Chapter 364

“Uhhh… Finally, it’s over…”
Erzebet, sitting at her desk, stretched.
The research that took me three days to complete is finally over.
Her auburn hair, braided over her shoulders, was frizzy like an unbrushed cat.
She skimmed the research summary and smiled wryly.
“Hee hee, if we get recognized for this, we get the best martop.”
I felt like my fatigue was draining away.
If this research is properly recognized, it could even surpass the full moon tower and even the twilight tower with Lorhon as its pagoda.
The thought of other mages in the tower supporting him made him smile just thinking about it.
Her eyes narrowed, and she picked up a picture frame the size of her palm.
“——How are you, sis? I miss you”
She spun around and rubbed her cheek against the frame.
Inside the frame, surrounded by luxurious decorations, was a photo from Adeshan’s graduation.
Memories that will never be forgotten.
Adeshan, arm in arm with Erzebet.
And Ronan poked his head in.
Erzebet’s eyes narrowed as her gaze suddenly landed on Ronan.
“Villainous.”
No matter how many times I thought about it, my frustration boiled over.
No matter how much he saved the world, he couldn’t forgive himself for killing Adeshaan’s sister.
That’s aside from the fact that they already have two kids together, the second of which he named Erin, and that he gave more money to Ronan and Adeshan’s wedding than anyone else (even Schlieffen).
Everyone has one.
Knowing and understanding and still being pissed off.
‘I hear it’s still raining sesame seeds.
Even Adeshan, whom I met not long ago, was contemplating having a third child.
It was unlikely to happen because Erin was so against it, but it was important that she was thinking about it.
What it means to have a third.
That the bandit with the knife and Adeshan’s sister were right and that she should do it.
I couldn’t stand the thought of it.
“Eight.”
Red-faced, Erzebeth snapped her fingers and slapped Ronan across the face.
Voila!
A cheerful sound rang out.
A monosyllabic scream escaped her mouth.
“Yikes!”
Unfortunately, the frame was much harder than it looked.
Erzebet put her index finger in her mouth.
She wriggled like a freshly caught live fish and screamed in pain.
In the photo, Ronan still had his thumbs up and a big smile on his face.
(Hehehe, I’m going to coddle this girl!)
“You, you coward of heaven—!”
A bead of water formed in the corner of Erzebet’s eye.
Violet mana surged over her shoulders.
Fire balls reminiscent of goblin fires filled the air.
Wiping away her tears, she impulsively tried to recite a spell.
Smart.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Eri, you have a visitor.”
“Hiyat?!”
The fireballs have vanished.
Erzebet snapped her fingers.
My frizzy hair regained its shine, and my once-white clothes automatically straightened out.
Finally putting the picture frame back in place, she slumped into her chair.
“Hmmmmmmm.
Come in.
Guests?”
“Yes. Three of you.”
And then the door opened.
Erzebet shook her head, looking as serious as if she’d been doing this all along.
A woman with dark-blue hair stood in the doorway of the Oval Office.
The robe draped over her slender shoulders was emblazoned with the sun symbolizing the Dawn Tower.
“I don’t know exactly—but since you called her by her first name, I’m guessing she’s an acquaintance. She’ll be here in ten minutes, do you want me to send someone?”
“No, I don’t have anything else to do, I’ll just go myself.”
“Nope. I’ll pass it along then.”
The woman smirked.
The glint in the corners of his eyes was the same color as the Imperial Squadron’s sword.
Zion de Siniban Grancia, Schlieffen’s sister.
After graduating from Phileon Academy, she joined the Dawn Tower, where Erzebeth, who was like a sister to her, was a member.
Rising to her feet, Erzebeth narrowed her eyes.
“More than that, Zion. I’m the one who told you not to call me by my first name when I’m on duty, so what if others overhear?”
“Oops. I forgot, ehhhh—.”
“Really—come on, call it back properly.”
“Yes, you have a visitor, Master!”
Zion stood in a salute position as if he were a soldier.
It could be seen as sarcasm, but Erzebet didn’t mind.
I actually liked the exaggerated formality of it.
“Woo hoo hoo, that’s a nice sound.”
Erzebeth covered her mouth and laughed.
She was in the Tower Lord’s office at the top of the Dawn Tower.
A hard-won view.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see the rising sun rippling in the fall light.
Sion looked at Erzebeth, and her stomach churned.
“Is it that good? You’ve been in office for a month already.”
“Well, no–I was just laughing because it reminded me of something funny, and you knew I was the next best thing anyway, didn’t you?”
“That’s right, you’re the original, and Aun Pilar handed it over without a second thought.”
“Woohoohoo, you sure know your stuff, Sion. You won’t be a top lord while I’m here, but you should do your best to become a top mage.”
Erzebet laughed again.
Sion knew it was rude to think this, but he was sure she was a very easy person to understand.
Sion walked up to Erzebet and threw his arms around her.
“Hehe, let’s go down together, then, pagoda master.”
“Zion. My arms are—.”
“Ai, please cut me some slack when we’re alone.”
Sion nuzzled his cheek against her shoulder.
Erzebet said, as if she had no choice.
She’s always been a good listener, but for some reason, she seemed to get more and more stuck.
Two people board an elevator.
“You smell so good, and so does your hair, and are you sure you’ve been up all night for three days?”
“Of course. They say it’s only natural for a nobleman to groom himself before he becomes a lord.”
Erzebeth flicked her hair out of her face.
It was a lie, of course.
Once the makeshift clean spell was lifted, she’d turn back into a curly cat.
