Chapter 9
Vivian’s assignment from Administrator Yukel didn’t end there.
“Tell Simona to report to the docks tomorrow.”
I had only just returned from my field assignment and hadn’t even fully opened the office door yet.
Having finished his own overtime work, the administrator disappeared down the corridor.
Leaving me with a sudden extra task.
Letting out a long sigh filled with exhaustion, I stepped into the office.
Senior Simona must be enjoying the party right now.
I picked up the note she had given me with the party location written on it and glanced at the calendar I had been using since my days in the Imperial Capital.
A star I had drawn in red ink over the date of the departmental transfer interview stood out vividly.
I had traced over it again and again whenever things became difficult in the Crystal Whale Department.
Once I finish this assignment, I can transfer to another department. A little hostility at a temporary posting I’ll never visit again is nothing.
Straightening my shoulders, I left the office.
Even in the bleak atmosphere of the observatory, Senior Simona had been the one person to approach me first.
She’s a little scatterbrained and chaotic, but she’s a kind person.
Even though I was tired, all I had to do was deliver a message before returning to the inn to rest.
It shouldn’t have been difficult.
However, the moment I arrived at the location written on the note, I felt something was very wrong.
Is it really here?
What had Senior Simona said about the party again?
“It’s going to be a small gathering, so not many people will come. You never know how long you’ll be staying here, so it’d be nice if you got to know some familiar faces.”
Who on earth held a birthday party in a magical greenhouse this extravagant and enormous?
Maintaining a greenhouse of this size in a cold region like Melgot would require an incredible number of magical devices.
The place was overflowing with vibrant flowers that looked more suited to the warm southern regions than this climate.
Guards stood watch at the entrance, and through the wide-open doors I could see countless people inside.
Small gathering? Not many people? Do researchers use those words differently?
Everyone seemed dressed in luxurious attire.
Would it really be okay for me to walk in wearing nothing but my government uniform?
As I hesitated at the entrance, one of the guards extended a hand.
“May I see your invitation?”
I searched my empty pockets and froze.
“What if I was invited by someone who has an invitation?”
“Just tell us your name. We have a guest list.”
“Vivian Soling.”
I answered, though I wasn’t particularly confident.
Had Senior Simona actually added my name to the list?
“You were invited by Miss Simona Hart. Please enjoy the banquet.”
Thankfully, she had.
Even though I’d told her I wouldn’t be able to attend.
I’m going to make the prettiest research-entry paperwork for her after this.
Just before entering, I adjusted my uniform and asked:
“By the way, whose birthday party is this?”
The guards looked at me as if I were a very strange person.
Then they answered.
“Her Imperial Highness, the Third Princess.”
“…What?”
***
Lively music, conversation, and laughter filled the greenhouse.
Since it was a celebration of the Third Princess’s birthday, both the decorations and the guests’ appearances were exceptionally extravagant.
The cake placed in the center was so enormous and tall that its decorations rose above the crowd’s heads.
The colorful flowers were beautiful and fascinating every time I passed them.
But this was hardly the time to admire them.
Where is she?
Keeping close to the walls and trying not to attract attention, I searched for Senior Simona.
Since the guard had allowed me to enter through a side entrance, most people paid little attention to me.
It also helped that many guests were already drunk from the festivities.
Why is Her Highness, who normally resides in the Imperial Capital, holding her birthday banquet all the way out here?
Perhaps she simply liked this magical greenhouse.
Or maybe, as someone known for enjoying parties, she wanted an unusual venue.
Whatever the reason, running into the Princess would do me absolutely no favors.
A government official who wasn’t even invited shows up empty-handed at the Princess’s birthday banquet, offers congratulations, then immediately leaves? Absolutely not. I can only imagine the rumors that would create.
Senior Simona had probably come wearing a dress.
There was no way she had arrived in her work uniform.
While carefully examining the crowd based on that assumption—
“Ahhh!”
“Gasp!”
A scream erupted somewhere.
At the same time, the music stopped.
People began murmuring and retreating toward the walls.
A familiar whistle cut through the commotion and echoed across the hall.
As I peered over people’s shoulders, a metallic smell brushed my nose.
Ugh. What is that smell?
Other guests were covering their mouths as their faces turned pale.
