How absurd.
'Arrogance', capable of destroying this land. And the Floating City, the only hope to stop 'Arrogance'.
The despair and hope of the world, which sound so grand just by words, are no larger than a pebble compared to the vast sky. How vain is this. That two celestial bodies less than a few kilometers across could bring a planet to ruin.
No, that's wrong. The planet does not perish. Only humans perish. Even if all humans die, even if a brilliant civilization is buried in the dirt, this Earth Mother will bury them in her bosom and give birth to her next child.
Humans were not chosen by the gods. They were simply lucky to be born and lucky to survive. Neither noble intentions, grand principles, nor divine providence are on the side of humanity.
So let us struggle pathetically. No intentions, no principles, no providence needed. Just to survive—that alone is enough.
"You're asking us to help?"
Injured from the battle with the Red Tower Master, the Green Tower Master lay in her sickbed. Currently, the Black Tower Master was nursing her. Even though her whole body was wrapped in bandages so pitifully, the Green Tower Master still welcomed the Blue Tower Master with a haughty attitude.
"To stop 'Arrogance', the cooperation of the five Tower Masters is necessary. Elliot, Lyne. Please cooperate."
"No."
The Green Tower Master said with a scowl.
"You refused Master's teachings yourself, so who told you to take on something you can't handle? Master didn't teach us the profound secrets of spatial magic because our understanding was still lacking. We were striving to at least catch up to Master's heels. Why should we listen to you, who gave up on that understanding?"
"...You never paid us any mind normally. Only calling for us when you need us. You're so selfish."
"Just hand over full authority to me. Then I'll stop the meteor or whatever. Your Unique Magic is useless outside the atmosphere, isn't it?"
Unlike the Blue Tower Master, who gave up halfway, the Green Tower Master and the Black Tower Master were still disciples of the Demon Lord. Possessing Unique Magics of the spatial attribute, the two continued their training under the Demon Lord's guidance. Though they seem like hothouse flowers, their understanding of space is superior to the Blue Tower Master's.
Perhaps that might be better. However.
"If handing over full authority will stop the meteor, I will gladly do so."
The Blue Tower Master admitted her incompetence but did not give up.
"However, Elliot, you are injured, and Lyne dislikes stepping in front of people. The Magic God Hall is out of control, and there are special existences like Hughes and Shei. Only I can coordinate all of this. I cannot entrust full authority to you."
"Then negotiations have broken down. Goodbye."
"I'm asking you anyway. Please help me. And the Magic Federation."
The Blue Tower Master bowed her head and asked. It was hard to believe this was the same person who was always cold and aloof. As the Blue Tower Master stepped forward, swallowing her pride, the Green Tower Master spoke with a slightly softened attitude.
"You said the meteor is falling on the Imperial Capital? I couldn't care less what happens to a nation of commoners like that. If they have the ability, they'll try to stop it themselves. The Magic Federation is safe."
"Chaos is like the wind. The chaos occurring in the Empire will cross the borders and invade the Magic Federation. Just like in the War of the Forbidden Gold in the past."
"Just like in the past, we just need to block it."
"That's right. But if we waste our time on such trivial and meaningless things, we will never reach the truth. We must find a more peaceful and rational method. Just as Master did at first."
The news that the Demon Lord was holding onto 'Arrogance' had also reached the Green Tower Master's ears. Having blocked the meteor from the Floating City, the Green Tower Master knew what an incredible feat that was. At her Master's sky-like achievement, she spoke with a proud expression.
"As expected of Master. To fix that meteor in orbit all by yourself. I can't even fathom how powerful a Unique Magic and outstanding brain one must have to make that possible."
She wore a hazy expression as if dreaming, but it was only for a moment. The Green Tower Master soon returned with venomous eyes.
"If Master said he would drop it, he must have a good reason. I don't see why I should stop it."
"It's simple. It's because Master wishes for us to stop it."
Actually, this was a fabrication.
The Demon Lord did not speak his mind. I could not read his thoughts either. His Unique Magic distorts space, pushing even my mind-reading out of reach.
I still don't know what the Demon Lord is thinking. However, there are only two clearly established facts.
The Demon Lord has supported 'Arrogance' so that it wouldn't fall until now.
And now, he acts as if he doesn't care whether 'Arrogance' falls or not.
Honestly, I don't know his intentions either. His inner thoughts are black and insidious. He is someone whose true motives are harder to read than anyone else's, except perhaps for Shei.
However, the Blue Tower Master chose to believe in the Demon Lord in a way that suited her.
"Master taught us spatial magic. He designed the Floating City and gathered many magicians within it. This was to build strength to fight against 'Arrogance'. Just as Master has always done."
"Hmm."
"And, this is also a test. Gravity magic, which was close to a mystery until recently, has already entered the realm of magic. There are many magicians approaching spatial magic as well. Now it's our turn to repay Master."
