Ch.299299. Magic Tower (2)

“…fuck.”

[…Cursing first thing in the morning?]

Well, what am I supposed to do when it flows out naturally as soon as I open my eyes?

My back feels like it’s breaking from sleeping on the sofa.

[Why did you sleep there in the first place?]

“…”

I silently get up and approach my bed.

Rather than explaining with words, it’s faster to show.

I pull back the blinds and yank off the blanket, revealing Elnore and the Minister sleeping contentedly with their arms wrapped around each other.

It’s quite peculiar seeing them both squeezed together on my narrow single bed while ignoring their own beds, rubbing against each other.

I suppose their original intention was to hug me like a teddy bear when I was between them.

[…]

“…”

I just shrug at Calivan’s silence that seems to ask what the hell is going on.

“They both slithered into my spot while I was asleep.”

[…]

“I had no choice but to escape.”

I had a feeling this would happen from the moment they said we’d share a room.

Alpha’s warning was effective too.

[…For a Grand Duchess and a Minister, they act quite childishly.]

While Calivan is saying that, I shake the shoulders of the two who are nuzzling each other’s faces while making sleepy noises.

“Wake up, you two.”

“Mmm…”

“Hmm…”

Elnore and Sullivan drowsily open their eyes.

Then they realize their current state of tightly embracing each other.

“…”

“…”

Their eyes grow wider and wider. Their faces turn pale.

And almost immediately, Elnore kicks Sullivan in the stomach.

The Minister’s body rolls into a corner of the room without even having time to scream, while Elnore covers her mouth with her hand and sits up in bed.

“…Ugh…!”

“…”

Wait.

Is it that disgusting?

“Urgh…!”

“…”

And the Minister who was kicked by Elnore is actually writhing on the floor, clutching his stomach and mouth as if he’s about to throw up.

“You goddamn barbarian…! What do you think you’re doing…!”

“It’s your fault for shoving that ugly mug in my face without warning first thing in the morning, you old hag.”

“Did you just finish what you were saying…!”

“…”

I quietly close the door and leave the room as things start to get noisy.

[…Is it okay to just leave them like that?]

I don’t know either.

Let’s just focus on my own business.

●

“…D-do I press this…?”

I press the elevator button for the pre-arranged floor while Elnore struggles to figure it out.

“How are you so familiar with these things…?”

“…I wonder.”

Since it’s a difficult topic to explain, I give a vague answer and silently look around.

As I was told before, there’s hardly any human presence. What I see are humanoid androids, artificial light sources made of who-knows-what, and countless complex mechanical devices.

“…”

To be honest.

It feels somewhat cold.

Not just empty or that emotional development hasn’t kept pace with technological advancement, but rather a feeling that human essence has been eroded from this space.

‘…Was it like this?’

I know that the Demonic Spire is the pinnacle of this world’s technology, but I definitely remember it not being this desolate.

I recall it being more like a chaotic gathering place for half-crazed mad scientists.

[Research Wing.]

As that mechanical guidance voice flows out, emphasizing the feeling, the elevator doors open.

“You’ve arrived.”

Alpha is already at the meeting place, waiting for us.

“Follow me. Bogart Marquis is already inside.”

“…But what exactly are we doing here?”

I heard something about a hearing.

But I haven’t been told anything about why the Demonic Spire is interested in Bogart Marquis in the first place, or why I’ve been called here.

In response to my question, Alpha silently begins to walk.

“Actually, the term ‘hearing’ is somewhat misleading… Both Bogart and you are ‘research subjects,’ to be precise.”

“Research subjects?”

“Do you know what the most important subject at the Demonic Spire is?”

Such sentences continued.

“Knowledge about demons.”

“…”

“Science is the study of understanding the principles behind phenomena. The mana and magic that permeate this world are not exempt from such exploration, as they too follow laws and rules.”

It’s about cause and effect.

There is a result because there is a cause. This absolute law applies to all phenomena in the world.

Even miracles of god or magic that seem to transcend such principles are established because they have sources like holy power or mana.

“However.”

However.

Alpha continued with a slight smile.

“There is exactly one existence that deviates from such principles.”

“…”

Demons.

And the demonic energy derived from them.

Ancient beings whose very origins remain unknown. Their power even reverses the flow of time, which is the foundation of all laws.

“In that sense, both you and Bogart are perfect subjects to attract the Demonic Spire’s attention.”

Me, who has risen as a ‘new demon.’

And Bogart Marquis, who has an unnaturally comprehensive knowledge of everything demon-related.

Either way, we’re subjects that need to be thoroughly examined.

“…Then.”

I scratch my head as I respond.

“This hearing, am I also a subject?”

Alpha, who had reached the door, silently turned to look at me.

I’m not certain, but I think he smiled.

“How you handle it is up to your capability, Darwood Campbell.”

“…”

“The Grand Duchess and the Minister will wait outside with me. Only you are permitted to enter.”

He’s not denying it.

Thinking that, I smile bitterly as the interior structure gradually comes into view.

A massive hall.

It looks almost like a sports stadium. That would be an accurate description if not for the huge panels where students would normally sit.

And in the center of the hall, Bogart Marquis is visible, restrained and forced to lie face down.

