Chapter 567: The Tower Keeper and the Visitors
Since the arrival of summer, the days had grown hotter and hotter.
Though Ansu was overall a northern realm, its southern border still endured blazing summer heat—and this year, summer seemed to have come earlier than usual.
The constellation of the Burning Star had become a familiar sight in the night sky, and the sun lingered longer each day. Where once the sky was pitch black at four or five in the morning, now it was already painted with the rosy hues of dawn.
On the wild plains northwest of Luan City stood a solitary tower, silent and steadfast. Faint magical glimmers flickered from the cracks at its base, while occasional streams of light slid along its outer walls. Atop the tower floated a massive crystal, and several strange metal arms extended outward from the summit. At the ends of these arms, rune-engraved devices slowly rotated in the gentle morning breeze, catching the brilliant dawn light.
It was a beautiful, clear summer morning.
The tower’s keeper, Gerlin, awoke from his sleep. After a quick wash, he donned a thin shirt and shorts and climbed to the upper levels of the tower.
Sunlight poured through the crystal windows of his workshop, growing ever brighter. Outside, a flock of wild pigeons fluttered noisily across the sky.
“…Stupid pigeons… I hope they haven’t pooped on the signal amplifiers…” Gerlin muttered, tossing the leftover flatbread from last night onto the warming tray. He then slid a frost rune circuit board into the energy slot on the wall and switched on the workshop’s ventilation system.
A fresh, cool breeze swept through the vents, chasing away the rising heat and shaking off the last traces of his morning drowsiness.
Gerlin let out a satisfied hum—this new system the city had installed last month was indeed useful.
He recalled the “advertisement” he’d seen on the magic network terminal, the slogan of the Kord Household Services Company:
“Magic, bringing convenience to life.”
When this concept first emerged, most people were bewildered and amazed. Even Gerlin, who dealt with magical devices daily, had never imagined what life would be like once magic became an ordinary part of everyday living. Yet here it was—realized in dazzling ways.
Magical devices were no longer just the private property of lords or government assets. Affordable, convenient magic tech was slowly making its way into common households. Though still a privilege of wealthier city dwellers, it was undeniably becoming part of ordinary life.
And it truly brought convenience.
Outside, the metal apparatus shifted slowly. Gerlin moved to the observation point, watching as the massive steel arm rose into the air. The rune-etched structure at its tip pointed like a spear into the dawn-lit sky. Then he returned to his workbench, activating the magic network terminal and pulling out his notebook. Carefully, he recorded the day’s first monitoring log:
“…Fire Moon, 30th day, clear skies, light breeze. Luan Magic Network Hub Tower, first monitoring record. Amplifier operating normally, mana crystal functioning properly, magic network broadcast signal…”
Gerlin looked up at the terminal, where the preset signal display floated in midair. Identification marks from the Hosman Hub Tower and subordinate relay towers blinked in sequence.
“Magic network broadcast signal normal, strength excellent…”
He recorded everything meticulously, without a trace of carelessness.
Gerlin was a particularly diligent and precise man. That was why he had this job as a tower keeper—a simple but tedious role requiring solid magical engineering knowledge, yet well-paid. It suited him perfectly, especially since he had five children to support.
This magic network hub tower was one of three in the entire northwest region of the Duchy of Cecil. It was a crucial node maintaining the magic network transmission between Luan and Hosman. Relying on the massive mana crystal and amplifiers atop the tower, it provided signal transmission and reinforcement for over a dozen unattended relay towers scattered across the plains. It also supplied power to the southern districts of Luan City, making it vitally important.
Besides Gerlin, two other tower keepers worked here—one on the night shift, the other out inspecting the relay towers on the plains.
Below the technical staff, the tower’s lower levels housed a small garrison of ten fully armed “tower guards” responsible for security. The tower itself was protected by a magical shield. All of this ensured the safety of the magic network on the northwest frontier.
Gerlin knew that more personnel would be added soon, which would make the place livelier.
“People who can skillfully operate these magical devices are hard to find…” he muttered, pressing the inspection confirmation button on the terminal to send a safety signal back to the control center, shaking his head. “Hopefully they’re graduates from Cecil Academy…”
The aroma of crisp, toasted flatbread wafted in, making Gerlin’s stomach rumble. He stood and headed toward the warming tray.
As someone who disliked socializing, he usually ate breakfast alone. Only at dinner, when all three tower keepers were present, would he join the tower guards downstairs for a meal.
But just as he rose, a shadow suddenly flickered past the window, catching his attention.
“By the Goddess of Magic! Please don’t tell me a whole flock of pigeons just pooped on the amplifiers?!”
