The Hero Party Couldn’t Kill Me

Chapter 5: To the Solus Empire (2)

At first glance, this was a very good suggestion.

The opportunity to enter the Noir Magic Tower, which she longed for, was right in front of her nose. And the price is just to join Mina’s line.

That’s why I became even more vigilant. Because there might be some hidden trap.

“First of all, I have a question. Does Mina have the right to do that? I understand that it is solely the authority of the owner of the tower to select a wizard.”

Raffaella wanted to confirm Mina’s proposal first.

“Right. Originally it is. However, you can bring the Noir Tower without the permission of the owner of the Tower if you have a recommendation letter from a high-ranking mage.”

“… And in return, all you want is to join Mina’s line? Is that really all there is?”

“There is one more to be exact. Help me become the master of the mage tower.”

“I don’t understand. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to enlist the wizards of the other Mage Towers rather than me?”

“It won’t help right now, I know. But in the long run, the story will be different once you build a track record.”

Still, I had a strong feeling that there must be some kind of trap. Rafaela still hadn’t fully trusted Mina.

As Raphaella still hesitated, Mina let out a light sigh.

“You still don’t know? Why am i interested in you? You are also pure talent. Like me.”

Only then did Mina’s exotic appearance come into Rafaela’s eyes. She looks strangely determined like Edmund.

Mina also suffered all sorts of disadvantages because she was from a foreign country.

“I thought you would have the same ideals as me. She is the first in the history of the Empire to become the master of the Mage Tower who is not from a noble family.”

“… ….”

“And I really want to make a mage tower that selects mages based solely on their skills, not outright lies like now.”

Mina speaks seriously, losing her usual laugh.

Her animosity towards Mina has collapsed a bit.

But somehow she didn’t want to accept Mina’s offer.

It was a strange thing. Obviously entering the Magic Tower. Ultimately, becoming the owner of the Magic Tower was her long-cherished wish.

What makes you hesitate?

Maybe it’s because the wariness she has for Mina isn’t fully relaxed. Or is it some kind of strange intuition?

Or else…….

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll hold it for now. Because….”

“I know. Is it because of unrequited love?”

“Yes? Tada, unrequited love! It’s not like that! Just….”

“What isn’t it? When I glanced at it earlier, it all seemed to show on my face. You like Edmund. That’s why I want to help him get revenge. No?”

“Not necessarily because of that. Thanks to Edmund, I was able to get my revenge and learn new magic! So just…….”

“Yes, it is in the midst of denial. But is your face honest?”

Only then did Rafaela feel the heat on both her cheeks.

Mina shook her head and let out her light sigh.

“Well, I fully understand. But would it be better to quit? It’s a love that will never be rewarded anyway.”

“Why… Why are you so determined?”

“That Edmund, he’s a no-brainer. In the past, it was because of a sense of justice for no reason, but now it is a person who moves because of vengeance. I don’t care about anything else.”

“… ….”

“And, didn’t you see Edmund’s reaction earlier? He doesn’t see you as a woman at all.”

“Well, how can you be sure of that?”

Raphaella is getting hot without knowing. Mina smiled and took out her paper and handed her own crystal ball code to Raphaella.

“If you change your mind later, let’s get back to you then.”

Raphaella still had something to say, but Mina had already disappeared like a lie.

“Hey hey…….”

She crumpled the paper Mina gave her.

It was unlucky. From what she suddenly kidnapped her. Even talking like she knows everything.

And she felt sorry for herself, completely pushed by her pace.

“Haa… ….”

She let out a long sigh to calm her excitement.

Apart from her personal feelings, Mina’s proposal was unconventional.

She never lied in her words.

She just didn’t want to hear it through someone else.

It was complicated in my head. She wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore.

The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt, but there was no conclusion.

Raphaella, who suddenly thought that her Edmund would be waiting for her, tried to go back to him.

And then I realized.

‘In the meantime, he told me to go back on his own.’

That Mina left her behind.

***

“You are here. What happened? What the hell did Mina say?”

After a while. Rafaela returned to the lakeside where I was waiting.

For some reason, she had a bad expression. Did Mina make her strange proposal?

“… Just, I got a good offer.”

“What suggestions?”

“I will let you enter the Noir Tower.”

“This is an unconventional proposal. But did you refuse?”

“I put it on hold. I’m still not sure. And, honestly, that person. I didn’t really like it.”

“Mina, what she says is a bit like that.”

I think I know what you mean. Because it’s her personality to speak without going through any filters.

“Sure! So anyway… I don’t know what to do. It’s definitely something I’ve been wanting for a long time. For some reason, I’m not sure. I am… Were you stupid? Could it be that I missed the chance to become a genius because of the emotions of the moment?”

Raphaella speaks in anger. At times like this, she was definitely like a child.

I also pondered with her for a while. And she carefully brought out the words she was about to say earlier.

“Then can I make a suggestion?”

“Tell me.”

“Do you want to go back to the Empire with me?”

“Where exactly are you going?”

