adopting disaster

by vamer

ok

재앙을입양하다

– STORY –

Jinhyuk is a person who likes to immerse himself in the

role of the Villains but there is one villain which he

particularly hates,

Reed Adeleheights Roton, the false final boss of the game.

The one who created the Seven Disasters.

The one who due to his inferiority complex led to his own

doom.

The one who turned a cute innocent girl into the

monstrous First Disaster codenamed Cosmo.

"If I was the Villain then I would have raised her a little

better."

And thus God granted his wish and now he was the false

final Villain Reed Adeleheights Roton, the creator of the

Seven Disasters.

How different would the world turn out to be now?

– GENRE –

Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Martial Arts

Mystery Supernatural Tragedy

When playing a game, most people tend to immerse themselves in the protagonist.

The cool protagonist and comrades who trust and follow them.

An adventure full of energy, searching for a ray of light in the darkness.

The ending credits and the feeling of accomplishment after defeating the final boss.

However, Jung Jinhyuk's immersion was quite different.

The beings opposing the protagonists.

He sympathized more with those who are commonly called villains.

He related more to the crazy clown rather than the bat-human with a code of non-

violence, and to the terrorist boss of Afghanistan rather than the chaebol scientist in

red iron armor.

[T/N: Joker, Batman, Raza and Iron Man references]

The final bosses and villains had a different impact from the protagonists.

They had a different weight and their stories were often more impressive than the

heroes when delved into.

Jinhyuk admired such villains, immersing himself in their stories while playing as the

protagonist.

However, there was one boss that even Jinhyuk couldn't empathize with.

"Isn't this character too trashy?"

Reed Adeleheights Roton

The mastermind behind the seven disasters of the game's title!

Also the fake final boss of the fantasy game, !

However, even Jinhyuk, who loves villains, couldn't help but shake his head at this

villain.

He was the first-ever trashy character that made Jinhyuk, who loved villains, lose

interest for the first time.

"Even if he's the final boss, isn't this a bit much?"

Jinhyuk muttered while watching the rising ending credits.

The main villain of was an absolute evil character.

Absolute evil was something that came out in classic games, so it could be easily

overlooked.

However, Jin-hyuk felt something unsatisfying about the absolute evil he felt from

Reed Adeleheights Roton.

He created monsters through the deprivation of love and brainwashing, and those

monsters made Jinhyuk feel uncomfortable until the end.

He played several times, expecting a different twist in the latter half, but it only

ended pathetically, and the question that eventually burst out was, "Isn't this

character too trashy?"

"How did he become the main boss?"

The only conclusion was that more than 80% of the game company employees were

either headless dullahans, or they had gone mad due to frequent overtime work and

projected the CEO onto the final boss.

Jinhyuk's principle was not to play a game again, no matter how much of a

masterpiece it was, if the villain was not attractive.

Yet, he was playing this game for the fifth time.

It was because the other villains were so impressive, except for this pathetic final

boss.

"They're all pitiful."

There were too many characters that were heart-wrenching even without looking

from the villain's perspective.

The seven disasters created by the tower were particularly so.

A female swordsman who joined hands with absolute evil to be recognized by her

father.

An orc warrior who reached the extreme of despair due to racial discrimination.

Reed used their darkness to turn them into monsters.

However, if there was one being that was undoubtedly the most pitiful.

"The real final boss."

The ultimate monster created by Reed Adeleheights Roton, "Code Name: Cosmo."

In the setting, she was 17 years old and had been turned into a monster after going

through various tortures and brainwashing by Reed since the age of 7.

She appeared by splitting Reed's head in half, who didn't die until the last moment,

and threatened the protagonist and his party.

-I'll kill you. I'll kill you all.

-Humans must die. Orcs, elves, dwarves, goblins! Everyone! Everyone! I will destroy

all life on the surface!

-Hahahahaha!!!

The final boss, who laughed maniacally with an unsettling female voice from the

beginning to the end.

Jinhyuk sympathized with the final boss.

If he took over Reed's tower and read the records, he could catch a glimpse of the

stories about Cosmo.

The ultimate monster created by the villain Reed Adeleheights Roton, and the

intended failure.

He sympathized even more because it was not a failure of her own, but a failure

deliberately created by someone else.

'If I were a villain, I could have made her cooler… '

A girl who was raised wrong by the wrong person.

She had talent, but he envied it, and in the end, both Cosmo and Reed faced a terrible

fate.

Jinhyuk didn't like that story.

It was inevitable that he would not like such things which left a lingering regret.

"Sigh… let's just sleep."

Jinhyuk sighed and turned off the computer.

It was time to sleep since it was late at night.

"Tower Master…"

…

"Tower Master nim~."

A whispering voice tickled Jinhyuk

He tries to ignore it, thinking it's a voice from a dream.

"Tower Master, it's morningggg…"

The voice becomes clearer.

Realizing it's not a dream, Jinhyuk opens his eyes wide.

Turning his head, he sees golden snake-like eyes staring at him.

"Ugh!"

"Uhah!"

Startled, Jinhyuk frightens the woman next to him.

An unexpected woman was standing in his studio apartment.

"Wh-who are you!?"

"Y-yes?! I'm Phoebe!"

"No, why are you in my room!?"

"Ah, uh! Sorry! I apologize for entering your bedroom without permission, Tower

Master!"

The woman kneels and apologizes.

Master? Is she calling me Tower Master?

"What's going on…?"

As Jinhyuk says this, his view expands.

What he sees is not his small studio apartment which had a desk, a bed, and a

computer worth five months' rent.

His room should have clothes worn for two days scattered on the floor.

But what he sees now is not his room.

A room the size of ten of Jinhyuk's rooms, with a bed the size of his room, and a

marble floor.

'A hotel room?'

It was a 5-star hotel room he'd never set foot in his entire life.

'Is this a hidden camera prank?'

But that seemed far-fetched.

Ordinary people with no connections are rarely involved in such situations.

'Besides, this room layout… I feel like I've seen it somewhere before… '

Though unrelated to Jinhyuk, the scenery felt familiar.

It wasn't just about the room he was looking at now.

'And the woman next to me… '

There were more than one or two things that bothered him.

Her blonde hair and golden snake-like eyes were tolerable.

But when a pair of alien-like horns on her head were added, she resembled a very

familiar woman in his mind.

Despite never having seen her in reality, even her flustered state felt familiar.

"Uh, I'm sorry, Tower Master. I know you're tired these days, but you weren't waking

up, and I thought your morning routine would be ruined, so I had to take the liberty

of entering your bedroom to wake you up. I committed a grave sin. Please don't kill

me! I'm sorry!"

Her speech was usually slow, but when flustered, she spoke rapidly like a machine

gun.

Her quirky and timid personality.

'Her personality and appearance… Could it be… '

Jinhyuk uttered the name that came to his mind.

"Phoebe Asteria Roton… right?"

"Yes! Yes! That's right! I'm Phoebe! Ah, my tongue…"

She was so excited that she bit her own tongue.

Her name was correct, but Jinhyuk felt chills down his spine.

'What's wrong with my voice?'

He thought his voice was just groggy, but even after coughing repeatedly, it didn't

return to normal.

'The fact that Phoebe Asteria Roton calls me Master means… '

A word that crossed Jinhyuk's mind sent chills down his spine.

In a hurry, he gets up and looks into a mirror.

No way.

It can't be.

It's impossible!

"This is insane…"

The reflection in the mirror was exactly what Jinhyuk had thought.

The worst villain, Reed Adeleheights Roton, was standing there.

"What the hell…"

The curse sprang out of his mouth without hesitation

Standing there was not a man in his 20s with unkempt black hair and a scruffy

beard, but a young man with long, silver hair that flowed down like a woman's.

A slim figure with silver hair, sharp eyes, and golden irises within them.

A heavy, solemn voice.

And the tower master who has a half-dragon as an assistant.

Jinhyuk took all of these facts into account.

'There's no doubt.'

Jung Jinhyuk had become Reed Adeleheights Roton.

"Damn it."

Jinhyuk cursed once again.

The fact that he had entered the game , which he loved enough to play

five times, made his heart race.

Moreover, he was even more excited about being in the role of the villain he had

always admired.

However,

'Out of all the villains in , I had to become this piece of trash!'

The fact that he was Reed Adeleheights Roton infuriated him.

"Um… Tower Master?"

As he turned his head, he saw a blonde head peeking out from the door of the

bathroom.

Reed's loyal assistant, Phoebe, stammered like a frightened puppy.

"Is something wrong, sir? I don't know what I should do. if I did something wrong, if I

did, I, I, I apologize…"

She rambled on and on, looking flustered.

'Calm down, Jung Jinhyuk.'

Jinhyuk's actions were completely opposite to those of Reed Adeleheights Roton.

So, it must be confusing for Phoebe, who was watching.

Jinhyuk spoke to her as cautiously as possible in his most serious voice.

"It's nothing. You may leave now."

"Ah, well, then I'll step out!"

Her face, which had been peeking out, quickly disappeared, and the sound of the

door closing followed.

Although she seemed to find it strange, there was no doubt that it had been handled

reasonably well.

'After all, he was an impressive character in a different way.'

As much as Jinhyuk disliked the arrogant villain, he knew his information well.

An authoritative attitude that didn't fit his position.

Most of the time, that would make him look like Reed.

In fact, it worked.

"Phew… Let's calm down for now."

It was time to stop looking flustered.

Jinhyuk knew that there was no escaping from his current situation.

Those who show weakness are the first to fall.

That's the rule for all villains.

So, there was only one thing he could do right now.

'First, learn as much as possible about Reed Adeleheights Roton.'

He had no choice but to blend in as Reed while observing his surroundings,

regardless of how pretentious it may seem.

As the place became quiet, Jinhyuk leaned against the sink and took another look at

his face.

'My current age is… much earlier than when encountering the protagonist.'

At the time the protagonist encountered Reed, he was approaching 45 years and had

wrinkles starting to form.

Usually, gray hair would make one look old, but because he took care of it well, he

appeared like a man in his mid-20s.

He hated to admit it… but he was also handsome.

'Can I see my body condition? If this is really a game, there must be a status

window… right?'

Ding!

As soon as he thought about it, a status window appeared in front of Jinhyuk.

--

Name: Reed Adeleheights Roton

Job: Tower Master of Silence Tower

Age: 35 years old

Disposition: (Unknown)

Health: 1,432/1,432

Stamina: 340/340

Mana: 4,982/4,982

[Traits]

「Tower Master of Silence Tower」,「Talent Appraisal」,「Bloodline of Adeleheights

」, 「Escolleia Second Seat Graduate」

[Abilities]

