RODH Chapter 18

18.

“I cannot allow that,” Alvis said firmly.

Well, it wasn’t surprising. The knowledge housed in the Mage Tower wasn’t always benign.

If such information fell into the hands of someone with ill intentions, it could easily be misused.

“There is no precedent for recording the knowledge of the Mage Tower,” Alvis continued, subtly avoiding my gaze.

His eyes were slightly red, likely from crying earlier.

“But there are records about the Mage Tower in Berkisto’s journal,” I pointed out.

“Ah, that eccentric,” Alvis muttered, almost to himself.

“Do you know of him?” I asked, genuinely curious. Alvis didn’t look old enough to have met Berkisto.

“I’ve only heard about him from my master. I didn’t realize you shared the same family name,” he replied, frowning slightly.

The journal I had been studying, authored by Berkisto of House Ruben, detailed the structure and workings of the Mage Tower, along with the daily routines of its mages.

It also included a few spells, though most were simple magic tricks meant to amuse noble ladies.

“My master treated Berkisto and his sister kindly. That’s all I know,” Alvis explained.

So that’s why Berkisto was able to leave behind such detailed records about the Mage Tower.

I suddenly found myself curious about the previous Tower Lord. What kind of person would willingly keep someone as meticulous—and likely annoying—as Berkisto around?

At that moment, Lucian interjected, “Is it really necessary to leave behind records? Can’t you just see it all with your own eyes?”

“If there are records, they could help improve how people perceive the Mage Tower,” I argued.

“The Mage Tower has its own way of doing things. Mages don’t blend into the empire—they’re like the dragon clans in that regard,” Lucian replied.

He wasn’t wrong.

Mages had many shortcomings that made it difficult for them to live as ordinary citizens of the empire.

That’s why most either aligned themselves with the imperial family or the Mage Tower or chose a life of seclusion.

“Still, records aren’t just for the present—they’re a safeguard for the future. What if, someday, people mistake the Mage Tower for a cursed tower and decide to attack it?” I said.

At that, Lucian burst out laughing.

Alvis, however, simply gazed at me with his usual calm expression, unaffected by the jest.

“Ha! As if something like that would happen,” Lucian chuckled.

“As I always say, it’s the ‘what-ifs’ that catch people off guard,” I retorted, sparring with him briefly.

The light banter didn’t last long, though, because Alvis suddenly changed his mind.

“I’ll allow it,” he said.

“…Pardon?” I blinked, taken aback.

“I’ll allow you to leave records. However, detailed documentation of certain experiments is strictly prohibited. If those details were to leak, it could cause chaos,” Alvis stated firmly.

What on earth are they doing in the Mage Tower?

I stared at Alvis, a mix of curiosity and suspicion clouding my thoughts. Every time I tried to meet his gaze, though, he quickly looked away.

“Um, then, when can I expect the potion…?” I asked, changing the subject.

At my question, Alvis abruptly stood up.

“Please wait just a moment,” he said before leaving.

---

“I’ll allow you to leave records. However, detailed documentation of certain experiments is strictly prohibited. If those details were to leak, it could cause chaos,” Alvis stated firmly.

What on earth are they doing in the Mage Tower?

I stared at Alvis, a mix of curiosity and suspicion clouding my thoughts. Every time I tried to meet his gaze, though, he quickly looked away.

“Um, then, when can I expect the potion…?” I asked, changing the subject.

At my question, Alvis abruptly stood up.

“Please wait just a moment,” he said before leaving.

“Bain! Bain!”

“Ugh… young master!”

Bain’s eyes snapped open as he sat up suddenly.

“Thank goodness. Are you feeling alright now?” I asked, relief washing over me.

“Yes, young mas—no, my lord,” Bain corrected himself.

“It’s already morning, Bain,” I said, gesturing to the sunlight streaming into the recovery room.

Nevan rose from his seat as well.

“Now that your servant has awakened, we’ll be taking our leave. Take care,” he said.

“Safe travels, Your Grace. And to you as well, Sir Klain,” I replied politely.

Klain, surprised that I remembered his name, widened his eyes slightly before returning to his neutral expression.

“Thank you, young duke,” he said with a slight nod.

With brief bows exchanged, Nevan and his entourage left hurriedly. I knew it would take them the entire day to reach Ferrost, even if they set out in the morning, so I didn’t try to hold them any longer.

Once they were gone, I turned to Bain and briefly explained what had happened since he’d collapsed.

“But why must you meet the Tower Lord himself? Isn’t simply visiting the Mage Tower enough?” Bain asked, puzzled.

“Well, Bain, there’s a reason for that…” I started to explain, but Bain cut me off with a wary expression.

“You didn’t get into trouble again, did you, my lord?” he asked, clearly concerned.

His worry wasn’t unwarranted—after all, the Mage Tower was beyond the reach of the empire’s laws. If anything were to happen while surrounded by these alphas… Bain didn’t even want to imagine the consequences.

Seeing his face pale with anxiety, Lucian chuckled.

“Your servant seems to worry about you a lot, Ian,” Lucian teased.

“Bain has always been a worrier,” I replied casually.

“Excuse me, but… when did you two start speaking so casually?” Bain asked, glancing nervously between me and Lucian.

“I didn’t speak informally, Bain. There’s a reason for everything, so don’t ask,” I said firmly, cutting off any further questions.

“And just so you know, Bain,” Lucian chimed in with a smirk, “I only let Ian call me casually because he said it was fine.”

