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“Here, take it.”

Vanessa placed two dirty cups on the table, causing a cloud of dust to rise.

“Drink up, and if it’s not enough, let me know. I’ll give you as much as you want.”

“…What is this?”

“Can’t you tell? It’s water. Boiled water. Great for hydration. Also good for your health.”

“Is that… so?”

Hesitating, Blanshe picked up the cup, thinking it would be impolite not to.

Of course, I didn’t even glance at it.

The place was a complete mess.

Cobwebs hung everywhere, and junk was piled up like trash.

It was hard to believe this was the workshop of Albert Groble, once known as the Empire’s greatest craftsman.

Vanessa spoke with an awkward expression.

“Uh… sorry about earlier. I thought you were just another group coming to collect money.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t know you were the granddaughter of the person the Count is looking for.”

“Speaking of which, you mentioned the Count? You’re here to see my grandfather?”

“Yes.”

My expression must have seemed cold, as Vanessa scratched her messy hair and said,

“Ah, was my tone rude? Sorry, but I’m not the type to bow and scrape to anyone.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Hahaha. You’re quite bold, aren’t you? I like that, Count.”

Vanessa laughed loudly, like a true lady.

Her smile showed no trace of her earlier roughness.

Then, Blanshe, who had been sipping water beside me, cautiously spoke up.

“By the way… who were those people earlier?”

“Huh? Oh… those guys?”

The men Blanshe had knocked out had fled in panic as soon as they regained consciousness.

Vanessa spoke with a slightly bitter expression.

“We’re on the verge of losing the workshop because of debt. We’re barely hanging on, but sometimes those thugs come and cause trouble. Damn it… we need the shop to pay off the debts.”

“Is that so… It must be very difficult.”

At the mention of debt, Blanshe’s shoulders slumped as if it were her own problem.

“It’s okay. If I take over the shop and work hard, I can restore it. Haha. Well, business is slow these days, but if we hold on, better days will come.”

Vanessa’s small hands, full of calluses, showed she was indeed a craftsman.

As far as I knew, no one had carried on Albert Groble’s legacy after Vanessa.

Moreover, Vanessa was one of those unfortunate characters whose talents were never fully realized in the original work or the game.

I spoke up.

“So, when can I meet Albert?”

“Ah! About that… my grandfather gets so absorbed in his work that he won’t come down all day unless it’s a set time… I’ll go up and drag him down if I have to. Just a moment… huh?”

At that moment, a creaking sound came from the old wooden stairs.

An old man with glasses and a scruffy beard descended.

I could easily tell it was Albert.

“Huh? Grandfather!”

“What’s this…? Do we have guests?”

Albert wiped his glasses and put them back on.

Only then did he notice the chaos on the first floor and was shocked.

“What?! Wait… did a bomb go off? Why is it such a mess?”

“Those thugs came and left.”

“What?! Those damn bastards…!”

Albert grabbed a nearby hammer and started raging.

“Where are those bastards?! I’ll smash their heads in!”

“Calm down, Grandfather. They… these people drove them away.”

“Huh?”

Albert’s brow furrowed as he noticed us.

He slowly walked toward us, his wrinkled eyes fixed on me through his glasses.

“…You, have we met before?”

“…Probably.”

“Hmm?”

Blanshe stepped in to introduce me.

She’s really competent.

“Mr. Albert, this is Count Tristan Ruelberta.”

“What, Count Ruelberta?!”

The moment he heard the name, Albert’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me… you’re William’s son?!”

“That’s right.”

I answered calmly.

Albert’s body trembled.

It was a familiar reaction to me.

Albert shouted.

“Get out! I won’t work with you Ruelbertas anymore!”

“Grandfather?!”

I remained seated, unfazed by Albert’s reaction.

Vanessa, flustered, grabbed Albert.

“Wait, Grandfather!”

“Let go of me!”

“At least hear them out! Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? It’s not like you.”

“You don’t understand yet! That man… that family is terrifying!”

Albert glared at me with hatred.

Being hated was nothing new to me.

And I was ready to accept that hatred.

As I sat quietly, Albert, unable to contain himself, grabbed the hammer beside him.

“Didn’t you hear me?! Get out!”

“Grandfather!”

Without giving Vanessa a chance to stop him, Albert threw the hammer.

He probably meant it as a threat.

The hammer flew in an arc and landed on the floor.

But Albert likely didn’t expect it to bounce back and fly toward my face.

I sat still, knowing all this.

There was no need to dodge.

“Calm down, sir.”

Blanshe effortlessly caught the flying hammer.

She truly was exceptional.

Just moments ago, she was desperate to kill me, but now she was protecting me. I couldn’t help but feel reassured.

“Grandfather! That could’ve been a disaster!”

“Ugh… I didn’t mean to actually hit him…”

“Cool your head!”

Vanessa subtly guided Albert to sit across from me.

“Sorry, Count. My grandfather got a bit carried away…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Ugh…”

Albert seemed deeply uncomfortable.

He looked like he wanted to bolt up and leave, but Vanessa’s hand on his shoulder kept him seated.

Finally, Albert spoke.

“How did you even find this place?”

“I heard about it through Arthur.”

“…Arthur, that guy?”

Albert clicked his tongue.

“That old fool…”

“I thought you wouldn’t associate with the Ruelbertas.”

“That guy is a friend from my hometown. I can trust him.”

So, this is what they call hometown ties…?

Still, it’s fortunate that we can at least talk now.

Albert sighed.

“You said you’re William’s son?”

“That’s right.”

“Your father was a devil of a man.”

“Grandfather?!”

“Sir?!”

Blanshe and Vanessa were shocked by his words.

I, on the other hand, remained calm.

I somewhat agreed with Albert’s statement.

I slowly spoke.

“Albert Groble, the Empire’s greatest magic craftsman. Or rather, the former head magic craftsman of the Ruelberta family.”

“……!”

Albert’s shoulders twitched.

“Grandfather was the head craftsman for the Count’s family…?”

“…Yes. There was a time when I was called that. But… if I had known what kind of man William was, I would never have worked with him.”

Albert hung his head.

The shadow of past sins fell over his face.

“That’s why, no matter what business you have here, I won’t cooperate. I don’t want to commit any more sins…”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“?!”

Blanshe was the first to notice the change in me.

She instinctively took a defensive stance.

The ‘Wrath’ within me was still simmering.

If I hadn’t held onto ‘Patience’ by a thread, things could’ve gone badly.

I took a deep breath.

“You’re just trying to escape responsibility, Albert.”

“What?!”

“And did you say ‘cooperate’?”

I wasn’t using ‘Wrath,’ but I was quietly furious at Albert.

I knew exactly what I was angry about. His weak attempt to escape the terrible reality of his actions had struck a nerve.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m here to give you a chance to atone.”

“Atonement…?”

“Yes. Only you can atone for your sins… Decide here and now.”

Albert’s eyes widened.

I stood up, brushing the dust off my coat.

“Either spend the rest of your life crushed under the weight of your sins, hiding in this dusty hole… or if you don’t want that…”

I adjusted my tie and looked down at him.

His hunched back and shabby appearance.

“Repent. If you feel even a shred of shame for your sin-stained life.”

“Just who are you…?”

The look on Albert’s face was one of confusion.

About the man who suddenly appeared, urging him to repent for his past.

There was no need to hide anything.

There was only one thing I could say.

“I am Tristan Ruelberta.”

I spoke to him, who sat there dumbfounded, looking up at me.

“The only one who can give you a chance to atone for your sins.”

 

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