“………….”
Suddenly, a letter from Duke Nicholas Everts flew in.
Stella narrowed her eyes at the completely unexpected reaction.
‘My son-in-law? The fiancé of the youngest daughter?’
If it’s the youngest daughter of the Everts Ducal House, she vaguely remembers her as Leisha Everts, who was hardly ever active.
The Astron Magic Tower is the wealthiest among the magic towers, but it’s also entangled in countless interests. As one of the few ducal houses in the Empire and the Grand Duke of the West, it’s only natural that the Astron Magic Tower can’t treat them lightly.
According to imperial law, an Archmage is granted a title equivalent to a Marquis, even if they’re not a noble. So, strictly speaking, Duke Nicholas holds a higher position than her.
Of course, that’s just what the law says. An Archmage and the Master of a Magic Tower aren’t beings that can be judged by mere titles. That’s why the head of a ducal house is considered almost equal to an Archmage, and they respect each other.
For the Everts Ducal House to send such a firm letter to Stella…
It definitely wasn’t just political rhetoric.
“What on earth was their relationship…?”
Duke Nicholas is serious. Though he’s softened compared to the past, the Nicholas Everts she knows would absolutely withdraw all the funds he invested in the Astron Magic Tower if he felt the line had been crossed.
Stella frowned, having memorized all the tower’s finances. It wasn’t a small amount.
It wasn’t just the investment. The Everts Ducal House’s connections and affiliated merchants would pull out, and as the Grand Duke of the West, the western nobles would also distance themselves from the Astron Magic Tower.
‘It wouldn’t collapse the tower, but…’
At the very least, it would stagger for a while, and the position of being the top magic tower would undoubtedly be lost. It might even fall lower than the current Arkhé Magic Tower.
It was a complete reversal of priorities.
That’s why Stella could only sigh and slump down.
What name was floating in her mind right now?
Nicholas Everts, who stood in her way? Leisha Everts, whose name she barely remembered? Or Kyle Byron, the center of all this?
No.
‘Olfin… Glassburn.’
Having lived through countless years, her ties with Olfin were too numerous to count.
But most of them were ill-fated, Stella Varnicion was certain.
…At least, ever since he stole her revenge.
“Why did you…?”
It was Olfin who killed the dragon that killed her master, the former Master of the Magic Tower. Stella had screamed and charged at the dragon, only to be defeated. It was Olfin who saved her when she was on the verge of death.
Because Stella was incompetent back then. Because she had prepared for death but ultimately couldn’t die.
Olfin saved Stella’s life.
But Stella couldn’t kill herself.
“…Aren’t you frustrated?”
I was endlessly frustrated.
Frustrated at myself for not even avenging my master.
Even after becoming an Archmage, even after ascending to the position of Master of the Tower.
Why do you always stand so confidently before me?
“…………….”
The only thing Stella excelled at compared to Olfin was the prestige of the Magic Tower. And even that wasn’t due to her abilities but simply inherited from her predecessors.
In fact, Olfin’s ability to maintain the declining Arkhé was far more impressive.
Even knowing that, she had felt the thrill of being above Olfin for the first time, but even that one thing was being overtaken as Arkhé’s prestige gradually rose thanks to Abracadabra.
And the one who made that possible was Kyle Byron.
Even though she went to great lengths to forcibly bring him over…
That too was impossible.
“I…”
She remembers what she said to the young High Magician. You’re not a genius. You and I…
There are many talents on the continent.
That applied to Stella herself as well.
After all, the genius named Olfin was always ahead of Stella.
From meeting as an apprentice, becoming the Tower Lord’s disciple, rising to High Magician, the death of her master, becoming an Archmage, and even now, after ascending to Tower Lord.
All that remained for Stella was the self-consciousness of being an “Archmage.”
*Clatter!*
“…Ah.”
At that moment, something fell from the bookshelf she was leaning against.
A case opened, scattering a pile of cards on the floor.
A board game, Bang.
