Another Changed Person
To pose as the previous Tower Master Baroa for Pay's sake, the level of his magic was somewhat concerning.
Even if their appearances differed, two high-ranking mages appearing around the same time would easily invite suspicion.
If not for that single issue, he would have ignored Holtdein entirely and teleported straight to wherever he needed to go.
Damn it, what a nuisance.
When he was alone with Pay, the thought never crossed his mind, but seeing that unlucky fellow Holtdein before leaving made irritation surge within him.
Meanwhile, Holtdein watched him leave first, his mouth curving into a wide grin.
“Pay!”
“Ah, hello, Holtdein.”
Among Pay's water magic spells, Cure had already reached the 7th Circle. She could now cast multiple 7th Circle spells with ease.
Holtdein, however, remained at the 6th Circle, just as he had been when they first met.
According to Magic Tower rules, she could have told him to address her formally from now on, but she had no desire to do so.
He was the first person she had befriended after arriving at the Tower, and more than that, he was her friend. She wanted to keep speaking with him comfortably. What did it matter if she received a bit of formal speech?
The two of them were lost in completely different thoughts.
The obsidian ring on her little finger, which she wore with a bright smile, was something he had seen before!
Thus, Holtdein's fleeting hope grew steadily, little by little.
Of course, Pay had received an extravagant ring as a gift when Lucius confessed his love to her.
The twelve birthstone rings for each month, along with countless other accessories—whenever she recalled the lemon-colored dress she had worn that day, adorned with countless beads and lace, it still dazzled her.
Yet the only ring on her finger remained the very first one.
She wanted to feel more of Lucius's heart, the one that allowed her to continue communing with Sylphid. His concern for her, his meticulous care… his love.
His gaze flicked toward the spot where Lucius had just departed.
“Lord Lucius must have left, then?”
“Ah… yes.”
There it was—that strangely drawn-out ending to her words. If he had left completely rather than just for a short while, that would be even better!
Unable to hide his widening grin, Holtdein took a step closer.
“Then, with me—”
“I have work to do, so I’ll head inside first. You should keep at it too, Holtdein.”
“What?”
“See you later.”
As always, Pay remained oblivious to the affection directed toward her and disappeared inside without a second glance at the expression Holtdein wore behind her.
The interior of the Tower felt unusually quiet.
Before the festival, when she had met Lucius, she had walked these halls alone without issue, yet now it felt awkward. Was it because she knew he was truly gone?
Lucius…
Only ten minutes had passed since they parted. It was such a brief moment that there was no time to miss him, yet she found herself thinking of him again.
So she really could live without family after all. Where had the young girl gone who once sniffled over Sir Leon's true identity?
She let out a small laugh and silently thanked those who had kept the secret of spatial magic.
Even trivial rumors could become topics of conversation. This was the kind of revelation that would capture everyone's attention the moment it was spoken, yet they had held their tongues for her sake.
To have both Baroa and Lucius exist in the same era.
It would be better to frame it as Lucius's skills advancing rapidly after the previous Tower Master's sudden rise. That was the conclusion she and Lucius had reached.
The day Pay and Lucius parted briefly.
A chilling tension filled the audience chamber of the Imperial Palace.
When the Crown Prince entered with his aide, the gathered nobles offered their respects one by one, watching him carefully.
The order to convene the House of Nobles had been issued the previous day. Those who had assembled without knowing the reason were all shocked after reading the investigation report on the Sionel estate, which had landed like a bomb.
The contents were so immense that no one could even determine whether they were true.
They had assumed the report concerned the punishment of the Orleans ducal house and the Huiante marquisate, only to be struck from behind by an entirely different story.
All eyes turned to Silas, wondering whether he would address the matter.
“Stefano Sionel, the current lord of the Sionel estate, is being transported to the capital as we speak. As lord, he failed to fulfill his duties, so he must be punished accordingly.”
When the nobles began to murmur at his declaration, Silas raised his right hand.
“Be silent. The matter is not yet concluded. Even if we cannot identify those buried in the mass grave as proxies for the Caris viscountcy, the search will continue. Furthermore, all those involved in this incident will be punished without exception. Keep that in mind.”
The nobles exchanged glances before, as if by agreement, turning their eyes toward Count Quasar.
Since his territory was the closest to the Sionel estate among those present, Count Quasar muttered in discomfort.
“I know nothing about it either.”
Silas spread the palm of his still-raised right hand for all to see before continuing.
“If anyone knows anything about the tragedy of the Caris viscountcy—whether it concerns yourself or others—you must reveal it. This applies to everyone summoned to the House of Nobles yesterday. If even the smallest clue comes to mind later, report it without fail. If… you remain silent despite knowing the truth and your collusion is later exposed, you will not be forgiven.”
Silas had cleverly excluded Pay, Cassel, and the Klein ducal house from yesterday's summons, along with several other families.
A baron who had been observing the situation gathered his courage and asked.
“Your Highness. If the report that reached us from the House of Nobles yesterday is true, does that mean the true culprit is not the lord?”
“Correct. The investigation is ongoing, so the truth will be determined in due time. That will be all.”
