Chapter 43

“This came out of Sikton’s brain.”

Divius revealed a wriggling mass that resembled a pile of thin threads. It was reminiscent of the distorted image of a legendary creature from an ancient tale I had once heard.

The most peculiar aspect was its color—it shimmered with a silvery glow.

“That’s silver.”

“Is it just regular silver? The precious metal kind?”

“Yes, the kind used as a magical catalyst or for jewelry.”

“Is it similar to the brain-hacking device used by the Silver Iron Tower?”

“It doesn’t radiate any magic at all. And yet… it still moves. It’s like magic.”

This wasn’t the positive sense of ‘magic-like.’ It referred to phenomena beyond normal bounds—words reserved for describing inexplicable mysteries that defied explanation.

Though not magic, it was something akin to it. There were many abilities in the world comparable to magic, like miracles or divine powers, but these had long since been overshadowed and diminished in significance by magic itself.

At this point, if a magician described something as ‘magic-like,’ there was only one possible origin.

“A product of the outer dimensions.”

Divius nodded.

“It seems to have infiltrated the brain and manipulated emotions and perceptions. Demedes’ brain showed the same thing. While his intoxication and disarmament might have been facilitated through Bacchus’ sacred power, ….”

A mechanical arm attached to the doctor’s waist extended and retrieved a glass tube containing Demedes’ corpse.

“A small fragment of silver was also found inside this man’s brain. It seems other Chimeras were fully brainwashed using sacred power alone, but Demedes, being one of the Board Members, resisted until they inserted this silver thread.”

I felt a sigh coming on. Was Sikton also some kind of Eroder? Lately, I’ve been hearing about Eroders within Blasphemia more frequently than usual.

“Was there an Eroder hidden within the cult? This is troubling.”

“Sikton may not qualify as an Eroder. No traces of the unique wavelength characteristic of the outer dimensions were detected in his body. It appears Sikton himself was injected with this by an Eroder.”

Now I understood why Sikton had been so eager to open a gateway to the outer dimensions. Perhaps he’d received a command to create a passage connecting to them.

An Eroder plotting through individuals who aren’t themselves Eroders.

What a coincidence. The traitors of Blasphemia exhibited exactly such behavior.

“Do you have any suspicions?”

Well…

My contemplation didn’t last long. I couldn’t make such an important decision on my own.

“I’ll consult with the Chairman before providing further information.”

Sharing classified data always required superior approval.

***

We need to talk privately. Please come to my room after checking the message. That was Ortes’ note.

Although Etna City was filled with acrid volcanic ash, preventing a refreshing morning sunlight, Carisia’s mood was unusually bright.

After finishing her grooming as quickly as possible, she headed to the adjacent room. Ortes sat at a desk, reviewing news from the Ethereal Network via the holographic projector embedded in his gauntlet.

“Ah, Chairman.”

“Seems like you’re enjoying your work lately. Calling me even on holidays.”

Ortes’ lips quivered slightly—a reaction when he wanted to say “What are you talking about?” but decided against it.

Carisia, however, didn’t pay much attention to Ortes’ expression. After all, despite often complaining about workload during private moments, he was the one handling Hydra Corp’s toughest assignments.

“Remember the report I gave you earlier about the Blasphemia rebels involved in the Golden Desert Operation?”

“The ones who fought us and fell into the outer dimensions, returning as Eroders?”

“There was a mind-control device of extraterrestrial origin implanted in Sikton’s brain. We suspect interference by Eroders.”

Carisia instantly grasped everything Ortes implied without needing explicit details.

The elite members of Blasphemia who participated in the Golden Desert Operation were now secretly operating to open a portal to the outer dimensions.

Ortes continued, revealing what Sikton had learned about the Theistic Order—secrets that weren’t ready to be disclosed to the Board Members yet.

After hearing everything, Carisia nodded.

“For now, this is good news. Let’s withhold informing the Board Members for a while.”

“Good news?”

“We’ve gained two new enemies of the Ten Towers. Perhaps we can execute the White Light Tower destruction plan sooner than expected.”

