Collector’s Cage - Chapter 45

“It seems there must have been some misunderstanding. Are you absolutely sure you signed a contract with Dormi?”

“Misunderstanding?! Did you just say misunderstanding?!”

It was obvious to anyone that the mage was at fault, and hearing him downplay the situation as a “misunderstanding” made Hermie’s anger explode once more. As the excited Hermie shouted, the Guild Master calmly explained the situation.

“We definitely signed a contract. He even promised to get it notarized by the Magical Tower. But instead of showing up, he took the money and ran.”

Finally calmed down, Hermie regained her composure and pressed the issue again.

“He hasn’t paid back the Pumpkin Flower Guild’s money, he turned me into this state, and he even deceived a noble! If you keep denying it, we’ll have no choice but to reveal the truth to Marquis Froy Ozette as well. Did you think I’d go down alone?!”
“Tsk…”

The Magical Tower mage sighed deeply. The most difficult people to deal with are those with nothing left to lose.
They say a cornered rat will bite a cat. If pushed, Hermie would throw down a bomb with a ‘we all die together’ mentality.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Seeing his opponent wasn’t going to be easy to handle, the Magical Tower mage turned his back, saying he would go and report. It was one report after another. Were higher-ups going to come out now? It felt like systematically taking down enemies.

Thirty minutes later, this time three mages appeared. They had white hair, suggesting they were figures of some stature within the Tower.

They listened to Hermie’s story more calmly than the previous mages had. Then, they offered a sincere apology.

“We deeply regret that such an unfortunate incident has occurred.”
“I need to see Dormi. He promised to turn me back to normal.”
“Right. We should also hear Dormi’s side of the story.”

Hermie and the Guild Master entered the Tower with the three mages. As they walked down the corridor, every mage they passed scurried out of the way and bowed their heads.

For the notoriously arrogant mages to avoid someone, it gave an idea of the status these three held. They surely had the authority to punish a mage as well.

Not wanting to miss her chance for retribution, Hermie asked.

“What will Dormi’s punishment be?”
“Hmm?”
“A Magical Tower mage committed acts worse than a petty thug. Will there be no punishment at all?”

She looked up at the mage with an expression that said, Surely you can’t be serious? The white-haired mage stroked his beard as if in deep thought, then finally spoke after a long pause.

“Once the investigation is concluded, a personnel committee will convene. The punishment will be decided there.”

It meant they would handle it internally. The arm bends inward—they had absolutely no intention of taking a Magical Tower mage to court.

While not entirely satisfying, it was enough if they promised not to sweep it under the rug.

“He sold me to a noble. Said he needed to fund his own research. He promised to come rescue me but never did. If he had just kept his promises, I wouldn’t be this angry.”

Hermie said to the mage with a determined face.

“If he gets off without any punishment, I won’t be able to stay quiet either.”
“…While everything will be decided after the investigation, if his reckless actions are confirmed as true, I promise you punishment will be unavoidable.”

At the white-haired mage’s promise, the mage following behind cleared his throat with an ahem, revealing his discomfort. He seemed to be a mage with some connection to Dormi.

As they walked, led by the three mages, they arrived at a familiar door. It was Dormi’s laboratory.

Hermie glared at the door, seething continuously. The thought of meeting that bastard again made her excitement refuse to settle. Anger surged to the top of her head.

“Calm down, Hermie.”

The Guild Master soothed Hermie, who was trembling with rage. At the knock, the iron door swung open.

“Huh? Grand Mage Dezerna, what brings you here?”