The Guildmaster answered as if it was obvious.

“Of course, you should expand the business. Since you can’t stay in the capital forever, it would be better to set up a branch in the provinces and move there.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too. I just haven’t decided where to establish the branch.”

“I’ll help look into it.”

“Thank you.”

The Guildmaster answered as if it was obvious.

“Of course, we should expand the business. Since you can’t stay in the capital forever, it would be better to set up a branch in the provinces and move there.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too. I just haven’t decided where to establish the branch.”

“I’ll help look into it.”

“Thank you.”

At that moment, I heard the Guildmaster’s long fingers rhythmically tapping on the desk.

He looked like someone with another ulterior motive.

“Is there somewhere else I should spend money?”

“Well… who played the biggest role in making the transportation business successful?”

I responded without hesitation.

“Me! Me with my Tamer ability! The one and only me in this world!”

I even raised my right hand high.

Meanwhile, the Guildmaster let out a deep sigh. Apparently, that wasn’t the answer he wanted.

Soon he spoke as if reciting an epic.

“Even diamonds were once mere stones. Those stones became jewels thanks to people who recognized their value. It’s the same with abilities that no one recognizes or refines.”

“Ah, so you mean Honey’s contribution was significant in actively helping me utilize my Tamer ability for the transportation business?”

“Smart as always, my dear.”

Finally, a charming smile appeared on the Guildmaster’s face.

“Do you want anything? Since I received my first settlement well, I’ll give you a gift.”

“Something I want…”

After contemplating for a while, the Guildmaster finally replied.

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

Tomorrow was the Founding Day Festival. I had promised to go to the outskirts with Duncan.

‘Come to think of it, this man hasn’t contacted me yet. I hope he hasn’t forgotten about our meeting tomorrow.’

Still, a promise was a promise. Even though there was no contact from the other party, I expressed my regret.

“I’m afraid I’m busy tomorrow with prior plans.”

“Oh my. Since tomorrow is the Founding Festival, I was going to suggest enjoying the festival together. Of course, in a very private place where others won’t find us.”

“Is there such a place in the capital? It’ll be crowded everywhere on the festival day…”

“Do you know there will be fireworks on Founding Day night? The top floor of my other business establishment is a perfect spot to enjoy that spectacular view. With no one else around, just the two of us can quietly appreciate the fireworks.”

“You’re making such a long and complicated invitation just to watch fireworks together.”

I looked at him with a grin.

Was it really that hard to simply say he had secured a good spot and wanted to watch the fireworks together?

The Guildmaster had his cute sides too.

“But since you said you have prior plans, it can’t be helped. I’ll have to go with someone else…”

“Who else? Don’t tell me a woman?”

“Minky or Mountain Path…”

I burst out laughing at that hopeless answer. I giggled as if I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t stop laughing as I imagined him watching fireworks with Minky in his arms and Mountain Path on his shoulder.

“Don’t laugh at Minky and Mountain Path. Only I am allowed to laugh at them.”

“Hehe, I wasn’t mocking them, it’s just that Honey with small animals looks cute.”

“Cute? Did you just call me cute?”

“Yes… do you dislike being called cute?”

The Guildmaster asked back with a suddenly serious face.

“Do you call just anyone cute?”

He was treating me like some frivolous woman. What’s wrong with saying someone’s cute?

“Not just anyone. I only say it when something’s really cute. That’s why I often say it to my Bless.”

Then the Guildmaster asked a childish question.

“Who’s cuter between Bless and me?”

Has this man lost his mind?

I wondered if he’d lost his sanity from excitement over making so much money…

It seemed like an impossible question otherwise.

“Please answer quickly.”

I needed to clearly tell this seemingly insane Guildmaster who was cuter.

“Bless.”

“Damn. Losing to a small bird.”

The Guildmaster who lost the competition clenched his fist, while victorious Bless laughed wickedly.

─Kyu.kyu.kyu.

‘Heh.heh.heh.’

It’s terrible that I’m getting used to this sound.

“Th-then, who’s cuter between Sir Duncan and me?”

The Guildmaster asked desperately, as if his life depended on my answer.

Though the question was very strange, I couldn’t resist his desperation and found myself considering the answer.

