Eclise said Lexiard wasn’t his nephew, but Lexiard called Eclise Uncle.

Ekision did too, and so did Padrid, Bender, and Jin.

Only Eclise denied it. She didn’t know why though.

Eclise stood up from his chair as if he was about to leave too. Then he turned his head with an “Ah.”

“You learned Imperial language?”

“Yes! Want to see?”

By now, the fear had disappeared along with the dragged-away sack.

Rather, Rodi felt more comfortable and relieved than ever.

She had protected her friends.

***

“Let me see, where?”

“Here!”

Afterward, Rodi went straight up to the third floor.

This place with huge dark wooden furniture was Eclise’s office, she was told.

The third floor was entirely Eclise’s space and was even quieter than the already quiet second floor.

She heard that even cleaning was done quickly by servants only when Eclise wasn’t around.

Eclise sat casually on the sofa and checked the papers that were either drawings or scribbles, impossible to tell which.

“Tell Padrid everything you want to learn. What was it, maybe you need self-defense too. Learn things like that.”

“Self-defense?”

“I mean learn to protect yourself.”

“Do I need to learn that too?”

“You need to know how to protect yourself. Here, no one will help you.”

“……”

“People in Cheiles die because they’re incompetent.”

“……”

“There’s no other reason.”

It was all completely illegible as if worms had crawled across it.

Eclise spoke casually while turning to the next page.

The practice seemed to have paid off as the next page was a bit more presentable.

Still unreadable though.

“……”

The next page was truly a masterpiece.

[Eclise Cheiles

Rodi Brodi

Money-making Brodi

Money Party

Money

Sir/Honorable

Possible

Libra

Fool Eclise

Cool Cool is the Best]

“……Come here.”

Suddenly, Eclise beckoned with his finger.

Rodi scurried over.

“Me?”

“Read this.”

“Boss Eclise!”

When Rodi shouted confidently, Eclise’s eyebrow twitched.

When he pointed to the text beside it, Rodi started reading one by one.

“Boss Boss? Sir – this is wrong. This is Sir.”

Rodi pressed firmly on the character that read ‘babo’ (fool).

Eclise tilted his head sideways.

Is she reading this correctly?

“This one.”

“Boss.”

“This one.”

“Brodi!! My name!”

“Read this again. What does it say?”

Eclise pointed to the characters for ‘babo’ (fool).

“Boss. I asked you to teach me first!”

“Ha……”

Eclise suddenly grinned.

Then, wiping the smile off his face, he spoke to Percy, the assistant beside him.

“Bring me whoever taught her these rat-drop characters.”

“Rat-drop? Why? What’s wrong?”

Eclise stroked Rodi’s head while smiling through gritted teeth.

“Nothing. You’re just disgustingly clever.”

“I’ve always been clever.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re amazing.”

***

A little later.

“Ah… It hurts so much.”

A small bump had formed on Ekision’s head.

It was the harsh price for his prank.

“That’s why you shouldn’t play such pranks. You’re not a child anymore.”

“But it was fun!”

“…Keep serving your punishment. He said to keep your hands up until midnight.”

Ekision was serving his punishment in Padrid’s office, standing with both hands raised.

Though he complained it made no sense to receive such punishment at his age, he kept his hands up without further protest.

Eclise knew exactly what punishment would suit the image-conscious Ekision best.

“…Ah… this is too hard.”

“It appears so.”

“This is embarrassing in front of the newbie. Not cool at all.”

“They say they’ll process your resignation right away if you submit it.”

“I’ll keep holding them up.”

Padrid shook his head at Ekision.

Wondering where his age-appropriate behavior had gone.

“Please be more mindful of your words and actions from now on. At this rate, rumors will spread that the guild is full of trash. Let’s maintain some awareness, if not for yourself, then for the sake of the chi- no, the talented newcomer’s emotional well-being.”

“Okay~ Just do like me.”

Hailo, who was watching Ekision’s punishment, winked at Padrid.

“You’re the most dangerous one.”

“Wow, he called me ‘you’.”

Padrid ignored him completely and stood up from his seat.

The executives weren’t gathered here just to watch Ekision’s punishment.

Eclise had ordered them to properly educate Rodi.

Even Padrid, who had initially thought to simply provide a teacher for basic Imperial language lessons before sending her off, changed his mind.

It had been a while since Eclise had shown such genuine interest, and if he was truly serious, Padrid intended to nurture this talent properly.

“I have an announcement to make in advance. Though I assume you all know this, I’ll mention it just in case. From now on, no swearing, no vulgar talk, and no violence inside.”

Jin Jein, Horas, Gemvil, Hailo, and the punished Ekision all stared at Padrid.

In the silence, Horas raised his hand.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

Horas crossed his arms, thought for a while, and asked seriously.

“What about work-related violence?”

“Are you talking about hitting me?”

Ekision, who was munching on cookies fed to him by Hailo while serving his punishment, asked in turn.

“Outside is fine.”

“What about hitting someone for being cheeky?”

“Are you talking about me again?”

Ekision asked again.

“Inside? That’s not allowed. Show some restraint. It’s fine if it’s not visible.”

“This is difficult.”

“…How is that difficult?”

“Well, it’s hard to control what comes out unconsciously.”

“That’s true.”

“I agree.”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Horas’s words.

Padrid felt his migraine returning as he watched them.

It felt like he was surrounded by complete idiots.

“Sigh, at least try to make an effort.”

“That’s not too hard.”

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Padrid spoke quickly while handling the remaining documents.

“Since Gemvil knows the rules here better than anyone, he’ll be in charge of management, and Ekision will handle the education matter. I’ve noticed she learns quickly. A teacher will also be brought in. Just teach her the basics.”

“Huh? Why am I in charge of education? Can’t I be in charge of play?”

He could have so much fun playing.

“No. Ekision, you need some reins. Take responsibility and do it. From now on, if the newcomer goes astray, it’s all your fault.”

“Eck.”

“Also, no teaching strange words like last time. If you do, I’ll report to Eclise and dock your pay.”

Between resignation and pay cuts, Ekision wailed about being pushed off a cliff.

“Damn, suddenly feeling the responsibility. Well okay, I’ll give it a try.”

“Please do. And Jin, you were originally supposed to handle the newcomer, but you’ve been busy, right? Starting next week, we’ll redistribute the workload, so you handle the basics regarding the child.”

“Yes.”

“And Gemvil, I apologize for asking again, but besides the rules, could you help out occasionally when Ekision is away?”

“Hmm?”

“I know you’re usually out in the field, so we’ll look for others too. Well, this actually applies to everyone.”

Padrid looked at the executives with a “Hmm.”

“Since the newcomer is young, we’ll need someone to act as a guardian. Though young, she seems mature enough not to need constant attention. I hate to ask more, but Gemvil is the only calm one here.”

Padrid’s thoughts were dominated by the idea that even Cheiles should make some exceptions.

A child is still a child, after all.

He thought there should at least always be someone available when Brodi comes asking for help.

If Rodi came to him for help, he could summon another executive, so this arrangement should be sufficient.

“Not difficult.”

Gemvil nodded.

“Bender will continue to handle meal checks and bedding. And if there’s anything to purchase, please leave me a memo. I’ll handle all matters regarding necessary items and finances. I don’t think anyone else can do it as thoroughly as I can.”

Hailo grinned while waiting for his turn.

“Then what do I do? I should get the most important task, right? That’s why you haven’t mentioned it yet?”

Padrid, who hadn’t even glanced at Hailo the whole time, finally looked his way.

“You haven’t quit yet?”