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Baroness Brandmüller’s residence.

The site, which could easily accommodate twenty to thirty ordinary houses, was lavishly utilized for the construction of this building. Upon opening the grand double front entrance—wide enough to allow a carriage to pass through—one would enter a spacious hall with chandeliers hanging from above, as if ready to host a ball. From there, corridors extend to both wings of the building, along with a wide staircase leading to the second floor.

The number of rooms was certainly not limited to ten or twenty. This elegant building stood apart from ordinary homes of the imperial-style culture, with its embedded glass windows and meticulously lacquered hallway pillars and decorations.

On the second floor of this newly constructed and flawless mansion, a graceful figure was standing beside the bay window of the parlor. With golden hair, emerald eyes, and delicate features that exuded both gracefulness and melancholy, she was truly the picture of a princess confined to her secluded chambers. The cold sweat running down her cheeks subtly detracted from her dignified appearance, however…

Currently, the parlor was filled with nearly 10 people, including servants, and yet not a single sound was raised. The silence made the rather large room feel stuffy, if not heavy.

“…I see, I get the gist of it now.”

With a somewhat disgruntled tone, the one who began speaking was the lady of the mansion and the governing official overseeing the entire frontier district, Baroness Brandmüller — Miss Christy.

“Long story short, a large number of skeletons appeared in Tenebrae Nemus. The Adventurers’ Guild sent a party of 10 adventurers to see the situation, and that lad there joined as their guide.”

She glanced at Bruno, and the boy stood still like a frog in front of a snake.

“That was when my little Jill rushed to the scene. The adventurers were wiped out, but the lad survived all alone. While Jill, on the other hand, fought the skeletons without thinking ahead and exterminated them. Did I get it right?”

The entire group, consisting of Jill, Eren, Lana, Bruno, as well as a slender young man who appeared to be around 25 years old, and the receptionist Caldina, who had arrived under the pretext of investigation and interviews from the Adventurers Guild, all nodded almost reflexively.

After casting a discerning gaze around, her attention settled once again on the prominent figure standing near the window—Jill. As her adopted child in name and a junior disciple of the same mentor, Jill possessed a stunning beauty that captivated the eyes.

“…” That, of course, put her junior disciple in a spot. The younger girl looked down, her face bathed in cold sweat. At which, Miss Christy opened her mouth again.

“I’m amazed, really. Each one of you went and did whatever shortsighted things you wanted, and then you come running to me hoping I’ll tidy up your mess once you’re done.”

She grumbled, clearly displaying her frustration as both the governor and as a Baroness personally. The group collectively groaned awkwardly, unable to meet her gaze. Only two individuals remained unfazed: the first was Royce, the steward standing behind his master, and the second was the giant Death Knight, Bartholomew, who had no shred of remorse, or perhaps even a sense of involvement, whatsoever.

♢♦♢♦♢

Well, long story short, a full day had passed since yesterday’s fiasco, and it was now the afternoon of Mirror Day (Saturday). Strictly speaking, two-day weekends weren’t really a concept in this world, but public offices did close early afternoon on Mirror Days (guilds were open all year round, however).

With Miss Christy finishing her work before noon since she was expecting a guest, I, along with everyone involved in yesterday’s mess, went up to see her together with the guest, knowing they would be someone from the guild. That was how all of us ended up under her judgmental gaze.

“So, sir Eraldo. Seeing that the Branch Chief himself went to the trouble of coming all the way here, I assume you wish to keep this discussion from being made public, yes?”

Being directly confronted, the young man could only make a troubled smile as he replied ambiguously, “Oh no, not at all. It is just that, given the circumstances, I think that it is best for me to be present. There is no deeper meaning to it, Lady Baroness.”

Before he fully finished his sentence, however, everyone was freaked out when they learned the title of the young man.

“Ch-, Chief??!!” they exclaimed in unison.

I thought he was a young clerk Caldina brought! What do you mean he’s the Chief Executive of the Consul Branch Adventurers Guild?!

“Despite his looks, the chief is already past 40, you know,” added Caldina, who stood next to me. Though she didn’t spell it out, hints of vexation could be picked up in her tone and expression.

…wait, forty years old?! How much of a babyface is he?! I can see why Caldina is perplexed.

“Hahaha. Well, people often mistook me for a secretary back in HQ too. I’m Eraldo, the chief of the Consul Branch Adventurers’ Guild. Forgive my lack of dignity…” He must have heard us, as the chief looked at us with a bashful smile on his face and briskly introduced himself. By the way, out of everyone, he was the only one treated as a proper guest and sitting on the sofa.

“Uh… Pleased to meet you, I’m Julia Fortuna Brandmüller.” Either way, I pinched the hem of my dress and greeted him back.

“I heard you have done us a huge service. On behalf of the entire Consul branch, I would like to thank you. Normally, the guild would present you a reward, but…”

Chief Eraldo glanced at Ms. Christy, assessing the career woman’s facial expression. Ms. Christy, however, sent a piercing gaze to me.

“—you heard him, Jill. What do you say?”
“I appreciate the thought, but I’m sorry. All I did was check my dear friend’s welfare, so I wasn’t particularly doing it to receive any kind of reward. …Well, if I must, then please consider my action as a deed to ensure the safety of the people as a member of the barony.”

My sister-slash-mother smiled at my answer, while the chief could only chuckle.

“If so, then the story would proceed as such: ‘A party of ten adventurers headed for Tenebrae Nemus to investigate and were annihilated by 20-odd skeletons that happened to be in the area. The only survivor of the party, a boy acting as their guide, reported the incident to Baroness Brandmüller, who understood the gravity of the situation and sent a vassal to destroy the undead.’ Would that be correct?”
“Hmph… Well, that sounds good enough,” affirmed Ms. Christy annoyedly as she instructed Royce to take note. She then looked at me, and I nodded.

If anything, I am more than welcome to agree with that storyline.

I don’t want to be put in the limelight just because I’m the one who solved the case. Eren and Lana seemed a little unhappy about that, their cheeks puffed as if they wanted to protest, but… my secret of happiness in life is to avoid the spotlight, be inconspicuous, and blend with the environment, living in the shadows like a proper weed.