Chapter 9
The Archmage literally meant the master of the magic tower. At the same time, it meant the master of Ester, the city that had developed around the magic tower.
So where else would Franz go after finishing his dispatch? From St. Serpia Cathedral to Ester, his front yard, and from there to the magic tower, his home building.
He hummed a little tune, pleased with himself for having prevented the world's destruction. His steps were so light he seemed about to float away.
However, Franz had forgotten one important fact: that the Archmage had a mountain of work to process every day.
It was now the time when the sun hung low on the mountain ridge, so another late night was all but certain.
Of course, even so, no one would say anything. The mages weren't held responsible if the Archmage didn't do his work, so it didn't really matter to them.
And mages didn't particularly like interfering with each other. Even if they wanted to, what mage could say anything to the Archmage? They'd just click their tongues behind his back.
But there was one person. Among the many mages, just one person was grinding their teeth at the Archmage's misdeeds.
It was Arian, the Archmage's secretary.
She was processing documents in the secretary's office, clenching her molars. Because Franz had abandoned his work, her workload had increased.
On her desk lay a crumpled ball of paper.
It was the paper Franz had left on Arian's desk in the early morning.
The content was exactly what everyone would guess.
[Gone on dispatch.]
Using letters like a 21st-century modern person's messenger was very Franz-like. Though the recipients were usually bewildered.
Arian sighed deeply and thought that she wouldn't let him off easy when he returned.
Of course, Franz, completely unaware of this, was just taking light steps. He had completely forgotten about work, so he didn't have a care in the world.
Franz only started to sense something was off when he reached the top floor of the magic tower.
When he tried to enter the Archmage's office, he saw that the secretary's office next door was brightly lit. He could even hear the constant sound of papers being turned inside.
'Ah...?'
Franz finally realized. Because he had abandoned his work, Arian was still working until now.
If he faced her now, Arian would surely scold him. But to get to the Archmage's office, he had to pass by the secretary's office, which was troublesome.
So, the only option was to move without using his feet.
Franz's form disappeared from the corridor with a flicker and reappeared in the dark Archmage's office.
It was pitch black, but that wasn't a problem.
Just as Franz was about to snap his fingers to light up the Archmage's office...
"Archmage...? You're back now...?"
Someone whispered in a chilling voice near Franz's ear.
"Eek-!"
Darkness always brought fear. Franz jumped in surprise and immediately snapped his fingers.
The magical devices lit up, brightening the Archmage's office.
Franz quickly turned around to identify the person. What he saw was...
A demon. A demon that would lead the world to ruin.
Her eyes burned so fiercely it seemed as if they might shoot out beams.
A chilly silence fell between them for a moment.
Unable to bear the awkwardness, Franz spoke first with an embarrassed smile.
"I-I'm back."
"Yes, after unilaterally notifying us with a single piece of paper, did you have a nice ti... I mean, did your dispatch go well?"
It seemed like she was about to ask if he had a nice time...
Even though Arian was usually critical, she wasn't this harsh. So Franz could only think that she must be really angry.
Well, it was understandable. With so much work that she had to work overtime every day, of course she'd be upset when he abandoned it all and left.
Of course, Franz felt wronged too. If you weighed the Archmage's duties against the fate of the world, the latter was obviously heavier.
The problem was that Arian didn't know that.
Having finished his thoughts, Franz took off his robe and said,
"Go home first. I'll take care of what's left."
She was already working hard normally, and he didn't want to involve her in this kind of thing.
Arian had probably taken care of most things anyway, so there shouldn't be much left.
However, Arian acted differently from Franz's consideration.
Arian's hand snatched the robe Franz had taken off. She folded it neatly in the air with a few quick motions.
Arian placed the folded robe neatly and said,
"You're so slow, Archmage. If I leave you alone, you'll obviously be working until tomorrow morning. Telling me to go home alone, are you trying to make me feel guilty?"
"Forget it. You've finished your work, so why stay? Just go when I tell you to. Before I change my mind."
"But if I help you, won't it finish faster?"
"It's fine, just go."
Franz knew why Arian was saying such things.
Usually, when a superior is working hard, subordinates feel uncomfortable leaving. So even after finishing their work, they always ask their superior, "Is there anything I can help with?" to get permission to leave.
That's why Franz had to refuse Arian's words. The black-haired Korean from the 21st century had taken on work every day.
It was right to break unnecessary bad habits.
Franz sat at his desk and started looking at the documents.
Arian, who had been staring at him, turned around and said briefly,
"Ah, fine."
Her cold voice echoed softly in the Archmage's office.
Just as Arian was about to step out of the Archmage's office...
"Good work."
Hearing Franz's voice from behind, Arian stopped in her tracks. She let out a barely audible sigh.
Franz was puzzled by Arian's sudden stop at the door, but he didn't think much of it. He figured she'd leave on her own.
As Franz thought, Arian left the Archmage's office not long after.
Listening to the fading footsteps, Franz stretched his arms up high. He hadn't been working long, but his body already felt stiff.
It was like how a picnic is fun when you're going, but tiring when you return. Exactly that feeling.
Though, strictly speaking, he hadn't gone on a picnic.
Soon, Franz started working again.
Scratch-, scratch-.
Only the sound of the pen could be heard in the silence.
A request to use land near the magic tower...?
Checking the contents, it was a proposal to use the land near the magic tower as a cemetery. The sender was, of course, the Necromancer Association.
He had told them to experiment outdoors, but it seemed they were trying to turn the entire magic tower into a giant tombstone.
These guys really never give up.
Franz wrote "REJECTED" in large letters on the document.
Just as he was about to check the next document...
Click, click-.
Suddenly hearing footsteps, he looked up to see Arian standing at the entrance of the Archmage's office.
It didn't seem like she had forgotten something...
Her behavior was strange for someone who had come back for a forgotten item. She was just standing there, looking at Franz.
Finally unable to contain his curiosity, Franz spoke.
"What is it?"
"I just don't trust you, Archmage."
"Come on, forget it. You worked hard today, go home and get some good sleep."
"How can I sleep when I know I'll suffer if you make a mistake?"
It wasn't exactly wrong. When the Archmage made a mistake, all the complaints came to the secretary.
However, Franz had never really made mistakes in his work. The only complaints were from people saying nonsensical things.
So naturally, Franz found it absurd, but he didn't say so out loud. He wondered how uncomfortable she must have felt to come back.
Instead, he just gave a noncommittal answer.
"Then do as you like."
With this permission-like non-permission, Arian pulled up a chair and sat opposite Franz. She began helping with the document processing.
The corners of Arian's mouth were slightly turned up, but Franz didn't notice.
* * * * *
"Ugh..."
The next morning, a sound full of fatigue escaped Franz's mouth as he opened his eyes. It was natural, given how late he had worked the previous night.
It was thanks to Arian's help that he hadn't been stuck working until morning.
He felt truly sorry to Arian for making her work so hard with him.
So Franz thought to himself.
Let's hire one more secretary.
This time, he had managed to handle the work because it was just the Saint causing trouble, but if the other two had also acted up, he would have had to abandon his duties.
And such incidents would likely become more frequent in the future.
It was practically impossible for Arian to handle all of that alone.
Franz went to the magic tower and told Arian about this.
"Another secretary besides me? Why...?"
The focus disappeared from Arian's eyes.