Chapter 40

cat, cat, cat (1)

Clara a second-year student at the Ministry of Magic and Jenica’s best friend had been out since morning near the half-destroyed Ofilis Building. Because he had someone he wanted to meet.

“Mr. Bell. hello.

One day has passed since the occupation of Ofilis Hall which left great damage. Although the detailed investigation has not yet been completed there are rumors among students that maids seem to be involved.

Clara also thought that the rumor was not just a rumor. As for the detailed facts it will be up to the Academic Affairs Inspection Department to reach a conclusion.

omg.

The site of restoration of damage to the half-destroyed Ofilis Building.

Since only two days had passed no significant restoration work had begun but the school staff and maids were busy assessing the extent of the damage.

At the entrance to the rose garden Clara swallowed a sigh of relief when she encountered Belle Maia who was wandering around busily taking notes on something.

Unlike usual Belle Maia was wearing a dark red maid uniform with lots of fancy decorations. The blue rose-shaped brooch on the chest and the bluish frills running down the hem of the skirt are definitely... It was a attire only allowed to maids.

“You are a close friend of Lady Yenika. “How do you get to Ofilis Hall?”

“Oh hello. Mr. Bell. “Did you get promoted?”

“Because Alice was unable to serve as head maid due to circumstances I the senior maid took over temporarily.”

Looking at the public opinion within the Ofilis building it was obvious that she would eventually shed the temporary title and officially take over the position of head maid but Bell was not very happy about that situation.

“I see. It seems like your position has been elevated... ”

“There is no need to feel embarrassed. “Our main job is service so if you need anything please let us know.”

no. just... There was something I wanted to discuss personally... “What can I say you look very busy.”

hmm... “It certainly is.”

Belle looked at the checklist glanced at the half-destroyed Ofilis Building and shook her head.

“Most of the work has been completed and I don’t think any additional instructions will be needed so I was just about to take a break.”

“Is that so?”

“What do you want to discuss?”

that... do not be surprised. This is really top secret. “You must never leak it to another place and you must not show any signs of surprise.”

Clara’s expression hardened and she slowly approached Belle and spoke seriously.

What a shocking secret it was so Bell stopped making a fuss and listened.

“Yenika... I think I like Ed... “That Ed Rosstaylor.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if I should at least pretend to be surprised by this fact that I knew for sure.

“I don’t know why a girl like Yenika fell in love with that gangster... “As a friend I have really complicated feelings.”

The place had been changed to a bench in the rose garden. Clara looked around several times to see if anyone was passing by and soon confessed to Belle the worries she had buried in her heart.

“I suffered and thought about it for three days and nights but... Ed’s reputation has improved a bit these days and I thought Yenika might have something in mind so I decided to support him. “I’m very very anxious though.”

While listening to Clara’s words of lamentation Belle just thought to herself that Yenika had a good friend and let it go to one ear. Because it is rare to find someone who cares that much about her friend’s personal relationships.

Even if one were to go astray it would have become a pointless nonsense but Clara sticks to the line and is sincerely worried about Yenika’s love.

“If Yenika thought so... As her friend she wishes Yenny Kar and Ed well.”

okay. Lady Clara must have been very worried too.”

“But... that’s not the point!”

When Belle responded by tilting her head Clara said the other girl’s name.

“Lortel Kecheln! You know that name right? “Because Ms. Bell was the senior maid at Ofilis Hall!”

“... Yes of course I know.”

“These days Yenika keeps saying that name. She’s a first-year girl and I guess she’s been involved a lot since the joint combat training. But something doesn’t feel right.”

Once again Clara looked around lowered her voice and whispered to Belle.

“So I checked with them personally and no they were both absent during the school opening ceremony and they were also absent from the common class at the same time during the first class yesterday. Thinking about Yenika’s reaction... “I think Yenika is backed into a corner.”

Indeed for a girl the existence of a lover is like a disaster... Bell’s first thought was that it might be a simple illusion.

“I heard a lot about Mr. Bell from Yenika. Yenika said that she relied on him a lot and always gave helpful advice... “I heard he is a very insightful person.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“Besides Mr. Bell probably knows Yenica well as well as that kid named Lortel... “I came here to ask your opinion.”

