Chapter 27
The situation was grave. It seemed the Istar Duke had tampered with every bottle of wine in the heretic cult's possession. The unpleasant sensation it gave off was just like facing a mana beast—definitely nothing good. And the problem was that the same foul feeling emanated from the nobles who had already drunk it.
In other words, something was accumulating inside their bodies every time they took a sip.
What the hell does it do? Even as the Magic Tower Master, I couldn't know everything about the world. Especially not the insane schemes of these deranged heretics—they were unpredictably outlandish.
I set my wine glass down on the table. Better not touch it.
Arian tilted her head. "Tower Master? You're not having any wine?"
"Arian, lend me your ear for a sec."
Though puzzled, she leaned in as I asked.
"The Istar Duke messed with this wine. Don't touch it, no matter what."
I whispered low, just in case anyone overheard.
"W-wait, really...?"
She whispered back even softer. I nodded.
This guy's a total psycho.
They'd told me to find proof that the Istar Duke was a heretic, so I'd thought he'd hidden it somewhere clever. But no—he was pulling this crap right out in the open. Sure, in his mind, this counted as "hiding" it.
Should I just kill him right here? It'd wrap things up clean, no loose ends. If he started moving in earnest, the fallout was obvious.
No wonder he'd welcomed me so warmly despite never meeting before. Turns out he was plotting this shit behind the scenes. You're done for today.
That's when I spotted a familiar face at the edge of my vision.
Yuna...?
She was much thinner than the last time I'd seen her, but that red hair was unmistakable—no one else had it.
But her condition was beyond just "thin." Dark circles hung heavy under her eyes, her lips were dry and cracked, and her gaze held no spark of life. Like a walking corpse.
What the hell happened to her?
She had that irritating habit of grinning through even dire situations, but flip that around—she rarely lost her smile. She'd even laugh in her sleep, mumbling nonsense. For someone that bright to look darker than anyone else here... it was baffling.
As I pondered that, Yuna—nail-biting anxiously, scanning the room—locked eyes with me.
She stared blankly for a moment, then slowly started walking over.
"Tower Master?"
Arian noticed my odd gaze and asked. But I couldn't respond.
My head was already pounding from stopping the world's doom and foiling the Istar Duke's plans. Yuna made it explode.
Arian followed my line of sight. Then she realized it: I was staring intently at some frail beauty.
Huh? She looks familiar...
Red hair, golden eyes. The Hero. Alarm bells rang in Arian's head.
First elves requesting aid, then the Saintess dropping off tea leaves in person, and now the Hero shows up. Looking all fragile and stirring protective instincts, no less.
Was her party actually the 'Devour the Mage' crew?
Either way, she couldn't let Franz get stolen like this. Arian sidled up to him slyly.
"Tower Master, I'm suddenly dizzy. How about some air...?"
"Sorry, Arian, but I need to handle something alone."
"P-pardon...?"
"If anything happens, send a telepathic message right away. Don't come rushing over."
Arian blinked in confusion at his words. Franz left her behind and headed for Yuna.
Whatever the heretics threw at him, he could handle. But if something went wrong with her, it'd be a nightmare.
Soon, the two faced each other.
"Yuna, long time no see."
I greeted her first. But she just stood there blankly, no reply.
Ah, shit, this feels ominous.
Justia and Hera at least talked. Yuna's silence made everything feel way more serious.
But I couldn't back off.
"Something wrong? You eating okay? Why're you so skin and bones?"
I tossed out worried words, like I had with Hera. People usually let their guard down around concern.
But Yuna stayed silent.
"You might not remember, but I don't see you as an outsider. So if something's tough, tell me anything. I'll do what I can."
This was my Hail Mary. If she didn't bite after this, pushing more would be pointless. Stalking her nagging wouldn't help.
Not that I'd quit—just play it cool and look after her discreetly.
Then Yuna's lips twitched faintly. Like she had something to say. I perked up.
And she delivered.
"Franz... you'll really do anything...?"
"Yeah, spill it."
What couldn't the Tower Master do? Money, fame, hell—even becoming Emperor if she asked. I'd try talking him down first, though.
Feeling something big coming, I cast a soundproof spell quietly.
Yuna spoke immediately.
"Franz..."
"Yeah, go on."
"Save my mom and little sister..."
Mom and little sister...? Kidnapped family?
"Tell me more details?"
"The Istar Duke kidnapped them. And he's forcing me to obey him..."
"That's enough."
I cut her off. No need for the rest—I could guess.
Even more of a piece of shit than I thought.
Collaborating with heretics, dragging imperial nobles into it, kidnapping the Hero's family, and blackmailing her into service. Yeah, the Istar Duke wasn't going quietly. A demon in human skin.
With the big talk done, I dropped the soundproof.
"Yuna, follow me."
She nodded. I led her back to Arian.
Left alone, Arian pouted sulkily. I felt a bit guilty myself but didn't voice it. I'd wronged her, after all.
"Yuna, this is Arian, my secretary. She's trustworthy—stick with her."
Yuna nodded at my words. But Arian was full of complaints.
Dragging in a new girl out of nowhere and saying "hang out"? Ridiculous.
"Where to now?"
"Istar Duke kidnapped Yuna's family."
I whispered in Arian's ear. She sighed deeply and nodded.
"...Be careful."
"Yeah. Message if shit hits the fan."
"Got it. Go worry-free."
I slipped out of the heretic hall, leaving Arian and Yuna. Hiding in a suitable spot, I sent mana pulses everywhere.
Garden plants, guarding knights, even rats in holes—it detected them all.
But something was off.
There's something underground.
A massive mana clump below. Its waves mimicked humans closely.
Too closely—not human. That was the issue.
I focused mana downward for a clearer scan.
What the...?
My guess missed wildly. Underground were people.
People twisted into grotesque, foul forms by heretic power.
Then Yuna's words flashed in my mind.
— The Istar Duke kidnapped my mom and little sister. —
No way. Please, no.
I wished desperately, but no intact humans down there, no matter how I scanned.
I teleported down to confirm with my own eyes.
And there it was.
"Ugh... uuuugh—."
Among the twisted horrors, one had Yuna's exact red hair.
My hand rose slowly to my forehead. A deep furrow creased my brow.