Chapter 880

The cup tipped over, spilling liquor across the desk. However, Ohara didn't spare it so much as a glance.

"Go back... where?" She simply stared at Ian and asked the question, looking as though she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

Suppressing a chuckle, Ian calmly replied, "The tower is still fully operational. And as you heard, I have complete control over it now. Along with all those attendants."

With a casual flick of his Willful Grasp, he set the cup upright. "But I can't stay there forever. So I need someone to oversee the attendants and manage the tower in my place. And if that person could preserve the Gray Magic Tower's legacy as well, all the better."

"Huh..." At last, a faint sigh escaped Ohara's black-painted lips.

Holding out the bottle, Ian poured her another drink. “No matter how I think about it, you're the only person who fits every requirement, Ohara.”

He tilted his head slightly. "What? Is there some other reason you need to keep hiding here? If it's because of Max and Anna, they can obviously come with you."

"That's not it... I... I..." At Ian's question, Ohara finally stammered out a response. "I don't deserve such an important responsibility, Agent of the Saint."

"It can't be because you doubt your abilities as a mage."

Setting the bottle aside, Ian regarded her with a curious look.

"So it's exactly what I thought." His voice softened slightly. "You still haven't let go of your guilt."

Ohara hesitated and lowered her gaze to her cup. That alone was answer enough.

In truth, Ian wasn't particularly surprised. She had only just learned that her lifelong wish had finally been fulfilled. And it had been fulfilled through Ian's hands rather than her own. That wasn't nearly enough to wash away emotions that had festered for years.

“You must have told me that entire story because this was what you intended to ask from the beginning,” Ohara said quietly. She still couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. "I'm deeply sorry to disappoint you, Agent of the Saint."

Yet the smile never left Ian's face. "Then all the more reason to accept my offer. It would be a chance for you to atone."

Still, Ohara remained silent.

"And no, I'm not about to start preaching like some priest and tell you to repay your sins through devotion and service."

As Ohara's eyes twitched slightly, Ian added, "I'm telling you to help destroy the people responsible for that guilt in the first place."

Ohara finally narrowed her eyes and asked in a quiet voice, "You mean the former tower mages still operating outside?"

Ian shook his head while lifting his cup. "The ones who eventually come back can be left to the attendants. They'll be more than happy to deal with them. They might already be doing it."

"Then..."

"There are people who supported the tower's corruption every step of the way."

Only then did Ohara jerk her head up.

Meeting her widened eyes, Ian raised his cup to his lips and said, "So you do know. That's right. I'm talking about Larmut."

"H-How could you possibly... no..." Ohara murmured blankly while watching him finish the liquor.

Then she suddenly shook her head and hurriedly continued, “Not only did you intend to sever their influence, but you intend to execute them as well?”

"Yes. That’s the plan." Ian answered as he lowered his cup from his lips.

Ohara's eyes began to tremble. "B-But they are connected to the Empress and the—"

"You'd be better off not finishing that sentence. Your tattoos aren't what they used to be," Ian cut her off.

The tattoos tracing the scars on her skin had already begun glowing a faint red. The restriction had been activated.

"The truth is, I have a personal grudge against them too. And as it happens, there was a Mantra gate on the top floor of the tower that leads directly to their stronghold."

Ohara froze, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly.

Ian set down his cup and continued calmly, "I've disabled the circuit for now. But when the time comes, I'll open the gate, cross over, and make them pay for everything they've done."

"That... that's far too dangerous, Agent of the Saint...." Ohara finally managed to say. The words sounded as though she had forced them out with great effort.

Ian nodded readily. "I know they've fallen to corruption. They may even have noticed something had happened to the tower and started preparing defenses. But that's a risk worth taking."

Ohara shook her head urgently. "Th-That's not what I meant!"

Her voice trembled as much as her eyes.

"No matter who you are... if you do something like that, you'll be branded a traitor. Even the great Platinum Dragon wouldn't be able to intervene in a matter like that!"

The corner of Ian's mouth curled a little higher, not simply because Ohara was worried about his safety.

"Maybe. But I don't think His Majesty the Emperor would react so rashly."

She clearly had no grasp of the political tides shifting in the capital. Then again, even if she had heard rumors, she couldn't possibly know the details the way Ian did.

He shrugged lightly. "For now, I'm more useful than they are. And if I have proper evidence, there are plenty of royals who would gladly take my side."

"royal family members? Which ones?"

"You probably didn't know this, but I'm the Archduke of the North now."

The words left Ohara completely frozen.

Watching yet another wave of shock spread across her face, Ian shrugged. "And while I'm away, Her Highness the Princess is governing the North in my place."

He smiled faintly. "She's also an advisor to the Third Prince, the strongest candidate for Crown Prince."

"Huh...."

