Chapter 54: Infiltration

Near the Magic Tower.

“…..”

Logan silently looked up at the majestically soaring Magic Tower.

The grandeur of this symbolic building, where the intellect and magical power of the empire were said to be gathered.

Now only felt ominous.

The reason intellect and magic were gathered was to make people’s lives more prosperous and abundant.

Because what they were currently perpetrating was the complete opposite of that.

Logan briefly recalled the conversation he had with Anastasia and Lionel.

• “Your Highness, no matter how you look at it, something must have happened at the Magic Tower.”

• “You’re right, Duke. I agree with you. Breaking their political neutrality to help them could be overlooked as something they were forced to do after receiving massive financial support, but…”

• “Yes, there’s no way that Iren Eliore, the Master of the Magic Tower, would blatantly side with them to the extent of harming innocent commoners.”

• “Yes, that’s right. The fact that he immediately refused when I contacted him for a meeting makes it clear that something must have happened to the Magic Tower’s Master.”

Logan also agreed with their opinions.

Three years ago, when he and Irene were selected as members of the Hero’s party.

He had had a brief conversation with Iren.

• “Heukyeong. Please, take good care of Irene, that child. I believe you know her better than anyone and will do well, but… for the peace of the empire… no, for the peace of the world, I implore you.”

Unable to join the subjugation force because he was busy blocking the Demon Lord’s army invading on other fronts of the empire, Iren had earnestly requested this of Logan.

His gaze was very serious, and his voice was imbued with a deep sense of responsibility not only for the empire but for the world.

A person like that.

Hiring bandits and ruffians to attack people?

It was absolutely impossible.

However.

The Magic Tower’s current actions were in direct opposition to his beliefs.

Therefore.

To uncover the truth of this undeniably suspicious situation.

• “I will look into it.”

He volunteered to secretly investigate the Magic Tower himself.

---

By the time Logan finished his reminiscence.

A familiar presence approached his side.

“Sigh, the so-called disciple is making his master work while he’s slacking off.”

Fiona spoke in a playful tone.

At this, Logan managed a faint smile.

Because a series of unfortunate events had occurred recently in many ways.

It was obvious that she was deliberately trying to comfort him, seeing his somber expression.

But there was no need to point this out.

His master, unlike her appearance, was a very shy person.

So Logan shook his head and replied.

“…No, Master. I was just pondering how to get into the Magic Tower.”

“Hmph, as if you can just waltz in. It’s a place that thoroughly blocks outsiders’ entry as it is. Will pondering create a way that doesn’t exist?”

“Yes, you’re right, Master. I can’t easily see a way to sneak in…”

Since deciding to help the Church and the noble faction, the Magic Tower.

Has been controlling the entry of outsiders even more strictly.

So now, Logan and Fiona were looking at the main gate of the Magic Tower from a distance, out of their sight.

“More importantly, Master. Was the information gathering successful?”

“Ugh, don’t even ask. It was hard to find even a single low-level mage. They must all be holed up in the Magic Tower.”

“Is that so…”

Logan rested his chin on his hand and thought.

He at least needed to know where the Magic Tower’s Master was.

So he could sneak in, meet him briefly, and talk, or do something.

But to not be able to gather any information.

“The fact that they’re hiding so diligently means their hands are dirty, I suppose.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. I’ve seen the Magic Tower Master, that old man, a few times for work, so I know. He’s absolutely not the type to get involved in this kind of crap.”

“Yes, that’s right. The only one showing his face officially is Director Teron. No, it seems some are even calling him the acting Master… no, the Master of the Magic Tower now.”

“Right, that’s what’s strange from the start, isn’t it? No matter how you look at it, it’s obvious that guy has usurped the Master’s position.”

“I am also considering that possibility the highest, but…”

Hearing of Iren’s prowess in the invasion of the Demon Lord’s army, it was hard to believe he was someone who would be so easily defeated.

That’s why it was so puzzling.

And so.

As Logan and Fiona were conversing.

Clank!

The Magic Tower’s gate was roughly thrown open.

And.

A mage was thrown out of the gate.

“Get lost! You bastard! Who do you think you are, complaining about Master Teron’s policies?”

“Do you think what we’re doing is right? And Master Teron! The Master is clearly… Keoheok!”

Thwack!

“Hans, this bastard still thinks he’s somebody, huh?”

“I didn’t like him from the start when he acted all high and mighty just because he was a direct disciple. Boys, stomp him!”

Thwack! Thwack!

THWACK—!

Several mages surrounded the mage called Hans and began to kick and beat him.

At that sight, Fiona tried to step in, but Logan grabbed her shoulder and immediately stopped her.

“Master… you can’t…”

“Tch…! I know…”

He felt sorry for the beaten Hans.

But if they stepped in here, they might arouse their suspicion, so they had no choice but to endure and watch.

---

“A guy like you doesn’t belong to our Magic Tower!”

“Yeah, that’s right! Get the hell out of here!”

Hans was trampled and kicked out by those he once considered comrades.

His face was full of injustice and helplessness, and his robe was covered in dirt.

“I… I… I’ve never acted high and mighty… I just worked hard and said let’s make the world a better place…”

Hans barely managed to get his aching body up and began to walk, stumbling with difficulty.

