Time Healer Ceres - Chapter 42

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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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“Well, I have a lot to attend to.”
“Of course. I hope to see you again next time. And please give my regards to Aserlain as well.”
The owner of the Magic Tower and the Crown Prince Aserlain’s most cherished younger sibling.
Though Cheyeon left the Imperial Family long ago and now lives solely as the Tower Master, everyone who matters knows the truth.
The Emperor and the Crown Prince never dismiss a word that Cheyeon speaks—they still shower him with boundless affection.
The only person capable of moving them both.
That was Cheyeon.
“Of course.”
And Cheyeon himself knew this fact better than anyone.
He understood perfectly well that they approached him not solely for the title of Tower Master, and so today too he wore that mask-like smile with meticulous precision.
“You two seem quite close.”
Only after the Elsian House Head had departed did Seres speak up.
“Close? Not really. I only know him by sight.”
“Still, that’s closer than just a business acquaintance, isn’t it?”
“…What?”
“By the way, I’m not entirely sure what we’re actually supposed to be doing. Was I the only one not told?”
“Wait, wait! That’s not—”
Sensing something twisted in Seres’s tone, Cheyeon hastily recalled his conversation with Kreel, the Elsian count, and launched into flustered explanations.
“I just didn’t want that man bothering you!”
He’d done it precisely because he knew all too well what situation Seres would find herself in the moment she discovered how close they actually were.
“Forget it. Why are you making excuses about someone you’re supposedly just doing business with?”
…Seres.
“Let’s not get too close going forward. We’re just business partners, after all.”
…You’ve got a grudge, don’t you?
While Cheyeon fumbled for words, Seres kept her gaze fixed on the Elsian House Head, already vanishing in the distance.
“But…”
“Hmm?”
“Why is he wearing a fake?”
“Fake? What fake?”
“Never mind. Forget it.”
Even as Cheyeon questioned her, Seres didn’t lower her gaze from Kreel Elsian.
More precisely, from the Ring adorning his right hand.
“Peculiar.”
The Elsian House Head’s Ring.
To be recognized as a true House Head, one must properly inherit the Ring from the previous House Head—that was the Family Law of House Elsian, something even the Imperial Family dared not overstep.
‘If I’m not mistaken…’
That one is counterfeit.
Chapter 12. Toward the Magic Tower
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“About the Bakula Boss that was caught this time—nobody knows who dealt with it?”
“Right? And apparently they didn’t even take the Mana Stone.”
“That rumor was actually true?”
Wherever her footsteps fell, people gathered.
Today, the mercenaries’ conversation centered on a single topic.
The Dark Forest that had erupted on Delasi 1st Street a few days prior.
Who on earth had defeated the Bakula Boss, the “core” of this Dark Forest.
With the killer still unidentified, people’s questions and curiosity only swelled.
“That’s insane, right? How much was that worth?”
“I know.”
“How much was it?”
“Well, it was worth at least five—”
“Five? How much is five—”
“Gasp!”
“Five what? Five Gold? Or fifty?”
Surely not five hundred?
At the sound of a voice that had slipped naturally into their conversation, the mercenaries flinched and looked to their side.
When had she arrived? There was Seres, pressed directly against their shoulders, her usual composure replaced by an expression of palpable tension as her eyes bored into their faces.
“How much was the Mana Stone that dropped from the Boss worth?”
For reasons she couldn’t quite name, the mercenaries muttered uncertainly, unsettled by the sheer desperation that flickered in Seres’s eyes.
“I’d say it’s worth at least 5,000 Gold, wouldn’t you?”
“That’s right. If you find the right employer, you could get even more.”
“…How much did you say?”
“Oh, five thousand?”
“That five thousand—is it the five thousand I think it is?”
“Ah, probably, yes?”
…….
…5,000 Gold.
In that instant, Seres’s face went slack—as if the entire world had slipped from her grasp—and she turned slowly away.
Swaying slightly as she made her way toward the kitchen, her movements drew confused stares from everyone present.
What’s wrong with her? Did the employer not show up, and she’s upset about wasting effort?
‘5,000 Gold…….’
As Seres stepped inside, moisture began to gather at the corners of her eyes.
“It can’t be. A rat boss—just a rat boss, nothing more—”
She’d never imagined the Mana Stone harvested from the corpse of that boss she’d abandoned was worth that much.
