A man with a pale face and dark reddish-brown hair stood there, his brow deeply furrowed. Faint light lingered like an afterimage where he stood before vanishing.
Seeing this, I could be certain. This man had clearly warped here just now.
Warping inside a house—what kind of waste of magical power is this?
"Quite the fine magic tool you're using. But are you planning to keep wearing that?"
Like a true magic tool artisan, he recognized my appearance-altering magic tool at a glance.
"Does my face changing somehow affect your work attitude?"
"Well, depending on my mood, I might knock a bit off your compensation."
At my smiling retort, Xenon stepped forward with an indignant expression. But my words came faster than he did.
"No need. I'll see you in court."
"Ha, are you seriously going to report this?"
"Why do you think I wouldn't?"
When I tilted my head and murmured with apparent puzzlement, the man furrowed his brow and fell silent.
He was trying to appear unconcerned, but he couldn't hide the tension in his pressed lips.
I'd felt it from the moment I learned he lived in this city. He had to be tangled up in something illegal.
"You, where did you bring this mana bomb of a woman from to wreak havoc in my estate?"
He shifted his target to Xenon. At the man's disgruntled question, Xenon snorted and replied.
"If you'd matched the schedule properly from the start, there wouldn't have been any problem."
"You don't think you made some strange request?"
"You're the one who accepted that request."
"You? Ha, this bastard really gets more insolent by the day."
He let out a hollow laugh and shouted as if somewhat wronged.
"You're the one who named the price first!"
Oh, so Xenon used his head a bit.
But wait. That aggrieved expression looked somewhat familiar...
"What about naming the price? You said you'd do anything for that money!"
"This bastard keeps saying 'you, you'! Can't you add 'hyung'?"
Hmm?
"Talking nonsense. If you can't give me the goods right now, move! I'm reporting you as a fraud!"
"Crazy bastard, who reports their own hyung as a fraud! This is unfilial!"
"What are you saying? Since when did we count as blood relations?"
"I took care of you when you couldn't tell shit from piss!"
"Have you lost your mind? When I couldn't tell shit from piss, you were the same!"
I quietly observed their argument and calmly turned my gaze. The butler who had been dealing with us with such a stern attitude was now deliberately ignoring his master.
I spoke softly to the old man whose face seemed to have aged decades in just a few minutes.
"Are meals served here regularly?"
"Of course."
"And snacks?"
"Anything you wish to order can be provided."
"The chef must be skilled."
"If you're curious about the skill, I'll order some light refreshments."
"Good. I'd like to have tea somewhere with nice scenery and quiet."
"The flowers in the garden have bloomed beautifully. Please, this way."
I followed the butler's guidance and walked. As the bickering that had turned childishly absurd faded into the distance, my throbbing headache somewhat improved.
A criminal older brother for the timid and cowardly Xenon. The unexpected fact was interesting, but that was all. I indifferently looked around.
But really, this is taking longer than I expected.
Over tea, I heard the general story from Nessy.
The magic tool artisan and Xenon were said to be biological brothers. They had also studied under the same master.
However, the magic tool artisan did not complete his training and was expelled from the Magic Tower midway, now living separately like this.
Nessy did not know why he had been expelled. But he acknowledged one thing—that his skill in crafting magic tools was exceptional.
Nessy, who had explained to me at leisure, settled down near my feet and lay down. He had always tried not to be separated from Xenon, so seeing him so relaxed meant this place was definitely safe.
Well, it was the estate of a skilled magic tool artisan—of course it would be well-protected.
[Boss, this place is full of magic! Magic tools are installed all over the mansion!]
Jigor, perched on the outdoor table, chattered incessantly. Nadav, standing beside the table, stomped his foot and interjected.
[Jigor, don't steal the boss's food.]
[When did I do that!]
"There's cream on your beak."
When I calmly pointed it out and offered a handkerchief, Jigor hurriedly rubbed his beak against the cloth.
After glancing at him, I turned my eyes toward the garden and saw Tristan busily flying among the flowers.
He seemed determined to win over every insect in this garden. Occasionally, small honeybees trailed behind bumblebees, suggesting he might actually achieve his goal.
"Ahh, why can I smell it when I can't even eat..."
Parides, standing behind me, sighed looking at the desserts on the table. At her gloomy murmur, Jigor, who had been burying his beak in the handkerchief, raised his head with gleaming eyes.
[Jealous, Parides?]
"No matter what, I'm not jealous of a mere sparrow."
[Mere?! I am Jigor, who stands at the vanguard and delivers terrifying fear! Though I currently have a sparrow's body, soon I will regain my true form!]
