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I wake up to the dazzling morning sun shining in through the windows.

Yesterday, I went straight to sleep after returning to the little cabin. It seems I tired myself out quite a bit with all the excitement.

I sit up in bed and heave a small sigh.

In the end, I hadnt been able to meet with Uncle Will.. Just when will I be able to get answers for all these questions I have?

Ugh, somehow my head feels kind of heavy.. Maybe I should clear it with some practice swings?

I jump out of bed and grab my sword, then head outside.

Alicia? calls out a familiar voice as soon as I close the door. I turn towards it.

I can understand Gilles being out here. He must have woken up before me and headed outside first. I can also understand Henry-Oniisama being here. But the real question is, what is he doing here?

His presence isnt exactly odd. but these three make a rather peculiar grouping.

Hello Alicia. Its been a while, hasnt it? Paul-san greets me with a smile.

Its that same, pleasant expression that I remember, but somehow, seeing him standing next to Gilles and Henry-Oniisama, the look takes on a darker, more scheming feel to it.

Youve become so beautiful, Alicia. But, is your eye okay? Paul-san asks, concerned, pointing up at his own left eye.

We havent seen each other in years, so why does this conversation feel so easy, like we see each other all the time? I guess that soothing nature of his can help him fit in no matter where he goes.

Yes, its fine. But Paul-san.. what brings you here?

At my question, Henry-Oniisamas expression turns slightly troubled.

Could Paul-san be involved in something other than working at the plant nursery? But his identity during the game was only a noble who ran a plant shop. He didnt have any other function. Hmm. Recently, the mysteries just keep increasing without allowing me to resolve a single one.

Ah, come to think of it, I wonder if hes met with Liz-san yet.? From what I can remember, Liz-sans favorability levels with Paul-san were pretty high right from the start.

Ahh, theres just too many things Id like to ask.

.Gilles, when did you and Paul-san become acquainted? I ask to start off with.

Gilles smiles impishly. He looks almost like a little boy whos been caught red-handed with his paws in the cookie jar.

I had Henry introduce us.

Since when did you two become so close?

Thats beside the point. Alicia, we should listen to what Paul has to say first.

Actually, before we do that, I have something that Id like to ask Paul-san.

And what would that be? Paul-san asks, smiling refreshingly at me.

In a way, it almost looks too refreshing to the point of it being suspicious. It definitely hadnt seemed like that before.

Have you met Liz-san?

Ah, yes. I have, Paul-san tells me, his wide eyes peeking at me over the rim of his glasses.

And what sort of first impression did you have of her?

She seemed like a nice, lovely girl, Paul-san says, slightly puzzled.

..Ah, I understand his confusion. It feels like Im interrogating him all of a sudden.

Ali, Paul came to give us some information, Henry-Oniisama says quickly as if hes trying to stop me from asking any more odd questions.

Information?

Yeah, he confirms, nodding.

So as a side job, hes. an informant? Or maybe running the shop is actually the side job? Or perhaps a front?

So Gilles, you get information about the academy from Henry-Oniisama, you hear about whats happening in the town from Paul-san, and for the impoverished village, you go there yourself to gather intel. You have quite the intelligence network, I remark approvingly.

The corners of Gilless lips turn up proudly.

.What a remarkable child. Hes already gone far beyond me. Hes simply amazing. Though, well, Im not planning on praising him aloud of course.

Impoverished village? Paul-san asks, his eyes going wide and his shoulders stiffening.

..Oh, right. Since everyone around me already knows Ive been visiting the impoverished village regularly, I started acting as if it was common knowledge.

Speaking of which, I wonder if Paul-san knows that Gilles is originally from there.?

Paul-san, the Josiah I obtained from you a couple of years ago was actually for Gilles who was deathly sick at the time.

Eh?

Instead of Paul-san, its Gilles whos surprised.

Ah, thats right. Theres no reason that Gilles would have known that the medicinal herbs I used to save him came from Paul-sans shop.

Somehow, it feels a bit like a practical joke that Ive been planning for years just came to satisfying fruition.

It would seem that weve been connected for much longer than we thought, Paul-san says, giving us another of his healing smiles.

Although both he and Liz-san are considered the soothing type, I find I like Paul-sans smile much better than hers.

I never would have thought that a young lady from one of the five great noble houses would have experience visiting the impoverished village. I have to say that Im surprised.

Yes, I hear that a lot. Ive already gotten used to everyone being shocked by it actually, I tell Paul-san with a bit of a wry smile tugging at my lips.

So Gilles must be a child from that village, Paul-san notes quietly as he gazes intently at Gilles.

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T/N: Lol, of all the characters that could have shown up this chapter I dont think Paul would have even made my guess list XD Personally, Ive been dying to see her tearful reunion with her father. But I guess thats just not in the cards for us anytime soon. Or, if he does show up, Im thinking it will be like Pauls sudden appearance: at a moment when we least expect it haha