Chapter 93
KWA-KWANG—!
A massive explosion thundered again in their ears, yet only a small section of the wall crumbled in a controlled way.
Not a single speck of gold touched the area Theo had protected with a barrier.
Seizing that gap, the mages tore through the magic circle and activated the initiator.
They were in the process of filling the damaged parts with new materials and bricks.
“Phew!”
Watching this, Anelia dramatically clutched her chest as if to relieve herself of tension.
Then, placing both hands firmly on her waist, she turned to Theo with a stern expression.
“Theo! What is the meaning of this?!”
Theo froze, dumbfounded, at the new title she had acquired since joining the Abner Society.
“This is a historic castle! Sure, it’s going to be Ria’s house now, but do you even realize its historical value?!”
Being called “Mr. Theo” by a five-year-old society president was slightly embarrassing, but there was nothing he could do.
After all, this was all the path he had chosen.
And more importantly, it didn’t feel that bad.
“I’m sorry.”
“Then tell your subordinates immediately! Make sure the partial barriers are placed properly!”
Theo nodded and relayed the instructions to the mages at work.
“The president’s orders. On-site, follow her instructions as a priority over mine.”
The mages nodded in a daze.
Most of them looked utterly confused about why they had been called here.
Yet, because Theo was the one who fed them, housed them, and paid them an enormous salary, they obeyed without question.
They fully accepted the hierarchy: their superior was Theo, and Theo’s superior was Anelia (?).
At that moment, another playful voice came from behind.
“Wow, Lady Liri! You’ve gotten even cuter these past few weeks~!”
Theo frowned, while Anelia spun around with a bright smile.
“Uncle Ricooo~!”
She ran to Rico and threw herself into his arms.
Theo’s brow furrowed even deeper.
Yet, whether aware or not, Anelia pressed her cheek into Rico’s broad chest and laughed joyfully.
“Uncle Rico, when did you get here? Ria just came from the palace a little while ago!”
“I just arrived. The tower has so much to handle…”
He looked around leisurely and asked.
“By the way, how is the restoration coming along? The exterior seems to have changed a lot in just a few months.”
Anelia lightly tapped his arm.
As Rico set her down, Anelia dashed to Theo’s side and began explaining.
“The main building is completely done, and we only have to repair the outer wall of the annex’s first floor!”
“It seems unbelievably fast because our Tower Master got involved~ Even if he’s unlucky sometimes, his abilities are outstanding, right?”
“Yes! Theo is amazing at work! The greenhouse barrier research he ordered was completed in just two weeks!”
Rico looked impressed.
“Lady Liri, now you even use the word ‘orders’! You must be getting used to being the Society President.”
At the word “Society President,” Anelia froze in surprise, then twisted her body shyly.
“Oh, Uncle, I’m just a co-president, you know.”
“Oh, is the other person someone named Owen Dennis?”
“That’s right! Ria’s mentor!”
Rico made a peculiar expression.
“Huh… judging roughly, he’s nowhere near as capable as our Tower Master. Lucky too, grabbing such an advantageous position.”
“Yes?”
“Nothing!”
Rico casually narrowed his eyes and surveyed the castle.
As a fortress once known for its impenetrable defenses, the castle was strong and grand.
‘So this will be Lady Liri’s residence from now on.’
The pharmacy academy was just a short distance away, and the palace was also very close.
Most importantly, the estate had plenty of land—enough to station an army if desired.
‘Definitely better than the northern region.’
Rico’s sharp eyes swept the exterior walls thoroughly.
His keen gaze seemed to pierce right through the bricks.
Whether Anelia noticed or not, security artifacts were densely installed at regular intervals along the walls.
These were ultra-advanced artifacts capable of detecting intruders and analyzing their movements.
Naturally, the developer of all this was Theo.
‘Just a bit of Rasandra’s ring should be enough to protect Lady Liri. Our brother really is thorough.’
But Rico understood Theo to some extent.
“We were careless, Rico.”
A few months ago, that night…
He remembered the night he had been sleeping lightly in the research lab’s storage room, as usual.
“Ugh! Hah, uggh…!”
Theo’s groaning, as if struggling to suppress a scream, echoed.
Rushing outside, Rico saw Theo standing by the wrecked experiment table.
Rico couldn’t say a word.
Before going to sleep, Theo’s hair had been short—but now it had grown long enough to reach the floor.
“Brother…?”
“Liri is dead.”
Hearing those words, Rico staggered.
Lady Liri was dead?
That was impossible.
Why had he been staying up all night in the warehouse? Why had Theo been continuing his grueling research for years?
“What do you mean by that?!”
He rushed to shake Theo, but Theo gave no response.
Only his empty golden eyes trembled uneasily.
After a long silence, Theo slowly parted his cracked lips.
“…It’s okay. She’s back.”
“…”
“This time, it’s different. I will make it different. I will make it right.”
Later, Rico would come to understand the circumstances behind Theo’s words.
Rico watched him, hiding his anxiety behind a calm expression.
Today as well, Theo’s gaze was fixed unwaveringly on Anelia.
“So, here’s what the Empress Dowager said to me…”
Anelia chattered away, recounting her experiences at the palace to Theo.
Over the past few months, Theo and Anelia had grown quite close.
They often accompanied each other on tasks, just like today.
Except for Theo’s regular visits to the magic tower, he stayed near Anelia most of the time.
Anelia, in turn, had grown very comfortable around him.
“You two look really good together.”
Rico said this almost unintentionally, and Theo immediately turned his head.
His cold expression clearly said: Shut up.
But Rico stubbornly continued, avoiding eye contact.
“…You even look a little alike.”
Theo’s jaw tensed even more at that.
“Rico, shut that mouth right now—”
“Really?!”
Anelia’s eyes went wide as she exclaimed, tilting her head at Theo.
“Hmm, I’m not sure… Liri’s eyes slant down, but Theo’s eyes are sharp.”
Theo shut his mouth, flustered.
“But now that I think about it, you do look a bit alike! We’re both really smart, you know. Of course, my personality is way better.”
Anelia reached out her hand as if asking Theo to hug her.
Hesitant, Theo picked her up, and Anelia carefully studied his face.
“By the way, Theo, how old are you really? Fifty isn’t true, right? Be honest with Ria.”
Watching Theo fidget, Rico let out a small chuckle.
‘You deserve at least this much, brother.’
Then, he quietly stepped aside.
