The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower-Chapter 309

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Chapter 309: Forest of Spirits (6)

A political marriage.

Something closer to a contract carried out for the harmony between factions, regardless of the will of the people involved.

“Master.”

Twenty-eight years ago.

Oscar Sage, who had just entered his mid-twenties, stared at his master with a deeply sulky expression.

“Did you… sell me off by any chance?”

“Hm? Someone wanted to buy you? For how much?”

When Gilbert Rosenbach showed interest, Oscar crossed his arms and muttered,

“Hm. Judging by that reaction, maybe not….”

“You little brat, explain properly. Don’t just mumble to yourself.”

“Well, this suddenly arrived, so I thought maybe you’d sold me off.”

As he spoke, Oscar placed a single document on the desk.

Gilbert skimmed its contents, then burst out laughing.

“Pwahaha! Disciple, what is this? A marriage proposal? You? And to an elven princess of all people?”

“Ah, don’t laugh.”

With an irritated expression, Oscar asked again, as if confirming,

“Anyway, you really don’t know anything about this, right?”

“How would I… hmm? Wait a moment.”

As Gilbert searched his memory, his eyes widened slightly.

“I think I heard something like that in passing at a recent imperial council meeting.”

“……”

Oscar, who had been about to protest, instead let out a long sigh.

No doubt his master had drunk all night and nodded off during the meeting.

Honestly, it was impressive that he remembered anything at all.

“So, do you remember any details?”

“You ask the obvious. Of course I don’t.”

“Ah, Master, seriously.”

“If you’re going to nag, you become the tower master. I’ll hand over the seat tomorrow.”

“……If it wasn’t anything important, you might’ve just ignored it.”

“Tsk tsk, insolent brat. Instead of offering to shoulder your master’s burdens.”

Calling the position of the White Tower’s master a “burden”—only his master would say that.

Oscar swallowed the words at the back of his throat and averted his gaze.

After glaring at him for a moment, Gilbert slowly spoke.

“As far as I remember, the request came from the elven kingdom first. I never imagined it would be for you.”

“……But how did they even see me to pick me specifically?”

“How would I know? They said the princess’s wishes were strongly reflected. Have you met her somewhere?”

An elven princess?

There was no way he had met her.

Oscar shook his head.

“I’ve never even seen an elf in my life, let alone a princess.”

“That I can’t say. Elves sometimes disguise themselves with magic and leave the forest. You might have met her then.”

“When you put it like that, now I’m curious. Damn it—who is she?”

“If you’re that curious, go meet her and talk.”

“……Hmm.”

After a brief pause, Oscar shrugged.

“Nah, forget it. Marriage isn’t for me.”

“Why not? What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s just… I can’t really imagine myself loving someone.”

It wasn’t as though he’d never dated.

Back at the academy, he had accepted a confession and been in a relationship.

‘But I still don’t really know what love feels like.’

He’d even been broken up with because his partner wasn’t sure he truly loved them.

‘What exactly is love?’

As Oscar stared blankly, Gilbert asked,

“What’s with that look?”

“Master, what does it feel like to love someone?”

Gilbert’s eyes widened.

“Ah—never mind. Question withdrawn. There’s no way you’d know, considering you’ve never married.”

“Shut up, you brat! And look at this face. I didn’t fail to marry—I chose not to.”

With an exasperated expression, Gilbert was about to explain, then suddenly shut his mouth.

Oscar didn’t miss it.

“What was that? You looked like you were about to say something.”

“Honestly, you’re too perceptive for your own good.”

Shaking his head as if he couldn’t help it, Gilbert spoke in a serious tone.

“Love comes in many forms. I hope that one day, you experience it yourself.”

“Then what kind of love are you feeling right now, Master?”

“Hmmm.”

After thinking for a moment, Gilbert looked at Oscar and smiled faintly.

“A feeling where giving up everything I have wouldn’t feel like a loss.”

“……If that’s real love, it sounds like a terrible deal.”

“Tsk tsk. Talking about losses—this is driving me mad.”

With a deep sigh, Gilbert shook his head.

“Anyway, if you want to refuse, I’ll inform the Emperor.”

“Oh, please do.”

“Still, you’ll need a reason. What should I tell him?”

“Hmm…….”

After a moment of thought, Oscar replied casually,

“Wouldn’t it be best to give a reason the other party can understand?”

“Hm. You’ve never even met—what reason could there be?”

“She’s an elven princess, right? She’s got to be at least a hundred years old. Just say I don’t like the age gap.”

“…….”

That day, Gilbert Rosenbach had to seriously wonder whether his disciple truly possessed human emotions.

* * *

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“…….”

Recalling the past, Oscar swallowed hard.

