Chapter 76

It didn’t take long to prepare things so the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess could leave Duke Zan’s estate without causing significant disruption. This was partly thanks to their consistent efforts over time and partly due to their loyal staff.

Even so, being absent for too long was not ideal, so we decided to hasten our schedule as much as possible.

Julian and I headed to the Western Magic Tower, the most renowned of the magic towers. Due to the distance from the North, the journey was quite lengthy, so we had to spend a long time in the carriage. This allowed me time for deep contemplation, although my body grew somewhat weary.

The first reason for visiting the Magic Tower was to lift the curse on Julian and me. The second reason was to investigate the cause behind the sudden increase in demonic beasts.

A year from now, when the demonic beast extermination campaign takes place, there is no way the Winsley County family will be left out. Our family values honor more than anything, so even if I tried to dissuade them, they wouldn’t listen.

If that were all, I couldn’t stop my family either. I understood their pursuit of honor.

However, with Princess Abigail, who had surely reached out her black hand in the past, still active, the same outcome was highly likely to occur again. Yet, no plan to take down Princess Abigail immediately came to mind either.

‘If the surge of demonic beasts can be prevented in the first place, we might be able to buy some time.’

I opened the carriage window. As the wind blew in, a tall tower appeared beyond the winding road.

Standing proudly on a vast plain as far as the horizon, the white tower was even more beautiful than I had imagined. It seemed like a mysterious place from another world. I whispered in awe.

“You might catch a cold.”

Julian spoke in a concerned voice. I sat up straight and closed the window, but I couldn’t resist a retort.

“The West is much warmer than the North. I won’t catch a cold just by opening the window.”

“You get sick easily.”

Julian fussed over me, adjusting the shawl draped around my shoulders more securely. Not long ago, I thought of him as the cold Grand Duke of the North, but now that event felt like a distant memory. No one else could be so stern with others yet so gentle with me. I smiled and spoke confidently.

“Just wait until the curse is lifted. You won’t be repeating such things. After all, I’m the eldest daughter of the Count of Winsley. I was born with robust health.“

“I know that well.”

He said so, but it didn’t seem like he believed it. While I glared at him, the coachman signaled to stop the horses, and the carriage gradually slowed. Once the carriage came to a complete stop, the coachman opened the door.

Julian got off the carriage first and extended his hand to me. As I placed my hand in his, Julian raised an eyebrow.

“When those wizards lift the curse, I guess you’ll be able to take off that ring too.”

At those words, I touched the ring on my finger. Thien had given it to me, saying it would help block some of the curse.

I had been wearing it ever since, and since putting it on, I hadn’t coughed up blood or seen any illusions. It was helpful, so I kept it on, but it wasn’t exactly a piece that suited a noblewoman’s accessories. It was unavoidably thick because a magic circle had to be engraved on it.

“It is a bit clunky, isn’t it?”

“That’s not the problem.“

“Then what is?“

“It’s because that doctor gave it to you.”

I asked curiously.

“Why do you dislike Sir Yus so much? He’s quite a decent person. He’s even rather cheeky.“

“I’m not.”

About to ask, “What’s not?“ I was cut off as Julian wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started walking forward.

Following in another carriage, Thien hurried after us, complaining about his aching back. When I glanced back, he quickened his steps, smiling brightly as he caught up.

“My Lady, didn’t I tell you? A quarrel between a married couple is like cutting water with a knife! You two really are close. Ha, I’m being nagged all the time at home to get married myself…”

Watching Thien chatter enthusiastically made something dawn on me. I burst out laughing and whispered to Julian.

“It’s okay if you don’t have it.”

Julian continued walking forward, not looking back. Though his steps were unhurried, perhaps being mindful of my still-recovering legs.

I stood on my tiptoes, bringing my lips as close to Julian’s ear as possible, and whispered.

“You’re cute enough without cheekiness.”

At my whisper, Julian stopped dead in his tracks. Then, after gripping my shoulder tightly, he resumed walking. I chuckled, thinking he must be embarrassed.

Thien, who had been walking behind us, hurried to stand before the Magic Tower as it came into view. He knocked on the door.

But no response came immediately. Did they not hear it? As I wondered, Thien rubbed his forehead vigorously and apologized to us.

“Those guys are at it again. Excuse me for a moment.”

