ISTV 25

Rachel was a stern and strict character, but at her core, she leaned toward goodness.

She cared deeply about having a positive influence and took great joy and fulfillment in the sense of accomplishment that came from it.

‘In any case, she definitely noticed I’ve changed. And knowing that she was the motivation behind that change would surely make Rachel feel good.’

Rachel spoke in a noticeably softer voice.

“There’s not much value in being admired, but if I had a good influence on you, I’m glad to hear it. Did you have any trouble on the way here?”

“No. Sir Themanon looked after me in many ways.”

“Really? Themanon did?”

Lady Quaybeck slightly furrowed her brow and asked again, as if to confirm.

“Did he perhaps forcibly rub that rough, filthy beard of his against your cheek?”

“No, nothing like that happened.”

“Did he suddenly propose adoption or something?”

Apparently, Themanon wasn’t exactly a trustworthy figure. Yet, he stood there grinning from ear to ear, clearly pleased with how my conversation with Rachel was going.

“Did he compare his son and daughter and spout nonsense?”

“He might have said a little of that.”

“I knew it.”

Rachel shot Themanon a slightly angry look, and Themanon averted his gaze, pretending not to notice.

“She was just so cute, I couldn’t help myself.”

“……”

“I probably wasn’t in my right mind. I’ve always wanted a daughter, you see.”

“Not in your right mind? I do have some dignity left, dear,” Themanon protested.

Seila smiled faintly.

In fact, Rachel never publicly undermined her husband’s authority.

So the fact that she was saying such things now meant that, in their own way, they were trying to make me feel comfortable.

‘Most people are intimidated by the aura of an [Absolute Being]. Especially children.’

The two of them knew that well, and were cracking jokes to ease Seila’s tension.

“Will you understand?”

“If you say so, ma’am, then I will.”

“Thank you.”

Then, Themanon suddenly blurted out a confession of love.

“I love you, my dear.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d choose a better time and place, Lord Themanon.”

“But what can I do when love wells up regardless of time or place?”

“……”

“And don’t call me Lord Themanon. Just call me Themanon sweetly.”

Seila couldn’t quite grasp the full context of the confession, but still thought the two of them looked lovely together.

‘It really reminds me of my dad.’

If Mom hadn’t abandoned Dad, maybe our family would’ve been like that too.

Seeing Themanon, who resembled her father, looking so happy made Seila’s heart feel warm and fuzzy.

‘I need to do what I came here to do.’

There was something she had been thinking about even before arriving at the Quaybeck estate.

Earning male lead Hamune’s favor was one thing, but if she wanted to raise the completion level of the route “The World Where All Beauty Resides,” there was a crucial hurdle she needed to clear.

“I, too, walk the path of the sword. As one who seeks to master it, I feel truly honored to have entered Quaybeck, the cradle of swordsmanship.”

Rachel and Themanon, who had been bickering, turned their eyes to me.

This was where it really began.

“There is something I wish to ask of Lady Quaybeck.”

This time, I used the formal title.

I wasn’t asking Rachel the person—but Lady Quaybeck, the ruler of this estate.

Understanding this, Rachel straightened her posture and looked at me.

“What is it?”

“Over thirty years ago, a young girl who visited here by chance was granted a special opportunity. She drew the sword of the first head, Caliburn, from the rock and was chosen by it—a sacred sword that not even a direct descendant could draw. Caliburn chose her.”

That girl, of course, was Rachel.

“She was chosen by Caliburn.”

Over thirty years passed since then, and no one outside of the direct Quaybeck bloodline had been able to draw Caliburn.

No, it was more than just being unable to draw it—they couldn’t even touch it.

The sacred sword Caliburn, possessing spiritual will, rejected all outsiders.

Several people who knew of Rachel’s legend had tried to forcefully draw it, only to become mentally impaired or completely broken.

Now, after so much time, no outsiders even dared to try.

“She later became the mistress of Quaybeck and raised the house to the greatest among the three major powers.”

