Chapter 54
Evelyn couldn’t confess the fact that she was a Hero, so she could only wear a flustered expression.
“It’s already been two months since your wedding and still no news!”
“Isn’t that a bit too soon?”
“You came all the way up north! Do you know what kind of cold treatment you might face if you don’t conceive soon? All you do every day is go out for training. Do you know how much I’m worried?”
Tinya poured out her frustrations, saying it was all for Evelyn’s sake.
“Shouldn’t I at least have some time to adjust to the North?”
“You’ve already finished adjusting.”
At Tinya’s prompt and unhesitating reply, Evelyn scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Tinya was right.
Having no further words, Evelyn closed her mouth, and Tinya let out a big sigh.
“This tea really helps stabilize your body and aids in conception this time. I’ll even ask the doctor to list the ingredients for you. You’ll drink it if I get it confirmed, right?”
“Fine, I won’t doubt it. But you know the monster claw thing last time was too much, right?”
At the mention of the “monster claw” she ate without knowing what it was, Tinya nodded reluctantly.
“Don’t worry too much. It’ll happen when the time is right.”
After all, at night, as soon as their heads hit the pillows, both she and Elliot were too busy sleeping.
Since their trip to the snowy mountains, all distance between them had vanished. She no longer felt nervous or tense even with Elliot lying next to her.
Aside from Elliot’s occasional bold touches, nothing else had happened.
“It’s not something I should take lightly, but I won’t overstep anymore.”
“I know you’re always thinking about me, Tinya. Thank you.”
Having done everything together since childhood, Evelyn trusted Tinya.
Though she couldn’t reveal the truth after taking up the Holy Sword, the fact that Tinya was her closest and most loyal companion never changed.
‘In the end, she’s doing all this for me.’
There was no one else who thought of her as much as Tinya did. Raven was a friend in the same situation, but unless something big happened, they didn’t meddle in each other’s business.
Except for her parents, Tinya was the only one who showed her affection.
Smiling at Tinya, Evelyn returned to her desk and sipped the tea.
Of course, she wouldn’t get pregnant.
Seeing Tinya’s brightened face as she drank the tea only made Evelyn’s heart heavier.
What would happen if Tinya found out she was the Hero? Would she worry? Or would she be upset for keeping it secret?
As she flipped through the documents and glanced to the side, her eyes met Tinya’s. Tinya smiled brightly.
She’d understand.
Tinya always accepted whatever Evelyn did.
Pushing away the faint guilt that rose, Evelyn focused back on her paperwork.
***
“Are you really not going to the North?”
Raven rubbed his forehead as he saw the Tower Master barging into his laboratory.
“Why would I go to the North?”
Ever since the Tower Master heard that Evelyn sent a letter from the North, he had been like this.
“Because Evelyn’s there?”
“What does her being there have to do with me?”
Snorting, Raven focused back on the formulas in front of him. He was experimenting with diverting the mana flow of the warmth artifact to maintain heat more efficiently.
“Didn’t you like her?”
“…Haa.”
Damn this master of his.
“You think I didn’t know?”
Galf, the Tower Master, laughed heartily.
“I don’t like her.”
“How boring.”
Glancing at his sprawled-out master on the sofa, Raven put down his pen.
“Besides, liking a woman who’s already married would make me garbage, wouldn’t it?”
At his master’s words, Raven let out a bitter chuckle.
“A magician needs emotions. Son, losing emotions is like losing your image.”
To Galf, Raven was more like a son than a disciple. He felt an obligation to guide him down the right path.
“You’ve never raised me.”
“What else are you if not my son?”
“A conveniently found genius?”
Bang!
“Ah!!”
Blocking the sudden lightning bolt that fell on his head, Raven shouted.
“That’s right, you useful little brat. Now get your ass to the North before I kick it myself.”
“Why me?”
“Don’t you think the Grand Duke is plotting something interesting?”
Galf grinned annoyingly, making Raven clench his fist.
“Why should I go check that?”
What a perceptive old man.
Raven snorted and shook his head.
