Volume 3 Chapter 23 Call Of Desire
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(If it got any bigger, it’d be like Lord Renaud’s place. With multiple mansions on the grounds and a training ground, even a Count would be jealous.)
’While open houses aren’t bad, this one prefers something more intricate, like a castle. The darker, the better.’
(Mold would grow.)
’Well, mold is the worst enemy. It makes your clothes and bedding smell.’
(You must have lived in unsanitary conditions before you become glasses. It’s pitiful.’)
’What!? Unsanitary!? I washed and cleaned properly!’
”────”
’Hey, Kian, you thought this one’s stuff smelled bad, didn’t you?’
(Personally, I think beautiful women smell better when they’re a bit stinky. Like a voluptuous, arrogant beauty deserves a public pooping humiliation. There’s a golden ratio to it all.)
Silently retorting that thought in his head, he leaves the path and enters the merchant district.
Bathed in the dazzling morning sunlight, the street was bustling with merchants and adventurers.
Laughter and shouts erupted here and there, blending together into a sound like ripples.
The smell of fresh vegetables and fish filled his nostrils.
Scrunching his nose at the dust, he navigated through the crowd and headed north into the merchant district.
”──”
As he approached the corner leading to the Old Oswald Estate from the merchant district, he almost collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.
He had been staring at the crumbling Main Castle and wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings.
But, he didn’t want to make a fool of himself by crashing headfirst.
Kian reacted instantly, smoothly twisting his body to the side, effortlessly dodging the thin shadow that had appeared.
”────”
The person who had stopped short, looking a little surprised, was wearing a deep black hood to shield themselves from the sunlight.
The fabric flowed into a cloak that covered their shoulders to their waist.
Underneath the cloak, a black dress with beautiful detailing peeked out, resembling mourning attire.
From her clothing and slender figure, she was female.
She was a little taller than Christy.
Under the bent hood, a glimpse of pure white hair peeked out.
(An old person? …No, the hair is thick and lustrous. It looks like it’s been unnaturally bleached white.)
The exposed mouth and neck also looked youthful, giving the impression that if she were human, she’d be around the same age as Christy.
As expected, white fingers pinched the hem of the hood and lifted it, revealing the face of a young woman underneath.
White hair, white eyebrows.
Even the eyelashes were pure white, contrasting with her deep black eyes.
Despite her pale complexion, her skin was firm and healthy-looking, not giving off any unhealthy vibes.
She held a black parasol in her right hand.
It felt as powerful as the magic staff Christy used, radiating a strong magical energy.
(A witch? …No, there wasn’t anyone with this kind of magical power in the witch’s dorm. Who is she?)
Kian glanced towards the direction the woman had come from──the old Oswald mansion──then smiled and looked down at the black-and-white beauty.
”Sorry, I was a bit distracted.”
”No, it’s my fault. I was lost in thought.”
The white-haired woman said this with a gentle smile, narrowing her black eyes as she stared right back at Kian.
He was in a hurry and thought about looking away to pass by, but before he could, her soft, pale pink lips made a playful “hmm” sound.
”You must be the rumored Lord Kian, the one who beat Renaud de Châtillon, right?”
”…….Yes, I was luckily able to win a bet with him. Have we met somewhere before?”
”No, this is our first meeting, Lord Kian. I just know about you from hearing about you. If we hadn’t almost bumped into each other, we probably would have just ignored each other and passed by.”
Saying this, she placed a finger on her soft-looking lips and chuckled.
He had no idea what was so funny, but witches usually had a sense of humor different from ordinary people, so there was no point in worrying about it.
Kian glanced again towards the old Oswald mansion.
”From your appearance, I assume you’re a high-ranking magician. Are you perhaps a colleague of Christina Famille?”
”I guess you could say we’re colleagues. Both me and Christina are members of the Female Magician Association, and we even work together sometimes at the association’s ‘tea parties’. But what you really want to know is if I’m Princess Maribel’s subordinate witch, right? The answer is no. I’m not her head magician. I just stopped by here on vacation.”
The white-haired beauty let out a mysterious giggle and walked past Kian.
With a snap*of her fingers, something black and bony dropped from the sleeve of her dress.
*Clack-clack*, it hit the ground, taking the form of a lanky, 2-legged lizard.
’One of the dragon’s magic. A simple golem creation spell using bones and scales as mediums.’
