CHAPTER 78……………………………………
Even though I had steeled myself and gone to the Cassius Trading House, I couldn’t obtain the information I wanted.
Not even a little.
“Does this make any sense?”
Sure, I had asked outright about “Kan,” but the Information Guild probably had no idea what I meant.
It could have been a person’s name, a specific location, or some other piece of information entirely.
From their perspective, all they needed to do was sell information—they wouldn’t have bothered bringing anything if they didn’t know.
That’s how merchants usually operate.
But the man responded flatly:
“There is no information on that person.”
He returned my earring, saying that since there was no information to provide, no payment was necessary.
At the time, I was simply baffled. But as time passed, unexpected suspicions began creeping in.
It wasn’t that someone had deliberately erased information—it was strange that no information existed at all.
“And why did I assume it was a person in the first place?”
Then there was only one possibility I could think of:
“‘Kan’ definitely exists.”
But for some reason, his existence had been concealed.
“Why?”
Exactly… why?
In the novel, his existence wasn’t particularly significant—at least not narratively.
Kan’s role was essentially Adrina’s aide, a dedicated informant who occasionally provided her with information she needed.
He wasn’t a major character, but because he was described as knowing a lot of information, I wanted to meet him if possible.
Now that he was shrouded in such secrecy, my curiosity had only grown.
“This is getting way too complicated.”
Suddenly, I wondered if I even needed to know this.
“It’s suspicious, but in reality, it doesn’t even concern me, does it?”
This was just a nail sticking out.
I could remove it and not have to worry further—but in the process, unnecessary harm might occur.
Sometimes, avoidance is the better solution.
“Besides… maybe I shouldn’t dig any deeper.”
Excessive curiosity often backfires.
It made me uneasy, but I decided to let go of my interest in it.
At first, it crossed my mind occasionally, but as I focused on my work, I gradually forgot all about Kan.
Around that time, I was invited to Adrina’s mansion.
After several days of requesting it from Cidheron, I finally secured a rare opportunity.
“Madam, thank you for coming.”
Adrina greeted me in a somewhat casual outfit.
Her long hair tied to one side, swept over her shoulder, revealed a different charm.
“Fashion really is all about the face!”
I followed her into the mansion, thinking something frivolous as always.
Like most noble residences, Adrina’s mansion was spacious.
Not as vast as the Grand Ducal estate, but the Rizen family was a high-ranking noble house with deep history and prestige.
Adrina led me to her room.
Normally, guests were taken to the reception hall—this felt a bit sudden…
But perhaps it meant she felt a certain fondness for me.
“Good things, good things.”
“Actually, I have a book I wanted to show you.”
“A book?”
…Could it be a novel?
“Does Adrina also enjoy novels, like me?”
When it was something I was familiar with, my mouth itched to talk.
Heh. I hate to brag, but I had spent the last seven years in the mansion, devouring countless novels…
“Are you aware that you possess a Neutral Attribute?”
“Huh?”
Why bring this up now? I was genuinely caught off guard.
Adrina gave me a gentle smile as she rose.
“You know there are said to be four attributes in the world. But there’s one more: the Neutral Attribute.”
Neutral Attribute… I was familiar with that.
“Why is she suddenly telling me this?”
Could she be testing me?
“But why test me?”
“…Isn’t that something that only appears in legends?”
I chose the most neutral answer.
“If it actually exists, would you believe it?”
“Well… it seems a little random.”
Ahaha. I gave an awkward smile.
Adrina looked at me meaningfully, then left the room briefly, saying, “Wait just a moment.”
So I had to sit quietly in Adrina’s room for the first time, waiting.
“Something feels off about this situation.”
At this time, she was denying her own Neutral Attribute. And yet she was telling me openly…
“What on earth is she planning to say?”
Fine. No need to overthink it. I’d soon find out anyway.
I stood and circled the room while waiting.
As expected, her room was as tidy and well-kept as she was.
My gaze landed on a small vial on the table.
“What’s this medicine?”
On closer inspection, it emanated a faint magical aura.
“I think I’ve heard of supplements infused with magic.”
