Chapter 51: A Sentimental Person
"You want me to do what?"
Ahspid rounded his eyes for a second, his face completely expressionless and frozen. Then, when it seemed like the silence inside the room would deafen everyone present, he suddenly burst into laughter that could only belong to a madman.
The magus was brought to the Duke’s study right after the latter finished his conversation with Sir Stanis, and while he was still reluctant to cooperate with anyone but Princess Aideen, he had no choice but to listen to the man’s requests.
Tillian watched the mage’s body shake as he continued to laugh, allowing him to have his fit. It took Ahspid quite some time to get a hold of himself again and when he was finally done laughing and wiped his tears, the Duke tossed the rejection letter he brought from the Temple, and said,
"I know you are still registered at the Holy Church, Ahspid. Just because they’ve lost their grip on you doesn’t mean you don’t have their seal. It’s not something you can just easily dispose of. You might be crazy but you still don’t cross the line, and that is precisely why you were hiding here instead of running off and side with a different kingdom, betraying the Brotherhood of Mages."
Ahspid lowered his purple eyes and fixed them on the rejection letter placed in front of him.
Tillian was not wrong; although the mage fled the Capital right after Ruans captured the throne, he still could not leave Geraldion to start a new life elsewhere. Not even in Utar.
Because he still had unfinished business here.
The man slowly picked up the letter with his right hand, numerous magical rings flickering under the candlelight as he fidgeted with the white piece of paper. Then, with his eyes still glued to the Temple’s seal, he asked somewhat coldly, yet with a hint of sadness in his voice,
"Are they still looking for me? Did you tell them where I was?"
Tillian shook his head.