A sudden foreboding washed over me at Gendiz’s question.
Gulp!
The teleportation magic circle.
Whoosh!
I don’t even need to mention how incredible and complex the magic that transcends spaces is. Why else would you need such a massive magic circle?
‘Even if there is a magic circle, it’s not omnipotent.’
Most teleportation magic circles break down from the strain after just one use, and there are usually strict personnel limits. Ezekiel was particularly concerned about the latter.
“…Elder, why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
He’s asking if we can abandon our companions right before repairing the teleportation magic circle. Could it be that the personnel limit is quite tight?
The thought of abandoning companions was unimaginable for Ezekiel. How much pain would those left behind endure?
Thud!
I felt a headache creeping in.
Ezekiel had a hard experience losing squad members during the final mission of the organization, “Balance.” He couldn’t help but be sensitive to such issues.
“Haha, you seem to be thinking too much.”
Gendiz, the elder of the magic tower, stroked his beard as if it was no big deal.
“I was just trying to gauge your thoughts.”
“Inspector, I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
Ezekiel asked in a rather sharp tone, but Gendiz continued with a gentle voice to ease any worries.
“This is an underground maze, and there’s a risk that unexpected situations might arise. If trouble strikes, it’ll be too late to make countermeasures. That’s why I’m asking in advance.”
Among the mages in the purple magic tower, Gendiz held the highest position. Essentially, he was the leader.
But if the leader was harboring dangerous thoughts, the chances of everyone falling into peril were quite high.
So Ezekiel asked directly.
“What about you, Elder? Are you planning to abandon someone?”
Gendiz chuckled again.
“Haha, I’m the one asking questions, and you respond with another question? That’s not an answer, is it?”
There’s a limit to how much one can brush off matters.
As Ezekiel maintained his intense gaze, Gendiz continued on his own.
“Then I’ll also respond with a question. What would you do if I said to abandon those I’d leave behind?”
Was he really thinking that way?
Ezekiel replied with a chilling voice.
“You’ll be the only one left behind. Just you.”
“…You really value loyalty and cooperation more than I expected. Truly uncharacteristic for an inspector.”
Gendiz seemed genuinely surprised as he blinked.
Then suddenly.
“Hm, okay, I think I should stop probing like this.”
Gendiz stroked his beard and continued.
“I’ll just tell you the truth. In fact, the capabilities of the great dimensional portal are exceptional, and everyone can escape without exception. I just wanted to test the waters.”
“…Test what?”
“Hmm, I just became curious. Didn’t I mention? I’ve never met an inspector like you before. I wanted to ask various things and see your reactions.”
Gendiz chuckled heartily.
“And the more I talk to you, the more I like you! I have a feeling that you and the purple magic tower will get along very well in the future!”
Gendiz claimed he liked Ezekiel. Far better than being disliked, I suppose.
“Then let’s start right away. Will you provide protection? I should be able to complete the magic circle by tonight.”
However, the location where he requested protection was different from Ezekiel’s expectations. He wanted him to guard the first floor.
“…The first floor? But the magic circle is on the second floor underground?”
“The great magic circle is very sensitive. If there’s a strong mage like you nearby, it might get disrupted. Let’s do our best from the magic tower.”
“I understand for now.”
Ezekiel accepted, carrying a few lingering feelings of unease.
Hours passed.
The mages of the purple magic tower headed to the underground second floor for the barrier repair, and Ezekiel, as requested, was overseeing the mages of the imperial tower on the first floor.
The fiends, that the mana referred to as “goddess,” were still unresponsive. There had been no attacks from the fiends either.
So, is it truly peaceful?
Not at all. It was all due to rumors.
Given the dire situation, various conspiracy theories were bound to spread. The weary bodies and minds started believing all sorts of negative tales.
“Inspector! The mages are getting anxious.”
Anes approached, her arms wrapped in bandages.
“Hmm.”
“Have you heard the rumors going around?”
