The black magic tower can be described simply as the fortress of the demon realm manifested in the mortal realm’s empire.
At the same time, it’s the only place within the empire where demons can be legally housed and where black magic research can be conducted.
Some demons who have completed social integration certification live within the black tower, but they endure various entry restrictions and behavioral constraints.
While black magic research is essential for the empire, any foolishness will not be tolerated.
And now, with just one day remaining until the exchange meeting…
The secretary of the black tower master, Teddie, who looks like a girl, was passing the dull time while hugging her doll.
“Hmm~”
Boring.
Once the exchange meeting starts, it should be filled with exciting events all day, but this time of waiting feels long and tiring, proportional to her massive expectations.
Teddie had a hard time staying still.
But still, the reason she was waiting quietly now was…
“…Imperial Magic Tower.”
It was indeed the Imperial Magic Tower.
To be honest, Teddie was very much looking forward to how the Imperial Magic Tower would present itself at the exchange meeting. She wasn’t the only one feeling this way.
The Imperial Magic Tower vowed never to forget the attitude of the black tower.
Was that attitude really born from confidence?
Or was it just a false bravado?
Based on the circumstances so far, it looked like nothing more than a bluff.
“Teddie, some guests have already arrived.”
A mage from the black tower reported. He wore a hood pulled over his face due to the characteristic horns of a demon.
“Who are the key figures from the magic towers that have arrived?”
“All four towers except for the Imperial Tower have arrived. Also, as you ordered, a festival is being held in this area to attract as many spectators as possible.”
“Good job. The more eyes watching, the better~”
The black tower isn’t just a building, but a concept of an area.
Since the exchange meeting is what it is, most events are conducted informally with key figures gathering, but some presentations are held in front of the crowd.
Teddie aimed to attract a large crowd through the festival.
To prominently showcase the pride of the black tower.
To fully expose the weaknesses of the Imperial Tower.
…Anyway, the results would soon be known by all gathered.
But then, one thing started to bother her.
“So, basically, everyone is here except for the Imperial Tower?”
“Yes, that’s right. The Imperial Magic Tower has made a declaration that they must not be late, and it seems to have had quite an impact.”
“Saying that but acting so casually…”
After hearing the provocation from the Imperial Tower’s inspector, it’s unclear whether there was any confidence behind it or if it was just bravado; tomorrow will clarify everything.
Teddie went outside to greet the guests.
Well, it was mostly just a casual greeting.
“How harshly has the Imperial Tower treated us all this time?”
“That’s right. They’ve hindered the growth of the other magic towers!”
“Still, I doubt anyone suffered as much as us in the black tower. All the large proposals we had been preparing got dismantled or rejected during the process!”
Wherever she went, all the talk was about the Imperial Tower. In this way, everyone was paying attention to the fate of the Imperial Tower.
“While imposing all sorts of restraints themselves, they conceal their own presentations and don’t even show up to the exchange meeting!”
“Let’s see how impressive they really are this time.”
Of course, most gazes towards the Imperial Tower were filled with resentment.
The task of the Imperial Tower itself is to monitor and pave the way for sanctions or punishments against the other magic towers. It’s hard to earn the goodwill of the other towers, regardless of whether their actions are good or bad.
…But.
If the Imperial Tower hasn’t even managed to secure its own foundational strength while monitoring the other towers…
Then haven’t they been doing something terribly wrong?
As she was walking, someone smiled warmly at Teddie.
“The black tower has had the most suffering, hasn’t it?”
“Hehe, I’m glad you recognize that~”
Teddie casually responded as she passed by.
Given the presence of demons and the research of black magic… it’s only natural that the black tower had been the one treated the harshest by the Imperial Magic Tower.
“I hope the Imperial Tower is fully prepared~”
Teddie mumbled quietly to herself.
“My pranks can be quite malicious, you know. Crying won’t help!”
Ezekiel slowly raised his body.
“Ugh…”
A sharp pain from his shoulder and chest caught his attention, revealing a white bandage wrapped around him.
‘I feel pain, but my body is much better than before.’
That was his first impression of himself.
The injury from the arrow was nothing more than an exterior wound caused by depleted mana. The important thing was the flow of ether within his body was better than before.
…It felt rather refreshing to have completed the treatment.
‘By the way, where is this… ah, it’s the infirmary inside the Holy Temple.’
Familiar.
He remembered collapsing during a duel with Ether, but currently, this place felt familiar. Located inside the Imperial Palace’s Holy Temple, the infirmary was a place he had been carried to countless times in the past.
“Huh?”
However, he soon had to narrow his eyes.
In the familiar scenery, there was something unfamiliar.
His eyes captured the numerous items filling the infirmary.
Flower pots, a basket of fruits, what appeared to be medicinal herbs… the quantity was overwhelming. He couldn’t tell if he was lying in an infirmary or a storage room.
As Ezekiel was about to get out of bed…
“You were told to just lie down until today.”
His head whipped around.
At the now-open door stood a woman.
