Yes, I knew that my words were wrong.

I knew but I still did it.

'Not like I have a choice.'

... It wasn't for a stupid reason like; showing dominance or some nonsense like that. I simply did it because I was exhausted.

I could barely keep my legs from trembling.

'I just came out of some intense training and directly used several skills on the butler alongside the ring's power...'

The fact that I was able to get here was already a miracle.

....But I was at my limit.

I couldn't take a single step forward.

So, for that reason, I did what I did. And as expected, the vassals weren't happy. Thankfully, Leon was present as he raised his hand to stop them.

'What are you doing?'

He didn't look very happy.

I couldn't blame him, but I really couldn't move.

'My legs won't budge.'

'...Are you kidding me?'

'I didn't have any time to rest right after coming out of training. Do you expect me to be in top shape?'

'No, but I figured you'd be able to move.'

'You thought wrong.'

Leon visibly frowned, turning his head to look at the vassals before turning his attention back to me.

'.... They'll be very dissatisfied by your actions.'

'I don't really have a choice.'

'Do you really?'

I paused, squinting my eyes as I looked at Leon.

'Aren't you supposed to be my knight? This is a great chance for you to show your loyalty. Either way, you're not stronger than me so what do I even need you for if not for this?'

Leon's expression froze.

I looked at his expression and savored it. If there was an ego meter beside me, it'd be rising at an alarming rate.

Clench.

With a visible clench of his teeth and bloodshot eyes, Leon turned his head.

"Y... You've heard him. Let's go."

He didn't give any of the vessels a chance to speak. His expression... it made it impossible for them to say anything.

I nodded in approval.

'Looks like I made the right choice in riling him up.'

The problem was now solved.

Clank, clank-

The faint echo of clattering metal filled the air as the guards halted before me. Dozens of them loomed, each radiating a formidable presence, but it was the figure at the front who drew my attention most.

His presence was a lot more overwhelming than the others, to the point where even I felt inferior.

'He's probably the captain of the operation.'

I didn't really know his name since I had been holed up in the training room the entire time.

He had short blonde hair, a chiseled jaw, and blue eyes. From the start, he never once looked at me.

'I guess he doesn't like me very much.'

Well, I was fine with that.

My job was just to be a sort of 'mascot' alongside Leon. We were just there to show our faces and help out a bit.

The main job was going to be taken over by them.

In fact, my main goal was the gold mine. I needed to figure out exactly what the liquid Julien had taken was.

... It could be nothing important, but it was worth checking out.

Especially since it wasn't something that the Inverted Sky had provided. Perhaps I could even use it to improve my strength.

My mastery of my Concept had increased significantly.

It wouldn't be long before I fully developed a Domain.

...I just needed to have the required mana in order to be able to do so.

"Alright, then..."

I massaged the back of my head before turning around.

"Let's head out. I'll follow you from behind."

Despite their obvious disdain for me, the guards remained silent and obliged as they marched forward. I watched their departing back before shifting my attention towards Leon who

stopped to look at me.

"I need a little help."

I looked down at my legs.

"You know..."

"...."

Leon's expression suddenly turned strange as he had a look of realization. Looking at my legs

and then my face he suddenly covered his mouth.

"Are you laughing?"

"...I'm not."

"Then why is your body trembling."

"It's cold."

"We're in the middle of summer."

"It's a cold summer. Let me get my jacket first."

Leon waved his hand and hurried out. However, just as he did, Evelyn appeared.

"What's going on? Why are you two still-"

"Let's go."

She was stopped by him before she even had the chance to get a few words out as he pushed

her into the estate. I stared at all of this with wide eyes.

"Wait, Leon..."

I tried moving my leg, but my face twitched the moment I did.

It hurt...

"Khh!"

I clenched my teeth and glared at the entrance. Just as I was about to take another step, Leon's

face appeared again.

Flick. Flick.

He looked around before suddenly raising his hand and pointing at me.

"Pftt!"

***

"Baron, the Emirates Bank has just contacted us. They want to pull out their investments from

our territory and demand we pay the money that we lent to them recently."

"Baron, Viscount Mayorka has turned a blind eye to us. They are unwilling to help us."

"Baron...!"

Aldric sat in silence whilst listening to the reports coming from his vassals. They all looked

panicked and pale on their faces.

How could they not...?

The Evenus Household was currently undergoing a disaster.

.... At least, this was how things were on the surface. The reality of the situation was a lot different than how it was perceived by the world.

But only a few people knew of the real situation, including a majority of the vassals in the Evenus Household.

"Baron! The Emirates Bank has sent delegates over! It's vice manager Kaelan! They-"

Bang!

The door abruptly opened, revealing a tall and chubby man with short brown hair and squinted eyes. He wore rather fancy clothing, and a couple of powerful individuals stood

behind him.

"There you are, Baron."

He smiled upon seeing the expressionless Baron.

