Chapter 272. Next.
Among the ten Magic Towers, the ranking of the Bohemirn Magic Tower was 4th.
However, if one were to speak only of magical power, there was no room for argument—it ranked within the top two without question.
Balrog Bessias, known as the Omnipotent Transcendent.
The Magic Tower he led was enjoying the greatest prosperity in all of history.
Just a few years ago, it had been only middle-ranked, but by publishing various achievements to the world, it had elevated the Tower's standing at an unprecedented speed.
There were many complex factors behind this explosive growth, but it was undeniable that the greatest share belonged to the existence of Verden.
A magical understanding that did not get deceived by outward branches, but grasped the roots, unmatched by any. A magical system embedded in his mind as perfectly as a completed puzzle.
By using such a being as an unofficial test subject, they had become a group that no one could dare to rival.
'As expected, he must still be convinced that his choice was correct. Balrog surely thinks so.'
But now, the Bohemirn Magic Tower was at the center of a great incident.
Two disasters had brought this about.
First, the loss of the Tower due to the rampage of its power source.
The moment it lost its infinite magic power, all functions of the Tower came to a halt, and most of the experimental data exposed to the massive discharge of magic power was annihilated.
The same was true for experiments that could never be revealed to the world.
The Mages who had remained in the unofficial laboratory to continue forbidden research were annihilated as well.
Of course, most of the personnel had been away at the Magic Festival, but the damage could by no means be dismissed as small.
To recover even part of the lost research data, even a single head would have been desperately needed.
Thus, the growth rate that had once reached its peak plummeted straight to the ground.
No, more than that, it was evident that the Tower had been halted so thoroughly that it could not take a single step forward.
And second, the beast that drove the power source into rampage was identified as the Black Hour.
'Did they plant a spy in the Tower?'
Surely so.
Having lost Verden's spatial magic circle right under his nose, Balrog must have been convinced of an insider.
He would have immediately investigated everyone in the Tower, extracting every Mage who drew the slightest suspicion, and in the process, he must have found evidence of the Black Hour.
Naturally, Verden was never discovered.
He was already assumed to be dead, his name recorded among the deceased.
'It is a coincidence, but by no means a bad one.'
The Bohemirn Magic Tower had lost its base.
Yet, instead of rebuilding its facilities, the Tower Master chose to place the blame for the rampage of the power source onto the Black Hour and declared war.
Two forces, locked in a struggle, each consuming the other's strength—that was precisely Verden's aim.
Before he realized, more than a year had already passed.
From the newspapers about the Western Continent that Perne had procured abroad, the conflict between the two forces was still ongoing.
The tide, however, leaned slightly in favor of the Bohemirn Magic Tower.
'The participation of other Magic Towers, is it.'
Once the Black Hour's strength was somewhat diminished, they must have deemed it safe to intervene. To clash head-on would bring devastating losses.
In other words, they sought to minimize their own losses while indebting the Bohemirn Magic Tower.
'Still, it will be far from over yet.'
The Bohemirn Magic Tower, bereft of its power source.
The Black Hour, falsely accused in Verden's stead.
The grudge between the two factions was now irreversible.
One of them would have to suffer near-annihilation, or be exterminated outright, before an ending could be reached. The sign would be the death of either Dahit or Balrog.
Of course, just as when they clashed upon the Eternal Cliff, they were Transcendents of Magic, so it was certain that a conclusion would not come easily.
'I hope this war continues for as long as possible.'
As long as the strength of both forces gradually weakened, that was enough.
For the Mage who would bring down the Bohemirn Magic Tower had already been decided. That role could not be yielded to anyone else.
Magic power spread wide.
The dozens of sheets of paper prepared by Perne unfolded neatly before his eyes. His blue eyes scanned the dense letters in an instant.
News of the Eastern Continent.
Among them, the Kingdom of Estiria, the confederation of city-states to the northwest, Kailiens, and the Midros Autonomous Territory, were in turmoil due to the floods of demi-humans and abnormal species from every direction.
It seemed the activity of adventurers alone was insufficient, for the Magic Towers with branches in the Midros Autonomous Territory were dispatching Mages.
That was the publicly known background.
Verden focused on the internal incidents of the Midros Autonomous Territory.
[The fangs of demi-humans struck the wagons of Mamentus Merchant Guild. The guild master died on the spot.]
[A sinister street plagued by heinous crimes.]
[The finest inn, Rainbow Cradle. Completely burned down in an explosion. Was it an accident, or an incident?]
.
.
.
These were headlines printed in the newspapers of the Territory.
