[CHAPTER 72]
“Magia. What is it?”
Meyna pressed the hesitant Magia and added another question.
“How are you two here? What do you mean you were fired, and what do you mean youâll be staying here?”
Even in the middle of this conversation, Pavbread kept moving busily between the kitchen and the hallway, stocking things.
“Itâs exactly as it sounds, Madam Aide.”
Magia, who had been hesitating, replied.
“Sir Lennox called the two of us and told us not to come to work anymore.”
“What was the reason?”
“He said there was no reason. Just to quit.”
Meynaâs lips parted in disbelief.
Magia and Pavbread had worked at Lennox Castle even before Kalif arrived.
It had been about nine years since Kalif, who had awakened as a Paladin and quickly risen to the rank of top star, purchased an old fortress in Wedon at the northern end of the Eastern Continent for a massive sum.
The original owner of the castle had been Duke Zadorov, who owned part of Wedonâs governing rights, but since he had no interest in politics, he handed over both his home and authority to Kalif for an amount thousands of times more than his retirement funds.
Included in the list of items transferred to Kalif along with the deed at the time were the workers of Zadorov Castle.
And so, throughout the long expansions and renovations that transformed the neglected Zadorov Castle into what is now Lennox Castle, Magia and Pavbread had watched and worked through the entire process.
Magia spoke while looking toward the curtained window, her face openly showing her complicated emotions.
“He gave us a huge amount of money when he informed us of our dismissal. As severance.”
“A huge amount?”
“Yes. Enough to buy a house, or if I exaggerate a little, even a whole neighborhood.”
Meyna trailed off, her face full of uncertainty.
“So we told him. That we couldnât accept such a sudden dismissal, and even less could we accept such a large sum.”
“And then?”
“He said to quit, and from now on we should serve you, Madam Aide.”
It was something she had never expected to hear.
When Meynaâs face turned pale, Magia continued gently, as if it were only natural for her to be shocked.
“I think thatâs why he gave us so much money as âseverance.â Sir Lennox may be wealthy beyond measure, but it would be difficult for you to provide salaries for both of us.”
“No, Magia. Sir Lennox would never⌔
It was impossible to believe.
Such things, such consideration, were absolutely not something Kalif would ever do.
“Sir Hiarun told us your address through the Grand Duchess Motenson last night. So thatâs how we⌔
Leaving her words trailing, Magia looked from her own luggage to the busily moving Pavbread and smiled faintly.
Meyna asked in confusion.
“This is what you meant when you said it would be a big problem if you spoke?”
The smile instantly vanished from Magiaâs face.
“No.”
“⌔
“Sir Lennox did tell us not to say he had fired us and sent us to you. But thatâs not what I wanted to tell you.”
With an extremely dark expression, Magia closed her mouth.
Meyna didnât press her any further.
She had a strong feeling that she shouldnât hear what was coming rather than wanting to know it.
But Magia seemed to have decided to reveal a truth that should have remained hidden.
“Madam Aide. Iâm a little worried. Itâs only been a week since you left, but⌔
Her face darkened rapidly.
“Sir Lennox hasnât eaten. Not once.”
“⌔
“He rarely comes home, and when he returns late at dawn, heâs always drunk. He doesnât get angry with us or with anyone else.”
“⌔
“He handles his work perfectly. He wakes up without being called, goes to and from work and training alone without an escort.”
“⌔
“Just yesterday he went hunting with guild members, and Sir Hiarun said heâll be going on a six-night seven-day reconnaissance of the northern continent Tan at the end of this month.”
Magia let out a slow sigh.
“But aside from work, he does nothing. He just breathes. Like someone dead.”
The daily life of Kalif that Magia described was something Meyna couldnât even imagine.
She could clearly recall him becoming so sensitive under heavy workloads that he threw fits, or shutting himself indoors after losing comrades in grief.
But never had he been someone who did nothing, like a dead man.
“A new aide came yesterday.”
