Chapter 44
Dietrich had lost everything—his years-long relationship with the Viscount, his money, and his honor. He was now a complete wreck. With nothing left to lose, he became reckless.
‘If I rack up enough points now, when she awakens, she’ll make me her right-hand man. Becoming the Tower Master and the right-hand of the Marquis of Ophensa in one go—what a status boost!’
Damn, this is brilliant. Am I a genius or what?
There was a chance Calliope might never awaken, but it didn’t matter. Gambling was always about focusing on gains rather than losses.
‘For now… I can’t let Calliope fall into the Viscount’s trap.’
The Viscount currently suspected Calliope’s relationship with the Duke. It wasn’t just Dietrich—the Viscount’s spies were everywhere, watching their every move. But even he couldn’t monitor them around the clock…
“Hmm.”
Dietrich, who had been lost in thought, suddenly smirked.
“Hey, Goldfish Poop. You’re always trailing after Her Ladyship, huh?”
“……”
Noah ignored him.
“You should mediate between Her Ladyship and the Duke to keep them from drifting apart. I’ll help.”
“…The Duke?”
“Yeah. Who knows? If they marry thanks to you, maybe they’ll adopt you out of gratitude.”
“……!”
Dietrich held out his hand.
“We’ll be a team. We’ll make sure they grow closer instead of apart. How about it? Of course, I’m the leader.”
He wasn’t exactly reliable… But Noah didn’t hesitate long. Her small hand lightly grasped the edge of his larger one.
“…You’re not the leader.”
In that moment, Calliope gained a free informant, and Noah gained an ally.
“You won’t charge for information?” Dietrich said to Calliope after she returned from her mock class.
“That’s right. After teaching Goldfish Poop, I realized taking her as my disciple is my destiny.”
“Are you delusional?”
“So if you keep me as your teacher, I’ll give you information for free. Masters go through fire and water to secure outstanding disciples, right? Isn’t that so, Goldfish Poop?”
“I’m not Goldfish Poop.”
Noah coldly shoved Dietrich’s arm off her shoulder and scurried to Calliope’s side.
“Noah, are you really okay with someone like him as your teacher?”
“…Yeah. It’s fine.”
She looked resigned but not unwilling—there was even a flicker of anticipation.
Dietrich smirked in satisfaction.
“Alright, let’s get to business. I’ll tell you everything the Viscount’s plotting.”
“Doubtful.”
“Doubt what? Just remember me when this pays off.”
…Huh?
Calliope stifled a laugh as she guessed his scheme.
‘He’s claiming credit without lifting a finger.’
Unaware she’d seen through him, Dietrich continued, “So the Viscount’s plan is…”
In Viscount Kaiman’s office…
A crow—a low-level magical creature used as a messenger—perched on his windowsill. A terrified man’s voice spilled from its beak:
―Y-you want me to accuse her of being a black mage?!
“It’s simple for you,” Kaiman said, lounging in his chair with crossed legs. “You’re the High Priest of the empire’s sole Grand Temple.”
He smiled lazily.
“No one here detects corrupted magic better than you. They’ll believe you.”
Especially given the High Priest’s famed devotion to the temple…
―B-but why frame her? Even if Lady Ophensa acts improperly…
“You misunderstand,” Kaiman interrupted, his gaze sharpening.
―Huh?
“What if it’s not a frame?”
―……?!
During the magic verification at the council…
Just before the tool’s golden light faded…
Kaiman had seen it—flecks of black mana within her radiant gold.
He’d immediately resolved to host a grand blessing ceremony.
There, before gathered nobles and the imperial family, he’d expose Calliope’s tainted magic. The union of two great houses required imperial blessing—making their presence crucial.
‘Once tied to black magic in front of the imperial family, she’s finished.’
Even noble golden mana would mean nothing then.
Even if the black mana was an illusion, truth could be manufactured.
“There’s sufficient suspicion to justify this. You’ll cooperate, of course.”
―But…
“Your divine power weakens daily, doesn’t it?”
Kaiman stroked the crow’s head mockingly.
“Only my Baekryeong Stones can replenish it. You haven’t forgotten?”
―……
“Consider the temple. If it’s revealed that the Saint’s long absence has weakened divine power… which nobles would still visit? Would faith remain?”
―I… I’ll do it.
The old man finally relented. The temple and its priests outweighed his conscience.
―Just ensure the stone supply…
“Naturally. Pleasure doing business.”
As the crow vanished, Kaiman chuckled.
“Heh. You won’t escape this time, Calliope.”
With the High Priest bribed, victory was assured.
He tapped the fireplace decorations in a specific sequence, revealing a hidden vault. Inside lay a fragment of Lumen’s Heart.
“…He bribed the High Priest.” Dietrich frowned after sharing his intel.
“What now? There’s no way out. Even Duke Orte can’t stop this.”
“…Nothing we can do.”
Calliope raised her head—not somber, as Dietrich expected, but grinning like a villain.
“Then we bribe higher.”
“…What?”
“The Saint.”
Dietrich gaped.
“If he’s bribable, is he even a Saint?! How much poverty are you planning to push me into?!”
“No money needed. I’ll offer something far more precious.”
“…Huh?”
To the thirsty, a drop of water outweighs gold. The Saint secluded himself seeking “water”—and Calliope knew how his solitude ended in .
“We’ll bring him the High Priest. Their meeting will end his seclusion, just like in the story.”
The High Priest’s greatest woes stemmed from the Saint’s absence. Solving both issues at once would make everyone happy—except the Viscount.
“If the Viscount moves the High Priest, we move the Saint. Heh.”
“…You’re serious?”
“Enough. Leave.”
She shooed him away like a fly.
“I’m genuinely worried… Ugh. Fine, leaving.”
Dietrich grumbled but lacked his former hostility.
As he exited, he called, “Summon me if needed.”
“Wait. Forgot something.”
Calliope grabbed his arm—
—just as Rynen returned from chasing illegal magic tool traffickers.
He saw it all:
Calliope pulling Dietrich close.
Dietrich suddenly smiling coyly at her.
Holding her wrist tenderly with both hands…
“……?!”
‘Baron Lotten. To think he’d stoop this low.’
Meddling with another’s fiancée?
Before he realized it, Rynen was striding toward them.
