A meeting of the Magic Tower executives was held.

Wizards with four or more star badges gathered in the meeting room.

On the circular table was an anonymous accusation letter received by Arasila. Its contents were specifically as follows:

“To Lady Arasila,

A man named Johnny Pattinson of the Red Hawk Knights used black magic.

It was around midnight on April 2nd of last year.

Please investigate and punish the crime this man committed on that day.

Please make sure you do it personally, Lady Arasila. I beg you.”

The Magic Tower would investigate even if there were just rumors of someone using black magic.

In cases where such an accusation letter arrived, it was an absolute subject of investigation.

The problem was why they specifically pointed to Arasila, the wife of the Red Hawk Knights’ master…

Since she herself didn’t know the reason, Arasila was waiting for Philip, who was carefully examining the accusation letter, to speak.

As he was the highest authority in this place and the master of the Magic Tower, he would surely speak wisely on what to do.

However, to some people’s eyes, her behavior seemed like she was shrinking back.

“Arasila, why have you been keeping your mouth shut and not saying anything?”

“That’s right! Isn’t the Red Hawk Knights where your husband is the commander?”

“A knight there is said to have used black magic, don’t you know anything?”

Three executives who originally looked at Arasila unfavorably banded together to pressure her. Arasila scanned them with calm eyes.

The middle-aged wizard who spoke first was Fernando, the mentor of her rival Travis.

His actions were so similar to his disciple’s that it was his daily routine to pick fights with Arasila whenever he got the chance.

“I’m just waiting for the Tower Master to speak. I don’t know anything related to the accusation letter. Moreover, on April 2nd of last year, I didn’t even know Demian.”

“But why were you designated as the investigator?”

“How would I know that? It’s not like I made the accusation.”

As Arasila shrugged her shoulders with her arms crossed, Fernando’s face changed to an unsatisfied expression.

Look at that arrogant behavior.

He always thought Arasila didn’t show him proper respect. Of course, this was a one-sided view that didn’t consider his own attitude at all.

Just as he was about to say something to her unnecessarily, Philip opened his mouth.

“Ho ho ho, that’s enough, everyone.”

At the gentle yet weighty voice, the meeting room instantly fell silent. Even Fernando flinched and closed his mouth.

Then, the elder wizard sitting to Philip’s right turned and asked.

“Tower Master, what do you think about this matter? The authenticity of the accusation letter is unclear, isn’t it?”

“What else? We need to verify its authenticity.”

“Then who will you dispatch as the investigator…”

“Of course, it’s Arasila. It was already specified in the accusation letter.”

At those words, the other wizards immediately objected.

They said there was no way Arasila, whose husband was the Knights’ commander, would investigate neutrally. Fernando, in particular, argued this passionately.

Of course, Arasila had no intention of siding with the knights just because her husband was one, so she felt somewhat offended.

However, on the other hand, understanding that her handling the case could create room for controversy due to her connection with the Red Hawk Knights, she remained quiet for now.

“The accuser must have a reason for designating Arasila. It’s not bad to follow their wishes.”

Philip said gently, stroking his beard.

Knowing about Arasila’s contract marriage, he thought she wouldn’t side with the knights because of her husband.

But Fernando was different. He had no faith in Arasila at all. It had been even more so since her marriage to a knight.

“How can we trust Arasila! Who knows if she’ll fall head over heels for her husband!”

“Don’t you trust your junior, Fernando?”

“I don’t trust a wizard married to a knight.”

Some wizards agreed with Fernando’s words.

Arasila furrowed her brow. It wasn’t pleasant for her either to be treated this way because of her marriage to Demian.

If it weren’t for my elder sister, really.

Swallowing the rising irritation, she opened her mouth as calmly as possible.

“Don’t worry. I’m not stupid enough to not distinguish between public and private matters. Have you already forgotten that I beat my husband and won at the hunting festival?”

If she was going to favor Demian because he was her husband, she would have conceded victory at the hunting festival too.

Arasila was a wizard before being someone’s wife. There was no reason to be soft on Demian.

“Ho ho ho. Yes, everyone, let’s try trusting Arasila once.”

Philip settled the situation with his characteristic laugh.

“Arasila, go to the Red Hawk Knights right now and arrest that knight.”

“Yes, Tower Master.”

Arasila stood up without hesitation.

It was afternoon training time.

All the knights gathered in the training ground to practice and improve their weak points.

Isaac, who was carefully observing the posture of a subordinate holding a sword, widened his eyes as he saw a slender figure walking in through the entrance.

Why is Lady Vandermir here?

That rare lavender-colored hair certainly belonged to Arasila. The white uniform, never seen in the Red Hawk Knights, was the same.

Isaac quickly checked Demian’s position. He was at the opposite end of the training ground, so it would take some time to come here.

