I have to hypnotize you, Aura!

If he weren't a good person, why would he think of adopting a child? Although there was a reason for it to be for Frilian's sake, the main reason was that Haita wanted to raise Philon, this displaced child.

While in the city, he idly eavesdropped on conversations among passersby, and overheard some things about Haita... This guy had served as a bishop in the capital and the Holy City for the past few decades.

While holding a high position, he did not indulge in extravagance like other powerful figures, nor did he use the wealth and fortune given to him by religion to profit himself. Instead, he devoted himself to serving ordinary people day after day, often appearing in alleys to provide free medical care to the poor.

He admired people like that, and he'd heard that Haita could even cure kidney problems... Well, being a monk is a good profession.

"Is that so?...But..."

Philon's eyes clearly showed that she didn't believe it.

After all, she had just witnessed Fingel brutally beating a 70-year-old man two days ago. It was hard to imagine that the uncivilized young man would respect Haita... If he really respected him, would he have hit him?

[Philon has slight doubts about what you said]

[Favorability-enhancing keywords generated... Successfully implanted]

[Affection Level: 108 (Friendly)]

"Haha, never mind all that—come see the gift I brought you." Fingel magically produced a wooden box from 'empty space.' "After all, this is our first meeting, so as the elder, I should give you a gift."

While running at full speed, he used illusions to conceal the suitcase containing the desserts in order to hone his skills.

"Gift?"

Philon was slightly dazed. She had only received gifts from Haita and Frilian before. Was there another one now?

In the relatively scarce medieval world, gift-giving among commoners was something that only happened between very close friends and family, and it mostly consisted of worthless trinkets.

Therefore, Philon was quite happy.

[Philon's favorability towards you +10]

【Philan's favorability rating: 118】

Wow, kids are so easy to bribe.

Fingel was secretly amazed. Compared to Frilian, Flame, and even Aura, who was a bit difficult to deal with, the child's favorability was much easier to raise.

Oh, it's just too small.

He felt a little regretful, wondering why he had transmigrated a little later, perhaps around the time the main storyline of the original novel began.

That's really something.

Fingel felt it was a bit of a pity, but there was nothing he could do about it; you can't have all the good things in life.

"Right? Do you like it? This is a cake exclusively for nobles."

Fingel explained with a smile.

cake?

Philon's eyes lit up instantly, sparkling like stars. Her little hand unconsciously rose slightly, then she immediately withdrew it shyly.

"But...it's not my birthday today! I can't accept your gift."

Fingel felt like he was about to burst into tears; that's more like it.

What do you think of some people?

Others only ask for gifts on their birthdays, but some people ask for gifts on holidays like 214, 38, 520... I don't know where they come from all year round. Philon's values ​​are as pure as a blank sheet of paper.

It's unpleasant to receive a gift from someone else, but it's very pleasant to give one yourself with a sense of ritual.

He hates beggars.

“Gifts aren’t something you only get on birthdays,” Fingel said with a smile. “You can give a gift anytime you want.”

Philon refused, demonstrating his exceptionally high level of manners.

"But... Lord Haita said that it's impolite to accept gifts from strangers."

She looked at the cake with some reluctance... she really wanted to eat it, her little mouth was practically drooling with desire.

What child doesn't like desserts? Even Philon likes them, but being sensible, she doesn't want to trouble the poor Haita.

"What stranger? ...Am I a stranger?" Fingel tactfully put on a dark face. "You could call me dad without any problem."

?

Philon instinctively looked towards the departing family... his father?

These were words that were too distant for her.

'Finger has already put it that way, wouldn't it be impolite to refuse?'

After much hesitation, Philon decided to accept it.

"Thank you, Lord Fingel. I will appreciate any gift you give. Are these cakes you brought?"

"I really like it, and I'm very happy!"

?

Fingel raised an eyebrow; he had bought more than just that.

Who knows, I might travel back in time, so it would be good to buy something that can be stored for a long time as a souvenir.

"Um...no, the cake is indeed for you, but this isn't the gift."

Fingel took out his gift.

After all, this is the capital city; you can get good stuff by spending some money. He found the location of a jewelry store that caters exclusively to the nobility, and with his attire, skin that clearly showed he hadn't done much work, and his demeanor, he easily gained the store's trust.

After spending almost all the money he had begged from the city's thugs, Fingel hastily made a few simple silver and emerald rings.

To be honest, giving a little girl a ring is a bit strange, but he couldn't think of anything else to buy for the time being.

As a modern person, his concept of gifts is slightly different. He always feels that it is good to give something useful and to have a sense of ritual.

