The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

33 – The Secretary Has No Intention of Returning the Handkerchief.

“Arian, I’ll be back.”

Franz, with the carriage behind him, spoke to Arian who had come to see him off.

The destination of the carriage, needless to say, was the Imperial City.

The Emperor himself had written a letter and sent it, so there was no way to refuse.

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

Arian’s voice held a peculiar tremor.

Along with that, she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hands as if anxious.

So, a small worry sprouted in Franz’s heart.

Could it be that something is wrong again?

But he didn’t voice it out loud.

He had already told her to speak up whenever she had a hard time, so if she didn’t say anything, there must be a reason.

Well, the farewell was over.

Now, all that was left was to depart for the Imperial City.

Just as his gaze, which had lingered on Arian for a long time, turned towards the carriage.

“Ma, Master of the Tower…!”

At Arian’s urgent voice, Franz looked back at her again.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Well, that is….”

Arian’s eyes began to shake violently as if an earthquake had struck, and her hands flailed in the air, lost.

He didn’t know what it was, but she seemed quite confused.

So he waited.

Until the confusion subsided.

He also had a slight desire to be a little late to the Imperial City.

And so, a brief moment passed,

Hoo-.

Arian stopped his confusing actions with a long exhale.

It seemed he had calmed down.

“Well, it’s not a big deal…”

Arian, hesitating like a shy child, approached and handed something over.

It was a handkerchief.

Even at a glance, it was clearly a luxurious handkerchief.

“You lent me a handkerchief and haven’t bought a new one yet.”

Indeed, she was right.

Since lending the handkerchief, I hadn’t bought a new one.

But…

“How did you know that?”

She spoke as if it were common knowledge, and for a moment, my mind went blank.

Unless she was watching me, there was no way she could say that with such certainty.

“Because you’re the Tower Master? I figured you wouldn’t have bothered to buy one.”

“Oh, you were just guessing?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Well, we’ve been together every day from morning till night for the past year.

She could easily predict simple actions.

Moreover, Arian’s expression, as if she didn’t understand, added to her credibility.

Well, if Arian says so, then it must be true.

I decided to let it go.

No point in doubting and hurting each other’s feelings.

“So, are you not going to take the handkerchief?”

“I’ll take it. Thank you.”

Franz put the handkerchief Arian handed him into his coat pocket.

“Then, I’m really leaving now.”

“Yes, take care.”

Unlike when we exchanged greetings earlier, Arian’s voice was very calm.

Moreover, her hands were neatly gathered, not looking anxious at all.

It seemed that the handkerchief was indeed the problem.

Relieved by the sight, Franz waved to her and boarded the carriage.

Soon after, a faint vibration was felt, and the carriage began to move.

Franz rested his chin on the window sill, lost in thought as he watched the ever-changing scenery outside.

‘How long has it been since I last went to the Imperial City?’

The last time was when he was appointed as the Tower Master, which was about a year ago.

He was sure he had been asked to do various things back then as well.

━ Could you take care of the remaining monsters?

━ Could you help repair the collapsed walls?

━ Could you breathe life into the land devastated by the demons’ attack?

The emperor had personally requested these tasks, so he couldn’t refuse.

Well, what could he do? When the higher-ups give orders, you have to follow them.

He just rolled around like a dog.

Of course, the emperor didn’t use him for free.

He was given appropriate compensation.

Gold coins, treasures, jewels.

But since he had no need for such luxuries, it didn’t feel like compensation.

He already had more money than he could spend in a lifetime.

He would have preferred to either handle his duties at the tower or sleep in some corner.

Anyway, as always, it seemed like he would be asked to do something this time as well….

‘I have to work hard…’

If he didn’t like it, he would have to stage a coup and take the emperor’s place, but no matter how he thought about it, this seemed much more convenient.

Seeing the emperor’s face grow older day by day, it seemed the crown was very heavy.

* * * * *

The carriage Franz was riding in had already entered the capital of the empire.

It was truly strange, considering it had only been about an hour since they left the tower.

