‘Oh well. I’m already a villainess anyway, so what’s a few more bad words.’

Right now was the time to emphasize that her actions were completely justified.

She wasn’t alone anymore; she had to take responsibility for Noah.

‘For that, I can’t be driven out of the Duke’s mansion.’

If she were driven out of the Duke’s mansion, even the minimal shield of being House Offensa’s direct descendant would become meaningless. And it didn’t seem like the Young Marquis would let her leave peacefully either.

‘So I need someone who will help me stay in the Duke’s mansion. The Vice Archmage is the most likely candidate.’

That’s why she had planned this incident for the day of the Vice Archmage’s visit.

‘The Vice Archmage has long considered Calliphe as a promising candidate.’

Marcel, a half-elf, was a loyal figure who had served successive Archmages as his masters.

He believed that the magical talent possessed by House Offensa’s direct line was most suitable for the position of Archmage.

That’s why after Calliphe’s mother died in an accident, he hoped that the twisted Calliphe would come to her senses.

‘If I can fulfill even a little of those expectations, he might prevent the Young Marquis from pushing me out. At least buy some time.’

Of course, to truly avoid being pushed out, she needed to take more definitive measures.

But for now, the immediate matter came first.

Calliphe waited until the Vice Archmage, who was holding his forehead as if dizzy, opened his mouth.

“I… understand your intentions, my lady. But why did you record those problematic statements?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Calliphe lightly placed her hand on Noah’s shoulder beside her.

“To clear our child’s false accusations.”

“Our… child?”

Everyone doubted their ears at words that seemed extremely unsuitable for Calliphe.

Only Noah quickly looked up at Calliphe and blushed bright red.

The emotion reflected in Noah’s eyes was clearly joy.

‘I heard she abused and neglected the child… but what’s with that reaction?’

Marcel’s expression became peculiar as he looked at the child.

“…You’re saying you reduced a proper noble to this state, for that child’s sake?”

Marcel’s gaze fell on the collapsed Viscount Colven.

He seemed to have fainted more from unbearable shame than from the pain of being struck on the calves with the switch.

‘Unlike her usual slapping or kicking, she used a switch like dealing with a student.’

The fact that she didn’t recklessly strike his face made it clear this was done out of anger for the child’s sake rather than for the family.

“That’s right.”

Calliphe answered and declared in a clear voice. At the same time, she addressed the gathered servants and those who had followed the Young Marquis.

“Everyone saw clearly. From now on, any attack on Noah will be considered an attack on me, so conduct yourselves accordingly.”

“……”

“Vice Archmage, Young Marquis. I’ll be taking my leave now. I want Noah to rest. If you have anything to say, we can discuss it later.”

Her attitude was surprisingly brazen and dignified for someone who had caused trouble.

But since it was awkward to simply reproach her, no one could stop her.

“Let’s go, Noah.”

“…Yes!”

Calliphe subtly passed off the handling of the unconscious Viscount Colven and left the scene.

Only then did Marcel regain his composure.

Had Calliphe finally grown up a little? If so, it would truly be deeply moving.

However…

“How embarrassing that you had to witness such a commotion upon your arrival.”

Looking at the Young Marquis who gave an apologetic smile, Marcel steadied his heart.

“No. There’s nothing particularly surprising about this. It is Calliphe, after all.”

It was regrettable, but it was already too late. If she had shown hope just a little earlier, they could have worked together to continue the direct lineage.

“Let’s move this man first. But we should treat his wounds before that.”

Though not comparable to holy power, Marcel’s magic could heal minor external injuries.

It was when Marcel placed his hand on Viscount Colven’s wounds.

His sensitive fingertips, trained in magic throughout his life, detected unfamiliar magical power.

‘…This is?’

No. It wasn’t completely unfamiliar. It was magical power he had felt long ago.

‘It can’t be… no, it’s clear. This is Lady Calliphe’s magical power!’

It was magical power that hadn’t appeared since Calliphe became magically incompatible.

“Vice Archmage?”

“Y-Young Marquis. Please place your hand here.”

At Marcel’s urging, the Young Marquis questioningly brought his hand close to the wound.

After a moment of silence, he asked.

“I don’t feel anything. Did you discover something unusual?”

“What? Ah…”

Calliphe’s magical power had already vanished like a mirage. Even checking again yielded the same result, leaving Marcel confused.

“…I must have been mistaken.”

“Mistaken?”

“It seemed like Lady Calliphe had finally changed, so I must have… been confused somehow. Please forget about it.”

Marcel changed the subject embarrassedly and followed the soldiers who were clearing away Viscount Colven.

Behind him, Caiman slowly stroked his chin.

“Calliphe… you continue to be a nuisance.”

Though there shouldn’t be any variables at this point, seeing the Vice Archmage’s soft spot for Calliphe was unpleasant. He didn’t like variables.

‘Indeed, I can’t let her stay in the Duke’s mansion.’

As it happened, he had a suitable pretext to get rid of Calliphe.

A political marriage that could exile Calliphe to the empire’s frontier. It was something he had considered before, and several candidates already came to mind.

“I should arrange a marriage proposal.”

* * *

With what I had done and the Vice Archmage’s visit, the Duke’s mansion would be noisy for at least today.

So I decided to take Noah out.

After all, the quality of rest improves the more money you spend.

“It’s been a while since you visited. Welcome, Lady Calliphe.”

The place I came to was a large boutique where Calliphe was a VIP, one that also handled children’s clothing.

‘I’ve been waiting for this day. I’m going to buy Noah lots of pretty clothes!’

