Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The Chestnut Tree Meeting
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A few hours later.
Loan sat in a park by the lake, eating a sausage tucked into a bun as he gazed up at the Magic Tower.
It was still across the lake.
Despite the considerable distance, the tower was too vast to be taken in at a single glance.
It was that massive, that tall.
‘If it’s that large, there must be an incredible number of mages.’
It was a sight hard to reconcile with the theories he'd always heard about the uselessness of magic and the mistreatment of mages.
“...”
Just as Loan found the scenery perplexing, the passersby also gave him strange looks.
Some of it was discomfort directed at his Union uniform, while other gazes were filled with admiration for his appearance.
Both were reactions he was quite used to.
What was unfamiliar to Loan was the feeling of ‘hesitation’.
No one took any immediate action or spoke to him, yet he could sense that several people were looking at him, debating whether to do this or that.
Moreover, every one of them possessed a considerable amount of mana. And it was pure.
The presence of so many such individuals was concerning, but he couldn't easily leave his spot because he had an arrangement with Commander Magda of the Honor Division.
After sending word that he was heading to Schwerin, not long after receiving Commander Adrian’s permission, a message from Commander Magda had arrived.
[Kingdom Year 267, September 1. The park with a view of the Tower of Phenomena. Under the largest chestnut tree. Noon.]
It was a message that read like a directive.
He had hurried to be on time.
And now, he was at the meeting spot.
Noon had just passed, but Commander Magda had yet to arrive. Still, he couldn't just leave.
‘The commander isn’t the type to be late.’
This wasn't a judgment based on her character or personality. Just as Loan had strived to be punctual, she too was a mage who valued principles and rules.
He worried that something might have happened.
Rising from the bench, Loan approached an old man in a stylish hat who had been hovering nearby.
“Excuse me, sir. Is that tower over there the Tower of Phenomena?”
He had intended to confirm his suspicion and also ask why the man was loitering.
The old man was startled by Loan’s question but soon couldn’t hide his delight.
He adjusted the wide brim of his hat and replied.
“That’s right. That pillar is the Tower of Phenomena. Next to it, in order, are the Tower of Perception, the Tower of Sensation, and the Tower of Ideation. And the one supported by the four pillars is the Tower of Manifestation.”
He gave a subtle smile, as if pleased with his own answer.
Loan nodded and bowed his head slightly.
“Thank you for your kind explanation.”
The old man waved his hand dismissively.
Then, emboldened by the conversation, he looked at Loan's chest—specifically, at the Union badge—and asked.
“Are you, by any chance, Runner Loan of the Union’s Faith Division?”
The way he so precisely and formally stated his affiliation and name felt strange.
“Yes, I am. Do you know me?”
Not only the old man, but also those nearby who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, let out something close to a gasp.
The old man replied in a trembling voice.
“Hah, how could any citizen of Schwerin not know you? You presented a new theory at the exchange with the magical delegation led by Vert. For a while, all of Schwerin was abuzz with the formula presented by a mere eleven-year-old boy. Not long after, you faced the high-ranking mage Reinholdt in the Union entrance exam and brought him to his knees. The rumors that followed were all so incredible they were hard to believe. It’s no exaggeration to say that, at least in the capital of Schwerin, your name is on everyone’s lips daily. The silver-haired prodigy who was promoted to Runner in the same year he joined. Your handsome features are also widely known, so wouldn’t it be stranger not to recognize you?”
The old man spewed out the words he had clearly rehearsed in his mind many times over.
How he had been itching to say all that.
An even larger crowd had gathered than before, and they all looked relieved that the old man had said what was on their minds.
Everyone waited for Loan’s reaction.
“I am that Loan, but… I’m not that remarkable. You’re too kind.”
The old man tilted his head and said with a sigh.
“Hah, you’re far more modest than the rumors suggest.”
This time, it was Loan’s turn to tilt his head.
For someone who had always prioritized character and lived with a humble attitude, it was a difficult reaction to understand.
The rumors must have been wildly exaggerated in some parts and distorted in others.
It wasn't so unusual for admiration and jealousy to become intertwined.
“You shouldn’t pay too much attention to baseless stories, sir.”
“Hah, that too is a very mature thing to say. But what brings you to Schwerin? For someone like you to come here must mean something important is happening, yet the Magic Tower seems awfully quiet. Is it possible they don’t know you’ve arrived?”
“Master Stife. Even if they did know, it might not be as you think. As you know, not all mages in the tower are fond of Sir Loan.”
Someone from the crowd, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in.
As Loan turned his gaze to the speaker, the old man named Stife spoke.
“Josef, you’re here.”
The man named Josef gave a slight bow in response to Stife and continued.
“The Magic Tower is still dominated by magical fundamentalists, is it not? They’re different from modernists like us. Ah, speaking of which, what about you, Sir Loan? I’ve never heard your opinion on the matter directly, but based on your past actions, it seems your philosophy aligns with modernism. Ah, could it be that you’re here now to speak with us?”
Magical fundamentalism and modernism.
To Loan, both terms were unfamiliar.
