The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

121 – The Mage Gave a Necklace to the Hero.

Blink, blink.

Yuria blinked, her expression blank, before finally snapping to.

“M-move? But what about the banquet? Nothing happened?”

“Nah, not much of anything. Was everything alright here at home while I was gone?”

“Home was fine… Oh, for goodness sake, look at me. Master Mage, won’t you come inside first?”

At Yuria’s words, Franz nodded, it did seem better to wait inside, rather than standing around outside looking dazed.

And so, Franz followed Yuna into the house, where they were met by Yuna’s mother.

“Oh my, Master Mage, hello.”

“Ah, yes, hello.”

“Did…did our Yuna not cause any trouble at the banquet? We just weren’t able to educate her on such things, after all…”

“No, nothing you need worry about. You can rest easy.”

Franz answered with a striking ease, yet there was a contradiction within his reply.

‘Truthfully, I haven’t the faintest idea either…’

A man whose memory is clouded by drink wouldn’t know a thing, wouldn’t he? It was simply that, with Yuna, he figured such a mishap wouldn’t have occurred.

Of course, a grown woman sleeping in a room with a man was a mishap, if you could call it that. Nay, a grand mishap, even. One that could sway a marriage.

But since nothing happened, perhaps there wasn’t a problem after all? It wasn’t even just the two of them, but four women, so all the more reason.

That aside.

‘Is it normal to have conversations like this with a friend’s mother…?’

No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t quite feel right. It was like a conversation between the parent of a child going on a picnic, and their chaperone.

Well, they do say parents always see their children as young. Thinking about it that way made it somewhat understandable.

Just then, Yuna spoke.

“Mother, you heard him? I’m doing just fine out there, see? And hurry up with your things, don’t make Franz uncomfortable.”

“Oh my? When did I ever make the Master of the Magic Tower….”

“Aish-! Just go already-!”

Yuna pouted and nudged her mother along by the back.

Franz watched it all, feeling rather awkward. Her mother hadn’t exactly made him uncomfortable, but he didn’t particularly feel like stating that fact at this moment.

Soon Yuna came back to Franz’s side.

“Sorry about that, my mom worries a bit.”

“It’s alright. More importantly, are your things all packed?”

“Yep, they’re all over there.”

Yuna pointed with her finger and Franz’s eyes followed the motion.

There was a bundle there, and no matter how one looked, it seemed far too small for a person’s belongings.

Moving usually meant a lot of things, so Franz, feeling a peculiar doubt, asked,

“Is that all?”

“Yeah, as I was packing, I realized there wasn’t really anything to bring.”

Well, considering Yuna’s situation, it was understandable. The hero party disbanded and she had gained money, but there hadn’t been time to spend it.

Thinking it was all the Duke Ishtar’s doing made a familiar irritation swell within him. He should have tormented the b*stard a few times more before killing him.

“But now we’ve got a big house, I’m gonna buy all sorts of things. Pretty furniture and clothes too.”

“And build a pond?”

“Ah-! Right! We were gonna build a pond!”

Yuna’s eyes widened as she clapped her hands, having just remembered.

Then, Yuria, who had come out of the room, set down a small bundle, and spoke.

“It’s not even our house, we’re just staying there, what’s with all this pond talk.”

“Franz said it’s okay though.”

“Unnie must’ve misheard. Right? Master Magician?”

Yuria turned her gaze to Franz. It was a look begging him to stop her reckless older sister.

But Franz couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes. It felt like guilt, because it was true that he’d allowed it.

‘A pond seems kind of nice…’

Why doesn’t everyone dream about that once in their life? A house with a wide yard, a pond, and koi swimming in it.

And, if they got rid of all the decorations in the yard, wouldn’t it feel bare? A pond, maybe that’d make it alright.

While Yuna and Yuria were bickering, Yuna’s mother finished getting ready. Her belongings too, were just a single, small bundle.

Franz spoke,

“Then, let’s be off.”

Following that, he flicked his fingers, and a magic circle, radiant with light, bloomed on the floor. And just as quickly, the four vanished from the dilapidated house without a trace.

Of course, the place where they reappeared was the Duke of Esteban’s manor.

“You arrived quicker than I expected.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s a relief you didn’t have to wait long.”

Arian, Hera, and Justia, who had been waiting at the manor, spoke in turn.

Blink-, blink-.

Yuria, momentarily stunned by the miracle of magic, quickly snapped to her senses and bowed deeply.

“N-Nice to meet you-!”

