[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 233: White Night Festival (1)

Inside the subspace.

Oscar looked around at the group he had grown quite attached to over the past two weeks and asked:

"Edna, the Tower Master, and I are planning to head to the capital for the White Night Festival. What about you two?"

"Hmm, not sure."

Kaya and Oran looked at each other.

After exchanging a brief glance, they each spoke in turn.

"Let’s part ways here. No matter how we look at it, the capital's probably not a good idea for us."

"As you know, little bro, we’re heinous criminals."

Indeed, if the two of them showed up in the capital, the city guards—and even the knights—would likely be deployed.

It would certainly sour the festive atmosphere of the city.

"That’s understandable. Then is there anywhere you’d like to go? I can open a portal for you."

"Tsk. You really can’t get this kind of ability just anywhere… Seriously, kid, you sure you don’t wanna join?"

"Join? What are you talking about?"

Sasha frowned and asked, and Oran gave an awkward chuckle.

"K-Kidding, of course."

"I hope so. Oscar, don’t tell me those two tried to recruit you while I was out cold in my inner world?"

Behind Sasha, Oran’s eyes darted left and right like a metronome, his expression practically pleading for Oscar to say no.

‘Guess an 8th-level mage really does command a different kind of presence.’

Oscar let out a chuckle and shook his head.

"No, they didn’t."

"…Good. That’s a relief."

Even so, Sasha still looked slightly displeased as she turned to the two of them.

After a moment’s thought, she slowly opened her mouth.

"It was a short journey, but thank you all for your hard work. And thanks for looking out for me."

"Oh…"

Perhaps he hadn’t expected Sasha to express her gratitude, as Oran looked a little flustered.

Kaya, of course, just smiled and gave Sasha a warm hug.

"Even if it was brief, we were comrades."

"Yes, and also…"

Looking back and forth between Oran and Kaya, Sasha murmured softly.

"I apologize for judging you with prejudice at first. You were both actually pretty decent companions."

Of course, she didn’t forget to leave them with a warning.

"That doesn’t mean you’re allowed to try recruiting Oscar again. So be careful."

"Can’t we just share a good thing with him…?"

"No, you may not!"

"Alright, alright, no need to yell."

Kaya, wearing an amused smile, lowered her sunglasses and started preparing to leave.

After saying goodbye to Edna, she walked up to Oscar and held out her hand.

"…What’s this?"

"Grip test."

Contrary to her words, there wasn’t any strength behind the handshake.

Oscar chuckled.

"You must really be from a forest tribe or something. Normal folks call this a handshake."

"Call it whatever you want. Either way, I really owe you one this time."

A favor, huh.

If you really think about it, he was the one in debt.

Thanks to those two, he’d managed to recover both Edna and the White Tower’s data safely.

"……"

At first, he hadn’t thought much of them, labeling them as mere criminals.

But after two weeks of working closely together, his thoughts had changed—just like Sasha’s.

Feeling a sudden pang of guilt, Oscar hesitantly spoke.

"Kaya. About the payment we agreed on…"

"Oh, I didn’t forget. It was 30 million bells for the two of us, right?"

"No, I don’t think you need to pay us."

For a brief moment, Kaya’s gaze shifted to Edna.

But only briefly.

She let out a small chuckle and shook her head.

"A deal’s a deal. Don’t feel bad. It’s not like we came away empty-handed either. You don’t often find places in modern society where a 7th-level mage can gain this kind of combat experience."

"……"

She’d said it so clearly, he couldn’t exactly refuse anymore without making things awkward.

Oscar finally gave a reluctant nod.

"If you insist, then alright."

"Then could you give me your personal ID number?"

"Oh, sure."

He had one he’d received from Chief Walker.

Pulling out a communicator from the subspace, they exchanged numbers, and she gave him a playful wink.

"If I ever need help, I’ll reach out."

"…As long as it’s not for something too shady."

Drawing a line—no calls for blatantly illegal stuff.

Kaya chuckled and looked toward Sasha, then whispered quietly:

"Hey. What’s your deal with Sasha?"

"…What kind of academy kid question is that all of a sudden?"

"So, you’re saying you two are nothing?"

"Yes. She’s the Tower Master. I’m a mage affiliated with the tower. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Hmmm."

Through the amber-tinted lenses of her sunglasses, her eyes sparkled like pebbles.

She clearly had more questions, but held them back—for now.

"…What? What’s with that look?"

"Nothing. Just… if you say so. But you know what?"

Lowering her voice, she leaned in and said:

"You only slipped once. And I caught it."

"…?"

"Hehe. You better take care of her, yeah?"

Leaving behind those cryptic words, she turned and waved with one hand.

"Oh, and about the portal—send us to Felix, please~"

"Felix? Got it."

A city in the southeastern region.

When the portal opened, Kaya stepped through first, followed by Oran, who waved as he went.

"Kid, we’re off! See you around!"

And just like that, the portal closed.

What had been five people was suddenly down to three, and the hollow feeling of the journey ending finally settled in.

"Master, at least we accomplished all of our goals."

"Yeah."

Sasha’s polite tone had returned, as a little bonus.

Edna approached and asked,

“A goal for the journey? Was there such a thing?”

“Yes. It was to rescue you and recover the White Tower's data.”

