2nd Princess, Hedera.
She was watching the situation with great concentration.
‘…This feels unreal.’
The Black Tower had concocted a wicked scheme beyond imagination.
So, Hedera had even prepared herself to take action personally.
Even if it meant breaking the unassailable rule that “the exchange meeting is solely for mages,” she couldn’t stand idly by while Ezekiel was slandered.
Yes, she was sure she’d made that vow…
But, in reality, there was no occasion for Hedera to step in at all.
It was thanks to the Inspector’s exceptional abilities.
“What the hell is that…? A barrier…?”
“What’s happening inside?”
The mages in the audience seating expressed their concerns.
And rightly so. At the center of the meeting hall, a pitch-black hemispherical barrier had swallowed Ezekiel and Teddy Divine. It exuded an ominous energy at a glance.
“To absorb all those corpses…!”
“Is the Black Tower really preparing for Transcendence?!”
Hedera, who was listening, quietly shook her head.
‘It’s not Transcendence.’
Transcendence is, as the name implies, the realm where transcendents shine; however, the Black Tower’s product clearly looked hastily assembled.
Even if there was enough power, there was a lack of sophistication. It was nothing more than a disaster packed with overwhelming force.
Thus, she wasn’t concerned about Ezekiel’s safety.
It seemed that the representatives from other Magic Towers had already sensed it, but Hedera could also feel it very clearly.
Ezekiel’s chill was escalating without any signs of stopping, showcasing its presence.
And right at that moment.
Crack crack crack—!
The pitch-black hemispherical barrier cracked, and blue chill began to seep out relentlessly through the fissures.
‘Only the Inspector has changed in this short time.’
For Hedera, the Imperial Magic Tower was like a troubling toothache.
But that weakness had turned into sharp fangs, and it was already gnawing at the sinful Magic Tower, influencing the magic world.
All of this was purely Ezekiel’s accomplishment.
‘He has only just obtained the Elixir.’
Once this was over, Sun Elixir was promised for Ezekiel. Hedera couldn’t easily guess what level of achievement he would show.
Perhaps…
Would she ever get to see Ezekiel’s Transcendence?
Clang—!
At that moment, the hemispherical barrier completely shattered. It was a clear indication to all that Teddy Divine’s last struggle had failed.
“…!”
“Huh—!”
“Indeed, the Inspector from the Imperial Tower!”
Everyone was unable to contain their admiration.
Yet, Hedera quietly sank into thought.
Suddenly, the words of Solana came to mind.
—So, what did you do for us?
How much further would Ezekiel’s achievements go?
Would he someday reach Transcendence?
What would Ezekiel do?
Such matters didn’t matter.
“What should I prepare for him?”
Yes, that was what was important now.
Regardless of what the Inspector did, Hedera would stick by his side, wholeheartedly cheering him on and providing support.
It was truly a moment of contemplation about what something unique to Hedera could do.
“…Since he’s my Inspector, I will take care of him.”
Hedera quietly muttered.
The complete victory of the Black Tower’s Inspector had significant implications.
The atmosphere inside the meeting hall changed in an instant.
“Arrest those Black Tower bastards!”
“Not a single one must escape!”
Other Magic Towers joined in the arrest of the Black Tower.
“Ahhhhh!”
Desperate screams echoed.
The Black Tower mages located all around were quickly dealt with. Those who surrendered were subdued, while those who violently resisted faced execution.
‘…No. The Black Tower here has no chance of winning.’
A spy from the Black Tower steeled himself.
Boom—! Crash—!
Crackle—!
In the chaos, he began to seek a way to survive. Surely, it was possible to preserve his own life.
It was fortunate that he had wrapped himself in hiding magic from the outset.
The spy caressed the scroll hidden in his bosom.
‘I must protect this at all costs. First, where should I run? The Demon Realm? Yes, that would be better.’
