Considering the debt we had and the fact that Amy was even working part-time, it seemed like anyone could know about our family's financial situation.
The time when the Cromwell estate was seized by creditors was when I was still young. Well, I only knew the fact that there was an estate called Cromwell at that time, but memories or recollections about the Cromwell estate were faint.
Instead, I spent more time at the mansion near the capital.
However, eventually, the mansion near the capital was also put up for auction just before I enrolled at Rodren Academy.
Thanks to that, I heard that Amy now lived in a small house located a little outside the metropolitan area.
Why am I thinking about this now...?
"Welcome, sir!"
I said straightforwardly to the real estate agent who greeted me cheerfully, mixing his voice with a nasal tone.
"Is the 'Apple Tree Mansion' in Welton Estate vacant?"
"Yes? Yes. Please wait a moment."
After examining some documents, he started flipping through them with his hand to find the property I mentioned.
Without realizing it, my gaze followed his hand.
I had no idea what had happened to the mansion after it went up for auction.
Perhaps a new owner had already appeared, and someone might be living there.
'But if William pays the deposit and takes out a loan, the Apple Tree Mansion should be more than enough.'
Since I would have had a substantial amount of money left over if it had gone into the seal ring, my thoughts could have extended to the mansion.
Getting a loan wouldn't be a problem since I could easily obtain it with the patents I possessed.
"Ah! Here it is."
Finally, it seemed he found it as he took out a document and showed it to me.
The document still had a photo of the long-missed mansion.
"This property is on hold for auction. It is currently under the jurisdiction of the royal family."
"How much is the price?"
"Well, upon checking, it's not a property for sale. I'm sorry, but you might need to visit the territory management department of the royal family."
Oh, so it's blocked like this.
Since it was Sunday, I wasn't sure if the royal family's related departments would be working.
Still, I felt reluctant to return to the academy like this, so I left the real estate agent and started walking.
It was the height of winter.
The city, transformed into a white landscape by the snowfall from the previous evening, warmed my heart despite the cold weather.
'I didn't realize when playing the game.'
Seeing it in person, it's even more beautiful than I imagined.
Normally, I would have taken a carriage and headed straight to my destination. But today, I decided to walk quietly along the streets.
As I walked, I suddenly noticed a shop where Amy was working.
'Still...'
My real family, the first one I've ever had.
The day we first met ended up being disappointing.
I recovered the ring, but I wanted to become a more respectable older brother.
I wasn't sure if they were working on Sundays, but now wasn't the time to reminisce about Amy, who was probably still working hard.
I caught a passing carriage and headed straight to the administrative district near the palace.
.
.
.
.
The Baron of Soslen, a one-generation noble in Rodren, sat with a discontented expression, crossing his legs.
"Why is it me on duty on a Sunday? Out of all the low-ranking officials, why me?"
Still, it was almost time for him to finish work, so he suppressed his discomfort and absentmindedly tapped his foot out of habit.
But contrary to his wish, someone knocked on the door of his office.
"Um, Your Excellency Soslen."
"What? What's the matter?"
"Count Cromwell has come for official business."
Count?
Startled, Baron Soslen quickly straightened up and spoke.
"Uh, ask him to come in."
But Cromwell? Which family was the Cromwell from?
Due to the unfamiliar name of the family, he tilted his head slightly.
During that time, Count Cromwell, who interrupted the peaceful moment, entered the room.
"What is it? So casual?"
Whether he knew about Baron Soslen's state of mind or not, Count Cromwell looked at the baron with a playful gaze.
"Oh, please have a seat here."
Following the Baron's guidance, Count Cromwell sat down and immediately began discussing the matter.
"Baron Soslen?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"I have a mansion that I want to purchase, but it belongs to the royal family, so it's not possible to buy it. Is there any way to acquire this mansion?"
"Where is this mansion located?"
"It's the Apple Tree Mansion in Wellington Estate."
"Please wait a moment."
Baron Soslen took out his tablet and searched for the mansion that Count Cromwell mentioned.
