Reytan and Theon, who were supposedly in the training grounds, were walking through Hispoth Town dressed in stealthy attire.
“It seems like no one is following us anymore.”
“You’ve got a knack for sensing presences.”
Theon shyly bowed his head at Reytan’s compliment.
Their destination, after evading the surveillance forces, was the Evening Primrose Inn.
The innkeeper greeted them with a bright smile.
“Thanks to the prescription you sent, we were able to make the medicine, and it worked! The child’s body temperature is normal now, and he’s even alert enough to talk.”
The innkeeper believed that Jeffrey’s symptoms had improved because of the prescription Reytan found in Anne’s house.
She led them to the room where Jeffrey was staying. When the door opened, the boy sitting on the bed turned his head. His thick, triangular ears were the first thing to catch their eyes.
“This child has something he wants to tell you, Young Master.”
Young Jeffrey was still inexperienced at hiding his ears. The moment he saw Reytan, his ears pressed flat against his head. It was one of the wolf tribe’s instincts in the presence of a stronger being.
“…I saw it.”
Despite his instinctive fear, Jeffrey’s amber eyes met Reytan’s directly.
“What did you see?”
“The people who left the pearl earrings at our house. My sister isn’t the culprit.”
Theon looked at Reytan in surprise at Jeffrey’s testimony.
But Reytan’s expression remained as calm as before. It seemed as though he had expected this answer all along.
Reytan had already found it suspicious that Anne, a spy for Marian, had stolen the earrings.
In truth, whether Anne was the thief or not didn’t matter to him.
‘Tomorrow’s auction will go exactly as Marian planned.’
Reytan had already decided to play along. It was something the Reytan of six years ago couldn’t have even imagined.
One of the easiest ways to stay at the bottom was to completely ruin the game they had set up.
In fact, this time he also wanted to stir things up somehow—but…
‘I have to hold back for Berry’s sake.’
The innkeeper cautiously asked Reytan,
“Young Master, it seems that his sister has been wrongly accused. If Jeffrey testifies, won’t his sister be released?”
“I doubt a six-year-old’s testimony will be enough to get her out.”
At Reytan’s firm reply, Jeffrey asked again,
“What if I heard something else?”
“Something else?”
“They said it’d be a problem if it were discovered that the earrings are fake.”
Reytan’s gaze sharpened.
“Tell me more.”
Jeffrey clenched his fists tightly.
A low, wolfish growl escaped through his still-healing lips.
“A young man in very strange, fancy clothes said that. The old man who was with him hid the pearl earrings in the cupboard, just like the young man told him to.”
Reytan instantly identified the suspect. There was only one person in Travel who could dress so extravagantly and have the authority to command an older man like that.
Yossel, his half-brother.
“Young Master, with this much testimony, can’t my sister be released?”
The maid of Count Travel had been accused of theft.
Some guests who had visited the inn yesterday were discussing that very topic, and Jeffrey had overheard their conversation.
It was a baseless speculation about Anne’s fate.
“My sister… she won’t die, will she?”
Jeffrey’s voice trembled.
Reytan looked down at Jeffrey, who was gazing up at him, worried for his sister.
They were saying she would be used and killed by Travel—
“Brother Brown, did you help Travel again? Acting like it’s tough, like you’re in trouble. You know it’s all just a ploy to use you. Why do you keep helping them?”
“They raised you, didn’t they? Grand Master, huh? These days, I live for bragging about you.”
“Is that because of Travel? That’s not, it’s because I’m great.”
“Stop grumbling.”
“Wait, brother. Soon, I’ll let you reap the benefits of having a great younger sibling. Oh, and take it easy with that thing.”
Reytan spoke to Jeffrey.
“Don’t worry too much.”
“Then—”
“I’ll make sure your sister doesn’t die.”
As Reytan turned to leave, the innkeeper asked,
“Are you leaving already?”
“I need to have dinner with my daughter. Let’s go, Theon.”
“Yes.”
Reytan exited the room, and the innkeeper followed to see him off. Theon was about to follow when someone grabbed his arm. It was Jeffrey.
“It was you, wasn’t it?”
Jeffrey’s amber eyes were sharp as he looked at Theon.
“The one who brought the medicine yesterday.”
“No.”
“Don’t lie. You can’t fool my nose.”
Jeffrey wrinkled his nose.
