* * *
“The capital is far from here. If he came alone, maybe three to four days. If he moves with others, count on at least a week. Of course, magical tools can shorten that time.”
But magical tools cost a fortune—even nobles couldn’t use them carelessly.
‘Others, huh…’
‘He must be referring to the knights when he mentioned others.’
Even though I hadn’t revealed everything yet, he seemed to grasp exactly the part I was curious about and answered.
It would help even if I came alone, but if the Royal Knights came along, it would be even better.
If nothing could stop the situation, that meant we should’ve contacted them a week ago.
If not that, then we should’ve at least used a magical device to signal an emergency.
“Is there a way to contact them immediately?”
“There should be a communication artifact in my father’s study.”
Knowing that there was at least an immediate way to contact them was a significant relief.
It seemed that just knowing that was enough for my tension to ease.
My eyelids, which had been growing heavier, slowly closed.
It wasn’t like I was tired, yet my body felt strangely sluggish.
‘Ah…’
It was only then I realized the gentle rhythm soothing me.
The arm that had been wrapped around my waist had moved up to my back, patting me softly.
It was as if I were being cradled like a child, the tender sensation and the warmth wrapping around me lulling me to sleep.
Even when I tried to force my eyes open, they had already fallen halfway and refused to lift again.
Not just that—the fading consciousness slipped further away, no matter how hard I tried to hold onto it.
My vision blurred, and I couldn’t even see Klen’s face anymore.
I thought I heard a soft laugh right in front of me.
Yet, the hand patting me never stopped.
It felt good.
It was warm.
Those thoughts alone spun around in my mind.
And just like that, my consciousness slowly faded into darkness.
10. The Mage Corps Commander
In the end, just as Klen had planned, I got plenty of rest and only woke up the next morning.
I immediately requested a meeting with the Mage Corps Commander, but the response I received was a polite rejection.
“…Haha.”
I had half-expected it, but to actually be rejected left me dumbfounded, and all I could let out was a dry laugh.
How dare a mage, employed by our family, outright reject a meeting request from me—the Count Caldric’s son and Klen Valuncio’s spouse?
It’s as if they’ve forgotten to fear the heavens altogether, lifting their heads so arrogantly.
I dismissed all the attendants and sat on the sofa, openly displaying my anger.
The teacup before me quivered slightly, pressed down by the weight of my energy.
Strangely, Klen, quietly sipping his tea across from me, had that cold expression as if he had expected this all along, which only soured my mood further.
“Then, let’s go together.”
“…?”
He didn’t say where we were going, but from the context, it was obvious.
West—the Mage Tower.
“I’ll request the meeting.”
I was already rejected.
Do you think you can?
That snide remark almost slipped out, but I swallowed it down quickly.
No, maybe he can.
In fact, he probably has a better chance than me.
But even knowing that, my pride still felt thoroughly trampled.
“…Alright.”
But I’m not foolish enough to let my pride stop me from accepting help.
Klen set down his teacup, a chilly smile curling his lips.
Without wasting any more time, he escorted me directly to the western tower.
“K-Klen?!”
“What brings you here, sir?!”
“Uh, w-wait, now’s not really…”
The faces of the mages who came to greet us at the entrance turned pale.
Their reactions to the unexpected appearance of the Count’s heir were flustered, and they couldn’t even meet his eyes properly.
Meanwhile, Klen’s face remained as innocent and confident as ever, as if he knew nothing at all.
Standing just a step behind him, I watched the whole scene unfold as if it weren’t my business.
‘Wow…’
He was fully utilizing that fake, innocent personality of his.
I didn’t know ‘requesting a meeting’ meant doing it right at the tower’s entrance.
Klen smiled at the panicking mages.
“If he’s inside, I can just go see him myself, right?”
“N-No! That’s…”
“He’s, um… a little… preoccupied right now, so…”
This wasn’t a request—it was a notification.
I’ve come to see him, so I will.
That’s the aura Klen was giving off.
The moment Klen took a bold step forward, the mages hastily stepped in front to block him with their whole bodies.
Their faces, pale as paper, quickly shifted to a sickly blue.
Watching them nervously glance around in fear, I almost felt like one of those oppressive nobles bullying innocent people.
Well, I am a noble, so…
‘Tap, tap, tap—’
While the standoff continued, hurried footsteps echoed toward us.
I glanced back.
A mage was dragging another man along, both panting as they approached—not from the tower, but from somewhere else.
The two finally reached us, gasping for breath.
Judging by the tense atmosphere, the man being dragged along had to be the Mage Corps Commander.
He was hunched over, bracing himself on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
His shoulders heaving from such a short distance—it screamed lack of exercise.
His long, ash-gray hair, reaching down to his chest, fluttered wildly in the wind, and his robe was disheveled, as if he had been lounging around leisurely just moments ago.
“Haah… Ugh… Long time no see, Klen. I didn’t… expect you to come… all the way here…”
Despite not fully catching his breath, he managed a greeting.
‘Living in the same city, and yet it’s been a long time?’
No, wait.
Come to think of it, even though I’ve been living here for quite some time, it’s the first time I’m seeing him, so maybe that makes sense.
His eyes met mine as he lifted his head.
He was younger than I expected.
He looked a little older than me, with sharp, striking features that probably made him quite popular.
But even so, he couldn’t compare to Klen.
“And you must be… Adrian Caldri— no, Valuncio-nim, the one from the rumors?”
Which rumors?
The ones saying I’m weak?
Or the ones saying I’m the master of Levatein?
Either way, it’s one of those. I simply nodded.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Elliot, the Commander of the Mage Corps.”
His greeting was more proper than I anticipated.
What surprised me even more was the absence of a surname, meaning he wasn’t a noble or related to any noble family.
Yet he’s this lazy?
All my expectations shattered, leaving me momentarily speechless.
I forced myself to maintain composure as I replied.
“Adrian.”
“What brings you here?”
Now breathing steadily, Elliot flashed an exaggerated smile with overly grand gestures.
I’ve never considered myself petty, but for some reason, I had an overwhelming urge to smack the back of his head.
“My spouse requested a meeting but was rejected.”
Klen, armed with that pure, innocent facade, replied bluntly without beating around the bush.
A small crack formed in Elliot’s smile.
Through that crack, disbelief slowly seeped out.
If I could see it, Klen could undoubtedly see it even clearer.
His smile deepened.
“I figured I’d come check for myself how ‘busy’ everyone was.”
Klen looked him straight in the eye, then glanced meaningfully toward the distance, wordlessly saying everything: ‘You weren’t even in the tower? You weren’t working? You trying to ignore us?’
Elliot seemed flustered, but his face didn’t turn pale.
Instead, the mages behind him froze, drained of all color.
* * *
