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Chapter 170 ……………………………………
Kosaren Area Near the Magic Tower
Thanks to Richard, I was able to reach the gate, and only after paying a hefty sum could I actually use it.
This was possible because Jester had opened the gate near Kosaren exclusively for me.
“Jester must have returned to the tower briefly this morning…”
If I go to the tower, I should be able to see him. Flustered, I headed toward the Magic Tower with Richard.
No sooner had we started walking than we saw the path near the Magic Tower was destroyed in several places due to explosives.
The ground was cratered, and several trees surrounding the area had been caught in the accident and fallen.
As I approached, a wizard sent to investigate the incident saw Richard and me and frowned.
“Sorry, but this path is currently off-limits. It’s been heavily damaged because of the incident.”
I pulled my robe down over my face and said,
“I understand this is the only path to Lord Burigo’s tower. We’ll be careful, so please step aside.”
“Our lord is currently in a very fragile state. He has ordered that anyone coming to the Magic Tower—merchants, nobles, or royalty alike—be blocked.”
“…I must see the lord.”
“Oh, yes yes. Judging by your appearance, are you from a noble family? If so, I suggest returning. The wizards in this tower are gathered solely for the pursuit of truth and research. No matter how noble, you cannot enter the tower.”
“….”
“And even if a noble like yourself came knowingly, some of those caught in the explosion were also nobles. You’d be putting yourself in danger for nothing. Best return to a warm home and rest.”
The wizard then returned to investigating the scene, as if annoyed by the minor disruption.
“…Should we kill them?”
“No… They’re probably just upset that their domain was damaged. This incident… seems to have been caused by one of our people.”
That left only one solution.
“Duke, can you carry me and avoid the wizards on the way to the Magic Tower?”
“Yes, as long as we don’t attack.”
“Right. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.”
“It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. Put your arms around my neck.”
“Okay.”
I obediently wrapped my arms around his neck.
The wizard investigating the scene frowned at our sudden actions, clearly flustered.
He approached Richard and said gruffly,
“What are you whispering about? Didn’t you hear me? You can’t meet the lord. It looks like you’re guarding this young lady—don’t do anything foolish.”
“Yes, well… that’s the plan.”
“Then leave—”
“Wait, what’s that?”
“Huh? What?”
“That. That person over there. Looks like a stranger… Could it be a leftover from the explosion…?”
“What? Those bastards… where—!”
The wizard tried to cast a spell in the direction Richard pointed, but…
“…What? They’re gone…?”
I turned around in anger without even checking for their presence. Naturally, no one was there.
Realizing he had been tricked, the wizard turned back to check where the young man had been.
“Then… well done.”
“W-what…!”
An unknown young man in a robe had already skillfully avoided the obstacles caused by the explosives and began running toward the tower.
The wizard, flustered, tried to cast a spell to stop him, but…
“So this is why the wizards were pushed back. Your casting is too slow—how do you expect to catch me?”
“T-this…! If they catch me, I’m dead…!”
“I should deal with the accident scene first.”
Otherwise, we’d get scolded by the famously insane tower lord.
“Ah!”
Richard threw a rock filled with aura at the wizard and quickly leapt upward.
Thanks to the sudden rock, the wizard had to cast a shield and lost track of the mysterious intruder.
By the time he hurried after them, they had already entered the tower.
“Jester…!”
“Riri…?”
As I had expected, Jester had let the wizards stay outside and was investigating the incident to find clues.
Just as he was about to return to the wizards, he locked eyes with me and rushed over.
“Ririen, you said today was important. Why are you here…? Did you hear about it?”
“I heard my grandfather was attacked. What happened? Explain…”
“…Not here. Let’s go inside first.”
Jester led Richard and me inside the Magic Tower, retracing his steps.
Unlike me, who had visited the tower often, this was Richard’s first time inside.
“So this is the place. Dark, filled with the scent of medicinal herbs… Truly, a group obsessed with research, as I’ve heard—”
“You weren’t invited. Leave.”
“J-Jester, the Duke brought me here. Don’t be so cold.”
“…If Ririen says so.”
Jester, looking slightly annoyed, led us to his reception room, seating us on a deep red sofa.