Between Duncan and the Guildmaster, who’s cuter…

“Sir Duncan.”

Maybe I was too honest.

But I had clear reasons for my decision. Reasons the Guildmaster probably couldn’t argue with.

“I don’t know Honey’s face, you know. While I know Sir Duncan’s face very well, and I’ve even seen him blushing recently. He was so cute I wanted to bite him.”

“….”

Unlike when he lost to Bless, the Guildmaster who should have expressed his defeat with a ‘damn’ remained silent.

His lips, not hidden by his hood, were pressed into a straight line.

…Is he angry?

“So tomorrow you’re going on a date with Sir Duncan who’s so cute you want to bite him?”

The Guildmaster’s voice was too excited to be considered angry.

It even seemed to carry a faint trace of amusement.

And it was strange that he knew about my meeting with Duncan.

“How did you know about that?”

“I brought Sir Duncan’s letter. That’s how I could guess.”

The Guildmaster then pulled out a letter from his robe.

The letter specified the time and place to meet tomorrow.

Early in the morning, he would have a carriage waiting where Evans had dropped me off.

I threw the finished letter into the fireplace to burn it.

“Tomorrow is Sir Duncan’s birthday. That’s why I can’t meet with Honey.”

“Can’t be helped then. Since it’s the birthday of the oh-so-cute Sir Duncan, I, who lost twice in cuteness, will gracefully withdraw.”

Was he that bothered about losing twice?

Is that why he kept emphasizing Duncan’s cuteness in what seemed like mockery?

I tried to console the seemingly hurt Guildmaster.

“We can hang out another time. Though it’s a shame we’ll miss the fireworks…”

“It’s fine. I have Minky and Mountain Path after all.”

“….”

“As a reward for your hard work, I’ll make an exception and lend that place to you and Sir Duncan.”

Since it was planned to go to the outskirts with Duncan, I wasn’t sure if we’d have time to enjoy the capital’s fireworks.

Still, I thought I’d mention it to Duncan since I was curious about the fireworks.

Separately, I was suspicious of the Guildmaster’s true intentions in showing such goodwill. He didn’t seem like such a nice person before.

“Thank you! But you’re not planning to sneak in, are you?”

“What do you take me for? I’m not tactless enough to intrude there.”

“Aren’t you jealous?”

“Why? Did you want me to be jealous?”

“No. Well, not exactly.”

I couldn’t think of a proper excuse. Perhaps I had wanted him to be jealous.

How strange that I like Duncan’s cuteness when I’m with him, but then like the Guildmaster’s slyness when I’m with him.

My heart was like a reed swaying in the wind.

Meanwhile, it was sad that there was little chance of things working out with either man I’d grown fond of.

I wouldn’t be able to see Duncan for a long time now, and the Guildmaster had an unforgettable past lover.

‘Both are dead ends, totally dead ends.’

I shook my head with downcast eyes.

I don’t know why my mood is sinking even though I’m still happy about striking it rich.

“How greedy. Though it’s none of my business.”

The Guildmaster whispered softly as he stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“What?”

“I asked if you wanted anything earlier. Let’s go buy it. And we need to buy Sir Duncan’s birthday present too.”

“W-wait a minute.”

I would have loved to go buy presents for the Guildmaster and Duncan right away.

But those damn three thugs came to mind, making me hesitate to follow along.

I could cover my face with a hood as usual, but there’s always a ‘what if’ in human affairs.

With Olivia’s appearance, the three thugs’ interest in me must have dropped, and I would soon leave the capital, getting completely away from them.

With the goal in sight, I didn’t want to risk getting caught.

I’d been cooped up in the office like a dead person all this time, and though it felt unfair, I was determined not to be discovered.

“Are you hesitating because you’re worried your survival might be revealed?”

“How did you know?”

“It’s written on your forehead. ‘Afraid of being discovered.'”

Though I knew such words weren’t actually written there, I still rubbed my forehead.

“Since tomorrow is Founding Day, there will be lots of people on the streets, and I’m worried I might run into someone from the Center.”

“I have a good idea.”

“What is it?”

“A different kind of date?”

The Guildmaster smiled meaningfully.

It was a wicked smile that somehow reminded me of a devil.