“Lady Lortel is a famous person so don’t you know Lady Clara well?”

Rumors about the Golden Daughter Lortel would spread widely regardless of grade.

“I know. However if you only look at the fragmentary appearance... I couldn’t see any chance of winning against Yenika... ”

“I think Lady Yenika is attractive enough.”

“Of course I think so too. But that’s what Lortel is like... ”

Clara did not continue her comment but Belle nodded.

Lortel Kecheln is definitely a fox-like girl. She is always polite and polite but when the opportunity arises she is a little devil who reveals her deep inner thoughts. She also knows Clara well.

Since his life as a merchant was not wasted he must have become well-versed in how to manage human relationships and win someone’s favor.

“I don’t have great dating experience but... . In the end the relationship between a man and a woman is a push and pull... ”

Belle can’t help but nod at Clara’s lament.

Due to Jenica Palover’s innocent and lively nature she only knows how to pull not how to push.

Meanwhile what about Lortel? If he does not know how to control pace in human relationships he cannot serve one person as a merchant.

No matter how charming Yenika is by nature in front of Lortel’s skillful tug-of-war she just gives whatever she wants... It feels like I’m going to end up with all the fish I caught.

Clara clenched her fists.

“That shouldn’t happen! so... “I think Yenika should know how to push and pull too!”

“... ”

“I want to somehow instill that method in Jenica. It hurts my respect to have my adult charm lost to a child who is a year younger than me but to take away my relationship with her as well. If Ed had suffered a broken heart because he was the bad guy in the world that would have been an experience... The experience of being robbed of a relationship would only hurt!”

Although she wanted to applaud Clara who was venting her anger Belle did not react for no reason. Tears flow because she cares so much about her friend’s life.

“What do you think Mr. Bell?! “I heard Mr. Bell always says the right things!”

Those burning eyes turn to Belle this time. To be honest it was just embarrassing.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure... ”

In any case Bell knows all three of Ed Yenica Lortel well. Compared to Clara who stands in a somewhat biased position she is able to judge the situation more objectively.

“Why... “I wonder if there is a need to force Lady Yenica to say and do things that are not appropriate for her.”

“... “Is that so?”

Most of the wounds were healed so it didn’t bother me too much.

*

The quiet interior of the cabin calms the mind.

Lortel sat leaning against the rough wall and quietly waited for time to pass.

The occupation of Ofilis Hall has ended but Lortel still has a lot of work to do.

The first is to placate former maid Jean Ellis again.

Rumor has it that Maid Jean Ellis is keeping quiet in front of investigators. They are unable to decide who is the winner between Elte and Lortel so they plan to keep quiet until it becomes clear.

The second is to establish the basic outline for the negotiation of the purchase of the wise man’s seal.

Elte’s fall came sooner than expected but since the opportunity to purchase the wise man’s seal has come we cannot waste it. If the plan comes to fruition Lortel’s position within the Elte Company will be among those of influence that even the chairman of the company will find difficult to tamper with.

Although we are busy right now we can only take action if we receive a reply from the Elte Trading Company head office. Since I am currently living in hiding in the northern forest only after safety is secured can I go back to class as a student at Sylvania.

No matter how busy I am I have to give up my life as a merchant and stay in this cabin for about three days which is a bit frustrating but I feel at ease thanks to Ed who checks my every move and makes sure I don’t have any inconveniences.

Although I was living a luxurious and extravagant life I suddenly found myself living a wild life in a cabin but I didn’t feel too bad... After all the boy I stay with must be greatly indebted to me.

My heart races when I’m next to Ed Rosstaylor.

The unconditional favor and unrequited trust he shows makes you feel like you are immersed in a soft bed.

That feeling which is natural to some is more precious than gold to Lortel who has lived his entire life on the cold streets.

It goes without saying but I don’t want to give it up to others.

This is especially true if the opponent is Yenica Palover.

She is a girl who has lived a life like the main character in a fairy tale. A relationship in which unconditional favor or trust is exchanged is very natural and common.

Whether it’s family or friends there will be more than enough. Where else can you find such luxury as the heart-warming relationship that tells you that this person will never betray you just by being together is as common as a stone in the street?

If you’re going to make money like that give up at least one thing.

