Episode 79

Euclid, wearing a bitter smile, began to speak.

“I heard from the investigator that there isn’t much evidence hidden, so the case should wrap up quickly. I’ve also been informed that you’ll be transferred to the capital at dawn tomorrow.”

“What? And you just stood by and let that happen? Duke, do you have any idea what I might say once the investigation begins?”

Count Biers, now reaching the peak of his anxiety, finally revealed his true nature and shouted.

Euclid, whose bitter smile had disappeared from his face, replied calmly.

“I am aware. That’s why I’m here to confirm one last thing. Besides you and your daughter, who else knows about the matter concerning my brother and his wife?”

“Hah! For now, it’s just the two of us! But if you send me off to the capital like this, the whole northern region—no, the entire empire—will learn that the Duke’s nephews are the child of a traitorous commoner-blooded woman and a man who betrayed his own territory!”

As if to intimidate, the Count’s words hung in the air. A blue light flickered on the small magical device Euclid held.

“It’s true.”

“What kind of nonsense is this! Treating me like a fraud… ugh! Ugh!”

Suddenly, the Count grasped at his throat, unable to speak, as though something was forcibly choking him.

“Lady Biers.”

Amy, watching in horror, tried to scream, but a low voice called her name.

It was the Duke, wearing his usual smile—or was it a different one this time? Amy flinched, her body trembling at the sight.

“You needn’t worry about the Count. However, you… you’ve told the children far too much they didn’t need to know.”

It wasn’t just about the truth.

Human greed, selfishness, fear, terror…

Even if they were destined to learn these things someday, he wanted to protect them for a little longer while they were in his care. Amy had ruined that.

“Because of this, I don’t feel inclined to let you off easily.”

Euclid sighed softly and raised his hand.

In that moment, Amy realized something.

The Euclid she had seen so far was only one facet of him.

“If you must harbor resentment, direct it at me—not the children.”

Still, his voice remained unbearably gentle.

***

“Cough.”

Euclid returned to his office with the same composed steps he had taken to the underground prison. But as soon as the door shut behind him, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

Bright red blood seeped through.

Even after coughing up blood, the excruciating pain in his wrecked insides left him drenched in cold sweat.

“This is insane. You must have a death wish,” muttered someone watching him with irritation.

Euclid lifted his head with a heavy sigh.

Sitting in his office chair was a familiar figure—the Tower Master. Unlike the shocking rainbow-colored hair she’d sported at the wedding, she had reverted to her usual neat black hair.

“You haven’t left yet?”

Euclid’s tone was clearly annoyed, and the Tower Master’s sharp gaze narrowed.

“You summoned me suddenly, asking to borrow a magical device, then snatched it without a word. And now you ask if I’ve left? I haven’t even said my piece yet!”

“Then say it quickly and leave. Oh, here’s your magical device. I used it well. Thank you.”

Despite his polite words, Euclid carelessly placed the item on the table and slumped onto the sofa.

The Tower Master glared at him incredulously.

“Is that how a grateful person acts?”

“My apologies. I’m feeling unwell.”

“Then why haven’t you taken the medicine I gave you?”

“I took it all.”

“What?”

The Tower Master jumped to her feet.

“How could you have finished it already? Didn’t I warn you not to use magic if you didn’t want to die? You said you wanted to live until your nephews were a bit older—did you change your mind so soon?”

As the Tower Master scolded him without pause, Euclid opened his eyes and gazed at him with an expression of resignation.

“I had no choice. It was an emergency.”

Though in truth, it had only felt like one.

“And what was so urgent today? Just using a spell of compulsion magic is enough to strain your body, but you even tampered with your own mind. Don’t you realize how fatal such overexertion can be? If you’re so eager to die, why not tell me first?”

Euclid’s sharp eyes flicked open at his words.

“Have you been following me?”

He was asking how he knew about the magic he’d used.

The Tower Master replied indignantly, “And what if I have?”

His response, as curt as usual, could have been meaningless—or it could have been an indication that he really did know what had happened in the underground prison.

After a moment of deliberation, Euclid sighed and said, “Tower Master, the only reason I tolerate you is that you care for nothing but money.”

In other words, even if she knew the kind of truth that could cost lives to conceal, he would let it slide.

Hearing this, the Tower Master’s tense expression softened slightly.

Though he often denied being his friend and maintained a formal distance, he knew Euclid only allowed himself to show such visible exhaustion and vulnerability in his presence.

Given his long struggle with an incurable illness, it was no wonder he was irritable and sharp.

Not to mention, as a mage, he endured immense pain every time he used magic, feeling his lifespan shorten in real-time.

With a benevolent expression that didn’t suit her sharp features, the Tower Master said, “I didn’t follow you. Do you think I wouldn’t sense the residual magic traces this strong? Still, why do you push yourself so recklessly? It’s so… like you.”

Euclid, half-listening to her words, finally relaxed his tense shoulders.

“Then that’s fine.”

“Fine? What’s fine? Aren’t you going to ask me for more medicine?”

“I’ll recover if I endure.”

“And why are you stubbornly enduring pain like an idiot? Just ask me for it.”

“It’s not like you give anything for free. You didn’t lend me the magical device without expecting something in return.”

“True, but—!”

Clicking his tongue in frustration, the Tower Master shouted, “You don’t have to pay me immediately! Just add it to your tab and pay later. Why are you being so stingy?”

“Perhaps because the one who insists on being repaid isn’t stingy at all?”

The Tower Master, stunned by his immediate rebuttal, was left speechless.

“Well, I…” she stammered, unable to form a proper response, prompting Euclid to let out a cold laugh.

“And you call this friendship?”

Though his tone wasn’t particularly harsh, coming from Euclid, it felt like a slap in the face, leaving the Tower Master’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Despite feeling stung, she pulled out a vial of medicine from her pocket and handed it over.

“Fine! This time, I’ll give it to you for free. Just take it already.”

Though she tried to act indifferent, she was clearly worried. Euclid, pale and drenched in cold sweat, hesitated, his gaze skeptical.

“For free?”

“Yes, for free. Now, before I change my mind, take it!”

Hurriedly opening the vial, the Tower Master practically forced the medicine into his mouth.

As the bitter taste of the medicine mixed with the metallic tang of blood, Euclid couldn’t help but grimace.

“By the way, have you told your wife yet?” he asked.

• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •

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