When did a rat boss become precious enough to fetch such a price? Were you really that valuable all along?
“Seres, are you all right?”
“No.”
Not all right at all.
At Jay’s concerned question, Seres scrubbed her face roughly with the back of her hand.
Living in Grace, she’d never once faced financial pressure.
And why should she have? The Elsian Count’s household was wealthy to begin with, and the coin she extracted from nobles and royalty alone for her Healing Art was staggering.
And that was just the beginning—the annual patronage grants sent by the family’s elders were said to rival the national budget itself.
So even when she hunted monsters, she’d never paid much attention to the value of Mana Stones. She’d simply let her subordinates divide them among themselves.
‘But 5,000 Gold?’
That was enough to cover this month’s interest payments with Gold left over.
‘Should I go back and claim it’s mine?’
That I caught it.
Hand over the Mana Stone, right now!
“…I’d be lucky if they didn’t take me for mad.”
Who would believe her? She wouldn’t believe herself.
‘Ah, if our butler found out about this, how heartbroken would he be?’
It would be a mercy if he didn’t weep tears of blood.
Why hadn’t I thought to claim it? In a time when every Gold matters!
‘That’s just how you are, isn’t it, Grace? I’ve always told you to pay attention to other matters too.’
She could almost hear her disciple’s disappointed voice. Damn it.
“S-Seres, shall I do it?”
Seeing Seres sway unsteadily, Mark—whose arm had nearly fully healed—stepped forward, offering to take over the kitchen work instead.
“Yes. You do it.”
Seres flung off her Apron and trudged to a corner of the dining hall, where she buried her forehead against the table with a heavy thud.
Life had lost all its flavor. It truly had.
My 5,000 Gold…….
Thump.
“……?”
Seres, who’d been quietly wiping away her tears, lifted her head weakly at the sound of someone settling into the seat across from her.
Cheyeon sat with his chin resting on the table, his large eyes blinking, and she caught sight of him breaking into a delighted smile.
When his gaze met hers, he smiled with that easy warmth of his, as always.
Why did this wretched creature have to be so beautiful, especially at a moment like this when she was furious?
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you sitting like that?”
“Don’t talk to me. I’m exhausted.”
“Are you hurt?”
“My heart isn’t just aching—it’s weary to the point of sickness.”
You try losing 5,000 Gold in an instant. Your will to live would soar far, far away just like mine has.
“Why is your heart aching?”
“Cheyeon.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have 5,000 Gold?”
“Well, then. Of course I do. Why? Want me to give you some?”
“…How annoying.”
That’s right—you used to be a wealthy Magic Tower Head.
The way he was already rummaging through his pockets as if ready to pull out money on the spot made Seres flop back down onto the table.
Ugh. What an irritating man.
You’re the type who walks around with five thousand Gold in your pocket? Really?
“Why? Do you need money?”
“Money is always necessary.”
“How much do you need? Will five thousand Gold do? I’ll give it to you.”
“…Never mind.”
I haven’t lived knowing much about the world, but even so, I’ve learned one thing.
There’s no such thing as free money in this world.
Whether it’s a debt of the heart or something else, you always end up with one.
“Seres.”
“What?”
“Do you remember the promise you made with me before?”
“What promise?”
“When you broke my Recording Crystal.”
“Oh.”
I remember.
I said I’d do you a favor later as compensation for breaking that Recording Crystal.
I fixed the Recording Crystal, at least. Rewinding time made it simple enough.
The problem, though, was that the recording containing the Mana Stone wasn’t inside it anymore.
‘Of course I deleted it.’
If that bastard tried to show that recording to Kainel again, it would be trouble.
If he found out the recording was erased, all hell would break loose anyway, wouldn’t it?
First, let me hear what the favor is.
“So, what’s the favor?”
“Will you be my secretary?”
“No. I won’t.”
Seres dropped her head back onto the table as if there was nothing more to hear.
“Why, come on!”
“Why do you think?”
I’ve known for a while now that he lives life entirely on his own terms.
But is a secretary someone you can just pluck from anywhere and use, like it’s nobody’s business?
And especially as the secretary to a Magic Tower Head?
“At least your subordinates should be competent, shouldn’t they?”
You said it yourself before. That the Magic Tower runs better when you’re not around.
So you should surround yourself with capable people—so what are you thinking, dragging me there when I don’t know the first thing about magic?

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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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