Episode 861 Rapid Progress (7)
Helion Magic Tower’s overall ranking is 9th.
Although it is one of the lower-tier magic towers, one level higher than the Ostea Magic Tower, it ranks in the middle tier in terms of pure combat power, excluding research and achievements.
A wizard has more variables to deal with depending on the field of study they majored in.This ability to respond is more effective in situations where blind arrows are flying, psychological confrontations are severe, and one must be prepared for all threats.
Conflict and conflict.
That was the main business tool of the Helion Magic Tower.
The military prestige of the ‘Battle Division,’ led by the Lord of the Hellion Magic Tower—Triton Martus—is widespread not only in the magical realm but throughout the world.
Intervening only in official conflicts, they were active in various fields of conflict under contract with clients, such as escorting, precision magic bombing, partial annihilation, and suppressing rebels. They evenpreserved their prestige by refusing to accept unofficial requests that would typically occur in the underworld.
Of course, the revolutionary army that tried to overthrow the rotten country was annihilated because of the Helion Magic Tower, but that didn’t matter.
Revolutions always cause chaos. The nation itself might collapse at any moment…They say that squeezing out pus is bound to be painful, but that pain is always passed on entirely to innocent citizens rather than the revolutionary army.
From the perspective of the international community, a revolution is a source of instability, whether it succeeds or fails. This is because they judge the damage based on numbers and scale, excluding emotions.
Ultimately, it is a difference in perspective.
The Revolutionary Army sought to purify the nation in the direction they desired, while the Helion Magic Tower sought to protect the stability of the continent.Since their positions were different, it could not be said who was right.
Everyone has a justification.
Then, what should be done about a corrupt country?Then, should we just leave the depraved leaders who oppress the citizens unchecked?
The Revolutionary Army once asked that, but the Helion Magic Tower did not answer. Was it because they had nothing to say? Not at all. It is because they had no interest in the first place.If one considers every single circumstance of others, there is nothing one can do. A Magic Tower that disregards rational judgment and places weight on emotional decisions will only be weeded out.
anyway.
The key point here is that security at the Helion Magic Tower is tight,befitting one of the Ten Great Magic Towers.
The wizard’s placement is quite exquisite. The inferior species are really being a nuisance.
Aerodon used its special vision to explore the passage leading to the middle and upper levels.
I can easily handle the highest-level security magic circle, so that’s not a problem… but… some wizards who occasionally roam the hallway were quite annoying.Judging by the amount of magical power in their hearts, they seemed to be of the Elder class.
It was a tricky guard for the Aerodon, which had not yet fully recovered its adult strength.It could not subdue it instantly with brute force.Of course, that did not make it a significant challenge for the Sky Dragon. It had survived even Oldark, so what could be difficult?
The path was already visible.
‘now!’
Todododot.
Aerodon silenced its presence and raced along the ceiling while hanging upside down. It observed the muscle reactions of wizards standing guard or moving around on duty to predict their movements.By thoroughly exploiting their blind spots, it advanced by pushing off the walls and floor.
Should I keep crossing from end to end of the hallway and use the stairs on both sides?Or should I use the horsepower elevator?
Aerodon hesitated for a moment, then boldly chose the latter.It was a decision based on the situation.
Two wizards boarded the upward-heading magic elevator. Taking advantage of that very moment, Aerodon sneaked in.Hiding in a corner of the ceiling, no one noticed his presence.
Conversation takes place inside the elevator.
“To think the Arnark Empire and the Helion Magic Tower are actually negotiating a contract. It will work out, right?”“The Tower Master is determined to make it happen. The Tower might suffer a bit of a loss, but ultimately, the contract will be concluded one way or another. It absolutely has to be. We don’t know how the international situation will unfold.”“That damn World Conference…….”
Due to the global agenda items decided recently, the nation and the Magic Tower are on high alert. There is hardly a moment to rest as they are busy holding internal meetings, both large and small.On top of that, they also have to prepare for the Magic Festival to be held this coming spring.
It was a killer workload that would make any wizard in the Magic Tower sigh involuntarily.
Tsk tsk, how pathetic.
Aerodon clenched his claws, looking down on the wizards who only lamented how difficult things were without even knowing how important the matters mentioned at the World Conference were.
Kiing.
As soon as the elevator opened near the middle or upper floors, I stepped outside. Sometimes I braked suddenly to hide, sometimes I slowed down, and sometimes I ran as fast as I could.Since I could see everything around me, I avoided being spotted by anyone, even by mistake.
I did not consider the efficiency of distance just in case. There is plenty of time. The proverb “the more haste, the less speed” has existed since before ancient times.
