No matter how well-behaved he pretended to be, the Night Tribe could not hide their unique madness. However, unlike the Night Tribe that Sion knew, the boy named Uvia looked perfectly fine. No, he was strangely peculiar in a different sense from the Night Tribe possessed by the curse.

His premature maturity that didn’t match his appearance, and his seemingly thorough understanding of the world.

So suspicion naturally turned towards the boy’s white hair. The diviner also had exactly that kind of white hair.

‘Maybe this kid too?’

With suspicion, Sion raised his head.

Uvia didn’t hide his face. It meant that he was not a being who defied fate like a diviner.

“The kids kept looking for you. It seems they’re scared because the full moon is coming soon.”

The bizarre existence of the Night Tribe, who was in his right mind, spoke while playing with bread in the mud.

“It seems too harsh to endure disaster.”

Not a wrong word, but is that really what the Night Tribe would say?

Sion looked outside the window with a perplexed expression.
Due to the cloudy sky, the village landscape felt more chaotic than usual. Perhaps the feelings of the villagers were similar.

The full moon was approaching in two days. In the meantime, those with a little leeway had already left the village. However, most who lacked such resources were still enduring fear.

“Where’s Ibi?”

Sion asked again.

He expected to confront Ibi, who had fled from above when he came home. Because Ibi had promised to protect his precious daily life.

When Sion asked about Ibi, Uvia immediately replied.

“We have to meet tonight.”

However, it wasn’t a very pleasant answer.

Unable to understand, Sion looked at Ibi, who pointed to a shelf in the kitchen.

“There, there’s a note Ibi wrote.”

Just spit it out quickly.

Sion, holding back what he wanted to say, picked up the folded paper on the shelf.

Inside was Ibi’s beautiful handwriting with not-so-pleasant content.

To the esteemed Viscount.

According to our contract, I summon you.

Bring Uvia to where I am. Uvia knows the location.

If you intend to consider the order of cooperation, please learn the spirit of concession and consideration.

Of course, just because of this, resentment won’t suddenly arise.

Please come without hesitation for the sake of your precious daily life. Then, hastily.

Postscript. We’ll talk about what we couldn’t above when you return home.

Sion, scanning the letter, quietly sighed. It felt like Ibi’s voice was ringing in his ears.

It seemed like the subject of their escape was being exploited for Ibi’s own benefit.

It was quite unpleasant, but Sion decided to show rare tolerance.

He also really wanted to see Ibi as soon as possible.

Although they drew each other like this, their reunion was already showing signs of going awry before it even began.

‘Why is she giving in so easily? Why?’

Ibi looked at the gold and jewels placed in front of her with a perplexed expression.

‘Why is she suddenly being honest?’

She had deliberately written the letter to give a chance to manipulate things.

‘I didn’t even intend to settle and retrieve it outside.’

Seeing the gold, Ibi suspected another trick.

So, upon seeing the gold, she tried to boast to the secretary who brought the money that she would distribute this money to the mercenaries.

—Now that I’ve earned a lot of money for a change, I should make enemies surrender by giving them gold. I’ll let them know that I’ll divide the gold, so tell them to gather.

If they plan to rob outside, they will strongly discourage spending gold here.

She tested this idea, but the secretary’s response was dry.

—Please do it yourself. If you don’t leave by noon, eviction measures will be taken, so keep that in mind.

‘Why?’

Ibi couldn’t understand the change in the Viscount’s attitude.

A noble obsessed with making money was giving blood-like money to mercenaries.

Ibi, unable to understand, muttered softly.

“…Miel Sedro.”

“Miel?”
In response to Ibi’s muttering, Deas, who was nearby, asked, “What’s that?” Ibi nodded, grinding her teeth.

“That’s an invitation.”

Otherwise, Cassel Montra wouldn’t come here directly.

Otherwise, Cassel Montra wouldn’t recognize Ibi right away.

Otherwise, Lord Brick wouldn’t urgently chase Ibi away like this.

“What did Miel say to Marquis? Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.”

Cassel alone couldn’t possibly guess that this powerful maid was in cahoots with the saintess candidate. That person had always looked down on Ibi until the end.

Moreover, Cassel, who disdained Ibi as the subcontinent below, coming down here was not a decision she made willingly. Perhaps she was pushed from behind, and the only ones who could push that insensitive author were Laurel and Sedro.

“Messing with the tower for no reason. What did I do to make an enemy with you…!”

“There are many enemies. In many ways.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about!”

At Deas’s clueless retort, Ibi slammed the table. Then, with a nervous expression, she began biting her thumbnail.

‘What should I do? If I’m driven away here, it’s over.’

When it becomes the full moon, the doors of the arena will be firmly closed. The door will not open until the end of the full moon, and during that time, no one can enter or leave the Holy Gate.

So, if they are driven away now, Ibi and Deas won’t be able to watch the Night Clan trapped here until the next full moon.

“Seek help from the Viscount?”

“How? Should I smash this place?”

Ibi shook her head at Deas’s suggestion.

The Viscount and Uvia will come here when night falls.

Perhaps the Viscount could easily suppress this place, whether the Holy Gate was locked or the mercenaries were protesting together. If he knows that the curse in the southeast has intensified due to this arena, he might understand the situation and take action without being asked.

But that’s not what Ibi wants.

“Then the snake. You have to leave evidence of using salt.”

If the situation is shared, will the Viscount cooperate to that extent? Although there was a momentary confrontation, he is the most actively opposed person to Ibi becoming a saintess.

So, the Viscount would leave something outside for the conclusion and Ibi, Deas, and Uvia would have to handle things inside the arena.

“… Deas can still climb over the city wall even if the Holy Gate is closed?”

Ibi, who had been thinking hard, suddenly opened her mouth and asked.

“Is it possible to bring someone else with you?”

“It depends on the person.”

“Uvia.”

“It seems possible.”

“And me?”

“It’s impossible.”

When Ibi glared at Deas with an angry face, Deas quickly added.

“If you are willing to endure the risk of detection or fall, you can cross it. However, after that, it’s impossible to cross the city wall again, bring Uvia back, and move inside the arena without being exposed. It’s a reckless plan.”

“Bringing Uvia alone from outside is okay?”

“If that’s all, it’s more or less.”

“Then it’s settled.”
“If that’s all, it’s more or less.”

“Alright then.”

Due to Ibi suddenly nodding her head, Deas was quite confused.

Alright? Suddenly?

In response to Deas’s question, Ibi pointed inside the room, and only then did Deas realize Ibi’s intention and sighed.

What Ibi was pointing at was the room where the maid was confined.