Chapter 93

◈ Chapter 93. Everything Follows the Procedure (1)

"The crisis of the continent's destruction..."

Marcello let out a sigh.

The World Tree, an existence that had been regarded as a legend.

The mere fact that it actually exists is surprising enough.

And for His Excellency to have discovered it is already astounding.

To have even sprouted its seed and returned...

Moreover, to have formed a contract with a spirit during the process.

"Even I find it overwhelming to follow His Excellency's footsteps."

However, his lament did not last long.

Marcello assessed the situation with a cold, clear mind.

"But it was an excellent decision. The World Tree in legend is the entity that harmonizes the Arcana World. The longer the absence of this entity, the stronger the demons' power becomes, and those who resist them will lose their strength even more."

By sprouting a new World Tree,

Ho Yeol planted a seed of hope in the Arcana continent.

'This is a problem on a different level from the study of magic.'

Does His Excellency Ho Yeol know what an incredible feat he has accomplished?

Indeed, it is a feat worthy of being celebrated as an achievement by all the people of the Arcana continent. However, the person himself is remarkably calm.

It's as if it's no different from his usual self.

Marcello felt a sense of unease.

'...Does he not even think about it?'

Rather than being satisfied with his own achievements,

Ho Yeol seems more content with a leisurely tea time.

Marcello resolved.

'Even if it leaves an impression of being talkative.'

His Excellency Ho Yeol

needs to know how great a feat he has accomplished.

"Just words, but a new current has emerged on the continent..."

At the moment Marcello made up his mind,

Click—

Ho Yeol put down his teacup and spoke.

"You are right, Marcello."

He spoke calmly.

"By sprouting the seed of the World Tree, the life force will surge in the Arcana continent."

He continued.

"This life force will be a great power for those who resist the crisis of destruction. It will not only be words but will affect the regeneration of life force and magic power."

There was no change in his tone.

"Those who witness the new World Tree will intuitively sense the crisis of the continent's destruction. They will be expected to face the demons with even greater determination to protect the World Tree and the continent."

There was no sign of hesitation or excitement.

'I knew it, he understands it more accurately than I do...!'

Despite knowing the magnitude of his achievement,

he can recite it so calmly.

It's as if he did what was naturally expected of him.

"Indeed, His Excellency's thoughts are beyond my comprehension."

Marcello was once again amazed by Ho Yeol's capacity.

...

...

[The new World Tree has taken root in the Arcana continent.]

[The Arcana continent blesses the birth of the World Tree.]

[The life force surges throughout the Arcana continent.]

[A life force regeneration buff is applied to the entire Arcana continent.]

[A magic power regeneration buff is applied to the entire Arcana continent.]...

He merely read the messages that appeared.

Since the messages said so,

he could say, "That's how it is."

...However, Marcello does not know.

This success has skipped a vast intermediate process. It's as if he bypassed the normal path and took a shortcut.

He knows this fact better than anyone else.

Yet, he can be so shameless.

I am truly astonished by the thickness of his shamelessness.

Of course, his consistent attitude of not being swayed by emotions.

At least, it's fortunate that he doesn't waver.

However, Grandphel, though he does not show it,

'Wait a moment, what did Marcello just say...?'

The words that followed made him flinch.

It was a story that made him doubt his ears.

"The approval of more than half of the leadership is no longer necessary for the departure from the tower."

At first, he thought, "Is that so?"

Why, the current leadership of the tower was not complete.

The tower master was unable to act normally.

Three out of the five elder mages were identified as demon worshippers.

The leadership, in essence, consisted of only two elder mages.

What does a majority mean in this context?

Yes, that was the meaning he thought it had...

"Departure. The authority for this has been given to us."

...What? That's what it meant?!

The moment he realized,

a quest window appeared before his eyes.

─The Weight of the Chief (Repeat)▲

● Conduct verification at the Topaz Hall. (Success)

● Successfully hold a regular conference. (Success)

● Supervise the departure of mages. (In Progress)

He couldn't help but flinch.

Indeed, "departure" (出塔).

The meaning of this word was unmistakably clear.

"That's right. Thanks to His Excellency breaking the paradox, the tower and we can finally take external actions."

It means that the mages bound to the tower will finally move!

...Finally, this day has come.

Though he couldn't show it, he was deeply moved.

'Is my dream coming true?'

At the same time, a sense of security filled his heart.

I realized the need for reinforcements in the "Predator's Swamp."

If we hadn't prepared in advance,

if we hadn't received help,

I, on my own,

would never have been able to sprout the seed of the World Tree.

In this sense, the mages of the tower?

There is no more reliable ally than them.

Especially since I have taken on the World Quest.

More challenging quest objectives await in the future.

If the tower becomes an ally,

it's not just a shortcut.

It might even be possible to create a new path.

'Like cutting through a highway!'

