“………….”
The Everts Duchy in the West.
The lord of the castle, Duke Nicholas, was deep in thought.
It wasn’t because of the latest invitation from the Arkhe Magic Tower, which had a different tone from before. On the contrary, as the ruler of the West, he sincerely hoped for the revival of the Arkhe Magic Tower and fully intended to accept their invitation.
Even so, what troubled him now was something else entirely.
“…So, you failed as well?”
“My apologies, Your Excellency!”
“No, it’s fine… There’s no need to apologize when she refuses to meet anyone in the first place.”
What weighed on his mind was none other than his daughter who was like a “sore spot” for the Everts Duchy.
Lacia Everts, born with a natural affinity for the love of spirits, had shut herself away in the tower, refusing any contact with others after a series of incidents during her childhood.
No matter what methods the Duke employed, he could never even set foot inside the tower, guarded as it was by countless spirits. And yet, just over a month ago, he had seen a glimmer of hope.
Kyle Byron.
The creator of Kyle Galli, who had caught Lacia’s attention. Frankly, the Duke had called him in without much expectation, thinking it probably wouldn’t work.
But to his astonishment, Kyle Byron had not only entered the tower for the first time but had also met Lacia. And that wasn’t all; he had even played board games with her and managed to grow somewhat closer to her.
The Duke still vividly remembered his last conversation with Kyle, as well as Lacia’s unprecedented decision to send spirits to summon Kyle in the first place.
That’s why he had believed that, through the board game, there might be a way to draw closer to Lacia.
But now, no one was being allowed in.
Over the past month, the Duke had summoned as many of the Empire’s famous board game players as possible, but every single one had been turned away.
Though these individuals were all skilled players who quickly adapted to unfamiliar games like Kyle Galli and Spirit Poker, they couldn’t even begin to play.
In the early days, a few of them managed to climb to the top of the tower and leave behind nothing but a knock on the door. However, Lacia would only play the games from behind the door, speaking in a faint voice.
And even that came to an end after a few rounds. She expelled everyone and no longer even opened the tower’s doors.
Naturally, from the Duke’s perspective, all hope seemed lost.
Could it be that her distrust of humans has only deepened…?
What if, when Kyle Byron returned someday, even he was rejected?
Having seen a small glimmer of hope once before, the current situation felt unbearably frustrating.
After sending back the tournament champion player who had apologized countless times, the Duke picked up the invitation to the Arkhe Magic Tower.
Now, I can’t put this off any longer.
He had postponed it briefly because he was concerned about Lacia, but now it was time for him to head to the Arkhe Magic Tower.
If he deliberately chose to leave late, he could indeed delay by a few more days, but the Everts Duchy was the overlord and ruler of the west. For such a family, being late to an invitation from the tower that represented the West could, in itself, be a political statement.
More importantly, several other influential figures were also on the move for this invitation.
Even among those he, as a Duke, had to be particularly mindful of was the Grandel Duchy of the east, the Lutenhark marquisate of the south, and two among the six great magic towers: the Glecia Magic Tower and the Astron Magic Tower.
And above all else…
They say the Third Prince from the imperial family is attending.
Instead of the First and Second Princes who were actively competing for succession, the Third Prince was personally taking part.
Even if he could never become Emperor, he was still a legitimate imperial family member. If such powerful figures were traveling west, it would be disgraceful for the western lord to arrive late.
Considering that the other dignitaries were coming from afar, he needed to depart today if he wished to arrive ahead of them.
In the end, Duke Nicholas made his decision and called for his attendant.
“Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the Arkhe Tower.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
He figured it would be sufficient to discuss Lacia’s situation again with Kyle Byron once he reached the Arkhe Magic Tower.
Having dressed in his traveling attire, the Duke proceeded to the main gate where the carriage was ready.
Although he intended to set out as quickly as possible once he had decided to leave…
[……………]
“…What is this?”
“Y-Your Excellency, all of a sudden, this spirit came from the tower and is now beside the carriage.”
“So that… is what you’re telling me.”
It turned out that the carriage was not the only thing prepared at the main gate.
One of the spirits guarding the tower’s door, a water spirit shaped like a tiger made of water, had approached the carriage.
Which meant…
“Did Lacia send you?”
[…Growl…]
“So my efforts… weren’t all in vain, it seems. Very well. Are you coming with me to the Arkhe Magic Tower?”
[Growl… growl…]
“I’m not sure what you’re saying, but…”
Perhaps this was Lacia’s way of extending an olive branch.
Sending a spirit as an escort for her father’s journey to the tower…
[Grrr… growl.]
“…Hmm?”
