◈ Episode 93. Everything According to Procedure (1)
“The crisis of the continent’s annihilation……”
Marcelo let out a low groan.
The World Tree, an existence he had regarded as legend.
The fact that it truly existed was astonishing enough.
Yet not only had Sir discovered that World Tree,
he had even returned after sprouting its seed.
And on top of that, he had formed a contract with a spirit in the process.
“Even I find it difficult to keep up with your steps, Sir.”
However, his overstatement did not last long.
Marcelo assessed the situation with a cool head.
“But it was an excellent decision. The World Tree of legend is an existence that regulates the Arcana World. The longer its absence continued, the stronger the demons’ forces would have grown, and those who resisted them would have lost more and more strength.”
Hoyeol had sprouted a new World Tree.
In other words, he had caused a seed of hope to bloom on the Arcana Continent. ‘This is an issue on an entirely different level from magical research.’ The fact that he himself had accomplished something so tremendous.
Did Sir Hoyeol know it?
Truly, it was an achievement worthy of being praised as a “feat” by everyone on the Arcana Continent. And yet the person in question was far too composed.
No, beyond that, he was no different from usual.
A thought occurred to Marcelo. ‘……Did he not think that far?’ Rather than being satisfied with the achievement he had accomplished,
Hoyeol looked as though he was more satisfied with this leisurely teatime.
Marcelo made up his mind. ‘Even if I end up leaving the impression that I am talkative.’ Sir Hoyeol
needed to properly know
just how extraordinary a thing he had done.
“Not only in words, but a new current has begun to flow through the continent……”
The moment Marcelo, having resolved himself, opened his mouth,
clack—Hoyeol set down his teacup and spoke.
“You are right, Marcelo.”
Simply, calmly.
“By sprouting the seed of the World Tree, I have caused the energy of life to ripple across the Arcana Continent.”
He continued speaking.
“That energy of life will become a great strength to those resisting the crisis of annihilation. In other words, it will affect not merely morale, but the regeneration of life force and mana as well.”
There was not the slightest change in his tone.
“Those who witness the new World Tree will also instinctively sense the crisis of the continent’s annihilation. To protect the World Tree, and the continent, we can expect them to face the demons with even graver resolve.”
In other words, there was neither agitation nor excitement. ‘He understood it even more accurately than I did……!’ Even though he knew he had achieved something immense,
he could recite his own achievement so calmly.
It was an attitude as though he had merely done what he naturally ought to do.
“As expected, I cannot keep up with your thoughts, Sir.”
Marcelo once again had no choice but to be astonished by Hoyeol’s caliber. ... [A new World Tree has taken root in the Arcana Continent.] [The Arcana Continent blesses the birth of the World Tree.] [The energy of life ripples across the entire Arcana Continent.] [A life-force regeneration buff has been applied to the entire Arcana Continent.] [A mana regeneration buff has been applied to the entire Arcana Continent.] …….
I had merely read the messages that had appeared.
The messages said so,
so I could simply say, I suppose that is how it is. ……
However, Marcelo does not know.
Just how vast an intermediate process I skipped over to succeed. I ignored the normal path and, through trick after trick, reached the goal by shortcut.
That fact.
Even while knowing it better than anyone,
I can still be this brazen.
I genuinely feel like being astonished at the thickness of my iron face.
Of course, an attitude of constancy that does not rise and fall with joy and sorrow.
Still, let’s be grateful that I’m not swaggering about.
However, even if Granfell did not show it, ‘Wait, what did Marcelo just say……?’ I had no choice but to flinch at the words that followed.
It was something that made me doubt my ears.
“A majority approval from the leadership is no longer required to leave the Tower.”
At first, I heard it and let it pass with a, I see.
Because the current leadership of the Magic Tower was not intact.
The Tower Master was incapable of normal action.
Among the five elder mages, three had been identified as demon worshippers.
As far as leadership went, only two elder mages remained.
What meaning did a majority even have?
Yes, I thought that was what it meant……
“The full authority over leaving the Tower has been given to us.” ……
What? That’s what you meant?!
The moment I realized it,
a quest window appeared before my eyes. ─The Weight of the Chief (Repeat) ▲ ●Conduct the verification in the Topaz Hall. (Success) ●Successfully conduct the regular conference. (Success) ●Supervise the mages’ departure from the Tower. (In Progress)
I had no choice but to flinch.
Because leaving the Tower.
The meaning of those words was exceedingly clear.
“That is correct. Thanks to you severing the chain of contradictions, Sir, the Magic Tower—no, we—have finally become able to act outside.”
It meant the mages who had been bound to the Magic Tower would move! ……
At last, this day has come.
This time as well, I could not show it, but I was deeply moved. ‘Is my dream coming true?’ At the same time, one corner of my heart grew reassured.
In the [Predator’s Swamp],
I had keenly felt the necessity of reinforcements.
If we had not exchanged favors in advance.
If I had not received help thanks to that.
With my strength alone,
I would never have been able to sprout the seed of the World Tree.
