Chapter 107

The Magic Tower that wants to settle things once and for all. What does that even mean?

Let me recap Cnemon’s personal history. Though my circle of acquaintances is narrow, it simply means the absolute number of people I’d call friends is small—not that I don’t care about them.

Originally, Cnemon was the heir to a regional Magic Tower that dominated an area—until the Proper Tower coveted the exclusive magic developed by his tower.

After that, it’s a familiar story. The regional Magic Tower couldn’t withstand the tyranny of the Proper Tower, and Cnemon’s tower was absorbed as a branch of the Proper Tower while Cnemon himself was expelled and went on to live as a freelancer.

‘So…’

Is this friend asking me now to erase an entire Magic Tower from the map as payback?

I stopped myself from unconsciously rubbing my temples. Strangely, those who knew me during my days as a freelancer tend to overestimate my abilities.

Do they really believe I have the power to storm a Magic Tower and wipe out everyone? I’m not some ninja who suddenly appears and slices through everyone. I’m not particularly skilled in direct combat.

“Mr. Cnemon.”

Since Carisia has already said she’ll pay any price, I can’t exactly tell her it’s impossible.

But I also can’t blindly approve of a plan to eliminate the Proper Tower at this moment.

‘The risk is too high.’

If we were to assess whether it’s possible or not, it certainly is. We could leave Etna City in the hands of the Board Members and go on an extended mission with Carisia.

But when the Proper Tower collapses, do we have a way to handle the aftermath?

‘How do we avoid Panoptes’ watchful eye and shift the blame onto Argeyirion or other organizations?’

The timing isn’t right. Therefore, what I need to do is…

“Let’s think about this differently.”

It’s essentially a negotiation.

***

Cnemon began to doubt what Ortes was about to say.

“Differently?”

What could be clearer or more certain than eliminating his enemies from the world? Is there a better revenge than that?

Ortes’ smile deepened.

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Haven’t you heard that saying?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Mr. Cnemon, your family’s Magic Tower is still in their grasp, correct?”

Cnemon nodded. He had wanted to return home and live quietly without drawing attention, but rumors of the city rulers inevitably reached his ears.

“How many years?”

“How many years? You mean since the tower was taken?”

Ortes nodded. Cnemon calculated silently. From the time he fled into hiding until now—it was nearly twenty years.

“About 18 years. What does that have to do with my request now?”

“Isn’t it a waste?”

“What?”

A pure question escaped Cnemon’s lips. A waste? Of what?

In his mind, he replayed moments from his past life as a freelancer with Ortes. When Ortes would pose these riddle-like questions, answers would only come much later.

“Don’t listen to the purple sparrow.”

“What nonsense. Get lost.”

Back in the early days when Ortes first emerged, many who didn’t trust him ended up dead.

“The purple sparrow… It was a carving on the ruins’ stone wall. I thought following its instructions would lead to escape, but it was a trap.”

What chilled him was that the coloring on the sparrow carving had long eroded away after countless years. To the naked eye, it was just a gray bird.

Only after relic appraisers conducted detailed examinations did they tentatively conclude, “It might have originally been purple.”

This must be another one of those riddles. Cnemon felt a mix of fear and excitement tighten around him.

He feared Ortes but remembered vividly the times they explored otherworldly dimensions together, never failing.

To Cnemon, Ortes was a dual figure embodying both destruction and glory.

“If you’re offering such a reward, Mr. Cnemon…”

Ortes lowered his voice. Tension naturally rose. Beneath Ortes’ thinly veiled gaze, a blue light shone like a lamp that lures insects to their doom.

“It will all be over in just one night.”

“…”

The brevity of “one night” didn’t surprise Cnemon. He believed Ortes had that kind of ability.

But the word “just” confused him. Just what?

“You’ve suffered for 18 years. Their downfall will take just one night. Doesn’t that seem off?”

“You…”

Now it was slowly starting to make sense.

