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~Chapter 84~
“Let’s go together. You said you’re with the Mage Tower. You’ll be useful.”
I spoke “Mage Tower” a little quietly, conscious of those around us. Silvia stared at me silently, and Vincent furrowed his brows sharply.
Seeing his expression, I flinched.
Is this… not right? Did I just offend him? Am I going to die?
A flood of thoughts passed in an instant. Vincent let out a small sigh and spoke to Silvia.
“You left something unfinished earlier.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Finish it while we ride.”
Silvia blinked at Vincent’s tacit approval, and I guided her along.
Passing Vincent, who awkwardly raised his hand half a step ahead, I spoke to Derek.
“Where’s the carriage?”
“This way.”
I glanced at Derek’s side profile as he approached to guide us. His lips seemed to curl into a faint smile.
“Sir Derek, you seem in a good mood. Well, things are going rather smoothly, after all.”
“Ah, yes… indeed.”
Derek quickly avoided my gaze and slowed his pace, falling back. In his place, Vincent moved forward.
He walked ahead, silently signaling us to follow. I still held Silvia’s wrist firmly as we moved, glancing at the scene inside the tent.
The stage looked like it was for an auction, surrounded by audience seats. Walls hung with chains, presumably used to restrain slaves.
Imperial knights patrolled in between, inspecting the floor and every corner.
“Your Highness, what are the knights looking for?”
Vincent slowed his pace to answer.
“They’re searching for anyone hiding. Also, they recover evidence left by escapees. Slave auctions are a problem themselves, but those buying slaves are just as culpable. They intend to catch everyone and hold them accountable.”
“Ah, I see.”
It made sense; as long as there’s demand, this system keeps moving.
We left the tent. Since no one seemed likely to escape, I let go of Silvia’s wrist.
Before she boarded the carriage, Silvia looked around, searching for something.
“What’s wrong?”
“My staff… it was taken from me before I was locked up. One of the auctioneers has it. I need it to perform proper magic.”
She spoke with concern, and I naturally looked at Vincent. He answered.
“Tell the knights to keep an eye out. They’ll find it.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Silvia grabbed my hands and thanked me. Something felt… off. Vincent was the one giving instructions to the knights, not me.
I peeked at Vincent; his mood didn’t look good. I quietly pulled my hands away.
Why am I acting as a messenger between these two?
Feeling awkward, I tried to step back, but Vincent gently grabbed my hand.
“Amelia, don’t go. It’s almost dawn. You’ve been out too long.”
His hand was soft yet firm, awkwardly warm. I glanced at Silvia, wondering if this was appropriate in front of Vincent’s future lover, but Silvia just smiled.
Something feels off, but let’s think about it later.
Silvia and I boarded the prepared carriage, and Vincent sat opposite us.
“Watch the rear,” Vincent said to Derek tersely.
He closed the carriage door firmly after saying that. What was that? Derek usually rides behind on horseback, so why did Vincent seem so cold to him?
The carriage began slowly moving along the mountain path. The uneven path made the ride bumpy. I held the handle at the edge of the seat and looked out the window.
Deep night transitioning into dawn. The carriage’s lanterns provided some visibility outside.
One side was a steep cliff, the other covered with trees and bushes. Somehow, a path existed for the carriage.
As the rumbling continued, Vincent spoke softly.
“Finish what you were saying earlier.”
“Ah, yes. That is… um…”
Silvia, who had been silent, nodded and glanced at me, looking somewhat troubled. Am I not supposed to hear this? But there’s nowhere to hide inside the carriage.
Vincent spoke to her.
“Understood.”
Seeing him say that made my heart uneasy.
I really don’t understand Vincent’s feelings.
One thing was clear: my presence had altered the original flow of the story considerably.
Of course, it was necessary to change some things to survive, but had I really changed the dynamic between the main male and female characters?
Where do I even start…?
While secretly worrying, Silvia spoke calmly.
“As I mentioned…”
Her calm expression seemed oddly dark and sad. I decided to put aside my thoughts and focus on her words.
“I was an apprentice under Lord Leighton Ascard, the current head of the Mage Tower.”
Leighton Ascard. The story’s ultimate villain.
I had heard the name from Vincent before, but it didn’t stick. Perhaps the title “head of the Mage Tower” was used more often than his name.
“Lord Leighton was like a parent to me before being a master. He took in an orphan like me and raised me.”
I looked at Silvia with a complex expression.
It was true that Leighton Ascard had taken in Silvia. But rather than nurturing her carefully, he raised her as a mage suited to his own preferences.
He probably never intended to raise her as a mage originally.
Silvia had shown talent in magic, which is why he decided to nurture her. Similar to how Amelia’s looks made her a valuable asset in the Wentworth household.
Of course, Silvia’s time in the Mage Tower included many strange and abnormal events.
It’s fortunate she grew up with a sound body and mind.
Silvia initially didn’t realize the abnormality while growing up but gradually noticed things that conflicted with her kind nature.
Her first destination after fleeing was this slave auction.
“Why did you leave the Mage Tower?”
“As I told Your Highness, terrible things were happening there. To perform magic, you need mana…”
Silvia glanced at me, seeming unsure whether to explain “mana.” I hurriedly answered.
“I know what mana is.”
“Ah, yes. For everyday magic and making necessary magical tools, the mana collected by current mages is enough. Well, sometimes it falls short if there are many tool orders, but that can be solved with a few nights of work. Anyway…”
To me, it sounded like mages were being overworked to meet demand.
I looked at Vincent across from me. Reclined in his seat with legs crossed, he looked arrogant yet appropriately princely as the crown prince.
Silvia paused briefly. Vincent suddenly turned his gaze toward me.
“Amelia, are you tired?”
The question seemed genuinely concerned, making me a little embarrassed. Vincent was usually attentive even if acting, but today felt unusually so.
“I’m fine. I can handle it.”
I smiled slightly. Vincent nodded and looked back at Silvia.
