Chapter 148
The last dragon, who had lived trapped in the Thousand Tower while harboring a vague dream of leaving for another world. The only one who had forced her way into Cassius’s barren world was Eki. She alone taught him how to beautifully color his colorless world, and taught him that even a world that had contained nothing could be filled with happiness.
Cassius recalled Eki’s bright smile and let a faint smile form on his lips. She was the only one who could give him joy just by being thought of.
Hera stared blankly at Cassius’s face for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“I wondered if our child had clung to you just because of your looks, Cassius, but it doesn’t seem that way after all.”
The smile faded from Cassius’s face, leaving it filled only with a shy blush.
“It’s late to say this, but please take good care of our Eki from now on as well.”
“…The pleasure is mine.”
“But Cassius, how old did you say you were again? I don’t really know much about mages. Eki said you’ve been the master of the Thousand Tower for a very long time.”
“……”
Cold sweat ran down Cassius’s spine. At that moment, the balcony door flew open with a bang, and Eki poked her face out.
“What are you two doing here?”
“Eki, go back inside. We’re in the middle of an important conversation.”
“Why without me. No, more importantly, we have guests.”
“Guests?”
“Milla and Giyote.”
Eki’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she answered.
“They said they were coming to visit the capital, and they stopped by the Sante region before coming. They brought gifts!”
“Oh my. Is that so? Then Cassius, shall we continue this conversation later?”
“…Yes.”
We should continue it later. We have to. I decided not to put it off any longer…
“Master, come on. Milla bought ‘Harmony’ shaved ice.”
“The one that makes you sing when you eat it?”
“Yes!”
So that’s why she seemed so excited. It must be even better because there’s food. Cassius let out a small laugh and followed Eki into the drawing room.
Eki’s friends apparently hadn’t known Cassius would be there, because they stood stiffly with tense expressions.
“It’s been a while, Lord Archmage!”
“Hello.”
Giyote greeted him cheerfully, and Milla bowed politely.
He had heard that those two already knew about his relationship with Eki. Still, Cassius was the acting head of the Gailard Mage Association, the highest authority in the current mage society. They wouldn’t be able to treat him casually as a friend’s lover.
‘This must be uncomfortable because of me.’
He had achieved the purpose of coming here. In that case, for Eki’s sake, he should excuse himself from this gathering.
“Eki. I’ll be going now.”
“What? Why? Giyote even brought a board game.”
“A board game?”
“The one I told you about before. I said I wanted to play it with you, remember?”
Cassius, Milla, Giyote, and even Eki’s parents all wore awkward expressions. Wasn’t there an enormous, undeniable distance between them for playing together with this lineup.
Cassius lightly tugged Eki closer and whispered.
“Are you crazy? Why would I do that here.”
“It’s not like I asked you to kiss me.”
“No, I mean a board game. I’ll pass. I’ve done what I came to do, so I should head back now.”
“Is it because it feels unfamiliar?”
At Eki’s concern, Cassius’s eyebrow twitched once.
“Board games aren’t that hard. You can definitely handle it, Master.”
“That’s not why.”
“Then what is it? You’re not worried you won’t be able to play, are you? You didn’t really like modern things.”
She had lowered her voice, but not enough that others couldn’t hear. At the exchange, Milla and Giyote’s eyes rolled back and forth, and Baron Provanet and his wife looked at each other with puzzled expressions. Cassius’s cheeks grew hotter by the second.
“I don’t dislike them. They’re just awkward.”
“That’s the same thing. Anyway, it’s not difficult, so don’t be scared.”
“I’m not scared.”
“I’ll teach you properly. Okay?”
Dislike. Scared. Did she really think he would rise to the bait over words like that? Cassius was dumbfounded.
“Bring me the rulebook.”
But he couldn’t refuse Eki’s request.
In the end, Giyote took out the shaved ice, and Milla set up the board game. Perhaps several spells were embedded inside, because the moment it was placed on the table, multicolored lights sparkled and shone.
“Cassius, here’s the game manual.”
Cassius accepted the manual from Milla and read through it with an irritated expression.
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