My Nerdy Neighbor Is the Master of the Magic Tower
Chapter 40
Fortunately, the journey following the first gate was relatively smooth.
This was largely due to the terrain being mostly flat and the rest stops becoming more frequent.
Though, the latter seemed to be the result of Miguel’s consideration for her.
In any case, thanks to Miguel, who served her with near-devotional dedication, and Lien, who hovered around her like a satellite, she was able to reach the capital safely.
Bellatis, the new capital of the Lishatria Empire.
It was a land overflowing with a kind of vitality that felt different from both Weberdin and the Holy Land.
Cecilia pressed herself close to the carriage window, observing the people on the street.
‘I heard we were heading north.’
This planet, like Earth, was elliptical and orbited at a tilt. Since the Empire was apparently in the northern hemisphere, the clothing had become much thicker.
The people, wrapped in fluffy coats that looked to be made of animal fur, had slightly fairer skin tones than those in other regions, and their hair colors were generally darker.
Just like Lien’s.
‘Lien did say he was from the capital.’
However, while they shared similar hair and skin colors, she didn't see anyone with features quite like his.
‘I guess faces like his aren't just lying around the capital after all.’
Having lost interest, Cecilia’s gaze quickly shifted elsewhere.
Her next target was the architecture.
‘It feels more urbanized than Weberdin.’
Rather than the Middle Ages, it looked more like Europe during the Industrial Age.
Well-maintained roads, two-story brick buildings, and most impressively, the vehicles.
According to Lien’s lessons, the capital was also called the “City of Magicians.”
Perhaps that was why.
While carriages were the majority, she occasionally saw vehicles resembling electric trams moving among them.
‘They actually have cars.’
Although their speed seemed as slow as a carriage, it was a sight that made Cecilia’s eyes widen, having suffered in a carriage throughout the entire trip.
After staring at the back of a tram with a mix of envy and jealousy, Cecilia soon pulled away from the window.
Her excitement faded quickly, mostly because she realized their grand procession, accompanied by dozens of knights, was attracting a significant amount of attention.
‘I really should have left either the Weberdin knights or the Holy Knights behind.’
While she nursed her belated regrets, the carriage moved steadily forward and came to a halt in front of their true destination.
“You may dismount now.”
Miguel, who had been riding alongside the carriage, spoke.
Cecilia checked their destination through the half-open carriage door.
A beige building with a trapezoidal, muted teal roof, delicately carved arched stairs, and white pillars standing symmetrically around them.
This massive and luxurious two-story building was not a temple, but the Weberdin family’s townhouse located within the capital.
In truth, every temple in every territory was practically the Saintess’s home. However, Bellatis was the only region in the Empire without an official temple.
Therefore, even though she had come as the prospective Saintess and was accompanied by Holy Knights, she had no choice but to stay at the Weberdin townhouse.
‘Since the people of Weberdin rarely have business in the capital, I thought of it as just a villa.’
While it couldn't compare to the Weberdin mansion, it was larger than she had expected.
As she stared blankly at the residence, an elderly gentleman greeted her.
“Welcome, My Lady. I am Leto, the butler of the townhouse.”
“Ah, it’s a pleasure.”
Judging by the timely reception, it seemed the Marquis had made arrangements in advance.
Behind the butler, maids in black uniforms greeted her politely.
“It is an honor to serve you.”
“I am Cecilia Weberdin. I look forward to your help during my stay.”
She wasn't sure if the news regarding the Relief Festival had reached the capital yet, but she offered her greetings with the benevolent demeanor expected of a prospective Saintess.
Fortunately, the people here seemed favorably disposed toward her.
Among the servants who cast glances filled with a mixture of curiosity and goodwill, Leto spoke.
“You must be exhausted from the long journey. Would you like to eat first? We have prepared a feast large enough for your entire party.”
“I’d like to unpack and rest first.”
She was hungry, but more than that, she wanted to wash up and lie down on a soft bed.
While they had been able to stop at temples along the way to clean up and eat warm food, the schedule had forced them to camp out for half of the journey.
Cecilia glanced over the knights, who—unlike her—still looked perfectly fine, and spoke to the butler.
“First, please assign rooms to the Holy Knights and our own knights. If anyone needs a meal, please see to it.”
“Understood.”
“And this person is...”
