"Take them to the underground dungeon of the mansion."

Selena’s mother, Katrin, gave the order.

At her word, workers from the trading company rushed forward in a group and restrained the servants who had abused Selena.

The servants, just released from Pupu’s subspace, looked completely exhausted.

"I told you to take proper care of our Selena and even paid you twice the usual amount......."

Katrin’s eyes flashed.

On the other side, Selena’s father, Newman, covered his daughter in kisses.

"Selena. My girl. Did you miss your father?"

Selena nodded in his arms.

"Your mother and I have discussed everything. From now on, if I have to travel for business, you will come with me."

"Really?"

"Yes. Before, we thought that because of your education, you should not be constantly moving......"

With a bitter smile, Newman tucked her hair behind her ear.

"But now we understand that being with family is far more important."

Selena blinked in surprise and hugged him tightly.

Tears were already forming at the corners of her eyes.

While everyone watched, Katrin approached.

"Our Selena owes you a great deal, Lady Tie."

Katrin had already heard the story about Selena and Tie through a communication artifact.

As an experienced businesswoman managing several trading houses, she quickly assessed Tie’s situation.

Tie, embarrassed, replied:

"It is okay! Selena is Tie’s friend, so it is not a favor!"

Katrin gently patted Tie’s head.

"How is that not a favor? Thank you for staying by our Selena’s side. It seems that even at such a young age, you are already running quite a large enterprise."

"Enterprise?"

"Of course. A mercenary squad °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° is also a business. In that sense, even though you are small, you are already an excellent entrepreneur."

A pleased expression slowly spread across Tie’s face.

"Yes! Tie is the boss!"

Katrin laughed loudly.

Then she removed a gold brooch with a pearl from her chest and pinned it onto Tie’s clothes.

"From one entrepreneur to another—if you need anything, come to me anytime."

After that, she gestured to one of the workers.

He stepped forward and handed Tie a black box tied with a gold ribbon.

"What is that?"

At Basto’s question, Katrin simply nodded for them to open it.

Tie untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.

"......Waa!"

Inside lay a round magical artifact with a glossy pink casing.

"Is that a communication artifact?!"

Bale rushed closer.

Enzo and Raul also approached curiously.

"Yes, a communication artifact. Normally, mercenaries are not issued such things, but I made a small effort."

Basto stared at Katrin in surprise.

"......Wait. Does that mean you have already obtained permission for Agavert to use this artifact?"

Katrin nodded.

"Our trading house has some involvement in finance, and one of our major clients is the son of the head of the Imperial Transmission Service."

Basto was momentarily speechless and looked away.

Meanwhile, Tie had already run to Selena and Newman, waving the artifact.

"Selena! Tie also has a kids phone now!"

"What is a kids phone?"

"This! You can call! And it is pink! Hehe!"

Katrin added with a smile:

"I do not like to boast, but our trading house has quite extensive connections. Sometimes that helps in difficult negotiations. Recently, mercenaries have also started coming to us."

"......Mercenaries?"

"Of course. Just recently, there was a case on the northern continent. Tregava had a conflict with the Church, and we helped resolve it."

Katrin made a small circle with her fingers.

"In short! Normally we charge mercenaries a monthly fee for such services, but Agavert is now practically family, so that will not be necessary."

She nodded toward Selena and Tie.

"May we occasionally allow our Selena to play with Tie? This is the first time she has grown so attached to a friend, and as a mother, I want to support their friendship."

Basto swallowed.

And nodded.

"......Of course. They are already too close to be separated."

As if confirming his words, Selena was already chatting lively with Tie.

About the color of the artifact, about Tie’s favorite character—Tanipange.

"Thank you very much."

Katrin bowed once more.

Then she looked over all the squad members.

"If you need anything—be sure to contact me. Through this artifact."

Soon, Katrin, along with the workers and Selena, left the mansion.

Tie, tightly clutching the new artifact, pressed herself to the window and watched as Selena’s family returned to the house across the street.

Two days later.

Agavert’s magic crystal sieges resumed.

Marbas could create only two enhanced circles per day.

One for the trip there, one for the return—that was enough.

Two more days passed.

Leonardo Luminel came to the mansion in secret.

"I have found a place where Lady Tie can attend for her studies."

The moment Tie heard this, she immediately ran upstairs and came back, hastily dressed.

Over her underwear—her uniform.

It looked ridiculous.

"Let’s go quickly! Right? Faster!"

Leonardo calmed her down, helped her dress properly, and seated her in the carriage.

When they arrived at the Luminel mansion, Tie ran inside and tightly hugged Valentis.

"Commander!"

It seemed she had already grown used to him and had completely lost her caution.

"Commander, have you been well?"

At her awkward attempt at politeness, Valentis smiled.

"Yes, I have been well. It seems you have been actively engaged in magic crystal sieges."

"Yes! Not being first place is shame!"

Valentis laughed.

It was the first time the squad members had seen him laugh like that, and they could not hide their surprise.

Tie then greeted Edmund and Alexander.

"Uncle Edmen, Uncle Alexanter, hello!"

"Yes, hello. The little King of the Dead looks energetic. Already 8th place, right?"

"Yes! Tie worked hard!"

"But you must always remember safety, Lady Tie. If you rush and get injured, it will be difficult for everyone."

"Yes! If I get hurt, Uncle Alexanter will heal me."

"That goes without saying, but it is better not to get injured at all. You need to stay healthy to continue sieges and attend your studies."

Tie gasped and lifted her head.

Then she ran back to Valentis.

"But there really is a place where Tie can go study?"

Valentis gave a quiet chuckle.

"Yes. Let us discuss it inside."

"Yesss!"

Tie nodded energetically and grabbed his hand.

When everyone moved into the meeting hall—

"I purchased two buildings in Flint Cove."

At those words, the squad members’ eyes widened.

Nordix asked:

"Buildings? You said—buildings?"

"Yes. One is a tavern at the edge of the trade district, the other is an old orphanage inside Flint Cove."

Nordix frowned.

"I understand the reason for purchasing the orphanage, but why a tavern......"

The butler handed Valentis a rolled parchment.

Unfolding it, he revealed a complex map.

"During my investigation, I learned that beneath Flint Cove there is an extensive network of underground tunnels. It covers almost the entire district."

Nordix’s mouth opened slightly.

Valentis looked around at everyone.

"By using these tunnels, it will appear from the outside that the King of the Dead goes to work at the tavern every morning."

"......."

"But in reality, it is different. Tie will go down into the tavern’s basement, pass through the tunnels, and arrive at the educational facility located deep within Flint Cove."