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“This is…”

I couldn’t help but be shocked when I saw my reflection in the mirror.

I immediately checked the mirror’s information.

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Name: Mimi’s Dress-Up Mirror

Description: Once upon a time, there was a princess named Mimi who was very concerned about her appearance. She wanted to become more beautiful and spared no expense in adorning herself. Her wardrobe was filled with countless clothes, and her vanity table was packed with expensive cosmetics.

Princess Mimi bought anything that could make her beautiful. However, her lavish lifestyle didn’t last long. As her wardrobe filled, the national treasury emptied. Eventually, the people couldn’t take it anymore and rose up, leading Princess Mimi to meet her end at the guillotine.

This mirror was used by Princess Mimi and contains her lingering obsession with beauty. It not only remembers and reproduces the appearance of anyone reflected in it but can also alter their body and face to make them more beautiful. If you have a dream appearance, look into “Mimi’s Dress-Up Mirror.” Mimi will make that dream come true.

However, if you simply gaze into the mirror, it will reflect a “beautiful appearance” based on Princess Mimi’s strict standards of beauty.

Estimated value: Approximately 2 billion Kael.

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At first glance, the name made it seem like an item that just lets you change clothes. But after reading the description, it felt more like a cursed item.

The mention of lingering obsession already made me uneasy. Just looking at it might not curse me, but it still felt off. It seemed like it only distorted the appearance of whoever was reflected in it.

But the first feeling I got from this mirror went beyond unease—it was downright unpleasant.

When I looked into the mirror again, there stood a woman in a pitch-black dress.

Her aura was anything but ordinary. She looked like a villainess.

Her jet-black eyes and sharp features gave off an icy impression that could freeze anyone who looked at her. She glared at me with clear displeasure.

There was no doubt that the woman was me.

‘What kind of nonsense is this…?’

Should I call this a cross-dressing Tristan? Or a female version of Tristan?

According to the description, this appearance must be Tristan’s “beautiful form,” as per Princess Mimi’s standards of beauty. Since I looked into the mirror without any specific thoughts, it must have distorted my appearance on its own.

In reality, it’s like a camera filter app.

I could understand the “beautiful appearance” part, but why did I turn into a woman? That was hard to grasp.

Even the dress I was wearing was so elaborate that it gave me chills. It seemed like the mirror even coordinated the outfit. Given my original appearance, anyone who saw this would think I was a haughty villainess.

“My, my…! Who is this beautiful person?!”

Helga’s eyes widened as she saw my female reflection in the mirror.

“Don’t be surprised. It’s a mirror that distorts its subject.”

I calmly explained the item to her.

But Helga, being Tristan’s ardent follower, seemed at a loss as she stared into the mirror.

“This is truly an incredible treasure…”

“It’s not that great. It’s just a toy. What’s reflected here is nothing but an illusion.”

“How can you call it a toy when you can admire the Count’s beauty like this…! This is a one-of-a-kind treasure!”

Helga was practically entranced by the mirror. No, she seemed captivated by my female reflection.

She even started talking to the mirror.

“Can I call you sister?”

“No.”

“Uh, sister… Want to go out with me…?”

Are you even listening to me?

“Ah! But I already have a husband…! Ah, cruel fate…!”

“……”

“Ugh… My gender identity is in danger…”

Helga muttered to herself while pulling her hair.

Strangely, Helga’s reflection in the mirror didn’t change much. Maybe the mirror thought she was already beautiful enough. I was hoping to see a male version of Helga, but it was a bit disappointing.

“Hoho… So you’re interested in this mirror, I see.”

“Albert…”

Turning around, I saw Albert nodding his head, having appeared out of nowhere.

“As a Count, I knew you’d be interested in this mirror. You have the makings of a craftsman, after all. We’re the type who can’t resist exploring fascinating objects, aren’t we? Hoho…”

Albert had been impressed with my knowledge of magic and formulas, often praising my potential as a craftsman.

I had studied magic and formulas in the library, but I was nowhere near Albert’s level.

I only knew magic as knowledge, while Albert could bring it to life with his own hands. His recognition of me was both flattering and burdensome.

“I was planning to sell it, but what do you think?”

“Indeed. A mirror like this would surely fetch a high price.”

With an estimated value of 2 billion Kael, it could sell for even more at an auction.

“But don’t you think it’s a bit of a waste to sell this mirror?”

“Maybe.”

It did seem interesting, but there wasn’t much to regret. After all, it only showed illusions, so it wasn’t particularly useful.

“Hoho… I’ll leave it to you, Count. But if it’s alright, could I examine it a bit more before you sell it? I’d like to analyze it.”

“That’s fine.”

“Ah, Count. Did you know this mirror has an interesting feature?”

“An interesting feature?”

“Count, look at this!”

Helga, with eyes sparkling like a child who’d found something new, pointed at the mirror.

“…What are you doing?”

“Hehehe… Surprised, aren’t you?”

The reflection in the mirror was a very familiar figure. It was Tristan, looking oddly tired and decadent.

“How is it? Perfect, right?”

“No.”

As Helga said, the appearance was flawless—Tristan’s exact likeness. However, Helga’s sinister smile made it feel completely unlike Tristan. It was more like a third-rate villain, which made me feel oddly uncomfortable.

Still, it confirmed that the mirror could not only change genders but also mimic others’ appearances perfectly.

Wait, why did she have to turn into me, of all people?

“Ah, come on… I’ve seen the Count enough to know this is spot-on.”

“I don’t make such frivolous expressions.”

“You look cool when you smile like this.”

“The smile looks too frivolous.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll punish anyone who dares call you frivolous.”

That’s not the issue.

I was about to say something when Helga suddenly spoke up.

“Oh! I forgot to show you the main thing. Count, watch this. If you channel magic into it…”

Helga placed her hand on the mirror and slowly infused it with magic. Then, something amazing happened.

“!”

The illusion in the mirror began to overlay her body, starting from her hand.

It was like a decalcomania, with Tristan’s image splitting into two across the mirror’s surface.

“Ohoho. As expected of the Count’s bodyguard knight. You already know how to use it.”

So this was the interesting feature Albert mentioned.

“Ta-da! How is it? Impressive, right?”

Helga, now completely transformed into Tristan, spoke with a triumphant expression.

This was genuinely surprising.

Not only did her body and appearance match Tristan’s perfectly, but even her voice was identical.

“This is no mere toy.”

“Right? With this, I can become the Count! Hehehe.”

“Indeed. You could certainly become me.”

“…Huh?”

I carefully examined Helga, now transformed into Tristan. When I placed my hand on her shoulder, I could feel her real shoulder through the illusion.

So the illusion was still just that. But if this illusion could be used outside the mirror, that changed things.

“Ah…”

The magic she had infused quickly faded, and Helga returned to her original form.

Seeing that, an idea flashed through my mind.

“Albert.”

“What is it, Count?”

“Would you like to properly research this mirror?”

“Hmm? But weren’t you planning to sell it at an auction?”

“I’ve changed my mind. This mirror has its uses.”

“Really? Just like that?”

I had already thought of how to use this mirror.

I had been thinking my luck was terrible since I got here, but finding such a treasure in the mansion’s basement…

Maybe I wasn’t completely out of luck.

“Ah…! Count, you don’t mean…!”

Even the oblivious Helga seemed to catch on at this point.

“Yes. That’s exactly what I mean.”

I smiled with pride. In the mirror, the villainess smiled back at me.

It was undoubtedly the smile of an evil Demon Lord.

 

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