Chapter 119

Gorgoph’s admiration was genuine.

According to the author’s explanation, weren’t all those who called themselves members of Argeyirion and infiltrated Algus City currently just disguised agents of Blasphemia?

In other words, the group of Ten Towers.

The conflict between Blasphemia, akin to the whip wielded by the slaves of Proper Tower — one of the most servile among those who submit to the power of the Ten Towers — and Argeyirion was truly contradictory.

What a ridiculous and sweet victory this was!

Even though they had been forewarned, the perfection of the silver soldiers, which seemed like mutated drones, was perplexing. However, it was understandable that “this was due to the involvement of the Silver Iron Tower.”

The Ten Towers were utterly detestable foes, but their skills were genuinely top-notch. If the Ten Towers acted directly, nothing was impossible.

“Behold, our leader! This is the result you have achieved!”

There were twelve individuals who had awakened and allied with Argeyirion. These twelve constituted the minimum number of mages necessary for Danao to defend the tower.

At this moment, the Amimone Magic Tower was entirely in the hands of Argeyirion.

“But Leader, what should we do if Blasphemia reveals its true identity?”

“Haha. Once the fight has begun, such a statement would surely be considered false.”

“Danao, as the tower master, may lack the nobility of a mage, but he possesses political acumen inversely proportional to that nobility. If he senses that this is truth rather than falsehood?”

“Because of that political acumen alone, Danao must deal with Blasphemia.”

The leader whispered to Gorgoph.

Even if Blasphemia survives, would they provide good reports for Danao, the tower master? While it’s not impossible, it certainly can’t be said to be likely.

Danao clings to the survival of the tower more than anyone else. Keeping Blasphemia alive would harm the tower, but if he kills them and shifts the blame to Argeyirion, there would be no loss.

Therefore, Danao, after coldly calculating costs and benefits, will kill the Blasphemia agent.

“Reasonable.”

Kukhuh, Gorgoph’s lips curled upward. It was truly absurd. Thinking and acting rationally yet eliminating allies.

How could they be so incompetent? The real enemy was already hidden among them.

Danao’s inability to perceive the truth was itself proof of his incompetence. Naturally, Gorgoph himself was the one suited to be the tower master.

By offering the Amimone Magic Tower to Argeyirion and being promoted as the new tower master, he would proudly become one of the core members.

Gorgoph’s ambition shone clearly in Ortes’ eyes.

“First, we need to understand the situation. Let’s listen in on Danao’s communications via the magic core.”

“Aha. If we attempt to hack the magic core, an immediate warning will reach the tower master, so it must be done during the most critical battle. Please wait a moment.”

Gorgoph adjusted the magic core. The magic core also served as the main relay station for nearby communications. Unless someone used an independent line like Argeyirion or Blasphemia, all communications passed through the magic core.

“Tower Master! The behavior of the silver bug variants is strange!”

“They are gathering together and merging!”

“Their resistance to poisons is increasing—”

“Assemble groups of three or more to form defensive formations! I will track down the fleeing commander!”

“Haha. Did you hear that? How truly absurd. To fight so fiercely against your own allies?”

Ortes stroked his jaw. This wasn’t good. If the Argeyirion member escapes and contacts the main force, a larger-scale enemy will arrive next time.

“Hmm. Gorgoph, no.”

Gorgoph turned around to examine the leader’s expression. What did he mean by ‘no’?

“Gorgoph, Tower Master.”

A thrilling sensation ran down Gorgoph’s spine. The word ‘Tower Master’ was incredibly exhilarating.

“Hmm. Hmm. Is there some kind of unexpected situation, Leader?”

“I didn’t expect Blasphemia to abandon their pride so easily. If that fellow escapes successfully, they’ll likely approach from a different direction next time. Since their infiltration strategy failed, they’ll opt for a large-scale expeditionary force.”

“Ugh… Danao, the Tower Master, will undoubtedly welcome them with open arms.”

“If that happens, even if we succeed in hacking the magic core and gain control, it will be a tough fight. It’s questionable whether we can hold out until the main forces of Argeyirion arrive. The Tower Master must take action.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve judged that if the enemy calls for reinforcements, the situation will become even more urgent than now. Please support Danao under the pretense of helping him.”

