Is this all you want to do with my authority?

Aria nodded her head.

He thought she would regret it even a little bit, but she looked like she had no regrets at all.

Haa..

Shes not interested in anything like that, let alone taking a share of the authority shes been given.

Rather, she was using it to help someone who has nothing to do with her.

It only made the impression that she didnt fit in at all with Valentine.

You dont seem interested in money, fame, or power.

The most difficult thing to deal with in this world was a human being who could not move with money, honor, and power.

Because he doesnt know what they want.

Lets try to push what the alternative purpose is.

But shes already done it.

Aria only said nonsense saying that being patted felt good.

Still, it felt strangely incompatible to be just a little child who just wanted to be loved.

No wonder he didnt feel good. He didnt know exactly what it was.

The feeling of saving Lloyd from the threat of life several times continued to warn.

He shouldnt be next to her.

As expected, Ill have to get you out.

Lloyd made an even more firm resolve.

Knowing that Grand Duke Valentine is aging, that wont stop him from going out on his own feet.

He looked at Vincent for a moment and said.

You well talk next time.

Yes, brother.

Vincent still had no strength in his body, but he smiled as if he was trying hard.

Lloyd sighed for a moment at the sight of the boy, and then he passed by indifferently.

So, only Aria and Vincent were left.

Aria tried to follow Lloyd away, but she stopped her steps as if she had suddenly remembered.

And she rummaged through her old bag.

[I understand. Why did you have to say and act like that.]

Of course, it didnt seem to be overboard, but Vincent was quite desperate.

In order not to be ignored somehow.

To shake off the shadow of ones origin that seems to be impossible to escape no matter how hard he tries.

He desperately wanted to show the world that he was a genius.

Wasnt it some sort of defense mechanism?

[I know you said it in good faith that you listened to my performance and recommended Valentines support.]

Because thats your way of survival.

She swallowed her words.

[I think its cute to hear you brag that youre a genius.. But dont cross the line. Unless you want to fulfill the myth that geniuses are short-lived.]

..

Is this consolation or intimidation?

Vincent was confused.

Aria patted his head as if petting him.

It was an innocent touch.

He cant feel even a single drop of affection.

But Vincent stiffened and fiddled with his own hair.

Until she turns her back and walks away.

***

Vincent was silent for a while.

Is this a big shock?

As time passed, Aria had a slightly different thought.

If his mother had been the prey of gutter rats and kept going in and out of the gutter, the Grand Duke would have known someday, no matter how long it took.

Then what happened?

She suddenly wondered.

After Vincent was driven out of his past life, the Grand Duke, who later learned all the truth, found him again.

I dont know right now.

After Vincent was evicted, she heard that he died miserably in the gutter. He cant find someone whos already dead.

That was then.

She suddenly heard a knock on the desk.

Aria slowly raised her head.

Its been a while, sister-in-law.

It was Vincent.

He took a seat in front of Aria, putting down the documents he had brought to the library to study.

This time it wasnt the law code.

His Highness and brother took my mother out of the gutter and moved her to a safe place.

And he suddenly brought this up.

I think you might be curious.

Supposedly.

After Aria heard those words, she somehow had a thought.

A few years later, Tristan and Lloyd, who later learned all the truth, must have found Vincent.

Although what they found was a cold corpse.

Was this a little, little, a step to prevent the Valentines Incident?

She does not know.

But Aria thought she would keep running while doing everything she could possibly do until then.

Why did you help me?

Vincent asked as if waking her from her thoughts.

Aria tilted her head.

And she replied as if he was asking again when she had already told him.

[I said I would protect my person.]

Am I sister-in-laws person too?

[No, you are Lloyds younger brother.]

Her answer was very firm.

Vincent was silent for a moment with a puzzled look, and then he let out a faint smile.

You mean you helped me because I was brothers younger brother?

Aria nodded her head.

She didnt hesitate for a second.

As if there was only Lloyd in her line.

Um, is there no chance that I will become sister-in-laws person?

[Hmm.]

Even 1%?

[Hmm.]

even 0.1%?

The question is persistent.

The boys face, who had been hesitating, became hardened.

Anyway, I said that I helped you because you were Lloyds younger brother, so why are you getting so serious about it?

Aria sighed and wrote a new card.

[Try that.]

An effort to be 0.1%.

Vincent grumbled about whether he was being discriminated severely against, but then he smirked and laughed.

Im confident in trying.

***

Therefore.

Tristan looked down at Aria, who looked up at him with her eyes wide open.

And he looked away.

Standing next to her was Carlin, who continued to stare at her and smirk.

You said you gave me the relics you brought?

Then the shaman responded dryly with a soulless voice.

Yes because the Miss keeps asking for it

Even a passing dog knew that there were no relics in Valentines estate.

Because this place isnt called the Devils Land for nothing.

So the only conclusion I can come to is that I got it from outside the territory.

Aria finds out that she has gone all the way to Garcia, so naturally, she blames the relics as Carlins.

It was because she heard that his hobby was to disappear from time to time and to travel all over the world.

If its Carlin, it wouldnt be strange at all if he was hiding at least one relic he found by chance.

Thanks to this, Carlins situation became very embarrassing.

Hmm, are you making a fuss?

Hearing that, his employer seemed very displeased.

I never said that I needed anything trivial, so youre the one who makes me buy and donate things first.

Is, is that so.

But I cant believe youre whining. You?

He doesnt know why those words sounded like something like you?

Carlin was at a loss for words for a moment.

Arent holy relics enough to whine about?

Why are you so jealous of that?

The shaman unknowingly glanced at Dwayne, the Grand Dukes assistant.

You are already serious.

He shook his head as if he understood a hundred times.

Carlin changed his words to avoid sparks splattered at him.

Um, come to think of it, I asked politely rather than make a fuss.

Ask politely?

..

Look at me and tell me what to do!

Tristan seemed unwilling to listen to what Carlin had to say.

Only Aria, who was able to move through this flexibly because of his sacrifice, smiled brightly.

***

Isnt this necklace a holy relic?

Carlin said, carefully examining the necklace Aria held out.

At first glance, the transparent crystal crafted in the shape of water droplets looked just like an

ordinary jewel necklace.

It was an item she obtained as a bonus along with the holy relics when she went to the Holy Empire.

It is common for holy relics to contain a lot of divine power, but it doesnt feel any energy. Of course, the Miss knew it.

Aria nodded her head.

It seems to be something that sucks life force.

Sucks life force?

Yes. Its usually like a magic sword type.

A magic sword?

Aria was familiar with that notoriety.

It is said that just raising the sword sucks energy to the limit, and ordinary people simply die.

And it also absorbs energy through human blood.

Instead, it is said that the power is enormous as it absorbs a huge amount of energy.

There are quite a few gems like this necklace. Theyre usually called cursed hems, and they kill all the owners.

Its brutal.

Aria stared intently at the necklace in Carlins hand.

So does it mean that Veronica wore a cursed necklace that killed even its owner?

TL Note:

So Carlin was previously translated as just Carl? but I think the name is Carlin, so Ill be keeping the name Carlin from now on

And since Im also backreading this as I go, please bear with me if there are slight mistakes~

Thank you for waiting!