Gerlin hurried to the window, craning his neck to scan the distant sky. No troublesome pigeons in sight—but instead, several huge raptors, eagle-like and majestic, soared higher and higher into the rising sun, heading east.
And faintly, he could make out humanoid shapes riding on their backs.
For a few stunned seconds, Gerlin stared, then realized what these unfamiliar birds were—the giant eagles of the Elven race, mentioned in recent notices and stories he’d only heard of before.
Snapping out of his shock, Gerlin rushed back to the workbench and used the magic network terminal to contact the central control. The internal channel connected almost instantly, and a young woman with flaxen hair appeared in the holographic projection.
“This is Luan Hub Tower,” Gerlin reported quickly. “Just witnessed Elven giant eagles entering our territory. Please notify the lord.”
“Received. Thank you for the report.”
After ending the call, Gerlin exhaled deeply. Thankfully, he hadn’t missed this sighting. Though he knew nearby watchtowers would also notice the Elven eagles, he didn’t want any mistakes on his part.
Returning to the window, he glanced once more at the sky where the eagles had flown. Their speed was incredible—within minutes, the massive shapes had shrunk to tiny dots, soon lost in the backlight of the rising sun.
Gerlin withdrew his gaze, but then his eyes caught the slowly moving magical apparatus outside. His expression froze.
…No wonder they’re giant eagles—the “weight” of their mess is definitely more than pigeons!
The tower keeper stared in disbelief at the “giant eagle leftovers” on the amplifier arms, suddenly feeling that this bright summer morning wasn’t quite so perfect after all.
Back at his desk, he pulled out a sheet of stationery and began writing rapidly. Compared to the terminal’s keyboard, this former scribe still preferred traditional pen and paper:
“To the Cecil Institute of Magical Technology and the Bureau of Magical Application Design:
“…It is recommended to add protective covers to outdoor high-altitude magical devices, or install full-area shields atop elevated facilities. Bird interference is a persistent nuisance, especially their droppings…”
A sudden whiff of something burnt hit Gerlin’s nose, making him jump.
“Ah—my breakfast!!”
Now, this clear summer morning was truly not so pleasant.
Below, vast plains and forests rushed past. Rivers and lakes sparkled like scattered jewels across the endless land. Cities and villages dotted the landscape between mountains and waterways, connected by broad roads like arteries linking every settlement. The entire southern border stretched out like a radiant canvas, each inch bursting with the vibrant life of midsummer.
The giant eagles soared overhead, the world below reflected in their keen eyes.
Thanks to druidic magic, the eagles’ vision was shared with the forest children riding on their backs.
“That wizard tower we just passed looked strange,” an Elven ranger said, turning to a nearby companion. Their unique elven magic smoothed the high-altitude winds, shielding them from the gale and muffling the noise so they could talk easily. “It didn’t match the style of the Four Kingdoms—or even the Violet Order. And the crystal on top seemed to be constantly releasing energy, but I couldn’t detect any specific spell effects.”
“The Duchess Victoria mentioned there are many strange things in these southern lands,” another ranger called out from the other side. “Supposedly all brought here by Duke Galvin Cecil.”
A messenger guarded in the center sighed, “I’ve never met that famous human duke. When he ‘died in battle,’ I was still with my mentor.”
“I saw him once—from afar, during the oath-taking before the Grant Wall. I was a guard then, but I doubt he remembers me.”
“No doubt about that—your face isn’t exactly memorable…” someone teased.
Sonia Frostleaf listened quietly, her gaze fixed on the land below.
Her eyes glowed faintly white, sharing the eagle’s vision through the spell.
“Look at all these new roads… all these expanding cities… and those strange machines in the fields. Incredible, truly incredible,” Sonia murmured in wonder. “The human nobles in Silverkeep said the southern border was abandoned for a century… but now it’s reviving at an astonishing pace.”
A ranger nearby asked with concern, “High Messenger, how’s your eagle doing?”
Sonia stroked the feathers of her giant eagle mount and nodded. “Gugu’s doing well. She says she feels much better now.”
“Gugu might be a bit unsettled,” another messenger said. “After all, this is the north. Giant eagles aren’t used to it here, so occasional stomach troubles are normal. But things are already much improved—we’re at least not here in the coldest winter.”
“Weather even giant eagles can’t handle…” Sonia shook her head. “I really don’t know what’s so great about the north…”
Just then, the lead Elven ranger shouted, “High Messenger, it’s time to head south!”
At their masters’ command, each giant eagle let out a loud cry, and the entire formation turned southward in perfect unison.
It was the 30th day of Fire Moon, Ansu Year 737.
The Elven messengers had arrived in the southern borderlands.
(End of chapter)