Though it was said in anger and frustration, thinking about it now, it didn’t seem impossible.

‘Since I’ve already signed a magically certified contract with that direct line, I can’t back out anyway.’

Dietrich’s teeth still ground when he recalled the time Calliphe demanded information for the grand conference.

“Come on, spill everything you know about the illegal magical tool organization. I’m going to cite you as the information source.”

“Why would I… Ha. I’ve never used illegal magical tools? It’s all because of the magic tower’s defective products… Urghk!”

“Oh my. Your magical power is being drained because you’re not doing your best according to the contract.”

“What’s the standard for doing my best!”

“Your conscience. You know best whether you’re truly doing your best or not?”

“W-what? D*mn it! This is fraud!”

In the end, Dietrich, who had spilled everything he knew, paid for his karma after the grand conference.

He had to pay enormous fines and massive compensation to the nobles and Imperial Hall.

Now he was no longer a nouveau riche noble, but rather a formerly nouveau riche noble. 

He lost his wealth, reputation, and all the strings he’d been pulling. He was back at rock bottom.

He was sick of both the Young Marquis and Calliphe.

‘…Even if I’m going down, I need to know one thing for certain.’

Whether it was really because of Calliphe Offensa that he could read the writing again.

“Yes, as it happens, there’s some suitable information I want you to look into.”

Dietrich snapped out of his thoughts at Young Marquis Caiman’s words.

“Find evidence that the relationship between Calliphe and Duke Ortega is fake.”

“…Is it really fake? Between those two.”

“Obviously.”

Caiman sneered at Dietrich.

“The Duke is not a commoner but a high noble. He wouldn’t do something that only brings him loss.”

“……”

“Anything will do. Yes, even recording them looking awkward together would be good. It’s no trouble to inflate rumors after all.”

Though he said this, Caiman’s eyes showed little expectation when looking at Dietrich.

It was just the look of someone viewing a spare chess piece.

Clearly, he must have different real schemes to bring down Calliphe.

“I’ll make arrangements, so start coming to work tomorrow. Even someone from the back alleys should be better at the imperial language than children.”

“……What?”

Dietrich was shocked when he heard about his new job.

* * *

Noah stood on tiptoe and poked his head out the window.

The special unit members, who Duke Ortega had personally selected regardless of status, were swinging their swords.

Noah’s eyes were very strict as he watched them.

“……Hmm.”

Finally, he nodded.

Since they looked much stronger than his previous sword instructor, it seemed okay to ask them to teach him swordsmanship.

Actually, he wanted to learn from the Duke, but…

Noah slightly opened his treasure pouch and shook his head.

‘This isn’t enough for tuition.’

Hadn’t he consistently brought jewels to Baron Colven, his previous sword instructor?

Since the Duke was much stronger than Baron Colven, the tuition must be enormous.

‘The cost-effectiveness isn’t good…’

But since these men were the Duke’s subordinates, they should be cheaper, right?

Just as Noah, having made up his mind, was about to head to the training ground.

He heard the chatter of maids passing through the corridor.

“Those special unit people, they’re all huge. Are all northerners like that?”

“And it’s not just them, right? This annex itself has become quite peculiar. Northern-style rooms and buildings appearing and all.”

As the maids said, Calliphe’s annex had undergone major changes recently.

First, the Duke’s room was extensively furnished next to Calliphe’s bedroom.

A dedicated carriage for the annex was prepared for use at any time, and not just the special unit but also talented individuals the Duke brought, like chefs and doctors, had moved in.

As facilities and buildings were needed for their use, the annex grounds expanded.

Security was also strengthened compared to before, with the special unit taking turns guarding this expanded area.

“They say the Duke covered all the costs.”

“My goodness. No wonder this place feels like it belongs to a different family.”

This was Lynen’s idea.

It was to show that this annex was both Calliphe’s and Lynen Ortega’s residence.

With this, the annex gained independence that made it difficult for the Young Marquis and vassals to interfere.

“But what happens to that foster child when they get married?”

“When they have a real child, they’ll probably send him away for adoption somewhere else since he’ll be in the way… Oh my.”

The maids who made eye contact with Noah quickly disappeared.