In that sense, the mages of the Magic Tower?
There was no ally more reassuring than them.
Moreover, I had come to carry out a World Quest.
From now on, quest objectives that grew harsher and harsher would surely be waiting.
But if the Magic Tower became my ally,
would it not be possible not merely to take shortcuts,
but even to create an entirely new road? ‘I’ll just lay down a highway altogether!’ But wait a minute.
Somehow, the blinking quest objective looked rather ominous.
Not approve their departure from the Tower……
but supervise it?
“The purposes for leaving the Tower will be varied. However, they will likely have one thing in common: heading toward rifts. Yet, as you know from your experience with Senior Mage Bangrit, Sir, there is a high possibility that a demon’s clutches exist within a rift.”
That was true.
[Cracked Dimensional Gap].
In the rift, “???.”
That nameless demon had targeted Bangrit.
Of course, that had only been possible because of the cooperation of the elder mages who had been demon worshippers. ‘Even if that were not the case.’ As a demon hunter, I could be certain.
The demons would invade reality more and more cunningly.
Because demons were a breed that became more vile the stronger they were.
In that sense, Marcelo seemed to be on guard.
“I want our power to be used properly.”
The Chief Mage of the Magic Tower.
That great power comes with great responsibility.
Marcelo surely knew that better than anyone. ‘I desperately hope so too.’ I nodded silently.
Just imagine if Bangrit had been possessed by a demon.
Even thinking about it is horrific, seriously……!
Was I not someone who could not run away when a demon was before me? If I had gritted my teeth and attacked Bangrit because I had no choice, by now I would have sunk under the weight of my heavy pride and drowned in the underworld.
Therefore,
“Indeed, as you say, there is a need for supervision.”
For the sake of my retirement as well.
I needed to supervise the Magic Tower mages’ departures from the Tower—
more precisely, accompany them into rifts and supervise them. However, supervision was, as always, according to my, Granfell’s standards.
“That procedure will be simple.”
Of course, procedure always came first.
Marcelo nodded.
I opened my mouth without hesitation.
“A mage who wishes to leave the Tower will write down the purpose of their departure in detail and deliver it to me. The judgment as to whether that purpose has justification will be mine alone. Naturally, the position of the applicant will not be taken into consideration in my judgment.”
To be swayed by others and take on troublesome work?
As if Granfell’s heavy pride would ever be swayed by someone else.
Since I, Granfell, had ended up supervising departures from the Tower, ‘The ones who must accommodate are not me, but the mages.’ I continued speaking brazenly.
“Furthermore, all schedules for leaving the Tower will be decided and carried out by me.”
I learn yet another thing.
In society, one must not make promises carelessly.
Look at this very moment.
Because they pointlessly handed over full authority to me,
“I will relay this to the senior mages.”
such unfair procedures passed immediately, didn’t they?
But that was not something I needed to concern myself with.
Had I not declared it all along? ‘If you don’t like it, then don’t make me do it in the first place.’ Since I bore the weight of the Chief,
I had to enjoy everything there was to enjoy.
If only to avoid sinking beneath it.
Besides, ‘There is somewhere else I must pay attention to immediately.’ Yes, now that the Magic Tower would begin acting in earnest,
there was a need to remove the greatest threat.
A threat that knew about the Magic Tower’s circumstances,
about demons,
and even had prior offenses. [Quest: Reconstruction of the Magic Tower]
The true nature of the contradiction that existed in the Tower of Mages.
Now that even the Magic Tower’s purpose of seeking truth has become impure,
set the Magic Tower right from its very foundation. ─Encounter the Tower Master. (In Progress) ─Dispose of the escaped demon worshippers. (In Progress) ─Find the true truth. (In Progress)
Supervising departures from the Tower was also, like the regular conference,
a duty with my pride as Chief at stake.
Naturally,
in any departure from the Tower that I supervised,
not a single unexpected action would be tolerated. ‘I must dispose of them. Those threat factors.’ I rose from my seat and spoke.
“It is time to interrogate the prisoners of Mugan.”
Marcelo asked in a worried voice.
“You are going immediately?”
“Yes.”
“……Sir, are you truly all right?”
Mugan (無間).
The mages of the Magic Tower were born with natural mana.
For them, the sense of helplessness felt in Mugan seemed to come as a considerable mental shock.
Not only Marcelo, but even the sly elder mages had been unable to maintain their sanity in Mugan.
But had I not said it? 『The first thing Granfell learned as the next family head was not to be swayed by private matters.
The position of head of the Claudi family was one that did not tolerate even the slightest agitation.』 The dreadful Mugan was precisely my home ground.
However, I could not speak of that embarrassing past even if I died.
So I merely added, in my own way.
“A sense of helplessness is also a part of the senses.”
“……!”
“One must grow accustomed even to that, Marcelo.”
Wrapping up the experience of mana exhaustion
that had tormented me until just a moment ago in plausible words…….
*
The only thing visible was darkness.