Yet for some reason, the water tiger’s response was peculiar. It lowered its head dejectedly.
Though the Duke was briefly taken aback…
“Well, at least I’m sure Lacia sent you for my sake.”
Smiling, he climbed into the carriage and made room for the water tiger.
“You can ride with me. The road may be rough.”
[…growl…]
And just like that, although it was not his daughter herself, the Duke ended up traveling with her spirit. This made Duke Nicholas smile.
Even though it was only a spirit, he felt oddly happy, as if he were traveling with Lacia.
[Growl… whimper…]
“Hmm…?”
He couldn’t help but watch the restless water tiger with a puzzled gaze.
Being a spirit composed of water, and given its vague expressions and sounds, he couldn’t be entirely sure, but…
As someone who had encountered countless people in his position as Duke, Nicholas thought:
…Is it feeling burdened?
And not because it was stuck in a carriage with him alone, but rather from something more fundamental.
[Grr…]
Eventually, the water tiger which had been whining nonstop lowered its head as though surrendering to something within. Then it briefly glanced at the Duke before shifting away from him.
“… … …”
Somehow, the Duke felt as if he were also becoming more distant from his daughter, and his mood turned gloomy.
***
The territory of the Arkhe Magic Tower, Geass.
As was often the case with a tower that possessed its own land, that land tended to be deeply influenced by the tower’s unique “color”.
For example, the Agni Tower in the north was located between the mountain range where monsters poured out and the empire, so it had a violent and impulsive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the territory of Glecia Tower in the east was extremely small but bordered the sea. They used the tower’s ice magic to freeze the ocean, effectively expanding their territory.
As for the Arkhe Magic Tower, which researched light and darkness—
It was unique in that day and night were clearly defined in a rather unusual way.
“It’s always an astonishing sight, Adela.”
“…Is that so? I’ve been seeing it since I was a child, so I’m used to it.”
“I believe this is the only place on the entire continent where day and night can switch like this.”
Day turned into night, and night turned into day.
Though light and darkness had no tangible substance, Arkhe Magic Tower’s magic manipulated the very laws of the world.
The artificial sun and night sky that rose on Geass could show a city that never sleeps at night and a calm tranquility during the day.
If they wished, this territory could have a perpetual day or perpetual night for all twenty-four hours.
They could even adjust the direction and intensity of the light so that only Geass would shine brightly, like a place illuminated solely by streetlamps.
The artificial boundary between day and night, imbued with a certain beauty and dreamlike quality, had long been a famous attraction in Geass. Even more so when viewed from the upper floors of the tower.
…In reality, Adela was correct. No matter how enchanting the scenery was, the sense of wonder would inevitably fade after seeing it for a full month.
In the end, this was little more than an excuse. A brief excuse to take a break from board games.
It’s already been fourteen hours…
It had been a month since I resolved Frederick’s situation and returned to the Magic Tower.
In reality, the part I needed to be involved in had already ended about two weeks ago. The rules of Abracadabra had been firmly established, and there was no longer anything for me to advise regarding the construction of the illusion. All I was doing now was observing.
Then, I got caught by Adela. With Abracadabra still covered with fabric.
– Shouldn’t we continue?
At the time, I didn’t have much else to do. I briefly recalled the hours-long rounds of Abracadabra I had played before returning to my family, but rejecting a board game went against my principles. So, I agreed.
…And now, I’d been playing nothing but Abracadabra for two weeks straight. Ten hours a day, no less!
Doesn’t Adela ever get tired of this?
Unlike me who had no other responsibilities, Adela was still participating in the illusion construction. How could she manage to keep this up? Was she even sleeping properly?
Still, one thing had changed.
[Chirp!]
“Right… [God Sanctuary].”
The sparrow spirit perched on Adela’s shoulder was now assisting her. It definitely hadn’t been around before, but ever since I returned, it was always with her.
…Come to think of it, that sparrow seemed familiar. Wasn’t it the same spirit that flitted around every time Lacia called for me? The one that delivered my letter yesterday?
Anyway, thanks to its help (if I could call it that), Adela had significantly improved. I’d had to put in extra effort just to make sure our wins and losses stayed balanced.
“You’re incredibly accurate. You’re not using the spirit to cheat with magic, are you?”
“Please don’t misunderstand. Besides, what sort of immoral, unsophisticated person would stoop to using a spirit to cheat?”
“…Fair point.”
[Chirrrrp…]
Judging by its reaction, I was pretty sure this was the same sparrow spirit I’d seen before. Or was it just one that looked similar?
It was hard to be certain since, unlike other elemental spirits, this one was made of wind and lacked a distinct shape. No matter how many times I saw it, I couldn’t be sure.
