Yohan knew now. Why he felt like something was missing when he met Hestine Valkyr, who was established by the Holy Land as a saint.

‘Did they say her name is Adelia Sorne? No. Now that she’s been excommunicated, I should just call her Adelia.’

He felt the fullness Hestine lacked at the moment he encountered Adelia. Behind her was the goddess Vishna. This feeling of fullness came from the breath of God. Yohan was sure.

“How dare you hide such a thing.”

Yohan had a sharp look in his eyes.

I can’t believe you’re doing such a ridiculous thing while the Pope is away.

‘Where did he go at that age?’

He knew that he went to the holy land for training, but it was strange that the training was getting this long. He wanted to go find him himself, but it was impossible due to restrictions.

The ivory tower sage

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Wherever he went, if he introduced himself as the sage of the ivory tower, he could be treated with utmost care. But that was it. The title sage was nothing but a shining decoration. A sage should not get involved in the affairs of the world for any reason. It was a contract with Hemeronsis, the god of wisdom.

“Ha… It’s frustrating, it’s frustrating. Benko, why is that guy not coming with my drink?”

Yohan was annoyed for no reason and cursed his late disciple.

Clicked.

Just in time, Benko entered the inn with a precious bottle in his arms.

“Teacher! I got the alcohol you told me about! Why did you ask me to find a 35-year-old alcohol in all this fuss? Isn’t that too much?”

Benko remembered himself running around looking for alcohol in a chaotic situation. During this chaos, his body trembled as he thought of the absurd eyes of people asking what kind of alcohol he was looking for.

Yohan, who seemed to be dissatisfied, clicked his tongue and scolded his disciple.

“Tsk. You’re still like a slow turtle. You haven’t changed.”

When he was suddenly scolded, Benko looked at Yohan with a resentful look. At that disloyal gaze, Yohan gave a warning with his eyes wide open.

“Well, don’t ever close your eyes, okay?”

“…Yes, I’m sorry about everything. I’m sorry I’m an ugly, silly, slow turtle and a fool!”

Benko, who politely bowed his head and said he was lacking, shouted in anger at the end, as if his resentment had soared.

Yohan said with a serene look ask his disciple.

“Benko, do you want to study abroad?”

Benko’s eyes quickly changed to the word “study abroad.”

He looked as if he were a child who received a New Year’s gift and couldn’t control his excitement.

“Studying abroad? I like it! Where are you going to send me?”

“The Principality.”

“…the principality?”

Benko pondered what knowledge he could obtain from the principality. The Principality is located in the northernmost part of the continent, adjacent to a mountain range called the cradle of dragons.

In other words, it was the closest area to get information on the other side of the continent, which is divided by a mountain range. There, you can get information from beyond the continent. Since the scarcity of information is enormous, he might be able to receive the envious gaze of his colleagues at once.

Yes, let’s write a paper about the unknown continent! Then I could graduate from this terrible teacher and become independent…!

Benko, who was smiling as he unfolded his imagination, shouted with a big nod.

“Nice! Very nice! This Benko will work hard to learn new information and I will not cause any harm to my teacher’s honor.”

Yohan snorted as Benko spoke with excitement.

“What are you talking about? I’m coming too.”

Benko’s body was frozen by Yohan’s shocking remarks. He felt like he was covered in cold water.

Benko said, “What are you talking about?” and fixed his expression.

Yohan shrugged his shoulders as if he had no problem with his brazen face.

“You need a guardian.”

For a moment, Benko, who almost shouted, “Stop talking about bullsht,” calmed his mind as much as possible with a deep breath.

“No, when did you become my guardian…. Do you know how old I am?”

“Forty-two

“…you know very well. For a moment, I thought you mistook me for a minor.”

“Benko, you have to have a conscience. You’re a total old man. Your forehead line is slowly going backwards.”

Benko clenched his teeth at Yohan’s violence with facts.

Hang in there. I have to be patient!

“…I know very well. Studying abroad….”

“Whoa! How dare you speak up to your teacher! If you won’t go with me, do you think you can go at all?”

In the end, Benko had no choice but to back down.

If he had to go with the serpent wearing that young man’s skin anyway, the Principality would be better than the boring ivory tower.

“…All right.”

