Chapter 364
Chapter 364
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 364
Chapter Title: Side Story 49. We're Doing Well Too (1)
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"Ughhh... It's finally over..."
Erzsebet, who had been sitting at her desk, stretched her arms.
The research that had kept her up for nearly three straight days was finally complete.
Her dark purple hair, braided over her shoulder, was as disheveled as an unbrushed cat.
She skimmed through the research summary and let out a sinister chuckle.
"Heh heh, if they acknowledge this achievement, the top magic tower spot is ours."
The fatigue seemed to vanish in an instant.
If this research was properly recognized, not only the Full Moon Magic Tower but even the Twilight Magic Tower under Lord Rorhon's leadership might be pushed down in the performance rankings.
The image of wizards from other towers looking up to her was enough to bring a smile to her face just imagining it.
As she rubbed her eyes, she picked up a small picture frame the size of her palm.
"...You're doing well, right, Sister? I miss you."
She glanced around and pressed her cheek against the frame.
Inside the ornate frame was a photo from Adeshan's graduation ceremony.
A memory she would never forget.
Adeshan with her arm linked through Erzsebet's.
And Ronan, oblivious as ever, poking his head in.
Erzsebet's eyes narrowed slightly as her gaze landed on Ronan.
"You look like such a villain."
No matter how many times she thought about it, it still made her blood boil.
No matter that he was a hero who saved the world—stealing away her Sister Adeshan was unforgivable.
This had nothing to do with the fact that they already had two children between them, that she had named their second child Erin herself, or that she had given more congratulatory money at Ronan and Adeshan's wedding than anyone else (even more than Schlieffen).
Everyone has one of those things, right?
Something you know and understand, but still pisses you off.
'I hear he's still going at it every night?'
Even more infuriatingly, Adeshan, whom she'd met recently, was considering a third child.
It didn't seem likely to happen since Erin was strongly opposed, but the fact that she was even thinking about it was what mattered.
What did having a third child mean?
It meant that bandit with the sword and her Sister Adeshan would have to do those things again.
Once her thoughts reached that point, she couldn't hold back any longer.
"Argh!"
Her face flushed red as Erzsebet snapped her fingers, slapping Ronan's face in the photo.
Smack!
A crisp sound echoed through the room.
A sharp cry escaped her lips.
"Kyaa!"
Unfortunately, the frame was much sturdier than it looked.
Erzsebet stuck her index finger in her mouth.
She writhed in pain like a freshly caught fish.
Ronan in the photo still grinned innocently, thumb up.
(Kehehe, this woman amuses me—I'll indulge her!)
"Y-You utter scoundrel...!"
Tears welled up in Erzsebet's eyes.
Purple mana surged over her shoulders.
Orbs of light reminiscent of will-o'-the-wisps floated in the air.
She wiped away her tears and was about to impulsively chant a spell when—
Knock knock.
A knock came from beyond the door.
"Eri Sis, there's a visitor here for you."
"Hiyaat?!"
The orbs fizzled out.
Regaining her senses, Erzsebet snapped her fingers.
Her disheveled hair regained its luster, and her rumpled clothes smoothed out automatically.
Finally, she hastily returned the frame to its place and sat back down.
"Ahem."
"Come in. A visitor?"
"Yes. Three of them."
The door opened soon after.
Erzsebet looked up with a dignified expression, as if she'd been like this all along.
A woman with dark blue hair stood at the office doorway.
The robe draped over her slender shoulders bore the sun emblem of the Dawn Magic Tower.
"I don't know the details, but... they called you by name exactly, so probably an acquaintance. They'll be here in ten minutes—should I send someone?"
"No need. I had nothing to do anyway; I'll go myself."
"Got it. I'll let them know."
The woman smiled with her eyes.
The sparkling blue eyes between her lids matched the color of the Empire's former Sword Saint.
Sion de Sinivan Grancia, Schlieffen's younger sister.
After graduating from Phileon Academy, she had joined the Dawn Magic Tower where her beloved "big sis" Erzsebet served.
Erzsebet rose to her feet, narrowing her eyes.
"More importantly, Sion. I've told you countless times not to call me by name during work hours. What if others hear?"
"Ah, slipped my mind. Eheh..."
"Really now... All right, try calling me properly again."
"Yes! A visitor has arrived, Tower Lord!"
Sion saluted like a soldier.
It could have come off as mocking, but Erzsebet didn't mind.
In fact, she quite liked the exaggerated formality.
"Ufufu, now that's a nice ring to it."
Erzsebet covered her mouth and laughed.
This was the Tower Lord's office at the pinnacle of the Dawn Magic Tower.
A view hard-won through relentless effort.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the Dawn Sea shimmered under autumn light.
Sion, watching Erzsebet, giggled.
"You like it that much? It's already been a month since your inauguration."
"N-No such thing... I just remembered something funny, that's all. You knew there was no one else for next Tower Lord anyway, right?"
"True. You're exceptionally talented, after all. Lady Awn Phila handed over the position without hesitation."
"Ufufufu, you get it, Sion. While I'm here, Tower Lord is out of reach, but aim for Tower Mage at least—work hard."
Erzsebet laughed again.
Sion knew it was rude to think so, but she was certain: this woman was so easy to read.
Sion approached with quick steps and linked arms with Erzsebet.
"Hehe, then let's go down together, Tower Lord."
"Sion, the arm-linking..."
"Come on, just us here—cut me some slack."
Sion rubbed her cheek against Erzsebet's shoulder.
Erzsebet let out a helpless chuckle.
