No matter the climate conditions at the edge of the wasteland, from the very moment Aoko's team stepped into the desolate land, they were greeted by an oppressive weather of dark clouds blotting out the sun, flashes of lightning, and deafening thunder—yet the air was dry, with no rain in sight. Even the air carried a faint, sulfuric odor.
This region spread outward in a circular pattern, with the tower at its center. Aoko was certain that this unnatural climate was caused by that tower—or something inside it.
Along the way, they encountered no signs of living creatures or enemies trying to stop them. Both thet understood that engaging in combat before reaching the tower would have been a pointless waste of time.
And so, after roughly two hours of travel, they reached the gates of the Tower of Rezo at around 3 PM.
The tower's design was bizarre; it looked less like a fortress built by human hands and more like a heavily weathered mountain crudely carved into its current form by some unknown force. It bore no discernible architectural style.
Its antiquity surpassed even Aoko's imagination. Judging by its dilapidated state, it was at least several thousand years old. Yet, against all odds, it still stood tall to this day.
As they stood before the massive, heavy gates of the tower, a grating creak echoed through the air as the gates opened on their own. Without hesitation, Aoko took the lead and stepped inside.
The interior of the tower was a mess—or rather, even if Rezo resided here, he seemed to care nothing for the lower levels. The area was strewn with shattered statues and rubble whose origins were unclear. However, the lights illuminating the path were still burning, and Aoko could sense a magical effect sustaining them.
Passing through the dilapidated entry corridor, the group arrived in a grand hall that seemed completely out of place compared to the earlier surroundings. The lavish design created a stark contrast, making them feel a sense of unease.
"Rezo, we're here! Show yourself and let's end this charade!" Lina called out loudly.
A blood-red glow began to coalesce above the staircase at the far end of the hall, eventually forming the figure of Rezo. Gourry immediately became alert upon seeing the enemy, placing his hand on the hilt of the Sword of Light.
"Calm down, Gourry. It's just an illusion!" Lina reminded him. "He's likely not here in person."
"Welcome to my humble abode," Rezo's projection said in a flat tone. "I must apologize, but I'm currently preoccupied with some matters that I cannot leave unattended."
"Stop with the theatrics!" Zelgadiss growled through clenched teeth, but Rezo ignored his descendant entirely.
"We have the Philosopher's Stone!" Lina declared, gripping the goddess statue tightly. "But I want to see with my own eyes that the townsfolk are safe and that you'll lift the curse magic!"
Aoko didn't care one way or the other about such matters. To her, whether or not Rezp had taken the villagers hostage made no difference. But Lina was different—her high moral standards (or perhaps naivety) made her an easy target for Rezo's manipulations.
"Very well. Then I must trouble you to come to the top of this tower. I will await you there."
With that, Rezo's projection vanished. Along with his illusion, the grand hall also disappeared, revealing the decrepit and crumbling base of the tower and a long, spiraling staircase leading upward.
Among the group, only Gourry lacked magical ability. Aoko promptly cast a mass flight spell, allowing everyone, including Gourry, to fly.
Initially, Gourry struggled to control himself in the air, but his instincts and reflexes were remarkable. After crashing into the walls twice, he quickly got the hang of it.
After about ten minutes of flight, the group reached the door at the top of the tower. As they landed, the door opened automatically.
The room inside was an elegantly decorated hall. At one end of a long table sat Rezo in a high-backed chair, his staff floating beside him. Along both sides of the table were numerous candelabras, their flames flickering toward Rezo as if drawn by an unseen wind.
"I've been expecting you," Rezo said leisurely. His voice always reminded Aoko of a certain villainous voice actor from her previous life.
"Finally showing up in person, huh?" Lina said, her tone mocking. "Here's the Philosopher's Stone!"
"Then, please hand it over," Rezo said, extending a hand.
"That's not going to happen so easily," Aoko said, leaning on her staff. "Don't think the world revolves around you. Maybe try opening your eyes and seeing reality."
For a brief moment, Rezp's expression faltered, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Yare, yare. Do you think you can take me down with just a handful of people?" Rezo said in a teasing tone.
"I have some questions for you," Lina said, holding the goddess statue. "If your answers don't satisfy me, I'll destroy the Philosopher's Stone right here and now!"
"...Very well. Ask your questions," Rezo said after a pause, maintaining his composure.
"We've received information from Zelgadiss that you plan to use the Philosopher's Stone to heal your eyes," Lina began. "But my intuition tells me it's not that simple."
"Based on my deductions, I believe you intend to use the Philosopher's Stone to unseal part of Shabranigdo that's sealed within this tower. Then, you plan to make a deal with the Demon King to cure your blindness."
"Tell me—am I correct?"
"...Hahahahahahaha!" Rezo burst into laughter, clapping as he did. "What an impressive imagination! But yes, you're right. My plan is to resurrect Shabranigdo."
"Are you insane?!" Zelgadiss shouted angrily. "You're willing to destroy the entire world for your selfish desires?!"
"When human strength alone won't suffice, isn't it only natural to turn to the power of gods or demons?" Rezo said matter-of-factly. "The most powerful Demon King is indeed sealed within this tower."
"Then there's nothing left to discuss!" Lina growled, clenching her teeth. "Whether or not you're threatening the townsfolk, the Philosopher's Stone cannot fall into your hands. I'll destroy it right now!"
With that, flames began to gather in Lina's hand, channeling her magic into the goddess statue to destroy it on the spot.
"Born of rock, born of flesh, release your bindings and return to your destined place!" Rezo chanted, his magic surging. Crimson light illuminated the hall as Aoko, without hesitation, fired a powerful magic bullet directly at Rezo's head. However, the bullet passed straight through him.
An illusion? No, Aoko could sense Rezo's magic still present. He must have used some method to temporarily shift to a different plane of existence.
But what was his spell's effect? Had he activated some kind of mechanism?