“Count. We’re here.”

“Ahem….”

In the afternoon, as promised yesterday, Albert and Vanessa visited the mansion.

Vanessa looked around the reception room, exclaiming in admiration.

“Wow, just as I heard, the Count is incredibly wealthy. The house is enormous, and everything here is handmade by craftsmen, right? It’s hard to find anything mass-produced!”

“Please, have some tea….”

“Oh? Who’s this cute little lady?”

“Huh?!”

Wendy, who was pouring tea, almost dropped the teapot.

“I’m the Count’s exclusive maid….”

“You look quite young for that…? You must be very capable.”

“W-well, not exactly….”

Wendy shyly lowered her head, and Vanessa chuckled at the sight. After taking a sip of tea, Vanessa’s eyes widened.

“Whoa!?”

“What, what’s wrong?! Is there something strange…?”

“This tea is ridiculously good! What kind of tea is this?”

“Uh… I believe it’s tea grown in Orlanje….”

“Orlanje? So this is imported tea?”

Vanessa looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Count. We’re in a period of isolation—how did you get this? Did you smuggle it?”

“The Ruelberta family has independent trade rights with foreign countries. This tea was legally imported through proper channels.”

“Good heavens….”

Albert clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed by Vanessa’s behavior.

“Tsk tsk… Don’t act so immature. It’s embarrassing for someone who’s supposed to inherit the workshop….”

“Grandpa. Are all nobles like this?”

“Of course not… The Ruelberta family is special. With this kind of wealth, they can pull off such unbelievable things….”

“Unbelievable things…?”

Vanessa looked confused, but Albert ignored her and turned to me.

“So… care to tell me why you called me to this unpleasant place? I only came because I owed you for saving Vanessa yesterday, but I feel like leaving right now.”

Though his words sounded insulting, I didn’t mind.

The Ruelberta mansion was a dark chapter in his life.

Facing his own dark history must be quite uncomfortable.

“As I explained before, Albert. I called you here to give you a chance at redemption.”

“Huh… Redemption, you say? Sorry, but I destroyed all the research materials I had back then with my own hands. Besides, I’ve left the field of magical formula research.”

Albert added with a bitter expression.

“Of course, I don’t think that erases what I did…. So, Count, what exactly can I do? What do I need to do to redeem myself?”

Hearing Albert’s sigh, I felt relieved.

He was someone who understood the weight of his actions.

He was someone who never took the gravity of his sins lightly.

The reputation of being a top-tier magic craftsman who invented countless magical tools wasn’t an exaggeration.

Though he had made a grave mistake, he was a true craftsman with strong convictions.

+

Character Profile.

Name: Albert Groble.

Age: 72.

Occupation: Magic Craftsman.

Personality: Researcher, Craftsman’s Spirit

+

Albert Groble, a craftsman lost to history, was also a character too valuable to lose.

Whether I could persuade him now was entirely up to me.

I put on the coat beside me and spoke.

“You’ll understand when we get there. Follow me.”

*

I stood in front of the central entrance of the Ruelberta mansion.

The high ceiling and the staircase leading to the second floor stretched out grandly before me.

Luxurious decorations and paintings were scattered around, and black lion statues exuded an imposing presence, as if they might come to life at any moment.

It was almost like an art museum.

“Impressive….”

“Each one could be considered a treasure….”

Both Vanessa and Albert couldn’t help but marvel.

As craftsmen themselves, they could easily gauge the value of most items at a glance.

I spoke up.

“These things here don’t even make the treasure list.”

“These aren’t treasures?”

“No.”

I walked past Vanessa and stood in front of a black lion statue that was sitting down.

I patted the head of the lion, which was standing proudly with its head held high.

“The treasures of the Ruelberta family are all hidden in a safe place.”

My gaze turned to the lion in the center.

Surrounded by the gazes of the other lions, the only one not sitting but standing on all fours. This lion, with its tail raised, was watching us as if eyeing its prey.

I pointed at the lion and said.

“Wendy.”

“Yes?”

“Pull down that lion’s tail.”

“T-the tail?”

“Yes.”

Wendy, following my command, approached the lion.

Hesitating, she placed her hand on the tail and asked me.

“U-um, are you sure it’s okay to pull it…? What if I break it?”

“Even if you kick it, it won’t break. Don’t worry.”

“Okay….”

Wendy pushed the lion’s tail.

“Eek….”

But it seemed she didn’t have enough strength—the lion’s tail didn’t budge.

“Ugh….”

She looked at me as if asking for help.

Sorry, but I can’t help you.

It wouldn’t look cool….

But I can give you some advice.

“Wendy. Use what you learned in class.”

She must have learned something from Myohail or Blanshe.

At my words, Wendy seemed to realize something.

“Yes! I’ll try!”

Wendy took a deep breath, her body glowing with magical energy.

She converted the overflowing magical energy into physical strength.

Then, the lion’s tail bent and lowered.

Grrrrr.

A faint rumble began to shake the ground.

It was as if a hidden secret space was revealing itself.

The marble floor shifted smoothly, creating a staircase leading underground.

“Ooh… Interesting mechanism.”

Vanessa muttered in amazement.

Albert subtly asked me.

“This is…?”

“The Ruelberta family’s treasure vault. It’s the first time we’re showing it to outsiders.”

To be honest, I hadn’t known about this place for long.

During a trial, when Tristan’s memories flowed into me, I also gained memories of the treasure vault beneath the mansion.

Albert asked again.

“Treasure vault?”

“Yes. Everything worthy of being called a treasure is down there.”

Even as I said that, I felt a bit of anticipation myself.

The Ruelberta family had collected rare treasures for generations, all hidden here.

In other words, this place was filled with items crafted by ancient artisans.

Both Vanessa and Albert couldn’t hide their excitement.

“Let’s go down, then.”

As I was about to lead the way, Vanessa suddenly stopped.

“Huh?”

A long-whiskered cat had appeared out of nowhere and clung to her leg.

“What’s this, Count, do you keep cats too?”

“Uh! T-that’s….”

Before Wendy could finish, Vanessa picked up Myohail.

“Aww. You’re so cute. Do you want to come with me?”

“Meow.”

Myohail rubbed his face against Vanessa’s cheek.

“Ahaha! That tickles!”

Vanessa laughed like a little girl.

I frowned at the heartwarming scene.

“Count, what’s his name?”

“…Just a stray cat. He’s dirty, so put him down now.”

“Eh. He looks pretty clean for a stray….”

*Scratch!* Myohail threatened me.

This old man, seriously….

Ever since he decided to settle in the mansion, he’s been more of a sly fox than a cat.

“Count, is it okay if he comes down with me? You’ll behave, right?”

“Meow!”

“…Do as you please.”

I couldn’t help but sigh.