Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Visit to the Magic Tower
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Garam had heard that the group's departure was drawing near, so he postponed their schedule. If their routes overlapped, they'd travel together for a bit longer; if not, they'd split off.
Of course, he didn't return the two gold coins he'd taken. Cocky bastard.
The next day, Richer was about to step out to sell the Polaroid camera when he glanced out the window and froze, his expression darkening.
"Hey, Tae-jin. You need to come with me to the Magic Tower."
"Why? Feeling lonely all of a sudden?"
"No. Take a look over there."
Richer pointed out the window, and Tae-jin followed his gaze.
Ariete stood blankly in front of a tree a short distance from the house, her eyes fixed on the front door.
She was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and looked a bit worn out. She must have been standing there ever since she was chased away the day before.
It wasn't hard to guess why she was waiting like that. Richer had told her not to set foot in this house.
"Ariete's out there, huh. What, you think she'll beat you up if you go outside?"
"No. Think about it logically. I'm the only one who can keep her in check even a little. And she doesn't like you much."
Keep her in check? The phrasing felt a bit off, but Tae-jin let it slide with a shrug.
"Having the most beautiful woman I've ever seen hate my guts. What a tragedy. Guess I picked the wrong master."
"With your face, I figured you were used to women hating you."
Tae-jin swung a fist without hesitation, but Richer deftly twisted his waist to dodge.
"Anyway, why do I have to come along?"
Richer stroked his brown goatee as he explained.
"Simple. What if she burns the house down with magic while I'm gone at the Magic Tower?"
"Come on, she'd really do that? This is right in the middle of the capital."
"She could. How many people do you think she's killed so far?"
Tae-jin couldn't tell if Richer was joking or serious when he talked about Ariete. His face was too grave for a joke, but the stories felt too outlandish for truth.
"Wouldn't running into her outside be even more dangerous?"
"No. She won't attack you if I'm there. Absolutely. She doesn't want me hating her."
"If she's scared of you hating her, then wouldn't it be the same if I stayed home? Whether I'm here or out, if she causes trouble, you'll hate her either way."
For a split second, Richer's eyes flicked to the small tombstone in the yard. Ah. So that's it.
Tae-jin quickly changed tack.
"Then why not bring the others?"
"She won't care about anyone else. You're the only one in danger."
"Why me?"
"Because you're my disciple."
"Life's so unfair. Sometimes it feels like the whole world hates me."
"What can you do? It's your fate. Now get up. We can say hi to old Hilario while we're at it."
"Old Hilario?"
"My master. Hurry up."
Tae-jin got to his feet and followed Richer out. No need to worry about wrinkled clothes—he'd throw on a thick robe anyway.
As the front door opened and the two emerged, Ariete hurried over. But she stopped short of the yard fence, like an ant unable to cross a line drawn in ballpoint pen.
"Master, you're finally out? Did you sleep well, Tae-jin?"
Even in those few words, she fidgeted restlessly.
Richer, meanwhile, regarded her calmly. Not as sharply as when he'd found her inside the house yesterday, though.
"You were out there all night?"
Ariete gave a shy smile instead of answering.
"Hehe."
She didn't look like someone about to cause trouble. But Richer wouldn't joke about his wife's death. What emotions hid behind that bashful grin?
"You coming along?"
"Can't I? I've waited so long..."
Richer let out a quiet sigh.
"Fine. It has been a long time. Three years already, huh."
Richer had been by the Gate with Tae-jin for the past five years, so those three years weren't Earth time. She must have waited fifteen.
Could anyone really wait that long for one person?
"If you're coming, no fighting. Get along."
"Got it, Master."
Just hearing she could tag along lifted her mood; she beamed and hugged Richer's arm. It was a heartwarming sight, but Richer's face was conflicted.
Tae-jin still couldn't quite figure out their relationship.
Richer didn't register Tae-jin at the Magic Tower.
For one, he wasn't an imperial citizen. And two, dodging the aptitude test that came with registration seemed wise.