As he quickly scanned through the information, he discovered that the mansion was currently locked.
"It's locked? Why?"
Although he was momentarily taken aback by the unfamiliar situation, he quickly acted according to the manual.
"Um, Your Excellency, I'm sorry, but it seems difficult to acquire this mansion."
"Why is that?"
"It's not for sale."
If he says that, Count Cromwell will give up and leave, right?
Baron Soslen felt a sense of satisfaction, thinking that he had handled the unexpected situation wisely.
However, contrary to the baron's expectations, Count Cromwell took something out of his pocket and handed it to him.
"I can only offer you this right now. Why not give it a try?"
"Oh my. Your Excellency, we should not accept such a bribe..."
As soon as the baron spoke, his words dwindled as he inspected the object.
He wondered if he had seen it wrong, but out of curiosity, he swallowed his saliva.
"Your, Your Excellency, is this...?"
"It's an Everlast Potion. This is by no means a bribe, but a gift from me to you, who must be exhausted from working even on Sundays. I hope you accept it."
Everlast Potion?
The dream potion that can't be bought even with money due to lack of stock!
And as the baron looked at the potion, a light bulb moment flashed in his mind.
Count Cromwell? Could it be Adrius Cromwell?
The inventor of the Everlast Potion!
The baron knew he shouldn't do this, but without realizing it, he accepted the potion.
Then, as soon as he received the potion, Adrius leaned forward and asked.
"Why can't this mansion work?"
"Oh!"
Finally realizing his own actions, the baron groaned and bit his lip.
Even now, he tried to refuse the potion by reaching out his hand, but the yellow liquid inside the potion silently tempted him.
'His Majesty Beckman has been desperately searching for it lately. If I can prove its authenticity...'
Although not immediately, there might be a path to becoming an established noble in the future.
Observing the baron's hesitation, Adrius reached into his pocket and pulled out another potion.
"Well, I don't have many of these, but you seem to be working too hard. Take this and gather some strength."
"Y-Your Excellency! I should not accept something like this..."
"Oh! I had another one! Here, take it."
...There were too many potions to refuse.
With hands respectfully clasped together, the baron received the potions, and with a loyal gaze, he looked at Adrius and began operating the tablet.
"Why are there so many lock mechanisms for just one mansion?"
He started to feel a little scared, but he decided to tightly close his eyes for the sake of a brilliant future.
However, as the baron encountered difficulties that he couldn't resolve within his own authority, he turned to Adrius and spoke.
"It seems that I need to report this to my superiors. Please wait a moment."
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes. It's because I need the authority of a higher rank than mine to handle this issue. It will take a little while to seek assistance."
"Alright. I'll wait."
The Baron of Sozlen immediately dialed his superior, Lord Wodlen, using the magic communication device.
He knew it was impolite to make a call on a holiday, but having three potions made him indifferent to any scolding.
― Ah, hello there. Baron Sozlen. Do you know what day it is today?
"I apologize. Right now, Lord Cromwell is here at the office to purchase a property, but it seems to be locked..."
― Locked? Can't you handle it? If it's locked in the first place, you should politely refuse, shouldn't you?
"Well, that's..."
After pondering for a moment, the baron decided to reveal a small piece of information.
On top of that, he made up his mind to sacrifice one potion, despite feeling a little reluctant.
"...It has come to this."
― Adrius Cromwell, huh. Well, I guess there's no choice then. Understood. But in return, make sure you get one bottle for me.
"Of course, Your Excellency."
After ending the call, the baron smiled at Adrius, conveying that the matter had been resolved.
"Oh! It's done. The lock has been completely released..."
Examining the contents on the tablet, the baron couldn't find anything strange no matter how closely he looked.
Why would they go to such lengths to lock it?
At that moment, Adrius asked, "Why was it locked?"
"Yes? Oh, it's nothing. Sometimes, cursed properties or those with peculiar circumstances have locks. It's nothing to worry about."