It was a judgment she made, seeing that there were three individuals who looked incredibly powerful.

Towards her, Justia said,

“You must be Miss Yuria, yes? It’s a relief to see you looking healthy.”

“I was truly grateful for that day.”

“Grateful? I simply did what was natural for a saint to do.”

Justia offered a gentle smile.

Franz flinched at her business smile. Even after seeing it countless times at the cathedral, it was still difficult to get used to.

If she could show even half of that to me, it’d be great.

Thinking that, he spoke to Yuna.

“Yuna, you show the family around the house, okay? You saw most of it earlier, with me.”

“Yeah, I’ll do it.”

“And take this.”

Franz pulled something out of a small bag he had strapped to his waist.

It was a necklace. A necklace adorned with a processed mana stone. The same one he’d given the clerk back when he’d gone on that business trip north with Arian.

“Why a necklace all of a sudden?”

Yuna took the necklace, clueless, and just put it on.

Franz spoke to her immediately. Well, he sent his voice directly into her mind.

─If you wear the necklace…

“Ugh, uh-heeik?!”

Yuna made a spaced-out noise, her body shuddering. It looked like she was confused, having never experienced something like this before.

Her reaction caught everyone’s attention. Not just Justia and Yuria, who were talking, but Yuna’s mother, Arian, and Hera, too.

In the awkward silence, Yuna smiled sheepishly and said,

“Sorry, okay to talk now.”

─If you wear the necklace and think about what you want to say, it’ll be sent naturally. Wanna try?

Of course, not everyone could use this necklace. You needed some understanding of magic to a degree.

But Yuna should be able to use it without much trouble.

Because that’s what a hero is.

And Franz’s prediction hit the nail on the head. Yuna closed her eyes, seemingly concentrating for a moment, then her voice came through to their minds.

─Franz, I lik… no, no, no, wait, can you even hear this? Nah, probably not, right?

The voice, hammering wildly in his skull, almost sent Franz into a daze.

It was like seeing a puppy run through a field. The problem, if you could call it that, was that the field was inside his head.

‘Well, the message got through loud and clear, anyway…’

Good enough was good enough; it was definitely better than not getting through at all.

…Maybe?

Franz, having settled his thoughts, spoke.

“I hear you fine.”

“O-oh, really? Good, good, that’s a relief…. But, why are you giving me this necklace?”

“If there’s trouble at the mansion, or if someone comes with business for me, let me know.”

“Ah, I see. But, um, you know? Like….”

Yuna trailed off, her eyes darting about. She looked like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Then, she swallowed hard and finally spoke.

“Can I use it for personal stuff…? I-I won’t do it often, of course. Just sometimes, like if there’s something good to eat…. It’d be nice to share…?”

He’d wondered what she was going to say, with how long she’d been thinking, and it was just about whether she could use it for personal calls…

Franz, who had been tense, let out a soft snort of amusement.

“You can.”

He’d never considered the necklace being used for personal matters. To begin with, it was something he’d made to handle his work smoothly while he was away on business.

But he didn’t think it would be a problem if she used it that way. It wasn’t hurting anyone, and it was only to be used for contact between them.

Of course, that was only in Franz’s mind.

Arian, Justia, and Hera were staring at Yuna with gazes full of envy.

I told myself, *just endure today* – tried to let it slide, but a way to reach someone personally, that was just something I couldn’t stand to ignore.

Yuna, having no idea of such things, spoke while holding the necklace pendant precious in both hands.

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll use it well.”

“Alright, I’ll be off then. Take care.”

With that last exchange, Franz led the group away from the manor.

“Yeah, thanks. But that necklace… Ah, no matter. Be off now.”

After taking Hera back to the Great Forest.

“You, I have tons to say to you, you know? Especially about that… No, nevermind. Prepare yourself later. I’ll make your studies so hard.”

He was even threatened while taking Eustia back to the cathedral.

Only then could Franz return to his comfortable tower master’s chambers.

Why this place, always full of work, felt so comfortable now – a person, it seemed, truly had to live a long time to see things.

Then, Arian, who hadn’t left but remained in the tower master’s chambers, spoke.

“Come to think of it, shouldn’t the nearby nobles be calling on the manor? Usually, it’s a custom, or a matter of etiquette, for them to visit first from down below.”

Was there even such a thing…?

Becoming a duke was fine, but why did it feel like the work had just piled up?

Franz sighed and pulled out some letter paper from the drawer.

It was a waste for the nobles to travel to the manor only to be turned away, it’d be better to take the initiative instead.