At a glance, they might seem like mere strings of events, but if one knew the inside story, they were different.
The Midros Autonomous Territory was a place with great influence from the Magic Towers.
The Mamentus Merchant Guild, Rainbow Cradle—these were enterprises in which the Bohemirn Magic Tower held no small share.
They were local financial lifelines, and devices to expand the Tower's influence in the Territory, information known only to insiders.
'Disaster in the Western Continent is a golden chance for forces hostile to the Bohemirn Magic Tower to stir.'
It was perfectly clear to Verden.
Between the countless incidents, faint threads lay hidden. To complete the picture in his mind, he had to trace those threads back to their master and establish contact.
He did not have to search alone.
The organizations listed in Robert's documents would serve as Verden's limbs.
Thus, the next destination was set.
'The Midros Autonomous Territory.'
A land belonging to no nation, independent, yet at the same time a territory coveted by the external forces of the Magic Towers.
***
Having made his plan, there was no longer any reason to remain in Roafra.
He had intended to leave the underworld quietly, but somehow, a crowd had gathered in front of the Ashen Castle.
Not only the members of Vintert's organization, but even the faces of rulers of districts within the underworld could be seen.
A trace of fear flickered across their expressions.
The shockwave of Grond's death still lingered. To some, the sight of that day was unforgettable.
"..."
Verden turned his gaze to the side.
Meeting his eyes, Draken lowered his head. Perhaps due to the injuries he had suffered from Galliark, there was a trace of resignation in him.
At that moment, Robert and Gail approached.
"I meant to leave quietly. This was unnecessary."
"How could we simply let Lord Asher depart without a word. If it displeased you, please forgive us."
Gail bowed his head.
To the very end, his attitude was one of utmost courtesy.
Verden, having nothing to say, turned his head toward Robert.
"Now that you've become the representative of Roafra, does that make you the king of the underworld?"
"No, it does not."
Robert firmly denied it.
So the king of the underworld and its representative were different, then.
Given the nature of the underworld, the strongest would normally ascend.
Perhaps they held tournaments among criminals, crowning the victor as king—or so he thought—but it was not so.
"The ruler of this place, of Roafra, is still Lord Asher."
"I told you I've renounced it."
"…Forgive me, but by the tradition of Roafra, unless one possesses strength equal to the reigning king, or seizes the throne, the master of the underworld is not succeeded. And besides, beyond the Kingdom, overseas already knows Lord Asher as the ruler of Roafra. Moreover───"
Robert explained cautiously.
Of course, they were words of little meaning. If Verden declared he would change that tradition entirely, that would be the end of it.
He already knew this as well.
Even so, there was a reason they wanted to place Verden upon the throne.
By officially putting forth the name Asher, they would display friendliness toward the Marquisate of Esperanza, while at the same time lowering hostility toward the underworld.
Verden's existence carried that much influence.
He understood Robert's intention, but he did not bother to point it out.
"Well, do as you like."
"…Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Verden agreed.
There was no reason to refuse, when they insisted on serving him without requiring any effort on his part. And in any case, apart from the purpose he had mentioned above, the name was useless.
If they committed an unforgivable deed, the Marquisate of Esperanza would not sit idly by.
Verden had not the slightest thought of becoming Roafra's shield.
The results to come depended solely upon their own choices.
"I shall be going, then."
Verden stepped forward.
The crowd split to either side, bowing their heads.
It was courtesy toward the ruler of Roafra. Robert, bowing as well, spoke from behind.
"Then, we shall await your return."
***
Verden returned to the royal capital, Eznoren.
With his destination decided, he spent his time preparing for departure.
Everyone knew Verden would soon leave the Kingdom, yet none showed it outwardly, and the days passed peacefully.
At last, the time of farewell arrived.
"As payment for Leonil's artifact, I have cleared the 2.5 billion Elk debt at Dyna Bank, and the balance has been deposited into your account, just as you requested."
"Thank you, Lord Edmon."
"Ha ha, 'lord'. is it. For the young count himself to address me so, I hardly know what to do."
Edmon stroked his beard and extended his hand.
Verden also reached out and they shook hands.
"Through my discussions with you about magic, I was able to learn perspectives I had never before considered. It was a great shock, but at this age, to gain such new realizations… it has been a very long time since I felt this way. I truly learned much."
"The same goes for me."
"What do you mean, the same. You utterly dismantled every perspective and theory I put forth, without leaving a trace. Humility does not suit you."
With the handshake done, Edmon smiled.
"This life you saved, all of this, I will never forget. You are welcome here at any time, so please do come visit the Kingdom again someday. Preferably before I grow old and die."
