Ricardo, who had chosen to walk the path of betrayal alone, could not have expected help from Count Rowain.

They were in a situation where even approaching each other was difficult.

However, in the original story, there was an alchemist from the House of Rowain who had worked with Idette. He was someone who not only admired the power of Eileens but even displayed madness.

That person was clearly a force worth using.

…Besides, the Count had a brother who had died after raising questions about Drimokan.

The cause was said to be an illness, but those who knew better would have noticed it wasn’t the real reason.

‘I need to meet that person first.’

Since I had an alchemist I was acquainted with, there might be a chance to make contact.

I decided to set aside thoughts about Arkan for the time being.

* * *

The scenery of the underground street I visited for the first time in a while remained the same.

Except for the vines, which had grown even more thick and bizarre in shape.

While I was lost in thought and walking for a long time, I finally came to a stop in front of the shabby tent where I had first met Penny.

At that moment, the woman who had been dozing off suddenly jumped to her feet as soon as she saw me.

“Oh my, a customer!”

“Ah, hello.”

Was Penny not here……?

As I quickly glanced around the tent, she abruptly waved her hand right in front of my eyes.

“I’m right here!”

Then she widened her eyes as if she had just realized something.

“Are you seeing a ghost or something? Good thing you came! We fix that kind of stuff too, you know.”

Seeing her hastily rummage through the display shelf, I shouted urgently.

“That’s not it—I’m looking for someone!”

“Ah! If it’s that, you should’ve said so earlier. Who are you looking for?”

Just as I was about to say Penny’s name, someone parted the bead curtain and stepped out from behind the tent.

“What’s all this racket?”

“Cameron, go back inside.”

Leaving me blinking blankly, he let out an exaggerated yawn.

“What a disgrace in front of a customer!”

“And weren’t you dozing off too?”

“I—I’m not like you.”

The argument seemed like it would drag on, so I stepped in between them.

“Um……”

No sooner had I spoken than Cameron’s gaze immediately turned to me. His eyes narrowed as he stared at me intensely.

“What brings a noble like you all the way here?”

Even at a glance, his voice was filled with wariness.

“What’s gotten into you today? Since when did we start caring about that stuff? So, dear customer, who did you say you were looking for?”

“Penny. Penny.”

“Ahh, you’re here to buy information. Just a moment, please.”

Fortunately, it seemed Penny was inside the tent, and the woman bustled her way in. Meanwhile, Cameron kept staring at me the whole time, to the point where it felt more than persistent—it was uncomfortable.

‘……He’s going to burn a hole through my face.’

“You must be close with Penny?”

He plopped down on a chair and arrogantly put his feet up on the display shelf. Watching his twitching toes, I let out a faint sigh.

“We’re kind of close……”

“You’re speaking informally?”

No matter how I looked at him, he seemed unaware of his own behavior.

“I don’t think I need to be polite to someone rude.”

A crooked tone and a hostile gaze.

If he acted like this to someone he was meeting for the first time, I’d just think he was arrogant, but for some reason, he acted as if he knew me.

“You’re the one who silenced Penny last time too, right?”

“I paid for the information, didn’t I?”

I didn’t know why he was asking something so obvious.

The uncomfortable atmosphere lingered when I spotted Penny behind him. Just as I was about to acknowledge her presence, hoping she’d clear the heavy air, Cameron spoke up.

“So what you’re saying is, you’re the one who endangered everyone at the auction?”

Everyone at the auction?

Why would he know about that……

My jumbled thoughts raced and then suddenly stopped at a realization.

Amy, who had been caught in a bad situation. There was only one person here who would be offended by that.

The alchemist from the House of Rowain.

‘So it was you.’

I hadn’t noticed because he was using an alias.

Upon hearing Cameron’s words, Penny was utterly shocked and quickly made an ‘X’ sign with her hands.

But it was already too late.

Feeling something suspicious, Cameron turned around and saw Penny. Soon after, he gave a chilling smile.

“Penny, what do we do? She found out everything.”

“It’s all ruined because of you, sis! The great informant’s principle is confidentiality!”

Penny shouted at me, huffing and puffing.

* * *

“Keeping secrets is important, but you should’ve at least told me!”

“And you always said trust with customers matters! You’re the one who taught me that, Uncle!”

“Hey, that’s different. Anyway, if you knew my sister would be involved……”

Penny seemed unwilling to listen any longer and covered her ears, hiding behind me. Cameron could only let out a deep sigh, unable to continue.

Tension filled the air between them as they exchanged sharp words.

The problem was, I wasn’t much different.

‘I didn’t expect things to get this tangled!’

How was I supposed to bring it up in this situation!

“Anyway, it worked out fine, didn’t it? Uncle’s sister came back safely, and it was something I couldn’t control from the start, so why are you so angry!”

Cameron approached her with a menacing expression. But when Penny clung to my sleeve in fear, he hesitated. Then, as if deciding to redirect his blame, he scowled at me.

“A-About that incident, I’m sor—.”

Since I needed his help no matter what, I tried to apologize, but Penny blocked me.

“Why are you apologizing? If it weren’t for you, something worse could’ve happened!”

“Still, it’s true she got caught up in it because of me……”

“Agh, you’re so frustrating!”

Penny thumped her chest loudly with a small fist. Then, as if she realized something, she asked quickly.

“Come to think of it, that woman we saw back then! The one who spoke weirdly!”

“W-What about it?”

“I think her name was Amy. I’m not mistaken, am I?”

Hearing our conversation, Cameron tilted his head. That was when Penny regained her usual confidence.

“Uncle, look at this. It was all already settled, see? She’s really close with sis.”

“……Close?”

His face clearly said, ‘My sister is close with someone like her?’

Honestly, it didn’t feel great, but what could I do.

“If you mean Miss Amy, yes, we’re close.”

“You heard her just now, right? Sister even saved your sister’s life.”

Penny puffed out her chest proudly, full of confidence.

* * *

Cameron’s real name was Gideon Rowain.

It was extremely rare to walk the path of an alchemist in the Empire.

Even more so in noble families.

Perhaps that was why he had to hide his identity and even use an alias.

“A lady raised so delicately coming to the underground street herself—it’s quite a shock. Don’t you usually send someone else?”

“Isn’t it the same for you?”

“My situation is different.”

How is it any different?

Gideon stared at me silently, then tapped his head with a finger as if to engrave his words.

“I’m saying this because you remind me of my sister, but for now, you should stay home.”

“……Why?”

“Take it or leave it.”

He shrugged as if it was up to me.

“A crow from the west said the imperial army has started moving.”

Penny whispered softly.

“Even after hearing that, she still doesn’t get it. She was raised too gently.”

“Why are you eavesdropping?”

“I wasn’t whispering for no reason. I said it loud enough for you to hear.”

At his words, Penny pouted and stuck out her lower lip.

“Anyway, if you’re thinking of hiring Penny, forget it. The underground street will be closed for a while.”

I asked Gideon,

“So you’re not accepting any requests either?”

“Of course I am. It’s not like I’m that busy. I’ve got plenty of free time.”

That meant the House of Count Rowain intended to remain neutral.

If they had sided with the Imperial Family, he wouldn’t have the time for any requests.

“Ah, now that I think about it, you came here for something, didn’t you?”

Gideon had sensed my thoughts and casually opened his mouth.

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