The only ones living in this house are me—officially the owner—and Ingrid-san, who’s been assigned to manage the house, act as a liaison with the Edelgard Ducal House, and keep an eye on me.

  There are rooms for Amina and Nel, but they only stay over about once every three days.

  "All good here.""Mmmph..."

  For now, I carried Amina upstairs and id her down on her bed, where she was already sprawled out and snoring, then returned to the first floor.

  "Liberta-sama, your tea is ready.""Thank you."

  Given that this pce used to be an inn, the space is pretty spacious.

  The living area is set up in front of the firepce. Though it’s warm today and the fire isn’t lit, in winter, it would undoubtedly create a refined, cozy atmosphere.

  Nel was sitting on the sofa in that living area, so I took a seat beside her. A teacup was gently pced before me.

  "It’s delicious.""I’m gd to hear that."

  I don’t usually drink tea, so I can’t compare fvors—I only know how this one tastes.But I can honestly say it’s good.

  "Liberta.""Hm?"

  As I leisurely sipped my tea, Nel called out to me.When I turned to look, she had set her cup down and was sitting in a posture that suggested she had something to say.

  "Once Amina masters her singing technique, we’re moving on to the next stage, right?""Yeah. At this rate, she’ll master both her singing technique and the Song of Accim by the end of the week.""So then—""Right. We’ll go retrieve our gear from Ganji-san by the end of the week and move forward.""Yay!"

  Though she enjoyed our live performances, Nel is clearly more suited to adventuring outside. She often checks in like this to confirm our schedule.

  Each time, I try to give her as specific a timeline as possible. When I told her we’d officially be heading out for fieldwork, she pumped her fist in a small, triumphant gesture.

  "Liberta-sama, in that case, I’ll also—""I don’t mind, but..."

  And so, Ingrid-san would be joining us on our adventures as well.As part of the Edelgard family, she likely has orders to keep close tabs on me and gather detailed information.

  "Ingrid-san, you can’t fight, right?""No, I have no combat experience. My level is only Css 1, Level 15."

  I’d like to think the Duke wouldn’t exploit her weakness to give her unreasonable orders, but if I apply his in-game personality, it’s entirely possible.

  No—considering the risk of damaging our trust, he wouldn’t openly do anything inhumane.

  But what if this falls under what nobles consider "acceptable"?

  When Ingrid-san first came to manage the house, she openly showed me her level, stats, and skills:

  Ingrid Grüle – Css 1 / Level 15Base Stats:

  Stamina: 10

  Magic: 5

  BP: 0Skills (1/1 Skill Slot):

  Cooking: Css 3 / Level 88

  Looking at those stats, she’s honestly weak.Well, this might be normal in this world, but with stats like a textbook non-combatant, taking her outside feels risky.

  "Honestly, it’s dangerous, so I’d prefer if you stayed here.""Is that an order?""No, it’s not an order.""Then I’d like to request permission to accompany you.""Hmm..."

  If I had to expin why—once we retrieve what Ganji-san made for us, it’ll be time to put a long-standing pn into action.

  That pn accounts for safety, but in case of emergencies, we’d still need basic self-defense.

  Right now, Ingrid-san is like a quest-giver whose level is too low to accept the quest.

  "Hey, Liberta.""Hm?"

  If I said we’d protect her, we could, but I was still hesitating when Nel tugged on my sleeve.

  "If Ingrid-san gets stronger, then it’s fine, right?""Yeah.""Then! I’ll help her level up! That solves the problem, doesn’t it?"

  Nel was right—the biggest issue was Ingrid-san’s low level.That could be fixed by leveling her up.

  But the other problem was whether we should use our leveling method on her.

  Both Nel and Amina have warmed up to Ingrid-san, who’s been taking care of them, and they treat her like an older sister they can rely on.

  Given how sensitive they are to ill intent, the fact they’re so comfortable with her means she’s definitely a good person.

  But even if she’s good, the Duke is behind her.

  "Hmm, let me think about it.""Ehh—""Sorry. Ingrid-san, is that alright? I’ll give you an answer by tomorrow.""Understood."

  If I revealed our EXBP farming method here, there’s a high chance the Duke would find out.

  First, I need to confirm her stance on this.

  I feel bad since she politely backed off, but I have to draw a line here.

  As I fell into thought, Nel and Ingrid-san started chatting—though it was mostly Nel talking while Ingrid-san nodded along.

  It made me think back to that day.

  After wiping out the goblins in the royal capital, I wasn’t allowed to return home and was practically dragged to the Edelgard estate.

  I’d have preferred to leave, but there were things left unresolved.

  The nobles of the ducal house didn’t look kindly on a commoner child being invited.

  But—

  "He is my guest."

  With just that one line from the Duke, their disdain vanished instantly.

