In the highranking noble families like the Esper House, each had a magical communication device connected to the royal family.

The magical communication device was a means to contact quickly, but it consumed so much mana that it was hardly used unless it was urgent.

But when the magical communication device flickered, Dewy, thinking that urgent communication had come from the royal family, immediately grabbed the device and ran to Carlos.

Shoving people aside, Carlos, who was left alone in the office, touched the magical communication device, and a man’s face in his early twenties filled the blue bead.

[Dash] Are you alright, Master?

The man was none other than Zerdin Darol Lu Kaiser, the crown prince of the Ruman Empire.

Long ago, the emperor, wanting the tenderhearted Zerdin to grow strong, had entrusted him to Carlos for as long as ten years.

Perhaps because of that, Zerdin was the only one among the royals who knew Carlos’s identity and didn’t fear or find it difficult.

Rather, he expressed an excessive familiarity and clung to him, which was more than a little annoying from Carlos’s point of view.

But now it was welcome. Since the temple showed suspicious movements, there was something Zerdin absolutely had to do.

“What’s the matter?”

But pretending to know nothing, Carlos asked calmly. Zerdin screamed as if he was about to jump.

[Dash] What’s the matter! I heard the news that you were bewitched by a witch and was worried, so I contacted you!

“You contacted quickly.”

It had been about four days since the problem knight’s article was released from the temple.

Frankly, Carlos thought that Zerdin would contact him the next day. There was no way Zerdin would be still after seeing that article.

But the fact that the contact came just now was a sure sign that something was wrong.

[Dash] Huh? I contacted you as soon as I heard the news.

There was definitely something. Carlos propped up his chin and sat askew.

“The rumor has reached the capital now, hasn’t it?”

[Dash] Yes. Specifically, the rumor started last night, and this morning an assistant heard the rumor and informed me.

“So it’s the rumor that spread, not the newspaper article?”

[Dash] Was there an article too?

Zerdin asked back in surprise when Carlos asked again.

[Dash] Which temple released the newspaper?

“The Monsera Temple. It’s in the Kaman territory.”

[Dash] If it’s the Kaman territory, it’s not far from the capital, so why hasn’t the newspaper spread here?

“Someone must have stopped it.”

Perhaps the Pope, or maybe one of those archbishops.

Or that guy could be the culprit, or they joined hands for each other’s goals.

With so many enemies, it was hard to narrow down suspects. Carlos chuckled to himself.

“I was thinking of contacting you anyway; this worked out well.”

Carlos had waited until today, but if Zerdin had not contacted him, he planned to contact him directly.

“Come here within a week.”

[Dash] ……Huh?

Zerdin asked back with a halflost face.

[Dash] So you mean come to the Esper territory within a week?

“Yes.”

[Dash] Even if you go as fast as possible from the capital to the Esper territory, it takes at least ten days.

“If you reduce sleep time, it’s possible.”

It meant to come without making excuses. Zerdin groaned and pressed his brow.

[Dash] ……I suppose you are the only person who would treat me, the crown prince, so roughly.

“There might be no one but you fawning over me.”

[Dash] Well, I’m not an ordinary person, but your lovely disciple. Your adorable disciple.

Adorable my foot. Carlos, feeling no worth in retorting, was about to cut off communication when Zerdin cried out in haste.

[Dash] Wait a moment! You must explain why you suddenly want me to come!

Carlos smiled coldly.

“If you’re my lovely disciple, you should figure that out on your own.”

Why did the word “lovely” sound so eerie? While Zerdin was frozen, Carlos cut off the magical communication.

Then he asked the servant waiting outside the office.

“Where is that woman now?”
Having solved one problem, it was time to deal with the next one.

[Star Icon]

After receiving the library key from Carlos, Irene spent most of her day in the library reading books.

For Irene, who could now freely read her favorite books, it was like a dream come true. But not for Jessie, who was bored to the point of physical discomfort.

“I have some urgent business to attend to, Miss! Don’t go anywhere, and stay right here!”

Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, Jessie slipped out of the library, making an excuse of urgent business.

Irene continued to sit in her place reading books even after Jessie left. She was so engrossed that she didn’t even notice Carlos opening the door and coming in.

Carlos considered calling Irene, but since she was reading so seriously, he decided not to disturb her and waited quietly.

How much time had passed? Irene’s eyes became dry from focusing too hard, and she rubbed her eyes and looked up.

“Huh?”