Chapter 30.1

Looking at the building and the sign before me, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia, as if reliving the emotions of launching my first startup back on Earth.

‘Starting a new business is always exciting. Thrilling. Fresh!’

This time, though, it was a business venture in a fantasy world where magic existed.

If this were a virtual reality game, it might have been the very definition of a life game.

‘For the first product, that would be ideal, wouldn’t it? It won’t require much advanced magitech knowledge, so security risks would be minimal. Plus, it’s challenging enough to make copying it difficult. The only issue is finding enough skilled hands to craft it…’

As I stood there for a while, brainstorming the first product for Arad Company, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Sir Arad.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Lady Isabelle.”

Behind me, the voice of the Spring Witch, Isabelle, called out unexpectedly.

“What brings you here?”

“I was just passing by.”

“I see.”

The Spring Witch Isabelle looked as ordinary as ever, appearing more like an elderly Northern woman than the witch she truly was.

“So, the Arad Trading Company is finally opening?”

“Yes.”

“When’s the grand opening?”

“Probably next week. We’ll start operations simultaneously with the opening ceremony.”

Isabelle, despite her appearance as an old woman, was much older than she looked.

According to what I’d heard, she’d been around since the Northern Grand Duchy was first established. Part of this was due to her status as an Archwitch, a classification of transcendent beings, but it was also because witch blood faintly carried the traits of elves.

“Will you also unveil a new product at the opening? Something as impactful as Arad Salt?”

“Yes, you can look forward to it.”

“I will.”

“Hahaha.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the Spring Witch, I cautiously asked something that had been on my mind.

“By the way… how is Her Highness these days?”

I couldn’t help but be concerned about the Grand Duchess, who seemed to have been avoiding me since the title ceremony. She hadn’t included me in recent meetings, either.

“Is she feeling unwell?”

“She’s feeling a bit unwell.”

Isabelle’s words came with a subtle glance that seemed to size me up, making my heart sink for a moment.

“She’s unwell?! Where?”

For a brief second, the thought that something might have gone wrong with the Elixir from the Demonic Realm struck me with terror.

‘Is this a delayed side effect of the Elixir?’

The Elixir I’d concocted hastily back then was primitive and unstable, even if it had miraculously healed her injuries and restored her broken mana core.

Who knew when its side effects might surface?

“I’m joking. She’s fine. She’s just been busy and hasn’t had the time. There are her duties as a ruler to consider, and more importantly, she needs to focus on replenishing her empty mana core.”

“I see…”

Even though Isabelle called it a joke, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it.

There was definitely something.

‘Her reactions when I was with the younger witches, her behavior at the meetings when I sat beside her, and even her flustered demeanor at the title ceremony… Could it be embarrassing?’

I had a hunch as to why.

‘This is exactly how awkward things get when two people fumble through a half-hearted flirtation that doesn’t end well.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

There was nothing I could do about it, after all.

In fact, I thought it was better this way. It meant I wouldn’t have to wander around the North unnecessarily, and it would naturally create some distance between Arina and me.

“By the way, has there been any progress on that matter, Sir Arad?”

Unaware of my thoughts—and possibly willing to burn me at the stake for trifling with her liege’s feelings—Isabelle suddenly changed the subject with a cryptic smile.

“Ah… You mean the research regarding intelligence?”

“Yes, that.”

Realizing what she was referring to, I swallowed hard.

‘So, the time has finally come.’

I had already identified the cause of the intelligence-related issue, but I’d been putting off explaining it because it wasn’t an easy topic to broach. However, I couldn’t avoid it forever.

“For now… let me show you inside.”

Steeling myself, I led Isabelle into the Arad Company building.

The interior was sparse, as neither staff nor infrastructure had been fully arranged yet.

Still, the basement already housed a modest magitech workshop of my own making.

“This is… peculiar.”

Despite the lack of torches or candles, the underground space was bright. Small, light-attributed magic stones were embedded in the walls and ceiling as a magical lighting system.

“Wow… No matter how many times I see it, it’s always impressive.”

Isabelle’s eyes gleamed as she inspected the glowing magic stones.

‘She still doesn’t ask me to share knowledge about magitech or stonework, does she?’

Watching Isabelle’s reaction, I tilted my head.

Since coming to the High Tower, I’d had numerous conversations with witches, but none of them ever asked about the principles or secrets behind my creations. They only showed interest in the finished products.

It was as if inquiring about such things was considered impolite or even taboo.

‘Why is that?’

I glanced at Isabelle, who was examining the various magical tools in the basement with sparkling eyes.

‘The witches haven’t pried into my past, so I haven’t felt comfortable asking about theirs.’

But I resolved to change that this time.

Sooner or later, the intelligence-related issue would make things awkward between the witches and me. It was better to uncover what I could beforehand.

“Lady Isabelle.”

“Yes? What is it, Sir Arad? Or should I call you Count Jin?”

“Sir Arad is fine. I’m not an official knight, after all.”

“The time when only knights were addressed as ‘Sir’ is long past. So, what is it you wish to ask? Is it about intelligence matter?”

“Before that, there’s something I’ve been curious about.”

“Ask me anything.”

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