You Know You're Mine, Huh?
At least you know you're mine, right? No, of course I thought the princess was just messing with me! Even thinking back on it now, that thing is straight-up erotica. There's no way it's a magic tome. What kind of magic book in the world has lines like "Piggy sow oink oink♡" written in it?
Maybe it's an incantation? Normally, when casting magic, you visualize the spell name in your mind for silent casting, but some spells require vocal incantation. Ancient magic usually does. No, no way. Even so, that can't be right. How could a spell made by transcendents be "Hehe♡ I love the smell of semen♡"? If it really was, I'd be extremely disappointed. I respect them and all. But I'm convinced it's not. The setting is relatively recent anyway. Ancient magic was created before the empire was founded.
In any case, that red book is definitely not a magic tome.
"I have a question."
Count Amod nodded for me to go ahead.
"What is this Book of Corruption you have here?"
I held up the access log and pointed to the bottom entry.
"I have no memory of reading a book like that."
"No, you did."
Count Amod stated it flatly.
"You're still lying, I see. Your mana residue is still on each forbidden book listed there. And it confirms right now that you opened the Book of Corruption."
"Confirms how?"
"The Book of Corruption is a book you must never open."
Just now. He glossed over it. I could feel Count Amod deliberately changing the subject.
"It holds the power to summon a long-destroyed demon king back to this world."
"It does?"
"Yes."
No matter how I thought about it, that didn't add up. A spell to revive the demon king being that? History portrays the demon king as a catastrophic, terrifying existence, so if that book really was the Book of Corruption, I'd be hugely disappointed in the demon king. No, more than that—if it was truly that dangerous, they'd manage it separately. It was just mixed in with the other ordinary books. They could have at least chained it shut so no one could open it. But no.
"I'd like a re-verification."
This was seriously unfair.
"The Book of Corruption you're talking about sounds like that red-covered book you asked about before I came in, but that book was..."
"Stop."
"Pardon?"
"You must not speak of its contents carelessly. Merely divulging them is recognized as a vocal incantation, triggering the magic."
The conference room began to buzz. The committee members whispered that it was indeed a terrifying book.
"Association President Amod."
One committee member raised his hand.
"I get that Esther Withbel violated the rules, but stripping her of her mage qualifications seems too harsh, doesn't it?"
The association's committee chairman. Master of the Green Tower, Denon. My boss. The guy who kept inviting me hiking every weekend. The damn bastard who sold me off as the princess's tutor.
But right now, he shone like a savior, making me forget all those shitty things. And no, I'm not saying his receding hairline was actually sparkling.
"According to the imperial report, he—no, is it she now?"
"That's her."
"She saved the princess."
"Exactly!"
"The palace has asked us to overlook this incident in light of that. His Majesty the Emperor personally stamped the letter."
The tower master waved the letter around. It really bore the emperor's seal. From the emperor's perspective, if I lost my mage qualifications, his precious princess might have to live as a man forever, so he'd written the endorsement.
"Even without His Majesty's endorsement, the circumstances left no room to worry about rules."
The tower master covered for me hard. Who knew he could look this reliable? I'd only seen him as a middle-aged mage obsessed with hiking and fishing. From today, I genuinely respect him!
"And I vouch that Esther Withbel isn't the kind of mage who would abuse the Book of Corruption, even if she did learn from it."
The tower master winked at me. Wow, he really sucks at winking. Creepy. But so reliable.
"Green Tower Master, you're too protective of your own disciple."
Count Amod said it calmly, his expression unchanging.
"Rules are rules. The violation is a fact, regardless of the situation."
"I'm not saying she didn't do wrong. I'm saying the punishment is excessive."
"You claim she's not the type to abuse the Book of Corruption, but there's no such thing as absolutes in this world. Who knows when her heart might change? Better to nip it in the bud beforehand."
Red Tower Master. Green Tower Master. Their exchange was growing increasingly hostile.
"Do you intend to defy His Majesty's orders?"
The tower master tapped the emperor's letter.
