The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate-Chapter 150

The Imperial Magic Tower stood as the heart of magic and the pinnacle of modern civilization. It was the place responsible for the most patents on the continent, including the invention of trains and countless other innovations.

Naturally, the Magic Tower was the second most opulent structure in the capital, outshone only by the Imperial Palace. Rumor had it that the Tower's annual expenses equaled the empire's entire yearly budget.

Caron nodded slowly as he recalled that rumor, thinking, That makes sense.

Ever since the fall of the Malevolent Emperor, the empire's civilization had advanced at a staggering pace, and the Imperial Magic Tower had been at the forefront of that progress.

It was also a place every mage aspired to enter. Even entering the Tower was enough to transform one's life. For thirty years running, it had topped the list of "Most Desired Workplace for Commoners' Children."

"Wow..." Amy let out a small gasp as she glanced around the grand reception hall of the Magic Tower.

Even the Imperial Guards couldn't enter here without difficulty. The Magic Tower operated with broad autonomy granted by the royal family, earning it the reputation of an independent domain within the capital.

"Amy, is this your first time here? Why are you acting like such a bumpkin?" Caron asked.

"It's amazing! How many times have you been here?" Amy asked.

"Of course it's my first time as well," Caron answered. He smiled as he took a sip of the tea in front of him—a black tea mixed with brandy.

"Hey, kettle. Add more brandy," Caron ordered.

"The current ratio is seventy percent brandy," the kettle answered.

"That's why I said add more. It still tastes like tea," Caron said.

"The command is incomprehensible. This can no longer be called tea."

"Exactly."

Without further argument, the kettle poured more brandy into his cup.

"Perfect," Caron said. He took a sip of the tea-infused brandy, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he nodded.

As they surveyed the reception hall, the door finally opened and a man stepped inside. He wore a tailored suit that hugged his frame, with a pair of blue horn-rimmed glasses perched on his nose—a textbook example of a bureaucrat.

The man bowed slightly to Caron and greeted him with a formal tone, "It is an honor to host such a distinguished guest. I am Barian, the head of the Magic Tower's sales division."

He looked like an ordinary office worker at first glance. And yet, like any member of the Magic Tower, his body radiated considerable mana.

Caron rose from his seat and extended his hand, saying, "I'm Caron Leston."

Barian took his hand with a stoic expression, replying, "On behalf of the Magic Tower Master, I sincerely welcome your visit, Sir Caron."

"Your expression doesn't exactly scream 'welcome,' does it?" Caron remarked.

There was a faint wariness in Barian's demeanor—an unsurprising reaction. After all, the relationship between the Ducal Family of Leston and the Imperial Magic Tower could hardly be called amicable.

"Please, have a seat," Caron said, gesturing to a chair as if he owned the place.

Barian nodded curtly and sat down, his composure unshaken. Once he took his seat, he got straight to the point. "You mentioned purchasing goods as the reason for your visit. Do you have a specific list of items you're interested in?"

"Here you go," Caron said as he handed over a densely written list, as though he had been waiting for this moment.

Barian scanned it quickly before saying, "Mana stoves, portable beds, travel tents, water dispensers... It seems you're looking for travel artifacts."

These were artifacts designed to enhance quality of life, typically purchased by those preparing for a journey. However, the sheer quantity was excessive for just one person.

"Shall we deliver them to Azureocean Castle?" Barian asked.

"No, I'll take them myself. They're for personal use," Caron answered.

"Do you have a carriage with you?" Barian asked.

"This will do just fine," Caron replied with a smile, then waved a small pouch.

Barian blinked in surprise and exclaimed, "A pouch of dimensional space?"

A pouch of dimensional space was no ordinary artifact—it was considered the pinnacle of artifact craftsmanship. His reaction was only natural.

As Barian's astonishment lingered, Caron took a leisurely sip of his tea-flavored brandy, his eyes glimmering with amusement.

"Aren't you curious about what's inside the pouch?" Caron asked, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue.

Barian furrowed his brow and studied Caron carefully, wondering what the purpose of asking that question was. However, he answered, "I'm not desperate enough to care about someone else's pocket."

"Ah! But there's something I want to show you. Just a moment," Caron said. He placed his hand on the pouch and closed his eyes briefly. Time stretched as he searched within.

Finally, a grin spread across his face and he asked, "Have you heard about the attempted attack at the academy?"

"Of course," Barian answered.

"As expected from the Magic Tower. News certainly travels fast here. Then have you heard who the culprit was?" Caron asked.

Barian's expression darkened instantly. He now understood why Caron had come in person instead of sending an agent to make his purchases. He answered, "...You're here for an interrogation. But your methods are far from appropriate."

"Oh?" Caron's smile turned sharp, and his tone dropped into an ominous sneer. "What's wrong with them?"

Barian swallowed hard as the oppressive force of Caron's mana settled over him. Rumors about Caron Leston had long since reached the Magic Tower. Far from the heroic, justice-driven young man the public imagined, their own investigations had drawn a far different conclusion.

He's a bomb, Barian thought.

Caron Leston was unpredictable, a force that couldn't be controlled. The intelligence passed down from the Queen herself made it clear: Caron Leston was dangerous.

Barian, fully aware of the threat before him, discreetly slipped his hand into his pocket and gripped an alarm artifact. If activated, it would summon every combat golem within the Magic Tower.

"Even the royal family cannot conduct investigations here without proper protocol. You must submit a formal request for cooperation," Barian said. His refusal was polite but firm. No one—no matter how mad—would dare cause a scene inside the Magic Tower.

But Caron simply chuckled. Then, without hesitation, he pulled something out of his pouch.