“…”

I raise my head to look at the massive panels surrounding us.

They give the distinct impression of observing us unilaterally from an elevated position.

What this structure implies is quite clear.

Both Bogart Marquis and I standing here are ‘experimental subjects.’

“…”

I sigh as I continue scanning the area with my eyes.

The professors of the Demonic Spire.

Mobius, Klein, Cactus…

Such names are lined up, and among them, one name particularly stands out.

Professor Astrid.

The person who is supposedly my mother.

I slowly walk into the auditorium while examining the mechanical giant figure floating on the video panel.

No expression is visible. I suppose you wouldn’t expect a face from a giant cyborg anyway.

‘None of the others look normal either…’

I can vaguely tell they’re human, but none of them maintain a fully human body.

They’re all full of modifications—mechanical limbs, artificial eyes, and even unidentifiable devices implanted into their spines.

“…”

Not particularly pleasant sights.

Even for me, who is well-versed in the game, information about the Demonic Spire is mostly fragmentary, but if I had to summarize these people in one sentence, it would be quite simple.

Demons bound to exploration.

They’re the type who would trade 10 human lives for 10 pieces of unknown knowledge without hesitation.

The very next sentence exudes that impression.

As I slowly look around at such sights and approach Bogart Marquis, I’m immediately at a loss for words.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

He still hasn’t lost his cheerfulness even in this situation.

“What’s this, not even returning my greeting.”

“…You.”

Normally, I would respond to this person.

But his current state is far from normal.

Pale complexion, needle marks all over his body, his head completely shaved, and abnormally protruding veins.

As if some material has been ‘prepared’ in advance.

This is more like…

Being treated as a lab rat rather than a human.

“Darwood Campbell. Please move to the position of Subject 1.”

Such words flowed from the speaker attached to the top of the auditorium.

It was Professor Mobius who spoke.

Judging by his position at the highest seat among the panels, he must be the one with the most authority here.

“…Subject?”

“I’m referring to Bogart Marquis.”

“No, I didn’t ask because I didn’t know.”

I respond with a slightly furrowed expression.

“…I was told this was a hearing, but you say ‘subject.’ Are you saying you’re conducting some kind of experiment?”

“The two meanings are not so different.”

A mechanical, emotionless voice continued.

“A hearing is essentially a process of cleanly extracting desired information, and that can be resolved by examining the subject’s mind.”

“…”

…What?

My expression hardens even more.

“All you need to do is lend us a little of your power. Just manipulate your demonic energy as we instruct to search through that man’s mind, and it will be over. It won’t even take a few seconds.”

“…Wow. This is a privacy invasion.”

While Bogart grumbles in a light voice, I respond in a slightly lowered tone.

“There must be… side effects. Are you suggesting physically inserting demonic energy into someone’s brain?”

I asked this thinking it couldn’t possibly be true.

“Yes.”

Too simply.

That’s how the answer came out.

“…Are you in your right mind?”

Even I wouldn’t be confident of surviving if someone were to rummage through my brain with demonic energy. This is essentially saying they’ll kill Bogart right here.

“So you’re just going to proceed regardless of whether he lives or dies, just to see how my demonic energy affects people? What possible reason could justify—!”

If they simply wanted information, they could administer a truth serum. Given their technological capabilities, that shouldn’t be difficult.

The reason for this approach also came out simply.

“Because it’s unresearched data.”

As if asking why I’m questioning something so obvious.

“…”

I’m dumbfounded.

While I remain silent for a long time out of disbelief, the voice continued.

“Opportunities to experiment on how demonic energy affects humans are rare. There’s no legal issue either.”

“…So.”

Undisguisable anger now mixes into my voice.

“You’re just going to proceed regardless of whether he lives or dies, just to see how my demonic energy affects people? What kind of nonsensical—!”

Even for a serious criminal.

Even for someone who committed a capital offense.

They deserve to die with at least minimal dignity.

This is far more cruel than slaughtering an animal.

“As I understand it, Bogart Marquis is already a serious criminal sentenced to death within the Empire. And we received his custody directly from the Empire. How we handle him is our right.”

Oh, I see.

My blood boils.

This is my first time facing the personnel of the Demonic Spire, but one fact becomes crystal clear along with a fury that turns my mind blank.

These bastards are the worst kind of human scum.

“…Wouldn’t it be better to just comply rather than fight?”

“…”

Such words mumbled out from Bogart, who was lying beside me.

“You’ve seen what level of technology these guys have. There’s no need for you to take a stand here for someone like me.”

“…”

I know.

I’ve thoroughly felt how formidable these people are on my way here.

But.

Still.

‘This doesn’t seem right.’

That’s definitely how I feel about this situation.

And if so, my course of action is clear.

-The Demonic Spire has been corrupted, Darwood Campbell.

-Resist.

Suddenly, what Alpha said yesterday pounds in my head.

“Please follow our instructions, Darwood Cam—”

“Hey, mister.”

Bogart Marquis’s eyes widen.

Probably because my voice suddenly became casual.

“The more I listen, the more I realize you talk like a real asshole.”

Mobius’s words abruptly cut off.

●