IWMHWD 25

Chapter 25: Lofel Mage Association
November 25, 2023

The room was shabby. The first things that caught the eye were the dust and cobwebs piled in every corner. A worn nightstand and a flea-ridden bed were all that furnished the place. Though it was still late summer, the chill was enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

Helena’s appearance had changed drastically from just a few days ago. No one would believe she had once been a countess upon seeing her now, dressed in a yellowed gown with greasy hair.

“You dare lock me up in a place like this!”

As soon as she recognized Cordelia entering the room, Helena shrieked and clawed the air with her nails.

“How have you been, Madam?”

“You ungrateful wretch! After all I’ve done for you, you lock me up in a tower? If I ever get out of here, I won’t let you off. I’ll summon all the people of the estate, strip you bare, and flog you in the marketplace!”

“And how exactly will you get out of here?”

“…You!”

“Craig has rightfully inherited the title of Count, and I am now the Countess. No one will remember Helena Abrams, the former Countess. Just stay here for one more month, and people will forget your name altogether.”

“Lies! All lies!”

Helena screamed so hard that her throat went raw. But instead of being frightening, she only looked pitiful and pathetic.

The days when everything trembled under the flick of her finger felt like a distant past.

At that moment, Baron had once said:

“In this country, the most free woman isn’t a divorcée. It’s a woman whose husband is bedridden, giving her full power as his wife.”

“…”

“Once the Master regains his body and you return alone to the estate, every blade of grass and handful of dirt in Abrams Castle will be yours.”

“It’ll be mine, you say.”

“Even Helena Abrams’ life will hang on a flick of your finger.”

Baron had whispered sweetly like honey. Cordelia paused in thought.

Divorce was something she had dreamed of ever since she got married. Even her desire to become a magic appraiser stemmed from the need for a decent job to support herself after separating.

But if, as Baron said, she could rule over Abrams Castle by controlling Craig’s body, everything would change.

Moreover, Helena and Arnold were both imprisoned in the tower now.

“Let me out! Don’t go! Aaaahhh!”

Cordelia turned and walked out. Helena’s shrieks echoed behind her, but none of it reached her ears.

“What the hell? Just a while ago, you were sulking and wouldn’t even talk to me.”

“Do I look like a child? Since I’m going anyway, I might as well prepare properly.”

Leonard was suspicious of Cordelia’s sudden change in attitude, but since it aligned with what he wanted, he didn’t press further.

“Good. You’ve come to your senses. You’re supposed to stick by my side forever anyway.”

“Yes, yes. Master. I’ll serve you faithfully.”

“You don’t realize what an honor this is. Do you know how many people would kill to be by the Master’s side? Be more grateful.”

“Can’t you see how happy I am? I’m so thrilled I might fly away.”

“Don’t be sarcastic. Do it properly.”

“If Veluche keeps picking fights with me, I won’t be able to serve you even if I want to. Move, would you?”

Veluche blocked her path with a glare, but Cordelia didn’t even flinch. As their standoff dragged on, Leonard waved his hand.

“That’s enough. Veluche, just finish what I asked you to do and go.”

“…Yes.”

“Cordelia, come here and redraw the magic circle.”

“Got it.”

Veluche glared daggers at Cordelia until the door shut behind him. Once he was gone, she muttered under her breath.

“Why does that man like the Master so much?”

It was an unexpected question. Leonard thought she’d ask why Veluche was so rude, but instead—

He handed her a new sheet of paper.

“How much do you know about Ingrion?”

“A famous knight family with some clout in the central government?”

“Marquis Ingrion values honor more than life itself. That’s why he’s tried to kill Veluche multiple times.”

Cordelia’s hand trembled, ruining the half-finished magic circle. Leonard handed her another blank sheet.

“He tried to kill his own son? Why? Because he’s illegitimate?”

“The Marquis considers Veluche a stain on his honor. Veluche was born outside of wedlock, and his mother held one of the lowest positions in society. So once the Marquis found out about him, he immediately tried to have him killed. Veluche is still alive only because he placed his life in my hands.”

“Then why give him the family name?”

