They say the magic tower might collapse.
This was the conclusion
And I could tell without even hearing the details.
This was an event described in the original novel “The Coercive Empress.”
“For some unknown reason, a crack has begun to form in the magic core in the deepest part of the Magic Tower. If it shatters…”
“The magic tower will collapse, right?”
The situation was dangerous.
The origins of the Magic Tower were unclear, but it was a repository of ancient magical knowledge that remained shrouded in mystery.
Because of this, the mages affiliated with the Magic Tower abandoned their livelihoods to gather around the cracked core, trying to refill the magic that was leaking out.
But in the original story, the magic tower eventually collapsed.
I should have reviewed it more carefully.
In the original version, which mainly followed Limia's point of view, this story line wasn't given much importance, so I ignored it.
It was described simply as follows: “Limia offered advice, but the tower master did not take it, and the magic tower fell.”
As complex emotions rose, the Archduke opened his mouth again.
“Oh, I forgot to mention that this matter is still top secret. You must not reveal it to anyone outside of this world.”
“Really? Then why would you share such confidential information with me…?”
“Why do you think that?”
“I… I have no idea?”
Is it possible that he is planning to use the pretext that I learned prohibited information to threaten me?
I didn't really want to know that. If possible, never.
But he raised the corners of his mouth as if he found it amusing to tease me.
"You'll be going to the magic tower soon anyway. Think about it until then, princess."
Surely, he didn't mean to suggest that we go together? impossible.
But he didn't reveal his reasons, and left me feeling uneasy until the end.
His figure, which was inverse proportion to his handsome face, was definitely proof that the gods were fair.
“Is something bothering you?”
“Oh, sorry. I was distracted...”
When Ashley asked me, she smiled awkwardly and apologized.
We were supposed to enjoy tea time at her request, since she's been so busy lately, and yet I felt bad about not giving her my full attention.
Ashley responded kindly to my ill-advised excuse.
“It's okay. I was just worried that I was causing you inconvenience by asking you to meet despite your busy schedule.”
“No, it's not like that. Haha, the cake is really delicious, isn't it?”
I quickly shoved another piece of the soft cream cake into my mouth.
Fortunately, the delicious treat seemed to have stimulated my brain a bit.
Although I felt sorry for Ashley, my thoughts wandered again.
Since my last meeting with the Duke, my mind has been occupied with the Magic Tower.
When that happened, it was difficult to focus on anything else.
“If the magic tower collapses, things will get complicated.”
Because of their nature, wizards were volatile and difficult to control, and the Magic Tower served as their unifying bond.
The collapse of the Magic Tower will lead to a temporary cessation of the activities of the magicians, which will lead to great losses in the businesses and trade associated with them.
Salt was no exception. At the beginning of the food shortage crisis, the country suffered from isolation when it was unable to use the magic of teleportation.
In addition, the collapse became an incentive for black magicians hiding in the shadows to emerge and begin their activities in earnest, greatly amplifying the consequences.
Once again, a few lines of the original text turned into a big reality.
The solution to the problem was...
“I must destroy the core.”
But that was not easy. Even the original heroine Limia, who had the power of a hero, could not prevent the collapse of the magic tower.
The original heroine wrote in a letter that destroying the core was necessary to save the magic tower.
But the wizards of the tower dismissed the message as nonsense and ignored it.
The truth is that the nucleus was not breaking, but was going through some sort of shedding process.
This fact has escaped modern witches due to the destruction of records during the war between witches and black wizards in the past.
To them, the advice to destroy the core might have seemed as ridiculous as suggesting, “Let's burn Gyeongbokgung Palace because someone wrote graffiti on its walls!”
ringing.
I put down my fork after eating the cake absentmindedly, and said that without thinking
“Have you ever destroyed a mana stone?”
"...What? A mana stone?"
“I mean, a stone that contains more magic than a regular mana stone?”
I wasn't sure if it was okay to describe the essence of the Magic Tower in this way.
Ashley's voice, mixed with surprise, came back, accompanied by a puzzled expression.
I didn't realize my mistake until then, when I looked at her face.
“Oh, no, forget what I said.”
