Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 131 (Part 2)

“Yes, I need to head to Hedenes.”

“Hedenes? The Hedenes region? Is your destination the Paroma Mountain Range?”

“No, it’s a small village near Hedenes. I believe it’s called Oak Tree Village.”

Hedenes had a city of the same name, the largest in the region, though it wasn’t a major metropolis. Margaret’s hometown was a small rural village about half a day’s journey south of Hedens, roughly four days from here.

“Are you perhaps affiliated with Slabon?”

“Slabon? You mean that conspiracy theory about an ancient organization?”

“No, it was just a thought.”

Tower Lord Francis’s sudden question didn’t fluster Rodin at all. Instead, he wore a puzzled expression as if wondering why such a thing had been brought up. His reaction was flawless.

Rodin was a skilled actor, adept at deflecting and playing dumb when necessary.

“If Slabon truly existed, they’d certainly be proficient in ancient magic.”

“Perhaps. Forget I mentioned it. Anyway…”

Tower Lord Francis paused, studying Rodin. His hood obscured everything but his jawline.

“Young.”

By his neck and jaw, it was clear Rodin wasn’t an old mage. Francis himself had become an Archmage in his sixties, yet the man before him seemed, at most, in his thirties.

“Even his siblings are so young.”

Two children, who appeared to be in their early teens, had been introduced as his siblings, not his children. This implied an age gap of no more than twenty years.

“I wish I could see his face.”

Francis was genuinely curious but had no way to satisfy his curiosity. Asking a mage to remove their hood was taboo among their kind.

“Even his voice is unusual.”

Rodin’s voice had a peculiar quality—it was soft yet remarkably clear, with even whispered words landing sharply on the ear.

“Please, speak freely, Tower Lord.”

“My words might sound like the ramblings of an old man. But when I became an Archmage, my mentor, Alias, told me something similar. Consider this advice from one Archmage to another.”

The name Alias was one Rodin had heard before. A former Tower Lord of Nella Tower, one of the Four Great Towers, who had peacefully passed away at over a hundred years old.

“I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m a little nervous.”

“It’s not something to fear. You’ve just become an Archmage. You may feel invincible, as though there’s nothing you can’t do.”

“I’ve never thought that. After all, the Tower Lord before me is someone I couldn’t hope to defeat.”

“Fair enough. What I mean is, the world is vast. There are far more terrifyingly powerful individuals out there than you might think. Always be cautious.”

Rodin understood the underlying meaning—Francis was warning him about encountering organizations like Slabon or Valis Nova.

While Rodin grasped the message, he nodded as though he didn’t.

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I won’t ask you to show your face. You must have your reasons for concealing it. However, I must ask—are you a criminal?”

“While I haven’t lived a sinless life, I’m not a fugitive wanted anywhere.”

“I see. That’s enough for me.”

With that, Francis decided not to press Rodin further.

“I have a question, if I may?”

“Go ahead.”

“How many runic characters are known to the Four Great Towers?”

“Well…”

Francis was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question. It wasn’t something anyone had ever asked before and was entirely out of the ordinary.

That said, it wasn’t a forbidden topic. Asking about individual runes might have been sensitive, but the total number known to the towers wasn’t exactly a secret.

“Was that an inappropriate question?”

“Not at all. Many likely have a rough idea, so there’s no reason to hide it. A little over 10,000.”

Rodin nodded slightly, satisfied with the answer.

It was close to what he had anticipated, confirming that the runic knowledge he possessed had surpassed that of the Four Great Towers long ago.

“Thank you.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s sufficient.”

In truth, Rodin wasn’t deeply curious about the Four Great Towers’ knowledge of runes. The approximate number was already known to those familiar with such matters.

“Was coming here unnecessary?”

Accepting Francis’s invitation, Rodin had felt compelled to ask something, so he’d casually inquired about the runes. Beyond that, he had no particular agenda.

The only notable takeaway was confirming that Francis knew about Slabon and Valis Nova.

“Let’s have some tea… or rather, lunch. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. It’s still before noon.”

“Then let’s head out and have a meal. Bring your siblings along.”

“Understood.”

When they stepped outside, the food preparation had just been completed.

Rodin called Jena, Matthew, and the children to join him for lunch.

The meal wasn’t particularly tasty. It seemed there wasn’t much salt available near Landes Tower, as all the dishes were bland.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“Not at all. I just hope I’m not turning into a nagging old man.”

“You’re not. May I ask one more favor?”

“Speak. If it’s within my power, I’ll help.”

“Could I temporarily join Landes Tower for just one day?”

Francis let out a short laugh, glancing at the crowd of people gathered nearby and shaking his head.

“You seem uncomfortable with all the attention.”

“I don’t have the courage to push through them, nor can I just kill them all.”

“How about staying for a year instead? That might give people enough time to settle down.”

“Thank you.”

Rodin sighed as he looked at the throng of people.

There were far too many. Throughout the meal, he’d been keenly aware of their watchful gazes.

“Alright then. Starting today, for one year, you’re a member of Landes Tower. Haren, Dyce—clear a path for our new recruit.”

“Understood, Tower Lord.”

“Take care. Perhaps our paths will cross again.”

Thus concluded Rodin’s meeting with Tower Lord Francis.

All that remained was to navigate through the sea of people surrounding the Landes Tower encampment.

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