Chapter 366 - To the Center of the Continent (3)
About two years ago, due to the still-unknown cause of an energy source's runaway, the Bohemirn magic tower lost its light.
Thanks to the Magic Festival held at the time, a great disaster was narrowly avoided… but the Mages remaining in the middle floors of the tower could not escape the aftermath.
Exposed to uncontrollable magic power, even their corpses evaporated.
Not only that, but countless classified research materials of immeasurable value were lost, and even the artificial artifact [Second Circuit] was annihilated, inflicting devastating damage upon the treasure vault as well.
However, no matter how grave the damage, the Bohemirn magic tower would not collapse over a mere accident.
As proof of that, even while waging war against Black Hour, the tower poured every effort into gradually restoring its functions.
The massive circuit that governs more than half the tower, made up of thousands of large and small magic circles, was nothing short of transcendent.
Lacking the infinite magic power of the original energy source, an outrageous number of magic stones had to be consumed, but they still succeeded in restoring part of the tower's lost light.
The pinnacle of the magic circles.
The name "omnipotent", borne by the tower master, Balrog Bessias, was by no means an empty one.
And in the temporary stability thus regained, Balrog was meeting privately with his fourth disciple.
"…So you are telling me to go to the Central Continent?"
The red-haired woman, Rovellin, furrowed her brow.
"The war with Black Hour has not ended yet. In such a situation, I cannot withdraw from the front."
"As you know, with other magic towers fully joining in, the gap is widening beyond what Black Hour alone can overturn. Your absence can be more than compensated for."
"But…!"
"Right now, what matters more than that nonsense is the material of the dragon."
Balrog's gaze was laced with oppressive aura.
"It has been decades since dragon bones, untouched by any processing, have appeared. And they say the Luas Church is selling portions of the material through a merchant guild called 'Licentia'? Such an opportunity will not come easily again."
"…I guarantee there will be many who think the same way. With my power alone, I cannot possibly handle them all."
"Yes, of course. That is why you will cooperate with Rayshen in the Central Continent."
Rovellin's eyes widened.
Since becoming Balrog's disciple, she had crossed paths with Rayshen a few times in the upper floors of the tower.
If nothing else, she knew full well Rayshen detested leaving the tower.
'But to the Central Continent, of all places.'
What could have happened, for none other than Rayshen Tailroad to be dispatched personally?
Though Rovellin harbored doubts, she did not voice them.
"Wouldn't it be more rational to send someone else, rather than me?"
"The first disciple, 'Everek', has his own task. The second, 'Rayshen', is concealing his identity under a confidential mission. The third, 'Lucard', is unfit. At present, the only one among my disciples who can represent the name of Bohemirn magic tower, is you."
Balrog fixed his eyes on Rovellin.
"You will follow Rayshen's orders, but outwardly, you will pursue the trail of the Licentia merchant guild. It would be best if you can end it without incident… but if that proves impossible, then devote yourself entirely to seizing the dragon's material, regardless of the means."
"You mean, if need be, even by robbery───"
"If the situation demands, then so be it. Of course, discreetly enough that Bohemirn magic tower is never exposed."
He stepped closer, placing his hand on Rovellin's shoulder.
"Rovellin, you are one of the heirs of Bohemirn magic tower. The clothes you wear, the height you have reached… all of it was provided and aided by the tower, by me. And thanks to your special talent, you have outpaced others and pioneered Mado."
"..."
"I know your heart. That you want vengeance for Verden, who was from the same orphanage as you, and who perished in the runaway of the energy source. But Black Hour, in the end, is but a process, not the destination."
Balrog revealed the dignity of a Transcendent, whispering softly.
"Look to the future. For yourself, and for the Bohemirn magic tower."
"…Yes."
An irresistible presence.
Rovellin could not refute, and with a hardened expression, turned to leave.
Clang.
The door closed, and silence descended.
Balrog stroked his chin, gazing intently at the empty space Rovellin had left.
"As an external hound, she is without equal. But for other uses, she shows little promise."
***
After her audience with Balrog, Rovellin walked wordlessly down the corridor.
Only one thought circled in her mind.
'Forget this damned war with Black Hour… and chase after dragon bones instead?'
For no short time, she had willingly stood at the very front of the war.
She had not spared her life.
That was the duty Rovellin bore. The number she had burned alive by now exceeded double digits by far.
And yet the Bohemirn magic tower no longer spoke of bloody retribution, but dreamed of the days ahead.
Utterly realistic, as befitted a collective of Mages.
Here, still harboring an intense desire for revenge was seen instead as a mental flaw.
Crunch.
Rovellin ground her molars.
Her seething fury stirred both her special trait and Mado, heat surging forth.
In truth, crimson flames spilled out from her body.
After a moment, with a deep sigh, Rovellin gathered her emotions and suppressed her magic power.
Fwoosh…
Only when the flames had subsided did she resume walking.
Soon, entering a restricted chamber, her closest aides came into view.
"Hezen, Arril."
"Ah, y-yes! Lady Rovellin!"
The two, who had been conversing, instantly leapt to their feet.
"From now, we depart for the Central Continent. Prepare yourselves."
"Huh? The Central Continent, all of a sudden? What about Black Hour?"
"Secure the dragon's material. That is the tower master's command."
An order directly from a Transcendent.
Arril inhaled sharply, her shoulders trembling.
Her jet-black bob cut swayed.
