The observant Belfort nodded right away. And, he did not forget to paste on a fake smile.
“Of course, Your Excellency. I’m sure the young mages will be pleased as well. But, if I may ask, what brings you to this shabby place…”
“I came because I heard about the festival. And he says he wishes to stay somewhere quiet, so he’s staying with me.”
A servant took a step towards the marquis.
“Then, Alexander, go back to the mansion and rest.”
Alexander nodded and followed the attendant.
“…It’s amazing how you’ve chanced upon a dragon cub, Your Excellency. Are you planning to become its contractor?”
At Belfort’s brown-nosing, Marquis Evnen simply chuckled.
“There’s still some time before his 500th birthday. Until then, I’ll continue building the trust between us.”
“I see. That’s a wise idea.”
Belfort nodded. He knew just how obsessed Marquis Evnen was with mana.
Frankly, Marquis Evnen was Belfort’s biggest cash cow. It was for this reason that he served the marquis well, but he still needed to keep one eye out just in case.
Without Marquis Evnen, his wealth would not grow.
The marquis was, after all, particularly enthusiastic at paying good money for children. Especially children who could wield magic.
“Did you like the product I had sent to Your Excellency this time?”
Belfort furtively whispered, and Marquis Evnen raised one eyebrow. He laughed jovially at the bootlicker.
“She’s perfect to use as a maid. She said that she had been doing that since she was very young.”
Belfort did not know what exactly Marquis Evnen was doing with the children.
Quite honestly, he didn’t even want to know. All he needed to do here was count his money.
The child he sold to Marquis Evnen this time was a girl with light brown hair.
She showed quite a talent in magic, so Belfort briefly thought of bringing her to the magic tower instead. However, Marquis Evnen offered to buy her at a premium—and who was Belfort to refuse?
“If I come across other children quite like her, I’ll be sure to present them to Your Excellency.”
“No, the children…”
Trailing off, Marquis Evnen seemed occupied by his thoughts as his eyes curved up. He patted Belfort on the shoulder.
“The children, are they not pitiful? I’ll stop here now. However, I’ll continue to request slaves.”
This shameless attitude of wiping his hands of this matter bristled Belfort with anger. However, he made sure not to show it.
“Yes, of course.”
It was for this scenario that Belfort made sure to keep paper trails on the marquis’s transactions. And besides, his business was going to continue anyway.
Other than Marquis Evnen, there were quite a number of nobles who were interested in buying children.
So, at a time like this, this festival was an opportune moment. It wouldn’t be so strange for children to disappear in such crowds.
Especially when it came to the street children, who the tower lord saw as his own personal currency. He’d be able to use them, even at low prices.
In any case, today’s deal was closed safely.
Belfort bowed towards Marquis Evnen, who then condescendingly said,
“See you at the banquet. Then, goodbye.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
As soon as Marquis Evnen disappeared from his sight, Belfort spat on the ground. They looked amicable enough on the surface, but once their backs were turned on each other, they were nothing short of enemies.
One day, Belfort would have to think about currying Rosteratu’s favor so that he’d be considered as the king’s close ally.
It was for this reason that he wanted to use Albert, but… He would need to be careful from now on.
Belfort needed to know if there were more people other than that unknown man earlier who knew about his plans. While thinking about that man’s face, Belfort gnashed his molars roughly.
How dare that scoundrel try to dig into the tower lord’s affairs. He must have a death wish with that kind of gall.
For now, Belfort would cooperate and pay that man just to shut him up. It’s inevitable that the man would be careless after this.
Belfort cast a high-level tracking spell on the payment. As soon as that man would exchange the gems for money, he would be instantly teleported to the magic tower.
Tracking spells were Belfort’s forte, and not even an archmage would be able to detect it.
In the magic tower, Belfort was no different from the king.
That unknown man seemed to have great magical power, but he alone wouldn’t be able to go against Belfort and all the mages in the tower at once.
‘I’ll kill you in cold blood, just you wait.’