The phrase “an eye for an eye” came back to him.

“Rather than destroying the Proper Tower, wouldn’t it be sweeter to take control of it yourself?”

Cnemon lost his words. Though he had guessed something from earlier hints, he hadn’t expected Ortes to so easily offer him control of the supposedly supreme Proper Tower.

Perplexed, Cnemon swallowed repeatedly as Ortes continued softly.

“You’ve endured hardship for 18 years. 360 days, eighteen times. That’s 6,480 days. In comparison, their downfall will merely last one night. So…”

With an eerie tremor running through his body, Ortes whispered closer.

“At the very least, shouldn’t they endure a period of patience equal to what you’ve experienced?”

“My… suffering…”

“What greater humiliation could they face than having the heir of the Magic Tower they once destroyed rise above them? The reversal of what they thought was absolute power.”

If this was demonic temptation, it might look like this. Overwhelmed by the impulse to join hands with Ortes, Cnemon momentarily forgot his true nature.

“No. I haven’t forgotten.”

Deep inside, something urged him to turn away from Ortes’ apocalyptic madness.

Even knowing it was part of Ortes’ plan, Cnemon couldn’t help but feel drawn in, which terrified him. Yet…

“Is it… possible?”

Long-suppressed anger began to stir again. The regret he had cast aside while fleeing from Ortes clung to him like a shadow.

“It will take longer than one night.”

Ortes smiled and nodded.

***

Great! You’re completely hooked!

Watching Cnemon struggle seriously made me feel a twinge of guilt. This guy is quite rational as a businessman. I learned that well when he used to run a group of freelancers.

Even if I handed him real control of the Proper Tower, he wouldn’t become a tyrant. Instead, he’d likely cut out the corruption and become a proper Tower Master.

That path is far from the bloody vengeance Cnemon desired—it smells more of ink than blood.

“But right now, the Chairman’s business comes before my friend’s wishes…”

Installing a friend as the head of the Proper Tower instead of obliterating it entirely is more profitable. Though it’s disappointing to mix cost-benefit analysis into a friend’s heartfelt plea, this situation feels mutually beneficial.

After much deliberation, Cnemon finally seemed to make up his mind.

“…I have a question.”

“Anything you wish to ask.”

“For how many years?”

Ah. How long will Cnemon hold the position of Proper Tower Master?

Carisia cares only about the fall of Baegwang. Even if I promised Cnemon a lifetime position, she probably won’t criticize me. Since this involves divine investigations, it’s not overstepping my authority either.

Still, making a rash promise here might get me scolded later.

“As long as the Chairman desires.”

***

Once again, Cnemon found himself wavering. Surprisingly, Ortes appeared to sincerely serve his superior.

“Did you always care so much about others’ opinions?”

Though he had learned from Lampades last night that their friendship wasn’t fake, it still seemed hard to believe.

Was there ever a time when the faceless Ortes treated someone with such humility?

His provoking words only made Ortes deepen his smile further.

“Where have you seen an employee who doesn’t check their boss’s mood?”

“Ha, what a funny joke. Who would’ve thought anyone would address you as an underling?”

“As long as you take care of meals and salary, that makes a great boss. Lady Carisia takes care of everything.”

Ironically, the destroyer of worlds mentions today’s meal as a condition for a good boss.

Cnemon pondered the time limit implied by “as long as the Chairman desires.”

“So, until the end of the world…?”

Ortes noticed the implication but didn’t dwell on it. As shown in Phobos’ crystal, unless Carisia decides to reclaim what she’s given, she’s not the type to take back what she’s already bestowed.

“Hmph. Lady Carisia’s meticulousness in payroll management is impressive. She already knows the Tower Master position will be secure until death.”

Ortes felt a slight irritation towards his friend who seemed ready to betray the company but shook it off. After all, what this friend would accomplish in the future was crucial for Hydra Corp.

Just adding another positive response to push the decision along.

“Yes, exactly.”