As Carisia habitually twirled her bangs around her finger while deep in thought, she finally spoke when the strand looped over five times.

“If we use the Artificial Tenth Rank as a bomb against the White Light Tower…”

“No.”

Ortes cut her off sharply, displaying an attitude they never showed in formal Hydra Corp settings.

“It was a joke.”

“But it didn’t sound like one to me.”

With the tension alleviated by her jest, Carisia began calculating the situation coldly. Thanks to Ortes posing as a secret inspector, information on the Blasphemia rebels had already entered the Ten Towers.

The rebels must have realized their conspiracy was exposed since the branch leader they originally planned to meet never arrived.

If these were ordinary Eroders intent on destroying everything indiscriminately, they would likely lack the mental clarity for such strategic thinking. However, the Blasphemia rebels seemed to retain a significant degree of rationality.

“When does the Ten Towers get busiest?”

“During inter-Tower events. Recently, it would be the practical exam for senior magicians held in Elysion.”

“They’ll strike then.”

Who, for what purpose—all essential explanations were omitted in this concise sentence. Between them, no further elaboration was necessary.

The rebels, being weaker compared to the collective strength of the Ten Towers, would likely seize the opportunity when the Ten Towers were most occupied and carry out a shocking act, perhaps even terrorism.

The terrorists would probably be puppets implanted with certain commands, like Sikton. Even if we managed to find the rebel agents responsible for creating these puppets, they’d likely erase their memories beforehand to prevent discovery of their true base.

“Perhaps Sikton was a rehearsal for the puppet to be used in the terrorist attack. Simultaneously serving as a trap when the Blasphemia agent investigated the Bacchus Cult.”

Thus concluded Carisia’s reasoning.

“…Should we postpone our attendance?”

Ortes asked cautiously. Carisia shook her head.

“No, let’s go. We should witness firsthand the formidable strength of the Ten Towers. You can contact the person we intended to recruit as soon as we arrive.”

Nodding, Ortes took out a crystal artifact from his coat. Carisia pushed it back across the table.

They exchanged the artifact several times.

Rising from their seats, both raised their hands silently. Their gestures differed: Ortes spread his fingers wide in a gesture of ‘paper,’ while Carisia clenched her fist tightly.

“You cheated.”

Carisia had never beaten Ortes in rock-paper-scissors. He shrugged.

“In any case, the crystal artifact belongs to the Chairman. If I won fairly, it’s only natural. If I won through deception, isn’t it more dangerous for the Chairman not to notice?”

***

Kine tried hard to calm her trembling heart. She’d been locked in this hospital room for two days now.

The food brought to her was plainly seasoned but neatly arranged. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to eat, unsure of what might be concealed within.

She hadn’t seen the squint-eyed man from the first day again. Kine firmly resolved not to falter if she encountered him again.

Creeeek—

The door, which had been closed, opened with a mechanical noise. Behind it stood the familiar squint-eyed man.

‘Who is…’

In front of the man stood a beautiful woman with white hair, dressed in a perfectly pressed black suit, exuding an aura that commanded respect.

“Chairman. This child is Kine.”

Chairman. Kine repeated the word silently in her mind.

So…

‘This person ranks higher than the squint-eyed man?’

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Kine. First, please look at this.”

The chairman, seated in a chair beside the hospital bed, handed over a stack of papers densely covered with complex writing.

Just because the Bacchus Cult wandered didn’t mean they lacked knowledge. Kine could easily read the beginning of the document without difficulty.

“Scholarship application form?”

She read the next paragraph. Below the definitions of terms like ‘Hydra Corp’ and ‘applicant,’ there was a detailed account of the support Hydra Corp could offer her.

“What does this mean?”

Even though Kine knew what this contract truly represented—an extension of yesterday’s pact with the devil—she asked anyway.

This question was a pitiful attempt to delay the inevitable.

***

‘Hurry up and sign it. Hurry.’

I cheered for Kine’s resolve.

Kine’s potential has already been proven. Within a year, she could fully develop her magical talent.

And then, all the divine investigation tasks will be hers!

I secretly celebrated, imagining a happy future.