Published: January 15, 2026
The barbecue event had ended, and I informed Mr. Panamera that we were heading back to Seato Village.
However, his reaction was somewhat subtle.
“Already leaving?”
“Yes, we’re going back!”
“That’s a shame. You should stay for about another week.”
“No, we’re going back!”
I stood firm without wavering in my decision, causing Panamera to sigh regretfully.
“I wanted to have you make a few more things, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”
As I gave a wry smile at Panamera’s words, Arte came right beside me and spoke up.
“Lord Panamera… no matter what, you’re making Lord Van work too hard…”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but Arte voiced her protest to Panamera. It seemed this was unexpected not only for me but also for Panamera, who widened his eyes in surprise.
Dee and Espada had long served the Marquis Fertio family, so they never interfered in conversations between heads of noble families. Til and Kamushin would probably endure quietly until the very end.
In that context, Arte’s criticism of Panamera was quite unexpected.
“…What, you’re completely siding with the boy now, aren’t you?”
Panamera muttered, clearly puzzled. Arte furrowed her brows and shook her head left and right.
“N-no… I didn’t mean to become your enemy, Lord Panamera… Ah, I spoke out of turn…”
She seemed about to explain why she protested, but when Panamera looked intently at Arte’s face, her momentum immediately deflated.
Her eyes welled with tears, and her words trailed off weakly. Watching Arte like that, Panamera suddenly burst out laughing and ruffled her head with one hand.
“Ha ha ha! It’s good to be close! Although, I do feel a little lonely now that you’ve slipped from my grasp.”
Panamera told her mockingly with a sad expression. Arte flustered and hurriedly denied it.
“N-no way…! Lord Panamera is my benefactor, so that’s not true at all…”
Arte desperately tried to reassure him. Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but chime in from the side.
“Arte, I think Lord Panamera is just joking.”
“Huh?”
Arte blinked at my words and turned to look at Panamera. Then Panamera smiled playfully at her.
“J-just…! Lord Panamera…!”
Realizing she had been teased, Arte puffed her cheeks in a rare show of anger. Panamera squinted and laughed aloud. After this exchange, Panamera suddenly turned to me.
“I almost forgot, His Majesty had intended to ask Viscount Van to inspect the capital city of the Yelinetta Kingdom.”
“Eh? An inspection?”
When I asked in surprise, Panamera let out a light chuckle.
“A letter arrived at my place just the other day. It should have reached Seato Village as well. Would you like me to tell you the contents first?”
Warily, I nodded, suspecting more trouble was coming.
“What’s with that face?”
Panamera seemed amused by my expression and said with a small laugh. As I pouted, he furrowed his brows and waved a hand.
“Don’t be so suspicious. Think of it as a sort of reward.”
“A reward?”
I asked again, and Panamera nodded.
“Yes. You see, the boy in Seato Village leaked important information about Yelinetta to His Majesty, right? The investigation team’s representative will be Viscount Van, who obtained that information.”
“Wait, you mean the hidden royal treasure that Prince Freitliner confessed about without permission?”
“That’s right. Naturally, everyone connected to the Wang family has already been immobilized. The boy just needs to go to the capital city, uncover the hidden personal wealth, and deliver it all to His Majesty. That alone will be quite an achievement, and you’ll probably receive a reward.”
Panamera explained in an envious tone. For those who want to rise up, it sounded like a bonus stage. But for me, it was just a bothersome task.
“Eh, we have to go all the way to the capital city? I think it takes about a month from this town…”
“Well, if you hurry, about three weeks. It’s His Majesty’s favor. Accept it gratefully and send a thank-you letter.”