episode_0025

“… … … … .”

Duke of Everts of the West.

Duke Nicholas, the castle’s owner, was deep in thought.

It wasn’t because of the invitation from Arche Magic Tower, which was different from last time. On the contrary, as the leader of the West, he was desperately hoping for the resurgence of Arche Magic Tower, and of course he was planning to accept the invitation.

Still, what he is worried about.

“… … You failed too.”

“Sorry, Your Excellency!”

“No, no… … … I didn’t meet you in the first place, so what’s there to be sorry about?”

It was because of the daughter, who was like the duke’s sore finger.

Lacia Everts was born with the constitution to be loved by spirits, but due to various things she experienced since childhood, she refused contact with people and confined herself to the spire.

No matter what methods the duke tried, he could not even set foot in the spire guarded by countless spirits, but he had seen hope just over a month ago.

‘Kyle Byron.’

The producer of Kyle Gali, whom Lacia is interested in. To be honest, I called him in thinking it wouldn’t work.

Surprisingly, Kyle Byron entered the spire for the first time and met Lacia. It didn’t end there, and I played board games with my daughter and we became closer.

The Duke still remembered his last conversation with Kyle.

To be exact, Lacia’s actions were to send a spirit to summon Kyle first.

So, I thought I could get closer to Lacia through board games.

‘They won’t let anyone in.’

Over the past month, we tried to invite as many people as possible who had made a name for themselves in board games within the empire, but they were all rejected.

As they were all competent players, they easily adapted to Kyle Galina and Spirit Poker, which they had never seen before, but the game itself was impossible in the first place.

In the early days, a few people climbed to the top of the spire and left only one visit, but Lacia only played the game in small words from beyond the door.

Moreover, after playing the game a few times, they kicked them all out and are not even opening the door to the spire.

Naturally, it seemed to the duke that hope had gone out.

‘Rather, it is not that distrust of humans has worsened… … … … .’

Maybe Kyle Byron will be rejected even if he returns later.

This situation is extremely frustrating because I saw a little hope.

After sending away the winner of the tournament, who apologized several times, the Duke picked up the invitation to Arche Matap.

‘I can’t put it off now.’

I had put it off for a while because I was worried about Lacia, but now it was time to head to the Arche Tower.

If you decide to go late, you can be late by a few days, but the Duke of Everts is the leader and ruler of the West. For such an operative to come late to the invitation of the magic tower representing the West could itself be a political statement.

Above all, in this invitation, many big names other than him are also making moves.

As a duke, the only ones he has to directly care about are the Duke of Grandel in the east, the Marquess of Ruttenhark in the south, and the six major magic towers, the Glesia Tower and the Astron Tower.

And above all.

‘The 3rd prince from the royal family is participating.’

Instead of the 1st and 2nd princes competing for succession, the 3rd prince, who is believed to have already been pushed out of the succession, participates directly.

Even if he is a prince who cannot become emperor, he is definitely a royal family member. With so many big names coming to the West, it would be a shame if the leader of the West was late.

Considering that other big players come from far away, we should leave within today to arrive faster than them.

Finally, Duke Nicholas made a decision and called the servant.

“Get the carriage ready. Go to Arche Magic Tower.”

“Yes.”

As for Lacia, it would be enough to meet Kyle Byron again at the Arche Tower and talk about it.

The duke, dressed in street clothes, headed to the main gate where a carriage was prepared.

If I decided to leave, I wanted to go as quickly as possible.

[…] … … … … .]

“… … … This is.”

“Your Excellency the Duke. Suddenly, this spirit came from the side of the spire next to the carriage.”

“That’s right… … What do you mean?”

The carriage wasn’t the only thing prepared at the front gate.

A water spirit, one of the spirits that guarded the spire’s gate.

A spirit in the form of a tiger made of water came to the carriage.

That means.

“It was sent by Lacia.”

[…] … … Grumble.]

“My efforts… … It seems it wasn’t in vain at all. So, are you going to Arche Magic Tower together?”

[Ur… … … Growling.]

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Perhaps this is a message of reconciliation from Lacia.

To give a spirit as an escort for his father who is leaving for the Magic Tower, that alone made Duke Nicholas───

[Growl… … Wow.]

“… … … ?”

But why?

The water tiger, which was showing a strange reaction, lowered its head.

I was taken aback by that for a moment.

