My Husband Is Not the Magic Tower Master - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 11

The play we were to watch was a light romantic comedy that had recently swept through the residents of Stein Territory.
I cast a spell on the Hairpin, Earrings, and Outer garment, slipped them into Lucas’s shirt pocket, then glanced sideways at his face.
From what I knew, Lucas despised plays.
Especially convoluted love triangles and quadrangles tangled in passion.
He was so fiercely jealous that he’d want to drive every man who showed interest in Eline out of the Magic Tower.
There was no way he’d find pleasure watching such petty male-female drama—it gave him migraines just to look at.
Petty and childish man. That was how I decided to define him.
After buying tickets at the booth and taking our seats, the Male and Female Leads had just begun their quiet conversation.
I rested my chin on the armrest and listened intently to the lovers’ quarrel that unfolded.
‘The Male Lead’s been wavering toward another woman.’
Upon learning this, the Female Lead thought her lover’s heart had changed, and in a fit of anger, spent a night with another man.
But after much deliberation, the Male Lead returned to his original lover, and began to rage at the Female Lead, feeling betrayed as she tried to settle things between them.
‘Whose fault is this disaster, really?’
That was the very theme of this play.
Soon both actors, seeking the audience’s approval, called out loudly to the seats. Their faces looked quite aggrieved.
“Everyone. Was I so wrong?”
“Ha ha ha.”
I nodded with laughter, following the crowd’s cheers. Some people waved their thumbs downward in mockery toward whichever side they thought was at fault.
‘I wonder what this Male Lead of mine thinks.’
I turned to look beside me. Lucas had yet to show any reaction.
But since entering the Theater, he’d been watching the play with eyes even more absorbed than mine.
Noticing the couples whispering to each other around us, I leaned in and whispered to him tactfully.
“How is it? This kind of atmosphere is unfamiliar to you, isn’t it?”
“…It’s not unpleasant. It doesn’t seem to deal in stories far from reality.”
“Exactly. Unlike an opera, this is a masterpiece where the joys and sorrows of ordinary people are vividly woven in.”
Love and parting are not so distant. I had, quite unwittingly, found myself caught in the very heart of it.
I straightened my body, which had leaned toward him, turning my attention back to the stage.
But I didn’t awkwardly end the conversation.
“…To be honest, I thought you wouldn’t be interested in this sort of thing. I was sorry to trouble you earlier.”
My apology for flatly refusing his suggestion was only half sincere.
Still, I couldn’t entirely overlook the effort he’d made.
“Opera Tickets are in high demand and must have been difficult to obtain. I’ll accept your kindness with gratitude.”
Because of it, he was beginning to feel different to me.
Though the iron wall strategy had failed, the time I’d spent with Lucas proved unexpectedly bearable.
In my previous life, I’d been a film enthusiast; in this one, I’d grown fond of plays.
I’d have liked to see them often, but Eline wasn’t particularly fond of plays.
Films could be watched alone well enough, but plays with an audience required watching together for the best effect.
Knowing it was impossible, I still found myself wishing, however briefly, that he could have been my friend.
At the same time, I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again.
Get a grip. Don’t cross the line.
“…That’s fine. I can just pass the ticket to an acquaintance.”
“Ah. Then that’s a relief.”
His words made my heart feel considerably lighter.
I’d just been thinking I might reimburse him for the ticket, assuming it was a non-refundable ending.
On stage, the Male Lead had already restored their relationship and was now asking the Female Lead out on a date.
Coincidentally, what came to me in a low, unhurried tone from the seat beside me was much the same.
“Or if there’s ample time remaining, I wouldn’t mind going with you to see it.”
“You meant it when you said you dislike operas.”
“…Then I should pass it along after all.”
Lucas replied stiffly.
As I turned my head slightly and swallowed a laugh, it seemed his blue eyes wavered for a moment.
While I did prefer plays to opera, above all, I declined the aftertheater invitation of a man who belonged to someone else.
…Perhaps if the person beside me had been someone different, I might have accepted in small measure.
‘Why does he keep coming to mind? That person.’
I shook my head sharply from side to side. Fatigue, perhaps.
Silence had settled around us by then, and I was just about to refocus on the play when it happened.
“Monsters! The Territorial Defense Barrier is breached! Monsters are coming through!”
The commotion outside was so loud that screams echoed even into the theater. The Monster Intrusion Alert in the Square must have been activated.
“…Monsters, you say….”
“…The communications…”
The play stopped immediately, and alarmed patrons began filing out of their seats one by one.
I waited for the exits to clear a little before rising.
My date with Lucas was over.
‘I suppose I’ll have to head back to the Magic Tower.’
Instead of satisfaction from wrapping up my shift without incident, a sigh escaped me. And here I’d fought so hard just to leave work on time.
Monsters with the tact of rice mixed into a meal bowl — that’s what they were like.
As I clenched and unclenched my fists in frustration, Lucas stood quietly beside me, surveying the chaotic surroundings.
“Extra! Extra!”
When we reached the Square, a newsboy’s voice cut through the wailing alarms. People were hurrying away from him in disorder.
Some collided with one another and fell; others climbed onto Errand Carriages without bothering to pick up hats they’d dropped along the way.
I frowned.
The security Magic of Stein Territory had only weakened temporarily — surely the monsters hadn’t actually breached into the city proper. Still, I worried this might trigger other accidents.
Just then, something flickered before my eyes.
‘Speak of the devil.’
An Emergency Express Magic message from the Magic Tower. I exhaled quietly as I reviewed the department-specific emergency response protocol visible only to designated recipients.
A glance showed that Lucas had received no such message; his face remained calm.
Which made sense — the Management Department, where the Crown Prince worked, reviewed the validity of incident responses after the fact.
The immediate task of repairing the Territorial Defense Barrier fell to the Security Division.
“I’ll escort you to the Tower.”
Lucas, who had been shielding my shoulders to keep me from being jostled by the crowd, spoke up.
“No, thank you. I think it’s better we go our separate ways now.”
I stepped forward and carefully put distance between his hand and my shoulder.
‘I won’t even stop by home — I’ll go straight there.’
As expected, the situation didn’t seem critical yet, but I felt the urgency keenly.
Watching ordinary citizens panic and mill about, I could feel the fear they were experiencing in my bones.
If civilians were injured, who would sustain the peaceful society I hoped to enjoy in retirement?
My future comfort was under real-time threat — a genuine emergency.
“I’ll head out first. Thank you for today.”
“Let me come with you—”
“I’d rather not. The Management Department hasn’t even received a Mobilization Order yet, so you should rest while you can. It’s precious weekend time.”
Without looking back, I flagged down a passing Errand Carriage and climbed aboard.
“Where to, miss?”
“The Magic Tower, please. And quickly, if you would.”
“Ah, I’ll need to engage the booster.”
The driver, realizing I was a mage, immediately hit the acceleration button mounted on the carriage.
In an emergency, cooperation came swiftly.
Whoooosh.
Wind and Fire Magic activated simultaneously, and the carriage began to lift into the air.
From inside the rising carriage, I glanced absently out the window.
I’d thought to wave goodbye to Lucas.
“…?”
The spot where he’d been standing was empty.
As though no one had ever been there at all.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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