, , , ,
Sensitivity Lv. 4, , … and 10
others.
The abilities were divided by levels, and there was a trait section.
What Jinhyuk saw was definitely the character status window from .
'The character seems complete, but the specs aren't as good as I thought.'
A complete character refers to one that has no more room for growth and can only
play a significant role in the early and mid-stages as a temporary supporting
character.
Although he was a fake boss, he was still a man with abilities that were almost on par
with the final boss.
'I thought there would be at least one transcendence… '
The typical level limit for ability is 5, and if certain conditions are met, they can
transcend and increase their level to 7.
However, even the protagonist can only achieve one transcendence, and it's safe to
say that level 5 is the limit for anyone who isn't a major supporting character.
Of course, level 4 wasn't a number to be underestimated in a world where the limit
was level 5.
In addition, Reed's attributes were diverse enough to be considered a master of all
magical things, making him a versatile mage.
'Though, It's different for being a Tower Master… '
A level 4 mage could be within the top 20% capable of wiping out a group of
monsters, but becoming a Tower Master requires a minimum of level 5 in magic.
If the level isn't 5, one must gain an advantage in other aspects, but
Sensitivity, which affects total mana and recovery rate, was also 4, as were the
necessary for elemental magic and , the
foundation of spirit magic.
'Well, if you think of him as the Tower Master of Silence Tower, it's not that
surprising.'
Reed Adeleheights Roton's residence was the Red Curtain Tower.
[T/N: Red Curtain is the literal translation of '붉은 장막이', I can't find any better
word for it. Later on, I might change it if I find a better word. (Can suggest in
comments)]
However, many mages sarcastically called it the "The Tower of Silence" because
nobody visited it.
Seeing the specs of Reed, the tower's owner, it was easy to understand why he was
made fun of.
Jinhyuk focused on more relevant information that could serve as a clue.
It was his age.
Ten years before his death at the hands of the protagonist… This meant that it was
before the game even started.
The story of spans three years until the ending, so it is now seven years
before the game starts.
"10 years…"
Jinhyuk unconsciously muttered the words.
Let's say he entered the world of the game.
But why did he come as Reed from 10 years ago?
Ordinary mages wear robes.
It's a simple rule of the fantasy world, but there was a reason explained in
7.
Swordsmen's weapons are swords, and archers' weapons are bows and arrows.
The ultimate weapon of a mage lies in their 'secrets.'
They couldn't reveal what magic they knew, how they fought, or what their secret
measures were, even to party members who had their backs.
Secondly, they wore robes to protect the magical tools and books they carried, as
their performance could be affected by the weather.
For these reasons, Tower Masters have different attire from ordinary mages.
If mages value secrets, Tower Masters value the reputation of their towers.
So, instead of wearing robes that conceal themselves, they wear noble-like uniforms.
In Reed's case, it was a red uniform with gold trim and the mark of the Silence Tower
Master.
Since it wasn't much different from a modern suit, there was no difficulty in wearing
it.
Knock, knock.
While checking his appearance in the mirror and finishing up, he heard a knock on
the door.
Jinhyuk cleared his throat and did his best to act like 'Reed.'
"Come in."
Phoebe cautiously opened the door and entered.
"Ma, Master, are you ready?"
Her nervous voice outside sounded like a frightened puppy.
'Now that I think of her as a dog, she really looks like one.'
She gave off the vibe of a golden retriever with a puppy face and a larger build.
Her cheeks looked like they would stretch like sticky rice cake if you grabbed them.
Since Reed was a conservative and authoritative figure, it would be crucial to
maintain a natural demeanour.
"Yes."
"…Huh?"
The puppy widened her eyes and sent a signal as if something had gone wrong.
'Did I act poorly?'
What went wrong?
As soon as he thought that, Phoebe clicked her teeth and asked.
"Don't you want to ask me about the inventory of the library or mana vessel
management methods?"
He almost reflexively asked, 'What's that?'
Despite having played the game five times, these were such useless pieces of
information that his mind was filled with question marks.
Anyway, at this point, his attempt to act like Reed had partially failed, and he needed
to recover.
"I don't have time to check those things every day."
"But you always say we shouldn't forget these things and always make me recite
them for 30 minutes…"
"Do you want to keep arguing?"
Not wanting to continue this awkward conversation, he snapped at her with an
irritated tone.
Whether that was the right answer or not, Phoebe's flustered voice became resolute.
"No, no! If the Tower Master says so, that's how it is!"
The Tower Master's words are the truth.
If he asks, she must answer, and if she doesn't have it, she must create or bring it.
His authoritative demeanour came in handy at times like this.
Still feeling uneasy about ending the conversation this way, Reed added a remark.
"I'll occasionally ask, so always be prepared."
"Yes, sir!"
Phoebe responded with an energetic voice.
Well, good.
With this, he roughly grasped the tone and feeling of their conversation.
"Let's go to the office."
Reed naturally led her to guide him, and Phoebe guided him to his office.
Reed's location was the Tower of Silence.
Also called the Magic Tower of Silence, it was a group of mages who gathered to
study magic and broaden their knowledge.
Reed was the master of the place, and people called him the Tower Master of Silence.
The Tower of Silence had a total of 82 floors.
At the beginning of the game, the magic tower was operated on a small scale with
120 apprentice mages, 50 junior mages, 30 senior mages, and 5 chief mages.
'It's exactly like the game, no, it's even more detailed than the game.'
When he experienced it through the game, there were limitations to the level of
detail that computer graphics could provide.
Seeing it with the graphics of reality, it was an even more magnificent and serene
place.
The place they reached by riding the elevator powered by magic stones was the top
floor of the tall tower.
It was the Tower Master's office.
The white marble floor was decorated with red stone walls, and on those walls hung
relics and treasures.
The office desk made of old wood had panels that could be operated like a smart
screen.
There were all the panels needed for tower management, such as storage magic,
summoning magic, and mana control management magic.
"Hmm…"
Reed didn't hastily touch those panels; instead, he turned his body to look out the
window.
A vast blue sky and mountains with clouds hanging below.
The blue forest and plains spread out beneath them, and small villages as well.
It was a scene that perfectly captured the fantasy world of .
'No, not perfectly.'
When the disasters start to appear, everything becomes desolate, barren wasteland
filled only with screams.
This kind of scenery was only present at the very beginning.
"Ten years ago, it looked like this……"
Jinhyuk possessed Reed's body.
That too, 10 years ago.
"10 years ago…"
There was no doubt that 10 years had some meaning.
It was just frustrating that it seemed to be locked away deep in the depth of his
memories, unable to be recalled.
"Master, are you there?"
He turned his head at Phoebe's voice, which sounded like a high-pitched, elongated
rice cake.
She was peeking in here just as she had been when he was in the bathroom.
"What is it?"
"I came to deliver this~."
Phoebe approached him with a bright expression and quick steps.
In her hand, she held a carefully bound paper, like a precious treasure.
The moment he received it, Reed's expression twisted horribly.
Project: Flower Garden.
The moment he heard that name, Reed's felt a surge of anger as he reflexively
clenched his fists.
"Using the materials you provided, I've organized the presentation materials for this
upcoming meeting once more, hehe…"
"I thought it would be good to have multiple perspectives, so please just use my
organized materials as a reference, and if you could… give me your opinion… once…
uh…"
She was expecting to hear a compliment from him, but her smile gradually faded as
she looked at Lead's expression.
She undoubtedly thought that he didn't like her arbitrary actions.
"Um, Master… is it not to your liking…?"
"Should I do it again??"
"…Huh? No, just go."
"Yes…"
Phoebe walked out of the office with a frightened expression.
Reed didn't pay attention to her state.
For a moment, he was so flustered that he almost forgot that he had to act like Reed.
All because of 'Project: Flower Garden.'
'I think I know why I came back 10 years ago.'
Did the gods grant his secret wish?
At first, he thought that possessing the body of a thoughtless villain was a way to
torture him.
However, recalling the existence of Project Flower, Reed's thoughts changed.
'The starting point of all stories.'
The reason why Reed was the villain.
The reason why the protagonist had no choice but to go on adventures.
In other words, it was a project that was nothing less than the purpose of the
game.
Handling mana is an innate talent.
Among humans, 80% live their entire lives without any connection to mana.
Even among the remaining 20%, the majority struggle to awaken their abilities.
While some learn how to manipulate mana before they even eat solid food, others
only manage to feel mana just before they die.
That's why even a renowned professor once said:
'Magic begins and ends with learning.'
With the belief that there is no limit, many magicians tirelessly learn and pass their
knowledge onto the next generation, continuously advancing the field.
However, Reed disliked such thinking.
He loved the present world more than the afterlife and was a man who believed in
his ability to excel in anything, driven by ambition.
But he lacked the most important talent: Mana capacity.
What clearly defined his limits was his amount of mana.
Despite trying all sorts of methods, he could not reach the level of mana possessed
by geniuses.
That's why all his magic remained at level 4, not reaching the maximum level of 5.
In the end, he was nothing more than a criminal striving towards genius.
Reed, who had hit his limits, was driven to the edge of a cliff and despaired.
As the desperation and despair strangled him, a chance for rebirth flashed through
his mind.
Like drawing water from a high mountain lake, he could link with a person, making
them his mana tank.
That was the 'Flower Garden Project', which left disasters for humans.
While everyone has probably thought about this concept once, no one had
established it until Read completed "Project: Flower Garden" and established the
concept completely.
The longing for genius had given him one last chance.
The project that would bring disaster to humans was finally completed.
"And ultimately, the reason he dies."
As Reed, not Jinhyuk, the critical project that determined his fate was underway.
Considering the timing, all the formulas for the project must have already been
created, with only the implementation left.
'The first success turns Reed into a complete monster.'
Project's first subject and the final boss, codename: Cosmo.
Its completion accelerated the creation of other disasters.
Thus, the seven disasters were created, the main bosses of the original game,
'How will they carry out this project…?'
Reed stared intently at the notes Phoebe had organized.
He didn't even want to touch them, let alone open them.
He thought that looking at these notes would be like crossing an irreversible river,
just as Adam and Eve touched the forbidden fruit.
The moment the notes touched his fingers.
"Master~."
Phoebe's sticky rice cake-like voice rang out again.
Reed raised his head and looked at Phoebe.
"What is it?"
"Well, a visitor came."
"A visitor?"
"Yes, he said he brought the items needed for this project."
Reed had a rough idea of what those items might be.
If they were items for this project, they would undoubtedly be children.
Young boys and girls with unawakened potential would be used like lab rats.
Original Reed would have definitely objected, but the Reed with Jinhuk's spirit inside
was different.
"I don't care…"
His words stopped as he was about to send them away.
He almost made a huge mistake.
'Reed successfully modifies the first subject of the project.'
This meant that he could meet the final boss, 'Codename: Cosmo,' in this event.
"Uh, should I send them away?"
Phoebe, reading his hesitant expression, asked.
"No."
Reed shook his head.
"Tell them to come in."
After instructing them to enter, 10 minutes later, Reed rode the magic stone-powered
elevator to the 32nd floor.
There was a reception room on the 32nd floor of the silence tower.
Upon entering the open reception room, there was a man who seemed far from a
magician standing there.
No, it was an impression that made one wonder if he was human at all.
"Oh my, hello, Tower Master, hehehe."
A sharp voice that instinctively made one's eyes narrow.
It was a typical line and pose that seemed to say, 'I'm terribly sneaky.'
Reed knew this man well.
The one-eyed rat, Leto.
His protruding front teeth and crooked posture made him feel like a standing rat.
Moreover, he had lost one eye and wore a black eyepatch, earning him the nickname
of one-eyed rat.
"Leto… I see."
"Hehehe, you can call me the one-eyed rat if you want. Whether it's one-eyed or a rat,
call me as you please. High-ranking people don't call me by the name Leto anyway."
That was true.
Seeing how the surrounding NPCs treated Leto, he was no more than a 'rat,' so that
must be what he was used to.
What would a villain say here?
After briefly thinking, Reed replied.
"Don't order me around, Leto."
"Ouch, what order! I'm just a lowly rat."
When Reed displayed a physiological aversion, Leto seemed frightened and
hesitated.
If one didn't know him, they might think he was a human with rich emotional
expressions, but Reed knew how calculating Leto was.
He lived in the underground of the imperial capital, Hamel, and mainly ruled the
underground as a king through information and errands.
Human trafficking, gambling, smuggling, and so on…
Committing heinous acts that couldn't be done under the light and prolonging his life
was his daily routine.
He was a bystander in terms of position.
He only moved for money, so he was a man who would sell information to enemies if
he was paid.
Whether he was a good guy or a bad guy didn't matter.
'He's a reliable source of information, and the content itself is trustworthy.'
He was the kind of person to keep close but never get involved with.
Reed moved on to the main point.
"So, have you brought the items you prepared?"
"Of course! These are items that you would like, sir!"
Leto, who had been laughing maliciously and speaking in a high-pitched tone,
shouted in a heavy voice from outside the door.
"Come in quickly, you pigs!"
The moment Reed saw the items, he was at a loss for words.
No, he had already anticipated it, but it was a sight that made one hesitate to look at
it through civilized eyes.
Children strung together by iron chains like Vienna sausages.
All of them looked haggard, and there was no life in their eyes.
A total of 30 children entered the reception room.
The number of children was quite large for a covert human trafficking operation.
"Oh dear, I apologize, Tower Master. The smell must be quite strong, right?"
"…It doesn't matter."
Leto seemed to think that the expression was due to the stench emanating from the
boys and girls.
It was just that Reed was not used to seeing such a scene while being a civilized
person.
Leto rubbed his palms together and spoke to Reed.
"How is it? These children can be dealt with without any trouble, as you ordered,
hehehe."
"How can there be no trouble?"
"These kids are all troublemakers caught from the kingdom and the empire. They are
taken care of for maintaining public order and security."
They were like trash.
There would be many of them even if an orphanage was run.
'In the end, Reed, who uses such orphans, is also trash.'
There was no room for excuses.
Since Reed had allowed Leto to set foot in the tower, he decided to do his job.
'The Flower Garden project targets only those with talent.'
Those without even a hint of potential or those with ambiguous abilities could not
survive in the project structure.
The success of such a daring project was thanks to Reed's ability to 'see talent.'
「Talent Appraisal」
Type: Active
You can check the potential of the other person.
You can see the unawakened traits and the level that can be raised.
You cannot check your own potential.
I know how much the other person will grow, and I can watch it happen.
It could be said that this cursed trait accelerated Reed's inferiority complex.
'However, it is because of this ability that he could carry out the daring project called
Flower Garden… '
It was what made it possible to create the Seven Disasters and Codename: Cosmo.
If it weren't for his twisted personality, it would have been a talent that could make
him a sufficiently shining villain.
Reed used that skill to scan the children.
As the 「Talent Appraisal」 ability activated, he could see auras emanating from
behind the children.
Focusing on one of them, a status window appeared as if floating in front of Reed.
Name: Unknown.
Occupation: Orphan
Age: Unknown.
Disposition: Chaotic Neutral
[Traits]
「Quick Hands」
[Abilities]
[Unawakened Traits & Abilities]
None.
When Reed looked at a child with no visible aura, there was no unawakened
potential.
They were literally F-grade talents.
He examined a few of the more prominent individuals among them, but they
possessed traits and abilities unrelated to magic, such as "Merchant's Wealth" or
"Sword Demon."
They were far from the kind of talent Reed was looking for.
The most amusing thing was that among the boys and girls gathered here, there was
no one with more potential than the one-eyed rat, Leto.
Reed felt something strange about it.
'Surely, the first target of Flower Garden should have been Cosmo… '
The final boss of and the monster created by Reed's twisted affection.
With the completion of that monster, the Flower Garden project gained momentum,
and other disasters were created.
"Hmm…"
As Reed leaned against the backrest and stroked his chin, Leto checked him out like a
ghost.
Having survived by eating crumbs, he had the intuition that he wouldn't even be able
to pick the bones if things continued like this.
"Oh my, my lord, there are still more talented individuals available. Would you like to
continue to see them?"
"…Let's do that."
As Leto gave a hint, his subordinates moved the slave boy standing at the front.
Shortly after, another 30 people appeared.
However, they were no different. Useless abilities with useless origins.
"Next."
By the third round, Reed quickly scanned them for potential and immediately called
for the next group.
By the fifth round, he had seen a total of 150 slave boys and girls.
'Nothing.'
Reed couldn't find Codename: Cosmo.
Not to mention, he couldn't even find children with abilities close to it.
'Well, if they were noticeable talents, someone would have adopted them already.'
He could understand that.
However, he couldn't show that understanding to Leto.
Now was the time to get angry.
"You rat."
"Yes?"
Reed leaned his chin on his fist, resting his hand on his armrest.
"Is that all you're good for?"
"What do you mean…?"
"I'm asking if you're taking me lightly like the others."
Upon asking, Leto's eyes widened.
Underestimating a magician means courting death.
Leto sensed death in his words.
As Reed frowned, Leto stopped laughing deviously like a rat.
Being quick-witted, he should know how annoyed Reed was.
Leto bowed his head in shame, sweating profusely.
"Ah, no, why would I dare to underestimate you, sir…!"
"Show your trash collection to others. I am the Tower Master of Silence, Reed
Adelheits Roton."
"I'm sorry. It's my fault…!!"
Leto knelt down and sincerely apologized.
'Is this enough?'
Reed showed a bit of his dignity as a Tower Master.
Now, he could grant mercy and send him back.
'But it's still strange.'
150 people.
The fact that Leto had precisely brought 150 people to show him weighed on Reed's
mind.
Normally, it would be impossible to bring exactly that number of people.
That's why Reed asked Leto a question with the thought that this was the last one.
"Are there any more?"
"More… well, there is, but…"
"What is it?"
Leto fiddled with his fingers, sweating profusely, and said.
"Well… I don't think it's what you're looking for, Tower Master. So I set it aside
separately."
"You set it aside? How many are you talking about?"
Leto showed one finger.
"Well… just one person."
One person.
At those words, Reed crossed his legs and said,
"Bring her here."
"But she's really not worth much…"
"I'll be the judge of that. Don't make me say it again."
Leto no longer argued and signaled to his subordinate.
Out of 150 people, would he really be interested in one particular girl?
That seemed unlikely.
Leto was not a man to work carelessly, and he had an eye for merchandise.
'There's always someone better than the best.'
However, he only knew the surface value of the merchandise.
While Leto was simply looking at the box, Reed could see through the contents of the
box.
And his intuition turned out to be right.
"Here she is."
A girl with lush white hair and a seemingly dazed expression.
She looked so innocent and naive, as if she didn't even know how she was being
treated.
"She's a seven-year-old immature child who can't even speak properly."
Leto introduced her with a face that seemed to hold no expectations.
However, Reed's eyes lit up in contrast to Leto's expression, as they say, "knowledge
is power."
'I didn't expect her aura to fill the entire room… '
Through the Talent Appraisal, He can see how different her innocent and naive face
was from her aura that was running wild.
It was a formidable potential that seemed to swallow the entire room.
Reed stared at her quietly and looked at her specs.
Name: Unknown
Occupation: Orphan
Age: 7 years old
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Health: 50/50
Stamina: 50/50
Mana: 40/40
[Traits]
"None."
[Abilities]
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
「Ruler of Magic」, 「Master of Adaptation」, 「Eternal Hole」
Lv. 7」, 「Mental Power Lv. 6… and 5 more.
A monster that was completed at the age of 17, starting at the age of 7.
There was no doubt.
'This child is Codename: Cosmo.'
Reed struggled to maintain his composure.
He bit his finger in surprise when he saw the impressive specs hiding behind the
innocent face.
'I expected it, but these abilities are truly outrageous… '
「Ruler of Magic」, a trait considered the best in magic.
「Master of Adaptation」, which allows her to absorb all education twice as fast.
「Eternal Hole」, which, once awakened, surpasses the mana capacity of a blue
dragon that stands at the pinnacle of magic.
She possessed EX-grade abilities so exceptional that even a protagonist with a magic
build would have to struggle to barely match them.
'On top of that, almost all magic-related attributes are in a state that can be
transcended.'
In the latter part of the story, she was a wildcard that troubled both the protagonist
and the world.
It was a wonder that no magician had taken in such a monstrous child until now.
'Of course, at first glance, she must look like a dullard.'
She had low health, low stamina, and even lower mana.
She was a girl as frail as a flatfish that would die if struck just once.
At first glance, she didn't seem like a talent worthy of nurturing as a magician.
"What do you think? Shall I call in some other children instead-"
"How much?"
"Excuse me, you mean you're thinking of buying this child?"
Leto looked at Reed with an expression of surprise.
Reed silently stared at him without answering the question.
Leto recalled his warning not to make him repeat himself.
"Well, 500 UP…"
Leto had originally intended to ask for 100 UP.
But seeing Reed's attitude, he blurted out the price of 500 UP, the same as the other
slaves.
"I'll take her."
"Really?" asked Leto in disbelief.
Reed responded calmly, "You're the one who said 500 UP. She must be worth that
much, right?"
"Yes, yes! Of course! A merchant without credibility can't make a living~! Thank
you."
Leto rubbed his palms together and grinned slyly.
His left eye seemed to display the words 'smells money,' while his right eye appeared
to read
'got it' as he showed a delighted expression on his face.
Reed knew that he had been overcharged.
He didn't like Leto's triumphant expression, but he had to lay this groundwork.
'I need to use Leto as an informant, so I'll just have a cool deal with him.'
For tower master Reed, 500 UP wasn't a significant amount.
From Leto's perspective, they would both profit through future transactions.
Reed called Phoebe and paid the 500 UP.
Upon receiving the five silver coins, Leto respectfully bid farewell.
"Then, have a good time, kehehe."
Leto left with an unpleasant laugh until the end.
Reed looked at the outside scenery. He saw the carriage carrying the slaves Leto had
brought along disappearing into the distance.
'There's nothing I can do for those children anyway.'
Although it weighed on his mind, offering pity wouldn't be good for either party.
If he couldn't take responsibility, they would eventually be caught by slave hunters
again or fall into the hands of someone even more vicious than Leto.
Reed turned his head and looked at the girl on the sofa.
Her disheveled white hair in shabby clothes, and her face with clearly visible tear
stains under her eyes.
The only thing shining was her red eyes filled with purity.
Red eyes were said to be cursed and considered a mark of misfortune.
But could one say that looking at these ruby-like eyes?
He had his doubts.
Reed knelt down to match her eye level.
She didn't show any expression.
She didn't cry or laugh in confusion.
The ability called meant that she was in a state where she could easily be
influenced.
As long as she had , her personality and abilities would be shaped by her
educators and environment, and her would disappear as she grows older.
It was a wonder to Reed that she had managed to maintain her attribute
without it being reduced while living as an orphan until she turned seven.
'Such a pure child… was driven to that extent.'
Reed, no, Jung Jinhyuk, found Reed even more repulsive.
Reed was a failed genius who wanted to become a true genius.
The limit of not having talent drove Reed into despair, and in the end, he became a
monster consumed by inferiority.
He extended the claws of jealousy even towards the girl and committed an
unforgivable act by turning her into a monster through his plan called Flower
Garden.
Reed looked up at the girl again.
As he did, the girl, who had been sitting blankly, turned her head and made eye
contact with Reed.
A pure genius and a twisted failure.
The two looked at each other.
"Do you know who I am?"
At Reed's question, the girl tilted her head.
He knew what that gesture meant.
It wasn't 'Who are you?' but 'I don't understand what you're saying.'
Reed calmly continued his words.
"You don't know me, but I know you. And I know all about what will happen between
us."
In the future, Reed would die at the hands of this girl.
A twisted relationship, a life filled only with regrets.
A future unknown to the girl, a future only Reed knows.
"But that future won't exist."
He would correct it.
And those memories would now become delusions that never happened.
This innocent girl will not be Codename: Cosmo, the victim of the Flower Garden.
"From now on, you'll be my daughter."
Because she was destined to become the daughter of the tower owner in a desolate
place.
Reed carefully took the girl's hand.
The girl's gaze shifted to Reed's hand.
Unlike his dirt and dust-covered hand, hers was pure white and delicate.
She didn't understand everything Reed said.
But even she knew something.
The fact that sincerity can be communicated.
That this person genuinely cared about her.
The girl placed her other hand on top of Reed's hand that held hers.
She looked up at Reed with both hands wrapped around his, making eye contact
again.
"Hehehe."
The girl smiled.
It was a warmer smile than the sun.
After adopting Codename: Cosmo, Reed had a clear path he needed to follow.
'Changing the Life of Fake Boss, Reed.'
From the lame villain Reed with no sense of style to a Reed who can at least leave an
impression on someone.
Reed decided to make a note of what he needed to do to achieve this.
1. 'The Project: Flower Garden will be scrapped.'
Since Codename: Cosmo, the first target of the project, has been taken in as a
daughter instead of an experimental subject, it's impossible to follow the same path.
"And it's physiologically impossible, too."
Provoking someone's hatred and turning them into a monster was not his style.
2. 'Fulfill my role as tower master'
Reed had never been fully committed to his role as the master of the Silent Tower.
He always harboured ambitions to leave the tower and swallow the Cloud Continent,
the continent of .
Because of that ambition, he ended up turning everyone against him, and ultimately,
Reed faced his death.
'What is the role of a tower master?… '
The tower advances magic, and the height of the tower showcases the status and
honor of the magicians, making it their pride.
Of course, it doesn't end there.
Protecting small villages that are not influenced by the kingdom, monitoring the
monsters and any abnormalities in mana that inhabit the area, and analyzing those
abnormalities to contribute to peace and well-being were also their responsibilities.
Those who took on such a mission were the magicians of the tower.
'…and as always, busy with fantasy plots.'(?????)
As is always the case with fantasy settings, it begins with the crumbling of that status
and honour.
Breaking, breaking, and breaking again.
As if it's destined to collapse like Jenga, with each piece being pulled out and barely
holding together!
[T/N: Jenga, for more info]
The Tower of Silence was also destined to fall like other magic towers.
However, it bothered him that it would be done by the hand of a protagonist, not an
enemy.
'I have to protect the tower.'
It was such a reflexive judgment that it seemed like remnants of his past conscience
remained.
Next, he wrote down his last task.
Reed's most shining trait was undoubtedly his "Talent Appraisal."
Given the state of the world a decade ago, there must be many talented individuals
who can't even recognize their own talents and are wandering aimlessly.
"Hmm…"
The roadmap ahead can be divided into two parts:
3-1. Focus on educating Codename: Cosmo, who has been taken in as a daughter.
3-2. Gather other potential disasters besides Cosmo. The more, the merrier.
Reed, tapping his memo pad with a pen, pondered and finally reached a conclusion.
"Number 1 seems to be the way to go."
First, focus on one thing wholeheartedly.
If he couldn't properly raise the most outstanding talent, Codename: Cosmo, he
would already be disqualified.
'Because I promised to be her father.'
Nurturing her abilities not as a researcher and experimental subject, but as a father
and daughter.
For him, who was a novice in every aspect, as a father or a caregiver, the situation
with just the girl was already overwhelming.
At first, it was best to suppress his greed and do what he could.
"Ah."
With that thought, an idea flashed through Reed's mind.
He wrote down an additional point, realizing it was far more essential than the
previous two he had recorded.
'Reed will undoubtedly have many enemies.'
It's impossible to say he has no enemies with that personality.
'Besides, all the characters I have in mind now are villains.'
Most of the talents Reed would recruit in the future would inevitably be people
destined to be villains.
Such talents harbor emotions which are like ticking time bombs, and they often don't
act rationally.
Codename: Cosmo will eventually become a magician who surpasses him, and if he
doesn't prepare enough countermeasures for that, he would become a person who
aims for a position that doesn't match his worth.
But Reed faced another problem.
'He's already a completed character… '
He had accessed all fields of magic and had hit the limit, which is why he tried to
obtain greater power through the extreme measure of Project: Flower Garden.
'First of all, being versatile gives a wide range of choices.'
Reed Adelheits Roton was a versatile character capable of using all magic, except for
the high-powered spells that could turn an area into ashes.
'Is this the ability I should choose after all?'
The ability Reed was looking at was something that should have been sealed deep
within his mind.
It was a technique that combined magic stones and magical incantations with
machines to draw out power.
For example, the magic tower elevators and the screen magic on office desks were all
realized through magic engineering.
However, Reed didn't have a high opinion of this ability, to the point of sealing it
away.
The main reason was that the advancement of magic engineering was believed to be
detrimental to pure magic.
'In the end, during the story, everyone acknowledged magic engineering
and relied on its power to overcome disasters.'
It was an excellent technology for supplementing inadequate abilities.
Magic engineering was perfect for making the most of Reed's ambiguously mediocre
abilities.
Reed must have known this fact and practiced it since his apprenticeship.
However, ultimately, what he desired the most was pure magic.
He thought that using shortcuts meant admitting the limitations of magic, and as a
tower master, he completely abandoned magic engineering.
'But even other magicians who love purity have come to recognize the necessity of
magic engineering.'
In a world where such a future is guaranteed, is it necessary to insist on this?
'If I delve into magic engineering, I can raise other magic skills to level 5.'
With just a little more ability, even reaching level 6, called transcendence, was
possible.
This was a fact known only to Reed, who had experienced .
"Tower Master!"
As soon as he decided on the path he needed to take, Phoebe's voice came from
outside the door.
However, her voice was not as relaxed as usual, but rather urgent.
When he glanced up, he could see traces of dampness that had just dried from
Phoebe's hair.
"I've bathed the young lady as instructed."
She entered with a cheerful smile, accompanied by the girl.
The girl, who had been quite impressive with her pitiful appearance, was now
radiating light.
Her slender and lustrous white hair, as if freshly spun silk, and moist ruby-stone
eyes.
Wearing a light white dress, she looked almost like a doll.
"Where did you get the clothes?"
"I have so many dolls, hehe… It just happened to fit the young lady perfectly."
"Hmm…"
It wasn't just a coincidence that she felt like a doll.
"Well done. Since she'll be living in this tower from now on, I'll ask you to find more
clothes."
"Yes, yes! Leave it to me!"
"Now, let's go out."
Phoebe grinned happily at the praise.
She carefully stepped back, leaving Reed and the girl alone in the room.
"Uh, um…"
"I just realized I don't know your name."
"Do you know your own name?"
She cautiously looked up at Reed.
And then lowered her head again, fiddling with her fingers.
It seemed she was claiming not to know who she was.
As her codename was Cosmo, the name Cosmo could have been familiar.
But that was the name of the insane woman who was the final boss.
No, it wasn't even a name.
A code name is just that – a code name.
It's nothing more than a simple string of characters with no room for affection.
So, what would be a good name for her?
'I've actually thought about it before.'
While thinking about the final boss of , he had wondered what he would
have called Codename: Cosmo if he had raised her.
And now he tried calling her that name.
"From now on, your name is Rosaria."
With that declaration, her eyes grew even larger.
As if she liked the name, a message appeared in front of Reed.
[The name has been changed. Unknown. Rosaria Adeleheights Roton]
[The occupation has been changed. Orphan Daughter of the Silence Tower Master]
Along with the message of the change, her occupation also changed.
Now, she had become Reed's daughter in every sense.
'But… would a child who doesn't even know her own name understand this?'
Since she didn't speak, he couldn't tell yet.
While he was pondering, Rosaria turned her gaze elsewhere and examined Reed's
study.
"Rosaria."
She turned her head back to look at Reed.
It became clear that she knew it was her name.
"Yes, your name is Rosaria."
Reed stroked her head.
Rosaria smiled quietly.
The magical factions on the Cloud Continent were divided into two main categories.
There are the so-called official mages, who belong to an empire or kingdom.
And there are the tower mages, who draw mana from ley lines for magical research
and local security.
Both hold a belief in the peace and development of magic, but their goals in
development are significantly different.
If the official magicians prioritize white magic, which focuses on healing and
defensive magic from the belief that they should benefit humans, tower magicians
tend to prioritize black magic, which places more emphasis on curses and offensive
magic.
That's why the towers were portrayed quite negatively in .
There are a total of 13 magic towers on the Cloud Continent.
Every month, they hold a "Tower Master Conference," to share information that can
be used to counter the workshop magicians and strengthen their unity.
The stronger the conflict between the officials and the tower, the more necessary it is
to confirm their bonds through the Tower Master Conference.
Thus, at times like these, absence itself was almost taboo.
The conference venue was decorated with antique furniture.
Thirteen chairs surrounded a large round table with a map of the Cloud Continent
engraved on it.
However, only 12 of the 13 tower masters were seated.
The empty seat had the name "Reed Adeleheights Roton" engraved on it.
"Is Roton absent today?"
A large man glanced at the empty seat and muttered.
Then, everyone started adding their comments as if they had been waiting.
"It's surprising that the person who should be the protagonist of this conference isn't
here."
"Wasn't the project named Flower Garden? I heard a lot of rumours, and the Master
of Jade Tower said it was a very satisfying idea."
[T/N: For now I will use the temporary names of Towers. I might change it in future.]
"Oh, my! What are you talking about? Wasn't the master of Greenwood Tower the
one who jumped the gun?"
Although they gathered under the pretext of friendship and information exchange,
the fierce rivalry was inevitable.
The large man intervened to stop the emerging fight.
"Are you still thinking about having childish arguments at this age?"
"My apologies."
"Anyway, does anyone know the reason for the Tower Master of Silence's absence?"
Everyone fell silent at the large man's words.
Reed Adeleheights Roton was the Tower Master of Silence. The Tower of Silence was
the weakest among all the towers.
Reed was in a position where he had to reach out and expand his network first, but
that was not his character.
He was a twisted person who didn't know when to bend or what to say when he
needed to.
So, there wouldn't be anyone who could communicate with such a Tower Master, let
alone know the exact situation.
…That's what everyone thought.
"I heard the project was overturned."
All eyes focused on the person who uttered those words.
There sat a woman with the physique of a girl in her early teens.
Black hair, a nonchalant expression that seemed annoyed by everything, and a bold
appearance.
Wearing a revealing dress instead of the neat uniform like the other tower masters,
and rudely putting her feet on the round table, yet no one was scolding her.
Tower Master of the Black Sky, Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
"It seems the Black Sky Tower Master knows something."
"I didn't really want to know, but a fledgling working at the Tower of Silence told
me."
"The project was scrapped?"
"Yes, a young mage working at the Tower of Silence said that, for some reason, the
project, which had established all theories, was suddenly discarded."
"Discarding it means… the project must have been worthless."
"Or it could be a lie."
A project related to magical research means that there is considerable information
and money in the tower.
Therefore, it is no different from showing the status of the tower master themselves.
That's why all the tower masters always have one or two projects, whether long-
term or short-term, and whether they fail or succeed, they tend to reach a conclusion
one way or another.
It was always the case, but the Tower of Silence was a different story.
It had fewer floors than the other towers, fewer personnel, and the only thing it had
was money – the lowest-ranked tower master.
Would such a tower master concoct false stories to try to make a leap in recovery
with the 'Project: Flower Garden' to raise reputation? If it was a lie?
Then, as much as they had hoped, resentment would arise, and he would end up
plummeting even further.
"It seems Roton has finally hit rock bottom."
A statement everyone had in mind, but couldn't dare to say out loud.
At that moment, they all silently agreed.
"Do you think Reed Roton is that kind of person? With that thick skin?"
Someone objected.
The blue-haired Tower Master stood up and countered.
Her tall stature, elegant uniform, and weighty gestures suited her well.
Her sharp gaze hid a pair of shining blue eyes.
It was Dolores Jade, the Tower Master of the Wallin(벽린의).
"He's not that kind of person. He is a person who embodies the word evil. Cunning,
wicked, and malicious."
"Escolleia's childhood best friend steps up to defend him."
Freesia began to snicker and mock.
Dolores glared at Freesia, who was sitting across from her.
"I've told you to stop using that nickname, Black Sky Tower Master. Other than being
classmates, we have nothing in common."
"Yeah, yeah, sorry. Is that better?"
Although the blue-haired Tower Master glared menacingly, Freesia didn't budge. She
flicked her ears and offered a half-hearted apology.
"So, does the Wallin Tower Master have a different idea in mind?"
"I think he discovered a dangerous magic that made him give up presenting the
Flower Garden, which he had promoted with his reputation at stake. That's what I
believe."
It couldn't be more of a reckless thought.
However, Reed was the kind of person one would not be at all surprised if reckless
thoughts never crossed his mind.
"Well, if the Tower Master of Silence overturned the Flower Garden based on his
personality… it can only mean something more important has come up."
"Does the Black Sky Tower Master know anything else?"
"I'm not carrying a universal information pouch on my belly. How am I supposed to
know that?"
It was because even a magician working at the Tower of Silence wouldn't have the
skills to access the exact contents of Project: Flower Garden, so they couldn't know
the exact situation.
And so everyone fell silent.
They didn't speculate any further.
They all focused on what Dolores had said.
What if she was right and dangerous magic had been discovered?
'It makes me even more curious.'
'Even though it seems like it would definitely lack substance.'
Instead of the resentment and betrayal they felt from the Project Flower Garden,
they became even more curious about the information the Tower Master of Silence
had hidden.
Meanwhile, at the same time as the Tower Masters' discussion, at the Tower of
Silence.
What Reed was doing was neither honing his skills nor researching forbidden dark
magic.
"Do you know what this word is?"
"Wind!"
"How about this?"
"Apple!"
He was personally teaching Rosaria, the language.
The fact that Reed had taken her in as his foster daughter was still not widely known
within the tower.
There wasn't much main work for him to do, and even when the project was
underway, Phoebe had taken care of most of the operations, so Reed had nothing to
do.
That's why Reed taught Rosaria, language in the Tower Master's library.
She absorbed and answered all the words Reed had taught her so far.
Except for just one.
"Alright, last question. Who am I?"
"Papa!"
"I mean my name."
"Papa!"
For some reason, only when referring to Reed himself, she didn't give the correct
answer.
It was hard to say anything about her pronunciation, typical of a child, and her
innocent response.
How could he scold her with a smile on her face?
"Yeah, I'm Papa, Papa."
"Hehe."
Rosaria laughed heartily.
She began to read a book with her pure ruby eyes.
The book she was reading was an encyclopedia with records of all things in the
Cloud Continent.
There were no fairy tales or heroic epics in the Magic Tower, which was dedicated to
magic research.
Among them, the only book with the most pictures and text was that encyclopedia.
'I can't believe she learned to speak and read in just a week.'
He didn't teach her strictly, and Reed's teaching method was not particularly
extraordinary.
Reed would open a book, show her a picture, and say what it was.
In this way, he taught her words and letters as naturally as water flowing.
'It seems like she understands me perfectly even though I feel like I'm speaking
horribly.'
It was hard to believe that only a few days ago, the girl had just tilted her head when
Reed spoke.
'Even without the 「Master of Adaptation」 being manifested, she's like this?'
Reed checked Rosaria's status once again through the 「Talent Appraisal」 to see if
he had missed anything.
Name: Rosaria Adelheits Roten
Occupation: Tower Master's Foster Daughter
Age: 7 years old
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Health: 70/70
Stamina: 60/60
Mana: 40/40
[Traits]
「None.」
[Abilities]
[Unmanifested Traits & Abilities]
「Ruler of Magic」, 「Master of Adaptation」, 「Eternal Hole」
Lv. 7, … and 5 more.
'None of them have manifested.'
It was only natural.
Hoping that magic would suddenly manifest when she had never been involved in
anything related to magic was no different than wishing for gold coins to fall from
the sky.
'It's about time to start teaching magic… '
He had somehow succeeded in teaching language, but how should he approach
teaching magic?
He thought about it for a week, but couldn't find a proper answer.
In order to focus on that issue, Reed purposely did not participate in the Tower
Masters' meeting.
'Participating in the Tower Masters' meeting creates an optimal situation where I
can't do anything properly.'
He already knew that he had set up expectations for the other Tower Masters
beforehand the meeting.
Disappointment comes in proportion to expectations.
Reed knew that feeling and also knew that he should officially apologize at the
Tower Masters' meeting and respond like an adult.
'Well, thanks to avoiding it, I managed to teach her more lightheartedly… '
It wasn't very mature, but in the end, Rosaria successfully learned to read and write
in just a week.
And now it was time to move on to the next step.
"Rosaria."
"Hmm?"
Rosaria, who was looking at a book, turned her head.
"Do you want to learn magic?"
At Reed's question, her red eyes began to sparkle.
"I want to learn."
A statement filled with pure longing.
As a girl with a ruler of magic, her expression was full of enthusiasm.
"Shall we give it a try?"
"Yes!"
It was partly for teaching Rosaria, but the main goal was, of course, to learn magic
himself.
A Tower Master who cannot use magic.
It's absurd.
It's like a farmer who doesn't know how to farm, a knight who doesn't know honor,
or a king without territory or an army. It doesn't make sense.
'I have a status window and everything, but… just no magic skill window.'
The skill window that characters in should have.
There was no such window now, where skills would activate automatically by just
pressing a button registered with a shortcut key.
So, even with the ability, he was practically at zero.
'If I had known this, I would have put more effort into playing a magician character.'
A magician character was difficult to nurture and didn't have many highlighted
aspects, so he only played it once out of five times.
Reed lowered his head slightly.
Sparkling.
Her expression was as full of desire for knowledge as when she first read an
encyclopedia.
Reed began to search the library with Rosaria, who was following him closely.
To a magician, a library is a kind of footprint and a place containing their
information.
Like a robe that wraps around the body to keep secrets, the Tower Master's library is
only accessible to the Tower Master, and outsiders are practically forbidden to enter.
As it was isolated from the outside world, it was a more comfortable place to lower
authoritative aspects and was the most optimized place to educate Rosaria.
'Will I find what I'm looking for in this high-class library?'
Such worries disappeared shortly after.
He finally found it while searching the spacious library like a national library.
It was a hardcover with traces of dirt that couldn't be removed even by magic.
Reed picked up the book.
[Understanding Basic Magic]
In the corner, he saw the name 'Reed Adeleheights' written with a mana pen.
'There are so many traces of studying.'
Colorful labels attached.
It wasn't just that book.
[A Quick and Easy Guide for Elemental Affinity]
[Elementary Theory]
The lower part was filled with major textbooks that made him feel dizzy just by
looking at them.
'I didn't expect all the basic magic books to be here.'
Books with traces of Reed's studying were seen in a secluded place worthy of leaving
memories.
'I thought he was pathetic, but he is actually helpful.'
Reed was sincerely grateful.
He opened the book.
-This textbook will be used for only one semester in a basic education course that is a
simple liberal arts subject. However, it contains content that everyone who walks the
path of magic must know. 20% of the atmosphere in the Cloud Continent is
composed of mana, and depending on how we draw in and use this mana, we…
What a pain… '
He was greeted with a sentence containing sleep magic and cognitive inhibition
magic from the beginning.
'I thought I would never see such a professional book again after college… '
"Is that a magic book?"
At Rosaria's question, Reed nodded.
"Yeah, but I think Dad should read this first. Can you wait for a little?"
"Okay!"
Rosaria continued reading the book she had been reading.
Reed began to read the magic books slowly.
As he read through the boring chunks of text mixed with foreign words, Reed
realized one thing.
How much effort Reed had put into studying.
Notes and parts that were not understood.
And the explanations that were written to solve those misunderstandings.
Each page was meticulously decorated.
The more he had learnt, the deeper the despair would have been.
After two hours of reading, Reed was able to grasp the method of manifesting mana.
The book was difficult, but following the traces of Reed's study, he could understand
and grasp it well enough.
"Let's give it a try."
Reed closed the book.
The way a magician senses mana is complicated.
The best way among them is to feel your own heartbeat.
"Feel the heartbeat."
Upon hearing that, Reed closed his eyes and his mouth, focusing all his senses on his
heart and hears,
Thump- thump- thump-.
The faint sensation of beating against his flesh.
The sound of his heart seemed to echo in the distance, pounding his eardrums.
"Try breathing to that sound."
Inhale- exhale. Inhale- exhale.
Soon after, Reed felt something swirling in his body as if it were a lie.
The moment mana started to circulate in the body, even if he opened his eyes and let
go of his consciousness, he could feel it swimming throughout his entire body for a
while.
The sea called the body.
Thousands of fish swimming within it.
Free yet controlled by consciousness.
They moved as Reed desired like a school of fishdrawn to feed by the lakeside.
"It's not usually described as this free…"
The moment, when mana could be felt, was
And from the moment you can control the mana circulating in your body, it
corresponds to .
Reed was in the middle of stepping into Lv. 2 at once.
The reason Reed could do this so skillfully was undoubtedly because and
had already reached level 4.
Considering the traces of Reed's frustration, he must have tried and failed a few
times.
"Hmm…"
He easily reached step 2.
Could he do the next step too?
"Lv. 3."
Reed focused the sensation on his hand.
Billions of fish swam towards his hand and gathered.
"Blow it out."
He let it out.
Blue mana burst forth from Reed's hands, like an overfilled vessel bursting.
But it was not just a simple burst.
He condensed the released mana around his hands again.
It happened as naturally as a series of actions connecting from 1 to 10.
Control it.
The mana floating in the air feels the force and is drawn in.
Reed seemed to be holding an invisible ball with both hands in midair.
In the middle of that, blue mana began swirling and forming into a spherical shape.
The size was that of a baseball, and it was spinning at an incredibly fast speed.
It was an amazing and beautiful sight.
"Gasp!"
Feeling the limits of his mental strength, Reed stopped concentrating.
The mana that had been gathered scattered all around the room.
The light of the chandelier, which had been moving with mana, flickered for a
moment before returning to its original state.
Reid placed his hand on his chest.
His heart was pounding as if protesting against the strain.
It was a moment so difficult that he wondered if he might have fainted if he had
concentrated just a bit more.
'This is the stage that someone who has reached can
accomplish… '
Lv. 1: Feel it inside the body.
Lv. 2: Control it inside the body.
Lv. 3: Emit it outside the body.
Lv. 4: Control the mana emitted outside the body.
If one reaches , they can absorb the mana sphere back into
their body.
Since Reid was stuck at level 4, where he could create the sphere, absorption was
impossible.
Reid checked his remaining mana.
[Mana: 3,982/4,982]
'It took 1,000 mana to create this sphere.'
The most basic magic attack without an attribute is 'Mana Arrow,' which consumes
about 50 mana.
The sphere that Reid created consumed the equivalent of 20 Mana Arrows.
'That could've been quite dangerous.'
Even if it was pure mana, if it had exploded instead of evaporating, both Reid and
Rosaria would have been in danger.
Reed glanced at Rosaria.
Contrary to his concerns, her expression was full of wonder and amazement.
"Wow…"
Rosaria continuously exclaimed in awe.
It was a relatable moment.
'I'm amazed too, but she must be even more so?'
If something had shot out of his hand, rolled up, and then disappeared, it would have
been as magical as in the real world.
Reed looked down at Rosaria and asked.
"Do you have any idea what this is for?"
"I don't know!"
Rosaria answered with a bright expression.
"It's the basics of magic, manifesting mana. You have to be able to do this to be called
a magician."
"Can I try it too?"
Hearing that, Reed flinched.
Could she have understood just by watching?
"Give it a try."
Reed, somewhat expectant, let her give it a shot.
Rosaria stood up from her seat and imitated the posture Reid had taken.
And then-.
"Gasp!"
She puffed up her cheeks, applying force to every joint of her fingers.
Rosaria tried her best, but she couldn't form a mana sphere like Reid.
'There's no way… '
Rosaria's abilities were still undeveloped.
No matter how quickly she learned, emitting mana was a difficult task.
"It's not just about applying force like that."
"How should I do it?"
"Rosaria might find this difficult for now."
"Aww, I want to make a sphere too…"
Her previously puffed cheeks deflated with a sigh.
Reid chuckled and patted her head.
"Rosaria will be able to make a sphere someday too. Until then, let's study hard,
okay?"
"Yeah! Studying is fun!"
'How adorable.'
Reed smiled contentedly, thinking that this must be how parents feel when they see
their passionate child.
Knock knock-.
Someone knocked, and a head peeked in.
"Um, tower master…"
A strange fatigue was evident in her dragging tone.
Undoubtedly, it was because of managing the tower and dealing with other tower
masters.
That's why Reed pretended not to notice and calmly asked her.
"What brings you here?"
"The mana in the tower is very disturbed. We need to set up the tower's pillar…"
"The tower's pillar?"
"Yes… All the magicians in the tower are setting up pillars to measure their abilities,
so I thought you might be interested."
Setting up pillars?
He couldn't understand what she was talking about.
As a tower master, he couldn't just ask what it was either.
"Let's take a look at the situation first."
In the end, he had no choice but to figure out what she was talking about.
When they left the library, she pointed to a spot without any guidance.
What she pointed to were clusters of light beyond the railing inside the tower.
Only then could he grasp what she meant.
All magic towers are stacked in layers like rings with a hollow center, similar to a
donut.
It was designed with the most optimized structure to shoot mana drawn from the ley
lines up to the top floor of the tower.
The shot-up mana is called a pillar.
The blue light that illuminates the inside of the tower, fuel to supplement mana for
magical research, and electricity used to operate all the products of magic
engineering.
'The light is scattered a lot.'
Neatly organized tower mana is purely formed into the shape of a pillar.
However, what was shooting up into the sky now was more appropriately described
as a cluster of light fog that scattered like dry ice.
"Each magician is trying to see how much they can organize the pillar, would you like
to go and take a look too, tower master?"
"No, I have something to focus on right now."
"Eh? Oh, okay."
Phoebe widened her eyes as if it were unexpected.
Up until now, Reed would have definitely participated in setting up the pillar to show
off his power.
However, Reed had his reasons now.
'How am I supposed to participate when I don't even know how to do it? What if I get
involved in something I can't handle?'
With Project Flower Garden overturned, the situation was tense with mixed
complaints and resentment from within the tower.
Participating half-heartedly and getting caught in a situation where he had to show
off his power by mistake?
'That would be the end.'
He couldn't give them a reason to raise a revolt against him.
That's why Reed didn't plan to show himself until he was at least familiar with
magic, even if he didn't master it completely.
However, contrary to his complicated thoughts, Rosaria was pure.
Rosaria pulled Reed's sleeve and said.
"I want to go see."
Her curiosity was strong, and she was full of desire to see new things.
For a week, she had only been to the library, dining room, and her own room,
listening to Reed, so she was somewhat restless.
She would probably like to see the pillars being set up and tour the tower.
Reed seemed to think it was a good idea.
"Then, Phoebe, you can take Rosaria with you."
"Oh! Should I? How about you, Miss?"
"Great!"
Since Phoebe had been bathing Rosaria and even accompanying her to bed, there
was no resistance towards her.
Phoebe and Rosaria held hands and stepped into the elevator.
'I guess I'll have to secretly study magic a bit more during that time.'
Freed from teaching, he now had pure study time.
He didn't want to waste such precious time.
The quiet personal library had a calming scent and bright lanterns.
There was nothing more to ask for; it was the optimal condition.
Flick-!
…Just when he thought so, the chandelier's light went out.
"Huh?"
Surprised, Reed let out a silly sound.
He got up from his seat, wondering what had happened, and went outside.
He didn't need to go far to know what was wrong.
The pillar of light that was visible when he came out was gone.
Just as Reed was about to start his new studies, Phoebe and Rosaria reached the first
floor.
The first-floor hall was full of magicians trying to erect pillars and spectators who
came to watch.
It was enjoyable content in a place where the smell of mana numbed their noses.
Erecting pillars.
In other words, it was content that could be called a display of magical prowess
among magicians.
It was a kind of test to show how good their mana sense was, much like a game that
involves hitting a ball attached to a rope with a hammer to ring a bell hung from a
high point.
[T/N: High Striker]
The event took place once a month when the mana pillar became unstable.
Most of the people gathered to test their strength before tidying up.
Rosaria, who had been blankly watching, pointed to the place where the crowd was
gathered and asked.
"Who are they?"
"They are the magicians of the tower. They work in this tower and are subordinates
of the Tower Master!"
Contrary to what she thought she would like to hear, Rosaria cocked her head at the
word "subordinate".
"Tower Master?"
"The Tower Master is, uh… Rosaria's father, or rather, Papa!"
"Papa is the Tower Master?"
"Yes."
Rosaria thought for a moment.
And then, lifting her head again,
"Is it a good thing?"
"It's the best."
Then Rosaria laughed heartily and waved her hand.
She didn't know the difficult part right now.
If it's good, it's good!
"Ah, it's starting now. Take a look!"
"But I can't see…"
With Rosaria's small stature, she couldn't see the show even if she tried.
"Ah, in that case…"
Realizing her own thoughtlessness, Phoebe picked her up.
Phoebe put her head between Rosaria's legs and carried her on her shoulders.
"Up you go! Now you can see… Ah! Don't touch the horns, miss!"
"Hehehe."
Rosaria smiled innocently, grabbing Phoebe's horns for balance.
Phoebe couldn't even complain and left her be.
The awkward atmosphere subsided, and the pillar erecting began.
A man entered the magic circle engraved in the center of the hall and closed his eyes
to concentrate.
The magic circle responded to his concentration, and a pure white light began to rise.
Vooom-.
With a resonating sound, the blue light scattered across the floor soon gathered
together.
The first floor became a solid pillar.
And, like a thermometer, the distinct pillar of light gradually climbed toward the sky.
Finally, the ascending pillar of light stopped around half of the tower.
"Hans, 45th floor!"
"Hey, it reached a little bit of the 46th floor, right? Let's just round it up to the 46th
floor."
"Do you really want to cheat like that?"
"I don't want to lose 100 UP over something petty… You're so stingy."
The magicians, measuring their power while placing small bets, scatter the pillars
they've erected.
In this way, they spent time learning about each other's growth.
"How about it? Fun, isn't it?"
Holding onto Phoebe's horns, Rosaria replied,
"Can I try too?"
"Do you want to try?"
"I want to try it!"
Young and enthusiastic, Rosaria exclaimed,
"I want to create a sphere like Dad. A blue sphere!"
"A blue sphere… you say?"
"It suddenly appeared in his hand! It was amazing!"
Phoebe couldn't understand what Rosaria was talking about.
In the end, Rosaria wanted to try erecting a pillar, so Phoebe focused on that.
From Phoebe's perspective, it was too much for Rosaria to try erecting a pillar.
'I can't even feel her mana… '
The pure child had no aura of mana that magicians usually emitted.
Phoebe doubted whether Rosaria could even feel the mana, let alone create a pillar.
Normally, she would have told her to wait for the next time.
"Let's give it a try."
But Phoebe was different from others.
If she wanted to try, why not let her try once?
Erecting a pillar was literally testing the power of , which gathers
surrounding mana.
It wasn't a particularly dangerous task for those who couldn't sense mana.
"Excuse us."
With her unique drawling voice, Phoebe carried Rosaria through the crowd.
"Who's that child?"
"Who brought her in? Don't they know outsiders aren't allowed in the tower?"
"Who on earth… Gasp!"
The magicians frowned and commented until they saw who brought her in, and then
their words were cut off.
"Deputy Tower Master?"
The magicians were used to calling her Deputy Tower Master since she had managed
the tower operations in Reed's stead.
She was a figure ranking second in the hierarchy, with power and magical abilities
nearly as strong as the Tower Master himself.
Phoebe stepped forward and explained to them.
"Ah, this child is the Tower Master's child."
"The Tower Master? He has a child?"
"Not by blood, but, what do you call it… Ah, an adoptive daughter!"
"That Tower Master?"
Since it was Phoebe, Reed's personal secretary, who said it, it must be true, but they
looked at her with disbelief on their faces.
It was hard to believe that Reed, with his personality, would have an adopted
daughter.
Phoebe glanced at Rosaria's reaction, but she seemed to have no interest in anything
other than the pillar-erecting area.
Phoebe asked the next person in line for permission.
"Excuse me, this young lady is interested in pillar-erecting and would like to give it a
try. Would that be alright?"
"Ah, yes! If it's the Assistant Tower Master, then it's no problem."
A man responded with a crisp voice.
Phoebe smiled awkwardly and expressed her gratitude.
"Thank you. Miss, you can go up there and try."
"Okay!"
Rosaria had seen several people do it, so she could imitate them to some extent.
She stood in the middle of the magic circle with her short legs.
Seeing her, the magicians began to murmur.
"Can such a little girl really erect a pillar?"
"She's so cute. Maybe she thinks she can do it because she saw others do it once?"
"They're just letting her try because she wants to."
"I bet she won't even make it to the first floor."
While some found her bold attempt cute, most of them did not look kindly upon the
naï ve girl's simple amusement.
Rosaria stood in the middle of it all.
Pillar-erecting was a very simple task.
By concentrating, the engraved magic circle responds to the focus, gathering
scattered mana in a specific pattern.
Gather mana and shoot it upward to build the pillar.
That was the basis of pillar-erecting.
However, Rosaria hadn't even heard of such concepts in passing.
She didn't sit and close her eyes to concentrate like the other magicians.
Since she didn't even concentrate, there was no way the magic circle would react.
There was no one expecting anything from her, who lacked even the basics.
Rosaria looked up at the sky through the faintly glowing blue mana.
She could see the blue mist-like clusters swirling and rising to the ceiling.
The swirling blue mist danced brilliantly in her eyes.
In Rosaria's mind, there was only one thought: the sphere that her adoptive father,
Reed, had created.
The blue sphere that beautifully spun and condensed in his hands.
Rosaria reached for the sky.
She wanted to gather the mana that fluttered like threads.
She wanted to gather them and show off.
She wanted to be praised.
It seemed trivial, but that single-mindedness was what awakened her talent.
She stretched both her hands towards the sky.
"Blue sphere!"
The magic circle exploded.
"So, this is what happened?"
Reed, who had come down to assess the situation after noticing the lanterns had
gone out, listened to the whole story, and Phoebe nodded her head with a
shamefaced expression.
"Yes… I'm really sorry."
"…No."
This was beyond Phoebe's control.
Reed turned his head and looked back at the source of the problem.
"Oh dear…"
A bizarre spectacle that made him forget even the thought of playing the villain.
Where Reed was looking was supposed to be the place where the tower's pillar, the
essence of the tower, should have been.
However, if his eyes were not mistaken, there was a sphere there instead.
A sphere of light condensed in blue.
Slowly rolling on the meager mana rising from the ground, it slowly rotated above
the 5th floor.
It was so condensed that no light came out, and only the blue surface was visible.
"Anyway…"
"Yes?"
"Is that all the mana that comes out when we condense our tower's mana pillar like
that?"
Reed wasn't sure if it was his simple intuition, but even if it was compressed, the
amount of mana seemed a little low.
"That's because… Miss Rosaria…"
"Miss Rosaria?"
"She absorbed some of it…"
"…Absorbed?"
Reed seemed puzzled.
"When Miss Rosaria turned all the tower's mana into a sphere, some of it was about
to be emitted but entered her body instead."
"Entered her body?"
"It's possible that she had absorbed it, but the amount entering her was so great that
the magicians are now checking if she might have overburdened herself."
Reed turned his head in the direction she was glancing at.
Rosaria, seated on a wooden chair, and eight senior magicians.
The magicians were thoroughly checking Rosaria's physical condition.
"I'm sorry. If I hadn't let her try like the other magicians, this wouldn't have
happened…"
As the deputy tower master, Phoebe had responsibilities similar to the tower
masters.
With those responsibilities neglected, her face was gloomy like a puppy with its tail
tucked.
However, contrary to her worries, this incident was actually good news for Reed.
'She absorbed enough mana to risk overloading herself. That means her talent has
awakened.'
Reed looked at her with his 「Talent Appraisal」.
Name: Rosaria Adelheits Roton
Occupation: Daughter of the Tower Master
Age: 7 years old
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Health: 50/50
Stamina: 50/50
Mana: 26,981/54,560
[Traits]
「Eternal Hole」
[Stats]
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
「Magic Ruler」「Master of Adaptation」
His mouth nearly dropped open.
Just two hours ago, her mana was 40, but now it has reached 54,560.
'Eternal Hole awakened and has been unlocked.'
The foundation of a magician, , was unlocked in one fell swoop
and quickly reached Level 7.
'Lv. 5 is reabsorption, Lv. 6 is controlling external mana. And Lv. 7 is… '
Domination.
It was not just a matter of focusing on mana; the mana followed her and obeyed her
commands unconditionally.
That's why the mana, which should have been in the form of a pillar, stayed still even
when she released her concentration.
'I thought it was impressive in the game, but actually seeing it, the difference is
staggering.'
The overwhelming power that appears at the wall of talent and the transcendent
stage.
There was no doubt that if Rosaria wanted to, she could extract the mana from the
bodies of unsuspecting magicians and turn them into invalids.
Reed asked Phoebe.
"Is Rosaria aware of what she's done?"
"I don't think she knows… She just wanted to create a sphere like her father, no, I
mean like the Tower Master!"
Phoebe hastily corrected herself, her face turning red.
It was an evolution that occurred as naturally as a newborn baby breathing.
Rosaria probably couldn't understand the detailed textbooks written about feeling
the mana.
"What should we do? The mana pillar, which is the tower's power source, is in that
state…"
"Can't other magicians undo it?"
"All the magicians have tried, but…"
'It seems they couldn't undo it.'
The mana pillar serves as electricity in the tower.
What would happen if all that electricity were concentrated in one place?
The power supply itself would be imbalanced, and the concentrated power would
become dangerously unstable, potentially exploding at any moment.
It was, in effect, a ticking nuclear bomb.
And for the Tower Master, this nuclear bomb was a headache.
"Hmm…"
As he was thinking, his eyes met Rosaria's.
With boredom in her expression and cheeks gradually puffing, her eyes lit up like
rubies at the sight of Reed.
"Papa!"
Rosaria got up from her seat and ran towards Reed.
"I made a blue sphere!"
Rosaria pointed with her finger, smiling brightly.
Did this child really know she had created a bomb?
"Did I do well?!"
Rosaria asked, smiling brightly.
Reed stroked Rosaria's head.
"Yes, you did well."
"Really?!"
"Really?!"
Rosaria and Phoebe, who were startled together.
Could it be that she did well?
Reed gave her a hint and told Rosaria.
"But Rosaria, if you make it into a sphere like this, the tower won't function
properly."
"What should I do?"
"We need to return it to its original pillar form. That way, your father won't have any
trouble."
Reed spoke gently, like a loving father.
"Can you do it?"
"Yep."
Rosaria, the good daughter of her father, nodded her head and looked up at the
sphere.
She reached out both hands towards the sphere.
Then the sphere, which had not budged before, began to move.
The sphere, which could not be undone even when all the magicians in the tower
tried, dispersed little by little and became a pillar again.
"The pillar is back to normal!"
"Phew, I thought I was going to die."
The cheers of the magicians echoed throughout the tower.
'That should settle it for now.'
Not only had she returned it to its original pillar form, but everything had worked
out well since it was tightly bundled together.
"I did as Daddy told me!"
"You did well. It must be lunchtime soon. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"I want a sandwich."
"Alright, let's have a sandwich."
Rosaria cheered.
And she naturally held Reed's hand tightly.
Reed held her tiny finger that gripped his index finger.
The affectionate sight of the father and daughter spread not only inside the tower
but also outside as a rumor.
Reed Adeleheights Roton adopted a daughter.
That alone was enough to cause an uproar within the Silence Tower.
"The Tower Master of Silence?"
"The one who used to curse and say that all the untalented ones were useless?"
Most wizards are reclusive, and those with skills are usually reluctant to have
children.
They were busy immersing themselves in their magic research, and they couldn't
afford to have a child holding them back.
Most wizards thought that way, but no one could believe that Reed, a Tower Master
who was worse than anyone could imagine, had a child.
But soon, Reed announced within the Silence Tower that Rosaria was his child.
Those who were skeptical were shocked.
Not even a biological child, but he adopted a daughter?
"Did the Tower Master finally go mad?"
"He's someone who would mistreat his own daughter like a daughter-in-law…"
"Is he trying to make her his wife?"
"You saw how she formed and crushed the sphere. If she has that much talent, he
probably plans to raise her and devour her power."
"No, if that were the case, the Tower Master would have looked at her with contempt
from the beginning. Don't you know his personality?"
Those working in the Silence Tower knew well that Reed liked talented people but
also hated them.
They couldn't simply interpret the fact that he had adopted a daughter
straightforwardly.
A talented girl and a hysterical Tower Master.
The two with polar opposite personalities seemed completely mismatched.
But there was one thing they all thought alike.
"Still… it seems like he genuinely cares for her."
"Right."
Everyone in the tower saw it.
Tower Master Reed and his adopted daughter Rosaria walking hand in hand,
affectionately.
In the western part of the Cloud Continent, the sky is covered in darkness.
Due to the abnormal aggregation of mana, there was an area with a certain climate.
The Black Sky.
An area named as such because the sky is always covered in darkness.
The sunlight doesn't penetrate, only dark vegetation survives, and it is treated as a
barren land where death lurks.
However, the abnormal accumulation of mana was an optimal place for wizards to
conduct research, making it a perfect location to build a tower.
Thus, the Black Sky Magic Tower was built.
Its Tower Master was Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
Contrary to the appearance of a little girl called "The Eternal Girl of the Black Sky,"
she harbored a psychopathic black heart and was known as a master of dark magic.
"What? Roton adopted a daughter?"
Frieja, with her feet up on the obsidian desk, raised her eyebrows.
She was looking at the man reflected on the screen floating above the desk.
The man nodded.
"Yes, that's right. He even announced her name as Rosaria Adeleheights Roton."
"That's nonsense. Are you making this up because there's no good news lately?"
"Would I risk my neck for that? I saw it with my own eyes. And everyone in the tower
knows about it."
"So?"
"…I'm sorry."
"It's fine. If you're sorry, that's the end of it. Yep, it's all over."
Freesia showed her mastery of sarcasm.
Before she could nag further, the man quickly relayed more news.
"But that's not the important part."
"What is it then?"
"They say the girl folded the pillar of mana into a sphere."
"Is that true?"
As Freesia looked at him skeptically, the man spoke with a frustrated expression.
"Even the most skilled wizard in handling mana couldn't do that. It would interfere
with the spell, and you're saying she broke the spell itself? Well, it's not impossible
for the Silence Tower, which is running wild."
"It's a mana emission spell created by the previous Tower Master. Don't you know
what kind of person he was?"
"Hmm, well, that Jude guy did create a good spell."
Jude Roton.
He was a figure who had contributed more to the operation of the tower than attack
magic.
He was a kind-hearted old man, unlike other wizards, and he was a man who
generously shared his knowledge with other Tower Masters.
The Black Sky Tower was also using the mana emission spell created by the Tower
Master of Silence as a basis and reinforcing it.
"Moreover, the spell is intact."
"The spell wasn't even broken?"
"Yes."
Was that even possible?
Folding the mana emission spell into a sphere without touching it was no different
than a person living with their heart torn out.
"Hmmm…"
Freesia furrowed her eyebrows and became lost in deep thought, looking elsewhere.
Seeing her absorbed in her thoughts, seemingly forgetting their conversation, the
man asked.
"Uh, Tower Master."
"What?"
"Are you… sure you'll keep your promise?"
"Huh? Promise?"
Freesia asked, narrowing her eyes.
"The promise to take in anyone who leaves the Silence Tower as a member of the
Black Sky Tower."
"Ah, that promise. Of course, I know."
She had forgotten. No doubt she had completely forgotten.
However, she couldn't scold or question him.
He was dealing with the Black Sky Tower Master, Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
"But for the time being, you'll have to transfer information from the Silence Tower to
me. Like a spy. Isn't that what spies do when they infiltrate enemy countries? They
suck up as much information as they can."
"I've already been working here for five years. But I still haven't even shed my
apprentice status. If it were somewhere else, wouldn't I already be working as a full-
fledged mage? The Master of the Reed Tower doesn't even talk about promotions."
"Yeah, you're right. The Master of the Silence Tower is a bit inflexible. It's absurd that
they've kept you as an apprentice for five years."
"Isn't it?"
His face brightened when she took his side.
Freesia waved her hand and showed a reassuring smile.
"Just make sure you do your job well. Once you've gathered enough information from
the Silence Tower, I'll make sure you can work as a full-fledged mage in the Black Sky
Tower."
"As expected of the Black Sky Tower Master! Thank you!"
"If you're grateful, just keep reporting the information regularly. Got it?"
"Yes, thank you. Please go in."
"Alright, keep up the good work."
The moment the communication was cut off, Freesia's smiling face turned cold.
She leaned back in her chair and sneered.
"Such a greedy fellow."
Freesia knew what kind of person the Master of the Silence Tower was.
An insecure person, who, although not having distinct advantages compared to other
Tower Masters, had a keen eye for people.
Anyone with a competitive edge wouldn't join the Silence Tower, as they can only
enter it as an apprentice.
So, Reed not promoting him meant that he was not worth investing in.
Even the cold-hearted Freesia believed that his eye for people was reliable, even if
she couldn't acknowledge anything else about him.
'Does he think that being worthless elsewhere will make him useful?'
Did that man truly know?
That his value shone only because he was in the Silence Tower.
If he were to lose his affiliation with the Silence Tower, he would ultimately become a
nobody.
The Black Sky Tower is as ruthless as its atmosphere.
He would only be mocked as a mere apprentice who couldn't even shed his status in
the Silence Tower.
Even if he were to come to the Black Sky Tower, he probably wouldn't have the skills
to overcome its challenges.
That's why it wasn't a big issue for Freesia to accept him as a full-fledged mage.
"Reed Adeleheights suddenly took in a foster daughter…"
As someone who knew Reed well, Freesia couldn't understand the meaning behind
his actions.
"Well, if I don't know, then what can I do?"
She got up and tapped the table.
At that moment, she was connected to her secretary, who had been waiting outside.
. Did you call for me, Tower Master?
"My dear secretary, I'll be stepping out for a bit!"
. Stepping out? I'll prepare the sky carriage right away.
"No, there's no need for formality. I'm just going out for a light stroll. I'll be going
alone."
. If it's a casual occasion… Where do you plan to go?
The secretary asked anxiously, but Freesia just smiled without giving an answer.
The secretary knew the meaning behind her expression.
It was the face of a willful child who had discovered a new toy she liked.
"I'm going to meet the Master of the Silence Tower."
Rumors spread.
Since he revealed the fact that he took in a foster daughter, Rosaria was allowed to
roam freely.
'A close father and daughter… '
Not bad.
A close father-daughter relationship could be a charming element, right?
A frightening and selfish man, but a caring and loving father to his daughter.
'But I don't know if this will have a negative or positive effect.'
If it turns out to be a negative effect, the story changes completely.
The Tower Master has no intention of managing the tower and has taken in a foster
daughter.
Is he in his right mind?
We don't need a weak Tower Master!
Viva la Revolution!
[T/N: "Viva la Revolution!" is a Spanish phrase meaning "Long live the Revolution!", a
slogan for revolutionary movements.]
Reed is driven out of the Tower Master's position, and the Silence Tower falls into
chaos.
'…It's scary just to imagine, but it probably won't happen.'
It would have been unreasonable if he had taken in a daughter without any abilities,
but what Reed brought was a monster with potential.
Everyone in the tower must have witnessed Rosaria bending a pillar into a sphere.
She has an outstanding talent with greater expectations than concerns about lack of
ability.
'Still, I have to do whatever I can to cover for my lack of ability.'
The most important thing was for Reed to fulfill his duties as a Tower Master,
regardless of the circumstances.
There were two things needed for that.
The power and ability to maintain his position.
And there was only one thing that could satisfy both of those.
Reed had been searching the library since last night to find the books related to
Magic Engineering.
He had searched several times, hoping that there might be something from his
Academy days, but Reed couldn't find any books related to Magic Engineering.
That's why he was sitting quietly in his office now, thinking about places where he
might find what he was looking for.
In the middle of his thoughts, Reed noticed another strange point.
'Come to think of it, there were no books about Project: Flower Garden either.'
Where did the documents on Flower Garden, which Phoebe had organized, come
from?
It's unlikely that Reed had given her the original documents in their entirety.
He must have had his own organized documents as well.
'If Project: Flower Garden wasn't stored in the library, then it must mean there's
another library… '
Where could that library be?
If he were the real Reed Adeleheights Roton, who had lived here for almost ten years,
he would have found it easily.
However, he was only Jung Jinhyuk, who was acting as Reed.
"Hmm…"
He thought about it and casually looked down at the table.
Panels that could be operated like smart screens.
In the corners of the view, there were panels related to storage magic, summoning
magic, and tower management.
"…Storage magic?"
Reed pressed that panel button.
Then, as the screen expanded where there was nothing before, the contents inside
began to appear.
It seemed like he understood the saying "It's darkest under the lamp".
"…It was all here."
-Project: Flower Garden.
-Noteworthy Escolleia magic students.
Reed was meticulous.
So, he had organized everything carefully, so it could be viewed in order of
importance, genre, type, and name.
The most important was the recently overturned Project: Flower Garden original
documents and a list of names.
Reed didn't open those documents but moved on to the genre.
There, he saw a pile of Magic Engineering books he hadn't been able to find until
now.
'Why did he store them here instead of in the library?'
Reed was someone who had admired pure magic, so he thought that he would either
keep them in the library or have them burned.
As he looked further down.
. Research on steel that changes shape in response to mana sensitivity. Author: Reed
Adelheights
. Research on the commercialization of magic using rune shapes. Author: Reed
Adelheights
The research that formed the foundation of Magic Engineering, which he had been
working on until a month ago, was visible.
The reason why Reed instantly knew that this research was the foundation of Magic
Engineering was:
"All of these are Magic Engineering products commercialized in , right?"
This was because all the auxiliary items that had been created to defeat the disaster
were by-products of Reed's research.
The shape-changing steel turned into an item called the Shield Gauntlet, and the
commercialization of magic using runes became an item called Magic Cards.
It wasn't just those items.
A considerable number of products were all based on the research that formed the
foundation of .
The person who had been crucially helpful in Magic Engineering was Kaitlyn Ramos.
'Why are all of Reed's research items identical to Kaitlyn's products?'
It was an incomprehensible moment.
Did Kaitlyn steal the research data?
Or did Reed steal Kaitlyn's research?
Or was it just a romantic fantasy coincidence where they understood each other
implicitly?
While lost in the maze of thoughts.
Knock, knock-.
Phoebe entered the office with a light knock.
Her usually languid expression had changed to a rather troubled one.
"What's the matter?"
"Well, the thing is… The Tower Master… has come to visit?"
"Tower Master?"
Phoebe nodded her head.
"Yes, it's the Tower Master of Wallin…"
Silence Tower, 32nd floor.
"Please come in."
Following the guidance of the chief magician, a woman entered.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lord of the Wallin Tower."
"I heard that Lord Wallin, the incarnation of the cold and an Archmage, was coming,
so I rushed to prepare but…"
"You don't have to make excuses. I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries."
"Ah, yes…"
"Leave."
As the Wallin Tower Master gestured, the man bowed and left the reception room.
Her cold expression twisted slightly.
'Reed Adeleheights Roton… '
Thinking of that name, her hands clenched involuntarily.
The reason she came here was because she heard a rumor.
The rumor that before Project: Flower Garden was destroyed, a child was adopted
through slave trading.
'What on earth is he up to?'
Doubt filled her mind.
It didn't sound good that a twisted person suddenly adopted a daughter.
That's why she wanted to see it with her own eyes.
Footsteps echoed outside the reception room door.
Dolores calmed her heart.
As she maintained her composure, the door opened, and a man entered.
Ashen hair, tied back into a ponytail unlike the old days, neatly arranged hair that
reached down to his eyes, revealing faintly shining golden eyes.
Silent lips beneath fierce eyes.
Wearing a black and red uniform, he exuded a sense of weight.
'He didn't used to be like that… '
Reed was known to live a noble life, showing off his wealth.
The last time she saw Reed, his hair was loose, and he wore gold and red clothes.
Now he felt more like a servant than a noble.
He had changed.
Yes, he had changed.
Dolores didn't know what to say about that gap.
This time, Reed observed Dolores.
'This person is the Lord of the Wallin Tower… '
Appearing calm was also a desperate attempt to suppress his nerves.
Her blue hair sparkled as if sprinkled with gem powder.
Her red lips stood out in contrast.
She wore a blue and white uniform, befitting the Wallin Tower.
Reed assessed her with his 「Talent Appraisal」.
Name: Dolores Jade
Occupation: Lord of Wallin Tower
Age: 26 years old
Alignment: Lawful Good
Health 892/892
Stamina 250/250
Mana: 10,580/10,580
[Traits]
「Archmage」, 「Incarnation of Cold」 「Lord of Wallin Tower」, 「Escolleia Senior
Graduate」
[Stats]
Lv. 6, , , ,
3
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
'Is she really the Lord of Wallin Tower…?'
Reed tilted his head as he looked at her.
The person standing before him was different from the information he knew about
'Wasn't the Lord of Wallin Tower a man?'
Before Reed's ambition was revealed in the game, there was a place in the tower
where villains, who would appear as the main villains, plotted to destroy the
continent by defeating the Lord of the Wallin Tower.
'He wasn't as bad as Reed, but still a disgusting character… '
His name was Ludis Grancia Jade.
He was a person who would flatter and curry favor, only to stab his victims when
they let their guard down.
As Reed wondered why the Tower Master had changed, Dolores bit her lower lip
slightly.
Seeing her expression, Reed offered a greeting.
"I am Reed Adeleheights Roton, Lord of the Silence Tower."
A greeting between Tower Masters.
He placed his hand on his chest and bowed as respectfully as possible.
Dolores responded with equal politeness.
"…I am Dolores Jade, Lord of Wallin Tower."
Despite her frightening expression, Dolores showed proper manners.
After exchanging courtesies, they returned to their original roles.
Reed walked to the opposite side of her and sat down.
Dolores was the first to speak.
"You didn't attend the Tower Master Conference."
There was a hint of annoyance in Dolores' tone.
He immediately replied, as it was something he had anticipated.
"I was busy that day."
"…What did you say?"
Dolores made a baffled expression as if she had misheard.
It was not the words themselves but the tone that made her feel uneasy.
Reed caught on to this immediately.
"No, I was busy."
He tried to be polite, but sensing that it wouldn't suit Reed's personality, he hastily
changed his approach.
And, as if he had given the right answer, her expression relaxed.
By relaxed, it meant her baffled expression turned back into a guarded face, like a cat
that had its territory invaded.
"What were you busy with?"
"Isn't it too hasty to ask that? Let's have some tea first."
"I'm not in the mood for tea."
"Then I'll drink it."
Reed calmly drank the tea and spoke.
"I was wrapping up a project."
"The project must be the Flower Garden. Was it so important that it made you skip
the Tower Master Conference?"
"Yes, it was."
"Why?"
"Because it was abandoned."
Her expression hardened further.
It was as if she felt betrayed by the expectations she had.
"Then at least you should have come in person and announced it to us, shouldn't
you?"
Her voice quivered with anger.
Reed made a guess based on her words.
'She must have been someone who had high hopes for the Flower Garden too.'
He was right.
Since he had raised their expectations, he should have apologized at the Tower
Master Conference for crushing them.
But what could he do?
They had the abilities of adults, but Reed's abilities were still like those of a snotty-
nosed child.
So, he acted petty and childish.
"I had a bit of a hard time."
"What kind of hardship did you, with your cold-blooded and thick-skinned
personality, experience?"
'But why does she sound so immature in her speech? She seems more like a child
than me. Well, she actually is younger, but… '
Reed suppressed his emotions and answered as politely as possible.
"I have my difficulties too."
"Everyone does. But they don't show it outwardly. Especially not you. You would
have participated in the Tower Master Conference somehow."
"Would I?"
"But instead, you changed everything. The Flower Garden, the adoption, and even
your attire…"
Dolores' eyes didn't leave his uniform and hairstyle.
It was the most noticeable change in appearance.
"When I'm working, it's too distracting."
Originally, it was unclear how Reed would have looked, but now, just looking at the
gold thread on his arm attracts attention.
That's why he added a heavy black color and mixed it with a red color that suits the
Lord of the Silence Tower.
Listening to her talking about his personality, Reed could roughly guess the reason
for her visit.
She was suspicious.
'She must think that if Reed Adeleheights Roton didn't participate, there must be an
important project that needs to be hidden, right?'
A discovery so significant that he was willing to accept the embarrassment of
abandoning the Flower Garden.
With Reed's sinister image and a mind honed through five playthroughs, he could
deduce that much.
'How should I respond… '
Reed hesitated and took a sip of his tea.
He didn't particularly like black tea.
The tea time was the only moment he could wet his dry throat and buy some time, so
he drank it diligently.
"At that time, I was educating a child."
Dolores' expression became puzzled.
Reed, who thought he had chosen the best response, hesitated for a moment after
seeing her expression.
"…You mean Rosaria?"
"…You know about her."
"Every Tower Master would know. Around the time Project: Flower Garden was
nearing its end, you took in a child through a slave trader."
