Chapter 115

The moment Gorgoph flinched at the weighty word, Ortes sprang into action.

‘Staying here as is would be suicidal.’

Being engulfed by an extradimensional wave isn’t ordinarily a safe occurrence.

‘I lack mana, so my risk of mutation is lower, but…’

Extradimensional mutations primarily occur due to mana, but mana isn’t the sole medium for mutation. Plants or stones can become crazed human-killing machines after an “extradimensional shower,” so imagining that someone without much mana has immunity to extradimensional effects would be unwise.

Thus, Ortes immediately devised the best method for survival.

Clank!

His plan was to directly storm the Amimone Magic Tower.

“Summon all the mages in the tower immediately.”

“Who are you—”

Ortes raised his hand, holding the identification card he received from Niobe, disguised as being part of the Panoptes Special Inspectorate, but representing Blasphemia.

“In this situation, who else could have come looking for you?”

“Blasphemia…!”

The gatekeeper of the Amimone Magic Tower sucked in a breath. From his reaction, Ortes inferred several facts.

‘Hmm. The tower master seems to have explained the situation quite thoroughly.’

While senior members of Proper Towers might naturally understand the names and roles of Panoptes’ two secret departments, it’s noteworthy that even low-ranking mages like the gatekeeper, likely a newly admitted apprentice judging by his youth, already knew these details.

‘The name was Danao, wasn’t it? He appears to have given a general explanation of the situation to the magicians currently stationed at the main tower.’

Tower Master Danao takes the current situation very seriously. So seriously that even the lowliest mage knows which force is pressuring the Amimone Magic Tower.

What struck Ortes next was the raw confusion evident on the young mage’s face.

‘Conversely, this one doesn’t seem to have any thoughts about Argeyirion. He’s closer to a graduate student who follows orders and conducts experiments without question.’

Glancing into the mage’s mind revealed modest desires, like what snacks to eat after their shift ended, rather than grand ideals or truths.

Had there been many loyalists to the Argeyirion faction, they would have likely set up informants among the gatekeepers to prepare for a sudden raid by Blasphemia.

‘The tower master, if complicit, would’ve certainly fortified the entrance. The tower master isn’t complicit. And the pro-Argeyirion faction within the tower isn’t organized enough to act independently of the master.’

Though the tower master firmly believes there are no traitors within the Amimone Magic Tower, if there were real traitors, planting them throughout the tower without the master’s knowledge would not be difficult.

However, the traitors within the Amimone Magic Tower, whose existence Ortes confirmed upon seeing Gorgoph, hadn’t yet advanced to such sophisticated operations.

With an intuitive grasp of the internal atmosphere, Ortes began formulating his next move.

‘The tower master and the Ten Towers’ loyalty faction—or rather, the status quo maintenance faction—are dominant. Gorgoph and the pro-Argeyirion faction are the minority.’

‘But with a disaster of this magnitude, suspicion will inevitably arise against the tower master.’

‘If I can appropriately align the tower master’s suspicions with Gorgoph’s ambitions…’

We can resolve matters before the extradimensional overflow becomes uncontrollable.

Ortes smiled warmly to appear approachable. The mage watching him felt an inexplicable chill.

***

It didn’t take long for the mages to gather, thanks to the emergency alert already triggered in the Amimone Magic Tower due to unusual energy detected above the tower.

Gorgoph glanced sideways at the man who introduced himself as an agent of Panoptes.

‘Didn’t he mention truth and justice?’

“There’s less than five minutes left before the extradimensional overflow begins. If we activate the magic core of the Amimone Magic Tower to its fullest, we should be able to block most of the extradimensional influence in the surrounding area.”

“But we’ll be cut off from the outside world.”

Danao muttered gloomily.

“Yes. No one knows how long we can survive in the contaminated zone where the two dimensions merge or when rescue will arrive. But rest assured.”

The man, who appeared to be closing his eyes, turned around dramatically, spreading his hands.

“The highest commander of Panoptes stationed in Algus City has already fled the city to request reinforcements. The rescue operation will be expedited!”

