8. Foundation Festival

“Why are you so surprised? Didn’t you hear anything specific during the process of contracting with spirits?”

“No. I was just told that it seemed to suit me well.”

Kana spoke truthfully and smiled awkwardly. Liriel, not being a spirit summoner herself, brushed it off.

“Well, I suppose that’s possible. And Kiriel, as you can see, the results are fine… You’ll have to discard your hypothesis.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel, who had been a bit gloomy, actually calmed down upon hearing his sister’s cold words. Seeing his serene face, Liriel offered some formal advice.

“For now, try to compose yourself well.”

“I’ll consider it.”

He decided to keep paying attention according to his intuition, even if there was nothing unusual in the results. Kana, who had been observing the conversation between the Curtis siblings, carefully added.

“Lord Kiriel, I hope everything works out well for you.”

“Yeah.”

Kiriel nodded to indicate he was fine. Kana casually dropped the female protagonist’s name to increase points of contact smoothly.

“Um, if worse comes to worst, wouldn’t it be okay to seek advice or help from Lady Letie? The Serade family’s healing abilities are famous, after all.”

“That’s a good suggestion, but I’ll pass on Lady Serade.”

Kiriel firmly shook his head. Kana only blinked at his unhesitating rejection.

‘Even for a character with strong pride who dislikes showing weakness, shouldn’t the female lead be an exception?’

While she was inwardly perplexed, Liriel blurted out with an impassive face.

“This is all because my brother is too interested in you, Lady.”

“Ah, I see. It must be because our areas of interest overlap.”

Kana wore a professional smile. Liriel noticed that the other party had completely excluded the possibility of ‘romantic interest’. She was about to say something more but stopped. It was her brother’s business to figure it out on his own.

Kiriel intervened between the women as a strange atmosphere began to develop.

“Sister, now that we’re done, I’ll take Miss Kana back.”

“Alright.”

“Goodbye, Lord Liriel Curtis.”

“Liriel is enough. I’ll call you Kana as well.”

“Yes, Lord Liriel. Please do.”

Kana ended up addressing the sub-male lead’s sister with a familiar title.

Kiriel took her and headed out of the mansion.

On the way back to the Round mansion in a carriage. Kiriel glanced at Kana’s expressionless face and abruptly asked a question.

“What kind of gifts does Miss Kana like to receive?”

“Well, I’m generally happy to receive anything. I’m grateful for the thought and effort of the person who prepared it.”

This had been her thinking from her time in the original world until now. As long as it wasn’t outright trash or a gift meant to spite her, she was fine with anything.

Since starting work as a supporting role player, she became even less attached to gifts. After all, everything would lose meaning once she exited.

Regardless of her circumstances, it wasn’t a helpful answer for Kiriel. He ruffled his hair and tried again.

“That’s too vague. What do you prefer most among those?”

“Hmm, practical items or jewelry, I suppose.”

Kana rubbed her chin. Things that could be actually used, or jewelry that was pretty to look at and could be sold if necessary, were safe choices.

By her standards, spirit stones were the most valuable in ‘Fake Saint’.

Kiriel nodded seriously and suddenly remembered her enjoying flower viewing.

“I see. So you don’t like things like flowers?”

“I do like flowers, but if it’s too much…”

Kana trailed off with an awkward smile. In typical romance stories, it looked nice when the male protagonist filled the female protagonist’s room with flowers, but if she were the recipient, it would be an overwhelming gift.

Receiving a small amount occasionally was romantic, but too much would be difficult to handle. Fortunately, she wasn’t the female protagonist but a busy background character, so it didn’t apply to her.

Seeing Kiriel’s troubled face, Kana hastily added.

“Ah, of course, this varies depending on personal preferences, so my words aren’t absolute. If you want to consider it, listen to various people’s opinions.”

“I asked because I was curious about Miss Kana’s opinion, so I don’t need to hear from others.”

“I see.”

Although she could easily imagine him regretting his arrogance later when Letie properly ensnared him, Kana held her tongue. Unaware of her thoughts, Kiriel immediately changed the subject.

“By the way, the Foundation Festival is coming up soon. What’s your schedule like?”

“Well, I’m not sure. I’ll probably know on the day. I might rest at the mansion… or maybe take a brief look around.”

Kana gave an ambiguous answer. It was content that could be interpreted and fitted according to the situation. Kiriel nodded, thinking of her behavior so far.

“Right, you mentioned before that you don’t really like crowded places? Actually, I’m busy too, but I might have some time on the second day.”

