“However, I’ve gathered more information about the Time Demon Creon that Duke Bermund has been eyeing.”

Rachel looked up at Ryan, surprised by this unexpected statement.

“Information about Creon?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask what kind of information?”

Rachel held her breath, waiting for his next words, hoping to find some hint in what he might say.

“Nothing particularly special. Methods to contract with the Time Demon Creon, and what happens when you make the contract… Just that kind of information. If you’ve researched it yourself, you probably already know everything—nothing particularly valuable.”

“…I see. Could I hear it anyway?”

Rachel asked, hiding her disappointment.

Ryan recalled the information he had reviewed.

“As you know, death is a prerequisite for contracting with Creon.”

“I know that much.”

“And if you contract with Creon, you’ll travel back in time to a moment you desire.”

[How strange to hear my story from someone else’s mouth.]

Creon, who had been silently listening to Rachel and Ryan’s conversation, interjected.

Since it wasn’t particularly important information, Rachel focused more on what Ryan was saying.

“But whether time travel is truly possible remains unknown.”

“Why do you think that?”

Rachel asked in response to Ryan’s skeptical tone.

She already half-guessed the reason. In fact, Rachel herself had doubted whether time travel was really possible before contracting with Creon.

If Rachel hadn’t been desperate enough to sacrifice her life, she wouldn’t have even made contact with Creon.

And the same applied to Duke Bermund.

Although Duke Bermund had obtained information about Creon and acquired the necklace where Creon was sealed, ultimately, he didn’t have the desperation to sacrifice his life.

If everything known about Creon turned out to be false, one would simply lose their life for nothing.

“Because there’s no way to verify it.”

Ryan answered Rachel’s question.

“Even if Creon’s contractor travels back in time, no one would know. All that remains in reality is ultimately just the contractor’s death.”

Rachel unconsciously recalled the original story.

The first person who rushed to stop Viola when she was about to choose death to contract with Creon was Ryan.

It wasn’t strange that he knew this much information.

“Whether someone actually traveled back in time or not makes no difference. Until the person who traveled back reveals the truth themselves, it’s impossible to verify.”

Ryan paused briefly and sighed. His sigh seemed to sink heavily to the floor.

“Perhaps all this known information is false. No contractor of Creon has ever directly revealed their time travel, and even if they did, there’s no way to prove it.”

Ryan raised his head and gazed into Rachel’s eyes. He suddenly remembered the necklace she had.

“While I believed you wouldn’t do something so reckless, I was still anxious about why you were wearing a necklace identical to the one sealing Creon.”

Ryan’s eyes looking at Rachel rippled with anxiety.

He seemed unable to shake off his unease, even while believing Rachel wasn’t Creon’s contractor.

“…This is a fake.”

Rachel spoke to reassure him. However, the anxiety in Ryan’s eyes still hadn’t subsided.

“Even if it’s fake, it’s problematic. Why must it be that necklace? Could it be that not only Duke Bermund but you also want that necklace?”

“……”

Finding it difficult to lie, Rachel chose to avoid answering altogether.

Ryan, who had been looking at Rachel expectantly, lowered his gaze when she remained silent.

“…So you also wish to travel back in time.”

Ryan looked wounded.

“Is there something you desire?”

His tone was cautious. Rachel looked at him before shaking her head.

“No. I don’t want anything that badly. So you don’t need to worry.”

Rachel said to reassure him.

Though she said this, she couldn’t give a definitive answer that she wouldn’t travel back in time.

Above all, she was currently contemplating whether she should travel back in time again due to Duke Bermund’s proposal.

She could have lied since it wasn’t a situation requiring a serious answer, but she chose to avoid that part of the question.

“Are you sure?”

Ryan asked Rachel, seeking confirmation.

“Yes.”

Despite her affirmation, Ryan couldn’t easily feel at ease.

“If there’s anything I can help with, please tell me anytime. Whatever happens, I’ll help you.”

Listening to Ryan’s words, Rachel felt strangely like she was in the same position as Viola from the original story.

“I understand.”

Though she nodded, Rachel couldn’t shake the awkward feeling.

“Anyway, that’s all I know. I’m embarrassed to boast about finding information you probably already knew.”

“Not at all. It was good to confirm the information again. Besides, what’s important isn’t Creon but Duke Bermund.”

“You’re right. Duke Bermund isn’t making any moves right now, but what could he be plotting… Come to think of it, didn’t Duke Bermund attend Lady Hestein’s birthday ball?”

Ryan suddenly remembered and asked Rachel.

Since there was no reason to hide it, Rachel confirmed.

“Yes, he did.”

Rachel frowned as she recalled what happened at the ball.

“Did something happen?”

Ryan asked, puzzled by her reaction.

“No, I just found it unpleasant that the Duke deliberately approached Viola by appearing at the ball.”

“You’re saying he attended the ball with some intention.”

“Probably.”

“Do you have any idea what it might be?”

Rachel looked up.

Judging that there was no need to discuss her dealings with Duke Bermund yet, she regretfully shook her head.

“Could it be because of my friendship with you?”

“…I suppose that’s possible. Above all, we started being wary of the Duke after the monster forest subjugation team returned, so it’s reasonable to suspect that.”

Ryan accepted Rachel’s explanation in his own way and gave her a concerned look.

“Even knowing you’re strong, I can’t help feeling anxious. Rachel, please try to avoid contact with the Duke as much as possible.”

“I’ll be careful. You should be careful too, Ryan.”

“You don’t need to worry about me.”

Ryan quickly smiled, pleased that Rachel was concerned about him.

“Do you need an escort?”

“An escort? Are you going to assign me a knight?”

“If that’s what you want.”

His attitude was proactive, suggesting he would even provide imperial guards if Rachel asked.

Rachel smiled faintly and shook her head.

“It’s fine. The knights of our Pluret family are sufficient for escort. And as I’ve told you several times, I’m stronger than you think. So don’t worry.”

“I understand. I was probably too anxious.”

“I’m grateful for your consideration.”

After finishing her words, Rachel took a sip of the now-cold tea. The cup was still half full.

“I should head back now.”

“Already…?”

Ryan didn’t hide his disappointment.

“You can’t work because of me. Weren’t you so busy that you barely made time to come to my study?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“I should leave so you can get back to work. I’ll be going now.”

After speaking, Rachel stood up. Ryan looked at her apologetically.

Rachel tilted her head briefly to indicate it was fine before quickly returning to her normal posture.

“You don’t need to see me out. You must be busy.”

“How could I let a lady leave alone? That’s not possible.”

“Then please just accompany me to the entrance.”

“Of course.”

Ryan, reluctant to part with Rachel, deliberately walked slowly through the corridor.

Finally reaching the main palace entrance, Ryan released Rachel’s hand.

Rachel turned away from Ryan and headed toward Rose Castle.

She could feel Ryan’s gaze from behind, but she didn’t look back.

Instead, with a stern expression, she stared straight ahead and spoke to Creon.

‘I think I understand now.’

[Understand what?]

Rachel let out a hollow laugh at Creon’s puzzled voice.

‘Why Duke Bermund asked me to regress.’