At the same time.

Kalos was reviewing documents that had come up from the Esper territory in the underground world.

He would have liked to receive reports every day, but his situation didn’t allow for that.

So he had no choice but to receive a week’s worth of reports at once, which always left him pressed for time.

Still, this time the number of reports that came up was few.

The fact that there were few reports meant there had been fewer incidents, which should be a good thing.

But he couldn’t be entirely happy about it, as there was also the possibility that incidents had occurred but were hidden out of fear of punishment by the Esper territory administrators.

‘Unnecessary suspicion.’

Even though he knew that the underground residents who had sworn loyalty to him would not betray him, he kept having such suspicions because he had not directly seen the situation in the northern territory for a long time.

“…”

When would he be able to see the territory with his own eyes?

He sighed, knowing it would be impossible before this damned situation ended, before he defeated that bastard.

As Kalos’ expression darkened, Dewey, who had become serious in turn, cautiously asked.

“Has a problem arisen over there?”

Kalos answered with his gaze fixed on the documents.

“No. There’s no problem at all.”

According to the reports, the underground Esper was too peaceful.

“No other news from the informant either?”

“No. Should I contact them just in case?”

“No need. Don’t waste energy unnecessarily.”

If energy was wasted unnecessarily, it might not be available when truly needed.

“How is the temple’s reaction?”

“They’re still insisting that the gunpowder be eliminated and that the Esper family take responsibility for this demonic beast riot. They’re even bringing it up during mass to incite people, I hear.”

It was laughable how they pounced on this rare opportunity like hyenas.

“But thanks to the quick cleanup, public opinion isn’t too bad. Especially those who already have contracted spirit beasts are mostly skeptical of the temple’s claims.”

The rampaging demonic beasts this time were all uncontracted beasts.

There had never been a single instance of contracted spirit beasts causing problems.

“Of course, there are some contractors who are anxious that such problems might occur someday… but no one is demanding to cancel their contracts.”

“They’ve invested a fortune, so that’s understandable.”

To contract with a desirable demonic beast and turn it into a spirit beast cost at least a thousand gold, and up to hundreds of thousands of gold.

Moreover, spirit beasts could do special things that humans absolutely could not, so once people got hooked on spirit beasts, they could never let go.

It was one of the reasons why people spent fortunes to contract beasts even while thinking they might be dangerous.

“What about the incident investigation dispatch?”

“They’re coming with the imperial delegation. At their current speed, they should arrive in five days, a week at the latest.”

“Ten days.”

Kalos said, pushing aside the documents he had been looking at.

“Make sure they don’t set foot on this land for at least ten days.”

“Is it because of the lord of the Blue?”

“Yes.”

Like most underground residents, Abel also greatly disliked the temple.

He didn’t just dislike it, he extremely hated anything related to the temple to the point of wanting to destroy and kill it all.

If Abel were to meet the investigation team sent by the temple, unimaginably terrible things would happen, so it had to be prevented at all costs.

“Hmm, we need to hold them back as much as possible… Ah.”

Dewey, who had been seriously pondering while stroking his chin, let out a short exclamation as if a good idea had occurred to him.

“Can I use any means necessary?”

Kalos’ hand, which had picked up the next report, paused.

Only then did he look at Dewey and say:

“You’re thinking of killing someone.”

“Of course not.”

Dewey grinned.

“Unlike those bastards, I don’t take lives recklessly.”

“…”

Kalos silently looked at Dewey.

Dewey said he had forgotten, that he no longer thought about what happened back then.

But seeing him occasionally reveal his killing intent like this, it seemed he hadn’t forgotten after all.

Well, how could one forget such a horrific incident?

Knock knock−.

Suddenly hearing a knocking sound, Kalos and Dewey’s gazes turned to the tightly closed door.

“Come in.”

The door opened gently and Irene entered.

“Excuse me.”

“My lady?”

Both Dewey and Kalos looked at her in surprise.

Irene blushed slightly at the pouring gazes and asked.

“I have a favor to ask… Do you have a moment?”

Kalos nodded and stood up.

“What brings you here?”

Before Irene could answer, Kalos ran his hand through his hair and stood up.

“Sit down first.”

“…”

Irene thought there was no need to sit down, but.

As she was in a position to ask a favor, there was no point in going against Kalos’ words, so she sat down as told.

Kalos sat down opposite Irene.

“I’ll bring some refreshments.”

As Dewey tactfully left, a somewhat awkward silence fell over the office.

Irene couldn’t look directly at Kalos and kept her gaze lowered, fidgeting with her hands.

It was good that she had boldly come to see him, but that was it.

Now that she actually had to ask the favor, the words wouldn’t come out.

Given how adamantly Jessie had said it was absolutely impossible, it seemed Kalos would say the same.

But having come this far, she had to at least try.

Irene took a deep breath and cautiously began to speak.

“I heard that the demonic beasts from the training grounds are… in the east. And that the guides are having a very hard time taking care of them.”

