"I have a clear reason to stay by that person's side. But you have no compelling reason at all."
"I was hired by Lady Anelli..."
"If I give you three times the agreed amount and tell you to leave right now."
Samuel narrowed his eyes.
"Would you do that?"
Xenon's lips twisted crookedly.
"Ha, do you even have the ability to pay that much?"
"Of course I do. If you leave because of that, I'd gladly pay even more."
Xenon wiped away the sneer he had been wearing and fell silent with an indifferent face. After deliberating as if considering Samuel's proposal, he suddenly asked,
"Why do you dislike those around Lady Anelli?"
"What?"
"You looked like you wanted to get rid of her subordinates immediately. Even sharpening your blade against a mere hireling like me."
Despite his light tone, Xenon's golden eyes were dark and settled.
"Almost as if you're jealous."
A faint sneer appeared on Samuel's expressionless face.
"Ridiculous."
"Yeah, I think so too. Looking at Lady Anelli's attitude, you two are definitely nothing."
Strictly speaking, Xenon's assessment wasn't wrong. Yet for some reason, a sense of displeasure like flames surged within Samuel.
"It's just because I'm a resurrected one, aren't you being too persistent? You didn't even report to the Temple about coming here."
If you had reported to the Temple, it wouldn't be this peaceful and quiet. Xenon's face as he added this was annoyed.
"That's why I can't help but want to help my fellow traveler, out of good will, receiving attention from some crazy paladin."
"Good will?"
Not erasing his cynicism, Samuel replied coldly.
"If it's simple curiosity, you'd better withdraw quickly. Even the Magic Tower's protection has its limits."
Xenon didn't respond. Having no intention of hearing his answer anyway, Samuel strode across the lobby.
Though his face was expressionless, he couldn't hide his tensely clenched jaw. Samuel's gray eyes gazed straight ahead coldly.
He had met Anelli only three times at most. There was no way feelings like jealousy or anything similar could have accumulated.
"Hah."
Samuel let out a hollow laugh.
Truly, it was nonsensical nonsense.
* * *
A workshop filled with all sorts of junk.
Between piled papers and objects with magic circles drawn on them, someone's head suddenly popped up. It was Dekin, with dark circles under his eyes extending down to his cheeks.
Confirming the workshop door that had opened without a knock, Dekin shouted irritably.
"I told you I'd get it done as early as possible!"
He was about to yell at his suddenly visiting brother to get out right now. If only Xenon hadn't called him.
"Brother."
What did that bastard just say?
With widened eyes, Dekin saw Xenon's stiffly frozen expression.
"What, what's going on?"
At his brother's unusual demeanor, Dekin also involuntarily hardened his face seriously. As Dekin rose awkwardly, Xenon approached quickly and rapidly poured out words.
"You know the magic power seal release formula, right? You did it when I ran away from home before."
"What?"
"I need it right now."
Dekin's mouth fell open involuntarily.
"...You know that's an unauthorized formula?"
Dekin had been a troublemaker since his Magic Tower days. So acting without the Magic Tower's permission wasn't new.
But what about his brother? Their master had always sighed looking at the two brothers, saying 'How can you be so completely opposite?' That's how exemplary and trouble-free a disciple of the Magic Tower he was.
"The Magic Tower won't approve the seal release. I can't wait forever."
Even while complaining, he was a guy who never went against his master's words.
Dekin, who had lost his words and was staring blankly at Xenon, asked with a skeptical feeling.
"Is it because of that woman you're traveling with now?"
"...The world is dangerous. I need to protect myself, don't I."
Good heavens, so it really is because of that fierce woman! He thought it was strange when the guy who never once contacted them suddenly brought a guest!
"The Elders will expel you if they find out."
"I'm the Magic Tower's talent, I won't be expelled. Do you know who I am?"
Dekin flared up at his brother's look that seemed to find him pathetic.
"Hey, even if you're the master's disciple!"
"In urgent situations, rules broken to save one's own life are given lenient consideration."
Of course there is such an exception clause. But does he know that the exception applies to extremely limited cases?
Dekin frowned and asked.
"Did you pass the test?"
Xenon hesitated at Dekin's question. Averting his gaze slightly, he needlessly swept back his front hair.
"The trial task was the last test. But the master told me to stop first, so he'll probably count it as a pass."
"So you're saying you didn't pass?"
"Anyway, who else is there to succeed that man besides me right now?"
Xenon argued rather forcefully. It seemed like a conclusion completely unreflective of the master and Elders' opinions, but Dekin couldn't bear to deny it.
