◈ Episode 356. I Can See Everything
I guarantee it: I’m not going to live out my natural lifespan.
‘There was no need to say that out loud!’
Of course, that too must have been something I said because I was faithfully following procedure.
You know, the next Tower Master candidate quest.
If you looked at its contents, from the Gentle Giant to that damned Black Dark Dragon.
All of them had been nominated under their epithets.
‘It’s a huge relief their full names didn’t show up, but…….’
Even so, for me to say it with my own mouth.
To claim to be the Black Dark Dragon was still nothing but agony.
Naturally, my shameless face was still maintaining its poker face.
In order to handle the reactions that would pour out from now on.
It was important not to lose my composure.
“……
What did you just say?”
A voluntary withdrawal from a next Tower Master candidate, no less.
At my declaration, Sapphire Hall, which had already been stirring, grew even noisier.
But if there was one thing different from before.
“W-withdrawal, you say?!”
“Senior Bensch, even if you grab me and shake me, I really don’t know anything……!!”
“Then what on earth do you know, Bangrit?”
“Well, the result of Senior Bensch’s next application to leave the tower?”
“Wh-what? How do you know that……!”
It was that even the Magic Tower, which had been trying to maintain its composure despite its bewilderment—and among them, even the executives—were being shaken. Yugweed could not be an exception to that.
Yugweed cautiously spoke to me.
“Could it be that you are angered because I teased you, Chief Lee?”
When she called me the next Tower Master, it did annoy me a little.
But no matter what, would that really be the reason?
Do you still not know Granfell?
‘If I moved according to my mood, you see.’
I don’t know about anything else, but Raymon Sean and Tianxia Tongyi would already no longer be of this world. From the perspective of me, Lee Hoyeol, who was no saint, those bastards had crossed the line by a long, long way.
But they were still alive and well, weren’t they?
What did that mean?
It meant that none of Granfell’s actions contained any petty personal emotions.
“No mere emotion can move me.”
“Then why do you offer your resignation from the next Tower Master election……?”
“Because I witnessed a loophole in the Magic Tower’s rules.”
“……!!!”
Yes.
As I had said time and again, for Granfell’s pride to be stirred, that damned justification was more important than anything.
It was not a Duel of Proof that I could refuse simply because I wanted to, and it also meant that even if I had no interest in becoming the next Tower Master, I could not withdraw from the candidates as I pleased.
At that point, Marcelo asked.
“Chief Lee Hoyeol, I will ask on behalf of the Magic Tower.”
I nodded.
‘Of course, you’re more than qualified to represent it.’
A moment ago, Yugweed had been stripped of her position as an Elder Mage. Therefore, at the present moment, the highest-ranking people in the Magic Tower were the co-chiefs: Marcelo and me.
“I formally raise the question of what loophole you witnessed.”
Murmur, murmur—
First an Elder Mage, and now even a co-chief. With incidents and accidents endlessly occurring, from the perspective of those watching, I must have looked like a hot potato, a troublemaker.
However.
I had even seen through Yugweed’s true intentions.
There was no way I would fail to notice Marcelo’s.
‘You’re setting the stage for me, Marcelo.’
So I could not be flustered, nor was I flustered.
As if Sapphire Hall had become a lecture hall.
I walked leisurely and opened my mouth.
“Do you remember the battle between Yugweed and me?”
They seemed to understand my intention.
Sapphire Hall once again began to change into a battlefield.
At that point, I looked at Yugweed.
“The magic Yugweed manifested during the Duel of Proof was highest-tier magic, powerful enough to evaporate several cities, large and small. Its aftermath must have reached you as well.”
Yugweed shrugged.
Since it had been a planned action, it was only natural that she would not make excuses.
I had no intention of criticizing Yugweed for that either.
“The act of manifesting highest-tier magic inside the Magic Tower cannot be overlooked, regardless of its purpose. Even if it was in the middle of a Duel of Proof on which one had staked everything, it means there can be no exception to the punishment.”
Yugweed nodded as though she agreed.
As for that matter, Marcelo, who was listening.
And the audience in Sapphire Hall as well.
They seemed to have nothing to say.
In the silence.
Click—
I stopped walking and stretched out my hand.
“Then it is only natural for you to have a question. How was I able to receive the highest-tier magic Yugweed manifested without violating the rules?”
Shing—!
With my straightened hand, I drew Gwicheol from my waist.
From the audience.
Among them, the players began to murmur.
“……
Holy shit, that was swordsmanship?!”
“It wasn’t just swordsmanship, it was that, an Ego Sword!”
“Can an Ego Sword transform into a dragon too?!”
“You idiots, he’s obviously just giving an example.”
The last statement was correct.
‘I’d like to give him a praise sticker.’
In truth, for an intuitive explanation, it would have been easiest to activate [Legend, Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol] again. However, if a [Legend] with such an absurd effect could be used at any time, there would be no greater balance breaker.