Well, I’d become friends with the water tiger and the wind horse, so I supposed there was no reason Adela couldn’t befriend one as well.
Before I realized it, I’d naturally gone back to playing Abracadabra.
Just as I gave up and resigned myself to continuing the board game, the sparrow spirit sitting with Adela suddenly screeched.
[Chirp, chirrrrp!? Chirrrrp!!]
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong all of a sudden…?”
The sparrow spirit flapped its wings furiously. It flew into the air and urgently pushed Adela with a gust of wind.
Startled by the sudden action, I hesitated for only a moment before a thought struck me.
This is my chance!
I instinctively realized it was an opportunity to escape from 14 straight hours of board games. Without hesitation, I rose to my feet as well.
“Adela, how about indulging the spirit for now?”
“Are you talking about Peeya?”
“…So its name is Peeya. Regardless, they say spirits have better instincts than humans. Let’s observe what Peeya wants for a moment. We can always resume Abracadabra later, can’t we?”
“Hmm…”
[Chirrrrrp!!]
“Alright, Peeya, what’s going on?”
Thank you, Peeya. I could finally get a break, even if just for a while.
Even for someone like me, playing a single board game for 14 hours a day, every day for over two weeks, was exhausting. I was genuinely grateful to Peeya.
Adela stood up as well and followed Peeya’s urgent gusts of wind.
[Chirrp!]
“Adela, can you understand what Peeya is saying? Where is it trying to lead us?”
“I can catch bits and pieces… It’s saying outside the Magic Tower? It’s urging us to leave here quickly.”
“Huh?”
It wasn’t strange for Adela to understand Peeya since one could begin to understand a spirit’s words after growing close to it.
But the fact that it was telling us to leave the Magic Tower was a bit unusual.
If there was an unknown danger, the inside of the tower would typically be the safest place.
Still, since Peeya seemed so desperate, we decided to follow its lead for now.
From the upper floors of the Magic Tower to the lower ones, we passed numerous mages preparing for magic demonstrations and illusions before finally approaching the main gate.
“Oh, Game Creator! Where are you heading with Adela?”
“Game Creator, Tower Master Olphin was looking for you earlier!”
“Game Creator, there’s something I’d like to get your advice on—”
“Everyone! My apologies, but this is urgent!!”
In the meantime, several people tried to talk to me, but since Peeya kept urging us on, I had no choice but to promise to address them later.
In a somewhat confused state, we eventually arrived at the now-empty hall, where the giant board game setup had disappeared.
Just as Adela and I were about to step outside the front gate, following Peeya’s insistent words and actions telling us to leave the Magic Tower altogether—
[Chirp, chirp, chirrrp!?]
“…Wait, now it’s suddenly telling us not to go out… huh? To step away from the gate?”
“Huh?”
At the sudden change in Peeya’s warnings, we paused for a moment.
And that’s when the main gate of the Magic Tower opened.
“Welcome, Your Excellency Duke Nicholas. Let me introduce you to the Magic Tower.”
“It’s an honor to have the Archmage personally guide me. I gratefully accept your..hmm?”
Huh.
Duke Nicholas? Tower Master Olphin?
Ah, so it’s about time the invited guests started arriving.
But then, why was Peeya telling us to step away from the gate…?
[…Grr.]
[Chirp! Chirp! Chirrrrp!]
The familiar water tiger that had entered alongside the duke let out a low growl, and Peeya who had been trying to flee abruptly stopped and bowed its head before the water tiger.
The water tiger glanced down at Peeya, looking momentarily unimpressed, before shifting its gaze elsewhere.
[Grr… Growwwwl!!!]
“Huh, wh-what?”
The moment it saw Adela and me, it let out a deafening roar.
At first, it sounded threatening, but because I was quite familiar with the water tiger, I could understand what it meant.
And that’s precisely why I was even more confused.
Run away immediately?
Following Peeya came the water tiger.
While I was still unable to grasp exactly what was happening,
[…………….]
At that moment, the water tiger’s demeanor suddenly shifted.
It felt strangely as if it wasn’t the water tiger I knew, but someone else entirely had taken over its body.
And then.
[………Grrr.]
“What is this…?”
“……………….”
The water tiger quietly approached and wedged itself between Adela and me before fixing its gaze on Adela. Its stare seemed to provoke something in Adela, as she too locked eyes with the water tiger with a sharp expression on her face.
The atmosphere grew tense all of a sudden and was charged with hostility as the water tiger and Adela faced off.
I had no idea what on earth was going on.
I simply couldn’t understand any of it…
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