Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Mage Tower (2)
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◆
-Quest Info
◆ Ingram Family's Long-cherished Wish
The Ingram family, a prestigious magical house with deep roots, has long researched the 'Will of the World' and the 'Secondary Dimension.' And from your companion, they have glimpsed a fragment that could fulfill their long-cherished wish.
Fulfill their wish, forge a bond, and strengthen both your companion and yourself!
※ This is a quest of extremely high difficulty. It is recommended to check your full strength before starting!
▶ As a reward, 'Blade: Dawn' will be repaired and gain an enhancement function.
▶ Target 'Panhaima Acha Oren' will be added as a taming target.
▶ The relationship form with target 'Vespa Luciana' will change!
▶ A new function will be added to the 'Holy Sword'!
-Still, no matter how I look at it.
Just looking at the rewards, it's basically a comprehensive gift set.
I can't deny that it's perfectly timed to dramatically boost Carlyle's side's strength while the devil worshippers are catching their breath.
[Then we have to do it.]
'We do, right?'
That's right.
Even if something a bit embarrassing happens, there's no choice but to endure it.
Wearing a thug-like shirt he's never worn in his life, haphazardly thrown on, with his bare torso fully exposed without even underwear.
His usually neatly combed hair let loose, disheveled all the way down his back.
Chain-adorned pants, and on his upper body, a magic-forged tattoo slapped on hastily.
And crucially, the face changed by flipping the magitech mask evokes the word "playboy" right away—a slacker's mug.
What can be said about it.
⋯⋯Anyone who sees it would think he's a lightweight thug and ne'er-do-well.
He never imagined he'd end up looking like this in his lifetime.
"How do I look?"
When Carlyle asked awkwardly, Vespa nodded vigorously.
"It looks good?!"
⋯⋯The gaze saying that was stuck firmly on Carlyle's fully exposed abdomen.
Her eyes were spinning wildly. If left like this, she looked like she might even get a nosebleed.
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯Vespa. My eyes are up here."
"⋯⋯Sorry."
At least she's quick to apologize. That's something to be grateful for.
Anyway.
Vespa, dressed like a noble lady, and Carlyle like a thug, were in the situation of having to act like a married couple, just as Letty described.
From what he heard, Letty Ingram's uncle is a famous playboy who struts around exactly like this, seducing this woman and that woman.
He's a renowned mage, but his womanizing is so sordid that his wife changes frequently.
Thug, ne'er-do-well, Casanova. The epitome of such words.
Carlyle is imitating that type, and Vespa is imitating the 'new wife-to-be.'
-But how did you obtain that person's identity?
-I traded introducing him to one beauty professor from Cradle. He said it's fine to use.
-⋯⋯Isn't she married?
-She's already divorced? This is his tenth time.
-⋯⋯.
Is this really okay, Ingram family?
Prestigious magical house, my foot.
The uncle with a dizzying track record just from hearing about it, or the niece trying to infiltrate the Mage Tower by selling that man's identity—they're all perilously reckless people.
'⋯⋯Well, whatever.'
Worry about another family's issues later.
The immediate concern is whether Carlyle can pull off the impersonation well or not, and right now, he looks pretty reluctant.
"Comrade. You needn't worry. It seems you'll be fine."
As if to encourage the stiffly awkward Carlyle, Panhaima opened her mouth with a serious expression.
For this Mage Tower infiltration, she was joining as Carlyle's 'escort' role.
"You look like a conscienceless, irresponsible scum from the dregs of society, far removed from virtues like effort and perseverance. You give the impression of a man who hits on every woman in sight but ends up alone, never settling with any, dying a lonely death."
"⋯⋯."
"No need to worry about being found out. Your appearance fits the assigned role perfectly."
"⋯⋯Yes, thank you."
⋯⋯⋯⋯It stabs right into the chest, but whatever.
If the disguise works well, that's good.
"Alright, keep that in mind."
And as the carriage they were riding began to slow down.
A serious voice came from Letty in the coachman's seat.
"If you two act well, you can get in and out without issue. If you cause trouble inside the Mage Tower, it's really unmanageable, so stick to what you're good at, okay?"
"I'll do my best."
"What's with that half-hearted answer? Weren't you two on good terms? Acting like this for a bit shouldn't be hard."
"⋯⋯I'll do my best."
Hm.
Thinking that Gray might find out later makes it hard to confidently say it's not difficult.
He gave a vague answer with that in mind.
⋯⋯But for some reason, Vespa's gaze from the next seat feels prickly.
Watching Carlyle just say he'll do his best, she looks like she has a lot she wants to say⋯⋯
"Carlyle, um⋯⋯"
"Yes?"
"Doing your best—does that mean you're just going to try, or is it that, you don't really want to do that with me⋯⋯"
"⋯⋯."
"Ah, no!"
She fumbled hesitantly but quickly shut her mouth.
It was as if she'd blurted out what just came to mind but gave up, unsure what answer she'd get.