“Why are you pretending not to know? Who was the girl who came with you? Tell me.”
“I didn’t pretend. You’re mistaken.”
“I’m not mistaken. You and that girl saved me.”
Jeffrey growled, demanding Theon reveal the girl’s identity. Theon, who had been staring at him, responded firmly.
“You’re alive, and that’s what matters.”
“That’s it?”
“Is it that important who saved you?”
With that, Theon left, worried more questions would follow.
Walking down the hallway, his face flushed as he thought about how childish his behavior had been. The kid is only six. He could’ve handled it more maturely. But for some reason, a strange emotion welled up inside him. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want to tell Jeffrey that the girl was Berry.
Why was that? He could have spoken indirectly, yet he didn’t.
‘He recognized me by scent. If I hadn’t been clear, he would’ve kept asking.’
Berry had told him to keep what happened yesterday a secret. Maybe that’s why he had spoken gruffly, even to a six-year-old.
“……….”
He didn’t even understand his own feelings. Frustrated, Theon lightly kicked the wooden floor with the tip of his foot.
***
ˊ•••••••••••••••••••••••••`
If you could completely cure your brother’s illness for just ten thousand konas, would you do it?
[Yes/No]
※ Refusing will not result in any disadvantage.
※ After accepting, you must carry out my plan.
ˊ•••••••••••••••••••••••••`
There was a checkmark in the [Yes] box of the note Aqum had brought. It was the reply from Anne, who was in the punishment room.
The handwriting was mine, written with my left hand, and the checkmark was made by Anne.
‘It’s done!’
I had sent Aqum and anxiously waited in my room. The result was a success.
[That human woman is quite suspicious, isn’t she? She was muttering to herself, wondering if Miss Marian was testing her, so I moved a few objects around, and now she thinks I’m the god Aubawth.]
Aqum excitedly recounted what had happened with Anne.
[She was so scared, she said she’d do anything if a god promised it! What do you think of your partner’s skills?]
“Impressive!”
I gave Aqum a thumbs-up.
Aqum wagged its tail in excitement at my praise, its eyes shining.
[Anything else? What should I do next? Come on, give me something!]
It seemed that having something to do after being alone for so long was fun for Aqum. It worked out perfectly for me. I couldn’t have found a better messenger than Aqum.
“Yes! Wait a moment!”
I, too, was excited as I grabbed some paper and a pen. I needed to write down the plan for Anne.
Hahaha. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s auction!
***
The charity auction hosted by Countess Travel took place in the late afternoon.
A small banquet hall in the Travel estate had been transformed into an auction room.
Soft lighting illuminated the elegant interior. At each round table, four or five guests sat facing the front stage.
“Congratulations! The ‘Longsword of the Monclere Master’ submitted by Reytan Quartz Travel has been sold to bidder number 14 for 25 million konas!”
The auctioneer’s powerful voice announcing the winning bid echoed through the hall.
Applause filled the room, and a man dressed in white priestly robes was receiving congratulations from those around him.
He was Holt, a high priest whom Marian had painstakingly invited.
‘Oh dear, he really went and won the bid.’
Representing the Aubawth Order, he seemed pleased to have won the sword that Reytan had submitted.
Marian clapped for him but inwardly mocked him.
“Will High Priest Holt also be participating in today’s auction?”
“I heard a sword from Reytan’s childhood is one of the items. If the opportunity arises, I’d like to win it. We’re planning to create an exhibit in the Crunch for the belongings of the Grand Masters.”
“Oh my, so you’re even including items from those who have retired?”
“Haha, well, Master Reytan will be returning soon, so we’re keeping that in mind.”
You’re about to lose 25 million konas.
Marian leisurely fanned herself and shifted her gaze. From two tables away, she saw Reytan’s profile.
‘That’s what you get for living quietly like a mouse in the countryside. You step out of your place, and I set a trap.’
Marian smirked at Reytan before turning her attention to her younger brother, Yossel, who was sitting at the table next to hers.
Yossel tightly gripped his numbered sign and was nervously shaking one leg.
“……What are you doing?”
“Oh.”
Yossel glanced at Marian.
“Nothing. By the way, sister, what’s the next auction item?”
“Are you going to participate?”
Just then, the auctioneer spoke again.
“The next auction item is—! The much-anticipated piece has arrived! These are the pearl earrings, said to be made from the tears of mermaids from the Shushubia Islands!”
