Estelle Perdia.

I had forgotten that name for a moment.

Since Estelle would come to Perdia three years after I regained my memories, there were about two years left until her appearance.

I recalled the brief conversation I had with the god Ishtar.

“Was what I believed to be the contents of a book actually my past life?”

[That’s right, child. However, someone intervened, making it an incomplete record.]

“Someone… who?”

[It must be the minions of my sister Irkala.]

I couldn’t tell which parts were my past life and which were manipulated by intervention, but one thing was certain.

“Then who is Estelle? Is she a real person?”

[That child is also a sacrifice of Irkala.]

The fact that Estelle was a real person.

I hadn’t been paying much attention to it since I had searched the empire for Estelle before without much success.

But to see that name again.

And in a kidnapping case involving someone close to me.

‘Interesting.’

Am I being overly sensitive if it feels like a challenge thrown at me?

The person I instinctively thought of as being behind this incident was Gabe Jenade.

But what I actually found using my power were traces of Estelle.

Those two things didn’t seem entirely unrelated.

Lost in thought, I remained quiet, prompting the knight to call me again.

“My lady?”

“It’s nothing. Shall we head back?”

I stepped onto the stairs leading to the surface.

It seemed there was no more information to be gained here.

***

Upon returning to the mansion, I took out paper and a quill to organize my thoughts.

Gabe Jenade, who is related to Irkala, the god of the underworld.

Belissa Kreundel, found in Gabe Jenade’s laboratory.

My past life memories, which Irkala’s minions intervened to change.

Finally, Estelle, who is said to be Irkala’s sacrifice.

Looking at the words spread out in a mind map on the paper, I came to one conclusion.

‘Perhaps Belissa could be Estelle.’

Although the different hair and eye colors were concerning, it wasn’t entirely impossible since they could be changed with magic.

Of course, I had never heard of permanently changing colors, but…

‘Since it’s related to gods, anything is possible, I guess.’

Moreover, in my past life memories that I believed to be the contents of a novel, Belissa had never appeared.

If Belissa was Estelle, it would explain why I couldn’t find her no matter how much I searched the empire.

Although it was just a hunch without any concrete evidence, it was worth checking out.

I called out to Greed, who was sitting by the window with his ears perked up, looking outside.

“Greed. About the information you see with your ability.”

[Huh?]

“If there’s a person known by two different names, which name appears in the information?”

[Well, wouldn’t it be the more commonly used name?]

It seemed that even Greed didn’t fully understand his own ability.

But it didn’t matter. I would find out if I used Greed’s ability on Belissa.

However, I couldn’t use it right away.

“This ability is so inefficient.”

Just once a week for only 3 seconds!

Seizing the opportunity, Greed began his contract sales pitch.

[In that case, you could make a contract with me!]

“No thanks.”

[If you contract with me, you can use it for over 10 minutes right now! Not just 3 seconds!]

“I’m not buying it.”

[If you contract now, I’ll only take 80% of your lifespan!]

“Wow, that’s really a great deal.”

A discount from 90% to 80%!

Hearing my amazement, Greed asked with an expectant voice.

[So, will you do it?]

“Do you think I would?”

[Th-then I’ll make it 75%!]

“I said I’m not buying.”

As I pushed away Greed’s head while he continued his contract sales pitch, I pondered how to approach Belissa a week later.

While at it, it would be good to bring Gretel along and make contact with her too.

For girls my age to gather, there was only one way.

“I should hold a small party.”

A tea party with just a few invitees would be better since a big party would be troublesome!

***

…could not be realized.

“A tea party for Lady Severes’ first event? Unacceptable! Please reconsider, my lady!”

“If you leave the preparations to us, we’ll make it far grander than anything in Perdia!”

I had only mentioned wanting to hold a modest party with ladies my age, but things were getting out of hand.

The retainers insisted on holding a lavish and grand banquet, claiming it was a matter of my reputation and dignity.

‘But why are they competing with Perdia?’

Even the banquet then was extravagantly dazzling, and if this one were to be even more splendid, Severes might go bankrupt.

As if reading my mind, one retainer pressed on fiercely.

“Severes won’t go bankrupt over something like this!”

“No, but I still want a modest party-“

Cutting off my words mercilessly, the retainers shouted in unison.

“There’s no such thing as a modest party in Severes!”

“Let’s hold the grandest banquet to show Severes’ prosperity!”

“Yes, let’s do it!”

…This party had already slipped out of my control.

As a last resort, I turned to Dad, who was watching silently.

“Dad. Please do something.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“Please stop the retainers. I don’t want this to get out of hand.”

In response to my desperate plea, Dad intervened in the retainers’ heated discussion about how grand and large to make the event.

“We’ll keep it small as Elodie wishes.”

At Dad’s words, the retainers fell silent.

It seemed they couldn’t argue with the head of the family, but that didn’t last long.

“Wait, haven’t we not held a single banquet in Severes since the master woke up?”

With one retainer’s comment, the target shifted.

From me to Dad.

“This can’t be!”

“We must hold a banquet to show the entire empire how healthy the master is!”

