~Chapter 60~
The Caldera Village incident was being investigated at lightning speed, with the Magic Tower and the palace working together. At the Seah Grand Temple, the Tower Master personally handled the survivor’s treatment.
Today, as usual, Ian moved through the treatment room, watching over the still-sleeping Marie.
“Hmm…”
Ian studied her with eyes that seemed to analyze and research.
Though he had never experienced the Mage Era, he knew quite a bit about the forbidden ancient magic that had long disappeared.
But he didn’t know which cruel magician had brought it back.
One thing was certain…
No ordinary magician in this era could release countless seals and wield ancient magic.
Ancient magic had been extremely advanced and dangerous. To protect humanity, many seals had been placed to prevent its use.
If descendants tried to use it, humanity could be destroyed.
“Ordinary magicians cannot undo this type of ancient sorcery. Only one magician can.”
“That would be… another race.”
The ancient races skilled in magic had all long been extinct.
It was possible, though unlikely, that the culprit came from another dimension—or that a half-dragon or dragon like Ian had appeared. After all, dragons had migrated to other dimensions in the past.
“Sigh… the situation isn’t good.”
Previously, the civilian murders had only been the tip of the iceberg.
A large number of victims, like in Caldera Village, meant that a force using ancient magic was growing stronger.
When they would strike next was unpredictable, making it extremely dangerous.
Ian focused most of all on Astia’s safety, deciding that for her sake, saving Marie must be the priority.
Cecilia had never impressed him at first, but her devotion to saving lives was admirable. For this once, he decided to cooperate.
He closed his eyes and concentrated. Using his magical senses, he felt the flow of Marie’s magic.
A faint shimmer—
Magical threads formed at Ian’s fingertips and entered Marie’s blood vessels, reaching her rotting arm.
“Ugh.”
Marie moaned and twisted in pain, but Ian didn’t flinch.
The magic flowing through her body slowly pushed out the corrupted energy.
The process required immense concentration. A normal magician would have collapsed from exhaustion, but as a half-dragon, Ian was fine.
This was how ancient sorcery worked. Superior magic unlike normal mana swallowed the caster and grew in power.
If prolonged, it would eventually kill the victim.
The dark red mist had likely swept through Caldera Village in just seconds, leaving almost no trace.
Marie had only been lightly affected, which is why she was still alive.
After smoothly completing the process, Ian opened his eyes. His fingertips tingled as he flexed his hands.
“I need to find out who is using such brutal ancient magic… I’ll restore the correction orbs and trace it back as soon as possible.”
Alvis had been researching, but faced unexpected difficulties.
Once Marie’s treatment was done, Ian planned to return to the Magic Tower, restore the orbs himself, and trace the source.
“How dare someone challenge me.”
Ian gritted his teeth.
As he prepared to leave after ensuring Marie slept peacefully, he sensed movement and turned his head. Astia had entered the room with a worried expression.
“Astia?”
“How is Marie?”
She immediately sat beside Marie, worried. Ian’s face grew serious.
“Her condition is more serious than expected. Treatment will take some time. But she is definitely improving. It’s possible because I understand ancient sorcery.”
“Yes, yes. Without you, Ian, Cecilia and I would have been completely hopeless.”
“…I didn’t want to see you sad either.”
“Thank you.”
Astia smiled softly. Ian tried to suppress the corner of his lips from turning up. Astia thought he seemed uncomfortable and let it go.
As she approached Marie, a sound of the door opening made her turn.
“D-Duke of Selion?”
Astia froze, stepping back in surprise. Diego had entered the treatment room.
He looked slightly hurt at her reaction but quickly smiled.
“Lady, I heard you were in the treatment room. Are you alright?”
“Oh, s-sorry. I was too surprised. I just came to check on Marie.”
Astia reacted more strongly than she realized, wishing she could disappear. She felt awkward after the night walk, ashamed of her past actions, and unprepared to see him.
But Diego acted as usual, making Astia feel even more guilty.
“I see… and the Tower Master is here too.”
As Astia tried to explain, Ian interrupted, glancing at Diego with a sharp edge.
“Duke of Selion. What brings you to the Seah Grand Temple?”
“That is…”
Diego hesitated. Astia quickly answered for him.
“Oh, didn’t you know? The Duke is staying here at the temple with me.”
“…What?”
Ian blinked, unable to believe it. Diego staying at the temple with Astia was unexpected.
Astia explained that Diego was recovering due to health issues. Ian examined him with his magical sight.
“His body looks perfectly healthy to me.”
“Excuse me?”
Diego glared at Ian and whispered a warning only he could hear.
“Don’t speak nonsense. I don’t know why you’re here, but don’t tell the lady anything.”
“Why should I? Should I even tell her you came to the Magic Tower and caused a scene?”
“…I know enough. Best not to.”
Ian looked at Diego with amusement. Diego fell silent.
Astia, seeing them whisper, misinterpreted it.
‘They must have known each other before. They look really close.’
Astia, unaware of the truth, nodded, thinking they were good friends.
“You two knew each other? You look really close.”
Ian and Diego immediately shook their heads, strongly denying it.
“No, that’s not true. The Tower Master is like an enemy to me.”
“Astia, what are you talking about? That’s impossible.”
Diego shook his head in disbelief, and Ian laughed mockingly as if ready to attack him with magic.
Astia’s misunderstanding only deepened.
“Ah, sorry. So it’s not just a little… you’re really close.”
“….”
“….”
Astia nodded, smiling at them. They had no words to respond.
A small misunderstanding had now grown even larger.