‘Well, I’m sure Lacia sent a spirit for me.’

Anyway, the smiling Duke got into the carriage and made room for the water tiger.

“You can ride too. The road is going to be quite difficult.”

[…] … … … Ureung.]

Duke Nicholas grinned, saying that he was leaving with his daughter’s spirit, even though it was not his daughter.

Even though he was a spirit, he felt like he was going on a trip with Lacia, and for some reason he felt better.

[Ugh… … … Wow.]

“Umm… … … ?”

I couldn’t help but look at the water tiger with a puzzled look as it continued to fidget.

Since it was a spirit and a tiger made of water, I couldn’t be sure based on its sound and facial expression.

In the opinion of Nicholas, who met many people in his position as duke.

‘… … … ‘A burden?’

And it wasn’t the burden that seemed to come from the two of them riding in the carriage.

It seemed like a burden in a more fundamental sense.

[Ugh… … .]

The water tiger, which continued to growl, eventually lowered its head.

As if I had surrendered to something inside me.

It was a bonus to look at the duke for a moment and then move away from him.

“… … … … .”

The duke became sullen as he felt that he was becoming distant from his daughter.

*

Geass, the territory owned by the Arche Magic Tower.

As was the case with any magic tower that had a territory, the territory was bound to be colored by the color of the magic tower.

The northern Agni Tower had a warlike and impulsive atmosphere as it was located in the principality between the empire and the mountain range where monsters poured out.

The territory of the Glesia Magic Tower in the east was very small, but it was adjacent to the sea, so the tower’s ice magic froze the sea and increased the size of the territory.

The territory of Arche Magic Tower, where the magic of light and darkness is studied.

In a slightly different sense, it was clear that it was night and day.

“It’s an amazing sight any time you see it. Adella.”

“… … Is that so? For me, it’s a sight I’ve seen since I was young.”

“This may be the only place on the entire continent where day and night change to this degree.”

Day becomes night, night becomes day.

The light and darkness that the Arche Magic Tower deals with may not have substance, but it is a power that controls the laws of the world.

The artificial sun and night sky that rose in Geass were able to show a night castle at night and quiet rest during the day.

A territory that can have 24 hours of daylight or 24 hours of night if you wish.

By controlling the direction and intensity of the light spreading, Giasman shines brightly as if standing under the light of a street lamp.

Therefore, the artificial boundary between day and night has long been a specialty of Gias with its unique beauty and dreaminess. Even more so when viewed from the upper level of the Magic Tower.

… … Actually, Adela was right. No matter how dreamy the scene is, if you look at it for a month, your appreciation will fade.

This was almost like an excuse. An excuse to take a short break from playing board games.

‘It’s already been 14 hours… … … .’

It’s been a month since Frederick’s matter was resolved and he returned to the Magic Tower.

In fact, the part I was supposed to be involved in was finished about two weeks ago. The rules of Abracadabra have been clearly established, and there is no need to advise on fantasy construction anymore, so all we can do is watch.

Then he was caught by Adela. It was with an abracadabra covered with cloth.

──Shouldn’t we continue?

At that time, I had nothing else to do, and it reminded me of Abracadabra, which I had played for hours straight before returning to the family, but I accepted it because it was against my beliefs to refuse a board game.

… … I’ve been doing abracadabra for two weeks now. That’s 10 hours a day!

‘Adella, isn’t it hard for her?’

Unlike me, who has nothing better to do, Adela is even participating in fantasy building. How can she do this? You are sleeping, right?

However, if there is one thing that has changed.

[Whirl!]

“Okay… … … [God’s Sanctuary].”

The sparrow spirit sitting on Adela’s shoulder helps her? I definitely don’t think I’ve had it before, but since I’ve been there, I always carry it on my shoulder.

… … Rather, I think I’ve seen that sparrow somewhere. Isn’t this the sparrow spirit that was busy running around every time Lacia called me? The one who delivered my letter yesterday too?

Anyway, because of the training(?), Adela’s skills improved considerably, and she had a bit of trouble trying to achieve an appropriate win/loss score.

“You guessed really well. Didn’t you ask a spirit to see the magic?”

“Please don’t misunderstand. Rather, what kind of unscrupulous and senseless person would command a spirit to commit foul play?”

“… … … That’s right.”

[Whirik… … … .]

Looking at its reaction, I think it’s the sparrow I saw. Does it just look similar?

