51: The Neighboring Wallace and Karen Couple / Reconciliation Ribbon Hat / Ice Water Under the Blazing Sun 1

“I will report on a few things that have been confirmed so far.”

Matthew had come again to Jill’s mansion.

Today, he hadn’t brought his usual threads or fabrics.

What Matthew delivered today was a pile of documents and Carol.

“Um, hello. So… do you want to know about Ritchie…?”

Carol asked with a somewhat vague expression.

“Yes. As detailed as possible.”

“Um… I can help you with anything I can… Since I took over the owner and Ritchie’s letters…”

“Thank you, that helps.”

Jill expressed her gratitude.

Then Matthew cleared his throat and got to the main topic.

“Ritchie Andromalius. He was the brother of the owner, Roger Andromalius, and he died seven years ago in the war with the neighboring country, Olcus. By the way, you know how the owner died, right?”

“Um, it was because he tried to cover up Ritchie’s embezzlement, right? That led to extravagant spending.”

“Yes. Mr. Ritchie, who was a knight, was not stripped of his honor due to the owner’s efforts. However, he seems to have returned to another knight order afterwards… but I’m not sure about his whereabouts from there.”

“I see…”

“I read the letters between Mr. Roger and Mr. Ritchie, and it seems Mr. Ritchie himself didn’t quite know his own affiliation.”

“Huh?”

Jill made a puzzled face at the vague answer.

At that moment, Carol interjected.

“Well, there were letters left between the owner and Ritchie… It seems Ritchie was constantly under suspicion of embezzlement, so he was probably at odds with his new order. Then he was loaned to another knight order, and further loaned from there to yet another order… It seems his affiliations and work didn’t match up at all…”

“That sounds… serious.”

“And then, without any clarity, he went to war with the neighboring country, and we received news of his death in battle. I can’t provide more than what was exchanged in the letters.”

Carol looked down apologetically.

“N-no, I’m sorry. It was my selfishness to ask you to investigate.”

“A-are you okay? Is there some connection to what I gave you the other day…?”

“Oh, that’s completely unrelated. It’s fine.”

Jill told a slight lie.

Thanks to the Guide to Demon Creation, she had learned that the previous owner was Ritchie, making it hard to say it was unrelated.

However, if she explained that, she would have to convey the true value of that book to Carol.

Jill judged that knowing the secret would bring greater danger and decided to remain silent.

“I see… That’s a relief.”

“By the way, I want to ask a little about Ritchie. What kind of person was he?”

“Um, hmm… The last time I saw him was nearly fifteen years ago…”

Carol twisted her neck with a difficult expression. She seemed uncertain and appeared to be recalling things vaguely.

“Did he seem like someone who would embezzle?”

“No, he seemed serious. His appearance was serious, or maybe a little scary.”

“He was tall.”

“Ah, yes.”

“With black hair, thin eyebrows… a stern demeanor.”

“Yes… Did I mention that?”

“He hated wasteful spending.”

“Right… Ah, now that I remember, he was scary when he got angry… But surprisingly kind. He was like that when he was happy or embarrassed.”

“He had a habit of stroking his chin.”

“…H-how do you know that?”

Carol asked in a trembling voice.

However, Jill ignored Carol and turned to Matthew.

“Mr. Matthew, what do you think is the best way to deeply investigate a deceased person?”

“…I suppose what Jill wants to know is about the point where the trail goes cold? Exactly which knight order he was in.”

“Yes. And… how he died in battle. Also, there are a few other people I’d like you to investigate.”

“That’s… about the person you dreamed of, isn’t it? Are you that curious about it?”

“…Most likely, the owner’s brother is the Ritchie who appeared in my dream. He was writing a calendar in my dream. It had a date from seven years ago, probably around the time he was about to die. And…”

Jill cut off her words and whispered carefully.

“Uncle… Conrad also died in battle that year. I feel like my dream, Ritchie’s death, and my uncle’s death are all connected.”

“What!? ”

Matthew’s complexion changed.

Carol was unable to keep up with the conversation, alternating her gaze between Jill and Matthew.

“It’s pointless to learn about something that happened seven years ago at this stage. I mean, the priority should be on running the general store. But I don’t want to leave it unresolved.”

“I honestly think that’s one of Jill’s good qualities.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course.”

Matthew smiled and ignored Jill’s question.

Jill sighed, feeling somewhat helpless.

“However, there’s so much we don’t know while we’re in Shelland… It might have been just right.”

“Just right?”

“I was thinking of heading to the capital soon. I go to the capital every year from summer to autumn to gather supplies.”

“Oh, I see.”

Matthew did not own his own shop.

He was a traveling merchant, going from town to town.

“Normally, I would have already set off by now, but this year has been oddly comfortable.”

“I-I’m sorry for always being helped by you.”

“Not at all. In fact, it’s been a fulfilling job with plenty of enjoyment. But I have customers in the capital and other towns, and I can’t keep them waiting. So, while I’m there, I’ll see if I can investigate anything that looks promising.”

“That’s…”

Jill tried to say thank you but hesitated.

“By the time I return, the branch might be thriving. I’m looking forward to it.”

At this point, Jill finally realized that she had to run the business without Matthew.

And she deeply recalled just how much he had helped her up to now.

Looking back, Jill had been helped by many people.

During her journey alone, she had met Ionia and Karappa and arrived at the mansion in the forest. Even after reaching the town of Shelland, she had encountered many people.

Among them, Matthew’s presence had been significant. If Matthew hadn’t paid attention to what Jill created, it was doubtful that her dream of opening a general store would have come true. Even if the same situation arose now, it would have taken more than twice the time. And now, Matthew was leaving this town.

She felt lonely.

But even so, Jill thought she shouldn’t hold him back.

After all, it was Jill who was making an unreasonable request.

Rather, she felt that she had to show the fruit of what she had learned until now.

In business, Jill held Matthew in high regard, like a mentor. When it came to clothes and accessories, he could become impulsive, his eyes lighting up as he charged forward, but he had always supported her with his calm judgment.

That Matthew said, “I’m looking forward to it.” Jill felt no anxiety about running the shop without him. So, she decided to go beyond merely feeling at ease and surprise him—this was the resolution Jill made in that moment.

“Yes! Leave it to me!”