Was it really nothing to worry about?
Even though he said it himself, the baron couldn't help feeling puzzled, but fortunately, Adrius remained silent.
Instead, he seemed lost in thought, staring into empty space.
"Um, Lord Cromwell?"
"Hmm?"
"First, let's compare the purchase price with the prices of neighboring estates. What do you think?"
After confirming the price, Adrius nodded his head and said, "Let's proceed with the purchase immediately."
"Yes. Oh, by the way, in addition to the purchase price, there will be taxes, management fees, and cleaning costs. Is that acceptable to you?"
"Hmm. Did I lack sincerity? I thought I showed enough sincerity... "
"Haha! Are the management fees and cleaning costs even worth mentioning? Just the fact that you're willing to purchase it is something to be grateful for. I will take care of it."
"Thank you."
With that, Adrius immediately paid the full amount and received the property documents. As he left, the Baron of Sozlen let out a sigh.
It wasn't a particularly difficult task, but he felt somewhat uneasy, as if he had done something illegal.
No, this isn't illegal. He bought a property at a fair price with known issues. If anything, it was a good thing.
By the way, why were there so many locks on the property?
Grumbling to himself, the baron once again inspected the property Adrius purchased to make sure there were no further issues.
.
.
.
.
'Locked, huh...'
He couldn't be sure of the exact intention behind it, but it seemed like they didn't want to sell it.
He didn't know who or why it was locked, but at least he had recovered it, so it was probably for the best.
'I was able to buy it at a lower price than expected.'
He had considered taking out a loan, but now he had less to worry about.
On the way back, he glanced at the store where Amy was working once again.
Summoning his courage, he entered the store.
"Welcome."
It was a different employee from last time who greeted him.
Looking around, he asked her, "Is Amy Cromwell here by any chance?"
"Yes? What can I help you with?"
"I'm Amy's older brother. Can I ask you to do one more shift today?"
"Amy? She just finished work."
I thanked her for letting me know and went back outside.
Then, I hurriedly made my way to the train station.
Upon arriving at the station, it was already evening and the platform was crowded with people heading home from work.
Among them, it wasn't easy to spot Amy.
"Amy!"
Even if it was a bit embarrassing, I decided to use the most basic method.
"Amy Cromwell!"
As I started calling out at the station, people around me gave me strange looks and walked past, avoiding me.
I didn't care about what others thought.
I called out Amy's name once again in search of her.
"Amy Cromwell!"
"What are you doing?"
I turned my head at the voice with a touch of annoyance coming from behind.
There was Amy, glaring at me with eyes like a goblin.
"Amy."
"What on earth are you doing? Making a scene in such a crowded place!"
I simply smiled and gently petted her head as I spoke.
"Amy, you don't have to work anymore."
"Why are you suddenly saying that? Did something happen?"
"This."
I handed her the house deed.
"What's this? And what about the ring?"
She asked while her gaze shifted towards my hand.
Upon seeing the signet ring on my finger, Amy's eyes showed a mixture of relief and anger as she narrowed her eyes.
"So you found the ring. Do you think that will calm me down?"
"Amy, read this."
As she glanced at the document I handed her, her expression gradually changed, becoming more peculiar.
"What is this? Why does it have your name on it?"
"I bought it. And now you don't have to work anymore."
Amy, who didn't quite understand, listened as I calmly explained.
The work I did in the academy, creating potions and earning money from it.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Your card will be credited with a considerable amount soon. I took care of that."
Amy remained silent for a moment, staring at the document.
Then, she handed it back to me.
"I know what you're talking about. But for now, you should keep this."
She took a deep breath, her voice trembling with emotions.
"I thought you could handle it. After all, you're the head of House Cromwell. So I believed you would definitely make it work."
"Yeah."
"Now, can I take a break?"
"Sure."
I embraced Amy, who seemed overwhelmed, and said,
"You've worked hard."
Feeling her trembling, I made a promise once again.
You've done well, Amy. Now it's my turn to take care of things.