She trailed off when she spotted Lien, who had just dismounted.
He naturally came to stand by her side as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
‘Since he’s from the capital, I thought he’d naturally go to his own home.’
Seeing him act like a puppy with separation anxiety, it seemed he had no such intention.
“You’ve finally returned to the capital. Don’t you need to go see your family?”
“...Is it alright if I leave?”
‘Is there any reason why it wouldn’t be?’
The conclusion came quickly, but she swallowed the words, sensing the mood. However, her silence seemed to increase his anxiety.
“As you know, I was born and raised in the capital. Therefore, I will be of help with your future schedule. No, I will make myself helpful.”
As if afraid of being cast aside again, Lien didn't dare grab her hand but gripped her sleeve tightly.
Having been ignored and avoided several times on the way here, he was in a quite dejected state.
She wondered why his broad shoulders, hunched more than usual, and his bowed head tugged at her heart so much.
It seemed it had become a habit. Even amidst conflict and distrust, the moment she faced him, she found herself concerned, her guard lowering, feeling pity, and wanting to hold his hand.
In the end, Cecilia let out a soft sigh.
“Leto, this is my etiquette teacher. He will be helping me with life in the capital, so please prepare a guest room for him.”
Lien’s face brightened instantly as he snapped his head up.
However, instead of smiling back, Cecilia added calmly.
“But do make sure to visit your home. Meet your family and colleagues. It must have been a long time... Don’t you miss them?”
“...”
She asked indirectly because she couldn't mention things like the Magic Tower Master in a place with so many listening ears.
Lien, for once, gave no answer and no reaction.
Blinking as if he had heard an alien language, he naturally changed the subject.
“Then I shall return tomorrow before daybreak.”
“There’s no need to rush...”
“I will return as quickly as possible. After all, I am the one who can help you, Cecilia-nim.”
A faint smile curved his lips as he added firmly.
It wasn't just a statement; it was as if he were telling himself that it had to be that way.
* * *
Contrary to his confident words, Lien did not return the next day. Nor the day after, nor even today, the third day.
Whether he sent it by magic or some other means, a note sat on her table saying he would be a little late, but it didn't state the reason.
‘His subordinate went all the way down to Weberdin last time, so he must have a lot of work.’
She tried to brush it off as nothing significant, but she couldn't help but be bothered by Lien’s presence—and his absence.
Inside the most luxurious room in the mansion.
Cecilia, sitting on a sofa and drinking afternoon tea, gazed out at the quiet window.
The scenery of the modest garden visible through the glass felt strangely familiar for some reason.
‘It’s different from the main mansion... well, I think Charles would have liked it.’
Suddenly, she thought of her walking companion who used to curl up on her lap or at her feet for a nap.
‘I wonder if he’s taking his walks properly? ...Where on earth did he go?’
After the day she checked the diary, Charles had vanished without a trace.
She had searched for him after recovering, but Charles—rather, Lesty—was nowhere to be found in the mansion, the garden, or even Lien’s flower bed.
Just like the contents of the diary, she waited, thinking he would suddenly disappear and then reappear... but in the end, she didn't see Charles until the day she left.
As she was carefully mulling over the unsettling absence, a light knock interrupted her thoughts.
“My Lady, may I come in?”
“Yes, come in.”
Melanie had beads of sweat on the bridge of her nose, as if she had been moving busily.
“The girl working in the kitchen recommended these cookies, and I wanted you to try them too, so I brought some!”
“Cookies?”
“Yes, they’re a very popular dessert in the capital these days!”
Melanie placed the brown cookies on a plate in front of her teacup.
Melanie, who had quickly befriended the servants here with her natural sociability, often brought back information about the capital like this.
It wasn't just trendy desserts; she brought news that salons were hard to book due to preparations for upcoming banquets, and that rumors were spreading everywhere about the prospective Saintess being the protagonist of the massive procession a few days ago, having come to the capital to attend this social season.
‘I guess people here love gossip just as much.’
Cecilia clicked her tongue and took a crunchy bite of a cookie. It was ginger-flavored.
“Oh, and I received some invitations from the butler. He said it would be best for you to check them yourself, Cecilia-nim.”
“Invitations?”
Melanie pulled a bundle of neat, rectangular envelopes from her dress and handed them over.