"Then I don't have to explain it to you."
Reed, pretending to be relaxed, brought the tea to his lips again.
And then he was taken aback.
The warm tea had become cold in an instant.
This change was related to Dolores.
"Didn't you say you don't like children?"
Dolores' hand trembled.
Physiological aversion.
She felt disgusted by Reed's actions themselves.
"Then… was what you told me a lie?"
Reed couldn't answer.
He didn't know what he had said, so an apology would only backfire.
"I changed my mind after the Flower Garden project failed."
So, he awkwardly moved on.
"So, you're going to pretend to be a good person?"
"I've never pretended to be a good person."
"Right. If you had pretended to be a good person, you would have apologized to me
first."
'Apologize?'
"For what?"
"The statement of breaking off the engagement that you unilaterally informed me of."
Reed nearly spat out the tea in his mouth.
Her expression was filled with hatred.
Thinking that she was a woman who had been broken off the engagement,
everything began to make sense.
'This is crazy… this is more complicated than I expected.'
"Why… why didn't you think about how I had to give up Baldschmidt's name…?"
Of course. Reed was meeting this woman for the first time today.
He had no idea about the breakup or anything.
Her eyes, hidden by her eyelids, were trembling with rage.
'What should I do?'
Although he hadn't done it himself, it was something he had done.
In this contradiction, he felt stuck.
But he couldn't just stay like this.
The surrounding air began to freeze.
The teacup in front of Dolores was already filled with red ice.
A woman's coldness can bring frost even in the warmest months.
It was a situation that reminded him of that saying.
Reed carefully put down his teacup and looked into her eyes.
Her eyes were clearly filled with hatred for him.
It felt as if a laser beam could shoot out and burn his face.
"…Fine. After all, it's all in the past. I hope you can forgive me for being emotional."
"It's fine."
"Flower Garden was a significant project… what do you plan to do after that?"
It's unlikely that he would only educate a child.
As a Tower Master, she was asking about his role.
"I plan to study magical engineering."
"Magical engineering?"
The hateful gaze in her eyes flickered with curiosity for a moment.
"Is that so surprising?"
"Well, there are no wizards who like magical engineering. I thought you would surely
dislike it too."
That's true.
Why would someone who loves pure magic more than anyone else stuff magical
engineering books into their storage magic?
"Since nobody else is touching it, shouldn't I do it?"
"The wizards of the tower will undoubtedly resist."
"But they will eventually adapt. Those who resist will be expelled."
If their intentions don't align, he would have to let them go.
Reed had decided this when he chose magical engineering.
Dolores said nothing and looked at Reed with her blue eyes.
Since no Tower Master cared about magical engineering, she couldn't be certain
about what would happen.
"If you want, I can show you the projects I'm working on right now."
"It's fine. It's not like we're close enough for that…"
Dolores, who had been relentless, stepped back.
The cold atmosphere had somewhat eased.
'It seems that her suspicions have somewhat subsided.'
However, she hadn't completely let go of her suspicions.
He could be researching new technology under the guise of magical engineering, so
for now, she's just holding her tongue.
Reed took another sip of his tea.
The icy coldness made his teeth ache.
"The tea has gone cold."
"…Ahem."
Dolores coughed, gathering the cold air she had scattered.
Her face flushed with embarrassment at her inability to maintain her composure.
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked from beyond the reception room.
"Come in."
At Reed's command, the door opened,
"Abracadabra!"
Rosaria barges in.
Reed turns his head to look at Rosaria, who is standing next to him.
"Rosaria, I'm talking with the Tower Master right now, aren't I? It's rude to burst in
like that."
"Noona gave me clothes, and she said I absolutely have to show them off to you! So, I
came."
The white dress she had been wearing was gone, replaced by a black dress.
The dress was voluminous and three-dimensional, adorned with Gothic-style frills
and a headband.
A black dress.
Seeing it, an ominous alarm rang in Reed's head.
"Did Phoebe give it to you?"
"No!"
He knew it couldn't be Phoebe. She was a girl who only liked bright clothes in the
first place.
"Then who?"
"I did."
A youthful third-party voice came from outside the reception room.
Looking up, a girl wearing similar clothes to Rosaria was standing there.
Reed had never seen Dolores before, but he knew this girl very well.
A black dress in the Gothic style, even darker black hair, and red eyes more intense
than blood.
The Tower Master of the Black Sky, Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
"Our dignified Tower Master of the Silent Tower, who doesn't skimp on money for his
own dignity, has dressed the child in rags, so I gave her something to wear out of pity.
Is there a problem?"
"What do you think this child is, your plaything? She's dressed in trashy clothes that
look like they're only suitable for dolls."
Reed had nothing to say in defense.
The first outfit Phoebe had worn was actually clothes for her doll, and Phoebe had
chosen the clothes based on her own preferences.
It wasn't as flashy as he'd thought, and it was calm. Most importantly, Rosaria herself
liked it, so he didn't care.
"You should be ashamed, Roton."
'…I feel like I'm the only bad guy here.'
Before he could say anything, Freesia turned her head to look at Dolores.
Her face, which had been scolding, was now filled with a playful smile.
"Who is this? As always, you say you hate it, but you're still childhood friends from
Escolleia, aren't you? Your concern for your husband's safety remains unchanged."
"I did not come here for that purpose."
"Then did you share a meaningful conversation? If it's a wedding, let me take care of
it by mid-June."
Dolores closed her mouth and glared at Freesia.
Unfazed, Freesia met her gaze with a mischievous smile.
She clearly knew everything and was focused on teasing Dolores.
Click-.
Black shoes tapped against the marble floor as she walked towards them.
Reed looked up at her and spoke politely.
"I didn't hear that you were coming, but if I had known, I would have welcomed you
properly."
Then Freesia waved her hand dismissively.
"It's fine, it's natural not to know. Actually, I broke the protective enchantment
engraved on the main gate and entered on my own."
"Why did you break it?"
Reed held back from adding 'unnecessarily.'
If the Tower Master of the Black Sky had arrived, they would have opened the gate
without question.
"Don't you know my personality? When I see the shoddy protective enchantments
that the young ones have made, I want to destroy them. Think about it. These are
people who have completed their castles by stacking wood pieces. What do you
think? The first thing I want to do is break them and watch them despair."
What a terrible hobby.
Isn't that basically saying she enjoys making others cry?
'She has the same personality as when she appeared in the main story of
7.'
Interestingly, this woman with such a terrible hobby is an ally.
Not Reed's ally, but the protagonist's ally.
However, her shameless and carefree personality, which even teased the protagonist
who considered her an ally, hasn't changed.
'At least that's a relief.'
Her unchanging personality meant that Freesia was the same as when she appeared
in the main story.
He knew how to deal with her.
"Let me sit down too."
"Please do."
Snap!
As Freesia, who hadn't taken a seat of authority, snapped her fingers, a black shadow
began to form behind her, eventually taking shape.
A black chair that hadn't been in the room before appeared.
The chair, crafted with elegance matching her gothic dress, was so imposing that it
felt like it belonged to the rightful owner of the room.
Three Tower Masters in the reception room.
It would be a lie to say there was no tension.
She relaxed, as if she were at home, and took turns looking at Reed and Dolores.
"What brings you here, Tower Master of the Black Sky?"
Reed asked the question.
"The whole world knows about what you've done, kid. I came to see that girl you
brought in out of curiosity."
Freesia met Rosaria's gaze, then clapped her hands with a bright smile.
"Come here, little bloodsucker, to your Noona."
Somehow, Rosaria knew that the rough expression referred to her and approached
Freesia hesitantly.
Freesia affectionately picked her up and looked into her eyes.
Reed, for some reason, didn't find that smile very pleasant.
"Do you like the clothes I gave you?"
"Yeah!"
Her still-childish face broke into a smile.
"Do you know there are even prettier things at my place?"
"Really?"
"Of course."
Freesia smirked.
"If you live with me, I can give you everything you want. How does that sound?"
Reed's fist clenched tightly.
He had suspected it since she laid her hands on Rosaria, but now she was blatantly
showing her intentions.
'So that was her goal.'
A normal child would have happily accepted the offer.
She wanted to tame the child and then drop her off.
However, Rosaria tilted her head at those words.
"Is Papa coming too?"
"Huh? Papa?"
"If Papa comes too, I'll go!"
It was only after Rosaria pointed at Reed with her finger that he understood what
she meant by 'Papa.'
"Well, your Papa can live with us too. I have the ability to do that much."
"We can all live together!"
With an innocent expression, Rosaria ran into Reed's arms.
Reed hugged Rosaria and patted her head.
"Rosaria, it's kind of the other Tower Master to offer that, but this is our home. Living
in someone else's house would be a bother."
"But there are toys."
Rosaria looked up with a hint of disappointment.
Given her young age, it was understandable that she would be tempted.
"Do you want toys?"
"Yes!"
Rosaria nodded her head honestly.
As the moments of joy and sorrow intersected between Freesia and Reed, the
conversation didn't end there.
"But I won't go without Papa."
Rosaria stretched out her arms and wrapped them around Reed's neck, hugging him
affectionately.
Reed held her and showed Freesia a confident smile, one that only a winner could
wear.
"Thank you for your generous offer, Tower Master of the Black Sky, but we must
decline."
"…Hmph."
Her twisted expression was quite a sight.
Her childish personality was on full display.
Rosaria had done everything she could.
Reed helped Rosaria stand up and spoke gently to her.
"Alright, Rosaria, I need to talk with this lady now, so can you go outside? Go ask
Phoebe Noona to play with you."
"Okay!"
Rosaria scampered off.
As she walked, her dress swayed like a Welsh corgi's bottom, making one wonder if
she would trip, and forcing them to keep watching her.
Her movements disappeared only when the reception room door closed.
"You've trained her well."
Freesia finally spoke, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
Reed corrected her.
"When raising a child, we use the term 'parenting.'"
"Enough with that annoying 'Papa' act. Didn't you bring that girl here for your own
purposes as well?"
She mimicked Rosaria's speech with a roll of her tongue.
It was forgivable when Rosaria did it, but when Freesia did it, it was just unpleasant.
That's when Dolores asked Freesia with a question mark above her head.
"I didn't know the Tower Master of the Black Sky was interested in children…"
It made even less sense that Freesia, a single spinster armed with hysteria, would
like children than Reed's adoption.
As expected, Freesia waved her hand dismissively.
"I only like adults. Even if they lack talent, I can use them as skeleton soldiers."
"Then why are you interested in a child like Rosaria?"
"They say she twisted the pillar of the tower into a sphere. That frail little girl."
"The pillar of the tower…?"
Dolores was left in shock.
Freesia raised one eyebrow as she looked at the astonished Dolores.
"What? I thought you were also targeting that little girl, but I guess not?"
"I…"
Dolores couldn't continue her sentence.
She hadn't kept tabs like the Tower of the Black Sky, so she hadn't heard the news
before arriving.
Seeing Dolores like this, Freesia's face displayed a mischievous smile.
"It seems your childhood friend only worries about you."
"I came here only to keep an eye on things. It's purely for the relationship between
the tower masters."
"Let's leave it at that."
Freesia didn't want to continue the wordplay.
"Child of Silence."
"Yes."
She showed her open palm.
"Five projects."
"What…?"
"I said I would give you five projects being conducted in the Black Sky."
It was an offer filled with more questions than joy.
Dolores couldn't even grasp what Freesia was talking about, but she flicked her
fingers.
Thud!
Five makeshift bound books were placed on the table.
"These are top-notch projects. The calculations are 99% complete, and they only
need a finishing touch. As long as you're not an idiot who ruins already cooked rice,
you should be able to finish them."
As she said, almost everything had been formalized, and the hypotheses had been
proven through experiments. It was as if they only needed a period at the end.
'On top of that, they're important main projects.'
The Tower Master of the Black Sky was also known as the eternal girl of the black
sky, but she had the characteristics of being the strongest among the necromancers
called the "Empress of the Undead."
As befitting her reputation, the projects she had researched were all enhancement
spells to strengthen the power of necromancers.
Transferring the authority of these projects meant that Reed, the Tower Master of
Silence, would need to grant permission for the use of these spells.
That alone could be a negotiation card.
'In the world of mages, information is the most important.'
The tower master's conference was a compulsory gathering created to respond to
the official mages, but they also had secrets from each other.
Freesia had been hiding these projects until now.
And she revealed them to Reed.
"What should I offer you in return?"
"What do you think?"
It seemed like she didn't need to say it.
It was Rosaria.
"How about this? To adopt the little monster who folded the tower's pillar, is this
enough?"
Is it enough?
Reed smiled and replied.
"Shouldn't the foundation of a negotiation at least appear to be an equal effort?"
"Are you saying I went too far? I wish that was the case."
"I believe the wise Freesia will understand well enough."
Resting her chin on her hand, Freesia glared at Reed through her fingers.
She certainly didn't mean that she had offered too much; rather, she had wagered too
little.
That raised a question.
'What gives him such confidence?'
The projects Freesia had put forth were ones the Tower of Silence could stake its life
on.
They were high-quality projects that couldn't be acquired with just money.
As the Tower Master, Reed would have known this.
That's why she couldn't understand why the balance was tipped towards the girl
rather than the reputation of the tower.
"Does that mean the girl is that important? One who is fragile enough to burst if
stepped on?"
"Yes."
Reed answered without hesitation.
Freesia hesitated for a moment at that response.
There was no smile on her cold, composed face.
She raised her hand again and flicked her fingers.
Snap!
Thud!
Two more books were placed on top of the project stack.
"Let's make it seven."
Upon hearing this, Dolores was even more surprised.
Giving away seven important projects was virtually equivalent to completely
eliminating their performance within a quarter.
It was a fatal loss for the tower.
Not only the Tower Master of the Black Sky but also other tower masters had never
done such a thing.
On the contrary, Reed responded without batting an eye.
"I refuse."
Squirm.
Her thin black eyebrows twitched.
"How strange. The Tower Master of the Wallin had a reaction, but the Tower Master
of Silence remains unmoved."
"Why would I be swayed if I never intended to negotiate in the first place?"
"Why is that? Tower Master of Silence, just a month ago, I saw you scrambling to
catch a big fish. But today, you seem uncharacteristically hesitant."
Freesia's narrowed eyes began to emit a red glow.
Seeing this, Dolores tensed up.
In that situation, Reed's calm demeanour was rather strange.
"In that case, let's not talk further and tire our mouths. I'll say just one thing."
"One thing?"
Freesia's face contorted.
The girl wearing a mask's face had turned into a witch.
No, in fact, a sinister mist began to spread behind her.
The white marble was instantly stained black, and everything became sticky like tar.
Cold air started to pour out from one side.
Dolores was countering the mist.
"Black Sky Tower Master, please stop. This is going too far."
"Fine, I'll let you have one more word. Depending on what comes out of your mouth,
the fate of your tower will be decided today."
"Black Sky!"
"Stay still. This is between Silence and me. Even if I cause a commotion, you won't be
harmed. So…"
Don't interfere.
She sent that look and glared at Reed again.
"You seem to be confused, kid. What we're doing is not a transaction. What I'm doing
is sympathy and favor, and you show the appropriate gratitude for it."
The initiative is with me, not you.
It was a self-centered, queenly thought.
There were none who dared to defy her under the Black Sky.
Even though it was said that the tower masters were forbidden from fighting, Black
Sky was not bound by such rules.
Although she was the youngest in appearance among the tower masters, she was the
second oldest at 131 years old.
She had no intention of being patient, as she was an experienced elder who could
have seen everything the world had to offer.
If something was hidden, she would inflict pain to reveal it.
If they didn't listen, she would make them listen even if she had to kill them.
The self-centered queen who thought everything in the world belonged to her.
That was precisely Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
"Go ahead and talk, kid."
Reed stood up from his seat.
He walked into the sticky mist of death.
There was not a single moment of hesitation in his demeanor.
"Re-Reed…"
Dolores unconsciously called Reed's name.
Without even acknowledging that he heard her, Reed walked straight with his back
straight and his head held high.
Golden hues began to swirl in his slightly open eyes.
It meant that the mana within Reed was resisting the deadly energy Freesia emitted.
He placed one hand on the skull decoration and the other on the handle.
He leaned his face toward Freesia, who was looking up at him with red eyes.
"As I said earlier, I'll say just one thing."
But his resistance was not a simple defiance.
Reed had made up his mind ever since Freesia came for Rosaria.
A deep voice rang clearly in both tower masters' ears.
"Even if it costs me my life, I will not hand over that child."
After that single word, the conversation did not continue, and they stared at each
other.
The one to give up first was Freesia.
"Boring."
The chair Reed was resting his hand on boiled and melted.
Similarly, the seven projects Reed had presented also melted away.
Freesia stood up from her seat.
"I'll drop by next time. Tower Master of Silence."
"Excuse me?"
"If our conversation is over, shall we go together? Let's take a walk, just the two of us
women."
"I, um…"
Dolores swallowed her words.
What else was she going to say? She had even forgotten that.
Not wanting to show her pitiful appearance any longer, she stood up from her seat.
"See you next time, Reed."
Freesia called him by his name, not as the Tower Master of Silence.
Leaving those words behind, Freesia and Dolores exited the reception room.
"Phew…"
Reed leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingers against his eyes.
He utilized the cool air remaining from Dolores as a form of cold compress.
'I never thought she would target Rosaria… '
What would Reed have done originally?
If he had been carrying out Project: Flower Garden and had suggested exchanging
the girl for the seven projects?
If they had switched, his garbage-like nature would have been exposed.
'Rosaria is my daughter.'
She is not Codename: Cosmo, nor an intended failure of Project: Flower Garden, but
Rosaria Adeleheights Roton.
So he had no regrets about this decision.
"Tower Master………"
With a drawn-out tone, Reed turned his head.
He saw Phoebe, who was peeking her head through the door gap.
The half-dragon girl, like a frightened puppy, was asking for permission from Reed.
"Come in."
Upon receiving permission, Phoebe cautiously approached.
She squatted down and looked up at Reed.
"I heard everything you said about the young lady."
"Did you hear it all?"
"It wasn't like I was trying to eavesdrop…"
Phoebe mumbled with a sullen expression.
Seeing her worried face, Reed said to her.
"Don't worry. Even though Black Sky came out so forcefully, the tower is still intact."
"But my clothes are like a beggar's rags…"
So that's what she was worried about.
He had thought she would be shocked.
But comforting her at a time like this would be foolish.
"Focus, Phoebe."
"Yes………"
Phoebe, who had been making a heartbroken expression, lifted her head again.
"Starting today, our tower will implement a reformation."
"Reformation?"
"Yes, there will likely be some resistance this time that we haven't seen before."
Upon hearing that, Phoebe's gloomy expression instantly disappeared.
Resistance meant standing against Tower Master Reed.
To Phoebe, the Tower Master's proxy and secretary, those who would try to take her
life were no different from bandits.
"What should I do?"
"Prepare a summary of the current status of the projects we're researching and how
many people are involved in each."
"Understood. What do you plan to focus on for the reformation?"
"Magic engineering."
Upon hearing that, Phoebe hesitated with her mouth slightly open.
"Magic engineering… You've decided for sure."
Her expression was one of satisfaction as if watching a lost child find his way.
It seemed she knew why there were books on magic engineering on Reed's desk.
"Yes."
"Understood. I will push forward with magic engineering!"
Phoebe's face seemed strangely excited.
The Tower of Silence, elevator.
Two people, the Tower Master of Wallin and the Tower Master of Black Sky, were on
it.
Contrary to the tense atmosphere earlier, they didn't even look at each other.
They waited for the elevator to reach the first floor.
"It's so slow."
"Jumping down would be faster."
"………Of course."
As Dolores glanced at Freesia with disbelief, she giggled and laughed.
"What's the reason for that?"
Dolores asked Freesia.
"What?"
"I'm talking about offering seven projects to Reed, or the Tower Master of Silence. It's
a big deal that could turn the Black Sky Tower upside down."
"What if it turns upside down? If they're only rebelling that much, they don't deserve
to be in the tower. I can't tolerate those people being under Black Sky Tower."
As expected of Black Sky Tower.
She was a ruthless person when it came to rebelliousness.
Why did Reed leave her alone on such an issue?
As Dolores pondered, Freesia opened her mouth again.
"About your fiance …"
"I've told you many times, he's not my fiance ."
"He's quite handsome."
"………Why did the conversation go there?"
Dolores wore a flabbergasted expression.
She thought she might have misheard Freesia.
However, Freesia looked at Dolores seriously and said,
"He may have looked like a parasitic worm, but he surprisingly had a manly side.
When he secretly approached me, I couldn't help but watch in a daze, you know?"
"………Is that what made you lose your mind?"
"I may be old, but I still like handsome men."
From their expressions, they seemed to have had a battle of nerves on both sides.
'Ignorance is bliss… '
Dolores clicked her tongue.
"Well, if that worthless parasite had done that to me, I would have turned his face
into ugly orcs and castrated them. I liked him because he had conviction."
"Conviction, as in… not giving up on the child?"
"If it were the old Tower Master of Silence, he would have definitely given up on that
child. He had an excellent vision for talent, but still, he was a person who valued
profit and honor more."
Dolores didn't respond, but she agreed with the opinion.
Freesia's smile did not disappear from her face.
"It's been a long time since I've felt something interesting. Kid, how many years have
you had the name, Jade?"
"The name Jade… It's been 11 years."
That meant she had been in the Tower of Wallin for over 10 years.
The wizards of the tower had an additional surname.
In the case of Silence, it was Roton, for Wallin it was Jade, and for Black Sky, it was
Darkrider.
They would insert that surname after their full name to both announce their
affiliation and strengthen the bond within the tower.
"I have lived for 100 years and 3 months as Freesia Vulcan Darkrider. During those
100 years, I have lived as I pleased as a Tower Master, but I have never experienced
any fun."
Everything was boring.
She had attained everything to the point where there was no reason to become an
adult.
"But for the first time, I found something I want."
"Why are you telling me that?"
Freesia turned her head and looked up at Dolores.
"Can I take him?"
"Uh, I have nothing to do with that man…"
"It doesn't matter. I know. I just wanted to tell you to give up any lingering feelings
you might have."
"How could I have such feelings?"
An age-inappropriate sinister smile.
A face that could only come from a heart full of malice.
As they conversed, they somehow arrived at the first floor.
"Well, slow isn't always bad. It's been a long time since I've had such a calm
conversation."
Freesia saw wizards holding magic books and dyes walking.
They must have been the wizards in charge of the tower's security magic.
"Ah, hello!?"
"We greet the Tower Master of Black Sky!"
They politely greeted her, and in response, Freesia glanced at the wizards.
"Hi, hiik!"
Just making eye contact was enough to make them flustered.
Freesia retracted her intimidating aura and smiled.
"If you ever make a magic formula like this again, I'll break down the front gate. Got
it, kid?"
"Ah, understood!"
"Good work."
She waved her hand briefly and walked away.
Freesia stretched her hand into the air and swirled it around.
Her shadow deepened like a swamp, and from it, a broomstick and a wide-brimmed
witch's hat emerged.
"I'm annoyed that I couldn't get what I wanted, but I had some fun. Keep an eye on
the Tower Master of Silence."
"………I will."
As Dolores hesitated, Freesia hopped onto the broomstick and flew into the sky.
Freesia's figure turned into a black dot in an instant.
Dolores, who had left the tower, stood there blankly for a while.
It was as if she had a fever.
"Tower Master?"
At the secretary's words, Dolores jumped in surprise.
The driver of the sky carriage, which had its engine running, was looking at her.
"You need to depart."
"I know."
As Dolores boarded the sky carriage, it silently rose into the sky.
Usually, she would have opened her planner to check her next appointment, but she
just stared blankly out the window.
'Reed… '
A name she usually wouldn't have cared about.
A name she avoided thinking about as it made her emotions fluctuate.
For some reason, she couldn't get his image out of her head today.
She should have hated him, should have disliked everything about him…
Why weren't those feelings coming first now?
Why?
Why?
- Even if it costs me my life, I won't hand over that child.
'Damn it, cursed, despicable man.'
That single sentence wouldn't leave her mind.
Normally, the man would have trembled and retreated, emitting his energy in fear,
but now he stood proudly as an equal to Freesia.
Only she, the Tower Master of Wallin, looked pathetic.
It was a foolish appearance that should have made her angry.
So, was this anger directed at herself?
No.
It was half due to the emotions of seeing Reed again.
And the other half was an unknown emotion.
As the two emotions mixed, a bizarre anger made her heart race.
"Don't ruin your pretty nails that you just had done."
"What?"
The witch driving the sky carriage glanced up at the rearview mirror and grinned.
It was only then that Dolores realized she was biting her left fingernail with her red
lips.
She hastily withdrew her hand.
"It's unusual. Tower Master, you're biting your fingers, which must mean you're
troubled. Was it that difficult?"
"It wasn't difficult. I always resign myself when I have to meet such trash."
"So you mean something hit a sore spot?"
"Just focus on driving."
"Yes, I apologize."
Yes, she had been hit in a sore spot.
She had unconsciously recalled her childhood with that man, even if just for a brief
moment.
A young girl and an old man with gray hair who gently held her hand.
She always looked at his back when they walked, but even that made the girl happy.
She utters the name she can never call again.
"Brother…"
She whispered it softly and returned to her adult self.
There are 13 towers on the Cloud Continent, and each tower has its strengths.
The Black Sky Tower, led by Freesia, specializes in Necromancer magic.
The Beollin Tower, led by Dolores, focuses on ice magic.
Magical research and project operations vary across all fields, but the primary
direction of development usually depends on the Tower Masters' magical expertise.
Thus, entering a specific tower as a student meant learning that particular field of
magic.
That was also the reason why people mocked the Tower of Silence as the weakest.
Having no notable strengths, the Tower of Silence was inevitably weaker compared
to the other towers.
With no particular advantage, it was a mediocre existence, and its prospects for
magical development were continuously declining.
That's why Reed, the Tower Master, decided to push a concept he couldn't achieve
otherwise.
Magical engineering.
A field of study that applied magic as electricity to operate machinery.
Magicians fundamentally disliked magical engineering.
The reason could be summarized in one sentence:
- Studying magical engineering is like giving up being a magician and becoming a
merchant.
Magicians believed that expanding the popularity of magic, which only the privileged
class could possess, would degrade its quality.
And the magicians in the Tower of Silence were also among those who held such
notions.
"The Tower Master is focusing on researching magical engineering?"
"He's only researching it himself for now, and we're told to continue with our
research as it is."
"Idiot, it's a reform. Once the project is over, we'll have to gradually shift our research
in that direction."
Opinions were divided, but the opposing views were stronger.
However, to Tower Master Reed, it was the most optimal choice.
What Reed was looking at was the research status and personnel allocation data
organized by Phoebe.
Phoebe smiled uncomfortably and said,
"It's a mess, isn't it?"
"It is."
One didn't need to look at the data of other towers to know.
Everyone was focused on research with potential results, leaving the trivial ones
empty-handed.
"Rearrange everything. Make it mandatory for all students and apprentice magicians
to study magical engineering, and evenly distribute personnel among the projects
I've currently presented for those of general rank or higher."
"It will cause quite a stir."
Action and reaction.
Bold initiatives often meet with resistance.
In response to her words, Reed said,
"Tell them to come see me if they have any complaints."
As magic engineering was being promoted, extensive renovations began in Reed's
laboratory as a priority.
The entire room on the 80th floor was filled with various magicology research tools.
Having dabbled in all kinds of magic, there was a wide range of devices he could
utilize.
However, the only thing that was missing among them were the tools necessary for
magic engineering.
In order to create a space for magic engineering research tools, he was working on
transferring devices and equipment to other research departments that needed
them.
Although it was called work, Reed simply stamped his approval on documents
stating that items were moving between floors.
It was a simple task, but it was boring enough to drive one crazy.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Reed assumed Phoebe had brought more paperwork, but the footsteps entering
were heavy and not from just one person.
Reed looked up at the men who entered.
Long beards and stern middle-aged expressions.
Red robes representing the Silence Tower, with a gold emblem in the middle of the
chest.
It was an emblem possessed by the chief magicians.
Reed knew them.
When he announced that he would promote the reform, they were the ones with a
bitter expressions.
"What's the matter?"
"This is the opposing opinion on the reform."
The man on the left handed over the document first, followed by the middle-aged
man beside him.
"And these are the magicians who agreed with this opinion."
Reed read their opinions.
Although lengthy, it could be summarized like this:
"Stop promoting Magic Engineering immediately. If not, we all will resign."
They were asserting their opinions through a threatening manner.
'Well, it's a threat that actually works.'
It wouldn't matter how many middle-aged or apprentice magicians left.
However, losing two of the only five chief magicians would be a significant loss of
personnel.
'If it were another tower, maybe.'
"Talent Appraisal."
Reed possessed a special ability that allowed him to see not only the other party's
condition but also their potential.
As they were old, all their potential had been reached.
Even in such a state, they had terribly inferior abilities compared to Reed, who was
merely a figurehead Tower Master.
Although they were called chief magicians, they were of poor quality compared to
other tower's chief magicians.
They were the kind who just barely maintained appearances.
These two, in particular.
Yet, they arrogantly stepped forward with the feeling of being a 'chief.'
"We believe that changing the direction of development to magic engineering alone,
after overturning this project, is a unilateral action."
"Didn't I get enough agreement at the last tower meeting?"
"Weren't those words said with the meaning of risking everything?"
"Nobody would have really thought that you, the Tower Master, would change the
direction to magic engineering."
If it were a few days ago, Reed would have thought the same.
However, while reading the meeting minutes, he accidentally found out why there
were magic engineering books on his desk.
While vaguely announcing the plan for Project Flower Garden, It was recorded that if
the project failed, they should at least try magic engineering.
Of course, it is possible to interpret that Flower Garden was a crucial project that had
high stakes, but then it wouldn't make sense to have magic engineering books placed
there.
He was a man who was willing to compromise with reality if the Flower Garden
failed.
But the Flower Garden succeeded, and because of that, his sense of inferiority was
vented in a twisted form.
"How many people agreed with this opinion?"
"Five middle-ranked magicians, twelve apprentice magicians, and thirty-three
disciples, making a total of fifty people."
Fifty-two people made up a quarter of the tower's population.
Seeing this, Reed put down the paper.
"I understand your intentions well."
"Then, following our wishes, we should return to magicology…"
"I said I understand, but I never said I would follow your opinions, so listen until the
end."
The chief magicians' expressions became distorted.
Reed looked up at them, rolling his golden eyes.
"Being the chief magicians of this tower, are you incapable of reading the situation?"
"We know."
"We also know that our research and projects are yielding pathetic results."
"Then what's the reason for being against this reform itself?"
"Isn't it the future?"
The future.
There was nothing more to think about.
It was a reference to Rosaria.
"We hope that if we educate her more, we can restore the tower's status through the
young lady."
"Isn't it unnecessary to compromise with magic engineering…"
The chief magician couldn't continue his words.
Golden eyes were staring at him.
It was a silent pressure not to say anything more.
When the man closed his mouth, Reed opened his.
"Rosaria is my adopted daughter. I didn't adopt her to be your plaything. What would
you do if she wanted to go somewhere other than the Silence Tower?"
"Th-that's…!"
"How could she betray the Tower Master who took her in as his adopted daughter?"
Yes, they could educate her to the point where she could never betray them.
However, in the end, that was only control created through the education of fear.
'A byproduct of pure selfishness.'
Reed did not want to push Rosaria that far and hold on to her.
'Disgusting.'
Reed was displeased with their thoughts.
Despite being called chief magicians, they had produced only mediocre results, and
now they were salivating at the sight of Rosaria's ability as an adopted daughter.
Isn't that admitting their own incompetence?
"Would you all oppose me if I continue to push for magic engineering?"
Reed threw a question at them like a final verdict.
And the two, who might not even know a knife is at their throat, answered like this.
"Yes."
"So, please reconsider one more time."
The two chief magicians bowed their heads.
Reed, without further thought, looked down at the documents and spoke to them.
"Then, I'll take a good look."
"You've made a wise… Huh?"
"What do you mean?"
The chief magicians had a stunned expressions.
It was the expression Reed most desired.
"You opposed my opinion, and you brought me the written documents in person. So,
regardless of the decision I make with magic engineering, you're not going to change
your negative stance, right? I don't need such a groundless opposition. Even looking
at the future, it'll only give us headaches. I have no choice but to let you go your own
way."
In other words, it meant to leave the tower.
The chief magicians were startled by Reed's judgment and asked.
"Does that mean… you will continue to push for magic engineering?"
"What else could it be?"
"We thought the Tower Master was a magician who longed for pure magic."
"Yes, I undoubtedly was."
Undoubtedly, he had been.
A girl, and even the entire continent, had been plunged into disaster, so he must have
longed for it more than anyone else.
"But what has that pure magicology left for us?"
"Well…"
"What did I gain through that pursuit? What have you all done?"
They couldn't answer easily.
No, they reluctantly answered.
"Haven't we gained pride as magicians?"
"The pride of a failure is nothing but a pathetic sight. Outside, they're laughing at us
as the tower of desolation and the silent magicians."
Silence was the most fatal and shameful nickname for a magician.
It was a nickname that should have made their eyes flip, yet the chief magicians
calmly accepted it.
It was a ridiculous situation.
"You can't judge everything by external evaluations, especially for the magicians of
the tower."
"But those external evaluations are a factor that determines our tower's existence.
Face reality."
"If we bow to every whim, it only shows our incompetence."
Incompetence.
As the word came out, a chilling silence flowed.
The one who uttered the word regretted it, but the words already spoken could not
be taken back.
Therefore, they had no choice but to hold their heads up shamelessly and insist on
their will.
"Yes, I am incompetent."
Reed admitted to that fact.
The chief magicians were rather taken aback.
"How incompetent must I be to have had such narrow-minded and incapable people
as chief magicians?"
"If you think your research failed because the Tower Master was worthless, then it's
my mistake. I am ashamed of having the likes of you under me."
"Goodness, it's a clear mistake to have left you, who toppled over and were picked up
from other towers, to threaten me with your heads held high like this."
As Reed stood up from his seat, the chief magicians hesitated.
"So I will correct it right now."
They were on guard, thinking he might cast some kind of magic, but Reed had no
intention of doing so.
He personally opened the door and spoke to them.
"I'll give you 3 hours. Leave the tower with the underlings listed in that document.
That's my last act of mercy."
The two chief magicians came outside.
With a helpless face, they both blankly waited for the elevator to come up.
Only one thought remained in their minds, like the wailing of a dying curse.
'We're screwed… '
Both of them sighed in regret.
"I never thought things would turn out like this…"
"I knew he was a stubborn person, but I never thought he would do this to us…"
"I thought he would have pinned his hopes on magicology once more since he took in
the adopted daughter…"
As he mentioned that, the other chief magician cast a sidelong glance and
admonished him.
"You shouldn't have said that."
"What?"
"Think about it. Isn't it because you suggested using the adopted daughter that
things turned out like this?"
"Ha! You're the one who drove the nail in by calling the Tower Master incompetent,
and now you're saying that!"
"You…!"
Just as the two were about to break into a fight.
"Oh, what's going on?"
Phoebe Asteria Roton, the Tower Master's deputy and secretary, intervened.
With her flowing wavy blonde hair and distinct facial features.
A gentle image as if looking at a large dog.
A pair of horns adorning her head and golden pupils, as if to leave evidence of being
a dragon.
She was dressed casually in a white shirt and uniform pants, having been tidying up
the 80th-floor laboratory.
"Why do you both look so unhappy… Did something go wrong this morning?"
Phoebe, with her gentle eyes, worried about them.
The two stopped arguing and looked at each other.
'Could she possibly help us?'
'Even though we've known her for a long time… '
The chief magicians exchanged opinions and nodded at Pibi.
"Oh dear, Deputy Tower Master!"
"Who's this! Isn't it our proud Deputy Tower Master~?"
"Oh, why are you praising me all of a sudden? It's embarrassing."
Phoebe laughed awkwardly.
"The thing is, we desperately need Deputy Tower Master's help right now."
"Can you help us?"
"Of course! We're all family in the tower, so we should help each other, right?"
Phoebe nodded with an enthusiastic face.
At that, the two spilled the beans about what had happened in the office.
"Oh my… So that's what happened."
"Yes, that's right, Deputy Tower Master. So, we were wondering…"
"Have a safe trip~."
Phoebe, waving both hands, distancing herself from them.
Her steps were cold, contrary to her tender attitude.
So, the chief magicians hesitated and then approached Phoebe again to finish their
unfinished words.
"Um, excuse me…"
"Yes?"
Phoebe tilted her head.
"We might have been too radical and impulsive, but… Could you possibly persuade
the Tower Master?"
"After working at a place for nearly 20 years, leaving like this is just…"
"If someone like you, Deputy Tower Master could intervene, he might listen. Please."
The two prayed with their hands clasped and pleaded with pitiful faces.
Phoebe tilted her head with a troubled expression.
"Hmm… But if the Tower Master has decided, I can't change his mind."
"Why?"
At that question, Phoebe smiled brightly.
"Because I'm on the Tower Master's side."
It was truly a loyal dog-like appearance.
"So, I don't want to get involved in such matters, okay?"
"I-I see."
"Alright, excuse us."
Their last hope was gone.
Just as they were about to wait for the elevator again.
"Oh, by the way…"
Phoebe stopped them in their tracks.
An uncomfortable atmosphere began to flow through the area.
The chief magicians, who looked back, faced a suffocating horror.
Her expression, which was smiling just a few seconds ago, had hardened.
Her beautiful wavy blonde hair floated in the air like a witch, and her pupils seemed
to shine.
But not in gold – in red!
The atmosphere of the innocent rice cake girl had instantly turned into that of a
dragon whose territory had been invaded.
"Which one of you said that our Tower Master is incompetent?"
Although she was a loyal dog, she was still the Tower Master's loyal dog.
She was a fierce beast to the Tower Master's enemies.
The two, no longer part of the tower's family, were strangers.
And for a stranger to badmouth the Tower Master was an act that clearly revealed
hostility.
Phoebe was a woman who showed no mercy to that hostility.
'I had forgotten about that side of her.'
'The Silent Guardian… '
Having spent over 20 years there, they had become complacent in the long-lasting
peace.
How could they have forgotten that before becoming the secretary of Reed, she was
called the Silent Guardian, neither the deputy Tower Master nor secretary?
She had inherited the blood of a dragon, possessing a temperament of a battle
maniac that could turn the surroundings into ruins once her eyes flipped.
The chief magicians desperately smiled and stammered.
"Ha, haha!! Who said that?"
"It's, it's nothing! It's just a slip of the tongue. A slip of the tongue~. How could our
Tower Master be incompetent? Right?"
The two magicians laughed and fumbled.
If they were really strangers, even their bones wouldn't have been left.
The fact that she was holding back was an act of mercy for the two.
She withdrew her intense killing intent and smiled again with a loyal dog-like face.
"Right?"
"Yes, that's right! So, we should hurry and prepare!"
"We, we'll see you later, Deputy Tower Master!"
As if fearing Phoebe would follow them, the magicians quickly closed the elevator
door.
There was one thing they were grateful for after talking to her.
Their disgusting desire to stay in the tower.
Thanks to her, they felt that it was completely gone.
Phoebe touched her floating hair, watching them leave.
"Ah, I came to deliver some good news in such a good mood…"
Phoebe cheerfully smiled as she pressed her head and entered the office.
Grey hair and sharp eyes.
He was looking at documents with his right hand, clad in black gloves, biting his lips.
His figure caught Phoebe's eye.
His focused demeanour was truly elegant.
Pheobe felt that her mood had completely cleared up from just moments ago.
"Master~"
"Leave the documents and go."
"It's not a document, but a gift that has arrived!"
It was then that Reed finally looked up.
"A gift?"
Phoebe's words took Reed down to the 80th floor, and he couldn't help but be
astonished.
A mana furnace that uses mana to smelt ores.
An engraving plate that produces the equivalent of a machine's mainboard.
And even a zero-gravity storage device is required to preserve engineering products.
'All the equipment needed for magical engineering is here.'
These were items that were hard to get when Reed tried to obtain them because they
were not being produced.
There were few places that handled magical engineering items, and the number of
devices was limited.
'Whoever gathered all this and sent it… '
Who on earth could it be?
Even though he had not accomplished much while in the Silent Tower, someone was
willing to offer such machines.
"Ah!"
Phoebe suddenly exclaimed, startling Reed.
"By the way, there's a letter that I assume was sent along with the items from the
person who sent them."
"Why didn't you show me that earlier?"
"Ehehe, sorry."
Phoebe handed over the letter, pressing down her hair.
-I will support your endless glory and development.
-Brosa-
Since the major reform was announced, other towers would also know that magical
engineering was being studied.
However, the tower masters were not aristocratic enough to send greetings.
"It's from someone named Brosa. Do you happen to know them?"
"Brosa…"
A name that even Phoebe, who manages all schedules, does not know.
He asked with the thought that it might be an acquaintance from the past.
This was not an acquaintance from the past.
Rather, it was closer to an acquaintance in the future.
A future acquaintance only Reed knows.
"Phoebe."
"Yes?"
"How much would all these devices and equipment cost?"
"Ye-yes? Well, I'll find out!"
Phoebe hastily checked each item one by one.
After 30 minutes of verification, she was able to estimate the cost.
"It's 100,502,000 UP."
"I see."
Reed took out his chequebook.
He wrote numbers on the mana-coated paper, which couldn't be counterfeited, with
a fountain pen.
He wrote a message to be sent on the back along with his signature below.
"Put this in an envelope and send it to the Black Sky Tower Master."
"Why send it to the Black Sky Tower Master?"
"Isn't it necessary to show gratitude?"
"Ah, yes."
Phoebe received the check without objection, tilting her head.
The person who sent the magical engineering devices was Brosa.
If you put a dot on that place, it would be B.rosa.
And if you expand B, it becomes Black Rosa.
Black Rose.
There was only one person who used that alias.
'Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.'
Reed had discovered this while looking into Freesia's desk when she was an ally.
The signature Brosa is occasionally seen in places signed with Freesia's name.
'I knew she liked it, but I didn't expect her to make a gift like this.'
It was unexpected.
He could have accepted these gifts while pretending not to know the character
Brosa.
It would have been economically beneficial anyway.
However, that would have been no different from submitting to Freesia's 'taming.'
Freesia was a swamp-like woman.
She would seduce prey with deviant innocence, and the moment they step into the
swamp, she would devour them.
'I won't be the one tamed.'
That's why Reed didn't hesitate to send her money.
The Black Sky Tower is shrouded in perpetual dark clouds.
"How boring."
The Black Sky Tower Master muttered with a sulky face.
It was difficult for the Black Sky Tower and the secretary, known as the Ma-gun,
when the Tower Master, who could be considered the head of the tower, was so
indifferent.
"Master, I don't ask for much, do I? Just stamp your approval."
"Just let them handle it themselves. They do fine on their own, don't they?"
"And if something goes wrong, you'll just blow up everything, so why don't you even
bother checking?"
"That's because they messed it up. The Tower Master has no fault at all."
Not a single grain of responsibility!
It was natural for the Ma-gun to be upset, but all they could do was sigh with
resignation.
While the secretary and the Tower Master were arguing, someone entered her office.
"There's a letter for you."
"Where is it from? Isn't it polite to say where it's from first?"
"I, it's from the Silence Tower!"
Upon hearing those words, Freesia's sulky expression turned into that of a curious
child.
"From that Reed fellow?"
"Reed?"
"Let me see it."
"Master, did you just say Reed?"
It was more surprising that Freesia had called someone by their name than the fact
that the person was Reed.
Hey. You. Kid. Over there.
She would even call people by the first letter of their names, followed by '-kun', but
she was now calling someone by their proper name, which was more surprising than
the discovery of magic.
Ignoring her secretary's words, Freesia looked at the contents of the letter.
"Kyahaha!"
And then she burst into laughter!?
The secretary was bewildered, her eyes wide open.
"Master?"
"Hey, Magic Army! Check this out."
She infused magic into the paper and flicked it toward the Magic Army.
The Magic Army looked at the paper she had seen.
120,502,000 UP
Reed Adelheights Loton-
Rather than laughter, confusion dominated their reaction to the sudden appearance
of the huge sum of money.
That would probably be the reaction of most people.
"Why would the Silence Tower Master give us such a large sum of money?"
"You know, the things I said I'd send last time?"
"Oh, those magic engineering devices?"
The Black Sky Tower focused on necromancer-related research but studied all fields.
Magic engineering was one of those fields, but there was no one to take charge, so
the magic engineering devices were always left to gather dust.
"I gave those to the Silence Tower."
"What? You gave them to another tower?"
"I asked the other chief guys. 'Hey! Are you using those magic engineering products?
Are you throwing them away?' And they said, 'Oh, yes~ yes~ please throw them
away. You're the most beautiful princess in the world~.' So it's the fault of the guy
who agreed to throw them away."
"Hold on. Throwing them away and giving them to another tower are completely
different. And you didn't explain to me where they went!"
The Magic Army was dumbfounded but didn't argue further.
The amounts matched the prices of the magic engineering products they had almost
exactly.
No, it was even more.
By 20 million UP.
"We sent magic engineering products worth about 100 million, but why did they
send an extra 20 million?"
"When you ask a merchant to buy a specific product, how much extra do they
charge?"
"20%. You don't mean…"
"Right, He treated us like merchants."
It was a contemptuous remark towards the Tower of Black Sky's goodwill.
The Magic Army's expression twisted, and they raised their voice.
"How dare they! I'll demand an apology from the Silence Tower Master right now."
"Don't bother, just laugh it off. There's no fun in starting an argument."
Freesia waved her hand to calm Ma-gun.
Ironically, the one who hated being underestimated the most was Freesia.
The person who should be most upset seemed strangely calm.
Having observed the series of actions, Ma-gun finally realized.
"Could it be that you actually like this man?"
"I do like him. He saw through even my alias and showed a strong will not to be
tamed."
"Taming… How can one think of it as a taming attempt, when you didn't even use
your real name and showed such kindness?"
"That's what taming is."
Freesia lowered her legs from the desk and straightened her posture.
"I'll stamp the seal for you, so you can go now."
"What? You're giving up even though it's been less than 30 minutes?"
"Our cute Ma-gun, it's better not to bother your teacher when she's in a good mood,
right?"
"Ah, yes…"
Ma-gun placed the check on the desk and quietly withdrew.
Freesia looked again at the check that he had left behind.
She was looking at the back, not the front.
This is what was written on the back:
-Wildflower.
A wildflower that blooms to live on its own without being tamed by anyone.
Knowing the alias Brosa meant he knew Freesia very well.
So the intention of writing "wildflower" must have been clear.
-I am not yours alone.
And, like a wildflower, I will not be tamed.
Freesia was not the one to be discouraged by not being able to possess him.
She would definitely possess him.
If she couldn't, she would destroy him.
Reed was destined to be destroyed by her twisted emotions, but…
She didn't want to destroy Reed.
So she was even more drawn to him.
Reed faced resistance as he changed the main research focus of the tower and
restructured it.
Two chief mages and fifty signed members left, leaving 153 members.
It was natural to have a manpower problem since a quarter of the personnel had
suddenly left.
The question of what to do with the research projects and how to proceed was the
biggest problem.
In the end, they chose to scrap the most uncertain projects and reduce the number of
people.
There could have been complaints, but they had already laid off a large number of
fifty people, so they had no choice but to keep quiet.
It clearly showed who was in charge here.
During that time, Rosaria was educated by Phoebe and other female mages to
survive in the tower.
Her outgoing personality allowed her to quickly become friends, calling them
"Noona" and following them around like a little puppy.
Though one might think a child would get bored, she diligently followed etiquette
and basic education classes, as well as magic.
Of course, the best part she followed was magic.
-Her talent is amazing. She can't understand the theory even if we give her all day,
but when we show her how to use magic, she picks it up in no time!
For several days, she wanted to show off her progress and wanted to enter his office,
but they thought it was a sensitive time, so other mages calmed her down, and
Rosaria understood and endured.
"They could have just sent her in…"
Although he had changed a lot from before, it seemed they still thought that some of
his old personality remained.
There was no doubt that they were worried that if Reed threw a tantrum, it would
hurt her young heart.
After being completely freed from the headache, Reed decided to have a meal with
Rosaria first.
The dining room on the 81st floor.
The walls were decorated with luxurious ornaments fitting for high-ranking nobles,
and there was a long table.
But unlike the table, only Reed and Rosaria, who was sitting right next to him, were
seated.
Reed first checked Rosaria's condition with his 「Talent Appraisal」.
Name: Rosaria Adelheits Roton
Occupation: Tower Master's Daughter
Age: 7
Alignment: Neutral
Health: 100/100
Stamina: 80/80
Mana: 54,560/54,560
[Traits]
「Eternal Hole」
[Abilities]
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
「Magic Ruler」, 「Master of Adaptation」
'Impressive progress.'
In just a few days, the levels of and had reached 2.
It meant she could use most low-level attack spells.
If this had happened at a noble's mansion rather than the tower, the entire Cloud
Continent would have been turned upside down.
"Here is a steak with truffle sauce."
The chef personally delivered the hot, freshly cooked meat.
Despite her age, when he thought Rosaria would like meat, she saw the well-cooked
steak with a bored expression.
It was hard to believe that the little girl in front of him, who was eating so well, was
actually a picky eater.
"Don't you like steak?"
At Reed's question, Rosaria nodded her head.
"It's complicated. You have to use specific knives and forks. If you don't use the right
ones, you get scolded!"
"I see."
Was it because it was complicated?
Reed was fundamentally a noble, and Rosaria was also a noble, albeit due to being
adopted.
So it seemed they were teaching her manners.
Even Reed, an adult, had to review his etiquette for acting, and he needed to study
hard.
Which fork to use for picking up meat, which fork for picking up salad, which glass to
drink water from…
Although there were no major problems as she had mastered the basics of walking
and such, it was difficult for her to adapt to the sudden etiquette, as she was a girl
who couldn't even speak.
"What's your favourite food, Rosaria?"
"Sandwiches."
"Why?"
"You just eat them."
How simple are sandwiches?
You just grab the bottom with both hands and take a big bite.
Reed chuckled and pulled her steak plate towards himself.
"Let me cut it for you."
He cut her steak into bite-sized pieces and handed it back to her.
Rosaria happily started to eat with her fork.
"And I also like sandwiches."
"Really?"
"Yes, let's eat them together next time."
Her face brightened up even more.
Are sandwiches really that great?
"You're not busy now, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, can I show you the magic I learned!?"
Hearing that, he realized he had thought wrong.
How much did she want to show off after learning magic?
Reed stroked her head and said,
"Alright, let's see that magic today."
"Yay!"
Rosaria, who was delighted, raised both hands.
After the meal was over, Reed watched her magic in her room.
Clumsy elemental magic was being controlled by the dominant flow of mana and
scattered in the sky.
It sparkled and spun like a mobile.
Her magic show didn't end until she fell asleep from exhaustion.
As she had been holding back for days, there was much she wanted to show, so Reed
quietly watched.
Although it was a repetitive and potentially boring performance, Reed smiled.
It was the proud smile of a father watching his daughter's growth.
Dolores Jade threw herself from the broomstick and stood on the meadow.
Unlike when she came by pulling a sky carriage, this time she came for private
business using a personal transportation broomstick.
What she was looking up at was the Silence Tower.
From the typical tower shape stacked in a circle, a slightly reddish light flickered.
That was the Tower of Silence.
Dolores put away her broomstick and walked towards the gate of the Silence Tower.
As she approached, a huge stone door opened as if a giant was sealed inside, and a
man came running hurriedly with his face soaked in sweat.
"I'm here, pant, pant, to meet the Tower Master of Wallin, pant."
"Why are you in such a hurry if you're running away?"
"I apologize. These days, there are so few people that there is no one to stand by at
the front…"
Was it because of the massive reform?
Since she had heard about the situation at the Silence Tower, she could understand.
"So, what brings you here this time?"
"I came to see the Tower Master. I just stopped by, so please let them know I'm
moving to the personal office."
"Yes? Then, it would be difficult for us…"
"First, just tell them."
The magician connected to the office by phone through a magic spell.
After a moment, he replied.
"Yes, if the Tower Master thinks it's better that way, they said to come up to the 82nd
floor."
"Don't talk back next time. Got it?"
"I apologize, Tower Master."
The magician bowed his head in apology, and Dolores moved her steps towards the
elevator.
Dolores Jade was a genius magician who had become a Tower Master at a young age.
The Tower Master of Wallin recognized her talent early on, and after graduating
from the academy, took her in as an apprentice and raised her.
As a result of the fusion of knowledge accumulated over a long period, she became
an "Archmage," the highest title that any magician could not help but acknowledge,
and gained the ability to be recognized as the next Tower Master.
However, she also had her own troubles.
'A gift as an apology for suspicion… A gift for the development of magical
engineering… Which one is better?'
She was quite weak in casual conversations.
Though she could talk smoothly about various things in business conversations, she
could not figure out how to continue the conversation when it came to everyday
matters.
While contemplating in the elevator going up to the 82nd floor, she moved without
even being able to come to a conclusion on such a trivial issue.
Dolores knocked on the door of the Tower Master's office in the Silence Tower.
"Come in."
A low voice came from inside.
As she opened the door, she saw a man with ash-colored hair and golden eyes
working on the other side.
As Dolores tried to approach and speak,
"Wait a moment."
He stopped her.
It wasn't intentional. It was just a matter of bad timing.
Dolores stood still in her place and looked down at him.
'He really has changed.'
Not just a little, but quite a lot.
That's why Dolores felt more unfamiliar than familiar with him.
She remembered the way he had dealt with Friezia and felt tense alone.
How pathetic.
'Don't be nervous, Dolores.'
She was one who never backed down in countless nerve battles.
The Tower Master of the Silence Tower was nothing in the first place.
She stared at Reed, putting strength in her eyes.
"Master of Wallin's Tower, I heard you were coming up…"
Reed's words were cut off, and his movements stopped.
Dolores was taken aback as well.
"…Why are you doing that?"
"I was just wondering if I did something wrong to you."
Maybe it was because she had strained her eyes too much, but Dolores' behavior felt
like she was angry at him.
She left a bad first impression.
Dolores coughed awkwardly to gloss over the situation.
"Cough, cough… The Tower has become quieter."
"Of course, I fired 50 people."
"Disciples and magicians who were fired from the Silence Tower are all applying at
other towers. You must have heard about that, right?"
"I have ears to hear, too."
Magicians who were driven out usually had no prospects.
If they were in the middle of a project and had some achievements, other towers
would hire them, but there was no way the magicians of the Silence Tower had
anything like that.
They only ended up in a miserable situation after being incompetent and just being
stubborn.
"Deal with them more surely. Those guys will definitely crawl back up again. The
project's confidential…"
"They're incompetent anyway. They have nothing but the ambition to establish
themselves in remote villages and act as masters."
"Right. I was worried for nothing."
"It's advice from a Tower Master. I appreciate it."
"Well… After all, we should help each other as Tower Masters. Nowadays, official
mages are getting too out of control."
There was competition among the towers, but the greatest enemy were still the
official magicians.
"So… Is magic engineering going well?"
"Did you come to ask that?"
"Is there any other reason for me to come here?"
Dolores regretted her words as soon as she said them.
In fact, she wanted to say that she had come to give a gift.
'How silly of me.'
At her words, Reed stood up from his seat and walked over.
His golden eyes got closer and closer.
Her blue eyelashes fluttered rapidly like a startled butterfly.
"Um, what?"
"Follow me."
"Yes?"
"If you're curious, why don't you see for yourself?"
Reed took her to the research wing on the 80th floor.
The once cluttered equipment was now gone, and magic engineering devices were
efficiently arranged.
"You haven't started the research yet?"
"Since the ordered goods haven't arrived, getting familiar with the equipment and
devices is the top priority."
"It must have been hard to get these devices… I wonder when the Tower Master of
Silence expanded his reach like this."
"I got them from the Black Sky Tower."
"…Black Sky?"
Dolores's chatter stopped.
Reed looked back at her, who suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Her face had a devastated expression.
However, it was just a momentary lapse.
Reid calmly explained to her.
"Don't worry. Black Sky gave me such a large amount of goods, so I paid her an
equally large sum. I have no intention of falling for Black Sky's scheme."
"…Who said I was worried?"
Nevertheless, Dolores felt a little relieved inside.
Muttering that this was simply for the relationship between the Tower Masters, she
followed him.
Dolores and Reed inspected all the magic engineering devices in the research wing.
As Reed came outside and pressed the elevator button, he said,
"That's the end. If there's nothing else, I'll escort you to the gate."
Since she came to see how magic engineering was going, her business was up to that
point.
Given Dolores's pride, she would undoubtedly take the elevator down.
And the gift she intended to give would remain tucked away in her storage magic
warehouse.
But she was a bit different today.
Freesia Vulcan Darkrider, the Tower Master of Black Sky.
She remembered the cheeky kid's words.
-May I take him?
A surge of emotion welled up, opening her mouth to speak.
"Um, well…"
As Reid waited for the elevator, he turned his head.
"What is it?"
"I… I also brought a gift."
"A gift?"
Dolores reached out her hand into the air.
Then the air shook gently as if creating ripples on the surface of water, and her hand
was swallowed up.
Moments later, she took out an item.
It was an unbelievable gift to be given by a Tower Master.
"It's a… doll."
It was a teddy bear.
A small-sized teddy bear with white stripes on a brown background.
Reed received the bear.
"To be precise, it's not a gift for the Tower Master, but for the child named Rosaria."
Dolores's voice was not as confident as when she was chatting.
She was like a timid little kitten.
She was like a shy kitten crying softly from a distance.
Reed silently looked at the gift Dolores had given, turning it over in his hands.
As he did so, thousands of thoughts began to flood her mind.
Her gift seemed too small.
'Is he comparing it to Black Sky? He easily handed over devices worth millions of UP,
while I'm giving a doll worth just a few hundred UP.'
Reed would be left wanting more.
In the worst case, she even imagined him dropping the teddy bear and laughing
wickedly.
After examining the bear for a while, Reid handed it back to Dolores.
'I knew it. It wasn't needed.'
But that wasn't his intention for returning it.
"Give it to her directly."
"…What?"
Dolores raised her head.
"If it's a gift for Rosaria, it's right for you to give it."
"…You should give it."
"Wouldn't it be frustrating for both the giver and the receiver if I were to give it on
your behalf?"
"Ha!."
"Let's go to Rosaria's room."
Dolores's face turned red.
If Reed had known what she was thinking, she would have been too embarrassed to
lift her face.
They took the elevator to the 81st floor and entered Rosaria's room.
As expected from a child's room, it had cozy colors and soft, fluffy furniture.
Rosaria, who was sitting at her desk reading a book, jumped up at the sound of the
door opening and greeted Reed.
"Papa!"
"Rosaria, I told you not to run, you'll get hurt."
"Papa!!!"
Rosaria charged straight towards him and hugged him.
Reed could only smile as he brushed her white hair back.
"There's a guest here. You should greet her, shouldn't you?"
"Ah!"
Only then did she let go and look up at Dolores.
"Hello! My name is Rosaria Adelhei… Tzuuuuuu…"
"Ahem, Roton."
"Roton!"
The child's awkward greeting.
In response, Dolores politely greeted Rosaria as well.
"I'm Dolores Jade…, the Tower Master of the Wallin Tower."
"Dolores… it's a pretty name."
Her bright red eyes looked up at Dolores, almost blindingly beautiful.
Reed squatted down and spoke to her.
"Today, the Tower Master has prepared a gift for Rosaria."
"A gift?"
At that, Dolores handed over the teddy bear she was holding.
"Here…"
"It's a bear!"
Rosaria, raising her hands in excitement, hugged the teddy bear tightly.
The bear was about the same size as her little head.
"I got a teddy bear! A bear! A teddy bear!"
As she twirled around and danced, something occurred to Rosaria, and she ran back
to Dolores.
Her innocent eyes looked up at Dolores as she asked,
"Dolores Noona!"
"Uh, Noona?"
Dolores was taken aback by the long-forgotten term of endearment.
"Can I give a name to the teddy bear?"
"A, a name?"
"Yeah. Lucy! I want to call her Lucy! Is that okay?"
How could she refuse?
Dolores nodded her head.
"Y-yes, Lucy is good. It's a lovely name."
"Thanks for giving me Lucy, Dolores Noona."
Dolores couldn't say any more.
The innocence seemed to cruelly choke her.
Dolores had no choice but to turn her head and hide her blushing face.
Reed sent Rosaria back to her desk and stepped outside.
As they quietly waited for the elevator,
"She was a bit rude, wasn't she?"
"Are you angry?"
"Would I get mad at a child? That would be foolish…"
If she said she blushed out of embarrassment, it would make her look even more
pathetic.
Dolores touched her cold cheeks with her hands.
"I'll go to the gate alone."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm not a child. And next time…"
As she stepped into the elevator, she stared at Reed.
Her clear, lake-like eyes met his, despite her bright red face.
"I'll prepare a gift for you as well."
At first, she thought he was a bad guy, but she saw him differently now.
It was cute.
She was as cute as an injured cat cautiously letting down its guard and approaching.
Reed smiled faintly at her words.
"I'll look forward to it."
The elevator descended.
She had not even been there for an hour, yet she felt strangely refreshed.
"I've brought the items you asked for, hehehe."
The treacherous laughter of the one-eyed rat, Leto, echoed in the reception room.
Three weeks after the reform of the Tower of Silence, the materials for the first
project finally arrived.
Leto, who looked like a rat-human, handed over a stone on a plate from the other
side.
The item Reed had ordered through Leto was called Magnesium.
Magnesium
Type: Material item
It is a byproduct produced when a salamander consumes iron.
Purity: 99.8%
People refer to this ore in the following ways:
Lizard's poop.
Or trash.
The material itself is softer than brass and is sometimes mixed in small amounts
with iron for mass production at a low cost.
'The perception is like that now.'
As a byproduct of the fire spirit Salamander's consumption, it reacts to mana.
Depending on the amount of mana, it could be as strong as the so-called Black Iron,
the hardest material.
The discovery of this ore dates back to about three years ago. The discovery was
announced through academia, but no one showed interest in Magnesium.
Although it could be stronger than Black Iron, the moment mana runs out, its
functionality would be completely lost.
The prevailing belief in the magical academic world was that it would be better to
study other magic rather than research such an imperfect ore.
However, Reed's thoughts were different.
'It's the most valuable treasure in the world.'
It was such a treasure that if not acquired now, it would be impossible to obtain
when desired.
"Even though it's quite valuable in another sense, I had a hard time finding it, hehe.
But what do you intend to use such trash for?"
"That's not for you to know."
"Ah, yes, of course. I overstepped my bounds."
He was a guy who fed on information, so questions came out as naturally as
breathing.
"I will give you the agreed-upon payment in advance."
Reed handed him a heavy silver coin box that had been prepared beforehand.
A total of 20,000 UPs.
He had contracted to purchase 4,000 kg of magnesium at 50 UP per 1kg, which cost
42 UP.
Now only 1,500 kg had arrived, but they had written an agreement that the
remaining items would be shipped within three months, so there would be no
significant problems.
"I hope you can provide everything within the next three months."
"Yes, yes! Of course! What kind of business would I be in if I didn't trust you? Oh, by
the way…"
"What is it?"
"This is a small gift I have prepared for you, Tower Master!"
"A gift?"
Leto placed a box he had pushed to the side on the desk.
"Ha-ha, don't worry, Tower Master. Even though I'm Leto, I can't compete with your
discerning eye, but I still thought hard about what I could find that might be able to
catch up with you."
Reed opened the neatly wrapped box and looked at its contents.
It was a thick book.
- Isaac's 108 Fairy Tales.
It was a collection of fairy tales.
"I thought the atmosphere here would be quite dull, kekeke. I brought something fun
for the kids to enjoy, for the slave… I mean, Miss Rosaria."
"What do you think?"
How was it?
To be honest?
Reed looked at Leto a bit differently.
Of course, it was not just the gift itself that moved him.
'He thinks I don't abuse my adopted daughter behind her back, which means that his
information-gathering ability is definitely excellent.'
This kind of gift would have been impossible without accurately spotting the recent
status of Rosaria, who was adopted as a slave.
If there had been any image of Reed disliking Rosaria, he would have given her
something she needed instead.
'Even while he brought me something hard to obtain… '
Reed found it impressive that Leto had such a good sense despite his rat-like face.
'Well, that's what these kinds of guys live on.'
Although he was grateful for the gift and wanted him to give it to her in person…
- It's a gift, Miss. Kekeke.
- Thank you, Leto Oppa!
'…I have to stop it. I've simulated it over 100 times in my brain, and all I can see are
dangerous images.'
Reed calmly thanked him.
"I just needed it. Thank you."
"Kekeke, I'm glad."
Leto smiled awkwardly.
'But don't be too happy. There's still more to come.'
Reed put that gift on the seat next to him and asked him.
"By the way."
"Yes, yes."
"You brought a gift for my daughter, but nothing for me?"
"…Yes?"
Leto's face, which had been satisfied, turned rigid.
A brief silence.
"Yes?"
Raising the remaining eyebrow, he asked again.
"I'm asking if you brought a gift for my daughter and none for the Tower Master."
"Ah, well, that's…"
Leto stammered.
It looked so pitiful that it was almost laughable.
"Actually, I thought I wouldn't be able to catch up with Tower Master's sense, so I
didn't prepare anything in the form of an item."
"Then what is it?"
"That… I'll give you one piece of information you want for free."
Receiving information that normally costs more than 1,000 YP for free seemed to be
a gift in itself.
'Is this why people abuse their power? It's so much fun.'
"I won't ask for too much since it's a gift from your sincerity."
"Yes, yes…"
"I have a question about myself. What was the reaction of the magicians to the fact
that I was studying Magic Engineering?"
Leto lived in the capital of Garcia, the most influential empire on the Cloud
Continent.
Since everything goes through Garcia, his sources of information are the widest.
So, his information should also include the opinions of the artisans and mages of the
empire.
"Oh, well, that's the thing. Opinions are divided on whether you are becoming a
pioneer in Magic Engineering, kekeke…"
It was a lie.
Leto's laughter changed subtly when he lied.
"I don't need flattery. Tell me the truth."
"Ah, yes, understood. As you expected, Tower Master, most of the opinions are
negative."
The mages of the workshops thought that the Silence Tower had hit rock bottom and
the magicians of the tower itself looked down upon Reed for allowing such a
perception.
However, neither the tower nor the workshops could completely ignore the changes
Reed had made.
"It's because of Rosaria."
"That's right. Miss Rosaria is getting a lot of attention."
Though only Dolores and Freesia had actually come to see her, the other tower
masters were likely keeping an eye on Rosaria as well.
'The next Tower Master meeting will definitely bring this up.'
Reed's ultimate reason for asking about himself was because of the Tower Master
meeting.
The transition to Magic Engineering, mass layoffs, and the emergence of a super
rookie.
It's hard to believe that so many things happened at the Silence Tower in just a
month.
With so many stories piling up, there's no way the Tower Master meeting wouldn't
be itching to discuss it all.
'Should I expand the board?'
For Rosaria's future and for the image of the Silence Tower trapped in the gutter, it
might be worth trying some bold strategies.
Reed glanced down at Leto.
As Leto glanced back up at him, he bowed his head and stood at attention.
"Alright, you rat. You've given me good information, so I'll give you a piece of
information too."
He would give information.
To put it bluntly, it meant to spread this information.
"What kind of information do you mean?"
"Rosaria is currently learning magic. However…"
"However?"
"She's hopelessly dull."
"Yes, yes??"
"She's slow to understand, her pronunciation is of course, and she can't even get the
basic breathing right, even after several teachings. She's just a girl with a lot of
mana."
The nuance was the problem, but it was true.
Rosaria was indeed a genius in magic, but her genius only extended to magic itself.
As a group of senior magicians tried to teach her, they showed her various theories,
but question marks still lingered in her mind.
She was a child who excelled more at direct observation and manifestation than
learning from the theories of others.
If one were to cut away that portion, her state would not be strange if she were
simply considered as a fool.
Leto squinted his eyes and frowned.
"Ah, ah… I see. Then, you must be very heartbroken."
"Why would I be heartbroken? I love Rosaria just the way she is."
"Ah, I've overstepped my bounds again… I understand."
"Do make sure to spread this rumor."
With that, Leto, who had been lost in thought, looked up at Reed and spoke.
"This is just a rumor that I heard."
"Make sure it is."
In other words, don't spread it directly as a rumor, but indirectly.
'No one will believe this rumor anyway.'
There have been rare cases where some people can sense mana but cannot use
magic itself.
However, "rare" is the keyword.
The chances of such an individual, who cannot use magic, coincidentally becoming
the adopted daughter of the Tower Master is almost zero.
So, they would be even more curious about Rosaria's existence.
The more they build up a fantasy, the more people have expectations.
Although that fantasy might turn into a scam, Reed already knew.
That she is an existence beyond what the Tower Masters can imagine with their rigid
minds.
The 80th floor of the Tower Master's research building.
In the Magic Engineering laboratory, Reed gazed at the magnesium piled up in boxes.
At first glance, it looked like a metal between brass and iron.
Reed grabbed a piece of magnesium with his hand.
The magnesium, which had the shape of a stone, left a mark as if it was crushed like
soft clay.
It would break apart if used as armor, so using it as a piece of equipment would be a
bad idea.
Reed's research using magnesium involved this.
Magnesium alloy reinforcement and maintenance using magic stones.
Type: Research Project
Author: Reed Adeleheights Roton
Whether magnesium, whose material and hardness change depending on the
presence and concentration of mana, can be adjusted and maintained using magic
stones, and whether it can be used for metal products or substitutes.
Hypothesis formulation status: O
Research progress: -
It can be used for metal items (100%).
A new research project will be unlocked (20%).
This research aimed to not only switch to Magic Engineering as a field of study but
also to maintain Reed's dignity as a Tower Master at the upcoming Tower Master
meeting.
Carrying Rosaria on his back and showing off as a boss would be the most
humiliating image for him.
'The Tower Master meeting is in five days.'
Will something worth showing come out within that time?
The unknowns were still there.
Reed chose this particular research project.
Having a clearly established hypothesis meant that the research would definitely be
successful if conducted.
'Success means you can use magnesium, and a new project will be unlocked at a 20%
chance… '
This was similar to the research system in the game 'Disaster 7'.
You can retry even if you fail.
All you lose is probably money, time, and some conditions.
In the case of this research, there was a condition of unlocking a new project at a
20% chance upon the first success.
'The chances of success are only 20%, though… '
It was a situation where luck played a huge role, but Reed did not neglect that.
He would catch both rabbits for sure.
He would participate in the experiment with that determination.
"How do I start the research?"
Usually, when you enter the research system, other NPCs do it all, and the
protagonist only hunts and gathers materials.
Getting involved in the actual research would just add tedious elements to the RPG
game.
As soon as he asked, a message appeared in front of Reed.
It was the first step of the experiment as written in the research project.
[1. Put magnesium in the mana furnace and heat it to ??? degrees for ??? minutes,
then pour it into a casting mold to cool it down.]
The first hurdle had been reached. Reed didn't know at what temperature to melt the
magnesium and for how long he had to heat it.
"Let's see…"
The information on magnesium was useless and scarce.
So, all he could do was try it out one by one.
Reed had already mastered the operation of the mana furnace before starting the
experiment, so it wasn't difficult.
Reed put two lumps of magnesium into the furnace's top-loading hole.
Then, he placed his hand on the iron handle and radiated mana.
Kuguguguk…
When a little magic power was injected, the unstable vibration inside was felt.
The initial uneasiness gradually stabilized, and the vibrations became less
noticeable.
Reed displayed temperature and operation time in front of him, controlling it by the
amount of mana input.
Since it was the first attempt, he heated it at 1,500 degrees for 10 minutes, which is
the melting point of iron.
After a while, the melted magnesium flowed down the hole into the ingot mold.
Ten minutes later, he took out the cooled ingot.
Magnesium Ingot
Type: Material Item
A ingot made from processing Magnesium, a byproduct of salamanders consuming
iron.
: Too high a temperature and too long a heating time resulted
in the loss of some of the material's original properties.
: The magnesium mana reactivity has decreased by 30%.
"Wow."
Below the normal material item, additional descriptions were added.
As they say, knowledge is power - Reed's ability had and
Science levels that matched the added information.
dealt with the properties of the material as magic, while
dealt with the loss of the processed material's properties.
' would have shown the appropriate temperature if it reached level
4, like … '
Being a diligent magician rather than a mechanic, Reed must have abandoned
refining the manufacturing skill.
He threw the magnesium ingot, which had lost some of its properties, into a discard
box at the back.
'About two lumps of magnesium make up one ingot, so it's about 1 kg.'
This means that he can try 1,500 times in total.
With plenty of ammunition, Reed bravely adjusted his technique and produced
magnesium ingots.
: Too low a temperature and too short a heating time resulted
in the loss of some of the material's original properties.
: The magnesium mana reactivity has decreased by 60%.
: A low temperature and a long heating time resulted in the
alteration of some of the material's original properties.
: The magnesium mana reactivity has decreased by 70%.
He set the range and adjusted it as finely as possible within that range.
By doing so, he would eventually arrive at the appropriate temperature.
For about three hours, Reed focused only on making magnesium.
"Phew… that was tough."
Working with mana demanded a high level of concentration. Being close to the
scorching heat left him drenched in sweat.
"I should make a work uniform."
The shirt and jacket of the uniform didn't help at all.
Reed threw off his soaked clothes and tried to focus again.
At that moment.
"Ugh!"
An intense headache rushed in, followed by a wave of exhaustion.
Reed's strength drained from his lower body, and he barely managed to lean on the
table.
Hot nosebleed flowed from his nose like a faucet.
"What's going on?"
There was clearly something wrong with his body.
Reed opened his status window.
What appeared before him was his completely depleted mana pool.
- Mana: 0/4,982
It is called mana exhaustion in the world.
'He was so absorbed that he didn't even notice his mana running out.'
When a person's stamina is completely depleted, they die, and when their mana is
depleted, they can also die as a magician.
In the martial arts world, this would be compared to losing one's inner energy.
There were those who became disabled magicians that could not use magic and
experienced pain like being pierced by a thousand needles whenever they tried to
use magic.
At least 10% of mana should have been left, but Reed was not careful enough.
'But I'm fine.'
What could have potentially turned him into a cripple was easily avoided thanks to
Reed's 「Tower Master of Silence Tower」 trait.
「Tower Master of Silence Tower」
Type: Passive
Only applicable within the Silence Tower.
You can access all scriptures.
You can use all functions.
Mana recovery speed is greatly accelerated.
You can absorb the tower's mana and recover your own mana using the Tower
Master's authority.
Even when not focusing on mana recovery, it slowly rises and aids Reed's recovery.
Tiny bits of mana reacted and increased like dew at dawn.
Now that there was just enough energy to meditate, Reed closed his eyes and
focused on breathing in and out.
The mana that had been gradually accumulating increased exponentially as it piled
up.
Within a minute, the mana that hadn't recovered even 10% was able to recover up to
90% in just five minutes.
Reed opened his eyes and got up.
The throbbing headache was completely gone, and he felt refreshed. He covered the
nosebleed stains with a nearby rag.
Looking at the ingots he had made, Reed counted the numbers.
There were a total of 50 magnesium ingots.
'It takes around 50 kg before I reach a state of exhaustion.'
He carefully recorded the narrowed error range he had meticulously determined.
'So it won't happen again,' Reed promised himself as he checked the progress of his
research.
[Research progress: 3%]
He was actually failing, but this progress was not bad.
'Now I have only three days left… '
Would there be something worth showing within that time?
The unknown still remained.
The next day, Phoebe's behavior became strange.
She greeted with a lively face as before, but she was lingering around Reed like an
anxious puppy.
Glancing up and occasionally pursing her lips, she made Reed have no choice but to
open his mouth first.
"What's the matter?"
"Oh? Ah, well… How's your research going?"
She asked with an uneasy voice and awkward greeting.
Reed pretended not to notice her condition and nodded.
"Good."
"Isn't it too hard for you to do it alone?"
It was hard.
It was unavoidable.
Even though he took breaks while constantly replenishing his Mana, after about 8
hours, he felt drained and lost all his desires.
"It's bearable."
"Should I help you?"
"You focus on the tower work. That's helping me."
"I'll assign some assistant mages to you. It's going to be a dangerous experiment…"
"No, it's not that dangerous right now."
"Then at least let me…"
The conversation went back to the starting point.
What should this situation be called?
It felt like a large dog sneaking up into bed and sticking to him all of a sudden.
The fact that she was worried made him feel good, but she was so tenacious that it
was extremely annoying.
'She must have seen the blood and sweat.'
He couldn't help but understand why she was worrying like this.
She must have seen the blood and sweat-streaked clothes in the lab, and though she
didn't think it was Mana exhaustion, she might have thought it was fatigue.
So, she wanted to lend a hand, and her concern for him was as tall as a chimney.
How adorable was this subordinate?
He even thought it was a bit excessive, but this was enough to make him laugh.
"Don't worry. There will definitely be times when I'll need your help later, so do it
then. And…"
"Yes, tell me."
"Since I'll be sweating a lot in the future, order a few sportswear made of durable
materials."
"I understand. Is there anything else you want me to do?"
Her face seemed to say 'Please let me do anything.'
It seemed like saying there was no need for anything else would sound like a cruel
breakup.
Reed thought carefully.
"Close your eyes for a moment."
Phoebe obediently closed her eyes.
For some reason, her lips were pouting out.
Reed wasn't interested in the cherry-like lips.
He brought both gloved hands to her cheeks.
Then, with his thumb and index finger, he stretched them out.
"Ugh…"
'It doesn't stretch as much as I thought.'
It looked like a bean powder-covered rice cake, so he thought it would stretch a lot.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Phoebe asked with a muffled tone if there was any effect.
'There is a slight healing effect, though.'
"It's just a personal question."
Reed let go of the stretched cheek.
Phoebe held her pinched cheeks and asked him.
"Has the problem been solved?"
"It's solved. Thank you."
Phoebe smiled, her eyes glistening.
She didn't know what the problem was, but she was happy to know that she had
helped.
Reed began to immerse himself in his research again today.
Two days later, in the morning.
As Phoebe tidied up the clothes, she said,
"How's the status of the ley line Mana?"
"The concentration is below 10%, and there are areas that have exceeded 12% from
the 12th day, but it was just an intermittent crustal movement that occurred during
the dispatch."
"What about the monster's movement?"
"Recently, a group of goblins tried to attack the residential area, but they were
promptly reported to the kingdom and sent an army. They succeeded in early
suppression."
"As expected, our Tower Master! You're perfect."
This was the situation where they were practising the conversations to be exchanged
in the Tower Master's conference in advance.
It wasn't a usual thing, but maybe Phoebe suggested it first because she thought the
other Tower Masters would act sensitively after missing a Tower Master's
conference once.
"Shouldn't we start moving soon?"
"Wait a minute!"
"It's not necessary to worry about such minor things as clothing…"
"Is it not!? It's definitely going to stretch! Like a cheese made out of goat milk!"
Isn't it Phoebe, not the Tower Masters, who is more sensitive?
Since Reed had seen how Phoebe was tormented by the Tower Masters, he couldn't
tell her to stop.
"It's enough to say 'No problem' in the documents. They probably won't like it since I
missed without permission."
"Don't worry about it."
Having said that, Reed spent 30 minutes checking with Phoebe before she let him go.
"Tower Master, fighting!"
With both hands raised in cheers, Reed climbed into the sky carriage.
"Let's get started."
"Yes."
The sky carriage started and began to lift into the air.
Although the carriage looked like a sled without a horse and seemed to rock
smoothly while riding the air currents, it didn't feel like anything once actually riding
it.
"It's not a big deal."
While riding in a luxurious carriage, he smoothly travelled through the air without
any shaking.
He looked down for a few moments before he got a little bored, and Reed took out an
object stored in his storage magic.
The object was a Magnesium Ingot.
Type: Material Item
An ingot made from the byproduct of a Salamander eating iron.
: The Magnesium properties are intact.
: The Magnesium properties are intact.
The ingot was the result of 428 trials and errors, which led to the creation of a
perfect Magnesium Ingot.
Reed's work over the past three days had been merely to create this ingot.
'It's a bit vague to call it an achievement… '
However, just by creating one ingot, the progress of his research had significantly
increased.
[Research Progress: 20%]
It had been three days, and it had reached 20%. That was enough to say that it was
proceeding in some way.
'No one would be interested in that, though.'
Since Magic Engineering was despised, the outcome or prospects themselves would
not be of interest.
The main focus of this Tower Masters' Conference would undoubtedly be Rosaria.
'I told Leto to spread the rumor that I adopted a dumb child.'
There wasn't a single person who believed that rumor.
