Upon returning to Etna City, Ortes’ first visit was to Lampades.
“I’ve heard about the situation in Algus City. It seems there was quite a fierce battle.”
Lampades maintained a calm expression while observing Ortes’ reaction. Cnemon, who had been through similar trials, had informed him of the events that took place in Algus City.
What shocked Lampades was Argeyirion’s betrayal. To scheme against Ortes and succeed was unimaginable.
Apparently, the contamination at Amimone Magic Tower prepared by Argeyirion to oppose Ortes had vanished in an instant, hadn’t it?
Lampades had also heard from Cnemon about the “Annihilation Bubbles” and how Ortes had easily abandoned them. Given the circumstances, it wasn’t hard to guess that the ‘Great Explosion’ which eliminated the contamination was part of Ortes’ plan to replace the bubbles.
Lampades felt as if his lips were drying up. Though Ortes and Carisia were absent, their subordinates, the board members, carried out their orders like machines.
However, one thing was certain: the efficiency of the board members’ operations improved several times over thanks to the ‘Radar’ provided by Lampades.
In one of the board member’s offices, terrible screams echoed until dawn. It was unclear what terrifying research was being conducted in that office, which resembled a spider’s lair.
From these facts, Lampades formulated a hypothesis.
Fact One: The Radar provided by Lampades greatly enhanced the efficiency of searching for something essential to Ortes’ plans.
Fact Two: Following Ortes’ orders, the board members used the improved Radar to secure excessive amounts of that ‘something.’
Fact Three: Ortes completely eradicated Argeyirion’s secret weapon using some special means.
Fact Four: The existence of this special method was a secret even from the board members. The only exception being…
Caike.
Lampades had met Caike, who referred to himself as a low-level employee, several more times since their accidental (or so he claimed) encounter in the president’s office.
It was to request adjustments to the Radar for specific purposes.
After news of the contamination and the great explosion in Algus City spread through the Ethereal Network, Hydra Corp was thrown into turmoil due to the unconfirmed survival of Ortes and Carisia.
Even amidst this chaos, Caike calmly approached Lampades demanding further improvements.
From this came another hypothesis.
The Great Explosion used by Ortes in Algus City was created using some resource detectable by the Radar.
This resource was extremely rare but became available in sufficient quantities thanks to the Radar developed by Lampades.
Lampades recalled old legends—tales of ruthless purges among researchers to keep secrets of forbidden magic.
‘If Ortes decides to silence me to preserve his secrets…’
At this point, the Radar theory he had built no longer held potential for further development. In other words, it was a component that could be removed without consequence.
But the current operator of the Radar, Astrape, was different. Without her, the performance of the detection spell would drastically decrease. The same applied to the skilled personnel of Lampades Magic Tower who synchronized with Astrape.
Preparing arguments to save Astrape and the other tower members, Lampades anxiously awaited Ortes’ words.
“Mr. Lampades, what are your thoughts on the Ten Towers?”
‘So, we’re back to this question…’
Though he suspected it since recruiting the apocalyptic Cnemon, Ortes seemed genuinely intent on burning the world.
“Oh, not whether you support or oppose the system, but regarding their power.”
“…If one member of the Ten Towers were to fall, it might be possible. But can any group truly take down all ten towers?”
Hearing this response, Ortes slowly nodded.
“I understand you’ve had many discussions with Mr. Cnemon.”
Lampades stiffened.
“As you might guess, Mr. Cnemon and I share some common goals. Hence my question…”
Tension rose in Lampades as he anticipated whether the next words would be an ultimatum or persuasion.
“Wouldn’t it be wise for you to return to the Magic Tower at this point?”
“What?”
An unexpected question. It wasn’t a demand to surrender everything, nor an overt recruitment attempt revealing true intentions.
“That is, Mr. Cnemon has always been… ideologically extreme, hasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Which is why we were able to collaborate. However, your goals differ, Mr. Lampades. A clash between Hydra Corp and the Ten Towers is inevitable.”