Who knew how messy things could get if the test revealed something like, "This guy's got a talent for spatial magic"?
So the three headed straight to Sub-Tower Lord Hilario's workshop upon arrival.
"Master. I'm here."
"Perfect timing. Come in."
A stereotypical old mage sat inside the office: white hair, white beard, thick robe, kindly face.
He looked surprised to see Ariete and Tae-jin following Richer.
"You must be the two disciples Richer mentioned. Nice to meet you."
"Hello."
After light greetings, the real talk began.
"Richer. Here for the materials?"
"That, and to sell something. Figured the Magic Tower would give the best price."
"Selling to the Tower? Pick up some rare ingredients on your travels?"
"No. It's from beyond the Gate."
Hilario looked intrigued yet baffled.
"Gate-crossed goods aren't rare. Why bring it all the way here?"
"It's different from what you've seen. Pristine condition, useful, no malfunctions."
Tae-jin pulled out the Polaroid camera, a sample photo, and handed them over with a quick explanation. When he showed the rolls of film too, Hilario's expression brightened.
He tugged a cord to summon someone.
"Not sure exactly, but conservatively, fifty gold at least."
Tae-jin's face lit up. The flashlight had sold for three gold on the cheap end; he'd hoped for twenty tops. Fifty was way better than expected.
"That much?"
Tae-jin blurted it out and immediately regretted it—like admitting he had no clue about its value.
But Hilario chuckled and explained openly.
"Sure. Think about it. Charge the rich one gold per photo, and with that film, you could make seventy easy. Plus, dismantle it for study later."
He had no intention of lowballing or hiding its worth.
Still, quoting fifty for a Polaroid with seventy shots of film probably factored in risks—like photos not developing right or breaking before the film's used up.
Then a mage and a dwarf entered the sub-tower lord's room.
They bowed, heard the explanation, debated the price. Tae-jin showed the sample photo, but they tested a shot to confirm it worked, of course.
They whispered the offer to Richer; he nodded. A pile of gold coins changed hands. That many meant a comfortable trip ahead.
As the two left with the camera, Hilario spoke again.
"Seeing you with two disciples stirs up memories. Looks like everything worked out. Good for you."
Richer mumbled evasively.
"It just kinda happened."
Hilario beamed without a wrinkle of doubt. He clearly didn't know the full story.
He handed Richer a few rolled scrolls and a thick book.
"This is everything I could gather. When do you head out?"
Richer startled.
"Head out? Old man, you losing it? We're staying in the capital awhile. Got a lot to teach Tae-jin."
"Oh, right... last time. Age is catching up; memory's fuzzy. Old folks gotta die sometime."
Hilario forced an awkward laugh, but it was a bit late. Ariete's face had soured.
Tae-jin broke into a cold sweat. If she didn't buy the clumsy acting, their plan to slip out of the capital unnoticed was toast.
Richer and Hilario shifted topics, chatting idly, but Ariete just stood staring at Richer. Embarrassment crept plainly onto his face.
The conversation wrapped up awkwardly, and the three left the Magic Tower.
Their gains: a fat stack of gold, materials from Hilario, and Ariete's suspicious glare.
As they walked in silence, Ariete finally spoke.
"Master."
"Yes, Ariete."
"Are you planning to leave the capital?"
"No, no. Lots to teach Tae-jin. Didn't we just get those materials?"
But of course, Ariete didn't look convinced.
"I think you might leave the capital."
"I'm not."
"But if you do... take me with you."
"I said I'm not."
"In the seven years I've lived, I've spent a year and a half with you. And twice that waiting for you. Roaming battlefields."
"..."
"I was so lonely. It hurt so much. I don't think I can take it anymore."
Ariete finished her calm recounting and stared at Richer.
Her eyes blazed. Yes, raw, unfiltered emotion poured from them.
The type didn't matter. It was the sheer overwhelming volume, impossible to comprehend.
Seeing that look, Tae-jin knew Richer was telling the truth.
Ariete was truly a madwoman.