Chapter 63
Chapter 63
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Ralph Steps In
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Lord Jeon is going?"
Connect's eyes widened in surprise as he echoed Jeon's declaration that he would join the investigation.
"Yes. Since this is the last remaining hypothesis anyway, I'd like to check it out myself."
"Hmm."
Connect stroked his chin, deep in thought as he regarded Jeon's resolute expression.
'What should I do?'
Connect was well aware that Jeon was an exceptional talent.
That was why he'd been genuinely grateful when Jeon had actually joined the dispatch team as an apprentice.
But separately from that, Connect didn't fully grasp the extent of Jeon's capabilities.
Which left him wondering whether it was safe to throw him straight into a mission.
'A 3rd Circle Mage who's mastered some of the Silvermont family's secret spells to a degree, and he just produced an incredible artifact this time.'
Even just compiling the information Connect knew about him, Jeon was undeniably a formidable figure for his age.
If such a talent promised to stick with the dispatch team going forward, Connect would welcome him not just with open arms, but with hands, feet, and all.
But when it came to deploying him on this mission right away?
'Any other mission, maybe... but this one is far too dangerous.'
No, that wouldn't do.
Of course, for a standard dispatch mission, he could trust and entrust him without hesitation.
But this mission was different.
The advance team already sent ahead included one seasoned 4th Circle Mage and one who'd reached the 6th Circle—the top echelons of the dispatch team.
Connect figured that even with Jeon's 3rd Circle prowess and impressive artifact, he couldn't match their level.
"This mission is far too dangerous. We've rated the risk level S-class internally—reserved only for our most seasoned members."
"It's fine. I absolutely won't be a burden."
"Haa... This is..."
Connect tried subtly to dissuade him, but scratched his head awkwardly at Jeon's unyielding stance.
'Haa.'
The last thing Connect wanted was for a promising young talent to be thrown into an overly demanding mission and meet with misfortune.
If there were at least a high-circle Mage to protect him during the mission, that might be different.
"...No matter how I think about it, it seems impossible."
"Why is that?"
"I don't think you'd be a burden on the mission, Lord Jeon. But if our hypothesis turns out true and a real crisis hits, you might face something beyond your capacity to handle."
"I'm fine with that. I'm not saying this lightly. I've prepared myself fully."
"I'm not fine with it. If I send you and something happens to you, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. If there were a Mage to protect you by your side during the mission, that might be one thing... but the only high-circle Mage available to go with us right now is Tasha at 4th Circle."
Connect spoke with genuine worry and sincerity.
Jeon found himself at a loss for a retort.
'Hmm, what now.'
Jeon knew full well how dangerous the mission was.
If the hypothesis was correct, it meant a 7th Circle Archmage was colluding with the Ruin Church.
But that was exactly why he had to go.
'No deaths so far, but who knows what happens if we delay further.'
Jeon had come this far to aid them under the Silvermont family's will.
Until now, with the outcome uncertain, he'd been content to wait.
But now that the hypotheses had narrowed to one, he couldn't just sit idle any longer.
'I have to help somehow.'
That was his duty as someone who'd received the Silvermont will and reaped real benefits from it.
"Isn't there some way?"
"Haaa... Well..."
The two continued their deadlock conversation, going in circles.
"What if I go along to assist Lord Jeon? Would that make it possible?"
A new voice interrupted from the entrance of Connect's office.
And standing there was none other than Ralph.
"Lord Ralph...?"
"Ah, well... I told him he couldn't come in yet..."
Ellie stood beside Ralph, flustered at having failed to stop him.
But Ralph seemed to have fully considered her position as he continued.
"Don't blame the secretary too much, if you would. I forced my way in after waiting outside too long."
Jeon glanced at the clock on one wall of the office, wondering how much time had passed.
'Crazy, we've been at this for over an hour?'
They'd just been going back and forth about going or not, and over an hour had flown by.
He didn't know exactly when Ralph had arrived, but it was clear he'd waited quite a while.
"And I'm well aware of the Baek-eun faction within the White Mage Tower. I'm also aware that many in the dispatch team belong to it, so no need to worry."
He was an executive of the Mage Tower, after all—and spoken of as the next Tower Master.
While the Baek-eun faction's existence was a secret, executives deemed trustworthy enough were vaguely aware of it.
That made sense, since the White Mage Tower's history had begun alongside them. Even those who hadn't joined still knew of their existence.
"Well, putting that aside... why are you here, Lord Ralph?"
"I forgot to submit an additional request form after the last incident. I came to request Lord Jeon be dispatched to us again."
In other words, Ralph had rushed here in person with the request form, fearing Jeon might be assigned elsewhere due to his own delay.
'...Was coming in person really necessary?'
Ralph wasn't just any Mage Tower Mage.
He was an executive—and the Tower's greatest genius. To come personally just to submit a request form?