It was then that Belfort set off to meet up with Emmett. The thought of all the ways he’d torture that man made his steps feel light.
Emmett was waiting for him.
“Here’s the payment, as promised.”
Emmett opened the jewelry box and checked its contents. In no time, however, he narrowed his eyes.
“A tracking spell. How uncouth.”
“…What?”
The moment Emmett made one simple gesture, the spell that’s been cast on the jewelry box had gotten released. He broke Belfort’s most powerful spell without even uttering an incantation.
Only then did Belfort realize that this man was an absolute monster.
A monster that he would not be able to handle.
“Do you know why I chose to live quietly?”
“……”
“Everything’s disgusting anyway, so why bother wasting my time and attention?”
Belfort gulped, an ominous feeling settling in the pit of his stomach.
He frantically searched through his mind for a way—any way at all—for him to worm himself out of this. After rolling his head so much, he finally caught one lifeline.
This man had asked him for money.
“I-I can give you more money, so—”
“No. It’s time to nip it in the bud.”
As Emmett answered indifferently, he soon cast the ‘Forget’ spell on Belfort.
“Koohhk…”
Belfort groaned. Emmett began to manipulate his memories.
Though Belfort possessed enough power to be considered an archmage, his opponent was a transcendental sage. Emmett could erase all the memories he wanted with ease.
And so, Emmett neatly erased all the evil deeds that Tower Lord Belfort had done.
Then, Belfort fell to the ground. Unconscious.
The next time he’d wake up, he would not be able to recall anything of what he had been up to until now. He would shun his own insidious businesses.
However, a human being’s true nature was not so easily changeable. Whatever he’d choose to do down the line, Belfort would inevitably destroy himself in the pursuit of greed and more greed. Just like before.
Emmett knew.
He knew well enough that human beings did not change so easily.
‘And that applies to me as well.’
Emmett laughed bitterly.
Leaving Belfort alone, he turned around and headed to where Albert was, returning to him.
The observant Belfort nodded right away. And, he did not forget to paste on a fake smile.
“Of course, Your Excellency. I’m sure the young mages will be pleased as well. But, if I may ask, what brings you to this shabby place…”
“I came because I heard about the festival. And he says he wishes to stay somewhere quiet, so he’s staying with me.”
A servant took a step towards the marquis.
“Then, Alexander, go back to the mansion and rest.”
Alexander nodded and followed the attendant.
“…It’s amazing how you’ve chanced upon a dragon cub, Your Excellency. Are you planning to become its contractor?”
At Belfort’s brown-nosing, Marquis Evnen simply chuckled.
“There’s still some time before his 500th birthday. Until then, I’ll continue building the trust between us.”
“I see. That’s a wise idea.”
Belfort nodded. He knew just how obsessed Marquis Evnen was with mana.
Frankly, Marquis Evnen was Belfort’s biggest cash cow. It was for this reason that he served the marquis well, but he still needed to keep one eye out just in case.
Without Marquis Evnen, his wealth would not grow.
The marquis was, after all, particularly enthusiastic at paying good money for children. Especially children who could wield magic.
“Did you like the product I had sent to Your Excellency this time?”
Belfort furtively whispered, and Marquis Evnen raised one eyebrow. He laughed jovially at the bootlicker.
“She’s perfect to use as a maid. She said that she had been doing that since she was very young.”
Belfort did not know what exactly Marquis Evnen was doing with the children.
Quite honestly, he didn’t even want to know. All he needed to do here was count his money.
The child he sold to Marquis Evnen this time was a girl with light brown hair.
She showed quite a talent in magic, so Belfort briefly thought of bringing her to the magic tower instead. However, Marquis Evnen offered to buy her at a premium—and who was Belfort to refuse?
“If I come across other children quite like her, I’ll be sure to present them to Your Excellency.”
“No, the children…”
Trailing off, Marquis Evnen seemed occupied by his thoughts as his eyes curved up. He patted Belfort on the shoulder.
