She is not an investigator.

Olivia couldn't say for sure, but there really was no point in staying here any longer, and there were people specifically assigned to look after the museum.

"Well then, that's all for today. Goodbye, ladies."

Byron greeted the two first, especially Igris, before leaving with his assistant.

Olivia noticed this detail, but she didn't find it strange.

She would find it strange if there were people who actually disliked Igris.

The Gods' Folly - Regret: Chapter Eight, The Raven

"So, that's all we can do for today, right?"

Although Igris still felt somewhat unsatisfied, there was really no way to make any further progress today.

Even though his own things were about to be stolen, that guy wasn't worried at all.

Igris glanced at the street outside, which had become somewhat dark, and waved to Olivia.

"Then I'll head back first."

"Go back to where?"

Olivia hadn't even asked where Igris had been staying, and judging from Igris's stingy nature, she probably wouldn't choose to stay in any luxury hotels.

"Well... I've temporarily rented a house near that witch academy. It's very cheap because generally no one wants to go near there."

Igris honestly revealed her address. Although the people here often met and even lived with witches, most humans still didn't like to get close to these strange beings.

This isn't discrimination; it's simply a matter of not wanting to interact with them, just like how Igris treated most witches before: speak less, greet less, and avoid trouble.

"Come live with me, my house is quite big... I mean, there's enough space for you to live more comfortably."

Olivia's family also owns their own properties and estates in Byanca. Although the estates are not in the city, judging from her status alone, her living conditions are unlikely to be much worse.

It's a place that even wealthy people might want to live in but can't necessarily afford.

Igris had always naively thought Olivia was just a nouveau riche, but now she understands what a true young lady is.

No wonder her cooking is so bad; she doesn't even have to cook for herself.

However, Igris still didn't want to rely on Olivia too much, since she had already paid for it.

So Igris shook her head and declined Olivia's invitation.

"Let's forget about it. After all, I've already paid, and I don't really like your aristocratic atmosphere... it makes me feel uncomfortable."

The thought of a whole bunch of people calling her "Miss" as soon as I walked in gave me goosebumps.

Olivia wanted to say something more, but she seemed to know that once Igris said something, it was almost impossible to change her mind.

Although she could try to seduce her with money, doing so too much would only make Iglesias think that Olivia saw her as someone who only cared about money.

That wasn't the outcome Olivia wanted.

"...Then, could you come with me for a walk? Just for a little while, maybe do some shopping or something."

Olivia's voice was so soft and her tone so subtle that Igris couldn't even tell if she was asking her a question or pleading with her.

But Igris seemed to have thought of something, and awkwardly smoothed the strands of hair hanging by her ears, gently shaking her head.

"I have some things to do, so I'm afraid I won't be able to stay with you."

"...I see."

Olivia forced a smile, said nothing more, and waved her hand reluctantly.

"Then...see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow."

Igris turned and left without looking back at the forlorn Olivia, quickly departing from the museum.

The cool breeze on the street tousled Igris's hair and dispelled the slight heat on her cheeks.

She rubbed her face, not daring to turn around, as if afraid that Olivia would see her in this embarrassing state, and quickly strode away into the distance.

Her heart was pounding, her mind was in a jumble, and even her breathing became heavy and irregular.

She looked up at the seemingly empty street and the few pedestrians who occasionally walked by, but her thoughts had wandered off somewhere else.

For some reason, she's now a little afraid to spend time alone with Olivia.

Perhaps it's shyness? Or fear?

But what is she afraid of?

Was she afraid of Olivia's unconscious move to get closer to her, or was she afraid of Olivia's inability to resist falling in love?

It's also possible that they're simply afraid that their actions will ruin what should have been a beautiful relationship and connection.

She was Olivia's assistant and also her friend.

Olivia should have thought so too.

But she seems to have started to be more than satisfied with this.

Igris didn't dare to respond to her, nor did she want to, because Igris didn't even know if Olivia truly liked her.

They are from different social classes and have different fates, so they can be friends, partners, or colleagues, but they can never be lovers.

Should Igris reject her outright?

She didn't know; she didn't know if she could do it, or if she should do it at all.

