Whoosh!

A dazzlingly intense light illuminated the surroundings.

In that moment, a translucent magic circle appeared on the ground.

‘I want to check the magic book.’

The moment she thought this, the magic book was summoned directly into the water with bubbles.

[You have discovered a summoning circle for a new key through the power.

Would you like to activate the magic circle to summon the key?]

‘Wow, finally!’

It was the new key she had been waiting for.

Mana was needed to activate the magic circle.

Rustle.

Kiki first filled the magic circle with mana, and Liria followed suit.

Thump, thump.

Her mana heart was filled with more excitement than usual.

When the mana was completely filled, the magic circle activated, emitting a blue light.

Flash!

As soon as the key popped out of the magic circle, Liria tried to grab it at once. However, it was so fast that it slipped from her hand.

“Gasp, no!”

It was a key with strong power that flapped about like a fish.

The joy of discovering the key was short-lived as Liria fell into contemplation.

‘How do I catch that?’

At that moment, the Key of Power glowed and its body lengthened slightly, making it easier to grasp. Liria hurriedly clutched the Key of Power firmly in her hand.

When she breathed mana into the Key of Power, a net of light spread out.

Swoosh!

But the new key escaped with swift speed.

She missed the key, but she had figured out the method.

“So the Key of Power can be used like a tool. Alright, I must catch the new key!”

“Kukuk!”

With an expression that clearly meant “that’s exactly right,” Kiki clapped his hands and swung his tail back and forth.

The new key frolicked above Liria’s head, playfully teasing her.

Liria concentrated, steadied her breathing, and then breathed mana into the Key of Power.

Smoothly.

This time, an even larger net of light was created than before.

Swoooosh!

“…Got it!”

The new key caught in the net flapped about, but there was no hole to escape through.

Liria slowly pulled the Key of Power, capturing the new key in her hand.

Finally… she had acquired the new key.

Both Liria and Kiki hugged each other and squealed with joy.

Upon obtaining the new key, Kiki poured more magical energy into the mana bubble.

Then the mana bubble instantly cut through the water and shot upward, bringing Liria outside the spring.

It felt like riding an amusement park ride.

Liria turned her head again to look at the spring.

‘Phew, I barely got it after such a struggle.’

At that moment, she saw Melissa and Yuphi approaching the spring.

Liria hurriedly withdrew her mana, unsummoned both keys and the magic book, and then pretended to be playing in the spring water.

“Lady Liria?”

“Are you alright? We heard a loud noise and came to check on you.”

“As you can see, I’m fine. I finished praying and was just playing in the water with Kiki.”

“Pip-pi!”

Kiki also played along, enthusiastically splashing water.

***

“It seems the young lady used a private carriage to visit the maid and gardener’s house.”

“The gardener’s house?”

“Yes, a gardener named Melissa who works at the duke’s castle. It appears she has become close to the young lady recently.”

The Duke, who had heard about Liria’s whereabouts from Emmett, slowly rubbed his chin.

If it was a gardener from within the duke’s castle, they could have met inside. Was there a reason to specifically visit her house?

Liria had previously asked the Duke to let her go to the temple.

Surely she wouldn’t have gone looking for a temple on her own.

“If it’s someone from within the duke’s castle, they must be trustworthy?”

“She was recommended by Head Maid Anna. Rumors say she has the unusual background of coming from the Soriel Temple.”

Upon hearing Emmett’s words, the Duke looked at him again.

“From the temple, you say?”

She did say she wanted to pray for Classid last time.

It seems she has found a way to fulfill her wishes after all.

Vladimir’s wrinkled eyes curved slightly.

“That little cookie crumb…”

“…Pardon?”

“No, it’s nothing. Leave her be.”

“Understood.”

“For this field trip, I should just send Conrad alone at a leisurely pace. The location should be changed.”

He had thought of using the field trip as an excuse to let her ride the magic railway.

But since she seemed to have resolved it herself, that didn’t seem necessary.

Vladimir stroked his chin whiskers as he thought of Liria.

“So I’d like to propose a deal to you.”

“I’m proposing a marriage contract deal to the young master.”

The child with bright green eyes rolling about had something in common with his wife, Lillian.

As Emmett was organizing documents and about to leave, the Duke said to him.

“Tell Buena to come in.”

Buena was the aide in charge of various diplomatic affairs, all event schedules, and the Duke’s schedule.

“Your Grace, do you have a new plan?”

“We need to prepare for a family meeting.”

***

In the carriage returning to the duke’s castle after parting with Melissa.

Liria kept trying to suppress her laughter.

Her mind was filled with curiosity about the new key.

‘I hope it’s the Key of Healing. No, I won’t be disappointed even if it’s something else.’

Still, since it was a key summoned from a sacred object, she expected it to have quite remarkable power.

Kiki, sitting on her lap, had fallen fast asleep, tired from the day’s events, and Liria also nodded off briefly. By the time she awoke, the carriage had already entered the duke’s castle.

“Young miss, did you return safely? Would you like me to prepare some warm cocoa for you?”

Leyman welcomed her with a refreshing smile.

She had clearly decided not to eat anything, but somehow she couldn’t refuse when Leyman offered.

Finally, after having cocoa and even macarons, she was entering the corridor when she encountered an unexpected person.

It was Conrad.

Normally, Conrad would never approach her first.

Last time, he had walked right past her even when she deliberately approached him to say hello.

But this time, for some reason, as soon as Conrad saw her, he sauntered over.

Narrowing his eyes, Conrad said.

“Hey, you.”

Hmph, when did he ever acknowledge her before?

Today, let him have a taste of his own medicine!

“…I’m sorry, but I’m extremely tired and sleepy right now. Please don’t talk to me.”

“…What?”

Liria said this and walked right past him.

Conrad’s crumpled expression from being ignored was worth seeing.

“Yuphi, what are you doing? Let’s go quickly!”

“What? Yes, miss!”

Even Yuphi wore a surprised expression.

‘That girl…’

The back of her head felt hot from Conrad’s glare.

If he had business with her, he would seek her out later.

‘Right now, I have much more important matters waiting for me!’

Upon reaching her room, Liria decided to reject all meals and snacks, lock her door tight, and shut herself in.

“I’m not meeting anyone today. I’m too tired. I feel like I’m going to faint.”

After declaring this to Marit and Yuphi, she even began to act as if she were nodding off.

That way, they wouldn’t come in while she examined the key.