A Visitor from Black Tower Babel
Luna had completely lost it, mentally speaking. Her first mystery hunt in the Golden May Library, the chaotic aftermath, and contracting with Cheshire, that cute yet sinister familiar—all in one day. Events that a normal person might never encounter in a lifetime had hit her all at once. The moment the contract wrapped up, she couldn't fight off the exhaustion anymore and passed out cold.
But even if you wring a rooster's neck, the sun rises tomorrow. Cursing that unbreakable law, Luna dragged herself out of bed, staggering like a zombie.
"Ugh... Sleep well, Master?" Her voice cracked like dry twigs as she addressed me on the shelf where I was neatly stored.
[Yeah. I didn't really sleep, but thanks for asking.]
Luna could be sharp sometimes, but moments like this reminded me she had a soft, warm heart deep down.
"I knew you didn't sleep, that's why I asked~..."
This little punk? Having successfully teased her sky-high master first thing in the morning, Luna giggled as she washed up and returned to the living room.
"Haa~ Now I feel alive."
She plopped on the bed, swinging her smooth legs playfully while calmly combing out the damp strands of her hair.
"Hmm-hmm~"
Where had that weary, stumbling wreck from earlier gone? Now she was humming a tune, clearly in high spirits. I decided to chime in.
[Luna. Let's head to the market today.]
"Huh? The market?" Luna asked, still brushing her hair.
[Yeah. The market.] I replied, glancing around the empty house. Could you believe this? The space was way too vast for a single girl, furnished so sparsely it felt barren. Aside from her bed, desk, and the little shelf for me, there was nothing. And it wasn't just furniture. This new place Luna had bought wasn't just a home—it had to double as a workshop for crafting magical tools needed in battles and daily life.
To make that happen, we'd need mountains of stuff: alchemy reagents, measuring tools, animal or monster corpses, magic stones, you name it. Of course, the really powerful or useful magical tools often required rare ingredients that couldn't be bought off the shelf, which was a shame for now. But what could we do? We had to start with the basics of a mage's workshop.
Conveniently, we'd taken that unexpected commission, scored a hefty reward, snagged this decent house, and still had enough left over to outfit the basics.
Strike while the iron's hot, right? Might as well handle it now.
[Anyway, that's why we're going to the market today. Got it?]
"Eeeh..."
Unable to counter my airtight logic, Luna made a grumpy face but dutifully started gathering her things to head out.
"Ugh, I don't wanna go..."
"Meow~"
Cheshire, who had been loafing on the bed like rising dough, caught on that we were heading out. It hopped down and dove straight into Luna's shadow. Splosh!
"Oh? You can do that too?"
Luna peered at her shadow in wonder.
[Meow~]
Her shadow's face—previously smooth and featureless—sprouted a feline's slit pupils and a jagged grin stretching to its ears, flashing a creepy smile at her.
"Eek."
Not thrilled at her own shadow grinning back like that, Luna winced and turned away.
[Meow...]
"Ah! I didn't mean you're creepy, Cheshire!"
[Hahaha!]
"Eek...! Don't laugh, Master!"
[Waaah...]
While Luna panicked to soothe Cheshire, a knock came at the door. Knock knock.
"Is someone home?"
A polite knock and an unfamiliar voice from outside. Low-pitched, definitely an adult man. Luna's connections to men were limited to Librarian Jerome or that red grimoire's user, Walter. But this voice was distinctly different from both.
[Luna, a friend of yours?]
"No?"
Then who the hell was it?
"Should I open it?"
Luna gathered mana in her hand, ready to summon her shadow just in case, and asked me.
If they meant harm, they wouldn't knock so boldly. And even if they did, I had it covered.
[Go ahead and open it. I'll handle any trouble.]
Luna nodded tensely and crept to the door, easing it open. Creeeak. The old wood groaned as it cracked ajar, revealing our midday intruder.
"Ah, are you Miss Luna? Nice to meet you. I'm Albert Franklin."
The man outside looked mid-forties at a glance. In his right hand, a fancy wooden cane topped with a carved crow. His wrinkle-free suit and neat bowler hat screamed wealthy businessman.
"Ah... Yes. Hello."
Luna seemed a bit overwhelmed by his intangible aura; the aggressive vibe she'd had moments ago deflated as she accepted his courteous introduction.
"If it's not too much trouble, may I step inside for a brief talk?"
"P-Please, come in."
Luna opened the door wider and let him in. Despite the stark, empty space, he sat on the floor without batting an eye, waiting. Luna closed the door and sat cautiously opposite him. Albert spoke softly.
"Greetings, Miss Luna. I apologize for the sudden visit without prior notice."
He doffed his hat, placing it over his heart, and bowed deeply to Luna—who was way younger than him.
"Ah, no! It's fine!"
Luna waved her hands frantically, uncomfortable with someone her father's age bowing to her.
But do you even know who this guy is?
Only at Luna's persistent protests did Albert finally raise his head.
"Thank you for your understanding of our oversight, Miss Luna. With that out of the way, may I explain the reason for my visit?"
Luna nodded slowly at his polite query. Confirming her assent, Albert drew a sleek black business card from his coat's inner pocket—clearly expensive—and offered it to her with perfect posture.
"Black Tower Babel?"
The elegant script on the card read Black Tower Babel.
Black Tower? From what I recalled in the library books, the kingdom had three magic towers: White Tower Asperia in the prosperous city, Red Tower Krakatau rooted in the volcanic zone, and Blue Tower Atlantum deep in the ocean. Yep, three towers. So Black Tower wasn't an official one...
"Um... I don't even know what this place is, and I don't think we have any connection...?"
Luna was right. Before contracting with me, she was just a mountain village girl. Even after, she hadn't networked with groups or even many people.
Albert answered kindly.
"To put it simply, Babel is a tower formed by unofficial mages not recognized by the kingdom's magic establishment. Necromancers, curse-weavers, plains shamans, blood mages—those operating in the shadows, united for their rights."
Not a magic tower! And while belittling professions isn't cool, don't those sound kinda shady? It reeked of a magic crime syndicate.
"Oh, and it's not just mages. We assist magic swordsmen, devil worshippers—anyone who can't openly reveal their status—for a fair price."
What the hell? Not like a crime group—it was one! Albert's refined businessman vibe shifted to that of a ruthless underworld boss.
"Ah, I see. But why would a group like that come to me...?"
Luna's wariness crept back, her guard up despite his politeness.
Albert smiled warmly.
"Because you're an unofficial mage contracted with an outer god, Miss Luna."
Shit, we've been busted!!!