"Huh?"
Pearl Jewel stared at Shion Lan in confusion.
Shion smiled warmly.
"I'll help you and invest in the Jewel Guild."
He leaned slightly forward.
"Are you okay with that?"
Shion had already formed his own conclusion.
Pearl had been acting strangely from the moment she arrived.
She hadn't talked about anything except business, and even her smile felt fake.
He assumed there was a problem inside the Jewel Guild.
"You don't have to take it so hard, Pearl."
His smile became warmer.
"You can ask me for anything you want."
"Sh-Shion..."
Pearl clenched her teeth.
"Shut up!"
"?!"
Shion froze.
Pearl immediately turned her face away, frustrated.
"Don't you see how I'm behaving?! I'm provoking you!"
She frowned.
"And you..."
She stopped herself.
"Just forget it!"
Shion stared at her for a moment.
He genuinely couldn't understand her.
"Why don't you just tell me, then?!"
His voice became nervous.
"I can't understand you!"
Pearl placed both hands over her face and sighed deeply.
"Can't you make your own decisions?"
"Pearl."
Shion's expression became serious.
"Is there a problem between us?"
Pearl remained silent.
"You aren't telling me what you really want."
She still didn't answer.
Shion noticed something strange.
It almost seemed as if Pearl didn't want him to invest in the Jewel Guild.
So he decided to confront the issue directly.
"Pearl."
His voice softened.
"I think you want to protect me."
"...?"
Pearl looked at him in confusion.
Shion continued.
"I can see that there's some kind of trouble in the Jewel Guild."
He stared directly into her eyes.
"Won't you tell me?"
"...!"
Pearl was surprised by how much attention he was paying to her.
She immediately shook her head internally.
'I mustn't talk too much.
But we're going to deal with an unknown entity.
I don't want to drag him into something uncertain.'
She smiled professionally.
But Shion felt nothing behind that smile.
"What will happen if things don't go well?"
Shion's expression became more serious.
He was genuinely worried about Pearl.
After all, they were friends.
Then he noticed it.
"...?!"
For only a brief moment, Pearl's smile changed.
A tiny smile.
One that carried an almost sinister intention.
Then it immediately returned to its professional form.
"You're underestimating the Jewel Guild."
Pearl calmly continued.
"It won't collapse that easily."
She then gave him advice.
"I think you should invest your money somewhere else. As you can see, you can't leave such a large amount of money unmanaged."
Shion felt warmth in her words.
But it was mixed with uncertainty.
'I don't know what's going on.
But I'll let it remain this way for now.
If something happens, I'll deal with it then.'
Shion noticed Pearl's trembling shoulders.
Her breathing was irregular.
He became even more certain that she was facing serious problems.
What he didn't know was that she was trembling beneath his gaze.
'Did he notice my lies?!
I won't be able to explain myself to him!
But I can't...'
"Little Pearl..."
"!!!"
Pearl suddenly stood up.
The words struck her like lightning.
"Huh?!"
She met Shion's eyes.
His gaze was filled with concern.
"If you have any problems, you can tell me.
Don't push yourself too hard."
Shion looked away.
'I don't think I'll get anything from her.'
He sighed.
"I guess I can't earn anything this time."
Pearl immediately interrupted him.
"You can invest somewhere else!"
Shion looked at her.
"Don't force yourself to be connected to us."
She continued quickly.
"You can spend your money in any guild except ours."
She was worried.
But Shion noticed it.
'Is she trying to direct me toward something?'
He narrowed his eyes.
'Wait.
Let's dig deeper.'
The hurried way she spoke looked almost like genuine concern.
So Shion decided to take advantage of it.
"Well, little Pearl..."
He acted as though her words had affected him.
"I'll follow your instructions."
His starry eyes softened.
"But please, don't push yourself too hard."
Pearl's cheeks immediately turned red.
'I feel guilty right now!
But this might be my best chance.'
She composed herself.
"Mmmm...
I can recommend some guilds to you."
Shion nodded.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Pearl took several documents from her bag.
Shion looked at them in surprise.
"Oh..."
He looked at her emotionally.
"You even worked hard for me, Pearl."
