Usually, such lists were organized by rank, with the person at the top holding the highest position.

“So, a single dot means the highest rank.”

I noticed the same insignia on the clothes of the two men I had encountered earlier. I realized this was a badge indicating their rank. That made it easy to identify who the two were.

“Count Vasco and Viscount Loteil.”

Count Vasco was an aide to the Emperor, and Viscount Loteil appeared to be from a similar department.

Now it made sense why they had been so brazen in insulting my father at the duke’s residence.

“They have backing.”

They had come to deliver the Emperor’s message and were directly serving him; no wonder they acted so high and mighty.

“But they almost got in trouble with Dayban.”

During snack time, I had purposely offered Dayban a sweet cake and the world’s most delicious chocolate milk.

I knew he usually ate squid and dried foods. Still, I had offered him sweets, hoping his mood would improve.

“Sweets usually cheer people up.”

“Is that what you find amusing?”

“Hehe, no! Just observing!”

The duke stroked my head as he asked, and I dangled my legs, checking the time.

“It’s been an hour already?”

I had already checked the list, so there was nothing more to see. I hopped down onto the floor.

“You can stay and play some more today since I’m not busy.”

“Huh? Really?”

That couldn’t be; Dad is usually extremely busy.

“You’re kidding, Dad. Take another look.”

“I’m free today. Or we could go for a walk for the first time in a while.”

As the duke continued to speak, someone knocked on the door. To anyone listening, it was a sound filled with urgency and anxiety.

Yet the duke tightly closed his lips, as if he hadn’t heard. His complexion seemed to darken.

“Someone just knocked on the door!”

“…Come in.”

Reluctantly, the duke allowed entry, and Filren burst into the room.

“My lord!”

“What.”

“Well, the thing is…!”

But Filren’s expression was strange. Half of it seemed quite pleased, while the other half was shadowed by worry.

The reason soon became clear.

“Count Vasco says he wants to leave now!”

The Duke immediately prepared to depart with Phyllen.

The reason for the preparation was that it was basic courtesy to see someone off to the teleportation point, especially when they had arrived without notice.

“I want to go too!”

“Alright, get ready and come down.”

Since the Duke readily agreed, I quickly called for Delma. Delma, in an excited voice, spoke as she chose clothes for me to wear.

“This is great, young master! Then, Lady Sophia can also return to the mansion before the day ends!”

“Yes!”

I was also pleased about it. It was fortunate, but it made me wonder.

“But Delma, what’s today’s date?”

“It’s the 11th of Galzen’s Moon in the year 1048 of the Imperial Calendar. Why?”

“Hmm, it’s nothing.”

Originally, the inspectors were to leave two days later.

Using the teleport was physically taxing, so it was recommended to rest for at least a day before using it again.

Of course, it wasn’t that one couldn’t use it for two days in a row. Depending on one’s condition and recovery rate, it was entirely possible.

But most people felt extreme fatigue from teleportation…

Leaving right after arriving meant being willing to put up with all that, just to leave this place quickly.

‘Could it be because of yesterday’s matter with Daivan?’

As we all prepared and headed toward the main gate, I saw people from the inspection team busily coming out of the annex.

“Why are those people coming out of the annex?”

“We lent them rooms there,” Phyllen softly explained, covering her mouth with her hand. I looked at them with a slightly uneasy expression.

‘Somehow…’

The issue with Daivan was one thing, but it seemed there was accumulated dissatisfaction about offering rooms in the annex.

“Is it okay to use the teleport right away?”

“Of course, it’s fine. A special motion sickness medication for teleportation has even been developed recently in the capital. Ah, since Your Grace usually stays in Hesera, you might not be aware.”

Count Basco didn’t hide his animosity towards the Duke at all, while the Duke himself appeared relaxed.

“That’s fortunate then. Let’s go. Though you arrived without notice, we’ll see you off properly.”

There was an implication that next time he should not arrive so unannounced.

Count Basco, understanding this, snorted angrily like a bull and climbed into his carriage.

“We should go too.”

The ones who decided to see off the inspection team were the Duke, Clements, and myself.

‘It’s a different departure date than the original story.’

The magical accident at the teleport was supposed to happen tomorrow.

In any case, if the inspection team were to return to the capital now, they wouldn’t suffer from the magical accident.

Then Hesera’s teleportation link would also remain unaffected.

Having the teleportation link to the capital severed would be a tremendous loss in various ways.

Just considering the Duke’s annual tribute to the Emperor, the travel to and from would take a month.

‘Fortunately, it got resolved easily.’

Although I almost made a big mistake in front of Daivan by insulting the Duke.

But Daivan was quieter than expected. He was not seen even at breakfast this morning.

‘Is he sleeping in?’