The Drinking Sage 34

Dozens of minutes before hearing Adela’s bombshell statement.

Adela and I were moving our footsteps to the level where the Tower Master resided.

My mouth broke the silence with a comment.

“It’s quite still.”

That was my assessment after looking around the interior of the tower.

Wallpaper, floor, and ceiling all in black. Or interiors painted in dark tones.

And consequently, the magitech lighting that illuminated what could have been a dark space was also low in brightness, so it wasn’t very bright.

Naturally, while walking inside the Pitch-Black Tower, one’s shoulders would stiffen and posture would become rigid.

“Yes.”

Adela responded to my words.

“A landscape that seems like it would make you depressed if you stayed too long. The Tower Master often said she didn’t understand why other mages liked this.”

“Is it alright for the head of the tower to say such things?”

“Just because she’s the Tower Master doesn’t mean she can control all mages at her will. Mages are extremely individualistic.”

That was something I knew well from staying at the imperial palace.

Mages were eccentric and stubborn, so they typically didn’t listen to others. Even those employed by the imperial palace showed such behavior and were quickly fired.

However, I felt that Adela’s tone was not simply pointing out that issue.

“Is there some concern in the relationship between the Tower Master and the tower’s mages?”

At my words that pierced that part. Adela closed her mouth for a moment.

Soon after, she sighed softly and revealed her inner thoughts.

“You know that in today’s magical academic circles, combat magic has gone beyond mainstream to become dominant, right?”

“Yes.”

“Naturally, such a trend circulates even in the Pitch-Black Tower, which leads the magical academic circles. And the Tower Master is precisely going against that.”

Hearing those words, I immediately understood what was on Adela’s mind.

A mage who pursues ‘happiness.’ Adela Ciadellia described her mother, the Pitch-Black Tower Master, as such.

In the current state of affairs where people find delight in developing offensive magic, it would be an incomprehensible path.

“She must be lonely.”

It was an abrupt statement.

A statement that would be difficult to understand at first listen, as it skipped the intermediate process.

In fact, I deliberately didn’t try to explain. It would be awkward for her to go into detail about each part.

And. As if the title of Sage wasn’t earned for nothing. Adela immediately grasped the source of my words.

She quietly nodded. It meant she agreed with my statement.

“The research that the Tower Master does often faces resistance within the tower. So I think there are probably many things she researches without revealing.”

“Then, does it mean no one stands by the Tower Master’s side?”

“No. In the past, I also…”

The following words became blurry at some point. Adela closed her red lips.

Since she showed signs of not wanting to continue this topic, I didn’t press further, but there was no need to hear the rest.

-In the past, I also.

This phrase means that in the past, Adela was with her mother and.

The clear distance felt in the title “Tower Master” shows the reason why Adela used the phrase “in the past.”

‘Their relationship has deteriorated.’

Even if I don’t know for what reason. It’s clear that some kind of incident occurred.

Silence continues again. Only the sound of footsteps echoes.

When Adela initially used the “elevator” to ascend, we went up quite high. Here, strangely, no presence of other people could be heard.

‘Perhaps it’s because they don’t get along with the Tower Master.’

No mage wants to climb to the top where the Tower Master is to conduct activities. That’s why it’s so quiet.

I was secretly concerned about the person known as the Tower Master. I had seen her in the imperial social circles, but this would be the first time directly conversing with her.

Tak, tak- The interval of echoing footsteps gradually lengthens. We had already arrived at the audience chamber where the Tower Master would be.

“Oh, could you wait a moment?”

Clap- Adela opened her mouth while lightly clapping her hands.

A pitch-black gate closed at a close distance. Standing in front of the large door that could be opened and closed with magic, Adela and I faced each other.

Adela raised her heels. She placed her lips right next to my ear and, while letting out a sweet breath.

“A secret to being liked by the Tower Master. Should I tell you?”

She threw a somewhat unexpected question.

My brows furrowed slightly at the statement. It was difficult to understand why Adela would deliberately ask me such a question.

‘No, wait.’

There’s one place that makes sense.

The reason why Adela would deliberately want the Tower Master to take notice of me.

And the reason why she’s saying it while emitting such a sweet fragrance.

“…”

I decided not to touch on that directly. It would be awkward to point it out with my own mouth.

So, I deliberately gave an indirect answer.

“Why should I deliberately try to be liked by the Tower Master?”

“You haven’t forgotten the reason why I came with Your Highness in advance, have you?”

Sinking.

I heard the sound of the escape route I had laboriously prepared sinking into the sea.

Adela smiled like a little devil. Her cat-like eyes were captivating.

“You know. Instead of avoiding like that, just do as I say.”

“…Alright.”

I shook my head and. Accepted the situation, adapting my attitude accordingly.

“How can I be liked by the Tower Master?”

“Your Highness’s secret. She would like it if you tell her that.”

“…”

At those words, this time, my brows genuinely furrowed.

The secret she refers to must be that I can interfere with the mana of others and the atmosphere.

‘In the first place, it was because this was discovered that I approached Adela.’

But now, is she saying I should be the first to mention this with my own mouth?

I looked at Adela with a questioning gaze, and she began to explain, slowly opening her lips.

“I don’t know the details, but. The Tower Master desires the power to interfere with mana.”

“Isn’t that something the Sage can do?”

“No.”

Adela waved her finger. It was an attitude suggesting she wasn’t applicable.

“My power is closer to that gained by reaching the limits of magic. It can’t be called a specialty.”

“…”

“But Your Highness is different, right? Since it’s an innate power, it will be exactly what the Tower Master wants.”

“That’s quite difficult.”