His voice became soft.
"I don't know what to say."
Pearl was affected by his reaction.
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to continue the lie.
"I do it because of you..."
Her heart began beating loudly.
She could almost hear every beat.
'I won't tell a lie and start believing it!'
Shion suddenly stopped.
Something about her words bothered him.
'Is she trying to use one of her tricks on me?
I hate that.'
His suspicion increased when he felt traces of magic woven into her speech.
She was using magic to influence him.
But Shion maintained his calm expression.
---
Time passed.
The two continued discussing different guilds.
"What about this one?"
Shion pointed at a document.
"I think it should be reliable."
"Actually, I don't think so."
Pearl shook her head.
"They suffered heavy losses the last time they operated in Ishtar."
"Then what about this one?"
"They're good, but they only work with second-rank nobles and above. They won't accept you."
"So... this one?"
"No."
"That one?"
"No."
"What about—"
"Actually..."
Pearl rejected nearly every guild Shion suggested.
Finally, Shion sighed.
"I know I'm not a merchant, but..."
He looked at the mountain of rejected options.
"Is nothing truly good?"
Pearl smiled weakly.
"Even the Jewel Guild has its disadvantages."
She paused.
"But I tried to show you all the benefits."
Shion became increasingly nervous because of the magic she was using.
Yet he maintained his calm expression.
"So I can't do anything, can I?"
He paused.
"But I have three choices in mind."
He looked at her.
"Can you choose one?"
Pearl raised an eyebrow.
"Three?"
Shion listed them.
"Ocean's Core.
"Magic Tower."
"And Flair."
Pearl considered them.
Shion watched her carefully.
'Will I be right?'
Pearl, unaware of his thoughts, answered.
"For Ocean's Core, they're still new in the field, so I can't make a proper judgment."
She continued.
"As for the Magic Tower, they won't allow you to invest unless you're one of their mages."
"And Flair?"
"They're different."
She looked at him.
"They'll let almost anyone invest."
She paused.
"But when they admire someone...
They'll try to obtain that person."
"By any method?"
"Marriage."
"..."
Shion's expression didn't change.
'As I expected.
She barely said anything about Ocean's Core.
Let's verify it.'
He took a deep breath.
"There are too many dangers."
He looked troubled.
"I can't choose the right option.
So... I'll give up."
He took a brief glance at Pearl.
There.
The light trembling in her eyes.
Shion made up his mind.
'I'll wait and watch.'
Pearl, unaware that she was becoming his prey, immediately spoke.
"I think you should begin with Ocean's Core."
She smiled.
"Invest a small amount first, then make your decision after dealing with them."
Shion smiled.
"I don't know why you're speaking so highly of them."
His gaze sharpened.
"It's almost as if you have something guaranteeing their success."
"!!!"
Pearl immediately realized her mistake.
'I forgot about Shion!
He's not stupid!'
She exchanged glances with him.
Then she quickly composed herself.
"If you don't know, I'm actually an investor in Ocean's Core."
She smiled.
"I even own some of their stocks."
Shion nodded.
"So you know the woman running the guild, don't you?"
Pearl nodded.
"I know her well. She is—"
"I trust you."
Shion interrupted her.
"You don't have to tell me everything."
He stood.
"It's a shame I can't meet her today."
He sighed dramatically.
"Otherwise, I would invest immediately."
He smiled.
"What can I say?
It's destiny."
Pearl hurriedly spoke.
"Actually, Debi is out!"
"...?"
Shion looked at her.
Pearl continued.
"She is the right hand of the guild's head.
I saw her leave earlier.
She is probably looking for an opportunity to meet you and discuss trading and investment."
Shion's eyes brightened.
"Oh!
Then I'm very lucky.
I'll meet her now!"
Pearl felt as though she had finally achieved victory.
But her heartbeat slowed.
Almost as if her heart itself was dissatisfied with what she had done.
Still, Pearl regulated her breathing and prepared to stand.
Then—
Two hands suddenly landed on her shoulders.
She was forced back into her seat.
"Huh?!"
Pearl looked at Shion in confusion.
He smiled.
"You said you've dealt with them before."