Olivia never truly expressed her love for her; those intimate gestures were likely just playful banter between female friends.

But what would be the final result if Igris really chose to bring everything up and openly reject her?

Can they really continue their current communication and relationship?

She doesn't know, she really doesn't know.

She could only pretend that nothing had happened, that she hadn't noticed anything, and intentionally or unintentionally distance herself from Olivia to avoid her getting too close.

Igris took a deep breath, and the heat and confusion on her face dissipated.

Unlike Olivia, Iglesias was destined to teeter on the brink of life and death on many occasions, and the things that involved her were not something that everyone could bear with her.

Olivia could find someone better, someone more suitable for her, but she shouldn't choose Igris.

"..."

But is this really what she truly thinks deep down?

Igris rarely asked herself this question, but this time she still hesitated, and even... had doubts.

It wasn't until the mournful caw of a crow that Igris' attention was drawn back to reality, interrupting her chaotic thoughts.

She had somehow arrived near the witch academy, which was also near her temporary residence.

A fat black bird circled back and forth in the air, screeching. It might be the pet of some witch, but Igris didn't know.

After all, witches often like to keep strange pets, such as owls, snakes, lizards, or even spiders.

Although Igris often wondered if the owl really wouldn't eat the other three pets as well.

However, as her thoughts settled, the fat bird in the sky also landed down and landed on... Igris's shoulder.

"...?"

Igris tilted her head, looked at the fat crow on her shoulder, and touched its feathers somewhat helplessly.

She doesn't recall having a title that makes small animals especially fond of her; perhaps it's an innate quality of hers?

"Ah! It's you! Give me back my familiar!"

Just as Igris was still debating whether to take the crow to the police station, a cry of surprise rang out from the gate near the academy.

The Gods' Fool's Play - Regret: Chapter Nine, Fat Bird

"Little witch? You skipped school again? I'm going to call the police to arrest you."

Looking at the familiar little mushroom in front of her... Little witch, Igris was somewhat surprised and hugged the raven in her arms.

Upon hearing Igris's words, the little witch stomped her foot angrily, so hard that she even shook off her hat, revealing her long, bluish-green hair.

"No way! This is the academy! Besides, it's break time now, I just brought my familiar out for some fresh air... Give it back!"

Igris looked inside the witch academy. Although the lights were still on, she couldn't see many witches wandering around outside. Most of them had probably gone back to their dormitories to rest, and there probably wouldn't be any classes at this time.

Igris didn't know what to say, but it was indeed quite a coincidence that she was able to find her only acquaintance in such a large academy.

Moreover, it was clear that if the gate in front of her hadn't been tightly closed and the surrounding walls hadn't been twice as high as her, she would probably have been happy to climb over the wall, steal the crow, and give Igris a beating while she was at it.

Although she is unlikely to defeat Igris.

"You say it's your pet, but why did it come to me on its own? Maybe it's actually my pet."

Igris stroked the fat bird in her arms, and it cooperated by shaking its wings, completely unaware of its owner's furious expression.

Although Igris knew that bullying children was not something a mature adult should do, she found it really interesting.

"Alright, I'll take this crow with me. It will be my pet from now on. I hope you'll have the chance to meet again in the future."

"It's a raven! Wait...wait! Don't go...!"

Seeing that Igris was actually holding the fat bird and preparing to turn and leave, the little witch, still locked inside the iron gate, panicked.

"I was wrong! I apologize! Don't take it with you!"

Seeing that the little witch's pleading was tinged with a hint of tears, Igris felt that she might have gone a bit too far, so she took the initiative to let go of the fat bird she was holding.

"Sorry, little witch, I was just... trying to joke with you."

"quack."

The fat bird remained motionless in Igris's arms.

The little witch raised her head and looked longingly at Igris and the raven that refused to leave her arms.

“…Go find your master, don’t stay here.”

Igris nudged the raven in her arms, but it rubbed against Igris's hand and stayed in her arms.

It seems... for some inexplicable reason, it has become attached to Igris.

“Little witch, why don’t you try calling it? It looks… like it doesn’t want to leave.”