Chapter 225: To the Magic Tower (2) |
“What do you mean by a gift?” Lucion asked, licking his lips.
Shaela’s voice quickened as she explained, <Just various things. I’ve been collecting some items to give to you when I see you. There are ornaments, hair ties for you, decorations for clothes and shoes, and I also picked up some earrings since I noticed you were wearing them.>
She joyfully listed off what she had bought, her excitement palpable. However, her tone soon shifted to disappointment. <It’s a shame, but I’m glad you’re coming. Honestly, I’m super excited.>
“Sister, you know…” Lucion began.
Shaela interrupted, <What? Do you need something else? Oh, I’ve also gathered some amazing magical items. This is the Magic Tower, after all! There’s paper that emits flames when torn, and I found a sparkling ball that Ratta seems to like.>
—Oh wow! A ball that Ratta likes and it sparkles when it rolls! R-Ratta wants to go right now! Ratta loves sparkles!
Ratta, eager and excited, climbed onto Lucion’s thigh, expressing her joy with a wagging tail and paws.
“Do you have any items imbued with light?”
<Are you worried there might be items imbued with light in the Magic Tower? If that’s the case, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to remove all of them before you come.>
Lucion asked happily.
Wasn’t this the biggest concern he had?
<Well, that depends on your perception; some people have them, and some don’t.>
“Do you have any, sister?”
<I don’t. …Hmm. Lucion, I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but why have you been going on about light since earlier? It doesn’t seem like you’re worried about light.>
“Sister, I’m not deaf. I’ve heard that the Kingdom of Neubra has allied with the warlocks. Nevast is pressuring Neubra.”
<Ah. Were you talking about items imbued with light because you thought if the warlock who joined those bastards who was abandoned, they would come to the Tower?>
“That’s right. I may have been worrying too much.”
<No, Lucion.>
Shaela, deep in thought about Lucion’s concerns, hummed and sighed as if pondering.
‘Please keep thinking about it, sister.’
Knowing how quickly Shaela could think, Lucion ate a macaroon while he waited.
<It’s definitely not impossible. Wizards are greedier and more selfish than you might expect. They especially love to learn things that others don’t know. The most well-known beings that we don’t know about right now are the warlocks. If a deal could be struck with this, they would have definitely accepted. And from the warlocks’ perspective, how wonderful would the Magic Tower be? It’s full of troublesome ticking time bombs.>
Shaela continued her lengthy explanation without taking a breath.
“What if you, sister…” Lucion started.
Shaela interjected, <No, Lucion. While I appreciate the thought, I want to remain true to Father’s expectations and be a sister you can be proud of.>
“Thank you, sister.”
<Don’t praise me too much; I haven’t done much. I’ll make sure to look out for the light-imbued objects, as you mentioned. I’m curious about it as well.>
At the mention of curiosity, Lucion frowned.
“If it’s true, please don’t delve too deeply.”
<You should worry about yourself first, Lucion.>
“I’m fine.”
<Let’s meet in five days. If anything happens… ha.>
Shaela let out a brief sigh.
“I seem to have complicated things, don’t I?”
The fact that he would be going to the Magic Tower was likely already known to the Emperor, high-ranking nobles, and the tower’s administrators.
<Don’t think like that, Lucion. I will protect you. No matter what happens, I will keep you safe, so don’t worry and just come. Goodbye.>
Shaela firmly stated before ending the call.
Lucion stared at the communication device for a moment, then kicked the ground and shook the swing he was seated on.
‘Come to think of it, what happened to my sister in the previous world?’
Even with the ability to view the previous world through the novel format, the Magic Tower was scarcely mentioned, leaving him curious.
Lucion’s legs, which had been swinging, suddenly halted.
[What’s the matter?]
Russell asked, looking at Lucion’s suddenly hardened expression.
It wasn’t that the Magic Tower was quiet.
“My sister.”
If she had no choice but to remain silent.