The girl had always been affectionate, but it seemed to be getting worse over time.
The two boarded the elevator.
"You smell so nice. Your hair too—did you really pull an all-nighter for three days?"
"Of course. A noble must maintain decorum before being a Tower Lord."
Erzsebet primly tossed her hair.
Of course, it was a lie.
If the temporary Clean spell wore off, she'd turn back into a grubby cat.
"As expected of Sis. My team couldn't even wash properly."
"Not that impressive... Hehe, it'll be tough, but as members of Dawn Magic Tower, mind your appearance a bit more. Oh, right—how's Lord Schlieffen doing? I heard the Sword Saint title changed hands."
"Ugh, don't get me started. I visited the family estate the other day and was too scared to even talk to him properly."
Sion shuddered.
Her brother, whom she hadn't seen in a while, had become a training-obsessed monster.
Since the Sword Saint deciding match ended, whirlwinds hadn't stopped raging around the Grancia estate.
"He's pouring everything into training except time with Sister Iril and Aria. Must've been really pissed about losing the duel."
"Lord Schlieffen too... Unfortunate, but unavoidable. How do you beat someone who's reached the realm of severing time?"
Erzsebet sighed.
Schlieffen had suffered a crushing defeat to Naviroje, who had returned rejuvenated.
He'd always been immensely proud and competitive since Phileon days—who knew how much he was suffering now.
"Haa... Yeah. First time seeing him get pushed like that. The problem is Lady Zaifa didn't even participate this time. I hear she's undergone a complete transformation too."
"Right, that's how it was. The Sword Saint might change again soon."
"Yeah. He might not even place second in the next match. I just hope he takes care of himself... At least with Sister Iril around, he won't do anything stupid."
"The Duchess is well, I assume?"
"Sister Iril is always a beaming sun. Not dissing my brother, but how the hell did that blockhead snag someone like her?"
Sion snickered.
Some people just brighten your mood thinking about them—Iril was the perfect example.
The world's most beautiful woman and her daughter had gently comforted Sion when Schlieffen's presence had left her downcast.
As they chatted idly, the elevator stopped.
"Ah, here we are. Back to work mode!"
"Good. Hehe, my Dawn Magic Tower..."
Sion unlinked arms.
Erzsebet straightened her clothes once more.
The doors opened to reveal the vast lobby.
"Ah, Tower Lord!"
"Good morning, Tower Lord!"
Sun-robed wizards bustled about the lobby.
Those who spotted Erzsebet greeted her.
Each cry of "Tower Lord" made her shoulders rise higher.
"Ahem! Good morning. How's everything going?"
"Yes, Tower Lord. Lady Awn Phila's Prominence Bird should finish improvements soon. It uses even less mana now."
"Excellent. Performance bonuses depending on results—keep it up."
"Library's fine too. Aire's on patrol in the forbidden section."
"Thanks. Extra care with the three great forbidden books—no slacking even on copies, Bajhu."
Erzsebet encouraged everyone as she crossed the lobby.
Sion watched with a proud smile.
No matter how cold or strict she pretended—no hiding innate kindness.
"Good morning, Nancy."
"Grrr!"
Erzsebet even greeted the salamander Nancy raised in the Dawn Magic Tower.
She conjured a fire orb and tossed it; Nancy elegantly snapped it up.
The women reached the tower entrance and stopped.
Unfamiliar outsiders caught her eye.
All three wore robes hoods up—definitely the visitors Sion mentioned.
Erzsebet greeted them.
"I'm Erzsebet de Acalusia, Lord of Dawn Magic Tower. You came to see me?"
"Oho! Miss Erzsebet!"
An unexpectedly hearty reply came back.
The largest figure threw back his hood.
First thing visible: a beard covering half his face.
A massive shield was strapped to the burly giant's back.
Erzsebet's eyes went wide.
"My god, Braum? It's been ages!"
"Wahaha! Miss Erzsebet still exudes that refined aura. How've you been?"
The giant bellowed with laughter.
Braum, a Phileon Academy classmate.
He'd gone north and become some knight, but they hadn't exchanged news in ages.
"I-I'm fine, but why come all this way...? Who are the other two? Why hide your faces under those hoods...?"
"Ah, I just tagged along, but these two have to wear them. You all know them too. Enough hiding—show your faces."
One was clearly a woman by build.
The other seemed a child, too short.
The two glanced around before simultaneously flipping back their hoods.
"There, good. Hello, Erzsebet."
"This place is dreadfully uncomfortable. Gathered worms who burn the night."
"O-Ophelia? And the one next to...!"
Erzsebet froze.
The woman was classmate Ophelia, like Braum.
The other was a delicate, pale boy.
His skin was so white veins showed through—a face she'd seen once before.
"Why are you here...!"
She couldn't fathom why such a heavyweight would visit Dawn Magic Tower.
Why?
Then, the child-loving Sion patted the boy's head.
"Waaah, so cute! Who's this little guest?"
【Don't touch me, human female.】
"Hieeek?!"
A low, resonant voice echoed.
Sion recoiled as if burned.
The boy's changed voice carried an indescribable pressure.
But it was only natural.
His true identity was once the ruler of the night's world.
A trembling voice slipped from Erzsebet's lips.
"Your Grace, the Shadow Duke... What brings you here?"
"Indeed. Wielder of the sun's magic. I hate long talks—straight to the point."
"The point? What do you...?"
"It's nothing much."
Erzsebet stammered.
The Shadow Duke paused briefly before speaking.
"Just... kill me."