Chapter 77
‘Ah.’
That gesture again told me the child was speaking nonsense.
‘How many times am I going to fall for this?’
If it had been Eon, he would’ve gotten angry. Even though I knew that being had lived far longer than me, somehow, I just saw the child as a kid. They said he was mad, acted unpredictably, sometimes even said chilling things—but still, that’s just how I felt.
And it was the same this time. The child wore a deeply serious expression, so I decided to play along.
“Eon was originally there?”
“Yeah. Since he was born here, I wish he’d just go back there.”
“I see. So that big Eon was originally part of you?”
The child nodded, then made a gagging motion.
“Oh, so that’s why your name is Eon, and the Tower Master’s name is also Eon. Because you’re the same person.”
“That’s right. But that bad guy is a fake. I’m the real one.”
He sat up, emphasizing the word real, as if such an important statement couldn’t be made while lying down.
“You think so too, right, Sally? I’m the real one, aren’t I?”
He kept insisting he was real, but it was obvious even he wasn’t sure. From the start, I hadn’t understood a word he was saying. Of course, it was impossible to judge who was real or fake.
But I couldn’t deny the child the answer he so desperately wanted.
“Of course. You’re the real one.”
“I’m the real Eon, right?”
Color returned to the child’s face as if by magic.
“Yes, you’re the real Eon.”
Maybe that warmth in his cheeks spread through his whole body, because he started bouncing up and down in excitement.
“I’m going to brag to that bad guy. That Sally said I’m the real one!”
That Eon probably wouldn’t care either way what I said, but if the child was happy, maybe that was enough.
Then I noticed the medicine bottle on the table. Eon had left it for me to give to the child.
‘What kind of medicine is this?’
I couldn’t tell just by looking at it. Rather than giving it to the child, I tucked it into my pocket. I figured I’d try to get it analyzed.
* * *
A few more days passed.
‘My magic is finally back.’
That meant I could now go find Tara. I had to ask her why she lied to me—and what happened between her and Eon.
“Mary, you’re free this afternoon, right?”
“Yes, is there something you need me to do?”
“Yeah. I need you to come with me somewhere.”
I whispered in Mary’s ear, then raised a finger to my lips.
“Oh my, really? No wonder you’ve seemed in such a good mood.”
She must’ve completely misinterpreted what I said, but I didn’t mind. I just smiled without confirming or denying it.
Since I had stayed in my room all morning, I was ready to go out. When Mary arrived in my room as promised, her eyes widened in shock.
“Miss… what is all this?”
“I told you, we’re going out this afternoon.”
“But this…”
Mary glanced around the wrecked room, clearly unsure where to begin.
“How did you even move this carpet?”
“I just flipped it over.”
“It must’ve been so dusty.”
“Was it? It’s fine. I probably wiped most of it off.”
Our eyes simultaneously went to my skirt hem. It was covered in so many marks, not even the dark green fabric could hide them. I quickly bunched it up in my hands, knowing it was pointless but hoping to avoid Mary’s inevitable scolding.
“But that’s not the important part. Right now, we’re about to teleport.”
Mary’s eyes grew even wider. I hadn’t realized they could get that big.
“I thought we were just taking a carriage.”
I shook my head.
“You know we can’t leave without the Tower Master’s permission.”
Then I stepped into the center of the circular magic formula I had drawn on the wooden floor.
“This spell will take us somewhere else. Isn’t it exciting, Mary? Aren’t you curious?”
“M-Miss, I have a duty to serve and protect you—”
“Exactly. Which is why you need to come with me.”
The reason I was bringing Mary along was simple. I was worried that if Eon found out I had vanished, he would take it out on her. Mary was the only thing in this tower I could call mine, which made her the most likely target.
“Where exactly are we going?”
Convincing Mary wasn’t difficult. The fact that she was already standing next to me proved that.
“What was the name of the town Tara and Mr. Eton moved to?”
“Langsha?”
“Yes, Langsha. That’s where we’re going.”
Mary looked completely confused.
“I need to ask Tara something important. We’ll come back right after, so don’t worry. Oh, and if the Tower Master suddenly shows up, don’t be surprised.”
Eon would undoubtedly appear before I could cast the return spell from there. It was better to warn Mary in advance.
“Hold my hand tightly.”
Just as I was about to chant the spell—
“Sally!”
The door burst open and the child charged in. It might sound strange, but it really felt like he burst out of the door itself and tumbled into the room.
I had locked the door with a magic seal, since it was an important moment. The fact that he got through it only proved again he wasn’t just any child. And sure enough, he confronted me.
“Where are you going?”
My plan to fool him with a sloppy lie had to be abandoned before it even started. He already knew what the magic circle meant and what I was trying to do.
“I’m coming too.”
He didn’t even ask where we were going. He had already decided to follow me, no matter what.
“Isn’t it too soon for you to go outside?”
“I’m strong now.”
The child grabbed my skirt and stood beside me.
“We’re going somewhere boring.”
“If Sally’s there, I’ll have fun anywhere.”
“Actually, we’re sneaking out without the Tower Master’s permission. If you come with us, you might get in trouble too.”
Only after saying it did I realize that wasn’t a good excuse.
“Hmph, even better. I’m against everything that bad guy does.”
The child was adamant. Kind words weren’t going to work.
‘I guess I’ll just have to tear him away by force.’
As if reading my mind, the child played his strongest card. He looked up at me with big, shimmering eyes—so full of helplessness, no one could help but feel pity.
“Wouldn’t the tower be more dangerous than outside without you, Sally? If he finds out you’re gone, the bad guy might hit me.”
I couldn’t argue with him forever. And to be fair, his point did seem somewhat believable. In the end, I surrendered.
“Fine. But you have to stay quiet between me and Mary. Got it?”
“Okay. Sally!”
Mary, who had been silently observing us, clearly had a lot of questions. Was this the rumored nephew? Why did he call me Sally? Who exactly was the ‘bad guy’? It was only natural she would be curious.
But Mary was a quick-witted maid. She knew this wasn’t the time. Without asking a thing, she simply took the child’s small hand.
I quietly chanted the spell. It was my first time attempting this type of magic, but after successfully casting so many others, I had built up some confidence. I believed I wouldn’t fail.
“…36.7, Langsha.”
With those final coordinates and the city’s name, the three of us escaped the tower.
* * *
“Ugh.”
Mary sank to the ground, dizzy. I wanted to help her up, but I wasn’t in great shape either. Thanks to Eon, I’d experienced teleportation before, but the feeling—like flipping head-over-heels ten times—never got easier.
“Are you okay?”
The only one completely fine was the child. It looked ridiculous—this tiny thing comforting adults—but for now, I gratefully leaned on him.
“Now, time to find Tara.”
Langsha was much smaller than Bainain, but still, it wasn’t the kind of place where you could just spot someone instantly. Luckily, teleportation circles were always placed in central areas, so wherever she was, it couldn’t be too far.
“They’re running an herb shop here, right? Shouldn’t we head that way?”
Saying that, Mary asked a passerby for directions to the herbalist. We followed their instructions for about twenty minutes, walking down a right-hand path. Then I saw it—a familiar signboard.
‘There it is.’
My heart began to race. Just then, I made eye contact with Eton, who had come out to see off a customer. He glanced at me casually, as if I were just another stranger—but then he turned back and stared.
“Y-You’re…”
He had recognized me. There was no need to hesitate anymore.
“It’s been a while. I’ve come to see Tara.”