“…………”
Stella’s gradually dimming eyes brightened slightly. The moment she saw Bang, memories of playing this board game naturally came to mind.
The moment she had achieved her first victory against Olfin.
The joy and exhilaration of that time.
So, Stella quietly picked up the cards and organized them.
Even though she could have sorted them in an instant with magic.
One by one.
Directly, with her own hands.
*
“…Is it really resolved?”
[I told you to trust me, husband.]
“I did trust you, but it feels like things have become irreversibly… complicated.”
As Leisha said, the matter was resolved in less than a day.
Stella, who had demanded an answer within a day, came to me and Adela first, bowing politely to apologize, and the matter of the Micro Planet was treated as if it had never happened.
The only thing that bothered me was Olfin’s reaction.
Though Leisha had shown confidence, it was still something that needed to be told to Olfin. Naturally, I thought he would be as furious as Adela.
But he…
“…I don’t resent Stella.”
“Tower Lord?”
“Adela, I’m sorry, but this is a matter between her and me. Even now, I can still hear her lament-filled screams in my ears. Even though decades have passed…”
“Olfin.”
“If this matter gets out, the elders and the mages of the tower will be outraged. Creator, I’m sorry, but would it be alright to let this go? I’m asking as a favor.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Thank you, Creator.”
He simply sighed, maintaining a calmer attitude than expected.
Adela was also taken aback by Olfin’s reaction, but since Stella had personally come to bow her head and apologize, and the matter was ultimately resolved…
…The only thing left was that I had officially been caught in a trap.
If it turned out that Leisha’s engagement was a lie, Stella might come looking for me again.
[When are you coming back?]
“Well, I still have to visit the Astron Magic Tower…”
[Going to another woman’s house?]
“Please don’t say it like that, Leisha.”
[I’m struggling every day to overcome my trauma, and my husband is off chasing other women. I’m sad.]
What am I supposed to do with this? I’m going crazy.
Suddenly, I’ve dug my own grave in life, and as I desperately try to divert my attention to others…
“…………”
Sally, unusually, was silent with her eyes wide open.
“You.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not good with emotions, but I suddenly feel upset. Stop that.”
[Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?]
“…I heard somewhere that over 60% of nobles who proceed with engagements end up breaking it off midway.”
[What are you trying to say?]
“Just stating a fact.”
Adela had already started arguing with Leisha.
“Why are you looking at me? I’m the most powerless one here.”
“Even so, you’re an Archmage…”
“No way……!!”
“Actually, in life, you seem to be more impressive than me.”
“………?”
“I’m still a lifelong single.”
“……!!!”
Master Olfin revealed the reason (?) he became an Archmage.
Everyone present recalled Olfin’s true age, which was different from his appearance.
In that moment, Leisha and Adela, who had raised their voices, and even Sally, who had been glaring at me, all fell silent.
Olfin, as if he had received such looks countless times before, confidently continued speaking.
“By the way, are you heading to Astron after all?”
“It seems so. This matter is one thing, but I’ve already made a promise with Lady Stella.”
“What about the issue of exclusive rights?”
“Even if Lady Stella sets any conditions, I won’t be giving her exclusive rights. However, I do have a story that won’t be too bad for her either.”
“A story that won’t be too bad?”
“You’ll hear about it soon enough once I arrive at Astron. Consider it a little fun until then.”
“If you say so.”
Still, thanks to Olfin, we managed to smoothly navigate the engagement talk, but honestly, I didn’t expect Leisha to use such a method.
Apart from being serious about the engagement, Leisha still hasn’t fully overcome her trauma and doesn’t particularly like her father, Duke Nicholas.
She must have mustered the courage of a lifetime to speak to the Duke for my sake.
I quietly placed my hand on the Water Tiger’s head.
“Thank you, Leisha. It must have been difficult for you.”
[……It’s nothing. I decided to face it because of you.]
“You’ve worked hard.”
As I said that and patted Leisha’s head, the Water Tiger let out a purring sound.
