“But how will you arrange this meeting? These aren’t ordinary people—they’re mages. The Magic Tower Master himself is under suspicion. Even for imperial matters, you can’t detain them based on mere suspicion.”

Rachel questioned, a sudden doubt crossing her mind.

In normal circumstances, anyone who attacked Crown Prince Ryan could be arrested for treason. However, this situation was different—the Magic Tower Master himself might be involved. They couldn’t simply move against the leader and spiritual pillar of all mages without concrete evidence.

“I’ve been pondering that very issue. The others might be manageable, but Randolph… he’s problematic. If he decides to protect the other mages, things could get complicated.”

“That’s true. This might even cause a rift between Carwen and the Magic Tower.”

The Carwen Empire and the Magic Tower maintained a mutually beneficial relationship. Carwen provided the land and financial support for the Tower’s operations, while the Tower lent its magical expertise whenever magical problems arose. The Tower’s presence at Carwen’s side deterred other countries from making rash moves against the empire.

However, the Tower’s existence wasn’t entirely welcome. Though Carwen and the Magic Tower coexisted symbiotically, the empire’s complete dependence on the Tower for magical matters was a weakness.

This was why Carwen wanted to cultivate its own imperial mages, but with the Magic Tower in the same system, few mages volunteered for imperial service. Most talented mages preferred to join the Tower instead.

The Emperor’s delight at Rachel’s existence and his desire to recruit her as an imperial mage stemmed from this situation. Under these circumstances, even the imperial family couldn’t move against Randolph.

Rachel, understanding the relationship between the imperial family and the Magic Tower, nodded in agreement with Ryan’s words.

“Does it take long to identify someone’s mana properties?”

“No.”

“Do you need to hold the person for an extended period?”

“Not at all.”

For Rachel, distinguishing another person’s mana properties wasn’t particularly difficult, unlike for others.

“Even if they’re a mage, they won’t know I’m analyzing their mana properties.”

Rachel elaborated, realizing what Ryan was concerned about. He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before speaking.

“How about this? We’ll prepare a banquet at the imperial palace for mages to enjoy.”

“…A banquet?”

This was meant to be an occasion to identify someone who had attempted to take the Crown Prince’s life. Normally, such matters would be handled in a solemn, serious setting. Yet Ryan had proposed a banquet.

“Yes. And it wouldn’t be strange for Rachel to be present at a gathering of mages, since you’re a mage yourself.”

Ryan calmly expressed his thoughts.

“So you can observe your targets carefully during the banquet. You said identifying mana properties doesn’t take long, nor is it noticeable. Couldn’t you just pretend to socialize while checking them?”

“I see.”

Rachel had to agree with his suggestion.

The plan was to use the banquet as a cover while identifying who had controlled the attackers. This approach wouldn’t strain relations with the Magic Tower, as the targets wouldn’t even know Rachel had examined them.

“That’s a good plan. Even the Magic Tower Master would find it difficult to decline an invitation to a banquet for mages.”

She liked Ryan’s plan to gather everyone in one place for identification before taking further action.

“Then I hope you’ll be of great help when the time comes, Rachel.”

Rachel nodded at Ryan’s words.

“Let me know when you have more specific details and plans. I’ll be waiting.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Ryan smiled gently. Rachel returned a faint smile before standing up.

“I should get going now.”

“Yes. If you need, I could escort you…”

“No, I can go by myself.”

Rachel declined his offer as she rose from her seat.

“You must be busy. I don’t want to take up more of your time.”

“I understand. I’ll contact you again. And please feel free to visit even without official business. You’re always welcome, Rachel.”

Rachel left Ryan’s office with his warm send-off.

“Rachel!”

As she left the main building and passed through the training grounds, Tervan’s voice caught her attention.

Having spotted Rachel from the training grounds, Tervan ran toward her.

“Are you coming from seeing His Highness?”

Tervan asked carefully, noticing she was coming from the main building.

“Yes. I had some business with Ryan.”

Rachel confirmed briefly, and he smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry about yesterday—showing up without notice and then leaving suddenly. Thinking about it afterward, I realized it must have been too abrupt for you.”

“Why so formal all of a sudden?”

For Rachel, unexpected visits from Tervan and Viola weren’t particularly surprising. It would likely be the same if Rachel visited the Sanchez ducal residence without prior notice.

“It’s fine. No need to apologize.”

“That’s a relief…”

Tervan’s words seemed unusually awkward today. Since returning from the monster subjugation, Tervan had found the changed Rachel strange, but today he seemed particularly uncomfortable.

“Is something wrong?”

Rachel asked, wondering if something was bothering him. Tervan looked at her with wavering eyes before shaking his head.

“No, nothing.”

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Okay.”

Only after confirming his response did Rachel turn to leave.

It felt unsettling—he seemed anxious like he had something to say, yet said nothing. Since he wouldn’t explain, she couldn’t press him further.

She wondered if Tervan, like Ryan and Edward, had noticed something about her necklace. Since she had never hidden the necklace, anyone who investigated magical beasts deeply enough might realize that the necklace she wore was identical to the one sealing Creon.

Knowing this, she had prepared a fake necklace in advance, but it would be difficult for him to ask her directly.

If Tervan’s awkwardness and hesitation stemmed from this, Rachel was prepared to lie again, just as she had done with Ryan and Edward.

However, Tervan never stopped her. Even as she walked toward the Rose Palace, she could feel Tervan’s gaze on her back, refusing to disappear.

* * *

The next day, an invitation arrived for Rachel from the imperial family. It was an invitation to a banquet for mages.

Rachel sank into the sofa.

The attack on Crown Prince Ryan was something that had never occurred in any of her numerous time regressions.

Even if Ryan were attacked, it was usually Duke Bermund’s plot, aiming for the imperial throne. However, this time she couldn’t confirm Duke Bermund’s involvement.

Today marked two days since she had rejected Duke Bermund’s proposal. She expected him to make some move—as soon as the same day, or within a month at the latest.

Though there had been no movement yet, she couldn’t relax and decided it was best to keep a close eye on him.

At this point, Rachel realized she had somehow taken the imperial family’s side. After first saving Tervan, she had been so weary of everything that she tried not to get involved in anything.

Yet she had given Ryan hints about Duke Bermund because she remembered viewing him favorably in the past, which had led to her current situation.

She didn’t regret her choice.

She had experienced Duke Bermund seizing the imperial throne several times and remembered all the chaos that followed.

Nobles who supported the Carwen imperial family were all purged, and sycophants rose to key positions.

The capital was gripped by fear for a time, and the country became impoverished due to these corrupt officials.

All this happened in less than three years after Duke Bermund ascended the throne.

Better for Duke Bermund’s rebellion to fail than to let that happen. This was why Rachel had given Ryan those hints, believing it herself.

Having decided to help Ryan, Rachel was determined to cut all ties with Duke Bermund completely.

After all, helping Duke Bermund would only bring her exhaustion.