Ch.119Storm in the Tempest (6)

Gorgov’s admiration was genuine.

According to the author’s explanation, the self-proclaimed Argyrion group that had invaded Algot City were all disguised Blasphemia agents.

In other words, the Ten Towers faction.

The clash between the Tower Master of the Justice Tower—perhaps the most servile among those who bow to the Ten Towers’ power—and Blasphemia, which was like a whip wielded by the Ten Towers against their slaves, was truly paradoxical.

What an absurdly sweet victory this was!

Even though he had received the prophecy in advance, he was still bewildered by the perfection of the silver soldiers that had mutated like silver parasites. But he had to accept the explanation that “it was the intervention of the Silver Iron Tower.”

The Ten Towers were utterly hateful enemies, but their skills were undeniably genuine. If the Ten Towers had directly intervened, such a feat wouldn’t be impossible.

“Look, our leader. This is what you have accomplished!”

There were twelve awakened ones who had joined hands with Argyrion. These twelve also represented the minimum number of mages needed for Danao to defend the tower.

The Amimone Tower was now completely in Argyrion’s hands.

“But leader, what if Blasphemia reveals their true identity?”

“Haha. Having already started the fight, if they were to say such things, no one would believe them.”

“Tower Master Danao may be a vulgar human devoid of a mage’s dignity, but he possesses political acumen inversely proportional to his dignity. What if he realizes it’s not a lie but the truth?”

“It’s precisely because of that political acumen that Danao will have no choice but to deal with Blasphemia.”

The leader whispered to Gorgov.

Indeed, if Blasphemia survived, would they submit a favorable report for Tower Master Danao? The probability couldn’t be ruled out entirely, but it certainly couldn’t be called high.

Danao was obsessed with the tower’s survival above all else. Keeping a Blasphemia agent alive would harm the tower, but killing him and shifting the blame to Argyrion would result in no loss at all.

Therefore, Danao, after a cold calculation of profit and loss, would kill the Blasphemia agent.

“That’s rational.”

Khuhu, the corner of Gorgov’s mouth turned upward. It was truly amusing. To think they would eliminate their own ally by thinking and acting rationally.

How could they be so incompetent? The real enemy was already hiding among them.

Danao’s failure to discern the truth was itself proof of incompetence. Indeed, he himself was more suited to be Tower Master.

He would offer the Amimone Tower to Argyrion and be promoted to Tower Master, proudly becoming a member of the executive.

Gorgov’s ambition was transparently reflected in Ortes’s eyes.

“First, it’s important to assess the situation. Let’s listen to Danao’s communications through the mana core.”

“Ah, I was told that attempting to hack the mana core would immediately alert the Tower Master, so we should try during the most critical battle. Just wait a moment.”

Gorgov adjusted the mana core. The mana core also served as the main relay for communications in this area. Unless one used an independent line like Argyrion or Blasphemia, all communications passed through the mana core.

“Tower Master! The silver parasites’ subspecies are behaving strangely!”

“They’re gathering and merging together!”

“Their resistance to elemental attacks is increasing—”

“Form defensive formations with groups of three or more! I will pursue the fleeing commander!”

“Haha. Did you hear that? How ridiculous. To think they’re fighting so fiercely against their own allies?”

Ortes stroked his chin. This wasn’t good. If the Argyrion agent escaped and contacted their main force, a larger enemy force would come next time.

“Hmm. Gorgov, no.”

Gorgov turned around to check the leader’s expression. What did he mean by “no”?

“Tower Master Gorgov.”

A thrilling shiver ran down Gorgov’s spine. Who knew the word “Tower Master” could be so ecstatic?

“Hmm. Hmm. Has something unexpected happened, leader?”

“I didn’t expect Blasphemia to abandon their pride so easily. If that fellow succeeds in escaping, they’ll approach from a different angle next time. Having failed with the clever move of disguised infiltration, they’ll play the trump card of a large-scale expeditionary force.”

“Hmm… Tower Master Danao would naturally welcome that with open arms.”

“Even if we succeed in hacking the mana core and gaining control, it would be a difficult battle. I wonder if we could hold out until Argyrion’s main force arrives. The Tower Master must step in.”

“How do you mean?”

“Support Danao by saying you’ve determined that if the enemy escapes and calls for reinforcements, the situation will become even more urgent.”

