Chapter 6
Cecile’s violet eyes gleamed with intelligence as she spoke, and her face radiated confidence.
And more than anything, she possessed a strange and powerful charisma that was hard to believe came from an eight-year-old.
Isaac hesitated for a moment before giving her a gentle smile.
“Well now, I thought the tall young lady over there was the client, but it seems I was mistaken.”
He tapped his finger on the desk and grinned.
“A job from the Bartolomew Ducal Estate? Sounds like an interesting case. Shall we hear the details, little lady?”
* * *
“Let’s see here… according to the sharp young lady before me,”
Isaac said as he extended his fingers one by one after hearing Cecile’s lengthy explanation.
“There are three main things needed to improve the conditions at the Bartolomew estate. First, hiring additional staff. Second, cleaning the mansion. Third, checking and restocking supplies.”
‘As expected, he gets straight to the point.’
Cecile had known of his abilities for quite some time.
Naturally so—Isaac Goldman was destined to become the Empire’s top freelance fixer.
Well, not yet exactly—but he would be, in about ten years.
‘Goldman was one of the people who hunted me.’
There had been many who pursued Cecile, but Isaac had been among the most dangerous.
‘I still remember nearly dying by his twin swords. My heart almost gave out.’
She could still vividly recall the day.
It had been when she left her hideout to gather herbs. Out in the pitch-black forest, she had been ambushed by Isaac.
Even though she’d already been quite a powerful mage back then, she hadn’t sensed his presence at all.
She still remembered the cold steel pressing against the back of her neck, and the strong arms that tightened the more she struggled.
And now, the man with those calm, moonlit eyes—once so chilling—was the same friendly-faced man sitting before her.
It was hard to believe, even with a twenty-year gap.
‘I managed to fight him off in the end, but I was seriously injured. Couldn’t leave my hideout for two weeks.’
Isaac had initially pursued her for the bounty, but later joined the forces of one of her greatest enemies.
And even after that, he had nearly taken her life multiple times.
‘He almost killed me a few times, but I don’t hold a grudge.’
Cecile reflected.
‘I did enough evil to deserve it. And in the process of being chased, I learned quite a bit about him. His personality, for one.’
Sometimes, you come to know your enemies better than your allies.
Cecile believed that the information you exchange with crossed weapons held more truth than any conversation ever could.
‘Aside from his obsession with money, he’s surprisingly decent and trustworthy. Someone I can rely on for this job.’
Although Isaac had initially chased her for the bounty, witnessing her countless crimes had stirred in him a genuine sense of justice.
Eventually, realizing he couldn’t take her down alone, he joined the forces of Holy Knight Valentine Kerberios from the Grand Temple.
‘They were relentless enemies—he and the Bartolomew Duke. I really hope I never meet them again in this life.’
While Cecile was lost in thought, Isaac spoke again.
“You came to the right place. All three tasks are a piece of cake for me.”
“So, you’ll take the job?”
“If it’s for the Bartolomew estate, I’d love to help. But, young lady, there’s a problem.”
“And what is that?”
Isaac clasped his hands and smiled brightly.
“I understand you’re very clever. But the fact remains that you’re eight years old and have—pardon me—zero financial control.”
“…”
“That means this contract doesn’t really hinge on you. It depends on Duke Bartolomew, who holds the purse strings. Even if you want to hire me, it’s all pointless if the duke doesn’t agree, no?”
Saying so, Isaac rose from his seat and glanced out the window.
“It seems you haven’t even asked for the duke’s permission or opinion. In that case, I can’t make a firm commitment either. A shame, really. You’d be my youngest-ever client, and I wanted to say yes if I could.”
Despite the rejection, Cecile didn’t look the least bit flustered.
In fact, she secretly smiled.
‘Just as expected.’
“You’re being cautious because you’re afraid of being rejected, aren’t you?”
For the first time, a crack appeared in Isaac’s composed demeanor.
He turned to her, eyes wide. It was the first time he’d looked genuinely surprised since she walked in.
Trying to regain his composure, he laughed it off.
“My, what a cheeky young lady. That’s quite the joke—”
“It’s no joke. Despite all your talent, your office is practically empty. Why? Because you’re a heretic.”
Cecile pointed to a wall in the office.
An old tapestry hung there—unlike anything she’d ever seen in the imperial palace.
It depicted a massive tree with sprawling branches, surrounded by strange religious symbols.
Beside it sat a candelabrum with multiple arms—something quite unusual.
“You’re a follower of the Tetra faith, right? That’s why you’ve been shunned despite your skills. This country doesn’t treat heretics well.”
The Empire had a state religion—The Temple of the Divine, run by the Grand Temple.
For centuries, the Empire had rejected any faith outside of it.
Isaac belonged to a minority group with its own religion, and that was why, despite his brilliance, he had never received the recognition he deserved.
‘In my past life, he eventually converted to the state religion after joining the Holy Knight. Maybe because of the knight’s influence… or because his desire to kill me was just that strong.’
Even after he gained recognition and fame, he hadn’t seemed happy.
Though Cecile had been his enemy, it wasn’t a sight she had liked seeing.
But Cecile had no aversion to heretics. After all, she herself had been a dark sorceress. What could be worse?
And she knew the same was true for Duke Bartolomew.
“You’ve thought about what it’d be like to work without hiding your faith, right? Duke Bartolomew doesn’t care what god his employees believe in. All he cares about is competence. Isn’t he the perfect employer for you?”
Cecile knew exactly how to speak to reach someone’s heart.
She had once been a dark mage who led countless people astray, after all.
“And you’re the perfect employee for him. You work for money, not reputation. The duke has such a bad reputation it’s hard to even hire servants. Someone like you would be a godsend.”
Every word, every expression, every small gesture had been calculated with Isaac in mind.
“So? Doesn’t it feel worth the risk of rejection?”
Cecile smiled as she finished.
And even before she was done speaking, she knew she’d succeeded.
Because Isaac had that dazed, enchanted look on his face.
He blinked slowly, then rubbed his forehead.
“How could a kid… Seriously, you don’t talk like an eight-year-old. What are you, a third-life reincarnation or something?”
Cecile just shrugged, unfazed.
“I’ve been called a once-in-a-century genius more times than I can count.”
