Chapter 96: Things You Want to Say but Can’t (1)
“Didn’t I tell you there wouldn’t be any problems?”
“There’s always that ‘what if,’ my dear brother. You should know that being thoroughly prepared is the best approach for everything.”
“When you say it like that, Sister, it’s honestly…”
“Honestly what?”
Ashray turned his head, avoiding Astrid’s sharp glare.
His side still ached slightly.
“…It suits you. Being so well-prepared is just like you, Sister.”
“Isn’t it?”
Only then did Astrid smile brightly.
It had been five days since the carriage had left the capital.
During that time, nothing had happened at all. In fact, at every village they passed, the sight of the carriage bearing the Miterien family crest seemed to inspire such fear that they were practically waved through every checkpoint.
It was only natural. The journey had been so uneventful that it felt more like a leisurely trip than a return to Miterien territory.
“No one in Einthafen would dare to mess with the Grand Duke Miterien family’s carriage anyway.”
Baizik’s dry chuckle filled the carriage.
In terms of prestige, the Grand Duke Miterien family held a position second to none, even in Einthafen.
Who would be reckless enough to provoke a carriage carrying the crest of such a powerful house?
“At this pace, we should arrive the day after tomorrow.”
“That seems likely. Hmm…”
Baizik stroked his beard, deep in thought.
Wolfgang. Wolfgang von Miterien.
The current head of the Grand Duke Miterien family and the Grand Duke of Einthafen. If Wolfgang had summoned even Baizik, it meant that something truly extraordinary was afoot.
A tower that grows on its own.
A tower that seems to reject others’ approaches, remaining perpetually distant no matter how close one gets.
A tower without a clear countermeasure unless approached directly—despite being a warrior specializing in physical combat, Wolfgang, one of the top warriors in Einthafen, had been unable to devise a way to break through and had called Baizik for help.
This made Baizik uneasy.
Wolfgang, known for his disdain for mages, had personally sought assistance from him.
What could this imply?
“Why not just destroy it from afar with a catapult?”
“It’s not that we haven’t thought of that, Sister. But how would we get a catapult into that snowy field? If you can throw rocks, that doesn’t mean the rest of us can.”
“That’s true, I suppose…”
This sort of conversation had already happened several times.
There had also been speculative discussions about the nature of the tower, but no definitive conclusions had been reached.
Of those present, Ashray was the only one who had actually seen the tower. As such, they could do little more than speculate, and neither Astrid nor Baizik had heard of such a bizarre tower before.
【In any case, remember that the tower isn’t our only goal.】
‘I already know that.’
Astrid responded to the real Astrid’s voice in her mind while gazing out the window.
The reason she was heading to the north had to do not only with uncovering the tower’s secrets but also with another objective.
Why couldn’t she speak about the anomaly that had befallen her?
Since she had determined that a curse on her body was the cause, investigating that curse was also part of the mission.
Of course, if she could resolve it as well, that would be even better.
To do so, she had needed a pretext to return to the north, and this opportunity had come at the perfect time.
【Hmm… I’m still uneasy about this.】
‘What are you uneasy about? Investigating the tower won’t be too difficult. Worst case, we just hurl some rocks at it and bring it down, right?’
【No, it’s not the tower. That’s not what I’m worried about.】
‘Then what is it?’
The real Astrid’s voice sounded unusually serious.
That made Astrid wonder if it was something she should take seriously as well. She waited for the real Astrid’s answer with a rare sense of gravity.
【Those impudent she-cats hovering around our prince…】
‘Ah, I see.’
【What’s with that vague response?】
By now, Astrid had grown curious about something else.
In truth, if Astrid were to be completely honest, she was absolutely head-over-heels for Leopold.
Nothing else mattered; as long as she had Leopold, everything would be fine. Astrid’s feelings could be summed up as: with Leopold, nothing else was necessary.
But had she ever just said so outright?
Had she ever been straightforward about her feelings, confessing, Your Highness, I adore you—just once, sincerely? Wouldn’t Leopold understand her true feelings if she simply said it?
