------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
Chapter 34: Tower Master (2)
Stories about her are well-known, not just across the Empire but the entire continent.
The fact that a non-human rose to become the Tower Master of the human Empire was already a fascinating tale, and even beyond that, there was another reason she couldn't help but be in the spotlight.
"Hero."
Lorna Woodwitch was a hero of the Empire—
The very same hero who had stopped a demon 300 years ago.
Like most witches, she had taken her place of origin as her surname.
Her exact age was unknown.
All that was certain was that she was over 300 years old.
She first appeared in the human world at the time when Pharos produced its last grand master, and when the demons had first emerged in this land.
She had been visiting the human world then and stood beside the emperor of the time and Pharos, to fight against the demons.
In that catastrophic era, now passed down as a legendary tale, they ultimately claimed victory.
They succeeded in banishing the demon, and she became the first non-human to be granted imperial citizenship in recognition of her contribution.
Afterward, she became an advisor to the Magic Tower and, in a time when there was no suitable successor, took over its operation and remained in the Empire.
Of course, witches as a species are bound to their place of origin, so she returned to the forest periodically, but she never let go of the Empire.
There were various speculations about that—some said she loved the emperor of the time, or had made a promise with Pharos—but none of it was confirmed.
What mattered was that she was a legendary figure, and I had encountered that very hero by chance.
“Here, have some.”
On the terrace of the healing center,
The Tower Master brought out a fruit tea.
She spoke those words with the kind smile of a gentle grandmother.
“It’s been a hundred years since I last saw someone from Pharos. I don’t attend public events much…”
Thinking of her as a friend of my ancestor made things feel awkward.
As I hesitated, choosing my words, the Tower Master studied my face and said:
“Hmm, you really are quite different. If not for the gray hair and violet eyes, I might not have known.”
“What was my ancestor like?”
“Belph was rugged. With that thick beard and weathered face, he often looked like a middle-aged man. And he was only twenty-two! Compared to him, you look very young.”
Her cheerful laugh was warm.
She smiled with a hint of nostalgia, lost in old memories.
But then, at some point, her demeanor shifted, becoming more somber.
Suddenly, the Tower Master asked:
“Is it dead?”
I flinched.
From the context, I could guess what “it” referred to.
“…What are you referring to?”
“I’m talking about Bay.”
How much does she know?
Could it be something related to the demon?
After all, she’s non-human too.
And witches, as a race, are notoriously secretive, which made me more suspicious.
But her next words countered my thoughts.
“Rebecca. That demon.”
“…!”
“Heh, I’ve faced a real demon myself, you know? When things get this serious, there’s no way I wouldn’t know. Still, I’m glad to hear the demon was taken down.”
Our eyes met.
That’s when I remembered.
It was this woman who had counter-summoned the demon Beatrice had brought forth in my past life—and paid for it with her life.
My stiff expression prompted a response.
The Tower Master bowed her head.
“First of all, I owe you an apology. No matter what, it was that girl who summoned the demon.”
Bitterness spread across the Tower Master’s face.
“She’s truly talented, and I cared for her. Even if not, she always seemed so fragile… I worried she’d shatter. I tried to guide her better, but I suppose I failed.”
Her gaze turned toward the inside of the healing center.
“I heard she made a friend. I was so pleased by how happy she seemed. I didn’t even think to check for myself. I thought things were finally going well, so I returned to the forest for a while. My body can’t survive without absorbing the mana there.”
“……”
“That was my mistake. I never imagined she’d do something so terrible while I was gone. I should’ve checked more carefully. All these years, and I’m still terrible at raising children…”
She gripped her teacup tightly.
“Thank you for stopping her. And I’m sorry. This is all due to my own shortcomings.”
What could I say to that?
No words came to mind immediately.
But there was one thing I could say with certainty.
“It’s not forgiveness. I spared her because she’s still useful.”
