Are you serious?

I swallowed hard, picking up my chopsticks, yet unsure where to begin.

It wasn’t that I feared poison; nothing in this world, save for the Calamity Maiden’s lethal dose of calamity, could harm me.

Rather, I was… genuinely perplexed.

Dining face-to-face with someone in my own home was an experience I hadn’t had in years, and I had no idea what she was thinking.

“Apostle-sama? Are you not eating?”

“Ah…”

“Is my cooking… not to your taste?”

“It’s not that…”

“Then… ah! I understand. Please forgive my oversight; I haven’t even performed the most basic service…”

As she spoke, she picked up a green bean and brought it to my lips, her expression so gentle and virtuous that she resembled a wife…

My foot. She was more like my own mother.

And so, under her excessively attentive service, our meal concluded.

Ironically, despite my sour mood, I couldn’t help but devour every last morsel.

Her culinary skills were truly astonishing.

After eating, she even wiped my mouth, cleared the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen, each movement imbued with a practiced grace that practically radiated domestic prowess.

I found myself increasingly bewildered by her intentions.

If her goal was to expose me, I could simply resort to harsher measures.

If she intended to act as if nothing had happened, then I wouldn’t need to interfere further.

Yet here she was, having somehow tracked down my residence, cheerfully trotting over to cook for me and acting as if we were old friends.

It was genuinely baffling.

‘No, I can’t drag this out any longer! The more I delay, the more complicated it becomes!’

My hand, hidden beneath the table, clenched and unclenched, revealing intricate patterns unlike the usual chains that now appeared on my palm.

Since I couldn’t directly interfere with her will, I had to find a way to circumvent it.

I would employ advanced techniques of the Absolute Pact, a subtle form of domination that would leave the target unaware of their subjugation.

Specifically, I would strike her lower abdomen with my hand before she could react, imprinting the mark of domination there.

If successful, a symmetrical symbol, perhaps a heart or an inverted triangle, would appear on her stomach.

In this state, her perception of the outside world would be skewed, making it difficult for her to immediately realize even if I forced her to act completely against her desires.

This way, she would willingly let me go, only realizing what she had done much later.

‘My friends, is this the right thing to do?’

‘…Surely not.’

Just from the description, this technique was clearly unethical, and the imprinted mark would take a long time to fade.

From a humanitarian standpoint, I strongly disliked it.

Yet, there was no time to be picky about methods!

I should have done this the moment I encountered her in the Abyss—

“Young man! There’s no need to feel down! I said young man––”

At that very moment, my phone abruptly rang.

“Kos Blavin! It’s already noon, and you’re still not at work, damn it!?”

‘Oh, right.’

It was my superior from the Mercenary Guild, Dong Anzhu, if I recalled correctly.

“To dare speak so disrespectfully to an Apostle, I wonder if I should express my admiration…?”

Aimira Milala covered her mouth, feigning surprise, just as her own phone suddenly rang.

“MY NEW WORLD! 新しい場所, 探すときがきたよ! 次の輝きへと海を渡ろう––”

Her ringtone, surprisingly, was from Aqours—one of my favorite songs, no less.

The realization that we shared more common interests than I thought left me with mixed feelings.

“Hello—yes, that’s me—ah!? This… understood… understood! I’ll be right there!”

After hanging up, her expression subtly shifted.

She bowed several times to me, saying, “My sincerest apologies! I have an urgent matter to attend to and must leave immediately…”

“It’s fine, I’m heading to the guild for work anyway. Goodbye… or rather, hopefully not goodbye.”

“Not here all morning? Ha? Do you even know how to write ‘punch in’!?”

“Well, how to put it… I caught a cold last night, and it’s October now, autumn has arrived…”

“Then call in sick!”

Madam Dong, my direct superior at the Mercenary Guild, unleashed a torrent of abuse, to which I naturally lowered my head in admission of guilt, daring not to argue.

Her spittle sprayed all over me.

Heavens, the stench—Gorma’s bad breath was hardly worse.

“But, Sister Dong, look, I heard a bunch of Abyssal Beasts died inexplicably. Shouldn’t we… not have to be so busy anymore?”

“One thing has nothing to do with another! I’ve long heard your work attitude is improper; if this continues, you’ll be %&^%^@

%#$…”

Yes, yes, if you say so, then it is so. No arguments from me.

Remember the flawless social skills I displayed in the first chapter? Let’s review them now!

First, there’s “listening.”

There’s no need to strain yourself listening intently to their words; simply catch a few keywords.

“…person… dedicated… conscientious…”

Good, keywords gathered.

Next, there’s “seeing.”

