As Demian uttered the name of Count Neville, the Margrave’s complexion changed once again.

He hastily grabbed Demian.

The Yohim Margrave family and the Count Neville family have long been regarded as two prestigious families ruling the northern part of the empire.

As a result, they had been rivals for a very long time.

Although the Margrave’s side had much more land, the Count Neville family was one step ahead in wealth.

So Yohim always worried.

How could he amass wealth comparable to the Count Neville family?

He was already often fuming about being financially behind, and if Demian were to start a lamp business deal with the Count Neville family, the financial gap would widen even further.

Then it would be a huge loss for the Yohim Margrave’s side in many ways. Both materially and mentally.

“Lord Vandermir, is there nothing else! Nothing else you want?”

The Margrave Yohim spoke in a coaxing voice, trying somehow to persuade Demian.

“Why do you think I came all the way here to purchase luminous stones?”

Demian calmly retorted.

No matter how abundant the luminous stone deposits in the Margrave’s territory were, there was no need to go to the trouble of procuring them from the north.

They could be sufficiently supplied from the territories around the capital.

Yet Demian sought out the Margrave because from the beginning, there was a separate true purpose for the transaction.

“I’m curious about just one thing. Who recommended me for the monster subjugation?”

Demian gazed at Margrave Yohim with calm but piercing eyes.

The Margrave’s lips quivered with a conflicted expression.

Seeing him unable to make a quick decision, Demian spoke.

“We are putting a great deal of effort into the lamp business. We intend to sell not just to nobles but to commoners as well.”

“Then…… you’ll need far more luminous stones than imagined.”

“We will exclusively purchase those luminous stones from the Margrave’s territory alone.”

Margrave Yohim’s eyes momentarily gleamed with greed.

To buy up loads of luminous stones that he had no way to process. And exclusively at that.

‘I can’t let that Neville bastard have this opportunity!’

Finally making up his mind, the Margrave cleared his throat and spoke.

“It was Duke Grant who recommended you. Saying there’s no one better suited for catching high-level monsters than the Red Hawk Knights.”

The corner of Demian’s mouth twisted slightly. The Duke Grant family was the maternal relatives of the Crown Prince.

“Was that the only reason?”

“That’s right. Others, including myself, thought you were trustworthy as a Sword Master.

Above all, since the Duke attended as the Crown Prince’s representative, we simply followed his words.”

Duke Grant, the brother of the Empress and Frederick’s maternal uncle, was someone who could become the hands and feet of the mother and son if he wished.

Perhaps the anonymous high-ranking imperial figure mentioned by Ben Diak was referring to Frederick standing behind Duke Grant.

In essence, it meant that Frederick had designated him and his knights through Duke Grant.

“Thank you for letting me know. Now, let’s start talking about business in earnest.”

“That’s what I like to hear!”

Margrave Yohim’s expression brightened considerably.

While conversing with him, Demian was thinking about Frederick in his mind.

If he was behind this western monster operation, it was more likely due to his personal feelings towards Arasila rather than being involved with the Vandermir ducal family.

‘If so…… should I tell the lady about this?’

If he did tell her, would Arasila take his side this time as well?

Although he always acted confident in front of Frederick, Demian was actually a little afraid of him.

More precisely, of the presence and weight he might have with Arasila.

One way or another, Frederick had been a close friend to Arasila for 7 years since their academy days.

Until now, whenever they had simple confrontations, she had always taken Demian’s side, but it was uncertain if matters became more serious.

After all, a friend would probably be more precious than a time-limited contract husband.

Above all, if she found out that Frederick did this because he liked her…..

‘What if she wavers at that feeling?’

Demian disliked the idea of Arasila recognizing Frederick as more than just a friend.

Of course, Demian knew well that the probability of her doing so was extremely low, but a heart that has become vulnerable due to liking someone easily became anxious.

Though his head knew he should show unwavering faith like Arasila, his heart selfishly didn’t want to give her even a sliver of opportunity.

Perhaps he didn’t want to face a situation where he might get hurt.

Because he didn’t want to be abandoned even before the contract ended.

On the way back after finishing the meeting with the Margrave, Demian decided after much deliberation.

He decided not to tell Arasila about Frederick until he gathered more accurate evidence.

He would tell her only after eliminating all possible escape routes for Frederick.

So that it would be Frederick, not himself, who gets abandoned.

The magic lamp business progressed smoothly.

After several experiments using luminous stones procured from Margrave Yohim, they improved it so that even a size as small as a baby’s fingernail would shine brightly enough to illuminate 50 meters ahead when heated.

The completed magic lamps were marketed with different strategies depending on the target audience.

For example, commoner versions were made with slightly lower quality but at a lower unit price for mass distribution, while noble versions were made with higher quality and luxurious designs, marketed as limited edition luxury items.

And they actively promoted using the Parkxian Theater.

They lit up the surroundings by hanging commoner lamps outside the theater to catch the attention of passersby, and hung luxurious noble lamps inside to captivate the guests’ eyes.

“Oh my, what’s this? There’s no candle inside, but the light is so bright.”

“It seems to be modeled after a rose. It’s amazing how the flower appears to be glowing.”

