BVGWML 10

10.

While I was devising a plan to shake off Jeb Horse, a reply arrived from the Magic Tower.

It was another one of those black birds with glowing eyes that looked downright eerie. I hadn’t gotten used to it even after seeing one before, but then the bird’s beak parted.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

It was the same voice as last time. It seemed this mage was in charge of these communications.

‘Looks like that obnoxious guy from before isn’t around.’

I had zero desire to communicate again with that mage whose speech had been so grating from the start.

“Yeah, right back at you. How have you been?”

“Let’s skip the formalities.”

My lips tugged downward awkwardly. What was up with this beastkin? Why were all the Magic Tower mages like this?

“Uh… You asked about a child with magical talent and how to nurture their abilities. And whether the Magic Tower could help.”

“Yes.”

“……”

The mage paused again. Just like last time. Was he discussing with other mages before responding?

I could faintly hear voices, but it wasn’t clear. I sat quietly, waiting for the reply.

‘Maybe he’s talking about that mage I cut off last time.’

An uneasy premonition flitted through my mind. Last time, I’d sent the messenger out of mere curiosity, after all.

‘No way it’s the same this time?’

Still, it felt awkward to press for an answer when I was the one who’d requested help, so I just sat there fidgeting anxiously.

Then, amid a burst of static, the mage’s voice leaked through again.

“First off, they’ll have to develop their abilities as a mage on their own. The Magic Tower isn’t running a charity.”

Handle it yourself. Same response as before.

In a continent where mages commanded such high status, who would’ve thought they’d react like this to news of a talented child.

‘I didn’t have high hopes, but I did hold onto a sliver of optimism…’

Just as disappointment started to settle in, the mage’s voice returned.

“But this time, I’m thinking of offering some special assistance.”

“Pardon? Really?!”

My voice rose involuntarily after he’d dashed my hopes, only to extend this sudden olive branch.

“Ah, that’s hurting my ears. Could you speak a bit softer?”

“Y-Yes… Sorry.”

This mage had such a soft voice and gentle tone, yet his words were anything but kind.

Still, at the promise of special help, I perked up my ears and widened my eyes, and he began explaining.

“First, we need to verify the child’s talent, so we’ll send a mage from the Tower.”

The explanation that followed went something like this: a mage from the Magic Tower would meet the child in person, assess their mana, and if deemed worthy of joining the Tower, take them back immediately to train personally.

Ed’s talents went without saying—they were exceptional. He’d surely head straight to the Magic Tower.

After all, this was the kid who rose to become the Magic Tower Lord in the original story.

A twinge of melancholy hit me at the thought of our parting coming sooner than expected, but Ed would be happier returning to his rightful place, surrounded by all the wonders there.

“So, a mage will arrive soon. Please wait for them. Oh, and check the messenger bird’s leg—there’s a pouch there. It’s a communication orb linked to the Magic Tower. Use it in emergencies.”

With that, the light in the bird’s eyes gradually faded.

‘Emergency? This is an emergency right now.’

I immediately pulled the communication orb from the pouch. That slimy Jeb would be showing up at the estate soon. I had something urgent to say before then.

Placing my hand on the orb, a subtle black glow emanated from it. Fitting for a Magic Tower communication device.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

A carriage slowly pulled up the long road from the main gate to the central manor.

“It’s been a while, Lady Morton.”

The door swung open, revealing that obnoxious Jeb. The mage I’d been eagerly awaiting was still nowhere to be seen.

His butter-slick eyes and syrupy tone grated on my previously calm nerves.

‘How does someone so unremarkable-looking pull off something so monstrous?’

If I’d actually married a guy like that, my life would’ve been ruined.

Shivers ran down my arms, and I rubbed them vigorously on my own, when Ramy stepped forward with a welcoming smile to greet him first.

“Lord Horse! I’ve heard you’ve been quite busy. I hope everything worked out?”

Oh, right. He’d mentioned being busy.

Whether this creep was busy or not was none of my concern—I’d just forgotten for a moment.

Standing sullenly beside Ramy, he nudged my arm with his elbow, signaling me to greet him. My expression soured instantly.

“Long time no see. I hope you’ve been well.”

“Lady Morton! Are you curious about my well-being?”

As I took a reluctant step forward and offered the greeting, the zebra flashed a wide, squinty smile and seized my hand.

“No, it was just politeness.”

Even as I yanked my hand away in revulsion, he showed no sign of embarrassment or surprise.

“I’ve been working diligently, counting the days until I could see you again, Lady Morton. I’ve even renovated the estate for our upcoming marriage.”

The zebra let out a creepy chuckle and headed into the manor with Ramy.

Staring at their backs, I recalled the Zebra’s secret I’d mulled over these past few days. Just thinking about it made sharing the same space nauseating, but right now, I needed to buy as much time as possible.

‘No choice.’

I followed the two beastkin with heavy steps toward the drawing room.