Where had things gone wrong to lead to this misunderstanding?
‘But seriously, haven’t you ever been honest with Leopold? Speaking as someone who used to be a man, with your looks, just saying “I love you” would have countless guys falling for you instantly. Leopold isn’t immune to that, you know.’
Exactly.
Unless Leopold was utterly indifferent to women, it would be impossible for him not to be moved if a beauty like Astrid confessed her love.
Even considering her own body, Astrid’s appearance had a certain devastating charm.
【Of course I’ve told him.】
‘Oh, you have?’
This was unexpected.
Astrid had assumed she’d hear some old-fashioned argument about how confessions were a man’s job. To find out she had already confessed was surprising.
【He didn’t believe me. Said I must have some ulterior motive…】
‘Really…’
It wasn’t hard to imagine why.
Having occasionally observed Astrid’s interactions with Leopold while switching bodies, the truth was clear: the gods were fair.
They had bestowed Astrid with beauty and overwhelming strength.
While her strength might have been due to the blessing of the stars, it was unlikely she could wield such power so effectively without natural talent in addition to that blessing.
On the other hand, the gods had given her a catastrophically poor gift for conversation and social skills.
She often left out key details in her words, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings.
Her expressions rarely matched what she was trying to say, making it hard for others to take her words at face value.
【Honestly, I feel wronged. That’s why this time, after we resolve this issue, I want you to keep your promise.】
‘That promise… You still remember that?’
She thought the real Astrid might have forgotten.
【Of course. I never forget promises.】
To help the real Astrid marry Leopold.
If the real Astrid could resolve the matter of the tower and uncover clues to return to her original world, Astrid would do everything she could to make that happen.
And she would help the real Astrid marry Leopold.
That was the promise.
Promises must be kept.
Because that’s what promises are.
‘…I don’t want to keep it…’
【What did you just say?】
‘Nothing. Never mind…’
***
What is the Best Way to Commit Widespread Terror?
Astein placed the last talisman on the doorway and stood up.
“All done?”
“Indeed. It’s a bit smaller in scale than originally planned, but that’s your fault, so I had no choice.”
The voice arrived without warning, but Astein didn’t appear surprised in the slightest.
As contracted parties, they instinctively knew each other’s whereabouts.
Astein had known for a while that Veracien was approaching.
“Still, drawing such an array right in the middle of everything… should I call it bold or reckless?”
“The instructors are just fools.”
Astein turned toward Veracien.
Her eyes were mere slits, barely visible, giving the impression she might be closing them altogether. Yet Astein could tell Veracien was smiling.
“Who would ever expect someone to create this in the middle of the Academy?”
“This is what happens when they rely only on grand magic detection. There are plenty of ways to accomplish things besides magic.”
“Good grief…”
Veracien had no intention of reproaching him.
She knew the plan and understood Astein’s reasons for his actions.
“What’s left to do now?”
“Wait. Everything is prepared, isn’t it?”
“Waiting for the final key to turn, then?”
“Exactly. And once that key turns, we can sit back and enjoy watching Einthafen crumble in its own time.”
“The Empire won’t fall just because the Academy collapses. You know that, right?”
“Of course. But an empire without an heir is bound to crumble, wouldn’t you say?”
Who could know for sure?
Veracien found herself increasingly displeased with Astein.
She much preferred humans like Astrid or Leopold.
The honesty and boldness of individuals like them appealed to her far more.
But she wouldn’t voice such thoughts aloud.
Veracien looked at Astein with an air of distrust, smacking her lips lightly before turning away.
“Where are you going?”
“To Eranya. She said the sweets you brought were delicious and wanted to share them.”
“I didn’t think you’d be the type to be swayed by something like that.”
“It’s nothing. Just a bit of amusement. Don’t worry—I won’t interfere with your plans.”
“That’s what I thought.”
I really don’t like him.
He’s not fun. He’s sly and insidious.
As Veracien muttered internally, she began considering whether it might be time to find a new human to partner with.
She mused over searching for clauses in the contract that might allow her to break it without repercussions.