It was sudden, but not surprising.
The Red Tower Master's goal was to create the Eternal Flame, to raise the sun to the earth through means other than combustion reactions. And for that, space and gravity magic were essential.
The Red Tower Master had created the Demon God Temple for that very purpose and even armed the Demon King. There was no reason she wouldn't do the same to the Blue Tower Master.
The Blue Tower Master gripped the apple tightly and spoke.
"You cannot handle this."
"If you can, I can too."
"You cannot. Because you will take one step further."
There is no clear superiority between Tower Masters. At that realm, it is merely a difference in disposition and expertise, not a matter of someone being better or superior.
"The Eternal Flame you speak of. It collapses matter with immense gravity beyond the critical point to create energy, right? I know that too. And that requires incredibly delicate and precise calculations."
That was precisely why the Blue Tower Master could never accept the Red Tower Master's request.
She understood how dangerous this power was, and she also knew the Red Tower Master's personality.
"If you take even one step further by mistake, that power will swallow the world."
"If I succeed, that's enough."
"Show me the result. I'll do it if I judge it sufficiently viable."
"It's a dilemma. How do I show a result when I don't have that power?"
Of course, no matter how cooperative the Blue Tower Master was, there would inevitably be a difference between using it with her help each time and using it directly. For the Red Tower Master to obtain the Eternal Flame, she needed the Demon God. However, the Blue Tower Master would never hand over the Demon God.
"That is why I cannot give you the Demon God."
That was also the reason the Demon God had entrusted its power to the Blue Tower Master. If anyone was like Saint Rene, it was the Blue Tower Master—she would never take that final step.
The Red Tower Master muttered in a fading voice.
"I see."
"Yes. But I'm not saying I won't help you. Hwaran Fahrenheit. I too am looking forward to the Eternal Flame. If the Eternal Flame exists, even the Magic Federation could live without Rules."
The Blue Tower Master tried to coax her, but Hwaran was a human who had even dared to oppose the Demon King. The embers were still too hot for the Blue Tower Master's grasp to contain.
"I already have no Rules."
Along with Hwaran's words, scorching flames seized control of the space. Unique Magic Path, Ignition Origin. The power to control whether matter combusts or not. That immense concept spread, burning bricks, steel, and clothing alike.
"Hah!"
As if she had expected it, the Blue Tower Master reacted. The moment she picked up a pen and wrote in the air, ice flowed down. A mere bucketful of water boiled instantly upon contact with the flames, but the steam that spread in all directions condensed just like that and blocked the fire.
"Even with your power, you cannot burn ice. Combustion is combination with oxygen. Stop this useless effort."
"There is no such thing as a useless effort. Everything has meaning. Even if it burns to ashes."
Hwaran clenched her fist and created a small iron fragment with alchemy. Then she triggered an explosion with Ignition Origin and threw it straight at the Blue Tower Master. It was threateningly fast, but it was blocked by the Blue Tower Master's crystal barrier.
However, the iron fragment embedded in the barrier burned hotly and shone. And a loud explosion occurred. Blinding light filled the room, stealing vision in an instant.
The Blue Tower Master, who had closed her eyes in time, put on crystal sunglasses and judged.
'A bomb? No. Hwaran's ability doesn't need bombs! What she's after is my vision! What is she planning to do by blocking my vision?!'
There were still ice crystals around, and the apple was still in her hand. The Blue Tower Master gripped the Apple of Universal Gravitation, ready to counterattack at any moment. But Hwaran's target was not the Blue Tower Master.
It was me.
Mages' physical abilities aren't much, but there are exceptions among them. Hwaran Fahrenheit's specialty is the magical reactive armor wrapped around her entire body, and by using localized explosions, she can move her body to roughly the level of a Ki User. To withstand the recoil, Hwaran never neglected exercise and even learned Ki to a basic level.