The Crown Prince left the audience chamber. Before he had taken more than a few steps into the corridor, the room erupted into chaos behind him.
Wearing a cool expression, he hurried off, for he still had matters to attend to.
A massive window filled with seamless stained glass.
The second panel depicted a valiant knight in armor and sword, slaying a monster.
The Akan Empire was a nation of knights.
And before it stood a man waiting.
“Kneel.”
“Yes.”
Without hesitation, the man dropped to one knee. Silas looked down at Morris Klein and placed his sword upon the man's shoulder.
“Morris Klein, many have been impressed by your sincere conduct thus far. Sir Hamilton, captain of the Imperial Knights' Royal Guard, was the first to recommend your knighthood, saying you had developed sufficiently.”
“…I am unworthy.”
Morris, who had endured even stable duty while dedicating himself to training, had become a far better person than before. Leaving the comfortable ducal residence had also given him the chance to reflect on the dissolute life he had once led.
Simply by learning through his body that becoming a knight was not an obvious path for a nobleman, Morris had become someone different from who he once was.
“From today onward, you are a knight. As a member of the Crow Knight Order, uphold the noble emblem of the order without shame. Bear the honor of your house and the authority of the Empire for the rest of your life.”
“Yes!”
Receiving a knighthood directly from the Crown Prince was an immense honor.
After donning the full plate armor he had been issued, Morris headed toward the Blue Rose Knight Order and encountered an unwelcome face.
“Oh! Congratulations. You truly are a man of talent.”
“…Lord Raphael.”
Morris's expression was far from pleased.
Raphael had never openly mocked him, and moreover, he had apparently informed the family of Morris's news through his brother, so Morris was grateful for that.
Grateful though he was, something about Raphael's existence simply did not sit well with him. Blood was blood—on this point, he was exactly like Cassel.
Whether Morris felt that way or not, Raphael smiled brightly like a golden sun.
Still, no fondness stirred within him.
“We are colleagues now. Are you on your way to greet your brother? He will be delighted. I should come along as well—”
“I apologize, but I will go alone. Since I have not had a private audience with him since that day, there are reprimands I must receive. I alone must bear them.”
“Would it not be fine if I simply stood back?”
“It would not.”
“Tch.”
Raphael openly grumbled, but Morris offered only a light bow before turning toward Cassel's office.
This was his first time setting foot in the Blue Rose Knight Order's headquarters.
The sharp gazes of the knights openly stared at him, clad in the armor of a rival order.
The back of Morris's neck stiffened involuntarily.
Hah.
He had to endure it. As a knight personally knighted by His Highness the Crown Prince, he would be unworthy if he could not withstand even this level of scrutiny.
Steeling himself, Morris walked on until he finally stood before Cassel.
The towering figure of his elder brother showed no surprise at the sight of him as a knight.
Even so, Morris was no longer the child who would have openly displayed his disappointment as he once had.
Admirable. The trials he had faced were not even a tenth of what his brother had endured. That made him respect Cassel all the more.
“…Morris.”
“It has been a while. I have come to pay my respects, as I have become a knight of the Crow Knight Order as of today.”
“……”
There were no warm words of praise or acknowledgment of hardship, yet they understood each other's hearts. They were knights, after all.
Cassel gave his younger brother a broad smile.
That alone washed away all the hardships Morris had endured.
“I will see you at the residence soon.”
“Very well.”
“Then…”
As Morris turned to leave after offering his respects, Cassel spoke up, a thought occurring to him.
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
“You have done nothing wrong. Even if Mother reprimands you again after you return to the residence, hold your head high. No matter what anyone says, you are the second son of the Klein ducal house and my brother. That fact will never change.”
Cassel had a premonition that his younger sister might never return to the ducal residence.
Whether Tiana reclaims her place or not is not for me to interfere. However, once she is revealed as the false daughter, Father may be one thing, but Mother might collapse from the shock. If Morris, who has grown strong, is by her side then, it will be a great comfort.
Morris answered obediently.
“Understood.”
“We will meet again soon.”
That evening, when Morris returned home with the Klein Duke, the Klein ducal residence was filled with joy.
Even if Cassel was the reliable heir, Morris was still a precious child.
The Duchess was overjoyed and ordered a lavish dinner banquet prepared.
“Morris! You have worked hard.”
“Not at all.”
Morris showed not a trace of resentment toward the mother who had once raised her voice and ordered him out. He had simply returned as a calm and dependable knight.
To the Duchess, that was an endless source of pride.
“Oh, heavens. Good gracious! To think that such a splendid man is my son—I could not be happier. To think this day has come… I am finally being rewarded for living healthily. You did wonderfully.”
“Ahem.”
The Duchess was overcome with emotion, the Duke struggled to hide his delight, and the daughter sat with a sullen expression, looking as though she had been dragged there against her will.
Morris replied calmly, as if he did not even see his younger sister sitting stiffly in her chair.
“You must remain healthy from now on as well. Not only for Brother's wedding, but so that you may enjoy many more good days.”
“Yes, yes. Then…”
The Klein Duchess was about to thoughtlessly suggest fostering closer ties regarding “our Tiana” when—