Chapter 87: The Problem Is That I Got Caught (3)
It was raining from early morning.
Not just a drizzle, but a torrential downpour so heavy it was difficult to see ahead. The relentless rain scattered droplets into the air, creating a mist that further obscured the already poor visibility.
“…Should I just not go?”
【Stop spouting nonsense and hurry up.】
“Sigh… Walking to the guesthouse in this rain…”
【What are you whining about? Are you planning to whimper like a little girl despite being a grown man?!】
That sounds pretty sexist, you know… I grumbled internally while grabbing a raincoat. My options were either a raincoat or an umbrella, but in this kind of downpour, an umbrella would be practically useless. A raincoat seemed like the better choice.
“I just have to get to the guesthouse, right?”
【Exactly. If it gets too unbearable, I’ll take over, so don’t worry.】
“It’s not like I’m worried… Fine, let’s go.”
Both Baizik and Ashray were staying at the guesthouse since they were guests. Baizik, being of higher status, was staying in the Glory Hall on the top floor, while Ashray was accommodated on the lower Shine Hall floor.
Honestly, I couldn’t understand why I had to attend this meeting. Ashray’s business seemed straightforward enough:
“Such-and-such is happening in the North, it could threaten the Empire’s security, so Lord Baizik, please blast it with a Great Magic Device.”
What was I supposed to contribute to this conversation?
【I have my reasons. Can’t you just shut up and go? Why are you so timid? Honestly, it’s embarrassing for a man like you. What kind of Magus Knight—】
…You do know Leopold is also a Magus Knight, right?
【That’s fine because his face is like a greatsword. You don’t have that kind of face, so don’t worry about it.】
I had no retort to that. Objectively speaking, Leopold was handsome. I couldn’t possibly compare.
Honestly, with someone like Leopold, what did it matter what kind of weapon he wielded? His face alone was a weapon.
“Let’s just get this over with…”
On a day like this, I would have preferred to lounge around in bed. Too bad that wasn’t an option.
Pulling the raincoat over myself, I glanced out the window again.
The mist, thick like blooming flowers, wafted upward as the hot ground cooled under the cold rain. The once-warm air now exuded a refreshing chill.
The raincoat, however, was of little help. The rain hammered against me with far more force than it appeared through the window. Water streamed off the raincoat and into my boots, creating a soggy, uncomfortable feeling that I couldn’t ignore.
“Ugh… I hate this.”
Water began pooling in my boots, producing a squelching sound with every step. The hems of my trousers had long since soaked through, and even my clothes under the raincoat were beginning to dampen under the relentless downpour.
Just as my discomfort was reaching its peak, the silhouette of the guesthouse finally came into view.
Finally…
The rain obscured my vision, but I could make out the building’s outline. As I rubbed my eyes under the raincoat’s hood, the rain suddenly stopped—or so it seemed.
In truth, someone had raised an umbrella over my head.
“…Your Highness?”
“You should’ve thought of wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella. What if you catch a cold?”
Of course, that would’ve been a solution.
【Exactly. As expected of His Highness…】
Are we just stupid? I nearly said aloud. But Leopold was undeniably smart; I had to admit that much.
“You’re completely soaked.”
Leopold held the umbrella firmly over my head. It was large and sturdy, holding up against the storm’s wrath. As he shielded me, his shoulders were left exposed, rapidly becoming drenched.
“Your Highness, your clothes are getting wet. Please use the umbrella yourself. I’m already soaked anyway.”
“It’s more important to keep you dry. I’m a man; I can handle it.”
Another casually sexist remark. Looking up at Leopold’s drenched shoulders, I saw steam rising faintly as rain evaporated against his body heat.
“Anyway, let’s get going. I heard you’re accompanying me to meet Baizik today.”
“Ah, yes, that’s correct.”
The two of us began walking side by side. Leopold, dressed in his white Crown Prince’s uniform for the occasion, looked impeccable despite the rain soaking into the fabric, leaving visible traces of wetness.
“I’m more worried about you catching a cold, Your Highness.”
“So what? If I catch a cold, won’t you take care of me, Astie?”
