But what was that man’s name again?

The name was on the tip of his tongue but wouldn’t come out.

Still, he knew at least that he was the leader among the three men who actively tormented Yerena.

Bless, who found this fact distasteful, had even dropped bird droppings on him before.

Anyway, how did that man find his way here?

Bless was certain that the man’s visit wasn’t a good sign. So just for today, he couldn’t give him the gift of bird droppings.

If he provoked and got caught by him, it would surely bring harm to Yerena.

Rather than Bless being particularly clever to make such a judgment, it was based on instinct gained from living in a world of survival of the fittest.

Bless had experienced losing his home to a top predator before.

The horror of that day remained unforgotten, still vividly remembered to this day.

Bless flew to the back of the ‘Hot Potato’ building, avoiding the man’s gaze.

While lingering near the back door, when someone opened it, he quickly slipped inside.

Everything went smoothly after that.

Inside the potato wholesale store, there was a small hole that led directly to the Guildmaster’s study.

It wasn’t there originally but was specially made by the Guildmaster for Bless.

It was meant to be used for communication needs like today.

Bless flew straight to the study through the hole.

As Yerena had predicted, the Guildmaster was sitting at his desk, looking over documents.

As usual, Bless started pecking at the Guildmaster’s head. He had disliked this man from the start, who seemed to be constantly eyeing Yerena.

If he hadn’t helped Yerena, Bless wouldn’t have dealt with this man at all.

Unlike Yerena, Bless couldn’t trust someone who hid their true identity.

“Ouch, ouch. Bless, that’s quite a greeting.”

The Guildmaster, neither hurt nor offended by the pecking, lightly grabbed him.

“Did my dear send you?”

Bless didn’t chirp at the Guildmaster, who couldn’t understand him. Instead, he just held out his leg with the note attached.

“A love message, is it? Can’t stand being apart even though we just parted.”

The Guildmaster’s voice talking about love sounded downright sleazy.

‘Yerena… Is it really okay to keep trusting and following this man?’

Bless was quite worried about Yerena’s future. Though nothing serious would happen since he would protect her.

“What should I do with my dear? Haha. I can’t keep her just by my side.”

…With this level of obsession, would there be problems even with him protecting her?

Bless escaped from the Guildmaster’s grasp and struck his cheek with his wing.

‘Get it together!’

That cold man has come right to our doorstep! This is no time to be grinning!

By the way, how should he let the Guildmaster know about the cold man’s arrival? Bless was lost in thought.

But contrary to his worry, the problem solved itself quickly.

Just as the Guildmaster started reading the message, Yerena’s voice suddenly came out of nowhere.

[Honey! I completely forgot we could communicate through the watch.]

Bless was happy to hear her lovely voice.

The Guildmaster seemed to feel the same, quickly rolling up his sleeve with the watch.

“You can remember from now on. And I don’t mind being contacted through Bless either. As you know, I love animals.”

‘I don’t like you…’

Thinking that, Bless struck the Guildmaster’s cheek once more.

The Guildmaster smiled like a masochist enjoying the abuse, even after being hit.

‘Maybe I should have hit harder without holding back.’

A grumbling sound came from Bless’s small beak.

“Bless seems to dislike me, pecking and hitting me, but I think this is his own way of showing affection.”

[That’s strange. Bless isn’t the type to torment someone without reason.]

“That’s why it must be an excessive show of affection. He must love me a lot.”

Bless was flabbergasted.

‘If only this man hadn’t helped my master…’

“More importantly, are you going to Pandora Forest now?”

[Yes! Do you have time too, Honey?]

If they went out now, they might run into that cold man. Bless chirped loudly toward Yerena.

―Kyuuuuuu!

‘No! The man who tormented you is nearby right now!’

Bless struggled to remember the name of the man Yerena had discussed.

―Kyuu?

‘Bes…jim?’

Even though he got the name half wrong, Yerena understood perfectly and let out a surprised sound.

[What? No way!]

“What? What did Bless say?”

[Mr. Benjamin is nearby?]

“……What?”

The Guildmaster was equally unable to hide his surprise. The usually glib Guildmaster suddenly became rigid.

Bless became curious about how these two would overcome this sudden crisis.

***

The Guildmaster and I postponed our trip to the Pandora Forest and monitored Benjamin’s movements.

We worried that Benjamin might raid the potato wholesale store and destroy the guild or break imperial law by recklessly using his abilities on civilians.

But anticlimactically, Benjamin just stood there blankly before returning to the Duke’s residence.

‘What did he come all this way to confirm?’

I had read the original work and even talked with the living Benjamin, but I couldn’t fathom his thoughts at all.

What plans could he be scheming in that small head of his, really.

Even in this situation, there was one thing that was certain.

“I think they’re onto us.”

I said this to the Guildmaster after we returned from Pandora Forest at nightfall.

We had quickly written up the contract with Potas and just returned to the Guildmaster’s study.

This wasn’t just because of Benjamin; it was a speculation that included Lambert, who had been lurking around here recently.

“You seemed distracted while talking to Potas. Were you thinking about Lord Benjamin?”

The Guildmaster’s voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction. Perhaps because I was thinking of other things during an important matter.

As expected of a skilled businessman.

“Both Benjamin and Lambert coming to Hot Potato is a serious problem. I couldn’t help it.”

“I know. But why do I dislike it so much……”

The Guildmaster trailed off and let out a heated sigh.

“Honey. What do you mean by ‘dislike’? Could it be… jeal…ousy?”

“Aren’t I allowed to be jealous while we’re pretending to be lovers?”

“That’s not what I meant……”

If you keep acting like this, I might start misunderstanding.

That this ambiguous relationship might become real.

But before I could make any assumptions, the Guildmaster cut off the roots of any misunderstanding.

“No. We’re just business partners.”

Indeed, that was a response befitting a skilled businessman.

While I thought this answer was natural, I felt somewhat bitter about it.

“If you’re that worried, how about moving to the Philia Islands tomorrow?”

“Yes, I was thinking the same thing. Although the branch isn’t complete yet, I’d like to go early and explore the surroundings.”

“Good idea. Do you have any family or relatives you need to say goodbye to?”

At that moment, I thought of Yerena’s real parents.

I don’t even know what happened to them after they caused such a commotion at my fake funeral.

Their silence was good news to me, and I hope they continue to stay quiet.

And I had no intention of saying goodbye to such people.

“No. I don’t even know where my parents are. Instead, when I leave, could you pay Olivia for me? And it would be nice if you could also pass on my farewell.”

“I will.”

“Everything seems settled then. To think tomorrow will be the end of my life in the capital.”

“Are you feeling regretful?”

“It would be a lie to say I’m not, right?”

Of course, it’s not about not being able to stay in the capital. What I truly regret are the connections I have to leave behind.

“Will you miss me too, Honey?”

“Yes.”

The plain answer without any embellishment contained only sincerity.

“If you miss me, come visit often.”

“Yes, I might come too often.”

“That’s good.”

“Ah right, lastly, I’ve reserved an inn for you in the Philia Islands. You can stay there while exploring the islands.”

“Wow, you’re really good at this.”

Honestly, I was planning to just find any place to stay after getting to the Philia Islands.

But the Guildmaster seemed to have perfectly considered even my thoughts and prepared accordingly.

And I know he’s really busy these days…

“I know I’ve said this before, but you’re really amazing, Honey.”