Chapter 18
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Contract Until Death
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"No! Just in case."
Gerard was a very gentlemanly mage.
He had gotten overly excited during the healing process, but that was because he had suffered from magic poisoning for so long.
At his core, he was the epitome of a courteous gentleman.
But was the current him the same as the man from before?
'I've changed too, so there's no guarantee Sir Gerard hasn't.'
Even so, Gerard would surely remain a good person.
"To make sure nothing like that happens, let's all be extra vigilant about our health from now on."
'Why does my voice sound so curt?'
Eloise shrugged lightly as she spoke.
"Yes, then we just need to settle on the contract termination clause."
"Contract termination?"
"Yes. The Rainbow Holes might disappear, after all."
"Is that a forecast too?"
"Let's call it a hunch. Even if they keep appearing, someday a healer better than me might come along."
"That won't happen."
Gerard was resolute. With a slight frown, he continued.
"Our contract ends the day I die."
"Pardon? Me? The day I die?"
Gerard let out a scoffing chuckle, his smile dismissive.
"The day I die."
"That would be the day the continent falls."
Eloise let her shoulders slump.
Just the thought of Gerard dying made her stomach twist.
"Exactly. I won't go down easily. And from here on out, I'll fight tooth and nail to survive. So, our contract ends the day I die. That's non-negotiable."
Gerard snatched the pen floating in midair.
He intended to write the clause himself.
"Do you agree?"
If one of them died, the contract would end anyway, right?
And if the Rainbow Holes vanished completely before then, there'd be no more need for healing.
'Then Sir Gerard won't seek me out anymore.'
By that point, the contract would naturally fade into irrelevance.
No need to bicker further with an exhausted man.
"Sure."
With Eloise's consent, Gerard set the pen dancing across the page without hesitation.
A soaring ceiling glittered under a chandelier embedded with hundreds of star-like gems, scattering light in every direction.
Beneath that iridescent glow, Noah stood on a lavish carpet embroidered with golden threads, leisurely swirling his wine glass as he asked,
"So Eloise Rubelia's forecast was spot on?"
"Yes, Your Highness. She predicted the Blue Hole would open with pinpoint accuracy—and this time, even the timing."
Noah let out a meaningful hum at his subordinate's report.
He sipped his wine while gazing out the window for a moment before turning back.
"Rubelia's still with Gerard?"
"Yes. From what I hear, Miss Rubelia is personally tending to him, shouldering the blame for her collapse inside the Blue Hole."
"Puhahat."
Noah set his wine glass on the windowsill and burst into laughter.
What part of that was so funny?
Unable to join in, the subordinate's face stiffened instead.
"What do you make of it?"
Noah's laughter cut off abruptly as he posed the question.
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I don't know how to answer. Kill me, please."
The subordinate dropped to his knees with a thud that echoed.
Noah scowled.
After beheading a few dim-witted fools who couldn't grasp his meaning, his subordinates now trembled at the slightest provocation.
'Do they think I slaughter people on a whim?'
Fear was useful, but it couldn't derail conversations entirely.
And even if he did kill, not on this priceless carpet—bloodstains would ruin it.
"I'll hold onto your life for now. Speak. Does Gerard strike you as the sort who'd feel responsible for a single healer fainting inside a hall?"
The subordinate hesitated, weighing his words carefully.
Gerard, the emperor's second son, was the continent's hero and savior.
His achievements as Tower Master were dazzling.
Since becoming the youngest Tower Master in history, magic had advanced by leaps and bounds.
Mages' working conditions had improved dramatically as well.
Mages sang his praises in unison.
Yet Gerard never rested on those laurels.
He harshly punished mages who wielded magic as a weapon, earning the people's unwavering support.
But for all that, was he compassionate enough to fuss over minor sacrifices? Hardly.
Countless people had been injured or killed inside and around Rainbow Holes.
Gerard had repeatedly dismissed them as unavoidable losses.
Instead, he ensured bodies were handled properly and families received lavish compensation.
The injured got enough support to live comfortably for life without lifting a finger.
But tales of him personally nursing a wounded mage? Never.
Whatever Noah's angle, objectively speaking, Gerard taking responsibility for Eloise's collapse and nursing her was downright unusual.
"I don't think he's that type of man."
"Nor do I. Which leads to this: Eloise Rubelia must be special."
"To Sir Gerard, you mean?"
"To Gerard, perhaps. Or maybe..."
To her very self.
Her forecasting ability was tantalizing enough, but Noah couldn't shake the feeling there was more to her.
'What could it be?'
Noah's curiosity stirred.
"Clear my schedule for an early visit to the Magic Management Bureau tomorrow."
Eloise Rubelia—the object of Gerard's desire—ignited his intrigue.
And as Crown Prince of the Norban Empire, Noah Norvark had no reason to stifle his whims.
Eloise spent the day resting at Gerard's residence.
He had insisted she stay instead of returning to the dorms.
"What did you tell Merlin? She must be worried sick."
'Gotta message Merlin the second I get to the office.'
But Merlin got pushed back once more.
"Sending her out again. My legs ached from waiting outside, so I came in. Not upset, right? Oh, wait—you're Team Leader now. Should I use honorifics?"
Crown Prince Noah had planted himself squarely in Eloise's office.
Eloise craned her neck back to double-check the nameplate.
[Forecast Team]
The gold lettering gleamed sharply against the navy background.
'Why is the Crown Prince here?'
Eloise balled her fist tightly.
Crown Prince Noah, owner of that radiant golden hair, shared many traits with Gerard.
A dogged personality, formidable talent, and a nose sharp as a blade.
Yet their relationship was far from amicable.
Even setting aside Noah's political maneuvering against his half-brother the illegitimate son, they simply didn't get along.
Noah viewed the Magic Tower as a voracious money sink.
Mages tackling Rainbow Holes drew funding from nations across the continent.
Norban—the empire of Noah and Gerard—footed the largest bill.
Thus, imperial influence loomed large.
The Disaster Response Headquarters chief and Magic Management Bureau director were both Emperor Calix of Norban.
Noah handled most of the actual work, though.
In any case, Noah often showed up at meetings for both organizations.
Usually alongside Morgana, but today he was alone.
"Done gawking? Come in already."
Eloise snapped back to reality.
She'd stared at the Crown Prince too openly.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
She bowed deeply.
"Best not to do anything worth apologizing for."
Eloise pouted as she kept her head lowered.
'Scratch the 'looks like Gerard'! Total jerk with a rotten personality!'
His close aides all knew the vicious temper lurking behind that sunny smile.
"I'll be more careful going forward."
"For a Rubelia, I might overlook it a time or two more."
As Eloise lifted her head, their gazes locked.
"Meaning I've taken a keen interest in you."
She nearly blurted, 'Please don't!'
No direct encounters before, but she'd witnessed how he treated his retinue plenty of times.
'Discards and replaces them like faulty parts if they displease him.'
Eloise went rigid.
"Spare me the flattery. Sit."
Princely demeanor, through and through.
From the moment they met, he'd seized control of the conversation, lording over the office like its master.
'To be fair, as Crown Prince, he basically owns the place. This land and building belong to Norban.'
Swallowing her rising frustration, Eloise started toward a chair—then hesitated.
Still, he was the guest, and she the host...
"Shall I prepare some tea?"
Noah arched a brow, subjecting Eloise to a meticulous once-over.
Less 'looking' and more 'dissecting'—an unrelentingly probing stare.