Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Heretic of the Magic Tower (7)
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"Natural magic sure is convenient."
The cafe manager, looking unusually cheerful, hummed a tune while packaging something. From a distance, it looked like he was putting coffee beans into airtight containers. Given his mention of natural magic, it was probably samples he'd gotten from that farm owner during his trip to the southwest.
Recalling what he'd said before, it seemed he'd used natural magic to shorten the growth, fermentation, and drying processes for these samples.
That crazy coffee-obsessed guy. It was a relief—and yet a shame—that he showed no interest in women, probably scarred from some harsh experience in the past.
From Leimi's perspective, it was good that he didn't easily fall for those who had feelings for him, but his habit of keeping a moderate distance from everyone was a bit infuriating.
"Cafe manager."
"Ah, yes. I figured you had some thinking to do alone since you were at the sofa table today."
"...Half right, I guess. Anyway, I have something I want to ask."
"Sure?"
As he sniffed the coffee aroma and labeled the airtight containers one by one, he paused and turned to her. It wasn't much, but his habit of stopping whatever he was doing to focus on the conversation during talks was good manners. Ever since talking with Dalia, even the little things got on her nerves to the point of exasperation.
"Um, can we talk about old times? I'm just curious."
"Well... You probably know the gist already, so it's fine. Karin's not here anyway."
"She can't hear it, huh."
"She's at the academy. No point in digging it up; it wouldn't do anyone good."
That made sense.
Leimi and Mina weren't even from the kingdom to begin with, had no connection to the academy, and weren't part of noble society, so they never had to face the people involved directly.
In that sense, it shouldn't be a big deal to hear the story, and if he said it was okay to share, then asking shouldn't be a problem.
She just had to avoid the sensitive parts.
"How far did things go with your fiancee?"
"...That's a question I didn't see coming."
"I-I'm just curious."
"Nothing much? We were on good terms back when we were kids, but around secondary sexual characteristics kicking in, she started acting weird, so there was no chance for that."
"I see."
"Actually, early in our teens, Rias—oops, spilled the name—came to my bedroom once after hearing something weird somewhere. But she didn't know what to do, so we just lay side by side and slept."
"You didn't know what to do back then either, huh."
"Huh? I knew everything I needed to."
What? So he lay side by side with his female fiancee who came to his bedroom and just... slept?
Wasn't the issue that he was scarred by women? Or was he just fundamentally uninterested in sex?
Noticing Leimi's odd expression, the cafe manager looked a bit flustered and tried to smooth it over.
"No, I mean, I'm not uninterested or anything. But it has to be a situation where we both consent and take responsibility."
"Then, if..."
Who to use as an example? Hesitating for a moment, Leimi decided to sell out someone who wasn't there.
No ears around, even the emperor could get trashed.
"If His Majesty the Emperor was interested in you."
"Pardon?"
"I-ignoring social positions, purely as a woman one-on-one."
"Uh, um. You didn't hear anything, did you?"
"...Was there really something?"
His Majesty the Emperor's expression and gaze had been unusual.
Did something happen during that communication? Some lewd act over the communication medium?
Anyway, he didn't seem keen on talking about it, so Leimi eased off prying and opted for a neutral scenario.
"...Objectively speaking, yeah, she's definitely pretty. But her personality's a bit... I don't get those feelings if the conversation isn't enjoyable."
"What about me?"
"Pardon?"
"Ahhh, no. I mean, is talking with me enjoyable?"
"I think it is."
In the end, Leimi realized her last question was basically asking if she turned him on, and she failed at keeping a straight face.
His answer sounded like 'yeah, you do,' doubling her embarrassment as she sank.
"...I'll head in now."
"I-if you're stressed lately, take a good rest."
"It's not pain—no, wait, am I hurting right now? Yeah. I'll rest."
Feeling her face burn, Leimi opened the cafe door and bumped into Dras, who had a relaxed expression.
Watching Leimi vanish like the wind, he muttered.
"Young folks."
"Everyone's young compared to you, Mr. Dras."
"Nah, not that. The cafe manager doesn't feel young. More like a worn-out old soul."
"...Can't deny that."
The cafe manager served Dras a cup of coffee and finished packaging the sample beans.
The old man and the weather-beaten youth spent a peaceful afternoon.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Since this job is on the Magic Tower's request, they'll provide support for the travel."
With Justina sniffing around, Rias needed caution too. All four agreed on that, holding their pre-departure meeting in Justina's private reception room.
No telling how things would spiral if Rias got involved.
"So, long-distance teleportation support?"
"Yeah. I asked around through Magic Tower contacts why they're so proactive. Apparently, the southern elves faced a food crisis due to the demon tribe for a while, leading to aggressive plundering. This proper support is their attempt to build friendly ties and stabilize the south for now."
"I see. That explains the unusual movements in the imperial court."
Lebedev Duke had periodic meetings with the Pallan Empire's imperial family since Imir Kingdom and the empire turned friendly, so he had some eyes planted there.
Probably why he could confidently say no major imperial players had moved.
With Julius—practically Lebedev's greatest star—missing, the family was ramping up the search too. Considering Justina's personality and obsession, she'd be gathering every clue with the family's backing.
Karin's capture was likely one such example.
Namei let out a sigh.
"To be blunt, excluding me handling the Magic Tower's request and Ermina with her purification powers, the rest of us aren't much help for the request itself. At best, we'd only pitch in for combat if we clash with elves or demon cult remnants."
"I'm not confident in fighting..."
"I'm not expecting much from you in a fight either, Karin. That's their specialty."
"Specialty might be overstating it; I'm far below my brother."
"That big a gap?"
"If his public strength is what he shows, he's hiding more than half."
"Even so, is it okay for a sister to spill that?"
"He wasn't hiding it on purpose. It was just that trivial stuff never required him to go all out."
She's saying whatever she wants. Julius probably wouldn't see it that way.
Namei had never seen him look down on any issue or person.
He was more the type to think crushing peers with overwhelming power wasn't ideal.
"Whatever. Not worth arguing over. Anyway, I notified the elves about the extra personnel ahead of time, so no unnecessary provocations, and we should be fine. Got it, Justina?"
"...As long as no one badmouths my brother."
"Why drag Julius into it when he's not even here? I don't think Ermina's the type for that mistake. Karin, watch your mouth."
"...Yes."
Recalling past scoldings for loose talk, Karin resolved to stay shut. Don't pry into the past. Think twice or thrice before speaking.
Her all-day training under Justina's 'Julius Supreme Doctrine'—feeding false info while playing dumb—would shine now.
Smirking at Karin's determined eyes, Namei wrapped up.
"Alright, don't make it obvious we're together. Ignore Rias completely if she's around. Christoph's confinement is ending soon, so watch out. Priority is heading out clean, achieving our goals neatly."
"Of course."
"...I'll do my best."
"Understood."
"Good. Departure tomorrow, so gather near the teleport gate. Ditch anyone dragging Rias along."
"M-me too?"
"If that trash sticks to Ermina, I'll remove it."
Why did 'remove' said with a smile sound so terrifying?
Could she really see that bitch Rias's head rolling? If Justina lopped it off, it'd be guilt-free pleasure. If she leaked it and lured her along, would they kill her?
Namei halted her thoughts before veering into premeditated murder territory.