WFLRN Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Denros woke up early in the morning.
Even though he had trouble falling asleep due to sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, he rose at the usual time without fail.
As always, impeccably prepared, he activated the magical communication orb he carried with him in the unfamiliar room.

“Your Majesty.”

The image of a man appeared in the orb. Denros bowed his head to the man, the sun of the Empire.
The communication orb was a magical tool that allowed one to converse face-to-face with someone far away.

“Duke. I’ve heard the report from the Vice Captain.”
“Yes. The shadow spreads from the sea currents and has reached the land.”
“I cannot overturn the entire sea… hmm…”

The middle-aged emperor with golden hair drummed his fingers on the armrest in deep thought.
He then let out a long sigh and spoke.

“As expected, I have no choice but to meet that man—the Mage Tower Master.”

The temple had no knowledge of the shadow phenomenon. They only spouted nonsense, calling it a disaster.
So, the emperor sought the Mage Tower Master’s opinion on whether he knew about the phenomenon and if it could be stopped.
But the only answer he received was that the Mage Tower Master was absent.

The Mage Tower Master.
A figure shrouded in mystery. Almost never publicly revealed, not even in official events.
Even the emperor had met him only once, years ago, during the Master’s inauguration.

In the Empire, magic held supremacy over the gods, so the Mage Tower was recognized as an independent institution. Even the emperor could not command the Tower or its Master at will.

“You’re in the southern territory now, right?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I hear he is staying in the south as well. Investigate it.”
“I will obey your command.”

“By the way… why did you suddenly go to the southern territory? Why didn’t you return immediately? The princess has been waiting for you…”

“Your Majesty.”

Denros’ expression darkened slightly as the emperor subtly brought up the princess.

“Do you really have no intention of remarrying? Isn’t it a waste of your youth?”

The emperor reproached him with genuine concern.
“I will take my leave.”

Denros’ sharp dismissal was met with a reluctant expression from the emperor.
Beep.
The communication orb shut off.

Remarriage, marriage—these were unnecessary matters.
From the start, there had been no place for marriage in his life. A variable had intruded, but everything had returned to its rightful order.
There would be no more variables.

Denros picked up the orb and left the room.
Everything was quiet.
Though there were supposedly two servants, the hallway was eerily silent, not even an ant stirring.

Walking without making a sound, Denros’ gaze naturally drifted out the window.
The mansion’s garden came into view.

Bathed in the morning sunlight, the garden was empty.
The lone rocking chair sat unoccupied, and scattered flowers surrounded a single massive mimosa tree.
There was no warmth of human presence. Unlike the garden in his own mansion, where he could always see its owner seated in the same spot.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

Denros turned to see Shasha walking toward him.

“Dia asked me to deliver this to you, Duke.”

She handed him a thick envelope directly.
He could linger here briefly without offering thanks, since she was just passing by with business. But it was only a moment.
It seemed that Vendia had quickly arranged the cash reward yesterday, as she said it would take some time.

“No need.”

Denros passed by without taking the envelope, his expression indifferent.
Money was unnecessary to him. She had only tried to give him a reward he didn’t need, and he played along.

“What? No, she specifically said to deliver this!”
“What? You’re not taking it? Then I—Ah!”

“Step aside!”

Peter, who had suddenly appeared and was acting oblivious, was smacked on the back by Shasha.

“Damn! I’m like a punching bag, huh?!”

Peter shouted in frustration, but Shasha ignored him and quickly approached Denros again.

“This is money Dia earned with her own blood and sweat! You can’t just dismiss it!”
“……”
“She didn’t earn it from rent. Dia earned it herself.”

Denros stopped walking.

Earned herself? She was the same woman who once embroidered initials so clumsily…

“Dia is doing very well. She also holds the Second Advisory post in The Line. Even without this money, she’ll earn more. So don’t refuse it.”

Taking advantage of this, Shasha pressed the envelope into Denros’ hands.
It was heavy—impossible to estimate its contents at a glance.

“Then I’ve delivered it.”

Shasha quickly stepped back to prevent the envelope from returning. From a safe distance, she turned to look again.

“It’s true. She earned every penny herself. I didn’t help at all.”

Denros’ eyebrows twitched at the meaningful words.
He stared sharply at Shasha, but she merely smiled.
Was he imagining it?

His gaze returned to the garden.

“Where is she?”

Vendia wondered if Dia still frequented the garden, but in the two days she had stayed here, she had not once seen her face. Neither in the garden nor the house.

“She went to work. She’s busy.”

Shasha smiled smugly.

“Alright, let’s wrap up.”

Having thoroughly inspected the shop, Vendia stepped outside.
It was almost lunchtime. By now, Shasha would have delivered the envelope to Denros. That man should be gone as well.

Though she didn’t know why he had suddenly come to the south, she had told him he could stay at the mansion until the reward was delivered. There were plenty of rooms anyway. He had likely already left.

Though their recent reunion at the police station had been embarrassing, what could she do? It was already in the past.

“First, let’s focus on that.”

Where should she even begin to learn about the Mage Tower?
Having no knowledge of magic, she felt completely at a loss.

Vendia scanned the crowds in the Life Café. Since changing to a jungle theme, it had become even more popular.

“Oh my, who’s this?”

Someone greeted her familiarly.

“Long time no see, young lady. Came for a portrait session?”

Turning her gaze, she saw a young woman extravagantly dressed, seemingly prepared to take photos.

“Who is she?”

“Iik…! I heard she’s mentally unstable after a divorce, but her memory seems poor too.”

The woman, offended that Vendia didn’t recognize her, flushed red and tried hard to belittle her.

“Does a divorced woman like you even need a portrait? You have no husband to look at it anyway… pfft.”

Ah, that tone. Vendia remembered.
This was the same woman who had insulted her daily at tea parties during her marriage to Denros—the Countess of Dolorence.

The Countess of Dolorence. She had desperately tried to impress Jane Calvermer, Vendia’s mother-in-law.
Always bringing Jane more expensive gifts than others, yet always placed in the corner at tea parties.
She sincerely insulted Vendia to gain Jane’s favor and was the first to lead whenever Jane tormented Vendia.

“Do you still sit in the far corner these days?”

Vendia smiled slightly as she spoke, causing the Countess of Dolorence to flinch.

What… is this sense of discord?

The Countess was flustered. She had always trembled beside Jane, unable to lift her head or make eye contact.