Chapter 248
Chapter 248
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 248
Chapter Title: Epilogue: Travel Preparations
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Crimson Magic Tower Sanctuary, Palace of Fiery Souls.
This space, surrounded by countless barriers, was reserved solely for the Crimson Magic Tower Master.
In the center of the circular hall, decorated in intense shades of red, stood a single bed. No other furniture could be found. Even if any were brought in, they would turn to ash within days.
And there she lay on the massive bed. Her bright red hair undulated like waves, while flames spontaneously ignited on her skin only to flicker out repeatedly.
What if fire were granted life and began to move on its own? It might look something like this.
Screeech.
Vermilion's gaze turned toward the sole entrance and exit. A girl with similarly red hair, Selbia, was cautiously pushing the door open.
"Selbia, mage of the Crimson Magic Tower, come to pay her respects to the Tower Master."
"Oh, so my disciple has finally come to see her master? I granted you the Wish Token, and you used it. Now it's time to fulfill your duties as my disciple, right?"
"...I..."
"Conveniently, I need a sharp mind to maintain the magic formations. If you could handle it for about ten years... Hmm? What's with that look on your face?"
The corners of Vermilion's eyes curved upward.
She knew exactly what Selbia was about to say. Having finally found her childhood friend, she wanted to run off with him. She wanted to stick to him like glue.
So, she was probably planning to renounce her position as the Crimson Tower Master's disciple. Disciples of the Crimson Tower Master had to devote themselves to Non-Elemental research, and leaving the tower was forbidden.
Through her narrowed eyes gleamed pupils brimming with mischievous delight. Like a cat toying with a cornered mouse, prodding it here and there, the Crimson Tower Master added a few more words.
"I took in a worthless country bumpkin girl and turned her into a proper mage. I'm no philanthropist, so why did I do that, I wonder...? Care to guess, Selbia?"
"...To achieve the Non-Elemental, right?"
"Exactly. You're a clever one. To realize my Non-Elemental, I need a vast pool of human resources. Especially a mage with the potential to reach Apotheosis. So then—"
Whoosh.
Flames surged, and an invisible pressure constricted and crushed Selbia's entire body.
"—what reason do I have to let you go?"
"........."
How could she just eat her fill and run away? Only the overwhelmingly superior could act so freely. Selbia didn't qualify.
That was why the mischief and teasing had arisen.
Wasn't it tempting to show them reality when someone weaker acted out of line? Her crimson gaze pierced Selbia like a blade.
Cold sweat trickled down Selbia's nape and dripped off. Sizzle. Sizzle. The droplets evaporated without a trace upon hitting the floor.
She forced her choked throat to move, squeezing out words with effort.
"...Because, in the end, it'll benefit you."
"Releasing research personnel will?"
"No, not releasing—it's like studying abroad. Crimson Tower Master."
"Hmm...?"
Vermilion smirked, as if inviting her to elaborate. If the answer didn't please her, she'd tease more; if it did, she'd torment her anyway.
I wonder what excuse she'll use to convince me. Learning Violet Tower magic to develop Crimson-Violet hybrid spells? Pure nonsense—that'd be hilarious.
Or maybe wandering the world to gain real combat experience before returning? I could offer to spar with her and shut that down. Then what excuse comes next?
But Selbia's response exceeded the Crimson Tower Master's expectations.
"Oppa is a better mage than you, Crimson Tower Master. Learning from an even greater teacher is the quickest path to growth, isn't it?"
"Ahahahahaha!"
Crimson Tower Master Vermilion burst into laughter.
"Ahaha! You dare say that to my face? Where does that courage come from? You all know how nasty my temper can be."
"I do. But... I also know you're even more serious about achieving the Non-Elemental than that temper suggests. So I believe you'll send me to Oppa's side."
"Heh heh, good eye—you picked the right angle. You're right, Selbia. I was planning to let you go anyway. And if it lets me call in one favor from him... that's profit enough."
If that worked, releasing someone like Selbia was fine. It was an investment worth testing.
