r-ups."Professor Mogurt strode urgently to the classroom door, needing to get this correspondent to the vice-principal at once."Hmm."Ranch clasped his hands behind his back and nodded slightly.There's...Chapter 9: Lancy is going to start making cards.

Putting on his coat, Ranch picked up the codex he had borrowed from the Border Library and walked out of the room.

As the morning light gradually grew brighter, the outside world became clearer to see.

As always, he finished breakfast and exchanged pleasantries with the butler, Hans. He bid farewell to the maid, Fran, and set off from the mansion, heading towards the familiar corner.

Soon, he saw Talya standing by the wall.

Good morning, Tata.

Ranch greeted Talia, who had been waiting since early morning.

Previously, when Lanchi asked about Talia's name, Talia did not tell him her real name.

... but instead said his name was "Tata".

Although Lan Chi had long known her true name, she had to pretend not to.

Otherwise, you might accidentally call out "Taliya," which would cause a big problem.

As an ordinary citizen, there's no reason for me to know the true identity of this demon princess.

Thus, Rance naturally started calling her by the nickname "Tata."

"Mmm."

Talya just nodded and ignored Lance.

As soon as Lance started his day's activities, she followed him at a distance that wasn't too close but not too far.

……

After about half an hour, Lance and Talia arrived at the Card Maker's Guild—the branch located on the southern border of Hetton Kingdom in Mantina.

Before Lan Chi even reached the heavy door, a mysterious energy began to emanate from the entrance of the Card Maker's Association.

Before my eyes, driven by this force, the ancient crest on the black iron gate gradually flickered with an eerie blue light, as if imbued with life, pulsating with magical energy.

With a slight tremor, the gap between the door and frame of the Card Maker's Guild slowly widened.

What comes into view is a scene completely different from the outside world.

The interior space of the association appears ancient and elegant. Besides the well-organized counter area, there isn't excessive ornate decoration. The overall layout gives one a sense of orderliness.

Although it is only morning, the Association is already bustling with staff rushing about. Numerous visitors wait at the reception desk, discussing topics related to magic cards and the Shadow Realm.

Lanche just took a step, stepping into this magnificent and imposing gigantic building, and suddenly stopped.

"Tata, I can't be sure when I'll be finished. Why don't you come in with me"

He turned back to Talia and asked.

Since he made a deal with Talia, he almost always tells her his schedule in advance these days, including what time he leaves in the morning and what time he gets home in the evening.

And Talia, as a bodyguard, is also very professional.

Whether it was Ranch going to the border library or the Cardmaker's Association, Talia would always wait outside until he came out.

The guards at this location aren't weak, Lance explained to her that some places don't require her presence.

For example, the Lanci family, as long as Lanci is sent back to their mansion, she won't have to protect him anymore.

Besides, Lance himself was very aware that Talia didn't have the credentials to access these places.

Now, she is just an unidentified stowaway in the Kingdom of Horton.

If you are investigated for entering these large associations' branches, it might cause quite a bit of trouble.

"No."

Taliya's voice betrayed no emotion.

But her voice was still as distant as ever.

Lance sighed and crossed his arms, looking at her.

"I might have to spend a lot of time here every day from now on. If you wait for me outside every day... This kind of stakeout feeling might become more obvious, right"

"...."

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

His words left Talia silent, as if considering them.

Don't you think it would be much more convenient for work if you were also free to come and go from the Cardmaker's Association

Lance then asked,

"Here's the plan: I'll be heading to the cardmaking workshop in the association. It's just me who'll be there, so you can hang out in the workshop and pass the time. If anyone from the association asks, just tell them you're my bodyguard."

Lance said as he pulled out his savings crystal card.

It's obviously the highest level.

The Guild of Cardmakers in the Border City wouldn't dare to offend such a distinguished guest.

"Okay."

Talya hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly and followed.

Compared to waiting outside, she had actually wanted to go inside the Human Card Maker Association and take a look much earlier.

It's a pity that he has suffered for years without legal status.

Humans... always find a way to get what they want, no matter how roundabout.

……

Ranch led Talia into the association, and soon an attendant walked up to Ranch to greet him.

Although he was not a registered card maker of the association, the staff on the association side knew that Lan Chi came as a "businessman".

After all, the Lanche family is a well-known Wilfort Trading Company in the Nan Wantina border region.

I want to rent a high-end single room card workshop, and I also need some materials.

Lance concisely expressed his intentions to the valet, and handed him a list.

Then the attendant bowed respectfully and politely, extending his hand to invite the two of them to follow him.

Led by the officiant, they bypassed half of the first floor's indoor area and arrived at the third floor of the association via a floating staircase.

The corridor of this building seems to have a history of several decades, but in order to preserve some artistic feel, excessive renovation was not chosen.

At the end of the hallway, a room with a purple sign hanging on its door came into view for Lance and Talia.

The attendant opened the door for them and stepped aside, motioning for them to enter.

"Mr. Lance Wilford, the rental fee is 1 per hour. You can settle the rental bill when you leave. I'll send over the materials later."

The attendant operated a small magical device in his hand for a moment, then returned the crystal card engraved with Lanci's identity to him.

>Okay, thank you.

Lance was chatting with the butler at the door.

Taliya stood silently near Lance, surveying her surroundings.

At a glance, she understood. This spacious card-making workshop was equipped with a complete set of high-end card-making facilities.

It's pretty amazing to have these things in a border town.

Talya couldn't remember the last time she had used these familiar tools.

But she doesn't want to touch any of these things now.

The magic cards she created, inscribed with demonic script, cannot be traded freely in the human realm.

If we leave a trace, and the Human Kingdom Alliance Parliament tracks us down, it will only bring deadly trouble...

……

Before long, the staff were ready as promised and brought over the materials listed on the Ranch's shopping list.

Besides whiteboard cards, energy crystals, imprint magic stones, and mana liquid, there's also a pile of scrolls.

The main materials needed to produce the three types of magic cards and their differences.

The equipment card must have an equipment prototype and props such as enchantments and encapsulation.

Summon cards require materials such as monster nuclei or soul crystals.

And the making of spell cards requires magic scrolls as material, which are processed and rewritten.

As a practice, spell cards are undoubtedly the best choice.

Because a large portion of the materials and craftsmanship required for spell cards have already been integrated into magic scrolls.

Compared to creating something from scratch, making a spell card is more like "reprocessing"!

"You can leave at any time during the process, just find that servant from before and he will bring you back in."

Lanche picked up a chair and placed it a short distance from the workbench, gesturing that it was for Talia.

Talya nodded.

She doesn't like standing all day either.

Then Talia walked up to the seat and gently settled down, her back straight, her hands folded lightly in her lap, like a queen of noble bearing.

Her gaze was distant, fixed on the horizon as if she hadn't registered anything around her.

But after she sat down, she discovered.

It seems like the only thing left to do now is watch this kid make and play cards.

(The End)

[ ] still as if nothing had happened, wearing a friendly smile.He is helping teachers who are coming to collect students."You've worked hard."As Ranch waved goodbye to the teacher in charge of the rescue...