Return. (2)
The full Red Garnet adventure party had gathered for the first time in ages: Ganesha, Leo, Lia, Karos, Dozmu, Rohan, Wild Boar, and even Railey.
They were sprawled out in the guest VIP room of the Recor Dak shrine, just like always.
"Yaaawn—"
Ganesha lay flopped on the sofa yawning, while Dozmu, Rohan, and Wild Boar Jinchen played cards. Leo, Lia, and Karos were messing around together too.
"...So anyway. We swing by the sanctuary in Mieolji real quick, then head to the Yuren Duchy."
No, it was a meeting. Lia was the most diligent, least lazy member of the group.
Leo's eyes went wide.
"We can just go there? Isn't it dangerous?"
"It's fiiiine~ We're adventurers, y'know. They don't attack on sight like some backwater bandits."
The Altar's sanctuary. Its scale and ecosystem were beyond imagination. It was so vast, and beasts too tough for the Altar alone often appeared, so introducing yourself as an "adventurer" usually got you some gigs.
Of course, the deep parts were off-limits.
"...Karos. You okay?"
Mid-sentence, Lia subtly checked Karos's reaction.
Not that there was a problem or anything... but Lacquer of the Naga River.
She'd sold off an item that could've really helped him.
"What."
But Karos just blinked blankly. His characteristically pale pupils shifted like he had no clue what she meant.
"...N-no, nothing."
Well, fair enough. Lacquer of the Naga River was something you could buy anywhere if you had the cash. Better to use it on someone who needed it right now.
Then Leo piped up.
"Oh right! How's Lady Julie?"
......
Julie awoke from her long slumber. The moment she opened her eyes, agony tore through her body like it was being ripped apart—but it was bearable.
"You're awake, Knight Dayia."
Julie whipped her head toward the voice. Zeit stood by her bedside.
The Phairden family head sat hunched, his massive frame too big for the chair and the space.
"You—"
"Stay put. You're in no condition to move."
Zeit let out a small sigh as Julie struggled to sit up. It was like he was blaming himself.
"Julie."
"...Yes."
"I heard you commissioned the Red Garnet adventure party. These the documents?"
Zeit held out a folder of papers. No signs it'd been torn or forced open.
He just asked,
"This about your ex-fiancé?"
"......"
Julie looked at Zeit.
Strictly speaking, not her "ex-son-in-law." She was Zeit's sister, not daughter. But as family head, he'd willingly taken on their father's role.
"Yes."
Zeit nodded at her answer, then turned his gaze to the window.
"Recor Dak and Phairden's recovery might go smoother than expected."
"Why is that?"
"Plenty of mages left."
Zeit grinned.
Mages. Always in short supply up north, no matter how much you paid—they never came.
But Recor Dak still had tons.
"Only Deculein and his two assistants left. The rest stayed here."
"...Any reason why?"
Julie blinked in confusion.
Mages would hate sticking around this frozen wasteland a second longer.
"Deculein left his writings in the library here. He'll retrieve them eventually, but he's letting the mages finish studying first."
A kind of reward.
An El Dorado of knowledge gifted to those who'd risked their lives coming to Recor Dak and aiding the retreat.
Thirty-seven unpublished papers, twenty-three unreleased books. Lecture notes penned by Deculein himself, plus exam papers for evaluations.
The mages were devouring it all like gold. Not just palace mages—even Ihelm and Ruina.
"We can hire them on their way out. They're getting paid handsomely anyway—they won't say no. But... Julie."
Zeit's tone grew grave. Julie finally propped herself up.
"Yes."
Ahem. Zeit cleared his throat softly, exhaled deeply, brushed back his long hair, and spoke in a moderately heated voice.
"Deculein said it wouldn't matter to him if you died."
Julie's shoulders trembled. She turned to Zeit, feigning calm.
"...You met him?"
"While you slept."
"......"
She gritted her teeth. Something indefinable boiled from the pit of her stomach.
Zeit watched her quietly, then asked in a low, heavy voice.
