Chapter 46
“How much do you trust me?”
If the secret of being a double agent gets exposed, both Dietrich and I will be in grave danger—
“To the point of risking peril for each other?”
“……!”
For some reason, Lynen looked startled.
“Each other?”
“Yes.”
“When did we…?”
His lips twitched before his expression abruptly hardened, and he turned away sharply.
Somehow…
‘He seems irritated.’
No, I must’ve misread him. Lynen had no reason to act that way.
Lynen strode off toward the training hall. Dietrich, who’d been gauging the situation, swiftly departed too.
But one person remained at the scene besides me.
Noah, who had been observing from inside the entrance.
I stepped forward, urging the slightly flustered Noah to enter.
From behind me, I heard Noah’s resolute mutter.
“I need to act quickly.”
Late at night.
In a room dimly lit by sparse candles, Kaiman glared at the cold fireplace.
Or more precisely, at the hollow interior of a hidden safe beside it.
Moments later, a teleportation circle materialized above the wavering shadows on the floor. A robed man emerged from it.
Kaiman spoke without turning his head.
“You’re late.”
“My apologies, Viscount. Summoning the demon took time.”
“Did you bring it?”
The black mage nodded and retrieved a necklace concealed within his robes.
The crude necklace bore a black stone the size of a fingernail.
Clutching it, he chanted an incantation and sliced his palm with a dagger. Blood dripped, forming a magic circle.
A massive demon emerged from the ominous sigil—a wolf-like creature with crimson eyes and grotesquely distorted limbs.
“Command it to track anything resembling this stone, and it will pursue instantly.”
“Retrieve the item and bring the thief alive.”
“Understood.”
At the mage’s order, the wolf demon dissolved into a translucent shadow and vaulted through the window.
Kaiman remarked,
“It can cloak itself? Summoning such a creature must’ve been arduous.”
“Heh. All thanks to this fragment of Lumen’s Heart you provided, Viscount.”
The mage caressed the black stone adoringly.
“No need for sacrificial offerings now. A mere drop of blood suffices for potent dark magic.”
“…….”
Dark magic demanded life force as payment.
The caster’s own vitality was most effective but risked sudden death.
Hence, substitutes were typically used.
Yet even this sliver of Lumen’s Heart drastically reduced the toll.
“To bestow such a treasure upon me… My gratitude, Viscount.”
A fleeting sneer crossed Kaiman’s lips.
“A fitting reward for your service. Greater power awaits those loyal to me.”
“I pledge my allegiance.”
“Report immediately once the demon completes its hunt.”
“Yes.”
“And don’t forget the White Spirit Stone matter. We mustn’t miss this chance to leash the Temple rats.”
The mage’s mouth curled into a smirk.
“Naturally.”
The next day, Calypso ventured out.
The Grand Temple’s spires loomed into view as she descended her carriage.
‘The High Priest returns around 4 p.m., according to Dietrich’s intel.’
Secured in a single day—his network proved reliable indeed.
“Why are we here?”
Lynen asked after scanning the temple grounds. He’d been dragged along by Noah.
‘Should I inform Lynen about the double agent and my plans?’
Calypso hesitated.
Their contract didn’t cover collaborative operations, and his cooperation was uncertain.
‘Better postpone. I can manage alone for now.’
She surveyed their surroundings and deflected,
“It’s perfect for a stroll. The park’s right there.”
Vendors lined the temple-park border, hawking sweets.
“Our ‘relationship’ will spread naturally if we’re seen together.”
“…Must we?”
“Staying idle would seem stranger.”
Calypso whispered playfully by Lynen’s ear,
“We’re lovers, remember? Wear the pride of being my chosen man.”
“…….”
Lynen bit his lip, glaring like a humiliated warrior. His reaction fizzed like sparkling wine, spurring Calypso to wink mischievously.
“Understood? Now behave.”
“……!”
Lynen shuddered, goosebumps rising head to toe.
“You dreadful—”
“Noah, want a treat?”
Calypso swiftly turned to the boy.
“Can I really?”
“…Tch.”
Swallowing his ire, Lynen shot Calypso a vengeful glare.
Chuckling, Calypso patted Noah’s head.
“Of course. Here.”
She handed him silver coins.
“Yours. I’ll give these weekly.”
“Weekly?!”
Such generosity! Why?
Noah drew from his limited experience.
“My salary?”
“What?”
Both adults stifled laughs. Calypso fanned her twitching lips.
“Similar. But we call it ‘allowance’ for children.”
“Allowance…”
‘I’m an allowance-earner now!’
Noah straightened proudly.
“I’ll repay this kindness!”
“…What books are you reading?”
“Folktales.”
The boy scampered to a snack stall, mentally rehearsing yesterday’s plan with Red Pepper:
[“Tail Calypso when she meets the High Priest. Bring Duke Ortego too.”
“All three?”
“Yes. Force bonding time! Skin contact first—everything follows!”
“Huh?”
“Learn from this. Start with indirect kisses.”
“K-Kisses?!”
“Don’t be prudish. Engaged couples do worse, kid.”]
Even recalling it made his cheeks burn.
Noah bought exactly one pastry per Dietrich’s instruction and offered it to Calypso.
“Split this with the Duke.”
“Why only one?”
“They… uh… sold out.”
Behind him, customers carrying multiple pastries walked by laughing.
“…….”
As Calypso narrowed her eyes, Noah averted his gaze.
‘Pathetic lie.’
“Saving coins? Think I’ll bankrupt you with pocket money?!”
Indignation flared. As Noah’s patron, she couldn’t let this stand.
She pointed along the vendor row.
“I’ll buy every snack from here to there.”
“……!”
Noah frantically shook his head.
“No! This is enough!”
“One treat split three ways? Ridiculous.”
As Calypso marched forward—
Ding!
[Filial Piety Quest Arrived!]
[Display Affection with Lynen to Noah (0/3)]
[Reward: Filial Piety +10]
‘Affection? Sharing one pastry counts?!’
Ugh. Revolting.
[+20 Filial Piety boosts Noah’s stats!]
[Current: 10]
“…….”
Her usual methods only nurtured others. But here was Noah’s growth path—
‘Can’t ignore this!’
Fate’s cruel joke.
“Perhaps… Noah’s right?”
Grudgingly, Calypso turned to Lynen and held the pastry to his lips.
“Ah—”
“…What?”
“Open. I’ll feed you.”
“Ghk…!”
Lynen paled and staggered back.