“Whatever the reason, you spared her. I know shielding a sinner isn’t a good look. Yes, summoning a demon is an unforgivable taboo. But… to me, she’s like my own daughter. I can’t help but feel both grateful and sorry.”
“You don’t need to.”
“Hehe, you really are different from Belph.”
The Tower Master sipped her tea.
I stayed silent, and she looked me straight in the eyes.
“In any case, I don’t plan to express my gratitude with just words. Since this came from my own failings, I must also bear responsibility.”
At that moment, a wooden token appeared from thin air and landed in front of me.
“This is my witch’s seal. If you split it in half, I will appear before you once—bound by the laws I’ve agreed to. No matter what the request is, even if it lies at the edge of immorality, I will help you.”
My eyes widened.
I knew what this was.
This was the same artifact given to the emperor 300 years ago as a token of her promise.
A rare item.
Receiving help from someone at least 7th tier or higher essentially meant an extra life.
I carefully picked up the token.
There was no reason to refuse it.
“Thank you for the token.”
“I only hope you never find a reason to use it.”
“We’ll see.”
The conversation drew to a close.
“You came here with a purpose, didn’t you? Go on in. I’ll step out for a while.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Hmm… Could you not be too harsh? I’ll try to guide her properly.”
“I’ll try.”
I stood from my seat.
At that moment, I felt the Tower Master’s gaze shift toward my cane.
Ah, if she’s from the past, perhaps she recognizes it?
“This cane. You seem to recognize it.”
“Of course. Belph used it, didn’t he? Isn’t it a family heirloom from Pharos?”
“…It is.”
“I remember him slamming it on the ground while scolding Elio. He always looked so frustrated. Strange how it’s remained unchanged…”
She looked at it with curiosity, but it didn’t seem like she knew much more about it.
As expected, she was an outsider in that regard.
I bowed my head.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes.”
The Tower Master waved her hand.
I turned my back and left.
It was an unexpected meeting, but that was all.
What I gained was an extra life.
Not a bad outcome, all things considered, as I entered the healing center.
------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
The patient room was right there.
I didn’t bother knocking.
Upon entering, I saw her.
“Master… Oh, young lord.”
Beatrice was sitting on the bed.
One of her arms and an eye were missing.
The skin around those areas was charred black.
Her previously short hair had grown long and ragged.
Beatrice bowed her head.
“…Welcome. I'm sorry. I must have shown you something unpleasant.”
The wounds inflicted by the demon probably wouldn’t heal.
There was no need to bring it up further.
Though her complexion wasn’t great, the manic intensity she once had was noticeably subdued.
Perhaps she had regained some sanity, like the crown prince had.
‘Well, she seemed to know that woman’s true identity too.’
I sat on a nearby chair.
And we talked.
In the midst of it, I learned something new.
“The demon raised my rank. Since it wasn’t through normal means, I need time to stabilize.”
A free power-up, so to speak.
The demon had forcibly broken through her limits by using her body.
Giving her time to stabilize was only natural.
I told her so, and then explained what happened to Rebecca and what we needed to do moving forward.
Finally, I relayed what her role would be.
She nodded.
“…Yes, I’ll do that.”
During the conversation, I noticed something.
She acted like someone who had completely lost her will.
As if her sense of self had died.
My gaze drifted toward her noticeably lengthened, water-colored hair.
It had changed during her fusion with the demon.
When I stared at it, Beatrice must have felt my gaze—she grabbed her hair with her one remaining hand.
Her head was bowed, so I couldn’t see her expression.
“…It got messy, didn’t it?”
“I didn’t think much of it.”
“I’m going to cut it. As soon as I leave the infirmary.”
“Do you have to?”
“Huh?”
Beatrice looked up.
Only then did I see the question filling her one remaining eye.
I shrugged.
“It suits you.”
At the very least, it helped cover up her infuriating face a bit.
After saying that, I stood up from my seat.
“Well, I’m off.”
I waved my hand loosely and left the infirmary.
