“What is it?”

“To put it simply, I’d like to offer some advice and help to the Master of the Magic Tower, and in turn, I’d like to receive help from you when needed.”

Kiriel’s eyes narrowed at Letie’s words.

“Elaborate.”

“As you know, I have quite a few enemies around me. Today, I almost fell victim to a curse.”

“Ah, Lady Cordelia Serade?”

“That’s right. As you might have guessed from the fact that healing abilities didn’t work properly, she threw a curse at me, and I counterattacked.”

Letie recalled the precarious moment. She deliberately drank the tea her half-sister casually offered with a smiling face, pretending to fall for it, but secretly took a healing potion afterward.

Before going out, she prepared several defensive magical items, causing the curse to bounce back to Cordelia the moment it was cast. Her eyes grew dry.

Kiriel muttered in a voice devoid of any particular emotion.

“Hmm, that one did something stupid again. She’ll have to deal with both the backlash and the damage of the curse.”

“Exactly. That’s why I’d like help in preserving the evidence. And I also want to establish a connection with the capable Master of the Magic Tower in case of any unforeseen situations.”

“I see. What do I gain if I help you, Lady Serade?”

Kiriel’s voice was utterly cold. Letie met his sharp purple eyes boldly and replied.

“First, I’ll cooperate immediately when you need healing abilities. I’m also willing to provide conveniences later depending on the situation.”

“And?”

Kiriel wiggled his finger. It was a decent offer, but it felt insufficient to him. Letie took a slow deep breath before speaking.

“Before I mention the additional part… Tower Master, you like Miss Kana, don’t you?”

Kiriel’s eyes turned slightly fierce. After a moment of silence, he answered in a flat voice.

“Yes. How did you know?”

Letie then pointed at him and replied nonchalantly.

“It’s just obvious when I look at you. Of course, Kana seemed either uninterested or completely unaware.”

“You’re unnecessarily perceptive. I suppose that’s based on your experience of once being head over heels for the First Prince?”

“Well, something like that.”

Letie remained unfazed even when the other party was being prickly. The moment she realized how futile her feelings for Riden had been before her regression, even the tiniest lingering attachment had disappeared.

Kiriel cynically pointed out.

“But in the end, you failed, didn’t you? Logically, when someone who couldn’t even properly resolve their own issues offers advice, it lowers credibility.”

“Can you call it a failure when I simply let go because my feelings disappeared? If I still liked him, I would have approached it differently.”

A dark emotion that had been layered up flashed through her golden eyes for a moment. Her past love had become the worst for her. Kiriel calmly retorted, not swept up in Letie’s emotions.

“Then it’s different from my case.”

“That attitude is precisely the problem, Tower Master.”

“What?”

Kiriel’s eyebrows furrowed at Letie’s reflexive words. Having started, she honestly advised.

“If you keep acting like that, you probably won’t be able to get closer to Miss Kana.”

“Why?”

“Because Miss Kana’s disposition is incompatible with yours.”

“Explain further.”

As Kiriel gestured with his chin, Letie slowly explained, counting on her fingers.

“From what I see, she’s fundamentally a polite and gentle person, but she dislikes intrusion into her private matters and is indifferent to areas outside her interests. She seems cautious about everything and maintains an appropriate distance.”

“What else?”

“Given her personality, her ideal type is likely someone who is affectionate and polite, understands her well, and respects her.”

“That’s information I already know.”

Kiriel wore a bored expression, recalling what he had roughly figured out by observation and what Kana had directly told him before. Letie clicked her tongue and rebutted.

“Theory and practice are different. Of course, given your exceptional talent, you’ve probably translated theory into practice well in magic and other areas of interest… but not in this aspect.”

“……”

“For starters, just avoiding behaviors that the other person might dislike gets you halfway there. Of course, to progress further from there would require constant effort.”

Letie kindly pointed out the basics. If Kana had seen this, she would have been shocked to see the female protagonist counseling the sub-male lead on love. Kiriel stroked his chin.

“Hmm.”

“Of course, the major help I can confirm in my proposal is utilizing my healing abilities. The part related to Miss Kana is just a bit of advice. After all, her will is the most important.”

Letie took a step back. Her friend’s intentions were most important regarding their relationship.

She was willing to subtly help them if they both expressed interest, without deeply interfering in their relationship.

After some consideration, Kiriel accepted the other’s proposal.

“Alright, I accept.”

“I look forward to working with you when the need arises.”

“Good. Then let’s end the conversation here.”

“Okay.”

