Chapter 63
At times like this, it’s crucial not to act guilty. Hesed spoke in a slightly curt voice.
“Is there something on my face, Siord?”
“No, nothing.”
Hesed then shifted his gaze away from Siord and continued talking about Devrant, the main culprit who had disturbed the West and the White Tower several months ago.
“It seems he’s left the West. According to the White Tower’s information network, as well as a private investigation by Hesed’s family, traces were found indicating he headed north.”
“I’ve thought about it, and it seems Devrant isn’t just a follower of Tumor,” Siord said, recalling Devrant’s almost relieved expression when the necklace containing the deity’s fragment was destroyed.
“Who cares what that dark sorcerer thinks. Whatever his intentions, they’re neither pure nor beautiful, so we just need to catch and punish him.”
When Hisran said this nonchalantly, Siord gave him a sidelong glance but didn’t pursue it further.
There were similar moments throughout the meeting.
“Now, let’s review the disputes between the Towers.”
“This needs addressing. Siord, manage your subordinates better. We need clear boundaries on merchandise sales.”
“What nonsense. Instead of wasting time blaming me, improve your product quality.”
“Do you really think we lost out because of quality? It’s because you manipulated prices.”
“Reducing production costs is also a skill.”
“I’m going to remember this conversation.”
Hesed expected to witness the ‘battle of nerves’ between the two Tower Masters that Irina often mentioned, but it was surprisingly subdued.
‘They seem more restrained than I heard. Is it because they’ve both become more mellow since getting partners?’
Thanks to this, the meeting progressed faster than Hesed anticipated. Hisran made decisions quickly, Siord was concise, and Loretta nodded in agreement on most issues except for a few.
As the meeting, which discussed Devrant’s pursuit results and inter-Tower disputes, was coming to an end, Loretta opened her tiny mouth.
“So, Irina.”
“Yes?”
“No, Hesed. How did you find attending the Tower Masters’ meeting?”
Caught off guard, the question was critical. Hesed’s pupils wavered.
‘Haven’t I been mimicking Senior well enough?’
He hadn’t made any noticeable mistakes during the meeting.
“That, uh…”
‘Did she know from the beginning? How?’
“What? That’s Hesed?”
Looking around, it seemed Hisran was the only one who hadn’t noticed until now.
Siord, arms crossed, gave Hisran a pitying look.
“The words he used weren’t like Irina at all.”
“Well, I just thought she decided to live differently after going through such a big ordeal,” Hisran shrugged.
Siord might have noticed the difference in language use, but how did Loretta figure it out? Loretta, sensing Hesed’s questioning gaze, laughed softly.
“Just a hunch.”
“…What kind of unfriendly explanation is that?”
Now that he had been caught, his tone, which had been pretending to be Irina, quickly changed.
“It’s still more polite than your usual attitude towards the other Tower Masters, excluding Irina.”
“Right, right. I don’t usually side with Loretta, but she’s right this time.”
Hisran, who chimed in with agreement, asked with sparkling eyes.
“So, what happened? Did Irina make another weird potion that swapped your souls?”
Hesed glared at Hisran, who was muttering about how the potion seemed fun and could be used for events. Although, as a delicate beauty, his glare didn’t look threatening at all.
“Watch your mouth. Weird potion? My Senior is far more skilled than any potion maker from the Red Tower. This mishap is entirely my fault.”
“Oh, really? Then why is a guilty person talking so much?”
“Looking back, the former White Tower Master made a wise decision. Irina must have had a tough time.”
“Agreed.”
Loretta and Siord added their own comments. When else would they have the chance to subtly reprimand the White Tower’s troublemaker that Irina always shielded?
“You really should be grateful for having such a Senior.”
“I know that very well. That’s why I always feel sympathy for Zephyros, Ceres, and Amuro.”
“Ugh, you little piece of…!”
Hesed, knowing the psychology of the other Tower Masters, was about to argue that he was much better than they who often frustrated their own Seniors. But he held back with his last bit of patience. He simply wanted to see Irina, who was likely nearby, very much.
*
Two hours earlier. Irina nervously opened the door to the meeting room where the Deputy Tower Masters were gathered. All eyes turned to the doorway.
‘What would Hesed do in this situation?’ Well, what could he do?
Though only three minutes late, she had arrived last and needed to apologize.
“I’m sorry for being late.”
Knowing recently that Hesed was more blunt with others than she thought, Irina kept her apology brief.
However, the reactions of the other Deputy Tower Masters were strange.
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