Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: 14. Farther Than Love, Closer Than Friendship (4)
“This is a bit troubling.”
“Yeah, I figured as much.”
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The news Leimi Big Sis delivered to me—while I was enjoying a rare clear day with perfect weather and feeling great—was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.
It wasn't anything else. It was a message from the Magic Tower saying they needed my help.
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Why me again?
When the demonkin aren't making moves, can't they just leave me alone for once?
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“Professor Selene and that girl Ermina are there together, but apparently, they'd prefer if you and the shopkeeper went as a pair.”
“...Did those two specifically request me by name?”
“Doesn't seem like it.”
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To be honest, it wasn't a proposal that appealed to me at all. I'm no researcher; I'd just be standing there like a decorative screen while the others worked, then maybe having tea time afterward. No need to drag myself into something that trivial.
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“They said to at least come talk. Doesn't seem like they're expecting much.”
“Figures.”
“Still, they're interested enough to extend the invitation.”
“...The Magic Tower isn't clueless enough not to know what I've been up to lately. They might want to build a connection with Lebedev.”
“Exactly. Research runs on brains, but it costs real money.”
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The phrasing was a bit odd, but if the imperial family is the heart of the empire and Astraea its vital energy, then the Magic Tower is the brain. Just as Astraea has some autonomy, the Magic Tower doesn't pledge 100% loyalty to the empire.
The structure is that the imperial family funds the Tower's independent research, and in return, the Tower provides some technology and talent. That's why they even run their own intelligence agency.
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To put it more bluntly, on this continent, the Magic Tower's presence is growing while the fading theocracy shrinks by comparison.
It's a research institution with more influence than some minor border kingdom—quite the scale.
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“They did say they'd make it worth your while, though.”
“...Judging by the wording, it's not money.”
“No idea. They said they'd accommodate whatever you want, as much as possible.”
“Issuing a blank check for something with unclear intentions?”
“They've got their reasons.”
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This was making me want to go even less.
If it were to give face to Leimi Big Sis, maybe, but did I really need to stick my neck into something shady?
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As I pondered the increasingly suspicious situation, the shop door opened, and in walked a familiar face I hadn't seen in a while.
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“Oh, shopkeeper!”
“Long time no see, Cosetica Big Sis.”
“I've been swamped lately. And with Mina gone, all sorts of issues cropped up in the labyrinth.”
“What? What happened?”
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“No, no, nothing to get worked up about. It's just that some of the parties Mina usually helps got into a bind.”
“Ah.”
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Right. I'd forgotten amid all the time I've been tagging along, but Mina Big Sis's main gig as an adventurer is guiding night expeditions into the labyrinth.
She'd been busy right after returning from helping with adventurer work.
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“Ahem. Anyway, that's what I've been up to. And I came to pass along one other thing.”
“What is it?”
“Someone from the Magic Tower—some professor—contacted us. Said if the shopkeeper comes by, they'd like to repay you for that coffee last time.”
“...Ah, that person.”
“They insisted—please, definitely, absolutely come.”
“Tch.”
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As a headache made me want to curse, Leimi Big Sis beat me to it with a click of her tongue. She'd said they hadn't gotten along since her research days.
Seeing our faces sour in unison, Cosetica Big Sis looked flustered and tried to change the subject.
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“Ahem. So, shall we move past that?”
“There's more?”
“Not super important, but...”
“Tell me everything.”
“Well, they apologized for being rude last time without knowing your identity, and they're looking forward to seeing you with your two guests.”
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Irritation surging, I pinched the bridge of my nose. I knew he was sharp-eyed—from our first meeting, he'd guessed my identity somewhat. But did he really know my connection to Ermina from the academy and Professor Selene?
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Could I just let this slide? It felt like a veiled threat wrapped in elegant noble speech.
Of course, it wasn't a sincere threat. Holed up in the Magic Tower headquarters, even I wouldn't find it easy to break in. Actually, breaking in is easy. Smashing through by force? I could manage that.
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The problem is the political and economic clout of the Magic Tower. Starting a brawl there would be a disaster I'd regret witnessing.
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“Alright. I'll think about it.”
“Changed your mind?”
“A little. Sounds like it's worth hearing them out.”
“They said contact them when you're ready. Want me to?”
“...Let's go now.”
