The investigator maintained composure despite his flowerlike smile. The ability to respond was thanks to the resolution never to fall for that handsome face again after suffering from it several times.

There were more than one or two suspicious points, but without direct evidence, there was no choice but to believe the statement from the person’s mouth. It was virtually impossible to find witnesses or evidence in a remote and backward area where magic was used.

‘I doubt that snakelike guy would spill the truth anyway.’

Even if you tried to shake down a national asset like Horizon’s tower master,

‘My position would only be jeopardized.’

The investigator stamped the final seal on the investigation report.

(This is a time delimiter.)

Gibnen’s scandal was not simply noisy on the outside. In fact, much more uproar was within, not outside.

Especially among the members of ‘Horizon’, where he is the owner, there was still heated debate over whom the tower master was dating this time.

Few believed in the gossip about infidelity, but this time the woman was veiled, so it was fair to say the interest was at its peak. People usually lose interest when something is openly revealed, but if it’s wrapped up tight, curiosity drives them mad.

In that sense, Salk was at a loss for how to take the scene unfolding before his eyes.

“Did you say you were absent?”

“It’s true, absent.”

“But why did you come? And not even alone…”

The man and woman who caused a stir with their scandalous behavior were side by side at work.

Are you insane? Salk barely held back the words rising to his throat and controlled his expression.

“My wife wants to see my tower, what can I do? I have to show her around myself.”

He spoke nonchalantly, despite the embarrassing statement.

Is he really insane? Salk barely managed to keep his mouth from falling open.

“Why are you suddenly doing this when you were the one who wanted to hide her identity more than anyone else?”

If you’re going to be so blatant about it, why not openly reveal it?

“Is there a better place to hide than here?”

“There are many eyes watching.”

“I don’t think I care much.”

“…”

“Those eyes and mouths. They’re all mine, after all.”

“……That’s true, but…”

The magicians of Horizon were not looselipped. Rather, they couldn’t be.

The tower, especially the great tower, is secure against technology leaks and various other problems. There is a clause in the employment contract that anything seen or heard in Horizon will not be disclosed outside, and this is maintained until the contract is terminated and the magic used during the contract is dispelled.

The contractor uses their magic power to make the contract. If the contract is broken, a special magic activates, consuming a significant portion of the body’s magic. Losing magic power means losing life force.

Unless you’re not afraid of death, there was no fool who would carelessly talk.

There might be no immediate fear of this fact leaking outside, but… what good does it do to draw the attention of many people? As soon as the toweraffiliated magician quits, they become a civilian, and the muzzle magic loses effect, right?
Moreover, the first floor of the magic tower was open to the general public. Among them were journalists, eyes bloodshot in search of a scoop, and others sent from rival magic towers were mixed in.

Of course, if one had any sense, they would not even approach the open first floor… But then again, one never knows how people will act.

From the beginning, Salk was bewildered since Gibnen had never brought a personal acquaintance to Horizon even once.

Of course, Riley was essentially no different from a fiancée, but still…

“Anyway, they will see Riley as a business guest that I brought, or maybe just as you said, as a lover, but so what? Will it be anything more than them gossiping amongst themselves? It’ll end up as a baseless rumor. The rumors of scandal are nothing but baseless unless I acknowledge them, right?”

Why should one act in a way that might fuel such rumors?

Salk heaved a long sigh, confounded yet adapting to Gibnen’s relentless stride and his own helpless situation.

“I’m thinking of showing Riley around the magic tower, excluding the first floor, so Salk, you should visit the academy.”

“The academy? Why all of a sudden…”

“I will convene the council.”

“The council? Why all of a sudden…”

“It’s a serious matter. Summon them discreetly.”

“……Understood.”

Although the academy was an affiliate of Horizon, it was quite independent. Besides, Gibnen’s younger sister, Libne, was in charge of the academy’s affairs, so there was hardly any involvement for him.

‘What on earth is he thinking, having no interaction with the academy at all…….’

“Well, shall we go?”

Having committed truancy to come to work only to goof off seemed ridiculous, Salk thought, bowing his head.

Like it or not, Gibnen took Riley’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

“Is my coming here going to be troublesome for you? If that’s the case, you don’t have to show me around. I’ll go back.”