On Official Duty with My Tower Master Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 87

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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 87
‘…Was there poison in the cup?’
As I stared down at the teacup, the mercenary’s hand suddenly shot out and snatched it away.
“Not planning to drink? Then I’ll have it instead.”
“…!”
Without leaving a single drop, he gulped down the tea in one long draught.
“Tastes good. I do miss the Eastern Continent—rubbed a bit of homespice along the rim. It’s good for the body too, so do give it a try.”
“…….”
I eyed the Crimson Pouch the mercenary had set down beside the cup.
Whether it contained poison or not didn’t matter.
Right now, that mercenary was signaling that he could harm me and this residence without ever drawing a blade, whenever he pleased.
And he was being terribly direct about it.
“By the way, we’ve crossed paths before, haven’t we? At an inn, if I recall.”
“Have we?”
I hid the chill running through me and mentally rechecked the bell’s position.
I’d thought only I had spotted that mercenary at the Melgote 2nd Princess Residence, but he’d noticed me as well.
“At the residence, and also at the Central Barrier in Melgote.”
I nearly reached for the bell in alarm.
‘He was there too? I didn’t know that.’
Cade had warned me that it would be dangerous if anyone learned who could adjust the barrier’s anchor points.
So I’d drawn a veil to keep those approaching enemies from seeing me—but apparently I’d left a gap.
‘I looked around and didn’t see him anywhere. So the tales about Easterners having superior senses are true after all.’
Given how chaotic things had been, neither Cade nor Tris would have noticed the mercenary’s presence.
“Isn’t your greeting running rather long? Why don’t you tell me what brought you here?”
“First, let me reintroduce myself, since you seem to have forgotten my name. I’m Choyun.”
“Right. Choyun. Go on.”
Choyun set down her cup, a smile on her face that would have felt reassuring had she been on my side.
“You already know why I’m here, don’t you? I’ve come to collect what was stolen.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow. I haven’t taken anything.”
“It’s not just my eyesight that’s keen—my sense of smell is too. When I appeared at the Central Barrier, the stench of dying magical beasts carried on the wind, thick and unmistakable.”
“…….”
I hadn’t realized she could detect the scent of the Crystal Whale and the other beasts locked in the warehouse.
Come to think of it, she’d claimed what was on my teacup was merely spice, but I’d smelled nothing.
‘With that much in the Crimson Pouch, there’s no way I wouldn’t have caught it. Just how subtle an aroma can she detect?’
If the Grand Duke of Melgote hired her, Choyun must be an exceptionally skilled warrior among the Easterners. Perhaps her natural acuity had honed her five senses to this degree.
As I stood silent, merely watching her, Choyun shrugged.
“You’re a civil servant—you know better than anyone. I simply do what those above me command.”
“They must pay you well.”
“It’s not about the money.”
Easterners were renowned mercenaries, blessed with a warrior’s strength that set them apart—their physical prowess made them highly sought after.
Naturally, they commanded higher fees than most. Yet if not for money, then why?
“If not money, what could possibly be enough to hire someone like you?”
“Ha!”
Choyun laughed with hearty amusement, as though I’d said something genuinely funny.
“You cannot give me what I want, girl. Even the Tower Master cannot.”
“Are you saying you’re repaying some debt?”
“Hardly. Does the Grand Duke strike you as someone who dispenses favors? I wouldn’t want to linger near such a person anyway.”
“Then why—?”
As I fumbled for an answer, Choyun leaned closer with a subtle smile and whispered.
“The Grand Duke promised that once she becomes Tower Master, she’ll make me a Magical Swordmaster. Can you do that for me?”
“…….”
I studied Choyun’s waist.
A long, sturdy scabbard hung from her belt. There was no trace of magical power emanating from her.
‘So she’s promising to make someone without any mana into a Magical Swordmaster. Just like how the Grand Duke used Black Magic to become a wizard.’