Evelyn hadn’t revealed she was the Hero anywhere, but based on the events at the wedding, the Tower Master was overly curious about what was happening in the North.
“If I go, I’d find out the Grand Duke’s secret too easily. He needs time to lower his guard. Wahaha.”
Stroking his white beard, Galf laughed loudly. The last time, both the Grand Duke and the Crown Prince had acted suspiciously.
They exchanged secret glances, clearly hiding something and deliberately keeping it from the Tower.
‘Tsk tsk.’
If both the Grand Duke’s family and the Imperial Family were keeping quiet, it was likely something related to the Evil God.
Galf believed the people of the past made a mistake by hiding the fact that the Evil God hadn’t perished but was only sealed.
If that hadn’t been hidden, they could’ve prepared for war when problems arose.
Though he didn’t know all the circumstances back then, after a long time, people had completely forgotten about the Evil God.
‘If the Evil God’s resurrection is near, then it makes sense for the Grand Duke to act personally.’
Even if not, there was enough reason to investigate. The Grand Duke’s family was the Tower’s biggest client.
Galf smiled with satisfaction as he looked at his grumbling disciple. Even if the Evil God really returned, there was no problem.
The Tower’s founder had created an enormous magic circle to block the Evil God for future generations.
How effective it would be was another matter. But even if he died, there were excellent successors to carry on.
Raven was the most outstanding among them. That’s why when Galf took him as a disciple, no one at the Tower objected.
“Go and uncover what the Grand Duke’s hiding.”
“Ugh, so annoying. Send someone else who’s free.”
Going to the North would definitely be troublesome. There had never been a time when getting involved with Evelyn was easy.
She looked quiet but acted boldly.
And besides, if he didn’t go, she’d probably come chasing after him again.
“It’s because there’s no one as useful as you. If someone else goes and causes trouble, how would we handle it?”
Seeing his master click his tongue, Raven messed up his hair. Maybe he’d just go and do some garden maintenance there.
He had planned to hold out till the end, but after hearing his master’s words, Raven changed his mind. It really was better for him to go than to let someone else mess things up in the North.
Since Evelyn said she’d reveal the truth about being a Hero slowly, he’d just consider this a long vacation and stay in the North for now.
Anyway, when the Evil God’s seal began to break, the Tower would notice and start preparing.
Raven fell into thought.
He couldn’t pretend to know nothing at all.
He’d drop just enough hints so they’d start preparing on their own.
Besides, since they received magic stones and monster byproducts from the Grand Duke’s family, betraying them wasn’t an option.
If the Evil God revived, he’d have no choice but to help the Grand Duke’s side.
Might as well go and settle down early…
“Damn it.”
“You know you have to go, right?”
The Tower Master grinned nastily.
“I’ll hand over all my ongoing research to others before I go.”
“There’s no mission more important than the North, so do as you like.”
Galf clicked his tongue as he looked at his disciple grinding his teeth. If the Evil God was truly awakening, Raven would definitely sense something up North.
“If you can, investigate the Snow Mountains while you’re at it.”
“I have to go up there too?”
“Yes. Use the subjugation as an excuse and try to get close to the Grand Duke.”
At that, Raven frowned deeply.
Get close? The only person he needed to maintain ties with was Evelyn.
Staying near the Hero should at least keep him alive.
Not that he feared for his life without her, but still…
It was an arrogant thought, but Raven believed that while he might not be able to defeat the Evil God, he could at least survive.
There were countless magic circles left in the Tower. He also knew his master was hiding something from him.
Judging by the situation, it seemed to be related to the Evil God.
While refusing to tell him anything, the Tower Master only piled work on him.
“And also, look for the Sealing Magic Circle.”
“What magic circle?”
Raven, who had been inwardly cursing the Tower Master, froze. Then quickly wiped the betrayed look off his face.
“The Seal of the Evil God.”
“Are you insane?”
Seeing his disciple’s shocked expression, Galf laughed heartily and, kicking Raven out of the lab, told him to prepare for his immediate departure to the North.