“First, I’ll ask. Weren’t you supposed to perform genetic testing on the Empress’s children at the temple today? Already done?”
“…I’m not sure. I left after hearing the news, so maybe it happened…”
Perhaps it had been postponed due to my grandfather’s attack. Meanwhile, nobles allied with the Empress could block further investigations.
Seeing my expression darken, Jester seemed to realize something and cleared his throat.
“Sorry… I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s fine. You wouldn’t have known. So… what happened? Were my grandfather’s attackers suicide mages?”
“Yes. When I arrived, Count Epsilard was already under the wreckage of his half-destroyed carriage, bleeding from the head.”
“….”
“The corpses of the attackers were around—at least ten. According to Count Epsilard, five of them completely neutralized his guards, while the remaining five attached explosive magic devices to his body and rushed him.”
I gritted my teeth.
The attackers are all dead. Not a single one remains.
That was likely how the contract was carried out.
Whenever the Empress tried to attack me, she failed—so they cut off any potential tail in advance.
If even one assassin were caught, the whole group would be exposed, and the one who ordered them would be discovered.
“Is there a guild that makes suicide magic devices?”
I’d ask Jeron later.
I clicked my tongue and asked Jester,
“Did the assassins use magic?”
“Magic… I didn’t sense any, but I felt the aura of swordsmanship. Probably a newly-formed guild of skilled assassins, perhaps even advanced aura masters.”
How could such a group even exist…
I clenched my fists and bit my lip.
“So there’s no evidence left?”
“Not exactly.”
“Since sword auras aren’t registered like wizards’ magic, there probably isn’t anything concrete…”
“Ririen, I said they seemed like a new guild. How could I have known?”
“…?”
“I sensed a faint magical wave.”
“…!”
“Faint, but traceable. We could identify the wizard if we investigate.”
“Then…!”
My face lit up. But Jester shook his head.
“We might only find them. Some wizards don’t register their power. And… the feeling isn’t good.”
“Not good?”
“Just… something feels off.”
He mumbled, and I tilted my head, puzzled.
At least we have a lead…
With Jester’s expertise and Adix’s years of experience, we could find the culprit.
Come to think of it, the lord’s health wasn’t good…
I asked Jester about Lord Adix Burigo.
“Jester, how is the lord? My grandfather said he’s not well…”
“….”
“Very ill? Should I—”
“No, Ririen. He’ll be fine, father will be.”
“….”
“For now… first we need to track the footprints of the mages who attacked Count Epsilard.”
“Y-yes.”
“I’ll inform you via Pipi as things progress. Count Epsilard is in critical condition. Go see him, Ririen.”
“Yes.”
Talking about my grandfather made me somber again. Jester reluctantly left me with Richard and stepped out.
“Shall we go too?”
“Yes…”
“I’ll accompany you to Count Epsilard as well.”
I nodded weakly, forcing a small smile.
As we left the reception room, a wizard I’d never seen before bowed.
“I’m Mireille, casting teleportation magic under Jester’s orders. Your Highness, place your hand in mine. Your companions will be transported automatically.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Mireille smiled and held out her hand.
I placed my hand on hers, and she cast the spell. In an instant, Richard and I were transported to Count Epsilard’s mansion.
The sudden appearance startled the mansion’s servants, who raised weapons.
“W-who are you…!”
Wearing a robe, I was unrecognizable. The head butler brandished a silver candlestick threateningly.
Richard held me back cautiously.
I quickly removed my robe and faced the head butler.
Seeing my face, he froze, lips trembling.
“…Ayla…?”
“I am not your mother.”
“Y-yes…? Are you… Ririen Sha Caliburg, First Princess?”
“Yes. I apologize for coming abruptly, but I heard Count Epsilard is in critical condition—”
“You are most welcome…! No offense taken, not in the slightest…!”
“Uh…?”
“Please, come. Our master will be very pleased.”
The elderly butler, lined with years, guided me to my grandfather’s room, tears in his eyes.
I followed, suppressing my anxious heart.
Soon, we reached the door.
Even from beyond it, an intense scent could be sensed—
The overpowering fragrance of candles, enough to make one forget pain.
