Ch.89Chapter 89 – Black Smile

The woman calmed down quickly.

I had been a bit worried that she might refuse the coffee or suddenly lunge at me again, but she seemed to recognize I meant no harm. She quietly stood up, sat on the chair, and drank the coffee. Whether it was the warmth of the drink or something else, her face looked much more relaxed as she sipped it.

“So where is this place? And who are you people?”

Beatrice nudged me in the side.

The question wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, but it seemed she was passing it to me.

“A magic tower. I hear it’s where magicians do various things.”

“Are you a magician too? Wait, your face… I feel like I’ve seen it before, but I’m not sure.”

She probably had some vague memory of our meeting in the columbarium.

But from her perspective, that would have been quite recent. I was surprised her memory wasn’t clearer.

This made me think it might be difficult to get information about the Order from her.

“You’re right, we have met before.”

“Do… do you know what kind of relationship we had?”

The woman looked at me with a hint of anxiety.

Perhaps she had sensed that we might have been enemies.

‘I’ll tell you about that gradually.’

If I bluntly told her we’d met as enemies, it would undo the calm she’d just managed to achieve.

Instead of being direct about that, I decided to tell her about my time as an experimental subject.

After briefly explaining my story, the woman nodded slightly.

“So you were captured there too?”

“Yes. Luckily, I escaped.”

After summarizing my days at the research facility and how I escaped, the woman bowed her head.

“You were very fortunate.”

“Just to confirm, you really don’t remember anything?”

“No. When I try to recall what happened then, my memories become foggy, like they’re covered in mist.”

I nodded slightly at her words.

I’d suspected as much, so I wasn’t disappointed.

Then she seemed to have something she wanted to ask, glancing at me hesitantly.

“Do you have a question?”

“May I ask your name?”

Only then did I realize we hadn’t even introduced ourselves.

I’d been so focused on figuring out how much she remembered that I’d overlooked this basic courtesy.

“Kay.”

“Kay… is that really your name?”

She asked hesitantly, with a hint of suspicion in her voice.

“It’s not my real name. I just use something that came to mind.”

“I see.”

She answered, her suspicion seeming to fade a bit.

Judging by her slight look of relief…

“I’m guessing you don’t remember your name either?”

“No.”

*Tap*

Having finished her coffee, she placed the cup on the desk and looked at me.

“I don’t remember who I am, what I did, none of it.”

“Like everything’s in pieces.”

“…You really were captured with me, weren’t you?”

There was no reason for me to deceive this woman, but it seemed she had been cautious around me.

She looked worried that she might have offended me, so I shrugged slightly to show I didn’t mind.

“By the way, what should we call this woman now?”

It was Beatrice who had been quietly listening to our conversation.

She had already taken out a cigarette, lit it, and was sharing one with Asam.

“I…”

Confusion settled on her face.

Of course, with her memories so fragmented, it would be difficult to come up with a suitable name.

After a moment, she looked at me.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you suggest a name for me?”

A name, huh.

‘This is awkward.’

If I had a talent for naming things, I would have chosen something better than “Kay” for myself.

Still, seeing the expectant look in her eyes, I felt a bit sorry to disappoint her.

‘What should I do?’

Maybe something with a similar sound to Kay.

And add one more syllable to it.

After thinking for a while, I came up with a suitable name.

“How about Eina?”

“Then that will be my name.”

Eina nodded as she spoke.

+

Shortly after, Beatrice and I took Asam and Eina with us.

Asam had given Eina a spare robe from the laboratory to wear.

It was Asam’s judgment that we should report to the Masters first.

“As if the magic binding you two wasn’t enough of a problem.”

“How much progress have you made with that?”

“Give me a few more days.”

I thought it would take longer to break the master-servant contract, but it seems it can be done sooner than expected.

I’d like it to be broken as quickly as possible.

As we walked through the magic tower having this conversation, Eina began to look around in wonder.

Fair enough—walking on floors and ceilings while alive isn’t exactly a common experience, so her amazement was understandable.

“Strange, isn’t it? This is what this place is like.”

“It’s fascinating.”

“Hey, helmet. This is your first time coming this far too, isn’t it?”

Beatrice looked at me with an incredulous expression.

Meanwhile, Eina continued to marvel like a child.

When we arrived at the dining hall shortly after, she let out a small gasp.

“The tables are all floating…”

It’s understandable—it’s like a scene from a movie.

I was smiling at Eina’s reaction when someone came out of the dining hall.

“Kay, you’re late.”

How did she know?

The person who came out was Eve.

“I was just wondering if I should go look for you.”

“Sorry. There were some things that came up.”

“It’s fine. Waiting is nothing.”

Eve smiled and accepted my apology.

Then her gaze turned to Eina.

