That day, Wendy, who had returned to her original form, confided in me about what had happened to her.

Only then did I realize that she had used the Hero’s Power, not magic.

Thinking about it, it was a foregone conclusion.

Without Peter, Wendy was bound to be the strongest candidate for the Hero in this world.

She had the Bloodline of the Hero and was close to key characters in the story, so she had all the qualifications to become the Hero.

Moreover, she had the qualities of a Hero. She had tried to save other students within Jörmungandr’s Barrier, and she had even saved my life when I almost died after falling into Hell.

Whether Wendy wanted it or not, she couldn’t escape her destiny to become the Hero.

I also think she’s a fitting character for the role. However, I’m worried that I might become an obstacle to her reputation.

A Hero is a special being who receives the support of many people.

If people heard that such a Hero was siding with the notorious Ruelberta Family, who knows what kind of criticism she might face.

I really don’t want Wendy to become a Hero who is criticized.

“Phew…”

I held my head for a moment.

I still hadn’t sorted out my thoughts about Wendy.

Not only did I learn that she had used the Hero’s Power, but I also heard about the romantic feelings she had been harboring.

Since that night, Wendy would often blush when our eyes met. Sometimes, she would give me an awkward smile and a nod, and I couldn’t help but wonder.

Just how long had it been?

The emotions that the now mature Wendy had confessed seemed to have been there much longer than I thought.

‘I thought she was just a child who wanted to act spoiled around me…’

I don’t know how to respond to her shy confession.

No… I can’t accept it, and I shouldn’t. It’s safe to say that I’m struggling with how to reject those feelings.

At this point, all I can hope for is that she changes her mind soon.

Knock knock.

“Count. The carriage is ready.”

Ah, right.

Snapping out of my thoughts at Helga’s voice, I quickly put on my coat and stepped out.

Where I was heading now wasn’t the school.

Today, I had an important appointment.

In front of the mansion, all the servants of the Ruelberta Family were lined up to see me off.

By now, I was used to this kind of treatment as the Head of the House.

“……”

Glancing to the side, I saw Helga wearing a rather serious expression.

She was probably tense because of the person we were meeting today.

Before getting into the carriage, I spoke to Helga, who was about to follow me.

“Helga. Don’t come with me today.”

“Huh!?”

Helga reacted to the sudden announcement.

“Why are you telling me not to come?”

“You lack composure. You’ll only be a hindrance to today’s meeting.”

“Me? Lack composure…?”

“Yes.”

“Please don’t say such disappointing things, Count. Where else would you find someone as composed as me?”

There are plenty, I’m sure.

“Besides, who will protect you if not me?”

“I will protect him.”

“…Huh?”

Turning her head toward the voice, Helga frowned.

“Why are you here? Blanshe.”

“Shh. Right now, I’m not Blanshe, I’m Blanc.”

Helga, seeing the tall woman wearing a black dog mask who had suddenly appeared, spoke in disbelief.

“Ah, is that so…? So, what brings you here?”

“I, Blanc, have been summoned by the Count today. My mission is to protect the Count in your place.”

“What… did you say?”

“That’s right.”

I spoke to Helga, who had frozen in place.

“I called her because I judged her to be more suitable for today’s meeting.”

“That’s…! I can’t accept that!”

“Whether you like it or not, you have to accept it. You might be fine normally, but today, you won’t be able to stay composed.”

To be honest, I didn’t want to go this far.

But the person we were meeting today was highly likely to provoke Helga’s temper.

I didn’t want the meeting to be ruined by Helga’s outburst, so I took the drastic measure of bringing Blanshe instead.

However, Helga’s resistance far exceeded my expectations.

“No! No! I won’t let you leave without me!”

Helga blocked the carriage, stomping her feet and shouting.

“Throwing a tantrum won’t work.”

“Nooo! I’m composed! Completely! Waaah!”

What are you, a child?

With Blanshe standing right there, it’s getting embarrassing.

I shook my head firmly and said.

“Move aside.”

“No!”

Helga lay down in front of the carriage.