“You’ve woken up?”
“…”
The woman, casually pushing her hair behind her ear, was Agnes, the telekinesis user and Ezekiel’s dedicated secretary.
“You were allowed to visit this space as well?”
“The inspector had news of your lack of updates for several days, and today I received permission to visit. Isn’t it only natural for a dedicated secretary?”
“Several days…? Was I out for that long?”
“Yes. The exchange meeting between the magic towers is tomorrow.”
Ezekiel slowly narrowed his brow.
‘That long? I still lack in skill.’
If his body had felt a bit better, and his skill level had been higher, that duel wouldn’t have meant anything… A rising desire for growth stirred up inside.
He nodded.
“Got it. Let’s leave as soon as I’m discharged.”
Meanwhile, Agnes tilted her head.
“As expected, the inspector is acting strangely.”
“Why?”
“You’ve just woken up from a serious injury, barely escaped with your life… and yet you don’t seem surprised at all. You make it sound like it’s no big deal.”
“Well….”
Since that was indeed true.
He had been through countless tasks that far exceeded imagination, constantly teetering on the brink of life and death each time, and after every task, hospitalization was the norm.
Ezekiel pointed with his chin to the items before him.
“Anyway, is all of this your luggage?”
“These are gifts for you. Magic tower staff, Ruiple residents, Imperial Treasury guards… so many people sent them that they piled up like this.”
“Hmm.”
A hospital visitation gift; it was the first time.
Strange feelings stirred within him.
His tasks had generally required maintaining a hidden identity, so no one acknowledged him. Every time he was hospitalized, the room had been empty.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen the magic tower staff come together. Even the guards sent gifts, they say.”
“Respect? What respect?”
Ezekiel waved his hand lightly.
However…
A peculiar emotion brushed through his heart. After writing a proposal letter and getting involved in various matters, he started feeling experiences he hadn’t before.
Being acknowledged is fine, and he could also become known.
That feeling was truly strange.
Dr rattling, Agnes gracefully spun the cube.
“So, should I report right away? If your health is still poor, I can just wait.”
“Feel free. I’m perfectly fine now.”
“Yes. Then…”
Agnes handed him several sheets of paper.
“It seems the black tower is quite overflowing with confidence. They didn’t hesitate to provoke the Imperial Magic Tower and even accepted a request.”
“What a cheeky bunch, what’s this request about?”
“It’s about the demonic sword we obtained from Ruiple.”
The demonic sword, after pausing for a moment to think, he finally remembered.
They had retrieved a sword that absorbs fear.
“That’s right. I remember that.”
“They requested we bring it to the black tower.”
Agnes’ expression revealed her displeasure.
“They say they want to research it to contribute to the empire, but what they’re really thinking is anyone’s guess. This is the usual behavior of the black magic tower.”
“What behavior is that?”
“They periodically try dangerous things and test the Imperial Magic Tower. They usually do it and back off if the Imperial Tower scolds them.”
“They really seem eager to cross the line.”
“Yes. We’ve prevented that for the last ten years, but….”
Agnes sighed deeply.
“What’s problematic is that the black tower has always acted like the victim. If they can’t showcase the Imperial Tower’s foundation at this exchange meeting, we can already predict how they will act.”
“They’ll conveniently ignore the fact that the black tower attempted something dangerous and only highlight that the Imperial Tower imposed sanctions without any groundwork.”
“Yes. That’s exactly the problem. Someone needs to stop the black tower, but with the negative image of the Imperial Tower growing…”
Ezekiel silently stroked his chin.
The Imperial Tower reminded him of his past self.
Monitoring someone and imposing sanctions, even if it was the right thing to do, inevitably breeds resentment. It becomes impossible to gain the goodwill of the monitored.
‘But we all know what would happen if they were let loose.’
He understood well what would happen if he let things run wild.
Having been wronged and oppressed by the Imperial Tower, they would scream for freedom, but soon would unleash a huge threat upon the continent.
…Yes, there’s no choice but to suppress them at this exchange meeting.
“Looks like I’ll need some reliable allies in the future.”
Since the Imperial Tower was in such a lonely position, he couldn’t be sure everything could be resolved solely through his own strength. He needed people who would stand on the side of the Imperial Tower.
“Allies, you say?”
“Right, anyone who would stand by the Imperial Tower.”
But then.
It was just as they were having that conversation.
“Ah, have you woken up?”
Another presence was sensed from the direction of the door.
Initially just one person, but soon it turned into three.
“Inspector! Have you woken up?”
“Excuse me, if I may…!”
The three began to urgently spill their words.
“I’m a messenger from the 1st Princess…”
“I am! Teddie, 2nd Princess’s secretary!”
“I’m here on orders from the 3rd Princess…”
“…”
Agnes blinked in bewilderment.
Ezekiel quietly watched the commotion unfold and instead of furrowing his brow, he smiled.
“Everyone, you’ve arrived at the perfect time.”
Thinking back, he found himself surrounded by more than enough allies.
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