What was even better was that the disbelief left room for uncertainty.
In the world of magicians, uncertainty is something that causes a sort of mental
disorder.
So, they would question Reed to make sure they found the truth before this mental
disorder killed them.
'I'm looking forward to it. Already… '
Although Reed wanted to be noticed, the main purpose was still for Rosaria.
Nothing had changed in that respect.
Shortly after, a small jolt alerted Reed, who then opened his eyes.
The sky carriage had landed. They had arrived at their destination.
Reed got off the sky carriage.
'This is the place for the conference.'
The location of the 13 Tower Masters.
In the center of a vast plain, the place felt like a club for the top 0.1% of the upper
class seen in movies.
'I've been here a few times.'
Most of the times, it was in a broken state.
This was the first time he saw it intact.
As Reed approached the entrance, a magician who had been waiting there greeted
him politely.
"Welcome, Tower Master."
"Will you guide me to the conference room?"
"I'm afraid it's rather shabby since it's still being prepared."
"That's fine."
The magician had a troubled expression but soon led Reed to the conference room.
The conference room had a well-decorated ambiance, just as its appearance
indicated.
In the middle, there was a large round table with an engraving of the Cloud
Continent and 13 chairs.
And there was a man, a giant, wiping the table with a dry cloth.
"You came early, Tower Master of Silence."
The man said, seeing Reed.
A 2m tall figure with broad shoulders.
Trimmed short black hair, disheveled beard, and traces of white time that were
visible from the messy beard.
At a glance, he looked like a bouncer working at a bar.
If Reed hadn't known he was a magician, it wouldn't have been strange for him to
think that way.
He was the chairman of the Tower Masters' Conference and the Tower Master of Sky
Chamber.
Helios Glin Zelonia.
He was the number one among the Tower Masters, surpassing even Freesia, and was
the oldest current Tower Master.
Reed respectfully greeted him.
"Tower Master of Silence, Reed Adeleheights Roton."
"Sky Chamber's Tower Master, Helios Glin Zelonia. Why did you come so early
instead of waiting in the reception room?"
The reason for coming early was simple.
He wanted to figure out his position in the conference room in advance and see who
would come into his sight first.
He was trying to collect preliminary information to act as the original Reed.
"I thought it would be boring to spend time in the reception room."
"I heard that it's a behavior only subordinates do by waiting earlier than the
appointed time, but it seems you've become a subordinate by admitting that."
A smile appeared as if Helios had scored a point.
'Did Reed say something like that? After all, Reed is like an arrogant noble magician.'
Reed asked him, who was wiping the round table.
"Can I help you?"
"You're a noble who can even say that he'll help. It's fine. This is my chronic illness. I
have to do it myself because I know about it."
Helios was famous for being obsessed with cleanliness, almost to the point of a
germaphobe.
He never entrusted his room or library, etc., to others, cleaning them himself instead.
He was cleaning the conference room alone due to such a personality.
"Then, I'll take my seat first."
"Go ahead."
As Reed sat in the chair with "Silence Tower" written on it, he went over the report
he had practiced with Phoebe once more.
Time passed quickly, and the second visitor entered.
"The sun must have risen in the west for you to come early."
At the very moment he was about to see who it was, the person said,
"Who would want to come early? That secretary keeps crawling over and sweet-
talking me, so I got annoyed and broke the door to fly here alone."
A childish tone and way of speaking.
It was undoubtedly the Tower Master of Black Sky, Freesia.
There was no need to turn his head. She must be wearing a Goth-loli dress.
"Unusually for your personality, you seem to be tightly controlled by your secretary."
"I'm not controlled at all. I just let her be because I didn't want to be bothered, and
she kept crawling up."
"Why not just make her a corpse as usual?"
"If I turn that brat into an undead, she'll be even more useless. Once I find a
replacement, I'll just throw her from the top of the Black Sky Tower."
The ruthless conversation continued, and then the Tower Master of Black Sky went
to her seat.
Freesia's seat was on the opposite side of Reed's. It wasn't exactly the opposite, but
the distance was long.
'Fortunately.'
He had recently sent a refusal to her gift, so there was a slight uncomfortable feeling
between them.
As Reed lowered his gaze, he inadvertently met eyes with Freesia.
As their eyes met, Freesia quickly folded her umbrella and walked towards Reed
with a swagger.
She looked like a lion walking towards her trapped prey.
"I am the Tower Master of Silence, Reed Adeleheights Roton."
Freesia didn't accept Reed's polite greeting, just looking down at him like a cat.
'What is it? What do you want to say?'
As they stared at each other for a while, Freesia sneakily looked at the seat next to
her.
It was the seat of the Tower Master of Greenwood.
She quietly stared at the name, then pulled out a pen from her storage magic.
Scribbling sounds.
What she was doing was surprising.
She added the word 'Black Sky' over the seat marked 'Greenwood.'
Then, she nodded her head in satisfaction and said,
"Wow, when did my seat change?"
She shamelessly pretended it was her seat, placing her legs on the table.
Her voluminous Goth-loli dress slid down due to gravity, exposing her black
stockings.
'Is she planning to bother me at the Tower Masters' conference?'
Feeling annoyed that he had paid 20% more than the price for the gift, treating her
as a merchant, he thought she could have been offended.
People's hearts are unpredictable. So, this behavior bothered him.
Reed glanced at Helios.
Helios seemed to have noticed as he glanced at Freesia's seat and furrowed his brow.
"Black Sky, clean up the seat you dirtied before you go."
…It seemed he didn't mind the change in seats.
As the chairman agreed, what power did Reed have to stop this tyranny and high-
handedness?
"Hello?"
Freesia smirked and greeted him friendly.
Goosebumps rose first from the awkward feeling.
"………Hello?"
"Is your daughter doing well?"
"She's doing well."
"Are you not dressing her in rags again? If you want, I'll send you a few more sets of
my clothes."
The clothes Freesia had given Rosaria were Goth-loli dresses.
There was a time when he asked Rosaria how she felt about Goth-loli dresses.
With a sullen face, she replied,
- I'm sick of them.
That one sentence, echoing gently in his heart.
Being stabbed like a dagger in Freesia's chest.
"I've received too many gifts recently, so if I accept the tower master's gift, it will
spoil her manners. I will just accept your kind intentions for now."
"Wow, a strict father. If your parenting philosophy is like that, what can we do~"
She smiled innocently and finished talking, not initiating any further conversation.
Shortly after, it was almost time for the conference, and the once-empty conference
hall filled up with Tower Masters.
All the Tower Masters naturally found their seats and sat down.
Even the Tower Master of Greenwood, whose seat had been switched, was initially
confused but took the Black Sky seat after Freesia gestured for her to step down.
There was no real bully here.
Reed scanned each person seated in the conference room.
'As expected, they all appear in the game.'
All of their faces were shown in , except for one - the Tower Master of
Wallin.
She was seated across from Reed, far enough away that she would have to cross two
legs to reach him.
All the participants had gathered, and Helios, the chairman of the Tower Masters'
Conference, began the meeting.
"I would like to thank all the Tower Masters for participating in the 872nd regular
Tower Masters' Conference."
"Today… as usual, all 13 of us are gathered."
Reed pretended to be unconcerned and flashed a slight smile.
"Anyway, let's start with our usual periodic reports."
Starting with the Tower Master of Thought Tower, the presentation went clockwise.
The main tasks involved monitoring monster movements and checking magical
energy areas, as maintaining the stability of the continent's security was also one of
their purposes with the magic research.
The settlement proceeded as planned, thanks to the prior practice with Phoebe.
Despite it being his first time, he recited everything smoothly.
The Tower Master Meeting was going well.
"I see there's no report on any particular trends, so I guess everyone's peaceful. Lord
Jade Tower, how's the recent project direction?"
"Although it's embarrassing for being a report, there hasn't been much progress."
"What's the matter?"
"Well…"
The man from Jade Tower explained the difficulties he encountered during the
project, as Helios listened with a serious expression. Being the chairman and the
most senior among them, he fulfilled his duties as the most reliable advisor.
However, the other Tower Masters seemed somewhat distracted, since they were
either trying to help, scolding the man for his incompetence or ignoring him
altogether.
Everyone knew the main theme of this Tower Master Meeting wasn't supposed to
discuss the project and its difficulties.
Reed was feeling the anticipation of the gathered Tower Masters.
"Anyway, it seems that everyone has difficulty concentrating at this meeting."
Knowing why the atmosphere became dull, Chairman Helios decided to ignore the
other Tower Masters and directly address Reed.
"Lord Silence Tower."
"Yes."
Reed politely answered, as if he had been waiting for that moment.
"How is the situation in the Silence Tower?"
Helios hinted at discussing Rosaria.
"Recently, we've been researching the use of magnesium."
"You mean the byproduct of those lizards?"
"Yes, that's the one. We're studying how to change its hardness and material using
magic stones and fixing it in place."
"Hmm."
Although not what he wanted, Helios didn't pursue the matter further.
It was the freedom of the Tower Masters to talk about their projects. Just because the
others were expecting it, Reed couldn't just speak about Rosaria.
"Magic Engineering… adopting a bold approach that most wizards wouldn't even
think of."
"We took a daring choice for the sake of a better future."
"I hope your choice ends up being successful. Are there any difficulties?"
"There haven't been any difficulties so far."
Just as Reed was about to wrap up the conversation, a smug voice cut through the
calm atmosphere.
"Then let's just move on to the main topic without talking about what you've made
from lizard feces."
Reed and the other Tower Masters turned their heads to the owner of that voice.
'Nicholas Rottenstein, the Lord of Monolith Tower.'
With messy black hair and a red long coat that was too casual to be called a uniform,
Nicholas Rottenstein was not someone to be underestimated. He wore snake leather
gloves and a chain necklace, and had small eyes with slim facial features, making him
the perfect face of a villain.
'Strangely weak around the strong and cruelly strong against the weak, similar to
Reed in some ways.'
The main difference between Reed and Nicholas was that while Reed studied all
types of magic, Nicholas focused solely on fire magic, earning him the title of "Fire
Master."
"Master of Silence Tower, do you think we're interested in such trivial things? Don't
you know what we're waiting for right now?"
"Master of Monolith Tower, that's quite rude."
Nicholas sneered as other Tower Masters agreed with him.
"Just for argument's sake, is anyone here interested in magic engineering products?
Tell me."
Nobody responded.
'I thought it would be pathetic, but experiencing it is quite depressing.'
Nicholas, with a smug look on his face, shouted arrogantly.
"Look, everyone is waiting for a different story! Even now, do you still want to brag
about lizard feces?"
Dolores Jade, the Tower Master of Wallin, rebuked Nicholas.
"Master of Monolith Tower, isn't it impolite to interrupt others? Master of Silence
Tower is also a Tower Master. Show some respect."
"Oh, wow. The one who always belittles Lord Silence Tower is now on his side. Did
you have a change of heart?"
"Would you like to know why wizards shouldn't talk recklessly?"
"My apologies, I didn't know. From now, I'll be more careful."
Their exchange made the other Tower Masters frown at the unpleasant situation.
Then, a single syllable broke the tense atmosphere.
"Hey."
Sharp and intense, it was thrown by Freesia, who had been twirling her long hair
with her finger. Seeing Freesia intervene, Nicholas reacted with disbelief.
"What?"
"Do you see the mess you made? Do you want to drop more dead horses with your
mouth?"
Nicholas avoided her gaze by rubbing his nose with his index finger.
"Fine, I won't talk about it."
Freesia, the Tower Master of Black Sky, successfully took control of the situation.
Regaining the focus of the meeting, Reed spoke up once more.
"I know you all have no interest in it, just as Lord Monolith Tower said. And I know
exactly what you're thinking right now."
Reed was prepared to address their curiosity about his daughter.
"If you have any questions about my daughter, I will answer everything I know."
As soon as he said that, all the Tower Masters raised their hands. Reed pointed at the
master of Greenwood Tower, who was the furthest away.
"Please, speak."
"I heard that Lord Silence Tower's daughter can use elemental magic. Do you happen
to know which element she uses?"
In the world of the Cloud Continent, there were six elements: water, fire, lightning,
earth, light, and darkness. Having the ability to wield even one of the elements
granted the wielder the ability of , with increasing levels
granting stronger effects and damage.
"I haven't seen it myself, but I hope she uses fire."
"Personally, I would prefer water."
"In any case, earth attributes are the best. They're great for both offense and
defense."
Each of the Tower Masters shared their personal preferences. Reed watched their
reactions and smiled.
"Luckily, I can satisfy some of your wishes."
"What do you mean?"
"Rosaria doesn't use just a single element."
Upon hearing that, every Tower Master's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Do you mean she's a Dual Mage?"
"Isn't she just seven years old? And she can handle two elements?"
It wasn't impossible, but there was a significant difference in the effects between the
first and second elements. In most cases, the second element wasn't as effective, as it
hadn't fully developed.
"She has used four different elements so far."
The Tower Masters gasped in shock.
"Four elements, you say?!"
"A seven-year-old handling four elements?!"
Handling a single element made one a Mage. Wielding two dubbed them a Dual
Mage. If someone could wield three elements, they could attain the title of
"Archmage," representing the pinnacle of elemental magic.
Dolores Jade, who had attained Archmage status herself, could control three
elements, although the third remained quite weak.
Her currently controlled elements included light, water, fire, and lightning.
Nicholas seemed unconvinced.
"Are you kidding? Four elements are just too many, aren't they?"
Although they didn't say it, some of the Tower Masters agreed with Nicholas'
skepticism.
Reed responded confidently.
"I stake the Tower Master's name on it."
Staking the name of the Tower Master was equivalent to staking their lives. Even the
Master of Black Sky would never do it as a joke.
Despite that, the other Tower Masters still showed doubt on their faces.
"Fortunately."
Reed heaved a sigh of relief inwardly.
If he had mentioned that Rosaria could use all six elements, they would have
undoubtedly dismissed it as nonsense.
Nicholas continued doubting.
"So you didn't see it yourself, hiding such a serious matter until now? Are you really
that thick-skinned, Reed?"
Freesia, who had been quietly sitting, suddenly raised her hand.
"Yeah, I saw."
"Did you see it?"
"I did."
"Was it amazing?"
"The kid that he called Rosaria or Rosarin, was incredible."
Freesia was never modest and acknowledging others like this was quite unusual. It
meant that Rosaria was even more extraordinary than she had thought.
"When I first saw her, she had a sinister aura despite her innocent face. I wondered
how such a monstrous thing could be contained in such a small body, so I inspected
her carefully and what I found was interesting."
"What was it?"
"On her back, there is the symbol of the 「Eternal Hole」."
Upon hearing that, all of the Tower Masters shot up from their seats.
"「Eternal Hole」!"
"Isn't that the transcendent realm of magic rumored only in legends?"
The 「Eternal Hole」 was a trait that everyone was aware of but never actually
witnessed.
Just possessing it allowed one to absorb a nearly infinite amount of mana and
control it freely. Having the 「Eternal Hole」 made the
seem trivial in comparison.
"If it's a kid with the 'Eternal Hole,' handling four elements wouldn't be impossible,"
someone said.
Hearing that, the Tower Masters who were initially skeptical swallowed their words.
Freesia chimed in as they discussed the matter.
"Considering that, Reed, you have been quite shameless."
Smirking at Reed, she passed the burden onto him.
"How could you hide such a significant matter?"
"You should've informed us immediately!"
"All of Cloud Continent would flip if they heard about the 「Eternal Hole」!"
The Tower Masters' scolding rained down on Reed, but they were also eager to hear
his explanation.
"Why haven't you revealed it until now…?"
Reed couldn't say it out loud, but he answered their question silently in his mind.
'I wanted to make all of you acknowledge Silence Tower.'
In the world of wizards, the hierarchy is built on the logic of power.
The strong wizards are the seniors and the masters.
The weak wizards are the juniors and their disciples.
This clear distinction is similar to the structure of noble society, but it boils down to
the food chain in the wild.
That's why, during the Tower Master Conference, Freesia acted as an autocrat, and
no one could say anything. It was also the reason why Helios was able to take the
chairman's seat at the Tower Master Conference.
The more you have, the more your rights extend; the less you have, the more they
shrink.
All Reed had was money.
Money? That's not important to the wizards of the tower.
They can make it somehow.
It's not even a challenge to blackmail royalties or nobles to extract money using the
knowledge and information gained from the tower.
Money is, after all, simply a small stone.
In other words, the Silence Tower, which has nothing but money, practically has
nothing.
So back to the main question.
Why haven't you revealed it so far?
"It's for my daughter."
"For your daughter?"
"Since the tower masters here are making such a fuss, how could I possibly say that
she possesses the 「Eternal Hole」?"
The 'Eternal Hole,' which is called the legend of all wizards.
The moment it manifests, regardless of race, the world is turned upside down.
Being noticed may seem like a good thing, but there are too many responsibilities to
bear as much as attention.
"I don't have the strength to protect her yet. I couldn't give up either, so I had to hide
it."
The tower masters were convinced by that fact.
The conviction led to another question.
"Why did you insist on reforming with Magic Engineering if you knew your daughter
possessed the 「Eternal Hole」?"
"I'm curious too. Rosaria must be a promising talent who will become a great wizard,
so why did you choose Magic Engineering?"
If she had outstanding potential, it would be obvious that she would become a great
wizard, so why would they need to reform the tower?
"It's because Rosaria is Rosaria, and I am myself. This is not a decision made as
Rosaria's father but as the Tower Master of the Silence Tower."
Wizards look towards the future, while tower masters must look down upon the
tower.
Rosaria was a charming child with great talent, but from the tower master's point of
view, she was an unproductive, wasted resource.
Rather, she was like an aggro pile that would make enemies more persistent.
As an example, it was enough to consider the first encounter with the tower master
of the Black Sky.
In the case of the Black Sky, it came on strong but had no lingering at the end.
Someone will definitely aim for Rosaria, more persistently and in dirty ways.
If that happens, the tower will sway, and Rosaria will also become unhappy.
If she insisted on pure magic, it would be just as self-destructive.
That's why he didn't make the decision until the flower of her talent bloomed.
"Seriously… making such a talented child fall into Magic Engineering…"
"What a waste of talent…"
The tower master of Jade Tower shook her head with a regretful expression.
"What are you talking about? I don't plan on forcing Magic Engineering on her."
"What do you mean?"
"If she is interested in magic or academia, I'll let her learn it."
At this remark, some of the tower masters were genuinely surprised.
"Are you planning on leaving her education to her own inclinations?"
"Isn't it better to learn magic that suits her talents?"
"Why are the other tower masters surprised by this?"
Some tower masters couldn't understand why others were surprised.
Reed realized that the difference in reactions stemmed from the difference in their
upbringing between the nobility and commoners.
The ones surprised were from the noble background, while the ones who didn't
understand were from the commoner background.
Commoner-born wizards usually let their talents develop through education suited
to their abilities or leave them to learn on their own.
On the other hand, noble-born wizards prioritize bloodlines.
That's why they must learn magic suitable for their bloodline, and if they lack talent
in that area, they are forced to learn it anyway.
Reed was a descendant of the Adeleheights, a noble family.
In Reed's case, he must have undoubtedly been forced to receive an education in
magic suitable for his family, as it was ingrained in him.
To abandon such noble ideals was surprising for the nobles.
"Are you going to be okay, Tower Master of Silence Tower?"
Dolores, the one who had been with him the longest, asked the question.
Reed nodded his head.
"If I had intended to do as I please, I wouldn't have adopted her in the first place."
The other tower masters remained quiet.
All eyes wandered elsewhere as they became lost in their thoughts.
"Since there don't seem to be any more questions, let's take our seats."
Reed sat back down.
Helios, the chairman, continued the conference, but in reality, it virtually ended with
Reed's speech.
After the Tower Master Conference ended, Reed looked at his reflection in the
bathroom mirror.
A grey-haired man with a corner of his mouth curled, as if it was about to touch his
cheekbone, was revealed.
It wasn't a muscle spasm.
It was just the expression of happiness that was trying to reveal itself on his face.
"Successful."
He had obtained everything he had aimed for during the conference.
As proof of that, as soon as the conference ended, he immediately received greetings
from the other tower masters.
-Goodbye, Tower Master of Silence Tower.
-I hope Magic Engineering goes well, Silence.
The greetings themselves may not hold much meaning, but wizards, with their bull-
like pride, would never initiate conversation or offer greetings to their inferiors.
Approaching first means recognizing Reed as someone they need. In other words, it
indicates that their intentions were successfully perceived.
-If I had intended to do as I pleased, I wouldn't have adopted her in the first place.
What would the Tower Lords think upon hearing the words of a devoted father who
lives for the happiness of his daughter?
For ordinary people, it would have been a light-hearted situation where they could
be touched or tease him for being a dad-obsessed person.
However, mages, especially Tower Lords, are different.
Rather than emotions, they prioritize reason, and their thoughts are driven by
benefits based on that reason.
Educating in magic depends on the interest of the person concerned.
And not imposing one's will and leaving them alone.
When they spin their minds to interpret those two sentences in a way that benefits
them, it is interpreted as such:
-We can bring that monster into our towers as well.
Each tower had specialized magic, and entering the tower as an apprentice meant
having an interest in that field of magic.
For example, if Rosaria is interested in water or ice magic, she will go to the Wallin
Tower, which specializes in ice magic, to make the most of her talent. And if she
wants to learn dark magic, she will go to the Tower of Black Sky.
Simply having that possibility was good news.
In order to build a favourable impression in advance, Reed was their top priority as
the father of the daughter.
Parents are mirrors for their children, and parents' emotions unknowingly influence
their children.
The Tower Lords offered their greetings to Reed immediately after the meeting to
plant a good impression now.
And 'sincerely' wishing for the unlimited development of magic engineering.
'It's a bit disappointing that I can't get everyone on my side… '
Tower Lords like Nix from Stony Tower and Nicholas Rottenstein still didn't like
Reed.
It must be an eyesore that they were utilizing their daughters to gain favor from
other tower lords.
'Better to have certain enemies than ambiguous allies.'
Reed decided to draw lines with the Tower Lords hostile to him.
Perhaps it was because he was thinking about those enemies that his twitching lips
finally regained stability, and Reed left the restroom.
He glanced at the parked carriages through the window.
He could infer which Tower Lords were left just by the color of the carriages.
'Is it the Tower Lord of Wallin?'
A sky carriage painted deep blue, like the sea.
It was parked about two spaces away from his own carriage.
'The Tower Lord of Wallin is still here.'
He thought so, and then, as he was turning his head, he stopped suddenly.
Dolores was standing in front of him on the way.
"Are you leaving now?"
He answered her question with a calm face.
"I had some business to attend to. And you?"
"I had some business as well. Just."
They didn't ask each other about their business.
They just walked naturally towards the exit together.
"You won't make a good father."
Dolores muttered, covering the hot sun with her hand.
"What do you mean?"
"I only said what was obvious. You pretended to care for your daughter but you only
wanted to do what was best for yourself."
"Everybody can guess that much."
They all must have felt the nuance that they should be kind to me.
It was an unbelievably arrogant behavior, but no one opposed it.
It's attractive and fatal.
Nobody said anything now because the card called Rosaria he had was such an
existence.
"What would she think if she knew that you used her like that?"
"She will resent me if all I said was a lie."
Reed looked down at Dolores with his golden eyes.
"However, I didn't lie. Everything is for my daughter."
Making the Silence Tower a force to be reckoned with, and having all the tower
masters keep an eye on Rosaria, were both for her sake.
She had an overwhelming talent that, try as she might hide it, but will still stand out.
In order to stand against those who envied her, Reed brought the tower masters over
to his side.
"Don't hurt her too much. She seems like a really nice girl."
Dolores didn't seem keen on holding Reed's actions against him any longer and
closed her mouth.
As they continued their conversation, the carriages were finally in sight.
"Careful on your way, Tower Master of Silence."
"Take care, Tower Master of Wallin."
"And, about Magnesium."
"Hm?"
"I'm looking forward to it. The idea of manipulating the material using magic stones
is quite interesting. I hope you achieve good results."
Reed was taken aback by her comment.
Because, among those who said goodbye, not a single person mentioned Magnesium.
Reed stared blankly, unable to speak, and Dolores' face reddened.
"When this happens, you just say 'thank you'."
"I'm sorry. I couldn't imagine anyone hearing about that. I thought there would be no
interest."
"I studied Magic Engineering a little in the past. Just out of curiosity…"
Dolores began to say something but stopped herself, rolling her eyes and then
making eye contact with Reed.
He was silent, recalling an unknown memory that only Dolores knew.
She swallowed back her words and politely bowed her head.
"Be, be careful on your way back."
She quickly turned her body and walked away, almost as if escaping.
Reed stared at Dolores quietly.
'This guy, what did he not like about her that he hurt such a nice girl?'
Reed of the past became even more hateful.
Tower Master's Research Room in Silence Tower
Reed picked up a transparent magic stone.
Transparent Magic Stone
Type: Material/Consumable Item
A magic stone that is as transparent as glass.
It can store and hold magic power.
Durability: 10/10
Grade: Lower
: Mana storage capacity: 100
An ordinary magic stone with stored magic power.
Magicians often embed these in wands or staves to enhance their mana to
compensate for the immense power that they cannot generate by themselves.
Furthermore, they would melt fully charged magic stones into a liquid form to create
mana potions, making them versatile items in the magic world.
Reed picked up the magic stone with his gloved hand and placed it on a plate made
from a magnesium ingot.
He inserted the stone into a frame made just to fit the processed magic stone. He
very carefully injected a tiny amount of mana.
Without more or less, he put in exactly 1, to create a so-called supersaturated state of
101 mana. When this happens, the mana in the magic stone will overflow, and it will
not stop until it is completely empty, like a glass with a broken bottom.
Woong-.
The magic stone reacted, and the mana inside began to flow out.
The overflowing mana cautiously seeped into the magnesium.
The hardness of the magnesium varied depending on the amount of mana.
The area near the magic stone hardened instantly.
"Hmm…"
Reed fiddled with the edge.
It bent easily like a ball-jointed doll.
This meant that the mana had not spread to the end.
'It still hasn't spread evenly.'
The overflowed mana was concentrated in the center of the magic stone.
The judgment made with the ability would undoubtedly say
the same thing.
: Mana has not been fully dispersed.]
Reed muttered, clicking his tongue.
"I've failed."
Refocusing on the project on the third day, this was the fifteenth failure.
The processed magnesium plate, along with the magic stone, were discarded.
It was necessary to start all over again from making the magnesium ingot.
'At least there's progress in the research.'
Making the plate accounted for 30%
Creating a place to put the processed magic stone accounted for 40%
And through these trials and errors, 70% was completed.
'It depends on what you learn from trial and error.'
When in a deadlock, it wouldn't rise even by 1%, but once the problem was caught, it
easily rose by 5%.
The key was how focused Reed was and whether he could identify the problem.
"I've run out of magnesium plates, so I need to make new ones."
At his words, the expressions of the magicians behind him darkened.
They were assistants and researchers responsible for processing magnesium ingots
and making plates.
Although it wasn't as mentally exhausting as controlling a mana furnace, it was a
meticulous job that required control, making it the most mentally demanding work
for them.
'I understand since I've been there too.'
As much as he wanted to handle everything himself, he couldn't be distracted by
trivial matters.
So, he entrusted the tasks that could be done manually to two apprentice magicians.
As Reed looked at them, the assistant magicians belatedly noticed his gaze and stood
stiff with tense faces.
"I know it's difficult."
"No, no, it's not!"
"If you order anything! If it's the Tower Master's command, we'll find out what's at
the edge of hell!"
Even though it was just encouragement, they bowed their heads as if they had heard
harsh words.
It was as if they were looking at a surprise visit from a brigade commander.
"Make three more of the same plates and call it a day."
"No, no!"
"Just say the word, and we'll make five or even seven more."
Although they said that, Reed had no intention of making them do so.
From Reed's「Talent Appraisal」, observation, both of their mana and stamina were
below 40%.
It meant that the concentration of the two was at its lowest.
Knowing what would happen if mana exhaustion occurred, Reed didn't push them to
their limits.
"It's better to stop there for today. Make three plates and leave right away. Take a
break until I call you back. Understood?"
"Yes, we understand."
The assistant magicians were secretly delighted by Reed's unexpectedly lenient
demeanor, even though they were surprised.
'I also need to rest while the plates are being made.'
Reed left his research room and went up to his office.
As soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by a pile of books reaching up to his
thighs and Phoebe, who was sorting them out.
"It seems that there are more books now than last time."
"Ah, itu… it's because the Tower Master of the Imperial Tower sent some more
books."
"Didn't he also send some last time?"
"Last time, he sent basic materials, and this time, he said that he has sent more
advanced materials after sorting them out…"
Reed clicked his tongue, recalling the presents sent by the Imperial Tower Master.
'What a troublesome guy.'
Reed clicked his tongue as he checked the gift.
-Introduction to Elementology: Understanding and Advanced Study of Earth
A basic book that records the part dealing with the earth among the elements.
It was undoubtedly a gift from the Imperial Tower.
It wasn't just the Imperial Tower.
Reed was confident that he could accurately predict which tower the pile of books
came from.
'They only sent magic books of their specialty fields.'
Reed himself is in charge of education.
However, at the Tower Master's meeting, he mentioned that he would follow his
daughter's interests in education.
Therefore, they would do their best to create a 'possibility' to connect with them.
These gifts are like promotions, showing how great the magic they are researching
is.
'Well, from a father's perspective, these are perfect gifts… '
Crystal orbs recordings with magical tutoring scenes, books filled with notes and
memos.
These were items containing the history that the Tower Masters had carefully
collected since their rookie days.
From the teacher's standpoint, there are many useful things to refer to, and some
know-hows that look good to skip.
'But it's the worst gift for my daughter.'
How would a child of her age, who would enjoy reading fairy tales and developing a
taste for reading, react to being given college textbooks?
He thought she might develop textophobia and start trembling at the sight of text
later on.
These gifts were more for the father, Reed than for Rosaria.
Phoebe was checking the books they sent one by one, making sure there were no
problems.
Although it was a rare case, if there was magic cast on the book or if someone had
done something absurd, Rosaria could be in danger, so Phoebe was carefully going
through each one.
Of course, considering that there had been no issues so far, it seemed that there was
no need to worry.
"Ah, this book."
Phoebe exclaimed as she picked up a book.
It was a book called .
"It really brings back memories."
Phoebe flipped through the pages with a faint smile.
"Did you learn magic from that?"
"Yes, my master was the head of the Asteria family, and the head taught me strictly
from a young age."
"Strictly?"
Reed thought about whether a whip was involved.
Phoebe shivered as she spoke.
"No, if I couldn't understand something after hearing it several times, my master
would make me copy down that part. I think I did more than ten volumes? My
master got angry a lot, saying I had talent but couldn't focus."
"I see."
Considering the thickness of the book, what did it mean that she had written more
than ten volumes due to her lack of concentration?
Phoebe asked Reed with twinkling eyes.
"Did you also learn from this book, Tower Master?"
He couldn't answer.
Well, did I learn from that?
There was undoubtedly a copy in the library when I checked, but…
It was uncertain either way, so it was difficult to give an answer.
Phoebe looked up at him like a puppy, waiting for his answer.
There was no doubt she was expecting a connection more than having a deep
discussion about the content.
So, the choice Reed made was,
"It's getting late because you're absorbed in admiration."
"Eh…"
He decided to play the villain properly.
Phoebe's smiling face instantly stiffened.
Her expression looked as if she had been caught red-handed, subtly avoiding his
gaze.
The sly girl stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Um, well…"
"It's no wonder you had to transcribe the content of ten books, given your inability to
focus on a single task."
"Finish it all by tonight."
"What? What? All of this by tonight?! That's impossible!"
"If you can't do it, I'll make you transcribe the same amount."
Phoebe had a devastated expression, and Reed coldly dismissed her and left the
office.
'Sorry, Phoebe. It's your fault for asking that question.'
Reed left his office and walked to Rosaria's room.
She was sitting at her desk, reading a book.
Judging by the stacked books, she was undoubtedly reading the books given by the
other Tower Masters. And she seemed to have grown tired of some, leaving them
half-read.
As Reed approached, unsurprisingly, the usually cheerful Rosaria had turned into a
pufferfish.
Her lips were pouting, and her cheeks were puffed up – it felt more like she was
being playful than showing actual dislike.
"Daughter, what are you doing?"
"Huh? Papa!"
Upon being called, she finally noticed Reed's arrival and smiled bashfully.
"Are you studying?"
"Daisy told me I need to study hard."
"Study hard?"
"Yeah, she said I have to help Daddy!"
Reed pulled up a chair next to Rosaria and sat down.
"Why were you making such a sullen face then?"
"Studying is boring. I don't like it."
"Even though these are all gifts from the Tower Masters?"
"Ugh…"
She looked at the stacked books with a sulky face.
Her honest expression of emotions was so amusing.
"Do you dislike it that much?"
"But there's nothing but boring stuff."
It couldn't be helped.
Regardless of her talent in magic, Rosaria disliked theories.
'Awakening of the 「Master of Adaptation」 would be better.'
A terrifying trait that doubles the acquisition effect of everything.
It's famous for being granted only to versatile jack-of-all-trades rather than people
with outstanding abilities in a specific field.
"Shouldn't you at least try to enjoy reading these as a gesture of gratitude?"
"But I'm not grateful. They said lying makes me a bad child."
Reed couldn't argue with the straightforward facts she presented.
'Yes, it's natural for her not to like these bribes made for adult reasons.'
Reed decided to change the subject.
"Then, among the gifts you've received so far, which one is your favorite?"
Rosaria answered immediately.
"I like the one Dolores Unni gave me the most. Lucy!"
[T/N: Small correction - Rosaria being a girl should refer to Dolores as "Unni"
instead of "Noona". It seems I mixed up the translation with my male perspective.]
Rosaria picked up the teddy bear that had been placed next to her desk and showed
it to him.
Ever since receiving the teddy bear from Dolores, Rosaria never let it out of her sight.
Among all the Tower Masters she had met so far, she probably only looked straight at
Dolores.
"And the books Daddy gave me too!"
A collection of fairy tales.
Reed couldn't bring himself to tell Rosaria that it was actually a gift given to him by
Leto.
After all, the book was given to Reed, not to Rosaria.
That's what he thought.
If the purpose of this gift was to win Rosaria's favor, he would seriously consider
killing the giver halfway.
"It's good that you enjoy fairy tales. Which story do you like the most?"
"I like the Little Hero. I've read it three times!"
The Little Hero.
It was a story about a little boy born in a remote countryside who, without any
recognition, embarked on an adventure with a short sword.
He was born with a small stature and a short dagger, but he had some mediocre
martial arts skills.
However, he was cunning and had good dexterity.
The Little Hero used his wits to outsmart the monsters and evil gangs attacking his
village.
Since his actions seemed more cowardly than brave, no one recognized the Little
Hero, and he was constantly ignored no matter what good deeds he did.
But the Little Hero who fought the Demon King alone succeeded in killing him with
his small sword and ultimately gained recognition from everyone.
"Do you want to defeat the Demon King, Rosaria?"
"Yeah! I want to defeat the evil Demon King who's tormenting people with my all-
purpose tool – whoosh!"
A cunning and dexterous Little Hero.
In a way, he was quite different from Rosaria herself.
She had many talents and the potential to become brave.
If she became a warrior, she would be a warrior praised by all.
"But right now, I probably can't defeat the Demon King."
"Why do you think that?"
"The Little Hero became stronger while adventuring! But Rosaria can't go on
adventures…"
Rosaria mumbled with a disappointed face.
Hearing her words, Reed felt a sudden flash of inspiration, as if a ray of light had
pierced his temples.
Maybe now is the time.
The right time to let her experience the world outside the Tower.
"Rosaria."
"Huh?"
"How about going on an adventure with Daddy?"
Rosaria's eyes sparkled.
Snow-white hair like a sack of flour turned upside down, with red pupils.
Whenever curiosity arose, she always has a bright and innocent color that's
charming.
"I want to!"
Rosaria raises both hands and shouts once more.
"I want to go on an adventure!"
"Then shall we prepare to go together?"
"Yes!"
"Go to Phoebe and tell her that we need to go out, and ask her to help you get
dressed."
"Okay, got it!"
Excited for the adventure, Rosaria goes out of the room, forgetting about Lucy.
While Rosaria is preparing, Reed decides to prepare for her adventure as well.
Outside the Tower of Silence, Reed kneels down and adjusts Rosaria's clothes one
more time.
The clothes Rosaria and Reed are wearing are traveler's robes.
They are ordinary gray robes without the emblem or color that indicates their
affiliation with the Silence Tower.
It was the attire to hide the fact that he was the tower master.
'Being a noble only gets in the way.'
As he always felt while playing the game, revealing one's noble status was akin to
bragging about walking around with a lump of gold.
That's why he got involved with some issues in one way or another.
'If there's a situation where revealing my status would be helpful, I can just use my
nameplate.'
He checks the nameplate in the right chest pocket once more and asks Rosaria.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
He worried that the dull color might not suit her taste.
But she vigorously shook her head, as if such concerns were pointless.
Her eyes sparkled like a child on a picnic day.
"It makes me feel more like a warrior!"
[T/N: Here warrior refers to hero.]
"Really?"
"Yes!"
He was relieved that she liked it.
Reed stands up from his seat and reaches out to Rosaria.
"Come on, let's hold hands and go."
Rosaria places her small hand in Reed's hand.
That's how their adventure began.
So what was this adventure that Reed began?
It was nothing special.
They just walked straight along the path where they were.
Before setting off, Reed had scouted out places around the Silence Tower that would
be safe for a child to visit.
Although Reed, the tower master, was accompanying her, he thought it would be
better than going to a dangerous place and facing a crisis for no reason.
"Still, it feels a bit empty without anything."
They could only see a few squirrels, rabbits, and small animals disappearing in the
bushes.
The occasional sound of grass insects and birdsong calmed their minds.
It was peaceful.
Unintentionally, Rosaria's adventure became a refreshing break for Reed.
Walking along the quiet trail was enjoyable, but he began to worry if it might be
boring for Rosaria.
"Papa!"
"What's the matter?"
"There's a monster!"
"Monster?"
Surprised, Reed looked where Rosaria was pointing.
What was there was a small rock.
'Phew… '
Reed, who thought a real monster had jumped out, brushed his chest.
Looking down at Rosaria, wondering if she was already enjoying a prank by lying,
she was staring at the rock with a serious face.
Then he finally understood the situation.
'She's immersed in her role.'
Reed laughed, feeling foolish for taking it at face value.
Rosaria picked up a small branch nearby and shouted.
"Rosaria the warrior will not tolerate injustice! Yaaah!"
She ran with her short legs and vigorously struck the rock with the branch.
After striking it several times, she turned around with a triumphant look and
shouted.
"I defeated it!"
"That's amazing."
Reed clapped his hands and congratulated her on that glorious moment.
Rosaria, who received the congratulations, approached with a lively walk and held
Reed's hand again.
"Are you having fun?"
"Yes! It's fun!"
Contrary to Reed's concerns, Rosaria nodded with an energetic expression.
Being a girl of an age where everything was fascinating, the forest itself was an
unknown land for her.
Her innocence reminded Reed of his own childhood.
He remembered the times when he hopped around trying to step only on the white
tiles, imagining the red tiles as lava, and imagining what kind of monsters lived in the
dark alleys where light didn't reach.
Just as everyone creates adventures with their imagination during their childhood,
Rosaria was creating her own adventure.
In her imagination, all of this was an adventure, a dangerous forest teeming with
monsters.
As they went on, Rosaria swung the branch she had picked up, undoubtedly
defeating a few demon kings in the process.
Eventually, they reached the first stop of their adventure.
"It's a village!"
Mud houses and well-maintained farmland could be seen through the trees that
obstructed their view.
Not far from the Silent Tower was the village called the Fallen Star Village.
It got its name because there was a crater-like depression in the center of the village.
It was a very familiar place for Reed.
'I've been here a lot.'
Not in reality, but in the game.
Since there was a beginner hunting ground nearby and the overall atmosphere was
quiet and peaceful, he would do quests and live here when he wanted to experience
a healing fantasy.
"Our first adventure is over."
"It's a victory for the Rosaria Warrior Brigade!"
"Right, it seems like we don't need the branch anymore, so let's throw it away."
"Okay!"
As the role-play was over, she threw away her holy sword(?) without any hesitation.
Reed pondered for a moment about what to do in this village.
However, the answer came quickly.
Gurgle-.
It was Rosaria's stomach clock ringing loudly.
"Shall we eat something?"
"I want to eat."
Since it was a planned trip, they had brought enough money, and they had plenty of
money to dine out.
As he had often been here, he could find the restaurant with his eyes closed.
The Fallen Star Inn in the Fallen Star Village.
It was a place used as a resting place for travelers.
As they entered, a middle-aged man with a mustache welcomed them.
"Welcome! I haven't seen your faces in the village before. Where did you come
from?"
"We just came out from the west for a walk and stopped by."
"The west? Did you come from Cohen?"
Reed just smiled without answering, and the mustached middle-aged man nodded as
if he understood.
"Anyway, seeing that you brought a young girl here, it seems like you must be
hungry."
"Can we have a meal?"
"We have goulash and a piece of bread, but if you pay more, we can make something
else for you. What do you think?"
Goulash and a piece of bread.
They had only eaten food prepared by delicate chefs until now, so they were curious
about the taste of rustic commoner food.
"I'll have that. Rosaria, is there anything else you want to eat?"
"I want to eat a sandwich."
Her choice was always the same.
"Could you make a sandwich for her? We'll pay extra if needed."
"Of course, I'll make a delicious sandwich for the little lady."
The restaurant owner smiled at Rosaria and went into the kitchen.
A moment later, the food they ordered was served.
For Reed, there was a steaming goulash and a hard piece of bread like hardtack, and
for Rosaria, a relatively soft sandwich with lettuce and ham between the slices of
bread.
"Let's enjoy our meal."
"Let's enjoy!"
Reed dipped the hard bread into the goulash and took a bite.
'The seasoning is a bit weak, and there are overcooked vegetables. The bread is hard,
too.'
Perhaps because he had only been eating high-end cuisine recently, Reed could
clearly feel the shortcomings of the goulash and bread.
However, he wasn't disappointed.
'It's not bad.'
It felt as familiar as eating a meal at a local diner.
Reed glanced at Rosaria.
She grabbed the bottom of the bread and took a big bite.
The crunchy sound swirled in her mouth, and soon, she wore a happy expression.
"Is it good?"
"It's delicious."
"You can talk after you finish eating."
"Okay!"
She continued to munch on her sandwich, not wanting to talk anymore.
As Reed watched her with a pleased smile, the middle-aged man approached him
and asked.
"Traveler, if you came from Cohen, do you know any news from there?"
"What kind of news are you looking for?"
"Recent political situation or how the wise king is implementing his policies, things
like that."
Recent political situation…
Due to the nature of his job as a tower master, he knew everything around the tower,
whether he wanted to or not.
Therefore, he knew all about the recent events in Cohen, which was close to the
Silent Tower.
"The wise king is still doing a great job managing the people."
The wise king, Morgan Hupper.
With decent city security, low taxes, and policies aimed at providing equal
opportunities for the common people, he had earned the nickname of the wise king.
"Is that so?"
The middle-aged man let out a sigh with a displeased expression.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I don't know if I should say this, but it seems that the wise king over there has been
doing some strange things to the small villages lately."
"What do you mean by strange things?"
"They're trying to rip us off, who have nothing. A few months ago, someone high-
ranking from there came to buy our carrots. They wouldn't even pay the price of a
pile of hay?!"
It meant they tried to buy it at an absurdly low price.
"So what did you do?"
"We did receive a promise that the unpaid amount would be compensated with
wheat stored in the royal warehouse. But…"
The middle-aged man took a deep breath and calmed his anger.
"We haven't seen any of it yet."
"That's terrible…"
"It seems like we might not have enough food stored in the village warehouse for the
winter, and they won't provide any proper solutions, just keeping their mouths
shut… I don't know what makes them good or wise kings. No one cares about what
happens in small villages like ours, so it's quite frustrating."
The middle-aged man sighed deeply.
Reed wanted to help, but the unfortunate reality was that he couldn't.
'Tower masters should not interfere in matters within the kingdom.'
Respecting their autonomy was part of being a tower master.
He could only watch with a sympathetic face when Rosaria, who was eating her meal,
pulled on the middle-aged man's sleeve and said,
"Sir, cheer up!"
Rosaria tried to encourage him with a determined look on her face.
The middle-aged man looked at her with a bewildered expression for a moment,
then burst out laughing.
"Haha! The little lady knows how to lift one's spirits!"
He lightly patted Rosaria's shoulder and looked down at her with an adoring
expression.
Rosaria started eating her sandwich again with a proud face.
"You've got a lovely daughter."
Reed also smiled and replied, "She is a good daughter."
"I have two sons myself. They never listened to me, so I had to discipline them to
make them human."
"If it's not rude to ask, where are your children now?"
"One of them became an adventurer, and the other married the daughter of a brewer
in the next village and took over the family business."
In other words, they were not here.
"It must be lonely."
"Lonely? Ha! What do you mean? It's such a relief! I couldn't relax a single day
because of those troublemakers. Now I can stretch out and sleep in peace!"
Although he spoke roughly, the paternal love that seeped through his tone was
undeniable.
'Adventuring and getting married… '
It may not be relevant now, but eventually, Rosaria will become an adult.
What would she be doing as an adult?
No, even if she's not an adult, what kind of person would she be 10 years later,
precisely on the day she encounters the final boss of ?
"Uncle."
Rosaria's voice interrupted such thoughts.
"Yes?"
"I'm done eating."
Rosaria, who had been picking up the remaining crumbs on her plate, showed him
the empty plate.
"Alright, shall we get up now? How much is it?"
"35 UP, please."
"35 UP…"
'Why is it so cheap?' Reed thought, then recalled the prices when he used to play the
game.
'Come to think of it, this is normal.'
Living as a tower master with thousands of Yufis as his basic income, his sense of
money had deteriorated.
Reed took out four 10-UP coins from his pocket and handed them to the owner.
"You can keep the change."
"Are you sure?"
"Thank you for talking with us. Please consider the extra 5 UP as a token of
gratitude."
"Ah, I should be the one paying you for having a conversation… If you ever have any
more questions, feel free to come back. I'll make another sandwich that your
daughter loves."
"Haha, thank you."
Could life as an adventurer be like this?
He thought that if he could meet good people and spend time with them, it wouldn't
be so bad.
'I never thought I would end up admiring adventurers too.'
The path led by innocence suddenly felt terrifying.
Reed took Rosaria's hand and headed back towards the tower along the path they
had taken.
At that moment.
"Isn't the price lower than last time?!"
A man's resentful voice pierced Reed's ears.
Reed looked towards the source of the noise.
There were people dressed in plain uniforms of commoners, and soldiers donned in
armor, facing each other over a pile of carrots.
Two people, standing as representatives of each group, faced each other, with a
knight wearing plate armor among the soldiers.
"Due to tax reduction, the financial situation is not good. To balance the budget, we
must reduce expenses, so we ask for your cooperation."
"What will we eat if we agree to this? If you take away even the necessary food
supplies for winter at such low prices, we'll starve to death. We barely survived last
year, and now with this, we'll have nothing left to live on!"
"We'll issue promissory notes. We'll add the promised millet feed before winter, so
sell everything."
Despite the knight's words, the peasants seemed distrustful.
"How can the king, who cares for his people, treat the common people outside the
castle wall so cruelly!? This is tyranny!"
Upon hearing this, the knight's eyebrows twitched.
As the knight took a step forward, the man took a step back.
It wouldn't be surprising if violence erupted.
The difference in power was clear between a farmer who had only cultivated fields
and a knight who had received professional military training.
"We only came here on the king's orders, and we have no choice but to carry them
out."
There was no compromise between the two.
A clash between those who said they would starve to death, and those who said they
only came to do their job.
'Wise King, Morgan Huper… '
Reed had felt it until the very end of , but he always gave an uneasy
feeling.
Just before his evil deeds became known, he died suddenly, and eventually, his young
son Morgan II succeeded to the throne.
Now was the time when the wise king was still alive.
And Reed could clearly see what kind of person Morgan Huper was.
'For someone to be happy, someone else must be unhappy.'
To become a wise king, one must become a tyrant to someone.
Morgan Huper chose to trample on the very small, unseen people and stand on top of
them.
And he left his name and achievements behind through death.
Ignoring the crying old people and women, the knight spoke to the man.
"We don't know, we just came to execute the order. Aren't there many resources in
the forest? Whether hunting or gathering, do something."
"That is not as easy as you say!"
"Well, you'll manage somehow. Load the carrots onto the cart."
The knight no longer argued and ordered the soldiers.
"What on earth is going on!?"
The moment the soldiers who followed were about to load the pile of carrots onto
the cart.
Someone approached the cart with large strides.
Rosaria recognized the man and exclaimed
"Ah, Sandwich Uncle!"
He was the owner of the inn.
He looked around with a puzzled expression on his kind face.
"Mark, what's going on?"
"That is…"
The frightened man confessed everything that had happened.
Upon hearing this, the inn owner's face contorted with anger.
"Promissory notes again! Do you think we're banks!?"
"It's issued by the Huper Kingdom. The kingdom's honor guarantees that it will be
given."
"We're just simple peasants who worry about our daily meals! It's not even that
expensive, so why doesn't the kingdom pay for everything!?"
The middle-aged man crossed his arms and spoke to them.
"Leave now! And tell them that we cannot pass at this price to His Majesty."
"Does a mere commoner dare negotiate with His Majesty!?"
The knight yelled.
However, the middle-aged man did not back off.
Instead, he stood in front and spoke to them.
"I may not be able to read and write like you guys, but I am a person who at least
knows what's unfair! Tell them that we can't stand our noses being shaved while our
eyes are open!"
Upon hearing this, a fierce aura spread from the knight's face.
Swoosh!
A clear sound as a sword was unsheathed.
At the same time, the knight's sword was already aimed at the middle-aged man's
throat.
The speed of a knight of a country was so fast that it could not be caught by the eyes
of an ordinary civilian.
A one-eyed rat-like individual who had been watching them three steps away,
stepped back with a trembling heart.
"Know your place and shut up! Do you think a mere commoner has a position to
speak to His Majesty!?"
But the middle-aged man did not retreat.
"His Majesty is said to be a person who looks after his people, but if he does not
listen to the people's words, then he is not a wise king, is he?"
"You dare to speak recklessly with your loose lips!"
"Instead, kill me. Even if I have to lose my life, it is my mission to protect this village!"
The middle-aged man confidently spoke.
Anyone could see that it was a noble soul burning with passion.
However, that flame only signaled the fate of a short-lived fire.
The knight could not bear it any longer.
"This is something you started."
Raising his sword, the knight aimed to strike the middle-aged man's head.
Squeak!
"Aaah!"
The middle-aged man closed his eyes tightly as the farmers screamed in panic.
At a moment when everyone had no doubt about the middle-aged man's death.
Bam!
A distinct explosive sound echoed.
The well-trained soldiers drew their swords and guarded their surroundings.
As they looked around for the source of the explosion, everyone couldn't help but be
taken aback.
The sound came from the sword that the knight was holding.
"It, It can't be."
"A sword made by the Imperial Workshop…"
The dream of every knight was a sword made by the Imperial Workshop.
Its hardness was comparable to the toughest metal, Black Iron, and it was said to
cleanly cut through even the thick skin of ogres.
It was an impossible occurrence for such a sword to break like sugar candy.
Reed knew why the sword broke.
'Rosaria… '
It was her doing.
She had unintentionally let out a desperate emotion that broke the sword.
'I didn't think she learned any magic to break things like that… '
The genius that emerged from pure desire and aspirations.
She couldn't bear to see the middle-aged man's death and ended up doing such a
thing.
It was a terrifying talent, to say the least.
"Who is it? Which one of you dared to break the sword bestowed by His Majesty!"
The knight's anger erupts, and Rosaria's hand gripping Reed's hand tightens.
Rosaria is scared by the knight's voice.
"Papa…"
Rosaria looked up at Reed with a confused face, not knowing what she had done.
Reed tightly held Rosaria's hand and smiled.
That gentle smile reassured her that she had nothing to worry about.
"Rosaria."
"Papa…"
"Just stay behind me. Don't say anything. Got it?"
"Yes…"
"It'll be over soon."
Rosaria nodded and walked behind Reed, taking deep breaths.
Their gaze darted around, catching the chaotic atmosphere.
"Stop."
They focused their attention on themselves.
The voice that caught the audience's attention was usually high-pitched.
No matter how noisy it was, a high-pitched voice didn't blend in and distinctly stood
out.
Therefore, speaking in a low-pitched voice, most people couldn't hear and get
buried.
However, the voice they heard was of a different dimension.
It felt like the presence of a charging heavy bull.
Nobody could help but look back at such a voice.
Despite wearing a gray robe, he couldn't hide his elegance.
Ashen hair.
Sharp eyes.
Golden irises invigorating within them.
"Traveler, sir…"
The middle-aged man, who had spoken to Reed once before, doubted if the person
was the same.
Even sitting in the restaurant eating, he felt that there was an elegance to him, but it
seemed completely different now.
Both soldiers and peasants instinctively felt that Reed was a dangerous person.
Golden light spread from Reed's irises as the soldiers stared.
'It's a magician!'
'It's definitely a magician!'
No one said a word, but the knight didn't falter and asked Reed.
"Who dares to interfere with this sacred duty? Reveal your identity!"
Instead of answering, Reed took out a hidden object from his chest and threw it to
the knight.
It was a gold-plated nameplate.
From a distance, the soldiers knew that the symbol represented a noble, and those
closer could tell what the emblem was.
"The, the Tower Master of Silence?"
"What's the Tower Master of Magic doing in a place like this…"
Nobody expected the Tower Master of Silence to be in such a small village on the
outskirts of the kingdom.
Reed retrieved the nameplate that the knight respectfully returned.
"May I ask, what brings the Tower Master of Silence to such a small village?"
"I came to show the world to my child. And in the process, I came across this scene."
"Was the magic earlier also the work of the Tower Master?"
The knight's eyes were sharp.
At that moment, Rosaria's hand, which was holding Reed's leg, tightened.
"Yes."
Reed confirmed.
For a brief moment, the knight bit his lower lip.
"Breaking that sword is like challenging the authority of the royal family."
"The sword broke because it had forgotten its purpose."
"What do you mean?"
The knight looked up at him with wide eyes.
"What is the difference between a sword that should protect its people but aims at
their own and a mad dog?"
"That's why I broke it."
It was a fact that could not be denied.
Since the knight had witnessed everything, he couldn't lie thoughtlessly either.
Therefore, the knight spoke to Reed.
"I will pretend I didn't see you breaking the sword. So please let me finish my sacred
duty."
"I don't want to."
Reed flatly refused him.
The knight had a puzzled look on his face.
Tower Masters shouldn't be involved in incidents within a kingdom.
So, the knight only thought that Reed might have been annoyed by this matter.
"Are you intervening in the kingdom's affairs now?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know if these farmers belong to your kingdom."
"This village is under the protection of the Huper Kingdom. It's an event that
happened strictly within the territory of the Huper Kingdom."
"That's interesting."
Reed said with a sarcastic laugh.
"Then does that mean I can spread the rumors that the Huper King is exploiting his
farmers by buying their crops at low prices?"
The knight's eyes narrowed.
In contrast, Reed raised his eyebrows.
"Are you frowning?"
"Are the knights called the face of the royal family, dare to be rude in front of a Tower
Master?"
As acknowledged by the golden nameplate, Reed had aristocratic status.
Between a foreign aristocrat and a knight, Reed held a higher rank.
'Besides being a mage… '
He was the Tower Master of the Silence Tower.
Even if they say he is the weakest Tower Master, his capabilities as a mage far
surpassed their royal court mage.
All the people present here had witnessed Reed's abilities.
If he could turn a sword into scrap metal in an instant, turning it into dust wouldn't
be a big deal.
Having finished their calculations, the knight placed one hand on his chest and got
down on one knee.
"……Please forgive my rudeness."
Then, he slightly lifted his head and pleaded with Reed.
"However, this is a contracted item. As such, I must take the crops."
The knight clung stubbornly.
At this point, he should have gotten the hint and left…
However, Reed had no intention of backing down, even if the knight behaved
annoyingly.
As Reed looked down at the kneeling knight, he lifted his gaze.
"You there."
"Yes, yes!"
Before the middle-aged man appeared, he had argued with the knight, so he asked
the young man.
"How much are these carrots worth?"
"W-well…"
"Answer quickly. I don't like wasting time."
"That… a thousand… a thousand! It all adds up to 1,000 UP!"
"1,000, huh? Take it."
As soon as Reed heard the answer, he pulled out a money pouch and threw it.
Inside it was exactly 1,000 UP.
Then Reed looked up at the knight and said.
"I forcibly 'bought' all these carrots. So now, there are no carrots for you to take."
"…Doing this will make us enemies."
The knight spoke in a serious tone.
"I don't care."
Reed sent a look that seemed to find even the threats amusing.
"If your so-called benevolent king is a hypocrite who exploits my people…"
Reed's golden eyes shone even brighter.
"I will gladly become evil."
The knight clenched his teeth.
He wanted to tear down this man, who almost seemed to be making fun of the king.
But the opponent was a mage.
A mage who had risen to the position of a Tower Master, not an ordinary mage.
They were beings full of secrets, and it wouldn't be strange for them to burst bodies
apart with just a flick of their finger.
So, the knight sheathed his sword.
"We're retreating."
He led the soldiers and returned to Cohen with the empty carriage.
'At least for now, this conflict is over.'
Since Reed had intervened and forcibly bought the carrots, they wouldn't bother the
farmhouse anymore.
The middle-aged man knelt down, bowed his head, and opened his mouth.
"I apologize, Tower Master!"
"What are you apologizing for?"
"I was rude because I didn't know you were a noble. Please forgive my rudeness."
That rudeness was undoubtedly the conversation they had while eating.
He looked so polite, it was hard to believe he was the same man who had confronted
the knight just before.
Reed was flustered but looked down at him calmly and said,
"Raise your head. I didn't reveal my identity, so wouldn't you also not know that I am
a noble?"
"I was prepared to give up my life… but I never thought a noble would step in to save
this fly-like life."
Reed looked down at him expressionlessly and praised him.
"Not bending your beliefs even at the risk of your life, that's the true spirit of a
knight. We, the nobles, must also uphold that spirit."
"You are too kind. I was just a rebel who opposed the royal decree."
"The one who saved your life is saying so. You can be honest with yourself."
"Th-thank you!"
Looking at Reed, the middle-aged man was filled with overwhelming emotions.
Not only the middle-aged man but also the residents who had been oppressed by the
royal tyranny expressed their gratitude to Reed.
"Thank you for saving our village, Tower Master!"
"Thank you, mage!"
Reed did not react to their gratitude and glanced at the pile of carrots.
There were a lot of carrots worth 1,000 UPs.
As he was considering how to deal with them, he told the farmers,
"I will take all the carrots soon. Keep them well for now."
"Yes, understood."
Reed did not say anymore and flipped up his hood.
He left the village with Rosaria and returned to the tower.
"Did you hear the news?"
"Yeah, I heard the Tower Master interfered with the soldiers trying to collect taxes
from a small village."
The news spread quickly.
In just a day, everyone in the Silence Tower knew what Reed, the Tower Master, had
done.
"If it's the Huper Kingdom, it's a small kingdom, but still, if they were provoked, they
won't avoid creating trouble."
"They're already busy praising the wise king, would they leave our tower alone?"
"It's still quiet, but it's worrying… What if the empire is also keeping an eye on this
incident?"
Reed's actions could turn into a disaster.
"Let's not think about the worst-case scenario. Are we not trusting the Tower Master,
and what are we supposed to do?"
"Still… How can we not worry? Haven't you ever thought that the trouble might
affect you too?"
"What can we do? Can the tower family not trust the Tower Master?"
"Right, nothing has been properly revealed yet, and we'll only look worse if we get
flustered."
While there were those who showed absolute trust, the majority still seemed to be
skeptical about Reed.
He had the bold drive to change to magical engineering and fire over 50 people, but
it was still difficult to judge whether he actually had the ability.
So, everything depended on the outcome.
The situation has become such that the Tower Master's support will be determined
by how the results turn out.
"A letter has arrived from the Huper Kingdom!"
Phoebe entered, making a fuss.
In her hand was a rectangular piece of paper.
'Has it arrived?'
Reed stopped his work and took the letter from her.
Reed took the politely offered letter, tore the seal, and opened it.
The letter read:
- I will visit you soon.
It was hard to believe that this was a letter sent by the royal family, as it contained
only one sentence.
Normally, a scribe would have written a lengthy introduction.
Reed wondered if it was a prank someone was risking their life for, but seeing the
signature and seal at the bottom dispelled that suspicion.
"Let's think about it differently."
Reed broadened his perspective and re-read the content of the letter sent by Morgan
Huper.
"Not using a scribe means they couldn't use one. That means there must be a reason
why they had to write it themselves."
It meant that he wrote it himself to minimize the number of ears that heard it.
It was no different from a desperate plea not to make a big deal out of this matter.
"It may not be friendly, but it probably means they don't want to be hostile either."
Although the information was uncertain, combining it led to one conclusion.
"Morgan Huper is trying not to tarnish his reputation despite my outrageous
behavior."
Even if it meant breaking the rule of non-interference between the kingdom and the
magic tower, he was trying not to leave a stain on himself.
Reed put the letter down and looked out the window.
"How despicable."
Is this the world of the nobles?
Reed couldn't understand why they would focus on such things when everything
would be meaningless once they died.
It would be less trouble to remain an ordinary king rather than wearing such a mask.
"Abusing power over a small village just to save a few hundred UPs…"
Of course, it wouldn't just be that one village.
There would be dozens of medium and small-sized villages spread across the Huper
Kingdom, and they would have issued promissory notes to buy food and materials
just the same.
But how much of a percentage of the national treasury would they save by doing
that?
"What's the situation in the Huper Kingdom?"
"It seems they're confused by the Tower Master's actions, sir. It seems like they're
trying to keep things hushed up?"
"Are they trying to pretend that this interference never happened?"
"Yes."
There must be more to it.
Something more than just trying to save money.
However, Reed felt frustrated because he couldn't know what that something was.
'But just knowing that is a huge piece of information.'
He would be able to thoroughly investigate what the Huper King was trying to do
before he died.
"Um, Tower Master, how should we respond to the letter?"
"Thank them for sending the letter and tell them I got the message. Please pass it
on."
"Yes."
Phoebe politely greeted and stepped back.
'If we meet in person, I might be able to learn a little more.'
Reed's bedroom.
Having finished showering and changing into his pajamas, he was preparing to go to
bed.
Just as he was about to lie down, Reed received an unexpected visitor.
Knock, knock-.
"Come in."
He spoke with a sleepy, annoyed voice.
He thought it might be Phoebe and considered scolding her if it was a trivial matter.
However, the one who opened the door and came in was a little girl with white hair.
"Rosaria?"
Seeing her, Reed got up from his seat and approached her.
In Rosaria's hand were a fairytale book and Lucy.
"My dear, what brings you here? Why aren't you sleeping at this time of night?"
"Papa…"
His sleepiness instantly vanished.
A deep sadness came through in Rosaria's voice.
He didn't know what the matter was, but he knew for sure that he had to listen
seriously.
"Yeah, daddy's here."
"Daddy, did you become the enemy of the kingdom?"
It seemed like the story was going to be a long one.
Reed picked her up and sat her down on his chair.
"What story did Rosaria hear?"
"The sisters were talking about Daddy."
"What did they say?"
"That you became the enemy of the kingdom."
Although there were ears everywhere and rumors would inevitably spread, he didn't
expect them to be unable to hold their tongues even in front of a child.
Reed sighed.
"Are you scared because Daddy became an enemy?"
"But they talk about you as if you're a bad person… Daddy is not a bad person, but if
everyone says it's daddy's fault for the bad things Rosaria did, then…"
"Rosaria."
Reed cut off her words.
He felt that if he let her continue, she would cry, so he held her hand and asked.
"Was what Rosaria did a bad thing?"
"I don't know."
Rosaria shook her head with a confused expression.
"Then why did you break that sword?"
"I did it because he was trying to hurt the Sandwich Uncle."
"Who was he? A good person? A bad person?"
"He was a good person."
She could answer that without hesitation.
"And that knight was a bad person."
"That's right, he was trying to hurt a good person, so he was a bad person. So,
Rosaria used her power to save that good person, right?"
"………Yes."
"Then is that a bad action?"
Her previously confused face seemed to regain some vitality.
"Rosaria did a good thing, and Daddy just supported her. When you get older like
Daddy, sometimes you can't act even when you want to help someone good."
"Why?"
"Adults can be really cowardly."
Calculating everything, seeing injustice, and still tolerating it.
Reed had actually tried to do the same.
Reed, like Rosaria, felt it was unfair.
But he didn't step forward.
If he got involved as a Tower Master, there was a high chance that unfavorable things
would happen.
But Rosaria opposed that injustice by breaking the knight's sword.
That's why Reed, as a father and not as a Tower Lord, decided to represent her
feelings.
When Reed adopted her, he vowed to raise her as a woman who could live by her
own beliefs, not as a sacrificial lamb of Project: Flower Garden.
That was the biggest part of Reed's grand plan as the greatest villain.
"So, Rosaria didn't do anything wrong."
"But………"
Still, it seemed there was something she couldn't accept.
Looking at her face, he could see the moisture in her red eyes.
"Everyone says Daddy is a bad person."
Hearing that, Reed held her hand and asked.
"Do you hate the idea that daddy is a bad person, Rosaria?"
"I don't like it."
"Why?"
"Because Daddy is not a bad person."
Rosaria, swallowing her tears.
She tightly held the two hands Reed had given her for reassurance.
"If you were a bad person, I wouldn't hold your hand like this."
Upon hearing those words, Reed felt a surge of emotion.
She is an innocent and kind child.
He was sure his actions were right.
If he had ignored Rosaria's actions or even scolded her for breaking the sword, he
would undoubtedly have been unable to forgive himself.
Reed hugged her.
As he stroked her white hair, he whispered in her ear.
"Rosaria, do you remember the little hero?"
Rosaria, embraced in his arms, nodded her head.
Although he was ridiculed as weak, in the end, he defeats the great evil and becomes
a revered hero.
"What was it like for the little hero who saved many people so far?"
"………They said he did cowardly things like the villains. To the hero."
"Right? He wasn't brave, and he fought in a different way from others. But in the end,
the little hero was recognized as a hero. Why do you think that is?"
"I don't know."
"Because he won in the end. He was recognized as a hero because he had the power
to defeat the Demon King. So even if people think Daddy is a bad person now,
eventually Daddy will be recognized too. Like the story of that little hero."
"………Is that so?"
Rosaria, who had been embraced in his arms, raised her head.
Her confused expression seemed to clear up as she began to understand.
"Then, in the end, Daddy can become a hero like the little hero?"
"Of course. If Rosaria believes Daddy is not a bad person, then there's no doubt he
can become a hero."
Hearing that, Rosaria's face began to relax.
Wiping away her tears with her sleeve, she looked up again.
"I'll believe."
She smiled brightly enough to make her teary eyes seem colorless.
Reed patted her bottom and said.
"Well, shall we go back to the room?"
"Why is that?"
"Well… you know…"
Rosaria asked with an angelic face.
"Can we sleep together tonight?"
It was a request from the girl who had never asked to sleep together before.
Reed smiled at Rosaria's appearance and replied.
"Just for tonight."
Rosaria, who lay down in bed, fell asleep as if she was a machine with its power
turned off.
Seeing her snoring with her eyes swollen red, Reed lay down beside her.
Reed reassured himself as he looked at her face.
The emotion that she needed him.
Just that alone made Reed immensely happy.
"It's great that the young lady is so motivated these days."
Phoebe reported in a drawn-out voice, smiling gently.
Reed looked up at her with a puzzled expression and asked again.
"Motivated?"
"She's studying magic diligently. She says that if the tower lord wants to become a
hero, Rosaria must help and she wants to study hard~ I don't know how adorable
that is."
Phoebe held her face with a happy expression.
'It seems she was inspired by what she heard.'
Recalling Rosaria, who called magic books boring and puffed up like a blowfish, it
was clear that she had changed.
'It feels like everything is going as I intended.'
Reed always believed that the best thing for young children was to play well, eat well,
and sleep well.
He thought it was good to do what they wanted, even if they quickly lost interest, and
find their own way.
So there was no reason to discourage studying they willingly started.
"Still, if it seems like she's overdoing it, take her outside for a walk, and play with her.
It's not good to keep her young energy confined inside the tower."
"Yes~. Leave it to me!"
It had been two weeks since Reed began researching magnesium. Finally, Reed had
achieved the results of his research.
"It's done."
He overcame the problem of mana not being distributed evenly in overloaded magic
stones by creating mana channels similar to waterways.
However, there was a significant drawback: the magic stones had to be used in pairs,
and because of the flaws created when mana channels were created, they could not
be used in weapons or armor yet.
'Well, that's a problem we'll have to improve on.'
For now, Reed was able to control the distribution of mana and finish his research.
[Research progress has reached 100%.]
[The research,
stones, has been successfully completed.]
[ is given.]
- You can use magnesium as a metal substitute.
After acquiring this knowledge with a 100% probability, another message appeared
before Reed.
- A new research project is unlocked.
This new research could be obtained with a 20% probability, and there was no
better feeling than gaining a reward with such low odds. Reed checked what he had
received and said in disbelief, "This is insane…"
[You've acquired the research project
Magnesium.]
Magical Power Absorption Using Magnesium
Type: Research Project
Author: Reed Adeleheights Roton
Using magnesium, a metal that absorbs magic, this project aims to verify if it's
possible to absorb or neutralize the mana of magical projectiles or objects shaped by
mana.
Hypothesis established: X
Research progress: -%
- You can add 'Magic Absorption Glove' functionality to products made using
magnesium. (15%)
- Unknown.
Reed had thought about magnesium-related research resulting from his basic
research on magnesium.
'It should be one of the top-rated research projects for magnesium… '
It was like getting an SSR instead of just an R from the gacha.
A fortune had fallen into his lap.
'Once this is completed, there will be no need to be afraid when facing magicians.'
It meant he could create an item that would allow Reed, who had
Lv. 4, to reach or even possibly Lv. 6 which allowed control
of surrounding mana.
'But it's hard to be completely happy.'
Although it was excellent news, it was still just a pipe dream for now.
Since there was no established hypothesis, there was still a chance of failure even if
the research progress reached 100%. For commercialization, further research would
be required.
The top-rated research projects in magnesium derivative research required skilled
individuals to proceed.
Reed's level of was 4, and while he had a high level of
understanding, this project could not be completed with just his abilities alone.
'It's just a waste of time and resources.'
Although he had enough money, time was not unlimited.
If Reed continued to invest solely in that magic reaction glove, there would be
problems in the overall flow.
'I need an expert for this research.'
At the same time, one name flashed through his mind.
'Kaitlyn Ramos.'
A master of who had appeared in .
She believed that only magic engineering could provide the power to oppose these
catastrophes, and she was indeed the pioneer of magic engineering, which had
successfully thwarted the disasters.
'I need her.'
It just so happened that Reed had something to ask her regarding how these projects
overlapped, and if it was an idea everyone could easily think of.
Reed went to the top floor and approached Phoebe, his half-dragon assistant, and
secretary.
"Phoebe."
"Yes!"
"Do you know Kaitlyn Ramos?"
"Kaitlyn… Ramos?"
Phoebe tilted her head, puzzled.
"You don't know who that is?"
"No…"
Phoebe looked deflated as she shook her head.
"Tell Leto to find information about Kaitlyn Ramos."
"Yes, I understand."
"And what about the news from the Huper Kingdom?"
There had been no news since the message that they would meet soon.
Reed was starting to get curious about when exactly they would meet.
Phoebe, too, seemed not to know and apologized with a sad face.
"They haven't informed us yet… Should I contact them today?"
"Do that. We can't just wait indefinitely."
"Yes."
Reed said and entered his office.
Drinking a cup of tea that followed him automatically through magic, Reed looked
out the window, which was made of full-length glass. Just as he was savoring the
moment and enjoying his tea, he noticed something unusual.
"Huh?"
Reed doubted his eyes. In the 1-kilometer radius cleared around the Silence Tower to
monitor incoming visitors, a portion of it was covered with an array of soldiers, like
an army of ants, approaching the tower.
The number was around 300 people. It was the size of an army dispatched to defeat
a large monster, but now they were approaching the Silence Tower.
Without a doubt, these soldiers must be from the Huper Kingdom, who had
promised to meet soon.
"Master, I've tried contacting them, and the princess is coming on behalf of the king,
it seems."
Phoebe chimed in late.
"Isn't this like they're preparing for war?"
"War?"
Reed pointed downward, and Phoebe, seeing the soldiers walking in a rectangular
formation while approaching the tower, gasped.
"I don't think they're preparing for war. They must be on high alert."
"Alert?"
"Well, you know…"
Phoebe grinned sheepishly.
Reed understood, just a little, what she meant: the soldiers were all on guard for
Phoebe.
"Anyway… doesn't it look like they're here for war?"
"Don't you like it? Should I sweep them away?"
"You?"
"Yes! If it's the Master's command, I'll do it."
Her long, fluffy hair and innocent eyes.
Lately, since Rosaria kept saying she was acting strange, Phoebe was hiding her
innocent eyes and showing only her real eyes, which looked like an excited rice cake.
'Even that appearance hides a vicious side.'
She was submissive and allowed her master to pull her hair when she was an ally,
but it was different with enemies.
Reed, who had seen Phoebe from the enemy's perspective, knew her well.
'I even wondered if she was human.'
As a half-dragon, she had a combat trait called "Dragonization" among her abilities.
When she used Dragonization, the dragon instincts dormant in Phoebe's blood
awakened, turning her into a battle maniac.
In an instant, a Gold Retriever sticking out its tongue and baring its belly turned into
a fierce fighting dog, drooling and charging.
"Hmm…"
Reed stared intently at Phoebe without saying anything.
As he kept looking at her, Phoebe blushed with embarrassment.
Alright, the decision was made.
"Very well, go ahead."
"Really? Should I go and do it?"
"No, don't wipe them out. Go and escort their representative into the tower."
"Me? But won't they be alarmed?"
Phoebe was taken aback.
"It's a tactic. It shows who's dominant."
"I see! Understood!"
Phoebe left Reed's office, excited about fulfilling her task. Reed couldn't help but
admit it.
"I'm curious about how they'll react when Phoebe is out there."
For any army, a commander who is strict and demands high discipline is as essential
as a kind-hearted commander popular among the troops.
Commander Doner Russelos was one such popular commander. He was a seemingly
indifferent person, lacking a military mindset.
But today, his demeanor was different.
"Attention! Don't slack on your guard! Those who display weakness today will be
punished! Do you understand!?"
Faced with an unusual situation, the soldiers were disoriented, but had no choice but
to be alert, as two of their peers had already been disciplined earlier.
'I heard today was just a simple escort mission to the Tower of Silence… '
'Did we come here as if we were on a subjugation mission?'
Although it wasn't a war, the soldiers had received orders to be prepared as if it was.
They were standing in a defensive posture at the entrance to the Silence Tower.
Their protectee, Adonis Huper, was the princess of the Huper Kingdom and held the
position of the third Knight Division commander.
Princess Adonis Huper had inherited the Huper bloodline with platinum-colored
hair and light green eyes. She had short, bobbed hair, like a proper knight.
At first glance, it was difficult to determine if she was male or female due to her
androgynous appearance.
"So, why did they come like this? We are the representatives of the king, aren't we?"
The strict discipline enforced by Commander Doner puzzled even Adonis.
As the commander, Doner maintained a stern expression as he asked Adonis, "How
long has it been since you became a knight, Miss Adonis?"
"It's been 7 years and 3 months since this year."
"Then, I suppose you don't know about the incident that happened ten years ago."
"Ten years ago?"
"The extermination of the Asteria family."
Asteria.
Adonis only knew about it in fragments.
"If you're talking about the Asteria family, they were the rebels who experimented
with mixing dragon blood for the revival of magic. Does that have something to do
with the Silence Tower?"
"The incident itself doesn't have much to do with it, but a person involved in that
incident is in the Silence Tower."
"Who is that?"
Donner unconsciously brought his right hand to the scar on his cheek.
The memories of that time came back to life, stinging the wound and reviving
dormant fear.
"Mad Dragon, Phoebe Asteria… She probably also bears the name Roton by now."
"Mad Dragon…"
"A literal mad dragon who threatens enemies loudly and torments opponents with
her claws. She was also skilled in magic, making her one of the most difficult enemy
at the time."
Donner turned his gaze to the Silence Tower and spoke.
"And that Mad Dragon is in there. The former Tower Master Jude Roton took her
under his wing, and she has been known as the Guardian of Silence' ever since."
"I see… but it still hasn't been explained why you brought an army."
"No matter how much she's been tamed, her nature doesn't just disappear. So, isn't it
natural to be prepared for any possible situations?"
Adonis began to wonder what kind of creature would make even Donner, who was
reasonably cautious, more vigilant with such excessive caution.
Adonis looked up at the Silence Tower.
The magical tower surrounded by a red curtain.
Hearing Donner's serious words, Adonis became more tense.
She couldn't grasp the idea that a dragon lived in such a place like a bridge to the sky.
Creak-.
A moment later, the door of the Silence Tower opened and someone came out.
Commander Donner examined the figure that emerged.
As the person approached, Adonis and Donner saw a woman walking out.
"She must be the tower's mage. Probably here to guide us-."
"Everyone, get into a defensive formation!"
Commander Donner shouted loudly.
Soldiers who had been waiting lined up their shields on the ground and formed a
defensive formation in a swift and orderly manner.
"Commander Donner?"
"That's the Mad Dragon."
"What?"
"The monster that wiped out all the knights dispatched to strike the Asterias is that
woman."
Adonis doubted his eyes.
When she heard the term Mad Dragon, she had no doubt that they would be facing a
fierce demon with an angry aura enveloping its entire body.
But now, the person walking out in front of her was a mage, no matter how she
looked at it.
Seeing the soldiers standing guard at Commander Donner's order, the woman
showed a restless and impatient appearance.
"Is she really that monster?"
"Yes. Don't be fooled by that innocent face! Why on earth did the Tower Master of
Silence Tower send out that Mad Dragon!?"
As Donner kept a serious gaze in his vigilance, Adonis was alternating between
glances at the two, unsure of who to believe.
The flustered woman eventually raised her voice in that spot.
"Ah, helloooo!"
The woman greeted them in a dragged-out voice.
The soldiers, who had been holding shields and extending spears outwards, looked
at one another with bewildered expressions.
"Excuse mee, but… please don't be on guard. I've come to guide the representatives
hereee!"
Seeing the woman's distressed face as she smiled and spoke, Adonis looked at
Donner with an unspoken question in her eyes.
Adonis had no choice but to get off his white horse and approach Phoebe.
"The Third Knight Commander of the Huper Kingdom, I am Adonis Huper. And you
are?"
"Ah! I am Phoebe Asteria Roton. I am the secretary of the Tower Master and the
deputy Tower Master, and… right now, acting as your guide like this."
Hearing her introduction, Adonis realized that Donner hadn't misjudged the person.
'Is she the Mad Dragon?'
However, her appearance was far from what he had described.
Her infected speech and smiling face.
The only threatening element was a pair of horns on her head, which made her feel
nothing but warmth that didn't elicit a sense of vigilance at all.
"I apologize for my commander's excessive caution. Please forgive this rudeness."
"Ah, you were one of the people affected back then…"
Phoebe looked at Donner over her shoulder with a regretful expression.
"Do you recognize who that person is?"
"Well… When I lose my senses, I rampage without knowing anything, so… I've heard
that there are a few people who tremble when they hear my name. I can't remember,
and I don't want to… I'm sorry!"
"No, it's fine. I shouldn't have brought up the past."
"Ah, um, then let me guide you."
Phoebe awkwardly but energetically smiled and guided Adonis.
Commander Donner didn't let his guard down until Phoebe disappeared.
Adonis entered the Silence Tower and found everything around her fascinating.
'This is the Magic Tower.'
In the Huper Kingdom, there are groups of mages who reside in workshops instead
of towers.
The mages in the workshops didn't build towers; they conducted magic research by
extending underground and drawing mana flowing through ley lines.
Therefore, it was the first time she had seen the elevators and the appearance of the
towers.
"You can go in here."
Guided by Phoebe, they arrived in front of the reception room door.
As she slowly walked there, the door seemed to react to her presence and opened
slowly.
Inside the well-decorated reception room, a man was standing and welcoming her.
Reed Adeleheights Roton.
A man who, as a second-seat graduate of Escolleia, conquered all magic by extending
his range into various fields.
However, observant people wouldn't view Reed as a versatile person.
- He doesn't have a distinct talent.
- He has fallen out of the Adeleheights family's teachings.
All the high-ranking mages would often disregard Reed, and even the royal family
did not consider him an important figure.
'Despite such notoriety… '