“If you’re going, you’ll have to step over me!”

“Fine.”

“Gasp!?”

Without hesitation, I stepped over Helga and got into the carriage.

“I’ll excuse myself as well.”

“Huh?! Who said you could step over me—ugh!”

With Blanshe also boarding the carriage, we were ready to depart.

I gave the coachman the order.

“Let’s go.”

“Count… but…”

However, the coachman looked troubled.

Looking out the window, I saw Helga lying down in front of the carriage wheels this time.

“If you’re going to leave without me, you’ll have to run me over with the carriage!”

Her desperate attempt to block the way was truly dramatic.

But Helga had a sturdy enough body to survive being run over by a carriage.

If we started now, it would be the carriage that would break.

“Count…”

Blanshe, who had been watching, spoke up, seemingly feeling sorry for her.

“Since she’s going this far, why not just take her with us?”

“Hmm…”

“If she goes out of control, I’ll handle her. So, I think it’s okay to give her a chance this once.”

I really hadn’t expected Helga’s resistance to be this intense.

‘Well, I have no choice…’

Clicking my tongue, I spoke to Helga.

“Helga. Can you promise not to cause any trouble?”

“Of course! If I cause any trouble, I’ll become the Count’s slave instead of his knight!”

“…Don’t make promises you can’t keep and just get in.”

“Huh? Then…!?”

“We can’t waste any more time because of you. Hurry up.”

“Ah, yes!”

Helga answered cheerfully and jumped up.

At times like this, she’s more like a puppy than the Ruelberta Family’s fierce hound.

Blanshe nodded approvingly at my decision.

“Well done, Count. But where are we going today?”

“Didn’t I tell you earlier?”

I answered Blanshe’s question.

“We’re going to meet the Head of the Wolfbert Family.”

*

The invitation from the Wolfbert Family arrived during the height of the festival.

The content was exactly as I had expected.

They wanted to discuss the ownership of the Tangmar region.

The fact that the response came so quickly showed that the Wolfbert Family was taking this issue seriously.

And as Heads of Houses, we decided to have an open discussion at the same Chinese restaurant where the Seven Stars Union had been held last time.

The carriage carrying the three of us stopped in front of a sign that read “Eastern Pearl.”

“Welcome, Count.”

“Hmm.”

At the entrance, we were greeted by a young man with a sharp appearance.

“I’m Jang Ryang, the third owner of Eastern Pearl. I’ll guide you.”

Following Jang Ryang’s lead, we entered the restaurant, which was a spitting image of a high-end Chinese restaurant in reality.

Just like last time, the smell of spices and fried food hit us as soon as we entered.

Growl-.

An unexpected sound.

“Oh my. Blanshe, did you come here hungry?”

“Huh?! No, wasn’t that sound from your stomach?!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb! I heard it clearly!”

“No, I wasn’t talking to you, Blanshe. I was talking to Blanc.”

“Ugh… you sly…!”

Even with the mask on, Blanshe’s reddened face was unmistakable.

Helga chuckled as she watched.

“Ahaha… It seems the bodyguards are hungry. I’ll put extra effort into today’s dishes.”

“I told you, it’s not me!”

“Blanshe says thank you, boss. Hehe…”

“Be quiet.”

After scolding the two who were bickering, we arrived at the room at the very back, guided by Jang Ryang.

Creak-.

As soon as the door opened, I immediately remembered. Whether it was intentional or not, it was the same room where the Union meeting had been held last time.

“You’ve arrived, Count.”

“…Huh?”

Patrick Wolfbert, a muscular young man sitting slouched at the round table, acted as if he knew me.

But that wasn’t what made me question.

“It’s our first time meeting like this, right? Count.”

“You are…”

“Oops. Look at me, forgetting my manners. I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

Sitting next to Patrick wasn’t the Head of the House, Gale, but a relaxed noblewoman.

The moment I saw her smiling at me, I realized who she was.

“I’m Hildegarde, the lady of the Wolfbert Family. Nice to meet you, Count Ruelberta.”