"Do you hate Deculein?"
"...Yes. I do."
Julie answered steadily. Her voice held firm. But her fists clenched the bedsheets, and tears welled in her eyes.
Zeit nodded.
"But that man's already the titan of the mage world. Few in politics dare defy him."
"......"
"Julie. Can you beat him?"
Julie met Zeit's gaze.
It was like that distant memory—long ago, when he'd handed a sword to his young self.
"...Yes. I can win."
Julie said.
"No matter what. I will win."
A far cry from her childish answers back then.
Her little sister had grown into a proper knight.
To that adorable child... no.
To that cold adult.
"...Haha. That's the spirit. That's a Phairden."
Zeit smiled like a sigh.
Osllon's restaurant, Dawn of the North.
I'm dining across from Count Drhmann.
A tidy affair of perfect etiquette. Even I, who dislikes shared tables, find it comfortable after so long—but not without irritants.
"...Glad it suits your assistants' tastes."
Drhmann dabbed his mouth with a napkin and smiled faintly. I nodded silently.
The problem was Ifrin behind me.
Lobster, giant clams, roahawk—whatever was on the table, she devoured it all.
If she were just eating, fine.
"Nom nom... sob... nom nom... boo hoo."
She cried while eating.
"So good... ugh... heuk... nom... Ah, why's this shell so thick...?"
I could guess her thoughts.
If only Assistant Professor Allen were here...
"Any leads on Rohakan's whereabouts?"
I ignored her and asked Count Drhmann.
"Yes."
The count glanced at his secretary standing behind. The man approached with a magically sealed case.
"It's in here. A scrap from Rohakan's robe."
"...Robe scrap."
"Yes. Mana's preserved—should be traceable."
"I'll need manpower."
Mana tracking isn't my specialty. It's more "technique" than magic anyway.
"Already arranged. Someone you might know—"
"Me."
The restaurant door opened to a familiar voice.
Clack— clack—
A confident civil servant strode in and took a seat.
"Long time no see, Professor."
Lilia Premien. I narrowed my eyes at her.
Drhmann said,
"You know her, but no worries—Premien's from the north and highly capable."
"Yes, Professor. We'll pair up from here. Intelligence support too. His Majesty's mission—we'll—"
"Waaahhhh...!"
A wail from somewhere cut Premien off.
All eyes turned there.
"Waaah, what about Assistant Professor Allen... waaah—! Nooo!"
"......"
I cast Silence around that sobbing fool's table. The noise cut off; only her dramatic gestures moved in silence.
Premien smirked watching it.
"Anyway, Professor. Looking forward to working with you."
Premien extended her hand.
I ignored it lightly and asked Drhmann,
"Trains stopped?"
"Yes. No intact tracks. Relay horses ready—take them with your assistants."
"We leave now."
I rose but paused.
"......"
Premien still held out her hand, mannequin-like.
"...You two. Come on."
Ignoring her again, I called Ifrin and Drent.
"Y-yeah."
Drent supported Ifrin, and we left the restaurant.
Drhmann's horses waited outside.
"Drent. You're in charge of that idiot."
"Got it. Hey, hey Ifrin. Quit crying already."
"...Sob."
Ifrin's sobs finally ebbed. As I mounted—
A hand poked out stiffly.
"......"
Premien's handshake offer.
"......"
I eyed the hand, then mounted.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
Neigh—!
The horses bolted with snorts. Premien mounted late and chased after.
Clop clop—
Hooves kicked up dust. Midway, I glanced back.
"...Is she insane?"
Premien gripped reins left-handed, right hand still outstretched in that bizarre pose.
...Finally.
After that endless time in Recor Dak, we'd arrived.
The capital lived up to its name—few ruins or collapses. Scenery and daily life remained peaceful.
"...Hm."
Instead of heading home, I went straight to the tower president's office. Things to collect.
But.
Snore— snore—
The president slept curled on her desk.
Snore— snore—
I watched her sprawl, then knocked.
Knock knock—
"!"
