Relieved, I unfolded the documents Layan handed me, and he briefly explained.

“This is the report submitted by the subordinates. Name: Estelle. The impression matches what you mentioned before.”

I recalled the impression I requested for Estelle.

“Appearance: Brown hair, pale skin. She’s probably a year or two older than me.”

To be able to identify a person with just that much information, the Mercenary Corps’ abilities are truly outstanding.

“Great. Let’s go confirm it right away.”

With the thought of just getting it over with, I held Greed close and stood up, but Layan didn’t stand up.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“There’s a problem.”

“What problem?”

“The location where this person Estelle was found is Heybolt Territory.”

“Ugh, Heybolt Territory…”
Instantly, my legs weakened, and I sat on the roadside sofa. If it’s Heybolt Territory, it’s a distance where you have to ride a horse for almost a whole day from the capital, Somnia.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t that far. It could be considered relatively close.

But the problem is [overnight stay].

“We have to stay overnight, right?”

The problem is that I’ve never stayed overnight before!

Except for when I unintentionally went missing when falling off a cliff and infiltrating the Ishtar Temple barrier on the assembly day.

The question was whether Duke Ferdia would actually permit an overnight stay. The fact that I have no friends was also a problem; I had no proper pretext.

However, it wasn’t something I could confirm myself.

Even if I, who can’t be sure if the person I’m facing is the original Estelle, could face them, what could others confirm by seeing them?

As I got serious, Layan hesitated for a moment and asked.

“Shouldn’t we bring them here?”

“That’s difficult. The documents state that the target’s residence is in the lord’s castle.”

It’s just my luck that the person suspected to be Estelle is a maid working in the lord’s castle.

If I get involved with lords from other territories, I might encounter an awkward situation.

“We should get permission for an overnight stay.”

It would be better to confirm with Duke Ferdia directly, even if it’s difficult. There’s nothing as certain as that.

Afterward, I looked through all the reports submitted by Layan’s subordinates to see if there were any other clues, but there was nothing special.

“Please let me know when the departure date is decided.”

“Got it.”

With the request details confirmed and the mercenary business done, there was one more task left for me.

“Layan, I have something I’m curious about.”

“Yes.”

“You said before, you made a deal involving the sin of pride.”

Instead of answering, Layan slowly raised his head and looked at me intently. I asked him.

“Do you know where the Seal Stone of Pride is?”

“Why do you want to find it?”

“I need to wake someone up.”

Without providing detailed explanations, I didn’t ask any further questions. Instead, Layan responded with a different answer.

“Pride is the most challenging sin to handle. If you get entangled in the power of pride, your life will be in danger.”

“It’s okay. I can handle it.”

“Even if you can be trapped in the rift of time and space forever?”

“Yeah.”

The power of pride is an ability that transcends time and space.

He said it’s the most sinister and powerful sin, and controlling it isn’t easy, even if you possess the Seal Stone.

Nevertheless, I had to obtain the Seal Stone of Pride.

“…I wish I had a family, too.”

I wished for a family that could accept me as I am.

But Duke Ferdia, who I only knew as my stepfather, raised me only in material wealth.

To someone like me, who never had a family, someone who sacrificed themselves for me appeared.

So, there was no choice. I had to save Dad.
Seeing my determined expression, Layan narrowed his eyes.

“I also don’t know where the Seal Stone of Pride is.”

“…Huh? You made a deal?”

“After I made the deal, it passed into the hands of another person. I don’t know anything after that.”

“No, that can’t be…!”

I shook Greed violently, desperate.

Why, you ask. It’s shared responsibility among the same sins!

Although I boldly said I would get permission for an overnight stay, there was one fact I overlooked.

Could the term “thorny cushion” mean this kind of situation?

‘I have no idea…’

Of course, in a negative sense.

Today was the family dinner, a monthly event at Ferdia’s territory. The unusual part was why Charlotte was absent for some reason.

It was already an uncomfortable situation, but today felt even more awkward.

Even in the midst of it all, I hoped no one would pay attention to me while I quietly aimed to get permission from Duke Ferdia and return to the guesthouse around the end of the meal.

However, my wish did not come true.

While having a quiet meal, Duke Ferdia called me.

“Elodie.”

“Yes?”

“The money assigned to you for this month is the same. Is there a problem?”

Oh no.

‘The task of spending 100,000 Larites!’

I forgot about it.

With so much to do and considering that the family’s money wasn’t mine, I couldn’t be bothered.

I quickly responded with a momentary strategy.

“I’m saving it to spend a lot next month!”

I thought I gave an excellent answer in my opinion, but Duke Ferdia’s reaction was unexpected.

“…Saving?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you save money?”

“…What?”

“Who dared to tell you such nonsense?”

In response to the incredible statement of why save money, I became dumbfounded.

‘It’s the second episode of Ferdia’s financial education.’

I couldn’t understand it at all because the sense of money was completely different between me, who had memories of a past life as an ordinary person, and him.

At that moment, the Duchess, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, intervened.

“Just how much money was assigned that she talks about saving it?”

“100,000 Larites.”

“That’s certainly not a small amount.”

“….”

Terrifying Ferdia.