The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 73

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 73
The sky hung dark despite the midday hour, clouds pressing down heavy and gray. Cecilia made her preparations to depart for the Temple.
It had been just over a week and two days since she’d sent letters to the Pope and the Crown Princess.
The responses had come faster than expected, and she found herself packing again before her travel fatigue had fully lifted.
With only an overnight stay ahead, her luggage remained light—an additional outfit that was comfortable yet respectful, the documents bearing the Emperor’s seal, snacks for the children including Sena, and finally, the bouquet she’d prepared in advance.
The bouquet delivered fresh from the gardener that morning was modest, no more than ten stems.
Cecilia slipped the Flower of God among the white blooms.
Though recent matters with Lien had consumed her thoughts, she hadn’t forgotten her true purpose.
Having resolved to continue pursuing the perpetrator’s identity, Cecilia discovered a new clue within Lien’s recollections.
Specifically, that Cecilia had indeed experienced repeated deaths. The implication was singular and clear.
‘The terrible dream Cecilia had wasn’t simply a dream at all.’
Then who was the real Cecilia, and why was she killed?
Now that she could trust in Lien’s innocence, the culprit was unmistakable.
The Fanatic Group—the ones who had killed the real Cecilia most frequently across multiple lives, the ones she’d encountered directly at the hunting competition. It had to be them.
Yet even with the perpetrators identified, questions remained.
‘Why are they trying to kill me?’
She’d assumed the threat came from them discovering she wasn’t the real Cecilia, but that assumption had long since been discarded. The real Cecilia had also been killed by them.
It wasn’t as though scripture commanded the murder of a saint. What reason could there be for targeting a saint alone—not the Archbishop, not the Pope?
And there was yet another mystery, a greater one still.
Who exactly was the fanatic hiding in the shadows within the Temple?
In her previous life, Cecilia had faced countless threats within the Grand Temple itself, which meant the group had to be infiltrated among its ranks. Yet she lacked any clue to identify them.
‘I can’t exactly seize each priest and search their bodies for a Leaf Tattoo.’
So she’d decided to use the bouquet, with its embedded Flower of God, to narrow down the perpetrators—a sort of secret weapon.
‘Using the Gifts of God privately does trouble me, though….’
The Crown Princess hadn’t even said she was returning them to the Temple, only gifting them personally. And in a situation where she couldn’t identify her enemies, she couldn’t afford to return them naively.
‘I’ll have to test it on those I have some connection to first.’
The Archbishop was one matter, but the thought of testing Sena or the Pope made her heart grow heavy.
‘But life matters more than conscience alone, so I won’t abandon the plan.’
Cecilia released a thin sigh and glanced toward the window. Melanie, the knights, and even Nox were already gathered before the carriage.
Given the time needed to rendezvous with the Crown Princess, they needed to depart soon.
Cecilia steeled her resolve and moved toward the door. Or rather, she attempted to leave, but failed.
It was because of the presence that had clung to her waist since she’d begun packing.
“Lien, I really need to go now.”
“…Must you really?”
“Yes, I must.”
Perhaps it was because Cecilia had died so often in the Temple itself. Or perhaps because he too knew that the Fanatics’ reach extended even to the Grand Temple.
As the day of her departure drew closer, he couldn’t hide his anxiety.
He’d asked dozens of times a day whether she truly had to go, and today he’d even attempted an illegal infiltration in broad daylight.
‘Whether the Mansion’s security was lax or Lien’s magic was extraordinary,’
she deliberately ignored the irrelevant windows and doors. She had no time to listen to his complaints about why he’d do such a reckless thing.
Following behind her hurried movements like a chick after its mother, he’d attached himself to her waist and refused to let go.
Though she’d grown used to the familiar embrace over these past days, Cecilia gently tapped his firm forearms.
“We’ll really be late if this continues. I’m going downstairs, and you need to slip away home without being caught.”
“But….”
“No buts.”
“….”
“No kidnapping, no confinement, and absolutely no following me in secret.”
At her most forceful tone in recent days, Lien buried his face against her shoulder, his tightened arms radiating palpable discontent.
“Is it to meet someone at the Temple?”
“I’m only staying one night, so there probably won’t be any private audiences…. Wait.”
Something occurring to her, Cecilia wriggled free from his grip and spun to face him.
