…A powerful intuition had hit him, suggesting that the child was the son of this Gypsy woman.

His intuitions had never been wrong.

And they weren’t wrong this time either.

The Gypsy woman’s face, which had been calm up to that moment, distorted.

Matthias smirked, looking at the Gypsy.

It seemed his guess was right.

The child that Cien had brought, calling him ‘Captain’, was this woman’s son.

Cien had called him Captain, but he had a proper name.

Carol, a name fitting for a lively Gypsy.

“……What have you done with that child?”

Her gaze wavered. Not like someone who had heartlessly severed the connection with her own son. Looking down at the Gypsy woman, Matthias spoke.

“Your son is under my protection.”

To be precise, it was my daughter, Cien.

Upon hearing this, the Gypsy mumbled quietly.

“You must want something from me.”

“Betray Axel Mirmode and join my side.”

Upon hearing Matthias’s straightforward words, the Gypsy cast her eyes downward.

“Do you know why I left my child to come here?”

It was a nonsequitur.

Matthias stared at her.

“I dreamt a prophecy. People in the Merci region will die if I’m not there. I must save them while standing beside Axel, even if…”

“……Even if it costs your son’s life.”

“……”

She couldn’t bring herself to complete the sentence. Matthias chuckled cynically.

“From hearing that, I understand. You’re minimizing casualties by staying near Axel. Mixing halftruths into your sorcery and prophecies.”

“……Yes.”

Matthias smiled as he looked at the Gypsy.

“I intend to send Axel Mirmode to Hell.”

“……Hell, you say?”

It was an utterly demonic thought.

A person capable of such thoughts was…

“If Axel disappears from this land forever, wouldn’t your dream also come true? Seems like we can become allies.”

It was true, of course.

But to send a living person to Hell…

Even if Axel Mirmode had committed countless wicked deeds.

The Gypsy’s face stiffened in horror.

And at that moment, a flash of realization swept through her mind.

“The person capable of doing such a thing… could you possibly be…”

Whipping back his hair, Matthias whispered coldly.

“Matthias Mirmode.”

The Gypsy knew that name.
He had once made a contract with a demon and killed it when it tried to bind him.

Once expelled even from the nefarious Mirmode family.

A notorious villain who had killed the judge and walked out of the trial.

Matthias Mirmode was speaking before me.

“Join me.”

“…….”

“Do as you wish, help so that no more innocent lives die. The same goes for your son. So, are you considering the deal now?”

Gypsy’s eyes widened.

That was not a proposal Matthias Mirmode would usually make. She had expected him to threaten her life like Axel.

But he was giving her a choice.

As if he was actually making an offer.

Facing Matthias, Gypsy spoke with a trembling voice.

“……You seem different from the Matthias Mirmode I heard of.”

“Is that so?”

“It appears something has happened.”

Something, yes.

Yes, there was one thing different now.

Now, a very tiny baby existed, warming his heart, as comforting as a fluffy ball of pink yarn.

A lovable baby who would cuddle into his arms.

Matthias’s lips slightly relaxed as he thought of his lovely Cien.

His always cold expression unintentionally softened.

Gypsy, who had been observing carefully, was bewildered by his unusually tender expression.

However, Matthias’s face quickly turned icy again.

“Is that an important issue?”

“……It was important, but I already got my answer.”

Just by looking at Matthias’s face, Gypsy noticed. He had changed.

Matthias looked at the insolent Gypsy but didn’t point that out.

It was more efficient to ask her decision.

“So what is your conclusion?”

Gypsy blinked her eyes.

Staring down at the Gypsy woman, Matthias slightly lifted one corner of his mouth.

“……Did you know? Ever since you saved my son, I occasionally see hope in a future that was full of despair.”

She hummed as she nodded her head lightly.

“I’ll stand by your side.”

“Good.”

“A spy…prophets said they couldn’t see my future, I never knew I’d become a spy.”

Her face appeared somewhat regretful.

Looking at Gypsy, Matthias tersely replied.

“You have a mission, you’ll accomplish it well.”

Her mission was to save people and her own child.

Matthias did not believe in the propaganda that ‘the good wins.’

He didn’t know how well she could stand against Axel Mirmode.

But what he did know for certain was that the more desperate one wins.

In that sense, her desperation was clear. Yet she appeared not to trust herself.

Matthias whispered to her simply.

“I’ll extract you unharmed once the mission is complete.”

His promise had never been broken before.

Gypsy didn’t know that fact, but she smiled at his confident tone.

“That’s a comforting story.”

“Wait. I will assign your task soon.”

As he was about to turn away, he slightly furrowed his brows.

He might as well give her some final consideration as she was about to embark on a difficult path.

“Lastly, do you have anything to say to your son?”

“……Just.”

Her expression, which had seemed like she was walking through a dream, suddenly changed.