Chapter 59

Rostia fluttered her hand slightly, urging us to drink tea, and frost descended on my and Abelin’s teacups.

Seeing that, Abelin smiled faintly.

“Very practical. You can quickly warm up cold tea or cool down tea that’s too hot to just the right temperature.”

“Not everything practical has to be grand. You have to start with the small things to achieve great goals.”

Unlike me, who was serious, Abelin leisurely sipped the tea Rostia had cooled.

“Since it’s tea warmed by the Archmage herself, the aroma feels even more special.”

“That’s just your imagination. You’re quite good at flattery. Have you been trained in social circles?”

“Pfft. Cough, cough…!”

At the mention of social circles, Abelin almost spat out what was in her mouth, turned her head to the side, and started coughing.

Unable to resist Rostia’s urging, I also gulped down a sip of tea.

“Prepare yourselves. As you know, dealing with Ronos isn’t easy. Even though he’s an Archmage, his power is a complete unknown. He might be much stronger than me, or perhaps much weaker. What’s truly important is the aftermath of dealing with him.”

“Aftermath, you say?”

“Yes. Ronos is officially one of only two Archmages in our Rostia Magic Tower. If handled poorly, it could lead to big trouble, and if things go wrong…”

Rostia’s expression turned serious for a moment.

“The Moonshadow Magic Tower might come to investigate.”

“Moonshadow Magic Tower…”

The Moonshadow Magic Tower, a mysterious tower whose location is unknown, is also the central tower that influences the magical world.

It’s famous for sensing noteworthy events in the magical world and requesting information and materials related to them.

While one could ignore the demands of the Moonshadow Magic Tower, whose existence is uncertain, even Archmages with towering authority didn’t take its demands lightly.

It was said that if you didn’t comply with the Moonshadow Magic Tower’s demands, nothing would happen for a while.

But somehow, items would go missing from your research lab and couldn’t be found, or people around you would start avoiding you.

There were even cases where the person in question would disappear without a trace.

The Moonshadow Magic Tower was something you could ignore, but not really ignore—a secretive and mysterious tower.

“This is troublesome. The best way would be to eliminate him without anyone noticing.”

“If that were possible, it would be the best method. It wouldn’t draw unnecessary attention. We could just say he left to seek magic freely, and that would be a suitable excuse. But Ronos has never left the tower or even the city even once.”

“What about revealing that he’s a demon to gain legitimacy?”

“He already has a considerable number of followers, forming a faction. It’s not a bad idea, but it would inevitably lead to bloodshed.”

“Hmm…”

He was really a troublesome existence.

Even in her past life, Rostia must have known that Ronos was a demon.

But she didn’t eliminate him, perhaps because of the various troublesome reasons we’re discussing now.

Maybe our arrival to eliminate Ronos was a good opportunity for Rostia, the tower master, to remove a thorn from her side.

“Then, perhaps…”

I cautiously asked.

“Is there a secret space where we can lure him and deal with him?”

“A secret space, that’s a good idea.”

“If such a place exists, it would be possible to eliminate him without leaving much trace. When demons die, their bodies and fluids burn away.”

“Oh, that’s the same now as it was back then. I’ve dealt with many small demons myself.”

Rostia closed her eyes for a moment, lost in thought, then gave her answer.

“There’s exactly one suitable place. Even if Ronos uses large-scale magic, it can be suppressed there.”

“Where is it?”

“My office.”

“…Are you sure that’s okay?”

“What’s the big deal? At most, some items might burn. But are you confident? I’ll help, but Ronos is an extremely powerful mage. You might be experts at dealing with demons, but are you prepared to face a unique demon like Ronos who uses diverse and large-scale magic?”

“That’s true, but still…”

Abelin and I exchanged glances and nodded.

“What else can we do? We’re the Vanguard.”

“We’ve faced countless fire-wielding demons. At most, the flames will just be bigger and hotter.”

“I admire your courage. But remember, baseless recklessness is foolish. In my opinion, you’re not yet ready to face Ronos.”

“Ugh…”

It was frustrating, but Rostia’s words were undeniable facts.

We were already intimidated by the mana of Archmage Rostia, and Ronos, whose strength was unpredictable, was another matter entirely.

We had already found and eliminated Rajeing and Sophia, who were hiding among humans, but we were still far from deserving the title of ‘experts.’

“Two things.”

Rostia spoke somewhat heavily.

“There are two methods worth trying.”

“What are they? Please tell us anything.”

“Of course. But…”

Rostia looked at me and Abelin alternately and added.

“One of you needs to step outside.”

“Huh? Aren’t we planning this together?”

“Of course, we need to plan. But I have different things to tell each of you. So, quickly step outside. Who will go first?”

“Then I’ll go first.”

“Do that. I was thinking it would be better for you to go first anyway.”

“Okay…?”

I didn’t know the details, but it seemed Rostia had something up her sleeve.

With the Archmage’s extraordinary mind and knowledge, she must have judged the order accordingly.

Grateful that these elements weren’t being used against us, I stood up first.

***

“Now, shall we talk? Abelin.”

“Keeping me here first means what you have to say to Kairon is more significant than what you have to say to me, right?”

“Half right, half wrong.”

“You like to divide things into halves.”

“One must always maintain balance. Neutrality is key. That way, you can make practical and unbiased judgments.”

“Understood. The tower is heated, but it’s cold outside the inn, so let’s keep it short and to the point.”

“Dear, I’m not trying to give you orders. I just want to ask.”

Rostia, who had lived an unfathomably long life, still had sparkling eyes as she leaned in close to Abelin.

“What are you doing here?”

“…I’m protecting the world.”

“Don’t think you can lie to me. Every gesture, every glance, your tone and voice—I know where you’re from and what you’ve been doing.”

“If you’re thinking of threatening me, you should stop.”

“Tsk tsk…”

Rostia clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“You think you’re mature and grown-up, don’t you? That’s half right and half wrong. It’s true that you’re mature for your age, but you’re still very young. So, don’t turn everyone into your enemy. Be clever, but not too clever. Use your charm to the fullest, make the adults around you feel they have to help you. That’s true cleverness.”

“Thank you for the advice, but I’ll carve out my own path. And…”

Abelin’s clenched fist trembled.

“How can I trust adults after being betrayed by those I trusted?”

“Poor thing. I know what you’ve been through. That’s exactly why I’m rooting for you. Your sister might be more skilled at handling people, but that’s more about sowing discord and manipulation.”

“…”

Abelin closed her eyes tightly and bowed her head without responding.

Rostia smiled warmly at her.

“I’ve rambled on too long. Shall we get to the point?”

“…Thank you.”

“I don’t know what kind of magic Ronos will use or how powerful it will be. So, I can’t guarantee that I can protect you even with all my strength. But there’s one thing you can rely on.”

“What is it?”

“It’s something you have.”

“Something I have?”

“Yes, that’s right. There.”

Rostia pointed at Abelin with her finger.

Abelin followed the finger with her eyes, then placed her hand on her chest.

“How do you know about it?”

“That necklace you’re wearing. It’s no ordinary item. It’s a very powerful magical artifact. The magic contained within that necklace is probably stronger than anything in my tower.”

“I knew it was no ordinary item. But I’ve never heard of its true value.”

Abelin’s eyes sparkled.

“Do you know the value of this necklace?”

“Half I know, half I don’t. It’s a very…”

Rostia licked her lips.

“A legacy that perfectly deserves the title of ‘great.'”