Even if Heint had defeated the boss of the Hand of the Void, the winners of the previous world were Neubra and Nevast.
Owen, the Fourth Prince who wanted to become emperor even if it meant becoming a puppet of Neubra.
What exactly did Neubra, who had to keep Owen as a puppet, get?
‘It’s the Magic Tower.’
Shaela had been absent even during Cronia’s fall.
“I… am worried about my sister,” Lucion confessed, clutching tightly the communication device borrowed from Novio, his hands trembling slightly.
* * *
As Lucion was coming down the stairs from the rooftop to go to his room, Hume suddenly stopped.
“What’s the matter, Hume?”
“The Lord is here.”
Following Hume’s gesture, Lucion noticed Novio, who appeared visibly anxious, pacing in front of his room.
[I guess… His Majesty must have told your father about the magic tower.]
Bethel observed the unease reflected in Novio’s face.
‘His Majesty is really quick with his work.’
Lucion let out a short breath.
He had silently hoped for Ketlan to handle the situation, but the rapid development caught him off guard, especially with Shaela’s situation weighing on his mind.
“Father.”
Despite his inner turmoil, Lucion greeted Novio cheerfully.
“Lu, Lucion.”
Novio, taken aback by Lucion’s unexpected appearance, took a step back.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“…”
Novio, with trembling eyes, looked at him.
“I know you’re busy, but why didn’t you call me?”
“Lucion.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“Shall we take a walk for a moment?”
* * *
Russell and Bethel stepped aside, while Hume held Ratta in his arms, preventing her from joining them.
Unable to accompany them, Ratta appeared on the verge of tears, and Lucion comforted her with a gentle pat before following Novio.
Novio instructed the attendants to vacate the garden and barred anyone from approaching.
Unlike usual, Novio didn’t say a word.
His rigid expression made it seem as if his soul had left his body, and Lucion thought that even if he died and came back a hundred times, he still wouldn’t understand the complicated feelings swirling within his father.
“Father.”
Unable to bear the silence, Lucion broke it.
“You are my treasure.”
Novio continued walking as he said this.
“…?”
“The last precious treasure that Renia and I created together.”
Novio mentioned his mother’s name.
Lucion didn’t know why his mother had passed away.
All he knew was that after her death, his father mourned for several years, so deeply that no one dared to mention her name.
On anniversaries, Novio went alone to the place where his mother was buried, so Lucion didn’t even know where that grave was.
But Lucion didn’t ask.
He couldn’t ask, even though he didn’t know the reason.
Every time he tried to ask, frustration and guilt twisted inside his chest.
“His Majesty has contacted us. The Hand of the Void Hand, the warlock organization that was expelled from the Neubra Kingdom that targeted you, is now at the Tower.”
It unfolded as anticipated.
Novio stopped walking.
His back still looked imposing.
“His Majesty, no, that bastard Ketlan told me this: ‘Do not stop Lucion from going to the Magic Tower!’”
Grit.
A grinding sound of teeth could be heard.
“How could he say such a thing to me? Naturally, I was infuriated. How could I not try to stop you?”
“Father, I—”
“Please, Lucion, say no more.”
Novio’s head bowed low.
“Renia, whom I loved so dearly, was also an ordinary person like you. She lived as a Cronia with that fragile body, just like you. That made her even more lovable, and just seeing her confidence made me smile endlessly.”
Novio’s voice began to tremble.
“But because of that name, Cronia, that heavy name killed Renia.”
‘Mother passed away because of those targeting Cronia?’
Lucion suddenly felt something touch his arms, sending chills throughout his body.
An inexplicable cold sweat trickled down his back.
His heart ached at the thought of something he knew but didn’t.
“That heavy name has almost lost you too, and once is enough for me, so please don’t let the name Cronia swallow you up.”
“Father.”
“Lucion!”
Novio turned towards Lucion with a desperate tone, his eyes already tinged with redness.
“Lucion, you don’t have to be shackled by Cronia. Live freely, please.”
