Chapter 38

“Gatekeeper, what is the 5th floor like?”

“In essence, it’s practically the top of the Magic Tower. Of course, the very top of our Rostia Magic Tower is the 6th floor, but that’s a space reserved solely for the Lady of the Magic Tower. The 4th floor is important, but the 5th floor is especially crucial. If the 4th floor is where we nurture promising talents to prepare for the future, the 5th floor is where we prove the capabilities and value that the Rostia Magic Tower holds today.”

The Gatekeeper’s proud words gave off that exact vibe.

In a country, countless people live.

At the very top, there’s always a king with absolute power.

However, the ones who maintain and lead the country are the small group of advisors who assist the king with politics and practical affairs.

The 5th floor is the space where such influential figures of the Magic Tower reside.

“But…”

That’s precisely why the Gatekeeper’s brow furrowed deeply.

“To think that the Power of Demon is sensed on the 5th floor… What should we do about this…?”

“We’re used to such situations, Gatekeeper. We’ve slain countless demons pouring out from the rifts between worlds. But we’ve also caught two demons who were cleverly hiding among us.”

“Two, you say? I didn’t catch the details earlier, so this is quite shocking.”

“Yes. Their statuses were vastly different. One was a battalion commander, and the other was a beautiful and warm-hearted angel of the hospital, praised by all. Moreover…”

“Please continue, Kairon.”

“…No. We eliminated those two.”

Actually, there was one more.

Not a demon, but a madman who made a contract with a demon.

About Commander Balthazar, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“The issue is, those two had been in the Vanguard for a very long time, and we only recently discovered they were demons. We don’t know if they were demons from the start or if they became demons midway.”

“That sounds like they were incredibly cunning in hiding.”

“Yes. The demon who infiltrated as a battalion commander was originally an incompetent leader, even worse than a demon. The damage the Vanguard suffered because of that demon was considerable. But the hospital angel actually saved the lives of many members with exceptional medical skills. It was only at the very end that they tried something and were stopped.”

“An angel saving lives, you say? A demon?”

“I understand your surprise. But it truly happened.”

The two demons each had their own goals while hiding among us.

If that’s the case, then the demon hiding in the Magic Tower must be the same, right?

We had to be cautious.

The fact that the demon is on the 5th floor means they are already one of the core figures in the Rostia Magic Tower.

Considering how Commander Balthazar is respected by all in the Vanguard, it’s not far-fetched to assume the same for the demon in the Rostia Magic Tower.

If we mishandle this demon, we might end up facing the worst scenario of having the entire Rostia Magic Tower as our enemy.

In that case, it’s not the demon but the Rostia Magic Tower and the Vanguard that might face destruction…

And finally, the moment we entered the 5th floor.

“Huh?”

Our eyes met.

A magician, dressed in attire befitting a high status, was conducting a lecture in the center of the spacious 5th floor, surrounded by other magicians.

…It was a demon.

And that demon was someone I remembered from my past life.

The leader who was at the forefront of pushing away the Vanguard when they requested cooperation.

Archmage Ronos, whose skills were not inferior to the Lady of the Magic Tower.

“What’s going on?”

Ronos, who glanced at me and Abelin, asked the Gatekeeper with an uncomfortable expression.

“I heard there were guests from the lower floors. But I don’t think these two have the qualifications to come up to the 5th floor.”

“Ronos, that is…”

I subtly nudged the Gatekeeper.

The experienced Gatekeeper, who knew how to read the room, immediately understood the hint.

“Actually, these guests are from the Vanguard.”

“I could guess that much. It’s rare to see such well-trained individuals in the middle of this frozen land of Rostia. Moreover, if my guess is correct, they’re not just ordinary Vanguard members.”

“That’s correct. We are battalion commanders. And we came here to request cooperation.”

“Cooperation?”

At the word ‘cooperation,’ Ronos’s brow instantly furrowed.

His once kind-looking face quickly turned into an ugly, unpleasant expression.