Before I could even think, an arm wrapped around my neck. The sharp, stinging smell I felt seemed like it could catch fire and blaze at any moment. With her chest pressed tightly against the back of my head, it felt as if my entire body was surrounded.
This is, a hostage! To think she'd take me as a hostage!
"Or should I burn this man instead?"
Seeing the situation reversed in an instant, the Blue Tower Master spoke in a cold, sunken voice.
"...Hwaran. Let him go."
"I want to see your eyes. They were always cold, as if nothing was your concern. But right now, your voice is quite heated."
"I said let him go."
The surroundings sank faster and colder. The walls and floor froze, creating cracks like spider webs. Responding to the Blue Tower Master's anger, crystals created snowflakes everywhere.
"Hand over the Demon God. Then I'll hand him over."
"On what grounds."
"I suppose you don't believe I'd do something as stupid as killing a hostage."
If she killed me, Sheido Rankart would also seek revenge. That was why the Red Tower Master couldn't kill me. If she just received the Demon God, she would definitely release me.
'Hwaran's magical power is covering him. Hughes's entire body could burn in a single moment. Even if he survived, if Hughes's body burns...'
The Blue Tower Master, still not knowing my true power accurately, was worrying needlessly. Still, being worried about didn't feel too bad.
However.
Using me as a tool? That feels bad.
"Who said I'd burn quietly?"
I applied the Human Law.
I straightened my body. Just that alone lifted Hwaran's body up. At the sudden force that even a Ki User couldn't withstand, the reactive armor on various parts of Hwaran's body burst. However, even the stopping force from the explosions couldn't block me.
"Ugh!"
If she let go of me, that would be the end. Hwaran reflexively ignited the magical power she had scattered near my body. Her Unique Magic Path, Ignition Origin, made me and the magical power surrounding me into "something that burns."
The moment the changed rules cleared the space around my body. In an instant, my vision was dyed the color of flames.
"Hughes!!"
An urgent cry. Along with it, pouring water. But the flames that had already spread could not be extinguished with water. The flames spread as if someone was fanning them.
The Red Tower Master said with a troubled face.
"You brought this upon yourself."
"I'll return those words right back to you."
A calm voice felt amidst the burning heat. The moment the Red Tower Master panicked, I moved while riding the flames.
"Fire Punch!"
A punch wrapped in flames, with slight force adjustment added. Just that alone made the reactive armor react and explode. A large repulsive force was felt in my grip. At the same time, the Red Tower Master's body flew and crashed into the opposite wall.
"Maybe because my body is hot, I can't control my strength."
"Hughes! Are you okay?"
"I'm okay. This much is fine."
I said while extinguishing the flames on my body.
Stealing the Unique Magic Path.
I detonated the Ignition Origin one step ahead. Right above my skin. Fire is hot on top, but not very hot on the bottom, right? That's why hand-grabbing fire tricks are possible.
The Blue Tower Master, who had urgently approached, covered the remaining embers on my face with her hand and extinguished them.
"I didn't expect her to take you hostage."
"I didn't know either. She should have taken you hostage instead. Why me?"
"She doesn't care about means and methods. More importantly, you have burns on your face right now..."
Those aren't burns. They're frostbite.
Actually, just stealing the Ignition Origin made me a bit uneasy, so I covered my body with Determinism. But it seems my skin froze along with the steam.
It'll heal soon, though.
"...Are you healing?"
"This much will heal if I apply some saliva. Rather, you're the problem, Blue Tower Master."
You got burns from touching the embers. You're not even a Ki User.
The Blue Tower Master only then noticed the heated wound. It wasn't severe, but treatment was necessary since it might leave a scar. Then the Blue Tower Master's gaze suddenly turned to the area around my lips.
"Come to think of it, they said the saliva of the King of Beasts has a healing effect..."
At the suddenly recalled knowledge, the Blue Tower Master's face turned slightly red. She reached out her arm while slightly averting her gaze from mine.
"I-I think I'll heal if I apply saliva too. Can you... do it for me?"
