“If you had known in advance, what would the rookie have chosen?”

“O-obviously this one…”

Rodi’s finger pointed to the stone about the size of a fist.

Padrid smiled gently.

“It’s good to complete missions splendidly, but the ability to read the value of items and distinguish between what is necessary and unnecessary is also important. Yet the rookie can’t distinguish even this simple thing.”

“……”

Rodi looked up at Padrid.

“This is just a simple example, and the rookie’s special ability that others don’t have can’t be bought with money. Still, if you can’t distinguish such things, it’s useless.”

“Use…less?”

It was the first time Rodi had heard such words.

So it was shocking.

“Yes. Well, if you find it bothersome, you could take on regular missions, but then it would be inefficient and worse than not doing them at all, as we’d only increase the number of employees and costs needed to protect the rookie each time. Colleagues might even file complaints saying you’re a handful.”

Thud.

Useless…

Inefficient!

A handful!!

Hit by this triple combo, Rodi was too shocked to close her mouth.

Padrid reached out and gently closed Rodi’s mouth.

“Doesn’t the rookie have eyes more special than anyone else?”

“Y-yes…”

Padrid showed her a proposal filled with missions.

“An ordinary rookie who has to work hard to complete 30 ordinary requests.”

“……”

“A rookie with amazing x-ray vision who can solve one request of the most important grade and knows many things.”

Rodi’s eyes became even more fixed on the document.

The grades varied according to risk level and request fee.

And at the very top of the document was a fee so enormous that Rodi’s eyes widened.

The quick-learning Rodi was now quite fast at calculating large numbers.

All the requests listed below combined couldn’t beat the fee written at the very top.

“Which one would you prefer?”

“The most important one!”

“So focus on increasing your own value.”

Nod, nod.

Rodi nodded much more dynamically than before.

Padrid chuckled.

“And while it’s fine here, you shouldn’t show your ability so carelessly outside. If you choose before items even come out of the pouch, someone might target you instead of this stone.”

“……”

“Power shines in value only when used in the right place at the right time, not when flaunted.”

“Ah.”

“If you thought you hadn’t been in danger until now, it was just because you were lucky. You need to become more careful yourself. Don’t let others treat you carelessly.”

Thud.

Another shock.

“…Yes, I’ll just listen well to what Padrid says.”

It was Rodi’s complete defeat.

To Rodi, who had gained a great realization, Padrid now opened the large bottom drawer and took out a box of cookies, holding it out to her.

When she remained frozen in shock even at the sight of her favorite food, Padrid lightly touched the tip of Rodi’s round nose to wake her up.

“Good. Don’t be too disappointed anyway, as you might be assigned a good mission soon. You’re already doing well enough. Here, this is a gift for your perfect score.”

It was a new cookie tied with a red ribbon that no one had opened yet.

This time Rodi’s mouth opened for a different reason.

Looks delicious.

“Thank you!”

Rodi, having received the gift, smiled brightly.

***

“I should show this to the boss.”

Rodi, who had received the gift, left the general affairs office to go to the third floor.

As she walked briskly, she encountered someone who was just coming up to the second floor in front of the stairs.

Who is this?

The person was wearing very luxurious clothes and was so strikingly beautiful that one would naturally exclaim at first glance.

But knowing that someone she had encountered like this before had been a dangerous person, Rodi gave a wary look.

From the beginning, the second floor was not a place for outsiders to come freely.

The other person also seemed quite surprised to see Rodi.

“Who are you? You shouldn’t be coming up here.”

When Rodi asked, the woman who had stopped walking smiled brightly.

“Ah! I have an appointment with Eclise. Is he on the third floor right now?”

7. Daytime words are heard by birds, nighttime words are heard by mice, and secrets are heard by rookies

“My goodness. Seven years old?”

Rodi nodded firmly.

The two were somehow already sitting side by side on a bench, introducing themselves and chatting.

Despite both having destinations right in front of them.

