Chapter 103: No Explanation Needed
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103: No Explanation Needed
“No, I don’t want to sleep.”
“You were struggling so much earlier. You need to sleep to recover.”
“I want to look at the night sky with you, Alto.”
Rune pouted her lower lip, making a face like a dejected rabbit.
“You saw the night sky every night back in Dakuren.”
“That was the sky in Dakuren. We’re at the Magic Tower now, so I have to see the Magic Tower’s night sky for the first time with you.”
“Sleep quietly for now, and once you’re better, we’ll do exactly that.”
“What if another woman takes you away to look at the sky before then?”
I wanted to look at the night sky with Rune, too.
But she had suffered terribly from motion sickness on the way here.
“The night sky is beautiful. If we’re lucky, we might even see the Milky Way.”
“Really?”
Seeing the expectant look in Rune’s eyes pained my heart, but I had to remain firm.
“But it’s pointless if you’re not by my side.”
“Hmph.”
Rubbing her cheek against my hand, Rune tried her best to look as pitiful as possible.
“Then you won’t go anywhere, right? You’ll stay by my side? You’ll stay right here while I sleep?”
“I will. But I need to look around the area first.”
“Whyyy?!”
Her whining was adorable.
Whenever I see Rune yearning only for me, and Narupa and Yarismal getting jealous of it, I truly feel loved.
Heh, I’m a pretty twisted guy.
I felt a bit disgusted with myself, but thanks to the excellent “mirror therapy” provided by Yarismal, I decided to endure it.
My women wouldn’t like it if I didn’t.
“The Magic Tower is enemy territory. I have to make sure it’s a place where our Rune can rest easy.”
“You can just ask Narupa to do that.”
“Narupa is one of my women, too. A man is supposed to protect his women.”
“…I want to keep complaining, but that’s one of the reasons I fell for you, so I can’t.”
Rune waved the white flag with pure honesty.
“You have to come back quickly after looking around, okay?”
“Of course. And if there’s anything threatening us, I’ll wipe it out completely before I return.”
“Just smash them to pieces.”
We shared a mischievous laugh and a brief kiss.
With one fluffy pillow under her head, one in her arms, and one between her legs, Rune soon fell into a deep sleep, her breathing steady.
Leaving the room, I gave gentle instructions to those in the living room.
“I’m going to look around and see what’s what. Yarismal, look after Rune.”
“Leave it to me, Husband.”
“Alto, should I come with you?”
“No. Diane, you should rest too. We have to clear the dungeon soon, so everyone should focus on getting into peak condition. When did Narupa say she’d be back?”
“She hasn’t returned since she went to see the Dean. She said it’s been a while since they met and they have business to discuss, so it’ll probably take some time.”
Yarismal brought me my coat as she saw me off to the exit.
I gave her a firm warning.
“Rune is sleeping, so don’t cause a ruckus. Diane is working really hard, so don’t hit her. And the former director is our host, so don’t pressure or hit her too much either. Got it?”
“I can accept Diane, but… hmm, I can’t just leave the director to her own devices.”
“Yarismal.”
When I stared at her intently, Yarismal’s breathing grew ragged on its own, and she was the first to look away.
“Ugh…! I only ever follow my husband’s wishes.”
“Good girl.”
When I pulled her into a hug and patted her back, Yarismal melted completely, burying her face in the crook of my neck.
“I’ll miss you. Please come back quickly.”
“Haha, you’re saying the same thing as Rune.”
“And ignore any strange women who try to talk to you.”
“I’m not interested in anyone but you all.”
For some reason, the former director and Diane both hung their heads at my words.
I could guess why Diane did, but you, former director? Why you?
You weren’t planning some ridiculous scheme to seduce me and aim for a “next time,” were you?
“I’m off.”
“Have a safe trip.”
Yarismal, who had been hesitating, added one more thing.
“Honey.”
What is this adorable creature?
I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, waved, and stepped out.
“Director, come over here. Who do you think you are, looking disappointed just now? What are you plotting?”
“T-That’s not it, Lady Yarismal. It’s a misunderstanding!”
“You aren’t harboring some absurd thought of aiming for my husband, are you?”
I could hear Yarismal’s ominous interrogation and the former director’s frantic excuses from inside the lodging, but I saw no reason to stop it.
I was a bit annoyed myself.
Now then, where should I start?
To be honest, I’d felt eyes on us ever since we entered the Magic Tower.
Even Narupa, who was familiar with the tower, hadn’t thought much of it until we arrived at the lodging to drop off our luggage; then her expression changed.
“Look at these pests.”
She arched an eyebrow and snapped her fingers. A buzzing sound, like a swarm of tiny insects, filled the air before small dots gathered in the palm of her hand.
She pulled out a tiny glass vial, and the dots vanished into it, defying mass and volume.
Narupa looked like she was about to crush the vial with all her might, but then she paused.
“Oppa, just now… there were eyes watching us, so I gathered them all in here.”
“Is it the Magic Tower?”
“It’s not the tower. But I think it’s that bitch—the one I know well, and you know well too.”
Ah, I see.
What an unpleasant stunt.
It seemed the woman who used to love large-scale firepower had tried to use her head for once, and that part specifically seemed to have rubbed Narupa the wrong way.
“Oppa, I don’t care about anything else, but can I be the one to dispose of that bitch?”
Placing a long, slender index finger to her chin, Narupa quickly corrected herself.
“Rather than ‘dispose,’ ‘directing’ would be more appropriate.”
After hiding the vial in her sleeve and giving me a deep kiss, Narupa had left for the Dean’s office.
