Chapter 156

After the fall of the Amimone Magic Tower, a new question arose in Ortes’s mind.

“Why doesn’t the Scale of Aegio work?”

The Scale of Aegio, one of the most ancient relics obtained by Ortes, had not functioned since its smuggling from the Amimone Tower—though it could now be considered posthumously permitted, given that Cnemon now owned the Aegio Tower. Unlike other relics, no spirit of an ancient priest appeared when Ortes examined it. Whether he slept with the scale beside him or atop his head, neither dreams nor waking life brought forth any ancient presence.

“Is it defective?”

However, upon inspection by Caike, the Scale of Aegio was confirmed to possess immense divine power.

Past conversations with priests of Estia only deepened Ortes’s confusion, leading naturally to seeking answers from another ancient priest. The priest of Phobos, though cryptic before ascending, was reputed by the Estian priest as knowing the most facts. Ortes placed hope in the priest of Aegio.

Aegio was a deity held in highest regard among gods, and the Sect Leader of the Aegio faith occupied a position second only to the Pope, esteemed above all other priests.

Given the ancient Theistic Order’s plan that summoned Ortes himself, it was likely the priest of Aegio held a key role.

Still, researching the non-functional relic amidst recent pressing events proved challenging. After dispatching both the Amimone Tower rebels and the former tower master aboard a one-way train to Blasphemia, Ortes immediately prepared for the election of the new tower master. Following this, he busied himself preparing materials for Hydra Corp’s general meeting.

Though Arabel handled most of the investigation and organization, Ortes contributed by editing and drafting scripts, meticulously preparing anticipated questions and answers regardless of internal or external board members.

It was undoubtedly a busy schedule, pushing Ortes to deprioritize exploring the Scale of Aegio.

He decided to revisit it later, placing it temporarily in a corner of his bedroom.

And today was that day. With the Hydra Corp general meeting successfully concluding, Ortes and Carisia, satisfied with their plan’s first step, decided to rest early and resume work tomorrow.

As Ortes closed his eyes without strategizing for once, Carisia barged into his room like on some past holiday, claiming his bed.

Despite his astonishment, Ortes, ever loyal to Carisia, yielded the bed despite her casual suggestion to just sleep beside her, opting instead to doze off on the sofa.

Somewhere between drowsiness and conversation, they both fell asleep.

Finally, the weights for the scale’s pans were ready.

***

Where am I?

A strange sensation of floating, typical dream-like haziness, filled me. This was simple enough—a third encounter with an ancient priest.

It must mean it’s time for the Aegio representative to appear.

What puzzled me was why now? Did it need some kind of recharge?

Gradually, the initially foggy landscape clarified. An endless expanse of blue sky surrounded me, standing on a white cloud.

“Standing on clouds. Quite romantic and eco-friendly.”

Looking around, there was no sign of the ancient priest. I muttered something casual and lay down. The purpose of these priests was typically to gain acknowledgment of my efforts before resting eternally.

They would eventually reveal themselves if I waited.

Just as I relaxed, a thunderous roar echoed. It sounded like the aftermath of lightning striking.

Turning toward the sound, I saw nothing had changed in the cloud positions, yet an odd sense of dissonance lingered.

“Huh?”

What I thought was the sun had grown larger and continued expanding—not growing, but approaching.

When it got close enough, I realized it wasn’t the sun—it was the head of a giant made of lightning, wrapped in clouds like a toga.

「I-shall-ask…」

A majestic voice boomed across the heavens, each syllable resonating like countless thunders combined.

「Would you choose eternal comfort in treasures or return to your original world?」

An unexpected question. The former was my current goal; the latter, my initial aim upon arriving here.

Lifting his right hand, he held what seemed like a colossal version of the Scale of Aegio sitting in my room.

On the left pan lay mountains of riches, while the right held an ordinary door.

Though distant, my vision clearly distinguished the form—a single electronic lock adorned the iron door.

It was the door to my tiny room.

“…Is this some kind of psychological test?”

The Thunder Giant remained silent, determined not to speak until I answered.

“Can you shrink it a bit? Neck hurts looking up!”

No response. My deliberation continued amidst steadfast silence.

“I choose return.”

I had accomplished much here, and returning wouldn’t make me a millionaire. Staying here promised a more luxurious life.

But the original world lacked a Wizard King.

Perhaps it was rash to claim certainty about the identity of the original novel’s antagonist. Yet, I preferred sleeping peacefully in my small room over facing mortal danger in a grand mansion.

The giant asked further questions. After wealth came honor, then power.

Each time he posed a new question, the left pan disappeared behind clouds, reappearing with symbols matching the query.

When discussing ultimate power, a sword appeared. Instinctively, I retorted, “Will that beat the Wizard King?”

Since the Thunder Giant didn’t answer, I chose return again.

With the unbeatable Wizard King existing, no matter what I placed on the opposite pan, I’d always choose return.

「This is the final question…」

As the giant began, the clouds dispersed.

“…”

I massaged my temples.

***

Slightly earlier than Ortes’s moment of contemplation, Carisia faced a similar query. Her right pan bore not return, but the destruction of Baegwang.

「Choose.」

Carisia also reached the giant’s final question. The giants she and Ortes encountered held the scales in different hands.

Carisia’s giant gripped the scale with his left, having lost his right half when she unleashed her maximum-output light beam upon seeing him. Dream logic couldn’t regenerate against a magician of Carisia’s caliber, and the giant barely managed to halt her magic using his evaporated right side as a sacrifice.

Internally grateful neither of them caused the artifact to break, the giant awaited their decisions.

“Ortes and the destruction of Baegwang…”

Carisia closed her eyes.

And opened them quickly—barely a second of hesitation.

“Ortes.”

「Why?」

It seemed the other path would bring more happiness. Carisia’s answer was simple but unspoken to the Thunder Giant.

Tilting her head,

“Didn’t you say this was the last question?”

「…」

“If you’ve asked all your questions, let me ask a few. Are you the creators of Ortes?”

「Impossible.」

The ancient priest of Aegio, appearing as a Thunder Giant, thanked whatever force kept him in an intangible form.

Carisia’s golden eyes radiated a chilling aura reminiscent of the Wizard King. He hurriedly explained within the bounds of dignity.

「The choice remains with the one we’ve chosen, the one you call Ortes.」