Ch.56The Greatest Magic Tower Tournament (4)

After leaving behind that strange meeting with the Black Tower Master, we all took our seats.

Looking around, most faces were unfamiliar except for a few.

If we were outside, the Tower Masters would probably exchange greetings, but since this was an important meeting with Eterna present, I decided to stay quiet for now.

‘Blue Tower Master… White Tower Master… I’ve never seen them before.’

The Blue Tower Master was a pure-looking woman with blue hair.

With everything about her decorated in blue, she gave off a strong impression of being a Blue Mage. Though she was sitting, I could tell she was tall.

Not only that, but her appearance was voluptuous and comforting like water in many ways, giving off a sense of ease just by looking at her.

I suppose that’s exactly the image one would associate with water.

As for the White Tower Master, how should I describe her? She had the air of a saint.

I’d heard that the current White Tower Master was actually chosen as a true saint. If I got to meet her separately later, I’d like to have a conversation with her.

Given that a thousand years have passed, I’m not sure if people still know those stories… but they must at least know how she spent her final days.

Those church folks loved to document everything in books, after all.

So I had another place to visit later.

That’s when it happened.

BANG!

“I have arrived.”

A young girl entered the room striking a pose.

‘That child…’

What’s this?

Considering Eterna’s status, entering like that should be unthinkable, yet this girl was walking in with complete confidence.

Since Eterna didn’t seem bothered, it probably wasn’t a big issue, but…

“Noah. Behave yourself and take your seat.”

“Gack…”

Making a strange noise at the stern words from the saint who spoke with her eyes closed, the girl approached and slid into her chair.

“K-Kaella needs to loosen up a bit, I think…”

“What are you saying, Noah?”

A single retort from the White Tower Master in response to the Iron Tower Master’s infamous comment.

With that one line, the Iron Tower Master sank.

It was summer…

‘Looking at everyone gathered, I’m reminded how many of us there are.’

There are eight towers in total.

Red Tower, Blue Tower, Green Tower, Black Tower, White Tower, Purple Tower, Iron Tower.

And finally, the Blood Tower where I serve as master.

Including the Aether Tower that controls all these towers, there are nine towers spread throughout the Magical Kingdom.

It’s nothing new, but I’m the one in charge of the Blood Tower.

In a way, I hold a position just below the head of state, and unlike when I knew nothing, I now understand how important my position is.

I also understand why people were so shocked when I took this position.

Of course, anyone would question it if a strange girl suddenly rose to such a high position.

Even I would be shocked if someone like me suddenly appeared with incredible magical abilities and was appointed as the next Tower Master.

To be honest, it’s surprising there hasn’t been any resistance yet…

‘Well, that’s that and this is this…’

Anyway, now that I’m a Tower Master, I need to work hard.

And one of those things is…

“Sigh…”

Not being looked down upon by other Tower Masters.

That was one of the most important things to consider.

I glanced around.

There were many unfamiliar faces.

I could simply exchange brief greetings with the Red Tower Master and Green Tower Master since we already knew each other, but the rest were strangers.

Of course, just as I didn’t know them, they didn’t know me either, so I needed to show a charismatic presence.

A Tower Master represents the face of their tower.

“…”

When I made eye contact with Ignius and Seria Woodrin, I greeted them with my eyes, but everyone else was sitting quietly, watching Eterna.

Even mages powerful enough to become Tower Masters couldn’t help but be cautious around Eterna.

As for me…

‘What is she thinking about now?’

While others might be wondering what Eterna was contemplating, I, knowing her true nature, was only afraid of what strange thoughts might be going through her mind.

I worried she might send everyone else away and call me over privately to say something weird.

Surely she wouldn’t bring up such things in an official meeting rather than when we meet privately…

At least that’s what I wanted to believe…

“Hmm…”

Eterna, seemingly emerging from her thoughts, looked around before fixing her gaze on me.

I returned her gaze as if asking if there was a problem, and Eterna responded with a smile in her eyes.

For someone who normally maintains an expressionless face, she smiles only when looking at me…

Considering Eterna’s appearance, if she were a man, this situation might not feel so bad, but unfortunately, it was just burdensome to me.

I wanted to ask what she was looking at, but I held back…

“…”

Eterna silently shifted her gaze from me and looked elsewhere.

There was an empty seat there.

Judging by the color, it seemed to belong to the Purple Tower Master.

‘They haven’t arrived yet?’

How could that be?

I thought everyone would arrive on time since Eterna’s words were like absolute law to these people.

But not only had they not arrived, we didn’t even know if they were coming, which made everyone who was waiting wonder what was going on.

“Here we go again.”

At Ignius’s comment, the Blue Tower Master beside him nodded.

“I wonder when that child will grow up…”

“How stupid. It’s not about growing up—that brat’s mind is rotten.”

“Your words are too harsh, Red Tower Master.”

“What… Did I say something wrong?”

The Red Tower Master, startled by the White Tower Master’s rebuke, boldly defended himself as if asking what was wrong with his statement.

The White Tower Master just silently stared at him.

“Well… I guess my words were a bit harsh.”

Finding her gaze uncomfortable, the Red Tower Master averted his eyes and quietly apologized.

Indeed, considering that person’s personality, speaking behind their back like this wasn’t right.

“That’s unlike you, Red Tower Master.”

At the Blue Tower Master’s comment, the Red Tower Master clicked his tongue.

But contrary to her words, the Blue Tower Master was giggling, seemingly amused by the Red Tower Master’s changed behavior.

If they were looking out for another Tower Master who wasn’t present, it showed they were more harmonious than I expected.

‘This doesn’t seem too bad after all.’

I dislike formal and heavy atmospheres, so I was planning to get through this quickly if it was that kind of meeting, but this…

It wasn’t bad.

“What should we do, Eterna?”

“…”

Eterna, seeming uninterested, shifted her gaze and flicked her finger.

Then, something rippled near one of the chairs, followed by a scream.

“H-huh?!”

A girl in pajamas, looking like a shut-in, appeared, startled and looking around.

With a blank expression, she looked at us and muttered to herself.

“Why am I here…?”

Her confusion didn’t last long.

“She seems fine.”

With those words, Eterna flicked her finger again, and the girl vanished as suddenly as she had appeared.

“Why did you send her back, Eterna?”

Eterna answered the White Tower Master’s question in a nonchalant voice.

“I just wanted to check on her.”

In other words, once she confirmed the Purple Tower Master was fine, that was enough.

For a head of state who had gathered so many important people in one place, it was an absurd reason that could have made people angry…

“Oh my, thank you, Eterna~”

“… Work hard today.”

Leaving only those words of encouragement for everyone, she stood up from her seat.

And everyone was grateful to her for it.

‘This is crazy…’

This country is definitely crazy.

Especially Eterna.

“Ah.”

As if suddenly remembering something, Eterna, who was about to leave, pointed at me.

“Midir, let’s talk separately.”

“…What?”

Me?

Suddenly?

Why?

Everyone’s eyes immediately turned to me when Eterna suddenly called me out.

Along with the unwanted information that this was the first time Eterna had directly pointed at someone and asked to talk.

‘No…’

That woman.

She’s not even trying to hide it.

I understand now.

Damn troublemaker.