Hearing it spoken of as the Demon Lord's achievement, the Green Tower Master's attitude noticeably softened. She is a disciple of the Demon Lord. Following her Master is a disciple's duty.
"Hmph. It's not like I'm working under you."
"Thank you. That's enough. I appreciate your dedication."
Bowing gracefully, she then looked at the Black Tower Master. The Black Tower Master flinched at the Blue Tower Master's serious face.
"Lyne. Your help is needed too."
"Uh... Yeah... I'm a set with Elliot... So there's no need to ask..."
"Even so, your power is needed. The Vanishing Point came closest to gravity magic. This plan cannot be established without you."
"Ugh..."
Unaccustomed to receiving attention, the Black Tower Master shrank back considerably. Despite feeling burdened, her expression softened slightly at being told she was absolutely necessary.
"Yeah. Got it..."
"Thank you. I will definitely repay your favor."
The Blue Tower Master, gripping Lyne's hand tightly, nodded with a refreshing smile. Even though she's a woman, the movement gave off a strong prince-like vibe. The exact opposite style from the greasy and smooth-talking me. I should watch and learn.
"There happen to be clerics here, so I'll ask them to treat you. Divine power is the best for quickly erasing burns or scars you just received. I'll send a calibrated resonance crystal soon, so let's contact each other through that."
The Blue Tower Master, who took care of even the smallest details without missing any, now moved to head out. The Green Tower Master, who had been staring at the Blue Tower Master's back until just before she left, asked out of pure curiosity.
"Elisia. Why are you going that far? The affairs of that distant Lower World shouldn't be any of your business, no matter what happens."
The world will fall into chaos, and the Magic Federation will be attacked too. There were many reasons, but the Blue Tower Master's reason for acting like this was simple. It was because she could not tolerate people dying because of 'Arrogance'.
Stopping 'Arrogance' is something one must risk their life for. Why go out of her way to do it? The Green Tower Master asked for that reason.
The Blue Tower Master answered that question honestly.
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"Because if we, who are superior, don't take care of them, they will disappear far too vainly and transiently."
Certainly, internal matters of the Floating City should be handled by insiders. For an outsider like me, regardless of the inside story, there's a lack of trust to begin with.
When the capable gain the will, everything proceeds smoothly.
"The Green Tower Master and the Black Tower Master will help us. The remaining one is the White Tower Master. Shei?"
Shei answered immediately.
"I just met the Cardinal. Ruel isn't on the Floating City, but he'll help us from the ground."
"Thank you. The only one left is Hwaran, but since she's receiving compensation from Master, it would be difficult to contact her right away. I've sent an official document to the Five Towers via the Avant-garde, so that's taken care of."
The Blue Tower Master possessed a rare talent unbecoming of a magician. That was sociability. Having actively engaged in external activities and built various connections, she easily gathered the power of the Floating City together.
"There's one thing left. The Magic Masters who came from the Celsius territory."
"...Yeah. I kept that in mind."
"The current acting Head is Blue Tower Master's older sister, right? That works out perfectly. Shall we go coordinate opinions?"
"You have terrible taste, Hughes. You enjoy putting me in difficult spots, don't you."
"Huh? What do you mean? A family reunion is always a joyous occasion."
"That's exactly the point."
Oh. Speak of the devil.
Elsia Celsius. The acting Head of the Celsius family, and the one holding the key to the Family Heirloom Hall.
Before taking off, the Floating City brought every Magic Master they could immediately summon. The Magic Masters of the Celsius territory all boarded the Floating City. Although they were summoned without knowing why, no one hesitated to board the Floating City.
Especially Elsia Celsius strutted as if the Floating City were her own home. She haughtily walked up to the Blue Tower Master. The Blue Tower Master smiled with a mix of gladness and bitterness.
"You came."
"You don't even call me sister anymore, do you? Still as ill-mannered as ever."
After having a brief battle of wills, Elsia lifted her chin and said.
"You've become the Blue Tower Master, and although temporary, you're now the Chair of the Five Towers too. You've moved up in the world. I thought you'd forgotten about the Lower World since you never came to the territory."
"Like that could happen. I regularly send my regards to Mother."
"Out of obligation, you mean. Why didn't you come in person instead of just words?"
"I was busy. It's hard for the Blue Tower Master to leave her post privately."
"Is that all?"
Elsia and the Blue Tower Master were born from the same womb, and the two grew up studying under the same master. Even if the Blue Tower Master's talent was superior, the ability to read others' emotions could only be learned through experience.
An older sister is an older sister, no matter how much time passes. In front of Elsia, the Blue Tower Master returned to being Elisia Celsius. Not the cool and unhesitating Magic Master, but the careful and quiet child she once was.
"Because it's better for me not to be in a family where my older sister is."