“……I’m sorry again. For not keeping the promise on time.”

“N-no, I didn’t mean it to make you apologize.”

“Yeah. It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault to begin with.”

Oscar comforted her, then suddenly wore a serious expression and cast a message spell.

—We’ve finally caught our breath, so let me ask… that lightning strike… was it what I think it was?

In Edna’s memories, she had seen that single bolt of lightning bring down the dragon’s massive body.

Oscar’s eyes darkened as he recalled that blinding flash that had pierced the sky in an instant.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

—I can't say for certain.

It was rare to see Edna hesitate to speak.

She always based her words on data and records—her assertions were usually full of confidence.

—But I’d recommend not ruling out the possibility.

—……

There was no point in hiding it.

Oscar was wondering if the one who cast that lightning bolt was the Yellow Tower Master.

“Hm?”

Just then, Sasha blinked as she realized the two were talking via message magic.

“It’s nothing. Just an old story.”

“Ah, yes. You must have a lot to talk about between you.”

Without a word, Oscar gently patted Sasha’s head.

He felt sorry, but he had no intention of telling her about this yet.

‘Who knows how Sasha would react if she found out.’

Normally, Sasha was sharp and composed, but when it came to matters like this, she could be just as hot-headed as Gilly.

Even though she’d reached the 8th level, she was still too early to stand against the Yellow Tower Master.

“Um, Master. Does it take long to open the portal to the capital?”

“Not long. Just a few minutes. Why?”

“Oh, no reason.”

No reason?

Oscar stared at Sasha silently.

She only said meaningless things like that in one specific case.

‘Usually when her mind is a little tangled or her heart is unsettled… ah.’

Could it be because she saw Lloyd?

As Oscar started weaving the threads of space to create the portal, he asked casually,

“So, how was it, seeing Lloyd after so long?”

“……What do you mean, how was it? That guy didn’t even notice I was there at first.”

Her lips were sticking out in a full pout.

She seemed almost offended he hadn’t asked sooner—she began chewing out Lloyd as if grinding his bones.

“He’s exactly the same. Still has that expressionless face like he’s impossible to read.”

“Still, he took your side. He even skipped the inspection.”

“Ha, took my side? More like he just didn’t want to be bothered. Wait a second—Master, whose side are you on?”

There’s no “side.”

But Oscar, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire, quickly replied:

“Of course, I’m always on our Sasha’s side.”

“Right? If he wasn’t always cooped up on the front lines and actually showed up at official gatherings, I’d be fuming every time I saw him.”

Oscar kept nodding and playing along.

Clearly, Sasha still hadn’t forgiven Lloyd.

‘……But that guy.’

He’d seen Sasha up close.

There’s no way he hadn’t realized she’d reached the 8th level.

The fact that he didn’t show any reaction must mean he already knew before they met.

‘In other words, he hid his emotions.’

But why?

Was he upset that Sasha reached the 8th level before him?

No, there was no jealousy or resentment in his eyes.

People often said Lloyd’s expression never changed, but Oscar knew better—there were always subtle differences.

“If I had to say… it looked like excitement.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, nothing.”

He wasn’t sure.

Why did Lloyd look so excited when he saw Sasha had reached the 8th level?

Especially when they now belonged to rival towers.

‘Well, no need to rush.’

The White Tower was already prepared to rise.

Once the Midnight Festival ended and they returned home, they could start figuring things out—one step at a time.

* * *

A small city, Felix — a certain hotel.

“Senior, let’s wash up in our rooms first and meet at the restaurant for dinner.”

“Sure. Wash properly. You stink.”

“……You’re one to talk, senior.”

“Not going?”

“G-going now. I’m going.”

Grumbling, Oran entered his room.

Watching him go, Kaya entered hers and sank into the sofa.

“Haa…”

She was exhausted.

This journey had been taxing even for her, a 7th-level martial arts master.

She’d nearly lost her life more than once.

‘……Still, I have to do what needs to be done.’

She picked up her communicator and dialed a familiar number, speaking in a weary voice.

“Boss, it’s me.”

—You returned safely.

“Yeah. You’re not disappointed, are you?”

—Of course not.

A faint chuckle preceded the real topic.

—The result?

“Success. Transfer the payment to those two.”

—Are the ones who went with you safe?

“They're probably in better shape than I am. Must be youth.”

Kaya muttered with a sigh and stretched out her legs as she continued.

“A new star has risen on the continent.”

—How splendid.

Even at the mention of a new 8th-level archmage, the voice on the other end remained unmoved.

Naturally so.

From the beginning, his interest had been elsewhere.

—After traveling with him, what do you think?

“You mean Oscar. Hmm…”

The past two weeks flashed through her mind—everything he had shown her.

His dazzling talent.

Kaya recalled it all and finally spoke.

“Honestly? He looks the most promising of anyone I’ve ever seen.”

—Is that so? Then it must be quite frustrating for you.

“……Can’t be helped. Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on him for now.”

—I’ll pass along any new information from my side as well.

“Got it. Thanks.”

Click.

The call ended.

She sank deeper into the sofa and closed her eyes.

Right.

There was nothing she could do now.

If it turned out to be true, she would simply do what had to be done.

“……I wonder if Killian will be a little sad.”

Murmuring softly, Kaya thought of her younger brother.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]