Only then did he understand that the sacred relic – the Necklace of Suggestion – didn’t work properly. Moreover, now that everyone knew her true nature, he realized there was really no time left.

The reason he was pressuring Cedric about the debt now was because of this.

“…I recall you saying that I could repay it slowly.”

“That was the case, but hasn’t the situation changed now?”

Geoffrey exaggeratedly spread his arms as he spoke.

“As His Majesty the Emperor said, a new era has begun. Given the current state where anything like the previous trial can happen anytime, I cannot give you more time.”

“…”

“Please specify the exact date of repayment. Preferably within a month. Otherwise, there’s another way…”

Cedric’s face hardened as he sensed Geoffrey’s implication.

But what could he do about it?

‘Even if I sell the corpse of the snake that roamed around the capital at the secret auction house, I won’t be able to pay the debt. The most important magic stone didn’t come out, so how am I going to pay it back?’

Since the magic stone extraction work was carried out in the imperial castle, it was a fact that he also knew roughly.

There was only one way since he couldn’t find money right away.

Geoffrey spoke with a sinister smile.

“Marrying the young lady Roshaanak Aper…”

And at that moment.

Bam!

The door to the drawing room opened, and Rosha herself, despite wearing a skirt, strode in.

She stood confidently before a taken-aback Geoffrey and declared with a disgusted face.

“I don’t know how much it is, but I’ll pay it off within a week.”

So, please.

Shut your mouth.

* * *

Late in the evening, as the sun set below the horizon, Rosha sat on the bed and changed into boots.

She was also wearing a discreet outfit, and draped over her was the ‘Cape of the Dark Dawn’, a reward she received for completing the trial.

She murmured as she tied her boot laces.

“What? Marriage? Ha, now he’s making all kinds of threats.”

Hours had passed since her confrontation with Geoffrey, but she was still fuming.

She was already irritated because of the sacred relic, and now she had to deal with this guy!

Of course, she wasn’t the only one still upset.

“Tsk!”

Koko, who had been coughing uncomfortably, quivered and mumbled.

“It’s embarrassing to be thoroughly washed at my age! Plus, that maid mocked me. Didn’t she make fun of my name, suggesting that ‘Koko’ is a diminutive form of ‘Kokojil’?” (tl/n: meaning ‘tiny’)

“It would be an attack on birds, not a personal attack.”

“Anyway! She thinks I can’t make fun of names? Blueberries! Strawberries!”

Regretting not retorting on the spot, Koko had been repeating Beri’s comment for the third time.

But…

‘At least he’s clean now.’

The white feathers had become snowy white and fluffy, and the yellow head feathers were curled up. Maybe she should secretly order Beri to give him a bath a few more times.

Anyway.

There was a reason why Rosha was dressing up late in the evening.

‘I heard there’s a secret auction in the city center that many nobles attend. Today is the day of the auction…’

This was what she heard from Cedric.

After Geoffrey left, he looked very tired and told her that he had put the snake body she caught up for auction.

-I had no choice if I wanted to repay the debt. I thought it would be better to dispose of it when people’s attention is focused, as this is the first auction after the trial.

Well, since the magic stone from the ‘Master of the Trial’ had already been given to her as a reward for completing the trial, she didn’t care about the rest.

But the existence of the auction was great news for her.

‘I have a lot of things to sell anyway, so this is perfect.’

Rosha patted the inner pocket of her cape.

Cedric was very worried about her shocking statement, but her declaration to repay the debt within a week wasn’t empty words.

But there was a request from a doctor, so the problem was that she had to leave the mansion without anyone knowing.

“…I guess I have to ask for help this time.”

After preparing to go out, Rosha picked up a neatly placed note on the dresser.

Written on the note in a slanted and graceful handwriting was:

[I want to repay you for your cooperation. When you wake up, call me with this note.]

She had a clear guess who left the note. Although Cedric might dislike it, she had no choice but to ask for help this time.

…Of course, she had some doubts about the method.

“Kya kya, call him quickly!”

“Shhh…”

In any case, it was a lose-lose situation.

After a brief hesitation, she closed her eyes and softly called out.

“Duke Echerzen, are you there?”

As might be expected, nothing happened.

Unintentionally becoming the star of a one-man show, Rosha sighed deeply when she saw Koko rolling on the floor with laughter.

‘No, you want me to call you while holding this note?’

Thinking it would be possible because the Duke had spatial abilities was apparently a big mistake.

She regretted it for a moment.

With a thought passing through her mind, Rosha, with a surprised expression, opened her mouth again.

“…Froy?”

At that moment.

The flow of air began to change strangely.

The evenly flowing magical particles suddenly expanded, making the space feel distorted.

With a cold breeze flowing from somewhere else, a now-familiar voice resonated softly.

“Did you call me?”

Rosha quickly turned to see him, surprised. So, she shouldn’t call him ‘Duke’ but by his name instead?

Although it was late evening, he seemed to have been outside, dressed in outdoor clothes.

The man in a black coat with purple highlights and embroidered with gold threads looked even more magnificent than at the Month of Abundance Banquet.

Seeing her, he seemed relieved and said:

“I was worried because you didn’t wake up for three days. Are you feeling better? You don’t seem to look too hurt from the outside.”

“Yes, I’m fine now. I still need some rest, but… there’s something I need to do.”

“Well, you must have a reason for getting ready to go out at this hour and calling me. What is it?”

“Do you know about the secret auction house located in the city center?”

Perhaps because it was an unexpected topic, the Duke, who had been studying her expression for a moment, raised the corner of his mouth.

“How could I not? Are you interested in the auction?”

“Yes. I have something I want to sell.”

“…If it’s because of the recent hardships, you can ask for my help.”

“No, but I appreciate the offer.”

It seemed the Duke was aware of the recent misdeeds of the Marquis Lycaon’s family, but Rosha just shook her head silently.

She didn’t want to juggle someone else’s money when she had a better option.

‘And if I get involved with the Duke’s funds, Cedric won’t be happy.’

Seeing her firm refusal, the Duke smirked and sighed softly.

“The young lady… You never take the easy path. I actually like that about you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Haha, never mind. I happen to know the owner of the auction house. Although they don’t usually accept day-of registrations, I’ll speak on your behalf.”

“Oh… I’d be very grateful if you could do that.”

“Compared to what you did for me last time, it’s not much. So, what do you want to sell?”

“This.”

Reaching into her cape pocket, Rosha pulled out a magic stone slightly larger than her fist. It was one of the largest she owned.

The lustrous colored crystal gleamed mysteriously. Seeing the power contained within, the Duke’s eyes widened.

But that wasn’t all she had to sell.

Clatter-

Various-sized magic stones poured onto the sofa table, and he muttered, intrigued:

“This… even I’m interested.”