“Take a seat.”
As Hoenheim gestured, the surroundings shifted again.
From a massive intersection to a small reception room.
On the table placed in the center was the tea set I had been told to prepare just moments ago.
“Since we’ve come this far, how about you take off that damn armor? I can see all of you anyway.”
Hoenheim sat on the sofa, dragging her clothing, and it was amusing how her unkempt hair poked out from behind the backrest.
She insisted I remove my armor, but I couldn’t do that just yet.
Even if she could clearly see my face.
“Regulations say I can’t show myself to others.”
“There’s no one else here but me… If that’s the case, I’ll respect it.”
She didn’t press me further to comply.
“I’m glad we have time to talk. I have many questions about you. Your experience fighting the Great Demon and how you broke through the Snow Country—both are worth my time.”
Hoenheim, who usually wore a frown, was being straightforwardly friendly towards me.
Unlike me, wandering around and fighting, she stayed in her tower, curious about the world beyond her fingertips.
Demonology and ancient civilizations were among her interests.
She wanted to delve deeper into these topics, but with so little material available, she had to gather information herself, which she despised.
She was just waiting for someone to do it for her, and I was finally here.
“By accepting my invitation, you’re saying you’re confident enough to satisfy my curiosity, right?”
“I don’t know if I can satisfy someone so close to the truth, but I will do my best to be a worthy playmate.”
“…Playmate, huh? That’s an interesting term. I haven’t found anything appealing lately.”
Before jumping into the conversation, I decided to get straight to the point.
“But first, we need to establish something clearly. I dislike beating around the bush, so I’ll ask directly: Have you acted to acquire artifacts after the summit?”
Using the bit of time I had before the earlier audience, I had crashed auctions and conferences.
I was making sure to gather undeniable evidence.
“You mean you’ve made moves?”
“The exploration team that uncovered those artifacts is under pressure from the Magic Tower. The one I suspect the most is its master—you.”
Hoenheim wore a blank expression as if she didn’t understand my words.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have time for such pointless scheming.”
“The perpetrators all mentioned the Magic Tower. They were people who were in direct dealings with it. Do you not know how your own arms move?”
“That’s not my job. The tower is just a location. I’m the owner of the place, not of the people inside it.”
Hoenheim merely created the tower and provided a venue for discussion; she drew the line at knowing what happened inside.
But that didn’t make sense.
“What happened before people you don’t know did in your own place was done in the name of your creation. It makes no sense that you bear no responsibility. If you’re saying you didn’t do it, then at least you need to clarify who did, so we can move on.”
As the owner of the location, she held responsibility for actions taken in its name.
Hoenheim nodded as she accepted my point.
“Hmm, it’s a waste of time, but I feel insulted that someone tried to intercept the artifacts you were going to show me. I’ll deal with it quickly.”
“Is there anyone else in this tower who researches ancient civilizations besides you?”
“Who in their right mind would invest time in something yielding only as much evidence as a single book… Someone influential within the Magic Tower?”
Hoenheim seemed lost in deep thought before suddenly snapping her fingers.
“…Now that you mention it, there is one.”
Then, in the middle of the reception room, a man appeared.
“Hmm?”
He wore a gentle smile.
Generally, researchers, like those who had just interrupted Hoenheim, neglect their appearance due to rarely stepping into the spotlight.
Because they spend so little time on self-care, they cannot invest much time in dressing up.
However, the man summoned by Hoenheim was an exception.
He had a friendly face and wore a neat outfit, showcasing solid muscles.
He seemed pleasantly surprised to be summoned by Hoenheim, rising to greet her.
“Um… Master, what brings you to call me?”
“Kyle Danvers. You wrote a thesis about the civilization that may have existed in ancient times, and you’re the only one with the power to act on behalf of the Magic Tower while belonging to both the archaeological society and the tower.”
The gentle-looking man began to sweat as he felt the attention on him.
Could it be him?
He didn’t seem like the type to commit such acts, but I’ve learned over time that those who look the most innocent often have treacherous intentions.
