EWH Chapter 162

Meanwhile, when Nathan looked up at him with a reproachful tone, Melchiel lowered his eyes as if hurt. Though sighs and groans mixed with the voices of people secretly watching Melchiel’s forlorn expression, it had no effect on Nathan. He sighed with an impassive face.

The situation had already been going on for 30 minutes since their arrival, with useless conversations and nitpicking making the Magic Tower’s mages uncomfortable in various ways. Such an unprecedented troublemaker. Nathan had a headache from the fact that this troublemaker was both his professor and guardian.

“Don’t worry about it, just contact us when the carriages are ready.”

“Ah, yes! Understood!”

When Nathan gestured for him to go, the orc magician brightened and hastily fled the scene. Watching the massive retreating figure quickly disappear, Nathan turned sharply to look at Melchiel with a blank expression.

“How long are you going to keep this up?”

Nathan whispered so only Melchiel could hear, as if embarrassed. The man who had been putting on a forlorn face until just now responded in his usual indifferent voice.

“Until the rumor that ‘the great Melchiel yields completely to his disciple’s words’ spreads beyond the capital.”

Yes, this whole series of actions was planned. It was all an act put on for others to see. Nathan wanted to slap his forehead and sigh. If this weren’t the first-floor hall of the capital’s renowned Magic Tower, he would have done so already. It was frustrating that he couldn’t because of all the people around.

He’d lost count of how many times they’d performed this strange act. According to Melchiel, putting on such displays in front of many people would make Nathan safer, but Nathan kept feeling skeptical about whether such methods were really necessary.

Does this actually help?

The only thing he understood was that it made him tired. While others might be dissatisfied with Melchiel’s bizarre behavior, they couldn’t stop him. It was obvious he wouldn’t listen even if they tried to speak up. So naturally, they could only cling to Nathan, who was more approachable and reasonable.

Nathan carefully examined the interior of the Magic Tower located in the capital. As expected of a tower in the middle of the capital where the royal palace stood, it was enormous. Like a hotel lobby, perhaps. A professor who had been watching Melchiel carefully spoke up while looking at Nathan.

“Since it will take some time for the carriages to be prepared, let’s sit over there. Standing here might inconvenience others.”

When Nathan reluctantly looked at Melchiel at this suggestion, he nodded slowly and walked ahead. Nathan followed behind, brushing his hair back somewhat irritably.

To cut to the chase, the First Prince’s birthday celebration proceeded as planned. Originally, they had considered canceling it due to the earlier accident… but apparently someone absolutely refused to allow cancellation, so they had no choice but to proceed. It was truly a foolish decision. Anyway, for that reason, Nathan’s journey to the palace proceeded as scheduled.

…Even though it was already noon on the third day since the celebration began.

“Haah…”

Nathan let out a fatigue-laden sigh.

Normally one should arrive at the palace a week early, or at least three days before, yet they were departing on the morning of the third day of the celebration… Anyone would be appalled. Though the students, professors, and even the principal were clearly anxious and fretting about whether this was acceptable, Melchiel remained adamant. The large-bodied principal had grabbed Nathan and cried about how they shouldn’t have taken Melchiel’s words at face value when he said he’d go together but would decide the departure time himself.

Honestly, Nathan was surprised by this too. Someone who usually kept time commitments precisely was now deliberately dawdling just to spite others. Finally, thanks to Nathan persuading Melchiel after being worn down by others’ pressuring, they at least managed to avoid departing on the celebration’s last day.

…Nathan later learned this was the beginning of Melchiel’s scheme to demonstrate that “the great Melchiel yields completely to his disciple’s words.” The absurdity he felt then…

“The carriages, the carriages are ready!”

Just then, they saw the orc magician who had fled earlier running breathlessly toward them.

That was faster than expected, thought it would take longer.

Following his guidance outside the Magic Tower, they found carriages lined up in a row. Their uniformly elegant appearance made it immediately apparent these weren’t ordinary carriages. While Nathan was momentarily distracted by the carriages, Melchiel called to him.