Judging it better to greet and guide Arasila first, Isaac moved.

“Hello, my lady. It’s been a while.”

“Ah, Sir Wind, was it?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Isaac nodded, visually checking for a companion behind Arasila.

It was a young male wizard wearing the same Magic Tower uniform and holding a black bag.

“The commander is over there. If you follow me…”

“No. Today I’m here to see Sir Johnny Pattinson.”

“…Pardon?”

Isaac, who naturally thought she had come to see Demian, was taken aback. Arasila asked calmly.

“Where is Sir Pattinson?”

“Ah… He, he’s over there.”

Isaac pointed at Johnny with a bewildered face. Coincidentally, he was near the two of them.

“But why Johnny…”

“Is it that brown-haired knight?”

“Yes. So why Johnny…”

Ignoring Isaac’s question, Arasila approached Johnny Pattinson, who was standing blankly. Rudy followed closely behind.

Johnny Pattinson had a kind face with big, gentle eyes like a cow. For a knight, he had an atmosphere that seemed weak and docile.

Judging by appearance alone, he seemed like someone who would never commit even a minor crime, let alone use black magic, but you can never tell a person just by their looks.

The more someone has to hide, the more they might cover it with an innocent exterior.

When Arasila stopped in front of him, Johnny Pattinson flinched slightly.

“Sir Johnny Pattinson?”

“Yes…”

“I’m from the Magic Tower. I’m here to arrest you on suspicion of using black magic.”

Johnny’s face turned pale blue, not knowing what was happening and preparing to greet his superior’s wife.

The knights standing around were also shocked. Isaac, who had followed out of curiosity about what business there was with Johnny, was the same.

“What are you—!”

“From now on, I will escort you to the Magic Tower. If you refuse to comply, be warned that I will use force to subdue you.”

“My lady! Why are you suddenly doing this!”

Isaac, unable to hide his bewilderment, squeezed between Arasila and Johnny.

But Arasila continued to spout her words without blinking an eye.

“As a precaution against any potential danger, I will put restraints on you to suppress your magic power. Please hold out both hands.”

“No…”

“Hold out both hands, Sir Pattinson. I won’t say it a third time.”

As the knights were frozen, not knowing what to do at Arasila’s firm words, it was then.

“What’s all this commotion?”

The knights who had gathered in a buzz parted in half as Demian appeared.

Feeling as if he had seen a savior, Isaac hurriedly approached him and briefly reported the situation.

Demian’s brow furrowed as he learned the circumstances. He immediately approached Arasila.

“What are you doing, my lady?”

“Commander Vandermir, an accusation has been made to the Magic Tower that one of your subordinates used black magic. We need to take him for questioning, so please cooperate.”

Arasila spoke using honorifics deliberately, not avoiding Demian’s gaze.

It was to make it clear that the current situation was not a private matter but a public one.

Demian’s expression also changed as he realized she had truly come to arrest his subordinate. His face hardened coldly.

“Who made such an accusation?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Is there any evidence?”

“We have to find it now.”

“Ha, are you saying you’re going to take someone away without proper evidence?”

Demian let out a mocking laugh as if he couldn’t believe it. He was the commander of the Red Hawk Knights before being her husband.

With a cold expression to protect his subordinate, he said,

“If you want to arrest Johnny, bring evidence. Otherwise, I can’t hand him over.”

“If you do this, we’ll have no choice but to use force. The arrest of Sir Pattinson is based on the law.”

The Magic Tower had the authority to immediately arrest and interrogate those associated with black magic. This was legally stipulated.

Arasila, still standing firmly without backing down, whispered slightly to Demian.

“Cooperate when I come, Demian. If it were another wizard, they would have used binding magic right away.”

“…”

“Do you really want to see your knight being dragged away, subdued by my magic?”

Demian frowned silently. He glanced at Johnny, who had an anxious face.

His subordinate would definitely not be able to win against Arasila. It was clear he would only lose face in front of his comrades for nothing.

Moreover, Demian also knew well that the imperial law regarding black magic was very strict. Resisting arrest would only harm Johnny.

In the end, judging it better to take a step back for now, Demian turned towards Johnny.

“Johnny, just go to the Magic Tower for now.”

“Commander! I didn’t use black magic!”

“I know. That’s why I’m telling you to go. If you resist here, it could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Demian grabbed his subordinate’s shoulder and spoke in a firm voice.

“Go and proudly prove your innocence, and get an apology.”

“…”

“As long as I’m here, the wizards won’t be able to harm you.”

At these words that seemed to instill deep reassurance, Johnny reluctantly nodded.

He hesitantly held out his hands in front of Arasila.

“Rudy, put the restraints on him.”

“Yes.”

Rudy took out the restraints from the bag and put them on Johnny’s wrists.

Demian and the other knights watched as the two wizards took their comrade away.