Chapter 85
The table Zirk had prepared was overflowing with seafood.
Grilled Java grouper, grilled scallops, steamed flower shrimp, octopus ceviche, stir-fried sea cucumber, crab soufflé, lobster, and more—it was an incredibly generous spread.
And the taste was just as amazing.
It felt like he could open a restaurant and do well.
Zirk probably would’ve been successful even if he had become a chef instead of a mage.
Elia ate to her heart’s content and was completely satisfied.
“Ah, I’m so full. I can’t eat another bite.”
“For someone who says that, your plate is squeaky clean.”
Noah teased her, and Elia chuckled.
“Says the prince who practically did the dishes with his plate.”
Noah’s plate was also spotless.
“I’ve got training, so I’m heading out first.”
Noah quickly stood up, seeming a bit embarrassed.
A few days later.
Lapis secretly brought people into the Cartellani Duchy estate by carriage.
Inside the outer estate, Alexis welcomed Lapis.
“Welcome.”
Lapis responded with a nod and motioned toward the carriage with a jerk of his chin.
“The researchers are inside that carriage.”
At Alexis’s signal, Dmitri carefully opened the door.
“Please, step down.”
At Dmitri’s words, Millen was the first to exit and began leading the researchers.
“You’re Millen?”
Alexis asked upon seeing him, and Millen swallowed dryly before answering.
“Yes, I’m Millen.”
“Welcome to the duchy. Dmitri will show you where you’ll be staying.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Millen politely brought his hands together and bowed.
“As you’ve likely heard, from now on, you’ll be working for us.”
“O-Of course. That’s what we’ve all agreed to.”
They had been told by Lapis during the journey.
That was the condition of their rescue.
Millen was willing to do anything if it meant escaping the clutches of Duchess Christina. He didn’t want to see any more researchers sacrificed.
“You’ll be safe while you’re here.”
“Thank you for your grace.”
“Dmitri, show them the way.”
“Yes, Duke.”
Dmitri gestured to the researchers.
“Please, follow me.”
As he led the way, Millen and the others followed behind.
Alexis turned to Lapis.
“Let’s speak privately.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Alexis led Lapis to the mansion’s drawing room inside the inner estate.
“You’ve come a long way. Thank you for the trouble.”
“Thank you for recognizing that.”
Alexis was well aware of how much Lapis was doing for Elia. Elia wouldn’t have been able to start her business in the capital without his help.
“I’ve sent Elia to Luminere Island.”
“……”
“Judging by your expression, you already knew.”
“I did.”
“There really isn’t anything you don’t know.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
Lapis smiled lightly and got to the point.
“You’re probably curious about the duchess’s movements.”
“Can you tell me?”
“She’s deployed a large number of trackers to find the missing researchers.”
“So, there’s a chance she could find them here.”
“You’ll likely need to move them to Luminere sooner rather than later. The trackers are members of the ‘Shadows of the Rose.’”
The Shadows of the Rose—
A secret organization raised by Duchess Christina herself.
They operated entirely in the shadows, acting as her hands and feet.
It was an organization optimized for stealth, assassination, infiltration, and pursuit, and even included mages.
“I’ll need to contact the Tower Master.”
Alexis believed the Tower Master would know how to ensure the researchers’ safety.
“Without the young lady around, it does feel a bit lonely.”
“It’s only been a few days. Lonely already?”
Without Elia and Noah, the place really was quiet.
Though he usually preferred silence, he’d grown used to Elia’s constant chatter—and found that silence wasn’t always better.
“I should get going now, Your Grace.”
“Already?”
“I’m quite busy.”
“Must be nice to have so much to do.”
“Haha, it’s good, but… sometimes I wish I could just relax.”
“Feel free to visit anytime.”
“I will.”
With a smile, Lapis bowed and exited the room. Alexis stared at the door for a moment before turning to look out the window.
Another quiet night.
The next day, Austin summoned Elia.
With his permission, Elia visited the room at the very top of the tower and found Austin sitting by the window.
“Why did you call me all of a sudden?”
“I received word from the duke.”
“From the duke?”
“Yes. The researchers you mentioned have apparently arrived at the estate.”
“That’s a relief.”
As she let out a breath of relief, Austin’s expression turned serious.
“Don’t celebrate just yet. I need to head out.”
“Is it a security issue?”
“Sharp as always.”
Austin smirked.
“Seems there are pursuers after the researchers.”
Elia nodded.
“They’re probably from the duchess’s organization.”
“While I’m gone, Zirk will guard the tower. Just in case—take this.”
Austin handed her a whistle.
“Use this if you’re in danger.”
“What is it?”
“A whistle enchanted with a Guardian Summoning spell.”
“So, like a self-defense tool.”
“Something like that.”
“Thank you.”
“I gave one to that prince too, just so you know.”
Austin then called for Zirk.
“Zirk, I’m heading to the duchy estate. Might take a few days. Guard the tower in my place.”
“Yes, Tower Master.”
“And especially make sure the young lady and the prince are safe.”
“I’m not too confident about the prince, but I’ll definitely protect the young lady.”
“You cheeky brat.”
Elia quietly observed Zirk.
He seemed to really dislike Noah.
She didn’t know why, but thought she’d ask when the chance came.
Having said all he needed, Austin jumped out the window and vanished before her eyes.
“Let’s go. This room disappears if the Tower Master isn’t around.”
At Zirk’s urging, Elia quickly left the room—just in time to see the door vanish.
“So strange.”
“This room is made from the Tower Master’s unique mana. If the owner’s not present, it disappears.”
“Is your room like that too?”
“Yes. Not just mine—every mage’s room is made from their own unique mana.”
Unique mana refers to a mage’s elemental attribute.
The six elemental attributes are water, fire, wind, earth, light, and darkness. Mages usually have one.
“So, what’s the Tower Master’s attribute?”
“He’s transcended the elemental limits.”
“Transcended?”
“Yes, he became non-elemental—he has no specific attribute.”
Elia had heard the Tower Master was a transcendent, but she’d never seen just how powerful he truly was.
“If he ever gets mad, the whole continent could disappear.”
It sounded like a joke, but didn’t feel like one.
“That’s kind of scary.”
“I think so too.”
“Have you ever seen the Tower Master angry?”
“Yes.”
Elia looked at him curiously.
Zirk answered with a smile.
“When he saved me.”
“Oh… maybe I shouldn’t have asked.”
Elia felt bad, thinking she’d brought up a painful memory.
“It’s fine. I’ve moved on.”
“That’s a relief. You seem really at peace.”
“For the record, I can be scary when I’m mad too.”
“Really?”
“Can’t imagine it.”
“Not as scary as the Tower Master, but I could wipe out a country if I wanted.”
A chill ran down her spine.
Because Zirk’s eyes were completely serious—even as he smiled.
“For the sake of peace, we’d better not make you angry.”
“Don’t worry. I’d never get angry at you, my lady.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I could never get angry at you. I shouldn’t either. I really like you, after all.”
“Thanks for liking me.”
She smiled as she replied, and Zirk reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She flinched and looked at him. Zirk quickly offered an explanation.
“Your hair was out of place—I didn’t even think. I just have a habit of fixing things when they look messy.”
“Oh, I see.”
Elia simply smiled in response.
