The Innocent Mage's Spellbinding Nights - Chapter 45
Irina, after quickly racking her brain, concluded that seeking cooperation from Hisran, the Red Tower Master, who excelled in mana affinity, was the best course of action.
“And Gluttony is a monster that gets stronger the more it eats its prey, so if we delay any longer, it will become more difficult to handle.”
“Surveillance through the crystal balls has already failed once. We need to rebuild the surveillance network with highly skilled individuals.”
Issuing a mobilization order would mean utilizing the maximum available personnel from the White Tower, and as the Tower Master, she would bear significant political burden. However, Irina resolved to proceed.
Her intuition was strongly asserting itself for once, warning that delaying this would only make things more dangerous.
“I’ll lend a hand as well. Although my skills are modest, I can control the rats around the area. The animals commonly found in the back alleys are less likely to raise the enemy’s suspicion.”
“Thank you. I will not forget your help, Noyad.”
“I only hope everything is resolved smoothly.”
***
“Celsia, I’ll be discussing some matters with the Vice Tower Master regarding the back alley disappearance cases.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
After Noyad left, Irina moved towards the Vice Tower Master’s office to share information about the monster Gluttony, discuss the mobilization order, and seek cooperation from the Red Tower Master.
“Oh…?”
As she turned the corner, Irina unexpectedly spotted four elder mages knocking on Hesed’s office door before her, and she paused.
“Come in.”
Hesed opened the door and greeted them with a somewhat tense expression. Watching from behind the wall, Irina felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
‘What could the elders want with him?’
As their conversations in bed had increased, their daytime interactions had also become more frequent, allowing them to share many topics recently. However, Hesed had never mentioned anything about the elders.
‘…It’s probably nothing. I’ll come back later.’
Irina’s mind made that decision, but her feet refused to move.
‘Wait. There’s no major event planned for now, and no large-scale request has come in recently. Something seems off.’
Suspicion grew as if someone was whispering bad things into her ear.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t that elder the one who openly criticized the former Tower Master’s decisions in front of me?’
‘And the one next to him… wasn’t he the one who passionately claimed that the White Tower was being outdone by the Red Tower because of my weakness?’
Biting her lip in contemplation, Irina carefully approached the office door, minimizing her presence. As she released her mana to cautiously survey the surroundings, she detected a sound-blocking spell in place.
‘It’s not Hesed’s mana.’
It was the magic of one of the elders. It was as if the devil was tempting her, providing a situation where she could eavesdrop on their conversation without being detected.
‘No, Irina! This is wrong.’
‘If I turn away like this, unresolved doubts will continue to hold me back. Wouldn’t that lead to an even worse situation?’
Even if the elders say something strange, as long as Hesed answers properly, there shouldn’t be any problem.’
A month and a half ago, or even just a week ago, Irina wouldn’t have been so shaken by such small doubts.
People always gathered around Hesed, so she would have tried harder to steel herself.
‘I like you.’
‘I’ve liked you for a long time. Not as your junior, but as Hesed.’
But now, shaken by a confession that felt like a midsummer night’s dream, she couldn’t just leave or ignore this suspicion.
She wanted a clear answer somehow.
Eventually, Irina’s mana slipped through the gaps in the sound-blocking spell.
“I’ve been at the White Tower long enough to see three Tower Masters, but the current one is simply the most inc… ahem. Take the disappearance case, for example.”
“If it were the previous Tower Master, or yourself Hesed, a conclusion would have been reached long ago. How can she lack decisiveness and drive like this?”
“And now there are rumors about a new relationship between you and the current Tower Master, making many people anxious. If those rumors are true, it means there is no more change or hope for the White Tower.”
“I’m sorry to bring up such a personal matter, but we need to confirm it for sure.”
Irina’s hand clenched tightly, her expression hardening. Hesed’s silence only made her feel more anxious.
“…I understand your concerns well.”
Finally, he spoke.
“She is indeed not suited for such a position.”
“…!”
A familiar voice pierced Irina’s ears sharply. Though his words were indirect, they echoed the sentiments of the others.
Eyes wide, she hurriedly covered her mouth with her right hand. If she didn’t, she felt like a sigh or a trembling voice would escape.
‘Not suited for the position…?’
‘I have never once resented you or the previous Tower Master because of it. I am content with my current position, working closely with you.’
‘Please believe me.’
Lies! Liar!
Her heart pounded as if it would burst.
Were all the kind and steadfast words he whispered in her office just sweet nothings?
Was his confession on the last day of the festival, delivered with a slightly shy demeanor, merely the climax of a play?
As her arm covering her mouth trembled uncontrollably, Irina finally managed to move her feet.
She walked slowly down the long, seemingly endless corridor that felt like the entrance to hell, until she could run like a deer escaping a hunter’s arrow.
