The Night is Short, Run, Lady
Pancratos was quickly resolved. The mages lingering in the background muttered among themselves before filing out. Only a handful remained in the hall, Enoch among them. The Tower Lords and the Guildmaster had stayed behind, leaving just the central figures of the incident.
"There was some commotion, but the outcome isn't bad. No, I hope it isn't bad," Rozita said with a sigh.
Vergo nodded in agreement. "I'd say it's not bad at all. The building's still standing, and we settled things through conversation."
"The building itself did partially collapse, though...? The foundation looks a bit unstable now."
"Come now, Raselin, be quiet for once."
Vergo bickered lightly with Raselin as he approached Enoch. "My apologies for the late introduction. I am Vergo Tessa, Lord of the Lightning Tower."
"I'm Raselin Iscuta, Lord of the Earth Tower. Not sure if I'm glad to meet you, but... let's get along anyway."
"A pleasure. My name is Enoch. Thank you for your assistance earlier."
Enoch replied politely, his sharp demeanor from before replaced by a courteous tone. Vergo let out a short, impressed hum. "Interesting. There's a refined elegance in every little gesture."
Perhaps it was because he had dealt with so many eccentric mages. A small spark of goodwill had already formed. Vergo found the new Boundary-level mage quite agreeable.
"You'll be busy today, but if the chance arises, let's talk at leisure sometime. The Lightning Tower is in the northern continent. Drop by whenever you have time."
With those words, Vergo transformed into lightning and vanished. A distant rumble of thunder followed. Raselin stepped closer and gave Enoch's shoulder a light tap.
"Hey. Come visit me before you go to Vergo. That guy's personality is dull for a lightning mage."
"Is that so? He seemed quite refined."
"Refined just means boring. I'm different. The Earth Tower won't be dull."
Raselin's speech had returned to normal, perhaps because she wasn't exerting her power. Being short, Enoch had to look down at her. He nodded as he watched her stand on tiptoe.
"I'll keep that in mind. I was thinking of bringing a gift. Is there anything you'd like?"
"It's fine. I've got plenty of money."
"Is that so? I have quite a lot myself."
"Yeah? How much?"
"Two hundred and twenty trillion kro."
"?" Raselin tilted her head, then frowned. What kind of childish joke was this? The new colleague seemed to have no talent for humor, regardless of his personality.
"I'll take back what I just said. You'd get along perfectly with Vergo."
"That's rather disappointing to hear so suddenly."
"Whatever. I'm leaving. See you later, you cocky newbie."
Raselin waved and disappeared into the earth, leaving only a small cloud of dust on the floor as proof she had been there.
"It seems you've exchanged greetings. I don't see Sebek. Did you speak with her separately?"
Nordila approached, stroking his thick white beard as he addressed Enoch.
"We didn't get a chance to talk. It appears she left first."
"How unfortunate. She looked frustrated earlier. She must have run off unable to hold back."
"It's fine. There will be another opportunity."
Enoch shrugged indifferently. Nordila let out a dry chuckle at the sight.
"I'll skip my introduction since you already know it. That aside, you remember what I said before, don't you? Bring your disciple and visit sometime."
With that, Nordila melted into ice and vanished. Four mages had now left. Only two remained: Guildmaster Rozita and Jane Alura, Lord of the Water Tower.
Enoch turned his gaze toward them. The two women were already approaching.
'They must have been talking separately.'
Rozita and Jane wore similar expressions—both looking rather displeased. It seemed they had discussed the earlier commotion between themselves. Judging by the circumstances, their conversation had probably gone along the lines of "That was too much" and "What was I supposed to do?"
"Enoch, I'd like to speak with you properly, but I'm rather tired today. I hope you'll understand."
Rozita spoke as soon as she saw him. It wasn't an empty excuse—her dark circles made her exhaustion obvious.
"That's fine, Guildmaster. We can talk another time."
"...Thank you. I'm not usually like this, but I'm nearly moved to tears. The appointment letter will be sent soon. I'll have someone deliver it later."
As Rozita turned to leave, Enoch reached out and stopped him.
"Guildmaster."
"Hm? What is it?"
"If it's all right, please take this. I recommend you don't share it with anyone and enjoy it alone in a quiet place."
Enoch discreetly handed over a bribe. The item was a high-grade whiskey known as the Goddess's Droplet, worth about a hundred million kro per bottle. It was something Enoch occasionally drank when he craved it.
