Riley barely managed to hold back a scream.

She had briefly encountered Count Ermeints before, but the feeling she had then was completely different from what she felt now.

This was not a chance encounter between strangers, but meeting him as her fiancé.

“Oh my! Your husband has arrived!”

“Claire, what are you doing! Come here quickly! Hurry!”

The baroness pulled Claire away in a panic, clearly excited at the thought of teasing Riley. Then she hastily pushed her back. It was obvious she was worried that her own daughter might catch Count Ermeints’ eye if she lingered.

Although it would have been proper to introduce family members at such an occasion, Ryan deliberately cleared his throat and waited until Claire disappeared.

Only after Claire had moved away did Ryan hurriedly introduce his family.

“This is my wife, and this is my daughter Riley.”

“Oh ho, is this beautiful lady Riley? I hardly recognize her.”

“Ha ha, Riley was still quite young back then.”

“Yes, she was cute and lovely then, but now she’s become a true beauty. How time flies. To think that cute little child has grown into such a beautiful young woman.”

“Riley, greet him. This is Count Ermeints.”

A chill ran down her spine. Cold sweat trickled down as an unpleasant sensation like insects crawling all over her body overlapped.

“I-I’m Riley Eadalin…”

“Yes, Riley. It’s very nice to see you at an occasion like this.”

Count Ermeints grabbed Riley’s hand. Then he covered it with his own wrinkled, plump hand and fiddled with it for a long while.

Such blatant fondling.

It was so unpleasant that just the touch of his hand made her want to retch. His murky gaze that seemed subtly lecherous and the rough, coarse feel of his wrinkled hand were both horrible.

“By the way, what brings you here? This isn’t a place just anyone can enter.”

“Well… the Archmage sent invitations to me and my family.”

At Ryan’s answer, Count Ermeints narrowed his eyes.

“That youngster invited your family here? Were you already acquainted?”

“Of course not, we were surprised to receive the invitations as well.”

“Hmm, I don’t understand. It’s strange enough that the brat knows of your family’s existence, but to directly invite you and then act like he doesn’t know you here? I can’t figure out what he’s plotting.”

“Y-yes, exactly.”

“Hmm, anyway, there’s so much I want to talk about, but given the setting it’s not easy. After the reception ends, I’d like to have an in-depth discussion about the marriage. What do you say? Could you send your daughter to my mansion?”

“Of course! Take her anytime. You can even keep her until the wedding if you’d like.”

Crazy! Riley looked at Ryan in shock.

Regardless, Ryan seemed excited to have someone to talk to, or perhaps he was busy flattering Count Ermeints to make a good impression.

“Ha ha, then I’ll see you later. Unfortunately, I have too many people to greet to stay in one place.”

“Of course. I’ll see you after the reception then.”

As Count Ermeints left, Ryan patted Riley’s shoulder a couple times and said:

“You heard that?”

“…”

“Wait quietly without causing any trouble until the reception ends.”

“Uncle, I–!”

“Don’t think unnecessary thoughts.”

“…”

“Don’t think about running away either. I’ve stationed guards outside. You’ll need to verify your identity to leave anyway. I’ve told the guards at the exit about you. I said you’re a mentally ill child who needs a guardian, so they should make sure you don’t leave alone without me.”

Riley bit her lip and lowered her head.

Her body trembled with shock and anger. Mocking such a Riley, Ryan left some ‘encouragement’ that was anything but:

“If you give up your stubbornness, everything will become easier.”

“…”

“It’s not all bad points. Even if Count Ermeints is a problematic man, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s too good a match for you. Do you think it’s easy to find someone willing to take an adopted daughter from a lowly baron’s family? Besides, the Ermeints family is a renowned noble house. Consider it an honor.”

So in the end, no matter what she did, she was in Uncle’s palm all along.

As Ryan went elsewhere, Riley staggered and leaned against the wall. He had anticipated every possible escape scenario.

Escaping from here is impossible. So does this mean… she has to marry that old man?

