Chapter 56
Franz waited at the Cathedral entrance, and Yustia and the Paladins soon arrived.
“Magic Tower Master, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
A Paladin with a familiar face bowed respectfully in greeting.
Franz likewise bowed his head.
“Yes, it’s a pleasure.”
“The Saintess mentioned that you’ve captured a Cultist again….”
*Thud-.*
Franz set Belphegor, whom he had suspended in the air, down before him. At the impact, the creature twitched and opened its eyes.
“Ugh, ugh…. What in the world happened….”
Belphegor blinked, lifted its head, and met the Paladin’s gaze.
A brief silence followed.
“Wh-what…! Why is a Paladin here…!”
The creature flinched and swung its hand through the air.
*It seemed that was its Magic Trigger.*
But despite its actions, only a quiet stillness filled the Cathedral.
That’s because its Mana Circuit and core had been burned away. Now, it was literally nothing more than an ordinary old person unable to use magic.
The Paladin, who had been about to draw his sword, realized the creature’s actions were harmless and relaxed.
“Why isn’t my magic…!”
It repeatedly swung its arms, its face etched with horror.
But the result was the same.
*Swish-, swish-.*
Only the faint sound of its hand cutting through the air could be heard; no magic was activated.
“Wh-why is my mana…. What in the world did you do to me…?!”
Belphegor’s eyes widened as it glared at Franz. *Given its mention of mana, it seemed to have finally realized the state of its body.*
But even if it were realized, nothing would change. There was no way in the world to restore a burned-out circuit and core.
Thinking it was time to wrap things up, Franz immediately got to the point.
“Sir Paladin, I’ve taken measures to prevent it from using magic, so there’s no need to be overly cautious.”
“As expected of the Magic Tower Master. You are truly remarkable.”
“Then, I’ll leave it to you, just like last time.”
Their conversation ended there. The Paladin, who had bowed to Franz, grabbed Belphegor by the collar and began dragging it away. *He didn’t know exactly where they were going, but it was probably hell.*
“L-let go of me!! You wretched brutes who don’t even respect your elders…!”
Belphegor struggled with all its might, but an old person’s strength was unfortunately insufficient.
Following him, the Paladins and Priests withdrew, leaving only Yustia alone to face Franz.
The dim moonlight cast a strange atmosphere, and Yustia stepped closer.
“Franz.”
“Yes?”
“Why didn’t you call me this time? Every single time, you just summon me without asking.”
Yustia grumbled in a tone full of complaint.
*What is this...?*
Naturally, Franz couldn’t understand Yustia’s words. After all, all he remembered doing to her was arbitrarily taking her and using her as a Purification Device. He had even pushed her to her limits by making her consume elixirs, so she should have been happy not to be called, instead of grumbling about it.
Could it be something like that? Aren’t there sometimes people who volunteer for difficult and painful tasks and find fulfillment in them? If Yustia was that type, it was entirely possible.
“So, should I call you next time?”
“Oh, no. It’s not that I *insist* on being called. It’s just… how should I put it… when things get resolved without me, I feel a bit left out… Ah, never mind! Just don’t call me.”
Yustia, who had been rambling on, suddenly flared up in anger.
Then, as if sulking, she sharply turned her head away.
*What in the world is this?*
No matter how much Franz thought about it, he couldn’t understand her behavior. So he decided to stop thinking about it. It was faster to give up on trying to understand what couldn’t be understood. Besides, it wasn’t a particularly important matter anyway.
Anyway, since his business was concluded, it was probably time to head back.
“Yustia, call me if any information comes up.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Why? Is there something you want to say?”
“Well, not really. Just… goodbye.”
Yustia spoke in a sullen tone, as if she still hadn’t cheered up. In the past, a single word from her like that would have angered him, but perhaps because their relationship had improved recently, he felt nothing now.
He never imagined he’d have this kind of relationship with Yustia. The saying “live long enough, see everything” certainly fit the situation.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“…Yes. Travel safely.”
