[Kyaah! What on earth is happening? As soon as the chunk of milk hit my mouth, it melted away!] "Hehe! That’s ice cream!" [Ice cream...! A food that melts away the moment it enters your mouth! What a luxury!]

With wide eyes shining, Dirt Dirt eagerly scooped up the ice cream. That guy, didn’t he throw a fit saying he hated being shrunk down by Yulia’s command, insisting that they return him to his original size? Now he confidently walks around the mansion after shrinking himself.

"Kyaaah! So cute!" [Not cute!] "Great Spirit of Earth, would you like some castella?" [Since you made it with such sincerity, I won't refuse to eat it!]

Moreover, now when he hears the word "cute," he doesn’t get angry if snacks are offered. Dirt Dirt sits on the laps of the maids who adore him, devouring castella. That guy has turned into a being who spends his days eating snacks and receiving affection. At this rate, isn’t he basically a pet spirit...?

'Better than causing trouble.'

Still, compared to the days when he would wreak havoc with earthquakes, isn’t this much better? It’s a relief that he hasn’t left the Vermont mansion. If the emperor's prized spectacle vanished, that would be quite the embarrassment. It seems Dirt Dirt will continue to play the role of Vermont’s mascot for the foreseeable future.

"Ta-da!" "…"

At that moment, Charlotte popped up from behind me, her head upside down. When I turned around, she was bending over the sofa's backrest, precariously hooking her ankle. Yet she showed no sign of difficulty? How strong must her core be...?

"…You startled me." "You’re late! You weren’t surprised at all!" "I was surprised, just in a different way." "What do you mean by that?" "Such things exist." "Hmm. Are you not working today, Uncle?" "I’m taking a short break." "Then, do you have time to spend with me...?"

[Kali, the Evil God, is glaring at you, saying to say you have no time!]

Tilting her head with a pleading expression, Charlotte looked at me earnestly.

There’s no way I don’t have time. If I don’t have time, I’ll make it. What’s more important than playing with Charlotte?

"Of course I do." "Ah! Then, can I ask you for a favor?"

With a bright smile, Charlotte leaned her face closer to me. A favor? It’s rare for Charlotte to ask me for one.

I prepared to respond with a "Sure, let’s do it" in advance, then asked her.

"What’s the favor?" "I want you to brand me too!" "Sure. But... what?"

I hesitated, almost instinctively responding to a pre-set reaction. Wait a moment. What did you say? I couldn’t help but stiffen my expression.

"What do you mean by that?" "You know the brand on the knight’s back? I want to have one too." "Do you know what that brand means and what role it serves?" "Um... I definitely heard about it. But I forgot!" "…"

Once again, that innocently bright smile. I sighed deeply, then lowered my voice seriously. This was not something to be taken lightly.

I must explain clearly so she won’t forget.

"Listen carefully. The brand engraved on Sylvia is not just a simple tattoo. It’s a symbol of the oath to pledge lifelong loyalty to the Vermont family. Once someone is branded, they cannot leave Vermont, nor can they defy Vermont’s orders." "Um... Isn't that a good thing? I don’t want to leave your side, Uncle. I don’t want to defy your commands either." "…"

I was at a loss for words. Does she see the brand as merely a testament to loyalty? Seeing Sylvia buttoned up to the collar even on hot summer days, doesn’t she realize it’s a disgrace for the person branded?

"The way you think about it isn’t right. That brand is a contract that robs a person of their free will. You shouldn’t give away your freedom so lightly." "But Uncle already has my freedom, right?" "…What?" "I'm already your slave, so isn’t it the same as having a brand?'

"…"

Once again, I was speechless. This girl. She usually acts like a silly brat, but she has a surprisingly sharp side. While I was at a loss for how to explain to Charlotte, she suddenly giggled and covered her mouth.

"Aha! I'm joking. Even if my status is a slave, I know you don’t treat us like ordinary slaves. No matter how lacking in common sense I may be, I understand that much." "Of course it’s only natural to treat capable slaves with special care." "Hehe. But, Uncle. There was something that wasn’t a joke." "…?" "The fact that I want to be branded. That wasn’t a joke."

