Chapter 39: The Mage Tower’s Dilemma, a Dark Bargain, and Irene’s Resolve

The Magic Tower.

It is where the highest intellect and magical power in the empire gather.

The master of that tower.

The Master of the Magic Tower, Iren Eliore, in his room, slowly recalled Anastasia’s appearance as she delivered her speech in the capital’s square.

– “We will not tolerate anyone who deceives the people and will severely punish them!”

– “I promise you, this will include nobles and even the imperial family!!”

“She’s truly remarkable for her young age… The impact still hasn’t faded…”

Iren, who had been mingling among the common people, had been deeply moved by the Crown Princess’s speech, just like everyone else.

Unlike the imperial family members who had always prioritized authority and privilege and were corrupt.

Anastasia’s appeal to the people, championing justice and conviction, seemed to hold not a shred of falsehood.

“This is… truly a difficult decision…”

The Magic Tower, possessing considerable power within the empire.

Had maintained political neutrality thus far.

From his perspective, the Imperial Family, the nobles, the Church…

He judged all three to be corrupt and fallen.

The Imperial Family began to rot during the previous Emperor’s reign, and the nobles were successively tainted by corruption.

And even the Church, which was supposed to care for the people according to the Goddess’s words.

Had become such a corrupt and fallen institution that a Saintess had not appeared for many long years.

“Although, a Saintess did suddenly appear one day…”

Iren couldn’t hide his unease.

Not only did he feel some sort of heterogeneous energy from the woman called the Saintess.

But her appearance hadn’t changed the corrupt nature of the Church.

Of course, outwardly, they occasionally engaged in relief efforts and volunteer activities to win favor with the people.

‘I was anxious when that Saintess chose Irene, that child, as a member of the hero’s party… It’s a huge relief that they defeated the Demon Lord well…’

Iren, like the director of the Magic Tower Academy, highly valued Irene for her outstanding talent.

However, he had been worried when Sera singled her out as a member of the hero’s party.

Because, having observed Irene whenever he had the chance.

He had judged that her vessel was too small for her exceptional talent.

‘Her talent is outstanding, that’s true, but she’s far too arrogant and vain…’

Actually, and.

While Irene’s talent was indeed outstanding.

It wasn’t so unique as to be called a once-in-a-generation genius.

A brief look at history shows countless individuals with talent comparable to hers.

However, for the sake of the declining prestige of the Magic Tower and the Academy…

He had accepted the director’s proposal to exaggerate and promote her, even if it meant embellishing things a little.

That was how Irene had earned the title of a once-in-a-generation genius.

‘Well… now that she’s achieved the great feat of subjugating the Demon Lord, calling her a once-in-a-generation genius wouldn’t be a lie anymore.’

Anyway.

The feared misfortune did not occur, and peace had arrived, so he put thoughts of Irene aside…

Now the empire must move forward.

‘Supporting the Crown Princess seems to be the right thing to do…’

Iren had always adhered to a line of political neutrality.

He was now thinking that he should break it, not just for the empire, but for the world.

Knock, knock.

“Master of the Magic Tower, may I come in for a moment?”

A knock on the door was accompanied by a middle-aged man’s polite voice from outside.

“Ah, you may come in, Director.”

As Iren gave his permission, the door opened, and Teron Morbein, the Director of the Magic Tower Academy, entered.

“What brings you here? For you to visit me at this late hour, has something urgent happened?”

“Ah, yes. I apologize for visiting so suddenly without notice while you were resting. As you said, an urgent matter has arisen, so I had to come.”

“…Is that so?”

Iren’s expression hardened.

The Demon Lord subjugation was over.

And the Crown Princess, who had taken charge of state affairs in place of the Emperor, had declared reforms.

The empire would experience some friction and chaos, but eventually, it would run smoothly.

Which meant.

The urgent matter Teron mentioned was probably related to the Magic Tower or the Academy.

For the Magic Tower, which had no significant achievements or accomplishments other than Irene.

