At the same time, it was the only region within the empire that legally
harbored demons and allowed the research of black magic.
Some demons who have completed socialization certification live in the
Black Tower, but they endure various entry restrictions and behavioral
constraints.
Research into black magic was indispensable for the empire, but foolish
acts were never tolerated.
And now, with just one day left until the exchange meeting.
Teddy, the secretary of the Black Tower Master, with the appearance of a
young girl, was spending her boring time hugging a doll.
"Hmm~"
Bored.
Once the exchange meeting would start, it would be full of fun things all
day, but the anticipation made this waiting time endlessly boring and
draining.
Teddy had a temperament that couldn't stay still for even a moment.
But even so, the reason she was waiting patiently now was.
"…The Imperial Tower."
It was indeed the Imperial Tower.
Teddy was very much looking forward to seeing what the Imperial Tower
would show at the exchange meeting. Surely, she wasn't the only one
feeling this way.
The Imperial Tower that said it would not forget the attitude of the Black
Tower.
Was it really an attitude born of confidence?
If not, was it just a bluff?
So far, it just seemed like a bluff.
"Lady Teddy, some have already arrived."
One of the Black Tower's magicians reported. He wore a hood due to his
demon horns.
"Which key figures from the main towers have arrived?"
"All four towers, except the Imperial Tower, have arrived. Also, as you
instructed, we have organized a festival in the area to attract as many
spectators as possible."
"Well done. The more eyes watching, the better~"
The Black Tower was not just a building, but a regional concept.
Given that it was an exchange meeting, most events were held unofficially
among key figures, but some announcements were made in front of crowds.
Through the festival, Teddy aimed to attract a large crowd.
To proudly showcase the Black Tower's pride.
To expose the flaws of the Imperial Tower.
…Anyway, everyone gathered would come to know the results.
But come to think of it, one thing bothered her.
"So, everyone is here except the Imperial Tower?"
"Yes, that's right. Didn't the Imperial Tower make a declaration not to be
late for this exchange meeting? It seems to have had quite an impact."
"After saying that, they are taking their time…"
Whether the Imperial Tower Auditor had something to rely on or it was just
a bluff, they would surely know by tomorrow.
Teddy went outside to greet the guests.
Well, it was just a light greeting.
"How harshly has the Imperial Tower treated us all this time?"
"Indeed. They have obstructed the development of other towers!"
"But still, no place has suffered as much as the Black Tower. All the major
projects we've been preparing for were dismantled or rejected midway,
weren't they?"
No matter where you go, all the talk was about the Imperial Tower. As such,
everyone was paying attention to the fate of the Imperial Tower this time.
"They impose all kinds of sanctions while hiding their own announcements
and not even attending the exchange meetings!"
"Let's see this time how great they are."
Of course, most of the gazes towards the Imperial Tower were filled with
resentment.
The Imperial Tower's job itself was to monitor, restrict, or punish other
towers. Whether they did it well or poorly, it was hard to earn the goodwill
of other towers.
…But.
If the Imperial Tower, which couldn't even maintain its own substance, was
monitoring and sanctioning other towers…
Then wouldn't that be a terribly wicked act?
As she walked, someone smiled kindly at Teddy.
"The Black Tower has suffered the most all this time."
"Hehe~ I'm glad you acknowledge that~"
Teddy lightly responded as she passed by him.
The fact that there were demons, and the research into black magic…
Naturally, the Black Tower had been treated the harshest and most
oppressed by the Imperial Tower.
"I hope the Imperial Tower is well-prepared~"
Teddy quietly muttered to herself.
"My pranks are very mischievous; don't cry if you get hurt, okay?"
Jaekiel slowly sat up.
"Ugh…"
He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and chest, and upon inspection, he
found white bandages wrapped around him.
'There's pain, but my body feels much better than before.'
That was his first impression of his own body.
The injuries from the arrows were merely external wounds caused by
depleted mana. The important thing was that the flow of cold within his
body was better than before.
…It felt more like a refreshing treatment was completed.
'But this place… Ah, the infirmary inside the church.'
Familiar.
He remembered collapsing during the battle with Ether, and this place was
familiar. The infirmary inside the church of the Imperial Palace. He had
been brought here countless times in the past.
"Hmm?"
But he had to frown soon after.
There was something unfamiliar in the familiar scenery.
His eyes took in the objects filling the infirmary.
Flowerpots, baskets of fruit, herbs… The quantity was staggering. It was
hard to tell if he was in an infirmary or a storage room.
Jaekiel was about to get out of bed.
"They said you should stay in bed until today."
His head turned quickly.
A woman was standing in the now-open doorway.
"Are you awake?"