Thud.

The object rolled unceremoniously across the floor, coming to a pitiful stop.

"You've been working hard to suppress information," Caron said, his tone turning dangerously conversational. "Buying out the press, silencing rumors. But what do you think will happen if I present this evidence to the public?"

The evidence was a man—gasping for breath, barely conscious. Barian immediately recognized him. It was Bail, the very professor from the academy whom the Magic Tower had been desperately hunting.

"...Are you threatening us right now?" Barian asked through gritted teeth.

"Man, you're slow," Caron said. He drained the last drop from his cup and fixed Barian with a predatory gaze before saying, "Tell your boss to come here."

"You've lost your mind. The Magic Tower Master is not someone you can simply summon. He's treated with the same respect as a grand duke—" Barian began, but was cut off.

"'Malevolent Emperor's followers found hiding in the Imperial Magic Tower.' Imagine that as a headline. Reporters would eat it up. Right, Amy?" Caron interrupted.

"...I must clarify that the Imperial Guards do not share Sir Caron's views," Amy said stiffly.

"Ah, you've learned tact over the past four years. What a shame," Caron said.

Amy sighed heavily, her expression grim as she watched Caron spiral further into madness. She thought, Commander, Sir Luke, I'm sorry.

She had no power to rein the Mad Dog in. All she could do was watch as he unleashed chaos in the Magic Tower.

A while after Barian left, someone knocked on the door. Then the door to the reception room creaked open, and a boy stepped inside. He looked no older than eight.

Caron's gaze lazily drifted toward the child, and he spoke in a bored tone. "I called for the Magic Tower Master, but instead, a kid walks in?"

Amy, standing nearby, whispered urgently to Caron, "Um... That kid is the Magic Tower Master."

The Imperial Magic Tower's Master, Cor Sententia—an archmage at the pinnacle of the eighth circle and a sage revered even by nobles—was well-known for appearing in the form of a young boy.

Amy had assumed Caron was unaware of the famous rumor and had hurried to explain, but his response was underwhelming.

"I'm aware," Caron said.

"...Pardon?" Amy asked.

"I know that the kid is the Magic Tower Master," Caron confirmed.

"...Are you insane?" Amy asked.

Caron shrugged and answered, "Nah. If someone wants to look young, it's only polite to play along. That's how you survive in society, Amy. Pay attention—you might learn something."

Before Amy could react, a sharp laugh burst from the boy who had approached Caron. "You're as entertaining as the rumors say. I've never been called a 'kid' right to my face before. You're a lunatic, Caron Leston."

"You flatter me, Magic Tower Master," Caron said.

"I like lunatics. You've made a good first impression," Cor said. With a grin, the Magic Tower Master sank into the chair across from Caron. He made a casual gesture with his hand.

Whooooom.

A tray laden with fine whiskey appeared before Caron.

"I hear you enjoy a good drink. Help yourself," Cor offered.

"Wow. Limited-edition bottles that are rare even in the Imperial Palace. The Magic Tower must be swimming in money," Caron exclaimed.

"If a young hero like you comes all the way here to threaten me, the least I can do is offer proper hospitality. After all, in these situations, the blackmailer holds the power," Cor said. He glanced at Bail, the professor lying unconscious at Caron's feet.

Caron noticed the look and chuckled, then asked, "Thinking about destroying the evidence?"

"Why bother killing him? Unless, of course, things take an unpleasant turn," Cor said.

"That would be easy for someone like you," Caron said.

Indeed, the Magic Tower Master was no ordinary mage. He stood on the precipice of the ninth circle, a being whose power far exceeded vermin like Nur and his ilk. Plus, the Imperial Magic Tower was his domain. If Cor willed it, he could erase Bail without leaving a trace.

"Now, if it were a matter of killing you, Caron Leston, that could be worth it. But this bug? Hardly. Besides, there's no need for me to antagonize the Ducal Family of Leston unnecessarily," Cor continued. He summoned a glass and poured Caron a generous measure of whiskey, the amber liquid gleaming richly.

"They say you're a friend of the elves now," Cor continued.

"Who says that?" Caron asked.

"An old friend of mine," Cor replied.

"Well, I didn't expect the Magic Tower Master to keep company with pirates from the southern seas. Careful, or you'll get arrested for leaking state secrets," Caron said.

He grinned as he studied the Magic Tower Master's youthful face. Behind those childish features lurked a creature well over eighty years old—a monster in every sense of the word.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Archmages of the eighth circle were legendary figures Caron would have heard of even in his past life. And yet Cor Sententia had only risen to his current position within the last thirty years, which meant he wasn't someone Caron remembered.

"He's a half-dragon," Guillotine's voice echoed in his mind.

A half-dragon? Caron asked telepathically.

"Sometimes, dragons amuse themselves by having children with humans. That's what he is. He can't use draconic incantations, but he inherited magical talent," Guillotine explained.

Caron sighed at the unnecessary revelation, but nodded thoughtfully. He smiled at the Magic Tower Master.

"I have a deep respect for the elderly. Something about them just makes me feel all warm and reverent," Caron said.

"A rare virtue in today's youth. So that's why you pulled a sword on the Queen?" Cor asked.

"If you're jealous, I could give you a demonstration if you like," Caron said.

"You really do live like there's no tomorrow, don't you? Fine. I enjoy watching reckless young fools, but I'm also a man of terrible temperament. So get to the point," Cor said.

"I'm here to save the Magic Tower," Caron declared.

"...From whom?" Cor asked.

Caron downed the whiskey in a single gulp, savoring the burn before flashing a smile.

"From me," he said.

The Mad Dog had decided to become a thief.