Chapter: 58
Memories from before the possession flooded back. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, and I had intentionally avoided certain messages, only to accidentally tap on one. The wistful recollection of seeing the ‘1’ next to the message disappear, leaving me feeling like I had to respond somehow. Each time, I would ponder if there was a way to restore that ‘1,’ lost to the abyss of my clumsiness.
‘Would breaking it make it as if it never happened?’
I wrestled with the impulse to throw the communication crystal against the wall and lost myself in futile thoughts. Could I claim that the crystal shattered and thereby avoid the messages entirely? Yet, I feared that doing so would only land me in even messier trouble.
‘Damn that bastard!’
No matter how much I thought about it, the Executive Manager of the Information Department was simply the worst. How could he treat me this way? I had turned a blind eye to the misdeeds of his family more times than I care to remember.
With that grim feeling, I squeezed my eyes shut and cautiously operated the communication crystal. If I kept dragging my feet until the Mage Duchess contacted me first, I’d only be inviting even more trouble. Just imagining that scenario sent a shiver down my spine.
I glanced bitterly at the blinking communication crystal. Honestly, I wished she wouldn’t pick up and I could just leave a message instead. Please, don’t pick up. Please, don’t pick up. Please, don’t pick up…
— Hey there, darling? Long time no see!
She’s answered.
“I, the heir to the Krasius Family and Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office, am calling Your Grace, the…”
— That’s enough. Don’t bother with the formalities.
“Understood.”
As I bowed slightly in greeting, she easily dismissed the flowery words. The Mage Duchess disliked unnecessary procedures or ceremonies; if she sensed the greeting was stretching too long, she would cut it off without a second thought. Of course, anyone who dared to abbreviate their greetings without her permission would find themselves in a great deal of trouble.
— My dear, you’ve grown quite bold in our time apart.
“I’m sorry, but what do you mean…?”
— I heard that you were curious about a lady’s private life.
That bastard, really spilling all the tea… At least thanks for saving me the effort of saying it myself.
As thoughts of whether to poke around the Executive Manager’s family again swirled in my head, the Mage Duchess’s piercing white eyes silently scrutinized me. I simply could not get used to those eyes. It was difficult to distinguish between the iris and the white, which often made me flinch.
If anything, the owner of those eyes was such a beauty that rather than being scary, they felt more mystical. The irises were closer to silver than plain white, and the pupils had a faint hue. Seeming to think about something, the Mage Duchess opened her mouth to speak again.
— I’ll head to the Prosecutor’s Office, so wait for me.
“Pardon?”
Did I mishear that?
I had just committed the huge faux pas of questioning the words of a noble, but it was no less perplexing. To the Prosecutor’s Office? The Mage Duchess would come herself? But hang on, I was stationed at the Academy!
“I’m currently dispatched to the Academy, so sadly, I cannot welcome you in person.”
— And so?
In my pitiable struggle, the Mage Duchess perked her long ears and tilted her head as if caught completely off guard.
— Then should I just come to the Academy?
“But if Your Grace is coming personally, it would only be polite for me to go to the Prosecutor’s Office to welcome you.”
— Oh my. You really think about me, don’t you?
“You flatter me.”
And thus, my squirming came to an end. The indirect orders to stop messing around and hurry up arrived heavy onto my shoulders. The look in the Mage Duchess’s eyes that seemed to silently ask why I was wriggling when I would ultimately surrender only added to my sense of defeat. Truly, a sad scenario.
— I’ll send someone to retrieve you, so come comfortably.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
What she meant was that she would send a teleportation magician to ensure I didn’t retreat into hiding. I felt so moved by such overwhelming generosity that I could have cried.
There was no resisting the summon of the Mage Duchess. She was even sending a magician, so what could I do? I quickly contacted the Principal, Vice Principal, and Villar to inform them that I would be absent for a while. At least those three should be aware of my absence to respond effectively in case of an emergency.
As I waited in the main building for the magician, one suddenly popped into existence before me. They arrived faster than I expected. Considering it was a sudden command, I could imagine they felt the urgency too.
We exchanged a brief glance that acknowledged our mutual understanding.
“Executive Manager, I’ve come to escort you.”
“Right.”
But we refrained from unnecessary words. When it came to colleagues in the line of duty, it was best to fulfill our roles and part ways.
See that magician? They barely had a chance to bow before disappearing as soon as we reached the Ministry of Finance’s building. Just like that, a good public servant vanishes without leaving a trace once the mission is complete.
‘So here I am again.’
Left alone, I gazed silently at the Ministry of Finance building. When I first left for the Academy, I had a longing to return quickly, yet this reality wasn’t quite what I had been hoping for. Did someone hand me a monkey’s paw or something? My wishes were coming true, but the process sure was a mess!
With a heavy sigh, I was about to step into the Ministry of Finance building when, all of a sudden, the communication crystal shone with dazzling light.
— Executive Manager! We’re in trouble!
