The Looming Threat and the Tower’s Secrets

“Around eight o’clock this morning, residents reported seeing thick smoke rising from above the Ancient Zhi Forest. Ordinarily, most people would simply dismiss it as a common mountain fire.”

It was early afternoon, and Chris, his expression grave, was briefing the assembled guests in the drawing-room about the situation outside. From time to time, letters would pass from the impassive clerk’s hands into his own.

“However, various sensitive rumors are now spreading like wildfire, compounded by what many call an ‘overly realistic disaster drill.’ Guards have already begun round-the-clock shifts on the city walls, and a pervasive unease is gradually seeping into the populace, much like…”

“…Like a plague,” Audrey offered, providing a fitting analogy. “Their panic is understandable. If the news were fully disclosed, the city’s merchant guilds and financial magnates would be the first to lose their composure.”

The unspoken implication was clear: some would exploit the situation for wartime gains, while others would seize the opportunity to transfer assets and incite panic with malicious intent. For the rulers, and for the vast majority of ordinary citizens, containing the situation to the greatest extent possible was the most advantageous course of action.

“Father is already preparing for war,” Chris remarked with a sigh.

“Regardless, the safety of the populace is paramount. Have they mentioned when they plan to publicly announce the beast tide, or discussed any evacuation plans?” Daniel inquired.

“Yes, the announcement and the opening of the city gates for evacuation will happen simultaneously. Preparations are already underway, and it will be no later than 6 PM. The ideal scenario is for all citizens to be evacuated through the North Gate before 3 AM tomorrow.”

“Why wait until dawn?” Colette asked, puzzled. “Wouldn’t it generally be better to move as quickly as possible?”

“Most magical beasts typically rest at night and hunt during the day,” Audrey explained. “Evacuating at night maximizes our chances of avoiding a sudden beast tide encounter.”

“Precisely,” Chris affirmed, nodding. “We will be the last group to evacuate, following the citizens. That’s why Lord Marin has tasked me with managing all of you, including coordinating various clean-up operations.”

“Is there truly nothing we can do? Father and the others are working tirelessly, yet we’re just sitting here idle…” Daniel’s voice held a trace of indignation; he was clearly restless.

His agitation stemmed partly from anxiety and partly from dissatisfaction with this arrangement. The young man yearned for an opportunity to prove himself, or perhaps he simply didn’t want to remain utterly useless during such a critical time.

“Protecting yourselves is the most important task. The servants will all return this afternoon, and then we’ll need to arrange their evacuation as well.”

Chris spoke without much thought, yet Daniel’s expression inevitably darkened. After all, the recent assassination attempt against him was still fresh in his memory.

Rhine, who had been observing the drama unfold, merely shrugged.

“Young masters and ladies, please forgive my presumptuous interruption—” Lora, the blue-haired maid, offered a slight curtsy.

“I believe this entire situation might have had discernible precursors. As Miss Audrey just mentioned, King Duran’s animosity towards us isn’t new. For him to suddenly erupt now seems illogical. Someone else must have interfered afterward, creating this opportunity for him.”

“I also think Lora has a point,” Colette said, supporting the intelligent maid’s insight. “Perhaps we should take this opportunity to discuss and research the matter thoroughly. Brainstorming is always beneficial, and it might help us uncover some clues about the enemy.”

No one present voiced any disagreement.

“Then let’s consider any unusual events that occurred in Auetland this spring. The most prominent, without a doubt, would be—”

“The campaign against the Tower Sorcerers.”

At this, everyone’s gaze involuntarily drifted towards Rhine. While his origins were largely unknown to outsiders, within the Cavendish family, they were common knowledge.

Finding himself caught in the very gossip he was observing, even the thick-skinned Rhine couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

‘I’ve been magnanimous enough not to settle scores with you mere mortals yet, and you dare bring up old grievances with me?! You’ve grown bold, haven’t you? Your wings have hardened!’

However, seeing all eyes fixed on him, remaining silent seemed rather impolite.

“Fine, what do you want to know? I can’t promise anything valuable, and the answers might not be what you’re looking for. After all, I was just a mere tool who understood nothing while I was there…”

Though he sometimes genuinely wished to clarify the stereotype of ‘evil, mad, human-experimenting Tower Sorcerers,’ the public would only believe what they chose to believe. Who would credit him if he claimed he was merely a civil engineer messing with construction all day?

However, aside from Ferren, no one knew his true appearance, let alone his name, much less could they connect him to ‘Green.’ Thus, he saw no need to correct these misconceptions; convenience was key.

His current life was built upon lies and pretense. While his adorable appearance was certainly endearing, if others discovered he was actually a Seven-Ring Sorcerer, their attitudes would inevitably be vastly different.

—A difference born of fear.

“My apologies, Mr. Rhine, this topic might have touched a raw nerve, but we truly need to understand the situation.”

“It’s nothing.”

Ah, imagining these gazes—curious, perplexed, guilty, or awkward—all morphing into dull, sickening fear upon learning his true identity, Rhine’s heart grew cold.

‘Ultimately, they are not my kind.’

Yet, the thought of Audrey displaying such an expression made his heart inexplicably skip a beat, and he unconsciously glanced in her direction once more.

Well, how could he imagine her expression when she wasn’t even looking his way? She was staring upwards, seemingly lost in thought, or more accurately, completely blank, simply dazed like a statue.

Consequently, everyone’s gaze followed Rhine’s to the absent-minded young lady.

“My dear little sister, what profound thoughts occupy your clever mind? Is the luncheon not to your liking? We are discussing matters of some importance, so please pay attention.”

“Ah, um, nothing much. Weren’t you just talking about the tower? I remember that tower started rising when I was six years old. I used to look at it every day when I was little; it grew taller each year like a seedling, which was quite amusing. Now it’s a famous landmark. If it were ever torn down or collapsed, it would be quite a pity, and rather disorienting.”

Everyone fell silent.

”Hah, you’re practically making me laugh with exasperation! Are you questioning the quality of my engineering? You’re allowed to speculate about my character, but you absolutely cannot doubt that my work is shoddy!”

The others pondered for a moment. It seemed she had a point. For the past decade, the tower’s existence had been almost taken for granted by every resident of Lanburg County. The tense atmosphere in the room completely dissipated.

Rhine also mused that perhaps he didn’t need to overthink things, especially concerning Audrey. He shouldn’t ‘expect’ anything from her in such matters.

For he couldn’t imagine a day when he would read aloofness on her face. Her utterly fearless demeanor no longer belonged to the realm of a newborn calf fearing no tiger.

Even if the day came when he revealed his true identity to her, she likely wouldn’t be overly surprised. Instead, her eyes would simply sparkle, and she’d inexplicably say:

”How fascinating, quite amusing. Can you set off magic fireworks?’,