Ch.305305. Then you should check it yourself.

“Where are we going?”

“Belcatri territory.”

“Where’s that?”

Inside the carriage heading to Belcatri territory.

I sighed briefly at Olivia’s question.

“By the way, when I arrived at Lake territory, didn’t I give you money to buy clothes?”

“Yeah, thanks to that I bought lots of clothes.”

“Then why are you shirtless again?”

Olivia, wearing only her underwear in the carriage, sniffs her arms before speaking.

“I don’t like sweating.”

“Can you think about the people who have to look at you?”

At that, Olivia pokes her chest with her finger and tilts her head.

“Don’t you like it? I heard men usually like women’s bare skin?”

“Of course I like… wait, no, that’s not the point. I don’t know where to look.”

“It’s fine. You can look. That’s why I took it off.”

Then, with a satisfied expression, Olivia flicks both of her ample breasts with her fingertips.

I thought it was good that I didn’t bring Jawill Wilson along.

If I had, he would have been bleeding from his nose the entire way to Belcatri territory.

By the way.

Robert is really something else.

If Lucien had to deal with this, he probably would have collapsed from high blood pressure. How did Robert endure it?

I wondered if he channeled the stress from Olivia into his research on humans.

“At least put on some thin clothes!”

When I raised my voice, Olivia, sitting across from me, half-lifted her bottom and put her arm near my nose.

“Want to smell my sweat?”

“Do you really have a death wish?”

“…That’s not your thing?”

What kind of books did she read to learn about men?

Feeling like this situation was getting out of hand, I pulled out my trump card.

“Should I tell Lord Robert?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Olivia immediately became dejected.

She must have been scolded by Robert after arriving at Lake territory.

That’s probably why she’s become so docile.

With my arms crossed heavily, I nodded my chin.

“You’ll need to find someone to marry soon, right?”

“I’m going to marry you, aren’t I?”

“Me? Because I’m stronger than you?”

“Yes.”

“Then anyone stronger than you would do?”

Olivia scratches her head vigorously, as if troubled by the thought.

“…I don’t know. They just have to be stronger than me.”

“Anyway, if you act like this with whoever you meet, you’ll never get married.”

“Why?!”

“Because you’re like a man.”

“…Like a man?”

Olivia tilted her head and then stood up.

Just as she was about to take off her bottoms—

“I don’t mean physically, I mean your personality is the problem.”

“My personality?”

“What man would like such a violent personality like yours?”

After my blunt statement, Olivia’s face reddened with embarrassment and she raised her voice.

“T-there must be men in this world who like personalities like mine!”

“That would be almost as difficult as finding someone stronger than you, wouldn’t it?”

“There’s you, isn’t there?”

“I prefer feminine people, not masculine personalities like yours.”

“What’s a feminine personality?”

“There are many aspects, but for starters, a feminine person wouldn’t strip anywhere like you’re doing now.”

“…Fine.”

At my words, Olivia pouted and began gathering her scattered clothes to put them on.

She seemed lacking in areas other than strength.

I confidently told Robert not to worry, but how on earth could I turn her into a normal person?

The road ahead seemed quite daunting.

I adjusted my posture to make my point clear.

“Besides, I already have someone I’m going to marry.”

“W-who are you marrying?”

“Anyway, I already have someone, so you should look for someone else.”

“…How am I supposed to find someone stronger than me?!”

“There are others in this world stronger than you.”

“There are…?”

Rio Sergan, even if not now, will eventually become stronger than Olivia during his monster hunting journey.

And Serion Lykus has probably already surpassed his limits by now.

“…Right. So, from now on, learn to be more obedient.”

“Who exactly is stronger than me?”

“You’ll see them even if you don’t want to, when the time comes.”

“Hmm…”

Olivia nibbles on her fingernails, lost in thought.

Then, as if something occurred to her, her eyes lit up.

“So you’re saying you have someone you’re going to marry?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Hearing my response, Olivia smiled brightly and continued.

“Then… can’t I just be your concubine?!”

