Chapter 103
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Emerald Tower
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“You two must have had a good time last night, getting it on without me?”
This was Dorothea's greeting to me the moment we met in the morning.
The walls must have been thin, because the sounds clearly carried over to Dorothea’s room next door.
There was no point in denying it, so I decided to just admit it.
"Yeah, it was fucking awesome."
The one who got flustered, however, wasn't me, but Vanessa.
"Huh? W-wait? Is it okay to just say that out loud?"
"She doesn't care about that sort of thing. In fact, she'd probably be more upset if she couldn't join in."
Dorothea, despite her harsh words, was surprisingly submissive when it came to men.
She had said she wouldn't care who I slept with, as long as I didn't abandon her.
Well, if it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, who was I to argue?
Dorothea, who had taken a large bite of her buttered pancake, twirled her fork and asked.
"Vanessa, are you serious?"
"No, it's not like that…."
"Then it's settled. If you ever get serious, let me know."
With the matter settled so coolly, Vanessa looked even more confused.
Anyway, once everything was out in the open, the awkward atmosphere at the table disappeared.
Dorothea's pancakes looked good, so I ordered the same, and Vanessa ordered black tea and toast.
The inn was bustling with the sounds of travelers preparing for the day's journey.
***
Five days passed in a flash.
There were a few minor incidents along the way, but with the other adventurers present, we were able to handle them without any trouble.
And as we moved from the border region towards the capital, the security naturally improved.
The real challenge was dealing with the two lionesses who pounced on me every night.
Vanessa’s stamina was no joke.
After eight days of non-stop travel, we finally arrived at the capital city of Oz.
"So this is the heart of Oz."
Vanessa took off her helmet and looked up at the city walls with curiosity.
The Walls of Constantine, the symbol of Oz.
After the fall of the empire, refugees had flocked to this fortress city, known for its impregnable walls, and Oz was born.
It had started as a city-state, but over time, its influence grew, and while it never reached the scale of the old empire, it had recovered enough to become a kingdom, with Oz as its capital.
A long line had formed at the city gates.
We were in the middle of the queue, having already waited for an hour.
The inspection process for entering the capital was strict.
While I had taken precautions, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Vanessa and Dorothea, who had never been to Oz before, looked around with interest. The line moved slowly, and it was finally our turn.
"Alright! Show your passes and enter!"
The guards at the gate were working with a practiced efficiency.
We stood in line behind the caravan employees.
"Next!"
The inspection took about three seconds.
Those with forged passes were denied entry and exiled.
I had no such worries.
The Emerald Tower's influence was strongest here, in Oz.
Powerful mages were treated with the same respect as nobles and clerics, and my gold medal was practically a free pass.
"Next!"
After about ten minutes, it was finally my turn.
The guard with the prominent nose held out his hand.
"Pass."
I pulled out my medal.
The guard flinched, then, as if nothing had happened, he shouted,
"Next!"
Dorothea presented her pass.
She also had a gold medal.
While the Ruby Tower wasn't as influential here, it was still a major magic tower, and its mages were feared by the common people.
"Next!"
Dorothea passed through without any trouble. Now it was Vanessa’s turn.
Unlike us, Vanessa, a Dullahan whose former identity had been erased, had a forged pass.
The guard examined her pass, then shook it.
"This feels a little light…"
"Wait."
I quickly interrupted him.
"Passes can wear down over time, can't they?"
I patted his shoulder, and his expression went blank.
"Yes… you're right…"
"Then let her through."
I stepped back, and the guard, his expression returning to normal, shouted, "Next!"
Vanessa, having safely passed through the gates, asked,
"What did you just do?"
I shrugged and showed her the magic circle on my palm.
"A simple suggestion. It's useful for… certain situations."
"But it wouldn't work on someone with mana resistance."
Dorothea, who had joined us, said, placing a hand on her hip.
"The human kingdom has developed quite a bit. It used to be just a backwater village."
"When was that?"
"I don't know exactly. That's what my senior told me."
For Dorothea, who had a strong sense of pride, to call someone "senior" meant they were a high-ranking member of the Ruby Tower.
Witches and mages, with their extended lifespans, often spoke of ancient events as if they had happened recently.
Anyway, we had safely entered the city. It was time to part ways with the caravan we had been traveling with for the past week.
We went to collect our payment from the caravan master, who greeted us warmly.
"Here's your payment. I've added a little extra for your troubles."
"Thank you."
I took the pouch of silver coins and put it in my bag. The caravan master asked cautiously,
"If you have the time, would you like to join us for a meal…"
"No, thank you."
"Please, just a little…"
"No, thank you. We're heading straight for the magic tower."
I cut him off and left.
It was best to keep business relationships clean and simple.
Dorothea, who had been waiting for me outside, asked,
"Did you get the money?"
"Right here."
Dorothea grinned.
"We've been roughing it for a while. Let's splurge a little tonight."
"You just want to drink."
Dorothea didn't deny it, just smiled.
I looked at her with a resigned expression, then sighed and nodded.
"Alright. I didn't earn it all by myself. I'll take you to my usual spot."
"Awesome! Booze!"
Dorothea cheered.
She was a true alcoholic.
Vanessa, who had been watching us, asked with a worried tone,
"Is it alright to start drinking as soon as we arrive?"
"We're not going drinking right away. We have to stop by the magic tower first."
I grabbed Dorothea by the scruff of her neck.
"Come on, you little rascal. Work before play."
"...What kind of work?"
"We need to find a local contact."
We were planning to assassinate the head of a nation.
It was best to have some backup.
And I knew just the person.
"Let's go see my master."
***
The Emerald Tower, with its towering height, stood out among the stone buildings, which were mostly limited to five stories.
It was a feat of architecture that would have been impossible without the use of elemental magic.
I led them through a back entrance, reserved for authorized personnel.
"Wow."
Vanessa and Dorothea gasped in awe.
It had been a year and a half since I had last been here, but the interior of the Emerald Tower was as beautiful as ever.
Fractal design, I think it was called.
The perfectly symmetrical interior of the tower had a calming effect.
Sunlight, filtering through the green stained-glass windows that adorned the tower's exterior, reflected off the crystal orbs, illuminating the interior as if it were daylight.
I dodged the throng of mages and stepped onto a floating platform that led to the top floor.
As I infused it with wind mana, the platform began to ascend.
It rose silently to the top floor and stopped.
I stepped off the platform and was greeted by a secretary I didn't recognize, who was standing in front of my master’s office.
"How may I help you?"
"I'm here to see the old hag."
"Excuse me?"
I tossed my gold medal to the dumbfounded secretary.
Her eyes widened as she read the name inscribed on it.
The Head Mage's disciple, who had disappeared after joining the Hero's party in Doom Land, had returned.
"W-Wait a moment!"
The secretary tried to stop me, but I pushed past her and entered my master’s office.
"Old hag! I'm back!"
I ignored the secretary and entered, but the person who greeted me from behind the desk was—
"Calling your master an old hag? You haven't changed a bit."
Not the white-haired old woman with the white feather fan, but a black-haired girl I had never seen before.