The family has a Head. Only one Head can exist at a time. The next Head would be either Elisia or Elsia. And with high probability, it would have been Elisia.
Then Elsia would not become the Head. She would have to become a spare part for the family. Finding a smart and talented man to marry, bearing children, teaching them well. When she reaches a certain age, she would be forced to become a relic. As a woman, as a magician, and as a Magic Master, to leave behind achievements for the family.
Just like her father, who had become a relic.
It is the family tradition. It is something they did willingly. It was the wish of a Magic Master who wanted to leave behind his own achievements even in death, and he succeeded. Probably, Elisia would come to wish for that too. This land is the Magic Federation. A nation that performs an endless journey of building towers of knowledge. Everyone wishes to become a single brick building that tower. Since Magic Masters can leave behind their imagery, they have less fear of death.
However, Elisia did not desire her sister's death in any form. Even if it was tradition, and even if it became what Elsia wished for.
"Who cares about that kind of crap!!"
Elsia screamed loudly enough to make the corridor ring.
"Who are you to dictate my life? You are my younger sister. Not my parent, not my master! My younger sister! I am your older sister!"
Objectively and subjectively, Elisia is superior. She has more mana, and her Unique Magic is much stronger. One of the five pillars of the Floating City. The status of the Blue Tower Master is far higher than the Head of a prestigious Lower World family.
But when only the two of them are left. Only then is Elsia above her.
"The only thing you can do to me is tearfully say, 'Help me, sister'!"
Elsia worked hard for that. Because she didn't want to lose to her overwhelmingly talented younger sister, because she wanted to be needed. With that single thought, she learned magic and awakened her Unique Magic. She obtained the key to the Family Heirloom Hall.
And yet, until now, Elisia hadn't needed Elsia. Because she didn't want to create a situation where she would.
But.
The sisters looked at each other. There was the fuming older sister and the at-a-loss younger sister. For just this once, the younger sister needed her older sister's help.
"Help me, sister."
"Hmph!"
Having finally gotten the answer she wanted, Elsia crossed her arms and snorted. For just a snort, the smile settled on her face looked far too satisfied.
"You're very late. You should have told me way earlier."
"I didn't have time to come down from the Floating City."
"Not then, you idiot. Why are you so clumsy?"
Treating her younger sister like a total fool, Elsia covered her mouth with a fan and said.
"You must know by now. How much you lack and need help! You are nothing. Just a mere genius. Being a little smarter than others doesn't mean you can live on your own! You needed me too!"
"To you too, huh."
I heard you well.
At my muttering, Elsia glared at me viciously. Silencing me with just a look, she composed herself and bowed to the Blue Tower Master.
"Hmph. Please give me precise instructions. I will become a single brick to build the tower, using all my magic and knowledge."
The younger sister needed the older sister, and the older sister needed the younger sister. Having finally found her role as an older sister, Elsia stepped back with a full smile on her face.
Power gathers one by one. Though small and insignificant, it will pile up to become a giant tower. Elisia was feeling the power gathering by her side more than anyone else.
The power to overcome 'Arrogance'.
Hope is seen in a situation without certainty. Elisia opened her mouth.
"Hughes."
"Yes."
Is she going to thank me too? I didn't egg her on just to hear words of gratitude. Still, I should take what I can get. Why else does the saying 'a bow given deserves a bow received' exist? It feels good, so I'm receiving it, aren't I?
"Take responsibility."
"Pardon?"
What responsibility all of a sudden? I haven't entered into any contractual relationship with you yet, have I?
With a much more relieved face, Elisia leaned her back against the wall for a moment. She looked weaker than when she was full of confidence, but far more rewarding than back then.
"I have never tried to take any responsibility until now. Not for the family, not for my sister, not for magic, not for knowledge. Even now, I'm just doing it because I'm being pushed."
Maybe so.
The Blue Tower Master always stopped one step ahead. That unfinished story left a lump in her throat, and it still continues to this day.
"You were the one who pushed my back like that. You pushed the back of 'Arrogance' too. So, you must definitely take responsibility too. Help me with all your might. So that 'Arrogance' doesn't fall to the ground."
"Why so suddenly? I'm already doing that."
Pushing your back was the biggest thing I did. Once I push someone's back, see how many things get resolved? I chose the right person.
"Would I help with something like this for free if I weren't sincere from the start? Working without compensation. Doesn't it feel so sincere?"
"Thank you. Then I shouldn't give you any compensation, right? It would be an insult to your sincerity."
"No. That's not what I meant. If I actually leave empty-handed, we'll both feel shortchanged!"
"Hehe. I'll decide after seeing how you do. Want to come along? You and Lankart need to participate in the most important task."
Wait, it seems like I've been pushed just as much as I pushed her back. Is this action and reaction?
It can't be helped. I too must take at least the minimum responsibility for the things I've set in motion.