'Is she feeling burdened?'
⋯⋯Hm.
That won't do.
Here, they need to build some teamwork.
"Vespa."
"Yes?"
When Carlyle smiled brightly and spoke, Vespa startled and replied.
"Of course, you might not want to⋯⋯get that way with me specifically, but don't worry. I'll keep boundaries too."
"⋯⋯."
"Nothing unpleasant will happen. Just think of it as work, and it'll be fine!"
"⋯⋯Yees."
"⋯⋯."
⋯⋯Huh.
Why is her response cooler than usual?
◆
The majority of Mage Towers are located in the Magic Kingdom Arvanelk, almost on the opposite side of the continent, but the Empire has a branch as well.
Compared to the main headquarters, its scale and prestige are much smaller, but it still possesses facilities worthy of being called a Mage Tower.
And it's the place holding their goal, the Orb of Truth.
"Welcome, Lady Letty Ingram. We've confirmed your reservation."
As the carriage entered through the main gate, a guard called out to them.
While Letty handled the response, Carlyle glanced at the Mage Tower's exterior from outside the carriage.
Spired towers piercing the sky.
Nearby, turret-like artillery devices and mechanical automatons stood guard.
'⋯⋯It's intimidating every time I see it.'
In the Demon Hunter world, the Mage Tower is an over-technology group possessing tech far beyond other factions, and this automated fortress-like sight perfectly proves it.
If their acting fails and they're exposed, everything there becomes hostile to them.
Considering how much trouble they gave demons during the Hell invasion, their power is well-known.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Vespa next to him anxiously rolling her eyes. Panhaima showed no outward sign but was on alert.
Among them, the only one maintaining calm was Letty.
As expected of a daughter from a prestigious magical house, she handled it smoothly, as if visiting the Mage Tower wasn't her first time.
"This time, we're going inside the workshop with my uncle."
"Ah— as long as you don't bother the scholars inside too much, it's fine. And by uncle, you mean."
The guard's gaze landed on Carlyle sitting in the back of the carriage.
"Lord Alistair? Another woman already?"
"⋯⋯."
Worst case.
Of all people, it's someone who knows the real owner of this identity.
He thought he wouldn't have to speak himself, but this exponentially increases the chance of being caught.
He'd practiced speech and mannerisms, but didn't expect to go into real action right away.
"⋯⋯Lord Alistair?"
As he gave no reply, the guard tilted his head.
⋯⋯This won't do.
Can't afford suspicion.
-Try acting like a total jerk a bit.
At that moment.
That voice echoed in his head.
Letty's voice.
She was speaking directly into his mind via transmission magic.
-Yes?
-Anything's fine, just treat the lady next to you roughly. Act like the uncle to slip past easily. Apologize later—right now, just do something!
-⋯⋯.
No.
Even if you say that, what am I supposed to do?
'⋯⋯Damn it.'
Carlyle squeezed his eyes shut inwardly.
She said do anything, so he had to follow through. No choice.
He yanked Vespa's waist with one arm.
Chose a point ambiguously between hip and chest, gripping her chin. Made it look deliberately sleazy, like groping.
"Personality's boring, but face and body are usable. Not bad at this level, right?"
⋯⋯Wow.
Even he thought it was vomit-inducing dialogue.
Doing this in public, with others watching openly—it stirred a violent self-loathing from deep inside.
But no choice here.
Time to act the trash.
"She's such a wallflower, long way to go, but if I keep her around, she'll shape up."
"⋯⋯Same as ever."
The guard gave a wry smile and scribbled something on his papers.
Fortunately, no sign of suspicion.
"Welcome to the Imperial Branch Mage Tower. Have a pleasant stay."
And as the carriage slowly rolled inside.
The moment no one was nearby, Carlyle apologized to Vespa with a deathly pale face.
"⋯⋯Sorry, Vespa. I just said I'd keep boundaries, I have no face to—"
⋯⋯That's what he meant.
Before realizing something was off with Vespa's state.
Vespa's gaze wasn't even on him to begin with.
Half out of it, staring into space, mumbling something.
"Carlyle⋯⋯"
With glazed eyes.
With a flushed face.
Grinning creepily.
"Carlyle, who's kind to everyone, but only to me, so manly, handling me however he wants, this is addictive—⋯⋯"
Muttering in a state where she'd completely lost her reason.
"⋯⋯."
Huh.
'Hero, what is this?'
[⋯⋯How should I know.]
'⋯⋯⋯⋯Why does she seem kinda happy about it—'
[I said I don't know.]
-Something.
Like he'd flipped a switch he shouldn't have.
◆
-System Message
▶ Trait - Archmage's First Love activates.
[ ♥ Obedience 5% → 40% ]
[ ♥ Affection 10% → 30% ]
▶ 'Affection' and 'Obedience' have reached a certain level.
▶ Inside the 'Mage Tower', an event with 'Vespa' and 'Spirit' is generated!
▶ Try adding 'Spirit' to the taming targets!
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