There was no security around the Mayor's house when Layla walked, and Ehm was carried into his estate. The guards on duty had already fallen asleep because they were tired and did not even stir when Mary walked past them.

Before anyone knew it, Layla and her company stood before the Mayor with tightly clenched fists, waiting for someone to answer.

They waited an hour, but no one came to say a word to them.

Finally, Layla had enough if it signaled for Mary to put her down and check up on things.

The demon maid looked too happy to do this, making Layla slightly sorry for the people facing her. But her food was also offset by the fact that she had to wait this long.

Mary entered the office and came back dragging a man thrice her size easily.

The dazed man blinked a few times as his massive mass tried to get up but failed repeatedly.

"I-Is this a dream? Ah, what else can it be but a dream? There is no way someone as tiny and petit as this maid could drag me out otherwise."

The mayor commented as he rubbed his eyes. He still looked half-asleep when Mary put him before Layla to stand.

"Miss, would you like to take it from here, or should I continue what I was doing?"

Mary asked with a smile on her face.

Layla's face lacked taunt, which took her aback. She clenched her fists to stop herself from commenting.

Instead, she looked at the huge man in front of him before making her demand.

"I want the deed to that mine south-left of this village. I want to buy the abandoned mine in the name of Duke Lockhart."

Layla offered, but the half-asleep mayor jolted at her request.

"T-That mine? Do you want that mine as well? What is with all the people demanding that mine's rights for themselves? You are the third person to come here for it in the past few months."

The mayor spilled the beans, and it took Layla by surprise.

No one else should know about the mana stone cave at this point…

'Wait! Just because the readers were not aware of this cave does not mean that others were careless and did not know about this cave as well. This was a miscalculation on my part.'

It was a miscalculation, but not a huge one. There was no way any ordinary person could process anything in that mana stone mine without purification.

Purification of the needed scale required resources and the temple's interference.

The temple would only agree to any request if the other person offered the temple a 50% share.

That meant that Layla had time on her hands.

"So, did you sell the mine already? If so, you need information on where and when you sold it. I want you to tell me as much as you can."

Layla demanded, and her authoritative voice and figure made the man blink in shock at her.

The man opened his mouth and closed it as soon as he opened it in shock. He looked uncomfortable as he faced Layla but then gathered his wits to answer her.

"I…have not sold the rights to the mine yet. I cannot sell it since it is ancestral land. I am sorry-"

The mayor started apologizing, but Mary acted faster, cupping the mayor's face in her delicate but strong hands.

"Oh! So, you are denying the Duke something he wants? Should we consider it a declaration of your disagreement with Duke Lockhart? The village would be regarded as accomplices, and we will take revenge.

If you are fine with it, then you can keep denying us all you want."

Mary's smile was scary when she looked at the mayor. Her words made the mayor flinch, and he knew he had no way out but to give Mary what she wanted.

"F-Fine! You win! I had no intention of keeping this deed from you. I will give it to you now. But can we get some money and help for the village?

Our ancestors left that mine to make sure our village could thrive in the future. I am sacrificing a lot by handing the rights over to you."

The mayor was a good and honest man when it came to looking after the people of the village.

He might have been a giant, but he had a heart of gold, and he considered this village his family.

So, the mayor was willing to risk his life to secure a better deal for the village.

"Miss, the call is yours. What would you like for us to do?"

Mary asked Layla. The demon would rather let this man and the village suffer their fate, but she knew her young miss was different.

The mayor was hopeful that Layla's expression of thinking would secure a better future for his people.

But Layla had her plans and would not allow this man and the villagers to access their secure future easily.

"Fine! I will help this village out. But it will not be for free. I will only help those who want to work for me. I will compensate them well and give them a lot of benefits as well. But I cannot allow freeloaders to bring me down.

It is for the dignity as the ward of the duke as well as good manners."

Layla suggested, but the mayor looked a little hesitant and taken aback.

He had hoped that Layla would agree with little thought and that his people would have a smooth ride from here.

But Layla was not that naive.

'Is that six years old? Oh no! This is a dream, so it makes sense why she is so smart and can counter all my points. Now, what should I do? Is this my mind's way to tell me to decide?'

The mayor suddenly feared the deal he was about to fall into. It felt like he had grabbed the Devil's hand.