~Chapter 20~
The conditions for lifting the curse already gave Esther a headache—
and the curse itself was even more irritating.
The regression curse was clearly Migael Enoch’s prank.
Fortunately, it rarely activated in any significant way.
“But this… area scan?”
As soon as Esther muttered, something appeared over the parchment.
[Range: 300m in all directions
People needing help: 3
[!] [!] [!]]
Yellow, orange, and white.
The exclamation marks on the parchment came in three colors. Clear and intuitive—it looked much easier to use for giving help.
“So I find them with this?”
“If Master commands it, I’ll guide you! Kyuu!”
So it could provide guidance.
“What about information search?”
“I know everything—except what I don’t! Kyuu!”
Each demonic beast was said to have a unique ability. This one seemed rather useless.
Still, with his tiny body, gathering information was probably his specialty.
But that Migael Enoch bastard—making her look like some saint and giving her such an ability?
The nerve, planning so blatantly to exploit her.
Then again… perhaps that was better.
At least it wouldn’t trouble her much. She would use it to break her curse quickly.
The mansion has plenty of work, but…
Right now, Rosaline’s matter took priority.
“Esther’s Counseling Office is open!”
With a clenched fist, Esther left the mansion alongside Shiphon and Ros.
Apparently, once granted, an outing pass could be used permanently. She’d thought they’d confiscate it—pleasant surprise.
“Ros, can you find where Hatart is?”
“Yes!”
Before her words even finished, Ros crunched down a nut.
A parchment unfolded before her eyes.
Information Guild Hatart
The information guild Hatart is the largest and most influential in the Destroca Empire.
They take on any job for money, buy valuable information at high prices, and spare no resources in pursuit of work. Rumor has it they even collect knowledge on incurable diseases.
Some say Hatart’s network is powerful enough to topple a small nation. Yet even within the guild, very few have seen the guild master’s face.
They are hidden beneath the great tavern Trier in the capital.
The passphrase is as follows:
“I’ve come to meet the one who breaks order.”
Brief, but all the information she needed.
“Shiphon! We’re heading out!”
“Yes, I’ll get ready at once. It’s winter—dress warmly, miss.”
“…Mm.”
Watching Shiphon bustle about, Esther glanced out the window at the bare, thin branches.
At last—the first step.
Reaching Hatart wasn’t difficult.
Or rather, reaching the tavern Trier wasn’t.
For when she mentioned it to Shiphon, the maid simply nodded, as if she already knew the place.
A carriage was quickly arranged, and they arrived in no time.
“…Little miss, this is no place for you. Please return.”
Blocked at the entrance.
Damn it.
A middle-aged man firmly barred her way, smiling kindly even as he pushed her back.
“I’m here to meet someone!”
“No one under age of majority may enter.”
Esther’s lips flapped wordlessly. She clenched her fists. To think she’d get entrance-cut like this!
“I-I came to meet the one who b-breaks order!”
“…Pardon?”
“The one who breaks… order…”
“Where did you hear that?”
In an instant, the warmth in his eyes turned to deadly cold.
His once soft gaze sharpened, all kindness vanishing.
“What are you doing to our young miss?!”
Shiphon stepped forward in her maid uniform, raising her voice.
“We’ve come to meet the one who breaks order. Is further questioning necessary?”
Her voice was unwavering.
Esther’s eyes widened.
She hadn’t expected Shiphon—bound to her by force—to shield her.
“…No, I suppose not.”
“I came not to see a dog, but the master.”
“…What did you just—”
“Bring out the master.”
Esther lifted the hood Shiphon had given her, revealing beast-like golden eyes that met the man’s directly.
“…Enter.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the man stepped aside.
Esther strode in, feigning confidence.
“This way.”
She followed his lead, her small legs scurrying faster to keep up with his long strides.
Ugh, my legs hurt.
“Shiphon! Carry me!”
She stopped abruptly, arms raised. Shiphon blinked wide, then carefully lifted her.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Mm.”
Looking forward again, she caught the middle-aged guide staring, eyes widened.
“Why aren’t we moving?”
“A-ah, yes. Is your companion’s name Shiphon, by chance?”
“Yes. Why?”
Shiphon answered cautiously, suspicion in her face.
The man’s expression faltered briefly before he returned to blank composure.
Not that Esther missed it.
“This way through the door.”
Down a staircase, through a marble-and-stone corridor, they reached a plain-looking door.
The man carefully opened it, letting them inside.
Esther’s eyes widened.
Far from the shadowy, sinister place she’d imagined, the underground room was bright and cozy.
White and green hues blended warmly. Shelves crammed with books lined the walls, and logs crackled in the hearth.
At the center desk sat a man in a pristine white fox mask.
“We’ve heard of a most unusual guest…”
He rose at the sound of their entrance—then froze.
“…Ahem, I mean, we heard.”
His once-melodious voice now cracked harshly.
Esther tilted her head.
Just now, it was a smooth voice…
And—he trembled, ever so slightly.
What was this?
“What brings you here?”
“I came with a request.”
“…A request? Very well, speak.”
He didn’t even approach them, quickly opening the conversation instead.
Esther had expected resistance. Odd.
“Mm. You know Rosaline?”
“Yes.”
“You’re tormenting her, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
So quick to admit?
He even looked restless—like a student desperate to be dismissed.
“Well, stop that. In return, I’ll—”
“Understood.”
“…Eh?”
“I’ll clear Rosaline’s debts and deal with the swindlers.”
“Uh… Mm…”
Esther stood dumbfounded. The guild master waved vaguely, speaking again.
“Anything else?”
“No… just, how much?”
“I’ll do it as a courtesy.”
Since when do you offer me courtesy?
Service? What service?
Esther’s eyes darted restlessly. Something was off.
“…Mm.”
Even as she answered, unease prickled.
Then Ros tapped her cheek from her shoulder, pointing at her eyes.
…My eyes?
Ah. Quickly, Esther channeled mana into them and looked at the man.
[!]
Another exclamation mark appeared. White this time.
[Don’t let anyone find out!
Rio Argos was born weak.
Afflicted with the rare disease albinism, sunlight scorched and burned his skin. His eyes suffered burns from the sun’s rays.
Walking even a little left him gasping, chest aching as though squeezed.
Frequent headaches left him wishing for death.
Death always loomed over Rio Argos.
The former Baron Argos once exhausted every means to cure him, even squandering his fortune and begging for aid—until debt forced him to forfeit his title.
From childhood, Rio devoured books. His brilliance was unmatched.
Wracked with guilt over his family’s ruin, he obsessed over collecting knowledge of illnesses.
Before long, he knew everything.
Around him, the guild Hatart was formed.
Yet Rio Argos never told his family.
The former Baron, devout to Armos, would never forgive his son for extorting and selling information.
And Rio longs only to remain his beloved older sister’s cherished younger brother.]
Rio… Argos…?
That name rang a bell. Where had she heard it?
“Say your name.”
“Shiphon… Shiphon Argos.”
…No way.
“Rio—my younger brother—he was always frail since birth.”
Ah-ha!
So the guild master was Shiphon’s younger brother.
Having pieced it all together, Esther smirked wickedly.
