Even after Basil left, I had no time to rest. The butler opened the door and came in, delivering the news I had been waiting for.
"The development of Solet New Town has been completed. We are about to survey the land for the store building."
I smiled, pleased with the news, and put a shawl over my dress. "Good. Then I'll have to go myself."
Finally, it was time for the main event of the day!
Soon after, I arrived at a forest road in Solet New Town. I stood on the site where the stationery store would be built and looked around.
"Right here."
Cassian had kept his promise. The land he provided was a site located in the middle of a preschool and an orphanage. I carefully inspected the spacious land and the area where the terrace would be built.
'A new beginning! This is going to be so much fun!'
Finally, a new stationery store would be created in this space. Once the building was complete, it would be able to give wonderful dreams and hope to children who didn't attend the academy.
'It's going to be so interesting to research what these children like.'
As I was happily inspecting the land, I felt a presence and looked up. Sure enough, a group of wizards was walking toward me. They were holding tape measures and magical tools, as if they were about to survey the land for the stationery store.
"Hello!" they greeted me warmly.
"Hello, Meldenik! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Hello. Don't mind me; I'll just watch for a bit and then leave," I replied.
"Yes, of course!" they said with a salute.
"Have a good day," I said, and the conversation ended neatly.
As I tried to straighten my shawl, which was being ruffled by the wind, a hand gently and neatly arranged the fabric for me.
"I was worried about you," a pleasant and familiar voice said in my ear.
I looked back and smiled brightly. "Isaac!"
"We're finally going to break ground."
I clasped his arm tightly. "That's right! Oh my goodness, I can't believe it! You told me it would take at least three years!"
"I told you it would be over soon," he said with a serene smile.
"But I didn't expect it to be shortened by more than a year!"
The rapid development of Solet New Town was due to the full support of the Mage Tower Lord, Isaac. Thanks to the abilities of the mages, the new city development plan was not only extremely fast but also a complete success.
'The water supply and sewage systems were built so quickly, and the overall development and remodeling progressed faster than expected. Magic is truly incredible.'
I frowned slightly. "Fortunately, the Mage Tower has also gained more recognition among the people of the Empire."
Cassian had solidified his imperial power with the success of the new city, Isaac had raised the public's awareness of the Mage Tower and earned a significant amount of money, and I had gained recognition, land, and buildings by participating in the development plan. All three of us had successfully achieved what we wanted.
Isaac nodded calmly, as if in agreement. "I didn't participate in the new city's development for the sake of the Mage Tower's recognition."
"You didn't? Then why?" I asked, but the end of the question trailed off as a memory from two years ago suddenly came back to me.
"Wait a minute..."
I had made a promise to Isaac two years ago. I had said I would think about marrying him once the Solet New Town development was complete!
'Am I really going to marry Isaac?'
'What?'
'Everyone in the Mage Tower is looking forward to us getting married once the new city is completed!'
'Who said that?'
'Henry and Carat. Is it just the children's wishful thinking?'
My face turned bright red as I remembered my conversation with the servant Rasmus. Isaac, who had his hand on my cheek, whispered softly, "Did you remember our promise?"
It was hard to say that I remembered, and it was hard to say that I didn't. Just then, the clock tower in the square rang, announcing noon.
"Isaac!" I grabbed his arm, my eyes wide. "We have somewhere to be."
Coincidentally, today was also the day of the graduation ceremony for my children at the Imperial Primary Academy in Maltend!
The graduation ceremony was at three o'clock in the afternoon. I had just enough time to get ready, but I also needed to bring someone with me!
Isaac and I used a teleportation scroll to quickly return to the Marquis of Kinnoa's residence. We strode up the three-story staircase, our destination being Dominic's room at the top of the mansion.
I took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door. "Dominic, may I come in?"
"Come in!" a cheerful voice replied from inside. I entered and saw him sitting with his back against the head of the bed.
"What are you doing?" I asked, walking over to him. I noticed a sword and several video spheres on his blanket. "A sword and videos?"
"Yes, I'm just watching them," he replied.
I looked at the video sphere he was watching. It showed a very familiar place and face. "That's the prison, isn't it? Sheria and Duke Hesman?"
"Yes. I put a watcher on all those bad guys," Dominic said with a shameless grin. "By the way, the second video next to it has Lady Hildegard and Duke Babyloa!"
Sheria and Hesman were official criminals, but Duke Babyloa and Hildegard were not. And I knew it would be difficult for them to rise to power again. I often received reports on their movements, but I didn't actively monitor them like Dominic did.
'Just as I expected, Dominic is always well-prepared.'
Dominic waved his hand over the video sphere. "Hildegard is still in a coma, and Duke Babyloa is locked in a room, suffering a complete mental breakdown. The spirits of the villains I locked in the swords are withering away day by day."
"Dominic, even the Devil would cry and leave you alone," I said, a bit shocked.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "If there's a problem, you have to deal with it right away, so you have to be prepared! It's one of my biggest pleasures these days."
I laughed at his unwavering determination and pinched his cheek. "You're just waiting for the day of summary disposal, aren't you?"
He had a bit of stubble, so it felt a little rough, but even that was cute.
"Ouch!" Dominic grabbed my finger, frowned, and rubbed his cheek.
"Are you watching those people because you're worried about me?"
"Well, I'm not really worried about you. It's just a hobby..."
"That's fine. Life is finite. If it's fun to watch those bad people, then keep doing it." I meant that he could do whatever he wanted.
Dominic, who quickly understood the meaning behind my words, replied sternly. "I will keep watching those bastards! And I'm also pursuing human hobbies. I even prepared the most expensive chessboard."
It was no exaggeration to say that Dominic was almost obsessed with chess these days. He loved to stay up all night, playing with the demons and acting like an aristocrat in a fancy tailcoat.
"Good for you," I said, a smile on my face. "But right now, I need your cooperation."
"Huh? Cooperation?" Dominic's eyes widened in bewilderment.
I giggled and held out my hand as if to shake his. "Yes. There's a place we need to go."
"Where are we going?" Dominic asked, glancing at the chessboard on his nightstand.
"My children's graduation ceremony, Dominic!"
Dominic took my hand in a daze. I shook it a few times, satisfied.
"Shall we go now?"
"Yes, we should go soon. We might be late."
A familiar voice came from behind me. "Isaac?" I asked, surprised. When did he get here?
Isaac, standing in the doorway, whispered softly, "Are you both ready?"
"Yes."
"Hurry up!"
My and Dominic's voices echoed in the room like a chorus as we replied to Isaac.