A serious problem arising was a very troublesome matter.

So, Iren couldn’t help but be tense about what Teron would say.

However.

At Teron’s words.

Iren’s expression contorted further, and he couldn’t help but raise his voice.

“What do you mean by that!? Breaking our political neutrality!”

However, unlike himself.

Teron was entertaining an absurd idea, so he couldn’t help but shout.

“Master of the Magic Tower, please calm down a little. What happened in the square today… didn’t you see it with your own two eyes, Master?”

“Yes, so if we are to break neutrality, it is only natural to support Her Highness the Crown Princess, yet you are speaking nonsense, which is why I am angry!”

“Oh dear… So, Master of the Magic Tower, your heart leans that way?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The reason our Magic Tower has maintained neutrality is because we didn’t want to become like the Imperial Family, nobles, or the Church, which corrupt and debase the empire, isn’t it?”

Iren vehemently rebuked Teron, who was spouting nonsense.

“Then why! Why are you suggesting we support that Prince, not Her Highness the Crown Princess who can normalize the empire!?”

“Oh dear… oh dear… This is truly troublesome…”

Teron said, exaggeratedly placing a hand on his forehead and shaking his head.

“First, you need to state the reason for maintaining neutrality correctly. Wasn’t it because if you sided with one, you wouldn’t receive patronage or support from the other two, so you merely observed?”

“What are you saying! We, who strive to explore the essence of magic, maintained neutrality for the sake of mere money!?”

“Haha… What are you talking about? Exploring that essence of magic also requires money, doesn’t it? That’s why, to promote the Magic Tower and the Academy, we over-advertised Miss Irene as a once-in-a-generation genius produced by the Magic Tower, didn’t we? Well, now that she has subjugated the Demon Lord, it doesn’t have to be called a lie anymore.”

“Haa… Look here, Director… No, Teron.”

Iren said with a deep sigh.

“I won’t deny all your words. However, the reason our Magic Tower researches and hones magic is to benefit the people. I believed you shared that sentiment, which is why I agreed to the exaggerated promotion of Irene, that child.”

But unlike the exaggerated promotion.

Supporting the Prince was an entirely different story.

Because he was someone whose path completely diverged from the Magic Tower’s purpose of benefiting the people.

Therefore, Iren spoke in a firm tone.

“If we support the Prince and he becomes emperor, what will happen to people’s lives? That, I will never tolerate. I don’t know what kind of proposal you received to suddenly act like this, but it’s absolutely not going to happen. So, I will pretend I didn’t hear this.”

Teron smirked, as if he had expected Iren’s reaction.

“Oh dear… This has become truly troublesome. I mentioned it because the person who made that proposal was Miss Irene.”

“Wha-what did you say!?”

At Teron’s words.

Iren’s face was painted with shock, as if he couldn’t believe it.

‘Hmph… I told her to return to the Magic Tower and focus on her studies and training again… In the end, she’s strayed onto a strange path…’

A matter of great concern had indeed occurred.

The child, who desired more than her talent allowed, had ultimately chosen the wrong path.

“Do you understand now? Since Miss Irene, our Magic Tower’s finest product, has declared her support for His Highness the Prince, isn’t it only natural for us to back her up?”

Teron pressured him with a tone that suggested there was no other choice now.

To this, Iren firmly shook his head and said.

“Therefore, our Magic Tower will maintain its neutrality even more strictly. From now on, Irene, that child, is no longer affiliated with our Magic Tower.”

“Haha… This is truly… frustrating, Master of the Magic Tower.”

“The one who is frustrated is me, Teron. The reason for our Magic Tower’s existence, as I’ve always said…”

Iren tried to reprimand and admonish Teron.

However.

“For the sake of the people… Ugh!?”

Suddenly, his vision wavered as if he’d been struck on the head with a hammer, and he couldn’t finish his sentence.

“Oh… This is truly a remarkable item… To think that even the Master of the Magic Tower wouldn’t notice it at all and would fall for it immediately.”

