It sounded like something that only someone who knew who Theon and I were would say.
Only then did I notice something besides the uniform. A scabbard fastened at the waist. A light beige sword handle. The intricate engraving that looked like tangled tree roots.
‘It looks similar to Wyndis!’
Theon had already noticed it and couldn’t take his eyes off the sword.
‘A holy sword!’
I looked up. Deep brown eyes mixed with a champagne-gold hue were staring at me.
A man with sharp and well-defined features.
“Oh!”
— I’m Damian Knox from the Central Investigation Bureau.
I hadn’t known what he looked like when he was younger, so I didn’t recognize him right away. He was always a weary-looking chief investigator—Damian Knox.
But that was from my other memories. I shouldn’t act like I knew him.
“Who are you…?”
I mumbled, and Damian chuckled mischievously.
“I’m an acquaintance of your dad.”
“A highly competent investigator.”
My dad added as he approached from behind Theon and me, patting my head.
Then he said something terrifying.
“He’ll be in charge of Berry’s interrogation.”
***
Luckily, Dad and Uncle Demian didn’t see eye to eye on this matter.*
“You handle questioning your daughter. Reytan, if you have time, let’s have tea. I know a quiet place.”
“A quiet place?”
“Here.”
At Dad’s question, Mr. Demian gestured toward the building behind him—the very one he had just stepped out of.
The Central Investigation Bureau, 17th Branch.
“The 17th Branch? Did the 1st Branch finally let the Grand Master go?”
“Of course not. I just stopped by for work. I happened to hear you were in the area, so I stepped out to see you.”
At that, my dad glanced around. A man who had been peeking at us from behind a newspaper flinched when he met my dad’s gaze and quickly buried his face back in the paper.
‘A Blue Trading Company informant!’
It seemed my dad had the same thought.
With a knowing smile, he readily accepted Damian’s invitation for tea.
The presence of two Grand Masters was truly overwhelming.
“Outside the building—do you recognize anyone?”
“Not sure. Probably an informant.”
As my dad and Mr. Damian entered the investigation bureau, people within a ten-meter radius instinctively backed away as if fleeing.
They seemed used to this kind of reaction, continuing their conversation without concern.
“An informant? Just what kind of trouble have you been stirring up? Six years later, and nothing has changed. Do you know what my goal is before I retire? To never see Reytan Quartz in the interrogation room again.”
“Congratulations.”
“That’s a random thing to congratulate me for.”
“I meant, congratulations on achieving your goal. Now you need to set a new one.”
It was the first time I’d seen my dad speak so casually, as if chatting with an old friend.
I turned to Theon, who was walking beside me, and whispered,
“It looks like my dad and that investigator are close. Do you know who he is?”
“Hmm. Damian Knox. The Grand Master chosen by the Holy Sword of Earth.”
“Oh, you knew right away. It’s rare to see my dad speaking informally to someone.”
I hadn’t known they were this close.
In my other memories, the only time I ever spoke to Damian was about two months after my dad’s funeral.
— I’m Damian Knox from the Central Investigation Bureau. What brings the lady of the Travel family to me?
— Since you’re also a Grand Master, I wanted your advice. Was it truly impossible for my dad to survive that war?
— That’s a difficult question to answer. War is always—
— That’s what everyone says. That war is unpredictable and irrational. Then let me ask differently: If you were in the same situation as my dad, would you have met the same fate?
— No. I would have survived.
Hah. So, my dad was caught in a trap after all. There’s no way a Grand Master would fall so easily—
“Adorable!”
“The granddaughter of Count Travel? She looks like a doll! And the boy beside her… is he the grandson? They’re both stunning!”
“I heard he’s actually the Young Master’s disciple. Apparently, he was important enough for the Young Master to take him to the Main Temple.”
I perked up at the murmurs of admiration from the clustered investigators.
“Her outfit is adorable too. Where’s it from? I should get my niece’s clothes tailored there!”
This… This was the sound of consumer demand!
I immediately turned to Theon. Since I couldn’t see myself, I needed confirmation.
“A short-tailored gray jacket, a cotton vest with a subtle checkered pattern visible up close! And as a final touch, we used the gold buttons chosen by Sir Reytan last time! … Do you like it?”
“It would look better with a different tie. Do you have any silk fabric? In a deep green color?”
“Oh my! With a white shirt, I assume?”
Indeed. Theon’s outfit, crafted with the combined expertise of Trang Atelier’s head designer and my dad’s keen eye, made him look like a noble doll small enough to carry in my pocket.