Breaking a mana stone, which ordinary people rarely saw – it seemed ridiculous, even to me.
But Ashley thought about it seriously before speaking.
“Well… I don’t know for sure, but aren’t there books containing such knowledge in the Duke’s library?”
“Oh!”
"This is correct."
Books were rare in this world. More precisely, access to high-end knowledge was not easily available to everyone
For this reason, correct information could only be found in the libraries of prestigious noble families, the royal family, or the imperial family.
In the original story, Limia - or rather April, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes - found various pieces of information in the Salt Royal Library to solve the nation's crisis.
Thank you, Ashley. This is a great tip!
Ashley responded with a gentle smile at my gratitude.
I have other engagements soon, would you like to leave first?
I looked at my still half-full teacup and nodded my thanks.
I'll see you later. As always, don't stress yourself too much!
"I'll take those words back. You always seem busy, anyway."
huh? Do I do that?
I then realized that I had been spending less time confined to my room lately.
“I have to be careful about this.”
What if I lose my identity as someone who prefers to stay at home?
I shook my head.
Once the Magic Tower problem is solved, the manga will run smoothly, supported by the Duke's capital. Great wealth will follow in a short time.
Naturally, I'll end up with more free time.
Yes, I was firmly determined to do so.
Once this is over!
I'll take a break.
certainly.
* * *
Today, there was no one near the Duke's office. The place was strangely quiet, as if the area had been deliberately evacuated
I carefully scanned my surroundings for fear that Liam would suddenly appear from wherever he might be watching me from, then I slowly knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
After a short pause, a calm voice answered.
When I entered, my eyes met those of the Archduke, who was sitting at his desk
But something about him seemed strange.
Did he just wake up?
He didn't bother to hide his exhaustion, and rubbed his face with his hands.
Now that I thought about it, his voice sounded rougher and duller than usual.
Was this his break time? But if he wants to rest, why doesn't he sleep comfortably in his room instead of the study room?
"What's the matter this time, Princess? If it's business matters, why don't you postpone it until later?"
"No, that's not the reason. I was just wondering if I could access the Duke's library."
I quickly got to the point, trying not to make him angry.
“What, are you planning on treating my house like it's yours now?”
“Of course not! I mean, if that's not possible, that's okay too...”
Although there was a hint of joking in his tone, I quickly denied it.
I knew very well that it was unwise to respond to the jokes of an influential person with similar jokes – that would be foolish.
But the Duke, who seemed to mean nothing by it, nodded his head in mild agreement.
“Feel free to enter the library.”
"Thank you!"
It would have been nice if he had said it right away, but when I saw how tired he was, my annoyance quickly faded
After I thought about it, it seemed like he was working tirelessly, day and night. Perhaps surprisingly, he even had the energy to make jokes.
If you think about it...
When does this man even sleep?
What I said next was not planned; Rather, it came out of me spontaneously.
“Hmm, are you okay?”
The Duke's gaze turned to me.
I felt embarrassed, so I quickly added: “You just look tired, that's all.”
He stared at me silently for a moment before slowly answering.
"…I'm fine."
If he says it's okay, I can't argue.
I nodded slightly and left the office. But I didn't take more than a few steps before I stopped
I couldn't get his tired expression out of my mind, and suddenly I felt like I understood why.
“It reminds me of myself.”
Not the current me, but a me from a distant past – a version of myself that worked to the point of exhaustion.
The dark circles under his eyes appear more noticeable than before.
Of course, the Duke of the North's classic aesthetic somehow made even the dark circles under his eyes seem to add to his appeal, but still...
I shook my head vigorously.
“It's none of my business.”
I had my own problems to deal with; What right do I have to worry about someone else?
I hesitated.
But in the end, I turned around and went back to the study room.
What now?
The Duke, who seemed to be trying to take a break, paused, his back partly leaning on the chair.
I walked quickly to stand in front of him, and extended my hand.
“If you're feeling tired...I have a little advice that might help.”
The Duke alternated his gaze between my open palm and my face.
“Your hand?”
“Yes, my hand.”
I stared at his hand intently, silently urging him to place it in my hand.