To Bain, however, their banter looked far too friendly for mere formalities. He kept his mouth shut, though, even as his unease grew. As expected, Lucian seemed to hold Ian in special regard.

Lucian, grinning, added, “You know, following you around would ensure I’d never have a dull moment in my life.”

“Please refrain from making it sound like I’m some sort of walking disaster,” I shot back, sighing.

“Pfft. Look at your face right now—boiling with irritation but holding it in because I’m the Dragon Crown Prince. That expression alone is priceless,” Lucian teased, clearly amused.

“…”

The urge to smack Lucian’s head with a frying pan crossed my mind, but I restrained myself. Having someone who not only acted overly familiar but also mocked me constantly felt like being followed by an annoying mosquito.

Mosquitoes, at least, could be swatted.

Still, this wouldn’t last forever. Once I went to the North, I could shake off all these clingy nuisances. There were things I needed to take care of before that, though.

Just then, Alvis returned with the Potion of Truth.

Even from afar, his tall, slender figure in the blue robe seemed even more pronounced. Up close, he handed me the potion with a brief explanation.

“The Potion of Truth has a short shelf life. Please use it within three days,” Alvis said.

“Thank you,” I replied sincerely.

“And this, I’ll be returning to you,” he added, handing back all the jewels I had given him.

The amount was enough to live comfortably for ten years if sold, but Alvis seemed entirely uninterested in material wealth.

However, he made sure to reiterate his condition.

“Once a week. The location will always be here, and the time doesn’t matter. Whenever you come to the tower, I will appear,” he said.

“Any time?” I repeated, feeling a growing sense of unease.

“Yes. I’ve placed a spell on the tower that will alert me the moment you arrive,” Alvis replied.

I couldn’t help but feel burdened by his insistence. Why go to such lengths? Was it really because I resembled his late mate?

As I furrowed my brow in thought, Alvis, noticing my expression, spoke in a nervous tone.

“If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“No, that won’t be necessary,” I said, shaking my head.

Lucian, who had been watching with a sarcastic smile, suddenly spoke up. “Alvis, you’re quite a selfish man.”

“…”

“Lucian,” I said in a warning tone.

“What? I’m just stating the truth. Ian, doesn’t it bother you at all that you were forced to endure that pheromone shower?” Lucian pressed.

“It’s not like it doesn’t bother me,” I admitted, “but it’s not such a big issue that I’d hold it against him. I’m not just an omega, after all.”

Hearing this, Alvis’s face looked like he was on the verge of tears again.

Lucian, in his usual blunt manner, continued to strike where it hurt. Alvis, looking utterly defeated, mumbled, “It’s entirely my fault. But my invitation to the Mage Tower wasn’t because of that… It’s just…”

Not wanting to see him humiliate himself further, I quickly interrupted.

“It’s fine, Alvis. Whatever your reasons are, our transaction is complete, isn’t it?”

“…”

“So there’s no need for you to explain in detail,” I said firmly.

For a moment, Alvis’s face looked blank—almost as if he were a lost boy rather than the stoic Tower Lord.

“Ugh. How sickening,” Lucian muttered, grumbling under his breath.

---

Seor, after a heated argument with Alvis, had stormed off and headed straight back to the imperial palace.

“Ugh, his temper is just the worst…” I muttered.

“Young Duke, watch your words!” Bain scolded, clearly alarmed.

“Relax, Bain. The Mage Tower operates under extraterritoriality. The imperial laws, like treason charges, don’t apply here,” I replied casually.

It wasn’t until I parted ways with Lucian that I finally regained my freedom.

Alvis had offered to escort me back to House Ruben, but I declined, explaining that I couldn’t leave my coachman behind.

“Until next time, then,” Alvis said, bowing slightly.

“Yes, take care,” I replied politely.

Though our farewells were formal, I could tell Alvis was still reluctant to let me go.

Bain clung close to my side, casting wary glances over his shoulder.

“The Tower Lord is still watching us,” Bain whispered.

“I know. Don’t look back,” I replied sharply.

“How on earth did you manage to charm even the Tower Lord? At this rate, you’ll end up with two secret lovers…” Bain trailed off, his voice dripping with teasing disbelief.

I couldn’t take any more of his nonsense and shouted, “It’s not like that!”

“Ah!” Bain yelped, practically jumping out of his skin at my outburst.

I smirked, satisfied, and said, “If by ‘secret lovers,’ you’re talking about Lucian and Alvis, then you clearly underestimate your master, Bain.”

“Then who’s impressive enough to qualify as your secret lover, my lord?” Bain asked, his curiosity clearly piqued.

I sighed, deciding it was easier to humor him than argue. I was too tired to fight.

“To be my lover, a mere alpha isn’t enough. They’d have to be a dominant alpha, filthy rich, and most importantly…”

“And most importantly?” Bain prompted, leaning in.

“…Good-looking, of course,” I finished with a smirk.

“But both of them are good-looking! Even His Highness the Crown Prince is unmatched in beauty,” Bain protested.

“Unmatched? Please,” I scoffed.

“What?” Bain blinked, confused.

“He doesn’t hold a candle to the Jewel of Kirias. No one does,” I declared firmly.

Bain gasped, his eyes wide with shock. “Wait… my lord, don’t tell me you’re interested in His Grace, the Grand Duke!”

Oh, you’re asking for it today, Bain.

Without hesitation, I grabbed one of the spare mana orbs Alvis had given me and hurled it at Bain, who yelped in panic.