Knowing Noel’s warm personality, she believed he would not pin such a trivial thing in mind. Still, it was hard to say; she stated it impulsively as she did not even think about how he felt when he heard it. To make matters worse, an answer did not come back right away, so Irene felt conflicted, overclouded by complicated thoughts.
I can see what you’re thinking.
Seeing Irene unsure of herself, Noel smiled happily. He knew for a fact that she was probably worried about whether she had made a mistake. That was, of course, because she was too considerate of himself.
Still, he did not hate the consideration one bit since he knew it was evidence of her caring for him more than anything else.
Above all, it was not bad to occasionally get a peek into her mind. Noel wondered what she was thinking based on her expression that changed minute by minute.
“The conference will be held soon, so let’s go there together after that. There, you can practice magic to your heart’s content.”
“Okay, that sounds perfect.”
In contrast to her worry, Noel proposed rather willingly. With that, Irene’s expression brightened in seconds. Noel also showed a satisfied smile at the sight.
Another day went by like that.
♔♔♔
“Alright. What did you see?”
Late at night, a whispering voice posed the question as if it was some sort of secret.
“Right. Well, this and that...I think I’ve seen things I shouldn’t have.”
The voice that came in response sounded much younger.
“By the way, Master, there are only the two of us in this room. Do we have to talk in secret like this?”
“It’s more mysterious like this, no?”
“....”
“I’ve got it, you punk. You have gotten this old. Don’t you know how to read the atmosphere?”
When Ryun, the assistant, looked at him puzzled, Mulliman sighed deeply and snapped his finger once. Then the room, which had been so dark that one would not be able to see even an inch ahead, suddenly became clear.
And Mulliman, who saw Ryun for the first time after an extended period, asked with a surprised face.
“But how come you look like that?”
“... don’t even talk about it. I couldn’t eat properly, sleep properly. I was covered with dust and dirt because I had to return with a tight schedule. I’d rather be the subject of Master’s experiment….”
Ryun, who spoke with complaint clear in his voice, paused briefly.
“…Actually, on second thought, maybe it’s better to be dragged into a time-pressed journey than to be the subject of an experiment...”
“Did you just say that you volunteered to be my testing experiment?”
“N-no way!”
“Haha!”
Ryun quickly waved his hand dismissively before he really became the target for his experiment. Mulliman, who looked at Ryun with pitiful eyes, turned solemn.
“So, what did you see?”
“Oh, about that...”
In fact, Ryun’s purpose as a companion this time was not to cooperate but to keep a watch on Irene under the orders of Mulliman. That being said, throughout this journey, except when he was in his room, he hid himself and followed Irene.
How am I supposed to tell just by listening?
No matter how much he thought about it, he could not work out a sensible interpretation of what Noel said about the experience of the Duchess at the banquet. Nevertheless, it was apparent that he would hate the suggestion of sending someone after the Duchess, even for the reason of protection. Under that circumstance, he had no choice but to spy on the Duchess secretly.
Ryun seemed to think of something and lit up a flame with his palm. A scene began to appear in it. He was trying to convey what he saw with illusion magic.
“This is…”
Mulliman’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“... Isn’t that the Snow Tree?”
“Yes, it’s indeed the legendary Snow Tree.”
“But its condition is strange. It wasn’t like that the last time I saw it.”
“That’s…If you watch further, you will see...”
The situation seemed urgent at first glance. The lives of several people hung by a single thread. Several assassins rushed in to kill Irene, and a battle maid with pink hair was guarding her. However, they found the way she staggered as if she had suffered an injury very problematic. In the situation that seemed like her neck might be blown away, strangely enough, the assassin’s body was the first to fly.
“She used the defensive magic that resides in the ring.”
It must not have been easy; could she have some kind of aptitude for mastering magic?
Mulliman made a rough guess. The reason was simple. At the time of explanation, he said it was no big deal, but casting magic itself was not an easy task, no matter how much the tool was involved. The proper function must be activated in the right circumstance. It took a long period of practice, and she could only cast spells once she unleashed the lock on it.