On Official Duty with My Tower Master Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 41

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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 41
The last time we’d parted, it had been awkward, and since I’d been avoiding him so blatantly, even meeting his gaze felt strange.
He let out a low growl, his expression darkening with irritation.
“What are you doing here? Leave. Now.”
…….
I’d heard the same words when we first met at the Magic Tower.
Then and now, I stood before him in the same position.
“I came to work.”
“If you get caught up in this, it’ll be a headache for me.”
“I didn’t come here to fight the monster beasts.”
“Leave.”
Cade was stubborn, but I was no less so.
“Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed? Even if not for you, it would be for the others.”
I gestured around us at the confused magical beasts.
“Frightened beasts could cause even more chaos.”
…….
“And in a disaster like this, people will be reassured just knowing there’s even one civil servant from the Imperial Government here.”
When I pointedly displayed my Civil Servant ID hanging around my neck, he stopped pressing me further.
He looked as though he wanted nothing more than to sweep me away that instant, but finding some merit in my argument, he offered no reply and simply vanished with a swoop toward the monster beasts.
I picked up the blankets I’d brought and approached the people loading the injured and supplies onto a cart.
“Excuse me. I’ve come from the Imperial Government. I’ve brought some blankets—is there anything else you need?”
“The Imperial Government? A civil servant from the Imperial Government?”
“Yes! Look at the uniform. It’s a Civil Servant Uniform.”
The faces of people hardened by despair and fear softened into expressions of relief at the sight of the Civil Servant Uniform.
“Miss. Please, save us. The shop is completely destroyed, and—ugh…….”
“My father’s leg is injured too. He’s elderly, and if things continue like this…….”
“You must have been so frightened. I’ll request help from the nearest administrative office right away. Medical supplies will arrive quickly as well.”
I listened to the people’s stories while carefully recording the damage situation.
“But even if you catch all those beasts, what about our shop? The boats are all destroyed.”
“I’ll send word directly to the Imperial Government about the situation, so please don’t worry too much. Supplies will come, and temporary housing will be arranged within Melgote.”
Each time I exchanged words and promised provisions, the expressions of those seeking shelter brightened just a little.
Though I couldn’t slay the monster beasts or protect people the way the wizards did, I could meticulously record the damage and offer solutions, easing people’s worries even slightly.
In a situation like this, that too was important public work.
***
Even as we evacuated people toward the center of Melgote, magical beasts continued to appear in various places.
Because they kept disappearing into small buildings that might collapse under the monster beasts’ assault, I had to remain at the Dock.
“It’s alright. The beasts will be dealt with quickly. It’s dangerous, so come this way.”
I calmed the agitated magical beasts’ emotions and guided them to escape by safer routes.
I was too busy spreading out maps and checking the paths to avoid encounters between people and beasts.
‘I should have done some sightseeing in Melgote sooner.’
It was while dashing between beasts and people, thinking thoughts that were useless now, that I heard it.
Screech-screech! Screech!
The frightened cry of a magical beast came from somewhere nearby.
Seizing a gap when no monster beasts were visible, I rushed toward the sound.
Upon checking, I found a magical beast struggling with its tail caught in a doorframe.
“There’s a wider door right beside this one—why did you come through here?”
Screech…….
The moment I hastily reached out to free the beast’s tail.
……!
A massive shadow loomed overhead. Simultaneously, the magical beast’s terror spiked sharply.
Suppressing a dread that seemed to fill even my chest, I slowly turned around.
A monster beast with a grotesquely mixed form—part jellyfish, part mantis—stood gaping its maw with a threatening roar.
An eerie chill crept across my skin, but I couldn’t afford to move carelessly.
I slowly positioned myself in front of the trembling magical beast.
“C-calm down. If you need something, should we try to talk?”
Though I’d never attempted it before, I felt compelled to try Communion with the monster beast.
The moment I did, my stomach churned and nausea surged, forcing me to clap my mouth shut.
“Ugh, blech……!”
The viscous, corrupted emotions seemed to tear through my insides.
Screech-screech-screech!
The terrified magical beast thrashed violently to break free from the doorframe.
