I Stole The Duke - Chapter 108

A particularly close relationship…
Then they’re either blood-related or master and disciple. In that case, either both must be eliminated—or the Tower Master must not be touched at all.

Could he truly go up against a transcendental-level grand mage? Michalis’s thoughts deepened with hesitation.

{Send a detailed description of this person named Karahan.}

After some time lost in thought, Michalis drafted a directive.

“Ugh, this Duke just doesn’t give up.”

Ten letters now. What began as pleading had gradually shifted into threats.

“You stubborn customer. Just get divorced already! I said, get divorced!”

Olive was completely fed up with Michalis.

“What? You’ll come in person if I don’t reply? Ridiculous!”

She crumpled the latest request from the Duke’s estate and was about to toss it into the trash… then stopped mid-motion.

Wait. If he really shows up… I might lose the chance to see her.

The anosmia spell—magic that dulled one’s sense of smell—wasn’t particularly difficult. Any minor mage could cast it. And if that happened, a divorce would be even further out of reach.

Well then… maybe I should make a trip south, after all.

Changing her mind, Olive picked up her pen.

{ I’m doing my utmost to develop the anosmia spell. I’ll visit in time for the ruins expedition. }

“Developing,” huh. The spell had existed for ages. She just figured this would be a good excuse to show her face and also join the send-off for her master and the other mages.

“You lasted eleven days, so hang in there for sixteen more. Though if you divorce her before then, I’ll be even more grateful.”

And with that, she’d replied. He’d better not come knocking again.

At least now he’ll stop bothering me for a while.

Olive sealed the letter with minimal care and tossed it onto the corner of her desk before returning to her research.

“Sigh…”

But even a brief break in focus brought the image of the silver-haired fairy drifting through her thoughts again—something she’d tried to bury deep within.

Just wait a little longer… I’ll come for you soon.

She forced the image out of her mind. To bring her back with pride, she had to become a proper Tower Master—fast.

One week before the expedition to the ruins, the tombstones commissioned from the stonemason were completed.

“You must’ve been pressed for time, but you did excellent work.”

Eliana carefully peeled back the black cloth covering each stone and thoroughly inspected their condition.

“To have my work praised by you, my lady—it’s the greatest honor of my life.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

The mason’s emotional outburst was a bit much, but the praise was genuine. Even a visual spell scan showed not a single character was out of place.

“Sir Joel, please have these loaded onto the Black Pearl.”

“I’ll escort you to the main estate first, then carry out the order immediately.”

“You deserve a bonus for such fine work.”

“Oh, my lady! This is far too generous!”

The mason, having received a check through Joel, dropped to his knees in shock. There were so many zeroes—it was far beyond the pay one might expect for crafting just ten small tombstones.

“You likely had to decline all other work for twenty days to complete this. Consider it construction compensation.”

“It also includes a confidentiality fee. Forget everything about these stones. If a word leaks out, it won’t be just your life on the line. Your descendants will be banned from ever setting foot in Flencia again.”

Joel played the bad cop, wrapping up the situation with a sharp edge.

“Y-yes! Of course!”

…Has Sir Joel done this sort of thing before?

Eliana was slightly suspicious of just how smooth and intimidating Joel’s delivery had been.

“I’ll return to collect them shortly. Make sure they’re tightly packed so the contents can’t be seen.”

Originally, she had only planned to cover them with cloth. But now she was giving detailed packing instructions.

“I’ll escort you, my lady.”

“Ah… right. Let’s go, Sir Joel.”

“……”

An awkward silence settled between them. Only the steady sound of hoofbeats broke the stillness.

Could it be that Sir Joel works another job at night…?

Eliana imagined him moonlighting at something far from knighthood.

“……”

Ahem! Joel cleared his throat. “Well… You see, proper branding requires confidentiality agreements with master artisans. I’ve helped my family with such matters while my father is away on overseas business.”

Apparently, his sharp instincts allowed him to explain himself without even being asked.

“Ah… I see.”

Eliana finally let go of the suspicion. Helping with family business after hours wasn’t illegal, after all.

“My lady, I’ll carry out your orders at once.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

As soon as she returned to the estate, Eliana headed straight to Michalis’s office.

“Michal, the bait is ready.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll prepare the fisherman.”

Thirty minutes later, Michalis stood face-to-face with Sir Lucas.

“You called for me, Your Grace.”

Lucas Arbeck, sixth in rank among the Azure Knights. Though he would go limp like seaweed if he drank too much, he was a man of few words—never one to speak needlessly. That made him the perfect person for this mission.

“Sir Lucas. I’m assigning you a covert deployment.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I accept the command.”

Lucas dropped to one knee without hesitation.

