Lambert and Baron’s meeting was several days ago.

Since then, Benjamin had been released and returned to the Duke’s mansion.

I knew he would be released, but it seemed sooner than expected.

However, he wasn’t simply set free.

By strongly asserting that I had been kidnapped by Benjamin, I made Demian issue a “restraining order” preventing Benjamin from approaching me.

Benjamin was now legally forbidden from coming near me under imperial law.

Of course, Benjamin wasn’t the type to care much about such things…

That’s why I worried about what he might do after being released.

But contrary to my tensions, peaceful days continued.

Until Benjamin’s subordinate came looking for me.

All the gifts and letters from Lambert and Baron had been disposed of by Demian.

Yet somehow, Benjamin’s subordinate managed to approach me directly, avoiding Demian.

“This is from Lord Benjamin.”

In his hands was a large box.

As soon as the lid was opened, something suddenly clung to my face.

“What, what is this?”

I was startled as my vision was suddenly blocked.

I flailed my hands and eventually felt what was sticking to my face.

It was something like a ball of fur. Soft fur with squishy flesh…

Soon, it moved down to my shoulders.

—Meow.

‘I thought I was going to suffocate.’

That gruff voice was definitely familiar.

Lowering my gaze, I discovered a beautiful cat.

“Sarang!”

What Benjamin had sent was Sarang, who had helped me at the Duke’s mansion.

“I’ll be taking my leave now.”

Having completed his mission, Benjamin’s subordinate disappeared silently.

I sat on the sofa and shared the joy of reunion with Sarang.

Sarang had no injuries, her fur was glossy, and most importantly, the restraint that had kept her from leaving the Duke’s mansion was gone.

“How did this happen?”

‘That scary young master removed the restraint from my neck and sent me here.’

“Didn’t the Duchess try to stop him?”

‘I couldn’t understand their conversation well, but she did grab the young master while crying.’

I could somewhat understand the Duchess’s feelings. I also had a precious companion bird.

How sad would I be if someone took Bless away?

‘I was scared because I didn’t know where I was going… So you asked the young master for this?’

“…Yes. I did ask for it.”

Of course, I didn’t know if he would grant the request right away. I swallowed the rest of my words.

Honestly, because I couldn’t trust Benjamin, I was about to write a letter to the Duchess requesting a meeting.

‘You must dislike the young master too, so thank you for making such a request.’

“I’m indebted to you as well. It was only natural.”

‘Hehe, does this mean I can meet Nero now?’

“If you want, I can arrange for you to meet Nero right away. But are you okay with this? Completely leaving the Duchess’s side?”

Sarang couldn’t answer promptly and tilted her head.

Though she had been with the Duchess through kidnapping, it seemed she had grown attached to her.

Well, you did really enjoy the food the Duchess gave you.

—Meow?

‘If possible, I’d like to go back and forth. The Duchess would be very sad if I disappeared completely.’

“Yes. I don’t know about other things, but she did seem genuinely fond of you.”

‘Could you convey these feelings of mine to the Duchess?’

To convey Sarang’s feelings, I would need to reveal that I was an ability user with Tamer powers.

Perhaps not just to the Duchess, but to everyone.

I had already decided not to live in hiding anymore, and I planned to continue operating Jinjijo Transportation.

And according to Bless, who was very busy helping his companions transform, his companions could now grow their bodies quite well.

Also, “that task” which Lambert and Baron had to do to receive my forgiveness, was nearing completion.

‘It seems like a good time has come.’

I thought about revealing everything on this occasion.

I couldn’t keep hiding behind Demian and relying on the imperial palace’s protection forever.

“Alright, I’ve decided. I’ll definitely help you.”

‘Thank you!’

I gently stroked Sarang’s round head.

***

Chelsea Center was busy preparing for the inauguration ceremony of the new Center Director.

Evans was becoming the real Center Director today, not just “interim.”

The ceremony was held on a platform set up in the garden in front of the center.

Demian and I, with our hoods pulled low, sat in front of the platform waiting for Evans to appear.

Soon, Evans climbed onto the platform.

Dressed in a three-piece suit like Demian, Evans’s face showed uncharacteristic signs of tension.

Evans even took a deep breath to compose himself.

Perhaps it was the aftermath of learning that Minky’s true identity was Evans. The image of Minky overlapped with the tense Evans.

Cute little Minky, trembling all over.

“Minky seems very nervous.”

I must have unconsciously called him Minky.

Demian chuckled at my natural use of the name.

“Our little puppy is nervous. I hope he does well with what we asked him to do.”

“He’ll be fine. He’s your capable subordinate who has succeeded in everything you’ve ordered him to do.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

Our conversation didn’t continue further. Because Evans’s inauguration ceremony had begun.

Despite his visible nervous sweat, Evans spoke eloquently.

He said he would prioritize the welfare and lives of guides and espers, create a clean center free of corruption, and even improve the center’s cafeteria.

Just as his speech seemed about to end.

Evans’s gaze turned to Demian and me. The look in his eyes signaled my turn would come next.

“…And finally, I’ve specially invited the Master of Jinjijo Transportation, who has been providing great help to Chelsea Center, to join us today.”

At that sudden announcement, murmurs spread through the crowd.

“Gasp, is that mysterious Master whose identity has never been revealed going to appear now?”

“Who could it be? Don’t tell me it’s actually Director Evans?”

That person is the very one you all have looked down upon and ignored.

Soon, I heard Evans calling me.

“Master, please come up to the platform.”

I stood up confidently and walked onto the platform.

Then I took the position where Evans had been standing moments before.

In front of me were numerous people curious about my identity.

Most were familiar faces.

Guides who had pointed fingers at me for being C-rank despite being guides like them, kind espers who occasionally helped me move around.

Lambert and Baron were sitting with indifferent expressions, and Olivia with an interested look.

Even Benjamin was standing in the distance.

Not only had Benjamin received a restraining order, but he had also been sentenced to mandatory labor, requiring him to respond unconditionally to Chelsea Center’s calls to deal with monsters.

I opened my lips wide toward the people who were holding their breath, focusing on me.

“Hello, everyone.”

Upon hearing my voice, the faces of Benjamin, Lambert, Baron, and Olivia became subtle.

Thinking there was no need to hide anymore, I pushed my hood back.

As soon as I did, exclamations erupted from the crowd.

“I-isn’t that Guide Yerena?”

“…They said she didn’t die but was alive! It’s true!”

“But if Yerena is appearing now… does that mean she’s connected to Jinjijo Transportation?”

I had been famous even when working at Chelsea Center.

The reason was that despite being a C-rank guide, I belonged to the same group as S-rank and A-rank espers.

So more than half of the people at the center knew me.

And recently, my affairs related to Benjamin had also been highly publicized…

Now, there would be no one who didn’t know me.

It didn’t feel bad to be the center of attention.

I didn’t realize it before, but I seem to be more suited for the stage than I thought.

I coolly brushed back the hair that had fallen across my face, then looked down at them arrogantly.

“Yes, I am indeed the Yerena you all know well.”

As I confirmed my identity, gasps simultaneously escaped from the crowd.

“And now, I’ve quit being a guide and am the Master of Jinjijo Transportation.”

Shock washed over everyone’s faces at that startling statement.