The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 25

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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 25
Time flowed like water, and before long the day arrived to depart for the Grand Cathedral.
Cecilia gathered the heavy tome the Archbishop had left behind, a few changes of clothing, some jewels as precaution for unforeseen circumstances, and her favorite writing implements.
As she packed her modest belongings—light enough to fit easily in the travel case the craftsman had reinforced with multiple layers of leather—Melanie, who had been helping beside her, exhaled a shallow sigh.
“Are you reluctant to go?”
“Mmm.”
It wasn’t as though she’d be staying for an eternity, and the greatest problem with divine power had been resolved besides; yet that didn’t change the fact that she had no desire to walk willingly into such hardship.
A cathedral, no less. Unlike the dissolute life of a wayward noblewoman, it seemed she’d have to live in a far more austere manner, wouldn’t she?
In a word: dreadful.
“They won’t even let me nap there, or have any snacks.”
As she grumbled miserably, Melanie soothed her with practiced ease.
“There, there—if the chance comes, I’ll bring you Sacher Torte from Sweets in secret, so do cheer up.”
The Sacher Torte sold at Sweets, the finest dessert shop in Webadin, was something Melanie occasionally brought her as a grand reward.
But it was Cecilia Webadin’s favorite treat, not hers.
Unable to speak the truth, Cecilia merely nodded vaguely and then cast her gaze listlessly toward the window.
Far beyond, a high wall twined with vines came into view. Past that, a familiar mansion ought to lie.
‘I wanted to say goodbye to Rien one more time before I left, but I suppose it won’t be possible.’
As she had foreseen, on the day after her covert outing, the household filled with knights, and she found herself unable to leave her room, let alone attend lessons.
Fortunately, since she hadn’t caused any real incident, she escaped being scolded; but as a consequence, the day of departure arrived without her seeing him again.
‘I suppose I should be grateful I said goodbye beforehand.’
With a short sigh, Cecilia suddenly touched her neck. The smooth, round amber pendant had warmed against her skin, turning tepid.
And then she recalled—the hand that had brushed her at that same warmth, and the smile bathed in sunset.
“My, miss! Your face is flushed—are you feeling hot?”
“It’s summer, I suppose.”
Yes, the flushed cheeks and the beating heart—it was all the fault of summer drawing so near.
She waved her hand to cool the heat and suddenly sprang to her feet.
“I’m going to find Charles for a moment!”
“You should hurry—you’ll be leaving soon!”
“Mmm!”
Cecilia left the room at once, clearing her throat once loudly and once softly, then called out for Charles.
If she couldn’t see Rien, at least she ought to say goodbye to Charles.
She would have liked to bring him along, but cats were territorial creatures. No matter how intelligent—clever enough to claim both the front yard and the neighbor’s flower bed as his domain—taking him outside would certainly cause him stress.
She’d meant to hand-feed him some treats before she left, since she wouldn’t see him for some time; but Charles seemed to have claimed even this sprawling mansion entirely as his territory, for he was nowhere to be found.
“Charles! I know you can hear me!”
What a vexing cat, toying with his mistress like this.
The moment she resolved to give his rear end a proper swat when she found him—
Meow.
The sound of Charles’s voice came from not far away.
It was the small study adjoining her bedchamber—the darkest corner, as the saying goes.
“Charles? How long have you been here?”
Charles lay curled up in the lowest shelf of the walnut bookcase that took up one entire wall.
Goodness knew how he’d managed to pry the books aside and squeeze in.
Cecilia hastily tidied the scattered volumes, then pulled Charles out.
“You’re covered in dust, you troublemaker.”
Meow!
Charles wriggled out of her grasp before she could properly hold him, so she carefully let him go.
An affectionate parting seemed destined for the next life.
As she tried to reshelve the scattered books, she noticed the depth into which they fit seemed oddly inconsistent.
‘What’s this?’
Looking more closely, a small notebook lay horizontally in the deep recesses of the bookcase.
Cecilia withdrew it and sat down on the floor, examining it carefully.
Though somewhat dusty, it didn’t appear to be very old.
‘Could this be…?’