"So I need you to help me."
Shion turned toward the door.
"Let Ocean's Core meet me."
Pearl's eyes widened.
"Little Pearl, as I said before, I don't know much about trading."
He looked at her.
"So I need you beside me."
"But if my father finds out that I helped you invest somewhere else, he will—"
Pearl stopped.
Her eyes widened.
She had almost said too much.
Shion noticed immediately.
'It wouldn't be strange for her to say that her father would be angry.
But why did she stop there?
Isn't everything going well in their guild?'
Shion remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke casually.
"You can simply say that you didn't do anything.
Why all these complications?"
"But Debi—"
"She won't say anything."
Shion interrupted.
"You're her investor.
She wouldn't create a conflict with you."
He stared at Pearl.
"Am I right?"
Pearl's body trembled.
Shion noticed it.
But he didn't comment.
---
Minutes passed.
The door finally opened.
Shion looked up.
A woman in her late twenties entered.
Her beauty was overwhelming.
The kind of beauty that could make people forget themselves.
Her clothes were modest.
Yet Shion could feel the magic surrounding her body.
It was different from Pearl's magic.
Pearl's magic was woven into her words and speech.
This woman's magic was concentrated throughout her body.
It enhanced her attractiveness.
Shion immediately felt disgusted.
'Using magic in such a despicable way?!'
But he forced himself to smile.
"Lady Debi, I presume?"
Debi noticed Pearl.
Pearl deliberately avoided looking at her.
"Yes."
Debi smiled professionally.
"It's my pleasure to meet Lord Lan and Lady Jewel."
Shion sat down and gestured for Debi to take a seat.
Then he looked at Pearl.
"Little Pearl told me everything."
He smiled.
"You can relax. You don't have to act like that."
"!!!"
Pearl finally understood why Shion had forced her to stay.
'I'm here so Debi can relax and reveal everything to Shion!
If I try to interrupt, he'll realize that I've been lying!
No... no... no... no...!'
While Pearl was panicking internally, Debi was equally confused.
'Little Pearl?
Did Milady tell him everything?'
She looked between Shion and Pearl.
Shion was handsome and noble.
Pearl, meanwhile, deliberately refused to look at her.
"You're here, yet you aren't talking."
Debi suddenly regained her composure.
"How is Lady J—"
"You don't have to act."
Shion interrupted.
Debi misunderstood his words.
She thought Shion was trying to expose their relationship.
"I don't know what Lord Lan is talking about."
Shion smiled coldly.
"(Stellar Summit Art: Star Explosion)."
An enormous sphere of stellar energy appeared directly in front of Pearl's face.
The room instantly filled with terrifying pressure.
"Lord... Lan...?"
Pearl's face went pale.
She hadn't expected this.
Shion looked at her coldly.
"Pearl Jewel dared to deceive me."
His voice was calm.
"So I'll make sure she receives her punishment."
Debi immediately panicked.
"Lord Lan! What are you doing?!"
Shion turned toward her.
"Pearl Jewel told me that she was the head of the Ocean's Core Guild."
"She wanted to gain profits from your guild while helping the Jewel Guild."
Debi's face went pale.
She looked at Pearl.
Pearl immediately tried to speak.
"Lord Lan, I—"
"Shut up!"
Shion pushed the sphere closer to her face.
Debi finally broke.
"Lady Jewel is the head of the guild!"
Shion's eyes widened.
"Continue."
Debi trembled.
"Lady Jewel ordered me to pretend that I was a stranger.
She wanted me to persuade you to invest in Ocean's Core instead of the Jewel Guild."
Shion slowly turned toward Pearl.
Pearl was completely stunned.
"Shion?!"
He smiled.
Then he pushed the sphere toward her.
"!!!"
Pearl instinctively closed her eyes.
But nothing happened.
The sphere was only an illusion.
It disappeared against her face like warm water.
Pearl opened her eyes.
Shion was already sitting calmly before them.
The two women stared at him in shock.
"I did that because I hate lies."
His gaze settled on Pearl.
There was something mysterious in his silver eyes.
"If you want to tell me something..."
His smile softened.
"Just tell me."
He was disappointed.