Sliding closer to me, Charlotte whispered softly.

"You said you tried to erase the knight's brand but failed. But that was actually because the knight rejected it, right?" "…" "I think I can understand the knight’s feelings. It creates a bond between me and you, Uncle. Regardless of whether I have the brand or not, I’ll still look only at you and pledge my loyalty to you. So, it would be a waste to erase the proof that it’s yours, right? It’s not that the brand is good; it’s that the brand from you is good." "…"

This girl. Now I see that she’s a master at making me speechless. In utter disbelief, I stared at Charlotte’s face, which looked like a little devil. Then, I sighed and began to explain gently.

"I think I’ve mentioned it before. I don’t like slaves." "I’ve never heard that before..." "You can see, but there are no slaves in my mansion. Except for you who ended up here by chance. Why do you think I go so far as to pay wages and hire free people? If I filled the place with maids, butlers, and coachmen as slaves, I wouldn’t have to pay any wages." "Um... So, it’s that you’re not fond of slaves?" "That’s not entirely wrong, but fundamentally, I dislike the rotting mentality ingrained in the minds of slaves. People who live without receiving fair compensation for their labor develop a slave mentality in their minds. Once they become like that, they no longer put forth their best effort in anything, nor do they even strive to break a sweat. I really hate such people."

I was really glad that I could save the children right after they were sold to the slave trader. Once someone is stained with the slave mentality, it becomes nearly impossible to uproot it. Once a person gives up their decision-making power to someone else, regaining it becomes that much harder.

I want the children to live their lives not for me but for themselves.

It would be dreadfully boring to have a slave who has always been mine, obeying any command I give. My heart races when a woman with her own decision-making power, of her own free will, dedicates everything to me. That’s why I don’t treat Charlotte and Yulia like slaves.

"I don’t want you to grow up as adults overflowing with such slave mentality. That’s the only reason." "What about the knight?" "That one is already too late." "Ah."

Finally, Charlotte nodded as if she understood. I’m glad she comprehended.

"I’ll accept the brand. But what about a tattoo..." "Absolutely not. Not until I have dirt in my eyes. If you leave a permanent mark on your body, I’ll confiscate the Strongest Sword." "Hehe. I was joking. There’s no way I would do something you dislike."

[Kali, the Evil God, feels relieved and wipes her brow.]

For once, I feel the same as Kali. A tattoo on Charlotte’s pure white skin? There’s a limit to jokes. Such an act would be utterly unacceptable and inhumane.

I wondered if I had scolded her too much after she gave up playing outside and came to me. I was just about to use my massage rights to reconcile.

"Master!" "What is it? Is it something so important that you would disturb this rare moment of relaxing time with Charlotte?"

It better not be. I ground my teeth. The maid trembled as if she were frightened and answered.

"Yes, yes. A messenger has arrived from the palace." "...!"

A messenger from the palace? That is certainly a significant matter. Did I end up missing my chance to use the massage rights today? With tears in my eyes, I had to get up from my seat.

Hastily donning my coat and stepping outside, I could see the messenger waiting without moving a step in front of the main gate. I couldn’t help but wonder what this human was doing. Can’t he come in and at least have a cup of tea while we talk?

"I will now deliver the Emperor’s message to Count Vermont." "Yes, please go ahead." "Cough, cough. Aslan Vermont. I have heard about the monster rampage in the Arient region and the performance of your security company and the slaves." "…" "I was so impressed by that, I would like to assign you a task." "I’m sorry. Vermont Security is not yet at the level to take on the Emperor’s tasks, so please convey that..." "I will refuse on your behalf. Upon tracking the source of the monsters, it appears that your involvement is suspect. Of course, I know that you are not the type to treat lives lightly for your own glory, but not everyone trusts you as deeply as I do. If rumors arise suggesting it was a scheme by Vermont, you would be in serious trouble..." "…"

Am I being threatened right now? My mouth went dry.

"This will be a beneficial proposal for you, so come and listen. The palace is always open to you. ...That was the Emperor’s message." "Can I head to the palace right now?" "I will guide you by carriage."

I decided to head to the palace immediately. What is this, Emperor sister? Please explain.