Now that he possessed something closer to a “human heart,” he understood.

How careless he had been then—and how deeply the other person must have resented him.

‘Even though Evelyn was an ally, she looked like she wanted to kill me every time we met on the battlefield.’

Back then, he hadn’t understood why she hated him so intensely.

Looking back, it was shocking how oblivious he had been.

His former self had been something like pure, unfiltered malice.

‘Never.’

Oscar made a vow.

He must never let her discover that he was Oscar Sage.

Watching Oscar sweat nervously, Evelyn thought,

‘Now that he knows my status, he’s clearly very tense.’

That was understandable.

During the Human–Demon War, she had roamed the battlefield executing demons, earning the title “Witch of the Moon.”

She spoke gently to reassure him.

“Do not be afraid. Although Eloen has currently cut off exchanges with humans, we were once allies facing the same direction. I have no intention of harming you.”

“Th-thank you.”

As Oscar bowed deeply, something about him looked… rather cute.

A faint smile appeared on Evelyn’s lips as she asked,

“So. What brings humans into this treacherous great forest?”

“Ah, we’re here to visit the Forest of Spirits.”

“The Forest of Spirits?”

Evelyn tilted her head slightly.

To humans without spirit affinity, the Forest of Spirits was no different from an ordinary forest.

“Yes—more precisely, we’re here because of this man.”

Through the veil, Evelyn’s eyes fell on the blue-haired man Oscar indicated, and a spark of interest appeared.

Looking closely, she could see lesser spirits settled throughout his body.

“This is… fascinating. He doesn’t seem contracted, yet spirits aid him.”

“It is technically a contract, but… more like a dispatch. It’s complicated.”

“Go on. Explain this ‘complicated’ matter.”

Oscar quickly summarized Fran’s situation.

Evelyn—and the other high elves—showed clear interest.

“A human who turns his body into wind.”

“Does that mean he can partially become a spirit himself?”

“This is certainly unusual for a human.”

“But his origin is… somewhat….”

As the elves began to chatter, Evelyn snapped her fingers.

“Silence.”

As if a switch had been flipped, everyone fell silent.

It was a testament to how perfectly she ruled her kingdom.

“The fact that they’re from the White Tower is irrelevant. Is it not?”

“Huh? Is that really acceptable?”

“Did you forget? That—long ago—Oscar Sage himself belonged to the White—”

Bang!

Evelyn slammed both palms onto the table.

Turning to the high elf who had spoken, she said,

“I believe I said it has no relation whatsoever.”

Her voice was full of laughter, yet the high elf felt his life threatened.

Bowing deeply, he replied in a trembling voice,

“Y-yes. No relation at all.”

“Of course. Her Majesty would never concern herself with such personal matters.”

“How could you even suggest that of our queen?”

“Weren’t you the one who brought it up first?”

“Shh! Quiet.”

High elves held positions equivalent to ministers among humans.

Yet, at the moment, they hardly looked impressive.

‘Somehow… I remember them as people so sharp there was no room to breathe.’

Where had those cold, needle-sharp nobles of the forest gone?

As Oscar blinked, Evelyn spoke.

“Ahem. I understand your purpose in coming to the great forest. However, at present, we are not accepting any outside guests. That means you cannot enter the Forest of Spirits.”

“May I ask why you are not receiving guests?”

“That is…….”

Just as hesitation crept into Evelyn’s voice—

“We cannot allow it, Your Majesty!”

“They are outsiders. Letting too many rumors spread would be unwise.”

The high elves spoke in unison, opposing any explanation.

Unable to ignore them entirely, Evelyn slowly nodded.

Seeing this, Oscar hurriedly added,

“If you’re facing some difficulty, I might be able to help.”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

The high elf seated at the very front reacted sharply, clearing his throat in displeasure.

“What arrogance. Do you truly believe a mere human could resolve what we have not?”

“That depends on what the problem is. Fair warning—I’m quite capable.”

“Puhaha!”

The high elf laughed and turned to the others.

“This human mage claims he’s capable. What do you all think?”

“It’s so absurd I can only laugh.”

“This is no laughing matter. He’s clearly belittling our abilities.”

“I don’t find it amusing either.”

“Calm yourselves. Such bravado is common among the young.”

The high elves began murmuring again.

Opinions varied, but none were particularly favorable.

“W-was that a mistake?”

“But we can’t just turn back like this.”

As Oscar calmly responded to Fran’s worry—

BANG!

The doors burst open as an elf soldier carrying a spear rushed in.

“Your Majesty!”

“What is the commotion?”

At Evelyn’s sharp question, the soldier replied in a trembling voice,

“T-the World Tree… is beginning to awaken!”

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