In this perplexing situation, Kana blinked blankly, and Kiriel waved his hand calmly as if nothing had happened.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Goodbye.”

Kiriel’s figure vanished as he used teleportation magic. Only then did Kana relax and comfortably fall asleep.

The next morning, Kana woke up early and prepared to leave.

It seemed no one had noticed Kiriel’s late-night visit. Even Lena was unaware, which said it all.

‘As expected of the Master of the Magic Tower and sub male lead, he’s quite elusive.’

Kana shook her head in disbelief but felt relieved. She returned to the Round mansion in the capital with Lena.

* * *

The social circles were ablaze with stories from the monster hunting festival. The main topics were Richard, who was late and didn’t make it into the rankings, and Letie, who charged ahead without looking back to find him.

Kana recalled conversations she overheard at a neutral social gathering she attended to gather information.

“Could it have been an issue of competition between the princes…?”

“His Highness the Second Prince performed unexpectedly well. Though His Highness the First Prince made a name for himself.”

“By the way, who would have thought Lady Serade would act so recklessly? She must be quite close to His Highness the Second Prince.”

“Well, her personality is quite consistent.”

As expected from a gathering with no firm supporters, their evaluations and gossip about the protagonists were unrestrained.

She busied herself defending Letie, fitting her role as a supporting character who praises the female protagonist.

“But Lady Letie stepped up and got everyone moving. I think that’s commendable.”

“Not at all. Lady Letie is surprisingly kind.”

“I believe it was thanks to Lady Letie’s healing abilities that His Highness the Second Prince returned safely.”

After pouring out her words with a smile to avoid any criticism, she returned to the mansion with trembling lips. Kana pressed around her mouth to relax her muscles.

Celia, who was positioned next to the spirit summoning book spread open on the desk, stirred up a gentle breeze.

[Let all the energy troubling my contractor disappear.]

‘…Thank you.’

She felt the cool breeze on her cheek and the warmth of the spirit’s care simultaneously. Kana smiled faintly, comforted by Celia.

As she gathered her thoughts and organized the information she had picked up on a scroll, three maids, including Lena, entered, each carrying two large chests and two letters.

“Miss, you received gifts! Shall we place them by the desk?”

“Yes, it must be heavy. Put them down quickly.”

“Yes!”

The maids placed the chests by the desk and the letters on the desk before stepping back. Kana glanced at the chests but opened the letters first. The senders were Richard and Letie.

Richard’s letter contained only a brief message repaying a debt. Letie’s letter included compensation for the broken sword, expressions of gratitude, an invitation to a small gathering, and a request for a personal conversation.

Celia, who had floated over to her contractor’s side, whistled.

[Kana, once you’ve checked the letters, open the chests too.]

‘Okay.’

When Kana opened the chests, they were filled with radiant high-grade spirit stones. She clapped her hands in admiration of the protagonists’ generous rewards. Celia’s eyes widened.

[Wow, they’re giving away precious spirit stones just like that? The female and male leads here are really generous.]

‘I know, it’s been a while since my heart raced like this.’

Protagonists who provided practical rewards without unnecessary fuss were commendable.

Of course, there was a high chance that the male protagonist had investigated her, but she could understand that. Maintaining a specific relationship with the female protagonist inevitably led to such things.

Kana took a deep breath to calm herself. The spirit waited for her contractor to settle down before asking cautiously.

[Are you going to keep those spirit stones?]

‘No, I was planning to give them all to you.’

Celia jumped in surprise at Kana’s nonchalant answer.

[Well, that’s great, but maybe you should think it over a bit more?]

‘Why?’

Kana tilted her head. No matter how precious the spirit stones were, she didn’t mind using them for her partner who had been with her since the beginning.

The spirit, observing her contractor’s reaction, replied carefully.

[Last time, I heard there might be a chance to contract with another spirit of a different attribute. It might be wise to keep some extra spirit stones just in case.]

‘Really?’

[Yes. If it turns out there’s no such chance even after enduring until the end, you can give me the remaining spirit stones then.]

Like the spirit Kana had made contact with, Celia was also cautious. Initially, she had the free-spirited nature of a wind spirit, but working with Kana had made her much calmer.

Kana accepted her partner’s suggestion readily.

‘Okay, I’ll do that.’