He looked so painfully desperate that it almost appeared tragic.
It was the first time Lucion had seen Novio so weak, and he couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Yet, Lucion met Novio’s gaze.
“Father, I’ve never felt restrained.”
“…”
“I wasn’t tied down. I also wanted to become Cronia.”
“Why? Why do you want to take that difficult path?”
Novio’s voice cracked slightly.
Even though he was born as a Cronia himself, there were many times when that name felt overwhelmingly burdensome.
The enemies were inevitably many, and those who sought this place could strike at any moment.
But he had to endure.
He was the shield and spear of the empire.
If this place were to fall, millions of people would perish.
“Because I am your son.”
Lucion relaxed and gently lifted the corners of his mouth into a slight smile.
There was no need for further elaboration.
However, Novio’s gaze flickered.
“As your son, I take immense pride in what you’ve built, and I’m determined not to tarnish it.”
If questioned about Novio’s deeds, Lucion could proudly declare that his father had protected the lives of millions.
This was more than mere duty.
It was also about pride and dignity.
Even as he stained his sword with the blood of his enemies and the stench of death clung to him, Novio never stopped, all for the sake of the empire, for everyone living in Cronia.
“I’m proud of you, Father.”
Novio took a deep breath.
“That’s why I want to become Cronia too. I want to be a true Cronia, not just in name.”
With a tremor, he exhaled.
Lucion’s words carried too much weight.
Lucion Cronia.
He bore the name Cronia, but by nature, Lucion could never truly become one.
In this place, where only the strong could survive, Lucion had always been the one to receive protection.
What had happened when that protection weakened?
When Lucion was dragged to Neubra, he returned a bloody mess, crushed like a small bug in a person’s hand.
Because of that, he could not become Cronia.
“I no longer want to be your weakness, Father.”
Novio’s expression twisted at Lucion’s earnest words, spoken so calmly.
How bitter it was that his beloved son had become his sole weakness.
That weakness yet again clung to his ankles.
“Father, the time has come for me to act as both Cronia and as a saint.”
Lucion’s smile did not falter.
The one who was suffering the most right now was probably Novio.
“I humbly ask that you allow me to stand without being a burden to you.”
Even though he knew there were enemies in the Magic Tower, he had to go there to initiate this plan.
In other words, it was also a great opportunity to receive recognition.
Thus, Lucion informed Novio of his intent to go.
“Lucion. I… I am still gripped by fear.”
Though the distance was short, each of Novio’s steps felt heavy.
“I still see you drenched in blood when I close my eyes. I am so, so scared that you might end up like that again.”
As Lucion looked at the approaching Novio, his eyes rippled like calm waves.
“I’m grateful that you’re alive, that you’re walking around, and that you came out of that room. I can’t express how thankful I am.”
At the gentle and warm voice, Lucion felt as if something was suddenly stuck in his throat, and no words could come out.
He merely bit his lip and fixed his gaze on Novio.
“As much as I wish to keep you from going to the Magic Tower, to have you stay here safely, I know that’s not the right thing to do.”
Novio placed his hand on Lucion’s shoulder.
“How can I stop you when you are finally trying to mend your broken wings and soar toward the sky?”
“Father.”
“Go.”
Novio’s voice trembled.
The tears that seemed about to overflow in his eyes did not actually fall.
“Just go and return unharmed. Stay safe. Please, come back to me alive.”
Quietly, Lucion buried himself in Novio’s comforting embrace.
With each nod, Novio tenderly patted Lucion’s back.
No doctor believed Lucion could survive.
But Lucion clung to his life.
No doctor thought Lucion would be able to move.
But Lucion moved.
No doctor thought Lucion would ever be able to walk.
But here Lucion was, standing.
When everyone was filled with despair, how many miracles had Lucion shown?
How could one not be proud?
How could one not find that lovable?
“I, too, am so proud of you, Lucion.”
Novio held Lucion tightly in his arms.