Ch.62Fun Competition (2)

“Hmm…”

Whether people respect me or that I’m more popular than I thought.

I didn’t really care about any of that.

What mattered most to me right now was that the person I least wanted to discover my act had found out that everything I’d been performing until now was just a concept.

‘If it had been Razak or Irina… well, I could have handled that…’

Though calling it an “act” might be going too far.

My natural personality is actually quite similar to how I normally behave around Eterna.

Deliberately putting on airs and pretending to be charismatic doesn’t suit me at all.

I only acted that way to make the Blood Tower seem more impressive.

Think about it.

If someone who declares they’ll make the Blood Tower great has no charisma and just does whatever they want, who would believe them?

Of course, if I were the type to perform properly when needed even if I didn’t usually, people’s faith wouldn’t diminish that much… but as someone trying to elevate the Blood Tower’s image quickly, I judged it better to show this more disciplined side of myself, even if it was a bit troublesome.

It’s not like I’d only be the Blood Tower Master for a month or two—I’d be there for a long time… I thought it would be sufficient to reveal my true nature once the Blood Tower became somewhat stable.

But…

‘The Greatest Magic Tower Tournament has just begun…’

It wasn’t pleasant at all that my mask had been seen through at this golden opportunity to greatly enhance the Blood Tower’s image—an opportunity that might be the first and last of its kind.

It would be stranger not to feel anxious when the Iron Tower Master openly mentioned my “concept.”

I couldn’t help but worry that someone who draws such things had discovered this about me.

To be completely honest…

‘Well… I suppose my image wouldn’t be entirely normal at this point anyway…’

The fortunate thing was that there wasn’t anything where I was seriously compromised… or anything like that.

I thought that even these people would have some standards and wouldn’t produce such things about a Magic Tower Master.

I figured someone who had risen to the position of Iron Tower Master would know that much.

But still…

I was anxious enough to go crazy.

Even though vampires don’t sweat, I felt cold sweat running down my back.

How should I respond?

After pondering briefly, I made up my mind.

I’d just boldly push through.

If I acted confidently as if I knew nothing, what could she do about it if I insisted I was genuine?

“What’s a… concept?”

When I asked as if I genuinely didn’t understand, the Iron Tower Master tilted her head.

“Huh?”

Was my response surprising?

Or was she questioning my pretense of ignorance?

She stared at me with wide eyes, then narrowed them thoughtfully.

“There’s no way it’s not a concept…”

The Iron Tower Master examined me with a subtle expression, but when I maintained my look of genuine confusion, she seemed to decide there was no point in pushing further and closed her eyes, taking a step back.

“Fine, I’ll believe you.”

After leaving those meaningful words that she would believe me for now, she chuckled briefly.

“It’s not really appropriate to continue our conversation here, is it?”

I nodded at the Iron Tower Master’s words.

As she said, our surroundings weren’t ideal for conversation.

And since this wasn’t something I could judge and decide on my own, it seemed best to leave now and talk separately later.

“Alright, let’s get out of here first.”

Satisfied with my answer, the Iron Tower Master nodded with a slight smile, and I followed her lead.

.

.

.

“I’m late with my introduction.”

The Iron Tower Master said that while extending her hand to me.

“I’m Erika. It seems we have a lot to discuss about business… when should we meet again?”

Fortunately, she’s letting it go for now.

The possibility that she might tell others about this was concerning, but I couldn’t stop her from sharing what she’d discovered.

If she were of lower status, I might have mentioned that to prevent rumors from spreading, but unfortunately, my counterpart held a position equal to mine.

Of all people to get caught by… I really do have terrible luck.

“Well. I’m fine with meeting whenever you want.”

While nodding as if nothing was wrong, I glanced back at Irina.

“But before that, I want to make one thing clear.”

“What is it?”

“Anything involving Irina must be completely free of violent or sexual content.”

Hearing her name mentioned, Irina approached with interest.

“Sister? What are you talking about?”

I love you, Irina.

She’s destined to become our tower’s mascot, and I can’t let her be involved in such things.

Irina, who knew nothing about what was inside, could only tilt her head at my words.

Fortunately, Irina only appeared in content related to me, and even then, she wasn’t paired with others.

“Don’t worry. That will absolutely never happen.”

It seemed that even these corrupt people had some standards.

“I never draw that kind of thing anyway. I’m purely a fan, you know.”

“Still, you brought these things in here and left them unattended. I think pairing me with Irina is going too far. We’re just sisters, after all.”

“For people who like that sort of thing, that’s exactly what fuels the fire, you know?”

“…I don’t understand.”

Though I said that, I actually did understand.

Because they’re sisters, that kind of relationship becomes even more appealing.

We socially agreed to call that feeling “taboo pleasure.”

But when the subjects become Irina and me, it feels really unpleasant.

I might reluctantly understand if it were just about me, but isn’t it too much for an innocent child who knows nothing?

“Is everyone at the Iron Tower like this?”

“Hey, when you say it like that, it sounds like you’re asking if all magical engineers are weirdos.”

They are, though.

Normal people don’t create and secretly sell these things without the subjects’ permission.

To be honest, our Magic Tower has no money, and this could be quite profitable, which is why I’m letting it slide, but it’s practically like declaring war.

The problem is that most people who came in here are Blood Mages…

‘Wouldn’t normal people take this as an insult…?’

Far from being insulted, the Blood Mages were happily buying these things, making me wonder if I had misjudged them all along.

At first, I thought it was because they liked me so much, but now I was starting to reconsider.

Isn’t this twisted fandom…?

“Is it normal for mages to openly buy romance novels and adult fan works about their own Tower Master?”

“…”

I couldn’t refute that statement.

Why on earth are my precious Blood Mages doing things that leave me speechless?!

“Yes… our Blood Mages aren’t exactly normal either…”

When I conceded, Erika smiled smugly.

This is really irritating.

“Then let’s talk later. I’ll visit the Blood Tower myself.”

“…I thought you’d ask me to come to the Iron Tower…”

“Since I’m the one asking for permission, I should be the one to visit.”

I like that.

While I’d like to visit the Iron Tower sometime, it wasn’t a place I particularly wanted to go for business matters.

“See you later~”

Leaving only those parting words, Erika disappeared.

After watching her leave, I turned back to where Irina and Razak were.

“Hmm.”

At first, I was going to let it go without saying anything, but…

“Razak.”

I called out to him.

Razak responded loudly with a terrified expression and a strangely disciplined voice.

The attention briefly turned to us, but in my heated state, I didn’t care about the gazes of those around.

“You didn’t tell me about the existence of these things.”

“Y-yes, that’s correct!”

“Well… shall we have a nice, long chat?”

When I smiled and spoke, Razak’s face turned deathly pale.

I don’t understand why he’s so frightened.

I don’t intend to do anything too severe.

Of course… depending on my judgment, he might get scolded badly, but I’m fundamentally a generous person.

“Is Mr. Razak in trouble?”

“I’m just going to ask him some questions. Irina, feel free to look at anything you want here.”

It should be fine since only wholesome content is displayed in this area.

“Really? Wow~!”

At my words, Irina immediately lost interest in Razak and ran toward the books.

“Hii, hiik…”

You absolutely cannot escape.

Come here, you.

I grabbed Razak and began our discussion.

A very, very long… discussion.