Her eyes snapped open like a cat's. Mana sparked sharply. She whipped into combat stance, glared up—then puffed her cheeks and scowled.
"What! Why wake me?!"
"It's office hours."
She glanced at the clock.
"...What?! It's 3 already?!"
"Exhausted from the retreat support, I suppose."
Adrienne had racked up massive feats this time.
Defended the retreat hub "Lebek" solo. Slain beasts neared a million; protected lives topped hundreds of thousands.
Worthy of the archmage title.
"Yeah, whatever! Heard you were insane too, Professor Deculein! Buried thousands of Altiegue alive?!"
"Dozens."
"Eh? That's low! Rumors said tens of thousands!"
"Ridiculous."
"Makes sense for Professor Deculein~!"
The president stretched with a groan.
"Anyway. Good work! My term ends this spring—I'll announce it then! Next president: Deculein! Hehe!"
Her declaration triggered an alert.
Ascension to Chairman
◆ Acquired Rare Trait Catalog.
◆ Post-inauguration: Acquired title 'Magic Tower Chairman'.
I nodded in satisfaction.
"Oh right, Professor Deculein! Heard the news?!"
"What news?"
"Lady Julie's holing up in Recor Dak~!"
"......"
Her ears for gossip were sharp. Even distant northern news reached her somehow.
"She's no longer any concern of mine."
"Hng... Oh yeah. And His Majesty says no more tutoring mages needed~?!"
"......"
My brow furrowed involuntarily.
Unexpected. No—impossible for Sophien's personality.
"Hardly."
"It's true~! Go check! No outsiders allowed now! Even you, Professor Deculein!"
"......"
If true, ill omen.
Sophien still had much to learn.
She wouldn't back down so easily—not when she couldn't beat me at Go.
"Very well. I'll visit."
I turned and boarded the elevator.
Ding—!
First floor quick.
Premien waited in the hall, hand still outstretched.
"......"
She blinked blankly. I told her,
"No."
The imperial bedchamber, steeped in darkness. No lights tonight. Sophien played Go alone.
Clack—
Clack—
Stones fell softly. Black and white moved in somber rhythm.
But soon, her foot flipped the entire board.
Bang—!
Scattered stones and splintered wood. Tangled thoughts in her head.
Sophien lay on the floor, brow furrowed.
"That damn Rohakan..."
He'd planted strange feelings in her mind.
Obvious nonsense—yet it nagged.
As if she could love Deculein, of all people. He'd said it with such conviction, like plain truth...
—Your Majesty.
A maid's voice from outside. Sophien glanced but said nothing.
Even speaking felt tedious. Her body felt waterlogged, heavy, bloated—like a drowned corpse.
—Your Majesty. Professor Deculein is here.
"......"
That made her sit up.
But she swallowed, shook her head.
"I'm busy. Tell him."
—Yes.
Then Sophien truly worked. Endless post-war recovery tasks.
Efficient central fund allocation. Recovery project scale. Raw material caravans, post-winter diplomacy...
—Your Majesty.
Soon, the maid again.
Sophien gripped her pen, scowled.
"What now."
—The professor says he'll wait till you're done.
The emperor bit her lip unwittingly. Heat rose in her throat.
But she cut it short, firm.
"...It'll take long. Tell him to leave."
—Yes.
The maid withdrew; Sophien resumed work.
Her gestures, thoughts—piles of tasks dwindled. Matters that'd take ministers a week resolved one by one.
Tick— tock—
Seconds, minutes, hours passed.
In Sophien's time.
—Your Majesty.
The maid's voice again.
She set down her pen. "What. You're bothering me."
The maid sounded troubled.
—Apologies. But the professor... says time doesn't matter. He's still waiting.
"......"
Deculein again.
Sophien looked out the window.
The clear sun gone; world drowned in dark. Pale shadow lit her face.
"...Tonight."
A lone full moon hung mid-sky.
Gazing at its lonely sway, she murmured low.
"It's too late. Tell him no."