Chapter 117

In our family, a jewel containing the power of the Spirit King has been passed down through generations. Others coveted that power, but neither my father nor I wanted to use it. We were both hard workers, after all. The moment we used that power, all our efforts would be attributed to it, and that didn’t sit well with us.

[Father, wouldn’t it be better to just sell that jewel?]

I thought it would be better to sell it for a high price and use the funds for research. To my naive words, my father quietly patted my head and said:

[Everything has its time. If there comes a moment when you need power, even if it means abandoning your beliefs… there will be no more reliable means than this jewel.]

At the time, I couldn’t understand those words. I believed that nothing was more important than the value of one’s efforts and convictions.

Time flowed like smooth water, and as my father grew old, he passed down to me the position of Tower Lord and the Spirit King’s jewel.

[Lorcha, I once said that this power would be a great help in times of need… but you must avoid using it if possible. The moment you use it, your descendants will be bound to the contract for eternity. Only use it if you’re willing to abandon everything.]

If I were to use that power, my descendants would be bound to the contract, whether they wanted to or not. That alone made me even more reluctant to use it. Hurting innocent others for my own gain was something only trash would do. Who said that? My only friend and first love.

But that first love of mine suddenly left. I couldn’t follow that child. If I had stayed by their side, this wouldn’t have happened. Even so, I wanted to hold onto them, so I asked them to be my assistant.

I didn’t realize how much that would hurt someone as proud and magic-loving as that child.

Because of those words, our relationship grew distant. It felt like a massive river had formed between us. But I didn’t have the courage to cross it. I thought going against the current would only hurt that child more.

When I first heard the news that the child had become engaged to the daughter of a duke, I cried for three days and nights. When my bed and blankets were soaked, a different emotion rose in the corner of my heart.

Regret. If I had protected that child, if I hadn’t said such rude things, if I had confessed my feelings first… maybe today’s situation wouldn’t have happened.

I wanted to go to them before the engagement and tell them my feelings. To say I loved them, to abandon everything and run away together.

But when I went to find them, they had already disappeared like a dandelion seed carried by the wind. What was the wind that carried that dandelion seed? The gaze of rotten nobles? Unbearable workloads? The pain of unhealed wounds? Or… the words I spat out? That I wasn’t there for them when they needed me?

Call it self-consciousness if you want. I desperately wished they would come out and mock me. But even so, that child never showed themselves.

At that time, the nobles in the palace protested fiercely over the child’s disappearance. Only after Werner disappeared did they bare their fangs. Disgusting, despicable vermin.

[Disappearing without a word is an insult to the imperial family! Werner must be summoned and punished immediately!]

[From the beginning, it was wrong to grant a noble title to someone of such low birth! The nation’s discipline must be restored to prevent such incidents in the future!]

[Leaving without appointing a successor has caused chaos in national affairs. This should be punished by death!]

These bugs, who only flattered in front of the person, now…

I raised my hand and stood before the emperor.

[I am Lorcha McCallin, Tower Lord of the Water Tower. Your Majesty, it is presumptuous of me to say this, but Sir Werner did not irresponsibly run away.]

The old fox-like emperor showed interest in me. It wasn’t the lecherous gaze of a man toward a woman. It was the look of someone surrounded by trash who had finally found something decent.

[Hoh… What do you mean by that?]

[I am Sir Werner’s successor. From now on, please send all imperial requests to the Water Tower.]

[Hmm… I’ve heard that the duties of a Tower Lord are not easy. Can you handle the notoriously demanding work of an imperial sorcerer on top of that?]

I bit my lip. Yes, the duties of a Tower Lord were already overwhelming. Reviewing documents, budgeting, conducting personal research, and supervising other sorcerers left me no time to sleep. But this was for that child.

[Who would ignore the request of a beloved friend? If so, they are nothing more than trash seeking status or connections.]

The last part was directed at the trash-like nobles in the room. They seemed a little guilty, as they started coughing awkwardly.

The emperor appointed me as the imperial sorcerer, and as I left the audience room, I warned those trash nobles.

[Oh, and… though I’ve taken on this position out of friendship for a friend, I will fulfill my duties as faithfully as I cherish that friend. So, if anyone slanders that friend while I’m fulfilling my duties… I will take their life on the spot.]

I continued living a life where three hours of sleep a day and one day off a year were uncertain.

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I could never forgive those bastards of the Black Round Table. They were always the trash that hurt that child. I never forgot my hatred for them, not even for a moment.

But I knew the difference in strength was clear. The one who called himself Gawain was undoubtedly strong. And the woman wearing a mask and the one called Lancelot, who quietly observed the situation, were even stronger.

They were on a different level from me or Werner, who couldn’t use great magic. In my pathetic state, I cursed them. I didn’t want to lose, so I spat out curses.

But at that moment, Gawain melted my magic and charged at me. I resigned myself to losing an arm.

But then Werner stepped in front of me and took the attack head-on. Werner deflected the attack and stepped back.

“Idiot… Even if I had been hit, it would’ve just been a minor burn…”

“It’s fine. Compared to what I’ve done to you…”

What have you ever done to me…?

I couldn’t forgive them. I couldn’t let them take anything from Werner again. My frustration overwhelmed my reason, and I spat out curses I was ashamed to utter. And then I had to make a decision.

I took out the jewel I had carefully kept.

“By offering the jewel guarded by the McCallin family, I approve the contract with the Spirit King of Water. This contract shall continue for generations.”

For a brief moment, my mind sank into a dark abyss.

[Don’t worry, child. This is just a fleeting moment, no more than 0.00001 seconds.]

What stood before me was a massive whale. Larger than any city, with deep blue patterns, the whale smiled at me.

[Do you truly approve of this contract?]

“Yes, so give me the power.”

[Since the dawn of creation by the Primordial Mother, I’ve never seen such a bold child. You do know what you must pay for this contract, right?]

Even if all my efforts turn to bubbles, even if my descendants curse me, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to regret anymore. Even if I regret it later, it’s fine. I’ll save what’s in front of me now.

“I, Lorcha McCallin, head of the McCallin family and Tower Lord of the Water Tower, agree to form a contract with Valena, the Spirit King of Water.”

[Valena, the Spirit King of Water, in accordance with the laws created by the Primordial Mother, I lend you my power.]

The water from the abyss where my mind had sunk, the immense power of Valena, flowed into me. It was undoubtedly painful. It felt like a massive amount of water was filling my lungs.

But I could endure that pain. I knew what real pain was.

Yes, I might regret this decision. My descendants might resent me. But I didn’t want to be afraid of what might or might not happen and watch my precious person get hurt anymore.

With this decision… I’ll save you, Werner.