Vermilion waved her hand dismissively.
"Go on. Stick to your 'Oppa' like a leech. But don't forget the debt you owe the Crimson Tower. If I feel slighted, it won't end with mere hurt feelings."
"...Thank you, Crimson Tower Master."
Selbia let out a shallow sigh of relief and turned away. She'd somehow convinced her. As the tension eased, her legs wobbled, and the heat made her head heavy.
But she'd done it. She could live by Oppa's side now.
Step, step. Stumbling as she exited the Palace of Fiery Souls, Selbia suddenly halted and turned back.
"Um..."
"Hm? More to say?"
"By any chance, Crimson Tower Master... could you get me a prosthetic arm? I'd pay everything I've saved up."
"Oh... I do have one from the Golden Tower Master. But it's insanely expensive..."
It really was. Even after Selbia emptied her entire savings, she fell short, so Vermilion generously lent her the rest interest-free.
Selbia became a debtor.
Clank. Click. The sound of metal clashing.
"Here."
"Hm?"
Glancing back over my shoulder, I saw Selbia holding out a sleek metal prosthetic arm. Its subtle sheen, like moonlight, marked it as top-quality.
A Golden Magic Tower certification mark was stamped in one corner.
I'd researched such gear for the Armored Hologram project. That thing was ridiculously expensive.
Even by my standards—someone who could sway a whole tower's finances—it was enough to make me hesitate. If Selbia had somehow acquired it personally...
"What're you doing? Take it."
"...No necklace or rings you're wearing anymore?"
She might've sunk her entire fortune into it.
Scanning her in shock, I saw all her usual accessories were gone. The robe she wore was a step down in quality, and her backpack was now a worn, frayed one.
Sensing my gaze, Selbia waved it off.
"Sold the cumbersome stuff. Don't worry about it and just take it."
"........."
Only then did I realize my mistake, a chill running down my spine.
I never told her my arm loss was a fake-out...
Thud. A weight of guilt crashed into my heart like a meteor. While I'd been lounging carelessly, Selbia had worried about my severed arm and stripped herself bare to buy this prosthetic.
My eyes darted aimlessly. What now? Should I really chop it off? Live with the prosthetic forever...?
No. I had to come clean and bow my head. She'd think my arm got cut off because of her. Straightening on the sofa, I knelt down.
"Selbia, don't get mad and hear me out."
"...Why the sudden weird talk?"
"Look at my arm. Whoa!"
"...?!?"
Shrrk. I reconstructed my arm from stored data. Selbia's eyes bulged as a human arm sprouted like fresh bamboo in seconds.
Then, catching the nonverbal message from my bowed head of shame, twin flames ignited in her eyes.
"What the hell."
Her voice was icy enough to rival freeze magic. I bowed deeper.
"...Truth is, it was never cut off. Yeah."
"Then why didn't you say so after everything was over?"
"No inconvenience, so I forgot..."
"Hey."
I slowly looked up, gauging her mood. There floated an utterly pissed-off ghost. The temperature spiked, sparks flying.
A beam of light shot from Selbia's chest to mine. This was... her Apotheosis trigger.
"W-Wait, Selbia. Let's talk this out."
"Apotheosis, Flame Angel—!"
"S-Sorry! I'll, I'll pay you back. I'll go to the Violet Tower and grab some research funds...!"
"That's not the point right now! Do you know how worried I was—?!"
Roar!
Beeeep!
As Selbia became a flame-human, the Crimson Tower's thermometer hit 40 degrees and blared warnings.
I immediately hurled myself through the open window to escape, trying to vanish with pseudo-illusion magic mirage.
But...
"You, stop right there—!!"
"I-It connects, so you see everything...!"
I got caught in the end.
Selbia's flames wouldn't harm me. Even rolling atop the massive bonfire she created felt cool. I could sense her pure affection.
But it was hot. Heat piercing through my flame resistance.
"H- Hot..."
"Not releasing you till you properly reflect."
