IWMHWD 30

Episode 30: Ropal Wizard Association

“It looks even more suspicious if we try to hide. Who’s in that carriage? Blay? Lydia?”

“No, it looks like Rosenblu.”

Rosenblu Elfenbaum—and if memory served, the one riding next to him was probably Blayra.

“Then let’s just move our carriage back so they can pass through.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Wow, you don’t know Master Elfenbaum?”

“You keep forgetting—I’m the head of the Attila family.”

“They say the Elfenbaum people are ridiculously good-looking. What are they like in person?”

“I’m better-looking than that flashy guy Blay. You should be admiring your own master, not him…”

“Ugh, I really should stop talking.”

As Leonard suggested, Baron moved the carriage to the side of the main road. Cordelia’s heart pounded as she waited for the Elfenbaum party to pass by.

And they certainly didn’t disappoint.

She didn’t need anyone to tell her who Elfenbaum was.

A black-haired man riding a magnificent white horse—he was without a doubt the most strikingly handsome man Cordelia had ever laid eyes on. Even from a distance, he radiated a magnetic aura.

His blue eyes, deep as sapphires, shimmered with an otherworldly beauty—so much so that words failed to capture their brilliance.

Cordelia couldn’t close her mouth the entire time Elfenbaum and his entourage rode past. Leonard glanced at her and said,

“Your jaw’s about to hit the ground.”

“Wow, wow… How can someone look like that? Who is he? Blay?”

“Rosenblu Elfenbaum. Current head of the Elfenbaum family.”

“What a cool name…”

“Have you completely lost your mind? Wouldn’t you faint just looking at my face?”

“Master, let’s be real. No matter who else is around, I can’t pretend you compare. Let’s give credit where it’s due.”

“I told you he’s not as handsome as me!”

“There he goes again.”

If he didn’t brag every five minutes, it felt like thorns would grow in his mouth.

Naturally, Cordelia ignored his absurd claims and continued staring dreamily at Rosenblu’s retreating figure.

Landes, a sizable port city in the Ershe region, was filled with big, comfortable inns. As soon as Cordelia finished unpacking, she grinned and handed Leonard a thick stack of completed homework.

“I’m done!”

“What? I gave this to you just last night. You already finished all of it?”

“Can I go out now? I stayed up all night so I could explore the city.”

“Take Veluce with you.”

“Aww… do I have to go with Veluce?”

Cordelia’s voice dropped. Leonard’s knight, who basically worshipped him, would definitely nag her the whole time and lecture her if she even suggested stepping out alone.

“Veluce is out dealing with the carriage. It’ll take him a while to get back.”

“When is he coming?”

“Two or three hours at most.”

At that, Cordelia’s shoulders slumped. She glanced up at Leonard with wide, pleading eyes.

“Can’t I just go alone? I’ll take Lottie with me.”

“That dog would be the first to run off if someone tried to rob you.”

Unfortunately, Cordelia couldn’t deny that. Lottie had treated her like a glorified food dispenser this entire trip.

“And where exactly would you go alone? In Rande, a woman walking around by herself usually means she’s been kidnapped or ransomed.”

“Is it really that dangerous? This city’s pretty big…”

“It’s the same everywhere under Lopez’s rule. Their idea of security is simple: only the strong survive.”

“Lopez? Oh, right. This is that bear’s territory.”

“If you absolutely insist on going out, wait until Veluce comes back.”

“By then the sun will be setting. And we’re catching a boat to Willas tomorrow morning, right?”

Normally, Cordelia would’ve backed down at this point. But today, she stood firm.

So far, she’d only ever traveled in a carriage or been cooped up at the inn—either doing homework or sleeping. She hadn’t once properly seen the world outside.

“Then I’ll go with Baron.”

“Sorry, I’ve got other things to do. How about you go out with your master, hmm?”

“Oh! That’d be perfect!”

“What? Why me?”

“I’ll go with you! I’ll even buy you something tasty.”

“‘Tasty’? What exactly…?”

“I’m heading to your lab to grab some supplies. I want to help lift the barrier in Delorana’s territory! Please come with me! I wanna see the city! Pleaaaase!”

