Kiriel approached her with long strides and replied.

“Oh, really? It seemed like you were gearing up.”

“Well, technically, I did buy them to protect myself. What brings you here, Tower Master?”

Kana deflected the conversation by vaguely mentioning her purpose, even as he got closer. Kiriel responded nonchalantly.

“This is a shop I run, so I came to check on it.”

“My goodness, is that so? No wonder the quality is so good.”

Though she already knew, Kana clapped her hands and laughed brightly. It was a typical reaction of a background character when dealing with a main character.

‘In the story, he kept it a secret. Why is he revealing it so readily now? Does that mean he doesn’t see me as a threat?’

As a supporting character, she had encountered many main characters who underestimated background characters. Considering their backgrounds and abilities, it was understandable. This time felt similar.

Kiriel accepted the praise directed at him indifferently and asked.

“Oh. Did you buy the pure pearl necklace because of the spirit?”

“Yes. I read in a book that pearls are well-suited for spirits. I wanted to keep the spirit summoned for a long time, but it was too conspicuous, so I wanted to find a place for the spirit to hide.”

As soon as Kana finished speaking, the cloud-shaped wind spirit popped out from the pearl of the ring and moved to the pure pearl of the necklace. She immediately took off the pearl ring and put it into the airspace of the ring.

Kiriel, observing her natural actions, spoke up.

“You’ve certainly studied properly.”

“Hearing your praise makes me feel a bit shy. I still have many shortcomings, so I need to study more in the future.”

She deliberately lowered her eyes slightly and fidgeted with her fingers, displaying a gentle demeanor befitting ‘Kana Round’ without standing out too much. Kiriel changed the subject.

“Are you going back to the mansion now?”

“No. Since I’m out, I’ll walk around a bit more.”

Kana didn’t bother mentioning any other destinations. From her long experience, she had a hunch it would become bothersome.

Kiriel watched the woman chattering in a lively voice before him. He hadn’t noticed her overall appearance earlier, being preoccupied with magical tools and the spirit. Now, he saw her wearing a light green dress with few decorations and a dark green cape, giving off a fresh forest vibe that matched her eye color.

“Ah, I see.”

“Yes. Then I’ll be off.”

Kana greeted him and left the magical tool shop. But he followed her out. She blinked.

“Tower Master, are you leaving already?”

“No, I’m bored, so I’ll follow you.”

Kiriel nonchalantly dropped a bombshell. The spirit hiding in the pure pearl of the necklace couldn’t say anything and just let out a hollow laugh.

‘Why all of a sudden?’

Kana managed to maintain a barely composed expression, forcing an awkward smile.

“…Oh, really? But you’ll find it boring to be with me.”

“It’s fine.”

Kiriel showed no sign of leaving. She couldn’t figure out what had caught his interest. Arguing in front of the carriage would only draw attention and complicate things.

‘This type tends to cling more if you try to push them away. It’s annoying, but I have no choice. If I just leave him alone, he’ll probably get bored and leave on his own.’

Kana resigned herself and let Kiriel into the carriage. He frowned upon realizing there were no guards inside.

“Lady Round, you’re traveling without a single guard?”

“Yes, I prefer being alone. It’s uncomfortable having someone I’m not close to around.”

Her smiling voice had a hint of sharpness, but Kiriel, like other sub male leads who did as they pleased, stubbornly continued.

“Even though the capital’s security is good, it’s dangerous for a noble lady to be alone.”

“I have the spirit with me.”

Kana pointed to the pure pearl of the necklace with her finger.

However, he thought it was reckless for a novice spirit summoner to rely on a low-level spirit. Kiriel’s neat eyebrows furrowed.

“Hmm, a low-level spirit can’t perform any useful spirit magic.”

“It’s alright. I can manage.”

“Lady Round.”

“Now that the Master of the Magic Tower is here, it’s even safer. Let’s get going.”

Kana waved her hand dismissively. She didn’t want to engage in emotional labor outside of work, especially without the female protagonist present.

* * *

The carriage arrived at the weapon shop. She got off with Kiriel and went inside. Following her with a peculiar feeling, Kiriel suddenly asked.

“A weapon shop? Is there a weapon you can use?”

“Yes.”

Kana maintained a business-like smile and responded curtly.

‘It’s annoying enough that he followed me, but does he have to question everything?’

Despite his set personality, his sarcastic tone was irritating. She felt a sudden urge to shut the sub male lead’s mouth but suppressed it.