"But if I think of it as basking in your warm feelings, it's not so bad."
"...I said reflect!"
Thirty minutes later, I was forgiven.
I carefully stored the prosthetic away.
With Crimson Tower matters settled, it was time to depart.
Selbia naturally joined the party. Apparently, she'd put on a show for the Crimson Tower Master and earned indefinite leave. Good news.
First, I sent a message to Yuna via the Crimson Tower Master: No need to meet up since I had an Apotheosis powerhouse with me now; prioritize collecting my data shards.
Those shards were more dangerous than expected.
My travel plan went like this: With one "Whatever Happens" module flipping a city upside down, I couldn't leave the demon-horse shards alone. Needed to recover them quickly.
I wasn't worried about shards with egos. Even split, they were me—they wouldn't cause trouble, I trusted.
The problem was shards lacking or low on ego.
If they fell into bad hands like this time, disasters could erupt.
So, on the way to the Violet Tower, I'd recover nearby shards. Far ones could wait till I linked up with Yuna Yurensuto.
Even just nearby ones would take time—who knew what chaos they might be causing. Travel prep needed to be doubly thorough.
Selbia and I packed together amiably. We stocked up tons from nearby city shops. It'd be a long journey.
"This jerky tastes good—should we get some?"
"Too pricey. This cheaper one has more bulk, right?"
"...What about this rope then?"
"Bad value too. I think this one's better."
...Selbia had turned into a total cheapskate.
Should I scold her for skimping too much? Nah, she'd just yell, "This is all because of you!" and Flame Angel punch me. I held back.
I was thinking my stingy self might doom us to walking.
Fortunately, friends from the Crimson Tower chipped in warmly. They pooled money for a carriage and two horses. Great news.
Almost had to walk.
"Funeral Bishop... I'll never forget our time together!"
"It was meaningful, brother."
I exchanged brief farewells and boarded the carriage. The nearest city was Elphiris in the imperial south—rumored to have stunning natural scenery.
Its feature? Proximity to the Great Elven Forest.
Twenty years reincarnated in this world, and while I'd seen elves and beastkin among humans, never wild elves.
Unlike urban elves, wild ones supposedly wore leaf clothes. Was that true?
If I could model and collect data, it'd be perfect.
Clop, clop. Neigh.
I started driving the carriage. As the horses picked up speed, the Crimson Tower faded into the distance and vanished. Selbia stared wistfully back at it, reminiscing.
Once we entered the open forest path, she turned around fully and looked at me.
"...Tell me about yourself. Things I don't know. If that's okay."
Selbia's honest desire to close the distance with me. Simple, powerful—the wish to get closer because she liked me.
What I thought of Selbia? Not entirely sure yet. But I didn't want to push her away.
After a moment's thought, I decided to act normal.
"Call me Oppa, and it'll be fine."
Selbia's face flushed bright red. She grumbled in frustration, fidgeting with her fingers on her lap.
"Ugh... I, I want to hear Oppa's stories."
"Call me hubby, and it'll be even better... Ow!"
"Knock it off!"
.........
With our playful bickering, the carriage carrying us crested the hill and vanished beyond the horizon. Sunset bloomed in our wake.
The first steps on the road home.
The North. The frozen wasteland.
In that merciless land where cold and hunger brought winter even to people's hearts, in one corner stood the mansion of Grand Duke Julius, leader of the northern folk.
The grand ducal mansion had maintained an atmosphere colder than ice ever since the duke's blade had done its work. Out of fear.
He was a man who, for power, had hanged even his own father's corpse. How lightly would he value a mere servant's life?
Thus, all embraced silence as virtue, treading carefully in every action. It was quiet. Chilling.
They thought it had been so in the past, was so now, and would be so in the future.
But today was different. The Northern Grand Duke's mansion was abuzz with unexpected heat.
"Don't you dare flirt with my husband—!"
"Madam, sorry, but I've never flirted. Daisy and I are just friends bound by friendship..."
Even the heat of a lovers' quarrel...!