Chapter 18

The leader of the Vykada Wandering Troupe, Vykada, sensed that the atmosphere of Etna City had somehow changed.

The first thing he noticed was the heat. Ironically, despite being built next to a volcano, the heat surrounding Etna City was gradually cooling down.

The easiest way to tell was by the color of the sky. The more active the volcanic activity, the darker and more overcast the sky became due to the ash spewed out by Mount Etna. Recalling the past year, Vykada remembered that the skies around Etna City had been relatively clear.

Now, however, thick, impure gray clouds covered the sky.

“Is it entering an active phase?”

Ordinarily, volcanic activity signifies natural disasters, but in this city, the story is different. The activated energy from the land supplies magic power to the entire city and increases fossil production. In agricultural terms, it was a sign of a bountiful year. Vykada sighed with a mix of regret.

When the local economy thrives, the popularity of items used for escaping reality—like electronic narcotics—declines. It was clear that this wandering troupe’s earnings would be significantly reduced.

“We’ll need to increase the circus acts.”

He pressed a button on the gauntlet on his right hand. This wearable computer helped him manage the magical body modifications, known as Enchantwear, implanted in his own body.

A liquid injected directly into his spinal cord washed away Vykada’s worries and troubles.

An overwhelming sense of happiness surged through him. Though the light hadn’t changed, the world seemed to shine brighter. As he swam in this euphoria, he suddenly heard a buzzing noise in his head.

His wearable computer was warning him about insufficient medicine.

“Mecoonion…”

She was an unmatched drug manufacturer in this area whose aversion to modern electronic narcotics puzzled Vykada. After all, spirits were often capricious, weren’t they? She must have inherited their whimsical nature since she was half-spirit. Vykada headed toward the green oasis amid the ash-covered city after a long while.

“Hello?”

To his surprise, the one who greeted him wasn’t the green-haired Alraune hybrid he expected, but a suspicious-looking human in a suit.

***

Had the owner changed in the meantime? Where was Mecoonion?

Vykada calmly responded. His troupe’s access permit came from Geryon, who, though greedy for money, wouldn’t cause trouble if paid enough and would do their job accordingly. They were nothing like the tyrannical Lernian Tower.

‘Pythos Tower couldn’t possibly have risen from decades of silence, could it?’

Even if Caike reappeared, there’d be no reason for someone already possessing great wealth and power to extend their reach into the underworld.

Did Lernian Tower take over Mecoonion’s den?

That seemed quite plausible. But if he showed the pass from Geryon, they’d likely back off reluctantly, as they were only strong in their corner.

“I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I am Ortes from Hydra Corp.”

“Hydra Corp?”

It was a name he’d never heard before. It didn’t exist when he visited two months ago. Was this a rising force challenging the old tripartite system of Etna City?

“We received entry permission from Mr. Geryon.”

Regardless, as an emerging force still establishing its base, they wouldn’t risk provoking a full-scale conflict with existing powers. Vykada attempted to use Geryon’s authority as a shield to escape the den.

“I’m aware.”

Aware?

“Geryon escaped from us a few days ago. It seems Pythos Tower assisted. Isn’t it strange that we can’t see him anywhere inside the city? We’ve reviewed the entry roster issued by him.”

What nonsense was this man spouting?

Could there really be a force so powerful that it subdued Geryon in just a couple of months and became formidable enough to threaten Pythos Tower?

“Is Geryon hiding somewhere inside the city or has he fled outside to recuperate?”

The snake-eyed man suspected the wandering troupe of aiding Geryon’s escape as part of some external faction.

“No, it’s a misunderstanding! We neither have the ability nor the intention to help him!”

“An ‘misunderstanding,’ you say?”

The thin-lidded eyes drew an arc.

“What misunderstanding are you talking about?”

This man was skilled at using authority to pressure others. The intimidation was enough to sober Vykada up and put his nerves on edge.

It was unwise to blurt out, “We’re not in league with Geryon!” That would only give them an excuse to accuse and attack: “You’re in league? But we never said that… suspicious.”

What should he do?

How could he survive this situation?

