Chapter 68, A Request For Beffa

Translator: Lizz

Exploration and renovation inside the castle did not progress very well.

First of all, there was no free time.

The manpower shortage was improved by senior servants from the neighboring country, but that only worked because of the peculiar nature of the fortress, and in terms of scale it was still far from enough.

In particular, Edward and Calogero held irreplaceable positions, so they rarely had any time to spare.

Sylvia herself would not mind going with whichever maid was attending her at the time to untouched places and renovating them, but… Edward wanted to keep track of everything, Calogero and Beffa wanted to see her use magic, and Gina insisted that maids without combat training must not go to unknown places alone. As a result, everyone had to gather and explore together.

“Hm, it’s not moving forward.”

When Edward grumbled, Sylvia looked at him.

“Then, I’ll go first.”

“Alright, let’s leave Calogero and Beffa out of it.”

Edward cut off Sylvia’s words, and Gina was exasperated.

“I think Edward is the one who’s busy. You can check later, can’t you? That’s how you did it in the beginning, right?”

In the early days, when there were only three of them, Gina managed the castle.

She took the lead in inspecting the interior of the fortress, and whenever she judged that repairs were absolutely necessary, she asked Sylvia to use magic, then reported it to Edward afterward.

When Calogero began serving as butler, Edward, who suspected him, told Gina to halt the renovations for the time being.

Since then, it had become customary for all the main members to participate whenever renovations were carried out. But now that the suspicion toward Calogero had been cleared, there was no real need for everyone to go together. In fact, it would be quicker and more efficient if Gina and Sylvia went around repairing things on their own, and then had the repaired areas checked and reported later.

…And yet, Edward fell silent.

He knew it was impossible to handle everything himself, but when it came to the fortress, he wanted to confirm things by seeing them directly rather than hearing about them from others.

That was something he had realized during the incident with the bandits last time.

Back then, they relied on Sylvia’s magic, but this was a fortress. If enemies broke in, the defensive mechanisms should have been activated.

The second time, Sylvia had incorporated such defenses into the fortress, but only at the back gate.

Looking closely around the fortress, it became clear that there were mechanisms in the corridors and rooms as well, so Edward thought it best to have Sylvia include them during renovations.

Ideally, Sylvia herself would integrate those defensive functions during repairs, but asking that of a young girl who had never fought a proper battle, let alone a war, was unreasonable. Edward realized that the one most knowledgeable about defense had to give direct instructions, and that was him.

“…I don’t like hearing things secondhand and then checking later. Besides, if I give requests after repairs are already done, it just means more work and wasted time, doesn’t it?”

Edward said this to Gina with a troubled expression.

Gina and Sylvia exchanged glances.

“Understood. We’ll do it when Edward is present.”

“…Yes.”

The two yielded, agreeing that they should start with the highest-priority areas first.

While preparations were underway to receive the Marquis’s daughter, Beffa approached Edward with a grave expression.

“I thought the fortress’s defense was under your charge, Edward, so I came to you first. However, I would like to confirm with Calogero, who is the butler, and above all, with Lady Sylvia.”

Edward was taken aback, then after a brief pause, replied to Beffa.

“…Then I’ll go fetch Lady Sylvia. Shall we meet in the office?”

“No, in the library, please.”

Beffa answered immediately.

“…Alright.”

Edward tilted his head but nodded, then went to call Sylvia.

“Lady Sylvia, Beffa says there’s something he wishes to confirm, and he asks that you come to the library.”

Edward spoke to Sylvia, who was practicing riding on a pig. Sylvia nodded without surprise and dismounted.

“Mm! Understood.”

After saying that, she raised her arms in a gesture Edward recognized as a request to be carried. He lifted her up and held her in one arm.

“Mm-fufu~”

Sylvia began humming.

They had been too busy; she hadn’t been carried for quite some time.

When Calogero or Beffa were present, she tried to maintain a dignified demeanor, but with Edward alone, she wanted to be spoiled.

Edward realized Sylvia had wanted this affection, and felt a pang of guilt for neglecting her.