She still couldn’t look directly at Kalos’ face.

“I heard they’re so busy they could use even a cat’s paw… If they’re that busy, I’d like to help.”

“You want to help them?”

Kalos tilted his head slightly.

“Are you saying you’ll personally take care of the demonic beasts?”

It sounded like he was criticizing her, ‘Who do you think you are?’, so Irene clenched her hands tightly.

“Ah, no. I’m not going to take care of the demonic beasts directly, just do simple chores like running errands or cleaning.”

“Hmm.”

Kalos crossed his arms and leaned deep into the backrest.

The fact that he didn’t refuse immediately and was considering it meant there was a possibility he might allow it.

Irene raised both hands to her chest, grasping them tightly, and pleaded earnestly.

“I absolutely won’t go near the demonic beasts or do anything dangerous, so please allow me.”

“…”

The purple eyes that had been silently gazing at her disappeared behind his eyelids.

A moment later, he opened his eyes again and nodded.

“Alright. You may do so.”

She hadn’t really expected it, but he was actually allowing it.

Irene’s face brightened.

“However, only for a week.”

That was brief, and she asked in confusion when the short time limit was attached.

“Will the demonic beasts return to the training grounds after a week?”

As Kalos was about to answer, there was a knock and the door opened as Dewey entered pulling a tray.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Dewey set up the things he had brought on the table.

Milk tea topped with milk foam, cake, and even cookies.

“…”

Irene swallowed the saliva pooling in her mouth as she looked at the sweet desserts.

It hadn’t been long since she had eaten a full lunch.

She hadn’t felt particularly hungry until she came here, but the moment she saw the desserts, she suddenly felt famished.

Especially the cheesecake generously sprinkled with chocolate powder, she couldn’t take her eyes off it.

Kalos smirked and pushed the whole cake towards her.

“Eat it all.”

“Ah, no. You should have some too…”

“Don’t worry about me and eat.”

The cake was brought for Irene in the first place, so he didn’t mind at all if she ate it all.

“Then I’ll just have a little.”

Not knowing this fact, Irene cut a piece of cake and put it on the side plate.

The moment she put the chocolate cheesecake in her mouth, she felt a joy like fireworks exploding before her eyes.

“Delicious!”

An exclamation burst out without her realizing.

Completely immersed in the sweetness of chocolate and cheese blending together, Irene ate the cake frantically, completely forgetting that Kalos was right in front of her.

When the cake, which had been as big as Irene’s face, disappeared in the blink of an eye, Kalos let out a small laugh.

“You said you’d only eat a little, but you ate it all.”

“Ah.”

When did I eat so much?

Belatedly coming to her senses, Irene blushed and put down her fork.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I said you could eat it all, so there’s no need to apologize.”

Kalos answered indifferently as he picked up his teacup.

“Rather, let me answer what you asked earlier.”

What I asked earlier?

Ah, I asked if the demonic beasts would return after a week.

“Soon, an investigation team sent by the temple and the imperial family will come to the Esper territory.”

“…”

Among the words listed, the word that caught Irene’s ear was ‘temple’.

All color drained from her pale face.

“You mean… priests are coming.”

“Yes.”

Kalos put down his teacup and continued.

“The reason they’re coming to the Esper territory is to investigate the truth behind the demonic beast riot, but it would be better not to meet them if possible, just in case.”

“‘If possible’… means there might be cases where we have to meet them.”

“You’re quick-witted.”

Kalos smiled.

“You’re officially my lover, so you’ll have to greet the delegation with me. Of course, since you’re not my wife but my lover, there’s no obligation, but if you don’t show your face, rumors might spread that we’ve broken up, so it would be better to greet them.”

“…I see.”

Having been badly burned by the priests before, she didn’t want to face them if possible, but for such a reason, she couldn’t refuse to step forward.

Yes. My head thinks it’s right to go out, but… my heart doesn’t.

I don’t want to meet them.

Because they might denounce me as a witch.

I absolutely don’t want to meet them because they might shake my heart with strange words about helping me escape.

“…”

Her eyes, reflecting her inner thoughts, trembled in vain.

Her head bowed like ripe rice.

Kalos stared at Irene for a while, then moved to sit beside her.

Then he grabbed Irene’s shoulder and wiped her lips with his thumb.

“…!”

Startled by the sudden action, Irene jumped up from her seat.

Her face turned redder than ever before.

“Wh-What…”

“There was chocolate on it.”

She could tell he wasn’t lying from the chocolate smeared on his thumb.

When had it gotten there?

Embarrassed for a different reason now, Irene wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

The remaining chocolate smeared onto the back of her hand.

“If you had told me there was chocolate, I would have wiped it myself…”

Irene grumbled somewhat reproachfully.

Kalos wiped the chocolate off his thumb with a handkerchief and answered indifferently.

“I just wanted to wipe it for you.”