This was because the woman who had asked if Eclise was on the third floor suddenly asked Rodi if she could spare a moment.

“That’s really amazing. When I was seven, all I did was draw pictures in my room.”

“I’m good at drawing too!”

“That’s wonderful. Oh, right. I’m Lilsteria. You can call me Lili. Everyone calls me that.”

Lili, who had been clapping her hands in admiration, belatedly introduced herself.

“I’m Rodi Brodi.”

“Your name is so cute too. Rodi will surely become a great Cheiles. Then can I look for you when I come next time?”

“Yes, that’s fine!”

“Thank you.”

Rodi also shook hands with Lili, who said they should be friends from now on.

But there was something she had been curious about.

“By the way, where did you come from, big sister?”

At Rodi’s question, Lili smiled enigmatically.

“From the imperial palace?”

“The imperial palace? That’s where His Majesty the Emperor is.”

“That’s right. I’m the imperial princess.”

“Oh, Lili is the imperial prin…”

Rodi was nodding and speaking when she suddenly looked up in surprise.

‘Then she’s an extremely high-ranking person!’

Lili tilted her head sideways and smiled softly.

Her bright golden hair, almost dazzling, flowed gently to the side.

Her large eyes were as fresh as leaves just touched by dew, making her look just like an elf from a fairy tale.

Rodi, who belatedly came to her senses, stood up abruptly.

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry!”

“Oh, that makes me sad. We agreed to be friends, didn’t we?”

When Lili held out her hand to Rodi again, Rodi cautiously took it.

Lili smiled and shook her hand.

“Just call me Lili. I prefer that too.”

“Okay.”

“Sigh… I need to go meet him now. Why am I so nervous about this?”

Lili muttered, pressing near her heart with visible nervousness.

“Are you scared to meet the boss?”

“No. I’m not scared, but what I have to say is very important, so I’m nervous. I thought I’d feel better if I sat down for a bit, but I’m still trembling.”

Hearing this, Rodi took Lili’s hand and stood up.

Lili’s eyes widened.

“Then let’s go now.”

“Now?”

“I’ll go with you!”

Lili stood up with her, somewhat taken aback.

Soon her face became determined.

“Yes. That’s good.”

***

Peek.

“Boss, I brought a guest.”

“You must have found her on your way.”

Tsk, how did he know?

Rodi nodded to Lili and opened the door wide.

Lili entered and nodded to Rodi gratefully.

‘I’ll show off my cookies later.’

Rodi stepped back to close the door.

“Little mouse, you come in too. I have something for you to do.”

Why me…?

She tried to resist a little, but when Eclise looked into her eyes and gestured with his chin for her to come, she had no choice but to crab-walk inside.

“It’s been a while.”

“You could have sent someone with the request.”

After confirming that Rodi had entered, Eclise replied indifferently.

He had stood up from his seat, but far from welcoming the guest, his eyes were busy looking at documents.

And with one hand still stuck in his pocket, he looked every bit the delinquent.

With the Imperial Princess right in front of him?!

Even as she sat on one side of the sofa, Rodi was impressed, thinking, “That’s our boss for you.”

“There was no answer.”

“An answer, is it.”

Eclise finally half put down the documents and stared at Lili.

“I proposed to you, didn’t I? I asked what you thought about marrying me. Since there was no answer, I came to hear it directly.”

What? Marriage?

The boss is getting married?

Rodi’s eyes sparkled.

The boss had received a proposal! It was a huge event.

She wasn’t just a guest after all.

This was something she absolutely couldn’t keep to herself.

She had to tell everyone else right away!

First, Padrid!

Rodi quietly slipped up from her seat and dashed straight for the door.

But before she could even reach the door, Eclise caught her by the nape of her neck and lifted her with her legs dangling.

“Waaah! Let me go, boss!”

Her short legs could never outrun his long ones.

Having failed to escape, Rodi furrowed her eyebrows deeply.

And why was he so strong?

Gemvil was much taller, but the boss seemed stronger.

“Where do you think you’re going?”