Page 134 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“Didn’t youjustget fined for illegal use of the Crystal Cast Network?” Julian asked, sounding concerned but intrigued.
“Yes, which is why I’m only telling North Sumbria, Peldeep, and Nilheim. Everyone else can hear it the old-fashioned way.” I closed my eyes, not because I needed to in order to activate the crystal but because I was thinking about all the things I might want to add to this particular Cast.
My first since being discovered.
CHAPTER 74
Every Reason He Adored Her
Julian
Julian didn’t like the look of the mysterious ball of fire three times as large as any star that shone overhead, but seeing Gerda nonplussed alleviated some of his worries.
“I can’t believe we actually get to watch Madame Potts make a Cast,” Sir Tully exclaimed.
Visha shushed the human.
The troll bit her lip while she thought.
“Alright,” Gerda said, opening her eyes as the crystal in her hands lit up with a sharp white light that warred with the soft yellow magic lights they were using to see by. She smiled and pitched her voicejustso.
“Hello, everyone, this is your friendly neighborhood Madame Potts.
My apologies for the late-night Cast, but as you can all see, we have an impending magical disaster approaching from the eastern sky. Luckily, it is being handled with care by a professional. You can go about your nights simply appreciating the cosmic phenomenon.
Peldeep is looking for a new assistant guild master for their adventuring guild. Congratulations, Gemma, on your promotion. And I wish you and your new househusband a fine Happily Ever After.
In exciting news, the identity of the mysterious and enigmatic Madame Potts has finally been discovered. That’s right, folks, my secret identity has been revealed to the public. Ifyour assassins could please schedule attacks between four and seven p.m. on Monday evenings, and Thursdays from eleven to noon, it would be much appreciated. Thank you.
The Continental Council has ruled I may only Cast portents in realms that give me leave, which is currently Nilheim, Peldeep, and North Sumbria. So please tell your family and friends who live abroad that Servalt is going to have a drought next year, and they should start preparing now.
There’s going to be a rockslide where the Baldorin Mountain Range meets the Galer Plain. And later this week, Drendil will have the chance to see a pod of rainbow whales off the western coast.
Should anything happen to the whales, it will go very, very poorly. I’m talking to you, Pirate Abra. Don’t do it.
Have a good rest of your evening, all,
Madame Potts, signing off.”
The entire time Gerda spoke into the crystal, she had this sassy smile that melted Julian’s heart. She was funny and brilliant and beautiful. Her voice carried her personality through the Cast, but watching her tease the entire continent with a straightforward ruthlessness brought back every reason he adored her.
“So, who is dealing with the star?” Sir Tully thrust a thumb over his shoulder at the comet.
“A very powerful if irksome mage,” Gerda told the human, putting away her crystal. “He’s been preparing all year, and I think he’s pretty much ready to go. Honestly, the comet was a side quest I rushed through to unlock other routes because it committed the greatest fantasy sin.”
“What?” Julian asked, not entirely sure what she meant but wanting to hear more anyway. From her hints, he’d already figured out who the mage was.
“Math.”
There was a pause.
“Math?” Jeffry asked, affronted. “But math is the foundation for our magical system, the basic underlying principle of our reality and our place within it. It cannot be a sin.Math is life itself.”
“So says the party strategist.Of courseyou like math.” Gerda shook her head. “I respect the art. I am even good at it. I love baking, and I understand the importance of managing mana costs. I have even gamed the tax system … but when a handsome mage is trying to tell me about the ratio of an angle of a line for a world-saving arcane magical weapon, it is going in one ear and out the other.”
“You think Thomas is handsome?” Julian raised an eyebrow at that.
“Skinny nerds aren’t my type,” Gerda replied. She looked Julian up and down before meeting his eyes. “I prefer someone with more muscle. And trauma.”
