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Chapter 222
Sharen shut herself in her room and didn't come out after that day.
I couldn't tell whether my warning had worked or if she had simply changed her mind on her own.
Either way, I was just grateful she was staying quiet.
Some of the mages in the Blue Tower already knew that Sharen was supposed to be dead.
There was nothing good to come from rumors spreading through them.
‘I don’t know how long she’ll stay quiet, though.’
Sharen was an important figure, especially for future research into reviving the dead.
I sincerely hoped she wouldn't cause any more trouble.
While Sharen remained holed up, I continued training.
It had already been nearly a month since I started living in the Blue Tower.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was February—buds were just beginning to bloom.
The weather was still cold, but it was just right for me, who bore the Flame of Ash.
So, as I trained vigorously again today—
“Husbaaand.”
A familiar voice reached my ears.
As I turned my gaze, I saw a girl walking leisurely toward me.
Now eighteen years old, she was shedding the look of a child and beginning to look like a grown woman.
In particular, her chest had noticeably filled out more than before.
Apparently, she was still in her growth phase.
Despite her provocative appearance, her face was full of fatigue.
The dark circles under her indigo-blue hair were proof she’d been up all night.
Every time Sharin opened her mouth, a yawn slipped out.
She walked up to me and buried her face into my chest.
Taking a light breath in, she let out a relieved expression, relaxing as if to ease her fatigue.
“You’re going to smell sweat.”
“It’s okaay, it’s fragrant~”
“No way it is.”
How could sweat smell fragrant?
As I looked at her with eyes full of disbelief, Sharin looked up at me from my arms.
“Husbaaand, they say if you like someone’s scent, it means your genes match.”
Then she gave me a languid smile.
“Our baby’s going to be sooo healthy.”
Still going on about that baby stuff.
“Where are you hearing this kind of thing?”
“I’ve been studying hard. Studied how to make babies too.”
I gave her a dumbfounded look.
Sharin softly giggled and leaned her chin against my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“Wanna study together with me, husband~?”
This little fox.
I could practically see a fox tail swaying behind her.
Her eyes gleamed like she had spotted prey.
She must’ve been pulling all-nighters for magic research—where was all this energy coming from?
Dangerous.
She’s going to eat me alive.
“Sharin, more importantly, what about the dragon magic research?”
Sharin had been researching dragonification with the Blue Tower Master.
So when I asked her about it, she raised a parchment she was holding.
“Who do you think I am? I finished it.”
As expected from the world’s most gifted mage.
“I’ll be the one casting the spell~ But to do that, I’ll need a new staff.”
Sharin’s mana was among the highest in the world.
Even high-quality staffs often ended up being one-use items in her hands.
They just couldn’t withstand the sheer amount of mana she channeled.
“That’s why Daddy went out to get one.”
So the Blue Tower Master went to get it himself.
Once we’re ready on our end, we move out.
We’ll use dragonification to repel the ancient dragon and rescue the Duke of Whitewood, held captive by them.
“Before that, I’m going to redo the magic inscription I engraved on you, husband.”
To receive Sharin’s magic, I needed to be adequately prepared too.
So she sat me down and started unfolding the parchment.
It seemed to contain the blueprint for the new magical inscription she would engrave on me.
“If we’re doing it anyway, can we also strengthen the effects of the other magic inscriptions?”
“Hmm, it’s possible. But that’ll also increase the burden on you, husband.”
“I was born with a tough body. I want to do what I can while I can.”
Sharin narrowed her eyes and looked at me.
Maybe she sensed I was going to push myself too hard.
“Don’t worry. I won’t overdo it.”
“Liar.”
Sharin puffed out her cheeks.
I let out a bitter laugh at her expression.
With everything going on, I ended up pushing myself whether I liked it or not.
I wasn’t fond of it either, but there wasn’t much choice.
“It’s okay, I’ll stick with you and help every step of the way~”
Sharin hugged me tightly.
When I stroked her head, she purred like a cat.
“You stepped in for my mom, didn’t you?”
She must’ve heard on the way here.
Sharp ears, that one.
“Sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“Well, she’s your mother after all.”
Sharin let out a short laugh.
“It’s okay. I’m actually grateful you stopped her~”
Sharin looked unconcerned, wearing her usual relaxed expression.
“She doesn’t know how to stop. No one ever taught her. She’s just trying to fill the emptiness inside by doing whatever she can. That’s how people who die with nothing end up, I guess~”
Pretty harsh words to say about one’s own mother.
But knowing how Sharin had been treated by her, I couldn’t disagree.
Sharin let out another long yawn.
She must’ve spent countless hours on her research.
Drowsiness was finally catching up to her.
I gently embraced her.
“Get some sleep.”
“You’ll sleep with me, right~?”
“Yeah, I’m not going anywhere. Get some rest. You’ll need strength later.”
Sharin closed her heavy eyelids.