Leopold’s sudden teasing smile caught me off guard. As he spoke, his hand brushed the back of his neck—a casual gesture that reminded me of… that neck. His neck.
I could feel my cheeks heating up.
“W-what are you doing? Everyone’s waiting.”
A deep voice interrupted—Ashray had appeared.
【That damn fool, seriously…!】
Like brother, like sister, both completely clueless.
【What do you mean by that? I can’t let that slide.】
Nothing, never mind.
Unaware of our silent exchange, Ashray waved and approached, holding another umbrella. His face lit up with a cheerful smile, as though he were in a great mood.
“…Your brother is just as oblivious as you are.”
“I know, right?”
“I don’t see why you’re speaking as if it doesn’t apply to you.”
Leopold glanced at me with a puzzled expression. Only then did I realize I had spoken as if I were some impartial observer, and I quickly waved my hands to dismiss the misunderstanding.
“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Let’s get inside quickly. At this rate, someone’s going to catch a cold. My Sister, you’re completely soaked. Here, take this towel…”
“I’ll handle it.”
By the time we reached the guesthouse entrance, Leopold had already taken the thick towel from Ashray’s hands. He gently draped it over me.
“Hold still, Astie.”
“W-what?!”
Before I could protest, Leopold began drying my hands, arms, and hair.
Although a towel was hardly sufficient for the situation, he continued, even wiping my face delicately. Before long, the towel was thoroughly damp from absorbing so much water.
“Take care of the rest, Ashray.”
“Ah, y-yes.”
Ashray, startled, accepted the soggy towel Leopold handed him.
“Hm.”
Baizik stroked his beard, deep in thought. A self-growing tower—he had never heard of such a thing.
Towers were structures, and the idea of one growing on its own was undeniably fascinating.
“So, it appeared out of nowhere, grows on its own, and is seemingly guarded by monsters?”
“Yes.”
Ashray relayed everything he had seen and heard. The tower, initially no larger than an altar, grew larger with each visit.
No matter how close they approached, the distance never seemed to shrink—a mysterious phenomenon.
The sudden appearance of such a tower was undeniably strange. Without a way to approach it, there was little the physically-oriented warriors could do, which was why Ashray had sought Baizik’s help.
Baizik’s satisfied smile betrayed his interest.
“So, that’s your request, is it?”
“Yes?”
Ashray, perplexed, echoed Baizik’s words. Baizik, unfazed, began tracing letters in the air with his finger.
“Help. Me. Plea-se. Isn’t that it?”
“Ugh.”
Ashray’s face twisted in frustration, and so did Astrid’s.
“Am I wrong? That’s how it sounded to me.”
The words were a direct blow to a warrior’s pride. If Wolfgang had been present, he would have stormed out of the room, fuming at the insult.
The rivalry between mages and warriors was an age-old conflict, deeply rooted in history.
Warriors believed in defeating their foes before they could cast spells, while mages relied on overwhelming force before their enemies could get close. This divide was unyielding.
And now, such a blatant provocation.
“This is a matter concerning the Empire’s safety. Wouldn’t it be wise to refrain from unnecessary provocations, Lord Baizik?”
Leopold, speaking as Crown Prince and ally to the Empire, was also addressing someone who had been a trusted figure since his childhood—a bond more familial than formal.
He found Baizik’s goading words exasperating but understood that, for now, the greater purpose took precedence.
“Haha, there’s no need to take an old man’s jest so seriously, Your Highness.”
“Please, speak as you’re comfortable. This isn’t an official setting.”
Baizik relaxed, his smile becoming more genuine.
“Very well. In any case, I’ve never heard of a tower like the one you describe. It’s fascinating, really. So, Ashray, you’re here to bring me to the North? That’s your mission?”
“Yes, my lord. That is correct.”
“I see… very well.”
Baizik leaned back into the plush sofa, stroking his beard as he mulled over the situation. After a brief moment of contemplation, he nodded.
“Alright, I suppose I’ll go. It’s undeniably peculiar, and the matter warrants investigation. In that case…”
“I will accompany you as your escort,” Astrid declared suddenly.
【W-what are you saying?!】
‘Stay quiet for a moment.’
Before anyone could notice, the real Astrid had regained control of the body.