A Snake’s Life Ch 44

Chapter 44

 

Zerpell handed the necklace to Ian and ordered him to repair it by morning. When I saw Ian wasn’t around the next morning, I assumed he was still working on the necklace. But it seemed he had just finished.

“Is the repair done?”

“It’s been half a day. We should go fetch it.”

I silently followed him. Cedric saw us off and helped the panting knights to their feet before returning to training. His booming voice echoed as he barked at them to get up immediately. It seemed that Zerpell hadn’t been satisfied with the knights and had decided to drive them even harder. I could already hear the sound of knights dying. Even as we moved further from the training grounds, the shouts and grunts only seemed to grow louder.

Ian’s room was surprisingly close by. It was situated exactly between Zerpell’s chambers and his office, for the convenience of assisting him. Its central location also made it easier to manage the attendants and maids. Zerpell knocked before entering. I had expected Ian’s room, given his intellectual image and the title of aide, to be filled with neatly organized books and documents—but I was completely wrong.

It looked more like an antique shop.

There were strange tools and old ornaments on display. I walked in, absentmindedly glancing around. Ian didn’t even seem to hear us enter, focused as he was on examining the necklace through a monocle.

“Still not done?”

Only then did Ian notice us, removing his glasses.

“Your Highness, I didn’t realize you’d arrived.”

The face that turned to us after removing his glasses was a sight. His dark circles didn’t just reach under his eyes—they practically touched his nose.

“Just a little longer, please. It’s nearly finished.”

“Hm… are you alright?”

Zerpell asked, perhaps out of guilt or genuine concern after seeing Ian’s condition. Ian gave a hollow laugh and assured him he was fine, though the intense glare he shot in Zerpell’s direction clearly suggested he was grinding his teeth inside.

“You may take the day off today.”

“Of course.”

To my ears, that translated as, “Were you not going to let me rest otherwise?” His voice was laced with a fierce determination to rest the moment this job was done. Ian smiled, but it was definitely not out of happiness—if anything, it was grim. His lack of sleep made him speak in a brittle, irritable tone. If it were me, I would’ve run away long ago.

Since the necklace still needed more time, Ian directed us to the sofa. I sat down but couldn’t keep still with so many curious items around, and my bottom kept shifting in place as I looked around with interest.

I wanted to walk around, but I was worried it might distract Ian while he was concentrating on his work. But Zerpell, watching me fidget, told me it was fine to look around if I was curious.

“Are you sure? Won’t it bother Ian?”

“It’s fine.”

He answered like the room belonged to him. Broadly speaking, Ian was his subordinate, not mine. If the owner said it was fine, then I supposed it was. I sprang up and began to examine the interesting objects. There were things like lamps, ceramics, music boxes, and crystal balls. There were also scrolls with unfamiliar script that clearly indicated magic.

“What language is this?”

There were worm-like characters on the scroll. Even though my communication ability had a built-in translation function of sorts, I couldn’t read them. One orb glowed brightly, and one book was obviously dangerous—it was wrapped tightly in chains, radiating a clear warning not to open it.

At first glance, it looked like an antique shop, but a closer inspection revealed that the items were magical tools. Ian had said he had some knowledge of magic, but I hadn’t expected this level of seriousness. This was next-level stuff.

While I was looking around, Ian stood up holding the necklace, apparently finished with the repair.

“What are you doing?”

I asked as I looked around at the many fascinating objects that filled the room. They all looked extremely valuable. Could it be that this guy was secretly quite extraordinary?

“Are all these yours?”

“Hmm… if I had to put it precisely, they’re mine now.”

That meant they hadn’t originally been his. Sensing my curiosity, Ian scratched his head sheepishly and explained.

“I was young and reckless. Strictly speaking, these belonged to my master. But I took them when I left.”

“…Is that okay?”

“If it weren’t, I wouldn’t still be alive, would I?”

So he’d been even more hotheaded in his youth than he was now, given how he sometimes dared to talk back to Zerpell.

“They were just lying around in the room. My master never looked back on completed research. They were collecting dust in a corner, so I took them. Better for someone who sees their value to use them than to have them thrown away.”

