Chapter 35

“……. Long time no see.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Ah, nothing…….”

To be precise, the last time I visited the Rostia Magic Tower was in my previous life.

And this is the first time in this life.

When the demons’ offensive became too strong to handle with swords and spears, the Vanguard had no choice but to knock on the doors of the Magic Towers scattered across the world.

The first place they knocked was the Rostia Magic Tower.

But…….

*Clench*

“What’s wrong, Kairon?”

“It’s nothing.”

As I clenched my fist, Abelin noticed and asked.

“Nothing? You don’t look so good.”

Come to think of it, Abelin once said I’m bad at lying.

Still, I couldn’t say it.

The Rostia Magic Tower is quite prosperous and the closest Magic Tower to Kresnig.

But the Rostia Magic Tower was the last to support us.

Because it was smaller compared to other Magic Towers.

When the Vanguard, desperate for the support of magicians, knocked on their door first, they were the first to coldly reject us.

They didn’t even send magicians who could use healing spells.

Because of that, the Vanguard suffered heavy losses.

This time, I hope it’s different…….

A small house in front of the large gate of the Magic Tower.

As Abelin and I approached, an old man came out of the house.

“Welcome……. Hmm?”

The old Gatekeeper of the Rostia Magic Tower recognized us immediately as we walked from a distance.

“You’re from the Vanguard. And it’s Kairon and Abelin. I didn’t expect the two most famous members to come in person.”

“You recognized us right away.”

“Hoho, of course. The aura is different. Besides…….”

The old Gatekeeper scrutinized us with sharp eyes.

“Not many possess such strong bodies and mana.”

“You’re not an ordinary person either, Gatekeeper.”

“Hoho…….”

The Gatekeeper laughed kindly at my compliment.

But I meant it.

The Gatekeeper of a Magic Tower might seem insignificant by the title alone, but it’s actually an extraordinary position not just anyone can hold.

Magic Towers, where magic and knowledge are studied, are sacred places of learning and research.

The Gatekeeper of a Magic Tower has the important task of deciding who can enter such a place.

Thus, they must possess knowledge and insight far beyond that of an average scholar.

“It’s rare to receive such generous praise from a mere Gatekeeper, so I’m very grateful…….”

And with that vast knowledge, the Gatekeeper quickly grasped our intentions.

“The fact that the two of you have come here in person means you’re here to ask for our Magic Tower’s help.”

“Well, I can’t hide it.”

“Hmm, what to do…….”

The Gatekeeper stroked his long beard, pondering.

“You two must know, right? In principle, we don’t let anyone in unless they benefit the Magic Tower in some way.”

At the Gatekeeper’s words, Abelin, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward.

“What do you mean? Not beneficial? We’re……!”

“Abelin.”

I calmed Abelin down before she raised her voice.

“Do you think the Gatekeeper doesn’t know that? Of course, we know that too.”

“Good, you’re quick. But the Vanguard is a brave group fighting against demons. So, I’ll give you a chance.”

The Gatekeeper stepped aside and pointed to the house he had come out of.

“Try to persuade me. Then maybe I’ll let you in.”

“Thank you for the opportunity. Let’s go in.”

As I followed the Gatekeeper into the house, Abelin stood still, not moving.

“What are you doing, Abelin? It’s cold outside. Let’s go in and warm up. Don’t refuse the Gatekeeper’s kindness.”

“……. Alright.”

The Gatekeeper offered us warm drinks and snacks.

“Please, have some. If it’s not enough, just say so. I’ll bring more.”

“Thank you…….”

At first glance, it seemed like a kind gesture, but there was a hidden meaning.

It meant persuading him wouldn’t be easy.

The offer of snacks and drinks implied that opening the Magic Tower’s door would require time and effort.

The Gatekeeper and I sat facing each other, sipping warm drinks to moisten our tongues.

To begin the real negotiation.

“Let me start.”

The Gatekeeper spoke first.

“As you know, people say our Rostia Magic Tower is quite prosperous. But that only means we’re more prosperous than smaller Magic Towers, not that we’re overflowing with abundance. So, we can’t just lend our power carelessly.”

As expected.

It was the same in my previous life.

But back then, the reality of the demon invasion had already spread across the world, making it impossible to stop without magic.

The intensity of the demon invasion was something that could be managed now, so it wasn’t enough reason to let us into the Magic Tower.

“Of course, we know. But if we fall, the demons will spread across the world, right?”

“We also know that such chaos can be managed without the Magic Tower’s intervention.”

“That’s why we haven’t asked for help until now. But the situation has changed. A new, unusual demon has appeared in this wave, different from the ones before.”

“Oh……?”

The Gatekeeper showed interest at the mention of a new demon.

Demons burn and disappear upon death, so their bodies can’t be studied, but new knowledge is always intriguing to a Gatekeeper who must possess vast knowledge.

The Gatekeeper’s expression grew serious as I told him about the giant Demon Hound, Cerberus, and the Vanguard’s desperate battle.

Its size, strength, speed, and the fact that it commanded other demons made it even more alarming.

“But it’s strange. Why didn’t Commander Balthazar step in?”

“Ugh……?”

This was unexpected.

The Gatekeeper attacked from an angle I hadn’t anticipated.

“I heard he possesses military strength capable of facing a nation. Even his insight is exceptional. The Vanguard managed to defeat that giant demon without Commander Balthazar’s intervention. Perhaps he left it as a trial, trusting the Vanguard to handle it?”

I almost let out a sigh.

I knew the Gatekeepers of the Magic Towers were impressive, but to almost perfectly grasp Commander Balthazar’s intention of watching humans struggle for his amusement was something else.

It seemed I needed to present a more special and desperate reason to persuade this impossibly intelligent old man.

And a reason that would benefit the Magic Tower.

“Experience……. How about that?”

“Experience, you say. Go on.”

“Demons themselves carry an otherworldly mana and provide terrifying yet unique experiences that can’t be found in this world. In a way, each one is like a living, breathing spell.”

The Gatekeeper nodded slowly.

A sign that it wasn’t a bad point.

“In today’s world, it’s not easy to gain real combat experience. In that sense, battles with demons are excellent real-world training. The wounded would be good practice for healing magicians. Where else could you gain such valuable experience…….”

“That’s not quite right.”

The Gatekeeper cut me off.

“Even now, battles big and small are happening all over the world. There are creatures stronger than demons. And you can even get paid for resolving such issues. Can the Vanguard provide better experience than that?”

“Hmm…….”

This wasn’t wrong either.

The Vanguard isn’t a wealthy group that can offer rewards, and the demons are weaker than in my previous life.

What else can I say…….

“The demons are hiding.”

Abelin said with a serious expression.

“Huh……?”

“What did you say?”

“Demons are hiding among us. Even some squad leaders in the Vanguard are demons. Of course, this is classified, but it seems right to talk about it now.”

Abelin nodded firmly, showing no regret for revealing classified information.

“Interesting. But what does that have to do with our Magic Tower?”

“Who knows? How can you be sure there aren’t demons hiding in the Rostia Magic Tower?”

“……?”

Abelin tapped my back to drive the point home.

“We’ll check for you. Right here, with Kairon himself!”