Thiendavis – For The Perfect Salvation

Chapter 14: Really Like

Tower Lord.

Lohika Sedro.

Cousin of Miel Sedro.

Owner of Manyanya Tower and head of the great Sedro family.

A person who held two prestigious positions, each of which was a pinnacle of its kind, with excessive power.

At the same time, she was the one who pushed Evie into complete distrust of humans, someone who already found it difficult to trust others.

"Ugh..."

When Manyanya Tower appeared outside the carriage window, Evie groaned involuntarily.

Although she had traversed the same path just days ago, today she felt uneasy.

The reason was obvious.

Today, Evie had to meet the Tower Lord.

Lohika Sedro, terrifying and seated at the top of that tower.

"The area suspected to be the snake's lair is a small city in the southeast of Vis."

Diez said in a low voice from the opposite side of Evie, who was suffering from motion sickness.

"The city's proximity to the path connected from the Wind Valley, which links to Thiendavis, to the eastern boundary provides a suitable excuse to visit there, even if the Tower Lord assigns a surveillance team."

As Diez explained the itinerary through Vis, Evie swallowed her nausea and nodded.

Then she asked in a worried voice.

"If a visit to Vis is confirmed, how much surveillance will the Tower Lord assign?"

"There will be quite a few. In the worst-case scenario, they might even organize a guard, using the pretext of protection."

Diez's grim outlook caused Evie to groan in distress.

As a valuable asset of the Tower, Evie was not allowed to be injured, killed, or escape under any circumstances.

Hence, even if the Tower Lord permitted Evie to travel to Vis, she would never be sent alone.

Meeting the Count was just an excuse, and breaking the curse was the real aim; having the Tower Lord’s people tagging along would be troublesome.

So, staring at the ever-approaching Manyanya Tower, Evie spoke firmly.

"Getting permission to go down to Vis is the first priority, reducing the number of companions as much as possible is the second. I will try my best."

Evie’s face was resolute as she headed to meet the Tower Lord, and Diez had mixed feelings about it.

Evie knew exactly what needed to be done.

Even in the midst of this, where, due to Count Laurel's declaration, she became a public figure in Thienda, her reputation plummeted to the depths, and her position as Saintess is now in jeopardy.

It was amazing how Evie never flinched under the pressure of it all.

Sometimes, Diez was confused whether he should admire her for that or find it regrettable.

While Diez watched Evie with conflicted thoughts, Evie suddenly spoke in a subtle voice.

"Butler, I've been thinking, isn’t going to meet the Count a remarkably good idea?"

Diez tilted his head at the sudden outburst, to which Evie replied with sparkling eyes.

"Isn't it incredibly pitiable? A saintess candidate venturing into dangerous territory to appease the heart of a cold Count. I wonder how the nobles, who once hurled insults at me, would react to this."

As Evie began to chuckle mischievously, Diez wiped away all his complicated feelings while looking at her.

'Right, how did I forget?'

That's just her nature.

With lighter feelings, Diez thought, Evie Ariate's devious mind is as sharp as ever.

Manyanya Tower was magnificent.

It was an imposing structure whose origin and construction methods remained unknown and overawed those who beheld it.

Simultaneously, the delicate curves outlined on its form added elegance, and the salt crystals on its exterior sparkled white when the sun shone, creating a sense of sanctity for the observers.

Thus, many people praised the tower, but Evie had never found the Manyanya Tower beautiful.

The tower that everyone perceived as just tall was also deep, hiding a murky underground behind its white shimmering appearance.

Knowing this fact, and because she was still tethered to that underground, Evie could never like this tower.

As the elevator reached the top floor of the tower, the sound of the sliding chains ceased.

"The Tower Lord is waiting for you."

The servants standing in the hallway opened the elevator door and greeted Evie.

Evie gazed down the expansive hallway before her.

No less than thirty servants stood aligned along its sides, at the end of which stood a single door, rendering their numbers insignificant.

It led to the office of the Tower Lord, Lohika Sedro.

Taking a deep breath, Evie crossed the hallway.

As she stood before the door, a servant announced her arrival in her stead.

"Tower Lord, Evie Ariate is here to see you."

Up to that point, everything about the hallway was solemn.

"Yes, come on in!"

But the voice that emanated from behind the door was relaxed and cheerful, mocking all that tension.

Evie thought that nothing had changed as she entered the office, instinctively covering her mouth and nose.

'Ugh…!'

As soon as she stepped inside, a powerful fragrance, potent enough to induce dizziness, overwhelmed her.

Furthermore, the vast office of the Tower Lord was so densely filled with flowers of all colors that there was barely room to step.

As Evie, bewildered by the overwhelming amount of flowers, hesitated, a voice called out from beyond the floral thicket.

"Welcome, it's a bit messy, isn't it? Just move something and sit anywhere!"

But there was nowhere to move anything.

As Evie stood awkwardly, a woman emerged, parting the dense array of flowers.

With elegantly pinned hair of a daylily color and dressed in a clean suit, she exuded a unique glamour that could not be hidden.

That woman was Lohika Sedro, the master of Evie's leash.

"Good heavens, when was the last time Evie visited me first?"

"This is the first time."

"Is that so… I always had to call on Evie…"

Lohika greeted Evie in an animated voice, lowering her brows as if saddened by Evie's honest answer.

However, Evie turned the conversation around without acknowledging her act.

"It seems like you're very busy."

"Ah, I've recently taken up flower arranging as a hobby. It's surprisingly fun."

Such an enormous scale for a hobby seemed excessive.

