I got played. I really got played.

By that sly Mage Tower Master. The Mage Tower Master chuckled for a while.

“Ha… really…”

“Now you really seem like a child your age.”

“…When did I ever not seem my age?”

“Well. You always walked around with a stern expression and furrowed brows. You seemed like an old soul. But now you just seem like a child your age. Live like that from now on. Don’t try to embrace everything in the world.”

Sesenia, who had been looking indignant just a moment ago, cleared her throat unnecessarily.

“I…”

“That’s for old people to do. So you, just live like a child your age.”

“…You’re being very nice.”

“You see, I was born as this kind of person. A strong, powerful person. Countless people tried to approach me. So it became harder and harder to get close to anyone. Because when we got close, they always thought about taking advantage of me. But you, you were different from those people.”

However, Sesenia didn’t quite agree with those words.

“I used you too. From the beginning.”

“That’s just charm, just charm. And I only did it because it piqued my curiosity. You haven’t taken advantage of me yet.”

“Then can I take advantage of you a little?”

The Mage Tower Master, who had been looking at Sesenia with round eyes, closed his eyes tightly and started laughing.

“You’re the first one to ask me, the Mage Tower Master, if you can take advantage of me. Sesenia.”

“I was just kidding.”

“Really, really, you’re so interesting. I feel like I could happily let you con me.”

“I was just joking. How could I con the Mage Tower Master? Besides, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything to take advantage of.”

“Oh ho. Are you looking down on me? It’s new, it’s new. It’s so new that I’m delighted.”

“That sounds a bit strange… Anyway, I’m not looking down on you. I’m just saying I won’t do it.”

Sesenia’s resolute attitude piqued his curiosity.

“Why?”

“Well, compared to other mages, you don’t really sell magical tools… and being the Mage Tower Master is just an honorary position, right?”

“So you think I don’t have money?”

“Yes.”

In reality, mages were affiliated with the Mage Tower for very little pay. However, when they invented new magical tools, they sold them for an extremely small commission.

Since these were tools endorsed by the Mage Tower, if the performance was good, they sold like hotcakes even at high prices, and thanks to this, mages affiliated with the Tower often possessed quite a lot of wealth. But not the Mage Tower Master.

“And I’ve never heard stories about the Mage Tower Master having a lot of money.”

“Ho ho. Interesting. Sesenia.”

“Yes.”

The Mage Tower Master found such a Sesenia simply adorable.

Sometimes she would look sad, as if carrying all the world’s worries, like someone who had lived longer than him.

Sometimes her eyes would sparkle with worry that her people might be harmed.

Sometimes she would act like a small flame burning brightly when her emotions were exposed.

She was a type of person he had never encountered among the countless people he had met in his very long life.

She was childlike, adultlike, and like an old person who had lived a long time.

His mind was filled with thoughts of wanting to learn more about Sesenia, and everything she did seemed cute to him.

Even that moment when she asked if she could take advantage of him.

“Child.”

“…Yes?”

“When you live for a long time, you end up doing all sorts of things.”

“All sorts of things?”

Wondering why he was suddenly telling her this, Sesenia quietly looked at him.

“I’ve done everything except hurting others. I’ve made all kinds of magical tools to earn money, I’ve pretended to be ordinary under a different name, I’ve even built a family.”

“Do you have a family?”

The Mage Tower Master’s expression darkened rapidly.

“If you don’t realize how precious those by your side are, you end up losing them. Human relationships, you see. They can’t be one-sided. That’s how I lost them. It seems the conversation is going off track, but what I want to say is… express your feelings too, so that one side doesn’t get tired.”

“…That’s…”

“And one more thing, in the Empire, only the Empire itself has more money than me.”

Sesenia blinked and tilted her head.

“What…?”

“So you can take advantage of me. In all these long years, the only thing to do was to collect money out of boredom. Well, I see that trading company is yours. If you need investment for business, use me.”

This was something she hadn’t expected at all.

“Really…?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? I’m new to business, so I might incur huge losses. And… and.”

“You did so well with the Hepria cotton and you’re being modest. And you sent some of the Hepria cotton to the orphanage, right? ‘That child’ liked it.”

“That child?”

“Yes. So you can use me. I’ll let you use me on behalf of that child. Anyway, shall we start now?”

While Sesenia was hesitating, the Mage Tower Master approached Tedel.