Even if you talk so meanly I don’t have the ability to understand.

In that case all that remains is a fight in the dirty mud. Unfortunately this is Lortel’s specialty.

Not only that living together for 3 days is such a dizzyingly perfect advantage.

“Hmm... ”

However how exactly is progress in the relationship between men and women achieved?

I have tried countless times to take control of human relationships but there is no guarantee that the method will work the same way in a loving relationship between a man and a woman.

Yes. Because she has lived in a difficult world of commercial affairs weighing people based solely on their interests she has no knowledge of how a man and woman in a romantic relationship progress their relationship.

Surprisingly I’m bad at this part... He tries to objectify himself but unlike Lortel he doesn’t get discouraged.

“My way.”

I mutter this and think of my own method.

In the end the easiest way to attract human favor is money.

If you bury this shabby cabin with gold coins wouldn’t it look at you with sparkling eyes anyway?

“I’m short on cash... ”

I’m already in the process of branching out into various businesses. Lortel’s personal assets were also affected. Still it seems possible that a similar performance could be shown if villas in the Mine area or land deeds in the outskirts were sold.

However I can’t help but imagine Ed Ross-Taylor with his greedy eyes so I quickly shake my head.

In the end it’s a relationship built on money so it can’t be as affectionate as it is. Just imagining Ed looking at him with those eyes and smiling at him with nothing but greed makes his heart ache.

However it is a bit difficult to leave it alone.

Just looking at Ed’s daily routine Ed is living a life like hell. It is about clenching one’s teeth and trying to survive without wasting every minute.

Before the selfish desire to receive favor and love... I end up with a heartbreaking feeling of just wanting to help without any reason.

However a part of me was worried that it might be seen as sympathy and I was cautious that it might eventually lead to a relationship based solely on money... Lortel was just curled up with her toes touching.

under... “Isn’t it okay if I help with tuition fees?”

What if you give that much money without being seen as a shy pity?

Since she is a girl who has never thrown away unpaid favors in the first place I can’t even imagine what kind of line she would have to say before handing over money. She is an ambassador who comes to mind.

Don’t mistake it for tea. It’s not something I’m giving specifically to my seniors.

Lortel’s hands and feet shriveled and he pounded on the wall of the hut feeling as if he was going to ascend to heaven. It’s shameful to be embarrassed but somehow the line feels very classic.

Wasn’t he living behind a mask hiding his sinister intentions with a fox-like smile all his life? Because of such a shameful thing my mask comes off and I can’t go anywhere without showing my face.

I regain my composure with one deep breath. The frozen colossus’ temperament which pierces the opponent’s heart with a seductive and seductive attitude shows its head again.

“... .”

If you don’t know where and how to adjust the line between men and women in the first place it’s a good idea to just raise your voice and see.

Anyway Ed doesn’t see Lortel as a woman at all now. Progress in relationships will ultimately come from a change in perception so that perception needs to be changed first.

Lortel thought of a ‘plan’ in his mind and nodded as if he had made up his mind.

It was impossible to realize at this point just how hasty the ‘plan’ was.

As mentioned above Lortel was good at shaking people’s inner selves but he was naive and poor at relationships between men and women to the point that even Yenica told him to go away.

then... Specifically... ”

However if you want to think of a specific action plan you need some time. Still since I had to hide in the cabin for three days without leaving I had plenty of time to think.

I am confident that if we slowly develop a plan we will be able to defeat Yenika in no time.

With a sinister smile Lortel hugged his knees.

“... Could you please save me some space? “Because that’s my place.”

However if there was an unexpected number it was the presence of a new girl.

“... huh?

“Haam... ”

The large witch hat and school uniform with extra sleeves pigtails of white hair flowing down past the waist and down to the buttocks are familiar. She is one of the three members of Class A who often meet in Professor Glast’s class.

The girl’s movements which do not even know when she entered the cabin through the ceiling or through spatial magic startle those around her.

“... Lucy... ? What are you doing here... ”

“That’s where the sun shines the best.”

After saying that he pushed Lortel away threw away a few sable skins and lay down... I fell asleep while hugging my body.

“... ”

Lortel wiped his face for a moment out of confusion.

“... What is this again... .??”