"Um..."
Just as everyone took their seats one after another and glanced at the Commanding Sword Fang Li held at his side, Emilia's voice drew everyone's attention.
"Although this may seem a little hasty, Miss Anastasia, could you spare me some time to talk?"
Her impatient tone made Anastasia tilt her head.
"Well, I don't mind. I sent invitations to everyone this time precisely to create an opportunity for conversation, so there's no way I'd refuse to talk." Anastasia said this, then smiled mischievously. "As long as Crusch doesn't mind me neglecting a guest."
"I do not mind." Crusch replied without changing expression. "If you feel it would be inconvenient to speak in front of me, I can excuse myself first."
"No, that won't be necessary. It's nothing strange." Emilia hurriedly stopped Crusch and said, "Actually, I only wanted to ask Miss Anastasia about the high-purity Colorless Magic Ore Stone you mentioned before."
Emilia's words made Crusch, Felix, and Wilhelm exchange looks.
"Magic Ore Stones?" Felix said in an affected manner. "Come to think of it, there have been quite a few rumors over the past year that Lady Emilia has been looking for extremely pure Magic Ore Stones, meow."
"And that seems to be closely related to the Great Spirit with whom you are contracted, correct?" Wilhelm asked politely. "It is said that the Great Spirit by your side disappeared over the past year, and people in the Royal Capital have been wondering whether something went wrong with the contract."
Putting those two matters together, it was indeed not difficult to guess that something might have gone wrong with Emilia and Puck's contract.
But...
"A spirit user's contract with a spirit is very important, and it belongs to the parties involved. Whether something has gone wrong or not, it