.....He didn't even wait for him to speak before sitting down on one of the chairs positioned

before the Baron's desk.

It was as if he was making himself at home.

Crossing his legs, he drummed his fingers over his legs.

"You know why I'm here, right?"

The smile never faltered from the man's face as his eyes squinted further. Nudging at one of

the people behind, several documents were retrieved which were soon positioned on the

desk.

Aldric glanced at the papers for a brief moment.

"You owe us a total of seventy-five million Rend. And that's with added interest included. In

our original agreement, we were meant to have you pay everything in ten years time, but..."

He paused, his eyes squinting to the point where one couldn't see them.

"How should I put this...?"

The vice manager massaged his cheeks before shrugging.

"You might not even exist in ten years. I can't afford to lose this much money which is why

I'm coming to collect it directly from you."

He pointed at one of the documents.

"As stipulated by the contract, in case a situation arises from your side, I have the right to

directly come to you to collect the remaining money."

"....I see."

Aldric closed his eyes, his expression faltering slightly as he turned to his right.

"How much money do we currently have available?"

"Ah, that..."

To his left was his financial manager who was pale on the face.

He sorted through several documents before his face fell.

"We just barely have enough funds to cover the entire loan. If we give them the money now

we'll be put in a very bad position!"

"Oh? You should think this carefully."

The vice manager said, leaning back on the chair whilst watching the interaction with

amusement.

Before Aldric could say anything, the vice manager leaned forward.

"How about this... I'll help you out and give you a better deal to help you out with the

situation. How does that sound?"

11

Everyone in the room paused as all eyes fell on the vice manager.

A better deal...? Everyone suddenly became interested. Was he really going to give them a

better deal?

Seeing the interest in everyone's faces, the vice manager displayed a smile on his face. This is

it! This is what he's been waiting for...

He looked directly at Aldric.

"Your situation seems rather dire. How about this...? Instead of paying me the money, we can

make a deal. I'll waive all your debts in exchange for one thing, and one thing only."

Aldric frowned, and everyone held their breaths.

He didn't say anything and just waited for the vice manager to continue.

"....Give me Leon. In exchange I-"

"No."

Aldric directly cut him off before he could continue.

"Before rejec-"

"No."

"T-"

"No."

Aldric cut the vice manager each time he tried to speak. In the end, he turned his head toward

his financial manager.

"Do it. Give him the money"

"Are you sure about this?"

The vice manager frowned, his expression no longer as amiable as it was before.

"I offered you a good deal. You give us Leon, and we can clear everything in one go. I'd take it

if I were you."

Aldric paused for a second, biting his lower lip.

In the end, he still shook his head.

"No."

As if he had aged several years, Aldric waved his hand. The vice manager froze at the sight

while the faces of the vassals grew pale.

"Baron!" "Baron...!"

They all tried to stop his decision, but it was no use. Aldric's decision was set and soon one of

the vassals came with a large box, containing the gold the vice manager requested.

"It's all here."

A disdainful expression spread across the vice manager's face as he counted the money.

He then looked at the silent Aldraid before clasping his hands together. "Please don't think wrongly of us. We're just looking after ourselves. If you do manage to get

out of this trouble, please feel free to come to us. The Emirates Bank will always be happy to receive you." There was no sincerity in his words and everyone in the room could feel it.

He was merely throwing out pleasantries before leaving. One could easily tell from his face

that he didn't really believe what he was saying.

...And eventually, he left the room.

Clank!

A strange silence plunged over as all the vassals stood in silence, all eyes turned on Aldric who

remained quiet.

Eventually, before anyone could voice out their thoughts, he opened his mouth and dryly

said,

"Get out. Give me some time alone."

Several of the vassals tried to say something, but upon seeing his expression, they all turned

quiet and turned away. They could tell that the family Head needed some time alone.

In the end, they all left, leaving Aldric sitting by himself.

He sat in silence for several seconds before retrieving a small book which he plopped open on

his

desk.

'Emirates Bank'

Scraatch-

He crossed it over with a red pen.

"....How many does that make?"

Aldric glanced at the page which was filled with over several dozen names. They were all crossed in red.

In front of him was the list of everyone who 'betrayed' them while they were down. Aldric knew in advance that his plan would put his Household in 'jeopardy' in the eyes of the

public due to how unfavorable the situation was. He didn't say anything to anyone to see who was truly loyal to him.

In the end, the long list before him showed just how many were 'disloyal'.

.... It was a list that was much longer than he anticipated.

And this was especially interesting considering the fact that Julien and Leon existed in their

territory. Perhaps it would've been more if not for the two of them.

But that was fine.

A faint smile spread across Aldric's lips as he closed his eyes.

This was all part of his plan.

He thought back to the crate he gave the vice manager before his lips curled up further.

"....Everything."

He mumbled,

"I'll take everything."