Another faint sigh escaped Ohara. By now, the heat had faded from the tattoos on her neck and arms.

"Even aside from that, I'll take responsibility for whatever happens afterward." Ian lifted his cup slightly toward her. "So come to the tower with me, Ohara."

For a moment, she simply stared at him, her eyes wavering.

"In more ways than one, you're far more thorough than I ever imagined, Agent of the Saint," Ohara said quietly.

She slowly picked up the cup before her. "And you seem to know exactly how to make a proposal impossible to refuse."

"It's a useful skill for a mercenary." Ian smiled faintly and swirled the liquor in his cup. "Now that you know what I'm thinking, I trust you'll do your best, Acting Tower Master."

A bitter smile touched Ohara's lips as she nodded. "With atonement in my heart... I'll do everything I can."

The moment she finished speaking, she drained the cup in one gulp. She had probably wanted that drink for quite some time.

Ian raised his cup as well.

Having emptied her cup in a single swallow, Ohara added the words carefully, "That said, there are a few things I'd like permission for in advance."

Ian glanced at her and nodded.

After brushing back her tangled hair and swallowing once, she continued, "If we leave, this town will fall into danger very quickly. Please allow me to put at least some defenses in place before we depart."

Ian lowered his cup and asked, "What, are you planning to carve spell circuits throughout the city?"

Ohara nodded, a flicker of sheepishness crossing her face

It was enough to make Ian let out a low chuckle. "So you don't want to create another reason to feel guilty."

Ian nodded slightly. "Go on. What else?"

Ohara lowered her eyes slightly before continuing, "And when the people who left the tower return, please allow me to interrogate them personally before deciding what to do with them."

Her cautious tone wasn't solely because of the restriction.

"Some of them may have left for reasons similar to mine. The only difference is that they didn't run away. If I can find even one such person..."

"It would help preserve the tower's legacy."

When Ian finished the thought for her, Ohara immediately nodded. "Her eyes widened, yet the tension remained etched upon her features.

At last, Ian smiled. "Thanks for proving so quickly that I made the right choice."

He leaned back in his chair. "Handle it however you see fit. That's exactly why I'm giving you the position."

This is why every organization needs professional management.

A smile of relief appeared on Ohara's face. "Thank you, Agent of the Saint."

Ian shrugged. "As for the town, let's talk about that again later. You might not need to go to all that trouble."

Ohara blinked. Not merely because she was curious about what he meant, but because Ian had just reached into his pocket dimension and pulled out a small storage box, setting it on his thigh.

While he opened the lid and rummaged through the contents, Ohara asked cautiously, "Is that a magical artifact?"

Her gaze had already become that of a mage, fixed intently on the box.

"Something like that," Ian answered casually.

"Ah. Here it is." He closed the lid and sent the object he had retrieved floating toward her with his Willful Grasp.

Ohara's eyes widened as she watched the small piece of metal drift through the air. It was the insignia of the Gray Magic Tower she had once given to Ian.

Sliding the storage box back into his pocket dimension, Ian continued, "You should wear it again. I've got plenty of spares, so let me know if you need more."

"I gratefully accept it back, Agent of the Saint. No... Tower Master."

Still blinking in disbelief, Ohara extended both hands. She carefully clasped the insignia between them.

Ian let out a chuckle and nodded. "You should come back out with me. My friends are arriving, and you ought to meet them."

His grin widened. "There's one in particular I'd like to introduce you to."

"I'm looking forward to it and, at the same time, a little afraid. Seeing fairies and beastfolk gathered together in one place is going to be quite a sight."

Ohara rose from her seat while tucking the insignia against her chest.

It didn't sound like an empty remark. She even reached for the liquor bottle before standing fully.

Ian rose as well. "Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen."

Chuckling softly, he followed her toward the door. As he walked behind her, his gaze naturally drifted around the room.

"You've accumulated quite a lot of things."

He glanced at the artifacts, books, and tools filling every corner.

"How long will it take you to prepare everything before leaving?"

"Give me two days," Ohara answered immediately as she strolled forward.

Her eyes moved across the countless magical devices, relics, ancient tomes, and medicinal herbs piled throughout the room.

"I'll only take what's necessary." She continued while carefully examining the clutter around her. "Besides, I've already finished deciphering the circuits of most of the items here, or memorized their contents. The only exceptions are things that are too old, too damaged..."

A faint smile touched her lips. "Or cursed."

"Oh?" A quiet note of admiration entered Ian's voice.

As expected, her skill in circuit analysis and magical craftsmanship seemed considerable. If he introduced her to the craftsmen of the North, they might eventually be able to produce truly high-quality magical equipment.

"Would you like some?" Ohara asked just then.

She turned back toward him with a curious smile. "Tower Master, you seem rather interested in magical tools and relics yourself."