Since the major wanted to know, he should indulge his curiosity. So, he relaxed on his seat and stared at the curious person in front of him.
"To start, Ezio is Grand Mage Jagan's nephew. We met the both of them in Moonvale and when the Grand Mahe died, he entrusted Ezio under my care which I reluctantly accepted." Cygnus wore a smile on his face as he remembered those past events.
"Why did you take him under your wing? From the impression I got from you, you are not the kind of person who will take care of someone, even if you do it reluctantly." He gave the man the benefit of the doubt because the case of Grand Mage Jagan in the past was like a hot potato.
People debated whether the grand mage betrayed the tower or he has committed a grave sin, that's why he suddenly left the tower and disappeared. Nobody knew though because the tower kept quiet about it and to think that he has a nephew, this was new.
"That's because he can do what none of you can do. He can clearly pronounce and say my name without dying or falling over or vomiting blood. Isn't that intriguing?" Cygnus laughed.
Linius silently watched as the man's shoulder shook. The information was shocking but not amusing. Instead, the major could tell that something was going on.
"Then why is he with the tower right now when you are supposed to be watching over him?" Linius had a frown on his face because he could already tell that the man's answer would surely make him speechless again.
"Good question, that's because mages from the tower came to steal him away. It is also the reason why the grand mage died. He died protecting his nephew." Cygnus suddenly stopped laughing as he said those words. "Because they want something from Ezio."
The frown on the major's face deepened with his brows scrunching inward. "Then why did you let them take him?"
The smile on the man's face return but it was subtle like he was about to tell something shocking. "Because I want him to experience the cruelty of the tower and because I want him to hate the tower even more that way his magic that they, oh desire will be their destruction."
The dark aura that came with those words slowly overwhelmed Linius and when it expanded, it destroyed the carriage. Luckily they were already within the vicinity of the manor before it happened.
The horses were startled that they all ran away leaving wreckage behind. The coachman was left in a state of surprise because of what happened. Mr. C looked at him with sympathy before patting him on the back.
Mr. C left his seat and went to check on the two passengers of the carriage. After opening the door, the two were still on their seats and nothing changed.
"Do you have to go that far? What if other mages felt that energy?" Linius scolded as he alighted from the damaged carriage. "Don't do that again."
"I apologize because I wasn't able to hold back. Whenever I remember that magic tower, I just lose control. You see, I have so many bad memories with mages and magic towers that I have this urge to just destroy them whenever I see them. But, you see, major, I developed this habit of torturing them first before I thoroughly destroy them." Perhaps this was already the longest line Cygnus has ever said ever since they met and every word brought chills to him.
"Master, did you do something mischievous again?" Mr. C who stood in a distance from them couldn't help but ask.
He thought that the master was finally behaving and was going with the plan but here he was stirring trouble again. He was truly unpredictable.
"You already know me so why are you still asking?" Cygnus turned around and walked the rest of the way back to the manor.
Linius looked at Mr. C with raised eyebrows, "What's happening?"
"You'll be able to hear some news tomorrow, major. So, if I were you, you should prepare yourself," was the only warning the butler said before everything went wild that night.
At the manor, while having dinner, Cygnus asked the butler, "Oh, I remember, how about that hero who slayed the dragon, where is he now?"
Mr. C took the initiative to answer, "He is currently in the capital right now together with that town's mayor. He is already recognized as a prominent hero even though the hero rankings aren't out yet."
"So they're having the time of their lives, how easy of them," Cygnus poked his food with his spoon while his head rested on his palm.
"Don't play with your food. I don't mind you scheming during dinner but you can't play with the food," Linius reprimanded. He was like a parent disciplining his son because the master was being childish again.
Cygnus sighed as he straightened and ate his food seriously. "You are such a nagger."
Linius did not say anything back for a while before he spoke again. "I'll be meeting with Lieutenant Lisbon tomorrow outside the capital. He is here to return to his post and report on the status of Alfonso after that I will be visiting General Cazal to report. You will be on your own tomorrow, so whatever you do be careful that you won't implicate Ginehart, for now."
Cygnus listened, "You seem to be very busy," he commented.
"Yes, there is so much to do, and we also need to visit the palace one of these days too but for now, Iet us do the urgent things first." Linius nodded as he finished his food.
They were only at the capital for two days and so many things were already happening. There's no rest for them, especially with the master with him.
The next day a shocking news broke through the capital. The magic tower, a symbol of power, was attacked and some of their mages were seriously injured. The news that no magic was able to heal them terrified the people.
Most of the mages that fell under the 'curse', as they have started to call it, were the novices in the hall of songs together with the instructors who were guiding them. The attack struck at night when they were deep in their sleep.
No screams, no struggle. They were only discovered on their beds, peacefully sleeping but they were already infected. The elders immediately closed the tower and did not let any mages in or out to prevent the 'curse' from spreading.
The tower was in a state of alert as the elders tried to find a cure using every kind of magic they knew. The fear that the 'curse' might spread slowly ebbed because the mages who were in close contact with the 'curse' were not infected.
This information gave the elders more time to find some magic that can destroy the 'curse'. Cygnus watched all of this happening from the comfort of his room. He had Ari stay in the magic tower and show him what was happening there.
"These old geezers surely are hardworking," he commented as they tried every healing magic and healing magic combination they know. "That's only the start though." This statement was followed by aloud laugh that made Mr. C shook his head.
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