“Not yet. However…”

As Ed trailed off, Prodia grew anxious.

‘How much is he going to ask for this information?’

Prodia glanced at Ertis.

Then Ertis sent her telepathy.

[Do you think he’s going to rip us off? Give him whatever he asks for, don’t worry.] [He looks like a crook, how much do you think he’s going to ask for?] [He’ll have to make an offer first.]

Oh, look at the confidence of my contractor.

Then I’ll have to take it all. Thank you.

Just then, Ed seemed to have made up his mind.

“I’m sorry. I really can’t sell the trust information.”

“How much do you want for it?”

Ed waved his hand.

“No, it’s not about the money. I really don’t intend to sell it.”

“Just spill it, I’m starting to get tired.”

Damn, he doesn’t believe it.

Ed sighed.

“Sigh, fine. We’re bound to meet again anyway.”

Ed pushed up his glasses.

“Actually, I’m also participating in the Buma selection tournament.”

“What?!”

Everyone was shocked at his surprising statement.

Luca, not understanding, asked,

“What are you talking about? If you become a Buma, you can’t inherit the position of ruling lord.”

“Ah, I’m not participating in the tournament to become a Buma. In fact, it would be problematic for me if I won.”

Ertis frowned.

“Then why are you participating?”

“Ah, that’s a personal reason I can’t disclose. Anyway, it’s not about the money. I just can’t share it with you because you’re competitors now.”

It was a failure.

Ertis clenched his fist.

‘If he says he doesn’t even need money, how can we find out about the trust…?’

Luca spoke urgently.

“But we came all the way here, at least give us a hint.”

“You’re asking for information for free?”

“It’s not free. You’ve satisfied one of your curiosities. What the regent’s special task was for me.”

“I could’ve found that out whenever I wanted. I had just postponed it because of the trust.”

“But coming directly to you saved you time and effort, didn’t it?”

“Hmm…”

Ed pondered for a moment.

“Alright, fine. I suppose this much is okay to share.”

“Good, you’ve made the right choice. Speak quickly.”

“The trust this time is about the tournament’s events.”

“……!”
Prodia’s eyes widened at the words.

“However, as I’ve told you, I can’t tell you what the event is about. Good luck.”

Saying so, Ed bowed slightly towards them.

He then tried to pull a golden string hanging on one side of the wall.

He was trying to call back the masked men.

No, this can’t be.

‘I’d be kicked out of here without earning anything.’

Moreover, now that she knew the trust involved an event, she absolutely couldn’t back out.

Prodia urgently called out to him.

“Hold on a moment.”

Ed slowly turned to look at her.

“Do you still have business? If it’s not about the trust, I’ll listen.”

“It is about the trust.”

At that, Ed gave an awkward smile.

“I thought that matter was already concluded.”

“Would you like to make a deal with me?”

“Hmm…?”

The word ‘deal’ lit up Ed’s eyes.

“Go on.”

“I’d like us to talk alone.”

At those words, Eurtis and Luca looked puzzled.

“Prodia?”

“Sister!”

“It’s fine. Could you wait outside for a bit?”

Both men knew they couldn’t stop her.

They quietly nodded their heads.

“Alright, sister.”

[But call me immediately if anything happens.]

Ed pulled the golden string.

“Then, let’s have those gentlemen wait elsewhere for a while.”

Soon after, the masked captain entered and took Eurtis and Luca away.

Now only Prodia and Ed were left in the room.

Ed turned his body towards her.

“I hope I’m not wasting my time.”

“You won’t be. You’ll find this quite interesting.”

With a confident smile, Prodia threw a shocking line at him.

“I’ll guess the contents of the trust.”

“….What?”

Of course, it was a lie.

There was no way Prodia knew the contents of the trust.

She had just found an excuse to stay.

But there was no other way.

She had already confirmed that Ed possessed the ‘eloquence (S) skill.’

[Eloquence (S)
Captures the hearts of the public with quick and dazzling rhetoric.]

A member who’s not only articulate but also smart? This one couldn’t be missed.

Moreover, to prepare for future competitions, she needed the information Ed had.

And he was someone who could even siphon off the trust.

So now she had to gamble.

On the other hand, Ed asked in disbelief upon hearing that Prodia knew about the trust.

“What… Didn’t you come here because you wanted to know about the trust?”

“Of course, those two do. But I’m different.”

“You mean you came here to confirm what you already know?”

“Something like that.”

“Ha!”

Ed started laughing loudly.

“Now it’s getting interesting. Very well, what kind of deal would you like to make?”

“Firstly, if I guess wrong about the trust, I’ll give you information of equivalent value.”

“Do you even know how valuable this information is?”

The information price that Ed spoke of was roughly similar to what Luca had anticipated.

But Prodia calmly nodded.

“No problem.”

Ed looked somewhat surprised at her audacity.

“Well, fine. Continue.”

“If I guess the trust correctly, then I’d like you to grant me one request.”

“What is it?”

Prodia pointed at him with her finger.

“Ed Prihi, I want you.”