The old man’s hair was as white as Baron Edward’s, but his body looked stronger than ever.
He stood out from the crowd and was muscular all over.
“You don’t remember me, which is perhaps not surprising, as it was a long time ago………….”
The old man straightened his posture and stood up, bowing low to Pepe.
“My name is Margrave* Winfrote, and by the grace of the Sylphid, my estate was saved, and I’ve been waiting for the day to repay the favor.”
(T/N: Margrave was originally the medieval title for the military commander assigned to maintain the defense of the border.)
-Winfrote? Sounds familiar……………
“Are you sure? It is an honor.”
Unlike the perpetually cheerful Pepe, Margrave Winfrote was overwhelmed.
“I’ve never seen Margrave Winfrote like that before.”
“I know, right? I always thought he was a scary guy………….”
“I don’t know why, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”
“Me too, and I hope the spirit remembers Margrave Winfronte as soon as possible.”
His desperate sincerity came through, and everyone silently cheered for Pepe to remember.
– I think I can’t remember it like this. Tell me a little more.
“Yes. Of course. It was a time of unprecedented cold and famine in the north. As people starved to death, a horde of demons attacked Winfrote. As I watched the dying people, I was helpless.
In the midst of…………
Pepe, who had been pondering the story of Margrave Winfrote, whirled around in midair.
– Oh yes, I remembered!
“Are you sure?”
– Yes!
Nodding toward the Margrave Winfrote, Pepe whirled around to look at me.
– Rose, this is actually something you………….
But at that moment.
A cloud, just the size of Pepe, formed and enveloped him.
“What’s going on?”
Poof!
A moment later, the cloud burst and disappeared, leaving nothing in its place.
“Huh?”
Pepe was gone.
My mana connected to Pepe was gone, too.
‘What happened?’
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who was puzzled, as I heard voices around the hall.
“Mr. Sylphid?”
As Margrave Winfrote searched for Pepe with a grim face, a notification popped up.
【Elemental King Sylphid has violated the Law of Causality and will be sent back as a penalty】.
‘Pepe violated the Law of Causality?’
【As a penalty, you will not be able to summon Sylphid the Elemental King for a certain amount of time. Time remaining: 6 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 55 seconds】
【You are also penalized for allowing this to happen: 100 Fate Energy has been deducted】.
【Remaining Fate Energy: 700】
I was confused by the succession of notifications.
‘What is this all about?’
While I was still trying to figure out what was going on, inquiries from people began to pour in.
“The Duchess of Palesdon, where has your spirit gone?”
“Has the Duchess of Palesdon summoned the spirit back?”
“If not, has she offended the spirit?”
The most prominent of them all, Margrave Winfrote, strode briskly toward me.
“Allow me to greet you for the first time. I am Aiden Winfrote.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Roselina Palesdon.”
I’d been accustomed to not using honorifics with most people as I defend my name as the world’s greatest villainess, but I couldn’t do that with Margrave Winfrote.
“You are the Duchess of Palesdon who summoned Sylphid, aren’t you?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“I was hoping to speak with Sylphid a bit more, but now that things have come to this, would it be possible for me to see him again?”
Margrave Winfrote asked just the right question.
‘I can’t talk to people about causality, so I’ll have to come up with a convincing excuse.’
I nodded quickly and replied.
“Yeah. Well, I summoned Pepe with my own mana, but I ran out of mana, so he was summoned back. Once my mana is restored, I can summon him again.”
“I never thought the day would come when I would see Sylphid again. If it weren’t for you, I would not have seen Sylphid until the day I closed my eyes. From now on, Winfrote will count you as a benefactor for allowing me to meet him.”
“Ah, yes.”
I answered without thinking, not really knowing much about Margrave Winfrote.
“Winfrote has a new benefactor?”
“The Duchess of Palesdon is causing quite a stir today all by herself.”
“I envy her. House Winfrote would make an excellent ally for the Duchess of Palesdon, wouldn’t they?”
But despite myself, a ripple went through the Grand Hall.
“Congratulations to House Winfrote on a new ally. The presentation of the Rose of Harmony study will resume after a short break.”
The Emperor added with a slightly surprised look.
‘Is Winfrote such a great family?’
I was about to slip out onto the balcony, thinking I should ask the Master.
“M, may I have one more word with you?”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
Margrave Winfrote caught me.
“I want you to visit Winfrote sometime. It is out of Winfrote’s courtesy to ask a benefactor to come, but… I would like to ask you to visit sometime.”