“Have you mentioned Mono to anyone else?”

“I haven’t… Why do you ask?”

When I questioned his intent, not understanding the purpose behind his inquiry.

Dolos lowered his thin eyebrows as if troubled, looked around, and answered in a lowered voice.

“Well~ Lord Mono is quite shy and doesn’t seem to like having their name discussed among people~”

His secretive whisper reminded me of what Mono had said.

[I don’t want to show you my true form.]

That’s right, Mono had said that. That people try to distance themselves when they see their true form.

Considering that point, Dolos’s words made sense, so I nodded.

“…I do remember Mono being that way when we met.”

“See? I thought so.”

“Ah, but.”

I don’t think I had mentioned Mono’s attitude on Iretio Island to Dolos in detail.

“How did you know Mono is shy?”

I was supposedly the only one who had understood a divine beast’s speech since a thousand years ago.

“…That’s the result of observation with interest and affection~?”

Based on his answer, which sounded like that of an animal behavior specialist, he didn’t seem to have any special ability to read emotions.

‘Is this the discerning eye of an enthusiast that transcends language barriers?’

By the way, if Dolos had met Mono several times enough to know their characteristics.

“Do you think I could meet Mono again at the Sea God Temple?”

“May I ask why you’re curious…?”

“Ah. It’s just a guess, but I think Mono might have protected me from magical beasts on Iretio Island, so I wanted to thank them.”

“…Ahh~ I see~! As expected, the Saint has such a kind heart~!”

Dolos gently clasped his hands as he said this, then drooped his lips in a display of clear regret.

“I’m afraid I can’t promise you’ll be able to meet Mono~ They’re not someone I can easily meet even if I want to~”

He bowed his head, asking for my understanding, and said.

“But if I do meet Mono, I’ll definitely convey your message~!”

“Thank you, Dolos.”

“Don’t mention it~”

‘So Mono is indeed a divine beast known to understand human language, like Hartuga.’

As I nodded with this thought, Dolos suddenly looked at me as if something had occurred to him.

“By the way~ Could I ask you not to mention Mono to others if possible~?”

Hmm, I suppose this is an extension of saying Mono is shy?

‘But wouldn’t it be better if good stories about Mono spread widely, so people might be less afraid when they see their true form?’

Still, it’s more important to ask the person concerned before proceeding with such things.

A temple official like Dolos wouldn’t ask me to do something harmful to a divine beast.

“Alright. If you happen to meet Mono, please also tell them that I said I’d like to meet again someday.”

“Yes~ I won’t forget and will definitely convey that~!”

After parting with Dolos, in the carriage returning to the Rabius mansion.

Perhaps because I’d been hearing about divine beasts all day, related thoughts naturally came to mind.

‘Come to think of it, in “Contract Saint,” there was also a scene where Anael met the divine beast Erik brought.’

If my memory serves me right, it was a small bird-like divine beast… and it was described as being quite attached to Anael, who had strong divine power.

“…Wait, I didn’t even know Erik had gone to the south when I was reading, but now why is he sticking around and refusing to leave?”

I can’t understand where this sub-male lead, who should be single-mindedly devoted to the female protagonist, has abandoned his proper role.

‘A modest, gentle male position yet engaging in such dereliction of duty. What is the world coming to?’

While sincerely hoping that Anael would star in her own solo story and live well.

“When am I returning? Not until you show your ugly true colors again.”

Erik’s voice, which had sounded like a declaration of war, seemed to send an uncomfortable feeling up my spine.

‘Surely… it can’t be because of me?’

No way. That’s being self-conscious.

‘It’s a hundred times more plausible that he came to play because he doesn’t want to work.’

…And so, forgetting the ancestral big data result that assumptions can k*ll, I shook my head and dismissed all thoughts of Erik.

***

9 PM, the servant’s dining room at the Rabius mansion.

All five teams I had tasked with the preliminary survey submitted their results without exception.

Let’s see. Looking at the papers, much more densely filled than expected, it seems no team had been negligent.

“Well, let’s hear your feedback?”

I should ask, or they might feel disappointed.

