Emmett, who was standing nearby, said.

“The magic seal also serves as a bankbook. After wearing the seal, if you rub the gem, it’s designed so that only you can check your account details. It’s a special item given only to direct Roberg descendants.”

When Liria put on the ring, it smoothly adjusted to fit her finger. When she rubbed the gem with her index finger, a translucent window appeared before her eyes showing a number.

It was quite a long number, so she thought it was an account number rather than an amount, but then the Duke spoke in an indifferent tone.

“I’ve put in sufficient pocket money. When you become rich later, pay me back double.”

“Eek! Ah, understood, grandfather. But there’s only one number showing.”

“That number is the remaining balance in your account, young miss.”

Emmett kindly explained while pushing up his glasses.

“What?”

[10,009,210,598 Lutz]

‘W-what amount is this… Not just 1 billion but 10 billion?’

Surprised by the enormous amount, Liria blinked in disbelief.

Seeing a sum larger than a lottery jackpot, she felt more suspicious than happy.

There must be some reason grandfather gave such a large amount.

The Roberg Bank belonged to grandfather.

He would be able to check the account details anytime to see how this money was being used.

So how should she manage this money? That was another concern.

“Is the reward sufficient?”

“Uh, um… I… G-grandfather. It’s t-too much.”

“You don’t like it?”

“N-no, that’s not it. I’m just wondering if you really gave this amount to me.”

She hadn’t even fully opened her grandfather’s heart yet.

She never expected him to give such a large sum of money.

Or perhaps he was testing her?

The Duke glanced at his granddaughter, who wore a dazed expression with the ring on her finger, and said.

“Do you think I would lie?”

She shook her head.

“Eek, n-no…”

The amount was so large that Liria could barely speak.

“I’m just a little surprised because I’ve never seen such an amount before.”

Her heart was pounding and her legs felt weak.

Her short, chubby legs were actually trembling.

“By the way, can you read how much that is?”

“Yes, it’s over 10 billion Lutz.”

The Duke and Emmett looked at each other in surprise.

“Hmm, Your Grace. No child has ever read that number at six years old.”

“She might have an aptitude for calculations. Perhaps we should give her education in magical formulas.”

“……”

Hearing their conversation, Liria realized her mistake and fidgeted nervously as she spoke.

“G-grandfather. I was so surprised that I didn’t properly thank you. I’ll use it wisely without wasting it.”

Liria kept bowing repeatedly.

Watching Liria bow her tiny frame, the Duke reprimanded her with concern.

“Tsk, you need to eat well to grow and earn your own living! From now on, eat two bowls at each meal.”

“Yes, I’ll eat t-two bowls.”

The Duke’s eyes and lips, which had momentarily softened into a curve, became firm again.

“However, until you become an adult, you must have a justification every time you use this money. Keep a detailed record of your expenses and submit it to me.”

“…Yes! I’ll keep that in mind.”

The Duke looked down at the child who answered energetically and commanded.

“Our private audience ends here. You may go now. I’ll see you at the family gathering.”

I could write not just an expense record but a business plan and a hundred-page accounting document, too, grandfather.

With such a dreamlike amount, Liria’s heart was pounding with excitement.

‘I’ll use the money grandfather gave me preciously to protect Roberg.’

***

On the way back to the annex after parting with her grandfather.

In one corner of her mind, she thought of that boy who was alone in the darkness.

‘Adrian, how difficult a time must you be having. I’m worried.’

But Liria shook her head. It was painful and anxious, but nothing would come of just worrying.

Now was the time to do what she could.

‘Let’s work harder and prepare more meticulously. And then definitely save Adrian.’

At the cabin she had visited previously, neither Adrian nor Humbletine were anywhere to be seen.

The household items remained as they were, with even the door left open. They must have left suddenly.

‘If I were Osdel, what would I have done?’

Rather than placing Adrian somewhere else, he might have hidden him somewhere within the vast ducal palace.

Just like in the original story.

That timing might have been moved up significantly.

Why had the original story changed?

Could it be because I met Adrian early?

Then would Adrian be imprisoned somewhere different from the original story?

No, maybe he’s not imprisoned at all.

What if, as the original story changed, Adrian was sent far away?

Anyway, Osdel is the most likely suspect.

I need to keep monitoring his movements.

I’ve entrusted Jiana with tracking external movements.

Let’s observe Osdel carefully at the upcoming family gathering.

Liria opened her bag in a corner of the corridor and called for Kiki.

“Kiki, I have a favor to ask.”

With a pop, Kiki poked out his round head and perked up his ears.

“Beep.”

“This is a really important matter that involves someone’s life, no, the entire family. Do you remember my friend Noah that we met last time?”

“Beep-beep.”

“You remember Noah’s scent too, right? I don’t know if he’s in this Roberg mansion or not… but just in case, could you look for him? Quietly, avoiding people’s eyes. Got it?”

After sending Kiki off alone, Liria opened her sketchbook.

She reviewed and added to the family gathering attendance list and previous plans, then skimmed through her magic book.

Last time, she wanted to know Adrian’s feelings, but whether due to interference or him not being a valid target, the registration didn’t work properly.

Anyway, to obtain a new key, she had been feeding Kiki, the easiest target, 50 or 60 pieces of jerky every day.

As a result:

[3. Spirit of the Key Kirkiel]

The target’s heart is opening.

Quality jerky acquired (619/1000)

At this rate, it seemed she could reach 1,000 in just a few more days.

‘It’ll take a bit longer for the jerky smell to leave my room. Still, I’m glad Kiki has such a good appetite.’

She had sent five letters full of sincere compliments to Eugene, her next target, just last night—had he read them?

Carefully turning to Eugene’s page, she saw there was a change.

[4. Eugene von Roberg]

The target’s heart is opening.

Sincere compliments (51/99)

“Wow, looks like he’s already read the letters.”

The numbers had increased steadily.

But the problem was Grandfather.

His number hadn’t increased.

With two attempts left, she thought about proposing a simple deal, but grandfather’s reaction had been lukewarm.

‘I guess I didn’t satisfy grandfather as much as with the mana cave last time.’

She was recording sweet information she knew from the original story to make a deal that would satisfy Grandfather.

‘Ugh, I can only think of one so far. What else was there?’

At times like this, she needed to eat something sweet to get her brain working better…

“Young Miss Liria, you have a visitor.”

A welcome guest came to Liria’s room as she was fiddling with her crayons.

It was Eugene, with a much brighter expression.

“Big Brother Eugene! What brings you here?”