‘Should I start a youth clothing business?’
My strategy for now was to maintain a low profile in the estate’s upcoming succession battle. However, since my grandfather had already noticed my capabilities, it would be wise to lay the foundation for future achievements.
‘If I want to climb to the Diamond House in the second estate succession battle, I’ll need continuous success.’
The result of this succession battle would be revealed in four years. After that, I’d need five more years of accomplishments to elevate my dad to Diamond House status. If I succeeded, he wouldn’t have to go to war as a first-choice heir, and we could live together for a long time.
‘And I’ll uncover the real culprit too. I don’t want to live in fear of assassination even after the war.’
For now, I could present this clothing business as just my dad’s little hobby. But four years later, I’d launch Theon as the model—
“…Why?”
Theon, noticing my intense gaze, asked awkwardly.
I grinned.
“Because you look amazing~”
His ears turned bright red.
***
Meanwhile, Count Travel’s third son, Yossel, was desperately seeking out Diamond House as a last resort.
He couldn’t dare tell his parents about his troubles, and Marian was always irritated whenever she saw him. So the only person left was Hevant.
Even as those thoughts ran through his mind, Yossel couldn’t help but internally complain about how much grander this place was compared to his own Emerald House.
After knocking twice without much effort, he swung the door open.
“Brother!”
“What brings you here?”
Despite Yossel’s loud entrance, Hevant remained unfazed, sitting at his desk as he worked through documents.
Without even looking up, he simply flicked his fingers, signaling Yossel to get to the point.
Yossel bit his lower lip, shut the study door, and strode toward Hevant’s desk.
Bang!
His sleeves, adorned with extravagant frills, fluttered. Yossel clasped his hands together on the desk and bowed his head, nearly pressing his forehead against them.
“Can you lend me some money? Not much, just 500 million Kona.”
500 million Kona wasn’t pocket change.
As if expecting this, Hevant didn’t even blink. Without glancing at his pitiful younger brother, he simply sighed and scolded him.
“I told you, didn’t I? If you got greedy expanding your boutique, you’d end up falling flat.”
“And you think this is my fault?! Ugh! Damn that illegitimate brat!”
At Yossel’s outburst, Hevant finally looked at him.
“Reytan? What about him?”
“My flagship store in Hispoth Town had the highest sales, but now some nobodies called Tram or Trang or whatever are stealing all my customers! And guess what? Turns out, the place is rumored to be Reytan Quartz Travel’s favorite tailor shop!”
“Tsk. That’s your own incompetence. You couldn’t even keep such a small boutique competitive?”
“Ugh, whatever! Are you just going to scold me? If you don’t lend me the money, you’ll be in trouble too, brother!”
“Me?”
Hevant gave him a bemused look. What trouble could Yossel possibly cause for him?
“I did some digging, wondering why you never objected when Mother kept defending that illegitimate child.”
Hevant’s eyes narrowed. Yossel smirked.
“And what do you know? Word is that you’ve been taking credit for his achievements.”
“……..….”
“If you had such a good thing going, you should’ve shared.”
Yossel lifted his head. The desperate look from before was gone, replaced by the glint of greed in his eyes, sharp like a beast’s.
“Even when Brown was alive, it was the same. You and our sister took all the credit for the achievements he brought in just because you were adults first. What was left for a kid like me? And when I finally thought about taking my share, well—he was already dead. So, shouldn’t you at least compensate this poor little brother of yours?”
Yossel leaned in closer to Hevant, convinced he had the upper hand.
“If Marian finds out about this, do you think she’ll stay quiet? She’s already dead set on taking over Diamond House this time. Brother, I’m offering to keep quiet for just 500 million Kona.”
“Yossel.”
“So, are you giving me the money?”
What an arrogant brat.
Such a pathetic attempt at blackmail.
Hevant assessed his foolish younger brother. Then, an idea popped into his mind—one that fit perfectly.
“I’ll give it to you. 1 billion Kona.”
“1-1 billion?!”
Yossel’s eyes widened at the doubled amount.
Yes, this was exactly the reaction he wanted. If Yossel was completely consumed by greed, he’d do whatever Hevant ordered.
“But in return, you’ll need to run an errand for me.”
🍓; * Reytan and Demian had differing views on how to handle the situation. It implies that while Reytan wanted to question Berry, Demian had a different approach, possibly more relaxed or indirect.