Vykada reassessed the den’s atmosphere. Everything inside was the same as before. If Mecoonion had died, her regular customers wouldn’t have stayed quiet.

“Mecoonion! Mecoonion can vouch for our identity! All we did was pay Geryon; we’ve received nothing in return! Why would we risk our lives for him?”

Ortes nodded.

“Ah, Director Mecoonion. Is that so?”

From the depths of the den, a weary Alraune hybrid emerged.

“You two seem to have much to discuss.”

***

Though Ortes had left, Vykada refrained from speaking freely. It would be foolish to assume that their conversation wasn’t being monitored.

“What’s going on here? What’s this ‘Hydra Corp’?”

In response to his bewildered tone, Mecoonion gave a faint smirk.

“A monstrous organization that swallowed up Lernian Tower. We barely survived.”

She explained what had happened in Etna City over the past month. Lernian Tower fell, the underworld was unified, Geryon had narrowly escaped after his defeat, and Caike from Pythos Tower had returned.

“You’ve returned at a bad time, Vykada. Right in the middle of the three towers preparing for war.”

“Damn it! Information about this backwater city doesn’t even circulate on the Ethereal Network. I wouldn’t have come if I’d known! Why didn’t you warn me?”

“Didn’t you hear? I’m now affiliated with Hydra Corp as a director. They’ve got me on a leash.”

“Damn it. Who exactly is that guy?”

Mecoonion shrugged. There was a shared sense of unease as she recalled shivering in fear at the thought of Ortes.

“The only advice I can give you is this: beg to show everything you have.”

“But look, inside our troupe-”

Dangerous levels of illegal drugs, extreme poisons explicitly banned by most towers, and slaves kept for special purposes.

“Hmph. More valuable than your life?”

“…”

“If it weren’t for Lernian Tower’s preferences, narcotics wouldn’t have been allowed in their territory. Hydra Corp ignored the law to grow stronger, so they can’t nitpick legal violations to extract more.”

“Hmm…”

“I know from experience. That guy may be deranged, but he keeps his word. If Geryon isn’t in your troupe, he’ll send compensation.”

***

Vykada conveyed his desperate plea for mercy, offering to let them inspect anywhere—from the vault to the bed.

Ortes’ reply was concise.

“I will visit soon.”

An unexpected inspection. Vykada left the den with a sigh.

Watching his retreating figure, Mecoonion asked.

“Is it really necessary to go through all this hassle? Wouldn’t it be better to just ask to see the relic?”

“There are a few reasons.”

At some point, Ortes had prepared tea and handed a cup to Mecoonion. Surprisingly impressed by the taste, Mecoonion inquired.

“What is this? You brew well?”

“It’s because our Chairman is picky. First, rumors.”

As Vykada had mentioned, rumors don’t spread easily in quiet neighborhoods like Etna City. Even on the Ethereal Network, which could be called the internet of mages, Etna City remained quiet.

“Vykada will help spread the tension in Etna City. From the perspective of the Ten Towers, whatever we gather and do will merely appear as petty squabbles among lower-level towers.”

They needed someone loose-lipped to spread the news of Hydra Corp’s war preparations, and Vykada fit perfectly.

“And the second reason?”

“They have nothing to hide from me. Naturally, if Geryon isn’t with them, they won’t try to conceal anything to avoid unnecessary suspicion.”

“Do you think they would have hidden the relic if you had asked for it upfront?”

“In this era, how common are those who truly believe in gods? Their everyday lives involve being pushed around and battered. If confronted directly, they might have recoiled.”

Mecoonion eyed Ortes skeptically. Was it really worth all this trouble just because there was a possibility they might hide something?

Recalling the secret magic units operated by the Ten Towers, Ortes thought of the ancient doctrines upheld by those who inherited the teachings of the old gods—the executioners of the Ten Towers tasked with eliminating primitive priests holding divine power.

If there really were followers of Bacchus within the Vykada Wandering Troupe and they had even heard rumors of the executioners, they would undoubtedly hide the relic.

About an hour later, Ortes rose from his seat.

“Well then, shall we pay them a visit?”