It was quite a strange affair. Count Ameli’s wickedness knew no bounds – he would even use his Knight Captain merely to bury a single servant in the mountains. For such a count to give me a chance seemed impossible without madness involved. A month of observation had taught me he never showed kindness to those beneath him. This black-hearted fellow surely had some nasty scheme planned.

Wary of whatever bomb he might drop, I set down the teacup before the Count, my defenses raised like a hedgehog’s quills. While serving tea to Asrein next, the Count suddenly clicked his tongue and spoke.

“Don’t even dream of trying anything foolish with the professor.”

“…Pardon?”

I stared at Count Ameli with startled eyes at his unexpected remark. The Count, clearly aware of my gaze, set down his teacup and gave a cold smile. Sensing something amiss, Asrein questioned the Count first.

“What do you mean by ‘foolish’?”

“Haha, well you see… This stupid fellow once deliberately spilled tea on my favorite shoes.”

“…Deliberately?”

My suspicions were confirmed. Something seemed deeply wrong. All that talk about Asrein showing interest in me had been merely an excuse.

“Yes. I’m worried he might show the same disrespect to Professor Asrein.”

Count Ameli – no, this damned bastard – had summoned me to the reception room purely for humiliation. Trying to prove my innocence about the tea incident would be pointless now. I had walked straight into the trap of this hyena who delighted in picking even the scrawniest meat off the bone. All I could do was beg for my life.

I waited anxiously for Asrein’s reaction, but he remained silent, seemingly sealed-lipped. Meanwhile, the Count pressed on relentlessly.

“You remember your punishment from then, don’t you?”

Remember it? How could I forget? The moment I opened my eyes in this strange world, a blade pressed against my throat. I lowered my head silently, and a quiet voice descended from above.

“What punishment did you give?”

“Well, it wasn’t much of a punishment really. You see, my predecessor was so kind to servants, and I try to emulate that aspect. Haha.”

I couldn’t suppress a dry cough at the nonsense flowing naturally from his mouth. Kind to servants? He should at least moisten his lips before telling such blatant lies. This was the same man who intimidated underage servants when bored, complained endlessly about food, and brought up the Montena Forest incident while knowing full well I could hear.

I longed to broadcast his evil deeds to the entire neighborhood, but fear of retribution kept me silent, my fists clenched in restraint. The Count’s lips curled greedily upon noticing my trembling hands.

“In my anger, I nearly threw him to the mountain beasts as feed, but being the kind person I am, I gave him a chance. I said if he could prove his worth to live, I’d let him work here once more.”

His shamelessness had reached such heights that laughter seemed impossible. Though escape beckoned, I chose to endure, knowing another chance to meet Asrein might never come. A delicate clink sounded through the air – the elegant placement of a teacup on its saucer – before Asrein asked.

“How did he prove his worth?”

“Haha, don’t be surprised. This fellow suddenly started discussing magical creatures.”

At that moment, I felt another gaze burning into my face. Undoubtedly Asrein’s.

“Oh? About magical creatures?”

“Yes, yes. The little rat must have stolen glances at books while cleaning the study. According to Captain Shupen, he demonstrated quite profound knowledge. So, a promise being a promise, I spared his life.”

“How interesting.”

Finding joy in Asrein’s comment while my life served merely entertainment suggested something wrong with my mind. I swallowed hard, suppressing the lament threatening to escape my throat. Knowing silence remained my best option, I waited, only to have Count Ameli’s pudgy finger point directly at me.

“Well then. Since we’re here, why don’t you recite what you told the Knight Captain that day to Professor Asrein?”

“…Pardon?”

“Finally, we can determine whether what you said was right or wrong.”

Even with the most charitable interpretation, he clearly wanted me to perform like a circus animal for entertainment. Given the Count’s twisted nature, he had summoned me specifically for humiliation. Worse still, my audience wasn’t the sword-focused Knight Captain but a true expert in this field. One mistake would bring immediate shame.

“What’s wrong? Afraid to repeat your lies now?”

But if he expected fear to make me back down, he was mistaken. The Count, so occupied with looking down on others, would never understand one simple truth: I would gladly stand on my head right now just to catch Asrein’s eye.

“Go ahead, move that precious mouth of yours.”

He mistook my quiet gathering of thoughts for fear. Count Ameli raised one corner of his mouth smugly. Nothing wounded pride more than derision from an arrogant fool blind to his own stupidity. After several nervous twitches of my parched lips, I began calmly.

