“Come to Dolan’s forge by nine in the morning tomorrow. In front of the new forge, of course.”

“Don’t tell me the weapon’s already finished?”

Ciel asked, though he thought it was impossible. It had only been two weeks since Estella had come to take their measurements. And it wasn’t even ordinary steel—it was Nevrion steel.

Seeing the astonishment on Ciel’s face, Estella winked playfully.

“That’s another advantage of Nevrion steel. When you add Nevrion, it softens, so it’s easier to shape. But after it cools, it hardens more than any other steel.”

Her explanation was short, but her tone was full of pride. However, Ciel, who had only asked because he was surprised by the speed of the process, wasn’t really listening. That wink...

She’s way too cute.

So cute he wanted to kiss her eyelid. How could a person be like that? Was that even allowed?

“So come with your subordinates on time. Dolan’s just as excited to hand over the weapons.”

“......”

She reminded him again, but Ciel just stood there in silence, looking as though he were deep in thought, and didn’t respond.

“Don’t worry. Like I said last time, since we have a contract, I’ll ‘lend’ you the weapons free of charge.”

Estella didn’t say she’d give them away—not even as a polite gesture. She needed a reason to keep them by her side longer. Once someone got a taste of Nevrion steel, they could never go back to regular weapons.

Wearing a confident expression, Estella gave Ciel’s stiff shoulder a few pats before leaving the annex. She had to stretch her arm fully to reach him, so she didn’t look very dignified, but she was confident she’d made her point.

This is how I slowly gather people to my side. Just wait a little longer, Squirrels. This mother will take good care of you.

Feeling more relaxed, Estella looked outside and smiled as she watched the rest of the Squirrels in the middle of their training.

No sooner had Estella left than Lily, so curious it felt like her guts were tied in a knot, burst into the annex.

Crash!

Something at her feet made a loud noise as it rolled across the floor, but Lily didn’t even glance at it. She just leapt over it in one bound. Though she lost her balance for a second, her gaze stayed fixed on Ciel, who was still standing frozen in place.

Just from the way he looked broken, there was no doubt something amazing had happened.

“Captain! Captain!”

Only at Lily’s overly excited voice did Ciel’s eyes slowly shift toward the sound, like a patient snapping out of hypnosis.

“What happened? What kind of words and gestures did you two exchange? Don’t tell me you slapped each other fighting over who gets the captain!”

Lily asked in a rush, hoping for a juicy answer. The other Squirrels, startled by her theatrics, hesitantly followed her inside.

“Hurry up and tell me! I’m dying of curiosity. Come on, come on, come on!”

As Lily pushed for answers like someone collecting a debt, Kyle grabbed the back of her collar and gently pulled her away.

“Lady Estella...”

“Yes!”

As Ciel finally opened his mouth, Lily swallowed her saliva, Kyle tensed, and Haru and Bruno looked worried.

Even now, Airi stood a few steps away from the group, casually cleaning the dirt from under her nails with a blank expression. She didn’t get why everyone was so worked up. They’d all find out soon enough anyway. Though her ears were clearly perked.

“She doesn’t seem human.”

The room went cold.

“What do you mean? If she’s not human, then...”

Considering how monsters infested the territory, it wasn’t out of the question. Some monsters were known to mimic people they’d eaten. And no one knew more about monsters than the captain. It wouldn’t be hard for him to figure it out.

Even Airi had crept closer, now staring at Ciel with sharp eyes.

“Give the order, Captain.”

“We have to catch it as soon as possible—before more people get hurt.”

“In the form of a noble lady, no less. That complicates things.”

“So that’s why everyone said her personality suddenly changed.”

“Magic might not work.”

Now everything made sense. A monster that had taken human form—at least class-2 or higher.

Even with their experience, it was impossible not to be tense.

“What are you all talking about?”

Ciel’s confused voice broke through the grim silence.

“Don’t worry, Captain. We’ve fought every kind of monster out there. Even if it’s mimicking Lady Estella, as long as we work together, we can—”

“What are you even talking about?”

“Pardon? We’re going to take down the monster.”

“What monster?”

“The one that’s taken Lady Estella’s form.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Bruno blinked at Ciel’s frown. That nonsense is coming from you, he nearly said—but couldn’t quite bring himself to.

“You’re the one talking nonsense!”

Bruno reflexively clamped his hands over his mouth. But then Lily stepped forward, her chin raised defiantly.

So that voice wasn’t Bruno’s after all.

Relieved it hadn’t been him, Bruno still worried what Lily might say next. She had an unusual freedom in the face of nobility. At first he thought she was just crazy, but after spending a long time with her, he’d concluded she wasn’t that far gone.
...Though she did dip her toe into madness from time to time.

Bruno watched her with a mix of anticipation and dread.

“You said she doesn’t seem human. If that doesn’t mean she’s a monster, then what does?”

At Lily’s pointed question, Ciel finally realized the misunderstanding he’d caused during his moment of distraction.

“...Ah. That’s not what I meant, so don’t worry about it.”

Ciel quickly averted his eyes and gave a stern command. But Lily wasn’t about to give up, not with her suspicions unresolved.

Before anyone could stop her, Lily leapt onto Ciel’s shoulder. With one hand, she tilted his head back, and with the other, she forced open his right eyelid.

“What do you think you’re doing, Lily!”

Startled, Ciel bent over and tried to shake her off. But Lily flipped midair like a monkey and landed safely on the ground before he could.

Ignoring the dumbfounded Ciel behind her, Lily dusted her hands off like she’d touched something dirty.

“He’s not bewitched.”

Those under a monster’s spell had a distinct mark above the white of their right eye. Thankfully, Ciel’s eyes were as clear and white as a boiled egg.

“Now. What exactly did you mean earlier, Captain? Don’t make us worry like that.”

Lily’s voice, usually full of mischief, was now dry and serious.

Ciel hesitated. But he knew the longer he stayed silent, the more anxious they’d get. He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself.

Gulp.

Lily’s swallow was audible from how close she stood. Ciel took a small step back.

“The reason I said Lady Estella doesn’t seem human is... because of that.”

“Eh? What was that, Captain?”

Bruno furrowed his brow. Ciel had said something, but mumbled so badly he didn’t catch the key part. But—

“What the hell! You bastard! Get over here! You call that an answer?! Let’s settle this right now! You and me, no ranks, just fists—get over here, asshole!”

Before Lily could throw herself at the captain like a gorilla, Bruno scooped her up and hauled her outside.

In the meantime, Ciel sprinted up the stairs faster than anyone.

Kyle and Haru stood frozen, looking at each other in confusion, and Airi, who had been concentrating on the captain’s words with magical enhancement, was too shocked to even speak.

“What a mess...”

And with that mutter from Airi, who had just finished magically cleaning the dirt from under her nails, the “Lady Estella is a monster” incident came to an end.

Chapter 37

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