Episode 35

"Let us commence with the foremost task at hand."

"What do you mean?"

I examined the impeccably opened envelope.

"Forgery."

You're saying the problem is finding a near seal? In that case, I can simply create one!

'Engraving a few symbols anew isn't particularly challenging.'

Rather, the seals of noble families adhered to fixed standards, so it was easy to frame.

"Well... that's all good, but how will you carve it?"

"What do you mean, how?"

"To fabricate a proper seal, you need to melt metal and such, correct? You can't just whip up a mold."

"Melt metal? A mold?"

What are you talking about?

I overturned the bag I brought from my quarters and emptied its contents.

Carving tools, an art knife, oil paper, various writing instruments, and—

"An eraser?"

"Yes, an eraser."

A substantial eraser suffices to replace the red wax.

I laid out the materials on the table, estimating the seal's dimensions by eye.

"We're not crafting a plow; there's no need to visit the blacksmith."

"What can you accomplish with an eraser? Are you serious?"

"Did you never carve an eraser as a child? I even earned money from it."

Karen's brow furrowed in frustration.

She rubbed the back of her neck and continued.

"Sure, there were kids like that! But doing it so sloppily won't—"

"Who said anything about doing it sloppily?"

I specifically brought high-elasticity, premium erasers for this purpose.

Karen averted her gaze as if she had abandoned any hope of convincing me.

"Doctor, say something."

"Isn't Miss Sonnet doing it because she can?"

"Your faith is admirable, but…"

"I also enjoy those eraser carving ASMR videos."

"What?"

Without further elucidation, the doctor stepped aside.

The chair that Ute Velvet had just vacated still bore a faint herbal scent.

"I have faith."

"I shall try."

"Really? Seriously? You're going to proceed like this?"

Ruler, pencil, eraser, and so forth.

It had been some time since I earnestly handled these writing tools.

"To think my life hinges on this…"

The ten-year experienced maid sighed softly, but I paid her no mind.

I set aside the wax and commenced by drawing the seal, reversed, on a piece of paper.

Carving a seal was simple.

Draw the design, transfer it to oil paper, and engrave it into the eraser.

'Fortunately, it's not a difficult design.'

Two crossed swords. A black crow in the center.

'The standard size fits within a square.'

Transferring the design to the eraser was swift.

I alternated between various knives as I carved the eraser.

'It's been a while since I did this.'

I used to carve seals for guardians back at the academy.

'The pay was quite good.'

It evoked fresh memories.

I reminisced about the past as I held the half-carved eraser.

It was still rough, but the basic shape was discernible.

"Here's some water."

"Hmm?"

"You seem tired."

"Ah… Thank you."

Upon reflection, my palms were soaked with sweat.

Ute Velvet gazed at the eraser in awe.

"Is there anything I can assist with?"

"Sir Ute, just remain still and do nothing."

Your presence alone is encouraging.

"Right. Attempting to help clumsily would only be a hindrance…"

"Is there truly nothing you need?"

Karen was next.

'This one is different.'

A ten-year experienced servant can accomplish many things.

I intended to ask for assistance anyway, but it was pleasant she offered first.

"This is something I just retrieved from the mansion. Please handle the ledger."

"...What?"

"Oh, and I discreetly snuck a new envelope, too."

Luckily, Evangeline Menes utilized envelopes commonly provided to guests at the mansion.

"Was it from our supplies?"

"It's for the peace of the Count's family. I can't spend my own money."

This was all for the peace of the Count's family.

'The family should at least cover the expenses.'

The cool water calmed me somewhat.

I resumed my work.

By the time I was carving the crow's eyes, wings, and the decorations on the sword handle, my eyes felt as though they would pop out.

But they didn't, so it was fine.

"It's done."

The print was perfect.

Before I knew it, dawn was breaking.

Karen picked up the letter sealed with an eraser stamp and departed.

---

'We've discerned the guest's objective. What now?'

'We need money.'

If Evangeline Menes weren't in debt, she wouldn't be harassing Carlyle Edwell.

The solution was simple.

She simply lacked the funds.

I recalled the amount of debt the client mentioned as I counted on my fingers.

'I can't even fathom it.'

The scale was literally at the level of a territory.

It was an amount unimaginable for a commoner like me.

What's the point of realizing her intentions?

Neither I nor Ute had that kind of money.

'If I had that much money, I wouldn't be doing this in the first place.'

Wouldn't a house in the capital be the least of my problems?

With that much money, I could build villas in every city and still have plenty left.

"Sigh, it's always about money. Money…"

"Do you need money?"

"Madam?"

The madam, who had been reviewing the mansion's ledger, was now looking at me.

"How much?"

"It's quite a lot."

I counted the digits on my fingers as I mentioned the amount.

Her pink eyes remained calm.

"Is that all?"

"A-Are you offering to lend it to me?"

"Lend? I'm giving it to you."

Her voice was as light and innocent as when she offered her dress.

"...Madam, do you have a lot of money?"

Of course, she would have a lot, being a countess.

There was likely a substantial budget allocated solely for maintenance and personal funds.

But not enough to cover the debt of an entire territory.

I swallowed hard.

"How much… do you have?"

"I have some from my mother, though not as much as my siblings. Still, it's enough for this."

We usually call such people 'wealthy.'

"Shall I transfer it to your account?"

"Yes— No. That's, not it!"

Whew, I almost forgot my principles and gave her my bank account number.

'Swallowing money without strings attached will cause problems.'

Money is good.

But I don't accept money without reason.

"Don't you need the money?"

"I do, but…"

"Don't be burdened."

Her white eyelashes formed a gentle curve.

I looked into her eyes, full of affection, and spoke.

"I know this may be embarrassing, but in that case…"

---

Late at night.

The dim lighting cast a shadow on the slender figure.

The round nails were being nervously chewed.

"Damn it…"

Evangeline Menes.

The woman's face, which usually smiled gracefully in front of others, was a mess.

'Nothing is going as planned.'

Carlyle wouldn't budge, the old Countess was pressuring her, and the debt collectors were becoming more frequent.

'Why me…!'

Evangeline's honor was on the verge of being shattered due to her father's debt.

'If this continues… I can't let it happen.'

She had to do something, by any means necessary…!

Knock, knock.

"Lady."

"Come in."

It was already time for bed.

Evangeline erased her anxiety as if it had never been there.

The maid's hands were skillful and neat as she assisted in changing her attire.

More so than usual…

"Could you lift your arms?"

"Okay, ugh—"

"Shh, shh."

A rough hand covered her plump lips.

Evangeline swallowed her scream and widened her eyes.

The person, with a cunning look, lightly retracted her hand.

"Oh my, your voice is powerful. Do you have an opera talent?"

It wasn't the usual maid who attended to her.

Evangeline Menes recognized the person instantly.

"You, you’re the Countess's…"

"Yes, that's right."

"What is this insolence, barging in without a word—"

"Do you need money?"

"What, what are you…"

It didn't matter how she denied it.

The maid's long eyes narrowed slyly.

"How much in gold was it again?"

The blue-eyed maid recited a long number like the lyrics to a song.

"You owe about this much."

Smiling like the devil.

Overwhelmed, Evangeline involuntarily confessed the truth.

"Th-that's not all…"

---

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