Edmon laughed heartily.
Then he pointed toward the royal castle's gate.
"Now go on. There are those awaiting you far more eagerly than I."
Nodding, Verden walked down the corridor.
As he exited the castle, the winter sunlight shone brightly.
He approached two familiar people, one Elf, and two spirits standing beneath it.
"You depart first, brother. Truly, I envy you."
Guardian Elf, Karans.
He, along with Oesu Linus Voltimoog and the spirits of the forest, would board the Marquisate's airship and head south of the Kingdom.
Linus, bound for the Western Continent, would disembark along the way, while Karans and the spirits would move to the Great Forest under the protection of the Marquisate.
All, of course, in secrecy, without being discovered by outsiders.
"If not for you, brother, I would have already perished at the hands of those cruel humans. And for the grace of killing the one who slaughtered many Elves, I will repay it someday, without fail."
Karans pledged firmly.
Verden retrieved a small bag from subspace and handed it over.
"Brother, this is…"
"Take it."
It was a spatial bag from Grond's vault.
Its capacity was small, so of little value, but sufficient to hold food. Inside, it was filled with the finest delicacies purchased in the capital.
Karans checked the contents and nodded once.
"Please, someday, visit the Great Forest. By then, I will have prepared a gift worthy of your satisfaction."
"I shall, if opportunity allows."
His farewell with Karans was done.
Next was Perne, the informant.
"I still remember vividly the days I struggled in debt… To think that I would ever enter the Marquisate of Esperanza—I could never have dreamed it."
Perne had been formally recruited into the Marquisate as an informant.
The Marquis must have taken note of her ability to gather and organize intelligence. Verden's recommendation had helped as well.
"Lord Asher, have I been of help to you?"
There was no need to say it aloud.
Thanks to her, he had achieved the goals that had brought him to the Kingdom in the first place.
Verden handed her a document stamped with the Kingdom's seal.
"Huh? What's this?"
"The gift I promised last time."
Her tavern had been completely destroyed by the Relic Expedition.
And Verden had told her he would provide a new tavern, using the funds that should have been paid to the expedition.
"Land in Asern is cheap. Through the Marquisate, the price was even lower. They say it's the best-located building in Asern, so it will suit a tavern well."
"Lord Asher…!"
Holding the land deed in her hands, Perne was overcome.
Her eyes reddened before she knew it. Blue sparkled and fluttered around her.
'A spirit and a human, is it.'
Blue had decided to remain in the Kingdom of Estiria.
It was the conclusion reached after long discussions between Karans and Perne.
Blue, formed of Verden's magic power, was more favorable to humans than other spirits, and suddenly changing its environment would be harmful.
Most of all, the bond between Blue and Perne was strong.
"Perne, what about the restriction I placed on Blue?"
When Verden had resurrected Blue, he had engraved a coercive magic circle to restrict its actions, forbidding it from attacking humans.
At the time they first met, Blue had been frantic to slaughter Verden and the adventurers. It was a minimum safeguard.
Perne looked at Blue.
Then she nodded firmly.
"Please release it. I will take care of Blue."
"Very well."
Magic power surged violently.
A geometric magic circle rose from Blue, shattered, and vanished. Since it was written directly by Verden's magic power, no method of dispelling was needed.
Freed, Blue buzzed happily through the air.
Finally, he stood before Calia.
Her dark crimson eyes glimmered as she tilted her head.
"Will it end with just a farewell?"
"…No."
Verden revealed a bracelet set with a blue jewel.
"This will temporarily enhance the sharpness of a weapon───"
"That's enough."
Calia extended her right arm.
So, no explanation was necessary. Verden naturally closed his mouth and reached out. The accessory adorned her wrist.
"I will treasure it. But, do you not intend to go to Rines? Samwell, Aiden, and Charlotte would surely wish to bid you farewell as well."
"That will have to wait."
"Later, then. Very well, that's better."
Calia smiled faintly.
Taking his eyes from her, Verden lifted his gaze.
Beyond the castle windows stood the Marquis of Esperanza and Melzard, alongside Linus. Sebas and Chemion occupied one side as well.
He gave them a light greeting with his eyes, then raised his gaze higher.
Atop the castle tower were Adel and Flona, along with Silis and Lorian.
───Farewell, Asher.
───May you be well.
Lorian's voice, a parting message delivered by Mind Resonance.
Behind him, Silis waved slowly.
Verden rose into the sky.
Magic power enveloped his entire body.
In an instant, his figure vanished from sight.
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