“Big sis, wait for me~~~”

“Don’t follow me. We’re not even close.”

“Wah, don’t be so cold!”

A maid being chased down the street by a female knight—such a scene was rare even in Golden Lion City’s noble district. To avoid drawing attention, I finally stopped and turned. Lilia skidded to a halt right before me, flashing an eager smile.

“Big sis, let’s go shopping together!”

“But… aren’t you on duty, Knight-sama? Is it really okay to slack off and leave your subordinates behind?”

Pfft—!

Lilia let out a groan. Looks like I’d hit a sore spot.

“If there’s nothing else, please allow me to take my leave.”

I bowed politely—but Lilia seized the chance, looping her arm through the puppet’s and snuggling up with practiced ease.

“Let’s go on patrol together!”

“Knight-sama, I still have work. Sorry, I can’t accompany you.”

“Big sis is so cold!”

This would never end. I chose to ignore her and headed straight for the Alchemists Guild. My membership card was Grade F; I needed at least Grade E. With this unusual arm accessory clinging to me, I stepped into the hall and checked the bulletin board. Low-tier commissions weren’t worth the effort, so I scanned the mid-tier section—and spotted something interesting: *Prepare 30 grams of metallic gallium.*

Oh ho. Reward: 1 gold coin. Worth a shot.

I tore down the slip and approached the counter. Amity was on duty again. The moment she saw my “accessory,” her professional smile stiffened, teetering on collapse.

“Please hand over the commission slip and membership card.”

“Sure.”

Before her composure shattered, I placed both on the counter, opened the Item Vault, and reached inside. Ancient Alchemy activated within. In one motion, 30 grams of gallium and a tiny glass vial materialized. Faint red sparks still danced at my fingertips as I set them down.

“The commissioned item.”

“O-okay… please wait.”

Amity kept glancing at Lilia—clinging to my arm, leaning against me. *Quite the accessory.*

Minutes later, she returned, bowing slightly as she handed back the coin and upgraded card.

“Your membership is now Grade E. Please keep up the excellent work!”

“Thank you.”

As I took it, Amity’s eyes kept flicking toward Lilia. I maintained the stance of *pretending she didn’t exist*.

“Amity, anything else?”

“S-sorry!” She surrendered. “Vice President Mante… would like to invite you for tea…”

“Mante? What’s that bastard up to *again*? Does he look down on the Knight Order?!”

Lilia erupted before I could speak. *Hmm. History between them?* Hehe. A chance to divert trouble elsewhere.

“Understood. I accept.”

“…Bringing the Knight Order’s tigress?”

“Hey! Who’s the tigress? Say that again!”

“Eek! I’m gonna get eaten!”

To me, Amity had become a trembling rabbit cornered by the tiger draped over my shoulder.

“Knight-sama,” I softened my tone, “my master is new here and needs connections. For a Guild newcomer, meeting leadership is wise—and part of my duty as her agent.”

“P-please follow me!”

Soon, Lilia and I sat on the second-floor reception sofa. Amity poured tea. The puppet couldn’t drink, so I left mine untouched. Lilia set her sword on her knees—ready to draw.

A middle-aged man entered. Around forty-five, high cheekbones, an aquiline nose, small gray eyes sharp as a fox’s. *Mante.* Younger than I remembered from ten years later.

“Welcome, alchemist’s servant… and Miss Lilia of the Knight Order.” He feigned warmth. “Such a… *coincidental* visit.”

*Not my fault. She wouldn’t let go.*

“I’m sorry, Vice President!” Amity bowed deeply. “My mistake!”

“No matter. You may go.”

“Y-yes!” She fled.

Mante closed the door, sat across the coffee table, and gestured gracefully.

“Bulda Island black tea. Won’t you taste it?”

I slightly shook my head, offering the faintest smile this puppet could manage—a cold one.

“Too kind, Vice President. This brew contains mint and dragon tongue grass extract. Delightful flavor… with a minor side effect. You know which one.”

*Magical defense drops.* Negligible normally—but Mante’s Demon Eye could exploit it. Too bad his Demon Eye was incomplete. Useless against higher magic. *I know. He tried it on me last life. I fell for it.*

“So we’ve met?”

“No. Never.”

Truth. I was six now. How could I have met Golden Lion City’s rising Guild star?

“Please believe I mean no harm.”

“No issue. Call it flavor enhancement. Dragon tongue grass sweetens the bitterness; mint adds cool clarity. Honestly? Perfectly brewed.”

“I’m glad you enjoy it.”

A prickly gaze shot from beside me. Lilia sniffed her cup.

“So… is the tea *bad*?”

“No,” I shook my head. “Harmless. Effect fades in thirty minutes. This brewing style was popular in the south.”

“Big sis, what *is* the side effect?”

“Lowers magical defense significantly.”

Lilia paused, glanced at her sword, then sipped. Her eyes lit up.

“Wow! No bitterness—just sweet fragrance. Better than milk!”

House of Northenberg clearly bought Bulda tea too. Northern nobles usually preferred milk or condensed milk.

“Mr. Mante,” I turned to him, “misunderstanding cleared. What message for my master?”

“Will she join the Alchemists Guild?”

“You’re too kind.” I showed the card. “She’s already a member.”

“My apologies. I meant… join the *leadership*. A very interesting position awaits.”

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow slightly. “Project lead for the Guild’s self-operated alchemy lab?”

Surprise flickered across Mante’s face.

*Same offer as last time. Trying to cage my alchemy. Turn me into their cash cow.*

Dream on.

“Regrettably, my master declines.”

Mante’s gaze sharpened. He scanned me head to toe. Puppet sensors detected his magic surging toward his eyes—forcing the Demon Eye. Useless. Missing two critical circuits.

His appraisal failed.

“A pity,” he said smoothly. “The offer stands. Should she reconsider, the Guild welcomes her.”

Today’s probing ended. Presences in adjacent rooms faded. If it came to blows? I wouldn’t lose. Lilia would stand with me. Mante would answer to House of Northenberg.

Leaving the Guild, Lilia bounced beside me down the commercial street.

“Big sis! Did you *see* it? Mante’s flustered aquiline nose—hilarious! Ahahaha! So satisfying!”

“Did the Knight Order and Guild clash?”

“Hmm…” She tapped her chin. “Over counterfeit coins. Thomas admitted spending fakes but couldn’t name the source. We suspected alchemical origin, wanted to search the Guild… clashed with leadership. Went nowhere.”

*I see. Counterfeits.*

They *were* alchemical. But not the Guild’s doing.

*Hehe. Lilia… the culprit’s right here.*

“Lilia. Slacking off again?”

“Eek—! Husband!”

She zipped behind me. I looked up. Freud stood there in casual wear—a sleek white coat lined with insulation gems.

*Damn. House of Northenberg really is rolling in money.*