Chapter 124
Saint, Magic Tower lord, duke, hero.
All were words referring to Franz.
Even taken individually, they were enough to inspire awe in everyone, yet they all belonged to one person.
It would not be an understatement to say that Franz was truly a person who would make history in the empire.
It would only be a waste of breath to even mention what an excellent means this was for nobles to advance their standing.
He would surely become a sturdy shield, and a spear that defeated all things.
Simply put, it meant their lives as nobles would be happy from now on.
Nevertheless, the reason the nobles did not let go of their tension was the precedent set by Duke Ishtar.
A massive pillar supporting the empire, trusted by the citizens and the emperor, he had been revealed to be none other than a cultist.
Even the nobles who had maintained close relationships with him had all met their end on the execution ground - no, they had been burned at the stake and turned into ashes on the execution ground.
Given the situation, even while thinking that the hero who saved the world surely wouldn’t -, one couldn’t help but worry on the other hand.
Because their lives were on the line, and what’s more, their families, which had upheld long traditions, could be entirely reduced to ashes at the execution ground.
Although making their mark in the empire’s history was the dream of all nobles, they did not want to carve it in this manner.
When the three invited guests arrived in front of the Magic Tower, Franz, unusually, was devoting himself to magic research in the research lab.
'It doesn’t seem like magic was imbued into the fingernail separately…'
Should this be called the cultist bastard’s final legacy, or should it be called a spoil of war?
Anyway, there wasn’t any particular magical device on it, after observing his fingernail.
It seemed that erasing magic was a special property inherent to the fingernail itself, rather than the influence of other magic.
As a magic researcher, he found it to be a material that couldn’t help but pique his interest.
Because it could be used in truly endless applications, especially for things like an anti-magic armored vehicle, or a sword that erased magic.
If there were a problem…
'I’ve never seen a substance like this even once…'
Even though he had traveled to so many places by then, he had never even seen a substance with similar properties.
At this rate, let alone commercialization, even making a prototype would be impossible.
Of course, there were still many parts of this world that could be considered unknown.
Even in the 21st century, they didn’t know everything about Earth, so how much more so here?
However, he didn’t want to go that far to find out, nor did he have the time to do so.
He was already dying from having too much work to do, so he couldn’t be digging in the ground just because he was curious.
Surely the descendants of the distant future would need something to enjoy as well, so let’s leave it for that time.
To reiterate, he was leaving it for them. It was absolutely not because he was feeling lazy.
Franz was pressing his fatigued eyes, leaving his regrets behind.
The door to the research Lab opened, and Arian entered.
“Magic Tower master, guests have arrived.”
“Guests?”
“Yes, Marquis Gerun, and Count Lucia and Count Lumin.”
Had it already been that long?
It seemed he had lost track of time from focusing so much on his research.
Feeling stiff, Franz stretched and said.
“I’ll go to the Magic Tower master’s office first. Send them up right away.”
It was then. Arian suddenly strode over, let out a sigh, and began adjusting his clothes here and there.
“You were probably going to greet the guests just like this. I wish, Magic Tower master, you had some awareness of your high position.”
He thought he paid a fair amount of attention to banquets or formal occasions, though.
Well, it probably wasn’t enough to satisfy Arian, who was born into a ducal family.
“Mages are fools so they don’t care, but nobles will needlessly find fault with things like this. Please be careful from now on.”
Should you, a mage, not be the one saying that?
Those words rose to the tip of his throat, but he forced them back down. If he let them out of his mouth needlessly, he would only hear more nagging.
Arian neatly straightened his collar one last time and said.
“All done. Then I’ll go escort the guests, so please head up first.”
“Alright.”
Leaving the research lab with Arian, Franz headed straight for the Magic Tower master’s office.
“Is there anything in particular to tidy up…”
The Magic Tower master’s office was quite clean. It was only natural, considering Arian cleaned it every day.
Not long after that, Arian entered the Magic Tower master’s office.
Of course, the three guests were with her.
From the white-haired elderly gentleman Marquis Gerun, to the large-framed Count Lucia, and Count Lumin, who felt too young to be a family head.
The three bowed their heads respectfully in greeting toward Franz.
“Marquis Stifild Gerun of house Gerun greets duke Esteban.”
