The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

79 – Deciphering the Code Left by the Cultist.

Sometimes, when playing RPG games, you come across such people.

Northern barbarian warriors with bodies full of muscles, fierce faces, and wearing polar bear fur coats.

Arian’s grandfather was exactly such a person.

Usually, he would heartily offer drinks, but if there seemed to be a problem with the tribe, he would rush in without hesitation.

Of course, being a noble, and the former head of a duchy at that, his tone and actions naturally had dignity.

“Arian, it’s been a long time. I was worried because you didn’t visit for so long.”

“Ah… I’m sorry….”

At her grandfather’s words, Arian bowed her head and apologized.

In response, her grandfather smiled and shook his head.

“No need to apologize, it’s enough that you came now and let me know you’re safe. More importantly, introduce the person next to you.”

Her grandfather’s gaze turned to Franz.

Was it because he came with Arian? His gaze was nothing but gentle, without a hint of wariness.

“This is the current Tower Master. You’ve heard of him, right? The unparalleled great wizard who defeated the Demon King.”

At Arian’s introduction, Franz scratched his head awkwardly.

It was embarrassing enough when a stranger said it, but when someone close said it, it was truly mortifying.

There wasn’t a single incorrect word, but accepting it naturally was another matter.

“I am Franz Gilbert, the Tower Master.”

“It is an honor to meet the hero who saved the world. I am Lude Frigia, Arian’s grandfather.”

Franz and Lude naturally shook hands.

How should Franz describe Lude’s hand? It felt very firm and strong. It was hard to believe he was the former head of a ducal family.

But it suited his rugged appearance well, so Franz let it slide.

“You must have a reason for seeking me out. If it’s not urgent, I’d like to offer you a cup of tea…”

“Yes, it’s not particularly urgent, so that’s fine.”

“Then please, come inside.”

Lude led the way, and Franz and Arian followed behind him.

Arian’s expression was very bright, perhaps because he was happy to see his grandfather after a long time.

Once inside the annex, Franz sat across from Lude at a small table.

Arian sat next to Franz.

It was Franz who first broke the silence.

After taking a sip of the tea in front of him, he put down the teacup and spoke.

“The tea tastes wonderful.”

These days, all the high-ranking people seemed to have a hobby of brewing tea. The emperor did it, and Lude also brewed the tea himself.

So he couldn’t help but compliment the tea. The main topic was important, but so was etiquette.

“Haha, I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Lude laughed heartily, holding a small teacup that didn’t match his large frame and sipping the tea.

The teacup looked small enough to be comical.

Just by his appearance, one would think he would offer strong liquor.

This must be why they say not to judge people by their appearance.

“So, what brings the Tower Master to seek out this old man?”

Calling him old seemed a bit much…

He still seemed to be in his prime.

Apart from that, his question was something he had been waiting for, so Franz answered immediately.

“Do you know about the Ice Spear of the Duchy of Frigia?”

“Ice Spear… It’s been a long time since I heard that.”

The fact that it had been a long time meant that he knew something, so Arian’s expectation that his grandfather might know was correct.

Next time, I should give Arian a small gift.

It was Arian who invited me to the party of the Duke of Frigia and arranged a place for me to talk with Ryud.

“Could you explain it in detail?”

“It might be an old man’s boring story, is that okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine, please tell me.”

“It was when I was young, so it must have been a long time ago. There is a mountain range to the north of our territory. And in that mountain range, there are three particularly high and sharp peaks. At that time, among the children, it was said that the peaks were like that because a spear was sealed there. Of course, we were all young, so it was said as a joke, but the Ice Spear you are looking for is probably that.”

High and sharp peaks…

‘Why do these guys like mountains so much?’

The Belphegor I caught a while ago was also hiding in the mountains, and this time it’s the mountains again, so I was just amazed.

Unlike the Duchy of Ishtar, the Duchy of Frigia is so cold that your mouth would freeze, so I couldn’t understand it even more.

Of course, it’s true that mountains are easy to hide in, but at least you should live like a human.

You could just disguise yourself normally and hide among the common people.

Anyway, they are really stupid guys.

Well, if they weren’t stupid in the first place, they wouldn’t be cultists.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“I’m honored to have been of help. But may I ask you one thing?”

“Yes, feel free to ask.”

“What happened to the former Tower Master?”

Did he have some connection with the former Tower Master?

I wanted to tell him as much as possible since he had helped me, but unfortunately, I couldn’t.

“I only heard that he is living in luxury in his family.”

Even that was something I heard from someone else.

Franz didn’t like the former Tower Master very much, so he wasn’t even interested in how he was living.

However, it seemed that Ryud also had a bad relationship with him.

“Ha, they say bad guys live long, and it seems to be true.”

“Indeed.”

“The Tower Master seems to have a bad relationship with him as well.”

“Yes, well…”

Who was it that pushed the young genius of the Tower into the hero’s party, in collaboration with the old men?

You don’t even need to say it. There’s only one person who could make such a decision.

Of course, it turned out well in the end, but at first, it was really unfair.

Honestly, I thought it was no different from dying.

As Franz was talking with Rude, Arian smiled and said from the side.

“Shall I pour you another cup of tea…?”

She seemed to be in a strangely good mood….

Franz had no way of knowing why she was like that.

After talking with Rude for a while longer, Franz left the annex with Arian.

The sun was already high in the sky, so they had to get ready to attend the party.

“Then, I look forward to seeing you again next time.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

Franz exchanged a brief farewell with him.

With his hearty personality and the noble dignity deeply ingrained in his actions, it wasn’t a bad meeting at all.

“Grandfather, I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes, see you next time. But, about the marriage….”

Rude’s gaze shifted from Arian to Franz for a moment, then back to Arian.

“No, I hope to hear good news someday.”

“Yes-!”

Arian answered in a brighter voice than ever.

Of course, Franz didn’t understand the meaning and was just puzzled, but he didn’t particularly care since good things are good.

So the two of them returned to the mansion, escorted by Rude.

“The servants will go to the room where the Tower Master is. You can take your time getting ready.”

“Huh? Do I need to prepare something too? Can’t I just dress up and go?”

“It’s a party where nobles gather. If you go half-heartedly, they’ll definitely ignore you.”

Well, nobles would certainly do that.

They’ll greet you warmly in front and then gossip behind your back.

‘Well, I don’t really care.’

What does it matter if they bite and tear at me?

After all, it is the Magic Tower that leads the world, and the one at its pinnacle is the Tower Master.

But since this is a party held at Arian’s family home, and I am attending for Arian’s sake, I decided not to be stubborn.

“Then I’ll see you later at the party.”

“Yes, see you later.”

After parting with Arian, Franz returned to his room and waited for the servants.

Before long, the servants arrived with a knock, and under their skilled hands, his appearance began to change little by little.

Watching himself gradually transform in the mirror, Franz felt an awkwardness for no reason.

He had never dressed up like this before.

Even at the festival held right after defeating the Demon King, he had just attended in a shabby robe, so what was there to say?

Once he was fully dressed, Franz thanked the servants and left the room.

He headed straight to the party hall he had been guided to.

Upon arriving at the party hall, only the people of the Frigia Duchy were present.

The party would continue deep into the night, so it was indeed a bit early.

‘Where could Arian be…?’

There were as many as six women in the party hall, but none of them were Arian, though some resembled her a bit.

It was then.

“Ma, Master of the Tower…?”

Arian’s voice came from behind.