Chapter 11: The Second Young Miss is Very Interested
After suffering profound psychological trauma, the betrayer finally handed over everything in his possession to Aeron without resistance.
From the sidearm he had used to threaten Aeron, to the Capollo documents in his hand, and even Montelli's family crest—not a single item was exempt.
It could be said that aside from the clothes on his back, he gave Aeron everything he possibly could.
Afterward, Aeron personally escorted him back to Montelli to explain the situation to Carlotta.
"...What kind of leverage did you use to catch him?"
"What kind of image do you even have of me, I'd like to ask?"
Unfortunately, the betrayer was rendered nearly speechless upon seeing Aeron again.
Since the incident had occurred so abruptly, at Carlotta's request, Aeron had no choice but to stay and help her sort through the current circumstances.
Carlotta leafed through the documents Aeron had brought. Though the contents weren't exhaustive, they were more than sufficient as evidence for conviction.
"Your uncle is hosting an auction tomorrow night under Montelli's name. He likely intends to sell Echoes to the Order and other families to expand his influence."
Aeron shared the intelligence he had extracted from the betrayer while privately calculating his own plans.
"...To think he could conceal things to this extent."
Even faced with such an overwhelming amount of information, Carlotta showed not a trace of panic, maintaining her elegant composure.
"I admit, I may have underestimated you before, Brother Aeron."
When Aeron had initially proposed rooting out the family's betrayers, Carlotta had assumed it was merely a stalling tactic.
She never expected that in just a few days, this priest would actually uncover the clues she had been desperately searching for.
It seemed this man possessed more capability than she had imagined.
"It's only been a few days, Second Young Lady. Your change in attitude is rather swift."
Recalling their last meeting, when this very young lady had pressed a gun against the back of his head to threaten him.
"Montelli has never failed to reward those who render service. Since you've produced results, we will naturally offer compensation."
"It's nothing. I'm merely fulfilling our agreement."
Aeron remained unmoved by Carlotta's expressed approval.
The reason was simple—after all, Montelli had built its fortune on business dealings. Aeron had heard enough of such rhetoric in his previous life while submitting resumes job hunting.
Ultimately, Aeron had simply catered to her interests by creating the value Carlotta needed.
Seeing Aeron's indifferent attitude, Carlotta merely smiled.
"It seems Grandfather's assessment of you was quite accurate."
"Oh? That esteemed figure actually takes interest in me?"
Francis, the head of the Montelli family and Carlotta's grandfather—despite all his years navigating various professional circles, Aeron had never met the man in person. He never imagined he could attract his attention.
"Nothing significant, it just came to mind."
"Must you all speak in riddles?"
Hearing Aeron's response, Carlotta smiled faintly before continuing:
"He said you are 'someone who cannot be constrained by any framework.'"
Carlotta leaned forward slightly, her silver center-parted hair slipping from her shoulders. "At first, I thought you were just a speculative, faithless priest. But now it seems... you're far more interesting than I imagined."
"Isn't that good? It means our cooperative relationship can continue a while longer."
Aeron shrugged and steered the conversation back, not particularly fond of being evaluated like this.
"So, what's next? Are we going to crash your uncle's party directly?"
Seeing that Aeron had no intention of continuing the topic, Carlotta didn't press further. A sharpness unique to a family executor gleamed in her eyes.
"If I go directly, it might expose our intentions. Since Uncle Capollo dares to do this, he must be prepared. I need to know his entire plan—which families are involved, the details of the transaction, and... what exactly he wants with the Order."
As she spoke, Carlotta glanced at Aeron with her pale blue-white eyes.
"Uh..."
By now, Aeron pretty much understood what Carlotta meant.
"So, could you do me this favor?"
The scrutiny in Carlotta's gaze had vanished, replaced by recognition of an ally.
"Fine, since I already promised you back then... But I can't go alone, right?"
Although Aeron had a penchant for courting danger, he wasn't about to charge in completely unprepared—that would be pure suicide.
"Heh, don't worry. This time, I'll arrange an assistant for you—someone who can get you into the venue and protect you."
"Will they point a gun at my head?"
"If you keep talking like that, they might very soon~"
Aeron wisely shut his mouth.
Then, an eerie silence fell over the room, much like during their previous encounters.
Carlotta rested her chin on one hand, studying Aeron intently, making him increasingly uncomfortable.
"Aeron, there's one thing I'm curious about."
This time, Carlotta addressed him directly by his name, omitting the title "priest."
"Please, go ahead."
"You feigned serious injury to come to Montelli, threatened me into protecting Cartethyia and Phoebe, and now you're helping me purge the poison within the family... From start to finish, it seems you haven't done a single thing for yourself... Why?"
Carlotta stared intently at Aeron, eager to uncover his true motives.
"Of course it's for myself. What else would it be for?"
"...Huh?"
Aeron's response, however, took Carlotta by surprise.
"I just want to live an easy life, but unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. Some in the Order dislike me, others in Montelli want to bring me down, and even the Dark Tide is lurking somewhere, waiting for an opportunity. So, I chose a more proactive approach. It's that simple."
"...Heh."
Aeron's words were filled with contradictions Carlotta couldn't fully grasp, yet she found herself satisfied with the priest's answer.
He never cared about profit or others' opinions—the only thing that could sway him was himself.
And as it happened, this time, he stood on Montelli's side.
At that thought, a faint smile flickered across Carlotta's face.
"That kind of straightforwardness is far more likable than those hypocrites preaching benevolence and morality. Here, take this."
With those words, Carlotta produced an object resembling a lantern from somewhere and tossed it into Aeron's hands.
"...A Personal Terminal? Why are you giving me this?"
"To make communication easier, of course. Tomorrow, I'll be counting on you."
After a brief farewell, Carlotta left the room with Aeron, then headed in the opposite direction.
Watching Carlotta depart and then glancing at the terminal in his hand, Aeron could only feel annoyed.
While his earlier words weren't false, they were merely convenient pleasantries. Since when had Aeron ever built a reputation for self-sacrifice?
Even if Carlotta hadn't asked him to attend the auction, he wouldn't have sat around doing nothing.
From the very beginning, Aeron's purpose in coming to the Montelli estate was to personally apprehend the person who wanted him dead.
And now, he had found him—Capollo Montelli.
No matter what excuses Capollo might have, Aeron had already made up his mind.
He was going to personally take down that bastard!
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan