Chapter : 06

“I’m your contract divine beast! The more you’re recognized in the North, the stronger I become. But right now you are…”

…Squirrel omitted the rest, but I knew.

My position was objectively terrible.

Because of my unrecognized status, the current Squirrel seemed to be about at the level of a ‘cute grandpa who squeaks.’

Then, Squirrel spoke.

“But… There’s something I can help you with. Instilling **courage** in you! The most important thing for you right now. That’s **courage**.”

Squirrel’s words sounded like nonsense, but no, they weren’t wrong.

‘Actually, I was a little nervous, but now that Squirrel encouraged me, I feel completely fine!’

The moment each of Squirrel’s words pierced my ears, I felt like my powerless past self was gradually being erased.

‘Right, let’s do this! Anyway, Raphael is right in front of me!’

Compared to yesterday when I couldn’t even meet him, this was tremendous progress!

Just having courage made such a difference.

At the same time, somehow strange details caught my eye.

Old tapestries embracing the cold walls of the castle. Small candlesticks. And faint rays of light coming through the windows…

After a few seconds passed, I confidently lifted my chin.

“As you said, I’d like to draw a small sketch within ten minutes. …The subject will be this room.”

“If you go over time, I won’t accept it. I’ve already turned the hourglass and roughly 2 minutes and 30 seconds have passed.”

Oh no…!

But even so, it was fine.

I recalled memories from before my regression, when I used to inspect the castle’s interior safety with Raphael.

“Did you stay up all night again? Everyone was saying that. Why are you such a perfectionist, Raphael…”

“If one building goes wrong, people die. Many people at that.”

“Ah, that’s…”

“And everything’s better when it’s neat. Your mind doesn’t get scattered. Doesn’t it make you feel better too? That’s all there is to it. Anything else to say?”

Raphael was someone with his own philosophy and sensibilities.

That’s why I liked him.

Although before my regression, there was a collapse accident due to an unexpected disaster that no one could have predicted…

‘I know why you work so hard, so I definitely want to help.’

My pen moved quickly with scratching sounds.

***

Serenthia’s smile has no effect whatsoever on Raphael.

His abilities are also perfectly controlled.

After recalling these two perfect premises, Raphael received the sketch with a stern expression.

And what entered his eyes was…

“You’re not good at drawing.”

At the crude sketch, the corner of his mouth twisted up crookedly to one side.

But just as those words ended, he could see the tiny writing scribbled below.

[Improvement Suggestions]

The crude arches and even cruder furniture, along with the old tapestries, don’t match this space’s identity.

[Rearrangement Strategy]

Create a vertical axis with partition walls to make a space within a space.

The materials for the partition walls would be…

[Concept Conclusion]

Rather than general spatial design, I want to reconstruct through organization.

The details are…

After reading this far.

Raphael recalled Serenthia’s voice he had heard below the castle walls.

“I’m actually a genius architect, you know. I can read clients’ minds.”

Beep, beep, beep.

With noisy sounds, the sand in the hourglass fell completely to the bottom.

And at that very moment, Raphael’s mouth twisted slightly.

However…

“You couldn’t read my mind though.”

First attempt failed.

As Serenthia’s eyes widened greatly, Raphael’s mouth twisted slightly once more.

“Come into the meeting room. Let’s try one more test.”

…The first attempt wasn’t a failure. It meant postponed.

***

The moment I entered the meeting room inside Raphael’s study.

“But, hon…”

“Honey is forbidden.”

How could this be.

Our third meeting in total.

My pattern had been completely figured out by Raphael.

“Ah, yes. Then dar…”

“Darling won’t work either.”

Somehow I felt like I might get a little dejected by his cold words…

“Overcome it! Flirt! Stick right next to him! Think of your lovey-dovey newlywed life!”

Lovey-dovey newlywed life…!

Encouraged by Squirrel’s advice, I clenched both fists and revealed my serious inner thoughts.

“Yes, you’re somewhat picky but cute.”

At my words, Raphael muttered expressionlessly.

“Cute, what? I think I heard wrong.”

Only then did I start to realize what I had said, but…

I was gradually learning how to put on a poker face.

