Seriously. What if I send him to work in a coal mine or something? How can he say that so easily?

“No, I mean… sigh, never mind. By the way, Sir Knight, do you know about academies? Ah, I’m not trying to be condescending, so don’t misunderstand…”

I wonder if academies exist in this novel world?

“I know about them.”

Seems like they do exist.

My eyes sparkled.

“Really? Is there a famous academy? Like, one with a large student body?”

The reason my business failed.

I thought the biggest cause was probably a wrong promotional strategy.

So the place I had in mind was an academy.

University, dreams, and love…

Love!

A place full of potential customers.

Isn’t it the perfect place to promote a ‘Unrequited Love Counseling Office’?

“Since you’re a Count’s daughter, I doubt you’re really asking because you don’t know the most famous academy in the empire…”

Ouch.

At Adriel’s muttering, I laughed awkwardly.

“Among the academies I know, there’s only one with many students.”

Adriel’s gaze shifted slightly toward me.

I swallowed and waited for him to speak.

“Vincent Academy.”

“Vincent… Do you happen to know its location?”

Adriel nodded.

Adriel immediately wrote down detailed directions to Vincent on a piece of paper. I asked Wit to go to the place Adriel had indicated and distribute flyers.

About two hours later, Wit returned empty-handed after having left with a stack of flyers.

“Kekek. Master, Wit earned his keep!”

“Good job, Wit.”

I had a good feeling about this.

Let’s make some proper money this time!

***

Bang-!

“Welcome…!”

“……”

A height easily exceeding 2 meters.

A large scar crossing the cheek of his face.

A huge man was standing right in front of the door.

A customer… no, a bear.

There’s a bear in front of the house!

I barely managed to exhale my held breath and tried to close the door.

“Is this the Red Thread Information Guild?”

The bear speaks!

“Pleased to meet you. I am Daniel, the Captain of the Holy Knights.”

“…Who?”

“I said I’m Daniel, Captain of the Holy Knights.”

…Oh. Dear God.

“I came after seeing this flyer. I’m not sure if I’ve come to the right place.”

“…If you don’t mind me asking, where did you see that flyer?”

Daniel, the Captain of the Holy Knights, answered.

“Vincent Academy.”

“Vin… Vincent…”

“Hmm. You don’t know Vincent Academy? Have you heard of the Holy Knight Academy? That’s what people commonly call it.”

Daniel tilted his head at my inability to answer.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of the Holy Knight Academy either?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it…”

Yes. That’s right.

Holy Knight Academy? I’ve never heard or seen such a thing.

I mumbled evasively while glancing behind me.

The firmly closed door.

This damned Holy Knight. Of all the many academies, why did it have to be the Holy Knight Academy…

Hah. Could he have targeted this? To call someone who could help?

“……”

My legs felt weak, and I almost collapsed right there.

What on earth have I done?

What was I thinking, accepting the information Adriel gave me without any suspicion?

“Do you need more introduction from me?”

“…I’m sorry. Would you… like to come in?”

Without any good reason to turn him away, I had no choice but to open the door reluctantly.

The giant-like man bent down and entered the house.

Creak-!

Something sounded like it was breaking as Daniel stepped on the floor.

“The chair is sturdier than I expected.”

The legs of the chair Daniel sat on looked precarious, as if begging to be put out of their misery.

My house…. Sob….

I’ll quit this business that only incurs repair costs after today.

“So what brings you here, sir…?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s get to the point.”

I glanced at Daniel’s face.

Since he said he came after seeing the flyer, I suppose it must be about love counseling?

However, Daniel asked an unexpected question.

“How do I appear to you?”

…Just scary, actually.

“Why are you asking that…?”

“You can be honest. It’s not just you; everyone who sees me probably thinks the same thing.”

“Ah…”

“You thought I was scary, didn’t you?”

“…A little, maybe?”

“That’s why I came. Charles is too afraid of me.”

Charles? Is that the name of the person he likes?

“I wish he would be less afraid of me. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Hmm…”

I pretended to contemplate while groaning.

Wit would find a way to solve this problem somehow.

But should I, who kidnapped Adriel, a Holy Knight, accept a request from the Captain of the Holy Knights?

“Is it difficult?”

“Well… yes, a bit…”

“I see… I understand what you mean.”

Daniel’s gaze heavily turned downward.

“No need to apologize. I understand. Even for a capable guild master like yourself, it must be difficult to accept a request from someone like me.”

“……”

“It’s unfortunate.”

…What’s this?

Why am I seeing the image of a dejected baby bear overlapping with this man?

I swallowed dryly as I thought.

On second thought, it doesn’t seem like something I should outright refuse.

If I’m worried about Adriel being discovered here, I could always conduct the counseling elsewhere.

This might even be an opportunity to earn some goodwill from the Captain of the Holy Knights.

If my crime ever comes to light, I might get some leniency.

After deliberation, I resolutely raised my head.

“I’ll accept your request.”

“…Can you really help?”

“Nothing is impossible for our guild.”

“Thank you. I can pay whatever fee you name, so please help me.”

They say crisis is opportunity.

Good. I’ll get insurance and make money at the same time.

“Then, could you first tell me about this person named Charles?”

I took out a notepad and wrote down what Daniel was saying.

“Charles’ charm is in his large eyes. When he blinks, his pupils are… yes, like olives.”

“I see. And?”

“His soft golden fur reminds one of southern wheat fields, with a glossy shine.”

Fur?

Is he talking about hair?

I nodded.

“His fangs, revealed when stalking prey, are as sharp as well-honed knives.”

“…Wait. Just a moment.”

Stop, stop!

I had been taking notes seriously but hastily looked up.

“Excuse me, but is this Charles person perhaps a… natural being? I mean, does he live in the forest?”

Daniel tilted his head.

“Charles is a cat that lives in my house?”

“…A real cat?”

“Are there fake cats?”

“……”

What is this?