Alderaan cast a sympathetic glance at his industry friend who had just set down her teacup. He waited until her breathing, which had been heavy, became more even before he spoke.

“Kiriel has always been a capricious character.”

“That’s true, but for some reason, I have a bad feeling about this. It feels like an unforeseen problem will arise later.”

Kana’s usually smooth brow furrowed. Alderaan lightly tapped her brow with his finger. She flinched, and he spoke softly.

“Round, you think too much, and that’s a problem.”

“……”

“Of course, it’s helpful when you’re working, but it can also make your thoughts tangled like now. From what I see, you’re stressed about the star rating deduction and overly worried about him, which is making you tired.”

Alderaan explained seriously, tapping his own head with his finger. Kana sighed and replied,

“……Is that so.”

“Since your star rating hasn’t been deducted, don’t overthink it even if you watch him for work. Sometimes, you should push through things simply, like me.”

“It’s refreshing to act decisively, but what if a problem arises?”

“Then we’ll think about it when it happens. If the situation doesn’t go our way, what can we do? Besides, is ‘Fake Saint’ the only novel? Just consider this a loss and make up for it in another novel.”

Alderaan replied nonchalantly. Kana couldn’t help but smile at her industry friend’s bold statement.

“You’re right.”

“Overthinking can make you miss things. We’ve seen quite a few characters like that while working. Let’s put off judging Kiriel for now.”

“Okay. Thanks for the advice.”

Thanks to her industry friend’s earnest comfort, her mind felt a bit clearer. Kana smiled faintly.

Confirming her improved state, Alderaan moved on to the main topic.

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s discuss the schedule for the Founding Festival episode. Round, you’re going to be out and about during the festival to observe the situation, right?”

“Yes. What about you? Will you be too busy with the Treasury Department to go out?”

Kana gave her industry friend a sympathetic look. Festivals require budgets, which is why civil servants are busy. If you were at the bottom, you were likely to be stuck with miscellaneous tasks.

Alderaan shook his head confidently.

“No, I’m planning to request leave. Even if I’m at the bottom, it’s not hard to get out.”

“Wow, that’s great. Then do you want to split the work with me?”

Kana clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling. Alderaan, understanding her words perfectly, grinned and asked,

“You mean we’ll both go out and either separate or stick together depending on the situation?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Good. So, how will we contact each other if we need to while we’re apart?”

Alderaan readily accepted and asked a question. Using communication spheres could be conspicuous and crowded places made communication difficult.

Kana snapped her fingers and explained her pre-thought-out plan.

“How about using spirits? I’ll be with Celia, and I’ll attach Gnome, who’s infused with a pure pearl, to you. We can communicate through the spirits attached to each other.”

“Ah, I get it. That’s a good method. Is there anything else I need to prepare?”

“Hmm, it would be more convenient if you had an auxiliary magic tool that facilitates spirit communication.”

“Got it. As expected of an excellent spirit summoner.”

Alderaan praised his industry friend, clapping his hands. Kana chuckled and took out a map of the capital and some blank paper she had prepared just in case.

“You flatter me. Since we’ve resolved the concerns, let’s review the map and organize our plan.”

“Sure.”

As Alderaan carefully examined the map, Kana remembered something she hadn’t considered.

Wanting to be considerate of him since he didn’t move around much due to work and training, she carefully broached the subject.

“By the way, Alderaan. Shouldn’t we do a preliminary visit?”

“…Hmm, now that you mention it, we should scout before the actual operation. How about we take some time on a holiday or when we’re free to check the routes?”

“Good idea.”

After agreeing on the schedule, the two of them put their heads together and had an enthusiastic discussion.

* * *

Kiriel was deeply confused by his realization of his feelings for Kana and the fact that he couldn’t express his affection for her.

Already troubled, he also had a dream where Kana suddenly left. When he tried to follow her, a white rag doll he had seen in the strange library blocked his way, laughing.

“Oh dear, you’re trying to do something troublesome. The direction you need to go is not that way.”

“You speak as if there’s a specific direction I must go.”