The scroll contained information about the location where the previous Black Tower Master was imprisoned, the hideous results of the cruel Black Magic practiced by the Black Tower… all sorts of secrets. Surely, it would be welcomed in the Demon Realm as well.
“Save me!”
“Ahhhhh!”
This place had now split precisely into three groups.
The Imperial Magic Tower.
Those being punished by the Imperial Magic Tower.
Those following the wishes of the Imperial Magic Tower.
Yes, the most noteworthy point was that the Imperial Magic Tower had completely seized control. The balance of importance had swung far too heavily.
The other Magic Towers weren’t stupid, and in this moment, they quickly calculated which side to align with.
“Arrest one more!”
“There’s no reason to show mercy!”
Everyone chose to side with the Imperial Tower.
Whoosh—!
The spy, veiled in hiding magic, moved swiftly. Had he ever felt this urgent while fleeing before? Not at all.
But greater than the urgency was the discomfort.
It was unbelievable that the Magic Towers had briefly unified like this, especially under the leading hand of the Imperial Tower.
The Tower that was supposed to be trampled today was obviously the Imperial Tower…
‘Just survive; there will definitely be an opportunity if I live!’
The spy had nearly reached the exit.
Just as he was about to cross the threshold.
“Where are you rushing off to, bathroom?”
Whack—!
Something struck the spy’s forehead with full force.
“Gah!”
If he wasn’t careful, his neck could have broken completely. With an incredible impact, the spy was sent flying for some distance before crashing to the ground in a disheveled heap.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
He was knocked back so hard that he hit the ground repeatedly, rebounding as he was finally able to stop after several repetitions.
“Ugh… My head, my head…”
The spy writhed in pain, barely managing to lift his head. A man was looking down at him.
Ezekiel.
The Inspector from the Imperial Tower, none other than him.
He casually peered at the scroll and said.
“I expected as much, but you certainly didn’t treat the previous Black Tower Master lightly. Capturing and imprisoning innocent mages? Unbelievable bastards, truly.”
“…?”
The spy’s eyes widened.
“Uh?”
He hurriedly rummaged through his clothes.
Nothing. The scroll had already been taken from him.
‘When the hell did that happen?!’
He didn’t know when Ezekiel had appeared, nor how the scroll was seized. The spy’s abilities were not enough to comprehend the Inspector’s prowess.
“…”
Surprise numbed his pain momentarily.
As he stared dumbfounded at the Inspector, suddenly.
“Hey.”
Finally, Ezekiel spoke, tossing a set of ice handcuffs at the spy.
“If you’ve lived off this continent, at least you should uphold your duty as a mage. Planning to run off to the Demon Realm?”
“We, we have our circumstances!”
The spy protested.
“You’re the ones who discriminated and rejected us first!”
“Wow….”
Ezekiel nodded in admiration.
“Just like the others, you’re saying the same thing.”
“…what? Like whom?”
“Who do you think? Teddy Divine.”
Ezekiel plucked a piece of Sunweed.
“What do you think happened to her?”
“That’s…”
The spy’s gaze shifted to Ezekiel’s shoulder.
There, an ice spear rested, with the corpse of a girl dangling from its tip.
“…”
The moment he confirmed it was Teddy Divine, the spy quietly picked up the ice handcuffs.
Click—!
He quietly shackled his hands. It fit perfectly.
“Truly impressive…”
Agnes murmured quietly.
Even until the departure, she hadn’t fully grasped it, but now that the judgment from the Imperial Tower was nearing its final stage, her tension began to ease and her body trembled.
‘So this is what punishment and judgment are all about.’
It was drastically different from simply issuing a warning on paper and imposing additional fines. Severing the lifeline of those who committed grave sins—truly immense.
Meanwhile, Tether sat dazed. Agnes quietly moved closer to her.
“It seems we are at the final stages. Thank you for your hard work.”
“What have I done?”
Tether replied in a slightly demoralized voice.
“I thought I had trained diligently, but I felt powerless today. I realized how pitiful and remorseful I am…”
Pitiful was not the right word.
