“That’s right, I didn’t know everything about Leira. Well, let the viscount who knows Leira well answer. Where is Leira?”

This statement feels really awkward.

“Leira is dead.”

Edward’s eyebrow twitched once again.

To say with my own mouth that I’m dead.

“Leira is dead?”

Edward pulled away from me. As if everything until now had been a joke, Edward pressed me with a terrifying momentum. His approaching gesture looked like a huge beast about to hunt. Edward’s eyes gleamed with killing intent.

“To be precise, she was murdered.”

I forced strength into my trembling legs to avoid being pushed back by Edward.

“She sold herself to the Duke Andres family. In exchange for a certain price.”

“……”

“But Duke Andres didn’t keep his promise to Leira! He said he would take care of Leira’s younger brother, but he threw him into the northern mines!”

My words became faster and my voice grew louder. My heart was beating wildly. It felt like all the blood was rushing to my head.

“Leira! Even though she only wished for one thing!”

“Ha.”

Edward ran his hand through his hair. I’m not sure if it’s my imagination, but his face seemed to have become even paler. Edward rubbed his face with his large-knuckled hand. For some reason, he seemed at a loss.

“Your Grace…?”

“It’s so like Leira, I think she could have done that.”

Edward gritted his teeth. Without realizing it, I took a step back.

“I think in the end, I was nothing to her.”

My back touched the door behind me. Even though Edward wasn’t doing anything to me, fear washed over me.

Did he eat rat poison while we were apart? My heart was pounding. As I was considering running away, Edward stared at me with seemingly crazed eyes.

“I’m furiously angry.”

You already seem crazy, Edward.

*

I had to be held by Edward and spill out all the detailed circumstances. Until Edward could comprehend Leira’s death.

Occasionally, Edward looked at me with eyes filled with indecipherable emotions, but fortunately, he didn’t harm me.

Sometimes when Edward expressed doubt, I had to repeat the same words dozens of times.

“Good.”

What the hell is good about this, you madman? I’m not good at all.

I secretly let out a sigh.

“So, in the end, the viscount has an obligation to fulfill Leira’s request.”

“Because a promise was made.”

I answered with a slightly hoarse voice. Anger was rippling in Edward’s eyes. What could Edward be thinking?

“I’ll help you bring Theodore.”

That’s exactly what I wanted. The tension in my shoulders completely dissipated. Without realizing it, I slightly bit my lip.

Joy at being able to bring Theodore out faster than expected, irritation at the current situation, and something like an inexplicable sense of relief were all mixed together.

Relief?

Why would I?

Because there’s someone who’s angry about my unjust death?

I glanced at Edward. The Edward I knew seemed to peek through his thoughtful expression.

“… Are you sad?”

Edward raised his eyes. His reddish-black pupils turned towards me.

“About Leira. You’re sad that she died like that, right?”

This was like a wish. A small wish that at least you would remember me, at least you would miss me.

“To the point of despair.”

At that moment, I was elated.

“I intend to take revenge on those who made me feel this way. Whether it’s Andres or Leira.”

Edward muttered ominously. His revenge won’t reach me. No one would think that the dead Leira is here.

“It seems your grace and I have the same goal. Leira would be really happy. If you help Theodore.”

Edward slowly inhaled and exhaled. All those series of actions seemed like Edward was swallowing some emotion. We were quite good friends, I guess.

“I’ll send someone to the northern mines to find out.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“And shall we talk about the rest of the business?”

Edward still looked confused, but he was trying to fulfill his duty. I talked about the monster furs that the Weasley viscounty possessed. The Weasley viscounty was a family that used to profit by harvesting and selling monster bones in the past.

Although they declined with the advent of the alloy era, the accumulated wealth was supporting Weasley’s pillar. The previous Viscount Weasley had secretly hidden monster furs in the basement, perhaps thinking that there would come a day when they could be used.

Strangely, even after such a long time, the monster furs were still intact without any deterioration.

Edward, who listened to my explanation, muttered in a cracked voice.

“… I understand what the viscount is saying. The basement of Weasley is full of monster furs, right?”

“That’s right, Your Grace. If there’s a way to use them… The interference from the temple will be a problem.”

“If they can be used, it will be helpful to me, and if I buy them all, it will be helpful to the viscount as well. Maybe you could even make a new start.”

I took a breath.

“Is there a way?”

“Persuading the temple isn’t a difficult task. The problem is what comes next. There will be limits to supplying monster furs.”

I thought the temple side would be more difficult. As expected, choosing Vincent was the right decision. Edward was already thinking about the future.

According to imperial law, each family was limited in the number of private soldiers they could recruit based on their title, and Weasley was only allowed 20. It’s barely enough just to protect the family.

Vincent can recruit up to 500 private soldiers. However, if they were to borrow them, there would be no reason for Vincent to join hands with Weasley.

“How about recruiting mercenaries to exterminate monsters?”

“That seems like something Weasley should do, not me.”

“Of course, I think so too. But people are more likely to be moved by Vincent’s name than Weasley’s. Would it be alright if I borrowed Vincent’s name?”

“I allow it.”

When I returned to the temple after finishing all business with Edward, it was already evening. This relentless guy. He didn’t even give me time to swallow a sip of water. To keep up with the storm-like Edward, I couldn’t afford any distractions.

Josephine hadn’t arrived yet.

Is she… not coming?

Then what should I do next?

As my throat felt dry, fatigue rushed in together.

I fell asleep without time to worry.

*

Royce carefully observed Edward’s mood. The silence he had maintained ever since Adeline left was unsettling. Edward’s eyes, lost in thought and even skipping dinner, were cold and dry.

“I’ve never lost anything I wanted before.”

“Yes, yes? That’s right.”

Royce fumbled at the sudden words.

“So Leira is dead. While you were unable to find her.”

Royce’s face hardened. It had been 10 years since they started tracking Leira who disappeared from the academy. They had thoroughly investigated people in the logging business, but couldn’t find any trace of Leira, and it had been a long time since they inevitably widened the search range.

But dead?

Since she attended the academy with Edward and was in the same class, she must be the same age. What reason could there be for a 24-year-old woman to die?

It smelled foul.

“But…”

Edward muttered.

The focus in his reddish-black eyes blurred. Clearly, Adeline smelled of Leira. Edward’s keen sense, more acute than others, was screaming, making the hair on his body stand on end. That Adeline must not be let go.

However, Leira didn’t resemble Adeline at all. Adeline had platinum blonde hair and grayish eyes close to silver. Leira had dark brown hair and rich green eyes.

‘They’re not the same person.’

Then, what could it be? Why did Leira seep through Adeline’s tone, thoughts, and unconscious actions?

What pulled Edward out of his deep anger and despair was Adeline herself. That woman who was exuding Leira’s scent with her whole body.

“Shall we dig into Miss Leira’s death?”

“She said Andres was involved. Look into it in detail. And.”

Edward hesitated for a moment. But he had seen what a moment of hesitation could lead to. Edward had intended to formally ask Leira to come to Vincent together. And on that day, Leira disappeared without a trace.

“Put someone on Adeline Weasley.”

“For what purpose?”

“Protection and… surveillance.”