“…You’ll naturally find out if you go with the flow.”

The rag doll, which spouted nonsensical words, wobbled and disappeared. The dream ended without him being able to catch Kana due to its interference.

Kiriel diligently worked in the tower, seriously pondering the dream and what had happened at the Round mansion.

‘Damn it, what the hell is going on?’

It was a rather absurd thought, but it felt like the whole world was preventing him from getting along with Kana.

Eventually, Kiriel grimaced and forced himself to finish his work, setting down his pen with a thud.

Kanto, recalling his master’s grim mood after returning from the Round mansion, had been too afraid to ask back then but was still worried since his condition hadn’t improved.

He cautiously observed his master’s darkened complexion before speaking up.

“Master, are you alright?”

“No. I’m not alright at all.”

Kiriel’s voice was deeply subdued. Kanto instinctively felt that the cause was related to Miss Kana Round. He carefully began,

“As expected, did something happen when you visited Miss Round last time?”

“Well, yes. It feels like something invisible is manipulating us regardless of our will. It made me feel awful.”

Kiriel’s hand clenched as his face twisted. He had always said what he wanted. Being blocked like this was incredibly frustrating.

Unaware of the situation, Kanto was baffled. He asked,

“…What?”

“Since I’ve finished my work, I need to meet with my sister.”

Determination filled Kiriel’s purple eyes. Still not understanding, Kanto asked in confusion,

“Are you going to consult with Miss Liriel?”

“Yes.”

Kanto was internally shocked at Kiriel’s straightforward affirmation.

The talented mage siblings of the Curtis family got along reasonably well, but they rarely met to discuss things unless it was a dire matter.

Kiriel never sought out or bothered his sister unless it was for official business. The same went for Liriel. He smirked at his subordinate.

“Kanto, are you surprised?”

“N-No. I just didn’t expect it to be serious enough to seek Miss Liriel…”

“Though it’s not official business, it’s serious. Now, leave.”

“Yes.”

For his mental health, Kanto quickly left without thinking further. Alone in the tower’s office, Kiriel contacted Liriel through a communication sphere.

— …What is it, Kiriel? Do we have some cooperation work with the tower?

“No, sister. I contacted you because I have a personal matter to discuss.”

Hearing Kiriel’s serious tone, Liriel was slightly surprised and replied,

— That’s quite a surprise. Alright, I’ll hear you out.

“Thank you, sister. Do you have time now?”

— Are you planning to come in person?

Liriel’s voice carried a hint of curiosity. Kiriel quickly affirmed before she could change her mind.

“Yes.”

— I have no plans today, so it’s fine. If it’s urgent, use teleportation magic to come right away. The location… hmm, the entrance to my workshop.

“Will do.”

He ended the communication and immediately used teleportation magic. The surroundings shifted from the tower in the capital to the entrance of Liriel’s workshop in the southern Curtis estate.

Before he could announce his presence, Liriel emerged from the workshop. She roughly pushed back her disheveled hair and beckoned him with a finger.

“You came quickly. Come in.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel followed his sister into the workshop.

Liriel sat him on a couch in the corner and swiftly grabbed teacups and dried herbs from a wall cabinet, her hands moving deftly.

She placed steaming teacups in front of them and, seeing her usually composed brother’s troubled face, began the conversation.

“Kiriel, it’s unusual for you to come urgently for a personal matter. I thought it must be something related to the tower.”

“I didn’t expect to seek your opinion on a personal matter either, sister.”

Kiriel shook his head slowly. Liriel took a sip of her herbal tea and spoke in a lazy voice.

“So, what’s troubling my brilliant little brother so much?”

“Sister, could I be under a mental spell or curse?”

Kiriel asked seriously, his expression grave.

Liriel narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him. Seeing no obvious abnormalities, she frowned and replied bluntly,

“…Are you joking with me?”

“No. I’m serious, so please check.”

Kiriel answered firmly, though he felt half resigned. Honestly, he thought it was a rather absurd question, but he had no other guesses.

Finally, Liriel accepted his request.

“Alright, let’s see.”