It was the first time I felt the urge to shut the door as soon as I saw the other person's face.

I did consider actually shutting the door. However, I forced myself to keep it open as I feared it might look like a joke if I did so.

I didnt want to give him the slightest impression that I was lenient.

"What business do you have with me?"

"Um, can we talk for a moment?"

The way he behaved towards me was noticeably different from before.

However, that didnt mean I felt any pity for them. After all, it implied that behind the scenes, that was how shady the Zeronia Household was.

"It is already quite late at night."

When I answered him just like I did with Erica, Gideon's expression darkened even more.

"I-It'll only take a moment."

"I do not even want to waste a minute."

I tried to shut the door, but Gideon quickly grabbed it. After making a big move, he bit his lip and said.

"My household truly has no connection whatsoever with the recent assassination attempt on His Majesty!"

"......"

Truthfully speaking, it's true that we've secretly exchanged money to maintain close ties with the higher-ups of the Church. However, it's utterly unfair to accuse my family of being accomplices in the assassination attempt just because of that!

"......"

"S-Soul Whisperer, I heard that you are leading the investigation into this incident. If, by any chance, my household is suffering because of my past actions..."

"This is ridiculous."

Creak.

On the contrary, I threw open the door and glared at Gideon, warning him.

"You do know that it was an attempted assassination on the King, right? Due to such an incident occurring, do you really think your household is under investigation solely because of the personal relationship between the two of us?"

"Th-that's not what I!"

It is a fair and just execution that is being carried out. His Majesty's blade will naturally spare your household if they are blameless in this matter.

"......"

Gideon shut his mouth and clenched his fist, unable to find the right words to say.

Then thud.

He fell to his knees.

"I have nothing else to say regarding this matter. However, there are no households without flaws in this Kingdom.

"......"

"The King seems to want something other than that from us. But we don't know what it is!"

Gideon's voice trembled. It seemed like he was not only concerned about his household but was also pressured by them.

"The businesses of my household are being seized one by one, especially the pink salt business in the Paruiere Sea, which is the lifeline of my household!"

"......"

"It's not just a simple seizure. All the finances of my household have been frozen as well. Anyone who engages in business with my household will be accused of treason, and the fiefdom citizens refuse to pay their taxes. His Majesty already considers my household to be one of the culprits!"

I had heard that the Zeronia Household was involved in various businesses here and there.

Just as they were heavily investing in their businesses to expand them, they were seized without warning. And along with sanctions from the Royal Family, the situation must be quite devastating for them.

Each day must have brought along a series of significant losses.

"I-Insight. Please, share some insights with me."

Seeing how Gideon bowed his head deeply, I hesitated for a moment. I guess the Zeronia Household must have reached out to ask for help from here and there to save their business.

In my opinion, it wasn't just a simple business issue. They must have been entangled in matters related to the Royal Family, they shouldn't have been involved with.

I definitely did have things I wanted from them, and strictly speaking, I had a fairly good idea of what the solution could be as well.

"It is already quite late at night."

I stepped back again, pulling the door along. Perhaps the Zeronia Household could still be pushed even further.

Just like releasing the fizz from a carbonated drink, I calmly waited, intending to draw out all the information.

"Please!"

However, Gideon lunged forward and stepped into the doorway.

Being a Magic Swordmaster, he possessed considerable physical strength, causing me to nearly let go of the door handle.

"Light."

A chilly voice of a woman casting a spell came from behind, followed by a faint beam of light.

The blow struck Gideon directly on his chest, causing him to bend 90 degrees as his back collided with the railing behind him.

"Cough!"

The impact wasn't that powerful, but it was more than enough to push him away. Gideon, wearing a perplexed expression, opened his eyes wide.

"E-Erica Bright!"

Erica Bright, who had come to visit me first, cast a spell and sent it past me.

She looked down at Gideon with a cold gaze and spoke.

"I am the one who came to visit him first. If you're here to visit him as well, you can come back later."

Erica brought her hands together to adjust her pajamas, covered herself, and then slammed the door shut.

I watched her blankly as she did so before saying something to her as well.

"You should leave as well."

"......"

Erica turned her body slightly and pursed her lips. This fiance-like expression was something she occasionally displayed during the three months I attended the academy.

"If I leave now, I will run into Gideon, you know?"

"......"

"Now that Gideon has seen me with you, he probably won't demand anything from me anymore, right?"

Erica nodded her head in satisfaction. Knowing she probably wouldn't listen even if I asked her to leave, I turned around and sat on the bed.

