Frank’s team had faced similar issues in array formation and had a grasp on how to handle these problems.

The precise coordinates and complete calculations were provided in the documents.

As the deal was made, Isis had no reason to linger, and how to keep it confidential was now the Emperor’s concern.

Frank’s team had been given permission to assist in constructing the array by the Emperor, aligning with the terms of the magical contract. With their aid, it was believed the Emperor would soon have multiple arrays in operation—provided their material reserves were sufficient.

With the method established, advisors secured, and no further disturbances anticipated, peace seemed to return.

It was an agreeable transaction for both parties. As they left, Isis mentioned casually, ensuring they were out of earshot, “Initially, they were going to pay me off, but now they’re letting me choose treasures from the Imperial Vault. They truly regard a High Mage.”

The Duke attempted to conceal his amusement at Aresia’s tone and words. He was unsure how to respond to such audacity. The sum offered by the Emperor was indeed generous, leaving him with a sense of unease regarding whether he was inadvertently involved in a scheme to defraud the Emperor.

After all, it wasn’t Aresia who obtained the identity of an eighth-level magic adept; it was the Empire’s decision to purchase the teleportation array manufacturing method. This wasn’t something they requested; it was given by the Empire, so it wasn’t at all deceptive.

Not long after the emissaries departed, fifty million gold coins were swiftly delivered—not in physical form but through a silver card.

In this world, there exists the concept of silver cards, managed by the Empire’s officials, ensuring utmost credibility. These cards are akin to silver notes, magical instruments categorized into several tiers, starting at a minimum value of ten thousand gold coins.

Although they facilitate transfers, they require costly equipment. Moreover, using these cards demands either magical or mental energy, making them convenient primarily for those adept at managing them. People often carry a few gold or silver coins as a habit.

Aresia received a silver card loaded with fifty million gold coins. To access the stored amount, one must infuse magical or mental energy into the card to reveal the sum—a feat even achievable by ordinary individuals, albeit not with high proficiency.

The bearer of the silver card was an employee from the Silver Bank, politely guiding Isis on using the card, stating, “We’ve linked your Imperial Silver account to this card. You can use it to withdraw from any Silver Bank, but due to the substantial amount…”

This sum even matched the entire annual tax revenue of an entire duchy. If Aresia withdrew the entire amount, it would form a mountain of wealth.

This substantial amount of money couldn’t be taken out all at once; space would be an issue. Would it be tedious to count coin by coin later on?

Having received fifty million gold coins, Aresia didn’t immediately go to the palace to collect the remaining three items but chose to return to the laboratory to continue her work.

Finally, this time, there was no one to disrupt her.

But little did they know, a group of people was currently troubled by the teleportation array data provided.

Aresia underestimated the difficulty, and the Empire was struggling with material collection. They required an assortment of blood from not lower than sixth-level magical beasts and spatial materials essential for the teleportation array, which they found challenging to gather.

The materials for the array weren’t fixed, but rather had to match the magic concentration level. Aresia, being considerate, compiled a list of materials for them to choose from, bridging the gap.

However, what they needed was something unfamiliar to them—like a string of spatial materials sourced from the ocean depths, whose names they hadn’t even heard.

In this aspect, even Frank, the mage involved in the teleportation array pedestal construction, couldn’t aid them. They pondered seeking Isis for guidance.

Aresia, irritated by the disruption to her experiments, swiftly jotted down the features and origins of the item for the visitor, sketching an accompanying illustration, and handed it over.

The inquirer was an alchemist, particularly associated with the Duke’s house—Flamel, who had previously crafted several items for Aresia.

It was Flamel’s connections within the Duke’s house that led others to suggest seeking Isis for this matter.

As Flamel received the sketch and hurriedly glanced through it, his face turned pale. It was related to the sea, a realm only accessed by the ocean clans. How could they obtain such treasures hidden in the depths?

Not his area of expertise, Flamel returned the detailed sketch with a sense of unease.

The Duke had the privilege of inspecting the document and was visibly uneasy, seeking clarity. “Aresia, tell me, were these materials bequeathed to you for the teleportation array, or did you seek them out yourself?”

The Duke had been relying on his daughter inherited memories for acquiring materials, and just when Aresia had noted their origin as “Adjacent to the Duke’s realm in the sea,” he questioned if this was information passed down through inherited memories.

The inherited memory came from another realm. How could it possibly know about the sea area adjacent to the Duke’s realm?!

Aresia, inadvertently exposed, grew flustered. Facing Isis’ stern expression, she momentarily lost control, revealing hints of disarray.

Between concocting a lie and speaking the truth, Aresia finally chose the latter.

“Well, indeed, I sought them out myself.”

The Duke’s face darkened upon hearing this response. “You went to the sea yourself? Did you even know the risks involved?!”

Seeing his intense reaction, Aresia hurriedly reassured him, “Father, please don’t be angry. It wasn’t dangerous at all. The inherited memory provided me with enough items to manage underwater. Even if I encountered sea beasts, not exceeding eighth level, they couldn’t harm me.

It wasn’t reckless. How could I dare venture into the depths or pretend to be a high-level mage?”

The Duke remained displeased, convinced that Aresia’s actions were chaotic and, worse, endangered herself. “This is all too chaotic,” he remarked.

Despite Aresia’s attempts to explain, the irritated Duke, not inclined towards patience or understanding, made it difficult for her to rectify her mistake. Aware that it wasn’t appropriate to involve Grysenna, he promptly decreed that Aresia must stay confined to her chambers. No exceptions!

Aresia found herself under house arrest.

To prevent further recklessness, the Duke even had Isis’ identity barred from entering the room. He specially summoned Frank and arranged magical sensors within the chamber. Any magical activity within the room would be detected.

With a stern face, he informed his daughter, “Until you truly understand where you went wrong, you won’t leave here.”

Feeling helpless and unfairly treated, Aresia couldn’t discern her mistake, even in the absence of magical triggers.

In light of her father’s extreme anger, Aresia decided, reluctantly, to comply for the time being. Perhaps being obedient for a while would ease the tension.

Moreover, she knew her father wouldn’t relent anytime soon.

Aresia obediently lowered her head and admitted, “I understand, Father. I’ll reflect on this.”

This attitude somewhat eased the Duke’s temper. Without saying a word, he closed Aresia’s door firmly and instructed Luna and others outside not to allow anyone in or out.

Each person entering must ensure everything is as it should be.

Luna and the others found the situation perplexing, unaware of how Aresia had angered the Duke.

Nevertheless, they respectfully complied.

Was Aresia, now confined, truly going to behave?

Not exactly.

Although complying eased the Duke’s anger, it didn’t mean she’d waste her time. No, she’d continue her work within the room.

While under house arrest, the Duke had the duplicates transport her to the laboratory. In the process, Aresia covertly packed away essential tools she needed for her experiments.

Despite being isolated from magical detection, she remained industrious within the room, uninterrupted by magical disturbances, completely engrossed in her work.

Knowing that if the Duke found out about her ongoing experiments, he’d likely be even angrier, Aresia instructed Luna when she entered, “Tell Father I’m working on my studies in the room and never mention my experiments. Understood?”

Reluctant to lie to the Duke, Luna hesitated but ultimately obeyed Aresia’s directive, tangled in conflicting loyalties.

As Aresia remained secluded in the room, the Duke’s people probably weren’t particularly concerned about her activities in there, right?!