Chapter 44
“…Is this really okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
I asked, still trying to understand the sudden turn of events, and instead got a curious retort.
“The Mage Tower and the Temple don’t get along.”
“Ah, that.”
Sion rolled his eyes.
The Temple worshipped the gods, while the Mage Tower pursued practicality. Naturally, they didn’t get along.
Even though Sion had transformed into a child, a Mage Tower Master of his power stepping near the Temple wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Wouldn’t this just stir up trouble?
Noticing my worried gaze, Sion added:
“We won’t go all the way to the Temple. I’ll get off halfway. That’s fine, right?”
“Get off halfway?”
“Yeah, I have something to do, remember?”
Sion nodded.
If we don’t go into the Temple, it should be okay…
Seeing me hesitate, Sion leaned closer, almost pressing against me.
“You need someone to help you, Lorea. I can help. Isn’t that good for both of us?”
It was a nonsensical statement—but coming from the Mage Tower Master, I couldn’t argue.
Well… it’s more for me than for either of us.
From Sion’s perspective, it would’ve been easier to travel alone, yet he appeared just at the right moment and offered to help without hesitation.
…Still.
“If you can help, that would be nice.”
He smiled knowingly.
“Then let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“To notify him.”
Sion grabbed my wrist and strode forward. Despite being about my height, his long legs meant I had to almost run to keep up, clutching my skirt.
“Wait, Sion. Too fast!”
“Almost there.”
We arrived at Carlos’s study.
“Are you serious?”
“Why, is there a problem?”
“It’s just….”
Carlos wouldn’t welcome this. Yet Sion, smiling cheekily at my nervous expression, opened the door without knocking.
Carlos, seated at his desk, looked up. His expression twisted slightly when he saw Sion standing next to me.
“What is this?”
“Hello, I’m the Mage Tower Master.”
“It’s not like I didn’t know that already.”
Carlos’s voice was cold. His eyes flicked from my wrist in Sion’s hand back to Sion.
“It’s shameless to barge into someone else’s territory unannounced.”
“Sorry, I seem to have misplaced shame.”
“Have you already forgotten my warning to never show up again?”
“Too bad. Unfortunate.”
Carlos narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased.
“This is about refined stones again, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s something that was just decided. I wanted to inform the Grand Duke too.”
Sion’s innocent smile somehow seemed in control of the conversation. I stepped in before things could go badly.
“Grand Duke, can the Mage Tower Master come with us to the Eastern Temple? He has business in the area…”
“Not allowed.”
The refusal came instantly. I had expected it.
Yet Sion remained unfazed.
“Doesn’t matter.”
He tilted his head, looking at me with gentle eyes. Then, sliding closer, he whispered—though his voice was loud enough for Carlos to hear.
“Then we’ll go separately.”
…What?
Carlos’s eyes narrowed slightly, but that was all. No further reaction.
“Lorea wants to go with me. We’re close.”
Sion leaned against my shoulder with a triumphant grin.
“Right, Lorea?”
I couldn’t respond—neither yes nor no. I simply smiled faintly.
Carlos watched impassively. His irritation at the unexpected guest was clear, but his emotions remained unreadable.
After a moment, he set down his pen with a soft thud.
“I expected a busy person, the Mage Tower Master… seems you have nothing better to do.”
“I said I want to be with Lorea.”
“Is nonsense typical of Mage Tower people?”
“It’s true. Mage Tower is boring. But Lorea is fun.”
Sion shrugged, entirely unbothered.
“I have business in the East. So I’m coming along to keep things interesting. Lorea agreed.”
“….”
“We won’t go all the way to the Temple. Just halfway. Right, Lorea?”
Sion smiled at me. I couldn’t bear his sparkling gaze and averted my eyes.
“If Lorea is alone with you, it’s suffocating. With me, she enjoys herself.”
“I never said that.”
Carlos stared intently. What will you do? his eyes seemed to ask.
I hesitated, switching my gaze between Sion and Carlos.
“…I think it’ll help if he accompanies me.”
The East had dense mana. Considering Carlos’s condition, Sion would be invaluable. Carlos surely knew this too. I didn’t need to say it outright; I didn’t want it to look like Carlos was requesting help from the Mage Tower Master.
Sion jumped in:
“See, Lorea thinks so too.”
Silence followed.
I mumbled awkwardly:
“Also, there’s the refined stone matter. He happens to have business there… so it’s convenient.”
A flimsy excuse, even to me.
Carlos watched me fidget, then pressed his temple tiredly. His fingers tightened slightly. Then:
“Do as you wish.”
…Huh?
“Really?”
I clenched my fists with joy. Carlos’s eyes briefly flicked toward me before looking away.
“Don’t want to make a big fuss. Do as you like. Now go. I’m annoyed enough.”
Eat and leave, his attitude said.
Sion smiled cheekily at Carlos:
“Please prepare a good carriage. The East is mana-heavy, so using teleportation is tiring. Cushions should be soft.”
…He was making things tense again.
Carlos slowly lifted his head, eyes sharp.
“…I said go.”
“Grumpy.”
Sion pouted and headed for the door. I quickly followed, not wanting to test Carlos’s patience.
As the door closed behind us, Carlos let out a deep, long sigh, exhaustion clear in its sound.
