In the old parts of town where I hold my shop, the merchants hold considerable power. And even though things in the newer parts of town may be slightly different because there are more mercenaries and travelers, I still hear that the merchants are the ones holding the reigns. That is clearly telling of the vital economy created by Margrave Blare giving much freedom to the merchants.

It helps me a lot that Lyla has introduced me to the merchants in the old parts of town. I never expected all of my encounters to be pleasant, but having anyone that I could interact with pleasantly signified business deals and information coming my way.

"Hey, Mcgyver. Did we finish working out the pop-up shop locations with the folks over in New Town?"

"Yeah, I’m closer to them, so I gotta let them have a piece of cake or two, but it’s business, after all. Newbie, you’re not putting up a tent, right?"

Through a third party, the conversation comes back to me.

"Yes, since I don’t carry any food items. I was hoping to put up a sign or something, but I doubt many people would walk all the way from New Town to Old Town."

"No no no, that won’t do. They’ll be people from all around. Maybe even businessmen. Why don’t you ask, say, that girl Sylvia to advertise and point people to your shop for you?"

"Wha… Oh, no I could never…"

Thrown into conversation out of nowhere, Sylvia blurts out, taken aback. There is a rumor going around, more among the shopkeepers than customers, that a cute girl with honey coloured hair tends the counter at Hiro shop. She has become famous unexpectedly, just from me asking her to take over some paper work when I was busy, or to greet people coming in the door while I was tending the counter.

She always soaked up anything I taught her without question. I wasn’t sure if this was a characteristic of noble daughter, but while she understands and retains information like an average man, she is exceedingly proficient in memorizing words, numbers, and even images. If I have her sit in on a meeting, she could almost certainly recreate the entirety of it, and if I show her an item closely, she could recreate an adequate blueprint. Because of that talent, I have her working more as my secretary, in addition to watching the store. Especially, Sylvia is in charge of most of the bookkeeping and scheduling that I want to keep hidden.

The young and humble, and strikingly beautiful, cute Sylvia is very well liked by the shopkeepers, who are all a considerable age. In all honesty, she is more well liked than I am. That's fine with me.

When we return to our place, Lyla is drinking tea in the household shop, with Selene tending the shop. Her elven ears are covered by robe.

"Sorry to trouble your business."

After some more small talk, Layla exits the shop. Preparing for the next day isn’t a particularly laborious task, so I don’t mind her overstaying.

Then, I have a thought.

Is Lyla keeping something from us?

While my impression of her is that of an honest, good-hearted woman, but that could be an act. She could very well be wearing a mask like I am.

"No, we didn’t get any other customers, so it’s not any trouble… By the way, Lyla."

"Yes? What is it?"

"You talked about always wearing a mask… Do you have any experience like that?"

I remember what Lyla had self-deprecatingly told me before, that Lyla’s father was a criminal. While she has the clout to be trusted to lead a parade as a representative of House of Lambert, she is a contract knight without her own land. It is quite rare to see a knight without land nor manor and renting a house.

"…Hmm. In a way."

Lyla’s eyes seems to focus on something at a distance.

"Even I have many aspects of myself that I keep hidden from you. And to the people of this town. Just because I’m a knight, does not make me a very respectable person."

I almost ask if that is because of her father, and thought better of it. …I just felt like it isn’t something I am allowed to ask about.

"Hiro. If you’re not interested in a political marriage… Or a marriage that would benefit your business, rather. If you’re not interested in that sort of thing, you should make Sylvia a happy wife."

I am taken aback by the sudden remark, but Lyla’s tone was very serious. She is looking away from me, in the direction of Sylvia working in the shop… As if she is too bright to look at for too long.

I feel that, at the very least, her eyes are not lying.

***

(Basement in Redcliffe castle)

Connor summons a penguin like demon. Then, he unsummons it. 

He then rests by leaning on the wall.

"Teacher, you mentioned you had a student before. Is she the same age as me?"

Jowan smiles as he hears that.

"No. She is an adult. During my adventure along the border of Redcliffe, I met small group of people living in an old castle"

Connor immediately dashes and sits on the chair. He looks at Jowan with a lot of interest.

"Castle? Do we have another castle in Redcliffe?"

"Yes. It was definitely at the border of Redcliffe but doesn't belong to your father. It is in the middle of the forest."

"Weird. Why mother never tell me?"

Jowan becomes panic when the boy mentions his mother.

"It's our secret. Don't tell your mother."

Jowan continues,

"They seem to have lived there for generations despite their small population."

"I taught a young woman about magic. She was from that group."

"Enough about my story. Young master, let's focus summoning bigger demon." 

"Yeeeees!"