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“A magic that records images…?”

“The magical formula for it was discovered quite some time ago, but the issue is its inefficiency. Even capturing a few seconds drastically depletes the caster’s mana, causing most to exhaust themselves before they can even complete the spell. That’s why it’s mostly considered an artifact by most mages.”

“Where is this magic recorded?”

“Usually on a stone. Have you heard of a imaging stone?”

“Um, I think I’ve heard of it…”

From the fantasy novels I used to read frequently. I swallowed the rest of my sentence. Jafflin didn’t seem to expect an affirmative answer to his question.

“Oh, you’ve been studying magic more diligently than I thought. But that’s not the only impressive part.”

“…….”

I was getting used to his habit of always ending conversations with self-praise.

“Duchess, can you think of the problem we would face even if we could record the message on a stone?”

“Hmm… Oh.”

As I pondered his question, an answer came to mind.

“You need a way to get the imaging stone to Roan, right?”

“Correct. Not only can I record the message on the stone, but I can also place it precisely on the table inside Duke Roan’s tent. This way, he can watch it whenever he wants without much interference.”

“Wow.”

This time, it was a genuine admiration. It didn’t seem like something just anyone could do. Perhaps his reputation as a genius wasn’t unfounded.

“So, what do you want in return, Master?”

Jafflin’s lips tightened slightly at my words. What was that? The atmosphere around him suddenly changed. Normally, he had an air of a boat gently drifting on a lake, but now he seemed as rigid as a statue.

Come to think of it, this was similar to the atmosphere after meeting his steed earlier.

Jafflin was silent for a moment, seeming both tense and deliberately withholding his words.

After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

“There is a place I need you to come with me.”

“A place you need me to go with you?”

“Yes. There is something you need to see. Originally, Duke Bannister should be present as well, but….”

Roan should be there too? What on earth? I looked at Jafflin, who was now speaking with a serious face.

“I discovered it by chance. I thought it was too far-fetched to bring up, so I just had someone check it out and then forgot about it.”

Discovered by chance? What on earth? I didn’t understand his words at all.

“At first, I thought it was trivial enough to ignore. But just now, my steed’s message… In any case, it seems to be something I shouldn’t keep to myself. Duchess, please come with me to the clock tower of Redegoz.”

The clock tower of Redegoz… That name was familiar. I had read about it in the newspaper, where it was introduced as a notable place. It was a place Roan and I had promised to visit together.

“The place with the romantic story that says if you are with someone when the bell rings, you’ll be bound by good fate?”

“You know it. Yes, that’s the place.”

“Why there?”

“…My student.”

Jafflin suddenly lowered his voice as he called out to me.

“First, listen to what I have to say without getting too shocked.”

……?

Seeing my puzzled face, Jafflin slowly began to explain what he had experienced.

***

That day, the weather was as bright and sunny as Jafflin’s mood.

He was thrilled to be assigned to teach Delis. Despite his usual aversion to being tied down by anything, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy at becoming her teacher.

He was on his way to the magic tower to fetch a basic magic textbook for her. Although there were related books in the palace, the ones in the tower were more detailed. The tower was quite a distance from the palace, but he didn’t mind at all.

‘A rare visit to the magic tower.’

Despite being far from the capital, the magic tower was near a thriving estate. Apparently, it made a good income from tourism.

There was another tower nearby. Was it the Clock Tower of Redegoz or the Clock Tower of Meeting?

Jafflin was well aware of the rumors associated with the location. However, he could never understand why people would visit such a distant place because of a mere superstition.

In fact, visiting this far-flung place to fetch a better book for his student wasn’t something Jafflin usually considered.

He walked through the bustling area and headed towards a vast plain that lay beyond. It was a wasteland, overgrown with weeds and trees. Standing in the middle of it, he made a knocking motion in the air.

A door-shaped outline formed in the empty space and then slid open. Without hesitation, Jafflin stepped through it.

Within less than five minutes, he emerged from the magic tower, carrying a bundle of books.

“That old geezer.”

Jafflin referred to the master of the magic tower, Sehn, without hesitation, despite him being revered as the Great Sage among all mages. This was why he didn’t visit the tower often. Every time Jafflin visited, Sehn would diligently try to recruit him as the next master of the tower.

Sehn was the brother of Samuel, the sage. When Jafflin suggested leaving the position to Samuel, Sehn dismissed the idea, saying Samuel was too old for the role.

Jafflin often pondered whether their similar personalities were due to being siblings or if all near-Great mages ended up that way. If it was the latter, he dreaded the thought of becoming like them himself… Sigh.

Shaking his head, he hoped for the former, unwilling to imagine such a future. He found solace in the magical tomes he had acquired.

Deciding to stay near the Clock Tower of Meetings since he was already there, Jafflin thought it was a good opportunity to take a break from the palace. His body ached from being cooped up for too long, and this outing seemed fortuitous.

Thinking about Delis, who was excited to learn magic, brought a smile to his face.

It was a bit surprising. From what he saw in the hunting grounds, Duke Bannister seemed like the type to vehemently oppose anyone teaching her magic. He expected it to take a long time to get permission. When the approval came quickly, it was he who was surprised.

Reflecting on it, he understood why. She must have asked, and the Duke, unable to refuse her, reluctantly agreed. Jafflin chuckled heartily.

Lost in thought, he found himself near the bustling area where the Clock Tower of Meetings was located. The number of people was comparable to the capital. This territory thrived on tourism, evident from the many vendors and shops selling souvenirs.

In a slightly secluded corner, a row of red lanterns caught his eye.

Despite the bright sunshine, the place seemed oddly dark. It was as if the light couldn’t reach there.

‘The red-light district.’

A place where women called themselves flowers and sold their bodies. And where there were buyers for such services.

Although it wasn’t overt, the red-light district was in plain view, which didn’t sit well with him.

Even in broad daylight, women dressed in revealing clothes were soliciting passersby, much like other merchants, except they were trading flesh instead of goods.

Nearby, a fat man in a glossy silk outfit was visible.

His face was marred with a greedy expression. He seemed to be in charge of the red-light district or held a similar position.

He was pushing a boy holding a bouquet of flowers. The boy was scrawny and poorly dressed, a stark contrast to the portly man. The boy seemed to be forced to sell flowers next to the women.

‘……?’

Jafflin’s steps halted. It wasn’t the bruises visible through the boy’s shabby clothes or the fresh flowers he was selling that stopped him.

He wasn’t compassionate enough to pay much attention to the bruises commonly seen on children from the slums, nor was he sentimental enough to be halted by the beauty of the flowers.

‘!’

Jafflin’s eyes widened in disbelief. But the scene before him didn’t change.

The boy’s golden eyes, visible as his shoulder was pushed, were unmistakable. The boy’s face, partially obscured by messy hair, was still clear enough to evoke the memory of someone he knew well.

‘The Duke of Bannister.’

Despite being emaciated and dressed in tattered clothes, there was no doubt.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories