CHAPTER 86………………………………………..
Alec and Theo’s eyes were noticeably darker around the rims than they had been a few days ago.
“Welcome, Sierra… perfect timing…”
“You finally made it. Just a little help and we can wrap this up.”
At that moment, their eyes widened as if they had noticed a large figure entering behind Sierra.
Alec opened his mouth in surprise and lifted his head.
“Oh… I never thought… it really is a barbarian… ugh.”
Not satisfied with just his shocked expression, Alec was about to speak rudely, but Theo quickly covered his mouth.
“Nice to meet you.”
Ashur, staring at the hand offered with a gentle smile, looked at Sierra with confusion.
He clearly didn’t understand what was happening. After all, it was his first time meeting a proper royal.
“Ah, Ashur. This is for a handshake.”
Sierra took Theo’s hand and shook it.
At that moment, Ashur’s expression subtly twisted, and he pulled Sierra behind him to hide her.
“Uh… Ashur?”
It seemed like he had misunderstood something.
Peeking from behind him, Sierra checked the expressions of her friends, noticing his fierce reaction.
“Hmm, hmm… We should start with introductions first.”
Sierra lightly poked the wary Ashur.
“Ashur, in the kingdom, we usually greet like this when we meet someone for the first time.”
“…Ah.”
Only then did Ashur’s expression relax as he realized the meaning of the handshake.
“These are my friends from the magic tower. My longtime companions. This is Alec, and this is Theo.”
Theo, whose hand had been extended, stood with a somewhat sulky expression.
Alec, on the other hand, grinned widely, finding something highly amusing.
“Oh… I see, Sierra?”
Despite Alec’s teasing, Sierra resolutely introduced Ashur.
“…This is Ashur. He’s very important to me, so treat him well.”
Ashur straightened his posture at her introduction.
“Theo, Alec. My apologies. I misunderstood. I look forward to working with you.”
Seeing him speak fluent Common with a polite gesture, the two stared at each other in wide-eyed amazement.
‘Did he think my accent would be awkward?’
Ashur’s Common had gradually come to resemble Sierra’s, so much so that he could be mistaken for a refined noble.
Alec regained his composure first.
“Ah, yes. We also look forward to working with you.”
With introductions complete, Sierra stepped forward.
Since she had brought Ashur under the pretext of an experiment, it needed to appear natural.
She held up the back of Ashur’s hand and continued.
“You saw the newspaper article, right? This is the famous magic circle.”
She tapped lightly on the restraint bound around his wrist.
Alec observed Ashur’s hand with interest, occasionally glancing at him.
“Ah, don’t be alarmed. Just stay still.”
At that moment, Alec’s voice penetrated Ashur’s mind.
Sierra gently brushed the tense hand of Ashur.
Turning toward her, he saw her smile warmly and clasp his hands together.
Seeing this, Ashur relaxed and allowed himself to be guided.
“We’re researching how to bypass the magic suppression device, so your cooperation is necessary.”
Theo gestured to the watchers behind them.
“Here, these are the experimental records I mentioned. Take a look.”
While Sierra examined the past experimental data and the hidden formulas for bypassing the restraint, Alec and Theo guided Ashur around.
‘So this is… the place Sierra stayed at for so long.’
Although Alec and Theo now used it, traces of Sierra remained everywhere.
Papers covered with various magic circles adorned the walls, and books stacked on the desks bore her handwriting.
Noticing Ashur’s glance, Alec explained that all the items in that area belonged to Sierra.
“She did so many different kinds of research. It’s hard to understand, but it’s too precious to discard, so we left it as is.”
“I understand. Even when together, Sierra often drifts off into other worlds. Then suddenly, she’ll show you a new spell.”
“The same even with a lover around, huh? Haha.”
Alec laughed heartily, as if in agreement, but Theo seemed curious about something else.
“By the way, Ashur, have you ever been to Altareon?”
Ashur paused briefly before answering casually; it wasn’t a secret.
“No, I haven’t. If you’re asking why I speak Common well… my father was from Altareon. My mother also spoke it fluently, and I learned it out of curiosity.”
“Ah… I see.”
Alec interjected with an intrigued expression.
“And spending time with Sierra improved it even more.”
Alec, nodding, briefly looked at Sierra, still focused on the documents, then glanced at Ashur and whispered discreetly.
“Um… this might be rude, but could I touch your bicep just once?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’ve never seen such incredible muscles! I’ve never met anyone like this in the kingdom.”
His gleaming eyes were slightly unsettling. Sierra had earlier warned him to be careful around strange mages.
“…Is it really necessary?”
“Yes! Just once!”
Theo looked at Alec with mild disapproval.
“Of course it’s rude. Hey, Sierra’s coming.”
“Ehh…”
Alec stepped back reluctantly as she approached.
“Have you finished touring the lab? I’ve looked over all of this.”
The front section contained magic circles for battle enhancement, while the back pages contained formulas for bypassing the magic suppression device, based on the information she had shared previously.
“This looks promising.”
Hearing this, Alec transmitted his thoughts.
- “Seems possible, right? But using too much mana in front of those watchers… let’s wait for the right opportunity.”
Outwardly, Theo responded vaguely.
“Yes, we’ll develop this further based on it.”
- “There will only be one chance. Be careful.”
Sierra nodded at the voice in her head.
Ashur seemed to understand the situation despite the fragmented explanation given to avoid the watchers’ suspicion.
Sierra, now by his side, held his hand tightly.
“I think we’ll need some materials… they aren’t in the tower.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I want to go out and get them… but when we go out, everyone keeps staring at Ashur.”
- “You want to go on a date, huh.”
- “Trying to go on a date, I see.”
Alec and Theo exchanged silent laughter.
Sierra blushed but held her head high.
“It’s absolutely necessary. To properly continue this research.”
Of course, she also wanted to take Ashur outside, but the materials she planned to get could also be useful for an escape later.
“Then there’s a good way. I’ll lend this to you.”
Alec returned with a small ring, claiming he had a solution.
“Is this… a perception-disrupting magic circle?”
“Exactly. You know how hard it is to inscribe even one thing on a ring, right? It’s experimental, so it’s not pretty, but use it carefully.”
“…Thank you.”
Sierra took the ring and carefully supported Ashur’s left hand.
“Wait!”
At that moment, a nearly forgotten mage, lounging on the sofa, approached.
He seemed unconcerned but hadn’t forgotten his duty as a watcher.
“What’s that? No more magical tools are allowed.”
He seemed especially sensitive about the suppression device and grabbed the ring as if to take it.
Sierra’s heart raced, fearing he might notice their plan to escape.
“Ah, this just disrupts perception. It won’t affect other magical tools. This much is common sense, right?”
“Yes. And taking the barbarian outside draws too much attention. This just prevents that.”
Alec’s casual explanation, as if it were nothing, made the mage flush in irritation.
In the end, he handed the ring back with an exasperated expression.
Ashur held Sierra’s stiffened hand tightly.
“Ugh, lucky you. How could anyone live without a partner?”
Seeing this, Alec whistled playfully.
“Hmm. Still nice to see. Always buried in research.”
Theo laughed warmly and nudged them.
“Now that the urgent stuff is done, let’s go.”
“Yes. I’ll fix the magic circles as you suggested. Today we’ll gather the materials, and tomorrow I’ll return.”
Alec winked playfully and waved for them to go quickly.
