Calming my excitement, I gently pushed the belongings toward the man.

“Anyway, take them and examine them.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing, they’re yours originally.”

“Yes, then.”

This time, without any interference, he picked up the necklace.

Click-

And then, carefully sliding it, he opened the locket.

Inside was a rolled-up piece of paper.

“It seems we have a clue.”

Everyone tensely watched his hand.

When he unfolded the paper, what was written inside was text in elegant handwriting.

[From Noah to Ante in the year 612]

“Does anything come to mind?”

“No. I really can’t remember anything.”

“Then think about it slowly.”

Since pressuring him wouldn’t bring back his memories, I decided to give him some space.

I raised my hand and picked up the sword from his belongings. It was the sword that had cut my throat.

“Take your belongings, but I’ll keep the weapons just in case.”

“Yes, I apologize again for yesterday.”

He nodded and apologized, and I just smiled awkwardly. What would be the point of dwelling on yesterday’s events with someone who has no memory?

Just then, the man who had been fixating on the paper furrowed his brow as if something had occurred to him.

“Ah! My name, I think it’s my name.”

“Which one of the two?”

“Ante. Ugh…”

He seemed to get a headache when trying to remember, grimacing and suffering.

I sighed and calmed him down.

“It’s just a name, but at least you remembered something. Don’t be too hasty.”

“Yes, thank you. But.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m really sorry, but could I possibly stay here longer?”

“What?”

At his hesitant and careful question, the expressions of everyone in the drawing room twisted like demons. I could see them tightly gripping their weapons. Likewise, seeing this scene, Ante flinched, and his lips trembled.

“Never mind. I’ll find an inn.”

“Do you have money?”

“…Well.”

Of course, he wouldn’t.

We had thoroughly checked his belongings, but he was completely broke. He truly didn’t have a single penny.

I let out a deep, deep sigh.

“Stay. If you have nowhere else to go.”

“Miss!”

“Lady Lora!”

“Everyone, calm down. You can pay for your lodging by helping with the mansion’s work.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Everyone’s faces clearly showed their opposition, covered in dissatisfaction.

As I looked around at everyone’s faces with an awkward smile, my eyes met Lionel’s. He stared at me and smiled, crinkling his eyes charmingly.

So what? He’s already seen everything.

The way he was fiddling with the dagger, pulling it in and out of its sheath.

Letting out a thin sigh, I decided to change the subject for Ante’s safety.

“Are we all ready for winter? I heard from Sion that severe cold comes from mid-January.”

“The exterior repairs are almost complete. Lionel worked hard. Um, I think we just need to stock up on food and emergency supplies!”

“Ah. We’re running low on firewood for the fireplace, so we should buy some together, Master. I mean, Lady Lora.”

“Then let’s go buy them today. Shall we all go out together for a change of mood? Ante, you come too.”

“Yes. That would be good.”

While I’m at it, I should finish everything today and rest starting tomorrow.

With that determination, I stepped outside, and despite being armed with a temperature-controlled magic robe, the cold still seeped in.

It definitely wasn’t this bad until yesterday.

“Ugh, it feels suddenly colder today. Just how cold does winter get around here?”

“They say even fire freezes, Master. The weather changes drastically on January 1st.”

Lionel still seemed uncomfortable calling me by name, mixing “Master” and “Lady Lora.” Figuring he needed time to get used to it, I let it slide.

“We should buy magic robes for everyone. Soho, are you very cold?”

“No! I’m warm!”

“Irena, could you bring my fur muffler? The one with the warming spell.”

“Yes.”

Only after wrapping the muffler around Soho did we call for a carriage and head to the market.

First, we purchased temperature-controlled robes for all five people to get through the winter.

Then, we bought a large cart and began loading our purchases onto it neatly.

And I, shopping for the first time in a while, completely lost my mind.

“Oh? Let’s buy that too. Looks delicious.”

“Miss…”

“Wow, what’s that? Ah, knitting! I’ll knit while resting. Let’s buy that too!”

“Lady Lora…”

“Eek! It’s a magic crystal ball! This is essential!”

“Master…”

“Soho, this looks so good on you. I’ll buy it for you!”

“Wow, yes!”

“Since we’re using the basement as a food storage room, we should buy magic scrolls to control the temperature.”

“….”

Everyone tried to dissuade me in faint voices, but it was useless.

Without Demian to moderate my spending, there was no one to stop me. It was wonderful.

“Excuse me, is it really alright to buy so much?”

Ante, who had seemed very uncomfortable since I bought him a magic robe, asked me, and

I flashed a capitalist smile.

“Yes. I have lots of money.”

“Oh…”

Ante’s eyes sparkled. People around him looked at him with disapproval.

Starting with groceries, then firewood and magic bells, ample potions and magic scrolls, various toys, and even a crystal ball despite having no specific person to contact—before we knew it, the cart was full.

Sion and Lionel pulled from the front, while Ante worked hard, pulling from behind. Seeing Ante struggling, I suddenly came to my senses.

“Hmm? Did I buy too much?”

“I think so.”

“Maybe we should stop shopping and head back?”

Ante, panting heavily, carefully suggested, and Lionel and Sion nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s call a carriage to help carry everything.”

“Yes.”

So we headed to rent a carriage. At some point, the moving cart suddenly stopped. Sion, who was leading the way, stared intently at a secluded alley distinct from the main road.

“Sion, what’s wrong?”

“I think someone is following us.”

“You’re right. I’ve been feeling eyes on us for a while.”

Lionel also looked at the alley with an uneasy expression.

Of course, my eyes, staring at the same place, couldn’t see anything.

“Could it be because of me?”

“Probably.”

Ante fidgeted anxiously. The only people here who might be under surveillance were myself and Ante.

Since I had left home quite cleanly, it was most likely because of Ante.

I pondered for a moment, stroking my chin.

What do people usually do in this situation?

“Hmm. Isn’t striking first the answer?”

“Pardon?”

“Who do you think is stronger?”

“What?”

“Between you guys and the people following us.”

Sion and Lionel lowered their eyes with troubled expressions. Beside them, Soho bounced excitedly.

“Brother Lionel and Brother Sion are super strong! Really strong!”

“Hahaha.”

“I’m asking because it would be safer if we could subdue them without getting hurt. How do their skills look to you?”

At my added explanation, Sion and Lionel nodded and exchanged glances. After communicating with their eyes for a while, the two men spoke simultaneously.

“They are strong, but there are only two of them.”

“I think the two of us can subdue them.”

Then Ante also clenched his fist with a solemn expression.

“It’s my business, so I’ll help too.”

“Then let’s pretend to look around a bit more and head in that direction.”

While everyone agreed, only Irena seemed anxious and restless.

“Miss, wouldn’t it be better to seek help elsewhere?”

“Where?”

“The guard patrol or such.”

“They’re just following us, so even if we tell the guards, they won’t be able to do much. It’s better to subdue them first and ask about their intentions. We might even be able to confirm Ante’s identity.”

When I actively expressed my opinion, a conclusion was reached.

To subdue them first.