<Year xxx, the Ninth Day of the Month of Verdancy.
I began this diary at my physician's suggestion.
Truthfully, I purchased this notebook to use when memorizing prayers, but I trust the Lord will forgive me for employing it for my private concerns.
At first I refused, calling it tedious, but the physician said that keeping a diary allows one to reflect upon one's circumstances and inner self, which helps manage anxious emotions.
That such a simple act—merely arranging words on a page—could have such a remarkable effect seemed hard to believe.
And yet, having no one to confide in about my troubles, I thought perhaps it might be worthwhile to make use of even this scrap of paper.
So I decided to fill in the gaps, fragmentary though they were.
It was Cecilia's diary—the one I'd searched for so desperately in those early days after possession, trying to piece together her empty memories and uncover why I'd awakened in this body.
I'd hunted for it so thoroughly that when I found nothing, I'd concluded it didn't exist at all.
So it was with a rather hollow feeling that I turned the page.
"Miss, are you up here? Everything's ready—you need to come down now!"
"I'm coming right down!"
I wanted to read just a bit more.
'Should I take it with me?'
After a moment's hesitation, Cecilia shook her head, returned the diary to its place, and slid the book back carefully into the shelf.
It wasn't hidden in a desk drawer—it was concealed with this much care for a reason, someone didn't want it seen. Taking it to the temple, which wasn't exactly private and saw all manner of people coming and going, felt wrong somehow.
Cecilia reached over and stroked Charles's back as he stretched with his rear end thrust out, then rose from her seat.
"I'll be back soon, Charles."
Reluctant though I was, opening Pandora's box would have to wait until everything else was finished.
* * *
She emerged outside to the sharp tap of quick footsteps, greeted by a large carriage fully prepared, a coachman, several knights dispatched for escort, and her brother.
Nox stood combing back his hair, which gleamed like ripples of light beneath the sun, as he spoke with the coachman while holding a map.
'If he'd just keep his mouth shut, he'd look fine.'
It was a pity his character was so thoroughly corrupted.
Perhaps he felt the weight of her stare, for Nox turned his head toward her.
"Good morning, Cecilia."
His voice was sweet enough to bring blushes to the servants nearby. But Cecilia made no effort to hide her displeasure.
"You're really going all the way to the Grand Cathedral with me?"
"Of course. Since I won't be able to stay with you the whole time, I should at least see you off. And I have things to pass along to the temple."
Perhaps it was the stern face she'd worn before the marquis last time—Nox had said he would only travel there with her, not remain at the temple itself.
[Cecilia, I have far more to do than you do.]
How infuriating he'd been saying that.
She'd been irritated enough to furrow her brow even at the good news that she wouldn't have him hovering around all day.
"Well, now that Cecilia's here, shall we depart?"
Cecilia took Nox's hand and climbed into the carriage.
"Do take care of yourself, Miss!"
"I will, don't worry."
Melanie waved goodbye with a worried expression on her face.
Cecilia gazed back at the receding estates of Webadin and Rien, then let her body sink against the seat.
Based on past experience, falling asleep quickly was the best strategy.
But despite her efforts, she barely lasted before the carriage sickness set in as before, Nox was thoroughly amused by the sight, and the carriage finally reached its destination after half a day's journey.
Cecilia, who had been half-lying across the seat, carefully descended from the carriage.
"Welcome, Your Holiness."
Greeting them were Miguel, the Vice-Commander of the Holy Knight Order, and Archbishop Kiar.
'Not even novice priests—the Archbishop and a Vice-Commander.'
It was a combination too daunting, leaving her feeling even more unsettled.
Particularly so given the dark shadow drawn across the Archbishop's face, as though he'd been dragged here against his will.
Yet Nox seemed oblivious to the oppressive mood hanging at its breaking point. He descended from the carriage lightly
and greeted them with an easy smile.
"It's been a long time, Your Grace."
"Yes, indeed……."
Kiar gave a half-hearted nod and ambled into the shade without really listening.
Nox, unbothered by the Archbishop's oddness, extended his hand toward Miguel.
"Since you came to pick us up, I take it you've been assigned as Cecilia's escort?"
"Escort?"
An escort for their idol, the Holy Maiden, within a temple filled with devout believers—
Cecilia's brow furrowed at the unexpected remark.
"There was an incident last time, remember? I was too anxious leaving her alone. I thought assigning an escort would give me peace of mind, but a Webadin knight can't exactly wander about the Grand Cathedral freely, so—"
"So?"
"I just asked to have one of the Holy Knights attached to her. Good idea, yes?"
Nox rubbed beneath his nose with evident self-satisfaction.
He went on spouting nonsense about how she should feel reassured and shouldn't bother thanking him, but all Cecilia felt was exasperated.
"What about my opinion?"
"Why would that matter?"
At the sincere question, her face twisted despite herself.
Just before words too crude for a temple could tumble from her lips, Nox—whose instincts were annoyingly sharp—spoke first.
"Surely you're not unhappy about it? His Highness has already given his consent. Or is it because your partner is Miguel that you object?"

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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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