076. Crossing (4)

Owen, upon hearing Kyle’s account, began delving into ancient records.

With Kyle’s assistance, Owen managed to uncover documents on dimensions and dimensional travel.

Just as Kyle had mentioned, there were indeed individuals who had traversed dimensions in the past.

Though the methods varied, what was certain was the evidence of a dimensional rift opening for crossing.

“I thought it was only a world within a book…”

It was a late realization for Owen.

The world he believed to be fictional in *The Flower of the Empire* was, in the end, merely another dimension.

Through the medium of web novels, he could glimpse tales of worlds from Korea, but it didn’t seem like this world was created solely by one individual.

If anything, it hinted at a more intricate connection binding everything together.

“We need to find an ancient grimoire.”

In his study, piled with books he was reading through, Owen turned his attention to Kyle’s voice.

Both of them had been squeezing in time daily to gather information.

Thanks to Kyle’s willingness to spare his time and space, things were progressing relatively smoothly.

However, Owen hadn’t yet met *Owen* himself, so he hadn’t been able to inquire about Bella.

“There’s a record from 300 years ago, where they used a magic circle to open a dimensional rift. There’s a grimoire that has a depiction of the circle, so we just need to find that.”

“As long as we know what it looks like, we can succeed?”

“What do you take me for? Of course.”

Kyle gave a faint smile, his confidence reassuring enough to make Owen laugh in return.

“I’ll take care of finding the ancient grimoire. This sort of thing is easier to handle through the Mage Tower.”

“Thanks.”

“No need for thanks; that’s just embarrassing. By the way, I heard the Saintess solved the entire incident?”

At Owen’s gratitude, Kyle gave a short reply, then swiftly shifted the topic.

Hearing of the attempted assassination of the Saintess, Owen nodded.

“Apparently so.”

“She’s headed north soon, to set up the barrier. What was it called…?”

“The Barrier of Protection.”

Owen softly uttered the name of the barrier Kyle couldn’t recall.

‘The Barrier of Protection.’

In the latter half of *The Flower of the Empire*, it was the barrier Bella had created in the northern forests.

Thanks to it, monsters could no longer venture beyond the forest.

“His Imperial Majesty asked us both to join for that mission.”

“Both you and me, that is.”

“Yes. It was probably the Saintess’s request.”

Owen easily deduced the situation.

It was unlikely the Emperor would personally select forces he wasn’t friendly or allied with, so it couldn’t have come from the imperial family.

That left only Bella as the source of this request.

“She probably figured I’d refuse if I were summoned alone, so she called you along too.”

“She knows you quite well.”

“I told you, she’s a fan.”

“Of your real self, not you.”

“Either way, I’m acting as that person now. And I’m becoming more like him by the day.”

Kyle nodded in agreement at Owen’s explanation.

Then, with a sigh, he stood up.

“We should hurry then. I need to retrieve the ancient grimoire before we depart north.”

“…Do you think it’s possible?”

Owen asked, concerned about Kyle’s intention to rush on his account.

“It’s not impossible. Especially if I borrow a bit of your resources.”

“That’s my role; of course I’ll do it.”

“Exactly.”

Kyle chuckled lightly.

With an expression brimming with confidence, he leaned against the desk and said,

“You might not have fully realized it yet, but your family is quite extraordinary.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Hmm. Not just extraordinary, but…”

Kyle strolled casually to the window, gesturing toward the view outside.

Following his gaze, Owen looked out the window, taking in the panoramic view below. The Mage Tower was an exceptionally tall structure in this world, and Kyle’s space was located on the 100th floor—a true skyscraper. From this height, they could even see the grand gate marking the entrance to the capital far in the distance.

Owen turned back to Kyle, curious about his intentions, as he continued speaking.

“If I wanted, I could probably swallow up the capital… no, if I really tried, I could take the entire empire in my hands.”

“Watch your words.”

At Owen’s caution, Kyle smirked, shrugging nonchalantly.

“But it’s true. Military power, intelligence, wealth—all the resources are in place. The Verdun Dukedom simply chooses not to rebel. It’s not that they can’t.”

“Rebellion? What nonsense…”

“A tiresome affair, right?”

“….”

Though Owen wanted to tell him not to talk nonsense, he couldn’t deny that the idea was indeed tedious. So he fell silent, letting Kyle settle back into his chair with a satisfied sigh.

“It’s funny calling him your ‘real self,’ honestly. But in the end, you’re becoming the same person anyway. So, in a way, it is your family.”

“…I suppose it is.”

Hearing it put that way made Owen feel strange, as if he’d stolen something that wasn’t his. Kyle, noticing his expression harden, waved his hand dismissively.

“Are you really going to make that face? Wasn’t this all by choice?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t dwell on it. Overthinking won’t change anything.”