This was due to Schwerin being an overly isolationist nation; even for a mage like Loan, it wasn’t easy to know their internal affairs.
Of course, he knew from Union intelligence and from his seniors in the Honor Division, including Dean Arthur and Commander Magda, that there were various perspectives on magic within Schwerin.
But his knowledge wasn't sufficient to join a debate-like conversation.
Loan replied.
“I was aware that there are diverse views on magic, but I don’t know the precise definitions of the two philosophies you mention. And even if I did, I’m not sure it would be appropriate to reveal my stance here and now. I apologize for not being able to give you an answer.”
It was an exceedingly polite and dignified response.
The listeners—who he now judged to be mages—all wore expressions of admiration.
Stife spoke on their behalf.
“A truly mage-like answer. A shame, though. I would like to speak with you more if possible, but… we have our own business to attend to. The spot where you are standing happens to be our meeting place.”
“Pardon?”
Loan looked down at the bench where he had been sitting and then glanced around again.
He had thought they had gathered because of his conversation with the old man, Stife, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
While it was because of Commander Magda’s message, that was no excuse for taking their spot.
Feeling embarrassed, Loan quickly apologized to the group.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this was such a place.”
“It’s only natural for an outsider not to know, so please don’t worry about it. Besides, you must have had your own reasons for being here, no? I don’t know what they are, but please understand our situation. We may be discussing some sensitive topics.”
At Stife’s words, the others nodded and drew closer to the bench.
As if showing special consideration for Loan, they took their places centered around the bench next to his.
It would be shameless to remain in his spot nonchalantly when they were being so kind to an outsider. Yet, it would be awkward to join their conversation.
He explained his situation, intending to create a bit of distance.
“Thank you. I’m supposed to meet Commander Magda here. I’ll stay nearby. Please don’t mind me.”
At Loan’s words, the people frowned in unison.
Stife asked on their behalf.
“Hmm. So that was the reason? If someone like her came to the Magic Tower, it must have been for something quite important.”
Loan recalled the reason the commander had come here.
The message had only stated that she would be visiting in person to discuss matters related to the Brien Partisans in northern Schwerin.
Even without sharing that information, it seemed he could learn something useful from them.
“The Honor Division is a unit composed mostly of mages. The commander herself is from here. Is her visit really that unusual?”
“Commander Magda… I’ve never met her myself, but she’s quite a famous figure, isn’t she? When she was at the tower, she was known as a leading modernist. There were also rumors that she had significant disagreements with the current Tower Master. If that rift hasn’t been mended, the same thing would happen again, so she wouldn't come here unless it was for something extremely important.”
If Commander Magda was a modernist, he could begin to understand the nature of that philosophy.
She was a powerful individual who embodied his ideal image of a mage, and she had condoned most of his actions, some of which bordered on eccentric. She wasn't afraid of change or reform.
“If she has arrived, she’s likely still at the Magic Tower.”
Josef replied to Loan’s comment.
“That’s a possibility. But it’s strange. Did she really say to meet here? Someone like Magda would certainly know about this place.”
“Yes. She said noon, under the largest chestnut tree with a view of the Tower of Phenomena.”
At Loan’s answer, Stife, Josef, and the others exchanged glances.
They looked somewhat perplexed.
Josef said.
“Then it’s certain. She meant for you to meet us. The first day of the month, the time, and the place are all exact.”
“Then why would she want me to meet you all?”
“That, I do not know. However, it makes me wonder if Commander Magda knew what we were planning to discuss today.”
Loan felt the atmosphere grow heavy and sensed that the conversation about to unfold would be a serious one.
Stife continued.
“We intend to discuss the current Tower Master’s misrule. Whether we will act on it is a matter for later, but the fact that we are discussing it at all shows a significant consensus, doesn't it? As a mage yourself, you probably understand.”
“Ah…”
A sound like a groan escaped Loan’s lips.
The Tower Master. The lord of the Magic Tower and the ruler of Schwerin. In other words, the most powerful mage in the world.
His status was equivalent to a duke in other nations. In fact, he held the title of honorary duke.
Therefore, to speak of the Tower Master’s misrule was tantamount to plotting treason or rebellion.
Could Commander Magda really have known this and still sent Loan here?
If so, what was her intention?
To overhear their plot of treason and rebellion? To stop it beforehand? Or to join them?
He couldn’t easily guess her meaning.
So, he first sought to remind them just how dangerous their conversation was.
“But is there a reason you’re having such a sensitive discussion in such a public place?”
“This is a symbolic location. Mages are meant to voice their opinions, so we have no need to fear gossip. No, more than that, the Magic Tower has no interest in what happens beyond the bridge. Well, even if they were concerned, they can’t stop words from getting out…”
Listening to them, Loan deployed a barrier based on the [Sphere of the Void]. An attempt to block sound waves with a wall of mana.
*Fwoooosh—*
A colorless, transparent hemisphere formed around the gathered people.
“This should do it.”
Their voices bounced off the mana barrier and echoed back.
Loan had suddenly become a participant in their meeting.