Oh, here it is!
Eventually, Aerodon arrived in front of a gate that looked much more magnificent than the others.
[An amount of magical power that even I cannot measure… … It is perfectly identical to Verden’s. Now that I have come this close, I can definitely feel it.]
Aerodon flapped its small wings. Taking flight cautiously, it hovered in place in the air, focusing on the security of the entrance.
[Hahaha, maybe because it’s the first entrance, there’s nothing special here.]
He extended his claws, exquisitely twisted the framework of the security magic circle, squeezed through the gap in the physical lock, and moved little by little.
Dragon’s claws that tear apart magic.Unique vision capable of penetrating the interior of security.
This was a security bypass method unique to the Sky Dragon.
───Keying.
As soon as the entrance opened, Aerodon threw himself inside. Of course, the door was immediately closed just in case.
A long corridor unfolded.
Aerodon slithered slowly and peeked its head out of the passageway. The power source control room and the four wizards guarding it were reflected in its eyes.
and.
Even the massive blue light source visible through the transparent window. Finally, the Magic Tower’s power source was within striking distance.
[Hiya.]
Aerodon, seeing a pure concentration of magical power for the first time in his life, stared in awe, then flinched and shook his head vigorously.
This is not the time for this.
To uncover the source of the power, we need to get within striking distance. We must enter that power room, not just the control room.
Hmm… …
The magical security blocking the magic tower’s power room was indeed on a different level compared to other places, and this time, there are even wizards guarding the power room.
How should I break through to be known as wise?
This would be good.
Aerodon rolled his eyes around and bared his teeth with a grin. He slowly gathered his strength. Because the wizards in the power room were of low level.
His vertically slit pupils flashed.
Dragon Fear.
Aerodon’s powerful presence struck the four wizards all at once.
“Gasp……!”“Sob……?!”
Thump.Crash!
Whether they were sitting or standing in the car, they staggered and soon lost consciousness, collapsing right there.
[Hahahahaha! You called it one of the Ten Great Magic Towers, but it is truly laughable. To think you would give up the heart of the Tower so easily. Well, I’m glad about it.]
The Aerodon, having neutralized the guards, flew in confidently and stood on the head of a wizard. Naturally, the infiltration was successful.
Now, all that remains is to enter the engine room.
* * *
“……Didn’t you feel something just now?”“I will check.”
The deputy commander of the 1st Combat Division immediately sharpened his magical senses and looked around, but no other unusual phenomena were detected.
“I can’t sense anything.”“Hmm, am I mistaken?”
The old man hurried his steps again like that, but stopped after going only a short distance.
“Still, something feels off. I’ll be right back, so you go ahead.”“May I ask where you are going?”
The old man—’Ulkar Duin,’ one of the supreme elders of the Helion Magic Tower and commander of the 1st Combat Division, turned his back.
I’m going to the engine room.
* * *
The trajectory of the naturally slow ocean current was artificially twisted and extended downward. A powerful current dragged down everything nearby.In the depths where light did not reach, a vortex stood upright and churned through the sea.
It looked like a pillar of spirals leading to the heart of the deep sea.
Kwaaaah… … !
Tearel descended more urgently than falling vertically from a dizzying cliff, and faster than flying in the sky.
Water pressure has no effect on her body. She can breathe underwater without having to strain to use magic.She can see clearly into the darkness.While ascending rapidly from deep water usually brings a sensation of boiling blood and intense pain, that, too, did not apply to her.
To Tearel, the sea was always a hometown imbued with the scent of a small coastal town.
‘… … found it.’
The depth, far exceeding thousands of meters, had now completely entered the realm of the Black Sea, where even the word ‘deep’ is no longer fitting.
and.
In the middle of it, a gaping hole of a scale that seems to divide the world in two is gaping open.
Unknown ocean trench.
Even Thearel could not sense where the bottom of that ditch lay. But one thing was clearly felt:the overwhelming presence that had been pressing down on her dignity all along.
Thearel parted his lips.
As air bubbles rose, a low question echoed throughout the area.The silent deep sea trembled for a moment.
“How long are you going to hide?”
No answer came back, but… it wasn’t that there was no reaction.
Kugugugugugugugugugugugugugugugu!
The deep sea, no, the ocean is in turmoil.
Creatures whose eyes had atrophied to white due to the lack of light fled in all directions.Crabs reaching tens of meters in size, as well as aberrant species resembling whales several times larger, headed far away from the trench.
Only Tearel stood firm, never taking his gaze off the unknown trench. Just as the vibrations subsided, a chilling laugh echoed.
