The investigation team leader and his subordinates opened their eyes at dawn.

Having been struck by lightning out of the blue last night, they all complained of dull pain throughout their bodies and memory loss, completely forgetting the situation just before they fainted.

Memory loss.

Thinking it was quite a convenient state, Ibi spoke to the pale-faced investigation team leader.

“Are you feeling alright? Fortunately, if that glasses person hadn’t informed us, no one would have known you had collapsed.”

The investigation team leader nodded with a half-dazed expression at Ibi’s words.

He seemed to vaguely remember ordering them to bring in the arrogant glasses person last night.

“As you’ve investigated, you probably already know, but this is where the poisonous fog spread during the last new moon. It seems you collapsed due to its effects.”

“Poisonous fog…?”

The investigation team leader mumbled blankly at Ibi’s bluff.

Having woken up half a day after being struck by lightning, he still seemed to lack a sense of reality.

So Ibi subtly threatened him to make him come to his senses quickly.

“It was a truly terrible poison. People’s skin turned black and melted, and even the rye field right next to here turned black and mushy. We thought we had purified everything, but to think it would try to harm people until the very end. Curses are really terrifying indeed…”

At Ibi’s concerned voice, the investigation team leader’s face gradually turned ashen.

He fidgeted anxiously, shaking his legs. He had an expression of wanting to leave this tent immediately, but he seemed frustrated that the paralysis in his legs hadn’t subsided yet.

Though it was clearly visible, Ibi feigned ignorance and said,

“Um, in the midst of all this, I have something urgent to tell you, Leader.”

“What is it all of a sudden…”

“I heard that you issued an evacuation order for this village. I’m truly sorry, but is there any chance you could withdraw that order?”

At Ibi’s polite request, the investigation team leader forgot his fear and turned serious.

“That’s already been decided.”

“Yes, I know. I’m sure you made the decision after careful consideration. But the people of this village have nowhere to go right now. So could you please just watch over them until the next new moon?”

“The first tenet of our Bayen military is the stability of Bis. So we cannot gamble with the lives of the residents.”

In truth, he had no concern for the residents’ lives, but the investigation team leader deliberately spoke stubbornly.

Although he now wore the flag and uniform of Bayen, the investigation team leader’s identity was actually much closer to Brick than Bayen.

And Viscount Brick, the owner of this region, was very uncomfortable with Tienda’s attention being focused on his territory.

So the investigation team leader intended to completely clear out this village, if only for the sake of his cousin and backer, Viscount Brick.

With such complicated internal circumstances, the investigation team leader became irritated when Ibi Ariate, a commoner purifier, tactlessly intervened.

Moreover, if you think about it, this small village gaining attention was all because of that Saint candidate.

So the investigation team leader, considering even his current state to be Ibi’s fault, lashed out angrily.

“You shouldn’t let your emotions get in the way and ruin things. That’s a direct challenge to Bayen’s honor and something you, Miss Ariate, cannot take responsibility for. You may not know this, but the military has a system and nobles have rank. If you make ignorant claims without considering that at all, it will cause great harm to Manya Tower as well.”

The investigation team leader deliberately scolded Ibi with exaggerated words.

He believed that no matter how lofty her position in Tienda, she was essentially a common woman, so if he yelled like this, she would naturally become frightened.

Sure enough, when the investigation team leader berated her, Ibi’s face became gloomy.

“If I’ve overstepped, please forgive me. I was just heartbroken at the thought of a village like my hometown disappearing like this.”

Ibi apologized in a humble voice, but the investigation team leader was not satisfied and clicked his tongue in displeasure. It meant for her to bow lower.

The investigation team leader, accustomed to looking down on others, pressed down further on an opponent who had already yielded.

It was half venting his anger and half habit.

So Ibi hesitated, then said with a face full of guilt,

“Thinking about it again, I seem to have made a big mistake. I’ll personally apologize to Duke Bayen for this matter.”

“…What?”

“How could I dare to question something the Duke has approved? I was truly ignorant. Since you’ve enlightened me, Leader, I’ll make sure to tell the Duke about this and personally ask for forgiveness.”

At Ibi’s excessive apology, the investigation team leader’s stern face turned pale again.

This isn’t right.

In fact, the resident evacuation was the investigation team leader’s unilateral decision.

He had planned to clear this place out cleanly and submit an appropriate report to his superiors to wrap things up.

But if this story reached Duke Bayen’s ears directly, everything would go wrong. It would be truly disastrous if someone higher up came to conduct a proper investigation again.

“Th-there’s no need to go that far. I can handle this matter smoothly at my level…”

“No, I’m always indebted to the Duke. But instead of repaying his kindness, to act so presumptuously like this, I don’t think my mind will be at ease if I leave it like this.”

At these continued words, the investigation team leader had another moment of realization.

Duke Bayen was a person who supported Ibi Ariate as the Saint.

Then she could meet and talk with him freely in both public and private settings, but the investigation team leader had completely overlooked this.

It was because of Ibi Ariate’s humble background and excessively modest attitude.

“I’ve taken up your time with unnecessary talk when you’re not feeling well. I hope you recover soon. Then I’ll take my leave…”

“Ah, Miss Ariate!”

As Ibi rose with a dark expression, the investigation team leader hurriedly grabbed her. Then he spoke again to Ibi, who turned back innocently.

“Mentioning this matter in front of Duke Bayen is not a good idea. I’ll keep quiet about it too, so it would be better if you also refrain from speaking…”

“Thank you for your consideration, Leader. But I don’t want to cover up my mistake like that.”

“B-but…”

“And I want to ask the Duke again. If he could possibly show mercy to me and this village where I grew up.”

