Fortunately, during the week spent at the villa, no significant problems occurred at the magic stone mine. It seemed the snake demonic beast seen before was the last of it.

After completing the inspection of the mine, Kana greeted Popin, Colin, and the villa’s servants before leaving the villa with Kiriel. Lena had been sent back to the Round mansion two days earlier.

Kana glanced at the handsome man standing beside her.

“Lord Kiriel, you said you coordinated with the Hail family in advance?”

“Yes. After I suggested it to you, Miss Kana, I asked, and the young marquis of Hail gladly accepted me coming along.”

Kiriel was straightforward and did not speak nonsense. Kana nodded.

‘Usually, people would find an unconsidered guest annoying. Seria Hail indeed has a refreshing personality.’

She admired the heroine’s helper’s boldness inwardly. They rode the Round family’s carriage to the Hail family.

In the carriage, Kana took out five high-grade magic stones she had prepared in advance and handed them to Kiriel. He received them with a blink of surprise.

“Already giving them?”

“Yes. Since the work is done, I should give what I promised right away.”

“You’re thorough.”

Kiriel stored the magic stones in his subspace. While they were settling the transaction and resting, they arrived at the Hail family’s mansion.

As expected of one of the four great families of the Arsen Empire, dominating the west, the Hail mansion was grand. Kana and Kiriel were guided inside by the Hail family’s servants to an inner reception room.

Seated on the sofa, Seria uncrossed her legs and waved with a bright smile.

“Welcome, Tower Master. And Miss Round. Welcome to our Hail family.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel responded indifferently, while Kana returned the greeting with a gentle smile.

“Thank you for allowing my accompaniment, young marquis of Hail.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re fellow spirit summoners, right? Oh, don’t just stand there, both of you. Come and sit.”

Seria warmly accepted Kana’s words and gestured for them to sit. After exchanging a glance, Kiriel and Kana sat across from her.

Seria took a sip of tea and eyed Kiriel keenly. Her deep navy eyes shone sharply like the twilight sky.

“Tower Master, since you don’t like small talk, I’ll get straight to the point. If possible, I’d like to acquire more of those magic tools.”

“We’re still negotiating, but were they useful?”

A rare, intrigued smile appeared on Kiriel’s usually indifferent face. He was consistent in many ways. Seria snapped her fingers and smirked.

“Very satisfying. It makes using spirit magic much easier. Other spirit summoners also gave good reviews. Did you achieve results in your research with spirit stones?”

“Yes. It was helpful.”

Kana, who was there due to an ambiguous deal, quietly observed their conversation. Without her asking, Kiriel added an explanation.

“Miss Kana, we’re talking about auxiliary magic tools that help in using spirit magic. Like the fan I gave you last time.”

“Ah, I see.”

Kana nodded appropriately. Seria teased with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, so you gave one to Miss Round too?”

“Yes. Since Miss Kana is also a spirit summoner, it’s good to get feedback from multiple people.”

Surprisingly, Kiriel calmly accepted her words. Kana supported him appropriately.

“I haven’t used it yet, but since it’s a magic tool made by Lord Kiriel, its performance should be reliable.”

“Indeed.”

Seria alternated her gaze between Kiriel and Kana with a sly smile. Kana knew well the meaning behind her smile. It was a phenomenon that occurred when people misunderstood them as having a special relationship.

‘Anyway, as the story progresses, it will naturally subside.’

Instead of awkwardly explaining, Kana chose to remain silent. Kiriel, rather than taking issue with Seria’s smile, chose to continue the conversation.

“Then let’s add more to the promised quantity. It needs to be supplemented more to keep the spirit energy in the magic tool for a long time.”

“Good. I’ll gladly be the foundation for the research of the Master of the Magic Tower.”

Seria replied cheerfully and extended her hand to him. Kiriel shook her hand. It was a moment of transaction agreement. After releasing the handshake, Seria subtly brought up a topic.

“By the way, Liriel has been very busy lately.”

“My sister is probably assisting our parents in the family matters.”

Kiriel answered indifferently. There was a setting that Liriel Curtis and Seria Hail were close friends of the same age outside their families. Seria shook her head.

“It’s all because the successor of the Curtis family hasn’t been decided yet. While others are eager to become the young duke, you siblings are uniquely avoiding it.”

“That’s right. It’s probably because we don’t want to reduce the time spent on magic already. My sister also wanted the position of Tower Master… but what can she do since I won?”

Kiriel replied shamelessly, shrugging his shoulders. It was a very annoying attitude, but when he said it, it seemed like a confident display of pride in his abilities. Seria clicked her tongue.