“You are granted command over the Black Pearl, fifty cannons, and 180 soldiers. This is a classified departure, so no vice-commander will be assigned. The mission will span a month. Departure is scheduled for 04:00 tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I will prepare without delay.”

Lucas’s heart dropped. Preparing for a one-month voyage in just a few hours meant he’d be running from now until departure.

“Water, food, cannons, and soldiers are already prepared.”

Preparations had been underway quietly ever since the tombstones were commissioned.

Thank goodness…

Lucas let out a breath. At least he only had to take care of his personal supplies.

“Give me the mission details, please.”

“Destination is Southeast Point 280. Your task is to drop the ten tombstones in the cargo hold into the sea and return. You must do it yourself, and no one—not even your soldiers—must know about it.”

It was a simple job, but one that required constant caution.

“Yes, Your Grace. I understand the mission.”

“A month at sea without a vice-commander won’t be easy. I trust you, Sir Lucas. Complete the mission.”

“Honor and protection!”

Thus began Lucas’s month-long ordeal.

That night, the duke and duchess quietly slipped into the Black Pearl’s cargo hold.

“Michal, the knots are too tight… I can’t get the wrapping off.”

Eliana groaned, tugging at the tightly bound cloth. The stonemason, clearly spooked by Joel’s threats, had overdone the packaging.

“Then let me handle it. Please keep watch while I unwrap it.”

“O-okay…”

They switched places and continued the work.

“All unwrapped.”

“Ah—just a moment.”

Another switch. The couple moved like clockwork.

“Imperial Protection.”

Eliana cast basic protective spells on each of the tombstones.

That should do it.

Even if they were casually thrown into the sea, the stones wouldn’t break. And the magic embedded in them—blatantly emitting ancient Sardis energy—would instantly catch any mage’s attention. They were the perfect bait.

“I’ll rewrap them. Keep watch, please.”

Michalis, unable to bear the sight of Eliana fumbling with the wrapping, took over again.

“Ah… okay.”

Tug, tug.

With practiced fingers, Michalis tied firm military knots—ones that tightened when forced but came undone easily with the right technique.

He’s… impressive.

Eliana had always seen him as someone good with a sword. But now, watching his steady, skilled hands, she found herself falling for him all over again.

“What did you write on the stones?”

Michalis asked as he continued tying.

“Are you giving mages activation phrases?”

Eliana was the only person who could read the ancient Sardis script. To Michalis, the carvings were meaningless symbols.

“Of course not. I just wrote whatever came to mind.”

It wouldn’t be any fun if it were too easy.

She shrugged. While the spells were carefully selected and harmless if leaked, she had no intention of making the Mage Tower’s job simple.

The next morning, before the sun had even risen, the Black Pearl silently slipped out of port.

August 19, Year 321 of the Empire.

It was finally the day of departure for the Sardis ruins expedition. A blue flag at the top of the frigate’s central mast fluttered boldly in the wind.

“Current time, 08:30. Thirty minutes to departure. Wave height, 0.2 meters. Wind from the northwest. Calm seas and a steady tailwind.”

Speaker, having completed the preparations, stood at the base of the gangway and gave his final report.

“Sir Roswell Speaker. I will do my utmost to carry out this mission.”

“I trust all of you. May both your departure and return ride the wind.”

“Honor and protection!”

Speaker and the two knights assigned as vice-commanders saluted smartly.

“Honor and protection.”

Michalis returned the salute with a short nod.

“We’ll take good care of the mages.”

Speaker felt genuinely moved by his lord’s unexpected encouragement.

Pale pink hair… blue eyes. He should be arriving soon.

But Michalis hadn’t come all the way to the harbor just for ceremony. His real goal was to see the mage suspected to be Karahan Espensen with his own eyes.

Wooooong—

Just then, a large magic circle lit up on the port’s plaza. A group of people materialized from its center.

There they are.

Michalis scanned the mages as they stepped out of the teleportation circle one by one.

That’s him. It really is Espensen.

His eyes locked onto a man who looked to be in his thirties. The features, the coloring—everything matched what he knew of the Espensen family. What was once a suspicion turned into certainty.

“I didn’t expect Your Grace to greet us in person.”

A young man approached, cloaked in the Tower Master’s robe. Without the robe being enchanted, his natural appearance—olive green hair and golden eyes—was fully visible.

“I didn’t expect the Tower Master himself to come, either.”

For the first time, Michalis saw the Tower Master’s true face.

“This is a spell that will be applied directly to Your Grace’s body. Of course I had to come personally.”

With a faint smirk, Olive answered smoothly.

He must’ve been under serious pressure.

To see the proud duke rush all the way to the harbor—Olive found it utterly satisfying.

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