Both Tether and Agnes had faithfully completed their assigned duties. Even if they weren’t remarkable deeds, it didn’t mean they hadn’t done anything.
But at the same time, Tether’s feelings were understandable.
‘The standard has been raised too high.’
The sin of having witnessed Ezekiel. That was all.
At first, when seeing brilliance, one admires it, but then despair arises upon realizing one’s own shortcomings. Agnes understood that sentiment well, having felt something similar.
Moreover, Tether didn’t even know Ezekiel’s past. He must seem like a sudden genius.
“Tether, there’s no need to be discouraged.”
“…”
“You shouldn’t despair just because the Inspector is exceptionally remarkable, making your position seem a bit humble in comparison.”
“Uh…”
“Let’s work harder. For our own best efforts.”
“Agnesssss!”
Tether’s face lit up with emotion.
She jumped up and embraced Agnes tightly.
“I thought you were a scary person because of your usual expression, but you’re so warm! Agnesssss!”
“No, don’t just suddenly cling to me…”
Just then, Tether tried to push her away.
“Agnes, did you know you could praise me? I had no idea.”
“…!”
Ezekiel’s voice suddenly rang out.
Agnes jumped up like a frog, startled.
“Were you listening? Since when?!”
“Well, it seems I heard most of it.”
“Ah…!”
Agnes’s face turned as red as a matchstick. As if anything that brushed against her would ignite instantly.
“Aha, so you secretly acknowledged me.”
“It’s not acknowledgment. Well, it is, but…”
Agnes hurriedly added.
“I was primarily focused on comforting Tether. So, it was something necessary for the mission. Undermining morale leads to diminished capabilities…”
And as she spoke, Agnes suddenly paused.
As if time had stopped.
The teasing Ezekiel tilted his head slightly.
“What’s wrong? Were you that displeased?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Agnes thought.
She was the only one who knew Ezekiel’s past. In other words, no one else acknowledged his past.
…At least, shouldn’t she, by all means, praise him?
Wasn’t that something Agnes could do?
“Hmm….”
Clearing her throat, Agnes stood before Ezekiel.
“Um, Inspector.”
“Why.”
“This time, thanks…”
“Thanks?”
Agnes nodded.
“Yes. Thanks…”
The problem was that Agnes had never spoken such words, and although she had said them ceremonially here and there, she had never said them with sincerity.
What was this? Her face felt like it was burning.
“Th-thanks… thanks…”
“Ahh~ Are you troubled?”
At that moment, Tether chimed in.
The eyes that detected the peculiar atmosphere between the young man and woman must have been radar-like.
“Is it a concern? If so, you’re not talking about that ‘thanks’… Are you hungry?”
“…No. Please be quiet.”
“Then, pain? Breakdown? Loneliness?”
Tether’s ramblings seemed endless.
It felt as if she was determined to egg Agnes on.
“What could it be? Employment? Dilemmas? Outputs? Prophesies? Uniqueness? Golden water? Gold standard? High growth? Returns? Unique board? Highland herb? High income?”
“…Enough.”
“Is it sticky? Dried food? High-yield bonds? High-level support? High-frequency investment? High sound development? High-pressure opening? High elder venison? High fireman?”
“…Enough, enough!”
Whoosh—!
Eventually, Agnes reached out toward Ezekiel.
Her own right hand, completely stiff and rigid.
“Th-th-thank you for your hard work…! Inspector!”
Her face looked like it would burst at any moment as she offered her hand for a handshake.
“…”
A brief moment of silence lingered.
Ezekiel blinked in surprise, while Tether whistled unexpectedly.
Then it happened.
Whoooooosh—!
“…!”
Agnes involuntarily shivered. A terrifying, menacing aura wrapped around her.
‘…What is this?’
The source of the energy was up above.
Where the 2nd Princess was.
That was not all.
—Three of you. Can you come see me for a moment?
And soon, a thunderous telepathic message resonated.
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