Soon, she began softly snoring in her sleep.
Our hard-working mage was finally getting some rest.
Let’s let her sleep in peace.
＊＊＊
Sharin didn’t wake up until a full day later.
Judging by how long she slept, she must’ve stayed up through countless nights.
“Uuugh, my body’s all stiff~”
“That happens when you sleep too long.”
As she stretched out her legs, Sharin let out a pained groan.
Just how little has she been eating to be this skinny?
She must’ve been skipping meals while sleeping all day.
“Sharin, let’s go eat something first.”
“I just woke up. I’m not hungry.”
“You will be soon. Let’s go.”
I dragged Sharin outside.
There, we saw servants murmuring among themselves.
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They were always busy helping the mages with their chores.
So it was odd to see them not working and instead gathered like this.
I dragged Sharin along and approached them.
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, Lord Ryu.”
A servant recognized me and bowed his head.
I had spent some time as a guest at the Mage Tower, so the servants remembered me.
“Ah, Lady Sh-Sharin, you’re awake as well?”
The servant glanced nervously at Sharin.
Could this be related to her?
“What is it?”
Sharin also sensed the tension and sluggishly straightened her posture.
“Well, Lady Sharen has gone missing.”
Sharen.
Sharin’s mother had disappeared.
The moment we heard that, both Sharin and I frowned.
“Lady Sharen is missing?”
When I asked for more details, the servant grew flustered.
“The mages are currently looking into it. It seems she slipped out sometime last night.”
I couldn’t hide my disbelief.
I never expected something so impulsive.
‘The Mage Tower should have security spells in place, though.’
But Sharen was technically part of the tower.
If it was just leaving the grounds, the spells likely wouldn’t have triggered.
“Move aside.”
Sharin’s tone turned a bit cold.
At her words, people quickly cleared the way.
Sharin walked past them and entered the room.
There, we saw mages who were preparing to trace Sharen.
“Ah, Lady Sharin.”
“Go back to your work. I’ll find her.”
“Yes, understood.”
The mages stepped away without a single word of protest.
For them, researching magic was more important than this kind of matter.
Besides, Sharin’s magical prowess was on another level.
There was no reason for them to get involved.
Once they left, Sharin silently looked around the room.
It was a wreck, symbolizing Sharen’s violent tendencies.
Torn cushions.
Broken dolls and expensive belongings.
It reeked of malice — the kind that wants to destroy anything she couldn’t have.
And it made clear what kind of environment Sharin had grown up in.
“Sharin.”
I called her name cautiously, and she looked up.
Then, as always, she gave a languid smile.
But it looked so fragile, like it could shatter at any moment.
“It’s fine. I’ll find her quickly, then proceed with the magic inscription.”
Sharin began casting a spell.
Moments later, her eyes slowly opened.
“Found her. Let’s go.”
She turned and walked out.
I followed right behind her.
Sharin said nothing as we walked.
And I didn’t try to start a conversation either.
I couldn’t begin to grasp what she was feeling right now.
All I had was a faint sense of anger.
But to understand Sharin at this moment would require much more than that.
People passed by us constantly.
But none of them could block Sharin’s path.
She felt completely apart from everyone else.
Eventually, Sharin stopped in front of a luxury inn in the capital.
As she entered, an employee hurried over.
“Yes, ma’am. Shall I guide you to a dining table?”
“I’m here looking for someone.”
“Pardon? Someone, ma’am?”
The staff tilted their head in confusion.
“Yeah. My mom. She’s staying here.”
“Ah… I'm sorry, but we can’t disclose guest information, even for family members.”
The employee looked troubled.
“What’s going on here?”
Just then, a man in a suit who had been observing us approached.
“Manager, this guest is looking for someone staying in a room.”
“Hmm, I’m sorry, but—”
He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening.
“Ah, aren’t you the daughter of the Blue Tower Master?”
“That’s right.”
“Elisa, show them the way at once.”
“Ah, y-yes, sir!”
This is why power matters.
At the manager’s order, the staff quickly responded after hearing Sharen’s name.
Soon, the employee returned with a room key.
“Room 401. I’ll guide you there immediately.”
We took a magically-operated elevator to the fourth floor with the staff.
Once we arrived, the staff handed us the key and bowed.
“Have a nice day.”
A nice day, huh?
That ship has long since sailed.
Whether the staff knew or not, they left after offering the farewell.
Now, only Sharin and I were left in the fourth-floor hallway.
Sharin gripped the key tightly and walked ahead.
She stood in front of Room 401 and inserted the key.
Creak—
The door opened.
And immediately, a strong scent of blood hit us.
Sharin and I locked eyes.
Without saying a word, we rushed inside.
The sight that met us left both of us speechless.
On the bed—
A naked man lay shriveled up like a dried husk.
Lying there in Sharen’s place.
He was already a corpse.
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