‘Creepy zebra bastard.’

Watching the primly dressed Jeb leisurely sip his tea, curses bubbled up inside me. Knowing the Horse Family’s secret only deepened my existing contempt for him.

“Haha, by the way, Lady Morton, if you have time, would you consider visiting our Zebra Territory?”

The zebra, mid-conversation with Ramy, turned to me.

“It’ll be your home for life—wouldn’t it be good to see it beforehand?”

Jeb seemed utterly convinced I’d marry him. Worthless drivel poured from his mouth without restraint.

He’d specially decorated the largest bedroom in the estate to suit sheep tastes, or that visiting the Horse lands a few times beforehand would help me adjust.

All while unimaginable horrors were unfolding in that very estate’s basement, yet he invited guests without a hint of hesitation.

‘To think such a monster leads a territory.’

Imagining Ed nearly getting entangled in the Horse Family’s atrocities plummeted my already foul mood even lower.

“Hmm. Do I really need to preview it?”

“Ah, true. Making your first visit on our wedding day does have a certain romance to it.”

That wasn’t what I meant.

As the zebra prattled on excitedly with his own interpretation, I gave vague responses while my attention fixed entirely on Jeb’s aide and the communication orb he held.

Thump, thump. My heart pounded so loudly from tension, it felt like it echoed outside.

‘Is it going well?’

My worried gaze drifted to the clock on the drawing room wall.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Inside the Horse estate, home to the family leading the Zebra Territory.

Unlike the peaceful-looking gardens and above-ground floors, security grew increasingly tight starting from the passages to the basement.

Yet someone slipped through that formidable security unnoticed.

‘Tch. Did they mobilize every guard and family knight? Unnecessarily thorough.’

He strode boldly through the estate’s interior, but none of the passing servants or patrolling knights detected him.

It was only natural. The infiltrator was none other than Billy Rub, head of the Wolf Territory.

A man who’d once nearly claimed the Magic Tower Lord’s seat, Billy was an extraordinary mage. When he went all out to conceal himself with magic, even seasoned mages wouldn’t sense him.

‘Why am I even here?’

Nick had singled him out as the best for the job due to his speed. Even when Billy protested that Nick should go himself, the new Tower Lord just shrugged with a grin.

“The Tower Lord has mountains of work here—I obviously can’t go. You’ve got business nearby anyway, so why not do a good deed on the way?”

Recalling Nick’s words, Billy clicked his tongue and headed toward the basement passage.

As he descended the winding stairs to the underground, he thought of the bold sheep who’d first contacted the Tower Lord.

“Mage? Are you there? I have a tip about magical crimes!”

He hadn’t expected contact from that side first—and so quickly. He’d assumed radio silence until they reached out.

‘What an entertaining sheep.’

The Magic Tower, long ensconced at the continent’s pinnacle, was less an object of admiration for beastkin and more one of fear.

This stemmed from past Tower Lords who’d solidified their power through fear tactics across the empire.

The previous lords, and those before, had all masterfully wielded that terror to dominate the continent.

‘Even Nick tried carrying on that image when he first became Tower Lord, for an easy ride. He toyed with the idea of improving it briefly.’

Then a letter arrived at the Tower—via a long-forgotten magic circle, no less.

Rumors abounded that contacting the Tower meant ending up a guinea pig for deadly experiments or enduring unspeakable horrors.

Though the Tower had never actually done such things.

Wondering what daring beastkin it was, Billy had opened the letter with Nick in the Tower Lord’s chamber.

Laughter echoed in the room with just the two wolves for quite a while.

She was using a plea for magical aid as pretext to escape a forced marriage to the Horse Family head, requesting a deal with the Tower?

“So, she sent a letter to the Tower to dodge a marriage?”

“Better to die than marry, huh.”

The intent was impossible to pin down.

When they dismissed it as a quirky incident right after Nick’s ascension, a second letter arrived.

“She says a kid she knows shows magical talent—can the Tower help?”

“That’s not the whole story, right?”

“It is.”

“……”

What kind of beastkin was she?

First to proactively contact the Tower, boldly suggesting image reform, even yelling “Hey!” without fear. Now asking for support to train a kid’s magic?

Nick and Billy exchanged baffled glances after the second letter.

Had word already spread that the new Tower Lord was a pushover, unlike his predecessors? It hadn’t even been long since his appointment.

So they sent a messenger bird—out of curiosity about her motives.

But the sheep stuck strictly to the letter’s contents. Her bold tone showed no tremor even in direct communication with the Tower, which was all the more intriguing.

That’s why they sent the communication orb—to make it easy for her to reach out anytime.

If interest waned, they’d reclaim it and slap a secrecy spell to prevent leaks.

Plus, per his secretary’s report, a wolf pup from their clan had been sold as a slave to her estate.

That slave nagged at Billy.

And the orb they’d sent…