On Official Duty with My Tower Master Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 35

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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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Chapter 35
“Tris…”
I lifted the fluffy magical beast into my arms and met its eyes.
“Did you threaten and intimidate the civil servants alongside him? You’re doing a splendid job as the Tower Master’s familiar.”
Those mysterious, luminous pink eyes darted away sideways, as if avoiding my gaze.
[Chirp?]
Cade waved Ben off dismissively, playing dumb himself.
There was a natural understanding between familiar and master, perhaps, but they seemed to get along better than I’d expected.
A faint, acrid smell hung in the closed office—the stench of singed hair and clothing, no doubt.
The moment I set Tris down on the floor, the creature began grooming the soot clinging to the tip of its tail.
“There were so many civil servants today looking for a Seal.”
“There were. Swarming like rats, spouting the same drivel, every last one of them—”
Cade broke off mid-reply, rubbing the back of his neck before continuing.
“They came in insufferable numbers.”
“But it doesn’t look like you stamped any of them.”
“I made a promise with you.”
…
I’d meant it as a teasing probe, but the matter-of-fact way he delivered those words left me momentarily speechless.
As I fumbled for what to say next, Cade reached out his hand.
…?
I stared at that large hand blankly until he grasped mine and escorted me forward.
“I’ll show you the Library. That was your purpose, after all.”
“Oh. Um, yes. Let’s go to the Library.”
My fingertips, numbed by the cold, were suddenly wrapped in warmth.
He led me before a Mirror.
In that eerily pristine Mirror, I could see my own reflection being escorted by Cade.
Perhaps because the scene felt too surreal.
Though I’d come eager to see the Tower Master’s Library, my entire mind was concentrated at my fingertips, and without thinking, my hand trembled slightly.
At that, he gripped my hand more firmly.
“Bear with it a little, even if it’s uncomfortable. We need to hold on this way to enter the Mirror.”
“It’s not uncomfortable, it’s…”
“It’s…?”
Cade gazed at me through the Mirror’s reflection.
…That waiting expression, as if curious what I’d say next.
Whenever I swallowed back my words, Cade looked at me exactly like that.
Feeling the joined hand grow hotter where his gaze touched it, I glanced away.
“Your hand is too warm.”
“…Those annoying guests kept coming all day. I had to keep the fire burning.”
“Right, true. Let’s go inside quickly now.”
I urged him forward, afraid that if we stood before the Mirror any longer, I’d lose my composure entirely.
At that, Tris trotted over and plastered itself against my side.
Its tail gently wrapped around both Cade’s and my ankles at once, then released them with a soft swish.
“You’re coming too?”
[Chirp!]
It seemed this wasn’t Cade’s first time bringing Tris into the Library; he paid the creature no attention.
“Let’s go.”
When he pulled me forward, I stepped where he led.
A cold, gossamer veil seemed to pass through my entire body, and I shivered.
Whether as reassurance or comfort, Cade squeezed my hand once and released it.
I curled my hand around his and covered it with my other palm.
Even after his hand slipped away, I wanted to hide the lingering warmth at my fingertips.
Cade pointed to what looked like a corridor.
“This is inside the Mirror. The passage leading to the Library.”
True to his word, inside the Mirror began with a dimly lit corridor.
[Chirp!]
The moment Tris entered, it bounded onto a table and hugged a flower vase.
But then, finding something odd, it widened its eyes and peered inside the vase before glancing back at Cade.
Even without reading its emotions, the emptiness in its gaze was unmistakable.
“Don’t look at me. Don’t ask me to find what isn’t here.”
[Chirp…!]
At Cade’s indifferent remark, Tris reared up on its hind legs as if struck.
Then it stretched its short legs fully and launched itself at its master in what looked like retaliation.
[Chirp!]
But before reaching him, the creature’s scruff was seized, leaving it dangling helplessly.
The retaliating Tris immediately grew docile once I brought it into my arms and held it.
[Chirp, chirp.]
Its fluffy tail wagged happily.
“Looks like you two bonded quickly.”
“Bonded, nonsense.”
Cade shot an displeased look at Tris before guiding us to the Library.
“Wow!”
The words spilled from my lips unbidden.
The Tower Master’s Library sprawled before us at the corridor’s end—immensely vast and impossibly tall, like three libraries combined into one.
Some books fluttered about with open covers like wings, while others repeatedly toppled and righted themselves like dominoes.
“Cade. This place is really incredible. And it’s…”
My wonder curdled as I looked around.
Books were shelved haphazardly, scattered across the floor. They hadn’t been returned to their proper places—the whole space was in utter disarray.
“It’s a complete mess.”
As I took in the chaotic Library, I began to worry whether finding a book here was even possible.
“Didn’t you say you were organizing the Library yesterday?”
“This is organized.”
“How can you manage a library this poorly and still call yourself a librarian?”
…
At my bewilderment, Cade merely touched the back of his head without answering, then moved ahead.
“So I can find books here, right?”
“Just follow closely.”
I followed him through the Library alongside Tris, taking in the sight.
Then a book with a gleaming spine caught my eye.
“Beautiful.”
The moment I pulled it out, as if enchanted, it opened of its own accord—and a serpent’s head suddenly lunged from the pages.
“Aaah!”
I shrieked and dropped the book. Cade pulled me against his shoulder.
“Careful.”
As the book fell, snakes began slithering from between its pages, fangs gleaming with venom.
Cade made a single gesture and sent the snakes back into the book, but he didn’t pick it up immediately.
“That’s a book you shouldn’t touch. It’ll return to its place on its own in time. Just leave it.”
“Ugh, what kind of book is that?!”
“This place is full of traps, so you need to follow carefully.”
“What?!”
I scurried after Cade as he resumed walking and asked.
“Traps? Why would there be traps somewhere only the Tower Master can enter?”
“You entered, didn’t you.”
“True, but…”
It made sense, but something felt off.
Even with the Tower Master’s permission, why would traps be necessary here?
Unless something had happened here before.
Or perhaps a previous Tower Master had simply had disagreeable tastes.
After being caught by the first book I pulled, I didn’t touch another until Cade stopped.
There were so many beautiful books I truly wanted to open, but without the ability to identify which were trapped, I had to restrain myself, reluctant though I was.
Then, the moment we turned a corner, an odd, tingly sensation passed through my chest and vanished.
“Ah…”
I stopped and pressed my hand to my chest. Cade drew near.
“What’s wrong? Does it hurt?”
“Something… No, it’s nothing. More importantly, is this it? The Ancient Language Library Section.”
The sensation had been too brief to explain, so I waved my hand off.
Cade looked briefly suspicious, scanning the area for traps before nodding.
“Right. This is it. And if you have any problems later, tell me.”
“I will. Can I start reading right away?”
“I can’t stay by your side the whole time, so take Tris with you. Don’t go anywhere this creature won’t let you go.”
Cade gave Tris explicit instructions to stay close to my side before turning to leave.
He seemed to have a book of his own to find in the Library.
A thought suddenly occurred to me, and I called after him.
“Is there no Magic to filter books by specific content?”
“If there were, I wouldn’t be suffering like this.”
Cade left only that curt reply before disappearing between the shelves.
‘…So I have to examine every single one of these books myself.’
The scale of the sprawling Library both thrilled and dizzied me.
With mixed feelings, I began opening the Ancient Language books.
“Tris, you can read Ancient Language, right?”
[Chirp, chirp?]
“Right. I figured as much.”

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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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