That seemed to provoke it, and the monster beast no longer held back, lunging straight at me.
“Ahhhhh!”
I could only watch, unable even to close my eyes, as the beast swung its sharp tentacles toward me.
In that instant, something flashed brilliantly, and the beast’s movement ceased.
Its body was sliced diagonally and dropped with a wet thud.
As the horrific upper half disappeared, Cade emerged from behind it.
He was casually wiping the blood from his cheek with his sleeve.
“C-Cade.”
Too stunned to form words, I stared blankly as he looked between me and the dead beast as though assessing a troublesome situation.
Then he pulled the magical beast’s tail free from the doorframe and thrust the creature into my arms.
“Take this too.”
He promptly vanished toward the end of the Dock, and I realized now that he’d been rescuing people in danger while subjugating the monster beasts.
Had I not looked around and turned back, I’d never have known I was in peril.
People feared the Tower Master, yet they gladly accepted his aid.
It was I who evacuated those whom Cade had rescued to safety.
After calming the magical beast and sending it away, I kept stealing glances at Cade.
…….
…….
Though we weren’t close, I could tell he kept looking my way too.
Once the situation was largely under control, the wizards gathered the monster beasts’ corpses and burned them in great flames.
A sharp, acrid stench like burning toxic material assailed my nose.
The Dock was a mess from the fluids and blood that had spilled from the beasts’ bodies, and it seemed we’d need several days of cleanup.
I made sure to note that detail in my notebook as well.
True to my word to the people, I planned to send a dispatch to the Imperial Capital this very day.
While coughing through the thick smoke and moving my pen, Cade quietly approached beside me.
He kept his gaze fixed on the great flames consuming the monster beasts as he spoke.
“The new Official Document?”
“Ah, not yet.”
I reflexively covered my mouth, mortified at the lie I’d just uttered.
‘Why did I do that? What would hiding it accomplish?’
The moment it struck me that I’d concealed an official document, my spine went cold.
If I wasn’t giving the Tower Master the papers I should have, if I was hiding them, wouldn’t that be concealment of an official document compounded with dereliction of duty?
“What’s wrong? Do you feel sick?”
“No. It’s nothing like that. I’m fine.”
Unaware of my inner turmoil, Cade spoke flatly.
“The Library Books—aren’t you curious about them? If you want to see them, come to the Magic Tower tomorrow.”
He sounded like a pirate holding books hostage, yet somehow the words made me want to laugh.
Thanks to my hand covering my mouth, I managed to conceal the laughter that unexpectedly escaped.
***
The next day.
I felt a certain disappointment in myself for coming so readily.
‘Vivian Solling. Do you have no pride? How could you come to the Magic Tower right away today?’
I deliberately kept my thoughts elsewhere, refusing to dwell on this embarrassment.
For instance, on how disproportionately large Cade’s extended hand was…….
“Shall we go in?”
I stared at his outstretched hand—offered as though to guide me through the mirror—before carefully placing my hand atop his.
“By the way, I forgot to say this yesterday, but… thank you for saving my life.”
“……According to your reasoning, having an Imperial Government civil servant on scene did seem to calm people faster. I benefited from it too.”
To my awkward thanks, Cade replied with equal composure.
Standing side by side like this, holding hands, I felt an embarrassing warmth rising in me.
Suddenly, Cade’s face visibly hardened.
…….
Wondering if it was because of me, I flustered and withdrew my hand just as Ben burst through the office door with an urgent expression.
“Tower Master!”
“……Right. I can guess without being told.”
Cade turned to regard the doorway with a cold gaze before looking back at me.
“I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to visit the Library today. Ben, take the Inspector to the Inn.”
“Huh? But I…….”
With only those words, he vanished via Teleportation.
Everything happened so abruptly that I could only stare at Ben, whose expression was equally grim.
“Ben. Has something happened at the Magic Tower?”
Knowing he looked upon me unfavorably, I asked carefully.
Fortunately, he didn’t ignore me.
“We have a visitor.”
“A visitor? An important one, it seems? The Tower Master went to greet them personally.”
“The Grand Duke of Melgote has come to call.”

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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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