I’d thought she was simply trying to hold onto her position as Grand Duke, but she was still after the Tower Master’s seat.
I rose to break the heavy silence and opened the window.
Cool air rushed in, though the fireplace kept the room from growing too cold.
Choyun, having stepped back from the bell, fixed her gaze on me as I stood by the window. Even that alone radiated a formidable aura that felt threatening.
When I didn’t flinch and met her stare instead, Choyun’s mouth curled up at one corner.
“You’ve grown rather close to the wizards lately, I’ve noticed. But do you know? These days, wizards are frequently tasked with operations in treacherous terrain. The sort of places where anything could happen without raising an eyebrow.”
“…….”
“If you simply returned what was taken, those assignments might decrease. What do you say?”
So she was here to threaten me, despite all her rambling. The important thing now was not to show fear.
Whether Choyun believed it or not, I’d decided to deny everything today. I couldn’t let the evidence smuggled from the warehouse be taken from me here.
“I’m not sure what ‘item’ you’re referring to. But even if something were in my possession, if it’s an object that should be reported as an Imperial Palace Official, I cannot dispose of it privately.”
“I could simply kill everyone in this residence and take it.”
“Not today, you can’t.”
“What?”
Choyun’s eyes narrowed as though she hadn’t heard me correctly.
At that same instant, an overwhelming surge of magical power erupted from beneath the cabinet behind her.
Rumble—rumble—rumble.
“What the—!”
Tris materialized suddenly and expanded her form; the mercenary’s hand flew to her scabbard as she bounded onto the table.
As a servant beast bearing the Tower Master’s power, the killing intent that radiated from her was bone-chilling.
Beyond the open window behind me, massive winged magical beasts had taken up positions.
These were the creatures I regularly fed to prevent them from hunting livestock—beasts whose fearsome appearance matched their formidable temperament.
At the mercenary’s shocked expression, I returned a subtle smile.
“With not a drop of mana in your body, you naturally wouldn’t sense a beast approaching with its presence suppressed. Predators excel at concealment—and I’m skilled at calling them.”
The beasts’ cries would have alerted the servants in the reception room to the commotion.
Timid Tali had likely already rushed off to report to the Security Guard.
With the disturbance now raised, the mercenary could certainly anticipate that much.
“It’s gotten late. I suggest you leave. And I’d prefer you didn’t return without an invitation.”
“…….”
Choyun withdrew her hand from the scabbard and descended from the table in silence.
“I’ve just thought of something I’ll do once I’m a Magical Swordmaster.”
“I’m not interested.”
“I’ll freeze half of you and burn the other half.”
Rumble—rumble—rumble—rumble.
At the mercenary’s words, Tris lowered herself into an aggressive stance, growling threateningly.
The mercenary masked her frustration, kicked open the reception room door, and stormed out.
‘Drawing a blade makes all the difference?’
Wizards have mana; swordmasters have blades. I have magical beasts.
***
After watching the mercenary disappear completely from the residence, I gathered the servants and reassured them.
“When the Security Guard arrives, tell them the intruder fled that way. And give the magical beasts some food—they should be calm by now.”
“Yes, miss. But, um—are you all right? There’s a magical beast we’ve never seen before…….”
Jack, one of the servants, pointed at the enormous fox-form magical beast and asked cautiously.
It made sense to be startled—there was no land-dwelling beast in this area as large as Tris.
“This is Tris. She’s a magical beast from Melgote who follows me well, and she helped speed our visitor along.”
“You brought her from Melgote? Where was she hiding all this time? Since you arrived, I’ve never seen such a creature.”
“I’ve been wondering about that myself, actually. Could you gather some snacks for Tris to eat?”
I watched Jack bow and hurry off to the kitchen, then finally spread both arms wide.
“Tris! How in the world did you get here?”
Squeak! Squeak!
Tris quickly shrank to her small form and bounded into my arms.
It had been days since I’d seen her—this joy was almost too much to bear.

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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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