“It’s been a while.”

“Huh?”

Come to think of it, Eve had shot Eina with a crossbow at the columbarium.

So they had met as enemies, which meant she would recognize her face.

“Um, who are you…?”

“I’m Eve Ravencha, head of the Ravencha Trading Company.”

Eve greeted her politely, and Eina introduced herself with a somewhat awkward expression.

From her perspective, it must be uncomfortable to have a stranger act like they know her.

Eina looked at me as if asking for an explanation.

‘How should I explain this?’

Obviously, I should avoid saying “she’s the person who shot you with a crossbow,” but…

While I was hesitating, Eina, unable to wait, addressed Eve directly.

“How do you know me?”

“Don’t worry. You never directly caused me any harm.”

At that time, Eina had collapsed immediately after being hit by Eve’s arrow, which had a paralyzing effect.

So that explanation wasn’t exactly wrong.

Eina seemed to relax a bit upon hearing this, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Somewhat reassured, she quietly spoke up.

“So, what is your relationship with each other?”

Eve smiled and took my arm.

Then, looking at Eina, she said:

“More than friends.”

“Oh my.”

Eina looked at Eve with interest, and Eve began to look a bit smug.

Just as Eina was about to ask something more, Lucian came out.

“Asam, what’s going on?”

“Just a moment.”

Soon the two of them moved to the end of the corridor we had passed earlier.

Watching them, Beatrice gestured with her chin.

“Let’s take that woman to the Master for a bit too.”

“Why?”

“Because we need to decide what to do with her.”

At least Beatrice seemed intent on going.

She probably wanted to hear a judgment on how to proceed.

And since she and I needed to move together right now, I didn’t have the option of staying behind.

“She’ll feel more at ease if you come too.”

“That’s true.”

I felt like I should at least say goodbye to the people inside, but then Eve grabbed my arm.

“You should go.”

She spoke with conviction.

She had already released my arm and was standing in front of me.

“It would be better if people like Master Rudger and Aria didn’t know about her existence.”

“Why?”

“Those two have many ears listening nearby.”

Eve answered firmly.

I thought those two wouldn’t mind knowing, but to get past Eve, who was standing right in front of me, I’d have to ask her to move.

‘I have a feeling she won’t move even if I ask.’

When she acts this decisively with such confidence, there’s only one thing I can think of.

‘Did she see something from the future?’

If so, does that mean it’s better for the future if I don’t take Eina inside right now?

I nodded.

Let’s trust her.

“Can’t be helped. Let’s go, Eina.”

“Ah, yes.”

As I turned around, Eve took my arm again.

“Shall we go?”

“You’re coming too?”

“Yes. Though I don’t particularly need to.”

Eve urged me to get moving.

With no choice, I headed toward where Lucian had gone.

As we got closer, we could hear the two of them talking.

“She awakened her sense of self on her own.”

“What should we do? Should we restrain and confine her?”

I heard a groan.

Lucian seemed to be pondering what to do.

“Ugh…”

Having heard the words “restrain” and “confine,” Eina looked a bit frightened.

I was about to speak to reassure her, but someone approached Eina first.

“It’s alright, Ms. Eina.”

That was all Eve said.

At those words, Eina, who had been darting her eyes around, swallowed once and began to look ahead calmly.

“Call Beatrice. Tell her to bring the woman.”

“I’m already here, Master.”

Lucian looked surprised at Beatrice’s voice.

He quickly regained his composure.

“If you’re here, make some noise to let me know.”

“We just arrived. Is it okay if the woman you wanted us to bring is here too?”

At those words, Lucian looked at Eina.

Soon he glanced around, then tapped the wall with his arm.

The wall moved on its own, creating a room.

“Please follow me, everyone.”

Nodding at Lucian’s words, we entered the room.

+

For a while, Lucian listened to Eina’s name and condition.

Soon he carefully began to speak.

“Let me be frank with you, Ms. Eina.”

Lucian’s expression looked somewhat serious.

Human experimentation was included in the taboos, and Eina was a figure who could immediately evoke such misunderstandings.

For Lucian, who seemed to be politically burdened, it appeared he didn’t want to cause even the slightest disturbance.

“I think it would be better to send you outside the tower for now.”

“That, well…”

“Honestly, we’ve done you many wrongs, so we can certainly provide compensation and help you find a place to live.”

That’s what Lucian said.

He seemed to have decided to quietly send Eina away, though not forcefully.

“And if we keep you here, frankly, we might face political pressure.”

“I see.”

“I apologize for saying this so abruptly, but when you’re ready, I think you should leave quietly.”

Lucian bowed his head slightly to Eina.

In Eina’s case, since this was their first meeting, and perhaps feeling that they were irresponsibly abandoning her, he seemed to apologize more respectfully.

