episode_0085

500 years ago, two apostles of the same two gods were chosen.

Kaman and Savile.

According to the tradition that had been passed down for a long time, the two fought each other and tried to resurrect their respective gods. And….

“Grandpa. If you just drone on with an epic from the start like that, who would feel like listening?!”

Noah stopped the Tower Master who was about to switch into too-much-talker mode.

Immediately, the Tower Master finished his explanation more briefly and simply with a ‘khm’ sound.

The conclusion was simple.

“So the two apostles of the previous generation joined forces and that’s why we’re here?”

Just with these words, it was impossible to understand what he meant.

If it was the previous generation, it would surely be Kaman.

I requested a precise explanation.

“The two were originally lovers. But fate made them fight. It was extremely difficult. Therefore, they devised a way to prevent such a thing from happening again.”

As the Tower Master moved his finger, a gigantic spherical world appeared.

Fortunately, it seemed he knew that this world was also round.

Next to the world, there were two beings with massive bodies. The Main God and the Evil God.

The two apostles placed locks so that their hands couldn’t reach.

“The two made it so that no one on the continent could be chosen as an apostle. To be precise, it was magic that minimized the influence of the two gods. It was amazing magic. Thanks to that, we obtained peace for a period of 500 years.”

“Didn’t it originally take 500 years?”

“According to records, there were times when the apostle changed in just 20 years when it was short. If it weren’t for the sacrifice of Kaman and Savile, we wouldn’t have entered the era of peace even now.”

“But the two gods wouldn’t have just watched idly, would they?”

“To be precise, it was the Evil God. The Main God even said it was good. Although he was heavily backstabbed this time because of it.”

“Backstabbed?”

“They never imagined that souls would be brought from other worlds.”

At the Tower Master’s words, Noah and I naturally looked at each other.

“But unlike the Main God, the two had prepared for even that.”

The Tower Master got up from his seat. As he moved his finger, the blackboard that was far away flew right over and landed in front of us.

Drawing with the chalk that had appeared in his hand, he naturally began his lecture.

I was a bit flustered by his perfect movement, but Noah started listening attentively as if used to it.

“What should be done to summon a soul from another world?”

“Me, me!!!”

Noah raising her hand and spinning around. The Tower Master, smiling contentedly at the sight, pointed at Noah.

“You have to find a body empty of a soul!”

“Precisely!”

With a ‘tak!’ sound, a snack had somehow appeared in Noah’s hand.

Noah immediately took it out and consumed the sugar.

“It’s tasty!”

“Hahaha!”

“Ivan, you try to guess too!”

Seeing the two almost doing a skit, I felt the tension in my body disappear without reason.

Perhaps it was because I had been so troubled lately.

“But how do you create a body empty of a soul?”

“That’s a good question!”

Tak!

A cookie had somehow appeared in my hand too.

As I chewed, I felt a subtle sweetness along with a ‘crunch’ sound.

Judging by the sophisticated taste, it seemed like quite an expensive snack.

“You have to make the soul give up on its own by plunging it into endless despair.”

At those words, Noah and I closed our mouths.

Then, Noah opened her mouth first.

“I was created from the moment I was possessed. I was possessed into the body of a girl trapped in an iron cage in a terrifying and frightening space.”

Hearing Noah’s words, I also recalled the moment I was possessed.

The deaths of countless clan members. One boy who ran away to survive alone amidst it.

Let’s imagine if Luca, Grace, and Kairek were all dead now, and I, alone and injured, barely escaped the labyrinth.

“…That would be difficult.”

“Did something similar happen to you?”

I explained my beginning to Noah as well.

Hearing that, Noah immediately found the difference between her and me.

“My situation was created. Your situation is one that’s likely to happen often.”

Explorers who lost all their clan members in the labyrinth and faced annihilation were countless. Naturally, there would be people who were consumed by the darkness of the labyrinth, unable to shake off their fear, and even lost their souls.

“I definitely thought it was strange. Unlike the Evil God who tried to use me as his body and slyly manipulate me, I thought the Main God got along quite well with Ivan.”

The story I told Noah when we first met came to mind.

She had clearly said that the Evil God was trying to take over her body.

“Alright, shall we move on to the next part?”

As the Tower Master spoke with a bright smile to lighten the mood, Noah was finally able to return her scowling face to normal.

“Anyway, because they had no choice but to bring them in that way, they made it so that the soul and body would inevitably be separated. Do you have a similar experience?”

I cautiously raised my hand.

“Oh! My star disciple! Speak up.”

“Sometimes, my soul is separated, and I can go meet Kaman.”

“Correct!!!”

With a ‘tak!’ sound, a drink was placed in my hand this time.

“Drink that first and cool your head down.”

As she drank the cool sweet drink, Noah’s expression became incredibly bright. Seeing her return to the present, having forgotten the past, the Tower Master smiled faintly.

“Because you brought souls from other worlds, only Noah or Ivan, you two, can use this magic. To you, the body has no meaning whatsoever.”

“Then does it mean it doesn’t matter if we die?”