"You...!" Rozita's eyes sharpened. The drowsiness had vanished. He spoke in a stern tone, as if scolding him. "How did you know I like this sort of thing?"
"It's basic knowledge."
"I knew this would happen the moment I first saw you. You may call me brother from now on. If you have any troubles, feel free to confide in me anytime. However, should something like this happen again, we might as well become sworn brothers. Keep that in mind."
Rozita left with a stern expression. Enoch felt he would grow closer to Rozita faster than expected.
"Well then..." Enoch turned his head. The only person left was Jane Alura, Lord of the Water Tower. Their eyes met.
"..."
"...What."
"......"
"......What!"
"......"
Enoch remained silent for some reason.
"What! What! What! What is it! Say something, you bastard!"
Jane finally exploded. In truth, her feelings were quite complicated. She wanted nothing more than to leave like the others. The only reason she hadn't was because of Rozita's desperate plea earlier.
-Jane, please get along with the newbie.
-What? Are you crazy? You saw what happened earlier and still say that?
-That's exactly why I'm saying it. Don't you think about how I have to manage you all? You cause the incidents, but I'm the one who gets scolded as the public face. I'm already going to be hounded by the Emperor and ministers because of the canal height, and now you can't even be friendly with a junior? Huh? Thinking about it makes me angry. I really just want to flip everything over—
-Ah, fine... Just calm down.
Jane had ultimately accepted Rozita's earnest request. Knowing how hard the Guildmaster worked, she couldn't refuse. That was why she had stayed until the end. But what was with that attitude now? Staring silently without answering? Was he picking a fight? Huh? She was getting angry again.
"This bastard...! At least say something—"
Jane's temper flared once more. Enoch's gaze, as if observing a lab animal, was deeply irritating. Water began to ripple around her. If she exerted even a little force, the entire building could be swept away.
Enoch acted at that exact moment. Before Jane could erupt again, he spoke first.
"Tower Lord?"
"......? What?"
"First, I apologize for what happened earlier. I had a lot to think about, so it took some time to sort through."
His demeanor changed instantly. Enoch bowed politely, apologizing for his rudeness. It was as if he had already forgotten everything from moments ago. The shift was far too sudden. Jane stared at him blankly, her anger forgotten.
"You... No, never mind. Just raise your head now."
"I can apologize more if you wish."
"It's fine. No need to apologize over something like this. And stop using formal speech. You're a Boundary-level mage now too. It only makes me uncomfortable."
"Is that so? Understood. I'll drop the formalities."
Enoch lifted his head with a start. The atmosphere had returned to normal. Jane was genuinely astonished. How could someone change their attitude so quickly? She found Enoch's social skills truly impressive.
"You... I feel it again, but you're really something."
"What do you mean?"
"That way you switch so easily. Doesn't it tire you out?"
"Hmm. I don't really know what you mean."
There are people like me in this world, Enoch added before shaking his head and stretching his neck. Then he casually asked Jane, "Anyway, let's get to the point. Do you have time right now?"
"...Time?"
"Yeah. We should clear up what happened earlier. Want to walk around the capital together? How about it? Coming along?"
"......"
Jane didn't answer immediately. Instead, she carefully looked Enoch up and down. Neat hairstyle. Distinct features. Straight posture. A clean coat he had changed into at some point. Wrinkle-free clothes. Once she had checked everything, her mouth opened automatically.
"Fine. Let's go."
"Good choice."
@
The two left the guild and wandered the capital's streets. They even wore robes just in case someone recognized them. Jane hadn't expected much from accompanying Enoch. The reason was simple—she was a mage herself.
'Mages usually obsess over one thing. They're hopeless when it comes to daily life. This guy probably isn't any different.'
As a high-ranking mage, Jane knew the ecology of mages well. They truly knew nothing but magic. They showed little interest in anything else. That was why going out with a mage was the worst decision. No matter where you went, you'd get dull reactions and they'd keep choosing options based solely on interest. Enoch was probably no exception.
'I'll just kill some time and head back.'
Jane yawned and thought this. But her prediction was spectacularly wrong.
"Jane, do you like alcohol?"
"Alcohol? Of course I do."
"If you like it, what kind? Whiskey? Wine? Since you're tied to the sea, is asking if you like rum a prejudice?"
The first topic was alcohol. Enoch asked about her preferences with a light joke and spent four hundred million kro on the spot.