But the fact was, Adonis, felt overwhelmed when she first saw Reed.
Tower Master.
His dignified appearance exudes elegance, like a noble knight, a great mage, and a
grand duke.
Tower Master Reed was the first to greet them politely.
"I am the Tower Master of Silence Tower, Reed Adeleheights Roton."
Adonis responded to Reed's greeting.
"I am Adonis Huper, the captain of the 3rd Knight Order of Huper Kingdom, and I
greet you, Tower Master."
"I heard you're the eldest princess of the Huper royal family."
"Yes, I am. However, you don't need to treat me like other princesses."
Adonis placed her hand on the Huper Kingdom emblem engraved on her plate armor
and stood at attention.
"I am a sword that protects a nation, and before it, there is only justice, not gender.
So please, feel free to speak casually."
"Understood. The spirit of an excellent knight."
In other words, she meant she was a troublesome woman.
However, Reed politely offered Adonis a seat.
Adonis sat opposite Reed.
'It's like my first encounter with Dolores.'
Although the atmosphere wasn't as cold as back then, it was even more stiff.
She had short platinum blonde hair and green eyes. As long as she didn't speak, she
looked like a handsome man with her tall and slim figure.
'Wasn't she said to resemble Morgan the 2nd like a twin?'
Adonis Huper was 26 years old. Morgan the 2nd was 9 years old, and their
appearances were so similar that they could be mistaken as sisters, not siblings.
[T/N: By siblings, they mean brother and sister.]
Of course, as Morgan the 2nd grew older, he would become more masculine, but at
present, it was said they looked alike.
Reed examined her with his「Talent Appraisal」trait.
Name: Adonis Huper
Occupation: Captain of the 3rd Knight Order
Age: 26 years old
Alignment: Order-Neutral
Health: 1,215/1,215
Stamina: 840/1,040
Mana: 261/261
[Traits]
「Bloodline of Huper」, 「Chivalry」, 「Giant Slayer」, 「Sword Expert」
[Abilities]
Lv. 4
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
「Sura's Sword」, 「Magic Swordsman」, 「Sword Master」
In a word, Adonis was this kind of being.
'A knight of immense strength.'
The trait「Giant Slayer」is given only to those with immense strength, able to
contend with giants.
At first glance, she appeared like a dedicated knight with a slender face, but her
strength was much greater than that of any other knight.
"Why do you ask, Tower Master?"
"…Nothing."
'Let's not think about it. Let's just look at what's in her abilities.'
She had all the skills a knight should possess.
Aside from , she had the perfect abilities for a complete knight
character.
'She also had the qualities of a mage.'
She wouldn't become an Archmage, but she chose to grow as a knight instead of
pursuing the path of a mage.
"First, I would like to apologize for our knights not recognizing you, Tower Master."
Adonis politely apologized. Rather than simply accepting her apology, Reed
considered it an apology for his own actions as well.
"I haven't done anything admirable either. I did break your knights' swords."
"When the Imperial Workshop investigated the matter, they found that the sword
was a defective product from their workshop. If the knight had battled you with that
defective weapon, we would have undoubtedly lost a great knight to Alte's arms. It is
our side that should be grateful."
Defective product…
Considering it was the Imperial Workshop that only handled the best products, they
would have deemed it a defective item the moment they heard a single mage had
broken the sword like a candy.
In the end, the sword would be remade by the Imperial Workshop, and no one would
have lost anything.
"Also,"
Adonis stared at Reed with her green eyes.
"We will purchase all the goods you've intercepted at their contractual prices."
"Did you bring the money?"
"Of course."
Adonis showed a chest and said,
"I have calculated the total value of the carrots you acquired, which is 1,000 UP."
"1,500 UP."
Reed cut her off.
"Our tower can store them in the best condition. We even separate the ones eaten by
bugs and keep them well, so I think that should be worth an additional 500 YUPI."
That was a 1.5 times markup.
Adonis stared at Reed and then quietly nodded.
"…Understood."
Originally, there was not only 1,000 YUPI in the chest.
She took out a total of 1,500 YUPI and piled it in front of Reed.
"Moreover,"
"Do you have anything else left?"
"I would like you to deliver all the grain that was promised to Starfall Village by
tomorrow."
[T/N: Fallen Star Village - Starfall Village, makes more sense]
Reed had not raised the issue out of charity.
He simply wanted to see how far the King's representative could accommodate.
"It's unexpected that you, Tower Master, would show concern for such a small
village."
"I saw the spirit of a knight there, willing to risk their life to protect their village. Isn't
that a level of resilience different from those who retreat as soon as their sword
breaks?"
This remark carried a sharp edge.
Her face should have scowled, but it remained as rigid as a doll's.
"I cannot handle that matter at my discretion. I shall report it to His Majesty."
Reed didn't reply and just looked at her.
Adonis, who had been waiting for a response, raised her head and looked at Reed.
"It's strange."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't feel it? You are buying the carrots for 500 YUPI more than agreed, but you
say that delivering the grain immediately is impossible."
It could have been justifiable if she wanted to avoid rubbing the Tower Master the
wrong way.
However, Reed didn't see it in that simple light.
"Why is the Huper Kingdom issuing promissory notes to commoners?"
"I cannot answer that. The knights do not interfere with administration or politics,
so even if I wanted to, I couldn't tell you."
"So that's how the Huper Kingdom's politics work."
"All policies are wisely led by His Majesty and the ministers. That is why, until now,
there have been no doubts."
"No doubts, huh…"
Reed drew out his words.
He wanted to amplify the impact of the imminent bombshell.
"Does the Captain of the 3rd Knight Order also feel that way?"
Boom!
The glass she held shattered.
She had barely put any strength into her grip, yet the glass shattered.
Questioning a knight's faith was something to do only if prepared for death.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that. I apologize for breaking the glass."
"That's fine. It's just a cheap glassware anyway. Clean your hand."
"Thank you."
Adonis wiped her hand with a handkerchief from her pocket and looked back at
Reed.
"As for your question,"
The atmosphere had subtly changed.
Her cold expression now contained an icy sharpness.
As if standing up against Reed's authority.
Adonis sighed softly and said,
"I also trust His Majesty. I sincerely request that you refrain from further questions."
"Alright."
Adonis then faithfully performed the mission on behalf of King Morgan Huper.
Two things were confirmed:
First, treat the Starfall Village incident as if it had never happened.
Second, buy the carrots for 1,500 YUPI.
Lastly, Reed will no longer cause any incidents within the Huper Kingdom territory.
It went smoothly.
From the outset, Reed hadn't aimed to fan the flames, so there was no further
conflict.
"Then, I will report the meeting results to His Majesty."
With that, Adonis stood up and left the reception room.
"Adonis Huper."
Just as she was about to leave the room, Reed spoke up again.
Adonis halted in place.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Would you, as a knight, be able to remain one forever?"
At that question, Adonis turned her head to look at Reed.
What was his intention in asking such a question?
She stared at him silently for a moment before finally uttering her answer.
"I am a knight who has set foot in the martial arts. Being able to serve beside His
Majesty as a sword is something I am always grateful for."
"I wanted to see that knightly spirit, so I asked. Thank you for giving such a clear
answer."
"Thank you."
Adonis then bowed and left the reception room.
Reed quietly sipped the remaining tea and muttered,
"She doesn't even blink."
Her face, like a blooming ice flower on a snowy field, showed no movement.
It seemed she could have been a high-level poker player, given her consistent
expression as she left the room.
However, that didn't mean he couldn't see through her lies.
- I trust His Majesty.
- I am always grateful to serve by His Majesty's side.
Adonis Huper was lying.
The eldest princess of the Huper family, Adonis Huper.
Captain of the 3rd Knight Order, Adonis Huper.
But a few years later, she would be called by a different name.
The Third Disaster, Adonis.
Codename: Adonis. She would become known as the most malicious magic
swordsman.
Just with her swordsmanship, she reached the level of 「Sword Expert」, and in a
few years, she would acquire the title of 「Sword Master」.
With the swordsmanship imbued with mana, body reinforcement magic, and even
the creation of projectiles using mana, it was not strange for her to be ranked third
among the Seven Disasters.
'She is really a desirable woman.'
Possessing martial arts skills and showing respect for discipline, she was not lacking
as a wise king's successor.
She also had expectations, and she strictly dealt with her own behavior to maintain
the honor of the royal family.
However, Adonis would never become a queen.
During a banquet, she accidentally killed a noble who tried to rudely assault her.
Even if she were not a princess, a person who has become a knight commander
should have been able to easily subdue a noble.
As the issue surfaced, the incident involving the princess unfolded unfavorably.
In the end, the wise king dismissed her from the position of the knight commander
and decisively designated Morgan the 2nd as the next king, putting an end to this
situation.
She was completely buried in society.
Adonis, who had been dismissed, met Reed and participated in the
Garden.
She fell into corruption.
She began to hate her father who had given birth to her.
She envied her younger brother.
She broke her own beliefs.
'I had decided to think about Rosaria first for a while, but… '
Was this something called fate?
He never thought he would see Adonis as a representative of the king.
'Adonis Huper… '
Reed, who saw her untainted self, felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
He began to be attracted to her, who was destined to become a villain.
In the capital city of Huper Kingdom, Cohen.
As the night deepened, darkness descended.
While everyone was waiting for dawn to break, the king's office was still lit by
candlelight.
The wise king, Morgan Huper.
Born with a long beard and droopy eyes, he was an elderly man with a kind
expression suited to the reputation of a wise king.
Due to his recent onset of presbyopia, tears fell when he worked under candlelight,
but he never stopped wielding his pen.
[T/N: Presbyopia is a common condition that occurs when the eyes lose their ability
to focus on nearby objects.]
Knock knock.
"Come in."
As the door opened, a minister entered.
"Your Majesty, the princess has returned after meeting with the Tower Master of
Silence Tower."
"What was the outcome?"
"It seems it ended without any issue."
"Hmm… I see. You may rest for today. I'll continue working."
Although the minister said, "How can I rest when Your Majesty is not sleeping?",
Morgan smiled at his loyalty and allowed him to leave early for the day.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The minister bowed politely and left the room.
Morgan lowered his head and resumed his work.
Although he was spellbound, his work didn't stop even when tears fell.
Knock knock.
It was at that moment.
Something knocked on Morgan's window.
The minister had entered and yet Morgan's pen didn't stop.
But now, it stopped.
A dim figure appeared before Morgan's eyes, covering the moonlit night.
"Who's there?"
Morgan asked, but no answer came from beyond the door.
Deciding that there was no one there, Morgan stood up and opened the window.
It was a crow.
No, it was a corpse made to look like a crow.
One side of its head was intact, but on the other side, the skull was exposed, giving it
a bizarre appearance.
Morgan knew the mage who possessed such a repulsive taste.
The Tower Master of Black Sky, Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
Morgan opened the letter that the crow had in its mouth.
- I've found what you've been looking for.
Let's meet again soon to talk about it.
P.S. Are you truly a wise king? I've never seen anyone as cold-blooded as you.
"Finally… finally…"
Morgan clutched the letter, overwhelmed with emotion.
Caw-! caw-!
The crow, which had been screeching, watched his reaction and then flew back into
the sky.
Morgan calmed his excitement and sat down. He felt his heart was becoming so weak
that it wouldn't be strange if it stopped at any moment.
Hence, excitement was taboo for him now.
He leaned back on the chair and murmured.
"This… is for the Hupper Kingdom."
That's why he had no regrets.
This was the thought of the wise King Morgan Hupper.
On the Cloud Continent, there exists a young Tower Master. Dolores Jade.
She had graduated from the prestigious magical academy, Escolleia, and received the
title "Archmage", a being at the pinnacle of elemental magic, whose abilities were
acknowledged as the youngest Tower Master of Wallin Tower.
Due to her young age, there were initially many objections when she first became the
Tower Master.
However, she proved her abilities by skillfully handling her duties as a Tower Master,
so no one questioned her anymore.
In fact, doubting her was no different from admitting one's foolishness.
Dolores was a genius who stood out from a young age. She knew very well how to
satisfy others. Born as a noble's child and a genius, they always wanted one thing.
To always be able to boast about her to others as their amazing daughter.
Thus, Dolores hadn't had a proper hobby since she was nine years old, and instead,
did her best to become a good daughter.
She devoted herself to her studies and entered the academy at the age of 13.
She always made an effort to be recognized among the highly talented students. For
the image of a genius girl who always tries hard, Dolores never cared about anything
other than her studies.
In short, she never had a hobby or made friends since her childhood.
'Friends… '
For Dolores, they were like an imaginary animal, like a giraffe.
Of course, she had many contacts. Once a noble, and now an excellent magic student,
her connections were enviable.
However, those relationships were all made for business purposes. It was a
thoroughly calculated relationship based on mutual understanding.
Sharing one's thoughts or weaknesses meant imminent death.
She thought that as her position rose, things might get a little better, but that was a
huge misconception.
The higher she climbed, the more she had to be on guard around her, so she had even
less time, and she couldn't make friends, let alone have a hobby.
The moment she showed weakness, an arrow would fly in and bring her down.
That's why she became a 'workaholic', only immersing herself in work.
'This is my life.'
Dolores has adapted to this kind of life. Living as a workaholic wasn't so bad.
The sense of accomplishment from the success of a project also gave her
considerable strength.
She looked at her schedule without complaining.
'About 10 minutes of rest, then rounds starting at 1 o'clock, and checking
improvements and prioritizing… '
A tightly packed schedule.
It was a murderous schedule that would knock down an ordinary person in a day, let
alone a week.
'I created them anyway because I had nothing to do.', was Dolores's thought. If
there's no work, she creates it herself.
Accepting it calmly, she put down her schedule.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
The person who entered Dolores' office was her secretary.
"Tower Master, a letter has arrived."
"From whom?"
"From the Tower Master of the Silence Tower."
"The Silence Tower Master?"
She received the letter from the secretary and the secretary left the room.
Undoubtedly, it must have been sent by a bluebird, since it was rolled up.
--The magnesium research has been completed. Come and see it when you have
time--
As soon as she read the letter, Dolores sucked her lips. She adjusted her posture and
looked at it again.
"Come and see it when you have time."
'Come and see… Is he inviting me?'
Is it really what Reed? Inviting her? What's going on? Is there someone who dares to
play a prank on a Tower Master?
As if caught in cognitive dissonance, she tried several escapes, but in the end,
Dolores called her secretary.
"Um, you know."
"Yes."
"Who sent this letter?"
"It's from the Silence Tower Master's exclusive bluebird."
"Are you sure?"
"I've checked it twice, so it's definitely correct."
"Understood."
Even though there was a possibility of having a conversation through telepathy
among magicians, it is considered rude to do so abruptly. Instead, it is courteous to
send a bluebird with a message first.
Yes, it wasn't strange. But the other party was the Tower Master of Silence?
Dolores had no choice but to call the Tower of Silence through telepathy.
At the end of a long ringing sound, someone answered the call.
"What's the matter?", A deep voice asked.
There was no doubt it was Reed Adeleheights Roton's voice.
"I received a letter from your bluebird."
"It seems it has arrived."
"…What are you thinking?"
"Nothing much. You said you were interested, and I just informed you of my research
results."
"Although I'm happy… We're not that close. Is it okay to invite me?"
Her cautious question seemed to draw a line. Dolores suddenly felt regretful.
In fact, she didn't want to say it like that. She wanted to thank him for contacting her.
For sharing such good news with her.
But she couldn't change her words.
Once spoken, you have to be responsible for them.
That was the weight of being a Tower Master.
"You were a person who sincerely listened to my research. So, I don't think it's wrong
for me to invite you."
"However, I might have been too friendly. I'm sorry if I hurt you. It's my fault."
"No, no! That's not what I meant!"
Dolores inadvertently shouted loudly.
Reed on the other end seemed surprised, and Dolores lowered her voice again.
"Well, there are factions between Tower Masters, right? Naturally, I assumed that
you, as the Tower Master of Silence, would be affiliated with the Tower Master of
Black Sky and that it would not be good for you to associate with me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Coincidentally, I do not belong to any faction. So, there's no problem."
"Is that… so?"
"So you can relax."
"What relaxation are you talking about?", But she was relieved.
Not even aware that the corners of her mouth were rising into a smile, she opened
her mouth again.
"So, when can I come to see you?"
"You can come whenever it's convenient for you. Even today is fine."
"Are you holding a meeting between Tower Masters without making an
appointment?"
Reed tilted his head as if puzzled.
"As I recall, the Tower Master of Wallin also came without notice?"
'Stupid mistakes keep happening!'
"…Okay. I'll come by for a short visit today."
"Understood."
The telepathy call ended and Dolores let out a sigh as she held her head.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid…"
She had exposed all her weaknesses. It was a blunder. But what could she do? The
only thing she could do right now was to visit Reed.
Dolores connected telepathically to her secretary and asked.
"Yes, Tower Master."
"What's on my schedule today?"
"At 1 PM, you have a surprise tour of the Chief Wizards' research lab and check the
improvements in the accommodations. Then, at 3 PM…"
The tight schedule continued like a hellish march until 9 PM.
"Cancel them all."
"All of them? Do you have somewhere to go?"
"I'm going to the Tower of Silence. They invited me to see their completed project."
"But are you going to clear the entire afternoon?"
Yes, it would take at most 30 minutes to see the project and return. Even if they
talked about various things, everything would be finished within an hour.
If it were the usual Dolores, she would have canceled only part of her schedule and
continued with the other appointments.
"Clear my schedule until 2 PM. I'll also see how talented Rosaria is."
"Rosaria? Ah, you mean the daughter of the Tower Master of Silence."
"Yes, who knows, she might want to join our tower in the future?"
"Indeed, an investment for the future! Understood."
An investment for the future. That was a good enough reason to accept.
Her secretary didn't object and cleared her schedule until 2 PM.
Dolores flew on her personal broomstick towards the Tower of Silence.
As the door to the Tower of Silence opened, a guide came out. Surprisingly, the one
welcoming her was the Tower Master of Silence.
Forgetting to exchange polite greetings, Dolores asked first.
"You came down personally?"
"I didn't see the need to have a subordinate do it. Since I invited you, shouldn't I be
the one to greet you?"
Dolores took a quick glance at his appearance.
His ash-gray hair was tied back and a youthful appearance that wouldn't be odd for
someone of his age.
"…Alright."
"Good."
Hiding the fact that she was spacing out, she hastened her steps to keep up with him.
Soon, they arrived at the Tower Master's research building and Reed showed Dolores
his successful creation.
"This is the item I mentioned in the letter."
"So, this is the prototype made of magnesium."
"There are still many improvements to be made, but it's the first success. Want to try
it?"
"Yes, let's."
Dolores picked up the magnesium plate that Reed had made.
"I heard magnesium is soft, but this is as hard as an iron plate."
"If we use this, it can be a substitute for steel or even something better."
"What did the other Tower Masters say?"
She thought that he would undoubtedly show off such an item to others.
"I haven't asked."
"Excuse me?"
"I just wanted to show it to you."
"…Me?"
Dolores looked up at Reed with her eyes wide open.
Her eyes were like the full moon in midsummer, her lips shivering as if touched by
winter frost.
Reed was also taken aback by her reaction.
"Wallin Tower Master."
"Only to me? Why? What did I do to deserve-"
"Wallin Tower Master, calm down."
"I-I'm not upset. I'm fine. Really."
"Your magic is leaking, though."
"My magic is…?"
Dolores looked down at the magnesium plate in her hand and saw white frost
forming on the brass-colored magnesium plate.
"Ahh!"
With a scream, Dolores let go of the now-frozen magnesium plate.
Crash!
The frozen magnesium plate shattered into pieces like thin ice.
The two stared at it for a while.
"…It broke."
"It indeed broke."
Reed glanced at Dolores as he looked at the broken magnesium. Cold sweat was
dripping down her face.
Despite trying not to be upset, she couldn't hide her nature.
Reed turned his head and gestured to the assistant wizards.
Understandingly, they hurried over and began to clean up the shattered prototype
Dolores had broken.
"I'm sorry. I was startled and just…"
"No, it was my mistake that caused the confusion."
"I should be composed as a Tower Master, but… I overreacted. And… I even broke the
prototype."
She looked guilty and her right hand kept fidgeting. She was on the verge of biting
her thumbnail.
"Don't worry. Your actions gave me inspiration."
"Inspiration… really?"
"While researching alternatives to steel, I ultimately want something with effects
greater than steel. To harness its inherent power, what you broke actually helped me
a lot."
"So, this mistake is actually a good thing for me. Don't worry too much."
Reed patted her shoulder and moved on as if it wasn't a big deal.
Dolores found his kindness strange. It was something she had felt since the time he
abandoned the .
'You're acting a bit strange… ', was what she wanted to ask him. The Reed
Adeleheights Roton she knew was very different.
But before her impolite words could come out, Reed turned his head.
"Why not visit my daughter while you're here?"
"You mean Rosaria?"
"She's really into learning these days. She has a strong desire to learn various things."
At those words, Dolores' eyes narrowed, and her voice became calm.
"You're not pushing her too hard, are you?"
"Of course not. It's what she wants to learn. I'll let her study as much as she wants
until she gets bored."
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to see her."
Reed and Dolores walked together to her room.
They knocked on her door and entered. Rosaria, who was sitting at her desk, greeted
Dolores with a big smile.
"Ah, it's Dolores Unni! Hi!"
"You should call her Tower Master."
Reed pointed out, but Dolores crouched down to match Rosaria's eye level as if it was
fine.
"Have you been well?"
"Yeah! I've been playing well with the Lucy doll you gave me!"
"That's good to hear."
Dolores knew better than anyone how much help a teddy bear could be. Living as a
genius, the only ones she could openly talk to were dolls.
Seeing Dolores, Rosaria seemed to have thought of a question.
"Right, you're a Tower Master too, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. Tower Master."
As Dolores nodded, Rosaria's face brightened even more.
"Then, are you good at studying too?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. Of course."
"Then can you help me with my studies?"
"Me, help?"
As she was flustered, Reed put his hand on Rosaria's head and spoke.
"Rosaria, Unni is a busy person."
"Why is she busy?"
"She is the Tower Master of Wallin. She has responsibilities as a Tower Master."
"Uh, I see."
Rosaria lowered her head with a disappointed face.
Dolores looked at her watch. The current time was 1:20 PM.
If she left now, she would have about 10 minutes to spare. So, she could follow her
original schedule from 2 PM, feeling the extra time.
But this would be her last goodbye before she leaves.
Dolores looked at Reed and said, "I have nothing to do today."
So, she lied with a clear and firm voice.
"You have nothing to do?"
Reed asked in surprise.
He knew that Dolores was a workaholic.
He thought she must have left a few busy schedules behind to come here.
Dolores nodded her head.
"I happened to have nothing to do today, so I just came over. It won't be a big deal if
I'm away for a while."
"Really?"
"Yes, that's right."
As she spoke with a serious expression, Reed had no choice but to accept it.
Reed turned his head to Rosaria.
"She says so."
"Then can you help me?"
Rosaria's eyes sparkled again.
Dolores smiled and said,
"I'll help if you're okay with it, Rosaria."
"Yep!"
Rosaria grabbed Dolores' hand and led her to her room.
There was only one thought in Dolores' head as she entered her room.
'Why did I lie…?'
Dolores was surprised at herself.
She had decided not to tell lies that could easily be discovered, but she reflexively
lied anyway.
Dolores rolled her eyes and sneaked a glance at Reed.
He was silently staring at her, which made her feel flustered once more.
"I won't do anything bad to the kid."
"I've never thought that you would do anything bad."
Reed could trust Dolores, unlike other Tower Masters.
That was Reed's thought.
Reed nodded his head and closed the door.
'I've already done wrong.'
So now she decided not to think about anything but focus on Rosaria.
"So, do you want to tell me what you don't understand?"
"Everything!"
"Do you really not understand everything?"
"Yes!"
What Rosaria showed her was a basic magic book.
It was something that was studied at an average age of 14-15 before entering the
academy.
In Dolores' case, she understood it at the age of 8 and began her path in serious
magic study.
Rosaria was a girl with an extraordinary talent.
Thus, she assumed that Rosaria had already understood the basic books.
"Wait a minute… So you've been using magic without understanding the basics?"
"Yes!"
'Is that even possible?'
Watching her innocent smile, it didn't seem like she was lying.
As her blue sapphire-like eyes stared at her, Dolores decided to measure her power
once more.
"Can you show it to me once?"
"Like how I showed Papa?"
"Yeah, let's try that."
Rosaria began to emit magic with a bright expression.
'Oh!, my goodness… '
An exclamation came out.
Various elemental spheres rotated chaotically in the air.
'The form is maintained, but there is no order in the movement.'
Form and order.
Dolores had been taught that those two things were the most important.
If the form is not maintained, there is no order. If there is no order, the form cannot
be maintained.
That was called the rule of traits.
The rules are unbreakable because they are rules.
However, Rosaria ignored such rules casually.
She had heard that she was a genius, but she never imagined her to be such a
monster.
In terms of math, she found the answer by ignoring all formulas.
It was an impossible task even for Dolores, who had once been called a genius.
'What is the true identity of this child?'
She knew the fact that she was an orphan and that she had been bought from the
black market, but no one knew her true identity.
"How was it? How was it?"
Rosaria stopped the magic and asked Dolores.
"It was really beautiful."
"Is it beautiful? Pretty?"
"Yes, it's really pretty."
Dolores' compliment put a big smile on Rosaria's face.
"Even though you can use mana like this, you don't understand the content of the
magic books?"
"Yeah, I don't understand even though everyone teaches me. Rosaria doesn't want to
be stupid…"
Rosaria pouted her lips.
Basically, all magicians were well-versed in basic magic theory.
'But it's difficult to pass that on to someone else.'
Teaching someone is different from learning.
Everything is like that, but magic is the most difficult among them.
Meeting a good teacher, diligently climbing the steps, and accumulating experiences.
The process is as natural as water flowing.
Most wizards probably went through this process.
However, there aren't many people who can remember the entire process and
explain it.
Once they become familiar with the unknown realm, it becomes difficult to explain it
from the perspective of their inexperienced days.
"Rosaria."
"Huh?"
"You probably won't be able to understand this. Do you know why?"
"I don't know!"
Rosaria answered energetically.
Dolores smiled at the sight of her not being ashamed of her own ignorance.
"It's because Rosaria is not a fool but truly amazing. That's why you can't understand
basic magic theory."
Dolores, like other magicians, had learned magic while understanding basic magic
theory.
However, Rosaria understood and acquired everything sensually.
So, teaching her the basics of magic studies was just like teaching her how to
breathe, which was unnecessary for her.
In other words, the basics of magical studies were meaningless to Rosaria.
Dolores pushed Rosaria's book aside.
"Studying with a different book would help Rosaria understand more."
"I see."
"Didn't your dad teach you this?"
"Dad said he's busy. But he still plays with me! At first, he taught me letters!"
"Letters?"
"He taught me one by one using an encyclopedia. It was fun!"
"It must have been fun. I'm glad."
Dolores sincerely responded to Rosaria's words.
"Didn't he teach you anything else?"
"No."
Was it indifference, or did he really want his daughter to live the way she wanted?
Amidst such doubts, Dolores naturally continued the conversation.
"You know what? I learned magic from your dad."
"From Dad?"
"Yes, when I was only as old as Rosaria, your father came as a home tutor for me."
That was Dolores and Reed's first encounter.
"Back then, I called your dad 'Oppa'.'"
A faint smile appeared on Dolores' face.
The first meeting.
It was such a happy memory.
Back then, Dolores was as small as Rosaria.
- You are the eldest daughter of the Baldschmidt family, Dolores. Since you were born
into nobility, you should always remember that. You should no longer disobey your
parents.
Reed's voice echoed sternly yet gently.
Although his voice was often criticized for sounding rigid, Dolores liked Reed's voice.
Because there was nothing else that could comfort her heart but him.
- If you want to act out, tell me. I'll be with you until you get tired of it.
Reed had been a strong support for Dolores, who had always relied only on her teddy
bear.
That's why she admired him, and when she found out that he was her fiance e, she
worked hard to enter Escolleia Academy.
Although they walked their separate paths, she worked hard to become the pride of
the family.
In a way, all of those efforts were also for Reed.
Her first love, and the one who knew everything about her.
But Reed abandoned her.
He cruelly and impulsively disbanded their engagement.
She found out that it was due to the pressure from the Baldschmidt family.
It was because she was such an outstanding person that they didn't want to give her
to Adeleheights, who was working hard.
But, even knowing that Dolores began to hate Reed.
She hated him for leaving her with scars without saying anything.
She despised him for ruthlessly abandoning her.
That's why Dolores looked at Reed with resentment.
Like a girl going through belated puberty, she blindly hated Reed.
Though she felt sorry for his increasingly broken state.
But at some point, her hatred disappeared.
It was undoubtedly when he stood up against Freesia.
She began to see him not as an object of hatred but as her first love, mentor, and her
one and only Oppa, Reed.
"Unni, are you crying?"
"Uh, huh?"
"Don't be sad."
Rosaria covered Dolores's eyes with both hands.
"I'm not crying. I was just thinking about the past for a moment."
"Really?"
"Yes."
When Rosaria carefully removed her hands, Dolores' smiling face appeared.
"Shall we find a book that Rosaria can study together with Unni?"
"Yes!"
They began to look through the books piled up on the library shelves one by one.
As if picking out toys to play with, they continued looking for books, unaware of the
passing time.
Dolores carefully left Rosaria's room.
She felt drained even though they were just looking for books.
Rosaria, who was the most active, began to doze off at the desk, and Dolores put her
to bed and left.
'It seems like a lot of time has passed… '
Although she had initially discarded everything, the clock showed that too much
time had passed.
The current time was 4:20 pm.
She couldn't believe that she hadn't been aware of the time until now.
'I need to get back to work quickly now.'
Dolores's head throbbed due to her disrupted schedule.
She needed to fix it.
Because it was a problem she brought upon herself.
That's when it happened.
"Ms. Tower Master."
A deep voice made her head turn.
Reed was standing in front of her.
She nonchalantly praised Rosaria.
"Rosaria is quite impressive. I was surprised when I heard she folded the mana pillar
but like this…"
"Your secretary came."
Dolores's speech was cut off.
She had been with Rosaria, completely unaware of anything else.
"When did she come…?"
"She came around 2:10 pm, asking if the Lord of Wallin Tower was here."
Most likely, she had been worried about something happening to Dolores and had
been searching for her.
Since she had never overridden her schedule before, it was reasonable for her to find
it strange.
"Your secretary seemed to have made a mistake."
"Excuse me?"
"She said that the Lord of Wallin Tower had no schedule today, but kept insisting that
there was a schedule."
"………So?"
"I didn't listen to the nonsense anymore and sent her away."
Dolores looked up at him incredulously.
"Did you send her away at the door?"
"I didn't have enough time to entertain her nonsense, so I sent her away."
"Ha… I understand. I'll handle it. But why didn't you tell me? What if it was really
important?"
When Rosaria was with her, it would have been just a nuisance.
"From what I heard, it was all trivial matters. It would have only disturbed you while
you were with my daughter."
Dolores finally understood.
It was his consideration for her.
When the secretary came looking for her, Reed must have realized that Dolores had
some business to attend to.
However, Reed pretended not to know.
So that Dolores could have some time alone with Rosaria.
That's why she couldn't brazenly raise her voice.
"………Anyway, Rosaria is a very talented child. It's just that other people can't
understand her. It's a problem."
"Is that so?"
"It's not that she lacks comprehension, but she doesn't know why she has to
understand. It's like breathing naturally, but they can't accept it when you tell them
to understand. The problem is that everyone dismisses it as normal because she is
just a kid and can't understand."
"I see."
Reed pondered on who could be the most suitable person to be a teacher for her.
Dolores just looked at Reed quietly.
Somehow it felt like he was considering everyone except her, and it made her feel
upset.
"Shall I teach her?"
In the end, she spoke up first.
"Huh?"
"Since I have work on weekdays, I can't do it… I'll visit every Sunday. I can certainly
teach her better than the other wizards here."
"Personally, I don't mind… but is it okay for you?"
From Reed's perspective, it was a very good thing.
Having Dolores, a graduate of Escolleia Academy and a genius, teach his daughter
was nothing short of a blessing.
However, he was also concerned about Dolores being a workaholic and whether
Rosaria could cause problems in her work.
"It's fine. This is… a…"
She drew out a word that didn't come to mind immediately.
"Hobby."
That word she had never taken up before.
"This is my hobby."
So, Dolores became Rosaria's private tutor.
Rosaria liked Dolores, and Reed didn't feel any awkwardness, so everything went
smoothly.
The problem was the people around them.
- I heard that the Lord of the Wallin Tower is teaching the young lady.
The person making a fuss was the Lord of Monolith Tower.
He was a fat man who took up about 70% of the screen that appeared.
He was also famous for having as much greed as he was fat.
"It's because my daughter likes her and she agreed to it. This is beyond my
authority."
-Isn't the Lord of Wallin Tower just trying to pull her into her domain? Blindingly
obvious!
"It's none of your business."
-What did you say!
The Lord of Monolith Tower became agitated.
As Reed tapped his chin with his right index finger, he said,
"Let's think about it. What did all of you send for my daughter?"
-Isn't our lecture notes enough? If it were a student or an apprentice in our tower,
they would bow down to me every morning.
"That's the story for the students, but my daughter is only 7 years old. She doesn't
even know her identity yet. To her, it's just a thick and boring book full of letters."
-Are you saying that our gifts are not gifts?
"They're not gifts. She felt stressed as soon as she received it. How could that be a
gift? It's just torment. The only real gift came from the Lord of Wallin Tower."
-What did the Lord of the Wallin Tower give?
"She gave her a small teddy bear."
How could they not think of that?
In fact, it was natural.
Since she was a genius before she was a girl, they had hoped for her to grow up and
be beneficial to them.
They hadn't thought about things like fairy tale books or dolls.
"All I did was choose someone who thinks of the child first. It doesn't matter how
much her academic achievements increase or how much her grades rise. All that
matters is someone who can treat her as a teacher, a big sister, and a friend."
The Lord of Monolith Tower became silent.
He must have come to terms with Reed's words.
Reed was about to suggest hanging up when the Lord of Monolith Tower spoke
again.
-That…
-There is a magic measuring dummy that resembles a doll, what about that…?
'I should hang up.'
Reed was proud of himself for suppressing the urge.
"Anyway, why bother sending it when it'll be destroyed soon? Just leave it."
Three months have passed since the reform of magic engineering.
By now, not only the Chief Mages but also the intermediate mages have grasped the
basics.
They have reached a level where it is feasible to start actual projects using
Magnesium.
- Magnesium material reinforcement.
- Enhancement of magic stone efficiency in Magnesium plates
And through the inspiration given by Dolores, a new issue was discovered.
- Magnesium reinforcement: resistance to elemental attacks.
Since Magnesium would be mainly used for armors, it was essential to increase
resistance to elemental magic.
'This falls under the enchantment area, so it shouldn't be difficult.'
He would distribute related research to newly created magic engineering teams.
'It's faster to conduct research in reality than in the game.'
Usually, only one research could be conducted due to the lack of mages, but Reed had
more than 100 mages.
So, by entrusting the projects to them, they could achieve multiple research results
at once, even if the speed was slow.
"Phoebe."
"Yes!"
Phoebe came over with a smile.
"Please distribute these research tasks accordingly. And tell those participating in
this research that they'll be rewarded with bonus pay based on their performance."
"Bonus pay… are you sure?"
Phoebe seemed dissatisfied.
"Ah, let them know they'll be considered for promotion as well."
"Eh? Promotion, too? There would be a lot of competition within the tower…"
'Did I go too far this time?'
Well, it didn't matter.
Wouldn't it be enjoyable to work extra hard if there were sweet rewards?
"Just relay that to them."
"Understood~"
Phoebe took the documents and went outside. As soon as she left, her dragged-out
voice was heard.
"Oh, Miss, what brings you here?"
It seemed Rosaria had come.
Soon, Rosaria's cheerful voice was heard.
"I came to show this to Papa!"
"Ah, don't bother the Tower Master, Miss."
"But I have to show this to Papa!"
"What is it? Oh, that's so pretty! Is it me?"
"Yeah! It's Phoebe!"
"It's so lovely. Our Miss is so talented~."
'I feel like their conversation is making them forget the main purpose?'
Reed yelled towards the door.
"Stop chatting out there and let her in."
"Ah, yes!"
Phoebe, startled, opened the door and let Rosaria in.
A small angel with white hair and red eyes came running towards him, holding a
drawing.
"Papa, I drew a picture!"
"You drew a picture?"
"Yeah!"
"Let me see!"
Rosaria came to his side and showed him the drawing.
It was a pure and naive drawing that looked exactly like something a 7-year-old
would draw.
She began to explain each figure.
"This is me, Papa, Phoebe, and Dolores!"
They were all made of circles and stick figures, but Reed could tell who was who.
Phoebe had half-closed eyes and a smiling face, and Dolores had sparkling blue eyes
and shimmering hair.
The most discordant figure was Reed's.
Perhaps because it was his own face, the gray-haired figure with a wide grin looked
quite distant from him.
Reed looked at the drawing and looked at Rosaria.
She looked as proud as if she had produced a masterpiece.
"It's great."
"Yeah!"
Watching her puff out her chest, Reed couldn't help but smile.
While she was there, he checked her stats through「Talent Appraisal」.
Name: Rosaria Adeleheights Roton
Occupation: Daughter of the Tower Master
Age: 7 years old
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Health: 100/100
Stamina: 80/80
Mana: 55,860/55,860
[Traits]
「Eternal Hole」
[Stats]
"Absorption Lv. 1", "Purity Lv. 3", "Mana Sensitivity Lv. 7", "Magic Lv. 3", "Elemental
Sensitivity Lv. 3", "Magic Studies Lv. 1"
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
Traits: 「Magic Ruler」,「Master of Adaptation」
Abilities: "Magic Lv. 7", "Magic Studies Lv. 7", "Elemental Sensitivity Lv. 7"……
Her 'Purity' level was gradually decreasing, and the Lawful alignment settled in.
It meant that she now understood the importance of rules.
Reed's intervention must have had an impact on her alignment.
'Whether it's good or evil depends on what she does next…… '
As for whether it's good or evil, it doesn't matter.
As long as she can uphold her own beliefs, Reed was prepared to accept her choices
regardless of what they were.
'Rather, it's strange.'
Her stats had changed as Dolores consistently helped her study, and after not much
time, the 'Magic Studies' stat was created.
It meant that Dolores was able to accurately address what Rosaria didn't understand.
Only a genius can truly understand another genius.
Reed was grateful to Dolores.
'Should I give her a gift later?'
Although she said it was just a hobby, it has been a great help to him.
Even if Rosaria later decided to go under the Tower Master of Wallin, Reed wouldn't
have any lingering regrets since she had already played the roles of a friend, mentor,
and sister.
'Yeah, let's give her a gift.'
If possible, something that women would like.
As he thought that, Phoebe's voice came across.
- Sir Tower Master!
He hears Phoebe's voice through a distant communication spell.
Reed asked her mentally so that Rosaria wouldn't hear.
- What's the matter?
- The Tower Master of Black Sky is here
- Black Sky?
- What should we do?
'Why did the Tower Master of Black Sky come here?'
Reed was puzzled and told Phoebe.
- Guide her to the reception room. Tell her I'll be down in 10 minutes.
- Yes!
To meet with Freesia, he needed some preparation.
Reed took the drawing from Rosaria.
"Very well drawn. Is it okay if I frame this and decorate it?"
"Really?"
"Of course! It's my daughter's first drawing, so of course, it can be framed! I want to
hang it on the wall."
"Okay! I'll give it to you!"
Rosaria nodded.
"Now I have to work, so why don't you go back?"
"Okay. Papa, fighting!"
With her balled-up fist raised as an awkward cheer, she exited the room.
Reed tried to think about what Freesia would have come up with, but the situation
didn't seem to allow for any leisure.
"Ah, Tower Master, um, you have to go to the reception room!"
Phoebe's urgent voice could be heard. She seemed to be trying to stop someone but
was clearly struggling.
The office door flung open, and the figure of a girl and the restless Phoebe appeared.
Black gothic dress, black hair, and red eyes exuding an intimidating presence.
It was Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Reed Adeleheights Roton."
Reed greeted her respectfully without panicking.
"Welcome, Tower Master of Black Sky. I would have come downstairs to greet you in
the reception room."
"Why? Would you have had to dress up? The way you are now is not bad."
Freesia approached Reed casually and looked closely at his face.
Her red eyes and pale skin.
Her attractive eye smile and moist lips were drawing his attention.
However, in Reed's eyes, she looked like a little girl trying too hard to act mature, no
matter what she did.
"I haven't seen you in a few months, and I really missed you, Reed. How about you?
Did you miss me?"
It was undoubtedly because Reed hadn't attended the last Tower Master's meeting.
Since he had informed them in advance that he had important matters to attend to,
the chairman of the Tower Masters, Master of Sky Chamber, must have informed
everyone, so there wouldn't have been any strange suspicions.
Reed just stared at Freesia, and she raised her finger.
"You shouldn't keep a lady waiting. Well, I'll give you 3 seconds. 3, 2, 1—"
"I didn't miss you."
Reed answered her sharply.
At that, Freesia made a face as if it was no fun.
"Really? At times like this, you could at least say, 'I've been suffering from a drought
in my heart because I couldn't see the Tower Master of Black Sky.' Don't you think?"
"Lying is bad."
"Tsk!"
Despite his cold words, Freesia's smile did not fade.
"Hmm… What's this?"
Freesia leaned down and looked at the drawing on Reed's desk.
He didn't think her eyes would catch it.
After examining the drawing briefly, Freesia laughed and looked up at Reed.
"You really can't draw, can you?"
"…What are you talking about? That's clearly a drawing by my daughter."
"Isn't your daughter old enough to draw better than this?"
"She's only 7 years old now. She just started drawing the day before yesterday."
Freesia tilted her head as if to say, 'Is that so?'
'This woman really doesn't care about Rosaria.'
"Hmm… Judging by the colors, it seems to be you, the brat, the puppy, and the ice
girl."
Everyone was strangely named, but it seemed she knew who they were.
Freesia threw the drawing back onto the desk, and Reed put it away with a storage
spell.
Freesia's face was full of dissatisfaction.
"Why am I not in the picture?"
"Why, haven't you had no real interactions with my daughter, and you can't
remember her, so it's only natural she can't remember you."
"What?"
Freesia made a puzzled face at his answer.
"Even though I bought her clothes and praised her, she must have seen me as a
stranger. How ungrateful."
"You didn't have any special conversations with her, and since you don't remember
her, it's only natural she doesn't remember you."
"I am her elder, so she should remember me even if I don't remember her!"
That was absolutely shameless.
Well, in the former aristocratic society, that would have been normal.
Like how seniors in the army don't remember their juniors but juniors remember
their seniors.
"So, what business do you have? You didn't come here to protest about education like
the other Tower Masters, did you?"
When he mentioned education, Freesia chuckled and said,
"That? That's simply the beginning of a romantic tale between you and Dolores. I
won't interfere as a third party. Besides, education isn't my cup of tea. Breaking
things is the most fun."
"So why are you here?"
Then Freesia smiled.
Her smile seemed to reveal years of experience, unfit for her young face.
"It's about the Hupper Kingdom."
Hupper Kingdom.
It was a topic that had not even been mentioned during the Tower Masters'
meetings.
Everyone knew about it, but since a consensus had been reached and it wasn't
causing any major problems, no Tower Master had raised the issue.
'I never thought she would bring it up.'
That was unexpected.
Anyone would expect her to make a sarcastic comment about such a boring matter.
Reed hid his thoughts and spoke to her with a polite tone.
"The matter with the Hupper Kingdom has been handled smoothly. There should be
nothing to worry about."
"Actually, I don't care. It doesn't matter if you stabbed someone to death there or
overturned the dinner table. It's just that if you interfere with what I'm going to do
from now on, it'll be a problem."
At those words, Reed's expression became serious.
"Are you saying the Tower Master of Black Sky is going to get involved in the affairs
of the kingdom?"
"No, even though I'm a Tower Master, why would I bother getting involved in the
kingdom's affairs?"
Freesia smirked as she laughed.
"Instead, 'Brosa' will cause trouble, and that's the issue."
Brosa.
It was a pseudonym Freesia created by shortening 'Black Rose'.
Most likely, none of the other Tower Masters, even the Tower Master of Sky Chamber
who was in charge of the chairmanship, knew about it.
Reed had been aware of it since he received the magical engineering equipment.
So, even if she caused trouble under the pseudonym 'Brosa', Reed knew it was
Freesia's doing.
"What's the problem?"
"Your sense of Justice."
"Justice?"
"If there's someone who tries to prevent something like what happened in that small
insignificant village, it would be a big problem for Brosa."
In short, she was saying he shouldn't recklessly step forward, driven by a sense of
justice.
"In that case, you don't have to worry. I'm not so idle as to volunteer for such people."
His sense of justice had been lit simply by dealing with the fallen star village's matter.
If there were people who spread rumors and expected Reed to solve their problems
with a 'Maybe he'll do it for us too?' mindset, Reed would make them pay the proper
price.
"So, what are you trying to do, Tower Master of Black Sky, that you want to keep my
mouth shut?"
Freesia placed her hand on Reed's shoulder and whispered into his ear.
"I'm about to do it right now."
She whispered in a sweet, devilish voice.
"If you don't have a sense of justice, Reed, why don't you come and take a look for
yourself?"
An ominous feeling crept in.
No, something bad was definitely going to happen.
After all, most people who got involved with Freesia ended up in ruins.
She is pure evil.
Getting involved with her could only bring misfortune.
"Think of it as just getting some fresh air. It'll be fun to be with me, Reed."
Like a fox wagging its tail, she tried to tempt Reed.
[T/N: Fox wagging its tail could imply she is cunning and playful at the same time]
Regardless of her temptation, Reed was lost in his own thoughts.
'Cohen… '
There, the third disaster, Adonis, resided.
What if Freesia was involved in it?
What if it leads Adonis to her ruin?
'…Am I being too nosy?'
The seven disasters Reed created.
Among them, there were some that were purely evil, but there were also those who
became monsters due to injustice.
'I want to know more about that.'
Villains are often portrayed as evil, even in their backgrounds.
Most stories related to Adonis Hupper were also malicious.
She was born with a lot of greed.
She was arrogant.
She seduced people like a fox and killed a noble's child.
That's why it was justified for her to be dismissed and not eligible as a successor.
Even Morgan II, who ascended the throne after Morgan Hupper's death, said so, but
Reed couldn't shake off the nagging feeling.
He made up his mind.
He would keep an eye on Freesia's actions for a while, and if she tried to get him
involved, he would pull out.
After all, he knew the true identity of Brosa.
If she tried to trap him, he could counterattack by mentioning Black Sky Tower
Master would suffice.
"I'll go with you."
"As expected of our Reed. We should have fun together."
She cooed at him like a grandmother adoring a well-behaved child, making him want
to punch her.
But he knew that she acted this way because she liked him.
So he had to be careful.
If he didn't handle her cautiously, the thorns of a rose would dig into his flesh.
The capital of the Hupper Kingdom, Cohen.
It was a small kingdom founded by Morgan Hupper after he declared independence
from the empire, and the current political situation had stabilized significantly.
Well-paved roads and people walking on them.
Reed and Freesia were walking among them.
A girl dressed in a luxurious outfit, holding a black parasol, and a gray-haired man in
a formal suit walking beside her.
At a glance, they looked like a naive young lady and her butler.
Therefore, no one could imagine that the masters of the Silence Tower and the Black
Sky Tower were walking side by side.
However, due to their outfits, they couldn't avoid the occasional curious glances from
passersby.
"Every time I see the royal road, old memories come flooding back," Freesia began.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I used to be a noble lady myself. Or was I a doll back then?"
Freesia smiled slyly.
The Vulcan family was an unknown noble family.
In fact, there was a record that the family had existed a long time ago.
However, it was unclear whether the lineage was still being passed down.
Freesia never revealed it herself.
She just acted like a spoiled brat and continued like a skunk in the Cloud Continent.
As Reed looked down at her, Freesia became aware of his gaze and met his eyes.
Her red eyes.
Similar to Rosaria's, but Freesia's were closer to a darker red.
"Are you curious about my past?"
"Uncovering what others don't know. Isn't that the duty of a magician and scholar?"
"If you want to see a woman's past, you must be able to take responsibility for it. Can
you take responsibility for my past?"
Taking responsibility for the past.
That was a roundabout way of talking about marriage.
So Reed shook his head.
"I'm sorry."
"I really want to break you."
Freesia discreetly approached and took Reed's hand.
"Reed, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"How did you find out about my alias?"
A subtle chill could be felt in Freesia's words.
"It's tied to my past, and a man like you couldn't possibly know about it. So I can only
think that you must have learned it through someone else."
"What do you plan to do once you find that person?"
"What do you think? If they won't let go of a lady's dirty past, I'll have to bury them
whole."
A malicious woman.
Reed quietly withdrew his hand.
"That person is already dead."
"How?"
"They seem to have been killed as a guest. They were drinking at a tavern and got
caught up in a brawl."
"Hmm… Well, there's nothing we can do about it."
What can be done about someone being dead?
Freesia didn't try to inquire any further.
Taking a step forward, Freesia said, "We've had enough of a walk, shall we now get
down to business? Follow me."
Freesia left the main road and entered a back alley.
Buildings were tightly packed, and not a single ray of light could penetrate the area.
As soon as they entered, their eyes involuntarily squinted.
The smell of rotting garbage stung their noses.
Reed found it hard to bear the foul odor, but Freesia walked on unfazed.
After walking for a while, Freesia spun around on her right foot and faced Reed.
"Stay still. You might get hurt if you move."
As Freesia flicked her finger, her shadow rose from the ground and reached out to
Reed.
He hesitated for a moment at the sight of her using magic, but realizing it wasn't an
attack on him, he stood still.
Soon, the shadow wrapped around Reed and began to wriggle.
His red uniform on a black background turned all black, and his gray hair was dyed
black.
Looking down at his chest pocket, there was a single black rose pinned there.
Reed wasn't the only one who changed.
Freesia's appearance had also changed slightly.
Her Gothic outfit was now a silk dress adorned with black roses, and a small silk hat
was placed on her head.
'Strange.'
Freesia's presence wasn't felt at all.
If he hadn't known it was Freesia, he wouldn't have recognized her at all.
Freesia looked Reed up and down with a satisfied expression and patted his arm.
"Hmm, it turned out quite well. It suits you. How about giving up your position as the
Tower Master of the Silence Tower and becoming a butler for our Black Sky Tower?"
"Why did you use disguise magic on me as well?"
"I thought you didn't want to get involved in this Brosa's business, Was I wrong?"
"Just keep your mouth shut. That way, you won't get entangled in this matter."
It was her own way of being considerate.
She walked a few more steps and turned a corner.
There, a man leaned against the wall with his eyes closed.
Freesia approached the man and said, "The famished snake has finally opened its
eyes."
A bizarre line of poetry.
Undoubtedly, it was a code phrase.
The man opened his eyes and glanced down at Freesia.
"Are you Broza?"
"Yes, I am."
She replied, sounding a bit surprised.
Freesia's tone had completely transformed from a cheeky child to a proper young
lady.
It was refined and polite yet irritating.
It was an unusual combination of attributes, but she didn't seem to have any trouble
pulling it off.
'Is it because of this that she told me to keep my mouth shut?'
The man stepped away from the wall and pushed a rough wooden panel.
With a creak, it slid like a poorly greased sliding door, revealing stairs leading down.
Freesia and Reed descended the stairs.
The smell of sewage made them think it was an abandoned sewer in the kingdom.
There was a single table and four men and women gathered around it.
They seemed to be in the middle of a conversation, but they greeted Freesia and
Reed warmly when they saw them.
"You've arrived, Broza."
One of the men greeted Freesia first.
"Do we really have to announce our plans in a place like this? You could have found a
better location."
"If we had that kind of money, would we be gathered here like this?"
The bulky man with a scowl glared menacingly at Freesia.
Judging by his size, it wouldn't be surprising if he could engage in a bare-handed
fight with a bear.
If it had been the usual Freesia, she would have been consumed by fear and
tormented him endlessly, but now she just smiled brightly.
"By the way, who's the guy next to you? I heard you were coming alone."
A woman with her arms crossed pointed to Reed with her chin.
Freesia smirked and casually leaned on Reed.
Before he could react, she drove her point home.
"He's my older brother. He loves his little sister more than anyone, so he came with
me."
Was his black hair made for this?
She portrayed the image of a loving younger sister clinging to her brother.
He wanted to make a fed-up expression, but since he had vowed not to get involved,
he just stood still.
"It would've been nice if you had told us beforehand."
"I'm sorry. But what can we do? He's inseparable from me."
"Enough. Let's stop the chitchat."
They didn't care about trivial matters.
The only thing that mattered to them was keeping their promise.
That's why they focused on their plans, treating Reed as if he were just a folding
screen.
Reed sneakily took a peek at what plans they were making.
It was a common event that occurred on the royal road in fantasy games.
'Are these guys criminals?'
Of course, he had suspected this to some extent when they entered the dark alley.
Reed examined them with an eye for talent.
Name: Sneaky John
Occupation: Thief
Age: 21 years old
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Health: 500/500
Stamina: 310/310
Mana: 0/0
[Traits]
「Quick Hands」
[Abilities]
"Stealth Lv. 2", "Eloquence Lv. 3", "Agility Lv. 3", "Thievery Lv. 2"
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
None
Thieves, bandits, swindlers………
They were just mediocre people, living off the crimes they committed in the
shadows.
'Even if they do commit crimes, they'll be easily subdued, right?'
At best, their highest level was a measly 3, just small-fry specs.
Reed was expecting a blockbuster but ended up watching a low-budget film.
He couldn't understand why Freesia was working with such people.
She was helping with their crimes under the name of Brosa.
Reed became curious about the crime that the Black Tower Tower Master was
involved in and examined their plans more closely.
And if he were to evaluate their plans honestly…
'Crude.'
It was just like the hostage drama and swift heist commonly seen in movies, followed
by escaping over the city gates.
That was all.
'Without any countermeasures, they just planned whatever they wanted.'
Reed couldn't help but sigh at the plan, but what would Freesia say about it?
A moment later, Freesia opened her mouth.
"That's a good plan."
Reed could tell that she was subtly mocking their plan.
"However, I'm still worried about the escape. Isn't it difficult to steal the guild's cargo
and leave through the city gates?"
"We know it's impossible. That's why we called you, Brosa, isn't it so?"
Freesia smiled slyly.
Then, Reed saw mana bursting from her body.
It wouldn't have been strange for the people of the tower to step back at the ominous
presence, but the rest of the people, who couldn't feel mana, showed no reaction at
all.
"What I do is amplify your desires. Do you know what that means?"
"It means you give us the power to become superhuman, like the knights and
wizards of the kingdom, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Some people even say it's a power given by a demon. Do you know
why?"
Shriek!
Freesia's mana engulfed the men and women surrounding the table.
"Ugh!"
Their bodies stiffened as if they were being electrocuted.
Not knowing why, they rolled their eyes, bewildered by the strange sensation in their
bodies.
Freesia answered the question she had asked.
"Because no human who has ever been under my spell has remained sane."
"Ugh!"
"Do you think you can overcome your desires?"
For a moment, they looked at each other.
And they nodded at her question once more.
"We understand."
With those words, Freesia snapped her fingers.
Snap!
With a clear sound, her shadow enveloped their entire bodies.
A moment later, their bodies, completely swallowed by the shadows, began to
squirm.
Crack! Crunch!
The sound of something breaking and being crushed.
Despite the terrifying sound that should have elicited screams, they didn't even let
out a small moan.
How much time had passed?
The shadow curtain that had tightly wrapped the thieves began to melt.
Soon, their figures were revealed to Reed and Freesia.
The atmosphere of just moments ago, like a bunch of weaklings, was completely
gone.
Even Reed felt a little cautious at first glance.
Moreover, their bodies had grown 1.5 times larger, and the once bulky man had
turned into a bear itself.
"Huff, huff…!"
"Is this, is this me?"
"Why does everything feel so slow?"
"Aren't you just speaking slowly?"
Their consciousness speed had increased, making others' speech seem slow.
They all looked at their bodies with eyes full of ecstasy.
'Could it be the magic she used on them was… '
At that moment, Reed realized what it was.
The worst magic Freesia had suggested to the protagonist when he was playing
"Disaster 7".
A skill that could be considered the identity of the character Freesia.
"Desire Massacre".
Unlike ordinary buff magic, this dark magic was characterized by consuming mental
power and using desire as a medium to maximize abilities.
'With this, their pathetic planning won't be a problem at all.'
The party, which had been full of weakling vibes, transformed into a monstrous
party in an instant.
With them turning into monsters, such a crude plan wouldn't pose any problem at
all.
"Ha-ha-ha! This is amazing! Yes! With this level of power, it won't be a big deal at all!"
"Now, everyone, go on. Be true to your desires."
Freesia politely greeted them.
"Thank you, miss."
The men who had turned into monsters left the sewer, leaving Freesia and Reed
behind.
From now on, they would raid the merchant guild in the capital, Cohen.
"Reed."
Her polite tone returned to normal.
Freesia, who had stopped acting as Brosa, asked.
"Do you know what this magic is?"
"Isn't it 'Desire Massacre'?"
Reed nodded.
Desire Massacre.
A slaughter of desires.
It sounded like a name that would erase all desires and lead to a state of Nirvana.
However, those who had seen the magic firsthand could understand why it was
named that way.
It wasn't about slaughtering desires, but being slaughtered by desires.
Captivated by desires, they break all ethics, and ultimately, they are consumed and
destroyed by their desires.
A scene of massacre without mercy where desires exploded.
Freesia had cast such a spell on the unaware thieves.
"Is this what Brosa does?"
"Brosa has no good or evil. She's just a girl who moves according to her contract."
"Wouldn't it be a big deal for the tower if the magicians of the workshop found out
about this chaos?"
This matter was on a different level than what Reed had done.
It wasn't just about opposing a kingdom's tyranny in a small village, but directly
attacking its capital, Cohen.
"We won't have any problems, Reed. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because this chaos is what Morgan Hupper wants."
"Morgan Hupper?"
Morgan Hupper wanted his city to be ransacked?
Even though Reed stood there with a confused expression, Freesia turned her steps
toward the stairs.
"Shall we get going too, Reed?"
"Where do you plan to go?"
"Now that all the roles have been assigned, it's time to watch the play. We can't miss
out on the fun, can we?"
Freesia began to walk ahead.
As they came out onto the main street, Freesia stopped acting as Brosa, and Reed
followed her, returning to his original form as well.
Reed and Freesia headed for the merchant guild, pretending it was a coincidence.
The quietness of the peaceful street.
However, it soon shattered mercilessly like thin ice on a lake.
"Kyaaak!"
A scream burst out from inside the merchant guild.
At the same time, people swarmed out.
'What? It seems like all the people who could have been taken hostage are coming
out.'
Reed looked at the scene with a bewildered expression.
'What happened to the plan?'
According to the plan, they should have closed off the surroundings to buy time to
escape.
But now, there was an unprecedented commotion everywhere, as if they were
advertising something.
Their carefully planned operation for theft had become futile.
'Well, it's an obvious outcome.'
Reed could roughly guess the situation.
Those who had been affected by Desire Massacre were destined for this fate.
Gold always attracts envy and greed.
However, most people do not covet what belongs to others.
At most, they may envy the owner of the gold.
But it was different when affected by 'Desire Massacre'.
The moment they saw the gold, they would draw their swords and cut the throat of
the one holding it without even feeling envy.
And then, they would greedily covet the gold that person had.
No doubt, this alone was a terrible situation, but the misfortune didn't end there.
Soon, they would attack the people around them and brutally kill them in the same
way.
The reason is simple.
Having killed a person and obtained gold, they fall into a one-dimensional delusion
that killing people will result in gold.
'The most terrifying black magic.'
Although it only works with mutual consent, Freesia knows how to touch people's
desires.
A woman who stimulates their desires with an innocent face and lures them into a
devilish contract.
There was only one reason she used this magic.
Curiosity.
She was merely curious if there was anyone who could survive after falling into
Desire Massacre.
That's why she didn't discriminate between friend or foe if they had desires.
"As expected, these guys were simple fools as well."
Freesia clicked her tongue in disappointment.
Seeing that they didn't intend to come out even after a few minutes, the word 'plan'
must have already disappeared from their minds.
Freesia shook her head and snapped her fingers.
Shadows swelled up, and a luxurious chair and a glass container filled with
delicious-looking snacks appeared.
"Still, watching the chaos unfold is quite entertaining."
Freesia chuckled, munching on snacks while watching the merchant guild descend
into chaos.
Crash! Bang!
Glass windows shattered, furniture flew, and the street began to fill with broken
pieces.
As order disappeared and chaos filled the scene, a savior appeared.
Ten horses galloped down the main road, carrying knights in silver plate armor.
"It's the Hupper Kingdom's Knights!"
"The Knights stand with the light!"
Everyone cheered and made way for the heroes.
At the forefront was a small-framed woman.
Her head was covered by a silver helmet, but her winged ear decorations and
physique made her instantly recognizable.
The Third Knight Commander, Adonis Hupper.
She dismounted her horse and shouted loudly.
"Intruders, listen!"
Her voice, not fitting her small stature, boomed throughout the building.
Even Reed, who was far away, flinched at the deep roar.
"You have caused a great disturbance that cannot be atoned for even in death.
However, if you surrender peacefully, I will give you a chance to redeem your sins in
the name of Cohen, the great king, and Althea, the goddess of light!"
Her valiant voice undoubtedly reached the inside.
However, what came in response to Adonis's call to surrender was a broken sofa.
Flying directly at Adonis's face, it would have caused serious injury if it had hit her
directly.
Whoosh!
But for Adonis, such a sofa was not a problem.
With a casual flick of her wrist, she swatted the sofa aside.
The sofa turned at a right angle and rolled along the street for quite a distance.
At the same time, one side of the merchant guild's wall crumbled completely,
revealing the people inside.
No, they were beasts.
They felt completely different from when they first gained power.
Their bodies were covered in blood, and their hands clutched crumpled gold coins.
Grrrrr…
The monsters emitted a phlegmy, muffled sound.
Drooling, they looked like rabid dogs.
They stared intently at the Knights.
A murderous intent could be felt.
Even Reed, who was far away, could feel it.
However, Adonis, who was at the forefront, raised her hand without hesitation.
The knights behind her placed their hands on their sword hilts in response to her
signal.
"Standby."
Her command was not to draw their swords, but to standby.
Adonis maintained her stance as she gave the order.
"Ho, ho, is this the monster of the Hupper Kingdom?"
Freesia admired her spirit.
It meant that there was no need for the others to step forward.
In other words, she would face them all alone.
But her opponents were not just four people, but four beasts consumed by greed.
Freesia, finding it interesting, stopped eating her snacks and leaned forward in her
chair.
Adonis slowly walked towards them.
She didn't reach for her sword.
No, instead, she dropped her sheathed sword to the ground, as if it was a hindrance.
She intended to face them with her bare hands.
The beasts eyed Adonis warily as she approached.
"Money… If you kill people, money comes out… Money!"
As Reed had expected, they were consumed by the delusion that killing people would
yield money.
"Give us the money!"
The man holding a dagger disappeared.
When he reappeared, he was in front of Adonis.
The dagger aimed for the gap between her armor, targeting her carotid artery.
Just as his blade was about to make contact,
Bang!
Dust rose into the air.
Reed doubted his eyes.
Adonis's fist was covered in blood and flesh, and the monster targeting her neck was
now embedded in the ground.
It was like an old movie, where the process was cut, and only the result was shown.
'She took him down in one blow.'
Humans enhanced by the Desire Masker were all monsters.
But Adonis Hupper was a superhuman who surpassed them.
It was clear who the real hunter was in this place.
"Kyaaaak!"
Crunch!
"Give us the money!"
She moved slowly, with heavy steps, and crushed the heads of the monsters that
charged toward her.
"Uwooooh!"
Finally, the largest man, with a bear-like roar, charged at Adonis.
His arm was as thick as her waist, making the difference in size apparent.
Thud!
But Adonis's hand grabbed and snapped him like a twig.
Reed, who was briefly worried, felt embarrassed by the destructive sight.
It took only one minute to subdue the monsters that attacked the merchant guild.
Adonis brushed off the blood and flesh from her hands.
"Listen, citizens of Cohen!"
Adonis's shout echoed throughout.
"As long as the king lives, there is nothing that can threaten the existence of Cohen!
All of this is the will of our Lord, Althea, and the will of the great king, Morgan
Hupper! Worship the king!"
"Knights of Cohen!"
"Alte , please watch over our king!"
The voices of people offering prayers to the god and showing respect to the knights
filled the area where chaos had once been.
Only then did Reed understand why they had intentionally caused chaos.
'Create chaos themselves. And then clean it up. Then… '
They would gain fame.
The power of the kingdom would be displayed, and everyone would praise and trust
the kingdom without question.
"What an amazing show of force. I can't tell who's the monster and who's the knight."
Freesia's face was filled with a childlike smile.
"It's a shame for that girl. She certainly has the qualities to become a king, but she
can't be one."
Reed's eyes were filled with determination.
He was definitely swayed.
However, he tried not to show it to Freesia.
"What do you think, Reed?"
"I also think she is a person worthy of being a king."
A flawless superhuman.
To some, she was an idol; to those who couldn't worship her, she was a source of fear.
"But you said she can't become a king. Is there a reason?"
"It's not a big reason."
Although she said it wasn't a big reason, Reed concentrated on every word as if he
wouldn't miss a single one.
"Well, it's just that a woman being possessed by a man is a bit… you know?"
Possession.
Upon hearing that word, all the repulsive elements clicked together like puzzle
pieces in Reed's mind.
"Do you mean that Morgan Hupper will possess his son, Morgan the Second?"
"Yes, that's how it is."
Freesia nodded casually.
'Then Morgan the Second so far… '
Was not Morgan's son, but Morgan himself.
Maturity beyond his age.
An awakened mind, driven by the conviction that he must rule the country after his
father's death.
Lies.
Everything was a lie.
In fact, it was Morgan himself.
"Isn't it fascinating? The wise king who watches over all people is after his own son's
body. He's afraid that everything he has built will become futile, so he creates chaos
himself and desires eternal life."
Freesia twirls with her fan open.
She looked around the city once again.
A smile formed naturally.
A wicked, childlike smile.
"I really like it here. It's an interesting city."
Having escaped Freesia's amusement, Reed sat quietly leaning back in his office
chair.
'Morgan the Second… '
He recalled Morgan from "Disaster 7".
-Your loyalty will be rewarded.
-It is my duty to carry on the will of my father, Morgan, and watch over the people.
With a disgusting face, he blatantly lied.
He deceived everyone, taking the life of his own son to survive.
'Freesia must be the one helping him.'
Morgan probably asked Freesia, the master of dark magic, for help, and Freesia was
searching for a solution in response to his request.
Why would Freesia research such magic?
The nuances suggested that she was undoubtedly in cahoots with Morgan Hupper
and she wouldn't have informed the workshop.
The workshop's magicians mainly researched white magic, which emphasized ethics,
so it was natural that they wouldn't touch dark magic, which was uncomfortable
even for the tower's magicians.
'Adonis… '
Captain of the Third Knight Order, Adonis Hupper.
And the third disaster, Adonis.
'Did Morgan Hupper push Adonis to make the Second succeed?'
What if the death of that noble was also intentional?
The last moment Adonis faces.
In a situation where the protagonist could show mercy, she responds like this.
-I have been betrayed by the people I have respected and loved all my life. There is
only one place left to go.
Saying this, she takes her own life with her sword.
The noble soul that could have been a virtuous knight devoted loyalty to a twisted
being tainted by the light of corruption.
Reed closed his eyes and gathered his thoughts.
'Why did I come here?'
He always felt pity for the seven disasters Reed created.
Characters who, despite having experienced great setbacks, had the chance to
overcome obstacles and make a leap forward.
However, he pitied the seven disasters that became hideous monsters by Reed's
hand.
Adonis falling into danger, and the noble that tried to assault her were all
orchestrated by Morgan Hupper.
'In order to become a wise king… No, to maintain his rule, he led his own bloodline
to ruin.'
He tore down his daughter's reputation as a knight and stole his son's body,
extinguishing his soul.
Hypocrite.
Reed let out a hollow laugh.
"Isn't this just like the final boss I used to be?"
Fearing death and using his children to escape.
He couldn't admit the limits of his abilities, and it was no different from Reed who
drove multiple people to ruin.
'If I interfere with his plan, I will surely be at odds with Freesia.'
Not knowing her motives, but as a self-willed woman, she would undoubtedly be
ruthless.
However, it doesn't matter.
She is not on my side.
She is on no one's side.
'If she doesn't agree with me, I have no choice but to turn her into an enemy.'
He finally made up his mind.
Reed picked up his pen.
Cohen Kingdom's Third Knight Order Captain's office.
The soldier who just finished the shift report spoke.
"…That's all I have to report."
"Soldier, you've worked hard. Go and rest for today."
"Yes, sir!"
After the soldier saluted respectfully and left.
Someone else entered the room.
It was a servant.
"Sir, Captain, there is a letter for you."
"A letter?"
"Yes, there's no sender, so it's a bit concerning, but what should we do?"
A letter without a sender.
Depending on the commander's discretion, it could just be burned.
"Leave it and go."
"Yes, sir."
The servant placed the letter on the desk and saluted Adonis.
Adonis used a knife to tear open the letter with an invisible seal.
-You will become a king.
The elegant handwriting did not seem to be written merely as a joke.
'Who sent this?'
Although she couldn't tell who sent it, Adonis could feel the sincerity emanating from
it.
That someone genuinely cared for her.
A general store.
Literally, it felt like a small store that bought and sold all sorts of items.
From simple herbs to kitchen utensils and even longswords used in battle, a wide
variety of items were on display.
No, it wasn't even a proper display, as the items were piled up, making the store look
cluttered like a secondhand bookstore.
However, the smaller the village, the more important it was to have a place that dealt
with such a variety of items.
The general store was the only place to get what they needed when they needed it.
Tinkle tinkle.
A person in a robe with a hood entered, ringing the bell on the door.
While tucking the red hair sticking out from under the hood back in, the woman
walked over to the counter and put something on it.
A hefty money pouch.
Inside it were 1 UP coins, filled to the brim.
"I came to buy some lizard poop you mentioned last time."
It was a casual tone, but her voice was unmistakably feminine and high-pitched.
The general store owner recognized the words and responded.
"You mean magnesium when you say lizard poop?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I'm sorry, but the price of magnesium has gone up sharply, and the merchant guild
bought it all up."
At that, the woman slapped the table with the palm of her hand.
"What? I reserved it, so why did you sell it to them?"
"I'm a merchant too, how could I refuse when they offered more money? You didn't
even give a deposit in the first place, did you?"
"I didn't have money at the time, what do you want me to do?"
"What can I do if you don't have money? I can't help it either."
That was the law of Cloud merchants.
It would have been the merchant's fault if the deposit had been paid first, but this
was a matter where the woman had no say.
"Where in the world would a fool buy that lizard poop? Did you secretly withhold it
because I was going to buy it?"
The woman didn't care to call herself a fool.
"You! Do you think I'm some kind of unscrupulous merchant? If I were to do business
like that, I would have gone to the city!"
"Ugh! So, why did that damned merchant guild buy it?"
"Recently, someone has been buying up large amounts of magnesium. Who was it…
someone called the Master of the Silence Tower."
"Silence… Tower Master?"
"What was the name? It was a noble-like name."
The general store owner didn't know the name, but the woman did.
Reed Adeleheights Roton.
She had known about him even before the name Roton was attached.
"Anyway, I'm sorry. I need to make a living too, so what can I do? If you're going to
buy something next time, I'll definitely have it ready for you. But the price has gone
up since then."
"How much?"
"70 UP per 1kg."
"…Never mind."
The money inside the pouch was exactly 50 UP, so she couldn't even use it as a
deposit.
'If I pay 20 UP more, I'll have to live on dew for a few days… '
The woman was neither a sage nor a druid, but a human, so eating was absolutely
essential.
The woman took her money pouch and left the general store.
Then she looked up at the sky.
'Without a doubt, that sky doesn't care what I'm thinking.'
As always.
"Why is Senior Reed buying magnesium?"
Kaitlyn Ramos.
She called that name again, which she thought she would never have to call again.
Tower Master Research Center.
Reed was murmuring, looking up at the object placed on the anti-gravity floating
device.
"Is it complete…?"
An item made after days of struggle and wandering.
It was the first time he had used a magnesium plate to create an item, so he had gone
through 15 trials and errors to maximize the efficiency of the magic stone.
Magnesium Gauntlet (Trial Version)
Type: Equipment Item
Durability: 50/50
Defense: 28~30
"Production Lv. 3": The joint connection is weak, making it vulnerable to durability
reduction.
"Magic Engineering Lv. 4": Charging rate - 95%, duration - 70 hours
"Magic Lv. 4": The power of the manifested magic increases by 1.1 times.
A gauntlet made using magnesium.
When charged, it is stronger than ordinary steel.
The length that reached up to the elbow was a little longer than the arm size of the
wearer, Reed.
'It feels like a weapon of some ancient civilization.'
Looking at the mana channels he had created, it looked like a maze had been drawn.
It felt like a tool for showing off rather than for practical use.
Now there was only one thing left.
Only the actual test remained.
As Reed reached out to the anti-gravity floating device, the assistant magician
standing behind him opened his mouth.
"Are you going to try it on yourself?"
"Yeah."
"It could explode again."
At those words, Reed suddenly started to feel afraid.
In fact, the gauntlet had exploded during the 12th trial and error.
However, instead of answering, he glared at the man who had said that, and the
magician who had made a slip of the tongue covered his mouth with both hands and
stepped back.
"Don't worry. I made it. If it fails, of course, I have to pay the price for that, right?"
Roughly avoiding the subject, the assistant magicians looked up at Reed with a
slightly awed expression.
'He truly is a Tower Master.'
'Just a few months ago, he wasn't like this… '
Most of them were apprentices and had no direct contact with the Tower Master, but
they were well aware of his notoriety.
A crazy man who would dismiss anyone he didn't like, treating the deputy Tower
Master and the Guardian of Silence like a dog.
However, after overthrowing "Project Flower Garden", such rumors disappeared
entirely.
A Tower Master with drive and ruthlessness, but at the same time, he had the ability
to embrace others.
Furthermore, this time the adopted daughter he brought in was a genius who was
worth more than gold, but he never got conceited.
Ultimately, Reed's successful resolution of the conflict in the Hupper Kingdom
greatly improved his image within the tower.
Reed mentally prepared himself and inserted his hand into the gauntlet.
He slightly manifested mana and touched the magic stone part. Then, the gauntlet
started to react and move.
The volume gradually reduced, and it fit snugly on Reed's hand.
Reed tried moving his fingers.
It moved more smoothly than when wearing a glove.
It fit Reed's hand perfectly, just as designed.
'And fortunately, there's no explosion either.'
The current production project was over.
[The progress of production has reached 100%.]
[The production project, "Magnesium plate armor production - gauntlet " has been
successfully completed.]
["Success Reward" is given.]
- You can now create a gauntlet using magnesium plates.
The magnesium gauntlet prototype was made over the course of three days.
'Should I reduce the actual weight a bit more… or rather, should I increase my
strength instead?'
The weight itself was lighter than the gauntlets used by knights, and the defense was
on the lower side.
If the weight was reduced any further, it would be like making ceramics instead of a
gauntlet.
'Let's increase my strength a little.'
Tower Master doing strength training… It might be a bit funny.
Reed checked the current status of magnesium research using the authority of the
Tower Master.
-Magnesium material enhancement (research progress: 60%).
-Magnesium plate magic stone efficiency enhancement (research progress: 80%).
[T/N: Previously referred to as "Enhancement of magic stone efficiency in
Magnesium plates"]
-Magnesium enhancement: resistance to elemental attacks (research progress:
70%).
-Magnesium plate armor production - gauntlet (production progress: 100%)
When the efficiency-enhancing research is completed, the continuous effect will
increase by about 30%, and when the material enhancement is completed, the
defense of the gauntlet will increase by about 5.
At that level, it might not just be as good as the steel technology that the empire
boasts, but it will rival it.
'Still not enough.'
The functionality was absurdly lacking.
Reed didn't make the gauntlet in this form simply to create armor.
'This is my magic support tool and a card that can be a trump card.'
The ultimate goal of this gauntlet was a modified weapon like the staff or wand used
by mages.
Of course, this was not Reed's unique idea.
'Because Kaitlyn Ramos raised her insufficient magical power with this.'
The magnesium 'magic' gauntlet was the unique magical tool she created, breaking
away from the conventional form of staff and wands.
It was as if Reed had brought forward the weapon that Kaitlyn would create in the
future.
It was also as if he had stolen a future idea, but Reed didn't feel much guilt about it.
Because the idea in the future also existed in the past.
'Because Reed had the same idea too.'
Strictly speaking, it was a legacy left by that nerdy Reed, not the Reed possessed by
Jung Jinhyuk.
Weaponization of magnesium gauntlet using magic gem.
Type: Research Project
Author: Reed Adeleheights Roton
Check whether the magnesium gauntlet can be weaponized using the magic gem,
which can be considered the core part of the staff and wand.
Establishment of hypothesis: X
Research progress: -
You can create a Magnesium Magic Gauntlet (100%).
Random enhancement (Attribute Enchantment/Magic Enhancement/Attack
Enhancement/Defense Enhancement/Durability Enhancement) can be applied to
the Magnesium Magic Gauntlet (100%, limited to first-time only).
After seeing the research project, Reed clicked his tongue.
'The failure rate is 60%.'
Attack enhancement was the damage dealt when striking with the gauntlet.
It was the least necessary thing for Reed, who only had stats unrelated to strength.
If ranked by tiers, it would be like this:
Tier 1: Attribute Enchantment, Magic Enhancement
Tier 2: Defense Enhancement, Durability Enhancement
Tier 3: Attack Enhancement
If only the Attribute Enchantment, which imbues a specific attribute when using
non-attribute magic, and Magic Enhancement, which increases the original power of
magic, were applied, there would be nothing more to ask for.
'If the mana absorption function is added as well… '
In a one-on-one battle between mages, Reed could have an absolute advantage.
This was an achievement that even Kaitlyn Ramos couldn't achieve in her early days.
Reed deliberately did not reveal it.
With the current skill level of the tower's mages, they couldn't even come close, and
revealing it would just let everyone know what Reed was doing.
'Dolores, of course, but neither Rosaria nor Phoebe should find out.'
Although Dolores is currently an ally, she has sided with the Tower Master of the
Thought Tower, so there is a possibility of leaking information.
Phoebe was inherently naive and untrustworthy.
Rosaria… didn't need an explanation.
The first person who needs to know this important matter is the future pioneer,
Kaitlyn Ramos.
"Phoebe."
"Yes!"
The half-dragon assistant, Phoebe, came running at his call.
"How's the investigation on Kaitlyn Ramos's whereabouts that I asked you about
before?"
"Ah, well… I tried asking around several places, but they said they don't know much
about it…"
"Really? Was there anyone who knew about her?"
"I first contacted the Escoleia Magic Academy, where she studied, and they said there
was a student like that, but…"
"But?"
"She was expelled."
"Expelled?"
"Because of a plagiarism dispute, she was excluded from the scholarship recipients,
and eventually got expelled."
Escoleia is a prestigious academy, and the tuition alone is over 20,000 UP.
While the amount is easy for nobles to afford for education, it's impossible for
commoners to graduate unless they study hard and receive a scholarship.
Since Kaitlyn was involved in a plagiarism dispute, she must have not been able to
endure it.
"A mage involved in a plagiarism dispute… Then, she's likely to be in a small village."
Mages must value and respect knowledge.
Once involved in a dispute, they cannot survive in places with many people.
There are only about 20 kingdoms, but there are hundreds of small villages on the
continent.
It's become even more difficult.
"Please keep up the good work."
"Yes."
Although it was tough, Phoebe smiled brightly and nodded.
After completing the research, Reed left the cleaning to the assistant mages and
exited the research building.
Reed, now dressed in his uniform, took the elevator straight down to the reception
room.
Waiting in the reception room was the one-eyed rat, Leto.
"Your humble servant, Leto, greets the Master of the Silent Tower."
It was Reed who had called for Leto.
"You delivered all 4,000kg on time."
"How can I do business if I'm not trustworthy? Thanks to you, my Master, I've had
precious experiences traveling all over the place."
Leto flattered him while rubbing his hands together.
"So, can you get me some more magnesium?"
"Of course, it's possible, but…"
Leto paused before continuing.
"The truth is, even we are having a hard time finding that lizard poop lately."
"Having a hard time finding it?"
"It seems the rumor has spread that you, the Master of the Silent Tower, are looking
for magnesium."
It wasn't surprising.
He had bought an enormous amount of 4,000kg, so traders must have preemptively
bought it in case.
However, the Tower Master couldn't continue to secretly buy magnesium either.
It could bring about even greater misunderstandings.
"So, how much has the price of magnesium gone up?"
"It's 70 UP per 1kg."
"70 UP…"
The original cost was 42 UP, and it was 50 UP when purchased from Leto. In no time,
it increased by another 20 UP.
Magnesium itself was a common ore, so the price shouldn't have increased much
under normal circumstances.
There's no doubt that the traders knew Reed was looking for it and stocked up on it
together.
"Still, it's worth buying for now."
The Master of the Silent Tower.
He was a man who had nothing but money.
"Are you sure you didn't leak it?"
Regardless, I decided to play the villain role for a while.
"Ah, ouch! Why would I do such a thing! Would I risk my life in front of the Tower
Master?"
"It's only you who knows that I bought it."
"No, sir! Oh dear, I would never do such a thing!"
Leto shouted, hitting the floor as if he was terribly wronged.
Seeing his fuss, it seemed he was somewhat used to playing this role.
'The price of magnesium has gone up.'
It's the material item I'm focusing on researching right now, and it's fine if just the
