At last, he covered his mouth with one hand as if brushing his face, completely unaware that this showed how embarrassed he was.

Ash didn’t miss this at all.

“Wow, you actually have this side? I thought you were just crazy, but now it’s more like... a pure crazy guy? You have some humanity after all. Because I feel a connection, can I start calling you ‘bro’ from now on...?”

Even hearing such cheeky remarks, Reid was too stunned to summon the Lord of All Beasts.

Meanwhile, I was annoyed.

“Hey, Reid. Why are you acting all innocent? You’ve already done everything with Myriel.”

[‘Scales Judging the Soul’ taps the desk, struggling to hold back laughter.]

[‘Architect of the Tower of Trials’ coughs repeatedly.]

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ pretends to be sympathetic, covering his smirk with his hand.]

[‘Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things’ rolls its eyes.]

[‘Creation Economy Manager’ asks if there’s a female Unisus dungeon.]

[‘Language That Builds Worlds’ seriously considers making one.]

What’s with the gods’ reactions? They seem a bit peculiar.

[‘Scales Judging the Soul’ urges you not to obsess over the original too much.]

[‘Language That Builds Worlds’ agrees, saying only the prophetic inspector needs to be a stickler.]

While pondering these cryptic messages, Ash and Hilde sat me between them and fussed over me.

Hilde untied a ribbon she had and made me a headband resembling bunny ears, while Ash cut all the desserts into bite-sized pieces and pushed them toward me.

Lost in thought, I obediently nibbled on the desserts Ash offered.

“Aww, so cute. I wish I had a little sister like this.”

“Oh my, you eat so well. Try calling me ‘Oppa Ash,’ okay?”

I stuffed an egg tart into my chatterbox mouth.

Reid scooped me up and sat me on his lap, changing the subject.

“I have a message, Deputy Bishop Hilde.”

“Oh, yes, Duke of Magic.”

“The Holy Knight will be absent for half a month. During that time, I expect you to lead the Lingering Language Sect as usual.”

“Understood. I’ll do my best!”

“Just as usual.”

“I’ll do my best as usual!”

Just as Ash was chewing the egg tart, she interrupted.

“By the way, I don’t think I asked something important. What’s this kid’s name?”

It was finally time to speak.

You have to introduce yourself. I swallowed a brownie and spoke immediately.

“Ayleth Rodeline.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s me, guys.”

“......!”

Two pairs of eyes went wide. Just the reaction I expected.

“You’re the Holy Knight’s Highness?!”

“Big sister?!”

Before the surprised Hilde and Ash, I calmly sipped honeyed milk and said,

“Due to circumstances, I’m like this for half a month.”

“No way......”

Denial didn’t last long. Reid’s silent acquiescence beside me was the best proof of truth.

Ash quickly switched gears.

“Ah, that makes sense. I thought she was born just by herself since she looks just like big sister.”

I’d heard that somewhere before.

“I misunderstood for nothing.”

“Yeah, what kind of imagination was that.”

“Ha ha, well, it makes sense that the magic tower lord is called daddy by the one who’s just a copy of the Holy Knight.”

The misunderstanding was real. Hilde nodded and asked,

“Why did you call him daddy earlier?”

“......”

“I think you said it twice...”

“......”

Everyone waited for my answer. Not just Hilde, but Reid was also looking at me with eyes wanting to know why.

Ash smirked, as if she already guessed.

Honestly, I didn’t want to tell. I spun my head and snapped,

“You don’t need to know.”

[‘Scales Judging the Soul’ is dying from jealous sass.]

While Hilde and Reid were stunned, Ash’s giggles filled the table.

When I gave Ash a look to behave, she cleared her throat and sat properly, even trying to change the subject nicely.

“By the way, Magic Tower Lord bro—”

“Who’s bro?”

Ash ignored me.

“If you had a daughter, what would you want to do?”

“......”

It must have been a question sharp enough to blow away my displeasure instantly. Reid lowered his eyes thoughtfully.

“Why? Are you so happy you can’t speak?”

But the infinite regressor was not a good target for jokes.

“I’ve thought about it.”