“The Marquis didn’t. Veluche revealed himself as his son, so the name ‘Ingrion’ stuck.”

“But even if he claimed it, the Marquis could have just denied it.”

“There was no denying it. They have the same eyes.”

“The same eyes?”

That’s where the conversation ended. A servant entered, announcing a visitor.

“I heard you called for me, Count. Oh, and Countess, you’re here too.”

It was Baron Dean Lancaster. With a courteous bow, he sat opposite Leonard.

“Yes. There’s something I need you to do.”

“What would you like me to do, sir?”

Whether it was because he couldn’t forget the incident in the dining room or it was just his nature, Baron Lancaster had become a very loyal retainer.

“I’ll be leaving the estate for a while.”

“For a while… When exactly?”

“I leave in five days. As for when I’ll return… I can’t say for certain.”

The unexpectedly long timeline prompted the baron to respond with concern.

“Five days? But it hasn’t been long since you inherited the title, and your health still isn’t fully recovered.”

“I’m aware of the unrest inside and outside the estate. That’s why I need someone trustworthy.”

“No one is as trustworthy as you, Count.”

Baron Lancaster had a knack for making flattery sound genuine. A glance at Leonard showed he seemed pleased.

“I know. But this is urgent. I’ll try to finish things quickly and return. In the meantime, I’d like you to act as the interim Count.”

“You want me to? But the Countess is here—how can I dare?”

“She’ll be coming with me.”

“What? The Countess too? Where exactly are you going?”

“I didn’t summon you to report my every move, Baron.”

At Leonard’s polite but pointed rebuke, the baron inhaled sharply and bowed his head.

“My apologies. I overstepped.”

“I’m appointing you because I trust your loyalty and ability.”

“Count…”

“Don’t betray that trust.”

Leonard smiled—a smile Cordelia had never seen before—and patted the baron on the shoulder.

“Of course. Until your return, I will safeguard the house faithfully. Please return safely.”

Full of newfound pride, Baron Lancaster left with more discipline than when he entered.

As Cordelia watched him leave, her heart felt unsettled again.

“Why the wistful look? Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for him.”

“You really say the most ridiculous things to a married woman.”

“Married? Your husband’s dead—what’s the problem?”

“Forget it. It’s not that. It’s just… you really are planning to leave if you’re appointing an acting Count.”

“Seriously, have you even been listening to anything I said?”

“I didn’t want to believe it, so I let it go in one ear and out the other.”

“You’re the first and last person to ever ignore me like that.”

Leonard scoffed in disbelief. Anyone from the Mage Association hearing this would have fainted.

“Master.”

“What?”

“Could you explain in detail just how precious your one and only disciple is?”

“…What?”

“Hurry. I need to hear it to feel reassured. I keep wondering if you’re just going to use me to break the barrier and then toss me aside.”

Her bold request left him speechless. But Leonard couldn’t completely fault her for the anxiety. So with some effort, he answered seriously.

“You really don’t trust me? I’d even give you my heart.”

“Ugh, I don’t need your organs. I want to hear how precious I am.”

“Organs… Do you even know what a heart means to a mage? Ugh, fine. You’re my disciple. You’re as precious as my own heart. Happy now?”

“Why are you so obsessed with the heart? I said I don’t want it. What if a villain kidnaps me and asks for your entire fortune in exchange—what would you do?”

“What? You value that fortune more than my heart?”

“That fortune? So you did say ‘that fortune.’ You’d gladly trade it for me, right? Since it’s nothing compared to me?”

“What kind of weird logic is that?!”

“How else am I supposed to interpret it? I’m spinning it in the most favorable way for me, obviously.”

Who knows what comfort she got out of that ridiculous exchange, but Cordelia looked noticeably more at ease.

“Good. I’m glad my Master knows just how precious his one and only disciple is.”

“…Yes, yes. Precious, very precious.”

“So when we go to the territory of Diloana, please protect me. I really want to live a long and quiet life.”

“If you say ‘precious’ one more time, I’ll double your homework.”

The threat of homework worked wonders. Cordelia immediately shut her mouth and focused on redrawing the magic circle.