“Was your master a magic user?”

“Yes. He discovered my talent and took me to the Magic Tower. But I didn’t have much mana, not enough to make me a true mage. My skill was more in crafting. Specifically, creating magical tools.”

“Isn’t that the same as magic?”

“It’s a bit different. Of course, there are rare individuals who excel at both. But mana is a matter of innate talent. The vessel that holds mana doesn’t grow just by effort. Everyone’s vessel has its own limit. The amount of mana a spell consumes varies, so having a large vessel is important. But crafting is more about how precisely you can control the mana. You have to concentrate it into fine threads to inscribe characters. But the Magic Tower…”

He shook his head and clicked his tongue. Recalling those days seemed to sour his expression.

“They think magical tools are for the incompetent. Oh, and the Magic Tower is where mages gather. It’s full of narrow-minded people. In the end, I quit.”

“Did the master know?”

“Of course. Our first meeting was actually at my own shop.”

So this guy had money too… who just casually owns a shop? And the Magic Tower…

“Is it easy to leave a place like that?”

“Not at all. It’s hard to get in, and harder to get out. But their security is pretty strict. I just said I was going out on an errand and ran away.”

“With the goods…?”

“Yes. After all the years I slaved there, this much is fair compensation, don’t you think? I did most of the chores while assisting my master. And he never paid me, either. He just expected me to watch and learn magic myself… he wasn’t exactly the nurturing type. I left when I realized I had nothing more to learn there.”

Ian’s words were sharp and full of bitterness. Turns out, he had more depth to him than I’d expected. There’s a reason they say never to take in a black-haired beast… though Ian was brown-haired, so maybe it didn’t count. My eyes drifted to Zerpell. Not like I’d taken him in—it was more like he was handed to me…

“Anyway, try it on.”

Ian placed the necklace in my hand. I put it on and looked over it, but didn’t feel any different. But Ian, apparently satisfied, murmured, “Looks good,” and put away his glasses. While I was inspecting the necklace, I grew curious about exactly what kind of magic it contained and asked him.

“It activates a shield twice if your life is in danger. You have no idea how hard it is to add just one more charge… and yet I was told to finish it in half a day…”

Ian rubbed his brow, clearly recalling his overnight ordeal.

“Is that it? Just the shield?”

Ian’s reaction was strange. He glanced at Zerpell and hesitated, unsure whether to speak. It had just been a casual question, but his behavior suggested there was something they weren’t telling me. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him.

“There’s something else, isn’t there?”

“…”

“Just wear it. There’s an additional support mechanism, that’s all.”

Zerpell answered in Ian’s place. He made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal, but Ian’s face looked awkward. Zerpell clearly had no intention of elaborating. No matter how many times I asked, they kept their mouths shut, only deepening my curiosity. Why were they hiding it?

My silent cry echoed into nothingness. Zerpell gave my back a gentle push as I hesitated. Well, it was probably for my own good. Seemed like there were more safety features in it besides the shield. Still, the fact that they wouldn’t tell me made me suspicious.

“Escort Casa Shuiren back to his room. Again, I remind you—guard him well.”

“Yes!”

“Yes, sir!”

The newly appointed guards shouted in unison at Zerpell’s command. So this was the difference between seniors and juniors? The strength in their voices was on a whole different level. Zerpell seemed to have something to discuss with Ian, so he only walked me to the door.

“I’ll be along shortly.”

“Okay.”

I answered calmly while holding Kir. Suddenly, his face drew close. “Huh?” I murmured, and then I felt a kiss on my cheek. Let me remind you—Ian’s room was at the midpoint, where servants and maids constantly passed by. My mouth fell open in shock at his surprise kiss.

“I think you’ll have to stay in your room for a while. Will that be alright?”

Zerpell said, after stealing my soul with that kiss. I used Kir as a shield to hide my burning cheeks.

‘Damn it… this is so embarrassing.’

I felt everyone’s eyes on me. Snapping out of my daze, I nodded vigorously. I lowered my head and walked away, feeling like I could hear the whispers around me.