“Actually, I heard other families mocking our house.”

“They say Severes is past its prime. That we should be removed from the Four Great Houses!”

“Hmph, nonsense. Severes is the best among the Four Great Houses!”

It seemed Dad’s words had struck a nerve with the old-fashioned retainers. They became even more enthusiastic, their eyes gleaming with fervor.

“This is perfect, master. While we’re at it, let’s show the entire empire how healthy and close you and the young lady are!”

“We should invite some journalists and have articles published widely!”

“Why didn’t we think of this earlier…”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

As the retainers were already getting excited, Dad opened his mouth to stop them.

“I understand your intentions, but-“

“If you understand, then just follow along quietly!”

“Do you know? There are still people who call our young lady ‘Elodie Perdia.’ Are you going to let that slide?”

“Are you going to let Duke Perdia steal your place as her father?”

Suddenly, the retainers started attacking Dad.

Of course, Dad wouldn’t be swayed by such shallow tactics… right?

“…….”

“D-Dad? Hello?”

Unbelievably, Dad was greatly shaken.

“Then we’ll take it that the master agrees!”

Dad’s opinion was also disregarded. Even the head of the family couldn’t win against the loudly insisting old-timers.

Dad apologized to me in a dejected voice.

“I’m sorry, Elodie.”

“It’s okay. You did your best, Dad…”

The retainers were too strong for our weak father-daughter duo to handle.

***

The preparation for the banquet was mostly left to the retainers, so my task was to write the invitations.

They said they would handle the selection and sending of invitations to other guests, so I just needed to write invitations for close acquaintances.

“For my partner… I’ll enter with Dad…”

As I was organizing the invitation papers, Greed passed by and commented.

[Too few papers. Why do you have so few friends?]

“…Ouch.”

After inflicting an emotional wound on me, Greed quickly jumped onto the sofa.

Still, compared to the past, I now had people I could call friends.

‘Right. Since we’re holding a banquet anyway, let’s invite everyone.’

At the Perdia banquet, I couldn’t invite Isis because he disliked Duke Perdia too much.

But this time, since it’s being held at Severes, I should be able to invite him.

Of course, I included Gretel and the trio from the Earth Hawk Mercenaries on the list. While at it, I added Martha to the list too.

There’s no rule that only nobles must attend.

I included Belissa, the target of this banquet, and her brother Leon.

Then I suddenly remembered Adenmir, who had complained about not being invited to the previous Perdia banquet despite being my friend.

I must not forget to invite him this time.

There was one more person on my mind.

Raeyan, who had gone to the Black Ravine without giving me any notice.

Even now, I check the newspaper daily to confirm Raeyan’s well-being from a few days ago.

I wonder if he’ll return before the banquet. I touched the magical communication device and then put it down again.

Lastly, as I was writing invitations for the Perdia family, I suddenly realized.

“…Isn’t this going to start a war?”

The combination of Perdia and Severes, it’s too dangerous.

‘Will this banquet be okay?’

***

Kwaaang!

The sword strikes that carelessly swept away the monsters were merciless.

With each swing of the sword, huge monsters fell helplessly one after another.

All eyes in the Black Ravine were focused on one spot.

Standing amidst the mountain of monsters was Raeyan. The man who had revealed his real name as Raeyan Vietan.

Even the noble team leader spoke respectfully to Raeyan and showed him deference.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Raeyan was essentially in charge of this monster subjugation.

Raeyan, who had gained explosive popularity and attention in the capital Somnia through news articles, enjoyed even hotter popularity at the ravine site.

There were even followers who said they would join the Earth Hawk Mercenaries if they could return safely.

While everyone was excited with hope and diligently engaging in the subjugation, only Raeyan viewed the situation pessimistically.

‘The situation is not good.’

Certainly, the number of monsters was decreasing. It had reached a level where they only needed to deal with monsters generated from the rifts.

But the problem wasn’t the monsters, it was the rifts.

Other team members didn’t pay much attention, but the number of rifts had increased compared to before.

They didn’t care because these were rifts that weren’t generating monsters.

However, these rifts were like dormant volcanoes. Ready to erupt at any moment.

Upon arriving at the base camp, reporters flocked to Raeyan again today.

They eagerly thrust the latest newspapers at Raeyan.

“Severes is holding a party. It’s said that not only the imperial family but also high-ranking nobles will all attend!”

“There’s a rumor that even Perdia will attend. Perdia setting foot in the Severes mansion… It’s a rare sight to behold, but it’s a shame we can’t go!”

“Come to think of it, we know that you, Raeyan, are on close terms with Lady Severes!”

“Are you perhaps in a romantic relationship with Lady Severes?!”

At one reporter’s question, Raeyan turned to look at him.

As it was the first time Raeyan had shown such a reaction, everyone around tensed up.

It was clear that a major mistake had been made.

“You. What’s your name?”

As Raeyan even asked for his name, the singled-out reporter answered pitifully.

“It’s, it’s Grace. I’m sorry for asking an inappropriate question-“

Cutting off those words, Raeyan announced.

“You’ll interview me later.”