Where Darkness Gathers (3)

There are countless prejudices related to the Black Magic Tower.

Not to mention rumors of killing people or using black magic, there are many crazy rumors lingering, such as extracting and imprisoning souls, or conducting bio-experiments on oneself.

However, even after filtering out the bullshit, there was an undeniable truth.

Darkness was difficult to mix with other things. It’s not just that it’s gloomy and unpleasant, so people avoid it. Of course, that’s part of the reason, but the fundamental reason was that the attribute of darkness didn’t suit the human race well.

The history of the human race was one of struggle. They had to learn more practical magic to survive: spheres of light illuminating dark caves, fireballs killing nocturnal beasts, artifacts illuminating treacherous uphill paths.

When the sun set and complete darkness fell on the village, they closed their doors. Darkness was an obstacle to be eliminated, not something to be learned.

But to put it differently.

It was something to be overcome.

“…The Black Magic Tower exists to overcome darkness and, conversely, to utilize it. Granshel-nim… can be said to be the person most in contact with darkness.”

“Can I take that statement positively?”

“…You don’t have to worry. The magicians of the Black Magic Tower are not gloomy like the rumors say. On the contrary, they are kind and rarely turn away visitors.”

Pahwin doesn’t avoid or ignore answers. He answers incoming questions with sincerity and tries to provide as much help as possible.

“Even Tower Lord Granshel?”

“….”

But there are times like this when he doesn’t answer. When he’s struggling to find the right words. When I asked about Tower Lord Granshel, he shut his mouth tight.

I shook my head, watching Pahwin choose his words.

“You don’t have to say it if it’s difficult.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Well… I guess I’ll find out when I meet her.”

* * *

Due to its unique image, few magicians volunteer for the Black Magic Tower. The Black Magic Tower is aware of this fact and is the most active in promoting itself.

They say things like creating a better humanity by overcoming darkness, providing full support upon entry, and they actually provide direct help, not just empty words.

But it hasn’t increased the numbers.

The way to get here wasn’t difficult. They had paved the way so that anyone could find it no matter which city they were in North. This was also part of their promotion.

Thanks to that, it didn’t take long as I moved along the wide-open road.

A tall building like any other tower.

It looks very slender.

‘Like everywhere else, they must have widened it with space expansion magic.’

But.

“It’s whiter than I thought.”

“We didn’t come to the White Magic Tower by mistake, did we…?”

It was white.

Like any other tower, like everywhere else. The basic appearance has the standard appearance of a magic tower, but only the Black Magic Tower didn’t follow the tradition of matching the color to its representative attribute.

At that moment.

“…Wouldn’t it be empty if the tower was all dark?”

A young man with white hair approached with a polite attitude and said.

“Who is he?”

Sensitive Shuriel reacts first.

“Hello! I’m ‘Grimm.’ What brings you to the Black Magic Tower?”

The young man in front of me answered with a smiling face, not intimidated.

Friendly and polite.

“…He’s the information officer stationed on the first floor. It’s been a while, Grimm-ssi.”

“Hello, Hanil-ssi!”

Pahwin steps forward as I stare blankly at his very energetic energy. By the way, Hanil is a pseudonym for disguise…. It seemed like he had come here a few times, not just once.

“May I ask the names of the people behind you?”

It seemed true that the magicians of the Black Magic Tower were friendly. If there was anything that bothered me, it was that they weren’t intimidated.

As far as I’ve seen so far. When Shuriel glares, they flinch at least once. The only exceptions are crazy people or those with something wrong in their heads.

Was this what Shuriel meant by ‘you’ll know when you see it’? If I didn’t know, I would have just passed it off lightly, but it’s strangely creepy. Looking at those suspiciously bright eyes… it’s like he’s not human.

“Death Qi.”

I stepped forward and said.

“Can I see the research on Death Qi here?”

The issue of declining virility….

I can’t bring myself to say it directly, so I beat around the bush. After all, I came here to confirm the possibility. The possibility that it’s not because of Death Qi. The purpose was the same.

“You mean Death Qi. But…”

“….”