“You’ve snuck into the Temple before, haven’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“I’m asking just in case, but it wasn’t you who was Riri, was it?”
He averted his gaze, pressing his lips firmly shut.
His silence was confirmation.
Cecilia gasped and swatted his back sharply.
“You were actually supposed to be Sena’s friend, and you did that to a child!”
“I-it wasn’t magic that put strain on the subject’s body! It merely made observers feel a bit uncomfortable….”
“I know exactly how it works! Don’t you dare do it again.”
“……Yes.”
Lien’s broad shoulders sagged visibly.
‘Why must he lose heart so easily?’
Unable to abandon her anxious lover to his despair, Cecilia seized the hem of his robe and tugged him forward.
“The Appointment Ceremony tomorrow will be open to the laity as well, so if you’re worried, just stay close and watch over me. Understood?”
She pressed her forehead to his in question, and Lien nodded silently in response.
“Good boy.”
A faint smile crossed Cecilia’s face as she rewarded him with a light kiss to his cheek and lips.
“Then I’ll be going. See you tomorrow!”
Fearing he might reach for her again, Cecilia offered only a brief farewell and slipped away.
The room fell suddenly silent.
Lien stood alone for a moment, then drifted toward the window. Below, he could see Cecilia conversing with her brother before departing.
He watched until the carriage faded from view, then pressed his palm against his chest.
Tomorrow would come soon enough, and they would meet again.
So why did dread gnaw at him so?
Thump-thump—his heart beat anxiously, refusing to settle.
* * *
The Crown Princess, whom Cecilia had not seen in nearly a fortnight, appeared in far better spirits than before, her complexion noticeably brighter.
“Good afternoon—though calling it that seems wrong with such grey skies. I hope you’ve been well?”
“Well enough. Except that the Saintess hasn’t come to visit me once.”
“……I’m sorry for that. With all the time away, there’s been so much to attend to.”
In truth it was the Duke’s doing, but Cecilia offered this excuse instead.
The Crown Princess, unbothered by the truth, merely winked teasingly.
“You’re forgiven since you sent letters.”
Both women laughed and boarded the carriage together.
Since their destination was the Grand Temple, where the Pope—who valued humility and restraint as virtues—resided, they decided to leave her ornate and lavish carriage behind for now.
And so they traveled together toward the Holy Land.
Cecilia, who had been staring out the window and struggling with nausea, stole a glance at her companion across from her.
Perhaps it was the Crown Princess’s upbringing in the Monastery, but she sat in an elegant posture with her back perfectly straight, reading a book regardless of the carriage’s motion.
“Aren’t you dizzy?”
“Not at all. In fact, I feel surprisingly well?”
The Crown Princess closed her book without hesitation and answered.
“It hasn’t been long since I received your help, and there are far fewer Magic Tools here than in the Monastery. I felt quite energized this morning.”
Her voice carried genuine delight as she described her improved condition.
Now that Cecilia looked more closely, her crimson hair flowed more lustily than before, and her once-hollow cheeks had begun to fill out.
“Though I’d hate to live permanently in such a tedious place.”
Weberdine, with its absence of jeweled dress shops, buildings rivaling the Magic Tower in height, or stimulating diversions, could hardly blame her for finding it dull.
“Ah, I wasn’t criticizing it. Perhaps because it borders the sea, but the food there is quite good?”
“You don’t need to praise it—just give me your hand.”
The Holy Land was nearly within reach, and the Grand Temple would be full of people far less welcoming of the Crown Princess than Weberdine. It seemed wise to offer what small assistance she could now.
‘One never knows when one might need a favor in return.’
It was a mercenary calculation.
The moment Cecilia offered her Divine Power freely, the Crown Princess’s eyes widened in surprise. She seemed deeply moved by this unexpected kindness.
Regina gazed at her with that warmth, then murmured something grave.
“The more I think about it, the more I feel I’m getting the worse end of this bargain…….”
“What?”
“Why don’t you abandon that gloomy man and come to me instead? I promise I’d treat you well.”
“I won’t abandon him.”
That word again—abandon!
Cecilia, already worn thin by Lien’s anxieties, refused without a moment’s hesitation.
“What a pity. Let me know if you change your mind.”
It seemed to be mere teasing, for she surrendered to her lack of persuasion with ease.
Not long after peace was restored, the carriage reached its destination.
Before the Grand Temple.
A familiar face awaited her there.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————