With that, Thien raised his hand high and knocked on the door with all his might. The polite knock from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

The loud knocking echoed through the quiet surroundings, almost as if he intended to break down the door. Inside, there was a crashing sound as something toppled over.

“It should open soon.”

Thien said this, and after a moment, there was a flurry of bustling noises. After more than five groans of “Ouch,“ the door finally creaked open. The loud creaking sound suggested it hadn’t been opened in quite some time.

The person who emerged from inside wore a robe haphazardly thrown on and had a beard that looked as if it had been crudely chopped. His graying hair suggested he was pretty old. Upon meeting Thien’s gaze, he exclaimed with joy.

“Lord Yus! What amusing things have you brought this time?”

His enthusiasm was anything but that of an old man. His eyes were filled with curiosity, and it was clear that he was more excited about whatever Thien had brought than about Thien himself.

“Oh, amusing things, you say? I’ve brought the Grand Duke and Duchess of Zan with me.“

“Grand Duke Zan!”

The old man, who was most certainly a wizard, pushed Thien aside with shining eyes. Spotting us, he opened his mouth wide and burst into loud laughter.

“Welcome, welcome! I’ve been waiting eagerly for you!”

He extended his hand, and contrary to my concerns based on his scruffy beard, it was spotless.

His nails were neatly trimmed, and he didn’t appear to lack nutrition. Just as I was about to take his hand, Julian gently pulled mine back and gestured with his chin towards the door.

It seemed to be his way of saying, “Let’s skip the chit-chat and head inside.“ The old wizard chuckled without taking offense and led the way in.

“Ah, my name is Bley. Wizards affiliated with the tower abandon their surnames. Just call me Bley.“

“I see. Nice to meet you, Bley.“

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.”

Receiving Bley’s greeting, I stepped inside the magic tower.

“Wow.”

I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of awe. As soon as we entered the tower, what caught my eye were the towering shelves filled with books. The walls seemed entirely lined with books.

A spiral staircase wound close to these shelves, disappearing into the ceiling at a certain height, making it impossible to guess what lay beyond.

“It seems like it would be easy to have an accident while retrieving books.“

“Haha. I believe there have been such incidents in the past. But we wizards are keen on living as long as possible, so we’re cautious. No need to worry too much.”

Bley said this while hopping over some books scattered on the floor. The crashing sound we had heard outside must have been caused by these books falling. After hesitating, I decided to take a detour around the books. Julian followed suit.

“How many floors do we need to go up?”

Julian asked, and Bley, still smiling, politely replied.

“Please go up to the fifth floor.”

The moment Julian heard this, he beckoned to me.

“Duchess, come here.”

I recoiled in horror and stepped away from him.

“No way! I’ll walk up myself. I’m fully recovered!”

Before Julian could grab me, I hurriedly gathered my skirt and dashed up the stairs. He looked displeased, but this wasn’t the grand duchy—it was the magic tower.

I had no desire to be carried up the stairs in his arms in front of wizards I’d never met.

I ascended the tower with Bley. As we reached the second floor, hidden from view by the ceiling, we entered a space filled with sofas and beds. Exhausted wizards lay fast asleep, undisturbed by our arrival.

The noisy conversation from downstairs suddenly felt out of place, but Bley, completely unconcerned, continued to speak loudly.

“Nothing to see here. Let’s keep going.”

As we ascended to the next floor, a sudden voice cacophony bombarded us. I was startled. With just one more step, the once-muted chatter became clearly audible.

“Is there a sound-blocking spell in place?”

I asked, realizing what was happening, and Bley nodded with satisfaction.

“Indeed. Once wizards start talking, they can lose track of several days. Soundproofing is essential in the magic tower.”

Apparently, my assumption that the magic tower would be gloomy and filled with strange smells was just a prejudice. The wizards were in their respective rooms, shouting at each other, seemingly on the verge of arguing. But none of their words were intelligible to me.

As we ascended to the next floor, the noise abruptly disappeared, and suddenly, we were in a dining hall. The bizarre layout of the magic tower almost made me laugh. The wizards who were eating stared at us curiously, clearly intrigued by the presence of strangers.

“Bley, are those people…?“

“Nothing for you to worry about!”

Bley cut off my question, and the wizards, seeming to understand this as their answer, stared at us with their mouths agape. Feeling uncomfortable under their gaze, I quickly approached the next floor.

At last, we reached the fifth floor.

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