“You’re amazing, me and the rest of the team didn’t even wash up properly.”
“To be great–whoops, that’s hard, but as a member of the Dawn Tower, I’ll take a little more care. Oh yeah, and how’s Schlieffen doing? I hear he’s switched swords.”
“Aahhh, don’t even get me started, I was just in my home town the other day and I was so scared I couldn’t even get a word in.”
Sion shuddered.
The last time I saw him, he was a training freak.
There hasn’t been a day since the Swordfight that hasn’t been a whirlwind of activity at Gracia Manor.
“He’s putting all his time into training, except for the time he spends with Iriel and Arya, and I’m sure he’s pretty upset about losing the duel.”
“Well, Mr. Schlieffen, it’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped. How can you beat someone who’s reached the point where he’s cutting time?”
Erzebet sighed.
Schlieffen was crushed by the rejuvenated Nabirozé.
From Pileon on, he had a huge ego and a big ego, and I couldn’t imagine what he was going through right now.
“Hah—Yes, I’ve never seen you get pushed around like that before. The problem is, Jaifa didn’t even compete in this match, and I believe she had a transformation.”
“Yeah, you did, didn’t you, so I guess we might see another change in screening soon.”
“Yeah, well, maybe I won’t even be runner-up in the next finals, so please take care of yourself—but I don’t think I’ll do anything weird because I have an older sister.”
“The Duchess is in good hands, isn’t she?”
“You’ve always been a sunshine girl, and I don’t mean to criticize you, but I don’t know how that gemstone ever attracted someone like you.”
Sion growled.
There are some people who just make you feel better just thinking about them, and Iril was a perfect example of that.
The most beautiful woman in the world and her daughter comforted Zion, who had become depressed at the sight of Schlieffen.
While we were chatting, the elevator stopped.
“Ah, here we are. Let’s get back to business!”
“Yes. Hoo-hoo, my dawn matriarch—.”
Sion unclenched his arms.
Erzebet has once again refined her attire.
The doors opened, revealing a vast lobby.
“Ah, Top Lord!”
“Good morning. Towerlord!”
In the lobby, wizards in sun robes bustled about.
The wizards recognized Erzebet and greeted her.
Her shoulders rose to the sky at the echoing word topju.
“Hmmm, good morning, how’s work going for everyone?”
“Yes. Towerlord. It looks like Aun Pilar’s Prominence Bird will be finished improving soon, and you can use it for less mana now.”
“That’s great, we’re going to pay you based on your results, so keep up the good work.”
“The library is fine, Miss Ayre has gone out on patrol to the Forbidden Library.”
“Thank you, but please be more careful with the Three Holy Books. Don’t let your guard down because the bajuras are copies.”
Erzebet encouraged people as she made her way across the lobby.
Sion smiled with pride at her.
No matter how cold and stern we pretend to be, we can’t hide our innate goodness.
“Good morning, Nancy.”
“Grrrr!”
Erzebeth even greeted Nancy, the salamander she raised in the Dawn Steeple.
She made a fireball and threw it, and Nancy caught it with her head held high.
The women reached the entrance to the tower and stopped.
Outsiders I hadn’t seen before came into view.
All three were dressed in robes, and by the color of their robes, it was clear that they were the guests Zion had spoken of.
Erzebet greeted him.
“I’m Erzebet de Acalucia, Mistress of the Dawn, and you said you were looking for me.”
“Ooh, Miss Erzebeth!”
An unexpectedly cheerful reply.
The tallest man raised his robe.
The first thing you see is a beard covering half of his face.
A massive shield was strapped to his muscular back.
Erzebet’s eyes widened.
“My God, Mr. Braum, how much is this?”
“Wahaha! Miss Erzebeth still has that classy air about her, how have you been?”
Geohan chuckled.
Braum was an alumnus of Pileon Academy.
I heard about your trip up north and what you’ve been up to, but it’s been a while since we’ve exchanged updates.
“Well, I’ve been doing fine, but why all this—who are the other two of you, and why are you wrapped up in your robes—.”
“Alas, I’m a bit of a sore loser, but these two are in a position to use it. I’m sure everyone knows you, so stop being so shy and show your face.”
One was a woman, based on her body type.
The other was assumed to be a child because he was too short.
The two men, who had been fumbling around, lifted their hoods at the same time.
“Okay, okay. Bye. Erzebet.”
“This place is uncomfortable; there are night-burners here.”
“Oh, Miss Ophelia, the gentleman next to you is—!”
Erzebet froze.
On the female side is Ophelia, a classmate of Braum’s.
The other was a curly-haired, pale boy.
His skin was so white you could almost see the blood, and I recognized him from a face I’d seen once before.
“Why would you—!”
I couldn’t figure out why I had traveled to the Dawn Tower.
Why such a behemoth?
At that moment, Sion, who loves cute things, patted the child on the head.
“Whoa, cute, who’s your little guest?”
【Don’t touch my body. Human female.】
“Heehee?!”
A low, gravelly voice rang out.
Sion jumped back in surprise, as if scalded by fire.
The voice of the changed child carried an indescribable sense of menace.
It was a no-brainer, actually.
He was once the ruler of the night world.
A shaky voice escaped Erzebet’s lips.
“Archduke Shadow—what brings you here?”
“Yeah. I’m a wizard with the sun, and I don’t want to ramble on, so I’ll cut to the chase.”
“What’s the point of that—?”
“It’s not really a big deal.”
Erzebet stuttered.
After a moment’s pause, the Shadow Duke spoke.
“Just, kill me.”