"Why should we?"
"What?"
"The Magic Association is an independent body from the empire. Mages may be imperial citizens, but mage affairs must be handled by mages. That's why we have independent authority."
It might sound like treasonous defiance of the emperor at first glance, but Count Amod had a point. Mages under the association follow association rules, not imperial law, in magic-related matters. It's not a higher concept... just independent, as he said. And that independence was recognized by the palace long ago. Meaning the emperor has no right to dictate. Of course, they'd still show some consideration, but the highly proud mage that is Count Amod here doesn't care about the emperor's gaze.
"Then, in recognition of her merits, we should reduce the sentence."
"Merits?"
"The report says she defeated the book-eating beast that was devouring forbidden tomes. If that beast had swallowed the other books there and escaped the sub-space, it would have caused massive casualties."
Definitely. It was really dangerous. Blocking it damaged my mana circuits permanently—it was that tough. Honestly, my career as a mage ended there, but the princess revived me. For a measly 5 billion gold!
Haaa... That's why I'm her night attendant maid now.
"She merely did her duty as a mage."
"That means—"
"Do you think breathing counts as a merit?"
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. She only did what was obvious. A mage—an association mage—must sacrifice to block danger and save people as naturally as breathing. If she'd fled the scene instead, the punishment would be even harsher."
"That's sophistry!"
The tower master's massive fist slammed down on the table with a bang. At that moment, the conference room door opened.
"We're still in session."
Count Amod scowled.
"Mind if I interrupt for a sec?"
A man in uniform strolled casually into the room.
"I'm just here to take Lady Withbel with me."
It was Vera.
"How did you get here?"
"Power of love."
"Ugh..."
"Don't look at me with actual contempt."
"You're the one saying weird stuff, Princess. Joking around in front of everyone?"
"Not a joke."
Vera smirked and drew her sword. Shing. Dark sword aura flowed along the gleaming blade. Crack, craaack. Just drawing it shook the building, cracks spiderwebbing across the conference room walls.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Count Amod glared at Vera.
"That's what I want to ask you. What do you think you're doing?"
The smile vanished from Vera's face. It froze cold, exuding a chilling killing intent. Her raptor-like eyes looked ready to slit Count Amod's throat any second.
"P-Princess!"
I urgently grabbed Vera's arm.
"No murder allowed!"
Vera was more than capable of it. Anyone, no matter who.
"Lady Withbel, there's one thing I can't stand."
"Y-Yes?"
"When someone touches my things without permission."
"I'm not a thing."
"At least you know you're mine, huh?"
"Ah, no, that's..."
My face flushed hot. I'd unconsciously thought of myself as Vera's possession. Well, it wasn't wrong? I owed her 5 billion gold. No reason to be embarrassed, but I was anyway.
"Haa... Fine."
Vera sheathed her sword.
"But you'll get spanked when we get home. You like it, right?"
"Pardon...?"
Thump thump♡ No, no! Why am I getting excited?! It feels good when she spanks me, but I don't want it—no, it doesn't feel good. It doesn't!
"Withbel, you..."
"Misunderstanding, Tower Master!"
"No wonder you looked so uncomfortable during my stories... Turns out you want to be on the receiving end, not the giving. I get it now."
"Nooo!"
Bang bang. Count Amod rapped the table. The rowdy room fell silent.
"Princess. Leave."
"Can't do that."
Vera strode toward Count Amod.
"Count, is it okay to frame an innocent person over personal grudges?"
Count Amod's eyebrow twitched. The other committee members buzzed—what did she just say?
"Should I spell it out for everyone here?"
"Are you insulting me?"
"You like it. Being insulted."
Bang! Count Amod slammed the table and stood. Flames flickered behind him, radiating intense heat as if ready to incinerate the conference hall.
"Let's talk privately."
"Sure."
Count Amod left the room. Vera stroked my head a few times.
"Wait here a bit. I'll handle it."
Then she followed him out. I ran my fingers through my tousled hair. I really don't like that princess. Why does she have to be so reliable?