It was that night.

　Willa was walking down the hallway when she overheard her father and Upoboppo talking.

　It was curious.

　Her curiosity was piqued by the mention of the word 'Knights' that had just caused the collapse of the Kuzela Kingdom.
　The great merchant said.

I have to say, the knightly order that I funded has been destroyed. Really, what is the purpose of supporting this?

　Willa couldn't understand what he was saying for a moment.

　The Knights should have been paid a reasonable amount of support money from the state.

(You mean they were receiving the money through another route?　(Yes, it's not impossible because of the corruption, but then how could such a person be with my father and ......)

　Aidy opened her mouth to wipe away such doubts.

''It can't be helped. I couldn't suck the delicious juice, but now that the country's strength has weakened and the generation has changed, I just have to upgrade my position. You can even become a prime minister now.''

'Crikey ...... you're a bad man. The people are in trouble, aren't they?

''What do you mean? You're a rogue merchant who has a number of monopoly markets and exorbitantly raised prices: ...... haha.

　A smile breaks out on both sides of their mouths.

　It was an unmistakable 'inside' story. It has not yet been made public, nor will it even be made public from now on--.

　A chill ran down her spine as she heard such a story from her people.

　She stood dumbfounded for a while, holding her mouth in her hands so she wouldn't scream.

(I have to report it right away: ......!)

　His father was my people.

　The wealthy merchant was also a kindred spirit.

　But still, Willa lived a straightforward life. She never tried to be tainted by evil.

　So she tried to advance her footsteps, believing she was on the right side - and she was.

　A body hit the doorknob with a thud.

''Huh!''

　Through the open doorway, she saw her father and the wealthy merchant turning around as if they had made a sign to each other.

　Shame, Willa thought.

　But on the contrary, the two men looked at Willa with relief.

'What, Willa. You haven't slept yet?'

'Could it be that you're so lonely without me that you can't sleep anymore?

　Even Upoboppo started to joke about it.

　Willa started to act as if she was one of the 'friends' too.

(What?　Why. Why are you acting like that when I was eavesdropping on ......?　(I'm at ......!)

　Yupoboppo stands up with a smile on his face and comes at you.

　It was like a demon trying to dye it with evil--. When it got close enough to touch her, Willa reflexively pushed Yupoboppo away.

''Guh!''

What the hell are you doing, Willa!

'I didn't know that ...... I didn't know that ......!　Why ......!　How could you do such a terrible thing!

'What are you talking about ......?　We are nobles. And he ascended by force alone, even though he was a commoner. He wields it because he has power. Isn't that all there is to it: ......?

　Those were my father's, heartfelt words.

　A mass of discomfort, yet a value full of pure malice that had never been touched by being born because it was natural.

　Willa's heart surged.

'I'm ...... I don't think I'm ......!

　With that, Willa ran off.

　Aidy shouted as she looked at Willa's back.

'Wait!'

　But the words never reached Willa, and her shadow was gone from the mansion.