But he didn’t know where to go.

The Magic Tower, where his master, who was like a father to him, was.

The Magic Tower, the place where he had devoted his entire life.

He couldn’t even get his bearings on where to go after leaving.

Just then.

A man and a woman appeared before his eyes.

“Excuse me… Are you alright?”

“How could he be? Come here. I’ll give you some simple treatment.”

“Ah… thank you…”

It was the kindness of strangers he had never met before.

But Hans did not refuse.

Because he had a feeling that these two were definitely not bad people.

And the man, he looked familiar from somewhere…

“Ah.”

Remembering who he was, Hans clapped his hands.

“By any chance… are you Sir Logan from the Hero’s party?”

“You know me?”

Logan looked genuinely surprised.

When most people think of the Hero’s party, they mainly remember the Hero and the Saintess.

As a mage from the Magic Tower, he thought he might know Irene, but for someone to recognize him.

At this, Hans, despite the pain from Fiona’s treatment, managed a faint smile and replied.

“Yes, my master praised you so much, so I remember you well. I also have a strong impression of you.”

“…Of me? And you say a strong impression…”

“Yes, I saw you, Sir Logan, when I visited the academy on occasion. Mage Irene. No, she would have been an academy student back then. Anyway, you were always with her from that time, weren’t you?”

“Ah… is that so…”

Logan’s expression darkened at the mention of Irene’s name.

At this, Fiona, with a frustrated look, ruffled Logan’s hair.

“Sigh… You foolish boy.”

“No, Master. I’m of age now, so…”

“Shut it, you brat. Anyway, so… you said your name was Hans?”

“Yes, that’s right. But how do you know my name…”

“Sigh… I’m sorry. Actually, we were watching you from the moment those guys were beating you up.”

“Ah… is that so? It’s alright. If you had tried to intervene, you don’t know what they might have done to you…”

“Sigh… Are you going to make the same face as my disciple? So depressing.”

“Ah… I’m sorry…”

“Master, isn’t it a bit much to nag someone who’s hurting? Oww!”

“Shut up, you brat!”

“Haha…”

Hans laughed faintly as he watched Logan and Fiona bicker.

Because in their fight, he saw himself being scolded by his master for talking back.

Therefore, as if he had made up his mind, he asked with a determined expression.

“You want to hear something from me, don’t you?”

---

Deep at night, the Magic Tower.

The main gate, always firmly shut, was forced to open due to the commotion outside.

“Ehehehe!!!”

“Giggle!!!”

Because a group of children had suddenly swarmed into the Magic Tower garden and were running around loudly.

“What is this situation?”

“Why are brats in the Magic Tower…!?”

The mages on patrol and guard duty couldn’t help but frown at the absurd scene unfolding before their eyes.

Judging by the children’s appearance, they seemed to be orphans and beggars from the slums.

“You brats, where do you think you are, coming in here and causing a ruckus!”

“Won’t you get lost! Do you want to be punished!?”

The mages shouted angrily.

But the children, finding it amusing, just giggled and ran around the Magic Tower garden.

At this, the mages approached to chase the children away.

Hanna, leading the children, shouted artlessly.

“Hey everyone! The uncles want to play tag with us! Everyone, run~~”

At her shout, the children laughed loudly again and began to scatter in all directions.

“Run! Run!”

“Hey, bald uncle! Catch me if you can~”

At the sight of those innocent children, one mage’s face crumpled in anger.

“Eeeek! Are these brats crazy, looking to die!?”

A flame began to bloom in his hand.

At this, a fellow mage next to him hastily stopped him.

“Hey, calm down! They’re just children, aren’t they? A fireball!”

“So what, they’re just beggar brats. Are you saying we should just let these brats who dare to cause a disturbance in the Magic Tower be?”

“Of course we can’t just let them be, but a violent method is absolutely out of the question! If a rumor spreads that the Magic Tower hurt children from the slums, are you going to take responsibility?”

“Tch…!”

“Good thinking. Didn’t Master Teron repeatedly warn us to be mindful of outside perception for the time being, even if it’s inconvenient?”

“Ah, I get it! Instead of nagging, go catch the brats!”

Having no choice, the mages began to chase the children, mainly using search magic instead of aggressive attack spells.

At that sight, the mage in charge of the Magic Tower’s security was watching, clicking his tongue in displeasure.

“Tsk..! Why are beggar brats coming in here and causing a scene…”

Just then.

“Mmph!?”

Thwack!

!!!

Someone covered his mouth and precisely struck the back of his neck.

Thud.

He collapsed, unconscious, without being able to utter a single scream.

“…Master, I’m counting on you.”

Logan, appearing from the darkness, said to Fiona.

“Yeah, be careful. There will be more of them inside. Hanna and the children are just bait to draw their attention for a while.”

Fiona replied, slinging the unconscious mage over her shoulder.

“Yes, I know. Please tell Hanna and the children not to overdo it.”

Having said that, Logan took a bundle of keys from the chief mage’s possession.

And slipped back into the shadows.

Shrrrr…

And so.

The infiltration to find the truth of the Magic Tower began.