Noah looked like he’d been hit on the back of the head.

‘Lady Calliphe said we could stay together if she married the Duke?’

That’s why during the grand conference, Noah had desperately prayed to the Supreme Golden-Haired Fairy.

For Lady Calliphe to win everything.

He was happy that his prayer was answered, but hearing the maids’ words, it seemed this wasn’t the time to be happy.

‘Am I in Lady Calliphe’s way?’

Noah trudged out to the training ground and looked at the special unit members.

‘If I become as amazing as them, could I stay together with them?’

Just as Noah was hesitating.

“Oh, hello!”

“You came again today?”

Two big men suddenly popped up beside him.

Startled, Noah stepped back cautiously.

“…Who are you?”

“We’re wolves who follow Duke Ortega. We were waiting because we felt an intense gaze earlier. What’s that? Is it for us?”

“…Yes.”

After being wary for a moment, Noah held out his pouch.

“I-I’ll give you this, so please teach me swordsmanship.”

“Oh?”

Did he prepare money?

The two men who checked the contents of the pouch bit their lips inward.

Gold-plated buttons, glass beads… though there were copper and silver coins mixed in occasionally, it was just pocket change.

Still, they could tell he had gathered what looked most expensive within his means, like acorns.

The special unit members pretended to consider playfully.

“Ah, what to do~ With this amount…”

“…I can clean the fireplace too.”

“What?”

“I polish shoes well too. I’ll do sewing too.”

“No, no!”

The startled special unit members returned Noah’s treasure pouch.

“It’s fine, it’s fine! You’re going to be our future master, what money? We’ll just teach you!”

“……?”

Future master?

Before the puzzled Noah could ask for details, one of the special unit members held out a sword.

“Would you like to try holding it?”

Forgetting what he was going to ask them, Noah’s eyes sparkled as he eagerly grabbed the sword. As soon as he did, his arm dropped down with a thud.

“……!”

“Wahaha! Oh my, it’s still too heavy for the young master to hold!”

“So cute, so cute! Aw, here, let me take that~”

“……”

Flush. Noah’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment. His competitive spirit also rose.

“Nngh.”

Noah struggled to lift the sword.

The sword as tall as himself wasn’t easy to handle. Noah’s legs wobbled as he tried to maintain his stance.

In that state, he attempted a downward slash.

Whoosh!

“Ack! I almost got cut…!”

“Gasp.”

The startled Noah hurriedly lifted the sword upward. Whoosh!

“Ack! S-stop! Young master, you’ll get hurt!”

“Uaaah…!”

Whoosh whoosh!

Though it was perfect in his mind, in reality it was like a berserker’s sword dance.

Then when his strength gave out and he dropped the sword.

Thwack!

A suddenly appearing tanned hand caught both Noah, who was about to fall, and the flying sword at the same time.

It was Raul, who had rushed over after spotting Noah in surprise.

“Baby… no, young master. Are you alright?”

“…Young master?”

After confirming the child was unharmed, Raul growled at the two special unit members.

“What dangerous thing are you doing! Heads down!”

“Yes sir!”

Thud, thud. The two big men immediately planted their heads on the ground and prostrated themselves.

Raul’s pointed ears drooped slightly as he apologized to Noah.

“I’m sorry. These guys have been wanting to get close to the young master for a while, but it seems they got too excited.”

“…Why am I a young master? You’re not even from the annex staff.”

Because he was a child specially treated by the owner, Calliphe’s annex servants called Noah young master.

But others outside the annex didn’t. Noah knew this well too.

When Noah asked curiously, one of the prostrating special unit members chimed in.

“That’s because when our lord and Lady Offensa marry, the young master will become their child!”

“……?!”

Noah’s eyes grew as round as an owl’s. Even his small beak-like mouth fell open.

“I-I… will become Lady Calliphe’s child?”

“Of course!”

“Hey, that’s going too far…”

Raul, who knew about the contract between Calliphe and Lynen, tried to stop the special unit member. But.

“Our lord isn’t the type to ignore a good child like the young master. He’s a man who takes responsibility!”

“Of course, that’s only if our lord and Lady Calliphe don’t break up along the way!”

It was already a beat too late.