“Wouldn’t that disadvantage us?”

“No. You should help Danao block the enemy’s escape route while leaving direct combat to him.”

In that case, the consumption of mana and stamina would concentrate on Danao. When Danao finally defeats the disguised Blasphemia agent…

“Exactly at that moment lies the opportunity.”

Glug. Gorkoph swallowed. No matter how much exhaustion he forced upon Danao, he was still the Tower Master.

The most skilled mage among the tower’s mages. Could he face him one-on-one?

Even if an ambush opportunity was created, could Gorgoph successfully attack the Tower Master who remained ready for battle?

As if reading his tension, the leader revealed the next plan.

“There’s another method. First, bring everyone, including Danao, inside the tower and let them rest. Danao will trust you enough since you fought alongside him against Argeyirion, and he’ll lower his guard while recovering his mana.”

“An ambush inside the tower…”

Whichever way it happened, removing Danao would make acquiring the magic core far easier. Gorgoph nodded heavily.

“I, along with two others, will go to ‘support’ Danao. The rest of you stay behind and manage the Amimone Magic Tower safely under the guidance of the Leader!”

The collaborators of Argeyirion unanimously repeated, “Truth and Justice!” Danao exited the tower master’s office with great dignity.

“Tower Master! We will support you! Please wait a moment!”

“Gorgoph! What nonsense is this!”

“If we let this individual escape and call the main force, the Amimone Magic Tower will be in even greater danger! We’ve left plenty of people behind, so please don’t worry!”

Through the magic core, the communication between Danao and Gorgoph could be heard.

‘Temporary alliance, successful.’

The temporary alliance between the collaborator of Argeyirion and Proper Tower against Argeyirion.

Ortes nodded satisfactorily.

Though the collaborators mistakenly believed Argeyirion to be Blasphemia, and the Tower Master regarded the collaborator as loyal, it was truly a match made in heaven.

“Then I shall look for the authorized code of the magic core momentarily. I’ll search throughout the tower, so please inform me if any emergencies arise during the communication.”

***

It was a precarious balancing act. I let out a sigh of relief.

Honestly, although my eyes were bothersome, without them, the difficulty of surviving in this world would have increased several times.

I slowly opened my eyes, leaving the conspirators gathered around the magic core in the tower master’s office.

“There must be some ancient artifact somewhere—”

I confirmed that there was none within the tower master’s office. I briefly opened my eyes when entering with Danao and Gorgoph after he set out.

There was nothing remarkable besides the magic core. Not only relics but also proper treasures or valuables were absent. Danao wasn’t exactly frugal, so it meant that his real wealth was hidden elsewhere.

“With an order to inspect artifacts issued, it must have been difficult to hide them externally, so they should be somewhere in the magic tower.”

If not at the highest place like the tower master’s office, then typically, they would be hidden in the lowest place—the basement.

Although Amimone Magic Tower officially had no basement.

I descended to the first floor and examined the floor.

“Of course.”

People’s patterns are always the same.

I slowly bowed my head toward the tower’s floor.

***

“Truth and Justice!”

“What kind of truth and what kind of justice! The truth I pursue isn’t with you, and my justice stands far higher than your wicked intentions!”

Sprigo wanted to grab Gorgoph by the collar upon hearing his ramblings. Had he really been brainwashed?

From what he was saying, it seemed he was indeed siding with Argeyirion?

Danao thought,

“How sinister I thought he was, but he has this bold spirit and courage!”

When I return to the tower, I must definitely reward him. Regarding the suspicious Blasphemia agent-like outsider to whom he entrusted the tower, I must reprimand him.

***

Ortes swept his gaze indifferently around the surroundings. There lay everything accumulated by Danao and all previous masters of Amimone Magic Tower.

But he paid no attention to shining jewels or crowns. He slowly headed deeper into the secret vault.

“Deeper” was a wrong expression. Ortes stopped where items of relatively lower priority among the treasures were stored in a secluded corner.

Ortes picked up a dusty relic from there. Beneath the dust, a golden gleam could be seen, but apart from being made of gold, it had no distinctive features.

There were no elaborate carvings or jewel decorations. Just a simple scale.

However, this was the Scale of the Great God Aegio.