The cleanup seemed done for now.
* * *
Lorna entered the room Beatrice had been in after Yuren left.
Beatrice was staring blankly out the window.
A bitter smile formed on Lorna’s lips.
There was a trace of disappointment in herself within that smile.
She knew better than anyone how dangerous demons were.
She also knew a disciple who broke taboo deserved expulsion.
And yet, why was she being so lenient with this girl?
Perhaps it felt like it was her own fault somehow.
When the girl cried and apologized, it evoked pity more than anger.
Her missing eye and arm tore at Lorna’s heart.
Maybe if she had stayed with her longer, she could have resisted the temptation.
Regret over the irreversible was swelling inside her.
It was probably because she had grown old.
Even for a witch, life had limits.
Lorna had less than ten years left.
Was it complacency brought on by peace, or her vision narrowing as death approached?
Maybe her pity for this child was clouding her judgment.
She had laughed with Beatrice, just happy to see her without truly looking into things.
That made her feel all the more regret.
So Lorna couldn’t help but feel all of this was her own fault.
Of course, she didn’t show it.
This fragile girl would be hurt again by her emotions.
“…Bay.”
“Oh, Master.”
Beatrice flinched.
Lorna smiled more warmly.
“Did you see him off well?”
“Yes……”
“How are you feeling?”
Lorna peeled some fruit and fed a slice to Beatrice.
Beatrice bowed her head as if apologetic and chewed before swallowing.
“…I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
As long as she didn’t use mana.
…Most likely.
It was obvious that the demon’s wounds were interfering with her mana flow.
Lorna herself had taken so long to recover from those wounds 300 years ago.
Beatrice had it even worse—she’d taken the demon into her body.
The one fortunate thing was that Lorna already knew how to suppress and heal the demon’s traces.
She had experience.
She had no intention of making the same mistake again.
She would do everything she could to help her recover and never fall into temptation again.
That was all she could do with the time she had left.
It would be a harsh training.
So for now, she would focus on stabilizing her.
As Lorna watched over Beatrice, she noticed her constantly touching her hair.
Smiling gently, Lorna asked,
“Should I cut it for you? You’ve always liked short hair.”
Beatrice had never grown her hair out because of her neat and tidy personality.
It must be bothering her now.
That was the thought behind the question, but the answer was unexpected.
“…No.”
“Hm?”
Beatrice twirled the ends of her hair around her finger and said,
“I was thinking… I might grow it out a little…”
Her head was bowed so Lorna couldn’t see her face, but her voice held a certain liveliness that hadn’t been there before.
At that, Lorna smiled quietly.
* * *
A day passed.
Having moved around without proper rest after the battle, perhaps the fatigue had built up.
When I opened my eyes, it was already noon.
I felt like I could sleep even more, just staring blankly at the ceiling.
“Young Lord, won’t you eat?”
“Uh, can I just eat dinner?”
“Miss is waiting.”
“…I’ll go now.”
At Emma’s words, I headed to the dining room.
I’d just knocked my sister out cold yesterday—I couldn’t make her worry even more.
When I arrived, my sister was sitting with some light food in front of her.
I greeted her.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, Young Lord. Did you sleep well?”
“Home really is the best. I feel like I could sleep all day.”
A faint smile played at my sister’s lips.
“That won’t do. We have a banquet to attend this evening.”
She had to go and remind me of such an annoying event.
I’d go, sure, but honestly, I was planning to leave as soon as I fulfilled my purpose.
Right?
What good would I be at a banquet?
And it wasn’t even the kind of banquet where I could go wild—it was one attended by other kingdoms and other races.
I’d rather slip away early and rest.
That was what I was thinking casually when—
“Let’s go together. There are some people I’d like you to meet.”
“Pardon?”
My sister tilted her head slightly.
“Now that your engagement has been called off, you need someone new to marry. I’ve put together a shortlist.”
I blinked.
That was not something I could just ignore.
------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
