Though I’m a Homebody, I Found Myself in a Dark Captive Genre

“Uhhhhhh!”

“Our… our core…!”

“Noooooooo!”

The wails of the wizards could be heard.

At the same time, I locked eyes with the Duke, who was standing a little farther away.

I could clearly see his gaze moving from my face to the hammer in my hand.

Soon, one of his eyebrows raised. I flinched and lowered my head.

He must have heard through Liam that I was holding the hammer… But I guess he didn’t expect me to suddenly break the core.

I dropped my hand holding the hammer and slowly stepped back.

The core, which had been hit by a huge shock, wobbled unstably.

“What is this? Duke Blaire, did you order this? We only requested cooperation!”

The Archmage, who had been standing dumbfounded, shouted and ran toward the core.

He seemed at a loss, staring at the core, which appeared even more unstable than before.

I interrupted before any more trouble could fall on the Duke.

“No, no. This has nothing to do with His Grace…”

“Get out of the way, you little rat! I’ll summon hellfire and roast you! Do you think you’ll get away with this?”

The Archmage was trembling with rage, his beard shaking, and it looked like he was about to unleash a spell from his staff.

Then, his expression fell into despair as he lowered his head.

“Why… Why would you do this?”

Before speaking, I slowly looked around.

Other wizards were glaring at me as if I were some sworn enemy.

The Duke, the only one not reacting, remained calm and collected.

I met his unwavering eyes and slowly opened my mouth.

“Well, um…”

“Well?”

“That is…”

The hesitation was short. Before the Archmage could raise his voice again, I squeezed my eyes shut and stammered out my excuse.

“I, I heard the core… talking to me…”

‘This is bad.’

I knew this flimsy excuse would never work.

But the arrow had already left the bow, and I had no choice but to continue.

“The core… it, it told me… to break it… to break it… it said that…”

There was a large window next to me that offered a view of the outside.

I barely resisted the urge to throw myself out that window when I heard a voice, incredulously asking,

“Do you seriously think that makes any sense?”

Of course, it doesn’t.

I bit my lip.

‘Please, hurry…!’

Glancing at the core, it still wobbled unsteadily but appeared to be okay for the moment.

However, an unexpected change occurred not long after.

“Do you know how many wizards have poured their magic into repairing the core? This is not something we can let slide! If the core breaks, the Tower will…”

Rumble.

Just as the Archmage, who had been shouting at the Duke, took a step toward me, the building began to shake violently.

The flow of magic, filling the hall, was wild enough for even someone like me, with no magical talent, to feel.

At the same time, dust and small bits of stone from the ceiling fell and vanished in a swirl of violet magic.

“The, the core…!”

“The tower is collapsing!”

Someone shouted, and the room became chaotic for an entirely different reason.

Crack.

‘Did I mess up?’

I watched the core with tension, not letting my guard down.

The Duke, belatedly sensing the danger, was walking toward me.

‘Just a little more!’

The core, which had been cracking like an eggshell, soon shattered with a bright flash of light.

Completely.

* * *

“……”

“…God.”

The situation was so dire that even the majority of the atheistic wizards unconsciously turned to God for help.

Those who had closed their eyes due to the light from the core were now standing, stunned, in the quieted hall.

“Ha…”

Thud.

I slowly collapsed to the floor as I checked the state of the core.

The core, which had been trembling dangerously, was now floating calmly, showing a smooth surface as if it had never been damaged.

The shell on the floor slowly disintegrated into magic and dispersed like gas.

“This, what happened…?”

The magic flow, which had been fluctuating dangerously, was quickly restored.

The tower, which had seemed on the brink of collapsing, and the core, which had been close to exploding, were subdued. The strange atmosphere that had unsettled the wizards vanished in an instant.

Anyone with even a little magic could instinctively sense it.

“The core is restored!”

“Ha, haha…”

Judging that the crisis was over, the wizards either sighed in relief or cheered.

‘My legs are shaking.’

I stepped back slightly to avoid getting bumped by people rushing toward the core, and a large hand was extended toward me.

“Get up.”

It was the Duke, with an unreadable expression on his face.

“…Thank you.”

Not able to offer any excuse or explanation right away, I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

“Ha, haha. Well, it’s all settled now, right? I’m a bit tired, so I’ll head out first…”

I planned to leave the aftermath to the Duke, as drawing any more attention wouldn’t benefit me.

However, before he could respond, the Archmage, whose expression was one of profound gratitude, came over.

His previously aggressive attitude was now replaced by one of clear respect.

“How did you know?”

“I… I really heard a voice.”

Having missed the timing to escape and unable to lie while looking directly at his face, I turned my head, avoiding eye contact.

“Then, it really was because of Duke Blaire’s household that the core was revived?”

“That person must be the ‘One Who Hears the Voice of Mana,’ the one in a thousand-year legend!”

“…Pardon?”

Hearing the remarks from those around us, I could feel my face turning pale.

“Excuse me?”

“Yes! That’s right! She must be the ‘Chosen One’ from the legends!”

Wait, what?

I couldn’t believe it.

The Archmage, who had been silent up until then, gave his verdict.

“It seems that my esteemed colleagues are right.”

The commotion in the room quickly died down.

“We owe a great debt to Lady April, who, along with Duke Blaire, visited the Tower. I wish to formally apologize for the earlier rudeness and express our heartfelt gratitude. Especially Lady…?”

“Please call me April.”

“Understood. Lady April.”

Gone was the earlier hostile attitude, and now the Archmage was bowing respectfully in front of me, someone much younger than him.

“We shall award Lady April the title of ‘Ear of the Tower’ and send the official documents to the kletan Empire.”

The Ear of the Tower.

Even someone like me, who despised troublesome things, understood the significance of that title.

Anyone who received a title from the Tower could receive its help three times in their lifetime, without any cost.

Since magic was not only convenient but also astronomically expensive, this was an invaluable benefit.

‘I didn’t expect things to get this big.’

I had intended to let the Duke handle everything, but now that wasn’t possible… Well.

‘I guess I shouldn’t turn down free things?’

I glanced at the Duke standing beside me.

Now that I had received a title from the Tower, maybe I could peacefully escape from my awkward coexistence with him?

Of course, I had been quite satisfied with life in the Duke’s domain, but who knows what the future holds? Having an insurance plan wouldn’t hurt.

“Thank you.”

Having quickly made up my mind, I bowed toward the Archmage.

“For now, let’s wrap up things here.”

At that moment, the Duke, who had been silent, spoke up.

I looked up, startled, as I wondered if he was going to take the title away from me, but he simply glanced at me with a matter-of-fact expression and then turned his attention back to the Archmage.

“The Tower has its own matters to settle, and we have our own. As for the title you wish to give Lady April, it need not be officially received. If it’s not a problem, please send it to the Duke’s domain.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace. I also apologize for the earlier misunderstanding. I failed to properly grasp the situation.”

The atmosphere had warmed quickly, and I became acutely aware of my still-thumping heart.

‘If this ends so quickly, other problems will probably pile up…’

I hoped it was just my imagination.

After completing my task, I hurriedly followed the Duke, who had already turned and walked away.