“Of course, you won’t return to your original world just by dying. Crossing worlds would be impossible unless you are gods. Furthermore, since there’s no precedent yet, I can’t say for sure what will happen before you try dying. Would you like to test it if necessary?”

“That’s a bit…”

Isn’t that the same as telling me to die right here?

“Hoho, it’s a joke. Anyway, using that principle, Noah’s soul was trapped within Ivan’s body. Along with the body itself.”

“But there’s something I’m curious about!”

Noah raised her hand again.

“How did you predict that we would be together?”

“Because you came from other worlds.”

Noah closed her mouth at the Tower Master’s words.

“Of course, this is just a matter of possibility. Kaman and Savile prepared for all branches of countless possibilities. To prevent such a thing from happening again.”

“Are there other spells besides this?”

“…Yes. Even magic that can erase them if they are hostile enough to never combine their strength.”

Seriousness momentarily flashed in the Tower Master’s eyes.

At that sight, the two of us swallowed.

“Well, it’s a rather decent situation nonetheless. Although the surrounding environment and political dynamics aren’t great. The two of you met faster than expected. It’s all thanks to Miss Noah not being naive.”

“Of course, that’s true. How much I hated being with that sly b**tard… the Evil God?”

“Anyway, I hope this explanation suffices. And even better if it serves as a sign to show the path forward.”

The atmosphere felt like the conversation was coming to an end.

I still had one thing I was curious about.

“There is one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Why are you helping us, Tower Master?”

“……..”

The blackboard had flown back to its original place, and the Tower Master slowly lowered the glasses he was wearing while tossing the chalk into the air.

And then he slowly walked over to check the view outside the window.

The top of the Tower Master’s tower, from which the entire Labyrinth City was visible. Looking down at the Labyrinth City from there, the Tower Master looked at an old photograph placed on a table next to the window.

“It’s a promise…. A promise with an old friend.”

In the photograph the Tower Master touched, there was one young mage, one beastkin mage, and one female elf mage.

“Then, Ivan, I presume you’ve decided to become a formal disciple now?”

“…Yes. How many times are you going to confirm?”

It’s not that I particularly didn’t want it. The title of the Tower Master’s disciple.

Just that alone is immense power that will protect me.

The Ariel Church, black mages, and soon even the Empire. Besides them, most factions who know me have started attacking or bothering me.

I don’t know how much the Tower Master will help, but since he drew me in, he will probably do it properly.

“But what do I have to do if I become a disciple? Like write reports or something…”

“Not much is needed. You just need to come when I call.”

Just come when he calls. I was expecting something like a graduate student and professor relationship. It seems there are no particular obligations.

“And if you want to learn magic from all schools, feel free to learn. You have the authority to do so.”

“Thank you.”

This was very good. I also had an interest in the magic of the Tower Master’s tower.

‘Isn’t this almost an unfair deal? To receive such privileges just by becoming a disciple.’

I hadn’t accepted it before because something felt off. I should have accepted it sooner.

“Or you can come into the tower if you like.”

“That’s fine. I’m attached to my home. It’s not far from the tower anyway.”

“Well, quite some time has passed. You may go back now. I also have things left to do.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Oh, right.”

The Tower Master took something from his pocket and gave it to me.

An emblem with the Tower Master’s symbol drawn on it. What this means is only one thing.

“From now on, you are also a member of the Tower Master’s tower.”

Seeing the brightly smiling Tower Master, I cautiously put the emblem into my pocket.

I felt a warmth in my heart.

*

A few days that felt like a storm passed, and peace began to return to the Labyrinth City.

Although the black mages were still occupying the labyrinth and hadn’t withdrawn at all, it is said that public sentiment improved a little at the news that a punitive force was being assembled.

A warrant for Noah was also issued, but there was no news of her being caught. Well, that’s natural.

Because she’s sticking right by me.

“It’s so comfortable for the first time in a while.”

Lain also comes to visit the clan building often these days.

He said that because the labyrinth was occupied, the number of explorers visiting the guild had roughly decreased to about a tenth.

“If the situation drags on, won’t it be difficult for the guild too?”

“That’s why they’re forming the punitive force. I think I heard that many deep-layer explorers are also included.”

“When are they supposed to depart?”

“Actually, it’s an urgent matter. But they say the higher-ups are being cooler than expected.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t know either. I heard it’s not a guild problem.”

“I heard that the punitive force isn’t just formed by the guild, but is also entangled with the interests of various nations. Since there’s so much attention on it, driving them out would likely yield enormous profits.”

“Are they still prioritizing their own interests even in this situation?”

“Well, it’s natural.”

“That’s true.”

I thought the punitive force was completely unrelated to us, to the extent that I would say something like this.

It’s natural. Although I’m not ordinary, why would they specifically draft a mid-layer explorer for the punitive force? It’s a place where you can apply from at least the upper layers.

While I was just spending my days training and studying.

News like a bolt from the blue was delivered.

“Ivan Arcana, participate in the punitive force and prove your innocence!!!!”

The Ariel Church came looking for me again.

This time, with the absurd demand to participate in the punitive force and prove my innocence.