In any case, it means it’s that much of an underdeveloped region.

No wonder the residents of Daymond village ask for help from the Hunt Grand Duchy’s garrison whenever monsters appear.

Tanner faced Liliana.

“How about moving to Log village for now?”

Log was the closest village under Hunt Grand Duchy’s jurisdiction from here.

“It’s small, but there’s a shopping district and a hospital, and they provide welfare for immigrants. Above all, it will be much safer with the garrison there.”

Liliana in her past life had very low self-esteem.

It was exceptionally severe, even considering she was a Zero.

So Tanner had guessed that her past wasn’t smooth.

However, Liliana’s life that he directly observed was even more serious than Tanner had anticipated.

Being disregarded as a Zero, like just now, was secondary.

It seemed as if Liliana wasn’t living each day, but merely enduring, unable to die.

“I… I like it here.”

“But…”

“I, I have a favor to ask!”

Liliana’s voice, cutting off Tanner’s words, was quite loud.

Tanner stared blankly at her.

‘Anyone watching would think I’m about to eat her.’

With her eyes tightly shut and the way she’s gripping her skirt, she looked almost solemn.

Was he such a person to Liliana?

‘I thought I treated her well…’

Of course, he’s not sure how Liliana perceived him.

“Please speak comfortably.”

Tanner abandoned his intention to persuade Liliana and placed his hands neatly on his knees, indicating his willingness to comply.

“……”

Liliana carefully raised her head to look at Tanner.

Tanner was a figure who moved strictly for Hector’s sake.

However, he respected Liliana second only to Leon.

No, compared to the imperial palace, you could say that those at the grand duke’s residence treasured Liliana.

Even if it was because she was a Miracle.

“A doctor… I need a doctor.”

“Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“Not for me… My father twisted his foot recently… and he hasn’t been able to walk well since.”

For a moment, Tanner’s heart skipped a beat.

He already knew that Liliana’s father was ill.

But he couldn’t intervene, so he had been observing.

Perhaps he was thinking of using him.

In fact, just now, he mentioned ‘hospital’ as a reason for recommending Log village.

“…Don’t worry. I know a female doctor who can treat Zeros.”

Audrey Barrett.

She was a doctor he had prepared for any situation before finding Liliana.

“I’ll set up a clinic in the village, so don’t worry about the cost and feel free to get treatment anytime. Your family members too.”

A look of joy flashed across Liliana’s face. Then she moved her lips, seemingly choosing her words.

Tanner spoke first.

“Are you wondering why I’m showing such kindness when I said I wouldn’t take you away?”

In response, Liliana’s long eyelashes trembled in response to Tanner’s question.

Ordinary brown hair and eyes.

Nevertheless, Liliana was as beautiful as an angel descended from heaven.

Even though her hair and eye color had changed, she was recognizable at a glance.

“Living life twice makes many things look different. I want to correct the mistakes of my past life…”

Tanner paused briefly and gazed intently at her.

“Perhaps you feel the same way.”

“……”

Again, Liliana didn’t give any response.

She only nodded her head slightly.

* * *

After that, Tanner ordered two more slices of cake and iced tea.

The conversation they were about to have would take longer than just a cup of tea.

To add, it was well past lunchtime.

As evidence, Tanner’s cup and Liliana’s cup were already empty.

“If you think it might upset your stomach, you don’t have to eat it.”

After the staff had left with the empty cups,

Tanner pushed the plate with strawberry cake towards Liliana and smiled faintly.

“…It’s okay.”

Contrary to Tanner’s concern, Liliana ate the cake quite well.

Tanner, who had been waiting for Liliana to eat for a while, picked up the plate with his share of cheesecake and said,

“I have a favor to ask as well.”

Liliana’s gaze followed Tanner’s cheesecake.

“How about moving?”

“Moving… where?”

“Anywhere in the village is fine, as long as it’s not the house you’re living in now.”

The cheesecake was visibly inferior in quality at a glance.

The surface, from which moisture had evaporated, was rough, and the consistency of the whipped cream was thin.

Thinking ‘I should make Mateo practice desserts,’ Tanner scooped a small piece from the edge of the cake with his fork.

“The gaze of that Thomas fellow who looks at the Saintess is disrespectful, living in the same house…”

“He’s a kind friend!”

Liliana exclaimed in alarm. Then, as if realizing her mistake, she hurriedly added,

“Well, I mean, he’s a friend I’ve known since childhood…”

“I won’t kill him.”

Tanner put the cheesecake in his mouth.

As expected, it tasted so awful that his brow furrowed.

Tanner wiped his mouth with a handkerchief he had taken out and gently pushed away the plate. Then he brought the iced tea to fill the empty space.

“When I should be maintaining a good relationship with you, do you think I would do such a foolish thing?”