“I’m going to change your hair color back to its original, is that alright?”

“Yes, please do. So I can live as a member of the royal family.”

“Alright.”

Unlike before, Tedel’s eyes had changed. He was even more confident than before.

Sesenia approached Tedel and held his hand tightly.

“Teddy. If you become blonde, your life will change dramatically. So I’ll ask you one last time. Don’t you dislike being born into the royal family?”

“I do dislike it.”

“Right?”

“Yes. If I hadn’t been born into the royal family… maybe I would have lived like an ordinary person. Receiving love from my parents, meeting a woman I like, dating, getting married. Maybe I would have just lived like an ordinary person.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing, Master?”

Tedel stroked Sesenia’s long hair with his hand.

“I told you the truth to use you, didn’t I?”

“Even if you hadn’t told me, it would have been revealed eventually. And now I’m okay with it. Being part of the royal family. Even if I had lived that ordinary life, you wouldn’t be in it, right? I like it now. When you’re by my side.”

“Really, are you really okay with this? I’ll ask one last time.”

“Yes. Don’t feel guilty in your heart. I’m really okay. And if my answer reassures you, if it can alleviate even a little of the guilt in your heart, I’m okay even if you ask hundreds of times. I’m really okay.”

“A life of being used can be hard. Becoming the emperor is a path more difficult than any thorny road.”

“Whether that path is thorny or hellish, as long as you’re beside me, it’s fine. So please do it for me. Mage Tower Master.”

The Mage Tower Master, who had been blankly watching the two, belatedly looked at Sesenia awkwardly.

“I’ll make a ring that will allow you to change your hair color whenever you want.”

“What…? Is that possible?”

“Of course. Well, this might be a kind of illegal act too… but it doesn’t matter. If something goes wrong, we can just blame it on that Gelox fellow.”

“Ah…”

“You should be free, shouldn’t you? Whether you two hold hands and go outside, or spend time alone. Blonde hair is too noticeable. Well then, let’s get this over with.”

There was no hesitation in the Mage Tower Master’s actions. He directly touched Tedel’s hair, which was under a spell.

Unlike when he was checking earlier, a dazzlingly brilliant light seeped from the Mage Tower Master’s hand.

That light was quickly absorbed into Tedel’s hair.

Whether it turned blonde because of that light, or if it was originally blonde, everything in front of them turned white, making it impossible to tell.

Soon the light subsided, and when Sesenia opened her eyes, there was a blonde Tedel in front of her.

“Handsome.”

“…What…?”

“Huh…?”

At the words that instinctively came out, Tedel and the Mage Tower Master tilted their heads simultaneously.

“Ah… no. I mean, it suits you well. Black-haired Teddy suited you so well too… but blonde suits you so well too… I just misspoke for a moment… That’s what I mean. Mage Tower Master. Don’t misunderstand.”

Even though no one had asked, Sesenia added excuses earnestly.

Tedel nodded at her words, seemingly not doubting much, but the Mage Tower Master lowered his head, barely holding back his laughter.

“Ahem. Well, if you say so.”

At the same time, the Mage Tower Master clenched and unclenched his hand, and a smooth silver ring was created in it.

“Here. If you wear this, your hair will turn black like before. And if you take it off, it will become the golden hair that’s considered the symbol of royalty.”

“Is it really okay for me to receive something like this…?”

“Of course. This is… how should I put it… yes, think of it as a service. A service I’m giving as I finish the task Sesenia asked for! So take it.”

The Mage Tower Master, who had seemed prickly and strict at first glance, was a kinder person than expected.

“I’ve done everything I needed to do, so I’ll be going now.”

“Ah… Thank you. Mage Tower Master.”

“No need for thanks. Next time, let’s have a formal business talk, not as the Mage Tower Master. Send the documents to the Mage Tower. If you send them under the name of Iar Trading Company, I’ll check them.”

“You know everything, don’t you?”

“I was curious about you, about all of you, so I looked into everything.”

He grinned and patted Sesenia’s shoulder.

“I promise to support you, so don’t worry and go your own way.”

“Are you really going to support us?”

“Sesenia. I’m not doing this for you.”

“Then why…?”

Naturally thinking that he was supporting her for her sake, Sesenia just blinked at the unexpected words.

“It’s interesting, isn’t it? This situation that will bring turmoil to the Empire.”