“Ah, I see. As expected, even during the festival, the Tower Master is busy. You’re always working hard.”

Kana gave a formal response. Already knowing that he would appear on the second day, she didn’t feel particularly moved. Kiriel, seeing her indifference, emphasized strongly.

“Well, that’s right. Anyway, I’m trying to make time on the second day.”

“Yes, please do.”

Kana calmly encouraged him. While they were wrapped in an awkward silence, they arrived in front of the Round mansion. He casually asked Kana as she was getting off after saying goodbye.

“Miss Kana, do you ever feel like you want to go somewhere?”

“No.”

It was rather the opposite. She was diligently collecting star ratings because she wanted to end her wearisome nomadic life.

At first, she was excited about experiencing a new world, but now she was tired of it.

A flash of boredom crossed her green eyes. Kiriel felt somewhat relieved by her attitude, which was opposite to the content of the dream, but it still oddly bothered him.

“I see.”

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Okay. Thank you for listening to my request.”

“It’s nothing. I learned something new too.”

Kana greeted him and entered the mansion. Kiriel silently watched her retreating figure, then expanded the range of his teleportation magic to include the entire carriage and moved to his private residence.

Liriel, sprawled on a plush sofa, lazily waved her hand.

“You’re back early. Did you have a good chat with Miss Kana on the way?”

“Yes.”

“Well, keep trying. It doesn’t look very smooth, though.”

Kiriel reacted sharply to Liriel’s offhand comment.

“Why?”

“It’s obvious at a glance. You’re smitten with Miss Kana, but she’s not. Even if she says nice things, her heart isn’t in it.”

Liriel pointed to her own chest with her finger and coldly pointed out. At these painful words, Kiriel couldn’t argue back and closed his mouth. She added, as if to comfort him.

“Cheer up.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel let out a sigh.

* * *

As the Foundation Festival approached, an excited atmosphere enveloped the entire empire. While numerous characters were bustling about, Kana lent Alderaan the pearl ring imbued with a gnome in advance.

When the day finally arrived, she calmly prepared to go out while mentally retracing the female lead’s movements.

On the first day, she would spend time haphazardly with the Northern Duke, on the second day, she would be with Dain and then coincidentally get involved with the Tower Master, and on the third day, she would finish with the male protagonist.

While Kana was making final adjustments to her appearance in the mirror, Celia, who had seeped into the pure pearl of the necklace, asked curiously.

[Kana, why does the female lead meet the male lead and sub-male leads in turns?]

‘They’re all characters who hold influential positions, so they meet at times that suit each other.’

Ethan only appeared on the first day before returning to the North, Kiriel barely made time on the second day as he said, and Richard barely got personal time on the last day due to imperial matters.

[Why is the male lead last of all?]

‘They probably wanted to emphasize that the protagonist appears last. You know, even in this episode, the third day is the highlight.’

[Ah, I see.]

The spirit resolved its curiosity thanks to its contractor’s explanation.

When Kana, having finished all preparations, came out, the streets were bustling with people, befitting the festival period.

As she was walking towards the central square, her industry friend’s voice echoed in her head.

‘[Round, are you out?]’

‘[Yes. I’m thinking of looking around near the central square. Since the first day isn’t that important anyway, I’m planning to just check that Ethan and Letie are doing well and then go back.]’

‘[Good. For now, from where I am, I can see Ethan escorting Letie.]’

‘[Smooth.]’

Kana nodded. Even though he was also a sub-male lead, Ethan didn’t create as many variables as Kiriel.

As she reached the central square, Ethan and Letie came near the fountain. The two figures immediately recognized Kana who was walking leisurely alone. Letie, with wide eyes, addressed her.

“Miss Kana, did you come alone?”

“Yes. I’m planning to just take a brief look around and then go back. I heard that Lady Letie requested an escort from Duke Cardium for the first day, and it seems it worked out well.”

Kana looked back and forth between Letie and Ethan. Letie responded humbly with a smiling face.

“Ah, I was lucky. The Duke kindly accepted my request.”

“I’m just repaying what I received. We also have things to discuss.”

Ethan was calm. It was mentioned that he actually benefited from the healing water Letie created, and he accepted her request to discuss work-related matters. It’s essentially an extension of work and trade disguised as a date.

“I see. Anyway, I hope you both enjoy your time.”

“Thank you.”

Letie responded with a gentle smile even to the formal greeting.

At that moment, Ethan pointed out a safety-related concern.

“Hmm, is it alright for the young lady to wander around alone?”