{ Chapter 32 }
Aska Willovis walked straight through the ballroom and stopped right in front of Reyester.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“I don’t think I have anything to say to you.”
“But I do,” Aska replied.
Reyester raised an eyebrow at the unexpected reply.
As the atmosphere became tense, the music in the ballroom stopped. Reyester was annoyed but reminded himself: a perfect crown prince never argues in front of guests.
“Follow me.”
He led Aska out to a terrace behind the ballroom. Once the door was closed to block out sound, Reyester spoke.
“What’s this about? I don’t remember us being close enough for surprise visits.”
Aska said nothing.
Reyester’s friendly mask began to fade with the growing silence.
“Are you playing games with me, Tower Master?”
“There’s a spell that can erase a person’s memories.”
Suddenly, Aska said something strange.
“It’s forbidden by the Magic Association. Do you know why?”
Reyester didn’t answer, but held his breath.
A pale glow began to shine from Aska’s hands. It felt dangerous.
“It has serious side effects. A small mistake can cause permanent brain damage. Some people have even become mentally broken because of it.”
It was a threat.
This mage was threatening royalty. Reyester let out a dry laugh.
“Are you saying you want to erase my memory?”
“Not necessarily. If this talk goes well, I won’t need to use it.”
“Using forbidden magic would destroy your mana core and erase your name from the mage registry. You’d become a criminal.”
“Only if you’re caught,” Aska said.
In other words, he believed he wouldn’t be.
Reyester recalled all of Aska’s grand titles:
The brightest star since the Tower’s founding.
A genius born with the blessing of mana.
Could he survive if this monster used magic at close range?
No, the answer was clear.
“Say what you want. You must be doing this because you want something.”
Reyester quickly decided to negotiate. After a pause, Aska spoke.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but when Rel was gone… I had a really hard time.”
He said it with a blank face. His purple eyes shimmered coldly.
“So I don’t want that to happen again, Your Highness.”
His meaning was clear:
He wanted Relshiz Baltine to be reappointed.
“You want me to bring that mage back?”
Aska didn’t answer, but his silence said yes. Reyester frowned.
No one knew, but when Rel went to the Southern Continent, it had left a mark on Aska like a scar.
Even though Aska could teleport anywhere, he couldn’t find Rel, who had completely erased her tracks.
He didn’t know what she did during that time, but the sudden appearance of a daughter gave him a clue.
Aska’s gaze darkened.
If Rel disappeared again and met someone else, like she met the father of her child…
Aska would not be okay with that.
“This deal could benefit you too, Your Highness.”
“How so?”
“If things go well, you’ll gain the Tower Master’s support.”
Reyester blinked.
The Tower Master had come to his party and dared to threaten him. He wondered how Aska planned to deal with the consequences—but then Aska offered himself, the most valuable thing he had.
All for Rel’s sake.
A cold silence settled between them.
“One question—Is she your daughter?”
He meant Shiz.
Aska didn’t confirm or deny it—he only smiled sharply.
“If you want control over me, you’ll need Relshiz Baltine.”
So Sabin’s guess wasn’t completely wrong. No one else would go this far unless they had a deep connection.
With the new queen and Princess Dallen gaining power, having the Tower on his side was useful.
This offer made the earlier rudeness worth it. Reyester gave a faint smile.
“Fine. I accept.”
“…”
“So I won’t end up mindless after all?”
Aska, hearing the answer he wanted, released the spell. The heavy pressure around Reyester disappeared like fog.
The deal was done.
* * *
Meanwhile, Shiz had completely forgotten her recent sadness when she arrived in Labota.
“Wow, the sea! It’s my first time seeing it!”
White seagulls flew over the sparkling waves. The salty smell and the soft white sand—everything amazed her.
“That’s where the whale king lives, right? If I go in, I’ll see him, right?”
“Stop right there!”
Sadly, Rel (now acting like an adult) had to stop Shiz from jumping into the water.
Still, Shiz was happy.
She built sandcastles, collected seashells, and listened to the waves through an empty shell.
‘People who live here are lucky. They get to see the ocean every day.’
Late at night, Shiz leaned against the window in their room, thinking that to herself.
‘Is this our home now?’
…Are we going to stay here forever?
Shiz’s happy mood quickly faded. Even though she was just a child, she understood the situation.
They came to Labota because Relshiz got into big trouble at the palace. That’s why they had to leave.
Shiz loved the beautiful sea here, but… she still missed their old house.
She missed her secret hideout, the doodles she drew on the walls, the kitty she played with… And most of all, that was where she learned magic for the first time.
Naturally, she began to think of Aska.
‘I guess I won’t get to see Ash anymore, huh…’
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Just then, something in Relshiz’s bag began to glow. Curious, Shiz walked over and checked it.
‘It’s Ash’s earring. That mana channel thingy… hmm, what was it called again? Anyway, it’s the one sister used to talk to Ash.’
Since Relshiz was in the bath, she couldn’t answer it.
Shiz stared at the glowing earring, then reached out and picked it up.
‘How did she do it again?’
She tried copying her mom and put the earring in her ear. Suddenly, a high-pitched sound rang out and made her head buzz.
“Waaahh!”
[…Shiz?]
Shiz’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Wow, it’s Ash’s voice!’
She was amazed—and thrilled.
So cool! So fun! And her sister had been using this alone?
“Hi, Ash!”
There was a short silence before Aska’s low voice replied:
[Shiz, answer me carefully, okay?]
“Okay! What is it?”
[Where are you and your mom right now?]
Shiz shut her mouth.
“She said I’m not supposed to tell.”
[Why not?]
“Because if someone comes after us, it’ll be a big problem.”
[…Really?]
Aska’s voice suddenly sounded cold. Shiz flinched a little. Then, a small sigh came through the earring, followed by his calm voice again.
[Actually, I defeated the bad prince who was bothering Rell.]
“…You defeated the bad prince?”
[Yep. Now it’s safe to come back, but I don’t know where you are. I want to come and pick you up.]
Shiz’s face lit up. If Aska had defeated the bad prince, then she could go back to the capital!
[So, can you tell me where you are? I’ll come get you.]
Shiz, happy and excited, opened her mouth:
“We’re in…”
* * *
Two days later in Labota, after playing all day, Shiz was completely full of energy again. Rel was glad to see her cheerful—it was much better than being sad and gloomy.
Since Shiz had been running around nonstop, she fell asleep as soon as she washed up and lay down.
“Snore… snore…”
“Guess I won’t need to read her a bedtime story.”
Listening to Shiz snoring softly, Rel sat and thought.
Even though they were at a peaceful vacation spot and Shiz was having fun… she, as the adult, was full of worries.
