Kiriel, thinking it was childish of him, nevertheless decided to test the waters. But Alderaan knew this place had nothing to do with their mutual friend.

“No, I was recommended by my sister.”

Strictly speaking, his answer wasn’t wrong. This shop was on the list of magical tool shops recommended by Olivia. According to the setting, his sister was well-connected and knew many things.

“Aha.”

Kiriel nodded indifferently. Despite the setting, his attitude was quite rude. Alderaan suddenly recalled how Kiriel seemed to care about their industry friend.

He decided to mention her as a test.

“You seem to have a lot of interest in Miss Kana, Tower Master.”

“No, I don’t.”

Even though he denied it, his energy turned sharp. His eyebrows raised in discomfort, indicating he definitely had an interest. Alderaan clicked his tongue at someone who knew nothing about his industry friend.

“Well, if you say so, that’s good.”

“Why, are you interested in her?”

Seeing his blatant relief, Kiriel felt a bit twisted. Perhaps it was because he seemed very close to Kana, communicated personally, and was even set to receive a handkerchief from her.

Watching the sub male lead, whose nerves were on edge, Alderaan shrugged his shoulders.

“What if I am?”

“What?”

“Just kidding. Anyway, Miss Kana probably isn’t interested in anyone.”

Alderaan waved his hand while sneering.

Round was a supporting character who earned star ratings well in romance novels. Although their preferred genres differed, Alderaan knew she was sincere about earning star ratings and skilled in her assigned tasks.

Moreover, she was cynical about love. While most supporting characters cut ties cleanly once they exited the novel, she cut ties even more sharply.

Not knowing the hidden connection between Alderaan and Kana, Kiriel felt uneasy about Alderaan’s relaxed attitude, as if he knew everything. His handsome face twisted.

“You probably only met Miss Kana for the first time at the imperial palace banquet. How do you know her so well?”

“I know her better than you do, at least.”

Alderaan smirked crookedly. It seemed a bit funny that he was being wary of him when, as a supporting character, he would forget him even if he got close to the female protagonist he couldn’t end up with anyway.

Unless he went against the setting and she decided to settle in this world, there was no chance they would end up well together.

Kiriel snorted.

“…Ridiculous.”

“Well, do your best. It will be difficult considering the situation and personalities involved, though.”

Alderaan scratched his nerves and leisurely left the magical tool shop. Kiriel clenched his fist. Crack. The ice crystal formed by his magic shattered in his hand.

“What does he know that he’s acting all superior? Is this what feeling unlucky is like?”

Kiriel’s words were similar to what those who envied him often thought. Unintentionally, his empathy had increased.

Kiriel calmed himself down, recalling that he had spent more private time with her than Alderaan and had promised to receive a handkerchief from her.

* * *

The day of the Monster Hunting Festival approached. Kana used the spatial transfer she had reserved early to move to the north.

Since she didn’t have any close noble friends in the north, she arrived earlier than scheduled and stayed at a nearby luxury inn frequented by nobles.

“Hunting festivals are always held in the north. At least it’s not winter this time.”

In some novels, she suffered because it was winter. Usually, the setting attached harsh winters to the north, and this world was no exception.

She dressed up in a glamorous yet comfortable outfit and adjusted her attire while looking in the mirror. Lena, who was helping her prepare, handed her two handkerchiefs.

“Miss, you should take your handkerchiefs with you.”

“Right. I’ll be off.”

Kana tucked the handkerchiefs into her pocket and took a carriage to the Cardium family’s estate.

The Monster Hunting Festival held in the north was a type of hunting competition organized by the northern nobles, represented by the Cardium family.

Therefore, both participants and supporters gathered at the Cardium family’s estate. Of course, the former went out to hunt monsters while the latter waited quietly.

As she approached her destination, the communicator she had brought with her flashed. It was a call from Kiriel. Kana answered immediately.

— Miss Kana, are you on your way?

“I was just about to contact you after I arrive. Where are you?”

Kana answered him as she got out of the carriage. A lukewarm breeze brushed her cheek. At least it was cooler in the north.

Having coordinated with Kiriel during her stay at the inn, she arrived earlier than other participants, so it was hard to see anyone other than the staff.

In the distance, she could see a tent set up for young ladies to wait comfortably. Nearby, knights of the Cardium family were patrolling at a slight distance.