At Ibi’s resolve, the investigation team leader’s heart sank.

Thinking this could really turn into a big problem, he hastily lowered his tail.

“If you insist, I’ll put the resident evacuation on hold.”

“On hold? Suddenly?”

“Yes, so please don’t mention this to Duke Bayen.”

“To the Duke? Why?”

“…If you could please consider my position and reputation…”

“Position? What do you mean?”

The investigation team leader completely lowered his posture, but Ibi clung to his words as if she didn’t understand what he meant. It meant for him to explain more.

Ibi, sick of looking up at others, tormented the investigation team leader like this until he was on the verge of tears.

It was half revenge and half mischief.

.

.

.

As Ibi finished her audience with the investigation team leader and came out, Dies, who had been waiting outside the tent, greeted her.

“Good work.”

“This much isn’t work.”

“Well, the one who suffered was the other side.”

As Dies gestured towards the investigation team leader’s tent, Ibi moved on with a clean smile.

As the two of them left the camp completely, they heard the sound of the investigation team leader harshly scolding his subordinates.

By the time they were passing through the rye field, they saw the investigation team leader being supported by soldiers as he boarded a carriage,

And as they entered the village entrance, the Bayen flags visible beyond the rye field began to come down one by one.

“This should satisfy the Viscount, right?”

Ibi said triumphantly, looking at the hastily retreating investigation team.

Last night, the Viscount suddenly changed his attitude in front of Ibi.

That stubborn Viscount asked Ibi one by one what kind of guesses she was making, and after hearing all her answers, he was silent for a long time.

So as Ibi was observing his reaction, the Viscount abruptly changed the subject.

―Can you clean this up?

The Viscount asked, gesturing towards the investigation team’s camp.

Bayen soldiers were strewn about the camp like discarded toys.

It was the mess the Viscount had made, intending to leave tonight.

When Ibi nodded that she could do it, the Viscount added,

―Then remove the Bayen flags by tomorrow and come find me.

The Viscount’s bad manners seemed to still be alive and well, but Ibi sensed a subtle change in his mood there.

To come find him? It seemed like a strange whim for someone who would growl even if she just got close.

But for Ibi, who wanted to get closer to the Viscount, it was a good opportunity.

So Ibi quickly took care of the Viscount’s request and was now on her way to meet him.

“Good morning, sir. It’s a lovely morning!”

Ibi, who had knocked on Sion’s door, greeted him with the same expression and attitude as yesterday.

And instead of scowling and growling like yesterday, Sion asked this,

“Did you finish what you needed to do before coming?”

“Yes, fortunately the investigation team leader was considerate of the village’s circumstances.”

Ibi answered with a bright smile.

Then Sion turned his body that had been blocking the doorway to the side. It meant for her to come in.

With permission granted, Ibi entered that strange man’s room, and Sion, instead of politely escorting her, offered his desk chair.

Then he sat down on the bed himself.

As Ibi sat down facing Sion, she spoke first.

“The reason you called me today is…”

“Guess.”

Sion said playfully like a child.

So when Ibi blinked her eyes, he didn’t wait and asked,

“Why do you think I called you?”

“You must have called because you felt inclined to accept my proposal. Though I think you’ll probably fuss over this and that.”

Ibi answered without holding back, and Sion laughed in disbelief.

If she knows this well, why is she blinking her eyes? Is it a habit, or a strategy to make the enemy let their guard down?

Considering that formidable Ibi Ariate’s true nature, it’s probably the latter.

“That’s right. I intend to fuss over this and that.”

Sion calmly agreed, and Ibi became puzzled again.

‘Why is he suddenly being honest?’

Ibi looked at Sion rather suspiciously.

His behavior of pushing hard one moment and guarding the next was really like a troublesome cat, but Sion didn’t complain and continued speaking.

“Your guesses yesterday were impressive. They were quite accurate too.”

“…When you say quite accurate, does that mean there’s more for me to figure out?”

Ibi threw it out there just in case.

To that, Sion gladly nodded, and Ibi, encouraged, pressed further.

“Do you want me to uncover your secret, Viscount?”

“Before that, I’d like you to know what my curse is. More accurately.”

However, Sion’s answer was as unfriendly and vague as ever.

So normally, she would have thought, ‘This person really has no intention of conversing with others, the Viscount’s bad manners are cloudy again today!’ and moved on.

But Ibi, now knowing that the Viscount was cursed, didn’t let his words slide and pondered them seriously.

Certainly his curse was one that prevented him from revealing secrets.

The Viscount had already acknowledged this. Yet now he’s saying to figure it out more accurately.

What does this mean?

Thinking carefully, the Viscount’s curse had stricter conditions than Ibi’s curse.

Ibi’s curse was one that made her answer honestly to questions asked. The definitions of questions, answers, and honesty were clear and simple.

But secrets?

Secrets are relative. Depending on the person, place, and era, secrets change.

Then what exactly is a secret?

If it was really the Laurel Grand Duke family who placed this curse, the secrets they’re trying to hide must be related to the Laurels.

Wait, isn’t the Viscount being cursed the most important secret?

But he just said it with his own mouth.

Figure out what my curse is, he said.

Why can he say that?

Ibi stared blankly into space while leaving the Viscount seated. Then she muttered in a small voice.

“…It’s not a secret if someone else knows it.”

At Ibi’s whisper, Sion’s eyes narrowed. As if waiting for something, or expecting something.

But Ibi didn’t notice it as she was looking far away.

Instead, she figured it all out while knowing nothing.

“Then is the Viscount’s curse one that prevents him from saying things the other person doesn’t know?”

This confirmed it.

Sion needed Ibi Ariate.