Leonard frowned at her whining tantrum but eventually gave in and stood up from his seat.

“Fine. Two hours, tops.”

“Yay! Master is the best!”

Grinning from ear to ear, Cordelia grabbed her pouch full of 100 ET coins and tugged on Leonard’s sleeve.

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

“I already said—”

“Have fun,” Baron called after them.

The two of them stepped into the bustling streets of Rande. Cordelia couldn’t take her eyes off the unfamiliar sights—everything felt brand-new.

“What are you staring at?”

“Everything! Look—the women here wear scarves instead of hats! And the ground’s dirt, not stone! And that weird smell from the sea—it’s all amazing!”

She laughed and chattered like a child, even buying a rose from a flower girl and tucking it into her hair.

Leonard thought her excitement was over-the-top and asked bluntly, “Haven’t you traveled before?”

“Have you ever been to Vasquez?”

“Why would I go there?”

“Exactly. Nobody goes to Vasquez unless they live there. It’s just cliffs, snow-covered mountains, and Eliam’s territory.”

“…True.”

“And I lived there my whole life. Even after I got married. Abrams wasn’t much different from Vasquez.”

She turned to look directly at him.

“That’s why I’m grateful. You saved me from that place. I thought I’d die there.”

“You don’t exactly treat me with reverence, though.”

“You’re more respectful to me than my own father ever was. What more can you expect?”

Cordelia burst out laughing. Leonard found himself unable to look away from her.

Sunlight streamed down across the bridge of her nose, bright and warm.

“Oh! Food stalls! Let’s go! I’m buying everything!”

“Fine, fine. Let’s go.”

Cordelia started nodding off while still holding her spoon. Before her head could hit the table, Leonard quickly reached out and caught her.

“If you’re that tired, stop eating and go to bed.”

“Ugh. Okay…”

After pulling an all-nighter, then exploring the streets from morning till dusk, it was no wonder she was exhausted.

Cordelia yawned and stood, leaving her plate half-full.

“I’m going to sleep.”

Lottie trotted after her.

Leonard watched closely, just in case she tripped climbing the stairs. When she stumbled once, he instinctively moved from his seat.

“She’s your first disciple. No wonder you’re attached,” Baron said quietly.

“…Attached?”

“To a wizard, a disciple is like a child born from the heart. It’s only natural, especially with your first.”

Leonard leaned back, finally taking his eyes off the stairs.

“I felt the same. And Cordelia’s a quick learner—it’s rewarding to teach her.”

“What’s your point?”

“I’m saying… don’t get too attached. Not if you still plan to get your body back.”

“I told you—I’m not doing that.”

Leonard’s face hardened at the mention of the subject.

“Master—”

“Even if I used Cordelia as a medium, it wouldn’t work. Am I supposed to gamble on something so unstable?”

“There’s no other way. If we combine my magic with the relic—”

“What could your weak magic possibly add? Don’t spout nonsense. Soul transfer magic isn’t like lighting a candle.”

Leonard shook his head. It wasn’t just affection—he knew even with Baron’s power and the relic combined, it wasn’t enough.

Just then, Veluce returned with groceries.

“I stocked up on dry food. Rande really has everything.”

“Thanks, Veluce.”

“And the carriage?”

“I removed the emblem and sold it on the black market.”

“Well done.”

“What were you talking about? I heard something about soul transfer magic.”

Veluce frowned, already aware of Leonard’s situation from Baron’s earlier explanation.

“I was saying we could use Cordelia as a medium.”

“Baron—”

“That girl? How?”

“She has the perfect body to receive magic. If I pour all of my magic and the relic’s power into her, roughly—”

CRASH!

Every dish on the table shattered. Baron had spilled food all over himself.

Thankfully, it was late at night and no one else was around on the first floor of the inn.

Leonard stared silently at Baron. Baron immediately shut his mouth and bowed.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s late. Go to bed. We’ve got a long road ahead.”

Leonard left first, and the other two remained silent, heads bowed, until he disappeared into his room.