With Yustia watching, Franz snapped his fingers. A Magic Circle appeared on the floor, and then light flickered, and his form vanished.
Left alone in the Cathedral, Yustia gazed blankly at the spot where he had disappeared, then belatedly turned to leave.
It wasn’t certain, but a strange sense of regret lingered.
* * * * *
Light flickered, and Franz arrived in front of the Magic Tower, then leisurely made his way to the Magic Tower Lord’s Office.
Seeing that the lights were off in both the Secretary’s Office and the Magic Tower Lord’s Office, Arian seemed to have left work early.
She said the Secretary should leave later than the Magic Tower Lord, but now she’s leaving earlier.
Of course, it was just a playful thought.
If there’s nothing to do, it’s right to leave early.
*He had no intention of becoming a rigid person like some others.*
Soon, Franz’s footsteps led him to his own room within the Magic Tower Lord’s Office.
When he entered the room and turned on the light, he noticed some unfamiliar items.
They were women’s clothes, including underwear. Their colors were quite vibrant, immediately drawing his gaze.
*Yuna and Arian showered here, didn’t they?*
Belatedly recalling, Franz understood why the clothes were there.
*So, what should he do with them now…?*
I’ll just leave them.
They weren’t strewn about; they were in a laundry basket, so there seemed to be no need to touch them. He could just tell Arian when she came to work tomorrow.
By the way, Arian could dry them quickly with magic, so why did she leave them here?
Well, she must have been flustered.
The atmosphere wasn’t great, and he’d even splashed water on her in a fit of pique.
Dismissing it with a casual thought, Franz immediately entered the shower room. As the warm water hit him, a sound like “Ooh~” — the kind of contented sigh one makes in a warm bath — naturally escaped his lips.
Soon after, when Franz finished his shower and stepped out, a strange guest had arrived in the room. A strange guest had arrived in the room.
“Eek?!”
It was Arian. Meeting Franz’s eyes, she startled and dropped the things she was holding in her arms with a thud-thud-thud.
A mix of red and black, um….
“Y-you saw, didn’t you?!”
Arian quickly picked up the fallen items from the floor, hid them in her arms, and spoke.
Franz silently turned his head away. *If she shows them to him and then asks if he saw, what on earth is he supposed to say?* Having nothing to say, he could only remain silent.
Thus, an extremely awkward and uncomfortable silence briefly filled Franz’s room.
“Ugh… Wh-what color do you like, Magic Tower Master?!”
Franz’s gaze returned to her at Arian’s truly out-of-the-blue question.
Arian’s face was flushed, as if it might burst at any moment.
*Indeed, it was natural for her to be embarrassed, having been caught in her underwear by a complete stranger.*
Anyway, since she seemed to be trying to change the subject, he decided to play along.
“Black is probably the best. It’s versatile, isn’t it?”
“V-versatile… So you prefer ordinary things.”
“I don’t particularly like anything too flashy.”
“Th-thank you. Th-then, I’ll be going first. Good night.”
Arian bowed her head and hastily tried to exit the room, but just then, another piece of clothing fell from her arms.
“Ah, ugh, really….”
She grumbled to herself, sounding upset, then picked up the clothes and finally left the room.
Left alone in the room, Franz stared blankly in the direction she had disappeared, then turned off the light and lay down on his bed.
But why did she ask about the color, of all things?
Is she planning to buy some decorations? Or is she planning to give him an adornment to wear to a party?
*Hmm-.*
Franz continued to ponder, but eventually gave up and decided to just sleep. After all, he would naturally find out as time passed.
Time flowed on, and then it was the next day.
Waking up in the morning, Franz suddenly realized his robe was missing.
*It seemed he had given it to Yustia and had just returned without it.*
It was old anyway.
Since it didn’t seem bad to change it this time, he brought it up as soon as Arian arrived for work.
“Arian, do you happen to know where they sell good robes?”
“O-of course I do. I’ll take you there myself. Just trust me and follow.”
*Sigh-.*
She could have just told him the location…
Well, Arian must have her own reasons.
Thinking so, Franz went out with Arian.