Chapter 11.1

Chapter 11.1

Philip and his companions rode in a carriage towards a mansion located a short distance from the shopping district.

“Here we are, Philip. This is a villa where the royalty from neighboring countries stay temporarily when they visit the academy to meet their children or relatives. The Trading Association has a few more buildings like this one.”

Philip wore a satisfied expression as he took in the surroundings of the villa, guided by Lisriel. With its two floors and over six rooms, the place was adorned with various expensive furniture and decorations.

“So, you’re lending this place to us?”

“In my heart, I’d just give it to you, but unfortunately, that wouldn’t be feasible.”

Philip nodded in understanding.

“Well, I guess that makes sense. Is everything else prepared?”

“Of course. We have already hired a butler, maids, a chef, and a gardener. The remaining staff will be hired by the butler. Philip, you just need to relax and enjoy your time here.”

‘She doesn’t seem to have any suspicions.’

As anticipated, Lisriel’s attitude was even more favorable than Philip had imagined.

He wondered if she might have doubts about the authenticity of the “Golden Seal of Joseph,” but it seemed there was a means to verify its legitimacy.

“Um, I need to use the restroom. Where can I find it?”

Lua, who had been quietly standing there, suddenly spoke up. Felicia, being a noblewoman, was taken aback by Lua’s directness.

“You shouldn’t speak like that. You’re a fourteen-year-old girl, and there are men around.”

“...?”

Lua tilted her head, not understanding what the issue was. Felicia rubbed her forehead.

She was aware of the environment in which Lua had grown up.

“The restroom is at the end of the hallway,” Lisriel replied.

“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly.”

Felicia took Lua with her and headed towards the restroom.

“... Even though I asked her to come, why did she actually come?”

Philip tilted his head, unable to understand the reason behind Felicia’s presence.

Once they were alone in the reception room, Philip decided to ask a question.

“When do you plan to reveal the ‘Golden Seal’?”

Upon hearing Philip’s question, Lisriel let out a soft chuckle and flicked her finger playfully.

“I’ll handle that on my own. But to be honest, I still find it hard to believe. That seal is the most powerful weapon in my possession.”

“Do you truly trust me?”

Lisriel let out a small sigh in response.

“... The fact that you’re asking that shows that you have no intention of deceiving me. When people deceive others, they usually have motives. Especially when deceiving someone who has the power to bring their downfall, there must be a grand motive behind it, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps.”

“But you haven’t imposed any conditions on me. You’re well aware of what you could gain from me. Most people who would do that are either absurd swindlers or those with limited time left to live. But you don’t fit into either of those categories. That’s why I find it easier to trust you.”

“... But I could still be a swindler.”

“Well, I don’t have any other options anyway. If I continue with the succession competition, I have no chance of winning. In a way, Philip, you’re like the dice I’m gambling with. So, don’t worry unnecessarily. Until the moment you betray me, I will strive to earn your favor as much as I can.”

Philip nodded in response.

Lisriel Joseph was an exceptional merchant, so it felt unnatural for her to trust him so easily. He wanted to know the reason behind it, and if that was the reason, it was understandable enough.

‘From this point on, I’ve been quite cornered. It’s not because there’s a reason to trust, but because I simply want to trust.’

Originally, if Lisriel didn’t get involved with the main characters’ group, her fate would have been quite cruel. Of course, now it would be different.

“Oh, here they are.”

Felicia and Lua, who had gone downstairs to pick flowers, were coming back, holding hands.

‘Women become close quickly.’

Philip approached Lua and asked her.

“Lua, how do you like it here?”

“Hmm? Um, it feels like a really nice house.”

Lua answered without much hesitation. It was the first time she had seen such a big house. It seemed ten times larger than the house of the village chief in the mountain village.

“That’s a relief. From now on, this will be your home, so you should like it.”

Philip nodded his head.

“... Really? Why me?”

Lua widened her eyes in surprise.

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

Lua bowed her head politely. Lisriel seemed pleased by her modest gesture and opened her mouth with a playful smile.

“Have you ever wondered what happens if you freeze sweet cream with magic?”

It was an instant spark of fondness.

—

“So, you had a fight with Instructor Haron.”

Felicia parted her lips as she led Philip to the second-floor terrace.

Philip was taken aback. But upon reflection, it was unsurprising. Considering the incident where Instructor Haron attempted to draw his sword, it would be odd if Felicia was unaware of it.

“Oh, right. I didn’t want it to happen... I’m sorry.”

Felicia couldn’t believe Philip’s apology and let out a hollow laugh.

“Why are you apologizing? I heard Instructor Haron crossed the line first.”

“It was a situation where I could have held back too.”

“You? Holding back?”

“... Isn’t it okay for me to hold back?”

“No, you did well by holding back... It’s just, I mean...”

Philip stared at Felicia, who was stumbling over her words.

‘Is she going through puberty?’

“Is it okay if we go back to what we were doing unless it’s something important? I have a lot to do from now on.”

“I have to do lots of shopping.”

Felicia’s eyes narrowed, and she abruptly turned her head.

“... Do as you wish.”

Philip hesitated for a moment as it seemed like she was upset. But since Felicia didn’t seem likely to speak up, he moved to return to the study room.

Then he heard Felicia’s calm voice from behind.

“Philip Oswald.”

“Why?”

“Why do you want to sponsor that child?”

Philip blinked. He couldn’t tell her the truth that the little girl would awaken as a descendant of the legendary hero in about five years.

“She seemed to need help as an adult. If you had seen Lua crying on her dorm bed, you wouldn’t be asking me this question.”

Felicia felt his argument was persuasive. She had also seen Lua, exhausted from crying, and eventually falling asleep.

“It’s not that important, do as you please.”

She couldn’t find any grounds or reasons to hinder Philip.

It was too unreasonable to take away the luck that had barely come to Lua after all the anxiety she had gone through.

“... If you decide to sponsor someone, you have to take responsibility until the end. It was a pretty... excellent choice for you to sponsor that child, but that doesn’t mean I think you’ve changed.”

Felicia spoke in a muddled manner.

She felt quite embarrassed because she never expected to speak to her ignored and resented younger brother like this again.

“Okay, I’m going to buy clothes for Lua. Are you coming too, Noona?”

“What?”

“It’s almost the weekend, so we need an outfit for going out. She needs a decent sword for training, and she’ll need an allowance, right? And we have to do something about her messy hair.”

It seemed like there was no need to worry too much.

Philip had once thought of an interesting idea a long time ago.

It was an incredibly unrealistic imagination of freely swiping an unlimited credit card, a very common but highly unlikely possibility for someone from a humble background.

‘This is the pleasure of irresponsibility.’

————

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