'Or maybe it means he wants Lord Jeon that badly.'
Either way.
Ralph had come to the dispatch team for his own reasons and overheard their conversation—it was undeniable.
"...Have you grasped the full details?"
"Honestly, not really. I waited outside quite a while with no sign of you finishing, so I came in. All I caught was that Lord Jeon wants to join a mission and needs a high-circle Mage to protect him."
"So... you're volunteering for a mission you don't know the details of?"
"If Lord Jeon needs it, gladly."
His tone made it clear he didn't care about the details if it meant helping Jeon.
'...Lord Ralph sees great potential in Lord Jeon.'
Connect had only conversed with him, but Ralph had spent over a month by his side, exchanging magical insights.
If even Ralph was going this far, it meant Jeon possessed talents and skills beyond what Connect vaguely knew.
"...To join this mission, you must swear a secrecy oath."
"It's not like a dispatch mission would harm the White Mage Tower, so that's no issue at all."
He even responded firmly to the subtle probe.
"This is just..."
Connect scratched his head vigorously, resigned.
Jeon was equally surprised by the situation.
'...Really?'
He could only blink at Ralph, who was volunteering to accompany him, whatever the reason.
'Well, it's not bad for me.'
Of course, objectively, it was a boon for Jeon.
With a 5th Circle Mage stepping up to help, Connect had no grounds left to refuse.
It just didn't make immediate sense why the next Tower Master candidate would go out of his way like this.
'Though his values are a bit different from ordinary people.'
Over the past month, Jeon had sensed Ralph was quite unlike regular folk.
Not just his genius-level intellect, but he didn't seem bound by position or status.
'And he's not one for actively mingling with people.'
Most in the lab liked Ralph, but few communicated smoothly with him.
Jeon, after just a month, had the smoothest rapport—Ralph was selective, but so were others with him.
Whether that stemmed from his genius or poor social skills, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
From Jeon's perspective, there was no reason to turn down the offer anyway.
"If Lord Ralph accompanies us, wouldn't that make it possible?"
With Ralph's supportive gaze at his back, Jeon subtly pressured Connect.
"...No helping it."
At this point, Connect had no choice.
Turning down the next Tower Master candidate and a young genius openly offering help would be absurd.
"Then, in exchange, we'll send Tasha along too—for a total of three. That acceptable?"
"Yes, of course."
And so, somewhat unexpectedly with Ralph included, Jeon's first mission as a dispatch team member was confirmed.
"Uh, um, w-well, th-that is... P-please take care of me!"
On the day of departure for the mission.
Among the three who gathered early for the long journey ahead, the most tense was none other than Tasha.
Already on edge, she stuttered through an awkward greeting when Ralph appeared after Jeon.
"Hmm, Tasha, was it? Looking forward to working with you."
"A-ah, y-yes! Of c-course!"
Jeon eyed her curiously, seeing the sharp demeanor from their first meeting replaced by this flustered side again.
'The type who gets nervous around new people?'
But she'd been quite decisive in front of the elevator with a crowd, so maybe not.
'How can someone be so different?'
As Jeon marveled inwardly at her contrasting sides,
"Then let's head out right away."
The trio set off for their destination immediately upon gathering at the rendezvous.
Their goal: a small city called Serif.
"I-It, uh, it's f-famous as a beautiful spot where h-high-ranking Imperials r-retire to!"
"Hmm, I've heard of it."
"O-our mission is to join the advance team already there upon arrival and actively support their task."
Tasha gave a brief briefing on the destination and mission.
Her tension remained evident, though.
"...You're doing fine, so no need to be so nervous."
Jeon offered her some gentle encouragement.
"A-ah... R-right! It's just... I t-tend to get flustered outside the Mage Tower..."
Ah.
Thinking back, their first meeting had been at the Mage Tower's main gate—outside the Tower.
She'd grown calmer the further inside they went.
'Does she have some kind of separation anxiety from the Mage Tower?'
Good grief.
It was an oddly fascinating quirk once he realized it.
Not like a puppy waiting for its owner—this woman got tense away from the Tower.
'...But her skills are solid, at least.'
According to Connect,
She was a top talent who'd reached 4th Circle in her mid-20s—not Ralph's level, but impressive.
Even if she seemed nervous and clumsy, she was elite for her age group.
So no major issues, probably.
'Probably... right?'
Come to think of it,
He'd ended up on a mission with people who were highly skilled but lacking in social graces or prone to nerves.
They'd handle tasks reliably enough, but avoiding any mission mishaps due to personality clashes seemed iffy.
Thus, among them, the one who could communicate normally and voice opinions was outwardly the youngest: Jeon.
"...Should be fine, yeah?"
With two higher-circle Mages along, it felt reassuring—yet a vague worry lingered.
Jeon hoped it was just nerves as he set off for Serif.