Chapter 42

“It would have been a lot better if you hadn’t shown your face, but it’s a shame.”

“Brother Akain, you still make such funny jokes.”

Cleas let out a light laugh, but his eyes stayed cold.

‘Akain’s instincts are as sharp as ever.’

Like an animal. Akain had instincts as sharp as any wild animal. Even without knowing his true intentions, he was already wary.

‘As expected, there’s no point trying to probe Akain…’

Considering family standing, social influence, and everything else, it was obvious that gaining Zerno’s support was the better choice.

“You’re still busy getting summoned around by the empresses, I see, Brother Zerno.”

“There’s no need for pointless small talk. Get to the point.”

But Zerno wasn’t someone he could handle easily either.

He was the one who most resembled their father, the legendary Grand Duke. Rumor had it that Zerno had inherited not just his looks and martial prowess, but even his abilities from his father.

‘It’s going to take more than a simple push to move Zerno.’

Since Mikarin had already failed, the only card left was Nikaearsha.

If he could use Nikaearsha as leverage, Zerno would have no choice but to act for the sake of family honor.

“How’s Nike doing? I heard doctors, priests, and mages were all rushed to the Grand Duke’s estate. There are rumors that it’s because of her.”

Delosif had kept Nikaearsha’s collapse under wraps.

Even though it was Nikaearsha who had stopped the soul stone’s rampage, the rumor mill would paint it differently. They would say all sorts of things, like the reason she couldn’t awaken properly was because her mana was corrupted. However, with the doctor, priest, and mage all being urgently called in, it was impossible to fully contain the rumors.

“I’ve been quite worried since my requests to visit kept getting turned down.”

“You’re wasting your concern.”

“She’s my fiancée. Of course, I’d be concerned, even over a breeze. That’s why, would it be possible for me to join you both to the Grand Duke’s estate today?”

At those words, Akain’s face twisted with disgust.

‘That slimy snake.’

To say such a thing when there were plenty of witnesses around.

If they refused him here, it would look like there was something wrong with Nikaearsha, and the Grand Duchy was trying to hide it. In this situation, they had no choice but to bring him along. Besides, since they were engaged, he wouldn’t want to risk his own reputation by spreading bad rumors about Delosif.

‘But still, it really pisses me off that he’s coming.’

Just imagine that idiot Nikaearsha’s face when she heard he came to visit. She would probably be moved to tears.

‘She would probably do anything, even if it meant ripping her guts out for him.’

At that point, it would be better to—

Akain glanced at Zerno.

“Brother—”

“I refuse.”

Before Akain could say anything, Zerno spoke first. His reply was so resolute that even Cleas, who always wore his polite smile, stiffened.

“Is something really going on with Nike?”

‘It would be better to take me along before rumors start flying, don’t you think?’

“There’s nothing wrong. I just don’t like you.”

“…That’s rather harsh, don’t you think? Considering we’re about to become family.”

“Well, an engagement isn’t the path to marriage. It’s just a test to see whether marriage is even worth considering.”

Zerno moved toward Cleas. Then, in a voice barely audible to anyone else, he whispered.

“I’m not sure what you’re developing using the Central Circle’s council…”

“….!!”

“You really think Delosif is going to help with a project that can’t succeed without the Tower Master’s approval?”

“I’ll be meeting him soon.”

“Well, I haven’t heard a single news about the Tower Master speaking to any nobles in the past four years.”

With those words, Zerno turned away.

Even though Akain didn’t understand what had just happened, seeing Cleas’s expression freeze was definitely satisfying. He smiled slyly and followed Zerno.

Outside the Imperial Palace.

Just before getting into the carriage, Akain asked.

“You didn’t like him either, did you? You only stayed silent about the engagement because Nike kept raising a fuss, right?”

“I told you. Engagement doesn’t always lead to marriage.”

In other words, Zerno probably stayed silent about the engagement, hoping that Nikaearsha would realize the truth about Cleas on her own.

