Investing in the Three Villainesses Gives Me Infinite Returns

Elias walked into the main manor and, for the first time since arriving in Kilmir, climbed the stairs and walked toward his office.

Apparently, Benjamin had ordered the room to be opened and cleaned in preparation for Elias’s meeting with Sermus.

Until now, Elias had never felt any reason to use the office, but considering that he had finally acquired a new servant, it seemed appropriate to have somewhere private to discuss matters.

When he pushed open the door, his gaze immediately fell upon the two crimson banners hanging on the left and right walls.

Each banner depicted a black lion roaring beneath a crimson mane.

Delhali.

The mythical creature had existed during the Era of Myths and Wonders, which had followed the Era of Gods, and it had become the symbol of the Crimson Ducal Clan after blessing their ancestors. The crimson mane was supposedly reflected in the clan’s most striking characteristic — their crimson hair.

Elias occasionally wondered whether the color itself had been named after the clan simply because everyone within the Crimson Ducal Clan possessed that distinctive hair.

After all, the Crimson Clan had existed even before the Era of Myths and Wonders.

He pushed the thought aside and examined the rest of the room.

Two long drawers stood against the left wall, while several empty bookshelves occupied the right. At the center sat a wooden table decorated with bronze filigree arranged in a floral rose pattern, with two chairs positioned on opposite sides. Behind one of them was a large window overlooking the garden.

A quill, several paper scrolls, and a handful of parchments sat on the table, held in place by a blue stone.

Elias removed the stone and picked up the parchments, quickly reading through them.

They contained detailed lists of everything Benjamin had purchased for the household, including supplies for the servants and even the old butler’s own pay.

”Guess they were not aware of how good he is at his job,” Elias mumbled, finding it difficult to believe the clan had knowingly handed such a competent servant over to him.

He placed the parchments inside the nearest drawer before walking toward the window and looking down at the garden.

The Sword Spirit floated on the opposite side of the glass, her ethereal body lazily suspended in the air.

”What are you going to do tomorrow?” she asked.

”I have a person in mind who most likely would not go along with whatever Berlic has planned,” Elias replied.

”You really think you can trust that knight, huh?” the Sword Spirit asked with a click of her tongue, shaking her head in disappointment.

”I really do. He has helped me before, after all,” Elias said with a faint smile. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

The Sword Spirit stared down at him with an emotionless expression before turning around.

”You trust people too easily.”

”Haha...” Elias let out an awkward chuckle and rubbed the back of his head. ”Maybe I do.”

For the next half hour, Elias remained in the office, thinking about the duel scheduled for tomorrow and wondering what Berlic was truly hoping to achieve.

The entire situation still made little sense.

If Berlic wanted Elias gone, there were countless ways to make things difficult for him, yet he had chosen to create a duel under the guise of proving Elias’s innocence. Even Berman had admitted that the original plan involved manipulating Elias’s opponent.

There had to be something more behind it.

While Elias was still deep in thought, a knock suddenly sounded against the door.

”My Lord,” Benjamin’s voice came from outside.

Elias lifted his head and answered, ”Come in.”

The door opened, and Benjamin entered with Sermus following closely behind.

Elias’s gaze immediately settled on the newly cleaned-up runesmith or gardener for now.

Sermus had tied his long, dark-green hair into a short ponytail, while his previous ragged clothes had been replaced by the simple garments of a servant. The dirt and dried mud covering his face had also been washed away.

Seeing his actual face, Elias confirmed that his earlier assessment had not been wrong.

The man looked somewhat human now, though he was as thin as a young tree.

”Sermus Flinn, I know that you are a Pathless runesmith, and that is the very reason I need you,” Elias said.

Sermus remained silent as Elias turned his attention toward the window.

”I know you have secrets. All of us do, and I am fine with you keeping them to yourself. However, if those secrets ever become a threat to me or anyone I care about, you will have to leave.”

Sermus lowered his head slightly before answering in his rough, raspy voice.

”I understand, Lord Crimson.”

Elias’s eyes narrowed faintly.

’Clan name instead of my given name... so he is from the Ruler’s Cradle.’

He didn’t question Sermus about it.

Instead, he looked toward Benjamin and said, ”Benjamin, tell him his duties and show him his room.”

Benjamin bowed respectfully.

”As you command, My Lord.”

The old butler then reached out, grabbed Sermus by the head, and forced him into a proper bow before beginning to lead him toward the door.

”Wait.”

Both men halted.

Benjamin turned around and asked, ”My Lord?”

Elias glanced at Sermus.

”Have him eat something first. He looks like he can die just from walking.”

”Ahem!”

Benjamin immediately cleared his throat, barely managing to suppress his laughter.

”As you wish, My Lord.”

He turned toward Sermus.

”Let’s go, Sermus.”

The two began walking away, but Elias remained standing in the office and watched them disappear through the doorway.

Once they were gone, silence returned to the room.

Elias slowly reached into his Inventory and retrieved a gold coin, rolling it between his fingers as his gaze settled upon the garden beyond the window.

The flowerbeds, the falling sunlight, and the rustling leaves were far more peaceful than what was approaching, and Elias knew very well that if it continued this way, it wouldn’t be long before the rift broke and turned into a hidden dungeon.

”Tomorrow, I am going to put an end to it,” he mumbled.