“You clearly said you don’t need it, Isis. Don’t go back on your word?”

“Hmph, what do you take me for? What am I going to do with an acorn you give me?”

An, an acorn…

This was an indicator of how insignificant Isis considered my existence.

Still, I was thrilled that I had nothing to wager on this bet. My pride had long been cast aside.

Isis, sighing lightly, shrugged her shoulders and said,

“Well, whatever. Since I’ve already agreed to make it succeed, do as you wish.”

“Yes.”

Thus, I was formally appointed to the temperaturemaintaining magical tool sales project I had been hoping for.

I thought that had concluded today’s business, but it hadn’t.

Isis looked up at me with an expression that she had much to say.

“It’s been a while, huh.”

With her lips pouted, she looked like a petulant child.

“Why haven’t you contacted me?”

I was already surprised by the dozen or so letters piled up in front of me after returning from the temple.

I couldn’t tell Isis about my involvement in a crime, so I dodged the question.

“I’m sorry, something suddenly came up at home.”

Hearing my words, Isis’s previously dim eyes sparkled excessively.

“Why? Did that damned Sylvester Ferdia drop dead from high blood pressure?!”

“No, no?”

Why high blood pressure of all things?

Isis was openly disappointed by my denial.

“Tsk, darn. Another failure then.”

What had this incorrigible young boy tried to do behind my back?

I couldn’t keep up with the mage’s unconventional thinking.

‘This antagonism against Duke Ferdia seems familiar.’

Rather than being caught between the two and seeing an unseemly sight, I quickly changed the subject.

“Why did you call me?”

“You said you’d advise. That’s why I called you.”

“You launched it successfully without my help, though.”

“Yes, but it failed.”

“It hasn’t failed yet.”

“You should have seen it when you were the only investor.”

Still pessimistic, I began to ponder how to sell the magical tool.

First, the fact that the marketing was out of season couldn’t be denied.

“Since it’s summer, emphasize that it can always maintain a cold temperature.”

“Maintain a cold temperature for what?”

Isis sincerely thought the purpose was unnecessary. Of course, she had a reason. In addition to the mage’s tower, the interior of the Ferdia mansion was always pleasant, with temperaturemaintaining magic in effect, keeping the temperature just right all year round.
This was a magic that nobles or merchant groups, who had a considerable amount of money, essentially installed in their residences.

They did not feel the necessity, as they never experienced murderous heat to the point of wanting to die.

I already knew the answer, but I asked to confirm.

“Isis, do you know what kind of customers mainly come to buy magical tools?”

“Nobles, or wealthy merchants, or tourists from foreign countries.”

“Yes. The mistake starts from that point.”

“……?”

The main target customers, nobles or merchants, would not find much appeal in this magical tool.

Of course, it would be excellent for carrying around or using as military supplies, but they won’t think that far.

But what if the main sales layer was the common people?

‘The cost is the problem, after all.’

It seemed that I would have to discuss this part with Isis more. There was much to do before the upcoming conference.

While I was organizing the plan in my mind, Isis threw an unexpected question.

“You, are you okay?”

“What? What is it?”

“Lately, I heard your name a lot. That you were rejected by the First Prince.”

“Ah.”

I wondered what she was talking about all of a sudden.

“A divorce?”

“Yes. That’s it.”

“It was a mutual divorce, but it seems the rumors spread like that. Well, I don’t care.”

Whether I was rejected or not, the fact that I was divorced doesn’t change. I didn’t care about the tattered reputation in the social circle.

‘Let them talk as they like.’

I will sell the magical tools.

(This is a time separator.)

Adenmir, who was crossing the sunlit corridor, suddenly stopped walking. He stared at a large pillar decorated with relief.

‘It was here.’

Where he first encountered a young girl with small body, feet, and hands.

Adenmir, who was walking down the path for swordsmanship lessons after the Emperor’s class, met the big, pink eyes staring at him from behind the pillar.

Her eyes, full of moisture, seemed to be straining not to show that she had been crying.

“Did you lose your way?”

“……No.”

The child’s attitude, pretending to be fine even though she was lost, was quite impressive.

“Okay, then.”

Adenmir passed by the girl and exited the corridor. When he passed the last pillar and looked back, he saw an unexpected scene.

The girl was crouching and sitting behind the pillar.

She didn’t seem to be waiting for anyone, rather wishing that no one would find her.

Was it because it stuck in his mind? Adenmir did something unusual.

He went up to a woman who seemed to be the child’s nanny and told her the location.

He didn’t know then.

That the child was the famous illegitimate child of Duke Ferdia, Elodie Ferdia, and further, that she would become his fiancée.

Neither did he know the fact that breaking off the engagement was as easy as getting engaged.