Chapter 26

“Hiccup!”

Isaac tilted his head as he looked down at Kelvin, who was hiccuping.

Kelvin rolled his eyes, searching for an excuse.

‘Let’s say I didn’t recognize him. I’ll pretend I need to clear the way and slip out.’

But the corridor was empty. The foreign group blocking the way had gone into their cabins. The once cramped corridor now looked elegantly decorated, befitting a first-class cabin.

Isaac stroked his chin and smiled faintly.

“Why are you surprised?”

He released Kelvin’s shoulder, smiling brightly.

“You look like someone who’s done something wrong.”

Kelvin broke out in a cold sweat and laughed awkwardly.

“Ah, Tower Master! It’s been a while. Haha.”

Isaac had withdrawn from practical affairs a long time ago, after the artifact explosion incident. He not only stepped away from the front lines, but remained Tower Master in name only, kept in place by the support of other mages.

‘What wind brought this useless guy, who’s holding onto the Tower Master’s seat without doing anything, all the way out here?’

Seeing Thierry involved, Kelvin thought it must be serious. Kelvin subtly probed Isaac.

“Is something urgent happening at the Mage Tower?”

“Not likely.”

Isaac looked at Kelvin with unreadable eyes, then suddenly bent down.

“More importantly, you dropped this, Kelvin.”

In Isaac’s hand was a torn piece of paper. Kelvin’s eyes widened—it was the secret note he’d ripped and thrown into the sea, apparently stuck to the check he’d shoved in his pocket.

He tried to hide his tension and reached for it. No matter which part of the note, its contents should never be revealed—especially not to the Tower Master.

“Thank you, Tower Master. Haha. I could have picked it up myself…”

Isaac stared at the paper fragment in his palm, then clenched his fist and raised his arm. With cold eyes, he said,

“You know all commissions must go through the Mage Tower, right?”

“…Yes, of course.”

“Don’t do anything foolish. You’ll return with us. You’ll have to explain why you’re here as soon as we get back.”

“Yes.”

Isaac then smiled gently and handed over the torn piece of paper as if nothing had happened.

Just as Kelvin tried to unfold the crumpled paper, Isaac patted his shoulder and turned away. Thierry approached, brazenly declaring,

“I’ll keep an eye on him, so just trust me, Tower Master!”

Kelvin had no choice but to share a cabin with Thierry.

‘Don’t worry, Kelvin. The Tower Master is only out here searching for his supposedly dead daughter. Otherwise, he’d never leave the Tower.’

Kelvin quickly reassured himself. The Tower Master wouldn’t get involved with the Fernande Duchy, which opposed the Mage Tower. While Isaac searched for his daughter, Kelvin just needed to sink the Duke Fernande and Everdeen Guild Leader into the sea.

‘Just stick to the plan.’

He had to finish before leaving the stage anyway.

“I get the bed!”

Back in the cabin with Thierry, Kelvin clenched his fists and smiled.

“Yes, yes.”

He quickly turned away to check the note Isaac had found.

[-]

“…What?”

All that remained was a dash—nothing else. It was just a corner of the note. Relief washed over him, but irritation toward the Tower Master piled up.

* * *

Cesar, on the ship, woke up from a nap.

Elodia had spent time in meetings with guild staff, while Sierd had enjoyed rare leisure in his own strange way.

Returning to the cabin, she called to Sierd, who was still at the desk.

“That’s really thick. I don’t think you’ll finish it before we arrive at the Kingdom of Hillis.”

“It’s a book to read over time, so it’s fine.”

Sierd took off his glasses, turned to her, closed the book, and stood up.

She glanced at the book he’d been reading.

“…Isn’t that an encyclopedia?”

“Yes.”

He wasn’t lost in reading—he was searching for something. She couldn’t imagine Sierd reading novels anyway.

She started to take off her outerwear, then realized it was nearly dinner time and went to wake Cesar.

“What were you looking for in that book?”

“There’s nothing in particular.”

She paused, about to wake the sprawled, sleeping Cesar, as she heard heavy footsteps approaching. She slowly turned her head.

Sierd, dressed in a gray suit to fit the dress code, stood with his hands in his pockets, giving her a faint smile.