Though the Tower Master wouldn’t be someone to speak carelessly, there’s naturally resistance to directly mentioning this.

Since imperial confidentiality isn’t a term attached for no reason.

Seeing my clear reluctance, Adela nodded as if she had expected it.

“It’s alright. I have no intention whatsoever of becoming a woman who burdens Your Highness.”

With those words, Adela stretched her arm with a sweep.

I could see mana quickly gathering in the slender arm that entwined around my arm like a snake.

“What?”

To my question as I watched that.

“It’s a geas.”

Adela answered with a firm determination.

“A geas that imposes a penalty on Adela Ciadellia if Your Highness incurs harm by revealing the secret.”

“How can you use a geas for something like this?”

With a feeling of bewilderment. And with a bit of anger. I admonished Adela.

“Is it so important for me to reveal the secret? Since the penalty of a geas is a matter of life and death, how can you so recklessly perform a geas?”

The bewilderment was because I didn’t expect her to go as far as placing a geas. The anger was directed at Adela for taking an action that could harm herself.

However.

“I didn’t do it recklessly.”

Adela answered while gazing at me with clear eyes.

Looking at my face reflected in the obsidian. Recognizing me as someone she trusts more than anyone.

“I want my mother to acknowledge you. For that, I want you to tell her the secret.”

“…”

“I know it’s a difficult issue. I know you can’t be free from the consequences of that action.”

But.

Adela said so.

“That’s why the only action I can take is a geas. Only by doing this much will you feel how sincere this girl is.”

It was a passionate emotion.

The way she addressed the Tower Master. Even changing how she addressed me, it meant Adela was truly sincere about her request.

‘Is there no choice?’

If she’s willing to place a geas voluntarily, it’s not an issue that I can dissuade her from.

In the end, I gave up and nodded.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

“Thank you.”

Adela smiled softly and, just like when boarding the elevator, snapped her finger.

With a snap sound, the gate slowly opens.

Through the pitch-black gate, into the source of light.

Adela and I walk in.

“Well then, shall we go?”

Still with our arms linked.

 

The interior of the audience chamber was similar yet different from the corridor we had just walked through.

Equally painted in black, with dim light sources. But it had a much more familiar and intimate atmosphere.

That was.

“…”

From far away, the emotional landscape of the woman quietly watching us was reflected.

Hair as black as pitch, like her daughter. However, the fine hair like silk was cut short below the neck, which was different.

Looking slightly down at the chest area, it was surprisingly less than her daughter’s, a case of the student surpassing the master.

‘No.’

Somehow I ended up having quite a pubescent boy-like thought. Is it because I’ve been having too many headaches about romantic relationships lately?

Anyway, Adela’s mother. The Tower Master was quietly gazing at us and opened her mouth.

“Welcome. Sage.”

A calm voice embedded with experience and wisdom. Truly befitting of the Sage’s mother.

In response, Adela also politely bowed her head and responded.

“Yes. I have returned, Tower Master.”

The only problem was that she didn’t release her arm from mine.

“…”

As I expected, I could see the Tower Master’s eyebrows twitching slightly.

‘It’s natural.’

Her daughter appeared clinging to a strange man’s arm. If there were no reaction to that, she couldn’t be called a mother.

Naturally, the Tower Master’s next statement was directed at me.

“And the gentleman beside you… is the Empire’s Third Prince.”

As expected, she recognizes me.

Well, a famous figure like the Tower Master would inevitably know the Third Prince.

As I was about to nod in response.

Before that, Adela linked her arm even more tightly with mine.

She gently leaned her head on my shoulder.

“…!”

Directly witnessing that scene being captured in the Tower Master’s two eyes.

Adela opened her mouth.

“Tower Master. Let me introduce him. He’s my boyfriend.”

Silence.

For a moment, as if someone had poured water into the audience chamber.

An extremely terrible silence dominated the space.

I can see the Tower Master’s eyes opened wide. She seemed still dumbfounded by the bombshell statement her daughter suddenly dropped.

“…Impossible.”

And the word that softly emerged was denial.

“My daughter, in a relationship with a prince…?”

The Tower Master parted her lips slightly and uttered words of denial.

She seems unable to accept the situation.

Most regrettably, I felt the same.

So boldly. Even announcing to others as if to show off that she’s in a relationship with me.

‘How on earth am I supposed to face Rinet after this?’

Even Silvia’s face comes to mind, causing a feeling of self-reproach.

While I was lamenting inside.

The Tower Master’s head moved with a creaking sound as if it would make a metallic noise.

She stared at me intensely and addressed me.

“…Is it true, Your Highness?”

Is it true, she asks.

‘Well.’

What should I answer here?

No, it’s a misunderstanding? It’s an answer I desperately want to give, but doing so would not only be irrecoverable but would also lose Adela’s heart.

I’ll answer you another time? I’d have to stay here for a while, so it would only be a way of dragging out the situation.

Then.

Yes, it’s true- that’s.

The only answer I can give, but.

Glancing to the side.

I see Adela looking at me fervently with eyes dripping with honey.

She’s very much anticipating the answer that will come from my mouth.

“…”

My brows narrow.

My head ached. Why do the women around me send such passionate feelings to me?

I say I’m not ready yet, that I’m not qualified, yet why do they express love like this?

Even as I matched and responded to all these things, I’m starting to feel like my stress is about to break through the critical point.

Therefore.

“Yes.”

I too decided to go all out for once.

“Miss Adela is the person who will be my wife.”

Ambiguous statements like girlfriend were petty.

“I came to greet you on this occasion.”

The thought that came up as I spoke was.

A near-certain expectation that I would be kicking my blanket vigorously tonight.