Chapter 18
Remaining Cash: Empty~
That’s because I had already spent all the cash I earned from Marquis Greydan’s request.
…It’s not like I wasted it partying.
The cash had an expiration date.
1 day left until your cash expires.
Please use it quickly!
They even told me just one day before it disappeared.
I was annoyed, but I figured complaining wouldn’t change anything, so I gave up.
Thankfully, I could spend the cash in the “Enhancement Item Shop” or withdraw it.
I roughly bought what I needed from the enhancement shop, then withdrew the rest and converted it into real money.
After that, my remaining cash was zero.
Which means if I want to read the novel again, I’ll have to grind for more cash.
…But seriously, why say “Empty~” instead of just “0”?
Are they making fun of me?
Current Cash Recharge Station: Lerint Estate
(Other locations are locked.)
And what’s this about other locations being locked?
…Well, there’s no point overthinking it alone.
‘First, I should go to the activated recharge station.’
Whatever it is, I’ll learn faster by experiencing it myself.
Thinking that, I picked up the documents the maid had left behind.
I should familiarize myself with the information properly.
And as soon as morning comes, I’ll head to Lerint Estate.
Forcing my heavy eyelids open, I focused on work for the first time in a while.
* * *
The next morning, I finished getting ready to go out as soon as the sun rose.
“Where are you going?”
Just as I was about to leave the office, Daimon came out of the kitchen and stopped me.
“At least have lunch before you go.”
“No, at this time it’s breakfast.”
I actually woke up early today.
“I have somewhere to go for work. You can take care of the house alone, right?”
“Please eat before you go. I already prepared it…”
“I don’t have time. You eat by yourself.”
Eat well and then run away!
Whether he knew my desperate thoughts or not, Daimon quietly scanned my outfit.
It was a gaze as if he was checking something.
“What? Is there a problem?”
“…”
After a long pause, Daimon spoke.
“…I was wondering if you had plans to eat with someone else.”
His slightly sulky tone made me tilt my head.
“No, I’m just going out for work.”
Though I could probably ask for food there if I wanted.
If I get hungry, I’ll just ask.
“Anyway, I’ll be back.”
Just as I was about to leave—
“Director.”
Daimon called me in a flat voice.
For some reason, he felt more serious than usual.
“…Please take me with you.”
“What?”
What is he suddenly talking about?
“Please let me help with your work.”
“Help with my work?”
“I’m confident I can be of use. Please give me a chance.”
That’s not the kind of job interview answer I was expecting!
I was so taken aback I couldn’t respond right away.
“Why the sudden… decision?”
I had left the office for various reasons before.
But this was the first time—truly the first time—he had asked to come with me.
‘I thought I went out to earn money, and Daimon stayed behind quietly supporting me.’
He was the type who rarely even went outside unless necessary, so what changed?
“…I heard that a detective’s assistant should always stay by their side when solving cases.”
When I didn’t respond, Daimon added.
“From who?”
“I read it in a book.”
Was it that guy R again?
Seriously, he’s useless from start to finish.
Though… it’s not entirely wrong.
Assistants in detective novels do things like bring overlooked clues, catch fleeing criminals, or casually drop hints as if they just thought of them.
But that’s in novels. Our relationship was completely different.
So why the sudden change of heart?
“Hmm, I’m not really into the idea.”
I still felt uneasy about Daimon going outside.
After all, I had barely managed to save him from being sold last time—what if he ran into people like the “Sharks” again?
“Is it because you don’t want me to be seen by others?”
As if reading my mind, Daimon spoke.
“You got it.”
At my answer, his expression softened a little.
“Then I’ll cover my face and body well so I won’t be seen. I won’t do anything that stands out… and I’ll stay right by your side.”
“Uh, um…”
“I won’t make eye contact with anyone else or speak to them either.”
No, you don’t have to go that far…
Why are you acting like a ‘#extremely-modest male lead’ character?
Did you really want to go out that badly?
Or… was I too controlling? I did keep telling him to stay where he could be seen…
‘Wait, is that why he wants to go out more? Is he tired of sticking next to me and trying to escape outside?’
That actually makes sense.
So he’s suddenly talking about being an assistant just to follow me out?
And today’s destination was near the coast—a place that required a long carriage ride.
In other words, the perfect place to leave this house and run far away.
“Hm, come to think of it, that’s a great idea.”
You’ve grown up! Finally having such a clever thought.
Yes, do it right away. I’ll fully support you.
“Then let’s pack your things first.”
“My… things?”
“The things an assistant would need.”
More like the things someone running away would need.
A light outer coat, some snacks, a map, self-defense items, and plenty of money.
As I happily packed escape supplies, Daimon looked at me with a strange expression.
“Are we staying overnight?”
“No.”
Not me. But you probably are.
I handed him the now-stuffed bag.
“Keep it safe.”
“…Yes.”
Though he looked slightly uneasy, he accepted it without complaint.
“For reference, I’m used to working alone. Keep your distance and follow without getting in the way.”
I even encouraged him to run at the right moment.
That should be enough for him to get the hint, right?
“Alright, let’s go get a carriage.”
“…”
Daimon stared at the bag with narrowed eyes, then silently followed behind me.
* * *
“Welcome, Detective! The master isn’t here, but he told us to cooperate with you fully.”
When we arrived at Lerint Estate, the young maid who had given the request greeted us.
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“No, thank you. It’s been so long since we’ve had a guest. Ever since Miss Elisa went missing, the estate has been so quiet…”
As soon as she mentioned Elisa, her cheerful expression turned gloomy.
“No one has visited since she left. Though, to be fair, we didn’t have many visitors to begin with.”
“Hmm…”
I slowly looked around the interior.
For the home of an admiral who commands the empire’s fleet, it was surprisingly modest and compact.
There were only a few maids handling essential chores.
It felt like a place equipped only with the bare necessities for living alone.
Noticing my gaze, the maid gave an awkward smile.
“The master isn’t very interested in socializing. He doesn’t care much about decorating the house.”
Just as she said, the house reflected the cold and frugal personality of its male owner.
If someone like him had been deeply involved with someone, it would have been obvious.
So it doesn’t seem like he dumped Elisa because of an affair.
“What kind of person was Elisa?”
