This is really… I don't think this can be done with just any amount of money.

Thinking that, I opened my mouth.

“Penny, I really appreciate your help with this.”

“Oh no, no need for thanks.”

“But you don't have to go this far next time.”

She’s really fearless!

I could kind of see why Gideon treated Penny that way. Then, perhaps not expecting my reaction, Penny’s mouth dropped open.

After a moment, she finally found something to say and shouted.

“There’s way too little praise!”

Gideon, who was standing nearby, chimed in.

“Yeah, absolutely. That’s exactly right.”

“Uncle, you’re really too much…”

I patted Penny’s drooping head and turned to Ricardo.

“……”

Whatever he was thinking, his eyes had calmed like the eye of a storm.

“Ah. Now I get it.”

Just then, Gideon started speaking.

“I must have had a bias against the Roygin family.”

“…Looks like that’s been broken now?”

“A little.”

He gave a light laugh and dispelled the soundproof magic. Then he spoke to the alchemist who had been outside.

“Since we’re getting our break a little early, let the others know too.”

“…It really is a break, right?”

When Gideon nodded, the woman let out a deep sigh. Soon after, she pulled various potion bottles from the wide sleeves of her robe and scattered them on the ground.

The potions soaked into the floor and disappeared in no time. Along with that, the stench started to rise in the once clean and flowing underground passage, and the tent vanished.

With each blink, the underground street I had known was cleared away.

When even the last trace of the woman disappeared, Gideon pinched his nose and spoke in a nasal voice.

“Absolutely awful. Let’s move.”

* * *

After that, we passed through several walls.

From trendy interior walls within the capital to unfamiliar ones, we didn’t stop.

“This is a route alchemists often use. Moving like this means we skip the tolls!”

Eventually, when we reached our destination, Gideon let out a sigh of relief and plopped into a chair.

“No time for formal hospitality, so let’s get to the point.”

Before we knew it, he had taken on the demeanor of the Rowain family’s representative, not an alchemist.

Ricardo seemed to have a general idea of what was going on. Then, he sat me next to him, where I had been standing blankly.

“Ha, is this really the Duke I know? Now that I think about it, your actions so far haven’t been very duke-like.”

Ricardo seemed exasperated and let his words pass through one ear.

“You didn’t come all the way here just to report me to the Imperial Court, did you?”

“Why would I bother doing something like that?”

There was a moment where only a sigh echoed. Gideon wore a troubled expression.

“Haa, I’ve gone mad. I must’ve finally lost it.”

“You’ve always been like that, Uncle!”

“…Be quiet.”

Gideon sighed over and over. But since he had brought us this far, his intentions were relatively clear.

“…While Father is working to clear your name, I can’t let myself be an unfilial son.”

“That’s the most welcome thing I’ve heard yet.”

“Several noble families are also realizing that His Majesty’s decision was excessive.”

Only then did Ricardo give a brief smile.

“Still, I see you know it’s reckless. To dare defy His Majesty to his face.”

“Defy… Isn’t the Rowain family doing the same?”

Gideon opened and closed his lips as if at a loss for words.

“Who am I to criticize… But you must admit that you were reckless, Your Grace.”

“I admit it. However, had I not acted that way, the knights of the House of Hessen wouldn’t have followed me.”

“…They would’ve moved with just one command from you, their lord.”

Gideon asked again in a puzzled voice.

It was late. Penny kept nodding off, her eyes blinking slowly.

Meanwhile, Gideon spread a map laid to one side of the desk and pointed somewhere with his finger.

“It’d be best to start by disrupting the Imperial communications network in the western region.”

“That’s already taken care of.”

Ricardo moved his finger for him.

“Fortunately, there are others like you who chose to stand with me.”

As I listened to their conversation, I gently picked up Penny, who had fallen asleep with her head slumped, and left the room.

* * *

While putting Penny to bed, I must have dozed off without realizing.

I was sure I had fallen asleep leaning uncomfortably against the bed, but now I was lying down in a relaxed position.

With a blanket neatly covering me.

Outside the window, the sun had already started to rise. Only then did I come to my senses and left the room. At the end of the hallway, I saw Ricardo’s back as he walked away.

“Ricardo.”

As I approached, he heard my footsteps and asked in surprise.

“Why aren’t you still sleeping…?”

“Did the conversation go well?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As I smiled faintly, Ricardo couldn’t take his eyes off my face for a while.

“It’s thanks to you.”

“I didn’t do it to receive thanks.”

It was to prevent a future I didn’t want. Ricardo had acted in my place.

“If you hadn’t stayed behind and gone to rescue the Tower Master, none of this would’ve been possible.”

Come to think of it, the last time we met…

Memories of that day filled my mind. Ricardo seemed to be thinking the same, as his gaze shifted slightly awkwardly.

When our eyes missed each other, I hesitated before speaking.

“I didn’t brush off what you said back then.”

“I know.”

“And I know you meant it.”

I swallowed dryly and carefully looked at him.

Whether it was courage or just frustration, words slipped out between my lips.

“…I don’t even know what I want.”

Once I said it, I became certain.

I had thought it was the right answer, believed that was what I truly wanted.

But seeing myself hesitate so much at such an important moment…

Yes, I had to admit it now.

‘I don’t know the answer.’

…Maybe I had brainwashed myself into believing I had to return to the home I missed.

My hesitation led to inaction, and that inaction left me unable to find the path I should take.

It felt like I was walking across a vast, endless sea.

And yet, if there was one thing I was certain of, it was that I didn’t want this world to collapse.

‘Maybe, just a little, I’ve come to like this place.’

I had realized that long ago but was too busy ignoring it. I couldn’t regret my past self more.

It was embarrassing, and I started to dislike myself just a little.

Just as I was about to ask him to wait for my answer, Ricardo spoke up.

“After winter, spring comes.”

“……”

“Everyone knows that, but foolish as I am, I hadn’t realized it.”

“That’s…!”

“Do you think I’m foolish for that?”

My face stiffened instantly.

“Of course not.”

“I’m the same. I just…”

Ricardo paused for a moment.

“I pray that sunlight will also shine upon you, who gifted me spring.”

“…Ha.”

Making me speechless every time—now that’s a talent too.

Then Ricardo playfully added.

“Oh dear, are you touched? You can cry if you want.”

“It would’ve been better if you hadn’t said that. Besides, I’m not a crybaby like you.”

At my words, Ricardo let out a soft laugh.

“It was a selfish wish, hoping your heart would feel lighter. So, as I said before, you don’t have to answer.”

“……”

“It really is better doing things my way.”

With a face that looked relieved, Ricardo continued.

“So you, too, should follow your heart.”

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