In the end, Sione sent someone to the vault to apologize, then went to the kitchen to get a sandwich and drink.

She already knew from experience that arguing with Elga was pointless.

“Ah, I feel alive after eating. The food in the capital really is good.”

“If you like the food so much, why don’t you come down from the mountain? You’re getting old; you can’t stay there forever.”

“I don’t plan to stay on the mountain till I die. But for now, I have my reasons.”

Elga’s vague reply came as she magically sent the books back to the vault, making room to sit.

Among the newly visible seating areas, Sione chose a chair and sat down with a serious expression.

“So, what is this research you’re working on? You didn’t tell me anything this time, unlike when we were making potions. You’re just giving me odd jobs.”

“Hmm, perhaps it’s because you’re not yet at that level, my immature apprentice.”

“Stop joking. It seems to me you’re investigating something related to the boundaries… am I right?”

Sione picked one of the books from the desk.

The History of Races and Boundaries.

It was a book covering the boundaries, something now taken for granted by the people of the kingdom.

“Most of the materials you asked me to gather are related to boundaries. Does your staying on the mountain have anything to do with this?”

“Huh, you’re too observant for your own good.”

“It’s about time you told me. I’m not a child anymore. I’ve grown up.”

Elga looked at her with a bittersweet smile.

She had planned to tell her when the time was right, but it seemed the girl she had viewed as a granddaughter or daughter had grown up faster than she had anticipated.

“It’s still not the time. You’ll find out gradually. Why I left the capital.”

“Why are you avoiding my question? Does it have something to do with the Lord?”

“I can’t say it doesn’t. It’s also somewhat related to the future of the kingdom.”

At her answer, Sione’s face hardened.
What on earth could Elga, of such a caliber, be secretly dealing with?

Although it wasn’t as glorious as the peak times when thousands of wizards existed in the kingdom, Tzepes had enough talents at present.

Although it couldn’t be precisely known, if even Sione couldn’t be easily told, it was clearly a significant secret.

“What I’m investigating is about the border, just as you guessed. You should know that much.”

“I’ve heard that recently, the demonic activity at the border has increased. The number of times you, my Lord, personally led the troops there has also noticeably increased.”

“Yes. As you know, the border is also the frontier with the Empire. It’s manageable with the kingdom’s power for now, but as the scale grows, conflicts could arise.”

Sione nodded at Elga’s words.

At a glance, the border appeared to be merely a region teeming with demons, but it actually had more complex interests involved.

Hundreds of years after the long-standing discord between humans and demons was settled and a precarious peace arrived on the continent.

While humans who feared the demons expanded their territory based on the empire, they did not dare invade beyond the border.

If one were to breach the border to invade the kingdom, they’d first have to deal with powerful demons even before engaging in battle.

In terms of supplies and logistics, it was far more advantageous to invade the countries surrounding the Empire rather than the demon nations beyond the border.

“That’s all I can tell you now. There will be a day when we can talk in more detail when the time comes.”

“……Understood. You, Master, must have some circumstances as well. I won’t press you any further.”

“Ah, splendid. Your narrow-mindedness seems to have expanded a little while I was away from the kingdom.”

Who’s the one truly narrow-minded?

With an expression full of displeasure, Sione began to clean the lab.

Unlike her Master, she couldn’t stand her surroundings being messy, so she couldn’t sit idle.

“By the way, Balter stopped by earlier. He said he’s sorry for not being able to greet you.”

“No matter. He wasn’t coming to see me anyway.”

“He’ll likely visit you later. Balter agreed to oversee Raven’s swordsmanship lessons for a while.”

“That’s good. I had thought of Balter for that task when I heard Raven practicing alone. He volunteered to do it?”

“No, it was Bella who first suggested it. She called for Balter, probably for Raven’s sake.”

“What did you say? Oh my, stomach!”

Elga burst into laughter for no apparent reason.

What could be so amusing?

From the perspective of Sione, who was building a wall with tact, she couldn’t fathom what was going through Elga’s mind.

“Ha, that young princess knows something you two don’t. You should’ve noticed when Balter was dressing up like a girl for you.”

“Why are you bringing that up again? I don’t know if you find it funny, but it’s a wound to me.”

“Yes, I did wound you. I’m sorry.”

Though Elga spoke with some sincerity, it only sounded sarcastic to Sione.

Sione, who was rather grudging, left the lab on the excuse of briefly touring the palace.

The next day, Balter visited Rose Palace.