The Innocent Mage's Spellbinding Nights - Chapter 49
Hesed of the past, who knew no humility, despised foolish people. And the Hesed of today, who had only a superficial understanding of humility, still disliked foolish people.
Like the elder mages standing before him.
‘Idiots.’
What kind of eyes do they have to see me as someone who is patiently waiting to take the position of Tower Master?
‘Is it because the weather’s gotten hot and they’ve collectively lost their minds? Or do these people have noodles in their heads instead of brains?’
Shamelessly, they contacted him through the communication orb just five minutes before visiting his office and then came over with the most serious faces, spouting nonsense on an old subject.
“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.”
They were so old they couldn’t even discern right from wrong, yet they clung to the White Tower like parasites, spewing nonsense.
“If it were the previous Tower Master or you, Hesed, a conclusion would have been reached by now. How can there be such a lack of decisiveness and drive!”
‘What nonsense. I’ve reviewed the case with the former Tower Master, but he couldn’t make heads or tails out of it either. Our master? He would’ve passed it on to the current Tower Master or me the moment it became troublesome.’
“Amidst all this, rumors about your new relationship with the current Tower Master are causing many to feel uneasy. If those rumors are true, it means there is no more change or hope for the White Tower.”
Yes, because stagnant, outdated, and vile people like them are the reason there is no change or hope in the White Tower.
“Sorry to bring up such a personal matter, but we need to confirm it.”
‘What do you call this then? This is personal desire, disguised as duty. Maybe I should stick a blade of wind in each of their mouths to make them realize.’
They came to poke and prod him, even though he was already busy enough focusing on Irina.
It was tiresome. Truly tiresome.
‘If these people start stirring up public opinion again, how upset and exhausted will the Tower Master be?’
Rather.
‘Let’s pretend to go along with their delusions, let things unfold, and then deal with everything at once when it comes to the surface.’
In the early days of becoming the Vice Tower Master, his young age was a minor weakness, and he couldn’t fully wield the power that came with the position, so ignoring such nonsense was the best option.
‘Of course, I drove out the ones who caused serious trouble under other pretexts.’
He couldn’t clean out all the dissidents.
But over the years, Irina and Hesed’s leadership had solidified. Aside from a few old men who thought a woman as a leader was absurd, most mages recognized Irina’s qualifications as the Tower Master.
‘Yes, it’s time to clean them all out.’
Scarlett and Vine, who adored Irina, would undoubtedly support his plan both materially and morally once they heard of it.
Resolving himself, Hesed maintained his composure and began to speak.
“…I understand your concerns well.”
You came to the wrong place today.
“She indeed is not suited for such a position.”
The White Tower, with trash like you, is not suitable for someone as noble as her.
Hesed feigned agreement with their assertions, subtly encouraging them to take action.
Let’s see if they really cause a stir.
*
After spending a dreadful time with what felt like cockroaches and roughly finishing his paperwork, Hesed went to his quarters to cleanse himself of the filth before heading to the Tower Master’s office. He had promised to have dinner with Irina tonight.
“The Tower Master? She said she had something to discuss with you around 3PM and left. Didn’t you meet her?”
Celsia asked, her eyes wide in response to Hesed’s inquiry about Irina’s whereabouts.
‘3PM?’
For a moment, Hesed felt his breath catch in his throat.
‘That’s when those damned people came to see me.’
A chill ran down his spine. Hesed’s heart pounded.
‘If by any chance… if she misunderstood.’
Irina was generally understanding and forgiving, but everyone has their limits. Ever since she became the Tower Master, she had been worn down by constant comparisons made by loose-tongued people, despite her unwillingness to be in that position.
‘I am different from you.’
‘I never wanted the position of Tower Master, but I can’t relinquish it easily.’
‘I won’t give up my authority as your senior, nor can I completely sever my ties with the Rowestin Viscounty.’
With a voice as cold as ice, she stated her position.
‘Hesed, I have just one question.’
‘Have you ever resented me for taking your place?’
Hadn’t she asked, almost accusingly, about his feelings on the matter?
‘No way… she didn’t hear my false statement, did she?’
Hesed felt as if cold water had been poured over him as he hurriedly tried to contact Irina through her communication crystal.
Beep. Beep.
No matter how many times he tried, all he heard was the signal indicating that he couldn’t reach her.
Hesed felt his mind go blank, similar to the moment he had helplessly watched the monstrous Mutras’ feet approaching.
