Chapter 8 - The 2,000-Year-Old Tower Master (Dragon, Maiden)’s Final
The 2,000-Year-Old Tower Master (Dragon, Maiden)’s Final
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 8
“Haven’t you gone home yet?”
On a certain floor of the Lidasid Magic Tower, a mage directed these words toward a colleague.
“Ah, I was just planning to leave after finishing this.”
“Haha, you’re still full of passion, I see.”
Both men, approaching their forties, had felt their passion for magic cooling—until a certain day reignited the fire within them.
“Aren’t you the one who’s more motivated? A few months ago, you were as sluggish as an old goblin.”
“Hey! How dare you speak such nonsense to your elder!”
“We were in the same class, and there’s hardly any age difference between us! Heh heh!”
The cause was the incandescent bulb.
It was a magical product that could easily be called an artifact, created through alchemy—a field previously regarded as nothing more than a source for potions and basic magical aids.
“Let’s see. Hmm, are you disassembling and reassembling that 'motor' thing again?”
“Indeed. To understand the principles, I’ll likely have to reassemble it dozens of times.”
The fact that it was made through the neglected field of alchemy was surprising enough, but upon closer inspection, it was a masterpiece that utilized natural phenomena—things they had taken for granted—to the absolute extreme.
Since magic itself was a discipline that began with the intent to mimic nature, everyone’s desire for inquiry exploded upon encountering this new form of alchemy.
“Mmm. As I thought. This is related to the force of a magnet attracting iron.”
“Did you deduce that as well? Then what about this shaft with a single gap?”
“In my opinion, it seems to maintain the property of wanting to rotate by cutting off that force at a certain moment.”
“Aha! You mean the property where an object once in motion tends to stay in motion!”
Laws were hidden within things they had considered "obvious," and Archion’s magic tools had carved those laws into a form of ultimate efficiency.
“Enersis is truly Enersis, after all. To think he restored the lost art of Magic Engineering on his own.”
“To think that young master, once dismissed as a witless fool, was a genius! As a resident of the Earldom, my pride is swelling.”
While Archion himself adamantly denies it, the mages of the Lidasid Magic Tower have taken to calling him a "Magic Engineer."
In his workshop, he produced artifact-grade magic tools as if he were simply copying them. Mages who tried to replicate them elsewhere failed entirely because of the "scientific theories" they couldn't grasp. Even mages who went to Enersis to ask questions ended up being dragged away by a salivating Archion into his own research projects.
Regarding that last point, the two mages were reminded of professors from their academy days who used to "recommend" grad school. It made them shudder.
“Reassembly is finished, so let’s get going.”
“Let’s.”
Click.
Turning off the Archion-made desk lamp, they stepped out of the Magic Tower and strolled through the streets.
“Try the chicken skewers!” “We’ve got plenty of ham stuffed between the bread. Have a taste!”
Under the streets brightly lit by streetlights, street vendors—a recent trend—were busy soliciting customers.
“Isn’t it truly remarkable? To think a new culture was born just from lighting up the night.”
It had been only one month since the streetlights were installed. Who could have known that the commute home could be this enjoyable?
People lured by the vendors bought snacks and chatted loudly, while others held their children's hands under the bright lights, searching for the next treat. Citizens who were pleasantly tipsy walked arm-in-arm, singing the Enersis Anthem—completely off-pitch and out of rhythm.
Even the guards, carrying flashlights instead of torches, restrained them with smiles.
“Mm. It’s peaceful. More than ever before.”
“This might be exactly the kind of sight the first Countess, Elena Enersis, desired. Heh heh!”
To them, magic had always been a method for killing monsters efficiently. A way to thin out the creatures born from the remnants of the demons that once drove the Illiad Continent to the brink of destruction.
The older mage’s voice was tinged with fatigue. Such a peaceful and affluent daily life was far more precious than a victory on a blood-soaked battlefield. To him, who was growing weary, this small peace was a necessity.
“No. You’re wrong.”
“Oh? What do you mean by that?”
However, the younger mage shook his head, contradicting the older one.
“If it were us, we would have surely used it to kill monsters, as that would bring in more money. But Young Master Archion gave up his own share to bestow a comfortable life upon everyone.”
“Haha. Is that so….”
If it had been his past self, he might have let it go in one ear and out the other, calling it nonsense. But listening to the children nearby…
“The people from Archion’s workshop are coming to our house to install incandescent bulbs!” “Whoa! Your house is next? I’m so jealous!” “There’s no reason to be jealous. The Young Master said he’d install them in every resident’s home as long as they live in the Earldom!”
Archion wasn't just using the profits from the bulbs for streetlights; he was providing free installation for every resident in the territory.
Normally, a noble would hoard the mountains of money they earned and flaunt their wealth and power through extravagant banquets. Of course, there were nobles worthy of being called wise rulers, but…
“If it’s Young Master Archion, that makes sense.”
“Doesn't it? Giggle!”
