* * *

“There are many more requesting an audience tomorrow… What should we do?”

“I’ll meet them.”

“Understood.”

Cloden nodded, though his expression remained worried.

After returning to the tower and resting for a bit, Cloden came back, this time with a stack of letters.

“These are letters you don’t really need to read.”

“Just take care of them for me.”

“Yes.”

The pile stacked high on a brass—not silver—tray was undoubtedly filled with petitions from nobles urging me to reconsider.

As Cloden said, there was no need to bother reading them.

However, atop a gold tray sat a single letter.

For a moment, I thought the Emperor or Empress had sent yet another message, but no.

Apparently, Ateol had now risen to the level of importance where his letters warranted a gold tray.

Feeling a bit like the protagonist receiving a letter from the capture target, my heart pounded slightly as I opened it.

Stripping away all the flowery language, embellishments, and unnecessary pleasantries, the message was simple:

“The weather is nice, and I’ve just recovered from my illness, so I should get some fresh air. Our palace chef is great at making light meals, and blah blah blah… In short—”

“Shall we go out? I’ll pack a lunch.”

The date could be whenever I wanted—today, tomorrow, any day that suited me.

The location would be a place of his choosing.

The location choice seemed a little suspicious, but refusing when the capture target was the one initiating the date?

That was practically asking to destroy the route.

Especially since there was only one capture target.

If I failed to win him over, all that awaited me was death. Like I’d refuse.

“Send a messenger. Tell him I’ll go today.”

“Today?”

For once, Cloden asked again, looking concerned.

It seemed like I was worrying everyone around me.

But if I tried to ease their concerns, my gauge would drop.

I just gave a vague nod.

By the time the sun had moved far west, it was already late afternoon.

I had sent a messenger, half-expecting a response saying it was too late and today wouldn’t work—but instead, Ateol arrived at the tower almost immediately with a carriage.

His decisiveness was impressive.

“You’re fast.”

“If the Tower Master permits my presence, I must come immediately, even in the middle of the night.”

His words were smooth…

No, he actually meant them.

Is this the power of favorability points?

But strangely, he doesn’t outwardly show how much he likes me.

In fact, now that his favorability is higher, he’s stopped doing the subtle gestures he used to when he liked me less.

Without a status window, I’d almost think he wasn’t interested at all.

Not that it would be strange—liking me would be the odd thing here.

The carriage stopped in the western imperial garden.

Here, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, just like on Earth.

The difference is that in this world, the sun is not a celestial body but a burdened god.

Typically, a sun god holds a significant position among deities, but not here.

The sun god once tried to take over the world, failed, and was punished with the eternal task of pulling a heavy load.

The author must have put a lot of thought into world-building—reading the mythology books, the details were intricate.

The moon, like the sun, was also a god.

Each month, a different deity takes the moon’s place, following the sun’s path through the sky while holding a beautiful gemstone.

This month, the god of shadows, Orhi, carried the moon, marking the end of the rainy season and the beginning of true summer.

And in this world, there’s no such thing as a “week.”

Which makes sense—weeks are based on the solar system, and this world doesn’t have one.

Instead, the calendar revolves around days ending in 5 and 0, which are public holidays.

That’s the system, though sometimes inconsistencies pop up in books—characters mentioning resting on “Saturday” or feeling sluggish on “Monday” ruined the immersion.

At first, calling it “Orhi’s Moon” didn’t make sense to me, but after living here for six years, it now feels as natural as saying “July.”

The name itself evokes images of summer and heat.

The rainy season is still chilly.

Even after the month changes, the first few days stay cool, but then—suddenly, it turns hot.

The heat lasts through the next month, Lua’s Moon.

“At least the weather isn’t too hot yet.”

Ateol stepped out of the carriage first, extending his hand to me.

Most expensive clothing has enchantments to regulate temperature, so heat and cold aren’t major concerns.

The imperial palace and the magic tower maintain a steady temperature year-round.

For those living here, warmth and cold are just fleeting sensations they can choose to experience.

The same goes for me.

Remembering the pain from when I jumped out of a carriage last time, I obediently took Ateol’s hand this time.

His warrior’s hand was solid, covered in callouses from constant training.

Out of curiosity, I gave his hand a slight squeeze.

Ateol smiled and, in response, tightened his grip—then pulled me towards him.

As a result, I practically ended up in his arms as I stepped down.

My feet landed safely on the soft grass.

His attendants and servants bustled around, setting up a comfortable seating area.

There was nothing missing—cushioned chairs, shade, food—it was as if they had been waiting just for this moment.

The seats were positioned perfectly to watch the sun setting on the horizon.

The air was cool, inviting us to sit and enjoy the evening glow.

Ateol placed his chair slightly lower than mine and sat down.

“How is your health?”

“I’m fine now.”

“You still look a little tired.”

“That’s because I had a lot of visitors today.”

Ateol tilted his head slightly and smiled.

“You could have just told them to leave if it was too much trouble.”

“Maybe that’s just the kind of person I am.”

“You were never the type to be easy to meet.”

Had the fake Tower Master turned them away before?

Or… was it Yuri himself?

Now that I think about it, I don’t even know exactly when Yuri was replaced by the fake Tower Master.

Ha.

If I could return to my original world just once, I’d make sure to finish reading the book before coming back.

I’d write down all the important points in the palm of my hand.

“I didn’t know what to do, so I just met with all of them.”

“You’re allowed to refuse them. Who would dare force the Tower Master to meet with a guest?”

Well, that was true.

But in my past life, I met with every single person who came looking for me.

Not that I ever really listened to what they were saying.

Then what was it that all those people came and talked about?

Surely they didn’t leave without getting something out of it.

I don’t remember doing anything for them… but maybe I did without realizing it.

“…My Lord. Tower Master?”

“Huh?”

Lost in thought, I only noticed Ateol calling me when he said my name again.

When I finally responded, he placed a hand lightly on my knee.

Even through my robe, I could feel the warmth of his touch.

“Would it be alright?”

“What would?”

What did he ask?

I hadn’t heard a word.

When I asked again, Ateol chuckled softly and then slowly moved his hand on my knee.

This depraved bastard—what is he thinking about doing outside…?

“I was asking if I may lower your hood.”

“…My hood?”

Turns out, I was the depraved one.

* * *