The mages of the Amimone Magic Tower showed little reaction. After all, weren’t these the same people who had oppressed the tower over the past few days under the guise of a rescue team? Sensing their inner thoughts, Ortes chose his words carefully.

“Hmm. Let me rephrase this. Since you’re all aware anyway…”

“Let’s drop the pretense of titles like ‘Panoptes Special Inspectorate.’ Shall we?”

Ortes clasped his hands together. All eyes focused on him.

“Blasphemia will assume from this incident that you’ve colluded with Argeyirion. A purging squad will arrive under the guise of a rescue team.”

There was neither cruelty nor severity in his voice. Just a calm recounting of the inevitable future, more like an explanation.

“You will die.”

“This is a Proper Tower! Would such an atrocity really be condoned!”

“You’re traitors who brought Argeyirion in. Ever since the storm descended upon your heads, the life of this tower has already ended.”

Danao’s gaze sharpened. His decades-honed intuition told him that this Blasphemia agent wasn’t making idle provocations.

“Stop provoking us and get to the point. I know your kind well. You don’t provoke without some gain in mind. You aren’t the type to seek magical explosions for no reason, are you?”

“Heh. Tower master, sharp insight indeed. Yes, there is a purpose.”

Ortes stepped away from his central position among the mages and began walking slowly.

“But first, let’s pray to the Wizard King. None of us want to be senselessly transformed into monsters by the extradimensional overflow, do we?”

One, two, three.

A sound, like shattering glass or perhaps the tolling of a massive bell, resonated across the skies of Algus City.

The sound of reality unraveling. The chaotic information of the extradimensional realm finally cascaded down onto Algus City like a storm.

A massive hemispherical barrier expanded around the Amimone Magic Tower. The faintly glowing protective wall clashed with the indescribably colorful fragments of the extradimensional plane. The rejected extradimensional mana poured down around Algus City, eroding reality.

The ground melted and dripped like wax, water flowed upwards instead of downwards, and pieces of the sky, now with mouths, moved to devour life.

Algus City was surrounded by the extradimensional contamination zone.

People living in the weaker outer areas of the barrier, or those who fled the city but didn’t escape far enough, dissolved upon contact with the extradimensional rain.

Niobe clenched her teeth as she watched the kaleidoscopic chaos of Algus City unfold.

She had to reach another city as quickly as possible to request aid.

***

The vibrations, screams, and murky waves of magical energy surged forth. More terrifying than the noise or vibrations was the strange magical resonance that seemed to scrape against the very marrow of the mages.

Despite the tower’s barrier, the nauseating presence was palpable. After a brief but intense period of suffering, Danao was the first to lift his head.

Danao saw the steadfast Blasphemia agent calmly walking away, seemingly unaffected by the chaos.

He leisurely approached the window and gazed upward.

“Things have come to this.”

“State your purpose.”

Danao rose from his seat, maintaining composure. Provocations usually carry meaning. Mentioning death must mean there’s a way to survive.

“While you may be a Proper Tower, if the Ten Towers unite, dismantling your tower would be simple. However, it would truly be a waste.”

“A waste. Argeyirion hasn’t acted this aggressively before. There’s much to gain from a mole with such deep connections.”

‘I can guess what this man intends to propose.’

Danao’s expression darkened. This man was essentially suggesting mutual destruction.

“I offer you an opportunity. Hunt down the wicked ones who defy the Ten Towers, the betrayers of truth. Before Blasphemia’s cleansing squad breaches the extradimensional overflow, you must distinguish the wheat from the chaff amongst yourselves.”

Ortes shrugged.

“If you wish to silence me by killing me, I won’t stop you. However, doing so will forfeit your last chance.”

The mages exchanged uneasy glances.

“Danao, Tower Master, could you spare a room? I’d like to start individual interviews with the mages.”

Ortes pointed at a few individuals, seemingly choosing randomly.

“You. You. And you. One of you step inside, the other two wait out here.”

Among those selected was Gorgoph.

***

“Truth and justice.”

“What… what is this…?”

Gorgoph was thrown into confusion as Ortes whispered the slogan of Argeyirion.