“Ahem, our Cordelia team used apples from Hans’s orchard as bait, and I, having experience working in the market, did the soliciting.”

“The Rakone team gave Sara’s embroidered accessories to popular villagers for free and asked them to spread the word that survey participants could also receive them on a first-come, first-served basis!”

“…Dernaca didn’t do anything special; we just talked with residents in the square all night.”

“Montenero visited all residents with mobility difficulties to hear their opinions.”

“The Delamore team performed a street play called ‘Ten Billion Golden.'”

Hooh. Gift giveaways, influencer marketing, in-depth interviews, home visits, even acting…

‘It was worth selecting personnel who could maximize synergy.’

As they say, for maximum efficiency in team projects, members’ abilities and tendencies should complement each other well.

Seeing results opposite to my previous life’s series of team project disasters fills me with emotion.

‘Anyway, I’m glad I remembered the servants’ backgrounds.’

At first, I was simply wondering how to approach the territory residents during my tour, and this was just information I gathered while making small talk with servants from the villages.

‘I put it to good use.’

With a pleased feeling, I spoke.

“This is impressive! You all did better than I expected.”

Not only the synergy but also the effort shown in organizing the results was evident.

They didn’t just collect opinions but ranked the most common opinions from each village.

‘Some teams even organized by gender and age group… they must have worked hard.’

I’ll need to check the originals, too, but they’ve reduced the work for Mikhail and me.

‘Behold the power of a 300% incentive.’

Smiling, I clapped once while looking at the servants with sparkling eyes.

“Thank you all for your hard work. As explained before, there will be another promotional outing in two days, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes, My Lady!”

Upon dismissal, all servants except Mikhail left with resounding thanks.

“Hmm~ I’m truly blessed with good servants.”

As I hummed and looked at Mikhail, he handed me the results with his stoic face.

“Here are the survey and satisfaction survey results from the servants. …I’ve simply organized them for your convenience, nothing more.”

“Really?”

Yet from the categorical classification to statistics, it was perfection itself.

‘Even the survey questions hardly needed adjustment to begin with.’

For a moment, I seriously wondered, ‘Should such a talented individual be merely a butler?’ but my conscience was overwhelmed by my satisfaction.

“How is it that my butler can do everything so well?”

Written in Mikhail’s distinctive, neat and sophisticated handwriting, it could be considered a work of art in itself.

As I turned page by page.

Suddenly, the last three lines caught my eye.

-I hope the Lord takes healthy meals and exercises regularly.

-I hope the Lord does not associate with dangerous individuals.

-I hope the Lord will tell us whenever there is anything uncomfortable or difficult.

Although all were in the same handwriting, since Mikhail had compiled and summarized them.

I could tell immediately.

“…Mikhail. You wrote these, didn’t you?”

When I pointed to those wishes with my fingertip, Mikhail answered with a composed expression.

“I believe I also have the right to participate in the survey as a servant.”

Really. He knows that’s not what I’m pointing out.

“So you only wrote about my health, safety, and happiness as your wishes?”

For a moment, Mikhail silently looked at me, then.

“Yes.”

He gave such a simple answer.

I knew Mikhail too well to dismiss this as mere high-level flattery toward a superior.

That plain face had written and spoken only the truth.

“Aren’t you being too selfless?”

“My Lady is failing to maintain all three of those things.”

“Ahem, I’ll try harder from now on. But really, is there nothing else you want? Nothing at all? Not even one thing?”

I tried to encourage him to indulge in self-interest, but Mikhail quietly shook his head.

“No.”

“But still…”

“…I wish for nothing more than that.”

With those words, he concluded with a faint smile.

For some reason, that image remained like an afterimage, imprinted in my memory for a long time afterward.

T/n: Throughout this chapter, Dolos refers to Mono using the Korean honorific suffix “님” (nim), which indicates a high level of respect toward the addressee. This honorific doesn’t have a direct English equivalent that preserves both its gender-neutrality and level of deference. In this translation, I’ve chosen to use just “Mono” without adding titles, though readers should understand that Dolos is speaking with a distinctly respectful and reverent tone when addressing or referring to this divine beast.