Ch.118Reunion (Interlude)

“Did you enjoy your vacation?”

“Well, yeah… I finally learned what I needed to know. I think it wasn’t a bad vacation.”

I flinched at Seria’s words.

Despite her dissatisfied gaze, I could only smile awkwardly.

It’s to the point where I wonder how I’m going to resolve this…

‘Ugh…’

It’s my karma so I should handle it myself, but still, when I’m apologizing this sincerely, couldn’t she just let it go?

…

I shouldn’t say that, right…?

“I really enjoyed this vacation too! Most of all, I think the best part was finding out that big sister was actually Count Vladimir.”

Hearing Irina’s words with her bright smile made me feel a bit better.

I smiled slightly and thanked her for saying that while patting her head.

Irina happily accepted my pat and giggled with a “hehe.”

“…So that’s your preference after all?”

“I told you it’s not like that…”

Is it so wrong to like cute things?

Everyone likes cute things, that’s just human nature.

Just look at young creatures and babies that need protection—aren’t they designed to be cute?

“Hmph.”

Seria walked ahead, still seemingly displeased.

I scratched my head in frustration as I watched her.

She used to have some cute sides to her, but now she’s become an old monster over a thousand years old…

“What were you just thinking?”

“Nothing at all.”

“I think you were thinking something…”

Not even allowing me to think anything.

How does that make sense?

I puffed my cheeks.

“Big sister is so cute~!”

“…You are cute, I guess.”

That worked unexpectedly…

I guess I’m a girl now.

Hohoho…

Haha…

Ha…

.

.

.

The vacation was enjoyable.

Now it’s time to finish the remaining work.

It’s better to get these things done quickly.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m saying that I’m going to retire now.”

The elders stared at me with blank expressions after hearing my words.

What? Why? Is there a problem?

“A-are you saying this suddenly…? It’s only been a year since you took office!”

“It would be a disaster if you retired so suddenly. We don’t even have a child ready to become the next Blood Tower Master…”

“I’ve already decided on Irina for that. And what are you worried about?”

Do they have complaints about me designating Irina as the next Blood Tower Master?

The elders fell silent at my question.

That’s right.

It had been a long time since I, the Magic Tower Master, had decided on my successor, so there was no point in bringing it up.

I had already made my decision.

In a way, I was simply informing them now.

The elders’ faces turned pale as they realized this fact.

Considering everything I’ve done as Blood Tower Master, it’s undoubtedly true that it would be best for the Blood Tower if I continued in this position.

At least that’s what they would think.

But I had no intention of remaining as Blood Tower Master any longer.

I’ve been through a lot, and isn’t it about time I lived a leisurely life?

The reason I became Blood Tower Master was simply because I couldn’t bear to watch those who created magic based on my Blood Claw Art living difficult lives without proper recognition.

If the Blood Tower had been doing well, I might have just stayed as a brief visitor to the Blood Tower.

There was no need to worry about whether that would work or not.

After all, as long as I handled the Blood Claw Art, they wouldn’t reject me.

Though that might just be my own thinking.

“I-if you say so…”

“If the Blood Tower Master says so, we have no choice but to follow… But Irina is still young. She’s too young to lead this Blood Tower. We sincerely ask you to reconsider…”

“Hmm…”

That’s true.

Irina is still young.

I also acknowledge that she’s too young to lead this Blood Tower.

She doesn’t know many things, and while her skill level is indeed higher than other Blood Mages, the position of Blood Tower Master isn’t something you can fill just by being skilled.

You need the ability to lead these people.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already thought about how to handle it going forward.”

“Y-you have a plan?”

“Of course I do. Would I have chosen Irina as my successor without thinking about that aspect?”

Entrusting this place to a young child would be like entrusting a country to a young crown prince who isn’t even 10 years old.

Unless that child is a reincarnated emperor or king who has studied the art of ruling, how could they lead a country?

Usually, there’s a prime minister figure who supports them.

Of course, I don’t intend to do everything like a prime minister would…

That would be no different from me not retiring from the Blood Tower Master position.

“I’ll handle the important parts. The rest will be up to you, the Council of Elders.”

“P-pardon?”

“I’m saying you should resolve all the trivial matters. I’ll teach and support Irina with important decisions and issues.”

It might seem like I’m taking on more work by training a successor, but currently, I’m handling all the miscellaneous tasks of the Blood Tower Master.

In other words, this is probably the busiest I’ve been since becoming Blood Tower Master.

However, the Council of Elders, who managed the entire Blood Tower before I came, now have very little to do, and that’s what I’m pointing out.

“I’m just giving the work back to you. Do you have any complaints?”

“N-no, none at all…”

“W-we’ll do it!”

Having been burned by me once before, and all the elders here being more or less indebted to me, they’re the type to do whatever I tell them to.

Look at them now, all rushing to say they’ll handle the work I’m returning to them.

This should be enough.

So this issue is resolved then.

“Then let’s end the meeting here. As for the retirement…”

“Please leave that to us.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly?

“If I just quietly step down…”

“That won’t do! That absolutely won’t do!”

“The Blood Mages wouldn’t want to see the Blood Tower Master who brought such prosperity to the Blood Tower step down quietly. Please allow us to hold the finest retirement ceremony.”

A retirement ceremony?

I froze at this completely unexpected suggestion.

Are they serious?

‘What’s wrong with these people…’

When they first met me, they acted like they were kings… like they were such important people. But now they’re looking at me with eyes full of respect, eyes that are inappropriately bright for their age.

Of course, that was only briefly at the beginning. After learning that I was the successor of Count Vladimir who was well-versed in the Blood Claw Art, they’ve been showing this kind of attitude.

But this is the first time I’ve seen them like this.

To be honest, it felt burdensome.

Well, if they want to do it that badly, I have no reason to stop them…

Then there’s no reason to do unnecessary things.

Even in the past, when I returned after defeating the Demon King, while everyone else went back to the palace to enjoy the party, I returned to the mansion and despaired over not being able to return to my original state.

I’ve never really liked parties in the first place.

You can tell just by the fact that I haven’t held any until now.

Even when I won first place in the Greatest Magic Tower Tournament, I could have held a party, but I just praised the kids for doing well without directly organizing a party.

I guess they probably celebrated on their own?

But in this case, these people who are indebted to me are earnestly pleading to repay that debt, and it seemed wrong to reject them.

I guess I have no choice.

“Well… I suppose since I don’t plan to appear officially after retirement, having one big retirement ceremony beforehand wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

It’s retirement in name only, as I’ll still be by Irina’s side to educate her, so it’s a bit ambiguous to call it retirement. But from the perspective of other Magic Towers, they’ll think I’m stepping down as the figurehead changes from me to Irina.

So if I don’t have a retirement ceremony, other Magic Towers might see me as an ungrateful bastard, and rather than being viewed that way, it’s cheaper in the long run to go through the hassle of holding a grand retirement ceremony.

If that’s the case, then fine.

“Then I’ll leave the retirement ceremony to you.”

“Nice…!”

“Thank goodness!”

“Thank you, Blood Tower Master!”

At my words, all the elders expressed their joy in their own ways and began to savor their victory.

I wonder why they’re so grateful.

I really don’t understand…