Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Monday morning.
On Calix Krauvel’s desk lay the documents he had assigned to Aileen the previous Friday.
“To think she actually finished all of this.”
Noah Roheim flipped through the papers with genuine admiration. It was surprising enough that she had come to work over the weekend, but finishing everything within two days was even more impressive.
On top of that, the report had been organized without unnecessary details, making the contents easy to grasp with just a quick read.
“Miss Aileen seems to have talent not only in architecture but in this kind of work as well.”
“Indeed.”
Calix Krauvel replied curtly.
He’s clearly displeased that Miss Aileen keeps completing everything he assigns.
After all, Calix hadn’t given Aileen the task because he wanted to see her abilities.
He had intended to break her spirit and force her to submit.
But since she had handled everything far better than expected, it naturally left him both embarrassed and irritated.
“She’s sharp in other matters, but completely clueless when it comes to things like this.”
Calix Krauvel crossed his arms and complained.
“I even gave her what she wanted, yet she doesn’t show the slightest bit of gratitude.”
He was referring to the permission to use magical lighting during night construction.
“I’m sure Miss Aileen is very grateful. During the last drainage construction, she had quite a hard time relying on nothing but candlelight.”
“So what? She doesn’t accept a single thing I do for her.”
This time he was referring to the house he had granted her, which Aileen had refused.
Can that really be called consideration?
On the surface it looked like a measure taken for Aileen’s convenience.
But in truth, it wasn’t.
He simply wanted her living inside the inner city where it would be easier to keep an eye on her.
Knowing that, Noah Roheim only smiled quietly.
“More importantly, has Marquis Smith been keeping his promise?”
On the day Calix returned from Nubiar to Belheim, he had informed Marquis Smith about Barto Smith’s misconduct.
“Y-Your Grace, I sincerely apologize. This is entirely my fault for failing to discipline my son properly.”
Marquis Smith had turned pale and repeatedly begged for forgiveness, bowing deeply again and again.
“I’ll overlook it this once. But on one condition—do not publicly announce that Aileen was the one who discovered the cause of the Laed River’s flooding and found the solution.”
If Aileen’s competence became widely known, people like Barto Smith would inevitably flock to her.
To prevent that, Calix made it his condition.
Marquis Smith, unaware of Calix’s true intentions, had asked several times in confusion whether that condition alone would really suffice.
“Marquis Smith appears to be making every effort to keep his promise.”
Noah Roheim reported immediately.
“However, many people witnessed Miss Aileen’s achievements firsthand, and stories of her work during the autumn monsoon have already spread. So it hasn’t been easy. And…”
Unlike earlier, he paused for a moment before carefully adding,
“It seems the Imperial Family has also begun showing interest in Miss Aileen.”
At the mention of the least welcome party, deep lines formed between Calix’s brows.
“I apologize, my Lord.”
“…You have nothing to apologize for.”
Calix let out a long breath and rubbed his face.
I’ll have to prepare in advance.
Otherwise, she might be taken away before he even realized it.
After staring at the report Aileen had written for a moment, Calix gave an order to Noah Roheim.
“Bring the magical messenger bird.”
The room looked as though a storm had swept through it.
Parchments covered with magic circles and various books were scattered across the floor.
Fragments of expensive Arcana were strewn everywhere.
On the bed lay a coat, gloves, and half-used magical tools.
A pillow sat on top of a cabinet, while the blanket had been left near the door.
In the center of that chaotic mess lay Raelion Silfert, motionless like a corpse.
“Lord Rael.”
Zephyr, who had come to report the schedule, sighed at the sight.
“Could you please tidy your room once in a while?”
“Cleaning is the most meaningless labor for a mage.”
Rael replied with his eyes closed.
“It’ll just end up like this again anyway.”
“And I didn’t do it. Rion did.”
“They’re the same person.”
“Are they?”
Rael answered indifferently.
Zephyr sighed deeply.
“If you don’t want to clean it yourself, at least order the junior mages to do it.”
“But I don’t like other people touching my belongings.”
“For someone like you to treat junior mages like people… they would probably cry tears of gratitude if they heard that.”
“That sounds nice.”
It had been sarcasm, but it had no effect on Rael at all.
“Then I’ll clean it myself. That’s fine, right?”
Rael waved his hand as if to say do whatever you want.
Zephyr quickly began removing the dangerous items first.
“Today is the Magic Tower’s regular council meeting.”
He didn’t forget to explain the reason for his visit.
“It’s at seven in the evening, so please make sure you attend.”
“I don’t want to go.”
Rael turned over, showing Zephyr his back.
“Even if I go, those stubborn elders will just nag endlessly.”
“They’re all saying it for the sake of the Magic Tower.”
“Not for me. For the tower.”
“Well, since you’re the Tower Master, it’s good if the tower prospers.”
“Not really. It’s not like I wanted to become the Tower Master in the first place.”
Rael replied listlessly and closed his eyes.
He clearly had no intention of attending the meeting.
What should I do?
The elders had issued a strict order that Rael must be brought in today no matter what.
If Zephyr failed, they threatened to punish him for failing to properly serve his master.
As he was wondering how to persuade him, a mid-rank mage arrived carrying a magical messenger bird.
“Sir Zephyr, His Grace Duke Krauvel has contacted the Tower Master.”
“I’m busy.”
Rael rested his arm under his head and closed his eyes.
“Tell him I’ll contact him later.”
“However…”
“I said I’m busy.”
The mid-rank mage looked extremely troubled by Rael’s uncooperative attitude and turned toward Zephyr.
“I’ll take it instead, so don’t worry. You may go.”
“Thank you.”
The mage quickly handed the magical messenger bird to Zephyr and left.
When Zephyr wound the spring mechanism, the messenger bird fluttered its silver wings and opened its beak.
“Raelion Silvert.”
A low, heavy voice came out—completely mismatched with the bird’s adorable appearance.
“It has been a long time, Your Grace. I am Zephyr, disciple and attendant to Lord Raelion Silvert.”
The bird’s beak paused briefly before moving again.
“I contacted Rael.”
“He is listening beside me, so please speak freely.”
“…I see.”
“Exactly.”
Zephyr felt a small sense of comfort knowing someone understood his situation.
“Rael.”
Calix continued in a lower voice.
“I need the collar you made before.”
“…A collar?”
Rael, who had been lying like a corpse, suddenly sat up.
“If it’s the collar I made… you mean Love’s?”
Love.
A wolf-type monster Rael had raised since childhood, which had died of old age the previous year.
“Why do you need it? Did you start keeping a pet?”
“If it were a pet, I wouldn’t be worrying like this.”
Calix’s voice carried both irritation and a sigh.
“Can you make one?”
“I can, but to make that collar I need the target’s blood. That’s how the location-tracking magic activates properly.”
“I’ll extract it.”
“That won’t work. It has to be drawn and inserted on the spot.”
“More troublesome than I expected.”
Calix clicked his tongue.
“Then let’s do this.”
Rael’s eyes sparkled as he took the messenger bird from Zephyr.
“You only need to add the blood at the end anyway. I’ll make the collar and come to Belheim. You just prepare that pet.”
“I told you it’s not a pet. So when will you come?”
“It takes about four days to make, so I’ll come this weekend.”
“Fine. I’ll see you then.”
“Wait!”
As Calix was about to cut off the magical communication, Rael hurriedly called out.
“What species is the target you’re putting the collar on? A monster? Or an actual animal?”
“Hmm… who knows.”
After thinking for a moment, Calix answered with a faint hint of amusement in his voice.
“It’s prickly and doesn’t listen, so I’d say it’s probably a member of the feline family.”