Who knows what might happen to her tonight if she goes to his mansion. She hated even breathing the same air as him.

If just holding hands was this disgusting, she might have to do even more horrible things. Could she endure it? Could she bear it?

Dazed, Riley staggered and leaned against the wall.

There was no way out. No passage. No way forward, no way back. Trapped in place, confined. She felt like a cow trapped in a narrow slaughterhouse, waiting for death.

If she could neither do this nor that, rather than… rather than having her honor defiled by such a filthy man, wouldn’t it be better to take her own life?

Father would understand. Really, this is just wrong. This is…

Riley suddenly raised her head and looked up at the ceiling. An endlessly high ceiling with no visible end.

That’s right, this was the magic tower.

A tower!

It’s different in scale from the mere 3-story Eadalin mansion. If she jumped from the top of the magic tower, she would surely die.

‘Yes. Rather than be defiled, it’s better to take my own life.’

She no longer had any attachment to life.

Now that she knew she could never become a full member of the Eadalin family no matter what she did. Now that she knew she would never be loved no matter how hard she tried to be loved.

It was tearfully sorrowful and terribly lonely to know that nowhere in this wide world was there a place that needed her.

The fact alone that she had no place anywhere made her lose the will to live. She couldn’t understand why she had to keep living. If she was going to live so miserably and pitifully, just being thrown around, wasn’t choosing death by her own will at least one thing she could decide?

‘Yes, it’s all over now.’

There was no other way.

Riley straightened her body with determination. Then she began to walk, following where her heart led, where impulse guided her.

***

For someone who absolutely hates crowded places, having to face countless people in a day in a position of responsibility is truly excruciating.

In that sense, this reception was an extremely arduous and hellish schedule for Givnen.

This was the first official event he was hosting since becoming Archmage. This also meant it wasn’t a gathering where he could simply invite only the people he liked.

Invitations were sent to all the heavyweight figures in politics and business in Blestij. Those who received invitations all attended as if it were a given.

These were also people Givnen would have to continuously interact with as the Archmage of Horizon. In that sense, while it was called a friendly gathering in name, it was in fact no different from a social battlefield.

And,

“It’s quite regrettable that Yung left like that.”

This uninvited guest before him was clearly the most awkward opponent among them.

“I thought you wouldn’t attend, so thank you for coming, Count Ermeints.”

“How could I not attend a reception at Horizon? Though my influence may not be what it once was, I don’t think it’s to the point of being ignored, do you?”

“Of course not.”

“By the way, are you alright? Your master met a tragic end right here of all places, you must have had quite a hard time.”

“…I’m fine now.”

“Well, I suppose you’d be too busy to spare much thought for your dead master. Perhaps it’s for the best that you’re busy. Working frantically might lessen the sorrow.”

Instead of answering, Givnen downed his champagne.

Regardless, Count Ermeints continued talking with a grin.

“I’m quite worried, you know. No matter that you’re Yung’s disciple, aren’t you still just a fledgling? Horizon isn’t a magic tower that can be led by a mere child. Wearing an ill-fitting crown and struggling through seems difficult for both you and your subordinates. Why don’t you sell it to our side while you’re at it? Or bringing in a professional manager might be a good option too. Shall I introduce you to someone I know well?”

Count Ermeints was known for his sarcastic remarks and unrestrained eloquence.

His personality was completely at odds with Givnen, who tended to be meticulous and cautious.

In particular, Count Ermeints went beyond just having a rough way of speaking – he was infamous in social circles for spewing words indiscriminately like defecating, unable to distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said.

“As you can see from Yung’s incident, in this field, if you make too many enemies, you end up with a short life. The magic tower needs change now. Political neutrality? That sounds nice, but in reality it just means being wishy-washy, neither here nor there. The magic tower is a core institution of the state. If such an institution wants to grow stronger, it’s better to establish a clear political stance.”

Givnen didn’t give any answer. He felt the question wasn’t worth responding to. However, Count Ermeints tactlessly continued to chatter on.