Was that Leisha, or was it the Water Tiger making the sound because the sync was released?
Anyway, as I continued to stroke the Water Tiger, which had started making tiger sounds again, Adela came over and sat next to me.
“………Adela?”
“Do you know? I also went through quite a bit of trouble this time. I stood up to Lady Stella, didn’t I?”
“Well, yes, that’s true.”
“I worked hard.”
“………?”
“……No.”
Adela, who had been looking at me with expectant eyes, suddenly became expressionless and backed away.
“………….”
“Sally?”
“……….”
“Sally? Sally?”
“Yo, Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry. I, I will always be here for you……….”
“………Right.”
Sally, who seemed similar to usual but somehow different, was actually the scariest……
*
Astron Magic Tower.
Unlike other magic towers, it is famous for being built on a massive floating island in the sky, a unique feature.
However, the reason Astron chose the floating island was because it was the only tower that didn’t receive a territory, unlike all other towers.
The first Master of Astron was hostile to the imperial family at the time, and as a result, while even the smallest towers received territories, Astron received none.
Despite the blatant mistreatment, the first Master of Astron changed his perspective.
‘Then I’ll just create my own territory, right?’
──With that thought, he started floating the entire tower in the sky.
Over time, soil gathered around Astron, a bottom formed, buildings were erected, and the land gradually thickened.
And now, it has become a massive floating island that casts shadows and storms wherever it goes.
Among the six Magic Towers, it is the wealthiest and most powerful.
Therefore, the magicians belonging to Astron naturally have a lot of pride.
In a good way, of course.
But also in a bad way.
“The Tower Lord is returning this time. You all heard, right?”
“Yes, Senior.”
“Of course.”
“Y-yes.”
“However, I heard he’s bringing some insignificant guy with him. Something about a board game creator? It’s just laughable.”
“Why would he bring such a lowly craftsman?”
“Apparently, he’s the third son of Baron Byron.”
“……Not so lowly, then. But still, not someone the Tower Lord should personally bring along, right?”
“Obviously, it’s a favor. Who is the Tower Lord? Stella Varnicion, the Archmage. Just the rumor of being associated with her would boost his reputation. Tsk, such a petty move.”
“Exactly.”
“Of course!”
“………I heard he’s also close to Master Olfin from Arkhé Magic Tower……….”
“Enough with the nonsense! Anyway, that guy is shamelessly planning to enter Astron Magic Tower. The crime of tarnishing the Tower Lord’s reputation with such cheap tricks……must be punished.”
“Absolutely!”
“I already dislike him just for being a noble.”
“According to Saquiel, the Tower Lord was actually quite proactive……….”
“Are you just spouting nonsense you heard somewhere? None of us have even had a proper conversation with the Tower Lord, and you’re saying she approached some board game creator?”
“S-sorry!”
“Good, you understand. Anyway, since he’s officially accompanying the Tower Lord, causing too much trouble would be problematic. Got it? Be discreet.”
“Understood!”
“Yes!”
“………Okay.”
*
“……Where did one of them go?”
“Sorry! That guy Telos got hooked on some escape room board game the creator brought……!!”
“Can’t you even manage your juniors properly? Gather everyone under you!”
“I’m really sorry!”
“Make sure that kid is at the next meeting no matter what! Honestly, everyone’s slacking off…….”
“………Okay.”
“Yep…….”
*
“……Another one’s gone.”
“Well, I tried to bring Telos back, but ended up getting hooked on the board game too………that’s it.”
“So now it’s just the two of us? Are you saying an Astron magician got lured by some board game?!”
“W-well, telling me that won’t help……….”
“This won’t do! Tomorrow, I’ll definitely grab those two by the collar and drag them back!!”
*
“………Senior?”
“Ah, just wait a second.”
“Senior? It’s time for the meeting……….”
“Just wait a bit! I’ll go after solving this!”
“………….”
“Just solve this, and I’ll escape……!!”