It seemed similar.
I averted my gaze from the vial and sat quietly again, waiting for Adrina.
Before long, she returned holding a book.
“I thought the maid had already brought it, but she was mistaken. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“That’s fine, I haven’t waited long. But… what book is it?”
She handed me the book—it was about the Neutral Attribute.
“Again…”
Well, it made sense; it was a new attribute she had recently gained, so naturally she was interested.
I also had a shallow understanding from what I’d learned here.
A legendary attribute said to enhance other attributes when near someone and suppress side effects.
But since it manifested as an inexplicable mutation, it didn’t show outwardly in a significant way.
Ah, her attribute strength would be stronger than before? Of course, it varies per person.
For most Neutral Attribute holders, their ability would only be noticed if someone else recognized it.
Many would probably never realize their own ability before dying.
“What do you think about the Neutral Attribute?”
“Huh?”
Her sudden question made me pause.
But the answer came quickly.
“I think it’s fascinating, a good attribute.”
Of course—after all, the author created it for the heroine.
But Adrina seemed to feel differently.
“Is that so…”
She added a slightly bitter smile.
“Do you dislike the Neutral Attribute?”
“Yes. I don’t think it’s a good attribute.”
Currently, she probably resented her own power.
Why hadn’t it manifested sooner? Why now, after she’d given up everything?
I had pitied her for this when reading the original story—and I still did.
“She’ll eventually find happiness with it anyway.”
I couldn’t reveal everything about the original story, but a hint would be fine.
“I see it differently. The Neutral Attribute can be a blessing to many. There are probably a lot of people who desperately wish for it.”
Come on, Adrina—use that power to lure Cidheron!
Even if you don’t marry him, just catch his attention.
“…You really think so?”
“Yes? Of course.”
Luckily, my words seemed persuasive; her face brightened slightly.
“Thank you for saying that. I was quite skeptical about the Neutral Attribute.”
“Why?”
“Well… it’s strange. As you said, many desire this attribute—but why do I find it so unappealing?”
She said this with a sad expression, not exactly directed at me.
I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling while listening to her.
“Strange.”
Adrina was naturally pessimistic, but even accounting for that, it was odd.
“What’s strangest is that she invited me and is saying this.”
But even ignoring that, there were many peculiarities.
The world, the characters, the events—they all followed the novel.
Yet the protagonist’s story was unfolding differently.
It didn’t seem like this was simply because I had merged with the book.
Something fundamentally felt different. I couldn’t explain it, but I sensed it.
“Um, Adrina…”
“Oh! Sorry. I spoke carelessly in front of such a distinguished guest.”
“No, but why did you show me this book?”
Adrina smiled broadly.
“Because I am a Neutral Attribute holder.”
“Huh?”
Her shocking revelation left me wide-eyed.
The Neutral Attribute was the only thing Adrina possessed.
She kept her power secret until the end of the novel.
After being betrayed by everyone, she couldn’t trust anyone.
“But would she really tell me this so easily?”
“…May I ask why you’re telling me?”
“To become closer to you, if I may answer honestly.”
“Uh…?”
Was Adrina really this lively?
“I’m sincere. I like you.”
Seeing her grin at me, my mind spun even faster.
“Uh… um… thank you…?”
I barely managed to squeeze out words, and she, looking like she couldn’t hold back, said:
“Madam, do you know? You’re really cute.”
This woman casually bombards someone’s heart.
“You’re… beautiful too.”
I muttered awkwardly, and she laughed, clearly amused.
“Thank you. Usually, when people exchange compliments like this, they’re friends… Could we become good friends too?”
“Good friends…?”
In other words, she wanted to be friends.
A bit sudden, but friendship wasn’t such a grand concept to me.
You could become friends after one meeting, or two. We were on our third.
And it wasn’t just because she was the heroine.
Maybe I had desperately wanted a friend my own age—a peer to converse with as an equal.
“Alright.”
Seven years in this world, and I finally had someone I could call a friend.
…Though strangely, she didn’t feel quite like the Adrina I knew.
