Chapter 78

“What is this…?”

An anonymous file titled “List of Magic Towers Affiliated with the Argeyirion Union” had been uploaded to the Ethereal Network. The data inside faithfully reflected its title.

It contained a list of numerous magic towers that had covertly connected with Argeyirion. At a glance, there seemed to be over a hundred entries.

What’s more, all of them were mid-level or higher magic towers that I’d at least heard of once. The majority were officially registered magic towers, and even some Proper Towers were included.

“Could this many magic towers really have aligned with Argeyirion?”

No. While it might be possible that Argeyirion attempted contact with this many towers, it was unlikely that such a large number actually colluded with them.

If they could form an alliance of this magnitude, Argeyirion would have pursued a bolder strategy – instead of infiltrating Blasphemia and preparing terrorist statements, they could have concealed their identity as Erosionists and applied for succession in the Ten Sages’ legacy.

With this level of power, applying for the Ten Sages’ succession wasn’t an entirely far-fetched dream. If all the listed magic towers fully cooperated, they could rival one of the Ten Towers.

After victory, there would likely be issues regarding the distribution of authority within the union, but those would be secondary concerns.

If Argeyirion’s true goal was expanding the connection point with the Outer Dimensions like other Erosionists, then matters of authority distribution would be meaningless – they probably never intended to offer rewards anyway.

Externally, they could promise anything during contracts, then upon obtaining the Ten Sages’ legacy, use its mysterious magical power to collapse the world barrier – that would be enough.

A single decisive battle where victory would fulfill their purpose as Erosionists. Even in defeat, being a “Magic League” would allow dispersing responsibility among other magic towers, minimizing losses.

‘The fact that they didn’t choose this method proves the limits of Argeyirion’s infiltration capabilities.’

Then why was this list created?

First, the exposure list came with somewhat flimsy evidence. Many parts were intentionally redacted, seemingly designed to provoke further suspicion. These loosely woven allegations were particularly difficult to refute.

Such evidence existed for each magic tower on the list. Given the breadth of this evidence, the source could only be Argeyirion.

The leaker’s identity was Argeyirion.

So what did Argeyirion hope to gain by causing chaos in the magical community?

‘Argos will move aggressively for magic tower inspections. They’ll collaborate with Blasphemia to track Argeyirion’s traces, reducing the manpower available for hunting Argeyirion.’

Were they willing to alienate all potential collaborators just to buy time?

That made this a troubling omen. It was impossible to guess what they planned to complete with the gained time.

The current situation was clearly abnormal.

“We need to hold a strategy meeting.”

Even in a meeting, I couldn’t reveal all the facts to the board members.

The current “Divine Investigation” already walks a legal line by using divine power – the board members merely accept the excuse that we’re utilizing divine strength rather than directly worshiping vanished gods.

As long as we stick to using divine power, we avoid being labeled anti-magic radicals. While we may face some distance from magicians, if framed as part of magical research, there’s little they can do.

Sometimes secret weapons of lightning attribute magic towers involve relics of Aigio, the god of skies and thunder.

But things change when going further.

Research into enhancing magic with divine power has quietly existed.

There can be attempts to steal wisdom from the Ten Towers.

Ambition to become one of the Ten Towers is understandable.

However, very few magicians would accept goals that rebel against the magical society’s system itself, such as destroying the Ten Sages.

“It’s premature to tell the board everything right now.”

Currently, the board is focused on reorganizing Etna City and building its value as a projection of military force externally. We don’t need to immediately push them to choose between the Ten Towers and Hydra Corp, further depleting our manpower when we’re already struggling to fill Demedes’ vacancy.

There will come a time when the board must make a real choice, but not now.

I began preparing a meeting titled “On the Rapid Changes in the Divine Investigation Environment.”

I did send a text warning Niobe after speaking with her that Blasphemia was suspicious of the current situation and to be careful, but I didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly. We’ll need to talk again soon.

***

A few days before Hydra Corp started their meeting, the Theistic Order also held a conference.

Demos was the first to arrive at the empty round table. The agenda concerned the recent warning from Utes, or Rank L13.

“Blasphemia has detected temple excavations. We should reduce activities for the time being.”

Even while fighting Argeyirion, they still have the capacity to monitor the Theistic Order’s activities?

While receiving near-infinite support through the Ten Towers makes it possible, it’s an infuriating ability when positioned against Blasphemia.

Of course, Demos’ assumptions were quite off.

Hydra Corp conducting divine investigations under the Theistic Order’s cover.

And Salmosia, who suspected these movements were Argos’ sabotage.

Finally, Ortes.

No one had yet realized the unseen hand coordinating information between Blasphemia and the Theistic Order.

Next to arrive at the round table was Hyacinth. When more than six priests had seated themselves, Demos spoke.

“What is the Pope doing? Still unwilling to use his powers for the Order?”

Demos sharply questioned Hyacinth, a close confidant of the Pope. Hyacinth slowly nodded.

“The Pope is already wielding his powers for the Theistic Order. He’s preparing the grand plan.”

“Grand plan, grand plan. Isn’t that treason against the Celestials? It makes me sick to see him gather remnants of past glories while preparing betrayal.”

“It’s not betrayal. It’s independence.”

Their gazes clashed across the table – the young conservative Demos versus the radical elder Hyacinth. Their conflict was nothing new.

“Don’t think our reason for collecting relics is mere nostalgia for past glories. The Pope sees much farther and broader.”

As Hyacinth added defensively, Urania spoke up.

“Did you hear anything else from that unpleasant fellow? Last I contacted him, all he said was ‘wait for the time. I’ll find a new way soon.'”

“Same here. He just mentioned creating an opportunity soon. But even if he’s capable, there’s a limit to what a single agent can accomplish. I believe our Order should take a more active role –”

Clunk!

The sound of something rolling down the hallway accompanied hurried footsteps. The panting youth who burst in was Proditus.

Priest of Phobos, the god of gateways and messengers. From unnamed backwaters to Elysion, he could open doors connecting every corner of the world.

Proditus was also the one granted the holy power to open portals leading to the round table for Theistic Order members.

Because of this, he was either always the first to arrive at such meetings or didn’t attend at all if uninterested. His appearance midway through was quite rare.

“Rare to see you late, boy. You’re disgracing the name of the messenger god.”

“H-Hey. Stop with the sarcasm. I brought the latest news.”

Though breathing heavily, Proditus grinned. Seeing his attempt at maintaining composure, Urania let out a small laugh.

“What news could make you late to a meeting?”

“Change the agenda first, old man Hyacinth. This isn’t what we gathered for.”

Proditus tossed a mana proxy onto the center of the table. Though some priests frowned at the introduction of magical tools to the sacred ground, they quickly ignored it upon reading the projected hologram.

The most shocked was undoubtedly Hyacinth, as this branch of the future was unknown to him.

“What is this…?”

“Demos uncle. Remember that ‘Nameless’ person you brought who promised to create an opportunity? Looks like this is it.”

Many magic towers engaging in secret dealings with Argeyirion had been exposed. The magical community displayed on the Ethereal Network was thrown into unprecedented chaos.

“How…?”

The voice muttering in bewilderment belonged to Hyacinth. How could such a thing be possible? To leak confidential lists of magic towers trading with Argeyirion so easily?

In just a few days?

‘Has Lord Phobos truly chosen him?’

Demos was equally bewildered.

Even if Blasphemia meticulously tracked down all magic towers with connections to Argeyirion…

Could a single agent access that information?

‘Just how high of a position does Utes hold within Blasphemia…?’