“Lord Helbaitz, hold still, I’ll lift you up, just hold still.”

[I’m, I’m dizzy! Quickly!]

I didn’t turn around, but I heard a sigh from where Madam Callian was sitting.