The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

81 – Let’s make that promise or whatever…

“If neither of us has a marriage partner in a year, how about we just marry each other?”

Franz was momentarily stunned by Arian’s words.

Although there were various conditions attached, it was essentially a proposal for marriage.

That’s why he couldn’t easily give an answer.

Unlike the naive kids in comics who make marriage promises easily, adults who know better can’t do that.

In the awkward atmosphere, Franz looked at the distant, snow-covered high mountain range and spoke.

“Have you drunk a lot?”

“This is only my second glass.”

Franz didn’t know how well Arian could hold her liquor, but if it was only her second glass, she was likely sober.

Well, she had walked here without staggering, so it was only natural.

Sigh-

Franz let out a small sigh that Arian couldn’t hear.

‘Why all of a sudden….’

If there had been any signs from the beginning, it would have been different, but this suddenness was troubling.

He thought they had just become close enough to open up to each other….

Now, they couldn’t go back to how things were before.

Arian, who couldn’t be honest, and Franz, who was oblivious, created a hellish collaboration.

If there had been someone close to both of them, they would have been frustrated to death by now.

“Why did you think of that? No, in the first place, are you okay with marrying me?”

Franz slowly swirled the wine glass in his hand.

The red wine inside was rippling.

“I feel like I should get married, but I don’t have a partner. It’s the same for you, Master of the Tower. So, it’s just something like that between people in the same situation. And I don’t mind if it’s you, Master of the Tower.”

“When you get married, you have kids, live together, fight and make up… Ha-, I don’t even know what I’m saying. Anyway, you don’t mind?”

“No, I don’t mind.”

Arianne answered without hesitation.

Franz asked again, wondering if Arianne had said something she didn’t mean.

Lately, there had been a lot of talk about marriage, so she might have felt pressured.

But seeing her answer without hesitation, it seemed she had thought about this several times.

And in this world, it wasn’t easy for a woman to bring up the topic of marriage first, so she must have mustered a lot of courage.

Franz could no longer think of it as a joke.

He had to seriously consider marrying Arianne.

When Balak canceled the arranged marriage, he thought he would never have to worry about this again, but how did things end up like this…

‘Can I really meet a woman better than Arianne?’

It was a thought he had had not long ago, but Arianne was flawless as a marriage partner.

Good family, pretty face, and they had spent a long time together.

It’s just that he had never seen her in that light before.

Meeting a woman better than her would probably not be easy.

In the end, the conclusion was no different from what had already been decided.

Maybe it was from the moment he said he would take responsibility for Arianne.

“Well, let’s do it then…”

“Do what…”

“Let’s do it. That promise or whatever…”

Embarrassed, Franz answered gruffly.

His gaze was still fixed on the distant mountains.

A vague promise that a year later, if they still had no one else, they would be together.

But why was he so embarrassed? Arianne, who had brought it up first, was amazing.

Franz downed the remaining wine in his glass and glanced at Arianne.

She was staring at him with a blank expression.

She seemed surprised that he had accepted the promise.

“Arianne.”

“Y-yes?!”

“Let’s go inside. You’ll catch a cold.”

“Yes…!”

As Franz took a step forward, Arian naturally followed beside him.

As the two entered the building from the balcony, the sound of music from the party hall began to be heard simultaneously. The orchestra prepared by the Duke’s family had started playing.

Thus, the party continued for quite some time.

Even as darkness fell upon the world and the night deepened, the party hall remained lively.

Despite many people coming and going repeatedly, Franz did not suffer from the noble ladies. As he had hoped, he was able to enjoy the party leisurely.

Franz just thought they had lost interest, but there was actually another reason.

Arian, with the face of a girl in love, stuck close to his side, preventing the ladies from approaching.

Franz, being foolish, did not realize this.

Thus, the enjoyable party ended, and they were on their way back to their rooms.

“Master of the Tower, when will you return?”

Suddenly, Arian asked Franz.

“The plan is the day after tomorrow, but it’s not certain because I don’t know how long it will take to catch the cultist.”

“Then I’ll keep that in mind. But are you going to catch the cultist alone?”

“Well, I guess I have to.”

Yuna, Justia, Hera.

The three would surely accept if he asked for help.

But asking for help every time something happened felt like a burden, so he was a bit reluctant.

After all, he was the one who received the task from His Majesty.

“Are you sure…? I’m not doubting your skills, Master of the Tower, but….”

“It’s fine.”

Franz gave a definite answer.

How strong could the cultist be?

Thinking back to when he fought Belphegor, half a day would be enough, not even a full day.

While conversing with Arian, Franz arrived in front of his room before he knew it.

“You must be tired, so sleep well. I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, you sleep well too.”

With a short farewell, Franz entered the room.

The door closed silently, and Arian, left alone in the hallway, lingered there for a while out of regret before returning to her room.

Lying on his bed, Franz felt the subtle rise of intoxication.

‘What kind of guy will it be this time….’

Hopefully, it will end without any trouble.

With that thought, Franz closed his eyes.

The next day, early in the morning, Franz woke up and immediately prepared to go out.

He wore his usual comfortable clothes and put on the robe Arian had chosen for him.

“Good morning….”

As he stepped outside, Arian greeted him in the hallway.

Seeing the drowsiness on her face, it seemed she had just woken up.

“You could have slept more, why did you come out?”

“Still, since the Tower Master is leaving, I should see you off….”

Really…?

He thought that but decided to keep it to himself.

It wasn’t something to say to someone who had come out to see him off.

“Be careful.”

“Yeah, I’ll be back.”

Franz reached into the bag at his waist.

Then he took out the staff given to him by the World Tree.

‘As expected, it’s amazing.’

It was the first time he had held the staff since that day.

But as expected, he felt an immense power.

Well, it was something made by the World Tree itself, so it was only natural.

Snap-.

As Franz snapped his fingers, a magic circle began to draw itself at his feet.

Soon, the magic circle started to glow, and his figure disappeared.

The place where he reappeared was the mountain range of the Duchy of Frigia, specifically the middle of the second highest peak.

Whooosh-!

The surroundings were covered in snow, and a fierce wind was blowing.

Feeling his body temperature drop rapidly, Franz snapped his fingers again to cast a protective shield around himself.

‘How on earth can anyone live in a place like this…?’

No matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t a place fit for human habitation.

If it were an animal with thick fur, it might be able to endure, but a human would never be able to withstand it.

Did Belphegor give false information…?

Maybe he really did.

The torture might have been too unbearable, causing him to spout anything.

Well, in the end, there’s no choice but to check it out personally.

With that thought, Franz began to release mana around him.

The mana rippled like waves, spreading in all directions, and soon the surrounding terrain was drawn in Franz’s mind.

It felt more detailed and accurate than before, thanks to the World Tree’s staff.

‘What is this….’

It was just an ordinary peak on the outside, but hidden beneath the snow was a castle.

A castle made of magic.

And inside the castle, there were two beings emitting an alien mana.

One had a human form, so he must be the one who created the castle and the cultist.

But the other one,

‘Is it a spear blade…?’

A spear blade.

It refers to the blade part attached to the end of the spear.

When Arian’s grandfather explained about this peak, he mentioned an old rumor.

He said that the spear was sealed, making it sharper and higher.

Maybe it wasn’t just a rumor but the truth.

Thinking that, Franz snapped his fingers and used teleportation.

Soon, he appeared inside the ice castle, as expected.