The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 46

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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 46
“Are you alright?”
A voice whispered near her ear, and she snapped back to herself. Without realizing it, she’d been gripping his forearm tightly—Miguel’s sleeve bore deep creases from her grasp.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Just say the word, and I’ll carry you and run.”
“…What? You’d carry me?”
Whether he’d offered the solution in all seriousness, his expression remained grave.
The image of Miguel dashing off with a Saint slung over his shoulder struck Cecilia as absurd enough to draw a soft laugh.
His ridiculous proposal had dissolved her tension entirely.
“I’ll ask you to do that another time.”
Cecilia stepped out from behind him with playful ease, then turned to face the Emperor squarely.
They had no reason whatsoever to welcome a Saint, yet they’d gone out of their way to invoke “courtesy” and mention her. There could be only one reason.
Mockery. Or perhaps a barb.
It was their way of telling her to attend to this unwelcome outsider in every manner possible.
But she had no intention of shrinking away.
‘Let them mock if they must.’
Compared to death threats, this was almost amusing.
Cecilia smiled deliberately and offered the Emperor a bow of acknowledgment—as if to say she gladly accepted their courtesy.
Seeing a response that defied his expectation, the Emperor wore a fleeting expression of uncertainty before gesturing to the orchestra to resume the festivities.
As sweet melodies began to flow, some guests drifted toward the center of the hall and began to dance.
Fortunately, half the attention directed at her scattered like dust.
Yet one misfortune remained: the other half still included the Emperor’s gaze.
The Emperor exchanged a word with his closest aide, then promptly sent a direct subordinate to summon her.
“His Majesty requests your presence.”
“…Very well.”
‘So it comes.’
She’d hoped he’d wait as long as possible before calling.
Since the summons had come for Cecilia alone, she made her way reluctantly toward the final boss—or rather, the Emperor of the Empire.
Heracles Ben Lishatria.
Emperor of the Lishatria Empire, a Fire Attribute Magic user who’d inherited the crimson hair that symbolized the imperial house. Possessed of remarkable skill, he had features so youthful that even at nearly fifty, one might mistake him for the Crown Princess’s older sister.
And….
‘A man who stops at nothing to achieve his aims.’
“Your Majesty, I am honored to meet you.”
She’d been taught there was a proper form of address for the imperial family, but since the Saint served only God, she kept her greeting light.
The Emperor showed little reaction to the casual salutation, merely inclining his head slightly.
“Delighted to meet you at last, Lady Weberdine—or should I call you Saint?”
“Weberdine is fine.”
‘…So there was a reaction after all.’
The Emperor, knowing better than anyone that she had not yet received approval—that her status as a Saint remained incomplete—asked with full awareness.
‘If you want to become a true Saint, bend of your own accord.’
It was a crude and petty move, but the need lay on her side.
Keeping her smile intact, he continued with formal pleasantries.
“How fares the Pope?”
“He tends to undertake even his subordinates’ work himself, so he remains as occupied as ever.”
“I see.”
The Emperor, with a somewhat indifferent air, studied her from head to foot.
“You look thinner than in the reports I’ve read. I hear you’ve encountered some unfortunate events of late?”
The very man most likely responsible for those misfortunes inquired with deliberate casualness.
‘Is he testing me?’
If so, perhaps she should test him in return.
She considered it briefly but let the thought go. To reveal her suspicions without proof would be poor strategy.
“Yes, there were minor incidents, but by God’s grace and watchful care, I emerged unscathed.”
“Hmm, it seems the Almighty possesses a mischievous streak—sparing no trials for those beloved creatures.”
It was a provocation that would have stung any devout clergyman, but she harbored not a grain of reverence for God.
She shrugged and replied without concern.
“Perhaps the Almighty grants His children the strength to overcome hardship of their own accord?”
“A fascinating interpretation.”
“Though by your account, He may simply be capricious.”
In truth, kidnapping someone from another world without consent bordered on far more than mere caprice.
“Ha!”
The Emperor laughed aloud, clearly pleased by the Saint’s sharp retort.
“I’ve been wondering what kind of Saint would make her brother send a proxy and hide her away. I’m glad I called her here directly.”
…….
The Emperor swept back her crimson hair and thrust her face suddenly closer.
“What do you think of Belatis? Does it please you?”
Cecilia’s eyes, which sparkled with an almost blinding brilliance, flickered away.
How could she possibly enjoy a place surrounded by enemies, where one couldn’t even have a single outfit made without difficulty?