With Letie’s response, the conversation ended. Their figures vanished suddenly from the top floor of the clock tower.

Meanwhile, Alderaan, who had silently reached the top floor of the clock tower while the two were in the midst of their conversation, was quietly observing them from a corner without moving.

Glancing at the suddenly empty space, he slowly stretched his body and informed his industry friend of the situation.

‘[Round, Kiriel and Letie had a conversation and left.]’

‘[Is that so? Fortunately, it proceeded as planned.]’

‘[But they must have used a sound-blocking spell, as I couldn’t hear the conversation.]’

Alderaan scratched the back of his head. Although he couldn’t hear the content of the conversation, from what he saw, it seemed closer to a stiff and businesslike atmosphere rather than a sweet and soft one.

Kana responded casually.

‘[It doesn’t matter. There was a description in the original work that they used a sound-blocking spell. I’m sure they had a good conversation. For now, it’s fine as long as the star rating is safe since they met.]’

‘[Right.]’

‘[Anyway, good job, Alderaan. Let’s keep up the good work tomorrow.]’

* * *

Finally, the last day of the Founding Festival arrived. Standing in front of the mirror, Kana slowly took a deep breath and finished her preparations.

She even packed necessary items, including healing water, more meticulously than usual in the subspace of her ring.

As always, Celia, who had seeped into the pure pearl of the necklace, made small talk to ease her contractor’s tension.

[Kana, you’re preparing more thoroughly today.]

‘Of course. I have to endure until night, and there’s an incident coming up.’

[Meanwhile, Kiriel asked to escort you. Will you be okay being together all day?]

The wind spirit’s voice was full of concern. Kana deliberately put on a gentle smile and answered cheerfully.

‘Since it’s already decided, I’ll have to manage somehow. Of course, it would be best if nothing goes wrong.’

[Hang in there! I’ll help quietly as usual.]

‘Thank you, Celia.’

Kana smiled at her reliable partner and went out a little earlier than the appointed time. She immediately spotted Kiriel waiting at the entrance of the mansion with a bored expression.

He waved his hand with a brightened face as he saw her approaching.

“Miss Kana, you’re here.”

“Lord Kiriel, you came earlier than I expected. I hope you haven’t been waiting long?”

“It’s fine. I just got here not long ago.”

Although he had come out much earlier due to excitement and had been waiting, Kiriel tried to act nonchalant. Unaware of this, Kana blinked and changed the subject.

“Well, that’s good… But is everything alright at the Magic Tower?”

“I’ve already taken care of the really important matters, so the others should be able to handle the rest.”

Moreover, mages including Kanto had volunteered to help.

Kiriel snapped his fingers and smiled brightly. She looked at him with concern.

“You didn’t force yourself to make time, did you?”

“No. Don’t worry about that. If things couldn’t run smoothly just because I’m away for a day, we’d have to shut down the Magic Tower. It would mean it’s hopeless.”

“…Haha, that’s true.”

She let out an awkward laugh at his consistently merciless attitude. Kiriel calmly extended his hand.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Kana accepted his escort and got into the carriage. As the carriage headed towards the carriage depot in the central plaza, Kiriel casually asked.

“Miss Kana, you said you’ll be staying until night today, right?”

“Yes. Since it’s the last day.”

“Great, it’ll be fun.”

Kiriel grinned. Kana simply nodded, knowing what would happen later. She had no intention of dampening the spirits of someone who was happy to have a break from constant work.

They arrived at the carriage depot in the central plaza and left their carriage. Kana looked around the central plaza, which was more crowded with characters than before, and clicked her tongue.

“Wow, there are even more people today.”

“They say it’s always more crowded on the last day. We might get separated if we’re not careful, so hold my hand tightly.”

Kiriel still hadn’t let go of Kana’s hand that he had been holding while escorting her. She was about to pull her hand away but hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar sensation.

“Pardon? Do you mean we should keep holding hands?”

“Yes. Or would you prefer to link arms?”

“…Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“Not at all. It’s easier to protect you if something happens. If we’re not close together by holding hands or linking arms, we’ll struggle in the crowd.”

Kiriel made a plausible excuse with a subtle ulterior motive. Based on experience, it wasn’t entirely wrong. After some consideration, she made her decision.

“I see. I’m a bit uncomfortable with linking arms, so I’ll choose to hold hands.”

“Alright, whatever makes you comfortable, Miss Kana.”

In truth, Kiriel was fine with either option. He secretly raised the corners of his mouth as he held her hand firmly.