  After a quiet meal, I was able to take my first proper bath since reincarnating into this world.When the maid asked if I needed help washing, I practically shouted, "No, thank you!"

  Once cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes, an elderly butler led me to the Duke’s office.

  "Now then, have you recovered somewhat?""Yes. Thank you for the delicious meal and the bath."

  The room was more luxurious than anything I’d seen in my previous life.

  In the game, it felt much piner. There were no paintings or vases like this.

  "Though I’ve allowed you to return home temporarily, if an emergency arises, you must return to the battlefield at once. Let’s hear your conditions."

  He’d been processing documents even in the brief time I was resting. When I entered, he handed them to the butler and dismissed him.

  "You refused servitude. I want to know why.""Please don’t pressure me. I’ll seriously consider running away.""Honest, aren’t you?""It’s just how I am."

  This was the real test—though all I had to do was expin my stance, it wasn’t going to be easy.

  "Esmeralda-san isn’t here?""What, do you miss my daughter?"

  Only the Duke and I were present. I’d assumed Esmeralda would be here too, but apparently not.

  "She’d probably defend me.""That’s precisely why she isn’t here."

  Having her as an ally would’ve helped, but he clearly anticipated that and excluded her.

  "I see.""Enough idle talk.""Right. First, my personal condition: the safety of Nel, Amina, and their families.""Hmm. Starting with that, are you?""You’ve probably already looked into the people close to me. I don’t want them suffering because of me.""Then what about officially employing them to ensure their safety?""No. That ties into my next condition—I also refuse noble status. I think you understand why."

  In these negotiations, my demands were simple: safety for those around me and no noble interference.

  "The divide between nobles and commoners?""Exactly. You could also call it the corruption of the privileged css.""...Indeed, many nobles despise upstarts. Especially if someone without merit is elevated by someone of my standing."

  I also refused noble status.Even in FBO, becoming a noble had few real benefits.It didn’t grant powerful skills or stat bonuses.

  Even the best noble NPCs could be recruited as regur companions.

  The only real perk was gaining access to special quests directly from royalty.Those quests had great rewards, but they weren’t essential.

  The downsides, though—hostility from noble NPCs—were far worse.Obstructive behavior, lowered NPC affinity, base raids—the list went on. The world was harsh to upstarts.

  "Your influence could suppress most nobles, but...""Against other ducal houses or the royal family, it’d mean little.""Exactly."

  So while becoming a noble was possible, it wasn’t a practical solution.

  "Which is why I propose a retionship where I’m just a ‘slightly useful citizen.’"

  In a way, it was almost like having no retionship at all.

  "...That’s—""Yeah, it’s purely my personal request. From your perspective, it’s so thin it might as well be a refusal."

  Being acknowledged by a ducal house as a citizen was impressive in its own way.But it wasn’t employment, kinship, or even a mercenary contract.

  Just recognition.That’s all.

  "But this is the least likely to provoke other nobles."

  Anything more direct would draw too much hostility.Being tied to a ducal house was that dangerous.

  "I understand. But this makes cooperation difficult.""We can work around that. A few indirect connections would suffice."

  That much, at least, I had to prevent.It was already impossible to cut ties entirely.

  I’d accepted that.

  "For example, you could have a trusted subordinate’s trusted subordinate’s trusted subordinate act as a liaison with me."

  The problem was direct ties. Having some connection wasn’t without its benefits.

  "You’re quite cautious.""I’m a coward.""Nonsense. A coward wouldn’t negotiate with me so boldly."

  Considering the risks and benefits, this seemed like the best compromise.

  "But your reasoning is sound. My house can’t openly take you in either. Forcing a connection would only invite scrutiny. A time for patience, then."

  He probably wasn’t happy about being persuaded by a child.

  But to his credit, he showed great magnanimity and accepted my proposal.

  "Very well. I accept your terms.""Thank you.""However, given the risk of you vanishing, I’ll have to insist on a colr.""Uh, I don’t have that kind of—""Don’t py dumb. You know what I mean."

  And so, we reached an agreement: a connection with the ducal house, but hidden.

  In the course of the discussion, he also pointed out that living in a stable with no fixed residence made me too mobile—so he offered me a house.

  "Just something modest, please! Really, just modest!""I know."

  I pleaded for something commoner-appropriate, but now I’m living in this vish house with a maid.

  For a moment, I wondered if it was deliberate, but to the Duke, this might actually be modest.Which made it hard to compin.

  And that’s how Ingrid-san came to be assigned here.

  Given these negotiations, my retionship with her is… complicated.

  Which is why I need to ask now, while we’ve grown somewhat closer.

  No—maybe this is just me wanting to make the call myself.

  Can I trust her or not?

  If I can, I’d want her help.

  Because, despite everything, I’ve grown attached.