“I like reading encyclopedias because it clears my mind and keeps away stray thoughts.”

“So you read it to refresh your mind.”

She nodded seriously, then cautiously shared something she couldn’t tell anyone else.

“When my head is messy, I solve equations.”

“Equations…?”

“Magic equations. It helps me not forget, and it’s useful when making artifact designs or casting spells.”

Sierd already knew she was a mage. There was no need to deny it or pretend otherwise. In fact, it was better—she could be more honest in front of Sierd.

Sierd sat silently on the edge of the bed. He looked at Cesar’s exposed belly button, then pulled down his shirt.

“How have you hidden it?”

Sierd was the most sensitive to mana. Even with artifacts on, he’d realized she was a mage from their very first meeting.

She couldn’t explain Jack being a mage, so she gave a half-truth.

“I’ve had help from someone I trust.”

She pointed to her earrings, and Sierd replied calmly,

“Be careful not to let it break.”

“It’s not easy to break. And when you’re near me, I don’t even need it.”

Sierd’s eyes widened slightly.

“Information says a high-level mage is on board. Be careful.”

“I know. If anything happens, I’ll stick close to you.”

She spoke resolutely, and Sierd gave a small laugh, then shook Cesar awake.

“Son, it’s time to get up.”

“Mmm…”

“Cesar?”

Cesar rubbed his eyes, half asleep.

“Mom.”

“Yes. Let’s go eat dinner, Cesar. There’s a chocolate fountain there.”

“I like chocolate!”

Cesar jumped up and hugged her, then hopped off the bed. He ran around the cabin with his arms spread.

“Let’s go eat dinner! Hurry, hurry!”

He stomped his feet and shouted.

She grabbed Cesar’s clothes and said,

“But if you go in pajamas, they won’t let you in.”

The Moonlight Restaurant on the ship was a high-end restaurant. Dress code was a matter of etiquette.

Cesar looked at his pajamas, then puffed his cheeks as he looked at her and Sierd dressed up.

“Tsk.”

“Come here, Cesar.”

Sierd quietly picked up a bow tie.

She blinked expectantly at Cesar.

“…Okay.”

Apparently, he liked the fancy clothes. She wished changing his clothes was always this easy…

She and Sierd hurried to move before Cesar changed his mind.

* * *

Moonlight Restaurant.

As a luxury restaurant on a top-class passenger ship, the Moonlight Restaurant’s sophisticated interior caught the eye immediately. The lavish chandelier, elegant tableware, and attentive staff were flawless. Occasionally, interesting artifacts caught her attention.

‘Color-changing lights, poison-detecting cutlery…’

She kept walking, conducting market research.

“Chocolate fountain! Chocolate fountain!”

Cesar hummed a song, adapting a children’s tune.

“This way, please.”

They followed the staff’s guidance.

Their reserved table was by the window, with a good view. Watching the sunset, sipping champagne with family, and cutting steak while chatting was one of her dreams. She had fought through fierce competition to reserve that table.

But—

“Oh…”

The staff stopped and looked around, flustered. He seemed to be searching for the manager, who was busy with other customers. The staff, looking troubled, approached their reserved table.

“I’m sorry, but this seat is reserved. Would you mind moving?”

A man, who looked to be Regan’s age and had distinguished features, looked up at the staff and glanced at his wristwatch. He alternated between his reservation confirmation and his watch, then spoke calmly.

“This is our reserved seat. Please check again.”

The man’s wrist was covered in ominous scars.

Sierd glanced at the man occupying their table and quietly asked her,

“Is this the seat we reserved?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Chocolate fountain…”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Cesar grew gloomy.

“I specifically reserved near the chocolate fountain. I wanted to fulfill both my dream and Cesar’s…”

Sierd, apparently considering moving, paused and asked,

“What dream are you talking about?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Should we just move?”

“Is that dream only possible at that seat?”

“Uh, hmm.”

She couldn’t deny it. All the window seats were full.

The staff apologized and disappeared.

“It seems to be a mistake by the restaurant.”

She tried not to show her disappointment.

The man at the table wiped his mouth elegantly with a napkin, then brushed back his white hair and looked up. His golden eyes regarded her with annoyance.

“How shameless.”

His voice was thick with irritation.