“Are you affiliated with our tower? I have a connection with Hanil-nim, but… I’ve never asked for anything.”

Is that how it’s going to be?

Such a closed-off magician.

“I didn’t come here with strange intentions. It’s just that someone on our side is getting sick because of Death Qi….”

“Sick because of Death Qi? Tired, or something like that?”

“…I know it too, but it’s severe. Do you know anything about it?”

He seems to be contemplating at the word ‘severe.’ Did he notice that we’re outsiders? He might think this question comes from simple ignorance.

I could tell just by the corners of his lips as he prepared to explain.

“Death Qi is waste generated by the collision of demonic energy and pure Mana. There’s so much corrupted demonic energy on this land that it will take thousands of years to completely disappear, but in the end, it’s just waste.”

“Does that mean?”

“You know that the human body only accepts pure Mana, right? And it also resists and purifies it.”

“Of course I know.”

“It’s hard for waste at the level of Death Qi to directly affect the body. The rate of purification is faster than the amount of Death Qi entering. You’ll probably adapt if you stay in the North for about a week.”

“….”

“Was that helpful?”

No.

“…Are there any symptoms other than fatigue?”

“No. Not yet.”

Then what the hell is the problem?

I subtly turned my eyes and looked at Shuriel.

― Can I talk about what happened last night?

― No.

That’s what she says.

Damn it.

“You can research it in more detail if you come to our tower…”

“I’m affiliated with the Red Magic Tower, so it’s okay.”

“Red… Magic Tower.”

His eyes turn cold.

The look in his eyes asks what purpose we came for.

“Wait.”

As I was wondering how to start, Shuriel stepped forward.

“I came to see Granshel. Can I see her now?”

Perhaps because they often saw each other’s faces during the competition, there was no hesitation in his call.

“…Granshel, you say.”

Grimm, who doesn’t know the inside story, glares with sharp eyes. Who would call the highest authority of the tower like a friend?

“…Who are you?”

He exchanges glances with Pahwin and gives Shuriel a look.

Pahwin too. He noticed the changed state of her body. If it was simply because of Death Qi, it wouldn’t explain the abnormality that occurred in her body after staying in the North for a long time. If this was left unattended, something might happen.

― Take it off.

She conveys it with her mouth.

Saying ‘take it off’ sounded like it was conveying a lewd meaning, but it just meant to take off the hood.

– Srrr…

They take off their hoods almost simultaneously.

Red hair flowing down like a river, shimmering blonde hair, slightly sticking out brown hair. I’m okay, but the other two are nobles, so their hair is very good.

“I’m Yujin from Lecante.”

“Shuriel Ruchellini. You’ve heard of me, right?”

“…I’ll greet you again. I’m Pahwin Angheln.”

After finishing the greetings, I snapped my fingers. Ttak-! The clear sound led the blue Mana and stuck to Shuriel. It was to release the camouflage magic that was covering her horns.

The golden horns that attract attention so much can never be forgotten once you see or hear about them. Shuriel was relatively famous among the agents, no, among the nobles.

“….”

I could tell just by looking at the man in front of me who was just gaping without saying anything.

“…I’ll call Tower Lord-nim.”

Grimm, who ran into the magic tower in a hurry, created a portal and headed somewhere.

And just a few tens of seconds later.

―Twitch.

The air twisted.

“Don’t worry. It’s just space magic.”

I calm down the two who have entered alert mode.

It’s the same phenomenon that occurs when space magic is activated. It was an unfamiliar energy that I had rarely felt… It seemed to be because the Tower Lord’s signature magic was the uncommon darkness attribute. All the magician’s formulas follow the attribute they learned to some extent.

The distortion again

– Gurrr….

I lower my eyes to the strange wriggling felt at my feet.

“It’s starting again. Does she have to come this way?”

“…You might fall if you move carelessly.”

I stopped the foot I was about to move after hearing their words. The shadows are moving. Mine, Shuriel’s, and Pahwin’s too. Each of their shadows moves and gathers in one place.

Gurrr…!

The shadows, which had been wriggling with unpleasant sounds, stopped moving when they formed a circle.

And.

―Puhwaak…!!!