Because Archion was the only one who had brought about such a revolution in a positive sense, the two mages could understand the hearts of the residents.
“By the way, didn't they say the Tower Master signed a contract with Young Master Archion?”
“Ah, I heard that too. From what I’ve heard—”
The praise for Archion ended there. The two began to discuss the latest open secret within the Magic Tower.
“I heard the Tower Master has fallen for Young Master Archion.”
“Hmph, that’s truly unbelievable. A Dragon falling for a mortal human?”
The story was that the Tower Master was head-over-heels for Archion.
Archion, the subject of these rumors, was…
Whirrrrr!
“Dda-dda-it, dda-it-dda-it.”
As always, he was holed up in his workshop, researching again and again. He appeared to be focusing without a care for the rumors that the Tower Master had fallen for him, but…
“Archion.”
“Why are you calling me?”
“Stop singing that strange song and explain this 'Newton’s Pendulum' to me once more.”
In reality, it was an impossible task because the Tower Master was staying in his workshop 24 hours a day.
“If you would just get off my bed.”
And to make matters worse, she was wearing a heart-stoppingly daring dress! When he had met the Tower Master before, she had been in a uniform, but this time, he didn't know where to put his eyes.
“Archion, this father of yours has already reviewed the contract terms.”
As he signed the contract, Archion recalled the words of his biological father, Delford.
“Nothing appears to be disadvantageous to you.”
“Since you’ve looked it over, Father… I don't see any need for me to inspect it further.”
He should have inspected it then. Even if the opponent was a Dragon, he shouldn't have let his guard down!
Archion was in deep regret.
And the Tower Master…
“When the work environment and the sleep environment share the same space, research efficiency drops. Therefore, in accordance with the contract, I am confiscating the bed to increase your research efficiency—”
“You have to get down for me to explain.”
“Was that the meaning?”
Tap, tap.
Invading Archion’s workshop by exploiting the contract… it was quite enjoyable.
Of course, this evening dress was also her idea. After all, a "honey trap" is an excellent strategy for a beauty.
“Young men, by nature, cannot keep their wits about them when faced with a woman’s body. If you give him a chance to admire your beautiful jade-like form, any man will be flustered and play right into your hands!”
“I see.”
She was recalling the advice of a certain female creature who had once thirsted after her long ago. Anyway.
To resolve the recent stagnation of the magical system, the Tower Master needed the vast knowledge inside Archion’s head. However, a fellow like Archion wouldn't easily bend his convictions.
“Now. Explain it to me once more.”
Touching upon the realm of instinct would be the most efficient strategy.
Press~!
Since she was doing this for that purpose, the Tower Master had zero ulterior motives, but… seeing the way Archion, who was pretending to be unfazed, was actually panicking with his eyes trembling…
Thump!
A unique sense of exhilaration, something she had never felt in her two thousand years of dragon life, tickled her Dragon Heart.
Thump! Thump…!
Of course, the Tower Master dismissed it as the satisfaction of seeing a lower existence submit.
“In the end, if there is no energy loss due to friction or elasticity—”
Press harder~!
“Ahem.”
Of course, that feeling she dismissed as "satisfaction"… was the first time she had felt such a thing in her entire life as a dragon.
The Tower Master was feeling… better than she expected.
“Archion. Your explanation has stopped. My desire for inquiry has not yet been satisfied. Hurry.”
Sway~!
His gaze followed. A handsome young man looking up and down at her face and body, not knowing what to do.
“Continue.”
Sway, sway~!
Left, right, left, right. He tried his best not to look… but it was a man’s instinct.
“Explain.”
Press, press~!
Seeing Archion unable to close his mouth and engulfed in inner turmoil, the Tower Master felt exhilaration as he gradually seemed to be giving in. She didn't know what to call it, but showing him this side of herself was so enjoyable… and thrilling.
“Tower Master.”
“Hmm. Why are you calling me?”
Archion glared at her figure as if he had finally steeled his resolve.
“Your gaze is intense, Archion. Could it be that you’re excited by my body?”
Even an Enersis is human, after all. The Tower Master believed her honey trap had succeeded.
“If you become my disciple, you can enjoy being by my side always. Now, do you feel like becoming my disciple—”
“Why would I get excited over a two-thousand-year-old elder?”
“What?”
However, contrary to her expectations, Archion spoke his mind again.
“Even if you wear revealing clothes, it just looks like you’re not acting your age, so please stop. You keep bombarding me with questions, and it’s making it impossible for me to focus on my research!”
Crack!
For the first time in her dragon life, her womanly heart was wounded.
“Young Master. The Tower Master’s complexion looked terrifying… did something happen? She grabbed me and asked so many questions….”
After the Tower Master finally returned to the Magic Tower, a pale Goldie came to the workshop and asked about the situation.
“What did she ask?”
“She asked about the dress styles of noble ladies these days and where the boutiques that carry them are located.”
“……Did I speak too harshly?”
Archion decided to apologize when the Tower Master returned.