Unlike other elements, it was a spirit made of wind whose shape was unclear, so no matter how many times I looked at it, I couldn’t be sure.

Well, the water tiger and the wind horse have become friends with me, but there’s no law that says you can’t become friends with Adella.

Rather, at some point, I naturally find myself doing Abracadabra again.

The moment I was about to give up and continue playing the board game, the sparrow spirit who was pondering with Adela suddenly screamed.

[Whee, Whirick!? Whirring!!]

“Huh?”

“Why suddenly… … ?”

The sparrow spirit flutters and flies up, urgently pushing Adella into the wind.

For a moment, I was taken aback by that sudden action.

‘This is an opportunity!’

Sensing that this was my chance to get out of playing board games for 14 hours straight, I stood up as well.

“Adella, how about joining the spirit first?”

“You mean the beep?”

“… … His name was Ppyak. Anyway, isn’t it said that spirits have better senses than humans? Let’s watch Piyak for a moment. Abracadabra later! Isn’t it okay to come back?”

“Um… … … .”

[Whispering!!]

“Okay. Beep, what on earth is going on?”

Thank you, Beepyak. I guess I can take a break with this.

Even in Amman, it is difficult to play one type of board game every day for 14 hours, that is, for over 2 weeks, so I was truly grateful to Piyak.

Adela, who also got up from her seat, moved according to Piyak’s wishes.

[Whirik!!]

“Adela, can you understand what Piyak is saying? Where are you going?”

“I can hear it little by little… … … Magic Tower, out? Let’s get out of here quickly.”

“Hmm?”

If you become familiar with the spirit, you will be able to understand its words, so it is not strange for Adela to listen to Biyak’s words.

The fact that it meant getting out of the magic tower was a bit unusual.

If it were because of an unprecedented risk, it would be safest to be inside the magic tower.

But Biyak was so desperate that he followed along.

From the upper floor of the Magic Tower to the lower floor, past the wizards preparing various magic demonstrations or illusions, to the main gate.

“Oh, the creator! Where are you going with Adela?”

“Producer! The magic tower lord Olpin found you earlier!”

“Producer, I’d like to get some advice… … … .”

“Everyone! Sorry for a moment!!”

In the meantime, several people tried to talk to him, but Biyak kept urging him on, so he had no choice but to wait for later.

In a somewhat bewildered state, I arrive at the empty hall where the giant board game board has disappeared.

The moment when Adela and I were about to go out the front door, following Piyak’s words and actions to go out of the magic tower.

[Whwi, hwi, whirly!?]

“… … Wait, don’t go out suddenly… … … uh? Get away from the front door?”

“Yes?”

The moment when Biyak paused for a moment as he said this and that.

The main gate of the Magic Tower opened.

“Welcome to your visit, His Excellency Duke Nicholas. First, let me introduce you to the Magic Tower.”

“I am truly grateful that the Archmage personally guided me. Well then thank you… … … ?”

what.

Duke Nicholas? Olpin magic tower owner?

‘Ah, now it’s time for the invited people to come.’

But why is Beep telling me to move away from the front door… … ?

[…] … Ureung.]

[Hwi! Whilick! Whirring!!]

When the familiar water tiger that came in with the peacock makes a sound, Piyak, who was trying to run away, changes his posture 180 degrees and bows his head in front of the water tiger.

The water tiger looked down at Piyak with dumbfounded eyes for a moment, then quickly looked away.

[Ur… … … Lung!!!]

“Uh, huh?”

As soon as he saw me and Adela, he cried out loud.

At first glance, it sounded threatening, but as I was quite close to the water tiger, I was able to understand what it meant.

Rather, that is why I was most skeptical.

‘Run away right now?’

From Piyak to Water Tiger.

While I couldn’t understand what the situation was.

[…] … … … … .]

At that moment, the water tiger’s mood changes somewhat.

It’s a strange feeling, like I’m not the water tiger I know, but someone else who only occupies my body.

and.

[…] … … Grumble.]

“What is this… … ?”

“… … … … … … .”

The water tiger quietly approached, separated Adella and me, and glared at Adela. Adela also looked at the water tiger with sharp eyes, as if she felt something in that gaze.

The atmosphere suddenly became sharper, and the water tiger and Adella seemed to be absolutely unfriendly.

What kind of situation is this?

I just couldn’t understand… … …