“The children, are they not pitiful? I’ll stop here now. However, I’ll continue to request slaves.”
This shameless attitude of wiping his hands of this matter bristled Belfort with anger. However, he made sure not to show it.
“Yes, of course.”
It was for this scenario that Belfort made sure to keep paper trails on the marquis’s transactions. And besides, his business was going to continue anyway.
Other than Marquis Evnen, there were quite a number of nobles who were interested in buying children.
So, at a time like this, this festival was an opportune moment. It wouldn’t be so strange for children to disappear in such crowds.
Especially when it came to the street children, who the tower lord saw as his own personal currency. He’d be able to use them, even at low prices.
In any case, today’s deal was closed safely.
Belfort bowed towards Marquis Evnen, who then condescendingly said,
“See you at the banquet. Then, goodbye.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
As soon as Marquis Evnen disappeared from his sight, Belfort spat on the ground. They looked amicable enough on the surface, but once their backs were turned on each other, they were nothing short of enemies.
One day, Belfort would have to think about currying Rosteratu’s favor so that he’d be considered as the king’s close ally.
It was for this reason that he wanted to use Albert, but… He would need to be careful from now on.
Belfort needed to know if there were more people other than that unknown man earlier who knew about his plans. While thinking about that man’s face, Belfort gnashed his molars roughly.
How dare that scoundrel try to dig into the tower lord’s affairs. He must have a death wish with that kind of gall.
For now, Belfort would cooperate and pay that man just to shut him up. It’s inevitable that the man would be careless after this.
Belfort cast a high-level tracking spell on the payment. As soon as that man would exchange the gems for money, he would be instantly teleported to the magic tower.
Tracking spells were Belfort’s forte, and not even an archmage would be able to detect it.
In the magic tower, Belfort was no different from the king.
That unknown man seemed to have great magical power, but he alone wouldn’t be able to go against Belfort and all the mages in the tower at once.
‘I’ll kill you in cold blood, just you wait.’
It was then that Belfort set off to meet up with Emmett. The thought of all the ways he’d torture that man made his steps feel light.
Emmett was waiting for him.
“Here’s the payment, as promised.”
Emmett opened the jewelry box and checked its contents. In no time, however, he narrowed his eyes.
“A tracking spell. How uncouth.”
“…What?”
The moment Emmett made one simple gesture, the spell that’s been cast on the jewelry box had gotten released. He broke Belfort’s most powerful spell without even uttering an incantation.
Only then did Belfort realize that this man was an absolute monster.
A monster that he would not be able to handle.
“Do you know why I chose to live quietly?”
“……”
“Everything’s disgusting anyway, so why bother wasting my time and attention?”
Belfort gulped, an ominous feeling settling in the pit of his stomach.
He frantically searched through his mind for a way—any way at all—for him to worm himself out of this. After rolling his head so much, he finally caught one lifeline.
This man had asked him for money.
“I-I can give you more money, so—”
“No. It’s time to nip it in the bud.”
As Emmett answered indifferently, he soon cast the ‘Forget’ spell on Belfort.
“Koohhk…”
Belfort groaned. Emmett began to manipulate his memories.
Though Belfort possessed enough power to be considered an archmage, his opponent was a transcendental sage. Emmett could erase all the memories he wanted with ease.
And so, Emmett neatly erased all the evil deeds that Tower Lord Belfort had done.
Then, Belfort fell to the ground. Unconscious.
The next time he’d wake up, he would not be able to recall anything of what he had been up to until now. He would shun his own insidious businesses.
However, a human being’s true nature was not so easily changeable. Whatever he’d choose to do down the line, Belfort would inevitably destroy himself in the pursuit of greed and more greed. Just like before.
Emmett knew.
He knew well enough that human beings did not change so easily.
‘And that applies to me as well.’
Emmett laughed bitterly.
Leaving Belfort alone, he turned around and headed to where Albert was, returning to him.