Kana set aside the spirit stones for Celia and stored the rest in her ring’s subspace. She was glad she bought the high-capacity one from Kiriel’s hidden magic item shop earlier.

She moved the spirit stones onto the chest for Celia to easily consume and then sat down to write replies to Richard and Letie.

To the former, she wrote a formal and polite thank you note with embellishments, and to the latter, a more lively response accepting the invitation.

While Celia munched on the spirit stones like snacks, Kana sent off the completed letters. Just as she was taking a breather, the communication device lit up. It was Kiriel’s code.

‘What is it? Kiriel should be working on the monster hunting festival incident in the North by now.’

Kana answered the call with curiosity.

“Lord Kiriel, what made you contact me?”

— Miss Kana, are you busy?

Kiriel’s casual question made Kana frown slightly. She thought for a moment before replying appropriately.

“Well, I was just about to rest.”

— Lucky you. Ah, I hate writing reports.

Kiriel grumbled. Regardless of personal feelings, she could empathize with that sentiment. She asked in a softer tone, respecting his hard work.

“Have you finished the investigation and only the paperwork remains?”

— Yes. So, do you know anything?

“I’m not sure if you mean about the paperwork or testimony.”

— Both.

Kana clicked her tongue at his concise answer. Normally, in such situations, it’s best not to volunteer any information. It could only lead to more trouble.

“For the former, you are more adept than I am, Lord Kiriel. For the latter, it’s quicker to ask the northern knights, Lady Letie, or His Highness the Second Prince. I’ve already told you everything I know.”

— …I see.

“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

— Okay.

Kana ended the call. Since it was just a formality, and Kiriel had handled it well in ‘Fake Saint Was Real,’ the report wouldn’t suffer from her lack of assistance.

Celia, who was eating the spirit stones, blinked.

[Why did Kiriel contact you?]

‘He must really hate working. He even contacted someone he already got information from to ask again.’

Kiriel had openly expressed his annoyance while hearing the situation before. Kana sighed, and the spirit quickly agreed.

[Right, I thought he might have contacted you just to hear your voice.]

‘Oh, Celia. Such a sweet reason would apply to the female lead, Letie, not me.’

Kana waved her hand dismissively, laughing. The lightened mood prompted the spirit to add.

[So, we just watch the situation and keep working hard?]

‘Exactly. Let’s endure until the end again.’

[Yes!]

Kana extended her hand, and Celia blew a gentle breeze into her palm, sealing their resolve.

* * *

In the spacious reception room of the northern Cardium Duke’s mansion, Kiriel, Kanto, Ethan, and a few knights from the Cardium family who had provided testimony were gathered.

As the light from the communication device Kana’s voice had flowed through dimmed, Kiriel’s face twisted. He scribbled the report roughly. Despite his expression and demeanor, his handwriting was elegant and detailed.

Kanto, seeing his superior on the verge of an outburst, cautiously spoke up.

“Lady Round must have spoken that way out of consideration for the busy Master of the Magic Tower.”

“Probably.”

Kiriel’s pen movements softened. As Kanto sighed in relief, Ethan spoke bluntly.

“Or maybe she just didn’t want to bother.”

“No, Duke Cardium. Lady Round is known for her mild and gentle nature. As long as the other party doesn’t provoke her first, she is said to be polite and kind.”

Startled, Kanto defended Kana vigorously, drawing on the information he had gathered. It wasn’t entirely untrue.

Kiriel’s gaze turned cold.

“Duke Cardium, I’m already irritated by having to write this formal report, and now you’re picking a fight?”

“I didn’t mean it that way. If you’re that frustrated, why not use wind magic to cool off?”

Ethan’s voice was calm. Kiriel sighed. Kanto, noticing the uneasy knights of the Cardium family, spoke to them with a friendly tone.

“The testimony is over, so you knights can return.”

“But…”

The knights looked to their lord. Ethan nodded indifferently.

“Do as he says and go back.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knights answered loudly and left with perfect posture. Now only Ethan, Kiriel, and Kanto remained in the reception room.

Kiriel used wind magic to cool his head. Ethan watched his golden hair flutter in the wind and spoke.

“Feeling better now?”

“Yes, somewhat.”

The wind magic ceased. All three turned their attention to the report. The atmosphere in the reception room grew heavy. Ethan spoke in a grave tone.

“Master of the Magic Tower, did you write the report truthfully?”