"Please don't misunderstand. I wasn't investigating you. Sherry and I are friends—she mentioned it in a letter."
Seeing Phield frown, Elsa immediately realized she had crossed a line and raised both hands slightly in a placating gesture.
"Forgive me for speaking so bluntly earlier. I was thinking entirely from your perspective. Do you understand? When a noble lady's words sound unpleasant to you, that may be when she's being sincere."
"Oh?" Phield suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.
"You could keep your title and move away from the Northern Province. That's something you'd want as well, isn't it? To be honest, I wouldn't want you staying in such a dangerous place either. A talented knight like you should serve the Empire."
She paused slightly before adding,
"One divine artifact in exchange for a piece of land—that's absolutely a profitable deal."
"Serving the Empire is only natural. When I eliminate the corpses in the North, I'm serving the Empire as well."