Someone stood before the cake that looked like a work of art.
A man wearing a faint smile while casually whistling.
A man drenched from head to toe in dark red blood while silently staring at something.
A man who seemed completely indifferent despite blood dripping from the trailing hem of his robe.
No way.
Even with blood splattered across his hair and cheeks, there was no mistaking him.
It was Kade.
My ex-boyfriend.
And the current Magic Tower Lord.
My heart nearly stopped, and I covered my mouth just like everyone else.
At this point, it was almost impressive how we only ever seemed to meet in the most unpredictable places.
Why is he here now? And how much blood did he lose?
Without realizing it, I took a step toward him.
“What is the meaning of this disturbance?”
The sharp voice that suddenly rang out snapped me back to my senses.
Had the Third Princess not appeared just then, I might have walked right up to Kade.
Kade lowered his head slightly in greeting.
More blood dripped from the ends of his hair.
Yet despite his appearance, his manner was calm and courteous.
He didn’t look like someone seriously injured.
Only then did I notice the invitation in his hand.
Half of it was soaked with blood.
He received a formal invitation and still came looking like that?
Considering all the rumors surrounding the Magic Tower Lord, I doubted he possessed enough loyalty to the Imperial Family to attend despite suffering severe injuries.
The situation made no sense.
The Third Princess seemed to recognize him from the invitation and robe.
The cold expression on her face softened.
“So it is the Magic Tower Lord. But what is the meaning of this disrespect? Such a careless and filthy appearance. It seems becoming Magic Tower Lord has left you with nothing to fear. This is a royal banquet.”
Whispers rapidly spread among the guests.
Kade let out a low laugh.
His voice sounded rough and tired.
“I refused the invitations numerous times, yet Your Highness came all the way to Melgot. It seemed rude to continue declining, so I attended.”
He casually glanced at his robe.
“As for my clothes… I merely got a little blood on them while exterminating monsters for the peace of the Empire. Is there a problem?”
Monsters?
Startled, I looked him over from head to toe.
I knew he had left to deal with monsters, but… all of that is monster blood?
No one would end up soaked like that from fighting only one or two creatures.
How many monsters did he kill?
I suddenly remembered hearing that the new Magic Tower Lord was called a genius mage.
Even now, it felt strange to think of Kade and the legendary genius mage as the same person.
But perhaps he truly possessed enough ability to become the youngest Magic Tower Lord in history.
Maybe I had been staring too openly.
“Your insolent nature is already well known, but that can be corrected over time. However, that dreadful appearance is simply unbearable to look at. Someone, escort the Magic Tower Lord away immediately and assist him in changing clothes.”
The Third Princess spoke with obvious displeasure.
Yet even as she did, Kade suddenly turned his head toward me.
No. Absolutely not. If our eyes meet in a situation like this, it’ll look like we know each other!
I hurriedly crouched down in an attempt to hide.
Unfortunately, I caught my foot on a large flowerpot and stumbled.
Ah—!
For that brief instant before I fell backward, our eyes met.
Judging from his expression, Kade hadn’t expected to see me here either.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
This is so embarrassing.
Just as I braced for the impact—
Someone grabbed my arm.
It was Kade.
He had teleported over in an instant.
Nearby guests recoiled in alarm at the sudden appearance of the Magic Tower Lord directly beside them.
W-What? Why…?
Before I could react, Kade tilted his head slightly.
Then, in a voice loud enough for everyone around to hear, he said:
“Excuse me.”
He guided me aside.
From a maid standing behind me, he picked up a glass of drink from her tray.
Then he teleported back before the Third Princess.
“Unfortunately, I arrived empty-handed. So at least accept this.”
The Princess stared at the blood-stained glass he offered her as though she had just been gravely insulted.
Tyrant. He’s an absolute tyrant.
Everyone present was undoubtedly thinking the same thing.
No one behaved like that at a royal birthday banquet.
Not even another member of the Imperial Family.
“How dare you…!”
The Third Princess, who had remained composed and elegant the entire evening, finally lost control of her anger.
With a sharp motion of her fan, she struck the glass from Kade’s hand.
Crash!
The sound of shattering crystal rang sharply throughout the greenhouse.