“Tsk, such a bad personality. Liriel would be annoyed if she heard this.”

“If my sister doesn’t like the situation, she can just surpass me.”

Kiriel leisurely sipped his tea, exuding a relaxed atmosphere. Seria, thinking it was quite a sight, slightly frowned and then asked Kana playfully while looking at her quietly drinking tea.

“Miss Round, who do you think will become the successor of the Curtis family?”

“Hmm, they are all excellent people, so it’s hard for me to predict.”

Although she was suddenly pointed out, she skillfully responded without being flustered.

In fact, she knew well. In ‘The Fake Saint Was Real,’ the successor of the Curtis family would eventually be Kiriel. To empower the female protagonist.

Although Seria felt a bit disappointed by Kana’s calm and businesslike reaction, she didn’t show it and changed the subject.

“Alright. Anyway, I plan to show the Master of the Magic Tower the spirit stone mines and how the spirit summoners use the magic tools… If it’s okay, would you like to join us, Miss Round?”

“I would be grateful for the offer, but is it alright for me to intrude on your work?”

“Of course. I accepted the Tower Master’s request considering all that.”

While listening to Seria’s words, Kana glanced at Kiriel. He nodded calmly. It was a sign of approval.

‘It seems like they want to broaden my perspective.’

Since she was already accompanying them, there was no reason not to accept the offer. Kana clasped her hands tightly, feigning an admiring look and an emotional face.

“Oh, it’s truly an honor. Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome. Then let’s move right away.”

“Yes.”

They stood up and left the reception room. Seria led the way, with Kana and Kiriel following behind.

Although the people of the Hail family and various spirit summoners cast glances at them, they passed by smoothly thanks to Seria, the young marquis.

Kana’s party rode the Hail family’s carriage to the spirit stone mine.

As they approached the spirit stone mine in the Hail family’s territory, the forest became denser, and although not as barren as the north, it had a somewhat desolate atmosphere. As expected of the largest spirit stone production area in the Arsen Empire, there were mines everywhere.

While Kana was slowly scanning the scenery through the carriage window, Seria casually asked.

“Miss Round, were you surprised to see it look more desolate than you expected?”

“Ah, I…”

“It’s alright. Since ancient times, the barren areas of the empire have been the north and the west. There’s a saying that the spirit stones are condensed with the energy of nature. Since the energies are gathered, the surroundings inevitably look a bit empty.”

Seria’s voice was softer than usual, like someone telling a fairy tale.

It was consistent with the setting in ‘The Fake Saint Was Real.’ The Arsen Empire had relatively richer southern, central, and eastern regions compared to the west and north.

Kana quietly nodded. Kiriel, already familiar with the situation, didn’t add any more words. When they reached the vicinity of the spirit stone mines, the carriage stopped.

They got off the carriage and headed towards the entrance of the spirit stone mine. The guards, seeing Seria’s face and the badge she presented, stepped aside without resistance.

They smoothly entered the mine. The interior was similar to a magic stone mine, but unlike the generally bluish magic stones, the spirit stones shone brilliantly in vivid colors.

Seria whispered softly as she saw Kana’s eyes widen.

“This mine is not open to outsiders.”

“Even if it’s because I’m involved in a transaction with Lord Kiriel, is it okay for me?”

“Yes. Because you’re with the Master of the Magic Tower.”

Seria answered nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. The fact that the mine was not open to outsiders meant that it wasn’t a mine that could be used by other individuals or spirit summoners for a fee.

‘I thought they’d only show us a business-use mine…’

As expected, since it was a mine used solely by the Hail family, it was richer in spirit stones and of better quality than a regular mine. As Kana quietly looked around, Seria’s voice reached her ears.

“How does it look as a spirit summoner?”

“It’s amazing. It’s fascinating to see it for free.”

When Kana answered with sparkling eyes, Seria chuckled and pulled out a spirit stone embedded in a nearby wall, tossing it to her.

“Here, a souvenir.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Kana received the spirit stone in bewilderment. Seria was a character who generously bestowed gifts when she felt inclined. She did the same when helping the female protagonist Letie in ‘The Fake Saint Was Real.’

“You’re welcome. What do you think, Master of the Magic Tower?”

Seria calmly turned to Kiriel. He, wearing a monocle at some point, was already appraising a nearby spirit stone.

“The quality is indeed good.”

“Are you going to take it indirectly?”

Seria’s meaningful gaze fixed on Kiriel before glancing at Kana. This was because there were transactions involving spirit stones between the Hail family and the Magic Tower that went through the Round family.