Chapter 4 (Part 9)

“Lady, please send a letter when you arrive.”

“Yes, Master. I had a good time at the Mage Tower.”

“Lady, don’t forget. The Mage Tower always protects its wizards.”

Puring handed Meia the document accepting the request from the Grand Duke Florence.

“Show this acceptance certificate to His Grace the Grand Duke as soon as you arrive.”

“Yes, Master. Go inside. And if Prince Demian comes.”

“You don’t need to say more. This old man will handle it and send a letter.”

“Thank you. I wanted to stay longer with you, but it’s a pity.”

“Is it not your fault! It’s that damn prince’s fault!”

Puring muttered his complaints about Demian.

“Master, that’s treason against the Imperial Family. Be careful.”

“I don’t mind dying for treason. This old man has lived long enough to fear nothing.”

After a regretful farewell with Puring, Meia and Juan arrived at the teleportation spot.

A freckled man with red hair in a green robe greeted Meia warmly as soon as he saw the Mage Tower wizard brooch on her chest.

“Hello. Ah! You are a wizard of the Mage Tower. The teleportation fee is free for wizards of the Mage Tower.”

“I have one companion.”

Juan, standing behind Meia, gave a slight nod and a light greeting to the red-haired wizard.

“Then I will make it free for him as well.”

“Thank you. Juan, let’s go.”

“Yes, Lady.”

“Where would you like the coordinates to be set?”

“The Grand Duchy of Florence in the Sirius Empire.”

“Understood. Have a pleasant journey, beautiful wizard.”

After Meia left, Marcus, the eldest son and heir of Marquis Ferzen of the Carpen Empire, arrived at the Mage Tower.

He had teleported to the Mage Tower in Teillon.

Marcus hadn’t planned to come to the Mage Tower, but after repeatedly having his love letters and expensive gifts returned, he couldn’t bear it anymore and came to the Mage Tower where Meia was.

It was uncertain if he would meet her, but he couldn’t just stay in Carpen doing nothing.

Before coming to the Mage Tower, he had sent a marriage proposal to the family, but it was rejected, leaving his mouth dry.

<There are too many engagement and marriage proposals, so the Ducal family decided to reject them all. Even the Imperial Family is no exception.>

He expected many competitors, but to reject even the Imperial Family’s proposal…

Rumor had it that Duke Luman had rejected an offer of five diamond mines. Therefore, Marcus decided that he must woo Meia directly to win her over from all competitors.

And eight days later, Marcus teleported to Teillon and stood in front of the Mage Tower.

By his own assessment, this was quite a good plan.

He was confident he could woo her.

The reality of being able to talk to her face-to-face, rather than watching from afar, was not a dream.

Thinking about the future where he could marry Meia excited Marcus immensely.

He couldn’t help but hum a tune. But unfortunately, his humming soon ceased.

He ran into Prince Demian in front of the Mage Tower.

“Ah, Prince Demian?”

Marcus, who had heard Demian boasting in the social circles about making Meia his consort, felt displeased.

Still, he had to greet him politely.

“Prince Demian, fancy meeting you here.”

“Isn’t this Marquis Ferzen’s heir? Or should I say, young Marquis now?”

Their gazes clashed in midair.

“Yes, I have become the young Marquis. What brings you to Teillon, Prince?”

In response to Marcus’s question, Demian’s eyes sparkled as he answered.

“I’m here to propose to Lady Meia.”

Marcus hid his discomfort and spoke to Demian.

“Oh, I see. I’m also on my way to propose to Lady Meia. Let’s go together, Prince.”

“You are quite brazen, young Marquis”

“Could you call it thick-skinned instead?”

Their gazes clashed again in midair.

The two entered the Mage Tower and immediately searched for Meia.

And the answer they received was…

“She has left.”

Bang!

Demian slammed his fist on the table in the reception room on the first floor of the Mage Tower.

“What do you mean she has left!”

Upon hearing of Demian’s arrival, Puring had ordered all wizards to stay away from the reception room, saying he would meet with him personally.

As soon as Puring said Meia wasn’t there, Demian got angry and slammed the table with his hand.

‘What a temper.’

Puring composed himself and spoke to Marcus and Demian, who had come looking for Meia.

“She read the requests that came to the Mage Tower and left on an official Mage Tower request as a wizard. By the way, the lady has officially registered as a wizard in the Mage Tower.”

Marcus urgently asked Puring.

“Can you tell us where she went?”

Puring stood up, lightly tapped the floor with his staff, and shouted.

“O will of the Mage Tower, can you tell us where the wizard Meia Hatzbellua has gone on her request?”

In response to Puring’s question, the walls of the Mage Tower echoed like a reverberation.

• We cannot disclose the location of the Mage Tower wizard. Therefore, we cannot reveal the location of the wizard Meia Hatzbellua.

Puring shrugged and looked at Demian and Marcus.

“The Mage Tower always speaks the truth and accurately. I do not know Lady Meia’s location either. I also don’t know what request she took.”

“Do you really not know, Great Wizard Puring?”

“Prince, I do not know. Of course, even the Mage Tower has a way to reveal the location of a wizard.”

“What is it!”

“If Lady Meia committed a crime serious enough to be wanted, the Mage Tower would reveal her location.”

At Puring’s last words, Marcus sighed and sat down, lowering his head.

However, Demian just stared at Puring with eyes full of distrust.

“I don’t believe it.”

“What do you mean?”

“When did Lady Meia leave the Mage Tower, and is she really not here?”

Puring felt as if he had glimpsed the Prince Demian’s obsession.

Despite hearing the voice of the Mage Tower, he refused to accept reality.

Puring could somewhat understand why Meia had left immediately.

He once again lifted his staff and gently tapped the floor.

“O truthful Mage Tower, is the wizard Meia Hatzbellua in the Mage Tower?”

The Mage Tower responded immediately.

• Wizard Meia Hatzbellua has left on a request from the Mage Tower. Therefore, she is not in the Mage Tower.

Gripping his staff firmly, Puring looked down coldly at Prince Demian and said,

“Does that answer your question, Prince? Please leave the Mage Tower now.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Demian frowned. Marcus just lowered his head deeply.

Demian stared indifferently at Puring. Then, with a chilly smirk, he said,

“I will place a request with the Mage Tower.”

Puring felt a chill run down his spine.

He had thought Demian would give up and return to his homeland, but to suddenly say he would place a request left him speechless.

Still, he couldn’t show his astonishment.

Puring cleared his throat a few times and asked,

“What kind of request will you make?”

“Find Lady Meia Hatzbellua for me. I’ll pay 10 million gold as a deposit. If you find her, I’ll give ten times the deposit.”

He was talking about an unimaginable amount for a request. It was enough to buy an entire island and live like a king.

“Prince Demian, do not joke about requests to the Mage Tower.”

“I’m a prince who has nothing but money. If you can find her, I’ll give you as much money as you want.”

Demian looked at Puring with a triumphant smile, and Puring glared at him intently.