While muttering inwardly, Evie recalled the Tower Lord's past eccentricities.

Lohika had a peculiar habit of undertaking various hobbies on a grand scale and abandoning them quickly.

Once, she released livestock throughout the tower due to an obsession with animal husbandry, only to quickly tire and have them all cooked.

Next, she sculpted marble with a chisel, breaking two fingers in the process, and stopped.

Her most recent venture was baking cakes, which ended with setting the tower on fire just last month, and now it was flower arranging.

"Oh, did you eat the cake I sent last time?"

"Yes, I ate it all."

"Oh my, did Evie really eat something I made?"

"No, the gardener's dog ate it."

Lohika laughed with a clear sound resembling a wind instrument at Evie's candid answer.

"Our Evie, your jokes have gotten quite ruthless."

When Lohika chided her in a voice full of affection, Evie forced a smile.

Knowing full well that it wasn't a joke, Lohika's playfulness was impressive.

Seeing the fawning Lohika, while aware of her nature, at least reassured Evie a little.

Since Lohika understood Evie's true nature as Evie did hers, Evie didn't need to worry about her rogue thoughts slipping out due to the curse.

"I heard that you’re having a tough time because of Count Laurel?"

"Though it's true, the real difficulty lies with you, Tower Lord."

Such honesty…

The curse wasted no time creating worry as Evie thought she needn't concern herself so much.

As Evie coughed and tried to redirect the conversation, Lohika giggled and continued.

"You still have quite some time ahead of you. From what I see, the situation is very unfavorable. Naturally, Montera will lean toward the side where the scale tips, and Tuha, being powerless, will comply with whatever the nobles decide. With two sides lost… Oh my."

Lohika feigned surprise, covering her mouth with a hand before continuing with lively words.

"Our Evie might not become a saintess."

When Lohika noisily predicted Evie’s failure with a laugh, Evie quietly grit her teeth behind her smiling lips.

With eyes curved like crescents, Lohika said to Evie.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Just like old times, we can live happily in the underground."

The desire in Lohika’s eyes, masked behind her fake smile, was a dark obsession that made Evie feel suffocated.

Noticing Evie's discomfort, Lohika brightly changed the topic while laughing.

"So why did Evie come today?"

"I came to request permission from the Tower Lord."

"Permission?"

"Permission to go to Vis to persuade Count Laurel."

When Evie stated her purpose, Lohika's eyes widened in surprise.

Her gaze, somewhat amazed, met Evie's before she smiled broadly and murmured.

"Good excuse."

Lohika edged closer, bending down until she was face-to-face with Evie, whispering in a suggestive voice.

"Since you can't become a saintess, you aren't planning to escape, are you?"

Before Evie could answer, the curse responded indignantly on her behalf.

"No."

"Really, no?"

"No."

"What to do, shall I let you off the hook again?"

Lohika knitted her brows, pretending to be troubled, edging even closer to Evie and speaking.

"Our Evie has deceived me quite a lot already, right?"

"No, it was only three times."

"Three times is a lot, my dear. You know I usually don't forgive even once."

With a laugh as if she found it absurd, Lohika pressed her inspection further on Evie.

Evie resisted the urge to step back and opened her mouth.

"Tower Lord, I…"

“Shush. I am speaking."

But Lohika did not allow Evie to even defend herself.

"Though I raised you so prettily, you ran away, saying you'd behave, yet you caused trouble, and even gambled so recklessly."

Lohika lifted Evie's chin as she listed off her past misdeeds.

Being forced to meet Lohika's gaze was tormenting for Evie.

Light green, normally a vibrant color, shimmered dangerously and uncannily like poison in Lohika's eyes.

Staring directly at Evie, Lohika continued speaking.

"Evie, you know, I..."

Lohika's lips crept closer to Evie's ear, whispering amid breaths.

"...really like you."

What?

The unexpected confession left the tense Evie bewildered.

Lohika, now beaming, withdrew and spoke candidly.

"I find it entertaining. Kids like you who don’t know when to give up and cling to the end. You remind me very much of myself."

"...Me?"

"Oh my, you're very openly displeased!"

Lohika laughed melodiously when Evie reflexively hardened her expression.

After laughing heartily, she wiped tears from her eyes and spoke.

"I'll allow you to go to Vis. Try whatever you can."

Approval came unexpectedly.

Snapped back to attention, Evie, who had been silently scoffing at Lohika, asked hurriedly.

"Co-conditions?"

"What conditions?"

"Conditions like surveillance, for instance."

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

"No."

"Then I won’t do it. Have fun and come back."

Lohika was suspiciously generous.

As Evie hesitated at her generosity, Lohika chuckled and continued speaking.

"Don’t you know? No matter how much you run away, you'll be found in no time."

Alluding to the fact that running away was pointless, Evie was irked by Lohika's confidence but had obtained what she wanted.

So, with polite goodbyes, she turned to leave.

Suddenly, Lohika addressed Evie before she fully turned around.

"By the way, is Diez well?"

"Yes, he falls in love with teacups daily."

Despite the curse, the wording was peculiar, and Evie felt a tad guilty towards Diez.

However, apparently understanding it to mean that Diez was well enough, Lohika smiled kindly and nodded.

"That's good, make sure to nurture him well, it's not often I let one go."

The remark made Evie feel a sudden surge of emotion.

She paused briefly, looking back at Lohika, then brightly replied.

"Don't worry, I take good care of him, walking him every day and giving him snacks."

Lohika's smile widened at Evie’s bold retort, and Evie left the Tower Lord's office, resolute not to look back at the nauseating woman.

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