Listening devices for spying—it was beyond imagination.

“‘So Ed was trying to eavesdrop on us?'”

Prodia’s mind went cold.

How much had Ed heard?

But that anxiety was quickly dispelled, thanks to Irtis.

“Don’t worry. There’s no way he would have left us to be spied on.”

“Really…?”

“I found it before it was activated and destroyed it.”

My God.

She had been unaware such a thing existed in the mansion.

Not only had Irtis discovered it, he had also dismantled it.

“What if there are more?”

But that, too, was a baseless worry.

“I’ve already found and eliminated all of them.”

“How many were there?”

“Too many to count.”

She was growing tired of being surprised.

Irtis chuckled as he looked at the listening device.

“If you’re going to test me, at least install something decent. What are you going to do with this pathetic toy?”

At that, Luca picked up the listening device and inspected it from all angles.

“It may look pathetic, but it seems quite expensive…”

Prodia was on the verge of losing her mind.

She knew Ed was no ordinary person, but she never expected he would go as far as planting bugs.

“So that’s the level of the empire’s top-class spy… Damn it.”

She swallowed dryly.

She began to worry if she could really go along with Ed.

What if she had unknowingly embraced a ticking time bomb?

But Irtis seemed to have made up his mind.

“Come to think of it, you’re right, Luca. It’s better to keep an eye on such a dangerous person by having him next to me.”

“That’s not what I meant, but okay.”

That settled it for Prodia as well.

A person like Ed shouldn’t be an enemy.

“Even if you lie to me, I’ll surely detect it.”

Prodia picked up the relic.

The relic, capable of discerning lies, had a transparent orb embedded in a golden plate.

But if it stuck out like this, Ed would notice it right away. Could she change its shape?

Prodia asked Luca.

“Luca, is there any part that doesn’t contain divine power?”

“The orb is the relic. The rest is just decoration.”

Exactly what she had hoped for.

Prodia extended the relic to Irtis.

“Irtis, can you change the appearance of the relic with magic?”

She then briefly described what she wanted.

Listening to her, Irtis nodded.

“Good idea. Changing the relic that way will keep us safe from that merchant.”

Irtis extended his hand, and with a wisp of purple smoke, the relic changed into the shape Prodia wanted.

And two days later.

Ed’s carriage finally returned to the count’s residence.

Prodia called Ed into her office.

As usual, he sat down across from her, his face beaming.

“How have you been, Miss Prodia?”

“Thanks to you. Did you encounter any issues while you were away?”

The two exchanged formal greetings for a moment.

As soon as the servant set down the tea and left, Ed got to the point.

“Now, shall we discuss the matter you asked me to investigate?”

“Let’s get started.”

“But first, I need evidence that you were already aware of the first round of the tournament.”

With that, Ed smirked.

What a meticulous man.

Prodia calmly replied.

“Don’t worry. As soon as you give me your answer, my servant will bring in the prepared documents for your verification.”

“Hmm, very well.”

Finally, he began revealing what he had found.

“The first round of the tournament will consist of a written exam.”

A written exam, huh.

Prodia naturally lifted her teacup.

Then a green light illuminated the bottom of the cup.

Flash.

In truth, Prodia had agonized over where to hide the relic.

Somewhere Ed wouldn’t notice but where she could see it whenever she wanted.

Accessories were easy to carry but risky at the same time.
Accessories were easy to carry but dangerous at the same time.

Because they would catch Ed’s attention every time the light turned on.

That’s why she had thought of a teacup.

Something only she could use. Something that could be concealed from Ed’s view the moment it was lifted.

So Prodia had asked Ertis to transform the relic into a teacup.

With the relic bead embedded in the bottom.

‘Papier would be shocked to learn that I poured tea into the relic… but there was no other way.’

I’m sorry, Papier, every time.

Once this is over, I’ll restore the relic and clean it thoroughly before returning it.

Anyway, the green light that just lit up at the bottom of the teacup meant that Ed had told the truth.

But it was strange.

Ed would have definitely intended to test her.

Yet he showed his true hand right from the start.

‘What am I missing?’

Prodia calmly scrutinized Ed.

His expression remained inscrutable.

As expected, it was impossible to discern his inner thoughts through simple observation alone.

What should I do?

I should start by reconfirming what he said.

“Um, you’re saying the first competition is a written test?”

“That’s right.”

However, as soon as Ed’s response ended, this time, a red light burst from the bottom of the teacup.

Which meant he’d just lied.

Relic, are you messing with me?

What should I do if the green and red lights keep alternating for the same statement?