The nature of conspiracy theories is that, at a glance, they sound credible. The rumor running rampant on the first floor was no different.
The content of the rumor was simple.
Taking advantage of the fleeting peace, the purple magic tower would abandon the other mages and use the teleportation magic circle to escape alone.
“Of course I’ve heard.”
“…The mages are growing increasingly restless; I’m concerned. What do you think, Inspector?”
Ezekiel felt the awkward unease as well. Yet for now, all he could do was respond.
Only the mages of the purple magic tower could manipulate the teleportation magic circle in the vicinity. If they all decided to leave together, it would be a disaster.
“If they abandon the other mages and escape, I’ll definitely impose punishment. I hope the warning gets through.”
“Indeed. Let’s hope the warning is effective.”
Amidst the various conspiracy theories, it was ultimately hope that kept humanity enduring.
There were many voices everywhere urging hope.
“I’ll be able to escape soon, right? I’m going to eat until my belly bursts. Like, really bursting….”
“I miss my family…”
“We’ll see them soon. Let’s hang in there together.”
Hearing such murmurs, Ezekiel vowed to make those words come true.
After living as a nameless person for so long, he finally had people supporting him and following him. Naturally, he felt the desire to protect them.
“Everyone, don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”
Seina, the elder of the blue tower, roamed around, patting the shoulders of those worried, accompanied by a reassuring smile.
In that scene, Ezekiel fell into thought.
Apart from escape, there was something else weighing heavily on his mind.
‘Let’s say we successfully escape, what then?’
The problem was indeed the goddess.
Ezekiel’s focus was drawn toward her.
She exhibited strange obsession towards Ezekiel and attacked the continent as a result. Just a week had passed, yet she had already inflicted immense damage.
In short, it was clear that escaping wouldn’t stop the continent from suffering again. Unless he severed the goddess’s lifeline, the vicious cycle would repeat.
‘I must find a perfect move.’
If the cause isn’t eliminated, the problem won’t resolve itself.
While ensuring that all the mages here escape safely, he also needed a way to cut off the goddess’s lifeline. Thus, bringing complete peace to the continent for a while…
He contemplated how to satisfy all conditions.
How much time had passed like this?
Vroom─! Vroom─!
Massive energy surged from the underground second floor, resonating like an echoing drum. All the mages felt it.
“Ah…!”
“This energy, the magic circle has been fixed!”
Joy spread across the faces of the people.
Seina, who stood beside Ezekiel, smiled brightly.
“Master! Thankfully, it looks like the magic circle has been repaired!”
Is there a more thrilling piece of news than being able to return home from the wilderness? Mages who had been leaning against the walls began to rise one by one.
“Everyone, don’t let your guard down.”
“Prepare your formations. Stay alert until the very end.”
Anes and Seina led, and we prepared our formations, waiting for news from below.
Boom─! Boom─!
The sound of the magic circle resonating from the second floor could be heard for a long distance. With each passing moment, the excitement on the mages’ faces grew.
“We should hear news from the purple magic tower soon.”
Someone murmured.
Since Ezekiel had made a path with ice, going from the second floor to the first wouldn’t be difficult and wouldn’t take long. Thus, they waited.
One minute.
Ten minutes.
Thirty minutes.
They waited.
An hour.
Two hours.
They waited, waited, and then waited some more.
The elation on the faces of the mages began to turn to worry, and the underground second floor fell unexpectedly silent.
“…That’s odd? Let me check it out.”
Seina headed swiftly for the underground second floor.
And how long later.
The expression on Seina’s face when she returned was…
“They’ve left!”
The usual bright smile was nowhere in sight, replaced instead by a face soaked in surprise and rage.
“The magic circle has already been activated, and there’s no one left on the lower floor. The mages of our tower have abandoned us!”
“…!”
A look of despair fell upon the faces of the mages all at once.
Ta-da! A day has passed?
Fwooosh─!
At that moment, mana began to flare up from every direction.
The goddess reappeared once again.
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