In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

"And you are the kind of person I find interesting."

"And because I find it interesting, I think it's worth trying to go back to the village in the north with you. Is there anything wrong with that?"

“That’s definitely not right.” Ian wasn’t fooled by the purple-haired girl’s words.

How you view me is indeed your prerogative.

"But that doesn't mean I have to accept whatever you want to do; the two are not interchangeable."

“Oh~” Plerati rested her chin on her hand and nodded. “Now that you mention it, it does seem to make sense.”

"Looks like I'll need to offer something you think I'd be willing to go back with you."

Plerati once again revealed that terrifying smile.

"How about I take responsibility for ensuring your safety along the way?"

"..."

You don't feel that this promise means anything to you.

[And if we're really talking about reality, do you think you could guarantee your adopted sister's safe return to Domremi village even without Plerati in front of you?]

However, you do seem a little curious as to why Prierati dared to make such a promise.

She interpreted this curiosity as you believing that the "bargaining chips" she offered weren't enough.

"That--"

Plerati patted the bag on his waist, and the sound of gold coins clinking came from inside.

"I'll cover your expenses along the way."

"By the way—"

"Now, let me answer your questions about that magician."

"In that case, you should think I'm someone you could take back to the village with you, right?"

"..."

[Plerati's words have made you more cautious.]

Because you know, the more eager someone is to accomplish something, the more urgent their need for it is.

Just like how my intense desire to gather information about that English magician was ultimately for the sake of my adopted sister.

However, you also realized a possibility that is not insignificant.

[That means the person in front of me, Prie, might genuinely have chosen to do this because they found it amusing.]

After all, from the moment you met her, she hasn't shown any normal reaction whatsoever.

You hesitated—because you really wanted information about that magician.

"Give me one night to think about it."

After saying that, Ian stood up and walked towards the room where he and his stepsister were staying.

As he watched his departing figure, Plerati revealed a rather sinister smile.

She didn't tell him anything.

The "interesting" she mentioned is not such a simple concept.

You returned to the door of the room where you and Joan of Arc had shared.

You intended to sneak in quietly.

But the moment you opened the door, you witnessed something completely unexpected.

Joan of Arc, who had been sleeping in bed, had somehow sat up and was glaring angrily at Ian, who had just opened the door.

"elder brother!"

"Why did you go out while I was sleeping... Were you going to see some wild woman?!"

"..."

Seeing Joan of Arc's anger, Ian didn't hesitate and immediately began to explain.

"I wanted to go for a walk because I couldn't sleep."

"However, I did meet a girl."

"Let me explain first—"

He sat down next to her and recounted what had just happened.

You told your adopted sister, Joan of Arc, about what happened in the hall.

Of course, you only selectively told Joan of Arc about some of the promises Plerati made later.

She seemed somewhat surprised upon learning all this.

"This..." The blonde girl seemed to have forgotten how to blink, "The English actually hired such a powerful magician?"

"Yes."

Ian nodded, indicating that his adopted sister was right.

"So she might provide us with some useful information... who knows, we might need it someday."

Joan of Arc was by no means the kind of person who would make trouble unreasonably.

She understood her sworn brother's predicament, and her anger quickly subsided.

"I understand."

"In that case—"

"Let her come back to Donremi village with us."

"Well, that's all."

You and Joan of Arc have reached an agreement.

You had a peaceful night.

You had planned to tell Plerati about this the next day.

【However--】

As the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room, a knock came at the door.

Joan of Arc rubbed her sleepy eyes, still looking dazed.

"Who is it... disturbing us so early in the morning?"

Unlike his stepsister's complaints, Ian got dressed and went to greet the person who knocked on the door.

But when he opened the door, the person standing in front of him made him pause for a moment.

That's Plerati.

She blinked her beautiful purple eyes and looked at Ian, who was greeting her.

"Hi~"

"It's been a whole night... You should have figured out how to answer me by now, right?"

"..."

Before Ian could finish speaking, Joan of Arc jumped up from the bed behind her and stood in front of her sworn brother.

"Who are you?!"

"Why are you standing so close to my brother?!"

"Eh?!"

Joan of Arc's sudden appearance startled Plerati.

She glanced at Ian beside her, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"You yesterday—"

"You never told me you had a younger sister, did you?"

“Yes.” Ian patted Joan’s head and said with a smile.

“I did not mention that.”

“Excuse me, Plerati, this is my sister Jeanne Darc.”

"..."

Plerati looked around the room and then sneered.

"Ah."

"You two have such a good relationship... You're both this age, and you're still sleeping in the same room?"

"..."

Joan of Arc's expression immediately became uneasy—after all, Plelatiti's words were, in a sense, indeed a weakness for both her and him.

Although the two are not related by blood, their intimacy is indeed somewhat unusual.

However, Ian wasn't nervous at all.

He had already thought about how to respond when someone asked him this question.

"Plerati, it's just saving some gold coins."

"You wouldn't want to find your pockets empty when you're drinking, would you?"

"..."

Plerati curled his lip.

"Too."

"If we can save money, there's really no need to spend extra money."

Let's not talk about this anymore—

"Regarding the suggestion I made."