“For now, Blanc Magic Tower. More precisely, the secret hideout of the Blanc Magic Tower.”

“Are you referring to ‘the house’? How?”

“Blanc Magic Tower has a debt to me. So, I will cooperate.”

Rafaela made a face she couldn’t believe.

“But, will the Lord of the Magic Tower allow me to come in? I don’t think so…….”

“I’m going to ask that right now. How is it? Would you like to contact me?”

Actually, this was a big challenge. Even Marion might be reluctant to invite other wizards to Blanc’s tower.

“Yes! Just ask me!”

Once Rafaela agreed. I took out the crystal ball and tried to contact Marion again.

“Uh, Marion. I’m curious, can I take another wizard with me? He is the wizard who helped me in Speth.”

“Another wizard? May i know your name? Or not… Are you by my side now?”

“… Hello. My name is Raphaella.”

I swallowed dry saliva and watched Marion’s reaction.

Marion froze for a few seconds. Just as I was about to check if there was a problem with her communication, she replied.

“Isn’t that Rafaela? That… Did she write a thesis on dreams?”

“A paper on ‘Dream Walking and Dream Construction’? Yes, I am.”

“Ah… You were in Speth! Nice to meet you!”

Marion greets Raphaella with a very bright smile. It was the first time I had seen her smile so brightly.

“Well, then, are you allowing it?”

“Um… As a rule, it is forbidden to bring other wizards into the Blanc Magic Tower. So it’s not like that.”

Marion takes a break.

“… If you become my apprentice, I will think about it.”

And then she made an unexpected offer.

“Really?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Can I be the wizard of Blanc Magic Tower?”

“Originally, Blanc Mateap traditionally plucked pearls from the soil. Of course, Miss Rafaela is already a pearl from the earth, but I think she fits the bill.”

“Thank you!! Thank you very much!!”

Rafaela bows her head almost as if to bow in gratitude. She almost dropped her orb in surprise.

“… Wait a minute, are you saying you want to be hired as a wizard of the Blanc Magic Tower?”

“You know. I’m alone in the Blanc Magic Tower. So I needed an apprentice. Thank you, I got it quickly thanks to you.”

“Uh… ….”

On the other hand, I was dumbfounded. In fact, she had thought that Marion might covet Raphaella. Since she’s alone in Blanc’s tower, she must have needed to hire a new mage quickly.

But even taking that into account, this far exceeded my expectations.

Was Marion so desperate? Or was she just as famous as Raphaella was a magician?

“Then we must hurry to activate ‘that house’. I’ll contact you tomorrow! See you tomorrow Miss Raphaella!”

“Yes, thank you!!”

Raphaella lowered her head. She seemed genuinely happy. It seemed that her troubles she had a moment ago were resolved at once.

“Uh… Can I accept it right away?”

“Of course! It’s the Blanc Magic Tower! The only mage tower that existed before the establishment of the Solus Empire! The magic tower that developed the portal! The magic tower that developed body copying magic! And… and… It’s the best mage tower in the empire without a doubt!”

“But now, the mage master… ….”

“… Does not matter! Rumor has it that the Master of the Magic Tower of Blanc passed on her knowledge to her successor, the Master of the Magic Tower. So Marion must have inherited her knowledge!”

“Perhaps Pesima died suddenly and could not pass on her knowledge.”

“… Still, the magic books and research materials in the Blanc Magic Tower remain! That’s it!”

“… ….”

Rafaela was so excited I couldn’t say anything. Is it such a joy?

Well, it must be so. That’s because the status of the Blanc Magic Tower is high.

And to that extent, entering the Blanc Magic Tower was a matter of picking stars from the sky.

In the Blanc Magic Tower, there are only the Magic Tower and the next Magic Tower. Because there are only two wizards.

In other words, if things go on like this, Raphaella will become the next master of the Blanc Magic Tower.

So I know she’s happy. So it was even more embarrassing.

That’s because things are going so smoothly.

“Hey, Rafaela. Calm her excitement and listen. To be honest… Blanc Magic Tower is still included in my revenge list.”

“Yes? What did Marion-sama do to Edmund?”

“Not Marion, but Pesima. But I still don’t know if Pesima is really dead. As you know, the Blanc Magic Tower has body copying magic.”

“… Is that why you think Marion-sama is hiding the death of Pesima?”

“Right. And that Marion readily accepted you as her apprentice…….”

“I can see what you are worried about. Maybe I’m a hostage.”

“… That’s right.”

Fortunately, Rafaela was quick to understand.

“It could be dangerous. Are you okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. And if I find anything suspicious, I’ll tell you right away.”

“There is that too….”

I was about to say more precautions, but suddenly Rafaela hugged me so I couldn’t carry on with her.

“Thank you very much, Edmund. Thanks to Edmund-sama, I was able to enter Blanc Magic Tower.”

“… Don’t be thankful yet.”

“No, even if this is a trap. Even if I die because of this. Thank you very much. For me, this is a really big blessing.”

With Raphaella out like this, I had nothing more to say.

I just hoped that the things I feared would not happen.