Because in truth, his brother was quite outstanding, perhaps very outstanding, honestly a mage anyone would acknowledge and the Magic Tower Lord's top disciple.
"He's the next Magic Tower Lord, who's going to say anything if he released a magic seal to save his life?"
Xenon, grumbling to no one in particular, held out his palm to Dekin.
"So give me the formula."
"But did you leave the formula with me?"
"I'll pay whatever you ask."
After a moment of silence, Dekin sighed and picked up a calculator.
Being his brother, no matter how bad their relationship is, he can't ignore his younger brother's request.
"So, I wonder how much the material and labor costs were when I was researching this..."
Unlike his slow muttering, his fingers pressing the calculator were very quick.
"...!"
Thus, it didn't take long for unidentified curses and criticism to run rampant in Dekin's workshop.
Of course, the few employees of the mansion didn't care about this noise at all.
* * *
After breakfast, I received the completed magical tool. It was an accessory with twelve gems attached to a long, thin metal wire.
"You can think of the gems as rooms. When a living being enters inside, the color changes."
The activation method was simple and it worked well, and it could be worn as a necklace or bracelet for convenience.
Of course, there were already many things hanging on my neck and wrists... I had no choice.
As I wrapped them around my wrist, Xenon muttered like he was talking to himself.
"Rich with bracelets, aren't we."
Rather than being truly envious, he seemed to be clicking his tongue at the sight of wearing mismatched bracelets one by one.
Whether he did or not, I sent the Durahans into the void one by one with expectant faces.
Though everyone reluctantly took their places in the gems while not wanting to go in.
Finally, when everyone except Nadav had disappeared, the noisy environment became much more pleasant.
"You've confirmed the function, right?"
Dekin, who confirmed the magical tool was working properly, waved his hand with a brightened face.
"We don't serve lunch, so please leave now."
Dekin's face as he spat out words of dismissal was very refreshed. Beyond simple relief, he looked somehow pleased.
"Finally the mansion will be quiet!"
Then he kept smiling at Xenon, but Xenon's expression crumpled for some reason.
"The free repair period is 1 year, so don't forget to keep the deadline, guest!"
Dekin went on about the repair period no one asked about and saw us to the main gate.
"...."
Xenon glared at him resentfully, then turned away without a greeting.
Did he lose money last night? I was looking at Xenon puzzled when Samuel suddenly spoke.
"Where is the final destination?"
"I won't tell you."
Actually, there was no particular destination.
"Since we're traveling together anyway, wouldn't it be fine to tell me?"
"I said I'd let you accompany me, I never said I'd tell you the destination."
Samuel looked dissatisfied at my firm refusal but didn't pry further. I pretended not to see it and took Nadav's reins.
"Are we really traveling together? Really?"
Before getting on the horse, I was looking at the map one last time when Xenon quietly approached and whispered.
His eyes glancing at Samuel who was silently inspecting his horse were full of distrust.
"He said he won't call a search party."
"Can't you make any promises with words? Is that information you need to hear that important?"
"It's Temple history, so I need to hear it from someone involved."
"What if he lies?"
"He promised not to."
"How can you trust that? Temple bastards are all shady punks."
I answered without taking my eyes off the map.
"He swore on a god."
This morning, before receiving the magical tool from Dekin, I had made a clear agreement with Samuel.
In exchange for accompanying us, Samuel swore on a god that he would tell everything he knew honestly. In a way that made it impossible not to believe.
"He could be lying even after swearing on a god."
Exasperated, I unknowingly looked up at Xenon. Seeing his endlessly serious golden eyes, I could feel that he genuinely distrusted Samuel right now.
"...Xenon. If a clergyman lies after swearing on a god, they receive divine punishment."
"Divine punishment, heavenly punishment, I don't believe in such unrealistic karma."
"It's not heavenly punishment, but in the worst case, they lose their divine power. There are actual cases too."
I knew this because the actual case was related to the Imperial royal family history.
It was the story of a priest who developed an improper relationship with a royal and used Temple power for personal gain.
At my explanation, Xenon opened his mouth as if dumbfounded.
"That such nonsensical phenomena are possible, truly an irrational and self-centered group."
First of all, I standing before you am an unrealistic existence.
Just as I was about to remind him of this fact, Samuel, who had silently finished preparing to depart, interjected with a cold voice.
"That's not something someone who doesn't recognize God's grace should say. Don't you know that even the magical power you possess is power granted by God?"
"Magic power is a natural force accumulated based on magic-apt constitution. Therefore, it's not from a god but inherited from our parents."