Chapter 88

Argeyirion, transformed into the likeness of metallic angels. Tallo’s smile deepened upon witnessing their forms.

This was because Tallo was an elder of the Silver Iron Tower.

Even if their transformation was empowered by extraplanar forces, as long as it involved metal, it held research value. Perhaps, in fact, its origin from beyond this world made it all the more enticing to study.

The elements of this world had already been meticulously dissected by the hands of the Ten Towers throughout history. To acquire new research subjects, one would either have to create them or import them from outside the world.

The samples of silver threads used by Argeyirion disappointed the Silver Iron Tower. Aside from their corrosive properties on living organisms, they exhibited no other notable characteristics.

But surely, the material composing these ‘angels,’ more deeply influenced by the extraplanar forces than the silver threads, might reveal some utility?

Tallo checked the progress of his auxiliary brain’s calculations: 47 percent.

Hopefully, the magic would complete before collapsing. Should it fail prematurely, it would only serve as further proof of its lack of research value.

***

Smoke and magical flares adorned the heavens. Ortes observed the battle between the two factions with a satisfied smile.

‘This is what fighting looks like.’

One does not fight but rather makes others fight. As a mediator, it took many trials and errors to grasp this simple wisdom.

It was relatively straightforward to manipulate circumstances—such as limiting the automatons summoned by the Ten Towers’ wizards to target anything imbued with magic—to provoke a confrontation between Argeyirion and the Ten Towers.

The real challenge began here.

How should the ‘end of the fight’ be staged?

Whether eliminating Argeyirion or the Ten Towers, at least one side must be removed. Alternatively, both could be eradicated.

If Argeyirion survives this encounter, they might suspect that the Ten Towers are conducting some dubious excavation work and act accordingly.

There’s a high likelihood they would expend resources searching for nonexistent excavations.

Conversely, if information about this battlefield reaches the Ten Towers, how might they interpret it?

‘Perhaps they’d believe Argeyirion is attempting to plunder the ancient Wizard King’s ruins.’

In such a scenario, the Ten Towers would likely enhance surveillance over ancient ruins—an unfavorable development for both Argeyirion and Hydra Corp.

‘Eliminating both simultaneously carries too much risk; I lack high-powered magical techniques.’

Had I properly learned the use of projectiles, it might have helped. The person who taught me rudimentary skills for handling something akin to projectiles claimed, ‘You learning such things would be useless anyway,’ and instead instructed me only on the basics of manipulating my abilities and strengthening my body.

Still, I don’t even know exactly what my abilities are. From the context, I understand only that they aren’t magical.

Though suppressing my eyesight also uses my ability, making the time spent learning worthwhile…

I’ve decided.

The best course is to eliminate both sides so neither camp receives accurate information.

If I can’t remove everyone, eliminating the Ten Towers while letting Argeyirion escape is the second-best option.

I need to gauge the right moment to intervene.

Observing the battle between the mechanical angels and the arcane war machines, it appears advantageous for the angels wielding powerful magics. However, the ‘gate’ supplying them with extraplanar mana is gradually weakening.

‘At this rate, the Ten Towers will win effortlessly.’

Good. Let me pretend to side with Argeyirion and intervene.

After felling the Ten Towers’ wizards, I’ll take advantage of Argeyirion’s momentary relief to prepare their elimination.

If there’s no opening, then there’s nothing to be done.

I donned the garments I’d taken earlier from an Argeyirion commander.

***

Tallo swirled his fingers. Weapons synchronized with his will formed intricate arrays of light.

Designs flowing from his mind through his fingertips produced weapons infused with diverse magical principles. It was essentially a demonstration of weapon performance against Argeyirion’s angels. Tallo tested their elemental resistances using specially enchanted ammunition filled with various types of magical energies.

‘They’re tougher than expected.’

The results exceeded expectations. Uniform resistance across all elements and self-regenerative capabilities.

Their regeneration operates on principles alien to conventional arcane engineering, undoubtedly derived from extraplanar origins.