Erica followed me with short and quick steps. The childish behavior she displayed didn't match her age or her cold appearance.

[She's quite cute, isn't she? Is this what they call unexpected charm?]

The Dark Spiritualist tilted her head as she gazed at Erica. Ericas current body language wasn't the cold demeanor she showed the students at the academy, nor was it the worried look from before.

I picked up the tea I had been drinking earlier.

Even though it had cooled down a bit, it was much easier to drink.

After quenching my thirst, I turned to Erica, who had been sneaking glances at me, and gave a faint smile.

"You have changed."

"Huh?"

Surprised by my words, Erica flinched before smiling subtly.

"Does it seem that way?"

Though it was merely a vague compliment, she felt somewhat shy. Then, she began to slowly recount her story.

"I made it clear to my household that I will never agree to get engaged with Gideon, and I won't stay quiet if they try to force me."

"......"

So, thanks to you, I won't be forced into marrying that man out there. Thank you.

She resembled a child, proudly listing her accomplishments and seeking praise from me.

Apparently, it wasnt just me because the Dark Spiritualist also seemed to find her cute as she gently stroked Erica's head.

[Oh, well done.]

If Erica could see what the Dark Spiritualist was doing to her, she would have immediately cast a spell on the latter. So, I pretended not to notice that and continued speaking to Erica.

"Sure."

"...... Wasnt something like this discussed in the Verdi Household? Like, pushing you to get married?"

When she looked at me with a questioning expression, I calmly answered her.

"Yes, there was no such discussion."

Instead, upon hearing that we planned to break off the engagement, Deia even urged me to do it quickly without dragging it out.

"I see."

She deliberately displayed her disappointment. Seeing this, I thought it was a good time to speak.

"Bring the annulment letter tomorrow. As you are now a woman who can stand independently just fine."

"Ah..."

In my absence, she used our engagement as a shield to engage in a war of nerves with Gideon and the Bright household.

The woman, who was unable to make a proper judgment under the influence of love, was now living a confident and independent life.

Our engagement would only be an obstacle for her.

"No, that's..."

As I stared at her in confusion, Erica fidgeted with her hands before suddenly standing up.

"I-it's getting late! I'll see myself out."

And just like that, she left my room while ignoring my words.

[Breaking off the engagement seems quite difficult, doesn't it?]

"...... I am tired."

Anyway, there was no need to get the annulment letter right away. After all, the engagement with her was also advantageous for me.

It even served as a good excuse to politely refuse King Orpheus when he tried to arrange a marriage between me and the princess last time.

"I am going to sleep now."

[Yes, have a good dream.]

A dream, huh?

I didn't say anything else.

Slowly, I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.

* * *

Erica took a deep breath to calm her trembling heart as she stepped outside the room.

In hindsight, werent they alone, just the two of them, in the same room? Her heart slightly fluttered, thinking that if only she had summoned more courage, today's conversation might have taken a different turn.

"Sigh."

But when the topic of breaking off the engagement was brought up, Erica couldn't remain there any longer.

The annulment letter served to calm her down, yet it also symbolized something she wished would disappear.

A piece of evidence that her ties with Deus Verdi had not yet been severed.

Yet, also, a promise that this relationship would soon be severed.

That was precisely the complex meaning behind the annulment letter.

"At first, I was planning to ask him about his relationship with Student Aria."

She had seen the two of them holding hands in the corridor. Specifically, it was Deus who held Aria's hand first. She wanted to ask him about it, but now it didn't matter.

From the brief conversation with Deus, she recalled the type of person he was.

Given his position as a professor, he would never romantically pursue or engage in a deeper relationship with a student.

It was due to apathy that extended beyond mere discernment, firmly established within him.

"......"

In that sense, retaining the annulment letter would place her in a quite advantageous position.

As long as Erica didn't surrender it, it would be difficult for Deus to date or marry someone else.

"Huh...?"

As she pondered, she realized that it was indeed true.

It felt like she was keeping Deus on a leash, which made her feel somewhat flushed inside.

Be it Princess Eleanor or Aria Rias, her mere presence would become an obstacle to those openly expressing interest in Deus.

"Ahem."

Of course, she had no intention of letting anyone know about these vulgar thoughts.

However, if Deus ever truly loved someone and requested the annulment letter, she would undoubtedly give it up.

As long as it's not that.

Yes, as long as that wasn't the case.

Would it be possible for this relationship to continue just a little longer?

That was Erica's thought.