Mages from the Magic Tower were scattered around, either talking among themselves or explaining something to the knights.

While she was surveying the surroundings, Kiriel’s voice came through the communicator.

— I’m with the Duke of Cardium right now.

“Oh, should I come to you then?”

— No, wait. I’ll move to the entrance.

Kana entered and waited inside. Before long, Kiriel approached with Ethan. She awkwardly stood and greeted the two.

“Hello, Lord Kiriel. Long time no see, Duke Cardium.”

“Yes.”

“……”

Kiriel casually waved his hand, and Ethan nodded slightly in response. Kana, not expecting much courtesy from them, got straight to the point.

“Lord Kiriel, can I give you the handkerchief now?”

“Yes.”

Kiriel naturally extended his hand as though he was retrieving a pre-ordered item. She took out the handkerchief she had prepared for him and handed it over. He examined it carefully.

“Oh, it’s part of our family crest.”

“Yes. And since you’re the Master of the Magic Tower, I emphasized the wand part more.”

Kiriel nodded at her added explanation.

“You mentioned you enjoy embroidery before; it’s quite good.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

Kana laughed lightly. She had given it to repay the favors she had received, but she would have been displeased if he had said it was unnecessary or if he criticized her embroidery skills.

Ethan, who had been watching the situation, looked puzzled.

“The Master of the Magic Tower isn’t participating in the Monster Hunting Festival, is he?”

“He said he wanted to get into the spirit of things.”

Kana shrugged, answering nonchalantly. She didn’t know the exact reason, nor did she want to. It was probably just a whim.

At that moment, Kiriel, who had carefully put away the handkerchief, suddenly took out a spirit stone from his pocket and tossed it to her.

Kana instinctively caught the spirit stone with both hands. The vividly colored spirit stone glowed brilliantly. Its size and clear color indicated it was a rare, high-quality item.

“A spirit stone?”

“A token of appreciation for the handkerchief. Isn’t it more useful to you than a magic stone or other by-products?”

Kiriel’s eyes curved gently. His confident and relaxed laugh as he brushed back his hair exuded a refreshing atmosphere, contrary to his set personality.

‘I thought he would just take it and leave… Kiriel can be this considerate? And he gave something practically useful.’

Kana blinked at the unexpected token of appreciation.

In ‘Fake Saint Was Real,’ participants in the Monster Hunting Festival gave magic stones or other non-repulsive by-products to the person who gave them a handkerchief or someone they fancied.

His words implied that since he wasn’t a participant, he replaced the conventional token of appreciation with a spirit stone.

Carefully placing the spirit stone into the subspace of her ring, she replied.

“Well, that’s true. I didn’t give it expecting anything in return, but thank you.”

“Glad you understand.”

Kiriel nonchalantly replied and turned his attention to Ethan.

“I’ll be off then, Duke Cardium.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel looked back at Kana. Before she could say anything, he waved his hand dismissively and disappeared with teleportation magic. He was more like the wind than a wind spirit.

Only Kana and Ethan remained. Ethan murmured, seemingly slightly taken aback.

“So the Master of the Magic Tower came just to receive your handkerchief.”

“…Oh, was his visit unplanned?”

At her tentative question, Ethan nodded and added in a heavy voice.

“Yes. According to him, ‘sending capable mages from the Magic Tower’ was enough, so he didn’t need to visit personally.”

“Haha, I see.”

It was indeed a behavior befitting Kiriel’s personality setting. Kana awkwardly laughed, recalling his actions in ‘Fake Saint Was Real.’ Ethan, seeing her standing awkwardly, gestured with his eyes.

“Lady Round, although you arrived early, you can wait in the tent.”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration, Duke Cardium.”

Ethan nodded indifferently at her polite greeting.

Kana moved to the designated tent and sat down. Even when knights and mages occasionally glanced at her, she remained calm.

As she leisurely fanned herself with the fan-shaped magical tool she had brought, other participants began to arrive.

Participants and young ladies who would give handkerchiefs started entering. There were not only main characters but also supporting characters she was acquainted with.

People started gathering around Kana, who was sitting alone. Among them were the female protagonist Letie, as well as Olivia, Evie, Bianca, and Della, ladies she was friendly with.