If we could replicate this with the power of the Silver Iron Tower, we would edge closer to ascension compared to the other Nine Towers.

“Your efforts are commendable, but alas.”

Tallo raised his right hand.

His vision displayed the message: “Calculation Complete.”

“Ultimately, this is the limit of those who are not part of the Ten Towers.”

The grand magic Tallo had prepared activated—Spatial Alchemy.

The limitation of the Silver Iron Tower equates to the limitations of the elements they can handle, given their focus on metals, as their name suggests.

Their methods for handling organic matter were necessarily restricted.

Even if they borrowed the magic of Zato or Green Wood to circumvent these limits, achieving ultimate mastery with the Silver Iron Tower’s magic alone would remain meaningless.

Yet, mages seek loopholes in the world rather than accept its boundaries. The Silver Iron Tower devised various means to condense metallic elements.

Creating elements with magic, gathering elements from within the earth, and finally, converting existing materials into metal.

Tallo intended to transmute their entire bodies, except for their hearts and brains, which he wished to study.

What was originally a procedure to transform materials into gold has evolved into a potent offensive spell in this era.

By isolating a specific space through barriers and replacing everything within it with silver iron, Spatial Alchemy stands as the essence of the Silver Iron Tower’s prowess. Within the range permitted by the caster’s magical power, everything within sight is reduced to silver iron.

Thus, the world began to turn silver.

The starlit dark wilderness grew brighter. The reflected light of the stars shone back, painting the surface of the world silver.

The feet-off-the-ground angels, their silvery forms, began to change color. The blinding luster from beyond dimensions was being consumed by the refined weaponry forged for war.

The silver angels’ bodies started to harden. Their limbs grew heavy, and the control over their bodies shifted to Tallo.

Currently, the blessings flowing from the ‘gate’ counteracted the influence of spatial alchemy, but once the gate closes, they will instantly lose control over their physical forms.

To resolve this situation, one of them must become a new gate. This was the moment when Argeyirion’s angels prepared for another martyrdom.

A high-frequency blade, tracing a black trajectory, severed Tallo’s right hand.

“You greedy bastards of the Ten Towers! Your despicable nature is evident! Comrades, arise!”

***

Having lost his right hand, Tallo felt both curiosity and bewilderment.

For him, the body was fundamentally expendable, so replacing the severed arm with another was simple. Thus, the loss of his physical form did not perplex him.

Why couldn’t he sense the enemy within his barrier?

Why wasn’t this person affected by the transmutation?

The fundamental reason why spatial alchemy didn’t work was simple: the individual was consuming their own abilities to counteract the transmutation.

Just like spatial alchemy, creating a barrier entirely controlled by the caster or continuously infusing one’s body with energy to repel magical intrusion followed the same principle.

If they possessed an incorruptible substance immune to alchemy, the story might differ, but such substances existed only in the archives of the Silver Iron Tower.

Therefore, the newly arrived opponent must have attacked while enduring significant ability consumption.

‘To sever my floating arm without any equipment or prior magical signs… Was there someone among Argeyirion capable of handling projectiles?’

Argeyirion was equally bewildered.

Was this newcomer a new reinforcement sent from headquarters?

Communication with headquarters might have been blocked by the barrier erected by the Ten Towers’ wizards. However, the phrase “greedy bastards” was problematic.

Argeyirion had not come to the ruins seeking hidden artifacts.

They had arrived after receiving a distress signal from a comrade.

Naturally, the presence of the Ten Towers lying in ambush at the ruins could only be interpreted along those lines.

That the distress signal was either mimicked or obtained through torturing a comrade to set a trap.

The existence of artifacts inside the ruins was never considered from the start.

Something felt off about the newcomer’s statement.

Thus, it was natural that the angels aimed their weapons at the unknown intruder dressed in Argeyirion combat gear.

“Great cause.”

“Yes?”

The password isn’t known.

“Kill him!”

***

What went wrong?

It was supposed to be a perfect plan…?!