In fact, Lucian himself had nothing to apologize for, but his polite demeanor seemed to be part of his character.

His tone might be stiff, but looking closely, he was quite a good person.

Still, as the person responsible for the tower, he probably had to make seemingly cold decisions.

Eina looked at me as if seeking my judgment.

‘I think it would be better for her to leave for now.’

It seemed better both from the tower’s perspective and considering her own stress.

She could be taught how to survive in this world during the winter.

And if a way to cross dimensions is discovered, we can ask for her opinion and take her back then.

“Of course, preparations will take time, so we can’t send you away immediately, but in the meantime, I assure you of your safety.”

“Ah, Master, since she’ll be staying a bit longer, how about a physical examination?”

At Asam’s words, Eina’s expression darkened.

Honestly, I’d be uncomfortable too if someone wanted to examine my body without permission. For Eina, who had just awakened, it was natural to be uncomfortable and afraid of this.

No, “uncomfortable” might be too mild a word. It would be triggering her trauma.

“…Just bear with it. I understand your intellectual curiosity, but this situation was all caused by you.”

“The one who did wrong was Bea.”

“It was you, Asam.”

If we’re being strict, they’re both at fault.

I don’t know why they’re trying to blame each other.

“…Maybe I should ask Violet to take care of her for a while.”

Lucian spoke, sounding tired.

“We’ll send meals separately, so please be patient even if you’re hungry, Ms. Eina. There are outsiders in the dining hall right now, and it might get complicated if you go there.”

“Yes… alright.”

“And I must warn Kay and the head of Ravencha Trading Company to be careful with your words. Her existence alone could politically shake the Green Tower significantly.”

“We’ll be careful.”

With Eve’s answer, Lucian seemed ready to end the conversation.

“By the way, may I offer some advice?”

“What is it?”

“When you brought Ms. Eina here, didn’t you also acquire her weapons?”

Lucian looked at Beatrice.

Beatrice looked at Asam.

“Where did you put those?”

“I didn’t sell them. At least.”

As the two were about to start a heated discussion about where they had put the items, Lucian stopped them, and Eve spoke up.

“In my opinion, it might be good to let her keep her weapons where she’s staying, just in case.”

“…That’s fine.”

I thought this might mean an armed person could suddenly appear inside the tower, but surprisingly, Lucian easily agreed.

Looking at Eina now, she didn’t seem likely to act out. Perhaps he was confident he could subdue her if such a situation arose.

Despite the normal conversation so far, he had quickly stopped the fight between Beatrice and me before, so he probably had enough skill to subdue Eina if necessary.

“Then, Ms. Eina. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave this place for now. If there’s anyone you want to say goodbye to, do it now.”

“Um…”

Eina looked at me anxiously.

Indeed, she had no safety guarantees right now, so it would be good to provide some.

“Can we write a contract guaranteeing her safety?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not about trust. It’s just…”

I quietly pointed at Eina.

Seeming to understand my intention, Lucian took out a paper from his pocket.

It was the same paper I had signed earlier.

“Come here. The newly written terms need a separate signature to take effect.”

Nodding at Lucian’s words, I signed a new covenant regarding Eina’s safety.

‘Now she can feel a bit more at ease.’

Lucian began explaining the contract to Eina, and she nodded nervously.

‘This was quite an unexpected turn of events.’

Who would have thought an experimental subject would suddenly awaken?

“Well then, Ms. Eina, if there’s anyone you want to say goodbye to, please do so.”

“Ah, yes…”

Eina approached me.

“Thank you, Kay. I hope to see you again.”

“You’re welcome. We’ll definitely meet again.”

Though Eina was saying goodbye to me, Eve stepped between us and responded.

Eve and Eina exchanged glances, and Eina slightly averted her gaze.

Then she spoke softly.

“Will you come visit me, Kay?”

“Yes.”

With the contract in place, she should feel secure.

But seeing her anxiety, I felt I should at least visit her occasionally or check on her.

Looking at Lucian, he nodded slightly in permission.

“Then let’s head back.”

Neither Lucian nor Violet are bad people, so they will protect Eina well.

Now that this is settled, I don’t think there’s anything more I can do.

I should head back for today.

“You go ahead, Kay.”

“Why?”

Eve looked at Lucian and Asam.

She smiled as she watched Asam bickering with Beatrice, and Lucian looking at the two with a weary expression.

“I have something to do, so would you go ahead?”

What is this young lady plotting?

Why is she smiling so brightly?

I can’t figure out what she’s thinking.

Then Eina, trembling slightly, spoke up.

“Um, that’s a bit scary.”

“Don’t worry.”

Eve said in a gentle voice.

“I won’t eat them.”

Eve said with a smile that somehow looked dark.