“Of course not. I cut it off appropriately because the involved parties were in danger. However, using Red Alodel to attract monsters was crossing the line, so I included that.”

Kiriel’s eyes gleamed sharply. Red Alodel was a plant originally used to lure and exterminate monsters all at once.

Using such items in a hunting festival was, of course, forbidden. The event was held to raise awareness of monsters among many people and to improve the situation in the North, even if just a little.

Northern nobles, including Ethan, had deliberately exterminated dangerous monsters near the area before the hunting festival to ensure the safety of the participants and the ladies who handed out handkerchiefs.

Nevertheless, someone had tarnished the carefully prepared event, and it was naturally infuriating. Ethan frowned.

“The North always strives for the Empire’s safety and remains loyal to the imperial family, yet ruining an event like this is infuriating.”

“I fully understand your feelings. It seems His Highness the First Prince was in a hurry.”

“I may be slow with news from the center, but I felt more of that since the imperial banquet.”

Ethan agreed with Kiriel. Both of them were already certain that the true culprit behind the events at the monster hunting festival was the First Prince. Kiriel concluded the report and replied nonchalantly.

“Isn’t it because His Highness the Second Prince has been standing out?”

“Right, I saw him in a new light this time. Who would have thought he could endure so long in that forest?”

Ethan’s eyes shone with interest. The Second Prince, who had been quietly staying in the imperial family, showed skills far beyond expectations. Kiriel nodded and added.

“He must have been hiding his abilities all along. It’s a wise decision.”

“The competition between the princes will become fiercer from now on.”

“Yes. I just hope it doesn’t affect us.”

Kiriel shook his head. The Magic Tower, where he belonged, was close to neutral. They only followed the emperor’s orders if there was a reasonable cause.

Ethan watched Kanto organize the report neatly and then spoke bluntly.

“Master of the Magic Tower, the culprit in the report will be someone else, right?”

“Yes. A northern noble instigated by His Highness the First Prince will be the scapegoat… but if they’re perceptive, the imperial family will also know. It all depends on His Majesty the Emperor and the actions of His Highness the Second Prince.”

Since the First Prince hadn’t directly revealed himself, those who cooperated with him would face severe punishment. The emperor’s and the Second Prince’s will would determine the First Prince’s punishment.

Once the report was written, Kiriel had no further involvement. He had no desire to get entangled in it. Ethan blinked slowly.

“…I see.”

“Don’t worry, Duke Cardium. There will be no harm to you or the North.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

With that, they refrained from mentioning the imperial family. Instead, Kiriel changed the subject.

“Duke Cardium, I heard you stayed put during the incident.”

“Yes.”

“Who were you with at that time?”

“Two young ladies with gentle and kind impressions. Miss Kana Round and Miss Evie Reas, I believe.”

Ethan responded calmly, recalling the two young ladies with similar atmospheres.

While he didn’t know Kana well, and it was his first time meeting Evie, they left a strong impression thanks to Letie mentioning them directly.

Kiriel immediately recognized the name ‘Kana’ from his answer. Previously, she only said she waited for Letie, not how she waited. He leaned forward unconsciously as he spoke.

“You were with Miss Kana. Please tell me more.”

“She remained calm and skillful in spirit summoning, which left a strong impression. They say friends resemble each other; she was bold in a different way from Lady Serade, who charged ahead. Of course, she was more cautious.”

Ethan, noticing the other person’s strange enthusiasm, extended his explanation as much as possible. It was possible because of how impressive he found her.

‘Even Duke Cardium associates her with Lady Serade. Friends, huh…’

Kana had already told him she stayed to help Letie. Kiriel suppressed his subtle irritation and spoke.

“Miss Kana is certainly resilient and adept despite her gentle appearance. Anything else?”

“…Tower Master, you exchanged personal communications with that young lady. Surely you know more than I do?”

Ethan, uncharacteristically, showed a hint of reluctance. He spoke sincerely, yet the other seemed unsatisfied.

