Two more days passed.

I stopped using the Mana Method and slowly opened my eyes.

"Good."

I could feel that the amount of mana had increased significantly compared to two days ago.

: Mana - [972 ⇒ 1035]

When I checked the status window, I could see that the amount of mana had finally exceeded 1000.

I'd better end my mana training here for today.

'I have something to do.'

It was time to put the plan I had devised two days ago into action.

To conquer a secret relm that no one had yet discovered.

'It's the right time, about ten years after the Human-Demon War.'

If I delayed any longer, the secret relm would be plundered by the protagonist's party, who would soon arrive in the Demon Realm.

I needed the treasure of that secret relm to adapt safely to Sytan.

And now I had enough power to conquer the secret relm.

The only concern was...

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

I looked forward again and let out a short sigh.

The problem was Rene, who was practicing swordsmanship behind me.

I didn't know why she was training in the garden where I was, instead of in the training hall.

Rene had been acting like this ever since she became fully convinced that I was a priest.

'Does she think I'm a member of the Bares family?'

My status had simply been elevated from a suspicious escort to a priest of the Bares family.

On the contrary, my treatment didn't seem to have improved, which gave me a strange feeling...

I roughly tousled my red hair with an irritated hand.

'Somehow, I have to get rid of Rene.'

If Rene followed me outside the Bares territory, I would be under surveillance.

That would make it difficult for me to conquer the secret relm.

Was there a way to avoid suspicion and get rid of Rene?

I thought for a moment and then called out to Rene.

"Miss, are you well prepared to enter Sytan?"

"Why do you ask all of a sudden?"

"Isn't it almost time for you to enter Sytan? I'm a little nervous."

"Why?"

"Because it's a place where you'll be dealing with those vile humans directly. I was just asking because I was worried."

"......Most of the preparations are done."

Rene nodded in agreement with my words.

"Can you really say that you have finished all the preparations?"

"Well..."

"Really?"

"......"

Rene closed her mouth.

She seemed to be reviewing whether there was anything she had missed and not packed.

After a while, Rene opened her mouth.

"I have everything."

"Are you sure there isn't anything you haven't packed? If there is, wouldn't it be better to pack it first?"

"I have everything."

"Even so, it's a good habit to double-check."

"What are you trying to say?"

Rene cut off my trailing words in an instant.

In the end, I had no choice but to answer with a wry smile.

"I'm only saying this because I'm worried about you, Miss. I'm your escort, after all."

"Liar."

As expected, she didn't believe me.

My confidence died as I watched Rene's expression turn into one of amusement.

Am I bad at acting? Come to think of it, it's probably because of my face.

Adel's face looked sinister at first glance, but it gave off a light feeling rather than a heavy one.

That's only natural since the character was originally created with a sinister personality.

In conclusion, it's my fault...

"Get to the point."

"The point is, I just..."

"You're trying to ditch me and go somewhere. Your intentions are obvious."

"......"

It seemed that I had been caught.

Rene pouted when I didn't answer and remained silent.

"Am I a bother to you?"

Rene's face as she asked that question looked somewhat sad.

...For some reason, I felt uncomfortable, so I opened my mouth and spoke.

"I received information that there is a scenic spot nearby, and I was planning to explore it."

In the end, I told her a partial truth.

Rene wasn't convinced by that alone, so I added,

"It could be dangerous, so please don't misunderstand."

I smiled and said, "I'm only thinking of you."

Rene seemed to be deep in thought after hearing my words.

And after a while, Rene opened her mouth.

"I just realized that I'm not prepared enough."

"......!"

I rejoiced inwardly and quickly continued speaking.

"Then you should finish preparing..."

"Warm-up."

"?"

For a moment.

My face froze with a forced smile.

I looked at Rene with trembling eyes.

"I haven't warmed up enough yet."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to warm up."

Rene continued.

My mind went blank, and I couldn't help but close my eyes tightly.