[Legend, ‘Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol’: 5 hours 50 minutes]
It was because of the cooldown.
Therefore, it meant I had no choice but to use Gwicheol, which was also legendary, as an example instead.
Although I had such unavoidable circumstances.
I calmly raised Gwicheol.
“It is because I did not use magic.”
Swish—
I lifted Gwicheol.
—Master, am I to cut magic itself today?
That’s not it, so don’t misunderstand, Gwicheol.
‘This is closer to a lecture than a battle.’
Swoosh—
When Gwicheol was swung with its destructive power appropriately adjusted, a sharp yet deeply gouged sword mark appeared on the battlefield. As if lightning had flashed and thunder followed belatedly.
Rumble, rumble, rumble—!
A deafening roar filled Sapphire Hall.
As expected, murmuring could be heard.
This time, not from the players but from the Magic Tower’s side.
“S-so……. You overwhelmed Lady Yugweed’s highest-tier magic with a method other than magic, right? Does that even make sense, Jibril—……!”
“He’s looking this way because of you. Shut up for a moment, Linne.”
“Ahh…….”
It wasn’t as though I had been trying to boast.
‘This damned posture is the problem. The posture.’
Because of my upright posture, there was no denying that it might look like self-praise.
But it was not as if this attitude had begun only yesterday or today.
And right now, this was not a place where anyone could point out that I was arrogant.
“As you all know, the Magic Tower is exceedingly closed off. It means that this golden tower built by magic has not allowed even the slightest influence from the outside. Whether that was a gain or a loss, I will not judge. However, in the Duel of Proof, in the rules, there existed a clear loophole.”
Marcelo added to my words.
“That is correct. According to the rules, the manifestation of mid-tier or higher magic is strictly forbidden in a Duel of Proof……. But there is no particular stipulation regarding other means and methods that are not magic.”
From now on, the Magic Tower would slowly begin to unlock its bolts for the sake of complete openness.
The players would gradually come to learn about the Magic Tower’s rules as well.
In that sense, the 『Duel of Proof』 was dangerous.
Considering the pride of magicians, there would be many cases where they would easily fall for the players’ provocations. And if a player with impure intentions used the loophole in the rules to resort to cowardly means?
‘Facing a magician forbidden from manifesting mid-tier or higher magic would be nothing. If there are no restrictions on means and methods, it would be a piece of cake for the players.’
It meant they could lose the duel.
‘Society, you see, isn’t overflowing with dreams and hopes like that.’
A flower garden itself.
I did not know what Granfell thought, but I, who had been worn down by society as one of its members, knew. Players who would take the Magic Tower’s goodwill as a right—no, something beyond even that—and exploit it?
Honestly, there would be plenty.
For such people.
The sight of the Magic Tower being reduced to ruins?
“Therefore, as Chief, I formally propose this.”
As the Chief of the Magic Tower, I could not stand by and watch.
“That the Magic Tower establish new rules befitting a new era.”
At that moment, my vision flickered.
[Quest: Reconstruction of the Magic Tower]
The true nature of the contradiction that existed in the Tower of Magicians.
Now that even the Magic Tower’s purpose of pursuing truth has become impure.
Set the Magic Tower right from its very foundation.
A message saying that I had taken one more step toward the complete reconstruction of the Magic Tower.
‘By the way.’
Back when I had become co-chief of the Magic Tower through Marcelo’s parachute appointment.
The memory of losing sleep for days just to fully familiarize myself with the Magic Tower’s rules came vividly back to me. The books filled only with rules were more voluminous than most complete book sets.
‘When would I ever rebuild all of that?’
It went without saying, but I had no intention of taking on such a heavy, no, overwhelming task. I had even less leeway for it. So at that point, I brought up the main point once more.
“Therefore, in a moral sense.”
Even if no one explained it, one could tell by looking back on the Tower Master’s schemes.
Revising the Magic Tower’s rules was something only the Tower Master could lead. In other words, newly revising the Magic Tower’s rules would become the role of the next Tower Master.
“I will withdraw from my position as a next Tower Master candidate.”
That was precisely the reason I had even brought up morality to express my resignation as a Tower Master candidate……! Still, at times like this, Granfell truly benefited from his strict, stringent adherence to rules.
If nothing else, when it came to rules.
The Magic Tower knew Granfell’s temperament better than anyone.
And so did the players.
“……
But is that really enough to withdraw?”
Even if there were occasionally those who had not grasped the situation.
“If he acknowledged victory, then it would mean he won by using an improper method. You think Lee Hoyeol of all people would acknowledge that? Can’t you tell from how he’s lived without a single shred of shame?”
“As expected, the whole duel was to show the contradiction!”
“Come to think of it, there wasn’t really any reason for them to duel each other……?”
They immediately withdrew their doubts.
