🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 05
When the Silodien Ducal House was annihilated, the heroine Ramona was outside the capital.
She had been warned by her cousin Izzard to flee alone if anything happened, and thanks to that, she barely escaped with her life.
Running for her life, she eventually reached the land of mages, “Dian,” and by chance ended up entering the Magic Tower disguised as a cleaner.
The one who helped her when she was in danger there was the Tower Master, Roakin.
Roakin met Ramona, who was working as a cleaner in the tower, and fell for her at first sight.
Even after realizing her identity, he hid her in the tower and protected her.
He was also the one who helped Ramona safely reach the imperial palace when she went to save the crown prince.
Without Roakin’s teleportation, she would have been captured and killed before even reaching the palace.
“…So you’re telling me that sweet second male lead and that crazy bastard are the same person?”
At this point, the original novel felt like a scam.
To me, Roakin Arzen was nothing more than an abusive boss.
Is he only kind to the heroine?
That would be insulting.
So you stayed a second male lead because your personality is garbage!
What was the point of protecting Ramona so diligently?
In the end, Ramona chose the crown prince, Lirenzo.
Of course face matters—but it’s not everything.
No matter how good his appearance was, that temper couldn’t be hidden.
Ramona probably noticed that and went for the “sweet, normal” crown prince instead.
“Haa… so how am I supposed to get out of here?”
He burned my resignation letter, smashed the door in anger… and now it felt like I’d lose my bones if I mentioned quitting again.
I was mulling over my calendar when I heard a commotion outside.
“What’s going on?”
Looking out the window, I saw armed mages gathering in the plaza.
The Magic Corps Commander Derek stood at the front, organizing the formation.
“Right… today is the expedition departure day.”
How had I forgotten something so important?
The original plot surfaced in my mind late.
A survey expedition to the Valdeas Mountains was departing today.
The Valdeas Mountains were the largest stronghold of monsters, a heavily controlled region of the empire.
Every year, the Empire sent out an inspection force, and the Magic Tower’s military unit always participated.
“Is Roakin going too?”
Karas had said Roakin had recently been avoiding all official missions with various excuses.
…Something about not feeling well.
When I asked him directly after the call, that was what Roakin himself said.
But with the imperial pressure, he couldn’t avoid this one.
When I didn’t see Roakin in the plaza, I went down and asked Derek.
“Derek, where’s Roakin? I haven’t seen him.”
“The Tower Master already left. We are the rear unit.”
When did he leave?
He didn’t even say anything.
He must really be angry.
“He went… to Valdeas?”
“Yes.”
As if I had asked something obvious, Derek looked at me briefly before turning away.
Soon after, he began organizing the remaining mages.
“Lobin! Stop dragging your feet!”
At his shout, a group of mages rushed in.
While the rest vanished through teleportation circles one by one, the plaza emptied out completely.
“Wait! I’m coming too!”
And just like that, the last of them disappeared.
Silence fell over the empty square.
Alone, I realized:
They wouldn’t be back for three days—and that included Roakin.
The Tower Master is gone.
This was my chance.
If I wanted to escape the Magic Tower, this was it.
I immediately ran to Eliser’s room.
He was exactly where I expected—shut in, working on artifacts.
Knock, knock.
“Come in!”
The moment I opened the door—
Something flew straight at my face.
“Wah—!”
I ducked quickly.
“Se-Serpiene-nim! Are you okay?”
Eliser rushed over, panicked.
I looked down.
A shattered object lay on the floor.
“…What was that?”
“I… I don’t know why it keeps happening…”
He scratched his head sheepishly.
“I was making an artifact that automatically waves a cat toy, but it keeps flying apart…”
His eyes suddenly lit up as he launched into an enthusiastic explanation.
Otaku energy…
I didn’t have time for this.
“Anyway, about the bag I asked for?”
“Oh! That’s done! I just… left it somewhere…”
He dug through a pile of artifacts and finally pulled it out like a buried treasure.
“Here!”
“Good. That’ll work.”
I took it. Spatial expansion enchantment—perfect.
After confirming it worked, I left his room.
Back in the office, I quickly packed.
Clothes, essentials, defensive artifacts…
And finally the recipe book.
Did I forget anything?
In the deepest drawer, I saw it.
The resignation letter Roakin had burned.
“…That psycho.”
Cold dread crept back in.
I set the bag down and sat for a moment.
Then I pulled out a clean sheet of paper and wrote a new letter instead.
One that wouldn’t provoke him.
Everything was ready.
When I opened the door carefully, darkness greeted me.
Not a single light was on.
The room was cold, empty, almost abandoned.
I wrapped my coat tighter and stepped inside.
The faint galaxy-patterned ceiling made it feel like I was walking through the night sky.
Soon I reached Roakin’s desk.
Sorry, Tower Master.
It was cowardly, but I had no choice.
If I stayed, I’d die by the consort’s hand.
Stop being stubborn and do your job.
The heroine would arrive soon anyway.
Once Ramona appeared, his attention would naturally shift.
He probably won’t even notice I’m gone.
A secretary could always be replaced.
New applicants would line up instantly.
I had already calculated everything.
Goodbye, minor villain’s fate.
And with that final thought, I placed the letter down and walked away—
leaving the original story behind.
