Despite not showing any outward reaction to Tervan’s conclusion, Edward was inwardly shocked. Technically speaking, Tervan was the last person to learn that Rachel was searching for the Tears of Licorice.

Yet somehow, he had reached the same conclusion as everyone else much faster. Perhaps he had felt Rachel’s transformation more acutely than anyone else.

“If that’s not the case, I can’t understand why Rachel changed so suddenly. Edward, you’re a mage, so you must know more about demons than I do, right?”

Edward gritted his teeth internally at Tervan’s question. While it was true that he was a mage, most information about demons was generally dismissed as legend, making it difficult to verify whether what he knew was accurate. This was especially true regarding the Time Demon Creon.

Due to the nature of the Time Demon, contractors rarely revealed their regression, and since the effects weren’t outwardly visible, information was even more limited.

“I don’t know much about it either,” Edward admitted, swallowing his pride and telling Tervan the truth.

Tervan’s eyes widened in surprise when Edward, a mage, confessed his ignorance. “You don’t know?”

“That’s right. Even general information about demons isn’t well documented. But what we’re suspecting is that Rachel contracted with the Time Demon, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes.”

“If you were in her position, would you tell anyone or leave records about contracting with the Time Demon Creon?”

“I… I’m not sure.”

Tervan answered honestly. He had barely discovered that the Tears of Licorice Rachel was searching for was connected to a demon.

After learning that a demon named Creon could reverse time, he suspected this might be Rachel’s secret and came to Edward for advice. Without more detailed information about Creon, he couldn’t readily answer Edward’s question.

Edward realized from Tervan’s reaction that he possessed no further information. Rubbing his forehead, Edward leaned forward toward Tervan.

“Tervan, there’s a prerequisite condition for contracting with the Time Demon Creon. Do you know what it is?”

Tervan shook his head in response.

Edward, having expected this, began explaining information about Creon piece by piece. “The death of someone with a desperate wish.”

“…”

“If you contract with Creon by sacrificing your life, you must sacrifice your life again to turn back time. Even after going to such lengths to reverse time, contractors rarely reveal that they’re Creon’s contractors. After all, this timeline might not be their last.”

“Sacrificing one’s life…”

Tervan momentarily stopped breathing. If his suspicion was correct and Rachel had contracted with the Time Demon Creon, it meant she had already experienced death at least once. He found this difficult to believe. What could Rachel possibly desire so strongly? No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine what Rachel wanted badly enough to throw away her own life.

“That’s why information about the Time Demon Creon is relatively harder to obtain compared to other demons. Even if you ask, I don’t have much to tell you.”

When Edward finished speaking, Tervan’s lips moved several times. “Could it be because of the subjugation mission?” he finally asked after considerable hesitation.

‘It’s probably because of you,’

Edward thought, barely managing to swallow the words that had risen to his throat. Bitter resentment welled up from deep within, but he suppressed it all. “If you’ve got your answer, would you mind leaving now?”

Though he refrained from saying anything harsh, he wasn’t composed enough to continue looking at Tervan.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“Don’t mention it.”

After hearing Edward’s answer, Tervan stood up. Watching him, Edward spoke up with a concerned thought, “You’re not planning to go straight to Rachel with this, are you?”

Tervan, who was about to turn away, looked back down at Edward. Judging by his visibly surprised reaction, he had indeed been planning to seek out Rachel immediately.

Glad that he had stopped him, Edward sighed softly in frustration. “I’m investigating this matter too. So please refrain from confronting Rachel about it. As I mentioned, even regression requires the contractor’s death. Don’t provoke Rachel. She might have contracted with the Time Demon Creon, as you suggested.”

Tervan nodded slowly as Edward added this explanation. “I understand.”

After answering, he left the reception room.

Edward remained seated on the sofa for a while even after Tervan’s departure. His thoughts refused to settle. Had Rachel really reversed time because of Tervan? If so, what did she mean when she previously said she had given up on him?

The bright and cheerful Rachel had become so calm and composed—surely many things he knew nothing about had happened to cause such a change.

These endless thoughts began to consume him. What pained and troubled him most was that he could do nothing to help Rachel in this situation.

“Brother!”

Without warning, the door swung open, and Viola entered the reception room. Edward looked at her with tired eyes.

“Did Tervan leave?”

“Yes. I just saw him on his way out.”

“I see.”

“What happened? I think this is the first time you and Tervan have talked alone. Did you discuss something important?”

Viola pressed Edward, full of curiosity.

Edward closed his eyes and shook his head slightly in response to her words. When Edward wouldn’t speak up, Viola pouted and flopped down on the sofa.

“That’s mean.”

“It’s nothing. Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

Once Edward reassured her, Viola didn’t mention it again.

“By the way, Viola, Rachel invited us to visit her.”

“Did she? Then I should go soon.”

“Would it be alright if I came along?”

“You too?”

Viola narrowed her eyes and looked Edward up and down. “You’ve been showing a lot of interest in Rachel-related matters lately. What’s going on? Have you fallen for Rachel?”

“Yes.”

Edward answered without hiding it, despite Viola having asked jokingly. Viola’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open, not having expected his answer to be genuine.

“What? Really? You like Rachel, Brother?”

Viola quickly asked Edward. Previously, he had forcibly concealed his feelings because Rachel liked Tervan, and he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

Now, however, there was no reason to hide anymore. Even if Rachel had reversed time because of Tervan, it didn’t matter. It was clear that her heart had moved on from Tervan.

“Yes. I like her.”

When Edward readily agreed, Viola covered her mouth with both hands. Her gaping mouth wouldn’t close. She felt like screaming. Her brother Edward liked her best friend Rachel!

“Since when?”

Viola, who hadn’t noticed Edward’s feelings at all, cautiously asked him.

“I’m not sure.”

However, Edward couldn’t answer precisely when he had started to like her. He hadn’t fallen in love with Rachel in an instant. It was because he had consistently watched her, and everything she showed touched his heart and resonated strongly.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when.”

“Oh my goodness. So it’s been more than a year?”

“Yes.”

When Edward answered, Viola let out a silent scream. Then, at some point, she adopted a determined expression.

“Alright. I’m pretty quick-witted, you know? I’ll find out whether Rachel has feelings for you or not.”

“What?”

Edward couldn’t hide his bewilderment. She hadn’t even realized he liked Rachel all this time, yet she claimed to be quick-witted. And now she was making such an outlandish plan.

“Viola, you tried to match Tervan and Rachel, and that didn’t turn out well. So please, just stay out of it and watch.”

“But I wasn’t wrong. It was all because Tervan couldn’t recognize his own feelings. He regrets it so much now.”

Edward, who had been about to dismiss Viola’s words, belatedly understood their meaning and looked up. “Tervan regrets it?”

“Yes. He said he thought he didn’t like Rachel. He realized his feelings too late. But what good does that do? Rachel has already been hurt enough.”

Viola said with a snort.

Only then did Edward understand why Tervan had been so desperate to approach Rachel recently.

“So that’s why.”

But Edward had no intention of letting Tervan have a second chance—both as a rival in love and as someone concerned about Rachel.