The Tower of Wizards, commonly known as the Wizard’s Tower.
This is a place that every wizard in the world hopes to enter.
High compensation.
Research facilities and support so excellent that materials are hardly a concern.
(Though it’s rare) Instruction from the world’s greatest wizards.
With all these perks, for a wizard, it’s practically heaven.
However, where there are rights, there are also obligations.
Wizards affiliated with the Wizard’s Tower must prioritize the directives of the Tower’s master above all else.
No matter what.
“Haa… just a little more and my research will bear fruit…”
“Me too. The next promotion exam is coming up soon…”
“Shut up! You brats. If you want to go back, hurry up and calculate the coordinates!”
At the harsh voice, the startled wizards frantically scribbled with their pens.
This place was the Island of Wisdom.
More specifically, it was the most damaged area due to Allen and the High Priest’s battle.
Approaching the busy wizards of the Wizard’s Tower was none other than the Heretic Inquisitor, the elite of the Holy Country trained solely to hunt ‘heretics.’
“Is the work proceeding well?”
“A-ah, yes… no problems. Diligent Duke.”
In response to the question from the man in pure white armor, the wizard calculating coordinates replied awkwardly.
Diligent Duke Romeo Sergius.
The man with silver-brown hair tied back in an all-back style was one of the Seven Pillars created to counter the High Priest.
True to his title of diligence, Romeo hadn’t slept a single moment since stepping onto the Island of Wisdom.
Even while the Wizard’s Tower members took turns resting, he wandered the island alone, purifying nature contaminated by Demon Energy.
Though initially amazed by Romeo’s diligence, the wizards grew perplexed as his actions continued for days.
“Uh… are you alright? We know you haven’t slept…”
Responding to the concerned wizard, Romeo smiled, revealing his dazzling white teeth.
“It’s fine. It’s my duty to eradicate filth as quickly as possible.”
“But still, fatigue can be dangerous. There could be a heretic ambush…”
“There’s no problem at all. Lord God watches over me. How could such a wicked entity harm me?”
“A-ah, yes…”
“You all should focus on your work without worrying.”
Indeed, he looked as healthy as his strong teeth suggested.
Realizing further discussion would be futile, the wizard returned to furiously scribbling on their paper.
“Well, I’ll return to the purification work.”
“Yes, please be careful.”
Even with the perfunctory reply, Romeo respectfully crossed himself before leaving.
Watching him leave from the corner of his eye, the wizard asked a nearby colleague.
“Are all people from the Holy Country like this?”
“He’s an exception. The Holy Country is still a place where people live. The fact that there’s a branch of the Wizard’s Tower there should tell you something.”
“But still, he hasn’t slept for days…”
“Stop worrying about useless things. Are you done with the calculations? If we don’t finish today, the branch chief will fry us alive.”
“Ah, almost done.”
Tracing faint mana to find the location of a space teleportation was akin to finding a grain of sand in a desert or salt grains in the ocean.
If not for the Thorn Princess’s mana being stored in the Wizard’s Tower database, they wouldn’t have even dared to attempt it.
“Ugh… this is going to kill someone…”
“Hey, don’t bleed out of your nose. If it gets on the formula, we’re all dead!”
***
After much hardship, the wizards finally completed a magic circle.
Standing before the massive magic circle, the branch chief shouted loudly.
“Master of the Wizard’s Tower! We’re done!”
Then, the air warped, revealing a woman in a maple-like multicolored robe.
It was Erias Saturn, head of the Wizard’s Tower and member of the Golden Way Zodiacs, the Infantry Palace.
“You’ve worked hard. It took longer than expected.”
“…Forgive us!”
Could the chief have done it himself? That was a question he couldn’t ask. During the wizards’ suffering, Erias had been traveling across the empire, attacking every place where traces of heresy were found.
Especially since evidence was discovered even within his own branch, he had no choice but to bow deeply, as if planting his head into the ground.
His life was literally on the chopping block.
“Oh, about that bug. It was originally an orphan raised by heretics. Thanks to that, we had to raid all the orphanages in the empire… But don’t worry too much. Their methods were despicable. How could you have known?”
Despite her gentle tone, the branch chief bowed even deeper.
“No! It’s my fault! From now on, I’ll be more selective when recruiting personnel!”
“From now on…” she said. “Who knows when, but when you become branch chief again, make sure to carefully screen then.”
At her words, the branch chief cautiously lifted his head to ask.
“Yes, yes…? What do you mean by that…?”
“Since such a major incident has occurred, someone must take responsibility, right? Still, considering your normal behavior, your demotion concludes the matter. The navy officer who leaked patrol routes was executed immediately.”
Slowly approaching the branch chief, Erias whispered quietly.
“At least you’ve managed to keep your life, haven’t you?”
Direct intervention by the head of the Wizard’s Tower was extremely rare.
According to official records, Erias didn’t even show her face during wars.
Only now did the branch chief realize how serious the event must have been for her to personally step in.
“A-a…”
How many people must have died?