“I was thinking of introducing you to a professional manager I know well, what do you think? Just say the word if you want, I have many capable managers around me.”

To his sarcastic remarks, Givnen replied politely with a business-like smile:

“I appreciate your words, but there are no immediate difficulties in management.”

“Is that so? That’s a shame. But still, to say there are no difficulties in running such a large magic tower, that’s not an easy feat even for a genius. Perhaps Yung passed on his knowledge and mana to you? Seeing as you were his top disciple and named successor, it seems a plausible story.”

“…”

“Yes, I thought something was odd. Yung wasn’t the type to be murdered so ‘easily’, was he? If he had transferred his knowledge and magical power to you, he would have had almost no strength left as a magician, so being murdered wouldn’t be strange. Did he sacrifice himself to create a monster like you? My, how frightening. The future of Horizon must be very bright with the knowledge and power of a great magician combined with a born genius!”

“You flatter me.”

“By the way, have you caught Yung’s murderer yet?”

“The investigation is still ongoing.”

“The investigation is taking quite long. In fact, if you think about who would benefit most from Yung’s death, the answer should be clear, don’t you think?”

At Count Ermeints’ question, Givnen set down the wine glass he was holding. Noticing his eyes grow cold for a moment, Count Ermeints made an exaggerated gesture and exclaimed dramatically.

“It’s a joke, just a joke! You’re so intense I can’t even make jokes!”

At Count Ermeints’ theatrics, Givnen chuckled and shrugged.

“You’re not like you used to be either, Count. To think that a general who could wrestle tigers barehanded would be intimidated by a green youth like me.”

“What?”

“I wonder what’s the difference between an old toothless tiger and a day-old puppy, when the old tiger doesn’t realize it and still pretends to be a tiger, putting on airs.”

“Is that so? Still, a tiger is a tiger, how could a day-old puppy pretending to be a tiger be a match? The world has changed so much these days, it’s become such a good place to live. Isn’t it a world where even a ruffian can become an Archmage? Hahahaha!”

Givnen also chuckled in response to Count Ermeints’ hearty laughter. Only Sack, Givnen’s assistant standing beside him, was pale-faced, standing in the midst of the battle of wits and trying to read the situation.

“Do enjoy your time here. Don’t overexert yourself, given your age.”

“Of course! You be careful too. Beautiful women are eyeing you covetously. Keep your wits about you at your vigorous age. No matter what, if rumors of an affair spread on the day of the reception… how exhausted your underlings would be! Haha!”

Givnen thought it rich coming from someone who couldn’t even keep his lower half in check and turned his family into a ruined house, but he nodded with a relaxed smile.

“You be careful too, Count Ermeints. In a world where even my master can be murdered, who’s to say an old toothless tiger couldn’t be killed?”

“Ho ho, I’ll keep that in mind.”

As soon as Count Ermeints left, Sack cursed under his breath.

“He really doesn’t have even a mouse dropping’s worth of manners. How can such a person exist?”

“Leave it be. Trash doesn’t change no matter what you do. No matter how glossy you make it, trash is trash.”

Givnen, who had been muttering with a cold expression, his smile from dealing with Count Ermeints gone without a trace, immediately put on an angelic smile and exchanged greetings as soon as someone else approached to greet him.

How could his expression change so drastically in an instant? Sack watched his superior’s brilliant reception skills in a daze, rubbing his forehead dizzily.

He thought one would need to be at least that good to earn the title of Archmage. Perhaps he could have been a great success as an actor too.

While Sack was lost in amazement at his brilliant reception skills, Givnen skillfully greeted the incoming guests.

His innate eloquence and attitude proved he was the host of this party while making him stand out even more. He fluently led conversations based on just the brief information about the other party that Sack had relayed to him.

His talent for naturally conversing with heavyweight figures whose names alone would make one’s eyes widen, without being intimidated in the least, was flawless.

Thus, he spent time frantically meeting numerous guests, talking about recent affairs, and further discussing business related to managing the magic tower.

