CHAPTER 93
Vasia Asteria.
Unlike Babiyen, she was polite and graceful, and her specialties were said to be singing and writing poetry.
In fact, she had performed as a singer at every party hosted by the Imperial Family.
Thanks to this, many nobles contacted the Asteria Barony after seeing Vasia.
They had fallen for her after hearing her sing and were hoping to establish a connection.
The daughter who brought prestige to the Asteria Barony with her outstanding singing and looks.
That was Vasia, the pride of the Asteria family.

“That child, Babiyen... she’s always had a strong-willed side, which was quite a problem. We never received any marriage proposals for her.”
Babiyen’s looks were exceptional.
But her personality was not well-suited for a noble lady.
Babiyen was a person with a strong, innate desire for achievement.
She was the type to tenaciously tackle any task she had to do and confront injustice rather than turn a blind eye.
As Vasia said, that side of her could be seen as headstrong.
Although she did have her moments of being an airhead like a typical noble lady, she was far from ordinary.
And that would have been a significant minus as a noblewoman.
This world was still stuck in medieval customs, much like the modern world in some ways.
For a noblewoman of rank, marriage was an important bridge connecting one family to another.
Therefore, the mission bestowed upon a noblewoman was to be a pretty doll.
A pretty doll that could satisfy the noble lord she would marry.
But that role was completely unsuited for the ambitious Babiyen.
“So we had her learn magic, but… well, we never imagined things would turn out like this.”
So, the Asteria family tried to raise Babiyen as a mage. Since no marriage proposals were coming in anyway, they figured they might as well put her to use.
But the result was the worst possible outcome.
It all fell apart when the Red Flame Lord joined hands with Black Dawn.
“I feel sorry for that child. At the time, our Asteria family was desperate to deal with the situation.”
Any association with Black Dawn would only bring ruin to a family.
Even if she was just a disciple, they didn't know what kind of sanctions the Imperial Family might impose.
So, the Asteria Barony quickly cut her off before they got caught in the crossfire.
“But we are trying to set things right now. Since the Red Flame Lord is dead, that child should return to the Asteria family.”
The Asteria family, who had so thoroughly cast Babiyen out.
They were now smiling and saying they would take her back.

“Ah, we’ve arrived.”
Soon, she finished guiding us to the guest room.
Babiyen was supposed to be in that room.
“I’d like to ask just one thing.”
“Yes, please do.”
“What is the real reason you brought Babiyen back?”
I was certain.
The reason they brought Babiyen back was definitely not out of some trivial affection.
If they had any affection for her, they couldn't have cut her off so coldly.
Furthermore, Babiyen wouldn't have suffered so much and been buried in sorrow.
Vasia blinked her large eyes, then cupped her cheek with a slightly troubled expression.
“She’s of the age to be married, after all. We are doing this for her sake…”
“That’s enough.”
There was no point in listening any further.
Leaving Vasia behind, I opened the door to the guest room and stepped inside.
A girl was sitting there alone.
A girl with red hair and a bird-shaped pin in it.
Unlike before, she was wearing a gorgeous red dress and had makeup on.
Babiyen Asteria.
The fire mage of our team was here.
“Babiyen.”
“I knew it would be you, Harua.”
Babiyen let out a short sigh, as if she had expected me to come.
Aranseol and Lululio followed me inside.
“And you are?”
When Babiyen looked at Lululio with a questioning gaze, I gave a brief introduction.
“Pleased to meet ya. I’m Lululio.”
As Lululio greeted her cheerfully, Babiyen let out a short, dry laugh.
“That’s a relief. Then, I suppose sonyeo is no longer needed.”
“Cut the bullshit.”
Her expression was that of someone who had already decided to leave the team.
I clicked my tongue at the sight and plopped down on the sofa opposite her.
Then I crossed my legs and stared at Babiyen.
“So, Babiyen. Why are you playing along with this crap?”
“‘This crap’? The Asteria family is my family.”
“Who doesn’t know that? Babiyen, this is the family that threw you out.”
Babiyen’s shoulders flinched.

