Inspector General Salmosia of Blasphemia’s senior council felt a severe headache coming on as she read the latest report.
The problem started with the code of the person who submitted it: Rank L13.
“How could an inspector who disappeared without a trace during the last chaos have reappeared?”
White Light Tower had unleashed monsters upon the world, causing Blasphemia to suffer immense losses. Officially confirmed deaths among agents whose names were known numbered close to three digits, and those missing in action, whose bodies were never recovered, likely amounted to twice that number. L13 was one of those presumed dead after going missing during operations.
“Secret inspectors are allowed to act independently for long periods without reporting, but even so, they usually send survival notices. It’s been years with no sign, so we assumed the monster got him.”
But what if he was actually alive? Salmosia stroked her chin thoughtfully.
The sudden reappearance and departure of the missing secret inspector raised many unnatural questions. He had left Charlotte Branch without any handover to the other inspectors who had been urgently dispatched there.
It seemed almost like a deception tactic by external forces aiming to incite internal strife within the Ten Towers. However, it was impossible to interpret this as a scheme by another faction within the Ten Towers or by the cult of the vanished gods attempting to weaken Blasphemia.
Because the rebellion plot among survivors of the Golden Desert Operation mentioned in his report turned out to be real.
Even more shockingly, a significant number of agents from the Charlotte Branch had been recruited by them.
Given the high-level information provided, assuming L13 was an enemy presented too many difficulties. Therefore, another perspective was necessary.
‘Let’s assume L13 went into hiding due to critical injuries. Then why is he revealing himself now?’
What would a secret inspector do after recovering from injuries sustained while battling White Light Tower’s monster? Naturally, they would track the monster. Since no one had confirmed its d*ath, an independent investigation would be warranted given the inspector’s abilities and loyalty.
While investigating the monster, L13 suddenly reported on internal rebels collaborating with extraterrestrial eroders.
Unlike typical eroders who caused indiscriminate destruction, these were conducting psychological operations against non-eroded individuals.
If there was no connection between the monster L13 was tracking and the eroders’ unusual behavior, then Salmosia herself would not deserve her position as Inspector General.
“So that’s how things stand.”
The disappearance of most elite agents who should have returned quickly from the extraterrestrial dimension also made sense now.
Their betrayal against Blasphemia.
“Was this all part of White Light Tower’s monster’s conspiracy?”
What a terrifying existence. A magician capable of controlling the deep abyssal magic of the extraterrestrial dimension, powerful enough to corrupt even elite agents.
A fearsome monster that survived Blasphemia’s full-scale attack and now dominated the agents.
This entity was behind the rebels.
L13 must have risked exposing his identity to the叛逆派rebels to hint at this fact and leave a message.
“By saying he left the scene to pursue the investigation, any future appearances must indicate clues related to White Light Tower’s monster!”
Salmosia admired L13’s ingenuity in conveying the truth even in dangerous situations and carefully selected agents to share this information with.
“Even branch directors have aligned with the eroders. There’s no guarantee there aren’t informants within headquarters.”
She reviewed the detailed investigation report of the Charlotte Branch incident again. The only direct contact L13 had was with rookie agent K17, preferred name Niobe.
“Should I consider this agent’s loyalty acknowledged by L13?”
No. She must possess both loyalty and ability, indicated by being accompanied by the secret inspector on missions.
“The most important thing in fighting rebels isn’t combat skills, but ideological commitment. K17’s loyalty has been verified.”
There’s potential for her to become a special agent capable of capturing the rebels. Salmosia registered K17 in the accelerated training program’s selection list.
At that moment, Niobe, isolated in quarantine facilities to testify about the Charlotte Branch, suddenly felt uneasy.
She didn’t yet know that because she trusted Ortes’ words, she was destined to be assigned to Blasphemia’s most dangerous department.
By the great one’s blessing, reborn is he who once served Blasphemia and the Ten Towers faithfully but now serves a greater cause.