The distance from the tower to the Imperial City was at least three days by carriage, or four at most.

In fact, this was Franz’s doing.

As the carriage sped along the dirt road, the bumps on the ground were transmitted directly to his body, and unable to endure it, he teleported the entire carriage.

‘I should probably research carriages too.’

The wheels are inevitable, but couldn’t they at least make the suspension?

Even that much would make it quite rideable, I think.

How much time had passed while I was lost in such useless thoughts?

The carriage gradually slowed down and eventually came to a complete stop. Looking out the window, there was a gigantic castle whose size couldn’t be estimated.

We had finally arrived at the imperial castle.

Phew-.

Franz sighed in advance for the things that were to come and then got off the carriage.

And as soon as he stood in front of the castle gate, he encountered a familiar face.

“Oh, isn’t it the Tower Master?”

The commander of the royal knights greeted him with a bright face.

They had built a connection since the warrior party was first formed, so they could be considered quite close.

Despite the considerable age difference, they communicated well, and above all, he deeply respected the attitude of respecting someone much younger than himself.

“It’s been a while, Commander.”

Franz bowed his head politely.

It was out of respect for him, regardless of his title.

“Please, it’s troubling when you bow your head like that.”

“I believe I’ve always done this.”

“And it’s always been troubling.”

A moment of silence passed, and then they both burst into laughter simultaneously.

Since leaving the tower, he had been feeling inexplicably stifled, but with just one laugh, all those feelings vanished.

People say that laughter is essential for living, and now he understood why.

“Oh, by the way, what brings you to the imperial castle?”

“…His Majesty has summoned me.”

“Is it because of Duke Ishtar?”

Franz nodded.

He didn’t even want to mention that guy.

Not only did he cause trouble, but he also had to clean up after him. He was just a nuisance.

Did those feelings show on his face?

The commander looked at him with pity.

“Then I will guide you. Let’s go.”

“Yes, then please go ahead.”

The knight commander began to move inside, passing through the massive castle gate, and Franz followed him.

‘It’s always overwhelming no matter how many times I see it.’

Should I say it’s because the emperor lives here? From all the splendid decorations to the beautifully maintained flowers, every part of it was truly impressive.

Rather than wanting to live in such a place, the overwhelming feeling just made him stare blankly in admiration.

How much time had passed since they passed through the castle gate?

Franz finally arrived in front of the emperor’s audience chamber.

Two knights were guarding the door of the audience chamber, and they were also formidable warriors.

Almost on par with the knight commander.

Franz’s gaze turned to the two of them.

“Please inform them that Franz Gilbert, the master of the magic tower, has arrived.”

At those words, one of the knights silently nodded.

Soon, he turned around to face the splendidly decorated door, raised his hand, and knocked on the door in a steady rhythm.

“Your Majesty, Franz Gilbert, the master of the magic tower, wishes to have an audience.”

His loud, yet disciplined voice echoed.

And soon after, a low voice was heard from beyond the door.

“Let him in.”

As soon as the emperor’s permission was granted, the two knights simultaneously swung open the doors.

Then the interior of the audience chamber unfolded before Franz’s eyes.

In fact, there was nothing particularly special about the audience chamber.

It just felt like an incredibly spacious office.

Franz, who had entered the audience chamber, immediately knelt down and bowed his head.

At first, kneeling felt extremely humiliating, but now it didn’t bother him at all.

He might as well be considered a local by now.

“Franz Gilbert, master of the magic tower, greets the sun of the empire.”

“Franz, raise your head. Aren’t we close?”

What kind of relationship do we have?

A one-sided labor exploitation relationship?

…he wanted to ask, but it was impossible.

At least if he wanted to continue living on imperial soil.

Treason is a crime that destroys families.

In the end, Franz had no choice but to do as he was told, and he raised his head to face the Emperor.

White hair, with shadows under his eyes as if he were tired.

It seemed that the Emperor was also having difficult days.

“Welcome, Franz.”

A smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.

How ominous.