The reason I was scouting the surroundings now was because of that incident.
It was certain that someone was watching us and planning something stupid.
I’m sorry, but there are more than enough variables inside the Magic Tower Dungeon as it is; I’d prefer it if they didn’t pull this crap in our resting area.
Diane would be best for detection, but this was the Magic Tower.
It was likely crawling with magic-based traps even more convoluted than those in Yobeste.
I could escape using Space-Time skills, but my policy was to handle things personally to minimize the blood spilled by my allies.
“Oh, allies?”
I was so surprised I spoke to myself.
I guess I’m starting to recognize Diane as an ally again.
I thought that would never happen, but her desperate efforts were almost pitiful.
But that was as far as it went.
For some reason, my heart wouldn’t open any further.
Since my heart couldn’t accept it, I had no choice but to draw a line in my actions.
Still, I was treating her quite kindly.
Even Eris, who had divine intuition, didn’t complain about my attitude or how my wives treated Diane, so I figured it was appropriate.
Yes, Diane, who was prepared to die, was the limit; as for the other former comrades, I’m sorry, but they’re all out.
Actually, I’m not even sorry.
You all basically kicked me out first, didn’t you?
“Anyway, how… how do you work this thing?”
Carrying various annoyances, I stood before the magitech floating elevator.
Even after pressing the button, I couldn’t tell if it had arrived at my floor or not.
[Third. Floor. It. Is.]
It had definitely arrived, but I heard the sound of the door opening on the opposite side.
That’s strange. I’ve used magitech elevators in Dakuren before.
Was that one different because it was for construction?
Just as I was resting my chin on my hand, pondering what was wrong, a small hand reached out from behind me.
“Magic Tower elevators are unique. Pressing once opens the opposite door; you have to press twice to open the door on this side.”
Just as she said, when I pressed it twice in a row, the door on my side opened.
“Now, please step inside.”
The woman guided me kindly.
Her blonde hair shimmered as it caught the light, her eyes curved into deep crescents, and the smile on her lips was soft.
The problem was that the time when she should have shown me that face and smile had long since passed.
“Resin. You show your face before me as if nothing happened.”
“Lord Alto, there are many eyes watching here. Could you please hear my explanation in a private room I’ve prepared?”
During the war, I had once asked Bisharen.
Why he acted so violently.
Wouldn’t it be better to listen to the other party and find a compromise?
‘Alto, I hope that kind side of yours only applies to my daughter.’
‘Yes, well.’
‘But it’s a great question. Why don’t I compromise?’
‘You don’t even explain why you’re burning and smashing everything.’
‘That’s because… there’s no need to explain.’
‘Pardon?’
‘Let’s say someone ignored public etiquette. For instance, you’re standing in line and someone cuts in front of you. You’d protest, right?’
‘Of course. I’d tell them to go to the back.’
‘A person who understands manners wouldn’t have done that in the first place. Nine times out of ten, they’ll say this: “Fuck off, I’m already in line, so what? Just shut up and wait your turn. It’s just one more person.” Then what? What would you say?’
‘Well… I’d ask if everyone else waiting here is a fool, and explain how stupid and nuisance-like their behavior is…’
‘Exactly! That’s it! That bastard already knows all that! They’re just doing it because they feel like it and it’s convenient. Protesting? They did it fully prepared to ignore everything you say. Isn’t it strange, Alto? The bastard who did wrong asks why you’re throwing a fit, while you, who did nothing wrong, have to work hard to provide explanations and persuasion? They’re the kind of people who live however the hell they want, having already decided not to listen. So why do we keep trying to explain? In the end, it’s only when someone with force, like a guard, comes and tells them to get lost that they might actually leave. And after that? We have to live in fear of potential retaliation.’
‘Oh.’
‘You understand now! Yes! The reason I smash and burn everything is because they were all targets who didn’t need an explanation. All they needed was overwhelming fear—the knowledge that they might die if they touch me—and the respect based on that fear. That’s how it is!’
Why the sudden flashback?
Well, you see.
I’m truly exhausted from going back and forth with words.
Fuck, just look at these excuses.
Let me try reacting to Resin first.
“Why would I go with you?”
“I know you’re angry with me. I admit you have every right to be. But Lord Alto, you have to think rationally. Even if you won’t give the other girls a chance, you haven’t even given me one.”
“What chance?”
“If you had given me even a single hint that you weren’t just Alto, but Lord Alto, I never would have made such a mistake…”
See!
This bitch, who claims she did wrong, is subtly trying to flip the script and blame me!
So, I decided to put Bisharen’s lesson into practice.
My first choice: ignore her.
Continuing the conversation here is exactly what Resin wants.
I’d end up getting more entangled while talking without having sorted my thoughts.
I stepped into the elevator without a word, and Resin’s face brightened.
“I knew you would understand. The private room I prepared is on the first floor—”
However, I lightly pushed the shoulder of Resin as she tried to follow me in.
Since it was “lightly” by my standards, seeing her fly off and land flat on the floor was quite entertaining.
“L-Lord Alto!”
Oh dear.
That dress she worked so hard to dress up in is all covered in dust now.
“……”
“Lord Alto!”
I was expressionlessly spamming the close button, but why was it taking so long?
As I pressed it with my lips tightly sealed, the doors finally began to close in front of me.
“Wait… Aaaagh!!!!”
In that gap, Resin tried to force her way in, and her arm got caught.
“Aaaaaaaaagh—!!!!!!”
Oh, for heaven’s sake.
Why won’t this close?
While Resin’s screams continued, I kept busily pressing the close button.