Ch.300300. Magic Tower (3)

# The Demonic Spire’s Executor

The being known as the Demonic Spire’s Executor, or Alpha-11, stroked his chin with interest as he gazed into the auditorium.

Though he had lost most of his sensations after losing his human body and being converted into a machine, the chemical processes of the mind that allowed him to feel emotions remained intact.

In that sense.

“I said I don’t want to, mister.”

The situation that unfolded in the auditorium following those words was truly fascinating in itself.

A cold silence pressed down on the surroundings.

The emotion dissolved in that silence was extremely clear.

From their perspective, it was the appearance of a “variable” they had never seen before.

‘I didn’t expect such a direct confrontation.’

One fact everyone knows:

Picking a fight with the Demonic Spire isn’t exactly a wise choice.

Technology, regardless of era or background, is one of the most precious values. There’s absolutely nothing good about getting into trouble with a group whose level of technology is in a league of its own.

That’s why even the most prominent nobles in the Empire’s hegemonic nations flatter them to obtain even scraps of their technology.

‘Of course, that man isn’t exactly easy to deal with in terms of strength…’

Assuming one can handle demonic energy with ease, they say it’s impossible to fight Darwood Campbell on equal terms unless you’re a master-level powerhouse.

The Demonic Spire is theoretically capable of “mass-producing” such powerhouses. Alpha himself is proof of that.

“You seem to misunderstand the procedure.”

Amidst the frigid silence, Professor Mobius—who exuded an especially cold atmosphere even among the humans who had modified their entire bodies with mechanical devices—opened his mouth in a mechanical voice.

“As I mentioned before, there are no legal issues whatsoever.”

“You just said that. But I’m saying I don’t want to.”

“Then.”

Professor Mobius’s voice still showed no particular emotion.

That’s why.

“When I say the procedure is legitimate, I’m saying that if you don’t follow it, we cannot guarantee your safety either, Darwood Campbell.”

The “firmness” in his tone as he delivered the following sentence was clearly felt.

It was a calm declaration made in a tone that left no room for negotiation.

Either comply, or face the consequences.

A snort accompanied Darwood Campbell’s response.

“Is that a threat?”

“I’m stating facts.”

“You call it a legitimate procedure, but this is just torturing someone to death, isn’t it?”

“It’s a process of extracting data. The human there is an experimental subject we summoned for that purpose.”

“…”

Darwood Campbell’s facial muscles twitched.

The conversation was going nowhere.

Even as Darwood Campbell’s hostility became increasingly apparent, Professor Mobius showed no sign of backing down.

Among the professors who ruled the Demonic Spire, Professor Mobius held a somewhat special position.

Experiments, data, proof.

Even in this den of demons obsessed with such things, this man’s “thirst for knowledge” had reached a truly dangerous level.

The atmosphere was explosive. Without someone stepping in to mediate, the tension between the two sides seemed ready to erupt.

However, despite this.

He was an enabler.

That was the role he had been “assigned.”

Alpha’s gaze fixed on one of the panels surrounding the auditorium.

Even Professor Astrid was just sitting there doing nothing.

It meant that in this situation, Darwood Campbell would have to navigate through solely by his own choices.

Alpha gave a bitter smile.

‘…The Demonic Spire has been corrupted by evil.’

Should one call it the loss of humanity inversely proportional to technological advancement?

They weren’t such reckless people from the beginning.

They fell this far after a certain “incident.”

‘Professor Percy… I heard you’re doing well in the lower realm.’

Serving as the dean at Elphante Academy, apparently.

While he was lost in such thoughts.

“So.”

Darwood Campbell quietly brushed up his hair and opened his mouth.

“You’re saying that if I don’t torture this person to death here, the Demonic Spire will consider me an enemy?”

“I’ll leave the interpretation to you.”

While that’s what he said, it was essentially an ultimatum.

Kneel.

The Demonic Spire is too powerful a group for you to antagonize.

That’s the meaning condensed in those words.

Indeed, the Demonic Spire is a group that can make such statements without any shortcomings.

The problem is.

“…”

From what he knew of Darwood Campbell.

The answer that would come at a time like this was almost predetermined.

Sure enough.

At some point, he could see Darwood’s demeanor suddenly sink.

As if cutting off any possibility of dialogue with the other party.

“You’re asking for a fight. That’s what this is.”

“Well, I never said that—”

“Go ahead, then.”

As Darwood Campbell spat out those words.

“Try to make me do it by force. Because I absolutely won’t do it.”

A smile crept across Alpha’s lips.

#

“…What are you…?”

I hear Marquis Bogart, kneeling beside me, saying those words.

His eyes blinking blankly shows that he’s quite shocked as well.

Indeed, a chilling silence hung over the venue.

It seems no one expected such words to come from my mouth.

“…”

But.

The reaction that followed was dramatic.

“-“

Professor Mobius, who had been sitting across the panel, stood up.

And.

With just that, the atmosphere changed drastically.

No demonic energy, no magical power, no divine power, not a trace of any special ability.