Kyle’s practical tone seemed to lighten Owen’s mind, though letting go of the endless trail of thoughts wasn’t so simple for him. Still, he felt a certain reassurance in Kyle’s words.

“You’re right.”

Perhaps it was the genuine concern and understanding that lay beneath Kyle’s words.

“You are Owen Verdun now. Both you and him. And that’s the undeniable truth, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Exactly. So just focus on what you need to address here and now.”

Kyle gave Owen’s shoulder a light tap, his tone easygoing. Owen nodded, agreeing with a hint of a smile.

“I suppose so.”

“Besides, you have an engagement ceremony soon.”

“…Yes.”

Kyle’s mischievous grin appeared, clearly amused.

“You look surprisingly flustered for someone who’s usually so composed.”

“And you’re some kind of expert?”

“Well, at least I’d be better at it than you.”

Kyle’s teasing continued as he walked over to his desk, opening a drawer to retrieve a box.

“Here’s the recording orb I mentioned. I was supposed to give it to you, but we got too caught up searching for records.”

Owen accepted the box containing the recording orb with care, opening it to reveal the item within. The deep blue orb was filled with magical energy, a reflection of enchanted craftsmanship.

“Thank you. I’d almost forgotten about it myself.”

“Right? I was beginning to wonder why you hadn’t asked.”

“Someone would think I’m always the one requesting things.”

“Judging by the record, that’s not far from the truth.”

“…I have no comeback for that.”

Their banter brought out quiet laughter between the two.

Owen took out the orb from the box, activating it to capture an image of Kyle.

“What’s this? Recording me now?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you’d start with Lady Edelte’s portrait first.”

“That was the plan, but I needed to test if it worked.”

“Ah, so I’m the test subject?”

Kyle chuckled, rising to his feet with an amused look.

“If you’re going to record, why not include yourself in it?”

He took a seat beside Owen, who instinctively turned the orb to capture both of them in the frame.

“What’s the point of this?”

“Who knows? It might mean something later. And if it doesn’t, so what? It’s just a recording.”

Kyle’s answer was simple, but it resonated. Then he suddenly asked,

“Have you commissioned a portrait?”

“A portrait?”

“Remember, you mentioned getting a new one done for the ball?”

“Oh…”

Owen shook his head, replying,

“Not yet. I’m waiting for an appointment with a painter Lucia likes.”

“…Really going all out, aren’t you?”

Kyle clicked his tongue, clearly impressed but with a touch of exasperation.

“The engagement’s next month, right? October?”

“Yes. Come to think of it, autumn is already here.”

August had passed in a whirlwind. Time had flown as they investigated one incident after another, and here they were in September, with the crisp, early autumn air now cooling their surroundings.

“We’ll be heading north the week after next, so time’s short. Will the portrait be ready before the ceremony?”

“No, it’s scheduled to be done just in time for the engagement.”

“Oh, a surprise reveal, huh?”

“Well… something like that.”

“You’re good at these grand gestures. You’ll probably make good use of the recording orb then too.”

“I probably will.”

Kyle gave a resigned sigh, shaking his head.

“Does Lady Edelte know how thoroughly you plan everything?”

“It’s not as extreme as you make it sound…”

“What are you talking about? You know everything she likes and have prepared all of it down to the last detail.”

Owen fell silent, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

“Save that look for Lady Edelte; it’s unnerving here.”

“…Don’t say things like that.”

“What did I say? I’m just stating the facts.”

Kyle was unyielding, cutting him off bluntly, before adding with a hand to his forehead,

“Then again, she seems to be the same way.”

“Huh?”

“You two are so similar. It’s like watching two peas in a pod.”

Owen squinted in confusion, and Kyle let out a sigh, explaining further.

“You two wear your feelings so openly, it’s impossible not to notice. Anyone watching can see it.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. And it’s amusing, because neither of you seems aware of it.”

Owen was mortified, feeling as though he wanted to disappear.

“There are rumors you two are involved, but you both act like you’re unsure of each other’s feelings. Isn’t that odd?”

“Well… there were circumstances…”

“Circumstances, my foot. You two are so clueless it’s unbelievable.”

Kyle’s blunt words made Owen shrink back slightly, and Kyle clicked his tongue at him.

“Honestly, how can you be unaware of your feelings when you rush out of your tent just because you’re worried about her?”

“But… I was just…”

“Just what? Oh, were you still caught up in the ‘different dimension’ excuse?”

That remark hit close to home, and Owen shut his mouth, feeling as though his past self was being recorded into a cringeworthy history. He deactivated the recording orb in embarrassment.

Kyle chuckled, remarking,

“She’s the same way. How does she not know her feelings while being so openly jealous?”

“…How did you even figure this out?”

Kyle’s perceptiveness baffled Owen, and he asked with a skeptical look. Kyle shot him an incredulous glance in return.

“What are you talking about? The whole world knows. Except you two, apparently.”