Chapter 48
“Y-young master, I’ve made a fool of myself.”
“Ugh, don’t follow me!”
A knight with a large bandage on his head awkwardly trailed after the boy. But the boy refused to even glance at him, as if mortified by his presence.
‘What kind of people are they?!’
That whole family’s nothing but thugs!
Especially the blonde woman and the man called Duke—their seamless coordination clearly wasn’t amateur work.
To think they plucked out every hair from a holy knight of the Grand Temple!
‘Vile, wicked bastards!’
I’ll report this to Grandfather immediately.
The boy had been coddled like gold and jade in his grandfather’s hands since childhood.
‘I couldn’t even buy Grandfather’s snacks because of them!’
Puffing out his cheeks, the boy marched toward the Grand Temple.
Ding!
[Show Noah a friendly interaction with Rainen (2/3)]
A quest progress window appeared before Calyphe as she shook hair strands from her hand.
She studied Noah, whose eyes sparkled brighter than usual today.
What exactly counted as "friendly" to this child?
‘I haven’t smiled, worried, or cheered for him yet.’
Though merely a temporary guardian, she began worrying if this approach sufficed.
‘Should I ask the Saint when we meet?’
Hmm, that should work.
A faint relief bloomed in Calyphe’s chest.
Even before possessing , Calyphe had been clumsy with children, avoiding them to prevent awkwardness.
This lingering unease persisted after taking Noah in.
But ’s official guardian would surely be reliable—they’d become Noah’s true family.
Though undecided on whom to choose, anyone would surpass her.
“Frankly, I thought you’d handle things better than me.”
“What do you mean?”
Calyphe laughed with playful mischief.
“Didn’t expect you’d join me in beating that guy earlier.”
“…Ahem!”
Rainen coughed awkwardly.
He offered no defense for not intervening sooner, silently admitting he’d mirrored her behavior.
Calyphe burst into giggles.
“Noah, are you hurt anywhere?”
“N-no.”
“Good. Let’s head to the park then… Ah!”
Calyphe stumbled suddenly, caught by Rainen and Noah on either side.
One heel of her shoe had snapped off.
The 10-centimeter heel’s uneven break made standing straight impossible.
How had she only noticed now? Her obliviousness knew no bounds.
“When did this break?”
“Likely during your monkey-like sprint earlier.”
“Oh, then… Wait, monkey?!”
“Walking will be difficult. Let’s sit on that bench.”
“Right, Lady Calyphe. Come on.”
As Calyphe’s glare began sharpening, the men clumsily ushered her to the bench.
“We can’t stroll like this. Shall we return to the estate?”
“No, unfinished business remains.”
Calyphe lifted her chin toward Rainen.
“If you’re busy, you can—”
“Pardon me momentarily.”
Rainen knelt before her, one knee touching the ground.
His large, calloused hands cradled her slender ankle, carefully removing the shoe.
“Wh-what are you—?”
“Need to confirm size and shape.”
His tone was clinical, yet his touch proved gentle.
Rough fingers traced her pale heel, arched sole, and ball of her foot with deliberate slowness.
Calyphe curled her toes at each ticklish stroke.
“S-stop that!”
She yanked her foot back as Rainen stood.
“I’ll fetch new shoes.”
“…Huh?”
“Know the size now. Any design preferences?”
“N-no.”
“Understood. Wait here with Noah.”
Rainen vanished swiftly.
Ding!
[Filial Piety Quest Complete!]
[Show Noah a friendly interaction with Rainen (3/3)]
[+10 Filial Piety Points]
[Current Filial Piety: 20]
[Congratulations! Reaching 20 Filial Piety boosts Noah’s stats slightly.]
Oh? The quest auto-completed without lifting a finger!
‘Total win!’
Calyphe patted Noah’s head beside her.
The boy tilted his head into her hand, bewildered but compliant.
[Noah’s Swordsmanship +20]
[Noah’s Swordsmanship: 30]
“Heh.”
At this rate, he’s a prodigy!
‘If I keep boosting his stats, he’ll thank me later. Perfect hidden ending achieved—perfect survival.’
As Calyphe basked in satisfaction, an ordinary carriage halted before the distant Grand Temple.
A middle-aged man in shabby robes emerged.
Though unnoticed by others, Calyphe recognized him instantly.
‘That half-bald head!’
The High Priest himself!
He’d arrived hours early—likely returned for the Oracle Ceremony. Given his frequent absences, now was her chance.
Snapping the other heel against the bench, Calyphe declared:
“Balance restored.”
“…Is that okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
Grabbing wide-eyed Noah, she hurried toward the temple.
“Denied.”
The priest hearing Calyphe’s name refused entry, bluntly rejecting her audience request.
‘How dare this troublemaker demand the High Priest’s time!’
Calyphe Ophensa’s notoriety reached even the Grand Temple.
Smirking as anticipated, Calyphe pressed:
“I have an appointment.”
“Lies. The High Priest has no business meeting the likes of you.”
“Then why am I here right after his return?”
“…!”
The High Priest’s movements were confidential. Only insiders should know.
As the priest wavered, Calyphe tilted her chin.
“Mention ‘Oracle Ceremony.’ He’ll understand.”
“…If this proves false, the Temple won’t stay silent.”
Yet upon returning, the priest guided her to a parlor without protest.
Calyphe paused at the entrance.
‘I’ll need to bribe and threaten… Should Noah witness this?’
Though she’d shown violence before him, she preferred displaying only virtue.
Noticing her hesitation, Noah spoke first:
“I’ll wait here.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.”
Calyphe scanned the area. Attendant priests lingered nearby in this secure zone.
“Be back soon.”
Left alone, Noah gazed out the window until spotting a black stone in the grass.
“…?”
A familiar-shaped rock?
“You!”
A shout made Noah jump. The blonde boy from the sweets shop stood aghast.
“Why are you here?!”
When Noah ignored him to study the stone, the boy flushed crimson.
Thud!
A glove landed before Noah.
“Mikhail Norvell challenges you to a duel. Come out, you coward.”
