As the door opened and the Emperor walked out alone, Irene instinctively lowered her head.

"Your Majesty, did you enjoy your tea time...?"

"Don’t worry too much. Aslan Vermont did not commit as grave an offense as you feared."

"…!"

Did her worry show on her face?

Irene flinched and was startled. The Emperor’s piercing gaze seemed to see right through her.

"The fact that it wasn’t as grave an offense means he did commit some sort of offense, doesn’t it...?"

"That’s right. I was so displeased that I decided to strip the Countess of her title under the Count."

"…!"

"Instead, it has just been decided that Aslan Vermont will formally inherit the title of Count."

What? Did something serious happen?

Was this a joke?

Irene stood frozen, her mind blank.

As the Emperor passed by with a small, amused smile, it seemed as if she found Irene’s reaction funny.

'This is the first time I’ve seen the Emperor make such a joke...'

At first, she hadn’t realized it was a joke because the Emperor’s usual solemn and fierce expression remained unchanged.

She had never heard of the Emperor enjoying humor.

What on earth had happened inside that made the Emperor so pleased?

It wasn’t just a little bit pleased. To elevate someone who had been a young lord for ten years to the rank of Count in an instant...?

While the Emperor was known for her outrageous appointments, she never made impulsive decisions.

'That ridiculous monster, using kids for such absurd hospitality...'

Why did that work?

Was there something I didn’t know?

Had Aslan known this would happen and pulled off such a crazy stunt?

"Sister. Somehow, it worked out well."

"Uh, uh...?"

Aslan emerged from the audience room, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Irene flinched, her eyelids trembling.

The moment her eyes met Aslan’s, an old, unforgettable fear resurfaced, sending chills down her spine.

Clenching her lips, Irene grasped Aslan’s chin.

"What did you do to make them hand you the Count’s title so suddenly?"

"I don’t know either. It just happened..."

"Stop with the nonsense. You approached this strategically from the start. You knew the Emperor’s tastes and how to win her favor. You, damn it... damn it..."

Irene’s throat quivered uncontrollably, making it impossible to finish her sentence.

Was this really the Aslan she knew?

The reckless fool with no social skills or intelligence?

'Is my sister truly Vermont?'

Damn. The nightmares from her childhood began to resurface, and her mind went blank.

Afraid that her eyes would betray her feelings of fear, Irene hurriedly turned her head away.

"…Congratulations. You’ve finally become a Count, pushing me aside."

Thud, thud, thud.

To drown out her choking sounds, Irene purposely made loud footsteps as she left.

Aslan, watching her retreating figure, muttered while touching his chin.

"She really holds a grudge..."

Emperor Vanessa Friedrich later formally inspected the condition of the territory and left behind a significant remark, expressing her expectation for active exchanges with Vermont in the future.

They had hurriedly prepared for a banquet and dinner.

But the Emperor refused, thinking she had seen enough or perhaps simply not enjoying such gatherings.

That was the end of it.

The tumultuous visit of the Emperor to Vermont, which had felt like an eternity, concluded.

"Haah."

She exhaled a sigh of relief secretly, feeling her chest unclench.

Though she had pretended to be calm and composed outwardly, she had been so tense while facing the Emperor that she couldn’t even remember what exactly she had said.

'As the Emperor said, it’s a position of immense rights and responsibilities.'

Whether she wanted it or not, she was now in a position responsible for the livelihoods and lives of many people.

As someone in such a position, she couldn’t show any signs of anxiety.

If she was caught wavering, the whole Vermont territory would shake.

'In any case, it all worked out.'

While the Emperor’s excessive interest in her was unexpected, everything else unfolded far better than she had anticipated.

Especially achieving the Count title in one go left her bewildered, questioning whether this was a dream or reality.

The difference between the authority of a young lord and a head of the family was like night and day.

Until now, the Countess had acted as a deputy of the Count, performing the Count’s duties, but now the Countess was in a state where her whereabouts and means of living were unknown.

So the Count position was practically vacant.

That had caused problems during Leon’s time, as she couldn’t openly fire those who had embezzled funds.

But the Count held absolute power in Vermont.

If needed, she could appoint them; if they were a nuisance, she could cut them off.

She could do whatever she wanted.

"Bring my carriage. I’m leaving now."

"But it’s already dark. Why not stay the night?"

"I don’t want to sleep under the same roof as you."

Clenching her teeth, Irene openly displayed her hostility.

Was she secretly pleased that I had become a Count and was just being difficult?

[The affinity with Irene Vermont has decreased by 10.]

No. That was not it.

She definitely disliked me, both outwardly and inwardly.