Hmm. Wait a minute.
Come to think of it, what state am I in right now? I lost the power of the King of Beasts, but thanks to the Human Law, I have similar power. The Human Law is a power born from understanding concepts.
Then should I say I'm also a conceptual existence? Would my saliva heal too?
Probably not, but should I try? There's no particular harm in it.
"Let me try. Excuse me."
"Huh?! Y-yes. Please."
Perhaps she didn't expect me to accept so readily, the Blue Tower Master was flustered but extended her arm without resistance. The minor burns on her hand and arm seemed like they would subside quickly even without doing anything, but... well, it's better than getting a scar.
I brought my face close to directly touch my tongue to the inside of her arm. The Blue Tower Master covered her mouth with her other hand while looking at me with expectant eyes.
Like that, slowly. As I brought my tongue toward the increasingly reddening wound—
"Hughes! What's going on? Are you okay... huh?"
Of course. No matter what, that's still the case. An explosion occurred, so of course they'd come. Absolutely.
I was caught red-handed on the scene by Shei, who had come running upon hearing the sounds of fighting. Shei, who appeared tightly gripping Cheon-aeng and Ji-jan, shouted upon seeing my appearance.
"Hughes, what are you doing to Elisha!"
And a moment later, the Sword Empress appeared silently from behind. Having followed after seeing her disciple running somewhere, she asked.
"Disciple. What's going on?"
"M-Master! Don't look! This is shameful!"
Shei tried to cover the Sword Empress's eyes, but even that was reacted to by the Sword Empress's Heavenly Astrolabe.
Heavenly Astrolabe, Heavenly Eye.
Her pupils moved rapidly, capturing me, the Blue Tower Master, and the red marks on the Blue Tower Master's skin. Reaction also stems from sensation. The Sword Empress, who had raised all her nerves with the Heavenly Astrolabe, captured all information in her vision in an instant.
Having instantly grasped the situation, the Sword Empress answered casually.
"She's applying saliva to a wound. What's wrong with that?"
"Huh?"
"It happens often. It's not shameful."
Oh, finally a normal response appeared. Right, that's how it is! If someone's putting their tongue on a wound, it's 'common sense' that they're trying to heal it, isn't it?
I agreed with those words.
"Shei is the weird one. Your reactions are always excessive. Please learn from your master."
"You...!"
Why are you looking at me with aggrieved eyes? What's so unfair? I'm the one who's aggrieved here.
If I was trying to do something shameful, it's unfair to be interrupted, and if I was purely trying to heal, it's unfair to have my intentions misunderstood. I'm the victim no matter what!
It was then. The moment the Sword Empress, who had been standing calmly, 'saw' something, she moved like lightning. Grabbing Shei's shoulder, slightly pulling her and switching positions, she stood as if protecting Shei.
Right after the pressure felt behind her, there was a loud boom, a massive explosion sound.
A roar. Explosion. Falling debris. Even as my ears went deaf, I succeeded in hiding the Blue Tower Master beneath me. The shockwave and debris swept over my body, but thanks to the Human Law, it didn't even hurt much.
"Cough, cough. What happened?"
"It's the Red Tower Master. She seems to have come to her senses."
Mages normally cannot exert their full power. If they draw out the full power of their Unique Magic Path, their own bodies become endangered by the aftermath. It's not for nothing that relics are said to be better than mages.
However, the Red Tower Master, who had already been knocked out of the fight, apparently didn't need to consider that, or perhaps she did it trusting in her reactive armor. The moment she came to her senses, she completely blew up one wall and fled. The shock must have been quite significant, but she managed well.
If I hadn't seen the Sword Empress, I might not have reacted either.
"That was dangerous, disciple."
"...Ah, Master. Thank you!"
"It was what I had to do."
The Sword Empress said so with a proud expression and stroked Shei's head. Shei felt that touch with a satisfied face, while glancing at me and the Blue Tower Master with strangely dissatisfied eyes.