"This is it... Do you like it? But the size might be a bit too big for you."

"To be precise, it's a gift for you in the future."

However, he may not be able to see it.

Although it was a bit of a pity, and she was unwilling to give up on Yubel or other girls from outside... Fingel still had some reservations.

That is, one must be responsible for what has been done, while what has been done is ultimately relatively illusory.

Otherwise, wouldn't it have been better to have Flame kill Aura directly, gain her trust, build a good relationship, and slowly make it to base?

He just didn't want to do that.

On the other hand, to be honest, he couldn't quite accept that Flame was dead.

How many times has it been?

So Fingel wants to go back, back to a thousand years ago.

He pondered, his thoughts drifting into the distance... Maybe a year at most? He'll explore the world a thousand years in the future for a while before returning.

'Besides, according to Frilian, ...I went back a thousand years ago. What would happen if I chose to grow old and die in the world a thousand years in the future?'

There are too many theories about time, and he dared not go too far—for the sake of his life, he had no intention of fighting against the entire world.

As he was pondering, the little girl exclaimed in surprise.

"Lord Fingel, where did you buy this style of ring?"

[Philon has serious doubts about you!]

[Favorability-enhancing keywords successfully implanted!]

【Favorability +10】

【Affection Level: 128 (Friendly)】

Suddenly, Philon's eyes widened, her pink lips opened into a small "O" shape, and she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

This is exactly the same ring that her parents left her!

According to her parents, this was left behind by their ancestors... It is said that their ancestors were nobles, but their branch of the family declined.

"Please tell me, this is important to me!"

Philon asked very urgently.

"Ah... it's a shop exclusively for the nobility in the capital, but I designed the styles myself..."

"What, you don't like this style?"

Fingel didn't understand what was happening.

"Ah... I see, it's nothing, Lord Fingel."

Philon took a deep breath and put on a somewhat forced smile.

The clever girl quickly came up with a possibility.

Could it be... that Lord Fingel is my ancestor? Then... what should I call him?

Father? No, no, it should be our ancestor... So... I have another relative now?

Philon's mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts... This was just too absurd.

[Philon has serious doubts about you]

[Philon has mild doubts about you]

【Philen.....】

Fingel took Philon home, and along the way, the boy's forehead was constantly covered in questions, leaving Fingel wondering what the boy was thinking.

Well, is this a good thing?

Because the favorability rating increased quite quickly.

...

When it was time for dinner, Fingel placed the cake on the table and began to prepare the meal.

However, compared to yesterday, Haita is still staying in the city and cannot return for the time being.

"Frilian, I have a gift for you."

Fingel took out a piece of material wrapped in parchment and placed it on the table.

Frillie has slight doubts about what you said.

[Entry about producing physiological responses]

[Implantation successful]

"A gift? Why would you suddenly think of giving me a gift... That's strange." A hint of surprise flashed in Frilline's eyes. "Is this some kind of apology?"

"Just say so."

Fingel gave a casual reply and then started cutting the cake; he quite liked it too.

"Huh...what a coincidence, this is exactly the material I need!" Lillian slightly widened her calm, lake-like eyes, and the corners of her lips curled up almost imperceptibly for a moment. "How did you know I wanted to buy this? Do you have mind-reading abilities? It feels a little disgusting."

[Mind-reading terminology is now available...]

[Did Fingel secretly ask Haita? Seriously, lately I'm thinking of a word to describe him...tsundere?]

The female elf was in a very good mood.

"When you're saying it's disgusting, can you please not take the gift?" Fingel's expression darkened as he looked at this idiot's idea. "It makes you look weird. Or should I give it back to you?"

What disgusting setting is this damn female elf trying to add to me?

The tsundere trait only applies to loli-like, blonde, ponytail-wearing beauties.

Oh, big breasts and long, straight black hair seem like a good option too.

"No way! There's no reason to give a gift back after you've already given it away!"

Frillie wouldn't return it to him; she wouldn't easily accept a gift from anyone else... but Fingel?

As Flamer once said, "If it's a nobleman like Fingel, who is rich but heartless and indulges in extravagance because he is a nobleman, don't hesitate to spend his money as much as possible!"

After losing the support of a certain nobleman, and not wanting to ask Aura and Celia for help, as well as her consistently poor and unwilling-to-be-subordinate nature, Frilian earned money by doing odd jobs for some townspeople and villagers.

This guy has absolutely no concept of money or time. Sometimes he works hard for months, half a year, or even a year or two just to buy some expensive, seemingly impressive things that are actually completely useless.

She doesn't usually have a concept of making money; she eats her way through life, so she has to work hard to earn money to buy things.