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“Yes, that’s good.”

As Benko lifted the white flag, Yohan’s face had a graceful smile.

“Now, shall we go back to the ivory tower? We have to hurry up and prepare to study abroad.”

“Yeah… We should.”

Benko hurriedly packed his bags and followed his teacher.

***

Adelia quickly returned to the Duchy through the teleport hall. A yellow figure rushed at her as she stepped into the castle. Adelia belatedly noticed that the yellow figure was Emily.

“Emily?”

“I’ve been waiting for you!”

Emily cried out in a welcoming voice. Adelia lifted Emily with a small smile.

‘Ugh, she’s gotten pretty heavy’

Emily was growing day by day. Emily’s weight, which used to feel light, is now burdensome.

“Emily, a young lady, doesn’t run like this and hug anyone.”

It was a time when she felt that she was slowly reaching her limit. Before she knew it, the approaching Grand duke lifted Emily up and put her on the floor.

“But the viscount is not just anyone.”

“It’s not polite to rush into a tired person who’s traveled a long way.”

“That’s right…”

Emily nodded understandably.

Ivan patted Emily’s head indifferently and looked at Adelia.

“Did you arrive safely?”

“Yes. Thanks to Sir Lensley, I’ve been there safely.”

Ivan’s eyes turned to Lensley, who was standing behind Adelia. Then Lensley awkwardly said while laughing.

“I didn’t do much.”

“Did you face anything dangerous?”

“There were about two times, but fortunately there was no major damage.”

“I see. Good job. Sir. Take a rest. The Viscount must be tired, but let’s talk for a while.”

Adelia nodded without hesitation. She had something to tell the Grand Duke, too.

“Viscount, can you join us for dinner tonight?”

“Of course.”

“Hehe. Then I’ll tell you at dinner!”

Emily’s face was full of anticipation and excitement.

“Hmm, I’m so curious about what you’re going to tell me. I’ll hold it in till evening, though.”

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Adelia said with a curious look on her face, saying a short farewell to Emily. Adelia had become accustomed to the Grand Duke’s office.

A black fireplace that burns with a tinkling sound. A wall clock with great craftsmanship and even blue curtains and wallpaper.

‘I feel something strange.’

Adelia felt like she was quickly becoming part of the Grand duchy.

“Can you tell me what you want to check in Zephyros now?”

Ivan asked a question to Adelia, who was engrossed in her sentiments. Adelia looked away at Ivan. Then she answered with a light smile.

“I went to see how powerful Hestine was.”

“So, how much did you check?”

“Hestine is…”

Adelia blurted out her thoughts for a moment.

“Maybe the temple will be defeated by the tenth disaster.”

“Can I ask why you thought that?”

Even after hearing that they might face defeat at the 10th disaster, the Grand Duke’s expression was calm. Adelia also calmly explained why she came to such a conclusion.

“Hestine has shown great blessings in this disaster. It was so divine that it covered the entire battlefield. But after that, Hestine’s divine power has been depleted.”

The Grand Duke’s eyebrows frowned faintly.

“She’s probably exhausted.”

“Of course, her divine power was vast and dense. She deserves the name ‘Saint’. However… .”

“Is it not enough power to end the tenth disaster that you read?”

Ivan knows exactly what Adelia wants to say. Adelia nodded stiffly.

There was a heavy silence in the office. Then a deep sigh flowed from Ivan’s mouth. Considering the scale of the tenth disaster, if not prevented, the Duchy will extremely likely be swallowed up by the disaster.

“I see. I understand. We still have time until the tenth, so let’s think about it.”

The tenth disaster with the danger of war. It was really a lot of trouble.

Ivan remained calm and told Adelia that she had done a good job.

“Well done. And I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“Two scholars from the ivory tower decided to stay in the Duchy for a while.”

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For a moment Adelia had no choice but to prick herself.

Ivory tower

The face of the man she met in Zephyros came to mind. A man who saw through her at once….

Are all the scholars of the ivory tower that kind of people?

As Adelia’s expression clouded, Ivan said as if not to worry.

“They will hardly ever run into you. I’m going to let them stay in the east tower of the castle.”

“…I see.”

Adelia still couldn’t shake off her discomfort and left the office.