Akain snickered.

“Let’s go see Nike.”

But at that moment, the coachman, who was opening the carriage door, spoke up.

“Should I take you to the Tower?”

“Why the Magic Tower?”

“Well, since the lady went to the Magic Tower…”

“Did Nike wake up?”

“Yes. The news came from the estate just as the two of you were entering the palace.”

“And she went straight to the Mage Tower as soon as she woke up?”

Akain scowled in frustration.

“Is she seriously trying to get herself killed? We’re heading straight to the Magic Tower!”

Zerno silently nodded in agreement.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

Despite Alice and the other servants desperately trying to stop me, I insisted on going out.

It wasn’t just because of Petra.

‘My body really is fine.’

It was surprising because I had taken such an attack because of my mother’s soul stone rampage.

It wasn’t just me who was shocked.

When I arrived at the Magic Tower, the wizards who saw me nearly fainted in shock.

“Lady, what are you doing here…?!”

“A-Are you using the last of your strength to leave your final words?!”

“You idiot! How dare you say something like that to the lady!”

“But after losing so much mana to the soul stone, how are you even able to walk around?!”

I heard that a wizard from the Tower’s central circle had seen me, so it seemed like the other wizards knew about it as well. Delosif must have been doing his best to keep the rumors quiet.

‘I guess my own recovery is pretty shocking. But right now, there’s something more important.’

“Where’s Serkael?”

“Ah, he’s…”

It was the moment when Brown, the wizard who needed to change his magical career path to auxiliary magic, spoke—

“Over here.”

—Serkael was coming down the stairs right on cue. It seemed like he had heard the news that I had arrived.

“I apologize for missing the deadline. I’m sure you understand, there were extenuating circumstances.”

As I said that, I glanced around.

The atmosphere was strange.

It was the way the wizards were acting, except for Serkael.

‘How… how is it that everyone’s expressions are exactly the same?’

Were they rehearsing something? Their eyes were wide as if they might pop out, and everyone was pressing both hands to their cheeks. Their expressions looked like something out of an abstract painting.

“The… the Tower Master came down from the top floor…!”

“Wasn’t he supposed to be under a confinement curse? I didn’t think he’d come down to the first floor!”

“Check his legs! Make sure he has legs, check if he’s a ghost!”

“Stop with the nonsense. A ghost? It’s just a monster in disguise.”

Amidst the chaos, Serkael was the only one who stayed completely unfazed. He held the box that had contained Petra and spoke.

“I’ve completed the request. Now it’s time for my reward.”

“Alright. I’ve set aside two hours.”

The reward he was referring to was probably the ‘two hours of conversation’ we had talked about earlier. He was probably wondering how I knew about Brown’s hidden potential.

‘I’ve prepared an excuse.’

He probably wouldn’t buy into something like the 〈 Detective Agency 〉 ability anyway.

Just as I was thinking that—

“No, I’m going to have to change the price.”

“That’s a breach of contract. Do you really want to destroy the Magic Tower’s reputation?”

“Reputation doesn’t matter more than the pursuit of knowledge.”

The wizards finally came to their senses and screamed, “Does your thirst for knowledge feed you?!” But Serkael still had the same indifferent expression.

This time, it looked like even their frantic pleading wouldn’t make a difference.

‘I really need Petra stabilized…’

At this point, there was no other option.

“What do you want?”

Serkael gave a sly smile, the corner of his mouth curling up. But before he could answer, the Magic Tower doors suddenly burst open, and two very familiar faces stormed in.

“If you’re awake, you should be resting at home quietly! What are you doing out when you’re still sick?!”

It was Akain, with Zerno right behind him.

Just as the two walked in, Serkael calmly said,

“I want your body.”

…What?

I furrowed my brows in confusion, but just then, a cold voice came from the doorway.

“What the hell is that lunatic?”

Akain grabbed his sword.

‘…Why is Zerno releasing his aura?’