“……”

“I want to walk in that girl’s footsteps.”

At that, Themanon’s eyes widened.

“Oh! You want to marry into our family?”

He clasped his massive fists together like he was praying, pressing them against his chest.

His muscles made it hard to keep them together, but he looked incredibly moved.

“I’m all for it! A daughter would be even better!”

Seila didn’t fully understand, but Themanon seemed to be off in some dreamland.

Mumbling to himself about all the things he’d do if I married into their family, Rachel seemed well accustomed to this behavior.

“Don’t mind him.”

“…Yes.”

“Your request isn’t particularly difficult, but there’s something you should know.”

Rachel cleared her throat.

“In the book you read, how did that girl draw the sword?”

“It said she drew it without a shred of hesitation, with boldness and spirit. Caliburn responded with a purer sword cry than ever before.”

“That’s incorrect. Back then, I knew nothing. Drawing Caliburn was pure luck. Even now, we don’t fully understand Caliburn. But it is said to reject outsiders with desire.”

[He who desires to draw it shall not succeed. Only the one without greed shall be chosen.]

…Or so the legend goes, but that wasn’t the truth.

The condition for drawing Caliburn was simple.

‘Rachel. The crazy male lead Leon. Seila Dvernon.’

Other than direct bloodline members, only those three were set up to be able to draw Caliburn.

It wasn’t based on some rule—it was just how the developer had written it.

“Also, those with desire often suffer great misfortune.”

“Yes. I’ve heard of people becoming mentally broken or disabled.”

“I don’t particularly want to grant your request. But I can’t ignore the resolve of a child who’s chosen the path of the sword. Especially if that child is a Dvernon.”

“I brought my father’s seal in case this could lead to inter-house conflict.”

I approached Rachel and handed her a letter.

It was a letter of consent stamped with Depelto’s seal.

Rachel frowned slightly upon receiving it.

“Concerns about inter-house disputes are irrelevant. What do you take me for?”

“I know. I believe it’s your way of showing concern for me.”

Honestly, Rachel and Themanon felt more like my real parents than my actual ones.

Depelto had immediately signed the consent form when I asked, despite knowing how dangerous trying to draw Caliburn could be.

Yet here was Rachel, who wasn’t even related to me, worrying over my well-being.

“I’m grateful for your concern. But if you understand my low status within the Dvernon family, please allow me to try drawing Caliburn.”

The rumor that Seila Dvernon, the youngest daughter of House Dvernon, was going to try drawing Caliburn spread like wildfire.

And Lexo, the First Elder of Quaybeck, rushed to see Rachel.

“Madam, have you lost your mind?”

For context, the Elder Council—considered the core of Quaybeck—was not friendly toward Rachel.

As a commoner who was simply too competent, she had taken a lot of power from the elders.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re allowing the Dvernon girl to try drawing Caliburn? What if she gets hurt? If she ends up mentally broken, do you not realize it could trigger a massive diplomatic dispute?”

“……”

“This is clearly a plot—a scheme from the Dvernon family. They’re using their useless youngest daughter as a scapegoat to tarnish Quaybeck’s honor and reap huge gains. And you, as the mistress of Quaybeck, don’t see this?”

Rachel listened silently and then finally opened her mouth.

“Watch your manners. You’re making me want to sew that mouth of yours shut.”

“……”

“I’ve managed Quaybeck’s affairs. I’ve taken responsibility where it was needed. So let me ask, Lexo—what have you taken responsibility for?”

“I-I…”

Over Rachel’s 30-year tenure, the Elder Council’s influence had waned significantly.

Now, they served mostly as advisors to the Lord Themanon and Lady Rachel.

“You don’t do much. Yet you receive lavish salaries and enjoy the house’s power.”

“T-That’s because you took all the work!”

“Shall I strip you of your salary and power too?”

“……”

“You, who bear no responsibility, dare lecture me on accountability. How laughable.”