She remained silent, her gaze lowered to the floor.
“Couldn’t you have just blasted them with a few fire spells and stormed off? Why come all this way just to play along with this nonsense?”
I know Babiyen’s personality better than anyone. We’ve clashed enough to be considered rivals.
“Just what kind of marriage proposal has you this tied down?”
Babiyen wasn’t weak enough to go along with something she didn’t want. She was the one who declared with her own mouth that she was no longer a member of House Asteria. For her to be quietly playing the part of a bride-to-be was incomprehensible.
“...And where did you hear that?”
“Your sister was kind enough to tell me on the way in.”
“Haaah, Vasia…”
She let out a deep sigh and lifted the teacup before her. The scent of high-quality black tea, something she hadn’t smelled in a long time, was a symbol of her past.
“You see… ever since I can remember, I was always compared to my sister, Vasia.”
Vasia was an exceptional noblewoman. She not only played the part of a pretty doll perfectly but was also a capable person who brought honor to House Asteria with her outstanding singing ability.
“I can’t sing. I’m short, and as for my looks… well, you know.”
This was why she had always been so sensitive about being compared to Aranseol’s appearance. Growing up constantly compared to Vasia had left her with a trauma.
“Still, after I learned magic, things got a little better. I even had some confidence in myself.”
But even that was thrown away, all because she was the disciple of the Red Flame Lord. It wouldn’t have been strange for Babiyen to have been utterly broken by the situation.
“And yet. The moment that woman died, they came to me and told me. They said they desperately needed me.”
“Sounds more like something to piss you off.”
“Yes, you’re right. I was angry. So angry I was on the verge of burning everything down.”
Babiyen set down her teacup and smoothed the fabric of her skirt.
“But still… a corner of my heart swelled with anticipation and joy. To hear the family that had mistreated me my whole life say they needed me… my heart couldn’t help but flutter.”
People crave and wish for what they cannot have. That is human nature, even when they know the outcome will not be good.
Babiyen was no different. For her, the approval of House Asteria had been a life goal, a fervent wish. And now, that same House Asteria was suddenly grabbing at her heels, begging that they needed her. There was no way Babiyen could have ignored it.
“So, I thought I should at least hear them out. I wondered if, perhaps, they needed my magic.”
I’ll give them one chance.
With that thought, Babiyen decided to listen to what House Asteria had to say.
“And yes. They did need my magic, in a way.”
Babiyen let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“It’s a marriage proposal. One offered to a noble daughter who can wield magic.”
It wasn’t that they needed the magic she had polished and honed. They simply needed a figurehead who fit the criteria for a marriage arrangement.
“What kind of proposal would make House Asteria go this far?”
They had to know how pathetic it looked to bring back the child they had thrown away. But it seemed House Asteria was driven by nothing but ambition.
“The 2nd Prince, Dreivan Gladion.”
A name I knew popped up. The current Knight Commander of the Imperial Palace, Dreivan Gladion. He was the one who had dismantled the Grace Magic Tower under imperial order back then.
“That madman?”
“He is known for being ruthless.”
He was a maniac who brandished his right to summary execution without hesitation.
“The Imperial Family wants a bloodline with powerful abilities. With the rise of dangerous individuals among the Transferees, like Black Dawn, and their ideologies spreading, the authority of the Imperial Family has diminished.”
“So they’re planning to rule by force? Is that it?”
“Well, there are many things that can be accomplished with power.”
And so, they sought to produce a child with a woman who could wield magic.
“Among the noble daughters, there may be some who have learned simple lifestyle magic, but it’s rare to find one who has studied magic professionally like me.”
“So you were the most suitable bride candidate. I see.”
He was a prince. He couldn’t just have a child with any woman. Although their title was bought with money, House Asteria had served the Imperial Family for a long time.

Furthermore, their capital was more than abundant. From the Imperial Family’s perspective, there was no harm in forging a connection with House Asteria. Conversely, for House Asteria, this must have been a tremendous opportunity. They had always been looked down upon for buying their title, but a direct connection to the Imperial Family would change everything. No noble would dare to look down on House Asteria again.
“It’s a good enough reason to come looking for the daughter they kicked out, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so.”
House Asteria had no choice but to be desperate. Whether they had cast her out or not, they needed to bring Babiyen back immediately and present her as a bride.
But I couldn’t care less about any of that.
“So.”
Only one thing mattered to me.
“Babiyen, what do you want?”
Fine, I’ve heard the story. But in the end, the choice was Babiyen’s to make.
Babiyen stared at me for a moment. Then, for some reason, she glanced over at Aranseol before slowly turning her head away.
“...Becoming the prince’s wife, you say? Even if he’s the second prince, he’s the Knight Commander. It would be an incredible rise in status. No one in this house would ignore my words anymore. Whatever I say, they’ll all come running, hanging on my every word.”
“Because to House Asteria, you’d be a hero.”
So what?
“So in the end, what do you want to do?”
“...”

Babiyen fell silent again.
She couldn’t answer readily. It wasn’t hesitation, but something else entirely.
“Babiyen, if you don’t want to, just say so.”
The prince’s wife. It sounded nice. But this was a man she had never even had a proper conversation with. No matter the talk of social climbing, no one would want to rush into a marriage with a man like that.
“I’ll help you.”
“You, Harua?”
Babiyen let out a breath and looked at me.
“How could you help? No, more importantly, why would you?”
“What do you mean, why?”
“Because I’m on your team? Is that reason enough to make an enemy of House Asteria, a noble family?”
Babiyen clenched the fabric of her skirt.
“Harua, we’ve only known each other for a few months. On the other hand, I’ve spent my entire life growing up in House Asteria. Isn’t it strange for you to step up for someone like me?”
She avoided my eyes, lowering her head.
“Harua, do you like me?”
Babiyen’s shoulders trembled as she spoke.
“No, you don’t. You said it yourself, Harua. That you would never love anyone from this world. If you don’t have those feelings, why would you go so far for me?”
Lululio glanced around, sensing the mood. Aranseol was also looking my way.
Babiyen was right. Making an enemy of House Asteria to help one person might be a foolish thing to do. I may have many connections, but the power of the nobility was beyond imagination.
But so what?
“What the hell is she talking about?”
I had no idea what she was getting at.
“Babiyen, I’m only asking you one thing right now.”
Nobles? Sure, nobles are dangerous. But in the end, what are they? Just a bunch of uncivilized this-worlders. Those fools, who don’t even know I have Resurrection magic, will swarm me to kill me, stab me a few times, confirm I’m dead, and then leave.
And in the end, I’ll just come back to life.
“Whether you like this marriage proposal, or you hate it.”
Babiyen flinched and slowly raised her head. I gave her a goofy grin.
“Just tell me that one thing. Baby Babiyen.”
You think I took care of you since you were a baby for nothing?
Don’t even think about getting married off so quietly.

Author's Note
I've started a new contest entry, I Became the Academy's Amnesiac Munchkin Villain!
If you're interested, I'd be grateful if you came and took a look!
Of course, you don't need to worry about the serialization of I Have Resurrection Magic.
I have over 30 chapters stockpiled!

Thank you to everyone who always reads my work.