Dietrich had already lost his years-long relationship with the Young Marquis, as well as his money and honor, becoming completely destitute.

Having nothing left to lose made him rather fearless.

‘If I score a lot of points, she’ll make me her right-hand man when she awakens. Instant social climbing by becoming the right hand of both the Archmage and Marquis Offensa!’

D*mn, this is perfect. Am I a genius?

Even if there was a possibility that Calliphe might never awaken, it didn’t matter. In gambling, you only see what you can gain, not what you might lose.

‘First… right. I can’t let the Young Marquis get any leverage over Calliphe.’

Currently, the Young Marquis was suspicious of Calliphe and the Duke’s relationship.

Not just Dietrich, but the Young Marquis’s eyes and ears everywhere would be watching the two of them.

But he couldn’t watch them all day himself…

“Hmm.”

Dietrich, who had been pouting, suddenly grinned.

“Hey, goldfish poop. You follow the direct descendant around all day, right?”

“……”

Noah ignored him.

“Help keep the direct descendant and the Duke from drifting apart. I’ll help too.”

“…With the Duke?”

“Yeah. Who knows? If they get married thanks to you, they might adopt you out of gratitude.”

“…!”

Dietrich extended his hand.

“We’re becoming a team. To keep them from drifting apart and getting closer. How about it? Of course, I’m the leader.”

Though he wasn’t exactly trustworthy…

Noah’s hesitation didn’t last long.

Finally, the small hand lightly grabbed just the tip of the larger hand.

“…You’re not the leader.”

It was the moment Calliphe gained a free informant and Noah gained an ally.

“You won’t take payment for the information?”

Dietrich said to Calliphe who had returned after the practice lesson.

“That’s what I’m saying. After teaching goldfish poop, I realized it. It’s my mission to take this kid as my disciple.”

“Isn’t that a delusion?”

“So if you keep me on as a teacher, I’ll give you the information for free. You know how teachers will do anything to get their hands on an outstanding disciple. Right, goldfish poop?”

“I’m not goldfish poop.”

Noah coldly shrugged off Dietrich’s arm that was draped over his shoulder and scurried over to Calliphe’s side.

“Noah, are you really okay with someone like this being your teacher?”

“…Yes. It’s fine.”

His expression was somewhat resigned.

But he didn’t seem to be accepting it unwillingly. Rather, there seemed to be a hint of anticipation.

Dietrich grinned with satisfaction.

“Well then, let’s get to the main point. I’ll tell you everything I know about what the Young Marquis is planning.”

“That’s suspicious.”

“What’s suspicious about it! Just remember me later when things work out, that’s all.”

…Ah?

Calliphe smirked as she figured out Dietrich’s intentions.

‘He’s trying to get something for nothing.’

Unaware that she had seen through his true intentions, Dietrich began speaking.

“So what the Young Marquis is planning is……”

* * *

Young Marquis Caiman’s office.

There was a crow perched on the windowsill beside him. It was a low-grade magical beast being used like a messenger bird.

A frightened man’s voice flowed from the crow’s beak.

―H-how could you ask me to accuse her of being a dark mage!

“It shouldn’t be a difficult task. You are the High Cardinal responsible for the only Grand Temple in this territory.”

Caiman smiled as he lounged in his chair with his legs crossed.

“There’s probably no one else in this territory who can detect corrupted magical power as well as you can. So everyone will believe it.”

Especially since he was famous for his dedication and service to the temple.

―W-why are you trying to frame her? Even if Lady Offensa’s conduct is poor…

“You seem to be misunderstanding something, High Cardinal.”

―Pardon?

Caiman’s eyes sharpened.

“What if it’s not a false accusation?”

―…?!

During the magical power verification at the grand conference.

Just before the verification tool burst into brilliant golden light, Caiman saw it.

Traces of black magical power spread throughout the golden magical power.

The moment he saw that, Caiman decided to hold a grand blessing ceremony.