The blonde woman Meyna had glimpsed briefly in front of the Agency building.
When Meyna nodded, Magia continued.
“She was fired at dawn today.”
“What?”
“She insisted it was unfair, that she wouldnât leave, and the last I saw was her kneeling in front of his bedroom door refusing to move.”
Magiaâs voice trailed off into a bitter tone.
“I heard sheâs the daughter of a fairly well-known viscountâs family. I hope nothing serious happens.”
Meyna recalled the conversation sheâd shared with Banze on the way here.
There had been no mention of a new aide, and she had not brought up Kalif at all.
Just then, Axelt came down the stairs, as if he had finished arranging the second floor and was waiting for Meynaâs instructions.
“I understand, Magia.”
Meyna spoke, shaking off the heavy feeling in her heart.
Truthfully, she wanted to run to Lennox Castle right this moment.
Even if she couldnât solve everything happening there, she felt she at least needed to see it with her own eyes.
But she had new responsibilities now.
This beautiful and comfortable home, the capable attendant, and above all, Biterion, whom she would meet daily from tomorrow to plan their future work.
“Iâm glad. That I can live with the two of you.”
When Meyna gathered Magiaâs hands and held them tightly, Magia smiled brightly, her eyes curving.
She stroked the back of Meynaâs hand and added:
“And thank you for the gift. I sent the dress to my daughter.”
Without knowing who started first, the two embraced one another.
It was such a heartfelt reunion that it was hard to believe they had only been apart for a week.
While Meyna held her for a long time, resting her chin on Magiaâs round shoulder and savoring the joy of reunion, she suddenly sensed eyes on her.
Axelt was still standing by the stairs.
“Ah! Axelt. Sorry.”
Calling Pavbread over, Meyna introduced the three of them to one another.
The four people who would be living together in this beautiful mansion in Kairiv, the city of rest.
It was a small group, and the presence of someone new made the atmosphere slightly awkward, but there was also a strange sense of comfort in the air.
* * *
A scorching summer day near the end of July.
Banze and Biterion visited Meynaâs home.
After an early lunch together, the three sat face-to-face on the terrace where the sea breeze drifted in.
“The Imperial Code Black announcement has been postponed until after the Holy War Day ceremony on August 1.”
When Banze added that it was to minimize confusion, Biterion nodded slowly.
“Itâs a beautiful home.”
When he spoke with a faint smile, Banze brushed her silver hair back and looked fondly at Meyna.
“Of course. Look who lives here.”
Meyna smiled shyly, her cheeks warming.
It was indeed a picture-perfect home.
The white stone walls sparkled in the summer sunlight, and the red-brick annex and lush green garden gave it the colorful, lively charm of a vacation home in a foreign land.
The spacious terrace faced the Idium Coast, allowing them to enjoy tea while gazing out over the vast ocean.
With a slow sip of coffee while looking toward the shore, Banze spoke.
“August 1. His Highness and the young lady will make something like a debut.”
She turned to Biterion as she continued.
“The Ocean Agency, the Empireâs agencies, the Imperial Family, and the Ability Usersâ Association have started noticing His Highness.”
It was only natural.
He had rarely left the secret residence, but now he traveled daily between Tan in the Northern Continent and Assyrius in the Eastern Continent, constantly entering and leaving the Agency building.
“There will be forces who want to recruit His Highness, and forces who want to eliminate him.”
So many groups and people who would have begun detecting the overwhelming mana of a top-tier ability user.
Meyna felt a sharp tension rise inside her.
She had seen countless attempts to lure Kalif or kill him by sending assassins.
And Banzeâs next words were completely unexpected.
“Which is why weâre going to Tan today.”
“Why?”
When Biterion asked, Banzeâs eyes shone with conviction.
“A reconnaissance team arrived in Tan last night. Guild 928 and Guild Jaguar are leading the operation, joined by the top five guilds.”
It had been about two weeks ago.
Magia had mentioned that this was part of Kalifâs upcoming schedule.
