~Chapter 113~
For Ricardo, who had chosen to walk the path of betrayal alone, Count Rowein could not give him support.
They couldn’t even approach each other in this situation.
But in the original story, there had been an alchemist from the Rowein family who worked with Idette.
He was more than just fascinated by Ailins’s power—he was almost fanatical about it.
If it was him, he would surely be a strong ally.
…Besides, the Count had a brother who once questioned Dremokan and died for it.
The official cause was said to be illness, but anyone who knew better could guess that wasn’t the truth.
First, I need to meet that man.
Since I already knew an alchemist personally, maybe that would give me a way to connect with him.
For now, I decided to set thoughts of Arkan aside.
***
The underground marketplace looked the same as before— except the vines growing there had become even more twisted and strange in shape.
Lost in thought, I kept walking until I reached the shabby tent where I had first met Penny. I stopped in my tracks.
Inside, a drowsy woman immediately jumped up the moment she saw me.
“Oh! A customer!”
“Ah, hello.”
Was Penny not here…?
I quickly looked around the tent, but then the woman suddenly waved her hand in front of my face.
“I’m right here!”
Then she blinked as if she realized something.
“Wait—are you seeing a ghost or something? You came to the right place! We fix those kinds of problems too.”
As she frantically dug through the shelves, I quickly shouted,
“No, no, that’s not it! I’m looking for someone!”
“Oh! Well, you should’ve just said so. Who are you looking for?”
Just as I was about to say Penny’s name, someone pushed through the bead curtain behind the tent.
“What’s with all the noise?”
“Cameron, get back inside.”
While I blinked in surprise, the man yawned widely.
“Why are you embarrassing yourself in front of a customer?”
“And weren’t you just sleeping too?”
“I—I’m not like you.”
Before their bickering could drag on, I quickly stepped in.
“Excuse me…”
Immediately, Cameron’s sharp eyes turned toward me. His gaze narrowed, filled with suspicion.
“What’s a noble doing here?”
His tone was full of wariness.
“Why are you acting like this today? Since when do we care about that? Anyway—who are you looking for?” the woman asked.
“Penny. I’m looking for Penny.”
“Ohhh, you came to buy information. Wait here a moment.”
Luckily, it seemed Penny was inside. The woman rushed into the back. Meanwhile, Cameron kept staring at me relentlessly, his gaze heavy enough to feel suffocating.
…At this rate, he’s going to burn a hole through my face.
“Are you close with Penny?”
He flopped into a chair and arrogantly propped his feet up on the counter. Watching his tapping toes, I frowned slightly.
“Close enough.”
“You’re speaking informally?”
Clearly, he had no awareness of how rude his own behavior was.
“I don’t see why I should show manners to someone who’s being rude first.”
His crooked tone and sharp eyes made it clear—he acted as if he already knew me.
“The one who silenced Penny before—that was you, wasn’t it?”
“I bought the information. Isn’t that natural?”
Why even ask such an obvious question?
Just then, Penny appeared behind him, which was a relief. I was about to greet her when Cameron spoke again.
“So that means—you’re the one who put all the auction participants in danger.”
All the participants?
Why bring that up…
My mind scattered until it suddenly clicked.
Amy—who had been caught in that mess.
And there was only one person here who would have taken offense at that.
The Rowein family’s alchemist.
So it was you.
I hadn’t realized because he was using an alias.
When Cameron spoke, Penny panicked and waved her hands in a frantic ‘X’ sign.
But it was too late.
Sensing her strange behavior, Cameron turned, saw her, and gave a chilling smile.
“Penny, what now? I’ve already found out.”
“Ugh, thanks to you, everything’s ruined! A great information broker should always keep secrets!”
Penny stomped and yelled at me angrily.
***
“Keeping secrets is important, sure—but you should’ve at least told me!” Cameron shouted.
“You’re the one who taught me customer trust is the most important thing! Don’t blame me for learning from you!”
“Hey, that’s not the same thing. If I’d known my little sister might get caught up in this—”
Penny stuck her fingers in her ears and hid behind me, refusing to listen. Cameron sighed heavily, unable to keep arguing.
The air between them was tense.
And honestly… I wasn’t in much better shape.
I didn’t expect things to get this messy!
How was I supposed to explain myself now?
“Anyway, it all worked out, didn’t it? Your sister came back safely. And it’s not like I could’ve done anything on my own! Why are you so mad?”
Cameron stepped toward her with a threatening look. But when Penny clung to my sleeve in fear, he froze. Then he redirected his anger at me, scowling.
“Th-That time, it was my…”
I quickly tried to apologize—since I needed his help no matter what.
But Penny blocked me.
“Why are you apologizing? If you hadn’t been there, things would’ve been way worse!”
“Still… it’s true she got caught up because of me…”
“Oh, you’re hopeless!”
Penny pounded her small fist against my chest with a thump. Then, as if realizing something, she asked hurriedly,
“Wait, that weirdly talking girl we saw back then—!”
“…What?”
“I heard her name was Amy. I’m not remembering wrong, right?”
At that, Cameron tilted his head, clearly listening. Penny straightened confidently.
“See, Uncle? It’s already settled. She and my sister are really close.”
“…Close?”
The look Cameron gave me seemed to ask, My sister is close with this woman?
Honestly, it didn’t feel great. But what could I say?
“Yes. I am close with Miss Amy.”
“See? You heard her. She even saved your sister’s life.”
Penny proudly puffed out her chest.
***
Cameron’s real name was Gideon Rowein.
In the empire, alchemists were extremely rare.
Even rarer in noble families.
That was probably why he had hidden his identity and used a false name.
“For a noble lady to come here to the underground district herself… that’s shocking. Normally you’d just send someone else.”
“Isn’t it the same for you?”
“My situation’s different.”
Different how, exactly?
Gideon stared at me, then tapped his temple with a finger, as if to tell me to listen carefully.
“I’m saying this because you remind me of my sister: for now, you’d better stay at home.”
“…Why?”
“Fine, ignore me if you want.”
He shrugged like he didn’t care.
“The crows from the west say the imperial army is on the move.”
Penny whispered softly,
“She won’t get it. She’s too sheltered.”
“Why are you eavesdropping?”
“I wasn’t whispering for you, I was whispering for her!”
Penny pouted, sticking her lower lip out.
“Anyway, if you were planning to hire Penny, forget it. The underground district is closing for now.”
I asked Gideon,
“So does that mean you won’t be taking requests either?”
“Of course not. It’s not like I’m that busy. I’ve got plenty of free time.”
That meant the Rowein family had chosen neutrality.
If they were siding with the imperial family, he wouldn’t have sp
are time to take requests.
“…Ah, so you actually came here for me?”
Gideon noticed my intent and spoke with a faint smile.