Even when I struggled with money in the game, I couldn’t give up on clothes that perfectly suited Noah.

However, before I could make any requests, the staff brought out pastel-toned, pure dresses.

“These are dresses we designed while waiting for your visit, Lady Calliphe. How are they?”

“Why are you doing things I didn’t ask for?”

“Pardon? But, but didn’t you give us a deposit to prepare pure-style dresses?”

“…I did?”

Only then did Calliphe’s memory surface.

‘That man likes such wishy-washy colors, I heard. If I want to catch him, I’ll have to accommodate. Make them properly!’

Like this, there were memories that I completely forgot about until the situation arose.

‘Is this the limitation of being possessed?’

I waved my hand.

“No, today I came to buy clothes for this child. Bring something that would suit him.”

“M-my clothes?”

“Yes. Is there anything you like?”

At my words, Noah looked at the displayed clothes with very worried eyes.

Then, as if having made some decision, he took out a small pouch from his pants and handed it to me.

“Can we… buy something with this?”

“Huh?”

Opening it revealed shiny buttons and pieces of colored glass. There were also a few coins.

Don’t tell me this is a piggy bank?

“I could only save this much… Is it too little?”

“Customer, this is… oof.”

Where do you think you’re going to spout the truth? I quickly kicked the employee’s shin and said to Noah.

“Not bad. This is enough to buy everything and have some left over.”

“……!”

Noah’s face, which had been full of worry, brightened considerably.

While an excited Noah went to choose clothes, I checked the system window.

[Noah’s filial piety has increased by 10.]

[Current filial piety: 0]

[Hidden route quest completed!]

The filial piety limit was lifted after dealing with Viscount Colven. Thanks to that, the negative filial piety finally reached the starting line.

[As quest reward, synchronization with ‘Calliphe’ is completely released.]

This was very welcome news. Now I would never have to forcibly perform Calliphe’s role again.

‘Calliphe is free now!’

There was more news I had been waiting for.

[‘Calliphe Offensa’ has been registered as Noah’s temporary guardian.

From now on, you can accept quests for achieving the hidden ending.]

[Hidden ending achievement conditions:

1. Reach Noah’s filial piety 100.
2. Entrust Noah to a guardian before Noah’s 9th birthday.

Failure: Calliphe’s death]

Though the failure penalty was scary, it didn’t feel bad to finally make a fresh start.

By the way, I didn’t know I would have to be responsible for the filial piety until the end.

‘I recovered from -100 in a short time, so it shouldn’t be difficult going forward… right?’

Although slightly uneasy, there was no use worrying about it now. There was another problem that needed to be solved.

‘The Young Marquis must have realized it from this incident too. That I don’t plan to be driven out quietly.’

He wouldn’t just stand by and watch, so he would surely make his next move quickly.

And I already knew what method that would be.

A political marriage.

In <Marino>, before meeting her death, Calliphe struggled while lamenting her situation.

Among them was a political marriage where she was sold off like livestock. According to the Young Marquis’s wishes.

‘Still, since I’m the direct descendant, they can’t handle it carelessly. They’ll probably announce my marriage proposal at the grand council where the vassals gather.’

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I decided to counter marriage proposals with marriage proposals.

Because of what I’ve done so far, Calliphe’s position is too weak.

Unless I become a great mage right away, I need someone else’s status and power to secure my position in the Duke’s mansion.

In other words.

“I need a contract husband who will enter the Duke’s mansion and support me. And one with quite high status at that.”

Actually, there was one person I had in mind.

In <Marino>, there was a mysterious man who would occasionally appear in sudden events, randomly raise Noah’s swordsmanship skills, and disappear.

‘They said he had silver hair and a strangely vague impression. And he had problems with his eyesight.’

There was also information he had let slip while talking to Noah.

“I’ll teach you swordsmanship. I have experience directly training my knight order, so it won’t be bad for you.”

Since you need to be at least a count’s family to have your own knight order, his status was just right.

Of course, there was another reason why I wanted him.

‘Anyway, I need to start looking now.’

Once I find him, I know ways to approach him.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t they say he always wore an earring on one ear?’

* * *

In the night as the moon rose.

A man who had been absently gazing alone at the imperial city’s night view through the window spoke.

“I trust there’s nothing unusual in the territory?”

It was a low and dignified voice that carried the resonance of a cave.

The communication stone on the desk answered him.

―Nothing major in the past few days. Did you arrive safely in the imperial city, my lord?

“Yes. I plan to start the investigation tomorrow.”

―The imperial city’s social circles will be buzzing about your appearance after so long. There will probably be more groundless rumors about romance again, haha.

“Heron. Stop talking nonsense.”

The man furrowed his dark eyebrows.

But Heron’s assumption wasn’t entirely off base.

The man’s always neat black hair and straight forehead, shadowed gray-blue eyes and coolly closed lips.

And his broad shoulders like snow-capped mountains and solid body had always received many secret glances.

―It’s not nonsense. I still remember that shocking rumor. About you and Lady Calliphe Offensa-

“Shut it.”

His calm voice suddenly boiled over.

“Even if I were left alone in the world with that woman.”

The gray-blue eyes glaring at the communication stone held contempt for someone.

“I will never get close to that woman. Ever.”

―…But strong denial means strong affirmation,

The man cut off the communication in disgust at his adjutant’s flippant remarks.

It seems training has been insufficient.

The man returned the communication stone to its place while contemplating training methods to make his adjutant more tight-lipped.

It was next to a silver earring in the drawer.