Chapter 30
A subtle expression of curiosity appeared on the Master of the Mage Tower’s face.
“The refined magic stones are monopolized by the royal family, aren’t they…?”
“Not anymore.”
“Oh, that’s surprising.”
He stared at me openly, clearly trying to judge if I was truly the princess.
Well, I understood. After all, the princess, once called a puppet of the royal family, suddenly claimed she would break the monopoly on the stones.
“…I am Lorea Freze, truly. I have no hidden motives. I just want to prevent the royal family from monopolizing the refined magic stones.”
“They say people change when death approaches… Are you sick or something?”
The Master tilted his head.
‘Technically, I did die and come back.’
I only thought it; there was no point in saying it. He wouldn’t believe me anyway.
After staring at me for a long while, his violet eyes curved into a sly smile.
“Hmm. You’re not going to tell me where the stones come from?”
“No.”
I answered firmly. No one could know how to make the stones—it was literally a matter of life and death.
‘If I hide it deliberately, no one could find out.’
The Master sighed, apparently disappointed.
“You have more secrets than I thought.”
“I’ve learned that hiding your cards is the key to negotiation.”
“Wow… negotiation?”
His eyes widened in surprise.
“The princess?”
He studied me intently, as if examining a fascinating creature.
‘…What is with these eyes?’
The Master chuckled, amused by my reluctant expression.
“Let me rephrase the question. Why did you make such a decision suddenly? Is the reason also a secret?”
“Th-That…”
I trailed off.
‘This much I can tell.’
To gain his cooperation, I needed to explain my situation clearly. Some things couldn’t be hidden.
“…Because the royal family shouldn’t monopolize the stones. I will spread as many high-purity stones as possible across the empire.”
“Did you fight with your father?”
“Eh?”
I froze. Did he just call the emperor my father? And asked if I fought him? Ridiculous.
The Master, however, remained serious.
“You’re thirteen this year, right? Puberty age, I see.”
“That’s not it.”
What was with this man? I was trying to have a serious discussion, and he asked if I had fought my parent. He treated me like a rebellious teen.
“Don’t take out your anger on me just because you’re mad at your parents.”
…Correction. He was treating me like a child. My face scrunched.
“I am the princess. I am not so immature as to make impulsive decisions on serious matters.”
I emphasized every word.
“Would a child really risk stepping into the land of mages on a whim to throw a tantrum?”
The Master’s expression changed subtly. He widened his eyes, twitched his lips, and then burst into light laughter.
“Ah, I see.”
He took the refined stone from my hand, turning it in the sunlight. The red glow shimmered across the room.
“A puppet planning to oppose the royal family… an impressive puppet.”
I silently thought how lucky it was that we were in the land of mages. Any other place, saying this could have landed me in an underground cell.
“I wondered why you said it wasn’t a trade… but the princess plans to use me as a chess piece?”
I flinched, shoulders trembling without realizing it.
The Master smiled faintly, relaxed.
“Did I hit too close to the truth?”
His eyes shifted sideways. He was right. This wasn’t really a trade—it was more like borrowing his power. I offered the stones; he had far more work to do.
I quickly added:
“…But it’s not a bad deal for you, is it?”
I had to say something.
“You’ve probably never seen such pure refined stones. This will be fascinating research for you. Using them to protect the land of mages and neutralize the royal family benefits you too, doesn’t it?”
“Hmm.”
The Master stroked his chin, drawing out his words.
“Half right, half wrong.”
His usual faint smile returned.
“I agree with the first two points, but dealing with the royal family is very tiring.”
He shrugged, showing off.
“If things go wrong, I can just leave the continent, why bother?”
I unconsciously frowned.
‘This is really not easy.’
Unlike Hella, who protected wandering mages out of responsibility, the Master acted out of curiosity. Unpredictable, a true oddball.
He controlled the western lands, but only that. He didn’t drive away mages who came to the west; letting them be was the maximum generosity he offered.
‘So when magic spread across the west, he abandoned the land without hesitation.’
I felt a bit defeated. This reaction was unexpected.
‘I thought the red refined stone would at least catch his interest.’
Could I offer other terms? I had none. How could I even guess what might tempt a mage who had lived over 800 years?
‘What should I do?’
I grew anxious. Failure here could ruin the whole plan.
The Master studied my expressions intently, clearly enjoying it. Finally, alternating his gaze between the stone and me, he shrugged.
“Alright.”
“Huh?”
I had to double-check my ears.
“It’s a bit troublesome, but you’re interesting. I’ll help.”
“…Really?”
I frowned. He had just said it was troublesome, so why suddenly agree?
“Nothing is more entertaining than betrayal. Especially if it’s a royal family feud.”
He muttered to himself.
“This will be really fun.”
A royal family feud… fun? Definitely not a normal way of thinking.
‘…A true oddball.’
He had not seemed this way before my previous life. But it didn’t matter. Ultimately, he agreed to help.
“Then you won’t be disappointed.”
“I hope so.”
The Master nodded in agreement.
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“For now.”
“Then I should leave. Your companion outside has been staring hotly the whole time.”
He shivered his shoulders, removing the barrier. Damian, who had been biting his nails, snapped his eyes open.
‘…He was biting his nails?’
Probably out of concern.
“Is the discussion over?”
“Yes, I’ve convinced him.”
I straightened my chin, hiding my smile. Still, I couldn’t hide my pride—I had really succeeded.
Damian looked at me curiously.
“…You convinced him? Princess?”
“Is that a problem?”
“I just can’t believe it.”
Really. I could persuade someone with words. Not by threats. Is that so strange?
The Master leaned his chin on his hand, watching quietly.
“You two seem very close.”
“We’re not.”
“We are not.”
Damian and I shivered simultaneously.