The moment I answered, the face of the 2nd Manager popped up, shouting without due caution. Trouble? From the 2nd Manager?
“You little twerp! What have you done this time?!”
I instinctively cursed at him. After all, a royal visit from the Mage Duchess was already on the table, so of course, the 2nd Manager would bring up yet another crisis. Judging by how it wasn’t reported through the Senior Manager, this must be something quite urgent.
— No, I didn’t do anything! The Mage Duchess is here to visit! We have no idea what happened!
The 2nd Manager sputtered, looking as if he were innocent and utterly bewildered, leaving me speechless. Ah, so not a conflicting situation after all. This was mine.
— We’re hastily preparing to welcome her, but can we handle this on our end? Shouldn’t you be here as well, Executive Manager?
“I’m already here.”
— Huh?
“I have also arrived.”
After a moment of shocked silence, the 2nd Manager began shouting again.
— What in the world did you do while outside?!
This was the first time I couldn’t counter what the 2nd Manager had said this year. I’m sorry. I truly am… Damn it, I never thought that bastard from the Information Department would pull something like this!
*
The Mage Duchess, Beatrix Catoban of Servette.
One of the five dukes of the Empire.
The title Mage Duchess signified that she had reached the pinnacle of magic. This was no casual declaration; even the mages of the magical powerhouse, the United Kingdom of Yuben, dared not challenge her.
In fact, it would be a shame for other mages to be compared to her. Because, you see, she wasn’t actually human.
“My child, you should never keep a lady waiting.”
“I apologize, Your Grace.”
Her long white hair flowed down like silk, complemented by pointed ears that hinted at her elven blood. The Catoban house ran deep with this heritage, and the Mage Duchess herself was a half-elf. Among the five dukes, each extraordinary in various ways, she stood out not just due to her species but in terms of her abilities and character.
Ironically, while the Iron-Blood Duke was the oldest among them, that only held true when disregarding the non-humans—like the Mage Duchess, who was inevitably much older. So calling her a “lady” felt strangely misplaced here.
— Please, have a seat.
“Yes.”
I quietly obeyed the Mage Duchess’s command. Technically, I was the host welcoming a guest, but her title as a duke was more than enough to flip that dynamic upside down.
The Mage Duchess appeared comfortably at ease as she sipped the tea placed in front of her by the departing Senior Manager. I just wished she could consider the unfortunate civil servant who sat before her. Or perhaps it was better if she continued sipping her tea in peace.
— My dear.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After enjoying the aroma of the tea with her eyes closed, the Mage Duchess opened her eyes and locked onto me, placing the teacup on the table, hands clasped, preparing to converse seriously.
— Since when did the Prosecutor’s Office begin taking an interest in a duke’s private life?
Damn it!
I had steeled myself for an attack, but the opening move was nearly a critical strike. The Mage Duchess, realizing that I was speechless, appeared disappointed, her ears drooping slightly.
— I thought we shared a special bond, yet it seems I was mistaken. How heartbreaking.
“Your Grace’s concern has not escaped me. It’s merely that I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.”
— Come closer.
Carefully, I moved toward the Mage Duchess. She pointed down with her fingers, and I quickly understood the implication, bowing my head low. Her hand gently rested on my head. What was this? A signal that she might electrify me with a spell?
— Hearing news of you through the Executive Manager of the Information Department pained me the most. Do you comprehend?
“Yes, of course!”
— Good. Be careful from now on.
Her tone was soft, possibly sounding innocent, but her words were like precious gems iced in thin silk. She might’ve dressed it up in politeness, but she secretly resented me for acquiring personal information through her department.
Still, instead of striking my head with magic, she lightly ruffled my hair. For a fleeting moment, I felt like a dog, but it was a relief. Today, I sensed that her agenda did not include tossing her subjects around like experimental results. I had never felt so fortunate to assist in the Mage Duchess’s experiments on a day like this.
— You saw a girl using my unique magic?
“Yes.”
It seemed the Mage Duchess was not just satisfied with forgiveness but would also answer my questions. What splendid luck…
— Is she a girl with pink hair and blue eyes?
“Yes, exactly.”
Given she’d previously taught her magic, it was clear that she remembered her appearance. So she must’ve purposefully grown her as her disciple? I can’t help but wonder, just how many others like Louise exist?
— She is, in fact, my adopted daughter whom I let go with tears in my eyes. I can hardly express how lovely it was to see her grow up!
…What?
What?
I froze at the revelation of this unexpected familial connection concerning Louise. It was baffling enough that she was a student, and now she’s the Mage Duchess’s daughter?
The Mage Duchess, noting my reaction, simply nodded.
— I was just kidding around because you looked tense. Did you find it amusing?
Ah.
“Your Grace’s sense of humor is truly impressive.”
— Hehehe, right?
With a satisfied smile, the Mage Duchess beamed at me, and I couldn’t help but offer an awkward smile in return.
I had completely forgotten that this older woman had a penchant for strange jokes.
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