Even after that, I continued to hear bids. I bought items for the Captain as good luck charms, and things the maid sisters would enjoy. For example….

“Magic braces.”

“Number one!”

Braces that could protect their joints during rigorous exercise. Honestly, these could be purchased elsewhere, but I wanted to give gifts to the sisters, so I took this opportunity!

Deadri was beaming, but Benchi looked slightly worried. She even grabbed my hand and the bid paddle, asking with concern.

“Where did you get so much money… did you get a large allowance?”

Only then did Deadri seem to notice the situation, her mouth opening and then closing in surprise.

“…You’re not thinking of taking it from Matthias’ treasury, are you?”

I shook my head vigorously.

No, I never intended to touch my foolish father’s money.

‘Impossible. Our father must be a pauper.’

Even if I were to inherit something, my father’s estate, being a potato farmer, wouldn’t hold a candle to those of other powerful heirs. But still…

‘If I dig up gold bars, I can pay then!’

But I couldn’t tell my sister that here.

“There are ways.”

Seeing my smug expression, Benchi still looked worried, but Deadri was different.

“That’s our baby.”

Even after that, I thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of being ‘Number One.’

Men behind me were murmuring and grumbling, thinking me a fool, but I would be the winner in the future anyway.

While Cien was busily making extra money and shopping for magical items for her friends,

Matthias, who had headed to the Merci region in search of Axel, was not idle either.

That night, he reached the Merci region where Axel Mirmod resided. Naturally, through the use of complex teleportation magic. Unlike others, it didn’t take him long to travel.

No one could guess what abilities he had gained since his wife’s death. At least, unlike others who needed to rest for over a day after using teleportation magic, for Matthias, it was easy.

So he and a few close aides arrived at the castle in the Merci region.

‘Surprisingly, there are both monsters and people here.’

It was unlike Axel to keep people alive like this.

‘Is it the influence of that sorceress?’

Matthias chuckled and flicked his hair back.

“Axel is fortifying that castle ahead and slaughtering people around it, is that it?”

“Yes. He’s listening to some sorceress inside. The worry is how to extract her.”

Even for Matthias Mirmod, his powers had waned considerably since going berserk in the demon incident in Gudo.

The sealed power would gradually return, but there were limits.

Moreover, Axel Mirmod would give his all against Matthias.

‘He must have heard I’ve returned.’

He stroked his chin in thought. Entering that fortified castle alone would not be easy.

What to do?

“It would be good to just extract that gypsy woman.”

“It’s risky, but I’ll try.”

“If you find it difficult, I’ll do it.”

The gypsy sorceress with Axel Mirmod must be his weak point.

And they intended to exploit that weakness.

They expected infiltrating would be difficult. They were prepared to see blood.

But as they approached the castle wall, a woman who seemed over 40 was already outside, having penetrated the tight security.

Information that the gypsy had sleepwalking tendencies and wandered around had already been received.

Matthias skillfully signaled to his aides beside him.

“Lure the knights elsewhere.”
“How much time do you need?”

In response to the close aide’s serious question, he replied without hesitation.

“Ten minutes should be sufficient.”

There were many knights near that Gypsy. Axel Mirmode must have placed them there in case of any unforeseen attacks. But luring those knights away was a matter to be handled by Matthias’s own close aides.

Because the Axel Mirmode here was the most dangerous of all.

After delegating the handling of the knights to his aides, Matthias strolled leisurely.

His aide easily brushed aside the knights. Observing this, Matthias approached the gypsy woman who was wandering near the fortress.

“It’s time to wake up.”

To his dry greeting, the Gypsy woman responded without showing any surprise.

“The stars are dark today… so the villain has come.”

Although she referred to him as a villain, the Gypsy was neither flustered nor afraid.

She was slightly trembling, but that was it. Despite her supposed sleepwalking, she didn’t seem to be dreaming at all.

Looking down at her intently, Matthias inquired in a businesslike manner.

“Were you waiting?”

“One might say that… given the circumstances.”

Her attitude was as if she had anticipated his arrival. Matthias chuckled in response.

“Seems like you knew I would come.”

“I suspected someone would visit, based on the shadow of the stars in the sky.”

“So, do you also know who I am?”

“……I do not.”

Matthias tilted his head, speaking.

Now it was time to gamble.

The child that had been annoyingly escorted by Cien, the one called ‘Captain’.

And the results of the investigation on that child.

“Your son, Carol.”