But rather than speak the truth, she chose her words with utmost care.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to meet several kind people, and I want for nothing. However, shameful as it is to admit, I’ve never been away from home for so long before, and I’m beginning to miss it.”
What she really meant was that she wanted to go home because of all the unkind people here—and that he should approve her departure immediately.
Though the Emperor should have grasped the hidden meaning easily enough, he clicked his tongue as if he hadn’t.
“Already wanting to leave? It seems you haven’t properly enjoyed the Monastery yet.”
“No, Your Majesty. I’ve had new clothes made and attended the banquet. If you would grant your approval, I would take my leave now…….”
“What’s the rush? Once you depart this time, you won’t be able to come again, will you? Do take your time and enjoy yourself fully.”
‘Enjoy what? Assassination attempts? Slander? Discrimination?’
She bit back the urge to strike this glib Emperor’s head and instead delivered her words calmly.
“Though I’m grateful for your kindness, I have much business left behind in Weberdine. My father and the Pope himself await me with great longing. I humbly beseech Your Majesty’s generous understanding.”
“So you’re different, yet in this regard you’re exactly like the Pope.”
The Emperor sighed, displeased, and straightened in her seat.
“Come to me once the Successor is decided. I’ll approve it then.”
‘What?’
Even though she received the consent she’d so desperately desired, Cecilia couldn’t bring herself to rejoice.
After all, it was too easy.
She’d expected to be forced to curry favor, to be insulted to her face, or worst of all, to have him change his mind and refuse approval.
‘There’s no way she’d consent this readily…….’
Cecilia waited for the conditions that must follow. But the Emperor merely offered a single light suggestion.
“However, it would be nice if you attended the Enthronement Ceremony. My heir will need the Pope’s blessing regardless, won’t they? Having the Saint’s blessing as well would be all the better.”
…….
“And if possible, I do hope the Crown Prince and this generation’s Saint will get along well.”
Cecilia looked up at the Emperor, who had tilted her head at an angle.
The Emperor was sipping wine that a courtier had handed her, her expression perfectly composed.
‘Get along well, she says.’
Cecilia was certain it was insincere. Just as her father recoiled from the Imperial Family as though it were beneath him, they surely despised Weberdine and the Temple in equal measure.
‘Or perhaps she’s trying to lower my guard.’
Cecilia nodded meaninglessly, turning over the Emperor’s words in her mind.
So long as she received approval quickly, attending an Enthronement Ceremony or humoring empty platitudes was hardly difficult.
“Then I shall…….”
She’d achieved her purpose, so Cecilia lowered her head, intending to withdraw.
But before she could finish speaking, the Emperor opened her mouth again.
“Don’t you have anything you wish to ask me?”
There was only one answer to the question the Emperor had suddenly posed.
Was it you who commissioned the assassination?
That was the only thing she truly wanted to know.
‘But there’s no way I can ask that.’
As Cecilia fell silent, the Emperor let out a hollow laugh.
“It seems you have little interest in my choice. The subordinates who served under me were so eager to divine my intentions.”
“Ah…….”
‘So that’s what she meant.’
Whether a Crown Princess or Crown Prince ascended, they would certainly become enemies of the Temple—that much was clear. The political struggles within the Imperial Family hardly interested her.
Cecilia poured out empty words belatedly.
“Whichever of them succeeds you will surely be a wise choice, Your Majesty.”
“A wise choice, you say…….”
The Emperor, her words trailing off, gazed distantly at her children conversing with nobles.
Was it only her imagination that, for this moment, she seemed merely a troubled mother with two children?
The intention behind bringing up such matters to a Saint of all people, the reason for not openly opposing her, the true purpose for summoning her all the way to the Monastery—
All of it was a tangle of questions.
Yet the Emperor offered no answer to any of them, simply turning her body around with a smile.
“I fear I’ve detained you too long. Do go and enjoy the banquet now.”
“Yes.”
Cecilia made her obeisance without hesitation and withdrew from the Emperor’s presence.
He’d already secured his promise of approval. Now all that remained was to hear the Heir announcement, react appropriately to the upheaval in the banquet hall, and secure the necessary consent.
Cecilia’s spirits lightened considerably as she made her way to the left side of the banquet hall, where an elegant spread of finger food lay arranged on a long table.
After crossing such a great hurdle, hunger came rushing back.
‘They wouldn’t poison food meant for anyone to eat. Surely it’s safe enough.’
She was weighing her options when a gentle voice reached her from behind.

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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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