Haltos waited grimly for contact.
The time for Charlotte Branch to join was approaching. According to Nardanit’s last communication, everything would be wrapped up within a week.
Originally, Haltos should have been eagerly awaiting the new comrades. But unbelievable intelligence just arrived from the spy planted in Blasphemia headquarters.
“Annihilation?”
The shocking news that Nardanit was dead and all comrades who joined the cause were captured. Haltos anxiously awaited further contact from Nardanit.
But the promised time had long passed without any word.
The situation was now clear.
“We need more time for those following our cause.”
They planned to secure at least ten mobile branches like Charlotte before making major moves. Unfortunately, circumstances had worsened prematurely.
“Perhaps too rash a decision without strengthening the organization’s foundation.”
If they couldn’t divert Blasphemia’s attention immediately, their base might be exposed.
“I need to select someone to participate in the upcoming Magic Tower chairman review.”
Haltos muttered as if to himself. Then something slowly rose from under his shadow.
It looked like a silhouette standing directly from the shadow, lacking distinct facial features. A voice emerged from the black silhouette.
“Our cards aren’t fully gathered yet. Isn’t this too hasty?”
“Yes. But Blasphemia has already found leads on us. We need an event to divert attention.”
“I’ll inform everyone.”
It melted back into the shadows. Alone again, Haltos reflected on his journey so far.
The monsters he encountered in the desert.
No. The ‘monsters.’
The formidable magical weapon with flowing white hair. And…
Something blurry even in memory remained. Only the blue eyes lingered like scars.
They weren’t hurled into the outer dimensions like themselves to receive revelations. Instead, the revelation changed them—
“The greatest enemies blocking our cause.”
The powerful beings who once defeated Haltos were not feared or pitied by him. For the cause had granted him new strength.
He was rather grateful that they were wicked enemies threatening the cause.
These countless monsters who killed his comrades even before he saw the light of the cause. He would surely k*ll them with his own hands.
I’m tired. So tired.
I grumbled as I trudged along the path.
“How come that d*mn branch doesn’t have any means of transportation for a time like this? Seriously, don’t they have a magic carpet, magic bike, or magic bicycle?”
“Nope. Even if there were, you shouldn’t use them. Are you asking for vehicles equipped with Blasphemia’s tracking devices?”
The sharp message came from Arabel, who was collecting visual and auditory information via drones.
Various interference operations had been successful. But since the situation required leaving no traces that could lead Blasphemia to me, the only option for escape was on foot.
“I need to enter a city somewhere and clean up. How dirty is the wind outside the city. How many days has it been now?”
*
Arabel felt deep anger at the “how many days” comment.
Ortes seemed unaware, but Arabel dropped her usual respectful tone and sent a blunt message.
She was stressed from sleeplessly monitoring Ortes’ return journey to Etna City.
Of course, this wasn’t what she wanted.
“…”
The person silently watching the drone feed behind Arabel was following Carisia’s orders.
“Chairman, if you’re worried, why don’t you go meet him directly?”
“Surely, I wouldn’t worry about someone like him.”
Carisia smoothly deflected the prickly remark. Normally, when Carisia said she didn’t worry about someone, it meant they were so insignificant as to not warrant concern.
But this was an exception when it came to Ortes. In fact, most of Carisia’s “exceptions” were somehow related to Ortes, which Arabel had noticed repeatedly over the past few days.
Interpreting Carisia’s words appropriately for the subject, it probably meant: “He’s not weak enough to warrant worrying about.”
Arabel really wanted to ask why Carisia kept doing this if she wasn’t worried.
But her remaining sanity and survival instinct prevented her from questioning her boss’s instructions.
‘If I asked, she’d probably say something like ‘I’m not worrying, I’m merely reviewing his business trip records.”
From an outsider’s perspective, it definitely looked like worry.
‘The boss and secretary are both pushing people around…’
Arabel sighed.