After rolling my eyes around, I opened my mouth.

“…Well, that’s not important. Anyway, honey, I mean Your Grace.”

Raphael pointed out dryly.

“You already called me honey.”

“It was a mistake. Husband, I mean, Your Grace. Anyway, I’d like to ask what kind of test you’re planning…”

“Create architectural plans for one small building.”

“Oh, a commission…”

“Absolutely not.”

How prickly.

But I was smiling inside.

‘Hehe. Successfully slipped in the word husband.’

Smiling contentedly in my heart, I nodded at Raphael’s words and said.

“Then the building I’m to design, what kind of building for what purpose will be built on what site?”

Instead of answering, Raphael held out some documents.

And the moment I saw the title of the documents, my eyes widened greatly.

Squirrel muttered lowly in my ear.

“We’re doomed, such a huge project from the start…!”

Did my eyes widen in shock like Squirrel’s?

No?

Because I was so happy!

[Lady Isidel’s 【Epinetia Salon】]

“Isidel Kairozen. This is a salon that my aunt, who’s responsible for high society and family internal affairs, will be using.”

In terms of architectural scale, it was the smallest project.

But the ‘salon project’ was the key to breaking ground on Northern Reconstruction and…

‘Perfect as a starting point!’

I nodded with a fluttering heart.

“The design fee is 10% of the total construction cost. Double the typical design fee of 5%.”

“And if my design is adopted, I’ll receive the title of 【Kairozen Castle Collaborative Architect】, correct?”

Raphael’s eyebrows shot up.

“…You’re well informed.”

Each noble family has a ‘collaborative architect’ system.

Architects who take complete responsibility for designing major buildings within the territory are recognized as ‘collaborative architects’ and officially treated as retainer-level members of the family.

Due to the nature of Kairozen Castle where reconstruction of major buildings has been delayed, there are currently only ten ….

But those people were all appointed by the previous Grand Duke and are on the verge of death!

In other words, I’m the only collaborative architect who can work in the field at this point!

“I’m really very excited!”

It was like taking the first step toward gaining recognition at Kairozen Castle.

If I keep gaining recognition like this, Squirrel will also grow considerably and help me, and I can stick close to Raphael under the pretext of being a ‘capable architect’!

‘Everything works out in my favor in many ways!’

As I smiled with satisfaction, Raphael showed me a simple contract and said indifferently.

“I didn’t know you had ambitions in design.”

“No, I have ulterior motives in other areas?”

“…Not ambitions, but ulterior motives?”

As Raphael’s eyes narrowed and Squirrel’s voice, which had been chattering telepathically, quieted with suspicion.

I spoke with all sincerity.

“Yes. I plan to properly design this salon and become completely close friends with Lady ‘Isidel Kairozen’!”

“…And then?”

“Then I just made a plan to strategically approach her husband. H-how does that sound?”

…I stuttered slightly at the end, but I had revealed my grand ambition nonetheless.

Looking at me, Raphael rested his chin on his hand and said quietly.

“That’s the worst plan.”

“Yes, I’ll do my absolute best!”

Actually, I was nervous because I was making plans in my head to approach Raphael.

So I didn’t really hear what he said properly.

I looked at Raphael with sparkling eyes.

He had a strangely deflated expression for some reason….

“Ah! Then shall we have dinner together right away?”

“It’s early morning now, and I have no thoughts of eating.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

But there’s only one reason my eyes sparkled even at his cold words.

Because I met Raphael today.

On my way back to the guest room with a joyful heart.

Squirrel handed me an acorn with a strangely worried expression.

[Serenthia’s Sweet and Loving Survival Mission♥ First One!]

【Kairozen Castle】 Outer Castle ‘Social Area’

Build the 【Epinettia Salon】!

※ Squirrel’s 【Special Hidden Reward】 included!

And then declared solemnly.

“The outer castle of 【Kairozen Castle】 has five total areas. The collapsed areas of 【Kairozen Territory】 also number five. When these are completely rebuilt, what was abandoned and forgotten in this land will return.”

“What was abandoned… and forgotten?”

Then could Raphael’s forgotten memories also return?