“I saw a Level 2 dangerous magical creature, an ‘Opalus,’ on the slopes of Mount Montena. Judging by its size, which far exceeded an adult’s, it was an adult specimen at least three years old, and since its feathers showed an enigmatic golden hue in the sunlight, I believe it was a male not in breeding season.”

My gaze fell on the ornate red and yellow carpet while recalling my first day in this world. Though confusion had overwhelmed me then, my memory of that magical creature remained crystal clear. The unspoken rule demanded detailed factual reporting while minimizing personal observations.

“Additionally, there were small wounds at the tip of its beak. In nov- I mean, I read in books that Opalus sharpen their beaks by rubbing them against tree trunks. This suggests it wasn’t a captive creature but one that had established itself on Mount Montena.”

I nearly mentioned seeing it in a novel. Despite my awkward correction, no one seemed to notice the slip.

“Continue.”

Asrein spoke, his voice gentle like ripples spreading across a pond from fallen dewdrops. His tone helped ease the tension gripping my body.

“However, despite making quite a loud noise nearby, the Opalus didn’t notice us. Since I expected it would certainly detect and be wary of our presence… I wonder if there was a special reason.”

These rare opportunities to converse with him led me to pose the question like an eager student. Then, bowing my head slowly, I added a humble apology.

“If my behavior was discourteous, please forgive me with your generous heart.”

Eyes fixed on the floor, I fidgeted with my sweat-covered hands. Every sense heightened to catch even the faintest breath. Asrein, who had been quietly sipping his tea, placed his cup on the table and spoke.

“Ignorance is never a sin. However, knowing one’s ignorance yet being too lazy to overcome it – that would be a sin.”

His gentle voice settled like spring sunshine warming frozen earth.

“Among magical creatures, the Opalus is considered quite intelligent. Unless hungry or protecting something nearby, it won’t engage in unnecessary fights even when others enter its territory.”

“…Ah…”

“You said it was grooming its feathers in the sunlight?”

“Yes, sir.”

“As you probably know, grooming itself indicates a stable state. If it doesn’t perceive nearby sounds as threats, it won’t attack first. Due to its docile nature, it’s easily domesticated by humans, and consequently, often hunted.”

Asrein kindly highlighted details I had overlooked. His explanation provided far more depth than what appeared in the novel. Such useful instruction felt rare after enduring countless self-promoting lectures.

“Do you understand now?”

“Yes, Professor.”

I imagined how wonderful it would be in a lecture hall – a knowledgeable teacher and an attentive student. Pure joy filled me at the possibility of this ideal becoming reality. His melodious, flowing voice interrupted my wandering thoughts.

“How fascinating. Not just observing, but properly analyzing using your knowledge.”

“…Haha…”

“Where did you learn all this?”

Admitting I had read it in a novel remained impossible. While nervously shifting my gaze, I met the Count’s disapproving glare. His signal to remain quiet and step away from the conversation came through clearly. With an exaggerated throat-clearing, the Count waved his hand dismissively, like shooing an annoying fly. Following his command, I pressed my lips shut and stepped back.

“Even a worm has its talents, I suppose. So it wasn’t a lie after all.”

Though I had spoken only at his order, the Count’s displeasure showed plainly. I dreaded imagining what trouble this might bring later. Unable to leave freely, I waited anxiously for the next command. But Asrein, not the Count, spoke next.

“I understand there’s quite a large study in this mansion.”

“Ah, yes, we have enough books to rival a library. Including several written by you, Professor.”

“I’m honored.”

Asrein’s smooth topic change restored peace to the atmosphere. The Count, typically proud of his large study, switched his demeanor completely and laughed heartily. Unaware of the true intentions, Asrein maintained a subtle smile and continued.

“Yet with all those books, you couldn’t tell if this person’s words were true or false?”

The Count’s endless bragging stopped abruptly, his sausage-like lips frozen. Once again, Asrein’s sharp insight found its mark. Momentarily speechless and fearing exposure of his shallow knowledge, the Count scrambled for excuses.

“Ahem, ahem. I’ve been too busy with official duties to visit the study often.”

“I see. Your study is indeed like a well-maintained garden, as they say.”

“Ah, you recognize that? It took much time and effort to design it beautifully. In fact…”

Burning embarrassment kept my face down. The fool had mistaken Asrein’s comment for genuine praise of his study’s design.

The Count’s excited rambling about his study interested no one. His obliviousness had moved beyond amusing to pitiful. How had someone so incapable of reading context gained control over imperial territory?

Asrein, who had been listening quietly to the Count’s nonsense, cut through mid-sentence with an observation.

“In contrast, this person seems to know how to tend to the flowers in that garden.”