(Dragon magic…?)
’Kian, be careful. This woman, she’s a very powerful magician.’
’I already know that.’
Through his *glasses*, the magical power she emanated felt as massive and thick as Renaud’s or Guy’s.
The white witch offered a light smile.
”Well then, excuse me.”
”────”
She turned and walked away.
The lizard golem followed behind her, holding an umbrella.
He was curious about her identity, but chasing after her to ask her name would be strange.
Since she wasn’t Maribel’s head magician, he probably wouldn’t see her again.
And getting too involved with her could be risky.
After all, not all witches are as good as Christy or Aliona.
As she walked away, a faint scent of lavender drifted on the breeze.
It was a different kind of fragrance than the alcohol-based perfume with rose scent that Christy and Maribel favored.
He was momentarily captivated by the lingering scent of the white witch, but then he hurried towards the Old Oswald Mansion.
* * *
When he arrived at the gate of the Old Oswald Mansion, the guards immediately let him in.
”Her Excellency is waiting for you on the third floor of the main building,” they said. So he guess he needs to go up to Maribel’s bedroom.
Not being able to go to the salon means that he still hasn’t regained his strength.
I see, so it’s understandable that Lucretia and the others quickly decided to have Kian perform the treatments.
When they reached the main hall of the old Oswald mansion, the bodyguard captain who had been waiting politely guided them upstairs.
As they climbed to the third floor, they found a door slightly ajar right in front of the stairs, with voices coming from inside.
They could hear something about a “Myou Ban.”
It seemed like there was some kind of business discussion happening.
The bodyguard captain whispered something.
”A messenger from the central cardinal has arrived. Please wait here for a moment, Lord Kian.”
”Got it.”
He nodded and stepped into the half-open room.
Maribel’s bedroom should be at the very end on the left, so it seems she’s recovered enough to change into a dress and meet guests.
’The curse seal had a safety mechanism in place. If the princess struggles and loses her life force, the seal will automatically loosen and help her body recover. Lady Christina’s medicine had also been administered, so it’s not surprising that she’s able to live a normal life now.’
(Hearing you say it like that, it really doesn’t sound like a dangerous situation anymore.)
’So just leave her be. If things get really bad before she reaches adulthood, the ministers will handle it. It wouldn’t be wise to meddle and oppose Tobal Cain.’
(I’ll save Maribel. It’s an investment in the future.)
’You, a drifter, think you can become the princess’s husband and hold political and military power in this borderland? You’re better off as just a tool for pleasure, aren’t you?’
(I haven’t thought that far, but looking ten or 20 years ahead, gaining favor with Maribel could definitely come in handy.)
’Sigh…’
It was a sigh that seemed full of lack of motivation.
But still, ‘glasses’ was, in fact, a reliable ally who would support Kian no matter what.
(I love you, Talia.)
’Stop it… More importantly, aren’t you a bit lazy lately? Just earlier, you almost bumped into some weird witch. When you gain power, you tend to slack off, but don’t die in some ridiculous way. I’ll say it once more, while you’re asleep or not fully conscious, you can’t absorb magic. You left your familiar behind, so stay alert.’
(Surprise attacks won’t work on me. I’ve trained myself to wake up immediately if I sense hostile intent or killing intent, even when I’m asleep.)
’You say that after snoozing like a fool with Lady Christina last night.’
(What’s up, Talia? Are you jealous? That’s kind of cute.)
’Hey, I’m gonna get mad soon!? Don’t say that name in front of me!’
Before he could even ask if she was Talia, the door to the meeting room swung open forcefully, and a priest wearing a red hat burst out.
The man’s face was beet red, clearly furious.
He muttered under his breath, “Damn it, that brat!” but his gaze darted when he noticed Kian standing by the door.
”――――.”
After watching the Western Church’s priest cough dramatically and head down the stairs, he heard Maribel’s voice say, “Kian of Izerland, come inside,” and pulled the half-open door to step in.
”Welcome, Kian.”
At the far end of the 15-meter square room stood the blond young princess, looking as if everything was back to normal.
Today, she wore a dress in emerald blue and white that gave off a cool impression.
To her left and right were the bodyguard captain, the head magician Lucretia, Christy, and Baron Mankovitch.
Kian carefully closed the door to avoid being overheard, then stepped forward confidently in front of them.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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