Smelling the blood-soaked aura emanating from her small frame, the branch chief knelt down.
Looking down at him with a vacant expression, Erias turned away.
“What a pity. He was quite diligent.”
Watching this scene, Diligent Duke Romeo Sergius shook his head.
Seeing his gleaming white armor reflecting light, Erias slightly frowned.
“So, you were here too.”
“Yes. It’s been a while, Infantry Palace.”
“Tch, if the Holy Country had done its job properly, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“All our faults for lacking sufficient faith.”
Despite Erias’ rude tone, Romeo merely bowed his head.
“This is why religious folks are always… Stop wasting time with useless talk and get on the magic circle.”
“Yes. Everyone, move!”
Following Romeo’s orders, the Holy Knights moved in perfect synchronization.
In sync with them, the wizards of the Wizard’s Tower stepped onto the positions of the magic circle as Erias gathered her mana.
“To be doing this kind of drudgery in my old age… I won’t let you die easily.”
Erias planted her staff at the center of the magic circle, her eyes glowing like barren earth.
The magic circle, filled with the sweat and blood of countless wizards, burst into brilliant light.
Empire Forces: Infantry Palace and 10 Wizard’s Tower wizards
Holy Country Forces: Diligent Duke and 20 Holy Knights
A total of thirty-two forces advanced toward Naïve High Priest Esphina Ferreira.
***
Meanwhile, Allen entered the first-class treasury of the Royal Palace, Procyon Treasury, and blinked at the splendid sight.
“Wow~ Is this a museum?”
Treasures of all kinds were neatly displayed, including cold weapons like swords, spears, axes, maces, along with shields and armors categorized neatly, creating an oddly satisfying feeling.
“Jewelry, robes, staves, is this medicine? Though, I’d need to know what they are…”
But the problem was that he lacked the discerning eye to determine what these items were or how valuable they might be.
Of course, since these were treasures selected by the empire, any choice would likely exceed average quality. Still, human psychology tends to want the best option, doesn’t it?
“Sniff, with so many choices, it’s really confusing.”
Which one should he choose among all these?
Spear seemed good since he used Wind Slash effectively.
Or maybe a plain sword?
Should he go for versatile armor instead?
Thoughts spiraled endlessly, complicating his mind.
Even seemingly ordinary jewelry might carry some special enchantment.
Just picking something random and leaving only to find it underwhelming later felt disheartening.
“Frustrating…”
If only he specialized in one weapon.
Ariana would have chosen a sword.
Amy or Lux would have gone for a staff.
Senna? Hard to say…
“I can’t possibly pick just one now.”
Surviving required dabbling in various skills, making it awkward to choose just one.
Maybe selecting armor would be the better option?
As he moved toward the armor section…
-Woooom!
An odd sound brushed past his ears.
“What’s that?”
Approaching the source of the sound, he spotted an oddly shaped staff.
Like most staves, it featured a wooden base wrapped by a metallic snake.
“A staff? I use magic, but it’s more of a supplementary tool.”
For some reason, it felt like it was calling him, which was intriguing, but magic wasn’t really his thing.
He preferred something tactile.
Disappointed, he turned around, only for the sound to echo again.
-Wooom!
“Huh…?”
Upon checking again, the staff had transformed into a spear.
Not just any spear, but one identical to his beloved ‘Wind Slash,’ except with a metallic snake coiled around it.
The only constant was the snake.
“You… can you change forms at will?”
Curious, he asked, and the snake nodded.
What kind of enchantment was this?
“Am I bewitched? This can’t possibly be happening unless… cursed weapon?!”
Thinking it might be a magical blade, he stepped back, only for the snake to glare at him.
Even though it was made of metal, somehow it felt like it was cursing him.
“…Go find another owner.”
Based on past experiences, when bad vibes hit, it’s best to leave immediately.
But it seemed he was already too late.
-Woong!
Turning instinctively, he saw the weapon, now transformed into Wind Slash, flying toward him.
Reacting quickly, he swung his orichalcum-infused fist.
-Woooom!
The object stopped mid-air and stared at him.
This thing moves on its own?!
“Do you think yelling will make me take you? If I take you out, I’ll have to seal you immediately…”
The memory of the Mithril Golem’s words flashed through his mind.
“Once touched… considered chosen…?”
-Wooom! Woooom!
Panicking, he glanced around to find that the previously harmless items were now encased in transparent mana barriers.
Instinct told him touching anything else would be disastrous.
Had it lured him here?
“You, you bastard! What’s this nonsense?!”
-Wooom! Woooom! Woooom!
Yelling at the thing, it emitted sounds mocking him, then floated lazily toward him, as if daring him to refuse.
“Haha…”
Facing its wiggling form inches away, he could only laugh helplessly.
Why does this trial come to me?
“Haa, fine. I give up.”
Knowing nothing would change now, he reluctantly grabbed it.
-Woooom!
“Alright. Since it’s come to this, I hope we get along.”
Thus, he acquired a treasure he didn’t want.
Perhaps the only one of its kind in the world…
