This is the continuation of Dion’s story.
Dion was currently staying at an inn in Nansen.
Initially, Dion had intended to stay at the inn in the tower.
He didn’t think he necessarily had to do as a man he didn’t even know told him. However, one of his subordinates immediately advised him to leave the tower.
In retrospect, it was the right decision to follow his subordinate’s advice, but that didn’t matter to the irritated Dion.
However, even if he had wanted to ignore his subordinate’s words and remain in the tower, a situation arose that changed things.
His subordinate, who was waiting outside the tower in town, reported that he should contact his father immediately.
His father, of course, was Dion’s father, the current head of the Viera Family.
No matter who Dion was, his ability to move so freely was only possible due to the tacit approval of the head of the family. However, as a condition for coming here, he had been told that he should always be reachable.
Given that promise, he couldn’t ignore that report.
At the inn in Nansen, he had a remote communication with his father, the head of the Viera Family, Ademo.
The reason he had to leave the tower was because it was uncertain if he could make contact from inside. Furthermore, it was only thanks to the Duke’s family’s wealth that they could communicate despite the distance.
Using expendable tools purchased with money, they initiated communication, and Ademo quickly appeared. Ademo, who usually had a composed demeanor, was unusually flustered.
While internally tilting his head, Dion attempted to greet him, but Ademo stopped him and immediately got to the point. The request was to completely withdraw from the tower.
Dion, flustered by the suddenness of it all, immediately asked for the reason. However, Ademo didn’t answer but just told him to come back. Even Dion, finding it inexplicable, had no choice but to obey Ademo. After all, the cost of his stay here was also being covered by the Duke’s family. With immense dissatisfaction, he decided to return and left Nansen. At that time, Dion never imagined that he would never set foot in the tower again.
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After finishing his communication with Alec, King Philip of the Florece Kingdom immediately summoned the Duke. The reason Philip could communicate directly with Alec was because Alec had sent him communication tools before. He initially thought it was a joke, but it was a magic tool that allowed him to communicate with Alec in the tower at any time. Furthermore, unlike existing communication magic tools, it wasn’t disposable. Initially skeptical, once he confirmed it was real, he asked Alec if it could be mass-produced. It was only natural to do so. For years, they had been researching convenient communication magic tools, but without success. If word of such a thing were to get out, the developer who succeeded would be targeted by various countries. However, after hearing Alec’s reason for not being able to mass-produce it, he had no choice but to give up. The materials used were incredibly expensive. While not quite a national treasure, the materials alone were enough to bankrupt a small country. Not only were they rare, but it was also impossible to subjugate the monsters from which these materials were harvested. Philip wasn’t so foolish as to ask who had defeated such monsters. After all, Alec was in a tower that had already been conquered. Since the materials were from monsters that appeared in that tower, it was natural to assume that the conquerors were the ones who had defeated them. He couldn’t possibly make a rash move against such people.
Realizing that he was receiving a communication from Alec using such an expensive communication device, Philip immediately asked for the reason. In the first place, it was rare for Alec to initiate communication like this. It was natural to assume something had happened. And when Philip heard Alec’s reason, his expression changed dramatically. As if understanding his father’s predicament, Alec added a final remark. “It’s not that anything needs to be done about it right now. Rather, you’ve probably already lost interest. However, what will happen next time… I’d rather not think about it if possible.” To his son’s words, Philip nodded deeply and expressed even deeper gratitude. “I see. I’m sorry. Thank you for letting me know.” “No. After all, as much as possible, I don’t want any disturbances in my home country.” Philip, thanking Alec once again, immediately began to act.
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“Have your son withdraw from the tower immediately.” Philip, having summoned Ademo, cut straight to the chase without any unnecessary words. “Wha—!?” Ademo, understanding what Philip meant, opened his mouth to retort immediately… but the King raised his hand, preventing him from speaking. “I understand what you want to say. I have no authority to restrict your son’s actions… However, it’s a different story when it concerns the country.” “…What do you mean?” Ademo asked, not understanding what Philip had said. Of course, it was to probe for information. And Philip, regarding this matter, had nothing to hide from Ademo, so he immediately explained the situation. “…If he were just an adventurer or a merchant from this country, it would be a different story. But as the heir to the dukedom, I cannot ignore it.” After hearing the entire story from Philip, Ademo’s face turned slightly pale. Philip felt a slight satisfaction seeing the head of the ducal family, who normally never showed such an expression, looking flustered. “Th-that story, how did you…?” Ademo naturally voiced the question he had, wondering how Philip had obtained information that even Ademo himself hadn’t heard yet. “Surely you know that I have my own routes? More importantly, hurry and recall your son as I said earlier. I do not wish for a repeat of the Sajival incident in this country.” What happened in the city of Sajival had already spread throughout the world, including the cause. Therefore, while various countries had sent spies disguised as investigators, they were strictly limited to information gathering. They understood that any improper activities could lead to unknown retaliation. Of course, Ademo was also aware of this information. “Th-that is… is it not enough for him to just leave the tower? Instead of returning to the country?” Ademo suggested this, and Philip looked at him with a puzzled expression. “Hm? No, that should be fine, shouldn’t it?” “Th-then, searching for Princess Floria is…?” Ademo, who desperately wanted to bring a blessed individual into his family, couldn’t help but want to find Floria and make it a fait accompli. “Ah, I see. I hadn’t told you yet, had I? It is said that Floria has already been taken under the wing of the tower’s manager.” “Wh-what—!?” Ademo was stunned by the sudden information. “No, I’m sorry. I had informed the members of each family who were formerly engaged, so I assumed you had been informed as well.” To the apologizing King, Ademo, while inwardly thinking it was an absolute lie, dramatically slumped his shoulders. Ademo’s mind was sharp enough to understand what Philip had said. “…Is that so.” “Indeed. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is a bit subtle for this country… but as long as we don’t interfere excessively, it should be alright. Therefore, I’m counting on you for the matter I mentioned earlier.” Philip said only this and ended the meeting with Ademo. Watching Ademo leave with an indescribable expression, Philip made arrangements to ensure that the subsequent actions were handled properly before moving on to his next task.
Although the story is about Dion’s aftermath, Alec’s father became the main focus. By the way, magic tools like the one Alec’s father used are slowly appearing. If ordinary people were to possess them, it would cause great trouble, so they are mainly being given to individuals of high status.