After a long silence, Reid’s answer came out heavy as stone. His mid-low voice continued to settle like sediment.

“Family—that’s far from me. Especially kids... that’s impossible.”

“......”

“If I ever created something like that, wouldn’t it be too cruel for me?”

The atmosphere at the table grew heavy and stagnant.

Probably I was the only one who truly understood his words.

He repeats infinitely. Each time, the world wipes clean all traces of him and resets.

Connections made in one timeline become illusions.

The infinite regressor’s soul slowly suffocates in loneliness.

If he wanted, he could rebuild bonds from scratch.

Carrying memories of the 100th round, meeting me again in the 101st round was part of that.

But some exceptions can’t be overcome by will alone—children.

Beings born of chance and fate have no guarantee of meeting again in a new timeline.

So, maybe the bond an infinite regressor most doesn’t want to form is that of children.

Reid’s mood of story and pain didn’t clear. The table naturally fell solemn.

Meanwhile, the gods’ message window was oblivious to the mood.

[‘Scales Judging the Soul’ smiles kindly, saying the day to plan children together is not far off.]

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ wonders if kids inherit silver hair and pale eyes or black hair and red eyes.]

[‘Architect of the Tower of Trials’ expresses preference for black hair and red eyes as novelistic permission.]

[‘Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things’ bursts into tears saying our Bianca also has black hair and red eyes.]

Then Ash looked at me and said,

“Big sis.”

“What?”

“You heard just now, right? The Magic Tower Lord bro doesn’t intend to have a family with anyone. Does that mean he’s taking it easy with you?”

I don’t know why an assassin who’s supposed to be discreet is so good at provocation.

“Ash, value your life.”

“Yes.”

Still, she was excellent at lightening the mood.

“It’s not my heart that’s light, it’s your mouth.”

“Oh, I’ll be quiet, bro.”

“Bro? Seriously?”

Seeing the killing intent rising, I figured Ash needed to be isolated before she made a grave mistake. I stuffed a sweet into Reid’s mouth, took his hand, and stood up first.

✠

When we returned to the magic tower, rumors about me had spread far and wide. Compared to our escape, the uproar was even louder, waves of murmurs flooding my ears.

“That’s definitely her, I can tell at a glance.”

“Even flying on a magic dragon, she’s surely the Holy Knight’s daughter!”

“So the dad must be the Magic Tower Lord?!”

“No, but she doesn’t look like him at all? Isn’t she someone else’s kid?”

“What have you been listening to? Virgin birth is certain!”

Reid didn’t bother to deny or confirm, letting me stay in the Magic Tower Lord’s room.

I had no intention to reveal myself, so I chose the temporary name ‘Ire,’ loosely taken from Ayleth.

But inside the magic tower, I rarely needed the alias.

“Miss Magic Duke, is the dessert to your liking?”

“Miss Magic Duke, do you like this dress gift?”

“Miss Magic Duke, shall I read you a fairy tale?”

“Miss Magic Duke, shall we play with dolls...?”

“Miss Magic Duke...”

Everyone around me treated me with strange titles and devoted attention. It seemed to be derived from Reid’s Magic Duke title.

These attendants /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ were likely apprentices from distinguished noble families. I took stock of the situation.

A noble lady and her attendants!

Desserts sweet enough to build a gingerbread house!

A mountain of gifts in one corner that seemed to beg for a conqueror’s flag on top!

Fancy clothes fit for a princess!

And...!

“By the way, sisters, why did you bring my clothes when we’re supposed to be playing dolls?”

“Oh! My goodness! Miss Magic Duke is so cute like a doll, I couldn’t help it!”

“Oh Chelsea! How could you make such a mistake?! But I get it. It’s understandable!”

“That’s right, that’s right. Miss Magic Duke is this cute!”

Their flattering praise poured out so well, I thought these ladies really know socializing.

It was everything that defined the parenting genre.

‘The best.’

Suddenly, I thought of people I wanted to share this joy with.

[ Entering ‘Global Chat Channel.’]

[ Let’s create a polite chat culture using proper and beautiful Korean.]

[ReplayVictim]: Parenting genre is the best!