Kiriel replied shamelessly.

“I’m just more curious because she is someone I observe.”

“That’s inefficient.”

“Magic research is inherently inefficient.”

“But she’s a person, not magic.”

“It’s similar enough.”

Kiriel was confident. For someone so devoted to magic, unconsciously placing a person in a similar position was quite surprising. Kanto, caught in the middle, struggled to suppress a groan and rubbed his forehead.

Ethan recalled the eccentric mages he occasionally encountered and let it slide. He pondered and spoke slowly.

“Another thing about Miss Round… Her wind spirit advancing from low to intermediate rank was remarkable. She herself didn’t seem too surprised.”

“She probably expected it. When she first contracted the spirit and spoke with me, she was confident.”

Kiriel felt a sense of pride and unconsciously smiled slightly. Seeing this, Ethan recalled an indifferent, dry look in her eyes.

“And her eyes…”

“Her eyes?”

Kiriel blinked at the unexpected topic. Ethan nodded and continued.

“Yes. In a way, they were like the spirit she contracted with, like the wind. They don’t seem tied down, nor do they have expectations or regrets.”

Ethan had seen such eyes before. People full of passion who became worn down by countless challenges, eventually adapting to everything and disappearing quietly.

Kiriel’s expression hardened. Ethan snapped his fingers and added nonchalantly.

“It’s just my impression. She probably isn’t like that.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel stood up and glanced at Kanto. He carefully waved the neatly organized report stack, indicating he was done.

Kiriel made a final polite remark to Ethan.

“Thank you for your cooperation despite being busy, Duke Cardium. I shall take my leave.”

“Very well.”

Kiriel grabbed Kanto and vanished using teleportation magic.

* * *

The imperial palace in the capital. There, the Second Prince Richard Irgis stayed in a secluded inner palace. He spun a dagger in his hand, having just killed the assassin who attacked him.

Thanks to the quick cleanup by the attendants and maids who served the Second Prince, the room was tidy. A man, Richard’s loyal subordinate, visited him while he was resting alone.

Richard placed the dagger he had been playing with on the small drawer beside his bed and asked indifferently.

“So, what about the information on Miss Kana Round?”

“Except for the fact that she recently caught the eye of the Master of the Magic Tower and became a spirit summoner, there’s nothing unusual about her. She’s known to be a quiet and gentle young lady.”

“…”

Instead of responding, Richard tapped the drawer with his fingers. The Kana he had met in person was indeed consistent with that description. Even her concise thank-you note matched it.

His subordinate, observing his master’s expression, cautiously asked.

“Your Highness, are you concerned about her because she is a close friend of Lady Letie Serade?”

“Yes. Lady Letie’s social circle expanded after her healing ability blossomed. But Miss Kana approached her before that without any connection and even helped her. Because of that, Lady Letie holds her in high regard.”

Richard recalled the conversation he had with Letie as they left the forest on the day of the monster hunting festival.

She mentioned the young ladies who approached her before her healing ability blossomed, emphasizing Kana the most.

He found it curious that Kana had approached Letie first, saying she wanted to be friends.

Understanding Richard’s thoughts, his subordinate cautiously shared his opinion.

“Miss Round has consistently shown friendly behavior towards Lady Letie. Even if she approached for a trivial reason, they might have bonded over time.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. Considering she has a good relationship with her family and participates in social gatherings peacefully, it’s even more likely.”

It was a plausible opinion. Indeed, there was nothing suspicious about Kana Round. Outwardly, she appeared to be a quiet and cautious young lady.

His loyal subordinate observed him closely.

“Your Highness, you seem very concerned about Lady Letie.”

“Besides having a mutual understanding, she’s just like me.”

Richard gave a bitter smile.

An indifferent father, a hostile brother, and a mother who favored his brother—his family.

A father who favored his stepdaughter, a neglectful brother, and a hostile half-sibling—her family.

Though there were subtle differences, their situations were largely similar. He had long realized that the amount of affection parents could give might vary.