price goes up, but if the material itself becomes scarce, it would be difficult.
'Normally, it would be time to consider a stable supply source.'
"Perhaps it's time to consider a stable supplier, are you not interested in the mine
contracts?"
As if reading my thoughts, Leto brought up the subject.
I can't believe I have to deal with this guy.
Reed looked at him with a strangely uncomfortable expression and said,
"No, it's fine."
"Excuse me?"
"The reason they bought magnesium is undoubtedly to resell it to me. So, if I don't
buy it, magnesium can only be a burden that takes up space in the warehouse."
They might try to find a way to use it by researching it themselves, but systematic
research is impossible unless they are a workshop or a tower wizard.
Besides, who would do it in this era, when "Magic Engineering" is itself minor?
Reed still had over 3,000kg of magnesium.
As long as he doesn't waste it, there will be enough left to use for research.
"Still, buy about 300kg more. Instead of paying 2,000 more for the price, I'll give you
a deferred payment for this one."
"Understood. I'll get it for you quickly."
As the transactions with Leto increased, they no longer even talked about writing
contracts.
What Reed had was money, and what Leto had was information.
Since both had what the other needed, as long as neither let go, this alliance would
continue.
Now all they had to do was use each other.
Below the Silence Tower.
A slender-looking wizard stood in front of the Silence Tower.
Kaitlyn Ramos.
She was a wizard who had hurriedly embarked on a journey upon hearing that the
owner of the Silence Tower was researching magnesium.
'Is this the Silence Tower?'
Kaitlyn gasped for breath and swept her wet bangs behind her ears. Then she lifted
her head to look up at the tower.
Although it was said to be the shortest of the 13 towers on the Cloud Continent,
when viewed up close, it appeared to be a massive structure connecting the sky and
the Earth.
Her admiration was short-lived, however.
"Ugh."
Kaitlyn clutched her stomach and crouched down on the spot.
Gurgle!
A deep rumble from her empty stomach.
Naturally, since she hadn't eaten anything except for some herbs she had found by
chance yesterday.
Her entire fortune was a mere 100 UP.
She had used it all to embark on this journey, and it was only now, on the verge of
starving to death, that she had finally arrived.
'I need to finish my business quickly and leave.'
Kaitlyn quickened her steps towards the main entrance of the tower.
-Who's there?
"I'm Kaitlyn Ramos, a wandering wizard. I have come to see the tower owner, may I?"
-The Master of this tower does not meet anyone without a prior appointment. You
should leave.
It was customary to send a letter beforehand, but Kaitlyn didn't even have the money
to send a letter.
"I didn't have the money to send a letter because I haven't eaten anything for days.
Please, just let me speak with him once."
-Insolent fellow! How dare you… Huh?
The dignified voice turned into a question mark.
Following that, a whispering sound could be heard.
-The deputy Tower Master is looking for someone named Kaitlin Ramos. Kaitlin
Ramos? Could it be this person…?
"Why do you keep calling my name?"
Kaitlyn asked with a puzzled expression, but there was no answer.
A moment later, the firmly closed main entrance of the tower began to open.
"Kaitlyn Ramos came here on her own?"
"Yes, I asked the wizards guarding the front door, and they said she identified herself
as Kaitlyn Ramos."
Even Phoebe's tone was irregular, perhaps due to her surprise.
A person who hadn't even shown her face when they were inquiring…
'It might not be the person I'm looking for… '
Since they had announced they were looking for Kaitlyn Ramos far and wide, there
was a possibility of an imposter.
Of course, if it was an imposter, Reed would punish them without hesitation.
But punishment was not necessary.
The person sitting in the reception room was undoubtedly a younger version of the
Kaitlyn Ramos Reed knew.
Name: Kaitlyn Ramos
Occupation: Magical Engineer
Age: 32
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Health: 1,560/1,560
Stamina: 640/650
Mana: 2,982/2,982
[Traits]
「Mechanical Engineer」, 「Eccentric Inventor」
[Attributes]
"Magic Engineering Lv. 5", "Alchemy Lv. 3", "Crafting Lv. 5", "Magicology Lv. 3",
"Digestion Lv. 3", "Mana Sensitivity Lv. 2", "Magic Lv. 2"
[Unreleased Traits & Abilities]
「Master of Magical Engineering」
"Magic Engineering Lv. 6", "Crafting Lv. 6"
'Indeed.'
This was Kaitlyn Ramos from 10 years ago, who would later be called a master of
magical engineering.
She had short red hair and black eyes.
During the game, her unavoidable wrinkles gave her the vibe of a woman in her 40s,
but now her skin was elastic enough to be in her mid-20s.
She wore a gray robe commonly worn by wizards with unclear affiliations.
It wasn't made of expensive material, so it could be obtained for around 30 UP if
purchased cheaply.
Wearing it until it was worn out undoubtedly meant she had no money.
Kaitlyn, who had been sipping tea, stood up from her seat and awkwardly bowed.
"It's been a long time, Adeleheights senior. No, now you're the Tower Master."
"I didn't expect you to come here on your own."
"Were you looking for me?"
"I was literally looking for you."
Kaitlyn asked, looking at Reed with a surprised expression.
"It's really unexpected that the owner of the Silence Tower would look for a wizard
as insignificant as me."
"I had sent people out to inquire about you."
"Well, it's no wonder they couldn't find me. Everyone seems intent on killing me,
claiming that I'm a fraud…"
Kaitlyn bit her lip tightly.
In the world of wizards, plagiarism is a fatal disgrace.
Regardless of the truth, the mere involvement in such a dispute had already dealt a
significant blow to Escolleia.
"Anyway, it's surprising. That you, my senior, would look for me. After calling me a
'commoner' and looking down on me every day."
"I'm sorry. I apologize for my past mistakes."
"No, what's there to be sorry about? I followed you knowing all that."
Kaitlyn brushed it off casually.
Reed took a sip of his tea and asked her,
"So, you seem to know that I'm looking for you, but why did you come here?"
"Well, nothing special… I heard that you're researching magnesium, Senior."
"So, you came here because I'm researching magnesium… Does that mean you're
researching magnesium too?"
Kaitlyn nodded her head.
"Yes, I've been conducting various research on my own for a year now."
"What kind of research were you doing?"
Reed was secretly tense.
Although she had not yet reached the transcendent stage, her levels of "Magic
Engineering" and "Crafting" were at 5.
Her levels were higher than when Reed first started in earnest, so it wouldn't be
strange if she was far ahead.
"Processing magnesium ingots."
"…For a whole year?"
Reed had a puzzled expression, unable to understand.
Kaitlyn had spent a whole year on the task that Reed had completed in just a few
days?
Kaitlyn then let out a sigh.
"To process magnesium, I need to control the forge's fire, need magnesium ore, and
manpower. I also have to go through trial and error. Although I can buy and create
more if there are trial and error failures, doing so leaves me with no money to buy
food. After paying the taxes to the village, I have to get up early in the morning and
drink only dew… Ugh!"
Kaitlyn hunched over, clutching her stomach.
Seeing her painful expression, Reed's face filled with confusion.
"Are you okay? Is your body hurting?"
"Well, it's embarrassing to say…"
"Go ahead and tell me."
"The truth is, I've been starving on my way here…"
'Really, it's an embarrassing story.'
Reed looked at his watch.
It pointed to 11:40.
Almost lunchtime.
Thinking it was well-timed, he suggested to her,
"Alright, let's have a meal together and talk since you've come a long way."
"…I don't have any money, how can I have lunch…"
"I can treat you to one meal."
That meant it would be free.
Kaitlyn, who had been hesitating, lifted her head.
Her pained expression disappeared as if it was a lie.
"I won't refuse your offer."
"Is this really a meal that the tower master eats? I'm having a precious experience of
the meat melting in my mouth."
Kaitlyn rubbed her stomach with satisfaction.
It was indeed a rare experience.
She had eaten twice as much as Reed, yet her stomach remained intact. It made one
wonder if there was a space pocket in her stomach.
'She said she was poor.'
She was a magician who had entered Escoleia with the body of a commoner.
But she hadn't completed her studies and was expelled, so her future must have
seemed bleak.
"Now that you've eaten well, we can proceed with the conversation. You said you
were researching magnesium ingot processing?"
Kaitlyn nodded with a pleased face.
"Yes, it was quite difficult. However, after three trials and errors, I greatly reduced
the margin of error. So now, the temperature is between 1,330 and 1,370…"
"At 1,355 degrees, heat for 7 minutes to create it."
Reed interrupted Kaitlyn's words.
"That's the temperature used when processing magnesium ingots."
"How can you be so sure?"
"The magnesium ingot processing you're working on has already been completed at
our Silent Tower."
"…What?"
Kaitlyn looked at Reed with wide eyes, asking.
"It means that while you were going through three trials and errors, the formula for
ingot processing has already been created in the Silent Tower."
She understood the meaning of turning theory into a formula.
It's something that any magician would naturally know.
"So, with magnesium…"
"Researching it any further is impossible without my consent."
A magician's intellectual property rights are absolute.
Violating it would result in a social obliteration on a different level than just a
plagiarism dispute.
Not being able to process magnesium ingots meant that she couldn't create anything
using magnesium.
For Kaitlyn, it was like a bolt from the blue.
She had poor equipment and a meager budget, but she tried to overcome it with her
talent. It was devastating to know that Reed had already surpassed her.
"Is there any chance you could allow me to do some research…?"
"That might be difficult. After all, it's the tower's main asset."
If the authority to process magnesium ingots is handed over to a middle-of-the-road
magician, the face value itself would decrease.
Kaitlyn knew this too, so she tried to probe but didn't push it.
"Ah…"
She could only let out a hollow laugh.
Kaitlyn leaned back against the chair and looked up at the ceiling.
Her empty eyes and open mouth seemed to be losing her soul.
It was an unavoidable problem.
From the beginning, the research of individual magicians and the research of
magicians in the tower had different systems.
Even if she had talent, her poor environment prevented her from catching up with
the most basic things.
"Anyway, congratulations. Then…"
"Where are you going?"
"Since magnesium research is out of reach, I have to find another path, don't I? I
guess I should research fairy transformations that can fill the stomach with just
dew."
'What nonsense are you trying to research?'
"Isn't there still a way?"
"Do you plan to permit magnesium research?"
"No, that's not it."
"What other way is there then!"
Kaitlyn got angry, thinking that Reed was mocking her.
"What if you join me and continue the magnesium research?"
"…With you, senior?"
"If you join the Silent Tower and continue your research, you'll undoubtedly be able
to solve a significant part of the hardships you're facing."
For the unemployed magician Kaitlyn, it was an incredibly attractive offer.
It was such a good offer that she couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality, and she
asked a foolish question.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Is, is sleeping free and eating free?"
"Yes."
"Ah, do you also treat for free when sick?"
How many times will she make him repeat 'yes'?
"Depending on your achievements, you'll receive compensation, and if you want, you
can be promoted."
"Compensation…"
Kaitlyn's open mouth wouldn't close.
Everything is free, and they pay her to do the research she loves!
However, this was just a very minor condition.
Reed knew what she desired the most.
He put it forth as the final condition.
"And I will personally resolve the plagiarism dispute at Escoleia, pay for a full
scholarship, and support you to graduate safely from the academy."
Hearing that, Kaitlyn didn't try to think any further.
She simply got off her chair, knelt down, and deeply bowed.
"Master of the Tower!"
Kaitlyn Ramos.
She had found the boss to whom she would devote her loyalty for the rest of her life.
Kaitlyn Ramos.
A middle-aged woman with a strong will and determination.
In "Disaster 7", she was stubborn beyond anyone else, so strong that it was hard to
stop her with simple words.
'I never thought it would go so smoothly.'
When I tried to recruit her, I had no doubt that I would have to go through ups and
downs… but it seemed she was in no position to bargain due to her financial
difficulties.
Hearing about her life, it was not surprising that she gave in.
She woke up early in the morning, collected dewdrops from leaves to quench her
thirst, and ate young plants that the gatherers had missed for breakfast.
However, there was no way she could find such plants every time.
So, when there was nothing else to eat, she risked her life to eat even poisonous
plants.
As a result, she gained the "Digestion" ability, which was not originally in her stats,
and her level increased by 3.
While tightening her belt, Kaitlyn conducted research on magnesium, considering it
the opportunity of a lifetime.
Then, as the price of magnesium rose, she found out that Reed, the master of the
Silence Tower, was conducting similar research.
Since she and Reed were alumni, she decided to make a difficult move.
She went to the Silence Tower to get some magnesium, but she found out that Reed's
research was far ahead of hers.
Moreover, she realized she could no longer continue her research.
It was as if the last ray of light had disappeared from her life.
But who would have known?
It wasn't the last ray of light that disappeared, but rather, the dark clouds vanished,
and the God of Light, Althea, descended.
The god appeared in the form of Reed, and his hands were full of 'free' gifts.
She didn't doubt it.
No, there was no need to doubt.
Even if Reed were a demon and asked for her life, she was ready to pay in 72 monthly
installments right now.
Reed successfully hired Kaitlyn with a special offer.
While he did offend senior magicians by informing them after making the decision,
no one in the field of "Magic Engineering" opposed or hesitated to accept Kaitlyn, as
there was a lack of suitable talent at the moment.
Everyone agreed to watch and see how things went, as the Tower Master was widely
acknowledged for recognizing talent.
'I would like to place her in the chief position but… '
It would be disrespecting the current Chief Magicians.
On top of that, Kaitlyn felt that she had already received too much.
If she were given more compensation in this state, she might become complacent, so
Reed decided to treat her as a junior apprentice.
So, he placed her in a room for junior apprentices on the lower floors.
Kaitlyn blankly looked around the room she had been assigned for quite some time.
"Is there something you don't like?"
"No, it's just… it's been so long since I've used something in good condition…"
Being used to scavenging from garbage dumps, she couldn't even distinguish
whether this was a dream or reality.
"Do I have to pay for anything…"
"Everything is free."
In the end, she asked a few more times if everything was really free before realizing
that it was indeed real.
Perhaps due to her rough life, Kaitlyn became familiar with all the facilities of the
tower in just three days.
Being a natural engineer and inventor, she immediately began working as an
assistant magician in the Tower Master's laboratory once she had adapted.
Kaitlyn quickly became a part of the Silence Tower.
'I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that a Chief Engineer has appeared.'
What she needed was money and welfare.
What Reed needed was her ability.
No one would feel bad about the deal.
"I'm concerned about Miss Kaitlyn."
No, everyone except one person.
Phoebe, who had been lingering in the office, spoke with a determined expression.
"Is there a problem?"
"She's calling you too casually, Tower Master. You're definitely someone who should
be respected in the tower…!"
She managed to call him Tower Master, but her speech style hadn't changed.
'On top of that, her traits make her seem rude too.'
Her trait and temperament were those of an "Eccentric Inventor."
When given direction A, she would twist it to B or C, proposing unconventional ideas
that deviate from the existing framework.
Her ideas could be better directions, but at the same time, they could be difficult for
Reed to handle.
The only thing that could control her double-edged ability was Reed's decision.
Knowing that her temperament would lead the tower in a good direction, Reed left
her alone.
However, Phoebe warned him to be cautious, as she found it bothersome, but Kaitlyn
had no intention of changing her way of speaking.
"Just leave her be."
"But, umm…"
"She has the ability of a chief magician in our tower when it comes to magical
engineering. We can tolerate that level of rudeness."
"But still…"
Phoebe was quite persistent.
Since the conversation about their speech had come up, Reed mentioned her speech
as well.
"Aren't you also strange with your speech, being my deputy?"
"Me? What's wrong with mine…"
"Don't you know that when you talk with that drawn-out speech, it makes my mind
drowsy?"
Hearing that, Phoebe's face turned shocked.
Despite the cruel words that almost made her tear up, she began to stubbornly try to
change her speech.
"Then I'll change my speech too! No, I'll change it now!"
She glared with force in her eyes, reminding him that she was a half-dragon.
It was quite scary to be stared at with golden eyes, even though he knew she had no
ill intent.
"…Phoebe."
"Yes! Tower Master, the quick and snappy Phoebe is here! What do you want to say?"
"Your hair looks nice today."
"Hehe… thank you. Oops! That was because I let my guard down!"
"It goes well with your horns."
"Really?"
She's too easygoing.
She tried to change her speech with a strong tone, but as soon as she received
compliments, she lost focus, making it impossible.
In the end, Phoebe gave up after just 30 minutes.
For someone who had given up, her face looked very happy.
"It may be annoying right now, but she will become our tower's top engineer, so
please try to understand."
"Okay."
He thought he had successfully persuaded Phoebe and that the storm had passed,
but…
"No way!"
Rosaria's childish voice echoed through the hallway.
When he went outside, Rosaria and Kaitlyn were standing there.
Rosaria's cheeks were puffed up like two steamed buns, and she was holding a
cardboard sword in her hand.
"What's going on?"
"Ah, Tower Master, let me explain."
Kaitlyn calmly blinked and explained the situation.
"I came up to get permission to process more magnesium plates for my research, but
this girl suddenly asked me if this sword was any good."
"And?"
"So I honestly answered her. I told her that with this, she couldn't even catch a rabbit,
and that it had technical flaws. But then she suddenly screamed in the middle…"
"No way! With this, I can even defeat the demon king!"
Rosaria raised her voice and showed her sword.
Objectively speaking, Kaitlyn's assessment was accurate, as it was just a piece of
cardboard cut out.
The problem was that the target happened to be Rosaria.
"Weren't you too harsh in your evaluation of a child?"
"But isn't this inside the Tower of Silence? She must have come here as a mage too,
so shouldn't I give her an objective evaluation?"
Reed felt something was off in her words.
"That child is my daughter."
"…What?"
He had a feeling that would be the case.
"Did you not know?"
"I couldn't even imagine that you, Tower Master, were married…"
"I'm not married. I adopted her as my daughter."
Her thought process came to a halt and resumed.
Now she realized that she had angered the Tower Master's daughter.
"…Ah!"
"Hmph!"
Rosaria stomped back to her room.
Phoebe followed Rosaria, and Kaitlyn, unable to speak, covered her face and sank to
the ground right there.
"Oh my, oh my goodness, how could this happen…"
"Did you really not know, even though every magician knows?"
"……It's been over 6 months since I entered the tower……"
"Even so, isn't it too much to think of that young child as a member of the tower?"
"I thought they were either accepting young children as apprentices these days or
that she might be older than she looks… I didn't think it through."
Daughter? A daughter?
Kaitlyn muttered to herself, and Reed sighed.
"Anyway, do your best to make amends. If you can't…"
Reed trailed off, not knowing what to do, but Kaitlyn heard it as a death sentence.
Rosaria's room.
She frowned and threw her cardboard sword on the desk.
"I could defeat the demon king with this……"
But Rosaria knew Kaitlyn's words were right.
She was angry because Kaitlyn's words were true, but she didn't cry.
"Miss, may I come in?"
The drawn-out voice was undoubtedly Phoebe's.
Rosaria didn't answer as she sat at the desk, trying to cool off her anger, and Phoebe
cautiously entered the room.
"Miss, are you okay?"
"I'm not okay."
"Would you like to touch my horn?"
Rosaria didn't respond, but she grabbed Phoebe's horn as she bowed her head.
Her angry face never left the cardboard sword she made.
"Did you make this sword to give as a gift to the Tower Master?"
"Yes, I saw Papa making it. Rosaria wanted to help too."
"I know. I could feel that you were thinking of the Tower Master."
"I worked so hard on coloring it…"
Rosaria's voice trembled.
Phoebe put her hand on her shoulder and comforted her.
"I would have been really upset too if someone spoke like that about something I
worked hard on."
"She's a bad, stupid, dog-like lady."
"That's right! She's really a bad person!"
Phoebe, who had built up resentment towards Kaitlyn for being rude to Reed, agreed
with Rosaria's words.
"Miss, shall I bite that stupid, foolish dog lady once on your behalf?"
Her red eyes looked up at her, even redder than before.
"But it will hurt if you bite."
"That's why I'm going to bite."
"I don't like hurting others."
Although she had been hurt, Rosaria didn't want to resort to violence.
Phoebe found Rosaria's attitude endearing and hugged her tightly. She smiled
brightly and kissed Rosaria's head.
"Our kind, angel-like Miss, I understand. I won't bite that bad lady."
"Okay."
Rosaria, buried in Phoebe's chest, felt her emotions subside in the comfort.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
"Um, excuse me, girl, I mean, Miss, are you in there? I came to apologize."
"Should I send her away?"
Rosaria hesitated and shook her head while still buried in Phoebe's embrace.
"Then I'll step aside."
"…Okay."
Phoebe stood up and opened the door.
Behind her was a redhead woman, Kaitlyn.
Phoebe smiled brightly.
"Miss Kaitlyn~."
"Yes, Deputy Tower Master."
"You're lucky."
"…Lucky?"
Kaitlyn received Phoebe's glare with a puzzled expression.
She didn't say anything more and stepped out of the room, and Kaitlyn cautiously
entered.
"Um, well…"
"Wow, you really made that sword well. I didn't notice it until now because I'm not
good at recognizing things!"
"Please, calm down… I made a mistake. I shouldn't have thought of you as a magician
of the tower in the first place."
"Hmph!"
Rosaria snorted and didn't even look at her.
Her opponent was the Tower Master's daughter.
Seeing Rosaria's sulking, Kaitlyn recalled scenes of her clashing with Reed.
Such a future couldn't happen.
Kaitlyn looked around, trying to find a way to make amends.
Then she discovered a notebook on Rosaria's desk.
It wasn't just a simple notebook.
It was a magic notebook used when designing magical formulas.
It was made of a special paper that reacted to mana.
"Ah…!"
She came up with a brilliant idea and tore off a sheet of special paper.
"Um, Miss, look at this."
"You won't regret looking at it for just a moment."
Rosaria glanced at the object in Kaitlyn's hand.
It was a neatly rolled-up piece of paper.
"When it's like this in your hand, it's just a bunch of paper, but when you infuse mana
into it…"
Her hand glowed blue.
As mana flowed out of her hand and seeped into the paper, it began to move slowly
from the tip.
The paper that she thought was simply crumpled turned into petals and slowly
unfolded.
When the last petal fully bloomed, it became a white rose.
"It turns into such a beautiful flower."
Rosaria was now facing Kaitlyn, looking at the rose.
Her red eyes were filled with admiration as they stared at the white rose.
"How did you do that?"
"Are you curious?"
"Yes."
Kaitlyn placed the rose in Rosaria's hair and said,
"When I was young, I didn't want to throw away my tightly-filled notebooks, so I
always folded them like this as decorations."
"Why?"
"When you forget the fact that you've worked hard, it's easy to get discouraged and
complacent. I've always made these roses as a reminder."
However, Rosaria was too young to understand Kaitlyn's words.
Seeing Rosaria tilt her head in confusion, Kaitlyn gently smiled.
"You seem to be interested in paper roses. Would it be okay if I taught you how to
make them?"
Her anger from earlier had vanished, and her eyes were now filled with curiosity as
she nodded.
"Teach me how to make them."
"Will you forgive me if I do?"
"Yes."
Rosaria nodded lightly again, and Kaitlyn sighed in relief.
For Kaitlyn, it was a moment of relief. She had just avoided being kicked out of the
tower.
There is no country that does not need a hero.
Adonis Hupper, the unparallel warrior, was the hero of Cohen.
Her nickname and trait, the「Giant Slayer」explained everything about her heroism.
Adonis Hupper was undoubtedly the next king of the Hupper Kingdom, and no one
doubted it.
Although Adonis didn't show it, she was conscious of the throne and always kept her
behavior modest, striving to be an inspiration for others.
She was a warrior who would be the first to step forward if monsters threatened the
kingdom.
When reports came in of goblins forming a horde in the mountains northwest of the
Hupper Kingdom's capital, Cohen, Adonis took on the extermination mission without
a moment's hesitation.
Now, having completed the extermination mission, she returned.
She was on her way to report in person to King Morgan Hupper.
"Lord Adonis, there's blood on your cloak."
In front of the royal chamber, the minister spoke. Adonis looked at her own cloak.
Green blood was heavily stained on the red cloak.
She silently took off the cloak and handed it to a servant, then asked the minister:
"Is there any other part of me that's not neat?"
"No."
The minister courteously bowed and stepped back, and Adonis opened the door to
the royal chamber.
A long red carpet stretched out in the middle, and at the end sat King Morgan
Hupper.
Adonis knelt down at a certain distance, taking the proper knightly stance.
"I, Adonis, the commander of the 3rd Knight Order, have returned from the
extermination mission."
His eyebrows, as white as fallen snow, twitched as his eyes looked down at Adonis.
"Have you returned?"
"Yes."
"You've worked hard."
"…Thank you."
Upon hearing that, Adonis rose from her position.
The conversation was over.
A moment later, Adonis stood in front of the closed door.
From inside, she could hear Morgan's voice, little by little.
"Where is Morgan and what is he doing?"
"His Highness is studying in the library, Your Majesty."
"Is that so? Make sure he takes good care of himself."
"I understand."
Morgan the Second.
Morgan had never called her by her name since she became a knight.
He called only that child by his name.
"Commander, is there anything bothering you?"
At the words of the Royal Guard, Adonis said nothing and moved her feet to the
hallway.
'Don't think about it.'
There's nothing more disgusting than competing against your own flesh and blood.
Adonis brushed her chest and headed for her office.
Wasn't there a saying, 'Speak of the devil, and he shall appear?'
Adonis saw the man standing in front of her office and froze.
"Big sister! cough, cough."
Morgan the Second.
A man so beautiful that others might mistake him for her sister.
Unlike his similar appearance, he had a fragile body, prone to illness from birth.
A glass flower-like child who couldn't be sent outside alone.
Adonis approached Morgan with an expressionless face.
"Why are you outside?"
"I wanted to see you, big sister… We haven't been able to talk much lately, have we?"
"Is that so?"
Adonis replied curtly.
However, Morgan, the Second laughed heartily.
"I haven't seen you for a whole week, sister. I almost forgot what your face looked
like."
"Why did you wait here instead of going inside? You'll be scolded by His Majesty
again."
"I didn't want to make it difficult for you, sister. I just wanted to see you for a brief
moment…"
For some reason, Morgan the Second knew that his father didn't like him being with
Adonis.
That's why he had been waiting here, pretending to have bumped into her while
taking a walk.
Adonis looked down at Morgan the Second and closed her eyes.
Morgan, with a smiling face, looked at her and offered a polite greeting.
"You seem to be in good health, sister. I'll take my leave now."
"…Yes."
Adonis responded to his greeting, and Morgan the Second passed her by, still smiling
brightly.
Entering her office, Adonis covered her face.
"…I'm like a jealous woman."
She found it ridiculous that she was jealous of the king's affection for her younger
brother.
Adonis knew deep down.
That Morgan cherished her brother more than her.
That despite her constant achievements in public, the king did not appreciate
them.
That he might not pass on the throne to her.
Although she said she didn't expect it, deep down, she had been hoping.
If she said she had no desire, it would be a lie.
She was human too, a person with the will to strive for a higher place.
She wanted the throne more than anyone else.
But she despised her own greed that reached out to her younger sibling.
"Don't think about it."
Being a knight was Adonis's path now.
As a knight, she was the sword that protected the country and the shield of the king.
Meanwhile, Reed began to ponder in his office.
-You will be king.
After sending a very brief anonymous letter, he had been thinking about ways to
approach Adonis Hupper, but no good excuse had come to mind.
'Adonis will fall, and she will become corrupt.'
The root of that downfall was her father's greed.
Morgan was currently seeking eternal life by possessing his child's body.
'Ultimately, I have to approach Adonis Hupper to help her.'
However, the way to approach her was the biggest problem.
'But if I show interest in any way, she will become suspicious.'
It was impossible for a tower mage to meddle in the affairs of the kingdom.
It was like holding up a sign saying, 'I'm suspicious. Please investigate.'
'I'll approach her secretly.'
The Tower Master of the Black Sky, Freesia, would undoubtedly be secretly in touch
with Morgan.
To counter their conspiracy, joining hands with Adonis was the most ideal option.
However, Adonis was now an unwavering knight.
From their first encounter, Reed could feel it with certainty.
That she was loyal to the king and followed him blindly.
Even if he approached her covertly, there was a high chance that Adonis would
report him.
No, maybe she would even join forces with the king.
"Ugh…"
Was it because he had seen her turn the victims of the「Desire Massacre」into a
bloody mess?
Just thinking about her made him shudder.
'If I can't approach her secretly or directly, then I have to subtly get close.'
He would subtly approach her.
In other words, he would make her feel like this was some kind of fate while being
aware that it was a scheme.
There might be some minor misunderstandings, but the risk of those
misunderstandings was not greater than other methods.
If he explained it well, most people would just let it pass.
'The best way to approach her like that is to show off my technical skills… '
Magic Engineering products were items specialized for ordinary people rather than
mages, so they could serve as a good excuse.
However, the gauntlet Reed was making was not intended to be shown off
somewhere.
It was merely an item to improve Reed's ability, who couldn't use magic properly.
Reed examined his magic engineering projects one by one.
'They're good and innovative, but there's nothing that really catches the eye.'
Most of them were items used in wars.
In other words, they were unnecessary in times of peace.
The Hupper Kingdom wouldn't be interested in these war tools either.
As he wondered what to do, someone knocked on the door of his office.
"Tower Master, it's Kaitlyn. May I come in?"
"Come in."
Kaitlyn was dressed in work clothes, unlike other assistant mages.
She should have looked innocent with her sturdy overalls and makeup-free face, but
somehow, she felt more like an old man.
"The weaponization project of the magnesium gauntlet using this magic crystal is
about halfway completed."
"Halfway done?"
He was about to ask, 'Already halfway?' but hurriedly changed the subject, not
wanting to give her too much credit.
She was truly worthy of being a master of magic engineering.
With the right environment, she soared to new heights.
"Is everything going according to schedule? Any difficulties?"
"I'm struggling a bit with the circuitry and safety issues with the crystals, but I think
I'll be able to bring you good news soon."
"You're always working hard. Make sure you take care of yourself."
He was still worried about her. A chief engineer's body was their greatest asset.
'Come to think of it, she must have multiple ideas for magic engineering products,
right?'
In the ending scroll of , she was described as a mage who not only
created weapons for war but also greatly contributed to improving living conditions.
He didn't know what the world was like after the ending, so he didn't know what she
had made.
'But I've always been curious.'
'How did she create the magic engineering products in Reed's drawer?' That was the
question.
Reed decided to ask her directly.
"Kaitlyn."
"Yes."
"These are the projects I have planned for the future. I'm curious about what you
think."
Reed took out the projects he had stored in his storage magic and showed them to
Kaitlyn.
He roughly expected her to say something like 'Did the Tower Master also have such
thoughts?'
However, upon reading the project summaries, Kaitlyn exclaimed in admiration.
"Oh, you truly are the Lord of the Tower. You thought of this?"
"Haven't you ever thought about something like this?"
"Well, I did think that using magnesium as a substitute for iron to improve living
conditions would be a good idea, but I never thought of a specific weaponization
plan. It was difficult enough just to make ends meet…"
Kaitlyn's voice gradually became gloomy.
Contrary to Reed's expectation that his question would be answered, Kaitlyn's words
only made the situation even more unclear.
'If the current Kaitlyn doesn't know, does that mean this knowledge was stolen by
her?'
While it could be a belatedly sprouted idea, most of the items she created in the
game were rearranged differently based on Reed's creations.
'The most likely possibility is that it was leaked in the latter part of the game.'
That's the conclusion he could draw right now.
"Do you plan on working on this project concurrently?"
"Huh? No. This alone wouldn't be enough."
"What do you mean?"
Reed decided to ask her while they were on the subject.
"Besides these war tools, is there anything that might grab people's attention?"
Kaitlyn tilted her head in thought.
"An attention-grabbing item? If you ask me so suddenly, I can't really think of
anything."
"It doesn't matter if it's a bit strange."
"What do you mean? When have I ever thought of something strange?"
"Never mind."
Contrary to her characteristic as an 'eccentric inventor', she seemed to have no self-
awareness.
"One thing I thought of before was a magnesium product that could be used as both a
table and a bed."
"It's a bit unique, but not enough to catch people's attention."
"Hmm… Arguing like this won't help, so I'll go back to the workshop and think about
it."
"Alright. Take care."
Kaitlyn spun around and left the room.
Reed didn't just wait for her to come up with a good idea as shown in the game
ending, but diligently tried to think of ideas himself.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
As the door slowly opened, a little angel peeked her head in.
It was Rosaria.
"Papa, are you busy?"
"No, it's alright. Come in."
Rosaria entered the room with a cheerful step and a smile on her face.
She was hiding both hands behind her, which meant she probably had a surprise gift
prepared.
Judging by the dirt falling onto the shiny marble floor, she must have picked
something up while walking outside.
"You seem to be in a good mood."
"I went for a walk with Phoebe and found a beautiful flower!"
Rosaria showed Reed the flower she had been hiding behind her back.
It was a beautiful wildflower with wide-open, light pink petals.
"It's called an Azalea."
"It's pretty."
"And guess what! Phoebe told me there's a song about Azaleas too!"
"Really?"
Reed knew of an Azalea song, but it was likely to be different from the one Rosaria
was referring to.
"Aren't you curious? You are, right?"
"Yes, I'm curious."
Seeing her eagerness to show off, Reed nodded, creating an environment for her to
sing.
Rosaria cleared her throat for a moment before she began singing.
"Azalea, azalea, beautiful azalea~. How can you be so beautiful~?"
The song was, as expected, quite amateurish.
However, when Rosaria's voice combined with the awkward tune, it sounded cutely
endearing.
As a result, Reed couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Pfft."
The song abruptly ended, making it more funny.
As Reed lowered his head, Rosaria stood there with a shocked expression on her
face.
Her face twisted in anger, and she glared at Reed.
"…You laughed at me."
"I'm not going to sing for you anymore."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you."
"Hmph!"
Rosaria pouted and ran back to her room as if to say 'I'm mad at you!'
Bang!
Reed felt guilty as he watched the door closing roughly.
Scared that she upset him by slamming the door too hard, she quickly opened the
door.
The little angel approached him with quick steps and suddenly hugged Reed.
"Hmph!"
Then she left again with a sulky expression on her face.
This time, she closed the door gently.
There was no doubt that she had softened her approach, worried that closing the
door too hard might have angered him.
"A song…"
Rosaria's amateurish song echoed in his ears.
And that song became an inspiration, causing a flash of insight in Reed's mind.
"…What if?"
A brilliant plan came to his mind.
Silence Tower, Executive Meeting.
Since the Flower Garden incident, the meetings had always ended with only regular
reports from the chief magicians without any major agendas.
However, this meeting was an irregular executive meeting convened by Reed.
The outline of the executives was simple.
Three chief magicians, excluding the two who had resigned.
Phoebe, acting as the deputy tower master.
And Reed, making a total of five attendees.
The chief mages glanced uncomfortably at one place and then opened their mouths.
"Tower Master, may I ask you something?"
"It's fine. It's not a world where you get your throat cut for voicing an opinion."
"Why is that woman in the executive meeting?"
"Wasn't it just for the executives?"
The person they were looking at was Kaitlyn Ramos.
It made sense for them to question her presence, as she was the lowest-ranking
member among the Silence Tower members.
Kaitlyn had come when called, but she naturally felt intimidated by their gazes.
"First, let me apologize. I'm sorry to you all, but she knows more about
Engineering in this tower than anyone else. Although she entered as an apprentice,
she is essentially our chief engineer. So I think it's only natural that she attends this
Magic Engineering-related meeting."
"Still, there's a matter of status…"
"Of course, we won't always have her attend. And it's an irregular meeting, so please
understand just this once."
"Hmm, alright."
"If the Tower Master says so."
There's nothing they could do since it's not like they would have her attend always.
The chief magicians moved on to an agreeable atmosphere.
"Since the Tower Lord has called us like this, it must be something that requires our
consent or assistance."
"It's a matter that meets both requirements at the same time."
Reed snapped his fingers at Phoebe, and she distributed the project documents to
everyone participating in the meeting.
- Project: Sound of Music
"Sound of music?"
"Is it a simple codename like the old Flower Garden?"
At the chief magician's question, Reed shook his head.
"The main focus of this project is music."
"What does music have to do with Magic Engineering?"
"Since it's an application of Magic Engineering technology, let's first look at the
overview and then discuss it."
Seeing is believing.
At his words, they began to read the overview one by one.
"Well, this is…"
"Huh, well…"
The chief magicians all showed ambiguous reactions.
Reed wasn't shocked, as he fully understood their response.
Reed asked Kaitlyn.
"What do you think about this?"
"In a nutshell, it's about creating a magic recording device that even those who can't
use magic can use, isn't it?"
Magic Recording Device.
As the name suggests, it was a magic device for recording specific content.
It was an item that they had seen a lot when the Tower Masters had presented gifts,
handing over their notes and records.
The price was high, with even the lowest grade orbs costing over 5,000 UP each,
making it hard to obtain unless you were a workshop or tower-affiliated magician.
"And so?"
"In my opinion… there is a magic recording orbs for magicians, right? I don't think
it's particularly necessary… but it's not difficult to use either."
The use of a magic record orb was very simple.
If one could control mana, it was intuitive enough that even Reed, who first
encountered magic, and Rosaria, who never formally learned magic, could use it.
"However, only one in five people have potential in magic, and even among them, half
cannot awaken mana. Our goal is to create something that can be used anytime
without the involvement of magicians."
"Hmm… If magicians hear about this, they might feel quite offended."
Surprisingly, it was Kaitlyn, who majored in Magic Engineering, who brought up this
point.
Magicians are conservative.
They value progress more than anyone else, but the moment they step out of the box,
many magicians resist.
In plain words, it was considered heresy among magicians.
Because of such issues, Magic Engineering was looked down upon, and many people
were surprised when Reed used it as a last resort.
'All history has been like this.'
When cars first came out, no one knew that carriages would disappear, and until
smartphones appeared, mobile phones were just machines for making calls.
As more convenient things emerge, people get swept up in the winds of change.
And now, Reed is trying to lead that wind of change.
"Our main goal is to capture voices. I think it won't be a big problem as long as we're
not dealing with video. If they think their interests are threatened by such trivial
matters, they are pathetic magicians and can be ignored."
"In my opinion, it doesn't seem like such a big deal either."
"If they make a fuss over something like this, as you said, they would be pathetic
magicians."
The chief magicians agree with Reed's words.
"So, you mentioned capturing sound, what do you plan to do with that sound? Do
you plan to record an orchestra?"
"It's not just about listening to the music of an orchestra."
"Then what?"
"We will record the songs of the best bards roaming around, the secretive songs of
elves and druids, and even the songs of intelligent beings like orcs."
"Ah, now that you mention it, the term 'Sound of Music' makes sense."
"Even capturing the songs of elves and druids…"
A project truly dedicated to music.
It was somewhat unfamiliar to the chief magicians who had only been researching
magic, but they seemed interested.
"Bards will gather if we announce it in the village… but how do you plan to deal with
the elves and druids?"
"They can be quite exclusive to outsiders."
Elves born within the World Tree and druids who kidnap village girls to raise them
as warriors.
Their commonality was that they were beautiful and had a sense of mission to
protect their territory.
However, they were not unconditionally exclusive.
They were just picky about people because of their beauty.
"Do elves and druids like humans who handle mana well?"
"If you have the qualifications of a Tower Master, they will certainly acknowledge
you."
"I won't be able to do that. I would only bring shame."
A Tower Master typically has at least a level 5 in and .
However, Reed's levels in everything are 4.
The chief magicians were taken aback by his objective self-assessment.
But perhaps it was because they had already been surprised once by his remorse
and reflection during the Magic Engineering reforms.
The chief magicians quickly regained their composure.
"If anyone disrespects the Tower Master, I'll smash them!"
All but one.
Phoebe reacted like an enthusiastic mother at a women's meeting.
Reed sighed at her behavior, but the chief magicians stealthily backed away from her.
Reed, shaking his head, spoke to Phoebe.
"Phoebe."
"Yes!"
"Then, can you take care of the elves and druids?"
"Yes! I just need to smash them, right?"
"No, if you smash them, we won't be able to record anything."
'How did she become the tower master's deputy?'
She usually has a cool side, but she acts strangely emotional when it comes to Reed
or Rosaria.
"Ask the elves and druids for permission to record their songs."
Although she always seems like a bumbling fool, Phoebe is a magical monster with
and .
The reason she can act as the Tower Master's proxy is because of her outstanding
abilities.
"Um… But…"
Phoebe hesitated for a moment, then asked with a half-sobbing voice.
"…Wouldn't it be faster to just smash them?"
"I'm sure her abilities are excellent, but convincing them is a different issue."
Phoebe was not confident in persuading others, and the others agreed.
"The key is the songs of the elves and druids. While grand music that requires an
orchestra can be easily replicated with sheet music, their songs and music are
peculiarly impossible to mimic with a human tongue."
"Indeed, the songs of elves and druids are known to be enchanting. Not only
commoners, but also nobles wish to hear their songs in their lifetime, but most never
do in their lifetimes."
Kaitlyn was sharp.
"That's the key."
"Yes?"
"We will attract the attention of the nobles."
Recording devices that civilians can handle, along with songs and music collected
from all over the country.
And the Tower Master of Silence, who possesses all of it.
What would happen if this rumor spreads?
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the songs and music that they might only
hear once in their lives is created.
Naturally, everyone would pay attention.
"I will promote this project targeting nobles and merchants."
Magic engineering is the technology of merchants.
If an old magician had heard Reed's words, he would have exclaimed, "This is not
magic!" and become angry.
But the chief magicians, who had already worked together with Reed, did not object
to his opinion.
'Project: Sound of Music' was unanimously executed.
A week later,
After days and nights of research and design, Kaitlyn finally succeeded in creating a
recording device.
"How is it?"
"Not bad."
It looked more like a stopwatch worn by physical education teachers around their
necks than a recording device.
Inside, there were a record modification crystal, a mana stone, and a magic circuit
that could control the device according to the buttons.
"Press this right button and speak, then press the left button to…"
- Speak.
Kaitlyn's voice rang out clearly.
It would be fair to say that there was no loss of sound quality, as they had included a
top-quality crystal worth 100,000 UP in each device.
"You did a great job."
"Your humble servant made this item while thinking about the Tower Master day
and night."
A loyal one.
Not a subservient puppy-like feeling like Phoebe, but the gratitude felt genuine.
Reed wondered how to reward Kaitlyn.
- Kait…
"Huh?"
As Reed continued to press the left button, a voice came from the recording device.
- Kait, Kait, Kaitlyn. My name is little Kaitlyn. Little… ant? Ants are fine too. I'm a little
ant~ Kaitlyn~. Today, the ant is working again.
A random, off-tune song flowed out, revealing a lack of musicality.
Reed, wondering if something had gone wrong, glanced over.
Kaitlyn's face had turned even redder than the color of her hair.
Reed was certain after seeing her expression.
"…When I'm tired, I sometimes hum a little tune too."
"If you're tired, feel free to come and talk to me."
"Please kill me. Rather…"
Kaitlyn slumped down on the spot.
Leaving the embarrassed Kaitlyn behind, Reed took the recording device and went to
Phoebe.
"Phoebe, it's your turn to do the task."
"It's finished, huh? How do I operate it?"
Since it was a very simple method, Phoebe could quickly learn how to use it.
"Make sure to record well without confusing the right and left buttons."
"Well… I'm not sure if I can record it."
"Why not?"
"I sent a letter in advance to the druid and high elf tribes, but I haven't received a
reply yet. I think I need to go and talk to them in person…"
"Is that so?"
There shouldn't be a big problem with the music itself.
Reed had fully understood the characteristics of elves while playing .
He also knew that they had a welcoming song for foreigners.
As long as Phoebe didn't seem hostile, it was a problem she could solve.
'Is there something more needed?'
Reed thought once more if there was something that could be a backup plan.
'Elves and druids like humans who handle mana well… In that case… '
At first, Reed thought it would be enough for Phoebe to go.
However, upon further thought, this was also a great opportunity for Rosaria.
"What do you think about taking Rosaria with you?"
"The young lady?"
"Shouldn't I show her the world at least once? The world of the druids and the world
of the elves."
Upon hearing that, Phoebe clapped her hands and rejoiced like a child as well.
"With the young lady's abilities, they'll understand, and it won't be dangerous since
I'll be with her. It will undoubtedly be a good thing for her too."
It seemed like a good idea.
"Then go and take Rosaria with you for a while."
Going to the dwelling place of the Druids and Elves.
When she first heard those words, Rosaria's eyes sparkled as expected.
The only adventure she had embarked on so far was around the Silence Tower, and
the farthest she had gone was when she went to the Starfall village with Reed.
For Rosaria, who harbored an adventurer in her heart, it was the most delightful
news.
"Phoebe Unni, we're going to see the Elves!"
"Wow, it sounds really fun~."
Rosaria excitedly talked, and Phoebe chimed in.
The conversations between Phoebe and Rosaria mostly went like that.
Rosaria was pure, and Phoebe knew how to protect that purity.
Even though she already knew most of the stories Rosaria shared, Phoebe always
listened with interest.
"Did you pack everything you need?"
"Yes!"
A wide-brimmed hat and an easy-to-move-around dress for going out.
And, of course, Lucy, the bear doll, was securely attached to one side of her waist.
She was fully prepared.
"Are you taking Lucy with you?"
"Yes! Lucy will want to see the Elves too."
"Since Lucy can't come alone without Rosaria, you should always take her with you,
okay?"
"Yes!"
Rosaria, puffing out her breath with a confident face, entrusted herself to Phoebe.
"Please take good care of Rosaria."
"Just leave it to me. Even if my body breaks, I'll protect her!"
The sense of responsibility on her face was similar to Rosaria's.
Having read the context of the conversation, Rosaria tugged on Reed's sleeve and
asked.
"Huh? Papa is not coming?"
"Hm, the timing isn't good."
"Hmm…"
The child who was excited about going on a picnic looked down with a sullen face.
Reed wanted to say he would go with her, but the timing and his abilities weren't in
the best shape for that.
"Don't worry. You'll have fun playing with Phoebe."
"But still…"
Although Phoebe smiled and gently touched Rosaria's cheek, Rosaria just looked up
at Reed with a regretful expression.
Reed felt uneasy about letting her go like this.
"Let's do this."
Reed squatted down to match Rosaria's eye level.
He straightened her clothes once more and said,
"When you come back, I'll take a vacation right away. You'll tell me everything you
saw, everything you ate, okay?"
"Will we also take walks together?"
"Yes, let's do everything you want. So, will you go on this adventure with Phoebe?"
"Yes!"
Her sulky face turned into a big smile.
Rosaria loved adventure stories as much as she loved talking about her own
adventures.
Without any more hesitation, Rosaria climbed into the sky carriage.
After seeing off Rosaria and Phoebe, Reed returned to his office and began his work.
- Project: Sound of Music.
It wasn't a simple magic research project, but one that involved people, so the entire
tower was bustling with activity.
Kaitlin Ramos was in charge of the overall technology, and the chief magicians were
responsible for hiring bards and orchestras.
Reed was in charge of overseeing the entire project, taking responsibility for
everything.
Perhaps that's why he felt more pressure and stress than anyone else.
The current time was 2:30 pm.
It had been three hours since Rosaria and Phoebe left, and two hours and forty
minutes since he started working.
"Yawn…"
Reed's eyelids felt heavy today, maybe because he hadn't been able to sleep properly
for several days.
'I should take a one-hour nap and then get back to work.'
Thinking that forcing himself to stay awake and work might cause more problems,
Reed decided to lie down on the office sofa for a short nap.
After closing the blackout curtains in his office and setting a timer, just as he was
about to fall asleep.
Weee! Weee!
He was startled by the alarm sound and immediately sat up.
No, it wasn't the alarm sound.
It was even more unpleasant and clear than the one he had set.
"An alert?"
Reed looked around, wondering what it was, and realized that the sound was coming
from his desk.
"What's this…?"
Reed pressed the alert button.
The person who issued the alert was the tower master of the Greenwood Tower.
-Silence Tower Master, why are you answering so late? Where's your secretary?
"My secretary is out on a business trip, and I was just checking on some work in the
research department. What's going on?"
-It's an emergency! Please come to the conference room immediately!
The call ended without any further explanation.
Reed hurriedly grabbed his clothes and headed to the conference room, unable to
even guess what had happened.
Meanwhile, Rosaria and Phoebe.
They parked the sky carriage at the entrance of the forest and walked into the
woods.
The forest was similar to the one Rosaria often visited, but here, the trees were so
densely packed that it was difficult for people to traverse.
"Miss, are you not tired?"
"I'm fine! I'm not tired!"
"Let me know if you're tired. We can take a break."
"Okay!"
Unlike Rosaria, who walked innocently without knowing anything, Phoebe was on
high alert.
The place they were going to was the territory of the elves who worshipped the
World Tree called 'Yggdrasil'.
Although they were friendly enough to humans to send letters, she remained
cautious.
After walking deep into the forest for a while, they finally managed to enter
Yggdrasil's territory.
"Stop!"
A man's voice echoed through the forest.
It was impossible to even guess which direction it came from.
Phoebe grabbed Rosaria's shoulder and pulled her closer.
"This is the land of the great World Tree and mother, Yggdrasil, and the domain
protected by Yggdrasil's siblings. If you have lost your way, I suggest you turn back,
traveler."
In response to that statement, Phoebe answered politely.
"My name is Phoebe Asteria Roton. We sent a letter in advance on behalf of the
Silence Tower Master, but as we received no reply, we have committed the rudeness
of trespassing into your territory."
After a brief pause, a man skillfully descended from the trees to the ground, stepping
on branches.
"You are the human named Phoebe Asteria Roton…?"
"Yes."
"The elder is waiting for you. This way."
The elf sentinel led the way, guiding Phoebe and Rosaria.
Phoebe held Rosaria's hand and followed the sentinel side by side.
Leaving the dense forest behind, they arrived at the elves' village.
"Wow… the trees are incredibly big."
The World Tree, Yggdrasil.
Unlike the artificially built Silence Tower, the enormity of the World Tree, containing
years of history, had a sacredness that no other tower could imitate.
The elves revered the World Tree, building their homes and living under it.
As they reached the entrance of the village, a green-haired woman greeted them
with a solemn face, her entourage behind her.
Although it was their first meeting, Phoebe instinctively knew she was one of the
elders of this place.
The green-haired woman wrapped her right fist with her left palm and extended it
as a greeting.
"I am Yustina, daughter of Yggdrasil and the fifth elder."
Phoebe greeted her in the same way, following their customs.
"I am Phoebe Asteria Roton, the representative of the Silence Tower. It is a great
honor to meet the great sister of Yggdrasil."
"There's no need to be so formal. Open your eyes and speak."
"Excuse me? Oh! I must have been rude."
To become friends with Rosaria, she had always kept her eyes half-closed.
Phoebe opened her eyes wide, revealing her golden irises.
"Before we begin, I apologize for not responding to the Silence Tower Master's letter.
Lately, Yggdrasil's condition has not been good, and all the elders have been unable
to focus on anything else as they tend to it."
"Oh no… Why all of a sudden…?"
"Recently, unclean mana has seeped into the ground, contaminating a part of the
World Tree."
"If it's been contaminated by unclean mana… magical assistance must be needed."
Yustina nodded.
"If we could only locate the mana vein, we could undoubtedly find the contaminated
area, but capturing the mana vein is not easy."
Unlike the towers that emit mana in a single thick pillar, the World Tree had a
structure where dozens of thin pillars were tangled and intertwined as they rose.
To identify the source of the contamination, one had to properly examine each
entwined mana pillar, a process that was more difficult than finding a pearl in a
desert.
"I will help you if I can."
At Phoebe's words, Yustina shook her head.
"No. Your skills are undoubtedly outstanding, but this is something we could not
accomplish even with the abilities of the elf elders."
"I see."
As an elf elder, Yustina was able to roughly assess Phoebe's abilities.
She had already estimated Phoebe's level and judged that it was
not superior to the current elders.
Phoebe relaxed her shoulders, looking disappointed.
"Anyway, the timing is not good. How about visiting again next time?"
"Um……"
Returning would be tantamount to mission failure, so Phoebe looked troubled by
Yustina's suggestion.
At that moment, Phoebe felt a small hand tugging at her clothes.
Rosaria was looking up at the elf elder, Yustina, with her mouth slightly open.
"Pointy ears."
The long, slender ears that could not be hidden by the flowing green hair.
It was a characteristic that could be considered the identity of the elves.
Rosaria pointed at those ears with her finger and asked.
"Big ears. Is that an elf, Phoebe?"
"Miss, you shouldn't point at people like that."
"Is an elf a person?"
"…They're not human, but you shouldn't point at elves either. It's rude to point at an
older person with your finger. Do you understand?"
"Yep."
Rosaria obediently lowered her finger.
Phoebe stood up after giving a warning and offered an apology to Yustina.
"I'm sorry. My young lady is still a child, so I hope you can be understanding."
"It doesn't matter… but who is this little one?"
"She is our tower master's daughter. We came together to broaden her horizons."
"Hmm, I see…"
Despite her indifferent response, Yustina couldn't take her eyes off Rosaria.
'Strange.'
An extraordinary aura was felt throughout Rosaria's body, which was different from
her innocent face.
When she looked at Phoebe, she could definitely gauge how much mana she could
handle, but no matter how much she looked at this girl, she couldn't tell.
'If my eyes are not mistaken… this child is an outstanding talent surpassing the
current elf elders… '
That meant she was an incredible talent that even Yustina, who had lived for
hundreds of years, had never seen before.
She suddenly became curious.
"This girl might be able to help us."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"If this girl helps us with our task, we will perform the song you desire."
At Yustina's suggestion, Phoebe spoke to the elder with an expression of difficulty.
"But our young lady came here only for a field trip…"
"If it's a field trip, wouldn't seeing our elders also be a part of it?"
"Well, that's true, but… it's a bit difficult for our young lady to be involved in this
matter."
"Dealing with the World Tree's mana is not overdoing it. If it seems too much, I'll
stop it. I say this in the name of Yggdrasil."
To invoke the name of Yggdrasil was to stake the honor of their tribe.
It was astonishing that the elves, who valued their bond, would say such a thing.
However, Phoebe couldn't easily say yes or no and hesitated.
During this moment of hesitation, Rosaria approached Yustina and asked.
"Elf unni, can Rosaria be helpful?"
"Yes, you can."
"Then I'll try!"
Rosaria was happy to hear that she could be helpful.
After saying that, she belatedly sought Phoebe's approval.
"Can I do it?"
"If you want to try, it's fine."
Phoebe stroked Rosaria's head and nodded.
If Rosaria wanted to do it, there was no reason for Phoebe to stop her, as it was also
part of broadening her horizons.
"But what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, that is… Young lady, you know about pillar raising, right?"
"Pillar raising? The tower's pillar light! Are you talking about the one Rosaria folded
into a ball?"
"Yes, the one you turned into a ball. You can do something similar to that."
Phoebe spoke lightly, and Yustina corrected her with a cough.
"Yggdrasil is more complex and delicate than the towers built by you humans.
Treating what we do as simply pillar raising is no different from underestimating it."
"Ah, I'm sorry…"
Yustina's gaze sharpened, and Phoebe apologized, sweating coldly.
Yustina let her rudeness slide for now.
'Even if she's more talented than the current elders, it's impossible to grasp
Yggdrasil's mana at once.'
Yustina made such a suggestion to Rosaria because she wanted to see just how great
her potential was.
She thought that this alone would satisfy her curiosity, so she asked her.
That was it.
Meanwhile, at the Tower Lord conference.
The Tower Lords, who had been urgently convened by the alert issued by the
Greenwood Tower Lord, listened to her words and asked with astonished faces.
"I heard that the World Tree barely grows 10 centimeters in a year, but you're saying
it grew 2 meters in just a few minutes?"
A tree that grew bit by bit, about 10 cm a year, suddenly grew more than 2 meters.
No matter how you looked at it, it was clearly an abnormal phenomenon, a matter
worthy of an emergency meeting.
While everyone was wondering, "What on earth happened?"
Reed, unlike the others, could guess the cause of the incident.
'It must be their doing.'
The territory of Yggdrasil, where High Elves and Wood Elves coexisted.
Phoebe and Rosaria entered that place.
There was no doubt that the yellow rice cake and the white rice cake had caused a
commotion in Yggdrasil's territory.
'I'm sure they didn't do it with bad intentions, and it must have been going in a good
direction and ended up like that… '
As Reed was thinking that, the atmosphere among the Tower Masters became more
and more serious.
It wasn't an atmosphere where you could speak hastily.
Then, the Master of the Greenwood Tower spoke with a serious face.
"If the world tree of the elves grew over 2m at once, there must have been an elf with
exceptional magic skills involved."
"Then, wouldn't the balance maintained by the Greenwood Tower also collapse?"
"That seems to be the case for now."
The Master of the Greenwood Tower spoke with an expression of shame.
The collapse of the balance meant that the tower Master had not fulfilled their duty,
so there was nothing to say even if they were blamed.
However, the tower Masters knew what their priority was.
Right now, resolving this situation was more important than blaming.
"So, are there any changes in those big-eared creatures? Did they pick up any relics
or something?"
"It's difficult to say at the moment. We discovered the anomaly at the Greenwood
Tower and immediately convened this emergency meeting, so we're still
investigating the specific situation."
Although there was a problem, there were no concrete details yet.
So the tower Masters racked their brains and made guesses.
"If the World Tree suddenly grew 2 meters… could it be that a new magical formula
was created?"
"The growth of the World Tree is more dependent on mana than spells. Even when
all the elders combined their powers, it barely grew by 10 cm, but in just a few
minutes, it grew by 2 meters.
There's no doubt that a talent with a completely different amount of mana from the
other elders has appeared."
The emergence of talent and the invention of a new spell.
Either way, it was a tremendous event that could shake the balance of the Cloud
Continent.
"What do you suggest we do?"
Freesia, with a bored expression, offered a solution.
"What's the point of whining like this? Nothing will fundamentally be resolved. Let's
eliminate the problem before it becomes an issue."
Eliminate the problem in advance.
It was a solution, indeed.
Then, Dolores, who was sitting next to her, frowned and objected.
"Are you suggesting we slaughter the elves now? If that happens, not only the Black
Sky but other towers will also become enemies of the continent."
"I agree with Wallin's statement. Don't say such things so easily, Black Sky."
As the Master of the Sky Chamber Tower, Helios also frowned and glared, Freesia's
face turned sour.
"Really, you people are no fun. Don't you think so, Reed?"
She turned her head and passed the baton to Reed, who was sitting next to her.
"Anyone would think we're on the same team."
Taking the baton, Reed looked around and opened his mouth.
"In my opinion, the elves probably have nothing to do with this."
"What do you mean, Silence! It suddenly grew by 2 meters! You're saying this isn't a
matter to be cautious about?"
To the other tower Masters, who were unaware of Phoebe and Rosaria's existence, it
might have sounded overly optimistic.
'This must be related to Rosaria.'
But Reed didn't know the exact details, making it difficult to reveal at this moment.
'But to continue with this misunderstanding… '
Even if it was later revealed that the situation was part of the project, the worst-case
scenario could arise where the misunderstanding would not be cleared up.
Reed continued to ponder and eventually made a decision.
Although the timing wasn't right since it wasn't a project to create an incredible
weapon, he decided to disclose it first.
"That's the thing…"
"Ah! I've received a call!"
The Greenwood Tower Master, who was sitting on the opposite side, exclaimed.
Everyone's attention immediately shifted to the Greenwood Tower Master.
"What is it?"
"What's the situation?"
"Wait a moment. Yes… Yes… Yes?"
As her tone grew increasingly serious, she looked over at Reed.
"Yeah, I got it. Thank you."
The call ended, and silence ensued.
The Greenwood Tower Master mulled over what she had heard and remained still
until the other Tower Masters, unable to bear the suspense, urged her to speak.
"Start by telling us what it is."
"Well, it's just that…"
"Did some problem occur?"
"Well… It seems that someone entered the Yggdrasil area a few hours before it
suddenly grew…?"
At those words, some Tower Masters jumped up.
"An accomplice from the outside! As expected!"
"Let's go and investigate immediately!"
Including Freesia, some of the hardline tower Masters mentioned war and became
agitated.
However, the Greenwood Tower Master continued her words while glancing at Reed.
"But it's confirmed that… a horned blonde woman in her twenties and a white-
haired girl entered the area."
The atmosphere suddenly cooled.
"A horned woman in her twenties and a white-haired girl?"
"It seems specific…"
As they spoke, everyone's gaze focused on one place.
Someone who had a half-dragon assistant and a white-haired child.
That someone sighed, tucked their lips in, and resignedly said,
"…Anyway, it's not something the elves have done."
The emergency meeting ended anticlimactically.
Since they had gathered due to concerns that Yggdrasil's rapid growth might be
related to the elves' ambitions, discovering that the cause lay elsewhere allowed the
situation to be easily resolved for now.
Reed was talking to Phoebe through a call.
-I'm sorry…
"I told you to broaden your horizons, not create an incident that puts me in a difficult
position."
-I have no excuse, Tower Master.
Her voice sounded tearful and damp with moisture.
Reed sighed.
-Were you interrogated?
"For now, I explained the project to everyone and also told them why you guys were
there. They asked you to write a separate report on the events that occurred there to
be sent to the Greenwood Tower Master.
-Yes, I will write and send the report separately.
"That's what you should do."
-Whimper…
The sound of whimpering, like a scared puppy, flowed in response to Reed's stern
words.
"Has the contamination of the World Tree been resolved?"
-Yes, thanks to the lady's help, it was resolved quickly. And in the process, all the
blood that was hindering growth was released, leading to rapid growth.
"Is that so?"
-Yes, even the elf elders were surprised, their mouths hanging open as they looked
up at the tree.
It was indeed surprising.
When it was said that it had grown from about 10cm to 2m, the tower Masters, who
are outsiders, were also surprised, let alone the parties involved.
While they were exchanging words, someone tapped Reed's shoulder.
"Uh, Master of the Silent Tower?"
"Hold on a moment, Phoebe. What is it, Master of the Greenwood Tower?"
The Greenwood Tower Master carefully spoke her request.
"I'm sorry, but there's someone who wants to call you, would that be possible?"
"It's possible, but who is it?"
"It's a high elf elder in Yggdrasil's territory, a person named Yustina."
"Phoebe, I'm sorry, but please end the call."
-Yes.
Reed received the call from the Greenwood Tower Master.
Shortly after, a clear female voice echoed in his ear.
-I am Yustina, one of the five elders.
"I'm Reed Adeleheights Roton, the Master of the Silent Tower. My daughter and
secretary have been quite rude, Elder."
Reed first offered a polite apology.
-It's fine. I'm about to be quite rude myself.
"What do you mean?"
-I would like to invite you to Yggdrasil's territory on behalf of our race. What do you
think?
"…You want to invite me?"
He asked again as if he couldn't believe it.
The Greenwood Tower Master, who had been quietly listening from behind, also
looked at Reed with a shocked face.
It was unusual for an elf to invite someone into their territory.
-Is there a reason you cannot accept the invitation?
"No, no, it's not that. It's just unexpected. But why are you inviting me?"
-We asked if our benefactor wanted anything. And she said she would like her father
to come here. So we are inviting you to our council of elders.
"The council of elders…"
The council of high elf elders, if compared to a tower, is like the office of the tower
Masters.
Unlike other elves who build houses on the ground, this place was built at the very
top of the World Tree Yggdrasil, and it is a sacred area that no one can enter without
permission.
It was a place that even the Greenwood Tower Master, who is close with Yggdrasil's
siblings, has never been to.
"I understand. I can't refuse an invitation."
-We will open a path for you to directly come to the council with your sky carriage.
The call with Yustina ended.
The Greenwood Tower Master, who had been waiting until Reed's call ended, started
to speak.
"Uh, Master of the Silent Tower…"
"Yes, what is it, Master of the Greenwood Tower?"
"I'm sorry, but after you come back…"
"Don't worry, I'll ask you what to do as the Tower Master of Greenwood."
He interrupted her as if he was ready, but she hesitated and continued to speak as if
there was more to say.
"Um, after visiting the council, if possible, could you share your impressions…"
"…I understand."
A sacred area that she herself has not seen.
She had no choice but to vicariously satisfy her curiosity through his impressions.
The World Tree Yggdrasil.
Although it did not boast a very high height like the Silent Tower, its wide branches
and leaves spread out horizontally, presenting a grandeur that no palace could
imitate.
Reed found a place that was artificially cleared and used it as a landing spot for his
sky carriage.
As he stepped outside, the high elf elders were waiting for him.
"Daddy!"
Among them, Rosaria ran towards Reed with an innocent face.
Despite sweating profusely from explaining the situation caused by this little
troublemaker, seeing her innocently smiling made all those resentful feelings
disappear.
"Have you been behaving?"
"Yes!"
"Do you understand that lying can lead to big trouble?"
"Rosaria doesn't lie!"
"I see."
That statement meant the guardian had been neglectful in her duties.
Reed glanced at Phoebe, who was following him, with a reproachful look.
Seeing this, Phoebe was taken aback and broke out in a cold sweat.
A green-haired female elf stepped forward on behalf of the others and greeted them.
It was the same scene as when she had greeted Phoebe.
"I am Yustina, the daughter of Yggdrasil and one of the five elders."
"I am Reed Adeleheights Roton, the Master of the Silent Tower."
"So you're the Master of the Silent Tower. You are indeed handsome, just like your
daughter said."
"Oh, is that so…"
Reed, who had prepared for his meeting with the elders, was flustered within just a
few minutes.
He hadn't expected her to catch him off guard with a compliment.
Reed quickly changed the subject.
"I heard that Yggdrasil, the spiritual pillar of the elves, has grown by 2 meters."
"For us, the siblings of Yggdrasil, it's the greatest joy."
"Congratulations, but this fact was not properly conveyed, so all the tower Masters
gathered in a flurry."
"Apologize to the Master of the Greenwood Tower for me. At that time, all the elves
were so surprised that they couldn't do anything for a few hours."
The elves share a mental link.
They share their thoughts and emotions silently, establishing their foothold in the
Cloud Continent through this bond.
Considering that the event was shocking enough for the elf elders, it would have
been even more so for the elves under them.
As Yustina looked at Reed, she glanced down at Rosaria and spoke.
"It seems our benefactor is not a blood relative of the Master of the Silent Tower."
"That's right. This child is one I took in."
"It's a pity. I was interested in her parents because she is a child with the potential to
understand the profound intentions of Master Yggdrasil."
"Rosaria is not a child who understands such profound intentions."
"What this girl solved was a problem that could only be done by reaching its origin.
Without understanding the intentions of Master Yggdrasil, she could not have
reached the origin. Whether she was aware of it or not, this girl fully understood
Master Yggdrasil's deep intentions."
In other words, Rosaria had instantly solved a problem that even the elf elders, who
had lived for hundreds of years, could not unravel from Yggdrasil.
Reed looked down at Rosaria and asked,
"Do you understand what they're saying?"
"I don't know!"
Rosaria answered innocently.
How could he expect her to understand something she didn't know herself?
He just stroked her cheeks and praised her for doing well.
"Anyway, we, the siblings of Yggdrasil, owe a great debt to Rosaria Adeleheights
Roton. We hope you'll accept our gratitude as you walk through Yggdrasil's domain."
"We will gratefully accept the honor given by the great siblings of Yggdrasil."
"Then follow me."
Yustina took the lead in guiding them, and Reed followed behind her, holding
Rosaria's hand.
"Did you have fun? What have you been doing?"
"Yes! The elf sisters made me a bracelet with flowers."
"Miss, they are actually men."
"The elf brothers made it for me!"
Phoebe subtly hinting, and Rosaria correcting.
Reed stroked Rosaria's head as he spoke.
"You've been having fun."
"And, and I also touched the ears of the elf elder!"
"…Ears?"
Reed doubted his own ears.
Even after double-checking, Rosaria nodded her head and spoke.
"Yes! I asked if I could touch his ears, and the elf elders said it was okay!"
Elves are extremely reluctant to have physical contact with other races.
Especially touching the head is considered taboo, not to mention the ears.
If Reed had touched an elf elder's ear, it would have been a grave sin for which he
could have been severely punished and expelled without a word.
Reed subtly lifted his head to look up at Yustina.
Yustina smiled gently and said with a face that implied there was no problem.
"There's no issue with such minor contact for our benefactor."
"…Thank you."
Reed thanked Yustina and looked at Phoebe to ask.
"How did the recording go?"
"Well, there's a festival today to celebrate the growth of Yggdrasil, and they said
they'd let us listen then."
It would be late in terms of time, but it was a jackpot for Reed's project.
The music at the festival.
It wasn't just the music to welcome foreigners, but joyful music from the heart. It
would be more melodious and enjoyable than any song.
"Did you ask if we could record that too?"
"Yes, they said we can."
Phoebe nodded, and Reed thanked them once more with a salute.
"Thank you for letting us experience Elf culture."
"Joy is something that can only truly be felt when it springs from within. If you can
reproduce that sound of joy and share it, Yggdrasil will be pleased."
It was a generous statement, not expected from a secluded elf.
But that generosity didn't end there.
"I heard you want to hear the druids' music too."
"Yes."
"I asked for their help on behalf of you. If you mention my name, they'll gladly help."
"Thank you."
Thanks to Yustina's goodwill, what would have taken at least two days could be
completed in one day.
Then, Phoebe, who was standing next to him, spoke.
"Tower Master, I'll go and come back soon."
Reed shook his head.
"No, stay here. Since the elder has asked for permission, it's enough to send some
mage from the tower."
"It would be better for me to handle this quickly~. And………"
Phoebe sneaked over to Reed and whispered in his ear.
"I shouldn't interfere with your time with the lady, should I?"
Phoebe grinned, and then Reed realized why she had said that.
'Right, Rosaria was upset when she couldn't come with us.'
"The elder invited you, the tower master, because of the lady. Please make it a good
time."
"Ah, I see."
"Yes."
Suddenly, Reed's heart grew heavy.
He thought she understood and moved on when her sulky face turned into a big
smile, but she didn't.
'She is more mature than me.'
At just 7 years old.
She has been a good daughter to her father, even at an age when tantrums are
common.
Reed was grateful for Phoebe's tactful withdrawal.
"Thank you, Phoebe."
"Hehe, it's nothing. Lady, Phoebe is going now."
"Okay! Ah, Phoebe Unni!"
"Yes?"
Rosaria ran over to Phoebe and handed her the teddy bear she had tucked under her
arm.
"Take care of Lucy."
"Got it~."
After sending even Lucy away, Rosaria waved her hand with a bright smile.
Unlike when Reed said he wouldn't go, Rosaria easily let Phoebe go.
She walked toward the forest, waving her hand.
"I'm going to ask my sisters, or rather brothers, to make something for Papa!"
"Let's do that."
Reed was gently pulled around by Rosaria's tiny hand.
What food they eat, and how they pay homage to Yggdrasil.
Rather than showing the dignity of a tower master, he accepted the elf culture as a
foreigner for a while and experienced their life.
As the night deepened, the lamps that had grown here and there illuminated beneath
Yggdrasil's tree with a blue light.
Reed and Rosaria also headed there, led by Yustina.
The place was already filled with many elves preparing for the festival.
Rosaria and Reed took their places at the very front.
"Sit here."
Since there was no mat or cushion, just the bare ground, Reed sat cross-legged and
placed Rosaria on top of him.
A little later, the festival preparations were all complete.
The gathered elves began to form a circle.
Reed pressed the start button on the prepared recorder.
The elf musicians seated in the center tuned their instruments.
Their instruments were stringed instruments made of carved wood and drums.
Soon, the lively rhythm of the percussion blended with the gentleness of the strings,
gently resonating through the serene forest.
Elder elf, Yustina, slowly walked into the center.
The elves' traditional costumes, which the elders had been wearing, resembling a
chiton made from a single cloth, had been changed to a dancer's costume with
tassels flying every time they moved.
Yustina, who had been standing still in the center, started to move to the rhythm.
The seated elves began to sway their bodies from side to side and start a chorus.
The grandeur created by the sweet tone.
It felt like a gentle and warm breeze was filling Reed's chest.
It was the pure joy that the elves felt.
A joy that everyone could feel, without exception.
And that joy touched his heart from deep within.
'Joy……… '
Reed was happy too.
He was happy to be able to listen to this music directly.
He was happy that Rosaria was listening to such beautiful music.
Above all, he was most happy to listen to this song with her.
'Rosaria……… '
At first, it was regretful, but now it had become a part of his heart.
Reed gently hugged her, who was sitting on his lap.
Rosaria looked down at his hand, then grasped it with her tiny hand, tightly
wrapping herself.
Reed placed his forehead on her head.
The faint scent of roses wafted.
Rosaria turned her head with a beaming smile, and her eyes met Reed's.
Suddenly, Rosaria's face stiffened.
"Papa, are you crying?"
"Huh?"
At Rosaria's words, Reed finally realized that tears were streaming down his cheeks.
His heart, shaken by the music, was raining tears.
Reed quickly wiped away the tears with his thumb, and Rosaria looked up at him
with a worried expression.
"Are you sad? Why?"
"I'm not sad. These are tears of joy."
Rosaria tilted her head.
"Why cry when you're happy? When you're happy, you should smile."
"That's right. You should smile when you're happy."
As Reed smiled, Rosaria also giggled.
"They say if you laugh after crying, you'll grow horns on your butt, hehe."
But it seemed like he wouldn't mind even if dozens of such horns grew.
The song of joy echoed for several hours, and the quiet festival came to an end when
it was time for Rosaria to sleep.
In the guest room of the elven elders.
Reed checked the music he had recorded yesterday once more.
'Everything is recorded.'
Although it wasn't as moving as when he had heard it directly with his own two ears,
it was enough to make those who heard it for the first time shed tears.
Reed put the recorder in his pocket and turned his head.
Rosaria was sleeping with a soft snore.
"Rosaria."
"…Hmm."
"Daddy is about to go now, do you want to continue sleeping here?"
"…Hmm…"
Rosaria shook her head, unable to wake up from her sleep.
He had no choice but to pick her up.
Like hugging a giant teddy bear, Rosaria hugged Reed's neck and fell asleep again.
Carrying her, Reed went outside and happened to run into Yustina, who was walking
down the hallway.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I think I'll be going now, Elder. I apologize for any inconvenience."
Reed bowed his head lightly to express his gratitude for the time being.
And just as he was about to call Rosaria's name to say goodbye, Yustina stopped him.
"Let our benefactor stay in the land of dreams a little longer. And I would like to have
a conversation with you."
"Understood."
Yustina walked with Reed to the sky chariot he had landed.
Walking down the hallway made of intertwined tree trunks, Yustina was the first to
speak.
"What kind of person are you?"
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you're asking, so it's hard to answer."
"I've seen many humans in my time. But I've never met a human as enigmatic as you.
You seem like someone who is wandering."
"Wandering…"
Reed considered why she would say such a thing.
Then he remembered his own nature.
His nature was 'unknown'.
Just as he couldn't see his own abilities with his 'Eye for Talent', he thought this was
also something he couldn't confirm himself.
"Teenage years are for finding your path, the twenties for paving it, and the thirties
for walking it. I've heard that this is the cycle of human life. You're of the age to walk
your path. You should be walking the path you've found and paved. But, looking at
you up until now… I get the impression that you're not following the path you've
paved."
"It sounds like you're saying that's not a good thing."
"There's no right or wrong in life. I understand that humans are complex, unlike us
elves. It's not necessarily bad to deviate from the path you've paved and go on a new
one. I'm just concerned about where the path you've paved is leading."
Saying that Yustina apologized.
"I'm sorry, Master of the Silent Tower. Even though I've lived for hundreds of years,
I've overstepped and tried to teach you. I'm a very curious person. I can't help but be
curious, even knowing that it can be a double-edged sword for someone. I apologize
again."
"No, please teach me more. I still don't know much about myself, Elder."
"Isn't everyone like that? Even we, who have lived for hundreds of years, always
think about our existence, but no answer comes."
Yustina smiled subtly.
"Everything is cause and effect, payback for one's deeds. To find yourself, you should
reflect once more on what you've left behind while paving your path."
Look back at the past.
Look at the past before Jung Jin-hyuk entered Reed's life.
'Project: Flower Garden is not the end.'
He needs to more decisively settle the past.
Thanks to Yustina's words, Reed realized that he had been closing his eyes until now.
Reed expressed his sincere gratitude to Yustina.
"Thank you, Elder."
"I'm glad if I could help."
With another word of thanks to Yustina for her guidance, Reed boarded the Sky
Carriage.
The Tower of Silence.
Ordinary people are not well aware of the existence of other towers except for the
Black Heaven Tower where death lurks, the Sky Chamber Tower that roams above
the clouds, and the tower nearest to their own village.
However, now the Tower of Silence has been added.
Everyone knew about the news of the Master of the Tower of Silence to the extent
that one would be considered ignorant if they didn't.
-The Lord of the Tower of Silence has developed an object that allows people who
can't use magic to record.
When people first heard the rumor, they didn't pay much attention.
Nobles had magicians, and those magicians could handle record modification
spheres.
And for the common people, magical items were expensive luxuries that were hard
to see in a lifetime.
-The Lord of the Tower of Silence has captured the songs of the elves and druids.
Upon hearing this, both nobles and bourgeois were excited, and common people
couldn't help but listen.
Thus, it quickly became the talk of the town.
It was a beat faster than the originally intended timing. After all, he had intended to
spread it through Leto.
However, the news first came out through the Tower Lords' emergency meeting, and
the magicians, who were of noble origin, spread the story to the noble and bourgeois
societies.
Reed and the magicians of the Tower of Silence did not release any more
information.
"Is the song of the elves really that fantastic?"
"The Tower Masters have already heard it once."
"Oh, really?"
"They say it's heavenly music. Even a vampire would shed tears after hearing it
once."
For this reason, the rumor grew uncontrollably, and the tower masters began to
doubt each other as to whether anyone had really heard it.
In the end, Reed was the most bothered.
"Well, nobody has heard it, right?"
-Is that true?
The Master of the Monolith Tower asked with full suspicion.
"Have you been fooled all the time?"
-Haha, what are you saying! I just… wondered if our Tower Master of Silence was
sharing all the good things without including me.
'What a cunning and bothersome fellow.'
"When the development is finished, I will inform the Master of Monolity Tower first,
so don't worry too much."
-Hehe! How can you discriminate people like that! Shouldn't you just contact
everyone fairly?
Although he said that, he was laughing as if he was very pleased.
It was so concerning that his laughter might even rub off on him.
"Anyway… I'll be going now."
-Hehe, yes, work hard!
The call with the Master of Monolith ended, and Reed threw himself back into his
chair and sighed.
It felt like half of my work hours were wasted on explanations.
I felt irritated because it seemed like there was no point in giving up my weekend.
'There's still no response from the most important place… There's no point in
working like this.'
Reed decided to take his hands off work and even ignore the complaints.
Going to the research building and bothering Kaitlyn or the assistant magicians
seemed to be more helpful.
Then, I remembered what Yustina had said.
-The path you have paved, where does it lead? That's all I'm concerned about.
Those words made Reed think a lot.
If that path was only for him to walk on, it could be ignored.
And to move on a new path in the future, one needs to look back at the path they
have created, at their past.
'Someone who knows the past well… '
The ones who know that best are the family.
But when he checked the family tree, the only one left with the name Adeleheights
was Reed alone.
If Reed abstains from marriage as it is, the lineage of Adeleheights will undoubtedly
be cut off.
'Then, is it the alumni of Escolleia Academy?'
However, it was mentioned in the game that Reed has never properly conversed with
the alumni.
If he asks them now who he was, nine out of ten will flatter him for his position as a
tower master without knowing anything, and the rest will not even contact him.
A more certain person is needed.
"Dolores."
She was Reed's fiance e, nine years younger, and a woman who was dumped by Reed.
She had resentment towards Reed because of that, but it was somewhat resolved
now.
'Dolores was taught by Reed when she was as young as Rosaria.'
It was information obtained accidentally from Rosaria.
Having been together since childhood and harboring feelings of hatred towards
Reed, she might know Reed better than anyone else.
'Asking the person involved would be the best… '
The problem was that in order to hear everything from Dolores, he had to admit that
Reed's memory wasn't intact.
'Absolutely not.'
Leaving aside whether Dolores is kind or not.
A secret is no longer a secret the moment it comes out of the mouth.
In the end, the best way was to create a situation where they could honestly talk to
each other.
'Is it about time for Dolores to finish Rosaria's studies?'
The current time is 4:50.
Every Sunday, she spent time with Rosaria from 1 pm to 5 pm, skipping lunch.
It wasn't just about focusing on studying for four hours.
She taught her how to play with magic and fulfilled her role as a sister and a teacher,
allowing her to enjoy magic.
The reason he knew this well was because whenever she learned magic from
Dolores, she always came first to him to brag about it.
'If it's now, it must be almost over.'
Reed rose from his seat and headed to Rosaria's room.
He planned to sneak in, and ask if she needed anything, or if there was anything she
wanted while he was tutoring her.
The moment he stood in front of Rosaria's room and was about to knock.
A sweet sound flowed from inside.
It was a tune Reed knew well.
He had heard it directly and listened to it dozens of times more for sound quality
checks.
'Could it be?'
Reed opened Rosaria's room door without knocking.
The leaking sound became clear, and a recorder that should have been in the
research building was seen between Dolores sitting at the desk, and Rosaria.
Rosaria was grinning at Dolores, and Dolores was savoring the song as if she was
eating delicious food with her eyes closed.
After a while, the song ended and silence came.
"Ahem…"
At Reed's fake cough, Dolores, who was immersed in the afterglow, flinched like a
cat.
On the other hand, Rosaria, who had no awareness, turned her head and grinned.
"Rosaria, why is the recorder on your desk?"
"I just borrowed it for a while!"
"Did you want to play it for your Unni?"
"Yes! I wanted to let my sister hear it!"
"Who did you get permission from?"
"No one was there, so Rosaria took it by herself."
'Well, that makes sense… '
Reed spoke, stroking her head.
"Rosaria, this is something that Dad is preparing to show to people."
"Was I not supposed to take it?"
"Showing an unfinished product to others is very rude. If you show something like
this, they will only be disappointed in your Dad."
"Uh…"
Whether she was aware that she was being scolded, Rosaria looked down at the floor