However, wait a moment.

Why does the flashing quest objective seem so ominous?

Not just approving the departure...

Supervising it?

"The purpose of departure can vary. However, they will all be directed towards the rifts. However, as His Excellency knows from the experience with Bangrit, there is a high possibility of demonic influence in the rifts."

That's right.

[The Broken Dimensional Rift].

The unknown demon in the rift targeted Bangrit.

Of course, this was possible due to the cooperation of the elder mages who were demon worshippers.

'Even if that's not the case.'

As a demon hunter, I can be certain.

Demons will become increasingly cunning in their incursions into reality.

Demons, the more powerful they are, the more despicable they become.

In this sense, Marcello seems to be on guard.

"I hope our power is used to its full extent."

The chief mage of the tower.

He knows well that great power comes with great responsibility.

'I hope so too.'

I nodded silently.

Imagine if Bangrit were possessed by a demon.

It's truly terrifying just to think about it!

I couldn't run from a demon, could I? If I had recklessly confronted Bangrit, I would have sunk into the netherworld, drowned in heavy pride.

Therefore,

"Indeed, there is a need for supervision."

For my own future.

I need to supervise the departure of the tower mages.

Specifically, I need to accompany them to the rifts and supervise them. However, supervision is always based on my, Grandphel's, standards.

"The procedure will be simple."

Of course, the procedure always comes first.

Marcello nodded.

I spoke without hesitation.

"A mage who wishes to depart must detail the purpose of their departure and convey it to me. The judgment of whether the purpose is justified is solely mine. Naturally, the position of the mage who wishes to depart is not considered in my judgment."

Would I endure the hassle of being swayed by others?

Grandphel's heavy pride would not be swayed by others.

Now that I, Grandphel, am supervising the departure,

'The mages need to adjust, not me.'

I continued shamelessly.

"Furthermore, all departure schedules will be decided and carried out by me."

Another lesson learned.

In society, promises should not be made lightly.

Look at it now.

Thanks to the authority being transferred,

"I will convey this to the senior mages."

Such an unfair procedure was immediately approved?

However, it's not my concern.

Have I not always declared,

'If it's annoying, don't ask in the first place.'

Bearing the weight of the chief,

I must enjoy everything I can.

At least to avoid sinking.

Moreover,

'There are other things to focus on right now.'

Indeed, now that the tower is fully active,

the biggest threat needs to be eliminated.

Regarding the tower's situation,

regarding the demons,

even the past of the threat.

[Quest: Rebuilding the Tower]

The reality of the contradiction that existed in the tower of mages.

Now that the purpose of the tower, the pursuit of truth, has become impure.

Rebuild the tower from its foundation.

─Encounter the tower master. (In Progress)

─Punish the escaped demon worshippers. (In Progress)

─Find the true truth. (In Progress)

Supervising the departure, like the regular conference,

is a task that involves the pride of the chief.

Naturally,

in the departure I supervise,

no sudden actions will be tolerated.

'The threat must be eliminated.'

I stood up and said,

"It's time to interrogate the prisoners of the void."

Marcello asked with a worried voice,

"Are you going right now?"

"Yes."

"...Are you really not affected at all, Your Excellency?"

Void (無間).

The mages of the tower, born with innate magic power.

The sense of powerlessness they feel in the void is a significant mental shock.

Marcello, of course, and the cunning elder mages could not maintain their sanity in the void.

However, did I not say?

『The first thing Grandphel, as the next head of the family, mastered was not being swayed by personal matters.

The position of the head of the Claudy family did not tolerate even the slightest wavering.』

The void is my living room.

However, I cannot reveal my shameful past.

I added in my usual manner,

"Powerlessness is also a part of sensation."

"..."

"It is something that needs to be gotten used to, Marcello."

Packaging the experience of magic power depletion I just endured...

*

All that can be seen is darkness.

"...Are you there?"

No answer came from the void.

"Damn!"

Is my hearing also broken now?

Or is it that you really can't answer.

The elder mage of the tower.

No, a demon worshipper.

No, not even that.

In the void, he is just a powerless human.

'How much time has passed?'

My head is muddled.

My memory is hazy.

If I stay like this, I will have problems even if I am released from the void.

Can I even properly manifest a single spell in this state?

However, such worries can only be had when there is hope.

'Even after so much time has passed.'

Why am I still trapped in this damn place?

Could all the plans have been reduced to nothing?

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts is not easy.

'...Perhaps the plans have already succeeded. Knowing that we are trapped in the void, they could have easily rescued us, but they are ignoring us?'

Indeed, are we just disposable pawns?

"Damn...!"

More and more doubt and distrust dominated my thoughts.

Then,

"!"

Creak—

The door of the void opened, and someone approached.

It didn't matter who it was.

If they would let me out of here, I could beg.

"Who is it? Are