Yet a chilling sensation emanated from his entire body—the kind only felt from someone who fully understands the immense power they wield.

“-You don’t seem to understand what you’re saying.”

Though his voice still lacked inflection, the coldness embedded in it was incomparable to before.

“Let’s do as you wish. Using you forcibly as a research sample wouldn’t be that difficult—”

“Mobius.”

But before that sentence could continue, someone cut in.

It was Professor Astrid, who like the other professors had maintained silence until now.

The steel giant, resting her chin on both hands, spoke with a seemingly incredulous voice.

“You’d better stop there. Those two are essential for solving the Demonic Spire’s long-standing problem related to demons.”

“…”

“‘Disposing’ of them here wouldn’t look good to anyone. Weren’t there no replacement test subjects, at least under our observation?”

Mobius’s head turned slowly.

“…What are you trying to do, Professor Astrid?”

“I should be asking what you’re trying to do.”

Astrid spoke with a voice tinged with mockery.

“‘Gnosis will save us. Knowledge will elevate humanity.’ Isn’t that what you’ve always claimed?”

“…”

“We’ll do anything to obtain data and research value. That’s why we put you at the head of the research team, Mobius. Don’t forget the essence.”

At those words, Mobius stood still for a moment, staring at Astrid.

Professor Mobius’s mechanical eye rolled in place briefly.

I don’t know what that means, but it’s probably his way of expressing bewilderment or anger.

“…What are you getting at?”

“The goal is ultimately data collection, isn’t it? We can devise ‘other methods.’ There’s no need to create friction with them.”

To Mobius’s question, Professor Astrid answered without hesitation.

As if she had prepared this response anticipating such a situation from the beginning.

“The demonic energy of test subject Darwood Campbell and other Demonic Vessels has repeatedly shown a tendency to intensify in extreme situations. What do you think this suggests?”

“The more intense the ‘struggle,’ the easier it becomes to obtain relevant research results.”

I’m already displeased with being called a test subject, but I frown and quietly listen to Astrid’s words.

Given the atmosphere, it seems she’s providing covering fire for me.

“Professors.”

Astrid continued, looking around.

Though it’s hard to tell with her mechanical face, I think she’s smiling.

“Aren’t you all curious about the results of the projects you’ve created?”

“…”

Suddenly.

I frown more deeply at the feeling conveyed by that sentence.

Perhaps.

She might not be simply trying to help.

“Let’s have them fight. With the Demonic Spire’s finest masterpieces.”

I knew it.

#

“Professor Astrid.”

After the hearing.

The steel giant’s footsteps stopped abruptly at those words as she walked down the corridor.

The voice coming from behind her was Professor Mobius’s.

“…”

Honestly, she already felt tired before he even spoke.

He was probably going to ask about what happened at the hearing just now.

“Yes, yes, Mobius. If you want an apology, I’ll gladly—”

Astrid’s steps came to a halt.

Because Professor Mobius, who had approached in an instant, firmly grabbed her neck.

And with just that.

“Ugh-!”

Intense pain was already coursing through her.

Not in this steel body she was currently operating, of course.

But in her “real body” connected beyond this form.

It felt like her brain was burning white-hot. The sensation of nerves being torn apart ravaged her entire being.

“I’m not a fool, Professor Astrid.”

Mobius spoke in a calm voice to Astrid, who couldn’t utter a word and was breathing heavily.

“The very fact that you made such a proposal gives ‘them’ a kind of opportunity. Originally, they were just test subjects to be unilaterally pushed into experiments and disposed of when finished.”

Still gripping Astrid’s neck, Mobius dropped these words calmly.

“You seem to be plotting something through your flesh and blood. It’s not hard to guess, seeing how you’re deliberately exposing the Demonic Spire’s ‘forces.’ You seem confident that they’ll somehow survive such a ‘fight.'”

“…Kha, haak-!”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I don’t think that amateur can handle the power of the Demonic Spire, no matter what you’re plotting.”

His words continued steadily.

“I hold your leash. Until the Demonic Spire achieves its ‘long-cherished wish,’ you’re mortgaged to me.”

Professor Mobius’s artificial eyes emitted that mechanical light.

“Don’t forget, Professor Astrid.”

Like black obsidian.

Infinitely clean and infinitely clear, but.

“You and your family have been my ‘research subjects’ for quite some time.”

“…”

“Which means I can dispose of you at any time if you don’t cooperate. Understand?”

The color contained in that transparency is closest to pitch black.

As if symbolizing the endless “thirst for knowledge” harbored by the human called Mobius.

Then he slammed Astrid’s body to the floor as if discarding waste.

After impassively watching that steel body collapse powerlessly, he snorted once and walked down the corridor with heavy steps.

As if there was no longer any value in paying attention to her.

“…”

Left alone, Astrid heaved a deep sigh.

“…Well.”

Such a murmur flowed out slowly.

“Whether my son can handle the Demonic Spire or not, that remains to be seen.”

After all, look who his parent is.

That murmur faintly dispersed into the air.