A quick glance out of the corner of my eye was enough to discern her mood from her expression.

Her face was contorted with fury, her eyebrows practically dancing. I see, I see.

Finally, there’s “speaking.”

Having heard a few keywords and understood her mood, I had enough information to piece together the necessary response.

All that remained was to utter a suitable platitude.

“As a responsible member of society, I will uphold the spirit of professionalism and dedication, conscientiously improve myself, exercise self-restraint, regulate my words and actions, and ensure I do not make the same mistake again.”

—I declared.

“…As long as you understand. Now, get to work! Don’t let it happen again!”

Too weary to lecture me further, she waved her hand, dismissing me.

See? It worked this time.

Back to work, then. With the crisis temporarily averted, I could return to my post at the counter.

In a lounge within the Lord’s Manor—

The City Lord, his wife, and their children were all present, though they served merely as attendants, pouring tea and water, not as the main characters.

Two breathtakingly beautiful women sat on opposite sides of the tea table.

One was in the prime of her youth, the other a blossoming maiden, each possessing astonishing beauty and temperament.

Even Jadette Dochido, who had always prided herself on her beauty, felt a slight tremor of surprise.

To encounter a maiden of her own caliber in such a remote place was unexpected.

“Of her own caliber” was, for the arrogant Jadette, the highest praise she could possibly bestow.

“Cough, I’ve long heard of Miss Milala’s esteemed name. May I inquire why you’ve summoned me?”

Aimira Milala calmly took a sip of tea, her demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

“…Only today, while reviewing the documents, did I realize that the Ninth Apostle Investigation Committee has actually dispatched an investigator?”

“Yes, I am affiliated with the Committee—”

“I’ve already reviewed your general information. There’s no need to waste time on introductions. Simply state your findings.”

Jadette also took a sip of tea, her gaze exceptionally sharp and her presence intimidating, though for some reason, she was using a beer mug.

Her investigation in the Abyss this morning had filled her with elation; the Ninth Apostle might truly be here.

But then she discovered that an investigator had arrived.

If this person also uncovered something and reported it… Jadette’s leading position would be jeopardized!

Jadette adjusted her expression and posture.

The perfect woman that she was, she couldn’t possibly expose her inner calculations.

She absolutely had to overwhelm this seemingly unassertive young woman with her presence—

“Do you know who the friendliest cartoon character in the world is?”

Aimira suddenly asked.

“…What on earth are you talking about?”

Jadette was somewhat bewildered.

“It’s Doraemon, because he always lends a ’round’ hand to people.”

“————Pfft! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hic!!!!”

Jadette instantly erupted into a booming, almost barbell-like laughter, clutching her stomach and nearly tumbling off her chair.

Tears streamed from her eyes, leaving the City Lord’s entire family dumbfounded.

“Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha—ah!”

It was only then that she suddenly caught herself, quickly sitting upright and clearing her throat.

A rare flush of crimson spread across her pale face.

“Tsk! You—what on earth are you suddenly saying?! We’re discussing serious matters, be more solemn!”

“…Uh, I just felt you seemed very tense, so I wanted to tell a bad pun to lighten the mood.”

“Lighten the mood, you say—”

“I just didn’t expect your sense of humor to be so… unique.”

“……………”

The blush on Jadette’s face deepened, and as she bit her lip, she looked as though she had suffered some immense humiliation.

Yet, her flustered appearance only made her seem more captivating.

“So… Miss Dochido? What did you wish to ask me?” Aimira inquired cautiously.

“I—I was just asking if you found anything during your investigation! Is that not obvious!?”

“There haven’t been any significant findings within Sandra City itself…”

“I knew it! Tsk… I’ve lost the mood to ask.”

Jadette drained the remainder of her tea, her desire to question Aimira further completely gone.

It was far too undignified.

“…I’ll be leaving now. I’ll ask you if I have any questions later, alright?”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to…”

Jadette pondered for a moment.

Aside from this unreliable investigator named Aimira, the only other source of clues would be the Mercenary Guild.

After all, they constantly guarded the Abyss, so a thorough screening might reveal overlooked leads.

Perhaps Corvus Archia Lupercal was hiding within the guild, embracing the idea of ‘hiding a tree in a forest’…

Just kidding, of course.

“City Lord, please excuse me. I need to visit the Mercenary Guild once more.”

“Eh, eh!? Then, I’ll immediately arrange for guards—”

“No need. This time, I’m making an incognito visit.”

With that, she exited the lounge, leaving the City Lord behind.

“……………”

Aimira watched her retreating figure, a look of ‘this is bad’ appearing on her face for the first time.

‘Are you serious…?’