Clack—
At that point, I returned Gwicheol to its sheath.
The scenery of Sapphire Hall returned to normal once more.
Yugweed whispered softly to me.
“You truly stand above even the top of this old woman’s head, Chief Lee.”
In the end, she burst into laughter and continued speaking.
“Then I shall have to revise my final farewell. I believe you will remain unchanged and live well, just as you do now, Chief Lee. If I cannot trust you, then I cannot trust anyone. Furthermore…….”
Yugweed’s gaze turned toward Marcelo, who still seemed not to have fully grasped the situation.
“Please take good care of our next little Tower Master, who is pure, yet whose abilities are unsurpassed. With your help, Marcelo will surely be able to fulfill the role of Tower Master.”
Yugweed had been stripped of her qualifications as an Elder Mage for violating the rules.
Naturally, a disqualifying reason had also arisen regarding her eligibility as a next Tower Master candidate.
In addition to that, I had morally withdrawn from candidacy.
Among the next Tower Master candidates, the only remaining choice was Marcelo.
It meant Marcelo would naturally become the next Tower Master.
I thought only Yugweed and I, who had schemes in mind, had noticed that fact.
But thanks to someone, everyone present soon realized it.
“……
Wait a minute!”
A rough voice suddenly rang out from the audience.
“Th-then the only next Tower Master candidate left is our Chief Marcelo, isn’t it? See, I knew it would turn out this way! The intuition of Lord Rockid, the god of Colosseum gambling, hasn’t died yet!!”
Thanks to Rockid, who had been thinking about gambling all day long.
Of course, Rockid’s delighted commotion did not last long either.
Who was I?
As I said.
A rule-abiding man as sharp as a blade.
“Shadow Mercenary Corps member, Rockid.”
“?!”
At my call, Rockid flinched and quickly fixed his posture.
At this point, words were unnecessary.
I quietly brought a finger to my lips.
Shh.
Silence.
Even if we were to write new rules.
Basic etiquette would not change.
*
Tianxia Tongyi, Chongqing Branch.
Duu—
The man clicked his tongue at the dial tone that continued without any promise of ending.
“What are they doing at such an important time?”
The general meeting was right around the corner.
Yet he could not get in touch with the Tianjin branch head, with whom he had to coordinate their stories.
At first, he wondered whether Tianjin was betraying him.
But no matter how much he thought about it, there was no reason for that.
“Are we not people gathered for the sake of our lord?”
It may have been extreme.
But the fact remained that it had been an action born from loyalty toward their lord. Even if they told the truth, their lord would punish the informer more severely.
Everyone in Tianxia Tongyi knew that because they had seen it happen.
Duu—
“Then why is he not answering?”
Wondering if only his calls were being avoided, he had even contacted the Tianjin branch.
From the executives to the lowest ranks, there was not a single person he could reach.
At this rate, it was as if…….
“Did they soar into the sky, or sink into the ground?”
If neither was the case…….
“Did they get unlucky and get caught up in a rift?”
Just in case, the man had also checked news of rift observations. However, there had been no news of a rift forming in Tianjin—not from his homeland, not from the update details, and not from the AAU’s notices.
Then another possibility came to mind.
“……
An attack?”
He shook his head.
Tianxia Tongyi was surrounded by enemies on all sides, but.
No matter how he thought about it, it made no sense.
This was not the Zero Mountains; this was Tianjin.
“Unless they were insane.”
Who would dare attack Tianxia Tongyi’s home ground?
“It seems my nerves have grown sharp as well.”
He was having all sorts of useless thoughts.
It had truly been a long time since Tianxia Tongyi’s general meeting.
Because he knew the weight of the matters discussed at the general meeting.
His nerves must already have been on edge.
Duu—
It was the moment the dial tone began to stretch on again.
Bang!
The door suddenly opened.
Had his secretary brought news?
Without even giving a glance, the man asked.
“Has there been a reply from the Tianjin branch?”
But there was no answer.
When he turned his head, no one was there.
Only then did the man notice that something was wrong.
‘……[Stealth]?’
Step, step.
At the same time, wet, sticky footsteps were approaching from the corridor.
At last, the owners of those presences revealed themselves.
Kinver, who calmly released [Stealth].
And.
Elsidore spoke dryly.
“Not in Guangzhou, not in Tianjin, and not in Beijing.”
“……
Ti-Tianjin? Gu-Guangzhou, Beijing?!”
“The five stars of the Supernova.”
It was not a threat, merely words.
“Where have you hidden the Five Stars, vermin?”
Yet the man’s vision flashed white.
[Status abnormality, ‘Fear,’ has occurred.]
...
Tianxia Tongyi’s Guangzhou, Tianjin, Beijing.
And Chongqing branches had fallen.
Elsidore and Kinver’s landing in China.
It had all happened in just thirty minutes.