“If Hydra Corp fights the Ten Towers, won’t my Magic Tower be labeled an accomplice and destroyed?”
“We have made preparations to prevent that. If things go as I expect, the Ten Towers will lack the resources to eliminate your Magic Tower. They may even find each tower too precious to waste efforts on accusations.”
‘The Ten Towers, with the immense source of mana known as the Ten Sages, claim resource shortages? What exactly does he intend to do?’
Having composed his thoughts, Lampades spoke.
“I have a few questions.”
“Feel free to ask.”
“Isn’t the collection of resources via Radar crucial for the magic you used in Algus City? Are you willing to give up such advantages?”
“…You surprise me. First, let me clarify that the magic wasn’t mine. While your Radar was indeed essential to Hydra Corp’s plans, however…”
Ortes shrugged.
“We’ve already secured the necessary amount. There are many recorded locations we couldn’t exploit due to manpower shortages.”
This answer, delivered with eerie calmness, sent chills down Lampades’ spine.
Hmph. This guy is sharp too.
Actually, Lampades’ Radar was meant not for creating magical bombs but for producing Artificial Tenth Ranks, though the bombs were byproducts of that process.
Despite skipping some details, Lampades had reached the correct conclusion.
“So, my second question: does the ‘necessary quantity’ include the amount required to counter Argeyirion?”
“We aim to avoid direct conflict with them as much as possible. Even without our intervention, the Ten Towers will likely attempt to eliminate them.”
Lampades paused to think. Initially, he considered trying to recruit Lampades, but decided against it, realizing the burden would be too great for this man.
Unless Lampades Magic Tower relocated entirely to Etna City, it wouldn’t be possible to protect all the mages under Lampades. Engaging in full-scale war with the Ten Towers would bring immediate destruction to the tower, and asking a friend to abandon his dreams was beyond him.
It was also a precaution in case Astrape ever encountered the Wizard King. Kine was understandable after working together for a long time, but Astrape, having met only a few times, remained unpredictable.
“Well then, my final question.”
“Hmm? Feel free to ask anything.”
“Don’t you usually only fight battles you know you’ll win? Is victory uncertain in this fight against the Ten Towers?”
Lampades had hit the mark.
“The way you conduct yourself now seems different from your days as a resolver or usual behavior. You moved with confidence in your plans, but…”
“There’s a reason our opponent is the Ten Towers. But it goes beyond that.”
“It goes beyond that?”
“It’s difficult to explain properly, but the ultimate adversary I must face may exceed my expectations… No, my very expectations themselves might be meaningless. Your Magic Tower, in a sense, serves as insurance.”
“To appear unrelated to Hydra Corp and act as a refuge for someone in need during emergencies?”
Ortes nodded. Lampades found it hard to believe Ortes’ words. He didn’t understand Ortes fully.
Perhaps only ancient gods in legends would consider failure. For Lampades, the idea of Ortes contemplating defeat was foreign.
Yet, it was a welcome situation. Keeping secrets intact, preserving the strength of the Magic Tower, and returning home—there was no reason to refuse.
“One last question retracted—I have one more. Is your unease related to Argeyirion?”
Ortes smiled bitterly. An unexpected display of humanity.
“Argeyirion… somewhat similar. Perhaps the entity behind them.”
*
Having concluded his conversation with Lampades, I headed toward Carisia. Having settled matters with the subcontractor, it was time to decide the treatment of internal company personnel.
“Is there anyone in the company who fully understands our plans right now?”
“Kine and Cnemon are rebuilding in Algus City. No one knows about our plan to transcend the creation of Artificial Tenth Ranks and engage in total war with the Ten Towers.”
Carisia massaged her temples. Now was the perfect time to deploy Baegwang as conflicts between the Ten Towers and Argeyirion intensified.
To ensure Hydra Corp employees could fully utilize their capabilities, the truth would have to be revealed.
“But tell me,”
“Yes?”
“If we’re fighting the Ten Towers, is revealing the truth really necessary?”
“…Excuse me?”
