[CHAPTER 146]
I stood in a corner of the cave, quietly steadying my trembling breath.
Large and small red crystals densely embedded in the cave walls and ceiling emitted a faint glow.
Amid the red energy, blue magic circles drawn by Sylvia spread across the entire floor and walls, cutting through the crimson light.
Excluding the teleportation circle, there were three magic circles prepared to capture the Mage Tower Lord.
Since there were three mages, each was assigned to one circle.
Ian would handle the seal, Linen the binding, and the remaining mage, Sylvia, would cast the purification spell.
Once the sealing and binding were complete, the other two would also join in the purification magic.
The mana stones and magic circles writhed quietly, as if they were living beings.
“My Lady, are you okay?”
Sylvia approached and asked with concern, and I nodded while forcing a smile.
Since I had volunteered to act as bait, I had to be fine.
Still, now that the moment was right in front of me, I could not help but worry.
What if it was only a momentary curiosity?
What if the Mage Tower Lord lost interest in me in the meantime?
Or what if he is far stronger than Sylvia expects?
If this plan fails…
As anxious thoughts spiraled endlessly, Sylvia draped a thick cloak over my shoulders.
I looked at her with puzzled eyes.
“This is…?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince sent it.”
“It has defensive magic embedded in it, so it should block most magical attacks.”
“For him to give away something this precious, it seems His Highness truly cherishes you, My Lady.”
“Is it really that valuable?”
“Of course.”
“Unlike ordinary magic tools that only activate spells, this one nullifies numerous magical activations.”
“As far as I know, only His Majesty the Emperor has one, and His Highness the Crown Prince has one.”
“Ah…”
I looked down at the cloak on my shoulders and absentmindedly fiddled with its hem.
“His Highness said he would come himself if possible, but I am not sure.”
“If the Mage Tower Lord arrives too quickly…”
“Wait.”
Ian interrupted Sylvia with a tense voice.
Sylvia and the others closed their mouths and focused on Ian.
In the tense silence, Ian spoke in a low voice.
“He’s here.”
At once, everyone’s gaze turned to the small map Ian had spread out.
The map was also a magic tool, and a vivid red dot blinked as it moved toward the cave.
Several slightly dimmer red dots followed behind it at a slower pace.
“The higher the mana, the clearer the red dot.”
“This one should be the Mage Tower Lord, and these must be his subordinate mages.”
As we focused on Ian’s explanation, Linen nodded and gestured with his hand.
“Ian, you stand near the entrance and seal him the moment he steps inside.”
“I will stay deep inside, hidden, and bind his feet.”
“Sylvia will be in the center, and My Lady will…”
As Linen hesitated, I calmly continued his words.
“I’ll go outside.”
“He needs to notice me.”
“Please be careful.”
With Linen’s warning and Sylvia’s worried expression, I forced a bright smile.
“I will.”
The Mage Tower Lord arrived sooner than expected.
If he did not dawdle and came straight here, there were probably about ten minutes left.
I was not fully mentally prepared yet, but honestly, more time would not make the preparation perfect anyway.
Still, I wondered if it might have been a little less frightening if Vincent had arrived and things unfolded then.
But I could not wait for him to come.
I slowly started walking toward the cave entrance.
The dim glow emitted by the red mana stones gradually faded from view, and the cold air near the entrance brushed against my skin.
I paused briefly before stepping outside and took in the scenery beyond.
The forest at dawn was still steeped in deep darkness.
A pale mist filled the space between the trees, and cold, damp air lingered around my ankles.
Faint dawn light was slowly spreading across the eastern sky, but it was still firmly under the rule of night.
As I took another step outside the cave, my eyes met Derek’s, who was hiding in the shadows beneath a nearby tree.
He bowed his head slightly in greeting, and I returned the gesture with a small nod.
Derek and the knights were lying in ambush near the cave and would block the remaining mages from entering once the Mage Tower Lord went inside.
At the same time, they were tasked with protecting me right now.
Unlike his usual calm demeanor, there was an unmistakable tension in Derek’s gaze.
Even so, his presence was a great comfort to me.
“Hoo…”
Letting out a deep breath, I looked away from him and slowly began walking along the forest path.
The grass along the path was damp with dew that had fallen overnight, and branches brushed against my feet with a rustling sound at every step.
Slowing my pace and moving deliberately, I tightened the cloak around my shoulders once more.
The soft yet thick texture of the cloak was palpable at my fingertips.
Though it was imbued with defensive magic, anxiety crept in over how long it would truly hold.
Magic could be blocked, but it would be useless against physical force if the Mage Tower Lord struck me directly or tried to drag me away.
