Demian, quite impertinently, shook his head slightly in front of the person he serves.

“Then should I contact the temple?”

“Yes. If they refuse, tell them I’ll come in person.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Alright, thank you. Want some snacks before you go?”

“No.”

“I was just offering.”

“……”

“Hehehe.”

Teasing Demian is really the most fun.

Demian left with an expression like an angry pufferfish, and Sion was about to leave too. Just in case, I called out to stop him.

“Ah, Sion. Did you have breakfast?”

“No.”

“I thought so. Then eat this and come back at lunchtime. You need to eat.”

“Yes, Lady Lora.”

He held the cookie I gave him tightly in his hand, bowed with an expressionless face, and left.

“Well, I think I’ll sleep now. When it’s lunchtime, bring Sion and wake me up.”

“Yes, young lady. I’ll take my leave.”

After instructing the maid, I went into the bedroom and fell into a sweet sleep.

Perhaps because meeting the Count in the morning had drained me, I fell asleep instantly.

***

And in my dream, I met him.

Asmodeia.

[It’s been a while.]

He appeared in an all-white space.

He still smiled at me with his clean and clear blue eyes.

[Indeed. I’ve been busy lately, Asmodeia.]

I grumbled to him, asking when I could live as a jobless person.

He just gave a kind smile.

[I have a question.]

[What is it?]

[The name of the empire is Asmodea, and your name is Asmodeia. Are you a god?]

[Hmm, that’s partly correct.]

He had a troubled, and also slightly sad expression.

[It would be too long a story to tell you everything now. I can’t stay here for long.]

[Then where can I meet you?]

[When winter passes and spring comes, please come to Adelbalk.]

[Will you be able to tell me everything by then? Including what I need to do?]

[Of course.]

He smiled gently.

[I’ll let the temple know about Sion’s legs. Don’t worry.]

[Thank y… Oh, when you say you’ll let the temple know, do you mean through an oracle?]

[Pardon?]

[No! Please don’t do that, I’ll try to solve it on my own!]

[Won’t it be difficult?]

[If such an oracle comes down, the temple will be in an uproar. You know, I want to live peacefully.]

[Haha, alright. I’m always grateful to you, but you never give me a chance to repay you.]

He, who had been smiling warmly, suddenly spoke.

[Be careful of the one with black hair and red eyes if you go north.]

[What?]

[I’d like to tell you more, but time’s up. Take care and see you again.]

[Already? I have so many questions.]

[I’m sorry.]

The all-white room gradually darkened, and sounds from the surroundings began to be heard.

“…lady, young lady. It’s lunchtime. You asked to be woken up. I’ve brought that slave.”

“Mmm. Thanks. Could you bring the meal? Sion’s too.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Despite having conversed with him, my body felt refreshed as if I had slept deeply.

I got up from the bed, put on a shawl, and went to the drawing room where I saw Sion standing, waiting for me. I gestured to Sion, pointing to the seat in front of me.

“Sit down.”

“Is it alright for me to dine with you?”

“What’s wrong with that? We’ll have to do it often from now on.”

“You’re going to continue dining with slaves?”

“It’s lonely to always eat alone, you know.”

I said nonchalantly. He paused a little before answering.

“I see.”

Soon, the maid brought our meals.

We finished our meal in a quiet atmosphere as we had nothing else to say.

As I finished eating and sat on the sofa almost lying down, inhaling snacks, Sion stared at me intently.

Does he want some?

“What? Do you want some?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? Here. Eat a lot.”

This was the first time someone had willingly accepted after countless offers. I was a bit touched and pushed the snacks towards Sion.

“Thank you.”

Crunch, munch-

Only the sound of us crushing cookies echoed in the silent drawing room.

By the way, be careful of the one with black hair and red eyes, what does that mean?

It’s not common, but it’s a color combination that appears occasionally, so it might be hard to distinguish.

If he was going to tell me, he should have told me everything. I had many other questions too.

I grumbled, setting aside the fact that I had used up time asking questions.

Knock knock-

“Young lady, we’ve received a message from the temple.”

It was Demian.

“Come in. What did they say?”

Demian, who briefly looked at us strangely as we shared cookies amicably, continued speaking.

“They said they’ll come.”

“Really?”

“I mentioned the donation.”

“You said it like you wouldn’t, but you did. As expected, Demian, you always do what needs to be done. When are they coming?”

“They said next week. I explained the condition fully.”

“Did they say if they can fix it?”

“They said it should be possible. You, you should know how much effort the young lady is making for you.”

I laughed awkwardly at Demian’s sudden outburst.

“Haha, Demian. If you say it like that, won’t it make him feel less grateful?”

“Young lady, masters who do this much for a slave are rare. Really.”

“If I brought him, I should take responsibility to the end.”

“Haah.”

“Demian, stop sighing. You’re losing your luck.”

“Please make it so I don’t have to sigh.”

Just as our bickering was about to start again, Sion’s low voice echoed in the room.

“Thank you, Lady Lora.”

He had a complicated expression.

“It’s nothing. And you know this is all a debt, right? Pay it back as you live.”

“Yes.”

“I’m serious. Work hard. I intend to pay you wages according to how hard you work, and if you save that and pay back the price I paid for you, I’ll destroy the slave documents. Then you can live freely after that.”

Of course, since high-grade slaves were very expensive, it would take a long time to pay back, but hope is what makes people live for tomorrow.

Hearing my words, Sion looked at me with an expression of disbelief, and Demian…

“This is truly unprecedented, exceptional treatment.”

He held his head and left. I didn’t pay attention since he would stop eventually anyway.

“Ah, I need to rest a bit. I feel like I’ve been working too much lately. Don’t let anyone bother me for a week until the priest comes.”

“Yes, young lady.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ve made it clear, and now I’m going to lie down flat.”

 The maid responded calmly, while Sion answered as if his mind was somewhere else.