"Even if you weren't a sparrow, you were always insignificant, Jigor."
[Why you! Let's fight, Parides!]
"I don't fight with kids."
Amidst all the animals making their various noises, the tea was delicious.
I seemed to be growing accustomed to this clamor—or was I mistaken?
Is it good to get used to this noisy atmosphere?
Fiddling with my teacup and idly gazing at the garden, I felt strange. Whether during my time in Roam or going to and from the imperial palace, I had never had a moment like this.
In Roam, we had regular tea times where the whole family gathered, but those were occasions to report achievements and discuss improvements.
Tea time with the imperial family was meant to demonstrate the close relationship between the imperial house and Roam.
Of course, tea time with social circle figures was the same. The only relatively comfortable occasions were the tea times I had with Maxel or my close friends.
But even those weren't this noisy and rowdy. My friends were nobles of the Empire who maintained their dignity.
"Lady Anelli!"
Xenon came running from the direction of the mansion. Looking thoroughly exhausted after just a short while, he approached and apologized.
"I'm sorry. The talk went on."
"Sit."
"Is this mine?"
Xenon's eyes went round as if he hadn't expected a cup for him. I nodded and picked up the warm pot to fill his cup.
"I thought you'd come running to explain, feeling ashamed after finishing your fight."
"...How do you know that so well?"
"I'm not a fool. How many days have I traveled with you—do you think I can't guess that much?"
At my reply, Xenon cleared his throat and averted his gaze. His profile, glimpsed briefly, looked somehow pleased.
I thought he'd come still fuming—did his conversation with his brother end well?
"So what happened with the magic tool?"
"Ah, that won't be finished today. I'm sorry."
"That's not your fault. The one who didn't keep the schedule is over there."
"Still, since I introduced you..."
"I heard you didn't get along, but I didn't know he was your brother."
Xenon's hand holding the teacup faltered. He pulled a sour face, looked down at his cup, and let out a long sigh.
"Yes, he is my brother. A troublemaker and selfish man, but blood relation nonetheless."
Xenon's expression was full of turmoil.
"Nessy said he was expelled from the Magic Tower."
"Yes... Dekin—that is, my brother—was dismissed from the Magic Tower. But he was someone who had a lot of interest in worldly matters to begin with, so he actually left happily. Came out and made lots of money like this. It worked out well, I suppose."
His face full of dissatisfaction, Xenon gestured toward the mansion with his eyes.
"If he made it into the Magic Tower, he must have been a skilled mage."
"In magic tool crafting, his skill is undeniably exceptional. If he hadn't done such foolish things, he would have risen smoothly within the Magic Tower without issue. The quality of the spatial magic tool currently being made is probably guaranteed too."
"What foolish things did he do?"
Xenon paused at my question.
"If it's difficult, you don't have to say."
"Well, it's all in the past, and for you, Lady Anelli, knowing wouldn't matter anyway..."
Murmuring as if to himself, Xenon raised his eyes to look at me.
"Dekin was expelled from the Magic Tower for secretly getting involved in the struggle for the imperial throne."
I stopped in the middle of absentmindedly drinking my tea.
"The Empire's succession dispute?"
Setting down the tea I hadn't drunk and staring at Xenon, he gave a bitter smile and turned his gaze toward the garden.
"He helped that prince I met before, and was expelled for it."
"...Prince Heinrich?"
"Yes."
So his attitude had been poor even after recognizing my identity because of this background.
'It's unfortunate, older brother. There was a good mage under him. But I couldn't win him over.'
Maxel had once said those words in passing.
He said there was a mage helping Heinrich who kept his identity hidden, so even though he wanted to recruit him, he couldn't find a way. Somehow they'd made contact, but the man had the audacity to ignore Maxel's letter.
At the time, I'd asked why he needed to go to such lengths to bring in such an insolent person.
I'd even advised that difficult subordinates, no matter how excellent, would only become poison once brought in.
To think I'd meet him here. And that he was Xenon's blood relative. What an extraordinary connection.
"Do you resent the prince?"
I asked.
"Me? Why would I?"
"For luring your brother away."
At my question, Xenon shrugged.
"Lure him? He's not a child, he's a full-grown adult. He chose his own path, and he takes responsibility for that choice. Why would I interfere?"
Xenon frowned as he sipped his tea and set the cup down.
"Besides, we were on bad terms before that. You don't need to worry about it."
Perhaps the tea didn't suit his taste, he focused only on the desserts. Watching him, I asked again.
"So you're saying you won't get sulky if I contact the prince?"
"...Are you planning to keep in touch with him?"