When he managed to check Teron’s appearance.

A black orb emanating an ominous light was held in his hand.

“Wh-what… is this… treachery…?”

Iren was confused as a sudden headache assailed him, and strength drained from his body.

He tried to draw upon his mana to resist, but not even a wisp of mana would gather.

“Oh dear… oh dear… It would be best if you didn’t resist unnecessarily. This is an item that even the Pope of that Church couldn’t handle and was neutralized by.”

“Wha-what did you say..? Keuk…!”

Iren despaired at Teron’s words.

The Church began its corruption and downfall twenty years ago.

It was after the Pope suddenly collapsed from illness and went into seclusion.

To mention that Pope now meant.

“You bastard… with the Church, already…!”

It was as good as saying Teron had joined hands with them and intended to make him like the Pope.

“Have you finally realized? I’ll tell the Magic Tower personnel that you failed while trying to overcome a wall of enlightenment on your own and are now bedridden due to the aftereffects, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“You, you bastard…! Keoheok…!!”

Iren struggled to resist as much as possible, but he eventually collapsed under an unknown power.

Teron looked down at the fallen Iren with contemptuous eyes and sneered.

“You hypocritical old man. If you truly cared for the people, you should have stepped up yourself long ago. Tsk tsk… Well, thanks to that, handling things was easy, so it’s good for me.”

---

Magic Tower Academy Director’s Office.

‘He’s late…’

Irene had visited the Magic Tower after a long time to ask Director Teron for help.

At first, she considered meeting the Master of the Magic Tower, Iren, first.

But because he was a bit old-fashioned and an uncomfortable person.

She visited Teron first, who had always praised her during her academy days and said he would help her with anything.

– “Hello, Director. It’s been a while.”

– “Oh… oh… Miss Irene…! You’ve truly been through a lot. I heard you played a huge role in the Demon Lord subjugation! You are indeed the pride of our Magic Tower Academy… No, of the Magic Tower!”

– “Ehehe… Thank you. More importantly, I came because I have a favor to ask…”

– “A favor…? Ah, yes! Please, tell me anything.”

Irene hesitated for a moment when she first brought it up.

Even though she was called the Magic Tower’s once-in-a-generation genius and was a member of the hero’s party that defeated the Demon Lord.

Proposing to move the entire Magic Tower still made her a little hesitant.

However.

‘It’s for Narcissus…’

‘It’s to drag down that detestable Anastasia and get Logan back…’

Irene mustered her courage and asked for help.

To her surprise, unlike her worries, Teron nodded and readily accepted her proposal.

Then he left, saying he would briefly consult with the Master of the Magic Tower…

It seemed the conversation wasn’t going well.

‘Hmm… As I thought, that old fogey is likely to refuse…’

Just as she was worrying.

“Miss Irene! I bring you joyous news.”

Teron opened the door, entered with a bright smile, and spoke.

“Director? Did your talk with the Master of the Magic Tower go well?”

“Of course! It has been resolved well. However, the elderly Master of the Magic Tower has become unwell, so I have taken full responsibility to support you.”

“Is that so!?”

Irene couldn’t care less whether that old man was sick or not.

The important thing was that she had secured the Magic Tower’s support.

‘Ah, I need to tell Narcissus about this quickly!’

Overjoyed, Irene thanked Teron and hurriedly left the Magic Tower.

‘Logan… is already providing significant help to that damn Crown Princess, so I need to hurry too!’

Irene had also clearly seen with her own two eyes what happened in the square today.

Sooner than expected.

Logan was executing his plan for that detestable woman.

Having received Logan’s dedication and help since childhood, Irene knew better than anyone.

That he was truly an amazing person.

That he was someone who could overcome and solve any difficult and arduous task.

So, she had to hurry even more, she had to stop him quickly.

So that he could no longer dedicate such devotion to another woman, not herself.

‘Logan…!’

Irene couldn’t help but resent him again.

Because she thought he had abandoned her, with whom he had spent so much time, for the sake of his own advancement.