'Was she really wanting to inherit the Count title ahead of me?'

If that was the case, it made sense.

She understood that, but...

Was that really all? A suspicion arose within her.

Above all, she was troubled by the way Irene had flinched and trembled just moments ago.

She was the woman who had been busy scolding me every time she saw me.

For that woman to look at me and shiver in fear, then suddenly grasp my chin as if to hide her mistake, exaggeratedly.

If all this was combined...?

"Are you on your period?"

"Do you want to die?"

Ah. That was meant to be internal dialogue.

"I just saw Irene off. You can lower the alert level now."

"Young lord, one cheek has been bruised. Did you fall?"

"…Forget that. I’m no longer a young lord."

"My apologies. You’re now the head of the family."

Silvia nodded slightly, offering a respectful gesture.

Before, she had followed me around with an unsatisfactory expression, doing the bare minimum of courtesy, but now it felt like she was sincerely showing respect with even the smallest gestures.

"By the way, we need to urgently bolster the mansion's defenses. The appearance of that avatar of the evil god we saw yesterday was undoubtedly ridiculous, but the power it contained was anything but."

"Are you saying Irene will come back to attack?"

"Yes. She is a woman who will do everything to prevent you from inheriting the title of Count, so there’s no way she would give up without a fight. A retaliation is definitely coming."

True.

This time, the joint operation was due to the special circumstances of the family’s survival hanging in the balance.

After the Emperor left, Irene and I would revert to our original, if not more antagonistic, relationship.

What? We used to be just ordinary siblings, didn’t we?

"However, since the security company has yet to be established, we currently have no way to promptly reinforce the guards. In that sense, strengthening my combat power, which is an existing force, seems necessary. The sword I’m currently using is certainly excellent, but every swordsman needs a spare sword to prepare for emergencies. Only then can we protect the mansion and the head of the family..."

"If you want a new sword, just say so. No need to add unnecessary details."

"I want a new sword."

Silvia boldly squared her shoulders and stated her wish.

You want a new sword?

Wasn’t it just a matter of buying one directly? That thought crossed my mind, but then I recalled that Silvia’s probation period had stretched on indefinitely.

"What kind of sword do you want? Tell me."

"I don’t have any special preferences regarding appearance. But if possible, I’d like something in dark tones. It just feels stronger, like high-carbon steel."

"…"

I don’t know anything about that.

"The durability doesn’t need to be strictly assessed. However, I would like it to be usable for about ten years without significant issues even when sharpening the blade. Also, I’d like it to have a decent weight. Heavier swords allow for less effort when swinging, utilizing the sword's weight balance. Lastly, it’s not absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer it to be classified as a holy sword or magic sword..."

"Are you talking about something like Charlotte’s super sword?"

"…"

She nodded shyly.

Silvia turned red, like a teenage girl gushing about her crush.

What the hell? Now she’s coveting her disciple's sword?

"Uncle, uncle! Can I take off this frilly skirt now? Can I wear comfortable clothes and go train outside?"

"Do as you please. Ah, if you’re going to use the super sword, go train at the training grounds in the Arient territory."

"I know! Geez, I don’t forget that every time you mention it...!"

Kyaah.

With the super sword cradled in her arms, Charlotte joyfully dashed out.

As I watched her retreating figure, I noticed Silvia gulping and her throat bobbing.

...I really need to get Silvia a new sword as soon as possible.

"Oh, right! Uncle!"

"Aslan...?"

"…?"

Charlotte had just left for the training grounds.

But when I turned around, Yulia was now standing in front of me with Charlotte.

Yulia was shyly avoiding eye contact, while Charlotte appeared calm and polite.

What’s up with them?

Was this their stance when they wanted something from me?

"Thank you, Uncle!"

"I-I just came to say thanks... is all...!"

"Why the sudden gratitude?"

"I heard you told the Emperor about the orphanage director!"

"That person... He might open another orphanage elsewhere, mistreat the children, and do the same thing again. No, if it’s that man, he definitely will. I’m sure of it. Thank you for stopping that. That’s all! Now I’m off! …!"

[The evil god, 'Cali,' smiles contentedly.]

With a big smile, Charlotte beamed, while Yulia blushed and hurried away.

Faced with their innocence, I stood there dumbfounded.

If it’s the orphanage director, he’s someone with no connection to these kids who have already escaped from there.

So why were they expressing their gratitude to me?

Was it out of concern for the other children who might be harmed?

For a complete stranger whose name and face they didn’t even know?

'Just how kind-hearted are they?'

Witnessing their untainted pure goodwill left me with a bit of self-loathing.

And also a satisfaction that I could spend the day feeling good about myself.