Ch.118White Tower Master (2)

A magic book that should have been neatly placed on the bookshelf had been removed.

I couldn’t help but be amazed at this fact.

Although it was a magic book meant to be read, all the magic books shelved in this section were worthless.

Isn’t that something even a passing dog would know, let alone the mages belonging to the Magic Tower?

Thanks to that, I stared at the empty space on the bookshelf in amazement for a moment.

However, such amazement couldn’t last long.

“At this rate, the sun might rise from the west tomorrow.”

“Cut the nonsense and tell me what you’re going to do now?”

Lilly signaled me to focus properly, as we weren’t in a leisurely situation.

“Well… I suppose we should proceed as originally planned.”

“Indeed, that makes sense, right?”

“Clone Magic would be nice to have, but it’s too difficult in many ways to go searching for it right now.”

We decided to postpone the search for Clone Magic until after our business at the Magic Tower was finished.

This was the consensus between Lilly and me.

It wasn’t worth delaying other plans and risking exposure just to find the mage.

For that reason, it made sense to move immediately, but my gamer’s spirit kept holding me back.

“Still, should we quickly check who borrowed it?”

“Huh… is that really necessary?”

“It’s just personal curiosity. And checking that much won’t take long.”

“Sigh, fine. But if it takes too long, we’re leaving right away.”

“Got it~”

Having obtained Lilly’s consent, I moved immediately, but I couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling.

It wasn’t exactly an ominous sensation, but Lilly’s tone made me feel like she was dealing with an immature boy.

[It’s not just a feeling~]

[Honestly, this time, it really is childish behavior.]

[Though you’re not a man anymore?]

‘Shut up.’

Dismissing Lumia’s teasing comments, I looked for a golem that was working nearby.

I wanted to refute Lumia’s words, but it would have sounded too defensive, so I kept those thoughts to myself.

Finding a golem organizing books in a corner, I approached it, and the golem automatically activated in response.

“How may I help you?”

“I’m looking for a book, but it’s already been checked out. Could I possibly find out who borrowed it?”

“We do not provide personal information about other patrons to anyone except librarians.”

Despite my polite request, the golem cited policy and refused.

It was understandable, of course. If they told everything to anyone who asked, where would privacy and personal information protection be?

And naturally, I hadn’t come unprepared for this response.

‘This is exactly what the master key is for.’

[Just like when you stole clothes, you’re quite brazenly engaging in criminal activity.]

‘This is all to save the world. Consider it a necessary evil.’

[Wasn’t this just personal curiosity?]

‘…Shut up.’

I dismissed Lumia’s continued commentary once again.

There was much I could argue back, but if I entertained Lumia’s comments, we’d be here until dawn.

…Really.

“…”

“Master key accepted. Welcome, Founder of the Magic Tower.”

While ignoring Lumia’s nagging as much as possible, I manipulated the golem, which soon emitted a brief sound indicating successful master key input.

[That master key is quite useful though.]

‘Well, it does grant the highest authority in the Magic Tower, even if only nominally.’

The master key I was using belonged to the founder of this Magic Tower, the one who created it.

Originally, having this master key would have allowed control over all facilities in the Magic Tower.

But it had been a long time since the founder managed the entire Magic Tower.

As time passed, the areas where this master key worked gradually decreased, and its authority diminished.

Now, I couldn’t touch the areas of other pillars, and could only view or hide logs in common areas.

‘That’s enough for our current infiltration though.’

Thinking this, I checked who had borrowed the magic book and was surprised by an unexpected name.

“Oh, look at this. This is definitely for saving the world, right?”

[This is… just a lucky coincidence.]

I didn’t respond to Lumia’s sharp comment that pierced my heart.

Because I was confident.

[Anyone can see you’re feeling guilty, so just stop.]

* * *

After confirming the necessary information, I rejoined Lilly and immediately left the library.

We really couldn’t stay in the library any longer.

As we came out, Kitsune and Kirara, who had been waiting in front of the library, greeted us.

“Did you find the magic book?”

“No, unfortunately someone had already borrowed it.”

“But the good news is, we did find something else.”

Kitsune looked confused at our exchange.

Understandably so, since we’d left out the key details.

“Anyway, our next destination is set. I’ll explain as we go.”

“Understood.”

I started moving without further explanation, but Kitsune followed without question.

It was both strange and gratifying that Kitsune would probably follow even if I said we were going to our deaths.

After casting perception interference around us as we moved, I finally spoke again.

“We’re heading to where the Tower Master of the White Pillar is staying.”

“The Tower Master of the White Pillar… one of our highest priority recruitment targets.”

“Yes, that’s right. Also the person who borrowed the Clone Magic we were looking for.”

The White Pillar was essentially a tower that researched holy magic.

It was a place that studied and explored the sacred arts commonly used by priests. While one might think they’d have poor relations with the church, that wasn’t the case.

‘Rather, they have good relations.’

The White Pillar researched not to mock faith but to use sacred arts more efficiently and effectively.

In fact, most members of the White Pillar were believers who could use sacred arts.

Furthermore, those who became Tower Masters of the White Pillar had sacred art abilities comparable to at least bishops or even cardinals.

‘That’s why it’s probably the place least touched by the Black Pillar’s influence.’

If the White Pillar had already fallen, it might be better to give up on the Magic Tower entirely.

That’s why when I first heard the White Pillar’s Tower Master had taken that magic book, I wasn’t too concerned.

If the Tower Master had mastered Clone Magic, I could learn know-how directly from them.

The problem, however, was that the Tower Master was now in danger of assassination.

“While checking who borrowed it, I could see who else had accessed the records.”

“Does that mean… this is the Black Pillar’s doing?”

“Yes, there were obvious traces of the Black Pillar’s approach.”

Using the master key to gather as much information as possible, I confirmed they were plotting the Tower Master’s assassination.

Even if not assassination, at minimum they were planning surveillance or abduction.

“I knew the Black Pillar was bold, but I didn’t expect this level.”

“They must have gained enough influence to pull off something like this.”

“I think so too. Seeing records of several other towers accessing the information, it seems they’re getting direct help.”

That’s why we had hurriedly started moving after confirming the information.

If something happened to the White Tower Master, our already insufficient forces would be further reduced.

“We’re getting close. Everyone, be prepared just in case.”

“I hope nothing’s happened.”

“We’ve rarely had things go smoothly, and my instincts are ringing alarm bells.”

According to the logs, the White Tower Master’s current location was an orchard on the outskirts of the Magic Tower.

It was a place where various magical plants were grown, and being sparsely populated, it was the perfect location for any plot.

And indeed…

“The mana flow is disturbed…”

“You’re right. We can only conclude that a battle has started.”

Perhaps my instincts combined with the suspicious location created a synergy, but I could feel the rough movement of mana.

When we finally arrived at the orchard…

“Ugh…”

“We have just completed the disposal of the White Tower Master. The localized dimensional shift experiment was also successful.”

We witnessed the White Tower Master collapsing in a pool of blood, surrounded by figures in black robes.

“Now, let’s retreat… Wait, someone’s here.”

“Really, things never seem to go smoothly for us…”