Philly guided Frondier to the reception room. It was the same place where they always had their conversations.

However, this time it was different because of Elysia's presence.

“……Have you employed a servant?”

Philly asked Frondier, without even glancing at Elysia.

Whether it was disregard for Elysia or consideration that it would be better not to look at her.

Either way, Elysia thought, ‘That's so like mother.’

“Yes. I didn't really need one while attending Constel, but it became necessary as I moved from place to place.”

Frondier replied casually. They were talking about Elysia anyway. They both roughly understood the situation. They were just matching their words.

However, Frondier was a little surprised.

‘She's leaving Elysia's treatment to me.’

Frondier remembered the regret Philly had shown when she had slightly stabbed Elysia with a knife, when she thought he had killed Elysia.

Philly's feelings for her daughters were special. Although Aten's rank was the highest, her heart for Elysia and Sale was also immense.

However, after Elysia became a commoner, Philly had treated her completely like a stranger.

“Come to think of it, Frondier, you became a knight of Lady Zodiac Ria Lis.”

“Yes. For a month. Come to think of it, that month is almost over.”

At Frondier's answer, Philly tilted her head slightly and looked at him.

……There was no particular change in Frondier's appearance.

“Frondier, don't you feel like you've changed somehow?”

All of Ria Lis's knights swore allegiance to her over time.

It was already a well-known story among the nobles and upper class, so Philly asked without hiding anything.

Frondier smiled bitterly at that.

“I'm also trying to figure that out right now. Whether I, as a person, have changed or not.”

As expected, Frondier's answer was strange, as if he was conscious of it as well.

“……To my eyes, I can't really tell if you've changed.”

“I'm relieved to hear Your Majesty say that. Truly.”

Frondier was genuinely relieved by Philly's answer. It was Philly's eyes, not anyone else's. It wasn't confirmation, but it was enough to be comforting.

“Did you find out why everyone becomes loyal to Lady Ria Lis after actually going there?”

Philly, of course, didn't know that Ria Lis was a devil. So, naturally, she was very interested in the secret of loyalty.

If she knew the secret and could do it herself, as the Empress, everything would become much easier.

“……I don't know exactly what kind of feelings other knights have, but in my case.”

As Frondier started to speak, Philly waited for his next words with a bit of anticipation.

Frondier said.

“The work is comfortable.”

“……Yes?”

“Although I was called a knight, except for the first task, I just followed a certain noble around. I stood when told to stand, smiled when told to smile, and poured drinks when told to pour drinks.”

At those words, Philly thought for a moment.

Honestly, the content of his words was no different from that of a host, but considering Frondier's personality, he wouldn't have done all those things subserviently.

He would have moved with his unique languid atmosphere, as the son of Roach, as a nobleman. Wearing his signature black suit.

As a result of imagining that.

“……You must have been popular, Frondier.”

“I did keep receiving assignments.”

Those were appointments, not assignments. She almost said those words but held back.

Frondier smiled and said nonchalantly.

“That's only if you exclude the first task, of course.”

“…….”

Philly thought, it's finally here.

Bringing a servant, asking about them, needing a servant because he became Lily's knight, and therefore bringing up the story of the ‘shadow agent’, the first task after becoming a knight, if that was the case.

Even Philly was getting tired of that natural leading.

Philly smiled bitterly and said.

“It's always nice to see you, Mr. Frondier, but it's a shame that we always meet with bad news.”

“It's truly a shame, but that's the case this time as well.”

As expected, Frondier showed no mercy at all.

However, despite holding the reins of the conversation, Frondier was quite troubled.

‘I don't like the shadow agent, but Philly is an important person to me.’

In terms of ability or trust, Frondier had no reason to be hostile towards Philly.

Therefore, even holding Philly's weakness right now was, ironically, a bit troublesome for Frondier.

‘Information about the devils, even if I hide it from everyone else, Philly needs to know. Bartello has returned, but Philly's influence is still stronger for now. Philly is the one who can make the Empire move the fastest.’

However, to Philly, devils were the enemies of humanity. There were no exceptions.

Not only Philly, but everyone in the Empire thought that way. Frondier couldn't change this prejudice.

Naturally, it would also be difficult for Philly to accept that Frondier was using devils as his subordinates.

But for the smooth operation, he had to tell Philly this fact.

‘…I have no choice. I've never used this method on anyone else, but.’

There was one way he could do it because he trusted Philly.

“Philly.”

Frondier called Philly by that name for the first time in a long time.

Needless to say, Elysia's mouth fell open.

On the other hand, Philly's expression softened as if she was relieved.

“What is it? Mr. Frondier.”

“I came today for some advice.”

Advice? Suddenly, what for?

When Philly tilted her head instead of asking, Frondier said.

“This is a secret, but I'm trying to use devils. I'm controlling devils, making them my subordinates.”

“……!”

Philly was surprised.

The shadow agent suspected that Frondier was involved with devils. Whether it was in a good or bad way, it wasn't something Frondier would want others to know.

Moreover, Ednet was listening right now. Frondier would know that too.

In other words, Frondier had revealed his own weakness on purpose.

‘…I see!’

Philly quickly understood what he meant.

‘This is Frondier's second negotiation!’