“……Are you there?”
Even when he asked into empty air, no answer came back.
“Damn it!”
Had even his hearing gone bad now?
Or was the other truly in a state where he could not answer?
An elder mage of the Magic Tower.
No, a demon worshipper.
No, now he was not even that.
The one groaning inside Mugan was nothing more than a powerless human. ‘Just how much time has passed?’ His head was murky.
His memories were hazy.
At this rate, it would be a problem even if he were released from Mugan.
Could he even properly manifest a single spell like this?
But even such worries could only be had when there was hope. ‘Even though so much time has passed.’ Why am I still trapped in this damned place?
Could it be that every plan has turned into a blank sheet?
Even when he tried to shake his head and drive the thought away, it was not easy. ‘……Yes, perhaps the plan has already succeeded. Even though they know we are trapped in Mugan. Even though they could rescue us easily enough. Are they perhaps ignoring us?’ As expected, were we nothing more than disposable pieces?
“Damn it……!”
Even greater doubt and distrust dominated his thoughts.
It was then.
“!”
Creak—the door of Mugan opened, and someone approached.
It did not matter who it was.
If they would let him out of this place, he could beg as much as they wanted.
“Who is it? Have you come to take me, to take us, out?!”
However, no answer came.
Yes, what came from within the darkness was—
tap—why was it?
Only the sound of shoes, which remained intensely engraved even amid his confused memories.
Soon, the demon worshipper saw an unbelievable sight.
“Y-you are……?”
Because of his hazy memories, the already unfamiliar name did not come to mind, but
silver hair.
An exceedingly arrogant face.
How could he forget that appearance?
It was the adventurer Marcelo had seated in the position of Co-Chief.
The fact that he had appeared in Mugan again.
It was simple. ‘……Even though a time like eternity has passed.’ The plan, reaching the true truth,
was still far away.
Once again, despair filled him.
However, true despair began now.
“!”
The man sat down in the chair.
Then, without a word, he picked something up.
Because of his blurred vision,
he could not see it clearly, but he knew.
That was a book.
And what he held in his other hand was……
‘……
A cup?’
That was right.
More precisely, it was a teacup.
This was not the Floating Garden.
This was Mugan (無間).
The flow of time.
The senses of the body.
A space where all things converged into stasis.
A dreadful space where, the moment one set foot inside, one could no longer maintain a sound mind……! And yet, in such a Mugan, he could not only open a book, but even savor tea……?
‘Can his mind really remain intact while doing that?’
But that question did not last long.
Because he soon realized.
Rustle—the sound of a page turning.
Clack—the sound of a teacup moving.
“!!”
Those actions became the ticking of a clock’s second hand.
They awakened his broken sense of time.
That did not mean a part of his senses had returned.
It was not something to rejoice over.
It felt as though several days had easily passed
since the man opened the book.
‘And only now, a single page has turned……?’
Likewise,
it felt as though an eternity had flowed by.
Yet the steam rising from the teacup showed no sign of cooling.
“……
I-impossible!”
Yes, he must have pulled some trick.
Surely, with magic, he had cast some illusion……
Thinking that, he realized.
This was Mugan, where mana could not exist.
‘Then that eternity I endured……?’
Was only a few weeks.
No, merely a few days?
If so.
‘How much longer must I rot in this place?’
A despair unlike anything he had felt until now,
on an entirely different level,
washed over him.
All because of a single book and one teacup....
As a rule, even scraps of time should be treasured.
‘You know, even back in school.’
The kids who studied well never let go of their books, even during breaks.
Besides, I was in no position to be picky.
I needed to dig as many holes to survive—as many wells—as possible.
‘Meaning the interrogation also needs to be efficient.’
I couldn’t waste time interrogating a mere demon worshipper.
That was precisely why I had entered Mugan with a magic textbook and a teacup.
Of course, I had no obligation to kindly explain that reason to him.
『Advanced Theory of Enchantment』.
Rustle—the book I had brought was for an advanced course in enchantment.
After all, the Magic Tower services I could enjoy for free by invoking my rights as the top-ranked student included enchantment.
I had not the slightest intention of leaving the Magic Tower’s free services unused and attempting enchantment with my own hands.
‘Enchantment, too, changes depending on who handles it.’
The result—the item’s effects—would differ.
With my clumsy hands and lack of mana, I wouldn’t be able to do anything properly.
However, even if I borrowed someone else’s hands,
‘I need knowledge in order to make a proper request.’
Besides, this was knowledge that, once learned, could be used again and again.
Just as I was focusing on reading with that thought,
I suddenly heard a voice close to a groan.
“I-I will tell you everything truthfully. The escaped elder mage—where he is and what he is doing by now. I will tell you everything I know……!!”
……
What’s this all of a sudden?
I haven’t even started the interrogation yet.
In any case, it saved me some trouble.
However.
All things have their procedures.
Keeping my eyes fixed on the book, I said,
“Wait.”
“……?”
Silence while reading.
Observe basic etiquette.