Even Leon wouldn’t do such a thing.

Hector might, though.

“Living as a freeloader brings many inconveniences, doesn’t it?”

“……”

Liliana’s body, which had leaned forward slightly, returned to its original position.

Tanner continued,

“There’s an empty mansion nearby. It might be lacking for you to stay in, but if we repair it well…”

“I don’t want to.”

“Pardon?!”

Tanner asked again, surprised by her firm rejection.

“Even if I move, I’d like a house a bit smaller than where I’m living now.”

“Smaller than that?!”

“Yes…”

The place she’s living now seemed smaller than Grand Duke Hector’s bathroom, and she wants an even smaller house?

Just how…

“Could you tell me what kind of house you want?”

“With large windows…”

Liliana glanced furtively at Tanner.

Tanner nodded slightly to indicate he was listening.

“When you open the door, the kitchen is right there… with a yard…”

Her voice gradually became softer until it finally disappeared into silence.

In the end, Tanner continued with the next part.

“Do you mean a small garden where you can grow simple crops?”

“Yes…”

“A warm and cozy two-story house, located a bit away from the village center. Would it be alright if it’s about a 10-minute walk from your current home?”

“……”

As expected of the Grand Duke’s butler.

Liliana nodded, dumbfounded by the description that seemed to have come straight from her mind.

“It’s not a difficult task.”

Tanner took a sip of iced tea with a lightened heart.

Of course, he didn’t think this would make Liliana choose Hector.

However, for whatever reason, Liliana had taken Tanner’s hand.

At least, he was sure that her aversion towards him, and by extension his master Hector, had diminished.

‘Oh, this is quite edible.’

Perhaps he had lost his sense of taste from the burnt coffee and the hopeless cheesecake, but the iced tea was quite satisfactory.

After taking two consecutive sips, Tanner suddenly turned to Liliana.

“By the way, do you need a pet as well?”

“Ah, no… Animals are a bit…”

Afterwards, a peculiar relationship began between Tanner and Liliana.

First, Audrey set up a clinic in Daymond Village.

Fortunately, Audrey settled in the village without raising suspicion, becoming a ‘kind-hearted medical mage with a strong sense of duty’.

The villagers’ gratitude towards Liliana, ‘the angel-like girl who helped Audrey when she was lost in the mountains’, was an added bonus.

This was a scenario Tanner had devised to create a reason for Liliana to receive free treatment.

Next was the sawmill Tanner established.

Liliana wanted to keep secret the fact that she was receiving help from Tanner.

So Tanner set up a sawmill in the village and employed Liliana’s father, Jack.

This also didn’t raise any suspicion.

The sawmill was actually operational, and Jack had originally worked in carpentry.

Thus, Liliana moved out of Nova’s house and into a new home.

Additionally, the Hunt Grand Duchy’s elite unit was guarding Daymond Village like an iron fortress.

[I’ve infiltrated those who are not only skilled but also excellent at mana control, so they won’t be easily detected. But why are you asking me to hide this even from His Grace?]

[There are some reasons. Have I ever done anything harmful to His Grace?]

[Well, no, but…]

[Just don’t cry later saying you’re grateful.]

[I don’t know what it is, but I hope it turns out that way.]

Liliana didn’t refuse Tanner’s kindness, and their relationship developed to the point where they occasionally had tea together.

Meanwhile, Liliana’s aversion to Hector gradually decreased.

More accurately, it would be better to say she was surprised by the changed Hector.

“Somehow… he seems to have changed.”

As Liliana said, Hector had changed.

He hadn’t regressed like Tanner or Liliana.

For some unknown reason, he had definitely become more relaxed and gentle.

Perhaps Tanner’s efforts to change Hector had paid off.

Anyway, everything was progressing smoothly.

Or so they thought.

Until Liliana’s parents lost their lives in an accident.

“My parents died when they were attacked by robbers while cutting wood in the mountains.”

Tanner did his best to prevent the death of Liliana’s parents.

From the beginning, with the elite unit guarding Daymond Village, robbers shouldn’t have been able to come near.

Was it because he was too complacent?

Or was it something like the law of causality, that what is meant to happen will happen?

Her parents ultimately couldn’t escape death.

* * *

“How are you feeling?”

Tanner asked, visiting Audrey’s clinic after Liliana’s parents’ funeral.

“I’m much better thanks to the doctor you sent.”

Audrey couldn’t look directly at Tanner. It seemed she was embarrassed about a doctor being treated by another doctor.

As if reading her thoughts, Tanner said,

“Doctors are human too. And he doesn’t know how to treat Zero like you do.”

There are many renowned doctors in the empire.

However, doctors who know how to provide appropriate treatment for a Zero’s characteristics are rare.

Audrey fidgeted with her gown in embarrassment.

Tanner, glancing at her, got to the point.