with a sullen face.
"It's fine to show it to your sister, but next time, ask the Chief Engineer, no, ask
Kaitlyn before you take it. Okay?"
"Yep."
Rosaria nodded her head.
Reed put the recorder on the desk into Rosaria's hand and said.
"Now, you've played enough with it, so put it back where it belongs."
"Okay!"
Rosaria, holding the recorder tightly in both hands, went outside.
The only ones left in the room were the two of them.
Reed turned his head to look at Dolores.
She was also sneakily looking at Reed, and as soon as their blue eyes met, she quickly
turned her head forward pretending not to see.
Reed opened his mouth.
"Let's go to my office and talk."
Reed's office.
Dolores sat stiffly on the sofa, and Reed poured her some tea from the opposite side.
"Did you hear everything?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Dolores was a bit flustered.
"Uh… Rosaria wanted to surprise me, so she brought it, I just left it thinking it was
something else… I had no idea that it was a Sound of Music item. I only noticed after
some of the song played, and by the time I came to my senses…"
You appeared.
But it was so frustrating to say it until the end that she shut her mouth.
"Would you have stopped Rosaria if you knew it was someone else's project?"
"The song was so good… and all the other tower owners had heard it, I wanted to
listen too."
It seemed Dolores had also heard that rumor.
Reed told her the truth.
"The other tower owners have never heard it. It's all false rumors."
"I see…"
As it turned out that even her excuse was a lie, Dolores's cheeks turned bright red.
Reed did not scold her.
It was a time when it was about 80% complete and needed external evaluation.
Feeling that it was a good opportunity, he asked her.
"So, how was it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about the song of the elves and the song of the druids. I hope the results
turned out the way I wanted."
Dolores seemed to hesitate for a moment, then began to talk about her impressions.
"It was very beautiful……"
"Is that all?"
"Well, and I could see how the elves sing, I couldn't understand the language, but I
could feel their emotions in it…"
Dolores began to recite her impressions.
However, she was quite stiff, as if presenting in front of a professor.
After listening to Dolores's 10-minute review, Reed could tell that the recording had
turned out as he had intended.
"I see."
"Is that okay?"
That was enough.
He was pleased as it was heading in the direction Reed wanted.
'It feels like I can pull out something more.'
Dolores was a woman like a textbook of orderly and righteous living with a lawful
good alignment.
The fact that she touched another tower owner's project without permission must
have been weighing heavily on her.
The situation was good.
In this atmosphere, it might be possible to have an open conversation.
They could naturally talk about the past, and through that conversation, they could
find out what Reed's past self was like.
Thinking that it was time, Reed took out an object that he had stored away using
magic.
A red liquid was contained in a transparent glass bottle.
Yggdrasil Wine.
It was a precious item, a liquor brewed directly by the elves of Yggdrasil's realm, so
precious that if one could get it, the price would be worth their calling.
Rosaria had received a few gifts in gratitude for helping Yggdrasil grow.
One of those gifts was Yggdrasil Wine.
Being of noble descent, Dolores would certainly want to try the elf 's liquor.
He wanted to have a sincere conversation naturally, accompanied by alcohol.
"The elves gave me a bottle of liquor as a thank-you gift. Would you like a glass?"
Reed showed her two glasses.
Contrary to expectation, Dolores shook her head with an even sterner face.
"I don't enjoy alcohol that much."
"I'm not saying you have to drink a lot. Just try it."
"This is difficult, Tower Master of Silence. Don't you know?"
She asked if he knew, but Reed had no idea.
However, sensing the mood, he quickly apologized when he felt he shouldn't
continue to insist.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
Reed put down his glass, losing his appetite with a bitter expression.
That act became a guilt for Dolores, and in the end, she contradicted what she had
said.
"…I'll just have a drink."
"Are you sure?"
"I suppose…"
She spoke hesitantly, but Reed didn't notice.
Because she said she doesn't enjoy alcohol, he filled a crystal glass with Wine, about
half as much as his, and handed it to her.
Dolores, who held the glass with both hands, looked down at the bright red Wine.
Then she muttered something.
"You can do it. You can do it…"
"Let's drink."
"Ah, yes."
Reed and Dolores took a sip at the same time.
Reed, who was taking his first sip, was almost choked by surprise.
'Why is this so strong?'
He thought the Yggdrasil Wine made from fruit, would have a low alcohol content,
like wine.
But drinking it, his throat burned as if he was drinking a potent distilled liquor.
"The alcohol is quite strong."
"Tower Master of the Wallin Tower?"
Dolores, who had emptied her glass, did not answer and remained silent, putting her
glass down.
A moment later, the room began to get colder.
It was Dolores emanating the cold.
"Are you okay?"
"Ah………"
"Ah?"
"Ah, it's hitting me hard."
"Cough!"
She barely managed to suppress a choke.
Dolores wiped her lips with the back of her hand.
"Why is it so strong? I thought my throat was burning."
"Why? You look surprised as if you're seeing a ghost."
As Reed stared at her, Dolores frowned.
"No, what you're saying is really………"
"Should I call you like a friend? Or should I talk to you like a child? But why is that
surprising? Didn't you give me this? You wanted to see me drunk."
Listening to her slowly loosening words, he seemed to understand why she had
hesitated about the drink.
'She can't handle alcohol.'
She gets drunk instantly, even with just one glass.
On top of that, it was clear that her drinking habits were not good.
As the alcohol took effect, her polite manner of speaking completely relaxed.
Her speech was even more clear-cut, but there was a distinct sense of incongruity
typical of a drunk person.
What's more frightening is that only 30 seconds have passed.
It means she's not fully intoxicated yet.
'This is a disaster.'
"Even though my family has been known to have a weak tolerance for alcohol for
generations… Did oppa want to see me drunk when you encouraged me to drink
sneakily?"
"…Oppa?"
When Reed pointed out the term, Dolores looked up at him.
Her mature expression was nowhere to be seen, and a large child smiled broadly.
"You call your Oppa 'Oppa', what else would you call him?"
The honest conversation Reed was hoping for had begun.
However, its form had become strange.
Dolores Jade.
The Tower Lord of Wallin, once the daughter of Baldschmidt but now abandoned
that name.
She was the youngest to ascend to the position of tower master, and her conviction
earned her the trust of Helios, the Sky Chamber tower master.
But even Helios did not know Dolores' weakness.
Alcohol.
Since entering Wallen Tower, she had never drunk with anyone, nor had she drunk
alone.
People unaware of her circumstances thought that Dolores didn't drink because of
her meticulous and careful personality.
But the real reason was different.
"What are you trying to do to me? I know everything."
The moment she drinks, she becomes a big child.
Dolores slumped on the sofa with a sly grin.
Her face was flushed red, contrasting with her blue hair, and the way she looked at
Reed was as if he was a man with naughty thoughts.
It was more of a cute feeling than contempt.
Reed looked at her with a dumbfounded expression and denied her words.
"It's not like that."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Really, really?"
"Yes."
"Then cast a spell to sober me up right now."
"…Cast it on yourself."
"How can a drunken magician cast a spell? What if my hand explodes? You do it,
Oppa."
Dolores was acting like a younger sister.
However, Reed couldn't cast that spell.
Because he had heard for the first time from Dolores that such a spell existed.
As he silently folded his lips into his mouth, Dolores' face became stern.
"See! I knew you were trying to get me drunk on purpose! Remember when I was 12,
and I accidentally drank wine from your glass and got drunk?"
Dolores giggled as she twirled her hair around her finger.
Though it was annoying to the point of being unbearable, it was just as Reed had
intended, as she began to spill out her past.
"Can I have one more drink since I'm drunk anyway?"
No sooner had she said this that Reed snatched Dolores' glass away.
He didn't even want to imagine what would happen if a lightweight who got drunk
after one drink had another.
Instead of crystal glass, he handed Dolores an ordinary glass of water.
"Drink water."
Dolores stared hard at the glass of water, then rolled her eyes and looked up at Reed.
"Feed it to me."
"Drink it with your own hands."
"Then I won't drink."
"You're being childish."
"I can be childish. You told me to tell you whenever…"
Dolores grumbled in a childlike tone and turned her head sharply as if she was sulky.
Dolores certainly remembered.
-If you want to act spoiled, tell me. I'll go along with it until you're tired.
And young Dolores did act like a younger sister, always being childish, just as he had
told her.
But Reed didn't know this fact now.
No, he couldn't have known.
Because he was a third party with no memories of Dolores.
'If this is considered a sincere conversation, then it is a conversation.'
He had to know about Reed.
And to do so, listening to Dolores, who had turned into a child now, was the most
ideal.
With no other choice, Reed indulged her childishness and sat down next to her.
He could distinctly feel the chill emanating from her body.
Reed lifted the glass of water in place of her and brought it to her lips.
Her hair, blue as the sea, contrasted with her face, flushed as a beetroot.
Her eyes closed, lips slightly parted, looking up, she reminded him of a bride at a
wedding ceremony waiting for the groom's kiss.
Wary of possible dribbles, Reed carefully poured the water into her mouth.
Gulp, gulp.
Her slender throat moved up and down, swallowing the water.
Over three minutes, she emptied the entire glass of water.
"Feeling a bit sober?"
"Yeah, Oppa."
While her mouth said so, seeing her beaming smile, he realized that she was not.
As Reed held the water glass and attempted to get up from his seat, Dolores
unexpectedly grabbed his hand.
"Stay here."
"Isn't it a bit too close for a man and woman…"
"………All right."
His words were cut off by the sight of her lips beginning to pout.
Since it was hard to put up with Dolores' tantrums any further, Reed decided to
calmly accept her request.
Even though Reed sat down, Dolores did not let go of his hand.
Reed looked down at her hand.
Her small hand was wrapped around the back of his hand, and her slender fingers
tickled his palm.
"Can I… ask one thing? You have to answer no matter what."
"………Depending on the situation, I might not be able to answer."
"If you don't answer, I'll cry right here."
"…Do as you please."
' It's scary, a six-year-old with a large body.'
Seeing her cruel threat, Reed resigned himself.
With a beaming face, Dolores asked Reed.
"Do you still hate the thought of seeing the face of a child we'll make together?"
Upon hearing this, Reed's body stiffened instantly.
"………What?"
"I've always been curious. You like Rosaria so much… I wondered if you'd still dislike
having a baby with me."
"Did I say that?"
"Are you evading the question?"
Then Dolores' eyebrows came together.
Her eyes, moist and as transparent as the ocean, changed to a clear blue color.
Reed fumbled for an explanation about it.
"I can't remember everything clearly because the memory of that day is too stormy."
At his words, Dolores nodded as if in agreement.
"Yeah, that time was really like a storm. What did you say then? Ah, I remember. 'Are
you deaf? I don't even want to see the face of a child made from mixing my blood
with yours.' That's what you said."
"It really hurt, hehe. I still remember your face. The way your eyes looked at me with
resignation………"
Dolores chuckles lightly.
Reed knew that her laughter was not laughter.
It was her way of preventing her tears from flowing by laughing instead.
"That wasn't true, right, Oppa?"
Reed couldn't answer easily.
It felt like he was skipping the process and choosing the decisive option.
The answer was clear, but he was worried that he might be shooting himself in the
foot without understanding the context.
But as Reed hesitated, Dolores wavered, and the chill intensified.
"Your hands are cold."
At those words, Dolores looked down at her own hands.
"Ah, I was emitting cold again… Is it very cold?"
As Dolores tried to remove her hand, Reed shook his head.
"I'm just worried that your delicate hands might crack."
At his words, Dolores laughed brightly and held Reed's hand tightly.
"It's okay, if it cracks with just this much, I wouldn't be an Archmage."
Dolores' wavering disappeared, and Reed answered her.
"Yes, I didn't mean it."
Hearing his answer, a deeper smile spread across Dolores' face.
"I knew it! I knew it wasn't true~. Yeah. There's no way. You've always been kind to
me."
Chuckling and delighted, Dolores rushed into Reed's arms.
Even if she was drunk, her action was too reckless, so Reed spoke in a stern tone.
"Dolores, this is really inconvenient—."
"I'm sorry."
Reed's words were cut off by her apology.
Dolores' hand, clutching the pocket of her uniform, tightened.
The chest where she buried her face grew damp.
"Since that day… I hated you to death."
"I know you don't hate me, I know you said those things just to push me away, I
know you did it on purpose to sever all connections because of my father… but I
hated it so much because you, my only support, said those things."
It was beyond simple heartbreak.
The pain Reed had given Dolores was no different from ripping out her heart and
stomping on it right before her eyes.
In that pain, Dolores, who had vowed never to touch alcohol when she was young,
emptied three bottles of wine that day, which she normally couldn't even finish a
single glass.
Then, she became half-paralyzed and cried quietly to no end.
When she found out that everything was a plot by her parents to allow Dolores, the
eldest daughter, to marry into a better family, she ran away from the Baldschmidt
estate of her own accord.
She turned her dream of becoming a workshop magician into a tower and eventually
climbed to the top of the Wallin Tower.
'I was quite a trashy guy too.'
The current Reed, being a different person from the original Reed, couldn't
understand what kind of feelings Reed had when he said those things that day.
But seeing that strong woman burst into tears as soon as she showed her emotions,
he must have done something quite cruel.
Reed brought his hand to Dolores' head.
He gently patted her head.
"Dolores, now I'm a tower master, and you are too."
"A sermon…?"
"Now we're facing each other as a single 'Tower Master'. That means we're not
puppets dragged around by families."
He declared to her in a soft voice, as he would do to Rosaria.
"So whether willingly or not… I will no longer cause you any harm."
The strength in Dolores' hand, which was tightly clutching the chest pocket,
gradually loosened.
"I'm jealous."
The word she uttered was unexpected.
"You can get away from Adeleheights, but… no matter what, I have the blood of
Baldschmidt flowing through me…"
Her words scattered like a baby's cooing.
A moment later, Dolores' chest rises and falls.
She had cried like a child and, exhausted, had fallen asleep.
Reed carefully moved away and brought a cushion to her head.
'The blood of Baldschmidt… '
He wondered why that phrase was nagging at him, but he couldn't recall any stories
related to the Baldschmidt family.
Only that it was a prestigious magical family, and that Dolores had an unparalleled
talent within that magical family.
Unlike Reed.
"I-I'm sorry. I really behaved disgracefully."
An hour later, Dolores woke up and, wincing from a hangover, apologized to Reed.
He assumed she wouldn't remember her crying and fussing once she woke up, but
surprisingly, Dolores remembered everything.
All the words and actions she had done.
That's why her face turned bright red, like a drunk person.
"No, it's my fault for suggesting alcohol. I thought it would get better when you
became an adult."
"It's hard to change as it's innate. And since I end up making mistakes like this, I tend
to avoid it…"
"It's a habit that's not looked upon favorably in social circles."
"Yes…"
It was a big weakness in social circles where light drinking was common.
She became so honest that it was difficult for anyone who wasn't a close friend to
understand, making it burdensome for the other party.
That's why she decided not to drink at all.
"Still, thank you. Thanks to you… I was able to say things I wouldn't normally be able
to say."
"If you're okay with it, let's have a drink again sometime."
At Reed's sudden suggestion, Dolores furrowed her brows.
"Do you want me to act like a drunkard again as I did today?"
"What's wrong with that? As you get used to it, you'll stop making mistakes after just
two or three drinks."
Though that was his excuse, his real intention was to dig more information out of her
while she was drunk.
If she drank, she would naturally spill stories from her childhood, and Reed would be
able to learn about 'Reed' from that.
Unaware of Reed's plan, Dolores fell into thought.
"Hmm… Ugh!"
Dolores, who was thinking, clutched her head.
"Is your hangover okay?"
"It's fine. A bit of magic will fix it."
Dolores waved her hand as if it was nothing serious.
After the headache subsided, Dolores politely bid farewell to Reed.
"I shall take my leave now, Master of the Silent Tower."
"Very well, take care, Master of the Wallin Tower."
They bid each other goodbye not as siblings, but as Masters of their respective
Towers.
"Tower Master!"
After Dolores returned to her tower, Phoebe ran into the office shouting with joy.
"The message you've been waiting for has finally arrived!"
What he'd been waiting for.
At these words, Reed jumped up and took the letter from Phoebe.
The seal on the letter was of the Hupper Kingdom.
He didn't even think about elegantly opening it with a letter knife but ripped it open
on the spot to check its contents.
After reading the entire letter, Reed said.
"We've got them."
Kingdom of Hupper, the king's office.
The wise king, Morgan Hupper, continued his work leaning against candlelight.
He was always a workaholic.
Whoosh!
The wind, which forcibly opened the window, blew out all the candles hanging on the
chandelier.
The only remaining candle was on the desk.
However, Morgan didn't panic and stared at the darkness left by the wind.
The sound of footfalls hitting the marble floor could be heard.
"Morgan Hupper, our wise king."
A young voice cutting through the darkness.
A frail hand appeared through the curtain of darkness.
It was small and delicate like that of a child.
"Show respect."
Morgan stood up from his seat and stepped into that darkness.
Then, he respectfully knelt down, brought his lips to the small hand extended
towards him, and politely greeted.
"Morgan Hupper, I greet Lady Freesia Vulcan Darkrider, the Master of the Black Sky
Tower."
Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
At a glance, the relationship between Morgan and Freesia looked like that of a
grandfather and granddaughter.
However, considering their actual ages, the difference was reversed enough that it
wouldn't be strange for them to be mistaken for grandson and grandmother.
Freesia slowly walked into the light and revealed herself.
With black hair as dark as pitch, and bright red eyes.
She had an aristocratic lady's presence, dressed in a black gothic dress, with a
parasol.
Freesia sat on Morgan's office desk and stretched out her legs.
The documents he had been reviewing got dirty with her shoes.
Morgan, who would usually have been hopping mad, quietly watched this.
"Have you been at peace during this time?"
"I've been feeling great. I'm alive because I haven't died."
"Please let me know if there's anything you desire in Hupper territory. We will do
our utmost to accommodate the Master of the Black Sky Tower."
"Well, I don't ask much of you. What I have now is enough."
Freesia chuckled.
"It's funny to think that a wise king allows such commotion."
The contract between the king of the Hupper Kingdom, Morgan, and the Master of
the Black Sky Tower, Freesia.
Morgan asked Freesia for decryption and research of the forbidden scriptures, and in
return, Freesia gained the right to create disturbances within the Hupper Kingdom
to a certain degree.
Apart from the occasional attack on the merchant guild, all the evil occurring in the
Hupper Kingdom was instigated by Freesia.
Even if it came to light that Freesia was involved, Morgan would cover up everything.
"How is the research progressing?"
"I have completed the deciphering. Now it's time to start looking for test subjects.
Did you prepare as instructed?"
"Yes. The food supply of the village will soon run out."
"Hmm… Issue promissory notes. Then let the village die by not repaying them. It's
quite amusing."
"We couldn't cause a famine in the Starfall Village, due to the intervention of Tower
Master of the Silence Tower."
"I can tolerate a few holes. And we shouldn't interfere with our little cutie's game of
catching mice, right?"
Freesia laughed mischievously and tapped her forehead with her index finger.
"Then soon, all the food in the small villages under the Hupper Kingdom will run out,
and they will have to find something to eat, even if they have to peel tree bark."
But not everyone can survive like this.
As it was an intended famine to break down the small villages, more than half will
undoubtedly lose their lives.
Humans will do anything when driven to the brink of death.
Freesia would offer them an extreme choice.
"Then, the poor fathers and sons of the small villages will volunteer to become our
lab rats."
"Excellent plan, Lady Freesia. I am truly grateful."
Morgan bowed respectfully to express his gratitude.
Freesia waved her hand with a childlike smile.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. I never imagined you'd give me the forbidden
scriptures that came down to the Hupper Kingdom. It's truly the best."
"This matter must be kept a secret. If it reaches the public workshop, it will
undoubtedly shake my position."
"Is it because of the adjective 'wise'? It would be easier if you just gave up."
Freesia clicked her tongue.
It was foolish not to relinquish the position for comfort.
"The Hupper Kingdom is everything to me. If my position is shaken, the kingdom
cannot exist."
A man obsessed with power.
He might seem like that, but Freesia knew he had made a cool-headed assessment.
The Hupper Kingdom was a kingdom established by Morgan.
It was all thanks to Morgan Hupper's charisma and reputation that the kingdom
could be founded.
He could gain overwhelming support from the capital Cohen due to his image of not
tolerating injustice and not hesitating to walk through thorny paths for justice.
Therefore, Morgan was concerned about the future.
If he were to be manipulated by those with inferior abilities and lead astray, wouldn't
he ruin everything he had worked for?
Such anxiety kept Morgan from even sleeping.
Freesia suggested something to him.
"Why not try experimenting with the mother and daughter too? Considering the
power of your daughter, I think it could be a good idea. You never know if your
fragile son could suddenly die, so you need some insurance, don't you?"
Morgan hesitated at her response.
He did not show it, but his discomfort subtly revealed itself in his silence.
"I'm sorry, Tower Lord, but I don't think I can tolerate it going into a woman's body."
"You're a cruel father. Rather than worrying about power concentrating on your
daughter, it would be better if it goes into her body."
"Please do not discuss Adonis further."
"You're no fun, fine."
Morgan drew the line with a tone indicating discomfort, and Freesia giggled.
"Then it's time to eliminate your good-for-nothing daughter, isn't it? Have you
thought of a way?"
"Yes, I have. In fact, I would like to ask a favor regarding that."
"What is it?"
Morgan laid out his entire plan to Freesia.
The banquet hall, Adonis, a man with indiscriminate lust, and the mistakes made by
it.
"A man in heat… Is that okay? But with Adonis' ability, wouldn't she be able to fully
suppress that man?"
"You don't need to worry. That man won't die by Adonis' hands, but he will choose to
end his own life. Is that acceptable?"
Morgan asked cautiously, and Freesia nodded with a displeased face.
"It's well within my ability to manipulate young ones. What do you take me, the
Tower Master of Black Sky, for?"
"I apologize, Tower Master of Black Sky."
The top authority on Necromancer-type magic.
It wasn't too much to ask of her, as she was also a magician capable of curses and
psychological manipulation.
"Suicide… Do you have a noble family in mind?"
"He is the eldest son of the Bren family. An illegitimate child, to be precise."
"Targeting a family with an illegitimate child, are we? A combination of coercion and
humiliation, perhaps? It sounds amusing. Very well, make sure to draw him into
Cohen City. I will take care of the rest."
"Yes."
"How are you planning to conduct the main event, the banquet? If you host it
grandly, you can attract everyone's attention."
Hosting a banquet is easy, but getting someone to participate is extremely difficult.
Morgan's plan required many observers, and a diverse crowd was needed to fully
shine.
However, Morgan had thought about that too.
"Recently, there's something that has been attracting the nobles' attention."
"What is it?"
"It's the recording device made by the Tower Master of Silence."
The Tower Master of Silence.
Reed Adeleheights Roton.
Freesia raised one eyebrow and a faint smile settled on her face.
It was a face full of interest that she hadn't shown even once while they were talking.
"Is that our Reed's project? It seems to have caught the attention of many."
"Elders like you might not care, but there are many people who want to listen to the
songs of the elves and druids recorded by the Tower Master of Silence."
Freesia glared at Morgan with a face showing she was annoyed by the word 'elder'.
It sounded like he was calling her old.
"Anyway, I am thinking of hosting a banquet in the palace, combining it with a music
concert."
"A lot of nobles will gather for the music that everyone is paying attention to, and you
plan to tarnish your daughter's reputation in front of these nobles……"
Freesia admired this.
Though she was free-spirited, she was a woman with common sense.
And Morgan had transcended that common sense.
"I may think of myself as a beastly human, but you are an even greater beast, wise
king."
"All this is for the kingdom of Hupper."
He lifted his white eyelids and looked at Freesia.
He was a king full of firm conviction, not a hopeless human being.
"I have no hesitation in my actions."
The reception room of the Hupper Kingdom.
A valued guest had just arrived there.
Ashen hair with golden eyes.
A tall height with broad shoulders.
A man whose good physique made his uniform shine.
"Tower Lord of Silence, Reed Adeleheights Roton, is here to meet the wise King
Morgan of Hupper Kingdom."
Reed, who respectfully greeted with a salute.
Morgan, who was sitting on the other side, stood up from his seat and approached
Reed.
"Hehe, I feel like the Tower Master, an authority on magic, is being too formal."
"I once committed a breach of etiquette. However, considering that you generously
forgave that and invited me here, how could I not be formal?"
"It was our kingdom's knight who committed a breach of etiquette, we have no hard
feelings between us, do we?"
"That's true."
Reed was smiling, but his inner thoughts were different.
'The mastermind who cast his own daughter into ruin and took over his son's body.'
There was also the fact that he was the mastermind who trapped Adonis, but what
disgusted him the most was the fact that he viewed his own flesh and blood as tools.
'What could he be thinking?'
When he sent a letter to Reed, he must have already planned everything.
The plan to push his daughter into the ruin.
Reed was curious about what he had thought while devising that plan.
Did he feel a bit of guilt?
Or did he simply see his daughter as a useless pawn and feel relieved, as if a
troublesome burden had been lifted?
'I must endure.'
He swallowed his doubts and anger.
Getting angry now would only be beneficial to Morgan.
'I came here to disrupt Morgan's plans.'
For that, he started 'Project: Sound of Music', and spread rumors to draw in the
Hupper Kingdom.
They were just at the beginning of the first phase.
Showing animosity rashly would ruin all the plans he had made.
Reed tried to suppress the urge to lash out with a smile.
Morgan, who had been quietly sizing up Reed, spoke to him.
"Seeing the Tower Master of Silence in person, you look like a knight. You're so
robust that nobody would think you're a mage."
Reed had recently started physical training.
The reason was to adapt to the heavy magnesium gauntlets.
He planned to continue the lightweight development, but the current prototype was
too heavy for ordinary mages to handle.
To get used to that weight, Reed built up his muscles, and thanks to that, his
physique had improved.
"If I appear as a knight who values honor, it would be the greatest honor for me."
Reed smiled and expressed his gratitude, and Morgan invited him to take a seat.
The attendants brought refreshments, and in the quiet atmosphere, Morgan was the
first to speak.
"What do you think about the content I sent in the letter? You came here in person to
give the answer, so is it good news that this old man can be happy about?"
Reed nodded.
"Yes, indeed. This project has finally borne fruit, and I wanted to present it to the
many people who have shown interest."
Even before sending the letter to the Hupper Kingdom, he had received many
requests for demonstrations from various places, but Reed spoke as if this was the
first time, with a smile.
Whether it was true or not, it was a pleasant thing for Morgan to hear.
"Then, would you host a concert in our castle?"
"Of course."
Reed nodded again.
"I would like to present the first magical engineering item created at the Tower of
Silence in the Hupper Kingdom."
Everything was going smoothly.
Morgan, pleased with the conversation that went without a hitch, smiled and said,
"Ah, this is quite unexpected. I'm thrilled that the master of the Silence Tower has
agreed so wholeheartedly. I'm delighted to have the chance to build a rapport with
the tower magicians."
"Am I the first?"
Reed indirectly asked if he had no contact with other mages.
Morgan answered with a smile, without a moment's hesitation.
"If I said I had no contact at all, that would be a lie. But this is the first time I've faced
such a young and capable mage."
Morgan skillfully avoided the question, like a snake.
"I can't help but feel a great honor."
Reed didn't ask further, finishing his question as if he was very happy to be the first.
If he gave the impression that he was suspicious here, he would only be giving him
an excuse to respond.
So Reed just smiled.
Hiding a dagger deep in his heart.
Reed was aimlessly walking in the garden of the Hupper Kingdom.
He had roughly set the place and schedule and discussed what kind of performance
he would show.
Morgan was in a meeting to calculate the costs for this demonstration and banquet
with the representatives.
Although it was co-hosted by the Silence Tower and the Hupper Kingdom, it was
inevitable that the Hupper Kingdom, which was providing the venue, had a stronger
influence.
Reed didn't unnecessarily fight.
There was no need to rashly touch Morgan, who was planning to lead Adonis to ruin.
A father trying to ruin his own flesh and blood.
A third party trying to prevent it.
'Salvation… '
In this ironic situation, Reed let out a hollow laugh.
'If I look at this situation, am I the protagonist?'
Adonis Hupper, to become the third disaster.
Reed, who stepped forward to save her, who will become a villain in the future.
'What I want is… '
It wasn't a villain falling into corruption while bearing a regrettable past.
If there was a chance to change their past, Reed wanted to change their past.
That's why Reed never thought of backing down from this plan.
'I need to remember as much as possible what they are plotting over there.'
What Reed knew was that Adonis Hupper resists a nobleman who is trying to harm
her and ends up killing him.
Because it was a grand banquet, many people knew about it, and public opinion
flowed against Adonis.
And then, Adonis was ruined.
"Ah!"
A young voice screamed and rolled on the floor.
When Reed turned his head, a well-dressed boy was lying on the floor.
'A face resembling Adonis.'
A man with an identical face, enough to be mistaken as Adonis's sister.
It was undoubtedly Morgan Hupper the Second.
"Are you alright?"
Reed approached him and held out his hand.
Morgan the Second grabbed his hand and smiled awkwardly.
"Thank you, uh……"
Morgan the Second hesitated.
Reed politely greeted him.
"I am Reed Adeleheights Roton, the Master of the Silence Tower."
"Oh, you're the Tower Master! My name is Morgan."
"Indeed, you're a prince."
Morgan the Second scratched his head and laughed.
"It's a bit embarrassing when you call me a prince."
A very honest expression of emotion.
The face was undoubtedly Adonis, but the personality was definitely different.
'The faces are definitely similar.'
During "Disaster 7", he was a boy who was in the midst of his second growth, so he
had a masculine impression.
But now he could see why they were called siblings.
"Cough, cough."
Morgan the Second coughed.
Seeing this, Reed made way for Morgan the Second.
"I apologize for my rudeness. Please, go ahead."
Morgan waved his hand and spoke.
"No, cough! Cough! I always have a cough, so it's a daily thing, don't worry about it."
"Do you have a chronic illness?"
"It's not a disease. I'm just a late bloomer so my body is a bit weak."
That was a story Reed knew well.
The Queen of Hupper Kingdom contracted an incurable disease during her
pregnancy with Morgan the Second.
Both the mother and the child were in danger, and one of them had to give up their
life.
Since there was no way to cure the incurable disease, they decided to save Morgan
the Second, as per the Queen's wish.
The great love of a mother saved her immature son.
"People say I'm a living miracle."
A living miracle.
It also implied the sarcastic meaning that it was a miracle he was alive.
Did Morgan the Second really understand that meaning?
Reed pretended not to know and changed the subject.
"Will you be attending this banquet, Prince?"
"You're hosting a banquet?"
"Yes, we're planning to present Elf and Druid music right here in the castle."
At that, Morgan the Second's eyes began to sparkle.
"Elves and Druids! My maid once mentioned that there would be a device that could
play their music at any time… Was it you who made it?"
"Yes."
"Wow……"
Morgan the Second grabbed Reed's hand.
He exclaimed with an excited voice as if he was in front of his idol.
"I've heard that it's really difficult to listen to the songs of Elves and Druids. I'll
definitely come to listen, Tower Master!"
Reed looked down at him.
'So innocent.'
A child who grew like a greenhouse plant with his weak body.
But his curiosity was no different from his own daughter, Rosaria.
'To take over the body of such a child… The heavens are indeed indifferent.'
Hatred towards Morgan was building up.
Unaware, Reed looked at Morgan the Second with a hardened face and said,
"I hope you'll come for sure."
"Thank you, Tower Master."
Morgan the Second responded with a bright smile.
Eventually, Morgan the Second was led back to his room by his maid who came to
find him late, and one person came to fetch Reed as the meeting seemed to have
concluded.
The negotiation between Morgan and Reed, both not overly ambitious, ended very
smoothly.
The Tower of Silence.
Finally, the moment came when the project led by Kaitlyn bore fruit.
"It's done!"
With Kaitlyn's victory shout, the assistant magicians who participated in the
research celebrated by giving high-fives to each other.
And Reed checked the message that popped up before his eyes.
'Let it be a good option, let it be a good option… '
[Research progress has reached 100%.]
[The research, "Weaponization of magnesium gauntlet using magic stone" has been
successfully completed.]
["Success Reward" is given.]
- You can craft a Magnesium Magic Gauntlet.
- You can enhance the attack power of the Magnesium Magic Gauntlet.
"………What?"
Reed double-checked the contents as if he had seen it wrong.
Attack enhancement.
It meant that the magic gauntlet he was creating would have additional physical
attack power.
"What the fuck……!"
Curse that he had stopped using while living with Rosaria slipped out of his mouth.
Hearing his curse, Kaitlyn and the assistant magicians stopped their cheering and
looked at Reed, whose face was crumpled.
'Just my luck to get a 3rd-tier……… '
Reed couldn't control his emotions, scratching his ash-grey hair to vent his
frustration.
'There are durability and defense enhancements, but why does it have to be attack
enhancement?'
"Um, well………"
While he was disheartened, Kaitlyn carefully observed Reed and apologized.
"I'm very sorry that the result you wanted didn't come out………"
"………No, it's not your fault."
Although Kaitlyn has the characteristic of an 'Eccentric Inventor', a double-edged
sword, it doesn't affect the random probability.
It's a game system, so it's no one's fault.
'If I had to blame someone, it would be the damn god. Yes, it's just an additional
option. There's no need to fret over it.'
Reed had poured almost all of the Magnesium into this gauntlet.
Considering the time and money invested, it was not something he could easily write
off.
'Phew, attack enhancement is just an additional option.'
He was just upset that the additional option was so mediocre, there was only a tiny
change in the picture that Reed had painted.
"Kaitlyn, how long will it take to make a prototype?"
"We can make one within 3 hours."
A top-notch magic engineering talent indeed, possessing "Crafting Lv. 5" and "Magic
Engineering Lv. 5".
Reed admired her internally and gave her an order.
"Make one right now."
"Understood!"
Kaitlyn started crafting the gauntlet from the processing of Magnesium ingots with
the assistant magicians.
The whole process was quite different from that of blacksmiths.
If the blacksmith's method is to hammer heated iron on an anvil, causing sparks to
fly, the magic engineers were focused in front of machines that glowed faintly with
blue mana.
They used mana as an anvil and hammer to shape the parts of the blueprint.
The sight was incredibly beautiful.
'Such tremendous concentration.'
Kaitlyn Ramos.
She had a somewhat lacking and easy-going impression, but once she started
crafting, she became completely absorbed in her work as if the world had narrowed
down to one place.
A single rose blooming in the blue flame melted and beautifully mixed in.
What she is handling now, the 'engraving tool', is one of the most mentally draining
tasks in the process.
Other magicians would see a drastic increase in the chance of issues if they used it
for more than 5 minutes.
In Reed's case, he would start to feel hazy after 10 minutes.
Once, out of stubbornness, he tried using it for longer, but while his mental strength
was being drained, the engraving came out a mess.
Kaitlyn, however, kept her focus on the task.
For a whole 30 minutes.
Curious about when she would take a break, Reed watched her work quietly, but she
carried on without stopping for those 30 minutes.
She only put down the engraver, which looked like a soldering iron, after all the
engravings were completed.
She quickly fitted the completed engraving into the Magnesium gauntlet and finally
inserted a crystal orb into the round hollow on the back of the hand.
The time it took to create the Magnesium Magic Gauntlet was three hours.
Just as she said, it only took three hours.
"It's complete."
Magnesium Magic Gauntlet Mk.
Type: Equipment Item
A gauntlet made using Magnesium.
Unlike regular gauntlets, it is equipped with a magic crystal orb to assist in casting
magic.
When charged, it is harder than a steel gauntlet.
(Equipment)
Durability: 60/60
Attack Power: 10~13
Defense Power: 38~42
"Crafting Lv. 3": A flawless work of craftsmanship.
"Magic Engineering Lv. 4": Charge rate - 100%, Duration - 100 hours.
"Magic Lv. 4": Equipping a "Colorless Magic Crystal" grants the following effects:
- The power of manifested magic increases by 80%.
- Mana regeneration ability increases by 50%.
The material enhancement has increased the defense power, and the attack power,
which is an additional option of the magic gauntlet, has been added.
'The attack power itself is about the level of the lightweight knuckles used by
fighters.'
Reed, who smirked at the thought of whether magicians could use it for self-defense,
immediately tried on the gauntlet.
The wide-open entrance automatically contracted to fit Reed's hand size as soon as
he inserted his hand all the way in.
'In terms of operability and movement, the one Kaitlyn made is a step above.'
It was an overwhelming talent that could be readily acknowledged, even without a
critical evaluation.
Now that he had confirmed the operability, what about the main ability?
As a test, Reed attempted to manifest mana.
He focused and sensed the mana at his fingertips.
Then, a blue mana sphere began to manifest above Reed's palm.
'It's similar to when I used a wand or a staff.'
Manifesting mana purely with bare hands is difficult.
However, if you use a medium like a wand or a staff, you can supplement the ability
even if your "Mana Response" level is low.
The focal point of the gauntlet is the magic crystal.
By processing this magic crystal and attaching it to the gauntlet, Reed has created an
object like a wand or a staff.
Thanks to the "Colorless Magic Crystal" equipped on Reed's gauntlet, he was able to
show a power distinctly different from when he manifested mana with his bare
hands.
'I can handle two elements.'
Fire and lightning.
Among them, he imagined the shape of fire.
Imagination is important for a wizard.
He imagined that the blue mana in his hand would become a sphere of blazing
flames.
Whoosh-!
As soon as he finished his imagination, the pure mana quickly turned red and
became a fireball.
Reed turned his head.
There, a straw mannequin, sent by the earthen tower owner for magic power
measurement, was standing with its arms spread.
Reed moved his body like a pitcher and threw the sphere towards the mannequin.
The fireball that hit the head exactly exploded as soon as it made contact.
Bang!
An explosion occurred from the head of the magic power measurement mannequin,
shaking it severely.
As a straw mannequin made to be hit and destroyed, it was unshaken by Reed's
attack, leaving only a burnt mark.
'What would have happened if we had missed such a talent?'
If Reed had done what Kaitlyn was doing, it would have taken more than five times
as long without a doubt.
'But the quality would have been about 1/5th of hers.'
"You did well, Kaitlyn."
"I only did what was expected. I enjoyed it very much."
Because Kaitlyn was a natural magic engineer, even difficult and strenuous research
was nothing but a pleasant thing for her.
For such a remarkable researcher, Reed decided to give a reward.
"I'm thinking of a bonus of 10,000 UP, what do you think?"
"10, 10,000 UP?"
Kaitlyn stammered at the amount Reed proposed.
"Is 10,000 UP too little? Hmm… then let's make it 20,000 UP. I'll also give you a three-
day vacation. Think about where you'll spend that 20,000 UP and take a vacation."
Kaitlyn knelt down.
The situation he had witnessed once before was unfolding again.
"Your grace is immense!"
Kaitlyn Ramos.
She obtained a vacation and a bonus.
Two weeks before the banquet.
Reed was choosing clothes in his room with Phoebe.
"Hmm……"
Magicians typically have extreme physiques.
Either very fat, or bone thin.
Among them, there was a man like Helios, the Master of Sky Chamber Tower, who
had a large and muscular physique, but it was extremely rare.
Reed Adeleheights Roton was originally one of the extreme physiques like other
magicians.
However, he began to train his body to adapt to the Magnesium Gauntlet, and now he
has a sturdy body like a swordsman trainee.
Phoebe, who was checking Reed's clothes, spoke with a troubled face.
"As expected, none of the clothes fit."
"It was okay when I wore my uniform."
"Well, I always prepare your uniform."
A question arose in Reed's head at her words.
"Is there a difference in preparing?"
"If I think it might fit, I give you a size larger."
Reed was inwardly surprised.
Preparing clothes was Phoebe's job, but he had never imagined she would prepare
so meticulously.
'I thought she only did laundry… '
He wasn't sure whether to like it or not.
Phoebe, taking out clothes from the wardrobe, said.
"Anyway, you should call a tailor to make a new suit."
"That seems better. Rosaria will also need a suit."
"Oh, is the young lady going with you?"
"Experience is important. Don't notify her in advance. I will tell her."
"Yes~."
Phoebe was grinning, possibly happy about Rosaria's participation.
"I plan to make a request. Do you have any specific designer or tailor in mind?"
"No, I'll trust your judgment this time."
"My, my judgment……"
When everything was completely entrusted to her, Phoebe felt pressured.
However, she soon shouted with a confident voice as if she couldn't succumb to such
pressure.
"I will bring a good tailor, even if I have to beat them up!"
Beat them up.
Her words sounded odd, but it was clear she was going to give her best.
"…What kind of design do you want?"
It's only natural for the protagonist of the party to draw attention.
But Reed did not want to be noticed at that banquet.
"Make it calm. I don't like anything too flashy."
"Hmm, then shall I ask them to make a dress uniform in the style of the one you're
wearing now?"
"That sounds good. For Rosaria, ask for something similar to what other 7-year-olds
wear."
"Understood~."
Phoebe nodded her head.
"And we need to make another suit."
"What kind of clothes are you talking about?"
"Clothes for a woman in her twenties."
Upon hearing that, Phoebe's face flushed and her mouth flapped like the lid of a
boiling kettle.
"Could it be, that I, I have the honor of going too…?"
"Phew, but… there are people who are afraid of me, and I still haven't found someone
capable of managing the tower, what if I leave my post as the tower's deputy…"
'What is she talking about?'
Seeing Phoebe run away with her thoughts, Reed shook his head and said,
"It's not for you, it's for the princess of the Hupper Kingdom, Adonis Hupper."
"Ah…!"
"She might not have a dress for the party, so it'd be nice to gift her one."
"Ah, that makes sense……"
Phoebe's face turned bright red as she realized she had jumped to conclusions.
Phoebe, patting her own face, asked Reed,
"What about her dress? Should it also be subtle……"
"No, make it flashy. Her body is overall slim, so a dress that can accentuate her figure
would be good."
"A dress that can accentuate her figure… Understood."
Phoebe remembered Reed's words and thought of Adonis Hupfer.
'She was a beautiful woman.'
She was a woman who would suit any dress with her bright blonde hair and green
eyes as if holding a forest.
She looked somewhat masculine in armor, but she was a woman whose slender
figure seemed to suit any clothing.
Hearing Reed's words about giving a dress to such a woman, Phoebe was caught in a
strange sense of jealousy.
On the other hand, Reed was thinking about the banquet.
'The banquet is filled with nobles, so manners are even more important.'
He had etiquette ingrained in his body, if not in his head, but this was the first time
meeting an unspecified number of people.
If he said he wasn't nervous, it would be a lie.
'There's music, so there will be dancing…… '
Dancing is not something one does alone but with a female partner.
Reed tried to imagine himself dancing with a woman, but the image wouldn't form
properly.
Practice is essential to show a perfect performance!
Reed turned his head and said to Phoebe,
"Phoebe."
"Yes……?"
"Do you know how to dance?"
"Huh? Oh, I remember a dance I learned a long time ago."
"That's fortunate. I was in need of a practice partner, you can help me with that."
"Me?"
Phoebe, whose aura of jealousy had completely dissipated, looked at Reed with
sparkling golden eyes, asking again in surprise.
It seemed like she might have misunderstood something, so Reed explained to her in
more detail.
"I haven't danced in a while. If I accidentally step on my partner's foot, it would be a
huge discourtesy. I was hoping you, being familiar with dance, could assist me."
"Can, can I really do that? I'm not that great at dancing either……"
There were definitely people who were better dancers.
Or there were instructors who taught the dances of the nobility, he could have
learned from them.
But Reed didn't want to let other people know about this.
If he had to tell, he wanted to tell only the people closest to him.
Right now, the person closest to Reed, both physically and mentally, was Phoebe.
Of course, excluding Rosaria.
"It has to be you."
It has to be you.
Those words echoed in Phoebe's head.
"Phoebe?"
"Uh, uh……"
The clothes she was holding slipped and fell.
But Phoebe didn't care at all.
It has to be you.
That sentence filled Phoebe's mind completely.
After standing blankly for three minutes, Phoebe finally opened her mouth.
"Even………"
"Even?"
Tears rolled down Phoebe's flushed cheeks.
"Even if I die, I'll have no regrets."
Reed merely found Phoebe's crying strange.
Reed informed Rosaria that he would be attending a banquet.
Contrary to what he thought would be great excitement, Rosaria tilted her head.
"What's a banquet? Is it something to eat?"
It was a word she was hearing for the first time.
"It's like throwing a party. You meet many people there, eat food, and dance."
"A party! A place where you eat and dance!"
Finally, she reacted as he had anticipated.
She tugged at Reed's sleeve, throwing out the questions that were in her head
without hesitation.
"Will the prince be there?"
"The prince will be there. He's about the same age as Rosaria."
"The same age?"
"A kid just like Rosaria. You might be able to make friends."
"Friends!"
At the word 'friends', Rosaria cheered and started jumping up and down.
She looked like she wanted to rush to Cohen right now.
"Can Rosaria be friends with the prince?"
"Of course. But to do that, from now on, you have to listen well to what the other
sisters say, understand?"
"Yes!"
Rosaria, puffing her nose, nodded her head.
She had learned some manners through other magicians, but having never really
applied them, she had certainly forgotten everything.
And the magicians, knowing this fact, were ready to jump in and re-educate her.
Those who carried the name Roton were expected to garner attention in the Silence
Tower.
Especially as Rosaria was the most anticipated talent and the daughter of the tower
master, any critique related to manners could impact the tower's master.
No doubt, driven by the responsibility to prevent any disgrace to the tower master's
reputation, they would be stricter in educating Rosaria than before.
Adonis Hupper was on her knees in the royal chamber, waiting for the king's words.
Adonis, kneeling, harbored doubts about the current situation.
'Why did he summon me?'
Indeed, it was the first personal call in several years.
Simply performing her duties like any other knight, and reporting was all her life had
been.
Being not of royal status, she didn't have as many conversations with her father,
Morgan, as other fathers and daughters do.
If there was something to report, she would report it, and they maintained a
minimum distance while carrying out their respective tasks.
That was the current relationship between the king and her.
Therefore, this summons was both worrying and exciting.
"Adonis."
At Morgan's words, Adonis responds.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Have you heard the news of the banquet being held?"
"Yes, I have. I have been informed that I will be taking up the task of escorting at the
event."
Then Morgan shook his head and spoke.
"The escort and security will be entrusted to other knights."
"Then?"
"You will also participate in the banquet."
"The banquet… You mean?"
Adonis was a bit taken aback.
She doubted her ears, wondering if she had misheard.
"This banquet is the occasion to introduce my proud daughter."
For the first time since becoming a knight, she felt a fluttering sensation.
Her jade-colored eyes slowly welled up.
"Thank you for bestowing me with such honor, Your Majesty."
"No, I'm rather sorry that I couldn't provide such an opportunity until now."
Morgan had treated Adonis more as a knight than as his daughter so far.
'I have been recognized.'
That's what Adonis thought.
She put her hand over her heart in joy and bowed.
"As Adonis Hupper, the commander of the Third Knight Division, I will never
disappoint you, Your Majesty."
After finishing the royal audience, Adonis returned to her room, trying hard to
suppress her pounding heart.
Once she was back, her mind had calmed down.
"Ah."
The sight of her room spread out before her eyes.
Sword, shield, and plate armor.
On the desk, there were tools and oil for metal maintenance.
The only somewhat feminine item in sight was an aroma candle to remove the smell
of oil.
'Looking at it… I don't have anything a woman would normally have.'
Just a few dozen minutes ago, she could not have imagined that she would be
attending the banquet.
Of course, she didn't have a dress to wear to the party.
'I need to get one made.'
Just as she thought that, a palace maid came into Adonis's room carrying a bundle of
something.
"Excuse me, Commander. Tower Master Reed Adeleheights Roton has sent a gift."
"Isn't he… the Master of the Tower of Silence?"
Adonis knew that name well.
"He said he thought you might not have a proper dress and sent this gift."
"…I see. Leave it and go."
The maid left the clothes on the bed and went back outside.
Adonis admired Reed's swift action.
'How did he see my situation so accurately?'
Adonis checked the item sent to her.
A dress that fits her body perfectly.
There were even jade accessories to enhance the dress.
'How did he know that I would be attending this banquet?'
Even if he knew, why would he send such an item?
The only conversation she had with the Master of the Tower of Silence was about the
Starfall Village.
There were no other points of contact, so this favor was questionable.
'The banquet itself is a demonstration by the Master of the Tower, so… he may be
preparing for all possibilities.'
She usually dressed like a man in armor or uniform, so he could have guessed what
her wardrobe might be like.
Even with these doubts, Adonis couldn't take her eyes off the dress.
The dress he sent captivated her, a knight, at first sight.
'It's beautiful.'
She didn't know how she would look in it, but it was a dress that would undoubtedly
shine if worn by another woman.
She wondered if she really could wear it, to the point where she couldn't easily reach
out for it.
For now, Adonis hung the dress and accessories in the closet.
"Hmm?"
Something she had not noticed earlier came into Adonis's sight.
It was a glass bottle of a color distinctly different from the clothes and accessories
sent by Reed.
"Is it perfume?"
She opened the upscale bottle and smelled it.
A unique and soft fragrance of sharp cinnamon and gentle rose wafted out strongly.
And there was a very small note attached to the bottle.
-For your successful debut.
"Hmm…"
Reed looked at his reflection in the mirror.
It was a ceremonial robe based on black with a touch of red.
On it was a red brooch, engraved with the emblem of the Silence Tower.
'It's serene.'
Indeed, a first-class designer.
He captured the calm and unobtrusive feeling that Reed had wanted.
"How is it?"
Phoebe, who had been watching him, responded.
"I want to quit."
"What?"
"I want to quit being the Tower Master's deputy, quit being part of the Silence Tower,
and even become a noble of the Asteria family to participate!"
Phoebe whined like a child.
Reed looked at her with a pitiful gaze.
"You said you had no regrets when you were dancing, do you still have lingering
feelings?"
"No, but… the Tower Master is so cool…"
Reed sighed at Phoebe's behavior, which was like a child throwing a tantrum.
"What about the other things? Does it look calm?"
"Yes~ But maybe because of that, you shine even more."
An objective evaluation seemed impossible.
Deciding not to ask any more questions at the sight of her unable to control herself
like a girl in love, Reed made a decision.
'This should look fine.'
He nodded, evaluating himself.
"What about Rosaria's clothes?"
"She looks like a princess~ Miss likes it too, and other magicians said it's good, so
she'll definitely get attention."
"Her first social debut… I am a bit worried."
Although they call it a social gathering where everyone chats, not everyone shows
their true feelings.
He was worried that Rosaria might not be able to withstand the atmosphere and get
hurt.
Phoebe comforted Reed with a gentle smile.
"She'll be fine. Despite how she may appear, she's stronger than anyone."
"That's true, thank you."
Upon hearing Phoebe's words, Reed decided not to worry unnecessarily.
Even if something were to happen, she would undoubtedly handle it in a positive
way.
The gatekeepers of Cohen, the capital of the Hupper Kingdom, were having the
busiest day of their lives.
Luxurious carriages were entering one after the other, and they were busy without a
moment's rest, verifying the identities of those inside.
On the day of the demonstration.
Many nobles scattered across the country flocked to Cohen.
Kings, nobles, high-ranking magicians, military figures, and so on.
Those who were called the top 1% in all fields gathered in the banquet hall of Cohen
Castle.
Everyone was dressed in bold and dazzling clothes as if competing to see who was
more glamorous.
Everyone proudly represented their family, showing off their prestige.
Life is a comedy from afar and a tragedy up close.
Although it was a banquet filled with music and laughter, in reality, it was no
different from a battlefield of warriors holding knives in their hearts.
This was a social place where all allies gathered and a battlefield where all enemies
gathered.
Other tower masters who were interested in Reed's music also attended the
banquet.
Of course, Reed was the one who invited them, and some of them even threw a fit
upon hearing the news before the invitation was even sent.
They wore dresses and suits appropriate to the color of their tower and displayed an
authority comparable to royalty.
"Hehe, the Tower Master of the Jade Tower! It's nice to see you here~."
"Oh, isn't this Prince Baldwin? It's nice to see you again here."
"Are you attending this demonstration?"
"Of course. We're the Tower's magicians, it's only natural for family members to
gather, haha!"
With nobles from all over the country gathered in one place, the tower's magicians
often ran into familiar faces.
Being a tower master was no different from being a leader of a country, so it was
nothing new for them to blend into social gatherings.
All the tower lords were wandering around with a glass of champagne in their hands.
"Speaking of which, where could this banquet's protagonist be?"
"Indeed. It's not right for the star to be late."
A moment later, the door of the banquet hall opened, and a man walked in.
Instantly, everyone's gaze focused on one place.
If you didn't see him, you didn't. But once you saw him, you absolutely couldn't take
your eyes off him.
Ashen hair with golden eyes.
A ceremonial robe based on black with accents of red.
He was dressed so modestly that one might mistake him for a butler, but the aura he
exuded naturally was unmistakably not that of a servant.
The nobility that could be felt from his captivating expressions and movements.
His very existence seemed to announce who the master of this party was.
Reed Adeleheights Roton.
The eldest son and the last bloodline of the Adeleheights family, the current Lord of
the Silence Tower, captivated everyone's attention as he entered the banquet hall.
'What's going on?'
Reed, who had entered silently, was inwardly flustered.
He was late due to double-checking the condition of the recorder's music and how to
present it on stage.
Contrary to Reed's intention to enter as quietly as possible, everyone was paying
attention to him.
Unable to afford to look ridiculous, he looked around with as neutral an expression
as possible.
However, the women were whispering about him.
'What's the situation here?'
Was there something wrong with his clothes?
Or was it his behavior?
His expression?
He checked whether he had buttoned his clothes incorrectly or left his zipper
undone, but everything was in order.
As he was contemplating this, the tower lords who Reed had invited approached
him.
"Wow, Master of the Silence Tower! Your outfit today is quite lively!"
"I thought you were someone else because you're not wearing your usual red
clothes."
The tower masters of the Monolith and the Radiant, who Reed had invited,
complimented Reed's appearance.
Wondering if it was just a simple compliment, Reed thanked them for now.
"Thank you, Monolith Tower Master, Radiant Tower Master."
As soon as their compliments were over, the female tower masters also approached
Reed with a somewhat different look and each chimed in.
"You're incredible today, Silence Tower Master?"
"What do you mean by incredible?"
"What should I say, the Tower Master of Silence always exudes an aura of nobility
that makes it a bit difficult to approach. But now……"
"Your usual noble sense is complemented by a calm vibe, making you appear even
more attractive."
People are drawn to extravagant displays. It's a tactic to allure women by showcasing
dazzling feathers, just like a male pheasant.
But are humans that simple?
The process of humans feeling attracted to other humans is complex.
Especially in the world of nobles, which is full of materialism.
If it's too flashy, it seems noisy and hollow.
Rather, showing too much can diminish the charm.
In other words, Reed had increased his charm not by showing it off, but by hiding it.
'This is unexpected.'
Reed wanted to think it was just empty words, but the way they looked at him
suggested otherwise.
The men were admiring him, and the women were looking at him as if they were
bewitched.
'Phoebe was being objective.'
He felt pathetic for thinking he was running wild alone.
"It seems like you planned this, didn't you?"
"Well… no."
"You're pretending to be innocent. I think we'll have to ask for a song from you,
Silence Tower Master, today."
"Oh no, I should go first. Isn't it natural for water to flow from top to bottom?"
"The one who eats first is the leader. How can you be a magician and not follow that
rule?"
Leaving the two tower lords who were laughing and childishly squabbling to
themselves, Reed asked the Monolith Tower Master.
"Where are the other tower masters we invited?"
"Two of them are having a conversation somewhere else right now. They said they're
discussing investments since they're meeting."
"So, that makes seven in total."
Six tower lords had not come.
He had guessed that the master of the Stony Tower and his two gang members, who
did not get along well, would not come.
The Master of the Timekeeper Tower, who was busy every day, had politely declined
the demonstration early on.
Dolores had asked for understanding that she could not come even before sending
the invitation, and Black Sky did not even respond.
Reed asked the Greenwood Tower Master.
"Greenwood Tower Master."
"What is it, Silence Tower Master?"
"Did Black Sky Tower Master not come by any chance?"
The reason he asked her was simple.
The Greenwood Tower Master was a master of boundary and detection magic.
She was the only one who could feel the amount of mana and the signs of magic in
everyone.
After focusing for a moment, the Green Wood Tower master answered Reed's
question.
"Yes, Black Sky Tower Master did not come today."
"Thank you."
Reed thanked the Greenwood Tower Master.
'I had a feeling that she wouldn't attend since she's the mastermind behind this
event… '
But the fact that she was not detected even in the vicinity meant that everything was
prepared in advance.
It meant that everything was going according to the scenario that Black Sky and
Morgan wanted, without anyone knowing.
'Adonis is going to accidentally kill someone.'
In other words, there was a bomb mixed in among these many nobles.
Of course, it was impossible to tell who the bomb was among them with the naked
eye.
'All I need to do now is keep a close eye on things.'
The target was Adonis Hooper.
Since it was certain that she would be targeted accurately, there was no other way to
find out except through her.
Reed was just waiting for Adonis to arrive.
Meanwhile, at another banquet hall in Cohen Castle.
While the adults were engaging in adult socializing, the children were having their
own socializing.
Unlike adult socializing, the awkward children's socializing was carried out blatantly.
The children brought by the noble parents were all greeting each other in the
banquet hall.
Dresses as fancy as those of the adults.
Since clothes represented the prestige of the family, and gestures represented
dignity, they greeted each other with smiles on their immature faces, trying to
appear elegant.
No matter how young they were, their pride was already beyond that of the nobility.
"I am Ami, the second daughter of the Heinrich family."
"Nice to meet you. I am Yuria, the eldest daughter of the Frenda family."
"Oh, the eldest daughter of the Frenda family, a famous magical lineage! It's an honor
to meet you."
"Not at all. If anything, it's my honor, considering the Heinrich family holds a large
market in the central region."
Yuria Frenda.
She was only nine years old, but she had shown genius in magic from a young age.
She was a girl who grew up receiving the attention and adoration of many adults,
hearing that she had the potential to become an "Archmage" like Dolores.
But as the saying goes, too much of anything is not good.
Receiving too much love from a young age, Yuria ended up growing into a spoiled
child.
'It seems there's no one here who surpasses me.'
Yuria was arrogant, considering her elegance, status, and abilities to be a cut above
the rest.
She thought it was only natural for everyone to come and greet her, and that it was a
privilege she deserved.
Therefore, she disliked those who did not come to greet her first.
What Frenda spotted was a girl with white hair and red eyes, dressed in a white
dress.
She didn't like the sight of the girl sitting alone, blankly looking around.
'I guess I have no choice.'
With elegant steps, Yuria approached the girl and greeted her first.
"Hello. I am Yuria, the eldest daughter of the Frenda family. And you are?"
"Huh? Ah!"
The girl, who had been staring blankly, belatedly stood up from her seat and greeted
back, holding the hem of her dress.
"Hello? I'm Rosaria Adeleheights Roton, the daughter of the Silence Tower's Master.
You can call me Roton."
After half-successfully completing her greeting, Rosaria looked up at Yuria with a
proud face.
On the other hand, Yuria was shocked internally upon hearing her self-introduction.
'This girl who looks inadequate is the daughter of the Silence Tower's master?'
Being a girl from a prestigious magical lineage, Yuria was well aware of Rosaria's
reputation.
If she hadn't been there, Yuria would have continued to enjoy fame as the continent's
top talent.
Yuria hid her disgruntled expression behind her fan.
'Roton, a tower mage of the lowest-ranked Silence tower, right?'
The head of the Frenda family, Yuria's father, was the chief magician of the Empire's
workshop.
His status should be equal to or above that of a regular tower master!
Having done the math in her head, Yuria looked down on Rosaria.
"Roton? I've never heard of the Roton family. What kind of family is it?"
She intended to reply like this, regardless of Rosaria's answer:
-Oh, I see. I have never heard of such a place, I must have been rude.
It was a wicked intention to provoke Rosaria into anger.
However, such wickedness couldn't match Rosaria's innocence.
"Roton is… uh… what was it? My sisters told me to say this…"
Rosaria wrapped her hands around her head, trying hard to think.
Eventually, she gave up thinking.
"Rosalia doesn't know either!"
Yuria, who had been smug, was taken aback in return.
"Huh? You don't even know about your own family?"
"I don't know!"
Rosaria's admission of ignorance was so confident that Yuria couldn't think of
anything else to say.
After all, acknowledging one's own ignorance was not in her common sense.
Yuria moves on to the next question.
"Well, never mind. So, what do you have, Miss Roten?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what do you own, Miss Roten? I have a pony, a crossbreed of the Empire's
famous horses, Frisian and Shire."
"I have a teddy bear! Its name is Lucy, a gift from my Dolores Unni!"
"A, a teddy bear?"
"Yeah! I wanted to show you Lucy… but my dad said I couldn't bring it."
Rosaria looked disappointed, and Yuria looked puzzled.
A horse and a teddy bear.
Could they be on the same level?
However, she didn't panic this time.
She continued to try to break Rosaria's spirit.
"Hmm! Alright. So, what can you do, Miss Rosaria?"
"What can I do? Hmm…"
Yuria was asking about magic abilities, but Rosaria was thinking about other skills.
After pondering for a while, she opened her mouth.
"I know how to make roses out of paper."
Yuria snorted.
"A paper rose? Ha! In our family, we have a greenhouse dedicated to roses. It has
white roses, red roses, yellow roses, and even the precious blue roses."
"Are there paper roses too?"
"Huh? No. There's no way there would be paper roses in the greenhouse…"
At that, Rosaria gave a beaming smile.
"Then I'll make one for you! If there were paper roses, they would surely be
beautiful!"
"Wait a minute! Rosaria will fold it for you!"
Rosaria started to diligently fold a rose with a napkin, her face beaming with a smile.
'What's with this girl?'
For the first time in her life, Yuria encountered a formidable opponent.
Typically, everyone envied the possessions Yuria had, and she was proud of it.
However, it seemed that no matter what she said to Rosaria, she only felt inferior.
Not only did the conversation not flow as she intended, but she also found herself
losing control of it.
Even now, Rosaria was busily folding the napkin, humming a tune.
"Oh my, the prince is here."
"Let's go greet him."
Upon hearing the excited voices of the young ladies, Yuria turned her head.
Among the girls was a blonde-haired, green-eyed handsome boy, Prince Morgan the
Second.
Of course, for Yuria who was lining up, Prince Morgan the Second was her main
target.
Leaving Rosaria behind, Yuria moved toward him.
On the other hand, Rosaria, who was busy folding the paper rose, completed the rose
and turned her head toward where Yuria had been.
"Done! I've finished… Huh? Where did she go?"
Looking around, Yuria was nowhere to be seen from Rosaria's view.
With the folded rose in her hand, Rosaria wandered around the banquet hall.
Eventually, she spotted Yuria, who was exchanging greetings amongst the young
ladies.
"Nice to meet you, Prince of Hupper Kingdom. I am Yuria, the eldest daughter of the
Frenda family…"
"Yuria!"
An abruptly cut-off greeting.
Yuria, who was elegantly extending her greetings, flinched at the sound of Rosaria's
voice.
"Take this!"
"Miss Roton, if you come in like this while I'm greeting the prince…"
She was in a dilemma whether to be angry or act coy.
Her face twisted as she alternated her gaze between Rosaria and Prince Morgan the
Second.
Upon hearing 'the prince', Rosaria turned her head to look up at Morgan the Second.
"You're the prince?"
Prince Morgan the Second, who had been observing the situation, nodded his head.
"Huh? Ah, yes, that's right."
As Prince Morgan the Second nodded, Rosaria closed her mouth and silently let out
an exclamation, 'Oh!'
"So, can you swing a sword well?"
"A sword… are you talking about?"
"Yeah! Can you swing it around like the prince from "'The Brave"?"
When Rosaria made a swishing motion with her eyes sparkling, Morgan the Second
answered with a smile.
"Haha, "'The Brave" is a story that I also really enjoy. Isn't it a classic tale of good
triumphing over evil?"
"Good triumphing over evil?"
"It's about good winning and evil losing."
"Yeah! Rosaria also likes good triumphing over evil!"
Rosaria nodded her head.
Morgan softly smiled and introduced himself first.
"My name is Morgan Hupper the Second. May I ask the beautiful young lady's name
here?"
"I'm Rosaria."
"Rosaria… Ah, Miss Rosaria Adeleheights Roton?"
"Yeah!"
Since Reed was the protagonist of this banquet, Prince Morgan the Second was
already aware of his daughter, Rosaria.
Prince Morgan the Second continued the conversation with a smile, talking about
Reed.
"I had a conversation with the Tower Master a while ago. He seemed like a very good
person."
"Papa is a good person! He hasn't been playing with me much lately… but I still like
him!"
"I'm glad to hear that you think so, Miss Rosaria."
His behavior could be considered ill-mannered, but Prince Morgan the Second only
responded with a soft smile.
No, it was different from the courteous smile he had been giving while greeting the
young ladies until now.
It was a sincere smile that matched her innocence.
As their conversation continued, the young ladies who had come to greet dispersed.
All except for one.
"Ugh…"
Yuria, who was watching everything, began to seethe.
'Why is she casually chatting with the prince? I'm supposed to be the one showing a
harmonious image, not her!'
Yuria felt like she wanted to chew on a handkerchief or something.
In the middle of their conversation, Prince Morgan the Second lamented to Rosaria
as if he was regretful.
"But I am sorry that I couldn't keep one promise."
"What promise?"
"I promised to listen to the Tower Master's music."
Rosaria tilted her head.
"Just listen to it then?"
At her innocent remark, Yuria snorted and interrupted.
"Hmph! You call that a solution? We don't have musical performances at our social
gatherings!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes, as the young lady Frenda mentioned, we only listen to the music of the invited
orchestra."
Rosaria, who was thinking deeply, suddenly took Prince Morgan the Second's hand
with determination in her eyes.
"Then let's go listen!"
"But we have to stay here."
"If you made a promise with Papa, you must keep it! Let's go to where Papa is and
listen!"
Rosaria was dragging Morgan along.
Morgan, grabbed by her hand, wore a flustered expression, and Yuria preached to
Rosaria.
"Lady Rosaria, adults have their own circumstances, and children should not go
there."
"But Morgan wants to listen."
"Mo, Morgan? Miss Roten, it's rude to call someone by their first name! How could
you be so impolite!"
Yuria spoke as if she was astounded.
She raised her voice as if for Morgan to hear, but Prince Morgan the Second was
quiet, thinking as their conversation continued.
Finally, as if he had made a decision, he looked down at Rosaria and spoke.
"Okay. Let's go listen."
"Yes!"
"…Excuse me?"
Rosaria's joy and Yuria's dismay crossed paths.
Prince Morgan the Second spoke with an interested look on his face.
"If a promise was made, it should be kept. And stepping out of a children's social
gathering and into an adult one. Doesn't that seem like an adventure? I want to have
such an adventure."
"That's right, it's an adventure!"
Rosaria got excited at the mention of an adventure.
Yuria could not understand Morgan's behavior.
'I thought a prince of a country would certainly prefer dignity?'
How could he be so childlike?
To participate in such rude behavior of an immature girl.
Yuria shook off her confusion and informed them of the reality.
"Even so, you won't be able to leave here."
"Why?"
"Because the banquet hall where we are has a barrier magic! It's a solid barrier made
with a spell from the Imperial Workshop!"
Yuria spoke proudly about the barrier magic, which was also a feat of her father.
"Hmm…"
Upon hearing this, Rosaria stood at the door.
The barrier on the door was clearly visible to Rosaria, who could sense mana,
although it was invisible to ordinary people's eyes.
She had seen it once before.
"I know this!"
With that remark, Rosaria put her hand on the barrier.
A moment later, a bright light came from both of Rosaria's hands.
Whoosh.
Yuria was astonished.
The solid barrier slowly faded and then disappeared completely.
"H-How did you…?"
This was impossible by Yuria's standards.
Even though it's basic, it's a barrier magic boasted by the Imperial Workshop, to
make it disappear simply by touching it!
Rosaria cheerfully answered her question.
"Unni once said that if I absorb the mana of most magic barriers, they break!"
"What an absurd…"
Only Rosaria, who has "Mana Sensitivity Lv. 7", can absorb external mana.
It was a shock to Yuria, who didn't know that she was an absurdly innocent monster.
Is it me who's strange?
Or is it that woman who's strange?
Or is it the world that's strange?
Morgan, who couldn't sense mana, confirmed the fact that the door was opening and
admired it.
"The barrier has disappeared, so the door is now open. The court magicians will
soon notice and come here, so we should escape now."
"Evil legions are coming! Yuria, come with us."
"Huh? No! More than that, it's rude to call people by their names so casually!"
"Can't I?"
"Of course, you can't! Gosh! Hmph!"
Yuria sharply turned her head and snorted in frustration.
"Okay, then I'll go with Morgan!"
Rosaria and Morgan the Second left without hesitation.
Yuria tried to glare at Rosaria, who had coldly abandoned her without a moment's
hesitation, but they were already gone.
"Wait, what, just a moment! Miss Roton!"
Even Yuria, who didn't want to admit that she had been abandoned, eventually
followed them and started her adventure.
Long before Rosaria's grand escape from the children's social event, at the adults'
banquet hall.
The music of the orchestra stopped.
It meant that someone important enough to stop the music had arrived.
Everyone stopped their conversation and turned their heads.
The object of their attention was an old man with sparse hair.
And a beautiful woman was standing next to him.
The old man was undoubtedly Morgan.
However, no one knew about the beautiful blonde woman.
"Oh my, who is that lady?"
"I don't know. It's my first time seeing her too."
When all sorts of speculations, starting from the rumor that she was the new queen
of the Hupper Kingdom, were running rampant,
"Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely welcome all of you who have visited our Cohen
today."
King Morgan of the Hupper Kingdom, started to speak, extending his courteous
greeting.
"And once again, I would like to express my gratitude to the Master of the Silent
Tower for enabling us to hold this banquet and demonstration."
His words refocused attention on Reed, who smiled and politely greeted the nobles.
"Today's banquet will be a very precious time for me. It's also a banquet with my
precious treasure. Allow me to introduce you. This is my daughter, Adonis."
Only after Morgan pointed to the woman standing next to him and spoke, did people
realize that she was Adonis Hupper.
"Oh my, the rumored Giant Slayer!"
"Goodness! She's completely different from when she's wearing armor."
Even those who knew her did not recognize that the glamorous woman was Adonis.
The dress that boldly revealed her figure, along with the hairstyle and decorations
arranged by the royal designer, vividly showcased the dignity of a princess.
Adonis did not say a word, but gently touched her dress to greet everyone.
"My daughter Adonis is making her debut in society again through this banquet.
Everything that I couldn't do while protecting this country for the past 8 years, I
want to give it all to my proud daughter today."
The touching words of a wise king.
It was as if he was creating a warm atmosphere that seemed to resolve years of
unresolved resentment.
Standing at the center of it all, Adonis was swept up in the atmosphere without
knowing anything.
'I must not be fooled.'
Adonis Hupper is going to be expelled today.
Reed pulled himself together.
"When the night deepens and the moon rises, the musical demonstration prepared
by the Master of the Silent Tower will begin. I hope you enjoy the banquet to your
heart's content until then."
With Morgan's closing remarks, the band began to play again.
The music that had been soft was now lively.
As the exciting music began to flow, everyone started to clear the middle hall.
"It seems they are starting to dance."
"It's the moment to pair up, huh."
The Master of the Monolith Tower and the Radiant Tower approached the group of
women who hadn't paired up yet, with confident expressions.
The Master of the Jade Tower and the Greenwood Tower tapped on Reed's shoulder
who was standing still, and said,
"Silence Tower Master, the time of choice has come."
"Which side will you choose, handsome?"
They tried to appeal their charm by raising their eyebrows, but to Reed's eyes, they
just looked like two reckless middle-aged women.
Moreover, the first dance partner was already decided.
Reed grabbed the hand of the Master of the Greenwood Tower.
The Master of the Jade Tower pouted her lips, and the Master of the Greenwood
Tower laughed as if to say, 'I told you so.'
Reed and the Master of the Greenwood Tower stood in the hall and melted into the
dance.
He skillfully led the Master of the Greenwood Tower with the steps he had practiced
with Phoebe.
'Where's Adonis?'
As he shifted his gaze, he saw that Adonis was already dancing with another man.
The partner was a military commander, famous for his loyalty to his wife.
'Even if he harbors malicious intent… it's not him.'
The nobleman Adonis had killed was so insignificant that she couldn't even
remember his name. If she had killed a military commander, there would
undoubtedly be a record of who died.
'That's why I chose the Master of the Greenwood Tower.'
The master of detection and guard magic.
He whispered in her ear, asking for her help.
"Master of the Greenwood Tower."
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
"Would you mind if I ask you a favor while we dance?"
"Oh, I'm not an easy woman."
The Master of the Greenwod Tower laughed heartily.
"I would like you to use a detection spell once more."
"Detection? What do you want to find?"
"A noble under the influence of mental magic."
"That's a strange request during a party. Okay~."
"Please."
When Reed asked politely, the Master of the Greenwood Tower laughed as if she
couldn't refuse and concentrated her mind.
Using detection magic while dancing was no big deal for her.
After a moment, the Master of the Greenwood Tower whispered into Reed's ear.
"Most of them are under it."
"Most of them?"
"Most are under magic that resists mental magic. The high ranks can't be vulnerable
to a mage's attack, can they?"
"That makes sense."
Resistance against mental magic is also a form of mental magic, so it is detected by
detection magic.
Reed thought so and then chewed over what the Master of the Greenwood Tower
said.
'Most?'
"Did you say 'most'?"
"Yes, why?"
"Could you tell me how many are not under the spell?"
"Well, I said 'most'…actually, there is only one person. That man."
The Master of the Greenwood Tower pointed out one man with her eyes.
Having memorized all the guests' personal information in advance, Reed knew who
he was.
James Bren, the only son of Lawrence Bren, a founding contributor of the Cohen
Kingdom.
Being of commoner origin, he was considered a lower noble in noble society.
'Didn't Lawrence Bren, the head of the family, persistently urge Morgan to designate
a successor quickly?'
Lawrence was a man who strongly argued that Adonis Huper should be seated on
the throne next.
If she cruelly kills Lawrence's son, who would remain on Adonis's side?
He found the bomb.
'He must have intended to kill two birds with one stone.'
A ticking time bomb.
The only one who knows about it is Reed.
It feels like a scene from a spy thriller, with tension building up for him alone.
The first song ended and he exchanged greetings with his partner.
They dispersed again until the next song, using small talk as an excuse to sip
champagne.
The Tower Master of Greenwood, who danced with Reed, looked quite satisfied and
walked together towards where the other Tower Lords were.
Seeing this, other women who had been eyeing an opportunity approached Reed's
side.
"Hello, Master of the Silence Tower. I am Mandy, the eldest daughter of the Enzier
family. Would you be able to dance with me in the next song?"
"With me………"
"No, please dance with me."
Requests to dance flooded Reed.
Tower Masters of Monolith and Radiant Tower, who had failed to find partners,
enviously watched Reed.
However, Reed didn't come here just to dance and sway the hearts of women.
Such kindness and attention were rather troublesome for him.
"I'm sorry, ladies. I already have an appointment."
"Oh my, is that so? Then, please promise me the next one."
"I don't mind being after that, please!"
The women dispersed again with uncertain promises.
"Oh, it seems you've already decided on your next partner?"
The Tower Master of Jade raised an eyebrow and smirked victoriously.
However, the next person Reed had in mind was not the Tower Master of Jade.
"Master of the Jade Tower, I'm sorry, but may I ask you to dance with me next?"
"What? I'm the one after next? I'll be upset if that's the case."
The Tower Master of Jade squinted and glared at Reed.
"I'm sorry, Tower Master. Please forgive me."
"Alright. In return, you have to tell me what you talked to the owner of the
Greenwood Tower about."
'So she was watching that…… '
Before the next song began, Reed headed towards the group where Adonis Hupper
was.
Adonis was surrounded by men.
Far from laughter, Adonis simply nodded to their stories with an emotionless face.
With a glass of champagne at her lips, she seemed determined not to open his mouth
at all.
Then, the music started again.
As if they had been waiting, the men extended their hands to Adonis, inviting her to
dance.
Adonis, with a troubled expression, looked down at their hands, wondering who to
choose.
'James Bren is… not here.'
Rather, he seemed uninterested in Adonis.
Or, maybe he needs to distance himself before committing the crime.
'The only way to know that is to approach Adonis.'
It's a problem that needs to be discovered by approaching.
It's a problem that needs to be figured out by approaching.
"Ms. Adonis Hupper, would you like to dance?"
As Reed extended his hand, the hesitation on Adonis's face disappeared.
Adonis grabbed Reed's hand in an instant.
The reason Adonis chose Reed wasn't because Reed was handsome.
It was because she had talked with Reed before, and most importantly, he was the
person who had gifted the dress she was wearing.
As the song began, Reed and Adonis held each other's hands, and Reed's other hand
moved towards Adonis's waist.
"Thank you sincerely for the gift, Tower Master."
"Not at all, Ms. Adonis. I was worried that my narrow taste might bother you… but
you look absolutely beautiful."
In truth, it was Phoebe's taste.
Thinking that he would have to thank Phoebe later, Reed expressed his gratitude to
Adonis.
"Thank you for choosing me among the handsome men."
"Not at all. Rather, I survived thanks to your arrival, Tower Master. Actually, dancing
with other men is…"
"Do you have any problems?"
Adonis bowed her head shyly and replied.
"Well, I… I was afraid my fantasy might be shattered."
"Fantasy?"
"How do you find my voice?"
A strangely androgynous tone.
As a knight who valued discipline and order, it was a great voice, but if you thought
of it as a princess's voice, it was enough to shatter the fantasy.
"It's been 8 years since I returned to social life. I've developed many unprincess-like
traits due to my rough knight life. I have scars on my body, and my voice has become
hoarse…"
"So you were worried."
"Yes, since I am now a 'princess'."
To be concerned as a princess means to care about Morgan.
If she were a princess and not a knight, everything would eventually have an impact
on Morgan.
That's why she couldn't easily engage in small talk and kept her mouth shut.
'It's for my father… which is no different than for the country.'
Adonis admired what her father had built and wished to become a queen as great as
him in the future.
Reed felt sorry for that fact.
That she had worked so hard yet was destined to be removed by her father without
understanding why.
"In my eyes, Miss Adonis is a charming woman."
"Excuse me?"
"Did you not give up your princess status to protect the country and rise to the rank
of Knight Commander? Your sacrificial demeanor has been an inspiration to all,
showing that the Hupper Kingdom is strong. It was a pure sacrifice that princesses
who simply grow beautifully like flowers in a greenhouse cannot make."
"Do you think so?"
"If there's a man who is ashamed of Miss Hupper's voice and scars, please tell me. I
will step up instead."
Upon hearing this, Adonis's eyes widened, and her green pupils sparkled.
"Thank you… even just for your words."
Adonis's heart rate quickened.
She was not in love, but his words had stirred Adonis.
Adonis lowered her head and avoided Reed's eyes.
As her heartbeat quickened, the perfume she had sprayed on her wrist and neck
stimulated Reed's nose.
The sharp scent of cinnamon mixed with the soft aroma of roses.
It was a striking smell.
'Unique.'
And familiar.
This overwhelming fragrance was not something Adonis would use.
"Um, Tower Master… you're… too close."
"Ah, I apologize."
Adonis quietly spoke with a troubled face, and Reed lifted his bowed head again.
He had inadvertently gotten too close.
"It seems to be a scent you like, Tower Master? In fact, I didn't expect you to send
perfume as well as clothes and accessories."
"What do you mean?"
"Hehe, you're playing dumb. After sending these clothes, accessories, and even
perfume."
Reed had indeed sent the clothes and accessories.
But not the perfume.
'Perfume… '
If someone else had sent a gift, they would have revealed who they were.
But they didn't reveal themselves and mixed it with Reed's gift to make it look like
Reed had sent it.
Then, could the problem be this perfume?
Could they have naturally mixed it with the gift he sent and handed her a bomb?
'It's worth suspecting.'
If the situation is set up well.
Make it so that only Bren and Adonis are there, then make him smell the perfume.
Bren, who reacts to the smell of perfume, will probably commit suicide in front of
Adonis.
'Then what I have to do is… '
Cheerful music and steps.
While leading Adonis as smoothly as water with the movements imprinted on his
body, he searched for a solution.
"Miss Hupper."
Reed opened his mouth.
"Yes."
"Actually… that perfume was a gift intended for my vice tower lord. I couldn't find it
no matter how much I looked…"
"Oh… it seems to have gotten mixed in."
"I'm sorry."
And he naturally led the situation.
"A different perfume suits Miss Hupper. Unlike other women, Miss Hupper's heart
beats strongly. We should bring out Miss Hupper's charm with a scent that is soft and
subtly emanates, not such a strong scent."
"…You're not shy about flattering."
Somehow it turned out that way.
"I will give Miss Hupper a different perfume as a gift. So, could you please return that
perfume to me?"
"Understood. Can I give it to you after the party?"
"I would prefer it if you could give it to me immediately. I know it's a hassle but
please."
A face sincerely sorry and golden eyes.
No one could refuse seeing this face.
Of course, the same goes for Adonis.
She nodded her head.
Soon the song ended and they greeted each other.
The second dance also came to an end.
Following Reed's request, Adonis went outside the banquet hall, and Reed returned
to where the tower masters were gathered.
"I have a favor to ask all of you gathered here."
The fourth song flowed from the banquet hall.
James Bren was standing still, drinking champagne, watching others dance.
"Sir James Bren?"
When a servant called his name, James turned his head.
"A lady has sent you a message."
The servant showed the napkin placed on the silver tray, and James unfolded the
napkin.
-Come secretly to the flower garden. I will follow you.
-Adonis Hupper
Adonis Hupper.
James turned his head to find her.
Adonis was taking a break, not dancing to the fourth song.
James didn't say anything.
He just picked up the napkin and looked around.
What caught his eye was a well-sharpened steak knife.
He put it in his pocket along with the napkin and went out of the banquet hall
towards the flower garden.
When the red sunset was being dyed in darkness, James arrived at the flower garden,
which was ambiguously bright and dark.
And after a moment, someone walked towards him.
James turned his head to confirm the owner of those footsteps.
It wasn't Adonis.
A man was leading with six men and women watching them from behind.
The man who stepped forward greeted him politely.
"Hello, Mr. James Bren?"
"Who are you…?"
"Don't you know me?"
"Yes, but where is Ms. Adonis?"
Despite the appearance of the mysterious man, James continuously looked around
for Adonis.
"My name is Reed Adeleheights Roton."
Reed sprayed something into Bren's face.
Bren was taken aback.
"What is this act… ugh!"
That surprise was short-lived, and soon James stiffened.
His face contorted, seemingly in pain.
"Gruh… grugh…"
In the end, his throat muscles tensed, growling like a beast.