It was to show Calliphe’s corrupted magical power in front of the gathered influential nobles.

Most importantly, the imperial family would be attending the ceremony.

It was natural for the imperial family to give their blessing to the union of two houses that symbolized the empire’s magic and swordsmanship.

‘Once she’s tied to dark magic in front of the imperial family, Calliphe is finished.’

Even her noble golden magical power would be useless then.

Even if the black magical power he witnessed was just his imagination, it didn’t matter.

He would just make it the truth.

“I’m telling you this because there are sufficient grounds for suspicion. Of course, I trust you’ll cooperate.”

―But…

“Your holy power is getting weaker, isn’t it.”

With an attitude of having nothing to lose, Caiman stroked the magical crow’s head.

“Only the white spirit stones I supply can compensate for the weakened holy power. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

―…

“You must think of the Grand Temple. If people find out that holy power is weakening due to the Saint’s long absence… which noble would visit the temple? Would people’s faith remain unchanged?”

―A-alright. I understand.

Finally, the old man reluctantly agreed.

The temple and its priests were more important than the High Cardinal’s personal beliefs.

―But you must keep your promise about supplying the white spirit stones…

“Of course. I’m glad we see eye to eye.”

When the conversation ended, the magical crow disappeared out the window.

Caiman let out a deep laugh.

“Hehehe. You won’t escape this time, Calliphe.”

Now that he had bought off the High Cardinal, only victory remained.

Then perhaps he should prepare the items needed for the blessing ceremony in advance.

Caiman tapped the fireplace decorations in a specific sequence.

It was the secret safe where he kept the fragment of Lumen’s heart.

* * *

“…It seems he’s bought off the High Cardinal.”

Dietrich frowned after sharing all the information he knew.

“What are you going to do? There’s no way out of this. Even Duke Ortega won’t be able to stop this.”

“…Nothing else to do.”

Calliphe, who had been looking down, raised her head.

Contrary to Dietrich’s expectation that she would look dejected, Calliphe wore a villainous smile.

“Then we’ll buy off their superior.”

“…What?”

“I’ll buy off the Saint.”

Dietrich’s jaw dropped at this unexpected method.

“No, if they can be bought off, are they really a Saint? More importantly, how poor are you trying to make me?”

“Money won’t be necessary. What I’ll use for the buyoff is something much more valuable.”

“Huh?”

To a thirsty person, a single sip of water is more precious than millions in gold. The Saint must be in seclusion alone, searching for that water.

And Calliphe knew from <Marino> how his seclusion would end.

“I’ll bring him the High Cardinal.”

If she arranges their meeting, the Saint’s seclusion will end just like in the original story.

Moreover, the High Cardinal’s biggest concern can be solved at once. All the problems the High Cardinal is struggling with stem from the Saint’s absence.

In the end, bringing in the Saint will make everyone happy.

Except for the Young Marquis.

“If the Young Marquis moves the High Cardinal, we’ll move the Saint. Huhu.”

“…Are you sure this is okay?”

“It’s fine, so you can go now.”

Calliphe shooed him away like a fly.

“I’m really worried about this… Ugh. Fine, I’m going.”

Though Dietrich grumbled, there was almost none of his previous hostility or malice.

As he stepped out to the entrance, he said.

“I’m off then. Call me if you need me or whatever.”

“Ah, wait. I forgot one thing.”

Calliphe grabbed Dietrich’s arm firmly.

And just then, there happened to be someone who witnessed this scene.

It was Lynen, who was returning after tracking an illegal magical tool organization all night.

His eyes caught the two people having a conversation.

Calliphe calling Dietrich to stop.

Calliphe grabbing Dietrich’s arm.

Suddenly Dietrich smiled sweetly at Calliphe…?

“…?!”

And even preciously holding Calliphe’s wrist with both hands?

‘Baron Rotten. I didn’t know he was such a sleazy person.’

Making advances on someone else’s fiancée.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Lynen’s steps turned in their direction.