“Nathan.”

Melchiel now just called him Nathan. Nathan inadvertently jumped, showing his startled reaction. Though he’d heard it several times already, he still hadn’t gotten used to it. Nathan deliberately composed his expression and answered.

“Yes?”

“We’re this way.”

“Ah, yes…”

Following him, they came upon a massive carriage that looked distinctly different from the ones seen earlier. There they found Leonard loading luggage. He hadn’t been seen for a while, apparently because he was here loading the carriage.

After boarding the carriage following Melchiel, Nathan suddenly turned to look at Leonard and asked,

“Isn’t Leonard riding with us?”

“He’ll be on the driver’s seat.”

“That’s right.”

Leonard answered while closing the carriage door.

Thump thump.

“Let’s depart.”

As soon as Nathan sat down on the opposite seat, Melchiel tapped the small window connected to the driver’s seat and spoke.

The carriage moved smoothly. As expected, a carriage meant for an Archmage was different in every way. Though Nathan had ridden in carriages several times before, the ride quality had always been terrible, but this one was different. There was none of the characteristic carriage swaying, and the seats were as plush as a luxury bed. As Nathan was appreciating the carriage’s comfort with renewed interest.

“How foolish, pushing ahead with the celebration at a time like this, what are they thinking…”

At the muttering from the front, Nathan awkwardly turned his gaze to the window. Melchiel’s displeased attitude wasn’t entirely an act, it seemed.

The scenery of streets more splendid and wealthy than any city he’d seen before was quickly passing by. And in the distance, a massive castle rose proudly toward the blue sky.

Azar was there.

I’ll see him soon.

Nathan leaned his head against the window, gazing absently at the approaching castle.

That day when Ali showed him the newspaper, he was so shocked and bewildered by the story inside, but worry quickly took over.

“A Royal with Holy Power Appears!”

The headline printed large on the front page and photographs of the situation. In the photos, Azar was silhouetted against the dawn. The article had been released to the world by a journalist who happened to be on that train.

The monster attack, the heroic actions of the knights and Fifth Prince, and finally how he used holy power to save people. Nathan was more concerned about that part than the monster attack on the train.

Isn’t it too early for this to become public knowledge?

Of course, in the original work, Azar’s possession of holy power becomes known to the world. However, the timing wasn’t supposed to be now. That’s why he was worried. Somehow everything felt like it was being rushed forward. From entering the dungeon earlier than planned, to this unexpected accident revealing Azar’s holy power…

This feels ominous. What if something happens at the celebration too?

It was then, as he was feeling this faint anxiety, that Nathan sensed the mana inside the carriage rippling slightly. Evidence that magic had been activated.

Probably sound blocking…

Nathan, blinking vacantly, took his eyes from the window and looked at Melchiel. He was reading a stack of papers that had appeared from somewhere.

“Nathan, we’ll arrive at the castle soon.”

“…That was quicker than expected.”

As he said, the castle had already grown so close it couldn’t be taken in at a single glance.

“I told you the precautions you need to take beforehand?”

Nathan silently nodded in response.

“You must remember again. The palace isn’t a nice enough place to stay, despite its magnificent appearance. This birthday celebration wasn’t organized with particularly good intentions either. So when you get there, you may certainly encounter troublesome or unpleasant situations.”

“I suppose so.”

Nathan answered while fidgeting with his clasped hands. It was already a concerning point.

“As I said, you need to be especially careful of the First Prince and the Queen. The Queen is very conscious of public perception, so she won’t approach you openly. With the recent train incident, she might not even attend the celebration. The problem is the First Prince…”

Melchiel trailed off. Was he going to suggest some solution? Nathan waited for his next words with some expectation.

“Just ignore what he says.”

“…Pardon?”

Nathan asked back in surprise at this unexpected solution.

“Is… is that really alright? No matter what, he’s still a prince of the nation…”

“Yeees, it is.”

Melchiel said without taking his eyes off the papers.

“As long as you’re my disciple, it’s fine.”