The weapon shop owner greeted them with a smiling face.

“Welcome, my lady. Are you looking for a gift for a knight?”

“No, it’s for me.”

In the romance fantasy setting, people often assumed that noble ladies buying weapons were purchasing gifts. Unless it was a northern family known for their expertise in swordsmanship and weaponry.

The owner of the weapon shop was taken aback by her firm response but quickly adjusted his attitude.

“Oh, I see… Ahem, is there a specific weapon you are looking for?”

“A sword. I would like a pair of daggers and a single sword.”

“Please take a look over here.”

Following the guidance, Kana moved to a corner display and meticulously examined the swords. She needed to choose one that fit well in her hand, was suitable for embedding a spirit or spirit energy, and had an appropriate length.

Kiriel yawned lazily as he watched Kana. She was carefully and seriously selecting a weapon.

Her small and delicate frame didn’t seem suitable for wielding a sword. Unless she could handle aura, which she likely couldn’t. She probably intended to utilize the wind spirit.

At that moment, another customer entered. Kana was testing the feel of a dagger in her hand when she turned at the sound of a small bell.

Black hair and vivid red eyes. A sharp nose and tightly pressed full lips. A blank white face. Dressed entirely in black, with a white-furred cloak and a sword at his waist.

His solid build and imposing presence drew attention. Kana immediately recognized who he was.

Ethan Cardium. The head of the northern Cardium family, one of the four great houses of the Arsen Empire, a swordsmanship genius and a sword master, and also the sub male lead of ‘The Fake Saint Was Real.’

‘…Did I pick the wrong day to go out?’

Kana clicked her tongue. He was the typical northern duke type sub male lead common in romance fantasies. Taciturn and stoic, he likely wouldn’t cause any trouble.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one present. Kiriel greeted Ethan with a calm expression.

“Duke Cardium.”

“Master of the Magic Tower, it’s been a while.”

True to his image, he exuded a heavy presence. Kiriel nodded in acknowledgment.

“Yes. We’ve both been busy. Did you come to the capital early for the imperial banquet?”

“Yes. I’m also taking care of some other matters. What brings the Master of the Magic Tower to a weapon shop? I thought you had no interest in martial arts or weapons.”

“I have company.”

Kiriel pointed to Kana, who had been quietly standing aside.

Only then did Ethan notice the small, gentle-looking young lady holding daggers in both hands. Kana grumbled inwardly under his indifferent gaze.

‘I was planning to mind my own business, so why did he have to draw attention to me?’

With their eyes meeting, she couldn’t ignore him. She placed the daggers back and curtsied.

“Nice to meet you, Duke Cardium. I’m Kana Round.”

“Ethan Cardium.”

His introduction was brief, as expected. Kana praised him modestly.

“It’s an honor to meet someone renowned for their swordsmanship in the Empire.”

“Yes. You seem to be choosing a sword, so go ahead and continue.”

“Yes.”

His straightforward and no-nonsense manner was quite to her liking. Kana resumed selecting a sword, leaving the two sub male leads alone.

‘Which one should I choose?’

She had narrowed it down to two options. While it would be ideal to buy both, she had already spent a significant portion of her budget on high-quality magical tools, leaving little room for additional expenses.

Kana was contemplating between two pairs of daggers and two swords when Ethan suddenly intervened.

“Are you only choosing one of each?”

“Yes. I want to use them within manageable limits.”

Ethan alternated his gaze between the swords and Kana.

“I don’t see any signs of you having used a sword before. Do you know how to wield one?”

“Yes, a little. That’s why I want to prepare and practice.”

“Pick up each dagger and sword and swing them once.”

Kana obediently followed Ethan’s instructions. As a swordsmanship genius, he quickly assessed her movements and selected the most suitable weapons for her.

“The daggers should be these, and the sword should be that one.”

“Thank you for your help in choosing.”

Kana promptly followed his advice and proceeded to pay for the weapons. Kiriel, who had been observing, spoke up.

“Lady Round, you are surprisingly bold.”

“Pardon?”

“Most people shrink back when facing Duke Cardium. His aura and the rumors about him are quite intimidating.”

As she stored the purchased weapons in the airspace ring, Kana snapped back to reality at his comment. She must have relaxed without realizing it due to the calm and straightforward atmosphere.

She maintained a gentle smile and desperately improvised.

“Ah, I don’t tend to blindly believe rumors. Besides, isn’t it a bit much for someone interested in swordsmanship to be terrified just by seeing Duke Cardium?”