-Have a good evening! Honey! Lower the shutters! We're closed for the day!!!
"Here. I picked some for you too."
"Uh... Yeah... But why are you holding a glass? Can't we drink while walking?"
"It's fine. Tasting is free on this street. Walking around with a glass is actually considered a virtue here."
"R-Really?"
Enoch handed Jane a glass. Then he opened the alcohol he had just bought and poured some. Jane accepted the glass and took a sip. Maybe because the drink was good, her mind felt rather complicated.
Next came tobacco.
"Come to think of it, you were smoking a water pipe. What kind of liquid do you use? Fruit? Or leaves?"
"Liquid... Mostly fruit types. It reduces nausea and doesn't smell."
"I see. Then have you been to the red-roofed shop in Block 5 of the capital's commercial district?"
"No? What's that place?"
At Jane's answer, Enoch chuckled. "My, you've been living half your life at a loss."
"What? That much?"
"Follow me. Since it came up, we might as well go."
Enoch's reaction piqued Jane's curiosity. The two headed straight there. The walk wasn't boring at all since they savored the alcohol along the way.
"We're here. This is a place called Acorn's Den. It's where artisans hand-carve pipes and tools."
"Th-There was a place like this in the capital?"
"Let's go. It looked like the one you were smoking earlier was broken. I'll get you a new one here."
Enoch pulled Jane into the building. And once again, he spent money.
-You're looking for a water pipe? How about this one? It's made from fig wood struck by lightning, soaked in resin. Even when you boil the liquid, it doesn't leave any stickiness, and the smoke seeps in smoothly.
"...So he says. What do you think? Want to try it?"
"Uh, yeah."
Jane put the artisan-carved pipe in her mouth. She was impressed by the subtle aroma and smooth draw. A bright smile spread across her face. The old pipe she had been rolling on the floor seemed like a stranger now.
"Amazing... There's no rough feeling at all."
-That's right? There are various types of liquid too. Citrus Lime, Delon Mangus, Insmoke Iceberry. If you want something specific, please let me know.
"Insmoke? That's still available?"
Jane's mouth fell open in surprise. Enoch, leaving the absorbed Jane behind, held out a bundle of cash.
"Give me everything in the warehouse. Liquids, leaves. Everything, without exception."
-...! Of course! How much would you like?
"Enough to not feel lacking. Don't hold back."
Enoch added two more bundles of cash. Then, as if remembering, he added, "By the way, I don't need change."
The shop owner grinned at that. Moments later, the store's shelves and warehouse were completely emptied. Acorn's Den declared a long vacation that day.
@
Enoch left the shop and sat on a nearby bench. He pondered the next destination.
"Shall I think while having a drink?"
"Sounds good. Where to next?"
"I'm still deciding. The owner of Acorn's Den gave me a few local spots the residents know. It's best to follow a local's advice for these things, isn't it?"
Enoch waved the paper with the recommended spots between his fingers. At the same time, he poured drinks into both his and Jane's glasses. Jane smiled and held out her glass. Two bottles of alcohol had already been emptied. But perhaps because she was in high spirits, Jane, puffing on the water pipe, smiled unconsciously and opened a new bottle.
-Clink
"Local recommendations, huh. Somehow that sounds plausible."
"When you're having fun, that's the standard way. Ah, there's a place here that says the seafood is delicious. It even made it to the Emperor's table. I wonder if that's true."
"Ah, I think I know where that is. The Emperor mentioned something similar before. There's a shop he always calls when he wants seafood."
"Really? That's good information. We can have dinner there."
Enoch said this and downed his drink. Then, at Jane's suggestion, he tried a bit of the water pipe she was smoking. Meanwhile, a carriage and driver arrived in front of the bench. Enoch had called for it in advance from inside the shop.
"Let's go."
Enoch immediately boarded the back seat. The seat beside him was left empty, as if inviting her to join.
"What are you doing? Get in already."
"..."
"We still have to eat and shop. The night is short. Hurry up."
Enoch urged her. Jane belatedly came to her senses. Her fist was clenched tightly. But it wasn't from anger. It was a strange emotion blooming in Jane's chest. Something she had long forgotten since becoming a Tower Lord. It was joy.
'Enoch, you bastard... No, this guy... This person...'
Her heart was now filled with anticipation for the next move. Jane had no choice but to admit it. This guy Enoch... knew how to have fun more than she expected.