Someone soared from the shadows.

“…Hello, Reindeer-ssi. What’s going on with so many people nearby?”

A long dress that drags on the ground. Her face is covered with a black veil, so I can’t see it properly. If I change the angle here and there, I can see the inside faintly, but the inside is also not visible because of the black bandages.

“Don’t you think the prejudice against the Black Magic Tower is caused by you?”

“You seem a little down today. Should I bring you some antlers?”

“You still don’t listen to me.”

“Isn’t Grimm a little prickly? Usually, when my name is mentioned, they notice… You know that too, right? Almost no nobles come to the North. He must have thought you were moths trying to use the Tower Lord’s name.”

Black Tower Lord Granshel said, looking at Shuriel. No, I don’t know if the word ‘looking’ is appropriate for someone with bandages on their eyes. Her gaze is also subtly off. It’s unclear whether she’s properly aware and speaking.

I turned around here and there and said to Granshel, who was chattering.

“Granshel-nim, the lord of the tower that supports the empire and the rightful ruler of darkness?”

I mix the rumors and titles circulating appropriately. Usually, people in high positions want fancy titles.

“….”

Stop. Her movements stop and she turns her head towards me. Granshel, who stared at me `exactly`, continued her own story after a few seconds.

“Magic City Lecante. It’s a place I really want to visit. You received my letter, right? But it seems like you ignored it. I actually knew it. You two are busy sticking together, so where would I fit in?”

“…I’m sorry. I was focusing on stabilizing the territory.”

“So many spirits spread throughout the city… Haha. A human who has been to Kardrasil. I guess you have to be able to build a city on your own? I’ve talked to elves a few times, but it’s hard to even approach without Farnium. Can I smell it?”

– Thump.

“Ugh…?”

Granshel, who was chattering without listening to me, suddenly grabbed my shoulder. In that state, she lowered her body and brought her face closer. I don’t know if she intended it, but due to the height difference, her nose was buried in the crown of my head.

“This smell… I’ve smelled it before. Underground prison. Trash sentenced to death for all sorts of charges. Many people say it’s where the darkness of the empire gathers. I don’t like it. Darkness is too precious to attach to such trash.”

Underground prison? From me? What part of me did she see to draw such a conclusion? For a moment, the faces of the trash I had killed flashed through my mind like a lantern. But judging by her reaction, it didn’t seem like that either.

`Ah.`

My thoughts, accelerated hundreds of times, were able to find the reason before long.

“Little and cute miss. May I ask how such a chain was embedded deep in your heart?”

The slave contract I made with Shuriel.

She was caught.

But I wasn’t flustered.

I questioned her in return.

“If I dare to guess… Granshel-nim seems to have seen the soul. I heard that the Black Magic Tower is a place that studies darkness as it is.”

“Do you know what the greatest fear that darkness presents is? It’s that you can’t see. You can’t see anything. You can’t know.”

“Haa….”

The conversation with Granshel didn’t flow smoothly.

Even if I talk to her or ask questions, she immediately changes the subject and scratches people’s insides.

However.

Granshel never ignored us.

“I welcomed darkness and overcame darkness myself. I cast out everything that covered my eyes and opened new eyes.”

It was frustrating that she answered at the end, but in short, it seemed like she didn’t touch black magic. Black magic usually uses the bodies or souls of others as materials. Experiments on oneself are not considered black magic.

“Well… there were some side effects. I almost lost my body because I went into too deep darkness.”

– Srrr….

She removes the veil and unties the black bandages.

Eyes that have turned white. Only faint traces remain that Granshel’s eyes were originally blue.

“Now I can see the world clearly. I feel like I can understand this world more fundamentally.”

She erased the smile she had been maintaining.

“But… you guys. Are you on bad terms?”

Me and Shuriel? Or Pahwin?

I close my mouth at the truly mysterious words. Pahwin and Shuriel were the same. They were just waiting for the next words with an unusual energy.

“I don’t know what grudge you bought… but it’s really terrible. She’s trying to kill you right now. Except for this little miss here. Yes, Pahwin, Shuriel. I mean you.”