Cnemon felt perplexed by Carisia’s sudden summons.
He had never slacked off in his duties. In fact, there hadn’t even been time to attempt such a thing since he’d arrived. It had been less than three days since he was brought to Etna City. Anyone would understand if he hadn’t fully adapted yet during this short period.
‘Was the compensation I asked for too excessive? …No.’
As Cnemon pondered his remuneration, he quickly shook his head. Ortes had promised him the position of tower master at the Amimone Magic Tower. His initial demand had simply been for destruction, but Ortes’ proposal offered a far more sophisticated and intelligent form of retaliation.
Hydra Corp was powerful enough to make such an offer casually. If it were something Hydra Corp couldn’t handle, Ortes wouldn’t have proposed it in the first place.
With unresolved doubts, Cnemon headed toward the president’s office.
Carisia sat alone inside. The absence of Lampades added to the heavy pressure weighing on Cnemon’s shoulders.
“Please, take a seat.”
Carisia gestured with her hand, exuding an aura of supreme authority as though reigning from the shadows.
“I deeply apologize for disturbing you amidst your busy schedule.”
“…What is it that you need?”
A mysterious smile played on Carisia’s lips. For a moment, Cnemon thought she resembled Ortes.
‘Lampades said once that you truly resemble Ortes…’
He understood why she might say that.
“I have a question.”
“About the Amimone Magic Tower? Everything I’ve investigated has already been handed over to Director of Holy Investigations. As for the status of other magic towers’ relics, the investigation is ongoing.”
“Aha. This isn’t about official matters. It’s about your ‘friend.'”
“Ortes?”
‘You know more about him than I do.’ Cnemon refrained from voicing the thought that crossed his mind.
‘…It’s rumored that Ortes can read minds, but surely the president doesn’t have that ability too.’
If the president could do everything herself, there’d be no need for subordinates. Having Ortes under her command implied there was some irreplaceable aspect to him.
“Yes. About Director of Holy Investigations Ortes.”
Cnemon waited anxiously for what came next.
“What exactly did you two do during your bounty hunter days?”
“…?”
The unexpected question only deepened Cnemon’s confusion.
I was making diligent phone calls. Despite my efforts to work hard so I could later live leisurely, I’ve come to realize how exhausting even minimal activity can be these days.
“Yes. Thank you, Director. The line is secure…”
Recently, most of my calls have been to Salmosia. Preparing early ensures the net around Amimone Magic Tower becomes tighter.
“Demos. Are you ready?”
Second on my list was Demos, who acted as a liaison for the Theistic Order. Around the time Lampades brought Cnemon, I called for this purpose:
‘Argeyirion’s influence has made the Ten Towers’ surveillance network more precise. How can we overcome this crisis?’
Additionally, ‘We are extracting the power of relics, and with the blessing of the Grand Temple, we will soon possess the strength to rival the Ten Towers.’ I judged this to be mostly bravado.
While their power may increase somewhat, it’s unlikely they’ll achieve overwhelming force capable of opposing all of the Ten Towers.
If one grand temple with additional relics could fight the Ten Towers, then why did the Wizard King era end despite the Theistic Order having at least ten temples back then?
Thus, I didn’t bother questioning or doubting these empty boasts. Criticism might only provoke resentment.
Instead of criticism, I provided a solution.
To be honest, it was a solution to benefit me.
And this solution was the key element to overturning the Amimone Magic Tower.
Demos looked at Erictonia, the high priestess of Glauipicos standing before him. Since securing Pluto’s grand temple, the Theistic Order had undergone massive changes.
Among these, the rise of factions was the most significant.
Originally, factional disputes were a luxury the Theistic Order couldn’t afford in its struggle for survival.
There could be disagreements on certain issues, but once a decision was made, absolute obedience was expected, and the full resources of the order would support it.
Otherwise, they would have long been crushed by the Ten Towers.
However, the new power—relics and the grand temple—offered the Theistic Order a different future.
They no longer needed to conform to a single will. Even divided, they could ensure survival, or even more.
This potential for division became most evident regarding the Pope’s plans.
Though there had always been dissenters, the Pope’s plan was narrowly approved through voting, so opposition was suppressed.
Even when the Pope’s plan seemed like the only means of survival, a significant number of votes against it were cast. The radical nature of the Pope’s vision caused much discomfort.
But now, the situation had changed.
A new way to survive without relying on the Pope had emerged. The Order had rediscovered remnants of the forgotten mythological age’s power.
Still, this alone wouldn’t have created a faction strong enough to oppose the Pope.
What truly united those vaguely dissatisfied into a faction was Pluto’s grand temple.
Specifically, the priestess of Pluto.
Since acquiring the grand temple, the Pluto Cult also stepped out from the shadows. The priestess, the sole legitimate successor of the grand temple, gained authority comparable to the Pope.
At some point, rumors spread that the priestess had opposed but reluctantly cooperated with the Pope’s plans. These rumors circulated subtly, impossible to trace.
Thus, the Theistic Order split into two factions.
Those supporting the Pope, and those backing the priestess. The divisive future Kore feared had arrived.
However, not everyone could decide their stance as swiftly as Hyacinth siding with the Pope or Proditto with the priestess.
Demos was among the undecided, caught in hesitation.
“So, Erictonia, what do you think of Ortes’ response?”
Erictonia immediately supported the priestess upon her appearance. She agreed with most of Kore’s claims but reserved judgment on the assertion that “Ortes is dangerous.”
Through Demos, she posed a test question to Ortes.
“Hmm. When I asked how we could conceal our existence, he didn’t suggest hiding. Shouldn’t he have given a proper answer?”
“That strategy, though unconventional, is quite ingenious.”
When asked about methods to evade the attention of the Ten Towers, Ortes gave an unexpected reply:
“Don’t hide.”
“You are merely being used as justification for Argeyirion’s propaganda. Panoptes may believe the pretense given by the elders of the Ten Towers.”
“So, ideally, you should remain undiscovered. But if traces of you are revealed, the magical community will fall into greater chaos.”
Under the current intensified scrutiny of the Ten Towers, Ortes advised using this very justification against them.
By actively leaving false trails to make the world believe Argeyirion and the Theistic Order were collaborating, the focus on the Theistic Order would diminish as the pursuit of Argeyirion intensified.
‘If the priestess is correct and Ortes truly poses a threat, he wouldn’t have suggested such an effective method.’
The priestess remained silent on why she considered Ortes dangerous.
So, they tested him with this question. If Ortes planned to betray the Theistic Order, he might offer a deceptive answer, taking advantage of the Order’s current weakness.
Once the Order mastered the power of the grand temple, it would regain strength comparable to the Ten Towers.
However, Ortes’ response, while risky, contained no deception.
Erictonia nodded in acknowledgment of Ortes’ strategy.
“Not bad. But I wonder about its feasibility. At least the Proper Tower must be involved for chaos to erupt in the magical community, right?”
“It’s been prepared.”
“Prepared?”
Demos murmured the name of the tower Ortes identified as the best place to leave such traces.
“Amimone Magic Tower.”