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Great, now I'd be leaving the shop empty again.
I was starting to question the point of leaving the academy. After a year of peace, was work piling up like this?
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And this issue was clearly dragging me down from the academy side, so I couldn't even vent at the people here.
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A bit heated as I walked the streets, Cosetica Big Sis said with a slightly cowed expression,
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“D-Did I stir up trouble by mentioning it?”
“No. Time to sort it out.”
“Sort it out physically?”
“Maybe.”
“Whoa, really?”
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I didn't bother answering.
I knew where the guild master's office was, and with Cosetica Big Sis along, we headed straight inside without detours.
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Reaching the office, we opened the door. Cosetica Big Sis darted in first, rummaged in a corner for a bit, and pulled out a crystal.
She hurriedly connected the communication and handed it to me.
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「Yes, this is Professor Elvin Clask's lab at the Magic Tower. Guild Master?」
“Yes. Yul—er, the café shopkeeper.”
「Oh, oh. You remember me? It's Dalia.」
“Speak freely.”
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The flustered voice on the other end of the crystal belonged to Dalia, the one who'd crashed at the café last time.
Since they handled comms there too, they'd probably heard about my situation.
She'd guided me around Astraea before, so Professor Elvin clearly trusted and favored her.
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Maybe because I was openly showing my displeasure.
Dalia's face on the crystal screen looked extremely flustered.
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「Uh, well. We reached out with good intentions. Is something wrong?」
“No, it's fine. Just been dealing with a lot of tiring stuff lately. And speak casually.”
「Got it, uh. You heard about the matter...?」
“Yes. The guild master relayed what Professor Elvin said. In detail.”
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I emphasized it pointedly, venting my irritation. Quick-witted people like Dalia, or those sensitive to bad vibes like Professor Elvin, would get it right away.
If I didn't hide my displeasure, they'd back off on their own.
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I needed to clearly convey that whether I went to the Magic Tower or not, I wouldn't stay quiet.
Going would be insurance; not going would signal 'touch those two, and I won't hold back.'
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「Th-There seems to be a misunderstanding.」
“Ah, the guild master must've misrelayed it. And I said speak casually.”
「No, that's not it. I mean, it isn't.」
“Then why would people who know what I'm dealing with right now summon me?”
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I meant, why call someone swamped with that recent dwarf business?
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「We happened to have acquaintances visiting, so we thought it'd be nice to meet up.」
“What happens to those two if I don't go?”
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There it was—not from the opponent directly, but classic WWE mind games.
Dalia caught on immediately and responded.
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「No. Both are comfortably staying in the VIP rooms the Tower reserves for special guests. Of course, if Yulius visits, we'll receive him with utmost hospitality.」
“That holds even if I don't go, right?”
「Naturally. The Tower takes full responsibility for any issues arising there, with or without you.」
“If I do go, how long until you're ready?”
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She hesitated slightly at that.
Claiming everything was set would earn a 'you didn't even ask my intentions?'; delaying would get 'you summon me just to make me wait?'
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Well, the right answer was usually predetermined.
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「It won't take long—we can prepare once you give us the visit date ahead of time.」
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These high-ups sure knew how to stroke egos.
How much had Professor Elvin drilled etiquette into her?
No one gets that perceptive without relentless training.
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Suppressing a moment of internal tears, I hid my rising migraine from the irritation and said,
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“I'd prefer if the trip isn't too long.”
「We'll adjust the schedule.」
“Minimize meetings with unrelated people, please.”
「Of course. ...S-Sorry for the sudden contact. Should've known it'd be inconvenient.」
“Not your fault, Dalia. See you at the Tower later.”
「So straightforward in forgiving.」
“No, honestly, it pissed me off a bit. But seeing you work hard to smooth it over helped. Thanks.”
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Dalia chuckled at my words and shot back,
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「At first, I thought you were some nasty noble mother-in-law. Must be from being at the center of high society.」
“Water under the bridge. I'll send the schedule later.”
「Yeah. Thanks!」
“Whew.”
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I sighed after ending the call.
If I went, I'd grab Professor Elvin by the throat. The emperor wants him in writing, the kingdom's desperate to bring him back, and even the elves recognize him as kin—I'd leverage that fully for some payback.
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You'd better brace yourself.