*

“…Greetings? I am Wilfred, who served as the butler of the Belcatri family.”

The Belcatri estate, devastated by the Imperial Knights’ investigation, was in a miserable state.

The once elegant exterior walls were crumbling in various places, and the gardens that must have once been lush were now overgrown with untended branches.

Moreover, the ground was covered with garbage, making the place look like ruins to anyone who saw it.

‘Is this possible in just a few days?’

By now, all the Belcatri family members, butlers, and servants would have been taken to the Imperial Palace.

The only one remaining was the very young Wilfred.

“Why are you still here?”

“I was being investigated at the Imperial Palace, but when I heard Lord Selden Alphonse was coming, I was asked to guide you.”

“Ah! I see. But where are the territory’s residents?”

“They’re naturally not here. After the Belcatri family fell, all the residents applied to relocate to other territories.”

Judging by the fact that the Imperial Palace asked him to guide us, Wilfred must not have done anything wrong.

Indeed, if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to leave the Imperial prison.

With my arms crossed, I stared at the crumbling Belcatri mansion.

“Wilfred, do you know why the Belcatri family fell?”

Startled by the sudden question, Wilfred’s eyes widened before he quickly composed himself and bowed.

“I didn’t know at first, but I learned during the Imperial investigation.”

“What was the reason for their downfall?”

“Baron Everdin Belcatri abused his daughter, Lady Madeline.”

“Is that so? But if Baron Everdin Belcatri abused Madeline, why were the rest of the family, as well as the butlers and servants, taken to the Imperial Palace?”

“…Because they all knew about the abuse but did nothing.”

I shifted my gaze from the Belcatri mansion to Wilfred.

“Did you also ignore Madeline Belcatri’s abuse?”

“…No. I had only recently started working as a butler at the Belcatri mansion, so I was unaware that Lady Madeline was being abused.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“But I don’t think I’m without fault. Since I set foot in the Belcatri household, I should take responsibility too.”

“You have a good attitude as a butler.”

Despite having just left boyhood, his intelligent gaze was evident.

By the way, why is Olivia running around like this?

She must find it fascinating that such a large mansion is empty—she’s like a wild lioness frolicking about.

As I rubbed my throbbing temples, Wilfred cautiously spoke.

“Lord Selden Alphonse established an academy in Lake territory, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…Is Lady Madeline Belcatri adapting well to the academy?”

“You seem to know Madeline well despite having started as a butler only recently?”

“I didn’t have many conversations with the young lady, but I saw her from a distance often. She always had sad eyes, and I didn’t know why… my heart truly ached when I learned she had been abused.”

Wilfred’s eyes turned red with emotion.

Loyalty? Love? I’m not sure.

One thing is certain: after checking with my “Eye Opening,” his feelings are genuine.

“Is the Imperial investigation over?”

“…Yes, my investigation is almost complete. That’s why I was assigned to guide Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“What will happen to you when the investigation is over?”

“I suppose I’ll receive an appropriate punishment.”

Stroking my chin, I looked at Wilfred once more.

“Do you want to know how Madeline Belcatri is doing?”

“…I was just curious if she’s attending the academy with a brighter expression now.”

“Then you should check for yourself.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ll speak to His Majesty the Emperor. When the Imperial investigation is over, come to Lake territory.”

Wilfred blinked in confusion.

“W-what do you mean by that…”

“When Madeline Belcatri graduates from the academy, her confiscated assets and title will be restored. She’ll need to rebuild her family immediately, and wouldn’t Madeline need capable people by her side?”

Wilfred’s expression changed in various ways.

Then, repeatedly bowing, he continued.

“I don’t know how Lord Selden Alphonse will speak to His Majesty, but if that happens, I will devote myself to helping Lady Madeline rebuild her family, even if it means sacrificing myself.”

By now, she’s probably receiving education at the academy, thinking about getting revenge on me…

Would Madeline feel a bit better if Wilfred, with his good energy, stayed by her side?

After calling Olivia, who was still running around, I nodded to Wilfred.

“Alright, then could you guide us first?”