Looking closely, I realized I recognized him from somewhere.
‘…I think I’ve seen him at the society before?’
I specifically remembered him being close to the conference chair.
I recalled.
This guy clearly had belittled the dragon theory by saying that believing in the existence of an ancient civilization and jumping into a dragon’s belly for a legendary sword was suicidal nonsense.
Did he really submit a thesis about ancient civilizations after saying all that?
I felt a surge of killing intent from sheer disbelief.
“Seems like you didn’t call me for anything good.”
After tidying himself up, he prepared to respond no matter what came next, but Hoenheim yawned as if she didn’t care.
“Let’s get started quickly. I’m bored.”
“Eh? Huh??”
As Hoenheim waved her hand, it seemed something invisible bound Kyle’s body, suspending him in mid-air.
Approaching the completely restrained Kyle, Hoenheim crossed her arms and began her rapid-fire questioning.
“Kyle Danvers, you are accused of unjustly profiting using the name of the Magic Tower. Do you have anything to say in rebuttal?”
“I don’t understand what you mean by unjust profit, Master! I’m innocent!”
Kyle cried out in protest as a magic symbol glowed in Hoenheim’s hand.
“What was it… oh right. Have you, at any point, given orders to George, the owner of the auction house, not to display the ancient artifacts that the Snow Country Exploration Team brought forth in the name of the Magic Tower?”
“Why in the world would I do that? I’ve sent secret letters to the auction house and the society. If they dispose of it first, what can I take for myself? It’s only natural!”
Quick to speak, Kyle spilled words that contradicted his original claim.
“No… that’s not true! That’s not my true intention!! Master, why, why… I was just trying to secure it quickly while you weren’t paying attention, and now information has leaked? Based on previous patterns, you should be in the lab for another three months!!”
“I see, I had no intention of coming out myself. Unless this situation had arisen. If you knew I was interested in those artifacts, then hiding them to write your thesis wouldn’t make sense. Were there any artifacts you wanted?”
“There wouldn’t be… oh wait! There’s a fantastic item! The essence of the ancient dragon that’s now extinct, a lamp that holds a demon who grants wishes, and even the hammer said to have killed a god! They had no clue what those were and just begged for an appraisal!”
Under the spell that forced Kyle to reveal his true thoughts, he spoke words and wore expressions completely at odds with each other.
Though his hurried words poured out, his face grew paler.
“So… are you admitting to the accusation that you tried to block the activities of the Snow Country Exploration Team using the name of the Magic Tower to take the artifacts at a low price?”
“I’m innocent!! I haven’t touched a single one, and being caught now is just too unjust! Master, please show mercy just this once…!!”
“I see, you’re right. I myself have suffered no losses.”
Hoenheim always spoke in a calm tone.
In truth, the only direct damage she faced was me appearing here to confront her.
“So, I’m going to leave the judgment to those directly harmed.”
With that, she snapped her fingers, tossing Kyle aside like garbage.
“Since I’ve disabled your magic, you can take him away after I’m done. How you deal with it is none of my concern; think of it as my little gift.”
“What do you mean, Master…!! I… I’ve been so loyal to the tower! How could you do this to me!!”
This time, he didn’t change his tone.
It sounds like he genuinely felt this way deep down.
“Damn…!! I don’t know who you are, but….”
As he rambled on, I couldn’t help but act before words left my mouth.
-Whack!!
“Cough?!!”
A few white fragments flew out of Kyle’s mouth as I kicked him in the face.
“I don’t know who you are, but here’s an interesting offer I’d like to make. Just hear me out…”
“I’m good.”
Kicking him again, Kyle fainted without even being able to scream.
“I’ll lift everything that idiot has put in place. I should attend the next auction. That’s where the artifacts from the Snow Country are, right?”
“Yes. If you come, I’ll be sure to treat you with utmost respect.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Even if they say they’ll treat me with the utmost respect, if the Master appears, the auction will be put on high alert.
They’ll prepare the VVVIP course for me.
They have plenty of money, so that day’s auction should thrive.