“Count Gardner Luci-ah of house Lucia greets duke Esteban.”
“Count Bern Lumin of house Lumin greets duke Esteban.”
He always thought this, but whenever he received greetings like this, it was incredibly burdensome.
It was natural for subordinates to greet their superiors, but it felt like a brief “Nice to meet you -” would be enough.
Well, this was the etiquette of the noble world, so he had no choice but to follow it.
Franz said.
“Everyone, please raise your head.”
The three raised their heads in unison.
Truly, how could every single action be so burdensome?
But it was fine. Doing his best in his given role wasn’t difficult.
“Nice to meet you. I am Franz Gilbert Esteban. It’s a bit awkward to keep standing like this, so please have a seat first.”
Including Franz, the four sat down with the table between them.
Even though they hadn’t even started their conversation yet, the tension lingering in the air seemed to foretell what the upcoming time would be like. It would surely not be an easy time.
Franz forced himself to ignore that ominous feeling and said to Arian.
“Arian, could I ask you for some tea?”
Arian bowed her head without a word, then headed straight for the tea room.
Then the problem was from here on out…
“What should I bring up first?”
None other than Franz himself was the one leading the atmosphere of this gathering.
Because he was the one who had gathered them, and he was the one with the highest title.
Surely every single word would be important.
After pondering for a moment, Franz nodded as if filled with conviction.
As expected, beating around the bush was annoying.
“The reason I went out of my way to gather you all here is simply to exchange greetings. Having become the master of the Esteban Dukedom, I wanted to greet those nearby.”
“I-is that really all…?”
The one who asked back was Count Lumin. He seemed quite flustered, even stuttering.
“Well, there are some minor things left to discuss, but that is the main purpose.”
“T-then, things like money or jewels… Gasp!”
Count Lumin covered his mouth with his hand, as if realizing his mistake too late.
However, Franz himself couldn’t understand why he had said such a thing.
Even though he was enthusiastic about magic, he had absolutely no interest in this sort of thing.
Noticing Franz’s thoughts, Marquis Gerun said.
“As you may know, duke, there are occasionally nobles who demand money or jewels simply because their title is higher. Of course, you wouldn’t be such a person, duke. Count Lumin made a slip of the tongue for a moment, so please generously understand.”
“I-I apologize…”
Count Lumin hurriedly bowed his head and apologized.
Of course, Franz didn’t mind. A slip of the tongue was something anyone could make.
It was also natural to worry since there were actually cases like that.
Anyway, the conclusion was this.
“I have absolutely no need for money. Please use it for the revival of your respective families and for the people of your territories. And if you need help, please tell me at any time. I will provide assistance within the bounds of what is possible.”
History had already proven that one would never see a good outcome when money was involved.
Therefore, rather than chasing after such pocket change, it would be much better to build connections with the surrounding families.
Ah, come to think of it…
“If I may make one small request, it would be great if you frequently used the Magic Tower. Of course, it’s not a compulsion, so you don’t need to pay it much mind.”
At Franz’s words, the three burst into laughter at the same time.
Eventually, when the laughter subsided, Count Lucia said.
“You are a cheerful person, duke. Thanks to you, the tension has completely crumbled away.”
Judging by their reactions, it seemed they had taken it as a joke.
Franz was just left feeling awkward at their reaction because he had said it sincerely, not as a joke.
But he decided to just let it go, figuring that what’s good is good. Whatever it was, the atmosphere itself had loosened up a bit for now.
It was then.
Clatter-.
Right on time, Arian brought out the tea.
After savoring the tea, Franz carefully set down his teacup and said.
“If any of you happen to have business with me, you can just send a letter to the Magic Tower.”
“Do you perhaps plan to keep the mansion empty?”
Marquis Gerun asked, tilting his head.
At that, Franz lightly shook his head and said.
“Actually, Yuna - no, the hero is staying at the mansion.”
“The hero is at the mansion…? Does that mean, perhaps, you have an engagement with the hero, duke…”
The three nobles' eyes sparkled as if their interest had been piqued.
For nobles, romance stories were the greatest form of entertainment, after all.
In the midst of that, there was one woman who could not enjoy the entertainment alone…
A vein was bulging on Arian’s forehead.