And in the midst of this, he found a brief moment of respite. Givnen didn’t miss this opportunity.

“I’m going to cool my head for a moment, please take care of the reception.”

“Have a good break, sir.”

Givnen loosened his tightly fastened necktie. He also undid a couple of buttons that had been neatly done up. Perhaps now he could finally breathe a little easier. Looking visibly tired, he hurried his steps while rubbing his gaunt face.

He needed a break, even if just for 5 minutes. He needed time to calm his throbbing head to be able to continue the next round of reception.

He went straight to the teleporter. And without hesitation, he pressed the top floor.

There was nothing better than resting while watching the stars from the top of the magic tower.

However, as soon as he arrived at the top of the magic tower, he couldn’t help but frown.

“D-don’t come any closer!”

Why was this secluded space, which should have been empty, so noisy? The woman’s scream, bordering on desperation, was bad enough, but…

“My, my. Why are you being so sharp when we’re going to be married anyway?”

A familiar yet unpleasant sound was heard.

So familiar that the owner of the voice could be recognized instantly.

***

“Where did she go?”

“She went up to the top floor of the tower.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, sir.”

The news that Riley Eadalin had gone alone to the top of the tower was relayed to Count Ermeints.

Finding a moment of free time, Count Ermeints thought it would be a good opportunity to have a private conversation with Riley.

“I’m going to the top floor. You wait here.”

Count Ermeints headed to the top floor with some expectations.

He really wanted to have an in-depth conversation with Riley. He liked her that much. Even knowing she was an adopted daughter from a lowly baron’s family, he decided to marry her because she resembled his first love from long ago.

Moreover, he liked her docile and introverted personality. Count Ermeints, who believed that sharp-tongued women tend to try to overpower their husbands, particularly disliked women with strong opinions. This was something he had learned from his multiple failed marriages.

That day, young Riley was unusually demure for her age.

Now that she had grown older, her modesty and beauty must have matured even more.

“So here you are, Riley.”

“H-how did you get here…?”

“I saw you heading somewhere and slipped away when I found a chance.”

As Count Ermeints approached Riley with a smile, she grabbed the railing in terror.

“Don’t come any closer!”

Count Ermeints frowned.

“What’s wrong? I just came here to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Aren’t we about to be married? I thought everything was settled.”

“That might be settled with my father! I… I don’t want to marry you.”

Having resolved to die, Riley had nothing to fear. So she expressed her honest feelings. Count Ermeints retorted in disbelief.

“Why?”

His reaction showed genuine bewilderment.

“A great noble like me is willing to take in an adopted daughter from an obscure baron’s family, what could you possibly dislike about that?”

“How could I possibly like a madman who, at your age, can’t come to his senses and tries to make someone young enough to be his child his wife? How could I like an old man older than my father?”

“…What? What insolent nonsense is this? Do you know who I am to dare say such things? Who are you to dare?”

“It’s horrible, it’s disgusting. I’d rather die than marry someone like you.”

“Ha! Don’t tell me you came here to die? Because you don’t want to marry me?”

Count Ermeints was thoroughly offended.

“I may not be what I once was, but now even the lowest of the low dares to look down on me and try to climb above me.”

“D-don’t come any closer!”

“My, my. Why are you being so sharp when we’re going to be married anyway? Let’s not strain ourselves and take it easy.”

“I said I’m not marrying you!”

“Oh? Whether you marry me or jump from there is none of my business, but if you’re going to die anyway, I think my anger might be soothed a bit if I could at least hold you in my arms once.”

Just as Count Ermeints was approaching Riley.

Something appeared behind the Count, quickly moved past him, and stood blocking Riley.

Count Ermeints looked up to see who this impudent person was who dared to block his way. Then he froze.

“…You.”

“I’m not sure what disgusting situation this is.”

Givnen, who was blocking Count Ermeints, warned him with his arms crossed and a sidelong glance.

“That’s quite enough.”

It was an unexpected three-way confrontation.