{also.}
Kuooooh… … !
An octopus arm of transcendent size surged up inside the trench.
{A variable that defies fate is interesting.}
So it is you, the master of the sea.
Tearel activated the magic circuits throughout her body and calculated magic. Giant tentacles surged across the sea toward her.
* * *
Luzak clutched the severed end of his torn arm, preventing knowledge from leaking out through the blood. The guests and dignitaries looked at him with sparkling eyes.
However, they also could not move immediately.
Because the host is speaking.
To consume life merely by existing is an extreme waste. It is an act as foolish as chewing on a book. Life is a foundation. And knowledge is the basis that fills that foundation. The thirst for knowledge is a beautiful desire that finally makes us exist.
“…….”
Is sitting still and poring over books a noble form of study? Is gathering around to harmoniously discuss and fill in each other’s gaps in knowledge a noble form of learning? No, why on earth is that considered noble? Anyone can do that. Fundamentally, a true intellectual should not quibble over the methods used in the process of accumulating knowledge. They should strive to walk the path that others have not dared to take. It is only natural. With so much covetable knowledge available, the time allotted to most beings is but a fleeting moment.
“…….”
{In that sense, knowledge gained by trampling on others can be considered the manifestation of a noble instinct. Pursuing knowledge without regard for the fate of others. What a noble act!}
The host held out his palm and pointed at Verden as if to show off.
{Isn’t that the case for you, Asher? Used as an unofficial test subject your entire life, only to independently reconstruct your body using the Magic Tower’s power source. Quite a few mages must have died as a result of that. Let me guess exactly how you felt back then.}
He slowly circled around Verden.
{The gratifying feeling of having taken revenge? The sense of liberation from escaping the dreadful Magic Tower? No, no, no… … It must have been something else that made him happy. He must have found himself smiling involuntarily and couldn’t hold it back.}
The host whispered.
Ah, my theory has been proven.
Move your head.
{I understand that feeling. I understand it better than anyone. Much, much more than the doppelganger of Oldark whom you took as your mentor. The thrill of seeing a theory created using a lifetime of accumulated knowledge as a foundation proven to be successful is indescribable.}
The sound of footsteps got a little closer.
{Let’s be a little more honest. You want the secrets of the world. You are working so hard for that. But aren’t you being too laid-back? To be picky about the methods and means.}
The host straightened his index finger.
{Do you want to know what that ‘Fifth World’ mentioned by the Primordial Dragon is? Do you want to understand the source of the destiny ‘you’ created? Do you want to reveal the purpose of the power source for the Magic Tower built by Oldarc? What is the Archdemon of Parasitism plotting? What about the wind of the World Tree? What are the colossal dragons, including the Red Dragon, trying to do? What about the Ark? The Transcendents? What about the Six Great Legends? With questions like these piling up, when on earth will it take to find out?}
Verden asked with an expressionless face.
Get straight to the point.
{Abandon the dignity for the intelligent, Asher. It is a worthless idea. If you do so, I will gladly share my knowledge with you. Ah. You say you cannot abandon your unique ideals because you are a transcendent being? Is that really the case?}
The host spoke in a low voice.
Unlike other transcendents, you can move forward even after abandoning your ideals. Just like the ‘you’ of the past. You have already met the minimum qualifications. You just hadn’t fully realized it.
“…….”
{There is absolutely no need to hesitate. You must have seen it in the Desert of Silence. What that Oldark did to the four Kirondar who built the First Magic Tower. Face reality. That is the noble thing.}
The host lifted his chin slightly.
You just need to take one step forward. There are already those walking ahead of you, so it won’t be difficult. Don’t you respect her? Oldarc.
You talk more than you look.
There is no reason to hold back my words. You are intellectuals on equal footing with me.
I’ll answer if you want.
Verden’s blue eyes flickered.
Stop spouting sophistry.
Bang!
Alpha and Beta slapped the host in the face as he had come right up to them.
[Don’t act like you know everything.]
I agree.
The guys showed signs of anger upon hearing the story about Oldark.And what angered them even more than that was the fact that Host had dared to try to deceive Verden with his glib tongue.
The dignity of the intellect is a path I chose, not one bestowed upon me by someone else. However, the knowledge you possess is certainly necessary for us.
Verden asserted.
So I will find out my way.
{also.}
The sound of laughter that followed as the host stroked his face was spine-chilling.
{A variable that defies fate is interesting.}
It was then.
Dooooooong───!
A shock wave of torrents exploded in the Black Sea surrounding Arcadium.