“How shameless. The Vanguard has already received help from our Magic Tower once, hasn’t it? Do you not know who it is that allows you to live comfortably in Kresnig?”

“Yes. As you say, Ronos, it’s true that our Magic Tower has helped you before…”

Ronos, while seemingly scolding the Gatekeeper, was actually mocking us for being shameless.

He was blatantly belittling and ignoring us.

But unlike in my past life, where I had to silently listen while seeking help, this time was different.

‘The reason this guy is talking like this…’

It’s because he’s a demon.

To maintain composure, I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.

“Thanks to you, we can sleep in warm accommodations and wash with warm water in this frozen land. We are truly grateful, Ronos.”

“Good. Knowing how much of a privilege that is, you still ask for more cooperation? You must already feel guilty for being shameless, yet you still speak so boldly.”

The comment about being shameless was clearly directed at you, but I kept that thought to myself.

Ronos’s unique way of speaking, polite yet blatantly grating.

In my past life, I thought he was a complete jerk with a terrible personality, but turns out he’s a demon.

Actually, that’s better.

It makes sense, and it clears my mind.

There was no need to rush, and I shouldn’t.

Especially since the magicians who seemed to be learning from Ronos were all staring at me and Abelin.

That doesn’t mean the conclusion that we need to eliminate this guy changes, though.

“I know that the Rostia Magic Tower took measures to help the Vanguard when we first gathered. But it wasn’t out of pure goodwill, was it? I heard that Commander Balthazar provided significant support to the Magic Tower.”

“Hmph, of course. Magic is honest. We can only use as much mana as we need. We used our precious mana to grant the benefits of magic. We were paid to use magic; surely you don’t think we were doing charity work? It wasn’t out of pure goodwill, but it was close to charity!”

“Well…”

If it were my past life, I wouldn’t have known, but not this time.

“As far as I know, magicians don’t particularly enjoy using magic for things like heating water and air to make life more convenient. Isn’t that right?”

“You seem to know quite a bit about magic for someone who knows nothing. You should be even more grateful. Don’t you think?”

“Of course, we are grateful.”

I deliberately smiled in front of Ronos.

Amidst the back-and-forth banter, I seized the opportunity to strike at his pride.

“At the time, no matter how dire the situation was for the Rostia Magic Tower, on the brink of collapse, you willingly took on tasks that magicians usually avoid. You gained honor by helping the Vanguard and also made money. But…”

I clicked my tongue and added.

“Tsk tsk, what a shame. No matter how noble the Magic Tower is, it couldn’t completely escape the disdain of the magic community. The stigma of the entire Magic Tower stepping forward to help the Vanguard with such lowly magic.”

“…You brat.”

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. I expressed my gratitude first before mentioning the regret. I truly mean it’s a regret. But as far as I know, you, Ronos, were also involved back then. If that’s the case, then you too…”

“You brat!”

Finally, Ronos raised his voice.

“What is this nonsense? We need to clarify this properly. How did you even enter our Rostia Magic Tower, and for what purpose! And why are you provoking me, the central magician of this tower, while seeking something! And Gatekeeper!”

“Yes, yes…!”

The Gatekeeper cowered at Ronos’s raised voice.

“I will hold you responsible for letting these scoundrels in…!”

“Enough.”

A clear voice cut through Ronos’s rage.

The owner of the voice, who had been among the magicians, slowly walked forward and stood between me and Ronos.

“Ronos, the Gatekeeper is a wise person. It’s not too late to hold him responsible after hearing the full story. Right?”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

With the appearance of this one person, Ronos, who held power second only to the Lady of the Magic Tower, was left flustered.

And for good reason.

Because this bold magician, whose voice was familiar to me, was…

“Long time no see.”

The bold magician removed the hood they were wearing.

A pretty face with a soft smile was revealed.

“Kairon oppa, how have you been?”

The big shot of the Rostia Magic Tower, Commander Balthazar’s eldest daughter.

The Riana we came to meet.