Ch.59The Greatest Magic Tower Tournament (7)

At first, I couldn’t understand it.

Why such a place existed… why they were doing such things.

But before long, I came to understand it somewhat.

Being a fan of someone often means that affection is heavier than one might think.

It was like that before I came to this world, and it was the same when I was active in this world.

Since I knew how popular people were treated, it wasn’t that hard to understand when I became the subject of such attention.

However, understanding was one thing—it didn’t mean I didn’t question why they were doing this.

‘Hmm…’

Seeing not only the basic photos of me, but also people excitedly discussing among themselves which ones were rare or unique, gave me quite mixed feelings.

On one hand, I felt happy that these were people who liked me enough to react that way, but on the other hand, I was disappointed by the behavior of taking photos of someone without permission and even buying and selling them.

“Razak, have you ever bought anything here?”

“That’s…”

Razak couldn’t continue and turned his head away.

That was answer enough for me.

“Sigh…”

What should I do about this…

I didn’t particularly want to get angry about this, but I couldn’t just leave it alone either.

‘Does this world not have the concept of portrait rights violation…’

Well, of course not.

Considering that even in the world I used to live in, the concept of portrait rights hadn’t existed for that long, it would be absurd to expect such laws to exist in this world.

But still…

“Such heavy affection…”

I shook my head.

If I suddenly appeared in a place like this and tried to restrict them from selling these things, they would surely mention what I had done on the forums and be sad.

At times like this, it seemed better to just pretend not to know and move on.

Of course, it wasn’t easy to ignore the fact that photos of me—even embarrassing ones—were being sold…

‘If my kids want it, well…’

As a Magic Tower Master, I can allow this much.

The direction of this permission seems a bit strange, but isn’t this also the duty of a superior?

They’re doing this because they like me.

…

Right?

“Now that we’re here, it wouldn’t be bad to look around and see what photos have been taken.”

After saying that, I moved my blood to create a cloak and covered my face with it.

“B-Blood Magic?!”

Razak asked with an astonished expression when he saw me create clothes with Blood Magic.

“Why are you asking the obvious? Of course it’s Blood Magic.”

To be precise, it was Blood Claw Art.

From Razak’s perspective, it was understandable to be surprised since I had created clothes with Blood Magic and was wearing them.

I remember how shocked Irina was when I first created bat wings and flew around. Blood Mages still have a long way to go.

I think they need to research magic a bit more.

“Well, let’s go.”

“Yes!!”

With the cloak on, no one should be able to recognize me now.

Irina followed me with a happy expression when I said let’s go.

“Um… Midir?”

Razak, who had been following me with a bewildered expression as I confidently walked forward, cautiously asked.

“What is it?”

“Where… are you planning to go?”

I tilted my head at Razak’s question.

I didn’t understand why he was asking where I was planning to go.

I was just going to look around the whole place.

“Are you really planning to see everything?”

“Is there… a problem with that?”

“…No.”

Hmm…

He definitely seems to know something.

Although Razak had told me he didn’t know much, judging by how he’d been acting around me, it seemed like he knew quite well.

Was he pretending not to know for fear of incurring my anger? His behavior was suspicious enough to raise such doubts.

But…

‘He might want to keep it secret.’

I shouldn’t try too hard to find out.

Everyone has their own thoughts.

Mmm, I nodded inwardly and stepped inside.

Not knowing what abyss might be waiting for me.

* * *

“My… there’s a lot…”

Now I understand a bit better.

At first, I thought it might be a photo gallery of me, but it seems it’s not just photos.

Looking around, I could see not only photos but also figurines that appeared to be modeled after me, which clearly indicated they were selling merchandise based on me.

‘To think I’d see real-life merchandise in my lifetime…’

As someone who had dabbled in otaku culture in the past, I wasn’t unfamiliar with the concept of merchandise.

I just never expected to see merchandise, especially merchandise of myself, in this world, so it felt strange and bewildering.

Anyway, it was a weird feeling.

Not a bad feeling though.

People who like me must have made these… so it means that all my hard work for them hasn’t been forgotten and is being repaid with their gratitude. I think it’s something I can take pride in.

The only problem was that the direction of their affection was quite strange.

But…

‘This much is fine…’

I nodded sincerely, thinking that.

At most, there were figurines that appeared to be made imagining me in different clothes, novels and comics with stories about me.

‘How strange…’

Did such things emerge during the thousand years?

Especially the comics, which were drawn in the distinctive style I was familiar with, made me even more curious.

I never dreamed I would see comics in this style again after coming to this world.

“Hmm…”

Irina is in them too.

Come to think of it, it was well-known among most Blood Magic Tower mages that I cherished Irina.

Irina had more talent in Blood Magic than anyone else, so I took care of her a bit more, which might have seemed like favoritism to others.

Favoritism…

That’s not wrong.

“I’m with big sister in this one! Hehehe…”

She’s a child who’s happy just seeing a picture of herself with me, so I liked her—I certainly didn’t dislike her.

Even recently, when I was lecturing on Blood Strengthening Art, she demonstrated exactly as I taught, which helped many Blood Mages trust me.

Honestly, while I did teach her, I was amazed and grateful that she performed such a high-difficulty magic so well.

“Here’s another one with you and me.”

“Oh! I want to see!”

I chuckled as Irina immediately grabbed it.

Does she like me that much?

Considering that when we first met, she was hostile toward me, calling me Count Vladimir and whatnot, it’s amazing how close Irina and I have become.

As I was recalling my first meeting with Irina, my eyes suddenly went to the side.

There was a special room covered by a tent.

‘What’s that?’

If there’s a place like that in a location like this, it’s usually that kind of room.

‘No way…’

There’s no way there would be crazy people drawing that kind of stuff about their own Magic Tower Master.

I hadn’t even found such things on the forums where all kinds of posts appear.

‘So it can’t be that, right?’

That place must surely be the personal space of whoever is in charge of this place.

That’s what I wanted to believe.

No, that’s what I was going to believe.

‘Entering would be impolite, but…’

Why?

Even though I knew I shouldn’t go there, I found myself unconsciously moving toward it.

‘Oh no…’

By the time I realized, it was already too late.

Having reached right in front of the tent, I swallowed hard and tried to see inside with my eyes, but some special magical treatment must have been applied because no light came through beyond the tent.

‘Ugh…’

Should I go in or not?

There’s definitely something there…

“Midir?!”

“Eek?!”

Razak called out to me in shock when he saw me standing in front of the tent.

Startled, I reflexively threw myself into the tent,

“Ah?!”

“M-Midir!!!”

With Razak’s voice calling my name in a scream behind me, I moved beyond the tent that was half like a barrier.

And,

“Ah…”

I took in the scene filled with flesh-colored images.

Along with the shock of broken trust.