"…"
The woman who entered, sweeping her hair behind her ear as usual, was
Anes, a telekinetic and Jaekiel's exclusive secretary.
"Were you able to enter this place as well?"
"When you hadn't been heard from for days, I learned the truth today and
received permission to visit. Isn't it natural for your exclusive secretary?"
"Days, huh… Have I been unconscious for that long?"
"Yes. The exchange meeting between the towers is tomorrow."
Jaekiel slowly furrowed his brow.
'That long? I'm still not at a sufficient level.'
If his body had been in better shape and his level had been higher, that
match would have been nothing… His desire for improvement was stirred.
He nodded.
"Got it. We'll leave as soon as I'm discharged."
Meanwhile, Anes tilted her head.
"…As expected, something is off about you."
"Why?"
"You were seriously injured and hospitalized, barely surviving… But you
don't seem surprised at all. It's as if this is no big deal to you."
"Well…"
It was true. He had been through this countless times.
There were countless missions in the past that were unimaginably difficult,
and each time he teetered on the brink of life and death. Hospitalization was
a routine part of completing those tasks.
Jaekiel pointed to the objects in front of him with his chin.
"…Never mind that. Are all these things you brought?"
"They are gifts for you, Auditor. From the Tower staff, residents of Luiple,
guards of the Royal Treasury… So many people sent them that they piled
up like this."
"Hmm."
Gifts for a hospital visit—this was a first.
It felt strange.
Jaekiel's missions always required him to conceal his identity, so no one
knew him. Every time he was hospitalized, the infirmary was always empty.
"This is the first time I've seen the Tower staff united. It's also the first time
the guards sent gifts. It seems you're receiving quite a bit of respect."
"Respect, huh."
Jaekiel waved his hand dismissively.
But…
A strange emotion swept through his chest. Since writing the proposal
letters and getting involved in various things, he felt like he was
experiencing things he never had before.
It was okay to become famous, and he could become famous.
That feeling was truly strange.
With a click, Anes elegantly rotated a cube.
"So, shall I make the report now? If you're still unwell, I'll wait."
"Do as you please. I'm feeling perfectly fine now."
"Yes. Then…"
Anes handed over a few documents.
"First of all, it seems the Black Tower is quite confident. They didn't
hesitate to provoke the Imperial Tower, and they even accepted a
commission."
"Quite audacious. What's the commission?"
"It's about the cursed sword obtained from Luiple."
The cursed sword, he recalled after a moment.
He had retrieved the sword that absorbs fear.
"Right. There was such a thing."
"They asked to bring it to the Black Tower."
Anes didn't look pleased as she said that.
"They claim it's for research to benefit the empire, but we can't know their
true intentions. The Black Tower is always like this."
"What do you mean?"
"They periodically attempt dangerous things and test the Imperial Tower's
reactions. They do something first, and if the Imperial Tower points it out,
they pretend innocence and stop."
"They're itching to cross the line."
"Yes. We've been stopping them for the past ten years, but…"
Anes sighed deeply.
"The problem is that the Black Tower has always acted like the victim. If
we can't show the Imperial Tower's strength at this exchange meeting, it's
obvious what will happen."
"They'll leave out the fact that they attempted something dangerous and
only highlight that the Imperial Tower sanctioned them without substance."
"Yes, that's the problem. Someone needs to stop the Black Tower, but the
Imperial Tower has such a negative image…"
Jaekiel quietly stroked his chin.
He thought the Imperial Tower resembled his past self.
Sanctioning and monitoring someone, even if it's the right thing to do,
inevitably breeds resentment. You could never gain the favor of those
you're monitoring.
'But it's obvious what will happen if we let them go.'
He knew well what would happen if such actions were left unchecked.
They'd claim they were unfairly oppressed by the Imperial Tower and ask
for temporary freedom, but they'd end up causing great danger to the
continent.
…So, the only option was to suppress them at this exchange meeting.
"We'll need strong allies going forward."
The Imperial Tower was in such a lonely position that Jaekiel couldn't
guarantee he could handle everything alone in the future. They would need
allies to support the Imperial Tower.
"…Allies, you say?"
"Yes, those who will support the Imperial Tower."
But.
Just as they were having that conversation.
"Ah, you're awake?"
Another presence was felt at the door.
At first, it was one person, but soon it became three.
"Auditor! Are you awake?"
"Excuse me…!"
The three began to speak urgently.
"I am a messenger from the 1st Princess…"
"It's me! Secretary Tether of the 2nd Princess!"
"I am here on behalf of the 3rd Princess…"
"…"
Anes blinked as if asking what this was.
Jaekiel quietly observed the commotion.
Instead of furrowing his brow, he smiled.
"Everyone, you've come at the right time."
Come to think of it, he had more than enough allies.