He reached into his pocket.
The Master of the Monolith Tower, who was standing behind, snapped his fingers at
this sudden action. Despite his sluggish-looking body, it was a swift response.
Thud!
A part of the garden floor rose like slime, wrapping around James' arm, and then
hardened.
James, with his eyes bloodshot red, tried to move forcefully, but he wasn't strong
enough to resist the magic of the tower lord.
"Huh, bringing a steak knife! Such a poorly behaved friend indeed."
"Ugh…"
"Master of the Jade Tower, now's the time."
"Got it."
The Master of the Jade Tower, proficient in poison and curses, moved her hand
swiftly.
The Master of the Jade Tower gripped James's head with both hands, and her pupils
began to glow purple.
"Ah, ahhh……"
James's head glowed with a blue light, then the light faded out with a moan.
Once all the light had dissipated into thin air, the Master of the Jade Tower removed
her hands from his head.
"Is the curse broken?"
"Yes, fortunately, it wasn't a terribly difficult spell to break. It's "Trigger Hypnosis"."
Trigger Hypnosis.
A spell that puts the target into a hypnotic state when certain conditions are met.
"Usually, to use this spell, one has to inject mana into the target, but if the target can
sense mana, just leaving a hint is enough."
"A scary spell indeed."
"Well, it's a trick that only novice magicians would fall for. If he had put up a
resistance spell, he could have easily resisted the hypnosis."
At this, the Master of the Greenwood Tower exclaimed as if realizing something and
asked Reed,
"Red Tower Master, did you request a detection spell from me because of this?"
"You're sharp. How did you find out?"
The tower masters asked Reed with curious eyes.
He knew the future, so he knew this would happen.
If he said so, he might appear even more suspicious.
"I organized this party, so of course I expected there would be troublemakers."
It was a rather narcissistic statement.
Just as the tower masters were about to say something, James, who had been
hypnotized into attempting suicide, woke up.
Reed looked down at the groaning James and asked,
"Mr. Bren, are you okay?"
"Ugh… What happened?"
"You tried to stab yourself in the throat, Mr. Bren. You attempted to commit suicide
right in front of us. Do you remember?"
"Me? That… I'm not sure. My memory… it feels like it's been cut off… I don't even
know why I'm here."
The Master of the Jade Tower shook her head as she looked at Bren.
"It seems the caster wasn't just an ordinary one. It appears that various spells,
including a defense mechanism, have been added. Digging further won't do any good
for this man."
"Mr. Bren, don't think about anything right now. Resting should be your priority."
Bren sat on the bench and held his blank head, trying to regain his composure.
"What's happening?"
A moment later, palace magicians who had sensed the unusual flow of magic came
running into the garden.
The Master of the Greenwood Tower summarized the situation.
"There was a victim of "Trigger Hypnosis". Silence Tower Master quickly noticed and
handled it, so you can rest assured now."
""Trigger Hypnosis"…you say?"
The court mages blinked their eyes as if it was the first time they had heard of it.
"That's why you can't rely solely on textbooks…"
"It's all in the textbooks these days, and you're saying you don't know."
The Tower Masters clicked their tongues as if it was an opportunity.
The commotion that James Bren nearly caused was suppressed by the tower
masters.
James Bren quietly returned home with the support of the court magicians.
The solid defensive mechanism of the spell couldn't be resolved even with the tower
master's abilities, the incident was left unresolved, not escalating further.
The banquet hall, unaware of what had happened, continued.
Adonis, who was the target, also narrowly escaped.
'I can guess what would have happened if Adonis had been attacked directly.'
Adonis, who would not know what was going on, would panic, and this whole
situation would be immediately conveyed to the nobles in the banquet.
The aftermath was obvious.
She would not have known that her social re-debut after 8 years would become her
own grave.
'All of this is Freesia's plan.'
The fact that she cast "Trigger Hypnosis" on James Bren.
And sending perfume to Adonis.
There was no doubt that everything was a plot orchestrated by Freesia.
'James Bren said he didn't know he had talent for mana, so it's clear that she forcibly
awakened his mana and put a suggestion on him.'
Awakening mana is a difficult task even for advanced magicians.
However, it was understandable if it was Freesia.
Before being a master of the necromancer lineage, she is one of the great magicians
in history.
Simply awakening the level of "Elemental Sensitivity" was something that Freesia
could easily do.
'She will soon realize that this operation has failed.'
And she will also immediately realize that Reed is at the center of it.
'I need to prepare for her response.'
However, he merely kept it in his mind for now.
Right now, he needed to act like the host of the party.
Reed prepared the music performance that everyone had been eagerly anticipating.
As the sky turned pitch black and scattered white dots appeared.
The music of the band stopped, and court magicians and workers started decorating
the banquet hall again.
Reed supervised the decorating of the stage location as he had prepared in advance,
and finally, the stage was set after 30 minutes.
Reed drew the curtain to completely hide the stage.
'The table is over here, and I have the Magic Recording Device in my hand
already……… '
While double-checking the plan,
Creak…
He turned his head at the very faint sound of the door.
This sound was very familiar to Reed.
It was a sound he occasionally heard when he was in the tower.
'No way……… '
As he suspected, it was indeed.
The girl with white hair, peeking around nervously, came into view.
It was Rosaria.
Rosaria Adeleheights Roton.
Morgan Hopper the second.
Yuria Frenda.
These three, who had escaped from the children's social hall, had literally started
adventuring in Cohen City.
They referred to patrolling guards as evil monsters and cleaning maids as devils,
quietly wandering the corridors of the castle with their short legs, avoiding the eyes
of their enemies.
Leading the pack was Morgan the second.
Since the castle was his home, he knew the structure best.
"Lady Roton, Lady Frenda, this way."
"Hide!"
"Uh uh………"
Morgan lifted up the tablecloth and went inside.
Yuria was persuading Morgan and Rosaria.
"Prince and Lady Roton, it's not too late to turn back now………"
"Shhh."
Rosaria placed her index finger on her lips.
Faced with her serious expression, Yuria had no choice but to close her mouth.
Shortly after, the sound of the patrolling guard's footsteps got closer and then faded
away.
Morgan the second came out from under the table and spoke to Rosaria and Yuria.
"There's not much time until the next patrol. Let's move quickly during this gap."
"Yes!"
"Uh uh………"
With an uncomfortable look on her face, Yuria followed Rosaria and glared at her.
'How rude must the Lord of the Silence Tower be to have raised her this way?'
Yuria roughly imagined the appearance of the person who raised this unruly girl.
He was undoubtedly a man with a protruding belly and a dull-looking face.
"We're here."
Morgan cautiously opened the door.
"Oh? It's dark. I think this must be behind the stage."
"Rosaria will check."
Rosaria, who was sneaking her small head through the door crack, looked around
and suddenly flung the door open.
Then, as if she had seen a mountain of gold, she shouted with such a face.
"Papa!"
As if there was nothing more to be wary of, Rosaria just ran out.
Morgan and Yuria, taken aback by her sudden action, went inside.
"Rosaria, how did you get here?"
"Papa, I missed you. And I came because Morgan promised."
"Morgan? Ah, you mean the prince."
At that, Reed, turning his head, saw a blonde boy with green eyes and a red-haired
girl in his sight.
Reed politely greeted them first.
"I am Reed Adelheits Roton, the Master of the Silence Tower."
Finally faced with the person who raised this unruly girl, Yuria could only say,
"Ah………"
She was lost for words.
Ashen hair and golden eyes.
A faint smile and a neat ceremonial suit.
Despite being in a dark place, he shone brightly as if he had a halo.
"Ah………"
Yuria couldn't say anything.
A line of poetry she once found impressive came to mind.
-Love is like a meteor.
Because you cannot stop it, even though you know it will fall.
Yes.
First love was a meteor.
Meanwhile, Reed was looking down at Rosaria with a headache.
He had kept a secret back door so he could sneak things in.
So if she hadn't been caught yet, the only one who knew she was here would be Reed.
'How did she break the barrier again……… '
In fact, breaking the barrier in the children's social room wouldn't have been
difficult.
Because Rosaria was an exception to the rules.
She probably broke through easily.
'One is Morgan the second, and who is the other one?'
A redhead girl.
Judging from her clothes, she seemed to be the daughter of a high-ranking wizard,
but she seemed a little naive, staring blankly at him.
"Excuse me, but may I ask who you are?"
"Ah, I, I, I, I………!"
Yuria, who had been standing still as if her brain had stopped, introduced herself.
"I, I, I, I am Yu, Yu, Yuria, the eldest daughter of the Fr, Fren, Frenda family………"
She barely finished her greeting, trembling.
'Yuria of the Frenda family…? Yuria Frenda?'
Reed was taken aback.
He knew who this person was.
'Isn't she one of the main characters who follow the protagonist?'
A girl who showed prodigious talent and awakened her mana from a young age.
A naive girl who started her adventure to make a great achievement in the turbulent
world and make a name for herself as a wizard of the Empire.
She was one of the most promising wizard characters Reed knew of.
Her "Magic" level was as high as 7, and her "Mana Reaction" reached level 6.
However, she had a fatal problem.
-So annoying.
It was her personality.
As if to prove she was a high-nosed noble, she often disregarded the party members,
including the protagonist.
As soon as they started camping, she would whine about the bugs and shatter the
protagonist's mental state.
Of course, she still whined even when they were in an inn.
She was just that kind of woman.
'I threw her away at the first playthrough because I didn't know her performance,
but she's absolutely necessary for defeating the final boss… '
Reed recalled his past self, fawning over her and doing all sorts of humiliating things
in front of her.
But overcoming such humiliation and embarrassment, Reed figured out how to win
her over.
'She's weak for handsome guys.'
If you put in the most handsome character among the supporting characters, and
Yuria, her complaints would disappear.
The woman who threatened to kill if bitten by a bug coquettishly asked to be
comforted instead.
No, asked to be comforted…
Even now, Reed found it unbelievable.
It was clear she was smitten by him, proving that nature doesn't change.
'Being handsome sure is nice in these situations.'
He never expected to see the whiny Yuria stuttering like this.
Putting his astonishment at such a rare sight aside, Reed started to lecture the two
who came with Rosaria, looking down at them.
"But this is a social event for adults. It's a problem for all of you to be here."
"Uh, I don't like that…"
Rosaria frowned.
Morgan calmly acknowledged the fact.
"That's fine. If we were to make a scene, it would be a discourtesy to the Tower
Master. We shouldn't cause any more trouble."
As Reed was pondering what to do, someone knocked on the back door and entered.
Reed quickly stepped forward to prevent them from seeing the children.
The one who entered was a court magician.
Seeing Reed's face, he quickly apologized.
"Oh, I didn't know this was the backstage door. I'm sorry, Tower Lord."
"It's okay. But what's the matter?"
"Oh, well… the barrier of the children's social gathering has been broken. And………"
"Yuria Frenda, Morgan Hopper II, and my daughter, Rosaria Adeleheights Roton have
disappeared, haven't they?"
"Wha? Ah, yes, that's correct."
He was taken aback when Reed accurately named the three missing people.
"Anything else? Any other missing people or witnesses?"
"None. Everyone else is carrying on with the event as usual."
The court magicians must have been thrown into chaos, but if there was no problem
for the others, then…
That meant the people at the banquet were still unaware of this situation.
Having finished thinking, Reed spoke to the court magician.
"In that case, let's not report this incident and just let it pass."
"But…"
"You don't understand. If you report this, you'll only be reprimanded. It seems the
others at the children's event haven't noticed, so is there a need to cause a big
commotion?"
Upon hearing Reed's words, the magician's face turned thoughtful, as if he finally
understood his situation.
"The three who escaped from the social event are under my supervision now. As
soon as the demonstration is over, I'll take them back, so start working on restoring
the barrier. Again, this matter must be kept strictly confidential, understand?"
"Ah, understood!"
The court magician, grateful for Reed's mercy, quickly ran out.
With this, the disappearance of the three wouldn't lead to an uproar.
Reed, having let out a sigh of relief, turned his head to look at Rosaria.
"You little troublemaker."
"Hehe."
He fondly stroked her cheeks that were still babyish.
It was a punishment in Reed's own way, but whether she knew that or not, Rosaria
only giggled like a dumpling.
Afterwards, Reed looked at Morgan and spoke respectfully.
"I made a big mistake with Your Highness. I had made such a promise, but I forgot
about it."
"No, that's not the case. That promise could have been kept at any time, it was my
impatience that was at fault."
"From now on, this escape will be as if it never happened. Please bear that in mind."
"Understood. Thank you for handling this well."
"Now then… I'll let you sneak in, but may I ask for your understanding on one thing?"
"What understanding do you mean?"
Reed spread a red cloth over the table.
As he lifted up the cloth that covered even the legs of the table, he spoke.
"In a way, this could be considered a VIP seat where you can hear my music from the
closest point. I'd appreciate your understanding despite the tight space."
Prince Morgan nodded.
"We've already done it five times, what's the problem with going in one more time,
right?"
"Yeah!"
"Yes, yes… that's right."
Yuria also nodded.
The three crawled under the table that Reed had pointed out.
Meanwhile, all the nobles, excluding Reed, the host, stood in front of the stage
waiting for Reed's demonstration to begin.
During the ongoing banquet, King Morgan Hupper, who had been nowhere to be
seen, entered with Adonis and stood at the front of the demonstration.
Finally, the red curtain slowly rose, and the spotlight illuminated the gray-haired
man and the object placed on the table.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting. We will now begin the
demonstration."
He finished his opening greeting simply.
Reed held up a crystal sphere and said.
"A record crystal. It may be a very unfamiliar object for those who can't use magic,
but it's very familiar to magicians."
The nobles, who were seeing a record crystal for the first time that day, nodded.
"It's a magical tool that records everything and can show it as is. However, those who
can't use magic can't use this object. So, I've made this item for such people!"
Reed put down the crystal and held up an object that looked like a timer.
Unlike the simple design of the recorder that Reed had previously shown, this was
covered with a lavishly carved golden case.
Greed swirled in the eyes of the nobles.
That was the reaction Reed wanted.
"This object is an improved version of the record crystal that magicians use, so even
those who cannot use mana can use it."
"We can use it as well?"
"Ho, ho…"
The nobles exclaimed in admiration.
It may seem like nothing special.
But the fact that they could use something considered exclusively for magicians was
extremely attractive.
Nobles and bourgeois are those who value themselves.
Those with wealth might think it's easy to hire a magician to serve them, but in
reality, hiring a magician was a risky and difficult task.
Magicians, who understand and indulge in mysteries, were always a dangerous
presence.
But what if they didn't have to bear that risk?
And even though it was just a recorder if they could touch the mystery exclusive to
magicians?
The temptation was irresistible.
And that was exactly why Reed chose magic engineering.
Reed spoke to one of the people around him.
"Your Majesty, would you please come up?"
"Are you talking to me?"
"It would be an honor if Your Majesty Hupper could be the first subject of my
recording."
"Why are you bothering an old man like me…?"
Morgan chuckled as he rose from his seat.
He said so, but he didn't seem to mind.
Reed smiled and handed him the recording device.
"Now, would you like to speak into this?"
"Do I talk into this?"
"Yes, please say anything."
Morgan, after a moment's hesitation, spoke exactly what came to his mind.
"For the endless prosperity of the Hupper Kingdom!… Ha, I can't get used to this."
Morgan turned his head towards the audience and grinned smugly.
"Now, we're not done yet. Could you please press here?"
Morgan pressed the button Reed was pointing at.
-For the endless prosperity of the Hupper Kingdom!
His voice echoed vividly.
The nobles in the audience swallowed their admiration.
"Whose voice does this sound like?"
"Well… whose voice is it?"
People often recognize their own voice.
When Morgan tilted his head, everyone in the audience chimed in.
"What are you talking about? It's your voice, Your Majesty."
"Yes, no doubt, haha."
"Ah, is that so?"
Morgan, hearing this, smiled amicably and nodded.
"Haha, since everyone says so, this voice must undoubtedly be mine."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Your Majesty."
As Reed bowed politely, Morgan returned to his seat.
"The purpose of this device is as follows. It can hold not only music but also your
voices and all sounds. You can do it directly without accompanying a magician."
"Being able to do it directly without a magician…"
They were drawn in.
The hearts of the nobles and bourgeoisie began to burn even more.
Reed smiled at their reaction.
"The introduction was too long. I sounded like a merchant rather than a mage, haha."
Eventually, the recorder activated and the music of the elves and druids filled the
spacious banquet hall.
It was a music demonstration that lasted an hour, but it was so overwhelming that no
one could complain about being bored.
The music demonstration was successful.
The songs of the elves and druids hit the audience's hearts perfectly.
Even if they didn't feel joy from it, just having heard the songs of the elves and druids
was a huge bragging point.
When all the songs ended, the audience raised their hands and asked Reed
questions.
"Master of the Silence Tower, do you have any intentions of selling the recorder and
the music?"
Everyone put their hands down, as if they all had the same thought.
Reed nodded.
"This device is not very meaningful to me, who can use magic. As I mentioned earlier,
magic engineering is a technology for all of you, it's pointless if only I have it."
Before any additional questions followed, Reed continued speaking.
"And, I will be selling the recording spheres containing all the music you heard today,
along with separately recorded orchestra music and music from bards."
"Ho, then we can listen to the music of the bards at any time."
It's always possible to call an orchestra if you have the money, but hiring talented
wandering bards is always difficult.
Their adventure stories, delivered in sweet voices, were always a source of joy as
they visited only limited places.
Moreover, the price of the recording sphere containing the music of the elves and
druids was not expensive.
An additional fee was added to the original cost of 5,000 UP for the magic record
sphere.
Record Sphere with Elf and Druid Music - 8,000 UP
Orchestra Vol.1 - 7,000 UP
Collection of Bard Songs Vol.1 - 7,000 UP
If you buy everything, you need a total of 22,000 UP.
In the world of mages where information is life, a recording sphere containing
information should be several times more expensive than this, but Reed was not
stingy with music.
Instead, he set a high price for the recorder that played the music.
The cost of the recorder was 30,000 UP, while the original cost was 500 UP.
And the case shown by Reed had a price of 3,000 UP. Considering the retail price
without the distribution process, 4,000 UP would have been an appropriate amount,
but Reed boldly raised it to 26,000 UP.
This was not the realm of business.
'It's more about increasing value than doing business.'
To increase the value of the tower selling the goods and the nobles buying them, the
price must be high.
The nobles liked valuable items and preferred them the more expensive they were.
Because they believe those things make them special.
Flaunting wealth was one of the ways to showcase their status and wealth, so they
didn't hesitate.
'Negotiating price is tantamount to tarnishing one's own reputation.'
So, the nobles wouldn't say anything.
Like being swept away by a big wave, everyone wrote their names and the items they
wanted to purchase in the reservation book.
Reed ordered his servants to collect the book under the pretext of tidying up after
the demonstration, and brought out the three little kids hiding under the table.
"Did you hear everything?"
"Yes!"
"The music was fantastic."
"It was, really wonderful."
Morgan the Second had a satisfied face, and it was unclear whether Yuria was
satisfied or not because her face was red.
'I wonder if it went in her ears.'
"Prince and Miss Frenda, it's time to go back. Would you follow me?"
"Yes, yes!"
Yuria nodded and responded, but there was no answer from Morgan the Second.
When Reed turned his head, Morgan the Second was staring blankly somewhere.
His gaze was directed towards a gap in the curtains.
And there was Adonis.
Adonis, as beautiful as a delicately adorned flower.
"……Is that my sister by any chance?"
Morgan the Second, who belatedly noticed Reed's gaze, asked.
Reed nodded his head, and upon hearing the answer, Morgan the Second looked at
her again.
"That's correct. It's your eldest daughter, Princess Adonis Hupper."
"She's truly……… beautiful."
"Is that so?"
"I've only ever seen her in armor……… I never imagined she could be so beautiful."
Morgan the Second's reaction made Reed a bit taken aback.
'Does this guy have a sister complex?'
It was indeed surprising that the beast had turned into a beauty, but it was odd to
lose oneself looking at a sibling.
However, Reed's thought was mistaken.
"Excuse me, tower master……… This may be a rude question, but do I resemble her?"
"Whom……… are you referring to?"
"People say that my sister and I resemble our mother a lot."
Morgan the Second raised his head and asked Reed.
There was a sense of loneliness in his eyes.
"Would my mother have been as beautiful as this if she were alive?"
Only Adonis and Morgan remembered the queen.
Since Morgan the Second was raised by his nannies, the absence of the queen was
greatly felt.
Morgan the Second, who had been looking up quietly, wiped his eyes with his sleeve
and turned his head.
His eyes were red, but he smiled bravely and spoke to Reed.
"I got carried away with my thoughts. Let's go back quickly."
The night grew late.
Those who had fast means of transportation like sky carriages returned home
immediately, and those with poor transportation stayed in the reception room of
Cohen Castle.
Since Reed had come by sky carriage, all he needed to do was return.
'I'm tired.'
He felt like he could sleep as soon as he closed his eyes because he had to worry
about various things until late at night.
At least he was able to overcome sleepiness because Rosaria was shaking him wildly
with her small hands.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes! A l-l-lot!"
"Did you make a lot of friends?"
"I made a lot. I went on an adventure with Yuria and Morgan!"
"So, are you friends?"
"People who go on adventures with heroes are all friends."
"I see. I was short-sighted."
Whether because he was out of it, Reed didn't have the energy to say anything else.
He just wanted to go and sleep.
That's when someone blocked his path.
The man standing in front of him was a middle-aged man with red hair and a
uniform.
Seeing Yuria Frenda standing next to him, he realized that he was the head of the
household, Zekeheil Frenda.
'Indeed, the magician of the Empire… '
The Empire, where all talents gather.
The chief magician of its workshop is comparable to the tower lords just by his aura.
"Tower Master of Silence, your item was truly impressive today."
Zekeheil threw the first word, and Reed pulled himself together and answered
politely.
"I'm very grateful that the magician of the Empire's workshop would say so."
"I'm not sure if my daughter has greeted you. The rumor is that she has the potential
to become the next 'Archmage'."
'He's bragging about his daughter.'
Being a magician of the Empire, he must have heard about Rosaria's actions to the
point of being tired.
There was no doubt that it was a check against that.
'I'm well aware of your daughter as I've accompanied her more than enough.'
He wanted to say that, but if he did, it would obviously lead to an ugly fight, so Reed
simply smiled and said.
"That's truly impressive. Indeed, the Frenda family is a renowned magical lineage."
"I've heard that the Master of the Wallin Tower occasionally supervises your
daughter's studies. She may be a genius of the century, but I'm not sure if there will
be growth with just one visit per week."
"I don't mind if my daughter doesn't become an Archmage. I just hope she can find
her own path."
"An education that is free, not typical of a noble. Less strict than a rigorous
education, but not bad."
Zekeheil nodded his head as if to admit easily, but his words contained the nuance
that his own method of education was superior.
Reed understood his sentiment that his own daughter was prettier, but as a father, he
felt a bit annoyed.
Reed smiled gently and looked down at Yuria.
Yuria, who had been quietly looking up at Reed, quickly bowed her head as their eyes
met.
"Miss Yuria, are you okay?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Your face is very red."
"What, me?"
Yuria covered her face.
She felt her cheeks burning hot the moment her cold hand touched them.
"The night wind is cold. Be careful not to catch a cold."
"Ah, that, I, that, that……"
Yuria, who had been stuttering, could no longer continue her words, and she hid
behind Zekeheil.
He thought he would undoubtedly be embarrassed at his daughter's awkward
appearance.
"Heh, our daughter is quite shy."
"………I see."
He was a tougher opponent than expected.
Zekeheil, with a satisfied smile, stroked the head of his daughter hiding behind him.
Not wanting to be outdone as a doting father, Reed couldn't hide his annoyed
expression at his actions.
"The night breeze is cold. Make sure your daughter doesn't catch a cold either."
"Thank you."
The demonstration ended successfully.
Rosaria, who climbed into the sky carriage, fell dead asleep in the sky carriage.
A few days later, in the office of the 3rd Knight Commander of the Hupper Kingdom.
After the banquet, Adonis Hupper resumed her duties as the Knight Commander.
"Salute! Squire James Bren has come to see Sir Adonis Hupper."
"Come in."
Wondering why the squire had come, Adonis raised his head and asked James.
"What's the matter?"
"I submitted my withdrawal confirmation today. So, I came to greet you, Commander
Adonis Hupper."
"You've decided to withdraw?"
"Yes."
Adonis didn't understand why he came to greet him, but what concerned him more
was his face.
"You seem relieved."
Most of those who faced their limits and decided to quit being a knight had faces as if
their world had collapsed.
Especially James Bren, who belonged to a noble family that had become nobility due
to its founding contribution to the country, had to succeed to maintain his family.
James explained the reason.
"That's it. I found out at the banquet that I have a talent for mana."
"You're referring to yourself?"
"Yes, I was always worried because I wasn't strong enough to perform as a squire…
'Trigger Hypnosis', is it? They said it forcibly brought up the latent mana in my body."
"I don't know the details… But it won't be easy to follow the path of a magician this
late, right?"
"Still, I think this is my path. And I told my father yesterday. Although I can't glorify
my family as a knight……"
James hit his chest and spoke proudly.
"I'm really fortunate to be able to show my loyalty to the Hupper Kingdom in this
way."
James Bren spoke with a smile.
Adonis, who knew nothing, simply admired his loyalty.
"Anyway, congratulations on finding your own path. I hope to see you at the magic
workshop."
"Thank you, Commander!"
James, who was about to leave, turned back and spoke again.
"Oh, by the way, I'll return this to you."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's the napkin that was in my pocket. It has the commander's name on it, so I
thought it might be yours."
'A napkin?'
Adonis looked at the napkin James handed over.
On that napkin, there was a message written along with his own name.
-Please come out to the flower bed secretly. I will follow.
"Ah."
Adonis let out a short exclamation.
"So it wasn't the commander who sent it after all."
"Was there a problem?"
"I'm not sure. When I woke up, the Tower Masters were there. It seems the Tower
Master of Silence saved me."
"I see."
Having finished what he had to say, James saluted again and left the room.
Left alone in the office.
Adonis lowered her head again and looked at the message.
It wasn't a problem that someone had impersonated her.
No, it was a problem, but she didn't care.
The style of this message that Adonis was looking at.
It was a very familiar style.
Over a hundred wizards were bustling about, busy with various tasks.
The Silence Tower was busy regardless of whether it was a weekday or a weekend.
Naturally, they were occupied with the production of the magic recording device
orders.
However, even setting aside the task of crafting the spheres, it was difficult to meet
the daily quota just by the wizards taking turns squeezing out mana to copy the
recorded contents.
The busiest person amongst them was undoubtedly Kaitlyn.
She had finally received a mountain of bonus money and returned from a vacation,
only to find a fire at home.
Without even a moment to regain her composure, she was thrown back into the lab.
As the most skilled technician, it was no exaggeration to say she was burning her
soul, taking on the final inspection and production of the recording device at the
same time.
On the other hand, Reed, who did not participate in the production, was having a
headache in other ways.
'Why the hell are there so many letters?'
Reed's desk was full of letters.
They were all letters from the noblewomen who had attended the banquet.
'I'm going crazy.'
Having too many letters was a headache, but the bigger problem was that he couldn't
just brush them off with vulgar words.
In the world of nobles, replying to letters was mandatory.
In proportion to the amount received!
And making sure that the content is not similar to the letters sent to other nobles!
'I should have become a novelist instead of a tower owner.'
The most terrible was the letter from Yuria Frenda.
With an astounding number of six pages, she had written a densely packed love
thesis, front and back, as if she was worried she might not have written enough.
As expected of a girl in love, she was rambling on and on.
"Love is a meteor? What does that even mean?"
Upon reading a phrase that implied love approaches as a disaster, Reed began to
wonder if she actually disliked him.
In the end, he decided to leave Yuria's letter for last and quickly started to get rid of
the other letters.
"Tower Master~."
Then, Phoebe's drawn-out voice came, sounding like the grim reaper.
"Did you get more letters?"
"That is… yes……"
What Phoebe shyly pulled out were five love letters.
His energy drained instantly upon seeing them.
"Phoebe."
"Yes?"
"Don't you feel like burning all these letters?"
Phoebe, looking down at the letters, tilted her head.
"Why? They're fine."
"Really?"
"Well, they have to write letters to see you, but I get to see you in person like this~."
"And you even gave me perfume as a gift!"
Phoebe wiggled her body lightly with a triumphant expression on her face.
With her movement, the scent of the perfume Reed had given her wafted faintly.
It was a perfume made of a hundred roses.
It was the perfume he had said he would give to Adonis again, and while he was at it,
he had prepared one for Phoebe as well.
'I'm glad she likes it.'
If Phoebe liked it, there was no doubt that Adonis would also like it.
Reassured, Reed asked Phoebe.
"How's Rosaria? Is she having fun with the Master of the Wallin Tower?"
"Yes, with the Master of Wallin Tower's guidance, it seems like her magic skills are
improving rapidly."
Although improving skills was a good thing, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he
had left her alone for too long.
I should play with her at least once……
As he was thinking about this.
Knock, knock.
Speak of the devil.
A small white-haired head peeked through the door gap and called out to Reed.
"Papa!"
"Hmm? What's up?"
Rosaria approached with quick steps.
She tugged at Reed's sleeve.
"Dolores unni and I are doing something fun, and she said you could join too! Let's
do it together!"
"Something fun?"
"Yes! It'll be fun if we do it together!"
Then, Phoebe crouched down and spoke to Rosaria.
"Miss, I think the Tower Master is busy today and won't be able to join us. Would it
be okay if I go with you instead?"
"Uh, I wanted to do it with Papa……"
Rosaria lowered her head in disappointment.
The look she had when she went to the elf 's territory with Phoebe.
Reed stroked her head and spoke.
"No, Papa will go and join you."
"Really?"
"Yes, let's go now."
"Wow!"
Rosaria jumped up and down with both hands in the air.
"Let's go fast! Let's go fast!"
"Okay, got it. Sorry, Phoebe."
"No, it's fine. I'm happy if you have fun with the miss."
Phoebe smiled as if she were in a good mood.
Leaving Phoebe behind, Reed was led by Rosaria's hand toward her room.
In the room, Dolores was sitting in the middle, looking dignified.
Upon seeing Reed, Dolores turned her head and her eyes widened.
She seemed to have not expected him to actually come.
"Ah, you really came? Please sit here."
Dolores patted the seat next to her.
Reed took a seat next to her as she suggested.
"Do you remember this?"
"…I'm not sure."
"It's a tower-building game you taught me a long time ago."
Like I would remember.
"I've been so busy these days that I can't remember."
"You taught me when I was having trouble handling mana. You said it would be fun.
Well, since you taught me, I've only done it alone… so it's understandable that you
don't remember."
Dolores was disappointed that he couldn't remember, but she accepted it in her own
way.
She showed him how to do it, starting by crossing two sticks in an X and using magic
to fix them together.
Then, another X-shaped stick is placed on top of the ends of the first X.
Reed immediately understood the purpose of this game.
'Mana control is the key.'
The purpose of this game was to improve "Mana Sensitivity".
Since the already built structure also needed mana to maintain, the difficulty
increases exponentially as the tower gets higher.
Reed concentrated and tried to build it as high as he could.
Cross the X and stack it, cross the X and stack it…
When he reached the 20th layer.
Crash.
It collapsed.
He had built it up to the point where he felt he was at his limit.
Wondering whether this was good or bad, Reed glanced at Dolores.
"Well… you stacked a lot more than you used to."
There was no doubt that she was being polite.
Wondering how much others could stack, Reed asked Rosaria, who was sitting
across from him.
"How many floors did you build, Rosaria?"
"40 layers! Isn't it amazing? People usually can't stack this much on their first try!"
She spread three fingers on her left hand and clenched her right hand into a fist,
showing them while giggling.
"That's impressive."
"Heehee."
He praised Rosaria with a smile mixed with admiration and surprise.
Then, out of the blue, Dolores, who had been sitting next to him, opened her mouth.
"I can stack up to 60 layers."
"…Really?"
"…Yes."
At his hesitant response, Dolores quickly turned her head away.
She cooled her blushing face with the coldness of her hand, as if she was
embarrassed by her own words.
'I feel like a fool for competing with a child… '
Reed remained silent, regretting that he should have reacted more kindly.
In such an uncomfortable atmosphere, Rosaria turned to Reed and said,
"Should I show you how I stack them?"
"Yes, please show me."
"Okay!"
It was her time to show off, so Rosaria began to stack the sticks one by one with a
determined face.
Dolores and Reed quietly watched her.
After about 10 floors, Rosaria's speed started to slow down.
In the meantime, Dolores started a conversation.
"I thought you were quite busy, but I guess not?"
"I am busy, but I am busier due to other tasks."
"Why? Did you receive a lot of letters?"
That was the correct answer.
Dolores narrowed her eyes slightly and glared at Reed.
"I heard from the tower masters of the Jade Tower and the Greenwood Tower. They
said you were amazing at the banquet?"
"I didn't intend to stand out. But things got messed up."
"I'm envious. The Tower Master of Silence is too popular with women."
She said it was envy, but it was closer to sarcasm.
Dolores was on bad terms with Reed.
So, this situation wouldn't be pleasant for her.
"If the Tower Master of Wallin was there, you would definitely have attracted
attention."
"Why?"
"Because you're a beauty."
"Of course. As an archmage… B, be, beautiful?"
People looking to expand their network would line up to meet an archmage.
So, it was like a surprise attack for Dolores, who thought he would say something
along those lines.
Seeing her reaction, Reed regretted and added.
"I mean you're a woman of many talents. You're proficient in many ways."
"Appearance too?"
Unlike Reed who was trying to step back, Dolores was taking another step closer.
He had no choice but to nod.
"Yes."
"Have you always thought so?"
"Ahem! I overstepped. Let's forget about this question."
Dolores did not have the confidence to continue this strange atmosphere.
She felt like she would be knocked down before she could corner the other.
So, she quickly ended the conversation, turned her head, and fixed her eyes on
Rosaria.
In such an awkward atmosphere, someone knocked on the door like a savior.
Phoebe slightly opened the door and said,
"Master, I'm really sorry to interrupt your play, but someone came to see you."
"Who is it?"
"It's the Third Knight Commander."
"The Third Knight Commander?"
It was Adonis Hupper.
When Reed entered the reception room, he saw Adonis.
She was dressed like a knight in plate armor.
"Welcome, Ms. Hupper. Or should I say, the Third Knight Commander?"
At the banquet, she was a princess, but now she came as a knight defending a
country.
Considering her status, it seemed inappropriate to address her casually, so he
quickly corrected his words.
"………Please feel comfortable, Tower Master of Silence."
A polite greeting.
But her face told a different story.
'Hostility? No, it doesn't seem certain enough to be hostility.'
She looked like she was at a crossroads of choices.
Reed realized that this situation was not light at all.
Cooling his head, he sat opposite her.
"May I ask what brings the commander of a knight division of a country to the tower
of magicians?"
"There is one thing… I want to ask."
"What is it?"
"Do you know a man named James Bren?"
"I do."
He was the bomb that Morgan planted to eliminate Adonis.
"James Bren resigned from his knighthood today and left this to me."
Adonis took something out of her pocket and showed it.
The napkin from the banquet, the very napkin that Reed used to lure James.
"When James Bren came to his senses, he said that the Tower Masters were around.
So I asked around, and they said this phrase was written by you, the Tower Master of
Silence."
The Tower Masters talked about that napkin.
'Well, I didn't explicitly say it was a secret.'
Explaining why they shouldn't tell Adonis would eventually reach not only Freesia
but also Morgan Hupper.
So he had to gloss over it, but he never expected to trip over that napkin.
'Lie?'
There's no doubt it would backfire.
He was already stepping on its tail to some extent.
Trying to escape would only make him sink faster into the swamp.
Reed decided to affirm the letter.
"Yes, I wrote it."
"Then did you also write this?"
This time, what she pulled out was the anonymous letter Reed had written.
The fact that she brought it out meant that Adonis had already compared the
handwriting.
Brushing his chest with the affirmation that his decision not to lie was right, he
nodded.
"Yes, I wrote that too."
He thought that would be the end of the questions.
But there was one more thing left.
"Then, may I ask why you changed your handwriting when you sent the perfume?"
"Perfume?"
"This."
This time, she showed a small note.
-For your successful debut.
He couldn't recognize whose handwriting it was.
No Tower Master used such handwriting.
But Reed knew who wrote this sentence.
'It's Freesia.'
It was clear that she had subtly adjusted the intensity to avoid being caught.
'There's another problem here.'
Lie.
He could say that Phoebe had written it for him. It would be hard to tell the Tower
Master's deputy's handwriting, even if the Tower Masters' handwriting could be
recognized quickly.
But Reed chose the truth again this time.
"The phrase I used when sending the perfume wasn't written by me."
"Then who wrote it?"
"Those who are trying to slander you."
Reed told her the truth with a clear voice.
"The perfume you used was a poison that would lead you to death."
Adonis lowered her head and covered her face with her hands.
James Bren, the napkin, the perfume, and even "Trigger Hypnosis".
When she connected all the situations, Adonis could finally understand.
""Trigger Hypnosis"…The trigger condition was that perfume."
She had no choice but to know now. Someone was targeting her.
And Reed intervened in that situation.
To save her.
Then who would be targeting her?
Knowing the plan, Reed would undoubtedly know the target as well.
However…
"………I won't ask. It will undoubtedly be hard for me to accept. But I would like you
to answer this."
Adonis's brow furrowed.
For the first time, the doll-like woman revealed her expression to Reed.
"Why did you help me?"
Their first encounter was merely a minor issue.
And all they did was dance together at the banquet.
On the other hand, Reed knew a lot about her.
He had observed her from afar.
He saw her dedication to the country as a knight, alongside Freesia.
He had seen her perfect debut as a princess.
The things she had done were acts of selfless devotion that could only be done by
someone who loved their family.
Such a woman falls into ruin due to the betrayal of the family she loved.
Thus, becoming the third calamity, Adonis, leaving with only despair and eventually
meeting her demise.
Reed answered Adonis's question.
"Because you don't deserve to be unhappy."
You don't deserve to be unhappy.
It was a strange thing to say.
How could someone she barely met tell her that she doesn't deserve to be unhappy?
But.
Adonis found those words piercing her heart.
A drop of water fell on her hand.
"Ah."
Adonis, who realized it late, bowed her head and apologized to Reed.
"I'm sorry……"
"You can cry if you want to. I'll pretend not to know about this."
"No, that's not it."
Despite her words, the tears welled up. She wanted to make some excuse, but even
that, she couldn't do.
"Ugh, uh……"
Adonis tried to calm her heart, but it was difficult to manage the emotions that were
welling up.
She knew very well that she couldn't stop it and had to let it out.
However, she couldn't cry.
Because she was not a princess, but the Third Knight Commander, Adonis Hupfer.
As the face of the Hupper Kingdom, she always had to be an inspiration to others.
She couldn't be crying pitifully like this.
Adonis pressed her tear glands hard with her finger.
Despite being a woman known as the "Giant Slayer" and possessing such traits, she
was woefully inadequate to block her tiny tear glands.
She swallowed her tears and her sorrow for a while.
Reed waited patiently for her to control her emotions.
Once she had calmed down a bit, Reed stood up from his seat and quietly handed her
a glass of water.
After drinking all the water, Adonis, stroking her chest, opened her mouth again.
"I am…… a disgraceful woman."
It was a shockingly frank confession coming from a knight.
However, Reed listened to her words calmly.
"Why is that?"
"Whenever I see my younger brother, I think of our mother… I miss her terribly, and
also, my heart turns bitter… I start to hate him without end. Even though he didn't
kill our mother, even though he is not at fault……"
Queen Elizabeth Hupper, Adonis's biological mother, had to make a choice when she
gave birth to Morgan II.
And Elizabeth chose Morgan II, sacrificing herself in the process.
It was a gesture of a great mother's love and a wound as well.
At the end of her teenage years, at 17,
Adonis lost her mother in that way.
"I knew from a long time ago that His Majesty the King dotes on my younger sibling.
No doubt he intends to place him on the throne."
She wasn't a fool, so she had some idea.
"That's why I'm afraid to look at my little brother's face. I was afraid that my wicked
heart might be exposed to his innocent eyes, so I had no choice but to keep my
distance from that child."
The Giant Slayer, Adonis Hupper.
She, who was praised by everyone, also had the heart of a delicate girl.
But she, who had no one to rely on, could not reveal her true feelings.
She had been living a life thoroughly for the Hupper Kingdom, wearing the mask of a
knight.
Reed listened carefully to Adonis's words.
He too felt it. That she was revealing her inner feelings for the first time.
"Commander of the Knights, no, Miss Adonis."
Reed spoke to her in a gentle voice.
"I understand that family matters can be difficult. But you are not disgraceful."
"Why is that?"
"Everyone has desires. There are even people who kill their own family due to their
desires. But you have tried to protect your family. Even though you've avoided your
sibling, it's probably because you were trying to suppress the evil emotions that well
up even without your knowledge. Just by this fact alone, you are a knight and an
older sister who is nobler than anyone else."
Reed approached her and handed her a handkerchief in his left hand.
"So, you don't need to blame yourself. You don't need to make yourself unhappy."
His golden eyes showed a warm smile.
She couldn't stop it.
Even though she tried hard to block the tear ducts.
Even though she bit her lips hard and tried to hold on, everything fell apart because
of this man who spoke kindly.
In the end, Adonis cried out loud.
Adonis looked down at the handkerchief Reed had handed her.
The red handkerchief embroidered with golden threads was soaked with her tears.
Adonis blushed with embarrassment at the handkerchief and carefully put it in her
pocket.
No, it would be more accurate to say she hid it.
"I will… wash the handkerchief for you."
"You can throw it away or burn it on your way. It's better than having a rumor going
around that you received a handkerchief from the owner of the Silence Tower."
As Reed said this, Adonis looked up at him with her moist emerald-like eyes.
"You are kinder than the rumors, Tower Master."
"Rumors?"
"I heard that the owner of the Silence Tower used to be an authoritative person. Cold
and jealous of those who are superior to him."
"………I think it's quite inappropriate to tell you this."
"But because you are not like that, I can say this."
Reed turned his head as if embarrassed.
Seeing his expression, Adonis almost laughed unwittingly.
Adonis, who was about to smile, touched her face and returned to a blank
expression.
She had returned to being the Knight Captain Adonis Hupper, but she could not hide
her reddened eyes.
"How can I help you with those who are trying to defame me?"
She couldn't just stand by when she heard they were planning to ruin her.
But Reed decided to just accept Adonis's feelings.
"Please, Knight Captain, just act as usual. This matter is for the wizards."
"The wizards' matter… I see. My involvement wouldn't be helpful."
Just as a wizard doesn't understand a knight's battle, a knight doesn't understand a
wizard's battle.
Wizards, who value information, never reveal their secrets.
Adonis had been educated to never trust anyone since she didn't know their true
intentions.
Recalling her training, Adonis looked at Reed.
Was it right to trust this man?
'I have no choice but to trust him now.'
Reed had been honest with her so far.
His honesty allowed Adonis to express her feelings, and Reed accepted them as they
were.
So, for now, she decided to trust Reed.
"Did you tell anyone else that you were going to the Silence Tower?"
Reed asked Adonis.
There was a need to be cautious, as just their meeting could allow someone to make
certain predictions.
If necessary, he even considered creating a new alibi.
Adonis shook her head.
"No. There have been increasing attacks on travelers in the small villages within the
Hupper kingdom, so I went out under the pretense of patrolling."
"Alone……… you say?"
"Yes."
She's bold.
But thinking about it further, Adonis had the ability to bend even a giant's spine, so
what would she fear from bandits?
She could probably turn bandits into blocks and stack them neatly.
Anyway, it didn't seem necessary to make an alibi.
"For now, I'll pretend I don't know anything. If there are any signs, I'd appreciate it if
you send them through a bluebird or a dove, not a letter."
"Understood."
"Thank you, Tower Master."
Adonis courteously greeted him.
"Oh, and Miss Adonis."
Before parting, Reed stopped her.
He took out an item he had prepared in advance and handed it to Adonis.
"What's this?"
"It's a substitute for the perfume I mentioned before."
"But that perfume wasn't yours, was it?"
There was no need for Reed to give her this item, as he had lied to protect himself.
"It doesn't matter. Shouldn't a man keep his word? It's an item I've already chosen, so
please accept it."
Adonis took the perfume.
And she immediately ripped open the box.
It wasn't polite to open a gift in front of the giver, but Adonis had something she
wanted to confirm enough to overlook such rudeness.
The scent that suited her.
She felt she had to confirm that scent in front of herself.
She took off her gauntlet, placed it between her legs, and sprayed the perfume on her
slender wrist.
As she smelled the faintly rising scent, she responded.
"It really… seems to suit me."
She spoke with a straight face, but Reed could tell.
He could hear the joy in her voice.
The Capital of the Kingdom, Cohen.
Someone was anxiously wandering around.
Right now, they couldn't focus on anything else. The most important part of their
grand plan had failed.
"If you keep running around like this, do you think things will be solved magically?
Then world peace must have been achieved already."
Freesia taunted Morgan with a mocking voice.
Morgan responded with a disgruntled expression.
"Didn't you say that no one would find out about this?"
"Of course, I didn't expect someone to catch on… I'm not a prophet, how was I
supposed to know all that?"
"You really didn't reveal this plan to anyone else, did you?"
At that, Freesia scowled. She got up from her crooked position and approached
Morgan.
"Are you doubting my abilities? You of all people?"
As soon as she finished her words, someone grabbed Morgan's throat.
A black hand was choking him.
It was a hand extending from Morgan's own shadow.
If Freesia had made up her mind, Morgan's neck would have already snapped.
Freesia's eyes glowed red like a demon emerging from hell.
"Listen, wise king. It seems like the blood isn't flowing to your head lately, making
you lose your nerve. Just because you teamed up with me doesn't mean you're in a
position to order me around. If anything, you should be the one apologizing to me."
"I did as I was told."
"If you did as you were told, then why did it fail? My plan was perfect. Undoubtedly,
your pathetic acting ruined everything. You showed your daughter your pathetic
desire to prolong your life, didn't you?"
"If you continue like this…"
"What? What are you going to do? Void the contract? I can throw away the book you
gave me anytime. And the moment I discard it, I can expose the fact that you gave me
the book. The wise king who bowed his head to the worst tower master, doesn't that
sound funny? If it's proven true, who would stand up for you?"
No matter how much he thought about it, he was the one with more to lose.
If it became known that he was pretending to be good while clinging to a villain, he
would lose everything.
That's why Morgan immediately backed down.
"I apologize. I dared to doubt your ability…"
"Don't do that next time. A dog should act like a dog, got it?"
"…Yes."
"Good."
As soon as Freesia finished speaking, the black hand around Morgan's neck returned
to its original place.
"What should we do now?"
"Anyway, the ceremony has not been completed yet. Trying to rush will only lead to
loss. Let's take our time and find a way to torment your daughter."
"Of course I will… but the problem is who figured out this plan. It's obvious they'll
interfere again… Do you have any idea who it could be, Tower Master of the Black
Sky?"
Freesia replied with a sullen face.
"I don't know. I didn't bother to think about it."
"Understood. Then I will think about it."
But Freesia already knew who had intervened.
'Reed Adeleheights Roton.'
The only man she called by name among the Tower Masters and among all the
people alive.
It had to be him.
When she was causing a ruckus in the Cohen Castle under the name of Brosa, he was
with her and she told him about her plan.
If the plan to harm Adonis without anyone knowing had gone awry, the most likely
suspect would be him, who knew a little about the inside story.
'He figured out the trigger was the perfume, and with the help of other tower
masters, he succeeded in helping… '
Freesia's method was clever.
Her plan to awaken mana and implant 'trigger hypnosis' in a person was hard to
detect unless heard in advance.
Freesia was extremely curious as to how Reed figured it out one step ahead.
'Does that mean he knew in advance what was going to happen to Adonis Hupper?'
Is he colluding with the wise king?
What she was most curious about above all was.
'Did he do that knowing that this was a plot devised by me, Freesia?'
Tower of the Black Sky.
She was the second-ranked Tower Master, but the gap between her and the third-
ranked was as wide as heaven and earth, and she didn't lag behind even Helios, the
chairman.
If he opposed her despite knowing her identity, it would have been quite an
audacious act.
If it had been her original personality, she would have set up a magic circle around
the Tower of Silence and destroyed everything from the nearby village to the forest
and the mountains.
She had shown her true colors to everyone who dared to oppose her.
But when it came to Reed, she simply broke into a smile.
A wicked smile that was unbelievable for a child.
'You've always been a fascinating one.'
-People began to pay attention to magic engineering.
No one dislikes attention on themselves unless they have committed a crime.
In fact, most of the magicians' projects were secret, and it was common to disclose
them only inside the tower.
Therefore, this demonstration by Reed was special. The tower master took the
initiative to show everyone the results of their project.
-Various military factions and merchants from all over, and even the aristocrats of
the empire, want the recording device of the Silence Tower.
His bold behavior, which deviated from the usual behavior of a magician, breathed
life into the tower.
No one disliked the tower operating dynamically.
Rather, most people were pleased that the tower, which had been stagnant, was
working properly again.
Also, magicians who were originally interested in magic engineering thought this
was an opportunity, and the magicians who had been skeptical started to look at
magic engineering from a new perspective.
However, you can't satisfy everyone.
It was unpleasant for the chief magicians of the tower.
The Silence Tower, which is passionate about magical engineering.
They didn't like the magicians who surrendered themselves to the waves of change.
'The perception of is changing, indeed……… '
Today, three apprentices of the chief magician changed their major to magical
engineering.
A chief magician, who had 30 disciples, now only has 20 disciples left, and the
footsteps of applicants who wanted to join him have completely stopped.
As a senior magician who majors in and researches pure magic, he couldn't help but
hate Reed.
Reed had promised not to interfere with them, but as public attention turned to
, the apprentices' interest also leaned that way.
The chief magician looked up at the bulletin board as he walked.
The board, which had always been quiet before the advent of magic engineering, was
suddenly full.
-Recruiting for 'Understanding Magic Engineering' study group.
-Seminar on 'Products Applying Magnesium' in progress.
-Competition for Magic Engineering invention and theory ideas underway.
There were so many posts related to magic engineering that the recruitment notice
for the chief magician's disciples looked pitifully small underneath.
Even though he wanted to vent his frustration, he couldn't blame anyone for this.
'And it's not like he didn't keep his promise……… '
Reed respected their pure magic and always immediately approved anything worth
researching.
He never discriminated against them just because their path was different from his.
It was just that the results he showed changed people's minds, that was the problem.
He knew well that asking for more here was like a child's tantrum.
'He might as well suggest switching to magical engineering……… '
It's hard for a magician to swallow his pride first.
Moreover, it was difficult for the chief magician, whose head had hardened with age,
to accumulate knowledge again.
No one said it, but the chief magicians knew very well that they were at a crossroads
of fate.
Either they adapt to the suddenly changed environment or they become obsolete.
In order to survive in this situation, the chief magician sought Reed.
He went up to the top floor of the tower and walked up to Phoebe, the secretary and
deputy tower master.
Golden long hair with threatening horns protruding.
Eyes were half-closed as if she were sleeping.
At first, he had a hard time adapting to such a figure of Phoebe, but now it didn't
matter much.
In fact, he was one of the people who were surprised every time he saw Phoebe's
golden eyes, so he rather liked her half-closed eyes now.
"Hellooo~."
Phoebe greeted the chief magician with a bright smile.
Although called the Guardian of Silence Tower, Phoebe was always kind to her family
members.
"Is the Tower Master in?"
"The Tower Master is on holiday today. He has been very busy replying to letters
lately. So, he took a day off to play with the young lady."
"With the tower being so busy, I wonder if he is sane… Well, never mind."
He couldn't belittle the Tower Master's holiday, as the success this time was largely
due to the Tower Master, who planned and presented the recorder himself.
"But he always works hard. Please don't think too badly."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to slander the Tower Master. It's just that I'm having a hard
time too………"
As the chief magician sighed, Phoebe comforted him.
"By the way, I've heard there are no apprentices wanting to do pure magic these
days. Don't worry too much, both the Tower Master and I are considering measures
for that."
The chief magician felt somewhat relieved.
She may seem slow and dull due to her languid tone, but she was capable enough to
handle all the tasks of the tower as the deputy tower master.
'She would have made a suitable next tower master… '
She handled magic and mana well, and her public image was sufficient to elevate the
stature of the fallen tower.
However, the former tower master, Jude Roten, chose Reed over Phoebe.
Phoebe, devoid of ambition, did not resist this choice and instead sincerely
congratulated Reed.
In the end, since Reed elevated the tower's stature, it turned out Jude was right.
As the chief magician, who had been nodding his head, turned to leave, there was a
fragrant smell that tickled his nose.
It was the smell coming from Phoebe.
"You have a pleasant scent."
At the chief magician's casual remark, Phoebe beamed.
"Oh, isn't it nice? It's the smell of perfume. The Tower Master gave it to me as a
gift~."
She swayed, wafting the fragrance around her.
The chief magician grimaced at her display.
"That's odd. I thought you didn't like perfume?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you dislike strong scents because of your sensitive sense of smell?"
Phoebe is a half-dragon.
She stood in a position superior to humans but inferior to dragons.
She had better senses than anyone, so her sense of smell was also more sensitive.
Naturally, perfume, which affects the sensitive sense of smell, was one of the things
she avoided.
Even if the perfume was made with the faint scent of roses as its purpose, it was
nonetheless a concentrated rose scent, which could only be very strong to Phoebe.
Interpreted maliciously, the gift could have been Reed's way of pranking Phoebe.
Of course, Phoebe never interpreted it maliciously.
"But the Tower Master gave it to me."
"So you would accept anything if the tower master gives it?"
Phoebe cheerfully showed the perfume bottle that Reed had given her.
"He never gave me anything like a gift before. Even if it's something I dislike, I'll
happily accept it~."
"But what about the smell?"
She spoke as if it were simple.
"I just have to start liking it~."
The chief magician couldn't comprehend her words.
Could one possibly come to enjoy something that irritates their senses?
In stark contrast to his furrowed brows, Phoebe was standing with a genuinely
happy face.
"You really follow the Tower Master a lot."
To the chief magician's words, Phoebe responded like this.
"He is the only one I have."
The only one she had.
Although she spoke that way, the reality was different.
Reed was everything to Phoebe.
He was a precious existence that no one could replace.
The tower master's meeting resumed after the demonstration.
Although there was a suicide incident using during the
demonstration, it was not of significant importance to be discussed among the tower
masters.
"It's about that time, isn't it?"
"Do you mean the Academy's graduation?"
"And the entrance ceremony as well."
Graduation and entrance ceremonies.
Even though there were still three months left, preparations had to be made in
advance to recruit good talents.
In reality, each tower was in a competitive relationship, but because the
characteristics of each tower were different, most found a place that suited their
nature.
Therefore, their goal was always the same.
Even if the talents they had their eyes on went to other towers, they should not be
taken by the kingdoms' workshops!
Everyone rallied with this in mind.
"Let's set aside time tomorrow to discuss strategies against the workshops."
"Yes."
"Understood."
The meeting ended smoothly, and they were about to part ways after exchanging
greetings.
Reed pulled out a prepared item and showed it to them.
"This is a gift for the Tower Masters."
What he took out was a magic recording device and a magic recorded device in
which music had been recorded.
The Tower Masters were surprised by the unexpected gift.
"Oh, weren't you going to distribute this a week later?"
"I did, but I thought I should first give them to the Tower Masters. We're all one
family, and you've given me Rosaria's educational materials, so this is a token of my
appreciation."
"Wow, thanks!"
"Thank you, Silence Tower Master. You're as cool as they say."
Although he had taken their orders, he did not charge the Tower Masters separately.
Winning their favor was the first priority.
Neither Helios, the chairperson, nor Dolores refused his gift.
"Thank you, Silence Tower Master. I'll make sure to listen."
"Thank you, Master of the Silence Tower."
Dolores' formal voice came through softly.
There was no reason for the Tower Master of Danseok, and his group who were wary
of Reed to refuse, so they accepted Reed's gift.
After distributing them to everyone, there was one set left.
'It must be for Freesia.'
As she was currently the one he was most conscious of, Reed felt tense.
'Should I just not give it?'
He had given it to all the tower masters who were keeping their distance, so if he
didn't give it to her, it would look too suspicious.
So he had no choice but to calmly pass on the gift.
As he was thinking this, he heard a voice from behind.
"Oh, Reed, why aren't you leaving? Were you waiting for me?"
Freesia approached him warmly.
Black hair, red eyes, and a charmingly evil smile.
She might look like a 12-year-old girl, but the smile she wore showed she was far
from a child.
A terribly wicked smile that carries 131 years of experience.
Reed handed the remaining box to Freesia with a smile.
"This is for you, Tower Master."
"A gift? Oh, is this the thing you showed at the demonstration?"
"Yes, it is."
His heart sank at the word 'demonstration,' but Reed nodded calmly.
'She seems to be reacting as if she doesn't know I interfered with her plans… '
While he was thinking this, Freesia muttered.
"I like such gifts, but there's something else I want."
"What do you mean?"
While Reed was momentarily off guard, Freesia made a surprise move.
"The perfume you took."
She knew after all.
She knew that Reed had secured Adonis and that he had ruined her and Morgan's
plan.
Freesia took a step forward, lifted herself on her toes, and smelled Reed's neck.
At the same time, Reed could smell her scent.
It was the scent of cinnamon and roses.
"You didn't use it?"
"It's my favorite scent. The scent of cinnamon and roses, it's like a combination made
for me."
Freesia lowered herself from her toes and smiled.
Her red eyes sparkled unpleasantly.
'But she doesn't seem to intend to fight.'
Reed was puzzled by her behavior.
He had thwarted her plans, so why was she not showing any hostility or desire to kill
him?
It was beyond the realm of simply tolerating him because he was handsome.
There were plenty of extraordinarily handsome men on the continent.
If she was chasing after good-looking men, there would already be rumors about it.
There must be a reason why she's acting this way.
An important reason.
'Finding out that important reason is the key… '
It was likely to be an important means of winning over the 'Undead Empress',
Freesia.
Reed swallowed his question and spoke politely.
"I will return it to you."
"When?"
"When the time is right."
He did not specify an exact date.
But both Freesia and Reed knew.
That the day was not far off and would surely come.
Cohen Castle, Office of the Third Knight Commander.
After opening up with everything to Reed, Adonis found her usual office looking
different.
Having shed tears and released her pent-up emotions, things she hadn't considered
before started to become clearer.
'The city is peaceful, but there are thieves springing up outside.'
She had thought that as Cohen became increasingly wealthy, bandits are moving in
search of plunder.
However, the reports did not show a lot of movement from the bandits.
Considering everything, it meant that bandits were naturally springing up
somewhere.
So, where would the hole they're springing from be?
'The village… '
It was the small villages near the border.
Small villages whose names she couldn't even properly remember.
She checked the population of the Small Villages.
Unlike Cohen, Small Village reports its population quarterly, so it was impossible to
know how many people had disappeared so far.
However, adding up the number of people caught stealing and the number of
witnesses, it was about half of the village.
Adonis couldn't understand why the people of Small Village had started to steal.
It was hard to comprehend why people who had been doing well suddenly turned to
crime.
Then, she suddenly remembered that day.
'The Starfall Village.'
During the collection of promissory notes, the master of the Silence Tower
intervened, and because of that, Adonis had a conversation with the tower master as
a king's representative.
'Looking back, the Starfall Village was very peaceful.'
Since she had made a promise with Reed, Cohen paid all the money without a word,
and even gave all the promised wheat at once, so there would be no problem with
the onset of winter.
'They replaced wheat and money with promissory notes… No way.'
It can't be.
Adonis stood up from her seat, denying it.
She couldn't believe it unless she confirmed it with her own two eyes, so she moved
her steps without hesitation.
She walked to the finance department of Cohen Castle and requested documents
from them.
"Hello, Commander of the Knights. What brings you here?"
"Could you show me the promissory notes and verification certificates issued to
Soma Village?"
Upon hearing these words, the finance director answered with a troubled
expression.
"I'm sorry, Commander of the Knights. No matter how much you're a hero of Cohen,
we cannot accept that request."
"Why not?"
"If the Commander of the Knights interferes with administrative affairs, it will be a
problem for both you and us."
Each department had its own power, as each was specialized in different areas.
In short, they would not tolerate their authority being violated.
However, Adonis asked him without batting an eye.
"Is the problem that I'm a knight?"
"Yes, that's right."
Upon hearing his words, Adonis took off her armor.
When she even took off her armor, her white underwear was revealed underneath.
There was no exposure of skin, but everyone in the finance department was taken
aback.
Adonis spoke with a strong face, without a hint of embarrassment.
"Then, I will request it as a princess, not a knight."
A knight represents the power of the army, but a princess is different.
Moreover, although Morgan Hupper did not appoint the next king, she is the most
likely candidate for the next king due to her character and reputation.
The finance director could not refuse any further.
Usually, Adonis would have backed off at this point, but she was more aggressive
than ever.
The finance director nodded his head in resignation.
Now, he had no choice but to provide the documents she requested.
King Hupper's office.
"No matter how much you're the Commander of the Knights, you cannot just barge
in here…"
Adonis ignored their words and flung open the office door.
The guards holding the windows followed her in with flustered faces.
Morgan raised his white eyebrows and looked at Adonis's face.
At the same time, he gestured to the guards to step back.
"What is it? It's customary to request an audience first."
"I apologize, Your Majesty. But there was something urgent I needed to ask."
"Well, what is it?"
"Are you aware that the number of thieves has been increasing recently?"
"Yes, I'm aware."
Morgan had ordered patrols for public safety, so there was no way he wouldn't know.
"I've come up with a measure for this public safety issue."
Adonis said, showing Morgan a bundle of papers.
"You have to repay all the promissory notes that have been issued."
"What good would the promissory notes do?"
"The people of Soma are all living day to day. If you do not give them money to buy
the necessary items for the winter, they will have no future. Hence, they resort to
thievery to secure their future."
Morgan responded coolly to Adonis's words.
"We haven't yet received all the harvested goods. We will repay them soon, so don't
worry."
"Then shouldn't we at least send the wheat in the national treasury to them first?"
"That's a separate issue. Moreover, it's not right to distribute materials that need to
be reserved, and all this is happening because they do not trust the nation. I have no
intention of negotiating with such disrespectful people."
"How can the people trust the nation when the nation hasn't shown any trust in
them?"
Morgan's face turned grim.
But Adonis did not back down and pleaded with her hand on her chest.
"I, Adonis Hupper, before being the Commander of the Third Knights, am a princess
of the Hupper Kingdom. If you care about the people, please tell me a valid reason
why I am wrong, Father."
She stated her conviction clearly without wavering.
Seeing this, Morgan furrowed his brow further, his beard twitching.
In the tension that seemed like an outburst was imminent, what burst from Morgan
was a cough.
"Cough, cough…"
Whether a wise king or otherwise, no one can withstand the passage of time.
Morgan was still showing his vitality, but he was clearly a dying man.
He was well aware of it, and it was time to designate a successor to prevent internal
strife.
Morgan covered his mouth with a handkerchief to prevent his saliva from splattering
on the documents.
"Cough, cough! Commander of the Third Knights, suddenly you're interested in
things you didn't care about before. Have you fallen for the devil's scheme?"
"All the actions you take are out of line. You just need to fulfill your duty as the knight
commander. I will not allow any further oversteps, third knight commander."
In the end, the conversation ended uncomfortably.
Adonis came out without even greeting him, her fist clenched tightly.
'Even my daughter… things aren't going my way anymore.'
Morgan closed his eyes in despair.
Time was of the essence.
Morgan wrote a letter to be sent to Freesia.
-I need that magic. As soon as possible.
'Why! Why won't he say anything?'
Adonis knew that she was overstepping her bounds.
But she wanted this issue resolved.
A 'wise king' would certainly lend an ear to the opinion of an ignorant knight.
So, she went to see Morgan in one swift step, but…
Adonis felt the situation becoming more tangled, as Morgan hurriedly hid his true
feelings.
The image of the king and her father, Morgan Hupper, as Adonis knew him, was
becoming increasingly distorted.
'Devil's scheme.'
Was this a devil's scheme?
Was Reed Adeleheights Roton the devil trying to drag her into the abyss?
She thought about Reed objectively, he was not a bad person.
He helped her without saying a word.
If Reed had any expectations of her, he would have appealed to her long ago.
'If Reed is not the devil… '
It's often the ones calling others devils who are the devils themselves.
Her own father, Morgan Hupper, was exactly that devil.
A devil wearing the mask of a king, trying to dry up the small villages for some
reason and kill them.
And then,
Adonis felt all the pieces of her puzzle fall into place.
'Could it be… '
The sudden invitation to the demonstration.
Her father, who was unusually sweet to her.
Being treated like a princess for the first time in eight years.
And the mysterious power that tried to kill her that day.
They had planted a bomb among the nobles that would change Adonis's fate with
perfume as the switch.
Reed knew about this malicious force but did not tell Adonis.
Then what could be the reason?
All the clues are connected into one sentence, leading to a conclusion.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Adonis's legs gave way.
She felt like vomiting and covered her mouth with her hand.
A cold chill pervaded her body, causing Adonis to shiver.
Biting her thumb, Adonis swallowed her sorrow.
Unable to utter a single word, she repeated only one sentence in her mind.
'It can't be. It can't be…… '
She could understand why Reed didn't tell her about the malicious force.
Could it be that this malicious force was her own father?
That the person she had admired and protected was her own enemy?
She didn't want to believe it.
Her heart fiercely rejected it.
But the more she did, the more reality clung to Adonis, tormenting her.
'If I can't even trust my own blood… then who on earth can I trust?'
Adonis despaired.
The first customers of "Project: Sound of Music" were nobles.
They carefully wrapped the items to be sent to them and successfully delivered them
to each address through the merchant guild.
The magicians, who had to finish all their work within the set time, were all
exhausted, but they celebrated their achievements together.
Starting tomorrow, everyone except those on duty could take a day off, so even
though they were tired, some people decided to play games and drink.
However, the research of Kaitlyn and Reed was not over yet.
Kaitlyn was not the type to enjoy parties from the beginning, and as a magic
engineer, it was only natural that she loved research.
So as soon as the delivery was all finished, Kaitlyn began her research on Reed's
gauntlet.
Reed also sneaked into the lab while everyone was resting and helped Kaitlyn with
her research.
-Regarding magic absorption using Magnesium (Research progress: 10%)
"Ugh……"
Kaitlyn, who had been drinking and brainstorming, folded the paper into a rose.
Contrary to her deathly expression, her hands moved without hesitation, and a
paper rose more delicate than the ones Rosaria had made was neatly placed on the
desk.
Just one more rose and she'd have a bouquet of 108 roses.
Kaitlyn blankly stared at the rose and then said,
"I guess I won't have to worry about a wedding bouquet soon…"
"What you should worry about is not the wedding, but the research."
Her shoulders jumped like a surprised cat.
Only then did Kaitlyn remember that Reed was there.
"Ah, I'm sorry…… It's a rare research project with you, Tower Master, and I'm
ashamed to show you such a lack of progress."
Kaitlyn slammed her head onto the desk with a dispirited face.
Reed fully understood her situation.
Having taken on the final inspection and production, her stamina was already at rock
bottom.
She had been thrown into the research immediately after returning from her
vacation, like a house on fire, so the backlash was bound to be huge.
With both focus and magic energy lacking, Reed would like to tell her to take it slow,
but he didn't have enough time to afford such luxury.
'I can't afford to let my guard down.'
Freesia already knew that I had ruined her plans.
If she has a plan, she would accelerate her research on possession magic to enter
Morgan's body.
In order to confront such Freesia, he needed the magic absorption ability of the
gauntlet.
Only then would they have at least a fighting chance.
That's why, even though it was selfish, he had no choice but to push Kaitlyn.
"Do your best to the extent that you can. If you need anything, I'll supply it
immediately, so please put in a little more effort."
"When Tower Master says so, I must gather my strength! I will strive to meet your
expectations."
Kaitlyn slapped her cheeks to snap herself out of it.
Just then,
Whoosh!
A blue bird flew into the research building with a cry and landed on Reed's shoulder.
'It's Adonis Hupper's bluebird.'
The bluebird was used to communicate with Adonis, and there was a note tied to its
leg.
-Please help. My younger brother has disappeared with the king.
The situation had escalated quicker than expected.
Morgan and his son, Morgan II, have disappeared.
By now, Cohen City must be in chaos.
After all, the king and the prince have disappeared without a word.
However, Reed knew that this incident was not a kidnapping.
'The research on possession magic is over.'
The magic that Morgan requested Freesia to research.
As a reward, Freesia turned Cohen City upside down with the 'Desire Massacre' and
enjoyed her game.
'I thought it would be completed soon… but it was completed too quickly.'
At least, he thought it would end around the time when the magic reaction gauntlet
was completed, but Freesia's abilities exceeded his imagination.
"What's the matter?"
"…Nothing. You should take a break today."
"Huh?"
"There's no need to hurry now. Rest well today and tomorrow."
There is no meaning now.
Kaitlyn nodded and went back to her room, and Reed sat down with a serious face
and looked at the note.
'It would be hard to stop Freesia, even if we are fully prepared… '
If a battle breaks out, it will end with Freesia's overwhelming victory, and the Silence
Tower will fall.
Reed knew well that anyone who opposed Freesia always met such a fate.
'But I can't back down.'
Running away after bluffing loudly was something Reed couldn't accept.
The situation was urgent, so he moved first.
Reed walked towards Phoebe, who was waiting in front of his office.
"Tower Master, what's wrong?"
Seeing his unusually serious face, Phoebe's face also hardened.
"Can you check where the Master of the Black Sky Tower is now?"
"The Master of the Black Sky Tower? Understood!"
Phoebe manipulated the panel and contacted the Black Sky Tower.
A moment later, Phoebe, who received the response, nodded at Reed.
"Yes! The Master of the Black Sky Tower is currently in the tower."
Her deal was only developing the possession magic for Morgan and Morgan II.
She didn't participate in the ritual.
For a moment, he wondered if she intended to take power by seizing Morgan's
weakness, but what she wanted was, after all, only the magic.
"Phoebe."
"Yes."
"Tell the Black Sky Tower this. I will visit her to return that item today."
"…Understood."
Phoebe contacted the Black Sky Tower once more.
"Can I ask you one last thing?"
Then, Phoebe smiled and answered.
"There's no such thing as 'the last' for the Tower Master. As long as I am alive and
breathing, I will fulfill all your requests."
The loyal servant of the Tower Master.
In the original game, she was dreadfully loyal to Reed.
Although she failed to protect the final boss, her loyalty was so high that she even
performed self-destruction magic against the protagonist's party.
Reed knew of Phoebe's loyalty well, so he couldn't help but hesitate about the
request he was about to make.
Anxiety crept in, wondering if he might be using her loyalty to bring her to ruin.
"Join me, Phoebe. I need your help."
The eternally floating black sky and barren earth.
Reed, who stepped out of the sky carriage and parked it nearby, felt fear as if his
blood was being drained from his body.
Reed's pupils shone golden.
He drew mana to resist the poison emanating from the land of death.
'But this is merely a warning.'
It was courtesy of Black Sky, a warning to not approach rashly as this place was truly
dangerous.
If that warning is violated, it moves on to the next stage.
Reed looked down at his feet.
'Death Knights and skeleton soldiers are sleeping beneath this.'
A two-tiered defense to protect the Black Sky Tower.
In case of emergency, the undead soldiers sleeping underground are awoken to
ambush intruders.
Exposed to the poison and gradually weakened, the intruders' lives are cut short to
create new undead soldiers, and everything is cleanly erased as if nothing happened
when they are sent back underground.
Even if they come back alive, the probability that everyone will survive is 0%.
You should not approach the tower for any reason if you are hostile to the Black Sky.
'But I must approach.'
Reed, who showed hostility to Freesia, set foot on that land today.
The land where the souls that could not die are asleep.
Reed looked up at the huge gate.
A metal door decorated with dragon skulls.
Reed glanced at Phoebe standing next to him.
As expected, she was looking up at the dragon's bone with an unfazed expression.
Shortly after, the dragon's head split vertically and the gate began to open.
"Welcome, Master of the Silence Tower."
The one who greeted him was a man known as the secretary of Freesia, commonly
called the Ma-gun.
The man was not particularly skilled as a magician, but he became Freesia's closest
aide solely through his ability to handle tasks.
And he was the most normal person who didn't fit in this Black Sky Tower at all.
"This way."
He led Reed and Phoebe to the reception room.
The inside was filled with fresh air, making the poison that hovered outside seem
insignificant.
'It really is magnificent.'
The Black Sky Tower was so luxurious and dignified in every detail that it made the
Silence Tower look shabby.
The place where Reed and Phoebe went up was the top floor.
This is commonly where the tower masters' offices are located.
"Do you not have a separate reception room?"
"I was instructed to bring you to the office. I understand it's impolite, but please
understand……"
Ma-gun bowed respectfully and apologized.
"And since only the Master of the Silence Tower is allowed, the deputy tower master
must wait here with me."
At his words, Reed and Phoebe exchanged glances.
Her face was full of anxiety.
"It doesn't matter."
The most tense one was Reed, but he walked towards the door pretending to be
calm.
The door to the office opened, revealing the inside.
A room where darkness spread out like a watercolor painting.
A long red carpet stretched out on the obsidian floor.
A black throne that signified the king of this place.
Freesia was lying there.
With one armrest as a pillow and the other one as a footrest.
"Welcome, Reed. Is this your first time in the Black Sky?"
"I can't remember."
"Neither can I. But judging by the fact that I don't remember, you must have been
quite boring back then."
Reed stepped on the red carpet and entered.
Freesia, who had been lying down, snapped her fingers.
Then the door slowly closed.
There's no need to check it out.
It will never open unless Freesia orders it.
'I could be trapped here.'
But Reed was prepared for that.
Reed appraised her abilities with his "Talent Appraisal".
Name: Freesia Vulcan Darksider
Occupation: Master of the Black Sky Tower
Age: 131 years old
Alignment: Chaos. Evil
Health: 1,067/1,067
Stamina: 550/550
Mana: 31,900/31,900
[Attributes]
"Undead Empress", "Shadow Master", "Master of the Black Sky Tower", "Broken Ring
that Defies Fate", "Lineage of Vulcan"
[Skills]
[Undisclosed Attributes & Abilities]
As expected from a woman who has lived for 131 years and held the position of
tower master for 100 years, her abilities were monstrous.
Her stats were so overwhelming that the magnesium gauntlet he had brought with
him just in case seemed foolish.
'Even if I had made a magic responsive glove, I wouldn't have stood a chance.'
Moreover, this place is Freesia's home ground.
But Reed didn't lose heart.
'There's a reason why Freesia won't kill me.'
Therefore, he walked confidently.
Reed, who arrived in front of Freesia, took out an item and showed it to her.
"I've come to return this."
It was the perfume he had promised to return someday.
Looking down at the perfume, Freesia curled her lips into a cat-like smile.
"I didn't think I'd get this back. Actually, I wished you would use this perfume."
"I don't want to use it because I know what kind of malice you've infused into it."
"Then shouldn't you have smashed it instead of returning it?"
"I promised to return it, so that's what I'm doing."
Reed placed the perfume on the armrest.
Watching his action, Freesia started to laugh delightedly.
"You're so gentle, it's too cool~. Reed, are you sure you don't want to live here with
me?"
Reed did not get swept away in her atmosphere.
"Where are Morgan and his son now?"
At Reed's straightforward question, Freesia's face, which had been laughing like a
young girl, returned to its original state.
"So, you intend to interfere with them, Reed?"
"Didn't you know that from the beginning?"
"I knew. But I didn't think you'd have the guts to come and say it directly to me. I
thought you'd play up to me more, lower your head. No, that's the normal course of
action."
She is Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
Master of the Black Sky Tower and the terror of all wizards and the continent.
Even if one were a tower master, there was no one who dared to openly oppose her.
"Give up on the father and son. Even if I overlook you saving the girl due to your
youthful spirit, I can't let this slide."
"If Morgan takes over his son's body, everything will be meaningless."
"I made a contract with Morgan. He fulfilled his part of the contract faithfully, so I
need to keep mine."
It was true. If she broke the contract, she couldn't ignore the penalty.
In other words, it meant that Freesia could not use the possession magic.
And the fact that she firmly stated she wouldn't break the contract meant that she
needed the magic Morgan gave her.
"Is that magic so precious to you?"
"Morgan gave me what I wanted. Unlike you, Reed, who came straight to me, he
asked very politely."
"I can't understand why a mage who has nothing to envy others would cling to that
magic."
"…Nothing to envy?"
Freesia's expression twisted, her eyes beginning to glow red.
He had touched the trigger of her trauma.
Her magic was unpredictable.
That unpredictability always started with a surprise attack.
"Ugh!"
The shadow behind Reed wrapped around his body and moved on its own.
Reed tried to focus mana on his gauntlet to neutralize its ability, but…
Before the light could circle in the mana crystal, the shadow completely covered
Reed's right hand.
"Don't resist. If you resist, I'll kill you right away."
Freesia rose from her seat, and Reed was thrown onto the place where Freesia had
been lying.
Freesia climbed on top of him.
Reed, who had been looking down at Freesia, now looked up at her.
Her red eyes were staring at him.
As red as the red moon when vampires appear.
"Do you envy me, Reed? Envy being in this body that can't even age? I noticed it
when you couldn't give up your daughter, but you really have a trashy taste, don't
you?"
She sneered and mocked, but the main emotion was anger.
Reed said nothing and just stared straight into her eyes.
After a moment, she, whose anger had subsided, grabbed Reed's collar and
whispered in his ear.
"Fine, I'll give up that magic. But if you gain something, you have to lose something."
"What do you want?"
"Your little one."
The 'little one' was Rosaria.
From the moment Reed crossed over to this world and first confronted Freesia, she
had her sights set on Rosaria.
She was asking for her again.
"Hand that little one over to me, Reed Adeleheights Roton. Then I will listen to you."
She corrected herself.
"No, I'll do whatever you want. If you want, I'll hand over the Black Sky, and I'll even
become your lover or a dog. I'll do whatever you want."
It was an extreme condition, incomparable to the initial proposal.
But Reed immediately responded to her demand.
"No matter what you offer, I cannot give you Rosaria."
Freesia's face contorted fiercely.
Power filled the hands of Freesia that were holding Reed's collar.
"You're selfish, really selfish! That selfishness of wanting to gain everything without
losing anything! The arrogance of expecting me to understand that! Do I look so easy
to you!"
"I'm refusing because your demand is absurd. Why do you think such an extreme
condition could be met?"
Then Freesia responded to Reed in a more composed voice.
"The ability that child possesses is what I want. That little one will be the lantern
that will show me the way to become complete."
Freesia did not back down any further.
"Choose. Either hand over the little one or leave quietly. There will be no further
negotiations."
Lose Rosaria or lose Adonis.
'I don't want to lose anyone.'
At the crossroads of choice, Reed tried hard to think.
'How can the possession magic and Rosaria be the same?'
Possession magic.
Rosaria.
Freesia Vulcan Darkrider.
What she ultimately wants.
She wants Rosaria enough to give up the possession magic.
No, she wants Rosaria enough to give up even herself.
Why?
He had to think.
No one knows her background.
Recalling her status window and the events of the future, he desperately tried to
figure out what she ultimately wanted.
He remained silent until Freesia could no longer bear it, thinking about what she
wanted.
Finally, Freesia's limit came.
Her mouth slowly opened.
"Alright."
But Reed was one step faster.
Freesia swallowed back what she was about to say.
"Are you saying you'll hand over the little one?"
"No."
"Are you trying to play word games again?"
"No. I'll give you what you truly want."
With a fierce expression, Freesia asked with her last ounce of patience.
"What do I want?"
"………Death."
Cover Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Rosaria (3) Chapter 7 Rumor (1) Chapter 8 Rumor (2) Chapter 9 Rumor (3) Chapter 10 Reformation (1) Chapter 11 Reformation (2) Chapter 12 Wildflowers Chapter 13 Gift Chapter 14 Magnesium Chapter 15 Tower Master Conference (1) Chapter 16 Tower Master Conference (2) Chapter 17 Tower Master Conference (3) Chapter 18 Little Hero (1) Chapter 19 Little Hero (2) Chapter 20 Little Hero (3) Chapter 21 Little Hero (4) Chapter 22 Adonis (1) Chapter 23 Adonis (2) Chapter 24 Hobby (1) Chapter 25 Hobbies (2) Chapter 26 Brosa (1) Chapter 27 Brosa (2) Chapter 28 You will become a king (1) Chapter 29 Kaitlyn (1) Chapter 30 Kaitlyn (2) Chapter 31 Kaitlyn (3) Chapter 32 Project: Sound of Music (1) Chapter 33 Project: Sound of Music (2) Chapter 34 Project: Sound of Music (3) Chapter 35 Project: Sound of Music (4) Chapter 36 Project: Sound of Music (5) Chapter 37 Honest Conversations (1) Chapter 38 Honest Conversations (2) Chapter 39 Demonstration (1) Chapter 40 Demonstration (2) Chapter 41 Demonstration (3) Chapter 42 Demonstration (4) Chapter 43 Demonstration (5) Chapter 44 Demonstration (6) Chapter 45 Demonstration (7) Chapter 46 Demonstration (8) Chapter 47 What a Family Is (1) Chapter 48 What Family Is (2) Chapter 49 What a family is (3) Chapter 50 What is a Family (4) Chapter 51 What Family is (5)