“Oho, this one has diamonds attached so it gives off a more luxurious light? Oh, the one with rubies shines red!”

“Oh! Everyone, if you press the top of the lamp, the light turns off by itself!”

People naturally became interested in the lamps hung on the walls at regular intervals and on each seat.

They were automatically intrigued as it was a completely different form and brightness from the candle lamps they had seen so far.

The theater informed people inquiring about the lamps about a building located near the 2nd Avenue square.

They had transformed the temporary office set up during the airship business into a lamp store this time.

Arasila also gifted specially made magic lamps to people around her.

She gave a moon-shaped lamp to the Duchess of Kiston, the leader of the group she belonged to, and a lamp that emitted purple light using amethyst to Iris.

Thanks to them using Arasila’s lamps in front of others and attracting attention, word of mouth spread quickly, and soon a month’s worth of order reservations were filled.

Objectively, it was smooth sailing, but Arasila felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction.

“Hmm, it’s going well, but something seems a bit lacking……”

Clearly, the promotion was done appropriately, and people were showing interest in the lamps, but.

The enthusiasm was more lukewarm than expected. It seemed like something was needed to make people go wild.

Demian agreed with this as well.

While pondering how to go about it, an unexpected visitor came to Arasila.

“Hello, Arasila. It’s been a really long time since I’ve come to your research lab.”

Frederick had come to see her all the way inside the magic tower after a while.

“Yeah, what brings you all the way up here?”

Arasila welcomed her friend who had suddenly appeared without notice and guided him to the sofa.

Sally and Rudy, feeling uncomfortable at the Crown Prince’s sudden appearance, quietly left the research lab.

“I just suddenly wanted to see you. We’re not the kind of friends who only meet when there’s business, right?”

Frederick smiled gently.

He was beautifully dressed as if he had come with a prearranged appointment. At a glance, it almost looked like he was out on a date.

Of course, Arasila didn’t pay much attention to whether he had dressed up or not, as she wasn’t particularly interested.

Frederick, who had been looking around the research lab with nostalgic eyes, suddenly gazed at Arasila intensely and said.

“Come to think of it, we used to meet right away whenever we thought of each other in the past. It’s become difficult to do that since you got married.”

“Well, I’ve been busy with various things too.”

Objectively, a married person couldn’t be as free as when they were single.

Especially for someone like Arasila who got married with a purpose.

And since various things had happened after getting married, she hadn’t met her family that often except for the early days.

“Honestly, I’m hurt, Arasila. You’ve become indifferent to me and Paula even though you’re married.”

Frederick lowered his eyebrows and made a slightly sulky expression. His scarlet eyes blinked with a moist light.

Arasila felt somewhat awkward and brushed her hair back as she replied.

“Did I? I thought I’ve always been the same.”

“You’ve changed. Quite a lot.”

Frederick muttered quickly in a low voice for a moment, then raised his voice tone again as if nothing had happened.

“Just because you’re married doesn’t mean our friendship has changed, right?”

“That’s true. But single and married are different, so as a friend, you need to keep boundaries.”

“What boundaries?”

Frederick asked, curling the corners of his mouth.

However, his eyes remained cold, staring intently at Arasila.

He felt strongly displeased by Arasila’s change, who had never drawn a line or mentioned any discomfort with him until she married Demian.

But thanks to his efforts to keep his emotions from leaking out as much as possible, Arasila didn’t notice this and gave an indifferent reply.

“Not picking fights with my husband. Not making people uncomfortable with strange words. Things like that?”

Summarizing Frederick’s words and actions so far, he unexpectedly burst into hearty laughter.

“I guess I did that unconsciously because I care for you too much. Next time, I’ll try to be kind to Lord Vandermir as well.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’d like my friend and husband to get along well.”

Although he was a contract husband, it would be good for Arasila if he got along well with those around her during their time as a couple.

Above all, since Demian was quite a decent person, she felt pleased at the thought of her acquaintances becoming close to him.

Frederick slowly rubbed the corner of his mouth and said with a bright smile.

“But actually, I didn’t come to see you today without any business.”

“Huh? Then?”

“You know the lamp business you and Lord Vandermir are doing these days?”

As her friend brought up business in front of her for the first time, Arasila nodded with a puzzled face.

“I’d like to use that lamp and your airship for this year’s Founding Festival. What do you think?”

“What?”

Arasila’s eyes widened.

The Founding Festival was a national event enjoyed by all citizens of the empire.

If magic lamps and airships were used there, it would be the best promotion imaginable.

Thinking that this was an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed as a businessperson, Arasila quickly opened her mouth again.

“We’ve been waiting for this, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please use them as you wish.”

“Haha, your attitude changes immediately. How cute.”

Arasila generously overlooked Frederick’s cheesy compliment and showed a neat business smile.

Frederick explained that his mother, the Empress, was overseeing this year’s Founding Festival and he was helping out, and he came up with the idea of magic airships and lamps while considering special events.

Confirming that their interests aligned perfectly, Arasila smiled brightly.

She still had some friendship towards Frederick, so her wariness wasn’t too strong.

“I’m counting on you, Frederick.”

“Me too, Arasila.”

Frederick said with a smile as smooth as snake scales.

“Let’s work together as well as anyone else. Together.”