“Wouldn’t that be disadvantageous for us?”

“No. Help Danao block the enemy’s retreat, but leave the direct combat to Danao.”

This way, the consumption of mana and physical strength would be concentrated on Danao. Finally, when Danao defeats the disguised Blasphemia agent…!

“That’s when our opportunity comes.”

Gulp. Saliva went down Gorgov’s throat. No matter how much consumption was forced upon him, Danao was still a Tower Master.

The most skilled among a tower’s mages. Could he face him one-on-one?

Even with the element of surprise, Gorgov was tense about whether he could successfully attack a Tower Master who hadn’t let down his guard.

As if reading that tension, the leader explained the next plan.

“There’s another way. First, bring Danao and the others into the tower to rest. Danao will trust you enough since you fought alongside him against Argyrion, and he’ll lower his guard while recovering his mana.”

“A surprise attack inside the tower…”

Whichever method succeeded in eliminating Danao, obtaining the mana core would become much easier. Gorgov nodded heavily.

“The three of us, including myself, will go to ‘support’ Tower Master Danao. The rest of you stay with the leader and safely manage the Amimone Tower!”

Argyrion’s collaborators chanted in unison, “Truth and Cause!” Gorgov left the Tower Master’s chamber with dignity.

“Tower Master! I’ll support you! Please wait a moment!”

“Gorgov! What are you saying?”

“If we let that person escape and their main force comes, the Amimone Tower will be in even greater danger! Rest assured, I’ve left enough people behind!”

The communication between Danao and Gorgov could be heard through the mana core.

‘Temporary alliance, successful.’

A temporary alliance between Argyrion’s collaborator and the Justice Tower against Argyrion.

Ortes nodded with satisfaction.

The collaborators had the slight misconception that Argyrion was Blasphemia, but since the Tower Master also believed the collaborator to be loyal, it was truly a case of birds of a feather flocking together.

“Then I’ll look for the authorization code for the mana core. I’ll search the entire tower, so please let me know if anything unexpected happens in the communications.”

***

It was a precarious balancing act. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Honestly, eyes are cumbersome, but without them, the difficulty of surviving in this world would have increased several times over.

Leaving behind the collaborators gathered around the mana core in the Tower Master’s chamber, I gently opened my eyes.

“The ancient relic must be somewhere—”

I confirmed it wasn’t inside the Tower Master’s chamber. I had slightly opened my eyes when entering with Gorgov after Danao’s departure.

There was nothing particularly noteworthy besides the mana core. No proper artifacts or treasures either. Since Danao wasn’t likely to be a frugal person, it meant he had hidden his real wealth elsewhere.

“Since the relic inspection decree was issued, it would have been difficult to hide it outside, so it must be somewhere in the tower.”

If it’s not in the highest place like the Tower Master’s chamber, then it’s usually hidden in the lowest place, the underground level.

Though officially, the Amimone Tower didn’t have an underground level.

I went down to the first floor and scanned the ground.

“As expected.”

People’s patterns are all the same.

I slowly lowered my head toward the tower’s floor.

***

“Truth and Cause!”

“What truth? What cause? The truth I pursue is not with you, and my cause stands higher than your sinister intentions!”

Sprigo wanted to grab the back of his neck after hearing Gorgov’s words. Had he really been brainwashed?

Judging by what he was saying, it seemed he was indeed sympathizing with Argyrion?

Danao thought:

‘I thought he was just a cunning fellow, but to think he had such boldness and courage to step forward like this!’

When they returned to the tower, he would definitely reward him. Though he would have to reprimand him for entrusting the tower to that suspicious outsider who resembled a Blasphemia agent.

***

Ortes swept the surroundings with indifferent eyes. All the wealth accumulated by Danao and all previous Amimone Towers was here.

But he showed no interest in shining jewels or crowns. He slowly moved deeper into the secret storage.

“Deeper” was the wrong expression. Ortes stopped at a remote corner where relatively low-priority treasures were gathered.

There, Ortes picked up a dust-covered artifact. A golden gleam peeked from beneath the dust, but apart from being made of gold, it had no other distinctive features.

Just a simple scale without elaborate carvings or jeweled ornaments.

However, this was the Scale of the Great God Aigio.