"T-To entrust us with such a heavy task…! Then, are we only to pursue Licentia? Or will we first approach the dragon slayers for information…?"
Arril chewed her lips, faint anticipation lighting her eyes.
She had a tendency to idolize famous figures with fervor. All the more so if they were known worldwide.
'Wasn't the one interested this time Asher?'
Asher, the sacred one of the Eastern Continent.
A young man with ashen hair and blue eyes, said to be a Reacher of Mado.
An unheralded Genius.
A presence whose appearance shook the world of magic, but Rovellin was indifferent.
"Nothing is decided yet. They say Rayshen will command on site."
"Lord Rayshen? Ah, so we're not going alone after all.... Well, I suppose that's only natural, isn't it?"
"If you understand, then prepare. We depart at dawn tomorrow. This is confidential, so you are forbidden to speak of it."
"Yes, Lady Rovellin."
Issuing only instructions without small talk, Rovellin returned to her chamber.
Her attitude was still cold.
Arril and Hezen let out tense sighs.
"Haa, she seems even more down than usual today. What on earth is going on?"
"Obviously because of this Central Continent affair. She cannot take revenge on Black Hour, the ones who killed her old friend."
"You mean Verden? How long has it been since he died, and she's still angry over that? Hah, what was so good about that theory thief anyway."
The criminal who had openly tried to snatch the Multi-dimensional Continuity Theory from Lucard.
With a tier limit of only the 1st tier, the weakest in the entire tower.
That was the man called Verden, as remembered by the tower.
Arril knit her brows.
"Don't say that, Hezen. If Lady Rovellin hears you, she'll burn you alive. Truly. And lately, even I've been thinking, maybe as Lady Rovellin said, he didn't actually steal the theory."
"What?"
"Well… think about it. From what we saw in the theory recently published by Lord Lucard Maniacs, the actual author of Multi-dimensional Continuity."
"The evaluation in the magic world isn't bad, is it?"
"Yes, it's decent, but… it doesn't really strike me, you know? Honestly, compared to the Multi-dimensional Continuity Theory, it's way below. So much so that it feels impossible to think they were written by the same person."
After some thought, Hezen could not say with confidence that it wasn't true.
"…I won't deny it entirely. But still, there's no way someone stuck at the 1st tier could have made such a theory."
"That's true, but."
"Anyway, let's stop debating who the theory thief was. Without knowing the truth, we'll never reach an accurate conclusion."
Hezen pressed the back of his neck and stretched lightly.
"Let's just start preparing. With the distance, there's plenty we need to bring."
"Ah, right!"
***
The city's most luxurious inn.
A suite that cost a staggering 400,000 Elk per night, occupying the entire top floor, protected by all sorts of magic items, was filled with the aroma of dishes that stirred the appetite.
Dining leisurely with Adrian, Verden continued explaining the plan in greater detail.
"Fundamentally, Rayshen is extremely cautious and careful, especially concerning his own safety. That is why he rarely leaves the tower."
"A disciple of a Transcendent, and yet cowardly. Quite the paradox."
"That makes him troublesome."
Verden chewed and swallowed a piece of golden-browned fish.
"The key is the venue where the dragon's material will be sold. It must be a stage trustworthy and grand enough that even Rayshen would approach without suspicion. Adrian, I need your advice."
Adrian had lived nearly his entire life in the Central Continent.
The experience and knowledge accumulated thus were nothing short of professional.
It was Adrian, after all, who had taught Verden how to use the spatial teleportation circle via adventurer's privileges.
"A stage, huh…"
Sipping a mouthful of wine, Adrian fell into thought, then asked.
"Will my lord be moving covertly?"
"I will conceal my identity in a limited way. That will be convenient in many respects. But there's no need to hide my power."
The greatest means Verden and Adrian had was brute strength.
To exclude it and tread carefully would be no different from abandoning a straight road to take a long detour.
"Depending on the situation, I intend to rampage properly, if needed."
"Then the answer is clear."
Adrian turned his head.
He cast his gaze on the map of the Central Continent decorating the inn's wall, right at its center.
"The stage my lord seeks is in Gargant."
"Gargant… you mean the mega-city."
"Yes, there is an auction house there, one conducted in a very special manner. And the most notable fact is that its overseer is none other than a Transcendent."
"A Transcendent?"
Verden showed strong interest.
"A being who reigns over the world, managing the goods and ensuring their security… then, in terms of reliability, there could be nothing better."
"However, not everyone can register items for auction. Only those who have made significant investments in Gargant, or houses or individuals who once aided the Transcendent, are permitted. And unless the item is suitably precious, you'll pay the price for wasting their time."
"With dragon bones, there'll be no such penalty, but the rest of those conditions are irritating. Yet since you brought this up, you must have a way."
"Of course."
Adrian nodded with confidence.
"If I request help from an old acquaintance of mine, it can be done."
"But you'll have to reveal your identity to this acquaintance. Can he be trusted?"
"He is somewhat calculating, but far from treachery. I vouch for him."
"Then I trust you. Where must we go to find this acquaintance?"
Rising from his seat, Adrian pointed to the south of the Central Continent.
A region situated above the great forest where the Elves lived.
Not directly adjacent, but separated by some distance, marked darkly on the map.
"The so-called 'Ownerless Land'. A region where conflict has never ceased for hundreds of years."
The destination was set.
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