I looked around at the colorfully useless items and picked one up.

‘As expected, it’s here.’

While the items sold by <Marino>’s secret merchant changed randomly, a few regular items appeared with high probability.

What I chose was one of them.

“Oh my, Benefactor has such good eyes. That’s the ‘Eye-Deceiving Fire’. It’s a special firework made to surprise people by perfectly mimicking someone’s appearance.”

In other words, it’s a useless miscellaneous item.

But this time, it would be very useful.

“I’ll take this.”

Now that I had the needed item, it was time to tell everyone my plan.

Before that, I made sure to ask Dovion about the rumors of the blessing ceremony.

“Artificial waterfall?”

“Yes. They say they’ll do a very spectacular magic power verification with it. Ah, and they said the Crown Princess is coming to congratulate them in person too.”

“…Hmm.”

The Crown Princess, huh.

While she was an impressive character in <Marino>, that wasn’t what I needed to focus on right now.

After hearing Dovion’s information, I quickly reviewed my plan and explained it to everyone.

“Such a method…!”

Allen and Imelen were overjoyed after hearing the plan.

If my plan succeeded, Imelen would have a legitimate reason to stay proudly at the High Temple.

“It’s a great idea. Lady Calliphe, you’re excellently exploiting the priests’ weakness!”

“Grrrn!”

“Is that a compliment?”

Noah’s expression brightened too, seemingly thinking my plan was good.

But Lynen, predictably, pointed out the weak spots.

“That method might work well with the priests, but being such a simple method, the young Marquis will easily see through it.”

“Don’t worry.”

Because reinforcements were coming.

But for a more dramatic effect, I just smiled without telling the others.

Shortly after, the saint siblings returned to the capital first.

And we too returned to the capital, appearing to have just finished our picnic.

Though there was a small incident where House Offensa’s servants and Special Magic Unit members waiting at the portal practically escorted us away.

And finally.

The grand blessing ceremony meant to frame me as a dark mage began.

* * *

“We will now proceed with the blessing ceremony for Duke Lynen Ortega and Lady Calliphe Offensa.”

High Cardinal Willien glanced at Calliphe while conducting the ceremony.

Her calm expression revealed nothing of her thoughts.

The only certain thing was that the saint wasn’t by her side until she entered the High Temple.

‘As expected, she couldn’t bring the saint. Perhaps even her claim of finding him was a lie…’

What was I expecting?

My mouth felt terribly bitter.

‘Was it destined to go according to Young Marquis Caiman’s wishes after all?’

Anyway, Calliphe Offensa possessed corrupted magic power as a dark mage. He was just revealing the truth.

Although the method of revelation was despicable…

‘I’ve already come too far.’

From the moment the saint went into seclusion… no, perhaps it was destined this way from the moment the saint sister disappeared.

The resigned High Cardinal recited a long blessing.

After several luxurious celebratory events passed.

Swoosh―

The quiet artificial waterfall began dropping its refreshing streams in earnest.

The waterfall, meant to verify the magic power of the two blessing ceremony protagonists, formed a symmetrical pair on each side, symbolizing Calliphe and Lynen.

“There will be a blessing for the harmonious union of these two people.”

Show the magic power colors of both people, pretend to mix them appropriately, and declare a suitable date for unification.

A normal engagement ceremony wrapped in sacred packaging. That was the blessing ceremony.

The High Cardinal spoke to Lynen.

“Please approach the waterfall.”

Lynen walked into the shallow water with his shoes on and stood with his back to the waterfall.

The High Cardinal approached, dipped his hand in the water, and stirred it.

‘With his left hand that has nothing on it…’

When he exerted his holy power, commonly used in magic power verification, the waterfall gradually took on a blue hue.

The blue stream, radiating visual coldness, resembled glacier water flowing between eternal snow.

“Such a clear and deep blue color must be equal to an Archmage! As expected of a Swordmaster!”

“Ahem.”

Raul and the special unit members’ shoulders straightened with pride.

“Now it’s the lady’s turn.”

Calliphe stepped into the waterfall in the same manner.

The High Cardinal dipped his hand in the water again.

But this time it was his right hand.

The hand he had pre-coated with the special substance received from Henrik. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, and his breathing grew slightly labored.

‘A dangerous powder to taint the waterfall with corrupted magic power…’

The black-tainted waterfall would shock everyone.

And Calliphe Offensa’s fate too.

“If you just cooperate, everyone at the High Temple and all the believers will be happy.”

He knew it was a cowardly method.

Even if Calliphe Offensa truly possessed corrupted magic power, this remained cowardly.

‘I’ll leave.’

Even if this saves the High Temple, I shouldn’t benefit from it. I don’t deserve to.

With a heavy heart, he made his decision and stirred the water where Calliphe stood.

The effect was immediate.

“Oh my!”

“The, the waterfall turned pitch black!”

Everyone knew that black indicated contact with corrupted magic power – a dark mage’s magic power. The murmuring gradually grew louder.

Just then, an incident occurred that emphasized the horror of corrupted magic power.

“Cough!? What is this…!”

Thud!

The High Cardinal collapsed, coughing up blood.

The special powder from Henrik became life-threatening with prolonged skin contact.

“The High Cardinal has collapsed!”

“It’s because of the corrupted magic power!”

Shocked cries burst out everywhere, and the venue instantly fell into chaos.

“Lady Offensa has corrupted magic power!”

“She’s a dark mage!”

When someone pointed at her, everyone’s confusion and hostility focused on Calliphe.

Even in this situation, Calliphe maintained her usual composure.

That composed expression made the angry people hesitate momentarily.

“See that. That woman knew this would happen!”

The holy knights approached with angry steps, trying to grab Calliphe from both sides.

Just then, a voice cold as water flowing under a glacier froze everyone in place.

“Stop.”

Lynen stepped forward to protect Calliphe, holding a long candlestick instead of a sword.

“If you want to lay hands on my fiancée, be prepared to sleep under Ortega’s ice.”

As he stepped up, Lynen’s special unit watching the blessing ceremony lined up like wings on both his sides.

The holy knight frowned.

“Duke Ortega! Lady Offensa is a dark mage. Can’t you see that black waterfall?”

“Indeed, the waterfall has turned black.”

“Then…!”

“But, so what?”

Lynen raised the candlestick to eye level.

“That’s far from enough reason for me to abandon her.”

As blue aura charged the candlestick, the holy knights faltered.

Though some among them were also aura users, they were no match for a Swordmaster’s aura. Everyone here together couldn’t defeat him.

But the High Cardinal had collapsed.

“…Everyone draw your swords!”

Finally, the holy knights all drew their swords at once, and Lynen’s special unit also raised their weap*ns.

The holy knight commander gritted his teeth and gave the order.

“Arrest Lady Offensa!”

Just as swords were about to clash in this powder keg situation.

Right then, the chapel doors opened and a gentle command was heard.

“Stop.”

A voice soft as spring breeze.

Rustle. A man in white ceremonial robes slowly walked toward Calliphe.

“That person is…”

The heads of guests attending the blessing ceremony followed the man’s steps.

As the man approached, shock spread across the faces of the priests and holy knights conducting the ceremony.

“Sa, Sa, Saint…?”

Saint Alensis responded to their surprised gazes with gentle eyes.

Receiving his gaze and confirming the saint’s return, they knelt on one knee in emotion.

Clergy members bowed their heads along the path Allen passed.

As he passed by, Calliphe gave him a look.

‘Nice timing.’

‘You’re welcome.’

Another scheme to overturn the blessing ceremony’s scheme had begun.