Chapter 214 – Ask the Person Concerned

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The Tower Master had disappeared.

The entire Mage Tower, including all mages of the Senior rank and above, swiftly gathered at the Crystal Hall.

Of course, that included me, the Chief Mage. On top of that, as the first witness, I stood on the podium of the Crystal Hall.

Even in this situation, my neck and back are excessively upright.

Thanks to the upright posture, I can see the faces of everyone gathered at a glance.

The majority have a dumbfounded expression.

The sound of Banshee and Bangrit whispering could be heard.

“Just what in the world happened, Senior Bangrit?”

“Did you not hear the news?”

“No, I was so out of my mind that…”

“What is that paper you are holding in your hand again?”

“Ah, this? Ahem, it’s nothing.”

What do you mean, nothing? It’s the Tower Exit Application that got rejected by me.

Looking at the general atmosphere, it seems Banshee is the only one who doesn’t know the seriousness of the situation. Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone has to scowl with a serious expression either.

‘Because the majority probably have no contact with the Tower Master.’

Even Senior Mages who had faced the Elder Mages could be counted on one hand. How many people could possibly have faced the Tower Master, who was even harder to see than them.

Of course, those few people…

Were making sufficiently disturbed expressions right now.

Among them, there was no need to add words for Marcelo.

“The Tower Master has gone missing.”

Marcelo opened his mouth while remaining seated.

“The one who first discovered the scene was Chief Lee Ho-yeol.”

Those words were absolutely correct.

That was why I was standing upright on the podium like this.

Soon, Yugweed gave Marcelo a glance and took over the conversation.

“And I was the one who discovered Chief Lee.”

That was also right.

As I nodded my head lightly, someone spoke.

“Then it is a fortune amidst misfortune! To think the first witness is none other than Chief Lee Ho-yeol. Surely, he must have found even some trivial clue!”

…Is that guy trying to roast me?

The one spitting out such suspicious remarks was Banshee.

I wondered if he was taking revenge for the Tower Exit Application like this, but.

Banshee’s tact was to an astonishing extent, so let’s generously understand him.

Actually, what was more incomprehensible than Banshee was my stubbornness.

The gazes concentrated on me-

They must have surely thought I would know the whereabouts of the Tower Master.

Of course, I was guessing it.

Because a quest objective clearer than any clue had appeared before my eyes.

-Stop the Archmages’ Conspiracy. (Ongoing)

-Face the Tower Master’s body. (Failed)

-Defeat the rampaging Tower Master’s body. (Ongoing)

…Yes, I thought things could not go this smoothly!

He definitely said he separated his body and consciousness.

Just how did the Tower Master’s body wiggle its fingers?

I had been feeling uneasy since the moment I harbored such a doubt.

The details of the incident were exactly as the visible quest objective.

The Tower Master’s body, which was floating in the magic power sphere, went rampant.

It meant he smashed the sphere and ran away from the Mage Tower while leaving his consciousness behind in the pointed hat. I did not know where the Tower Master’s body had gone, but one thing was certain.

-Defeat the rampaging Tower Master’s body. (Ongoing)

It absolutely would not come out favorably.

I possessed such specific circumstances and a solid alibi, but.

As I said, my stubbornness.

No, Granfel’s damned stubbornness was the problem.

“There were no clues left behind at the top floor of the Mage Tower.”

Yeah, well, it was not wrong.

The clue was in my quest window.

Since it was not on the top floor.

But still.

‘There is a saying that words can pay off a thousand nyang debt, but why.’

Do I always earn beatings with my mouth.

And only choose words that become a terrible seed, Granfel?

“Ah…”

At my resolute declaration, Banshee looked slightly flustered.

Bangrit in the next seat opened his mouth on his behalf.

“If so, do you have any guesses regarding the Tower Master’s whereabouts…?”

My answer to that was even more of a spectacle.

“I shall not answer.”

“…!!!”

To defend myself, this was not just me acting out.

It was because of the pride that made me inevitably keep the words I spat out.

Yes, because I definitely told the Tower Master so.

-“I shall keep this matter a secret for the time being.”

But still, no matter how secretive it is.

‘The saying that silence means affirmation doesn’t exist for nothing.’

You could have beaten around the bush a bit!

At my shameless declaration, the atmosphere of the Crystal Hall changed subtly.

Yugweed opened her mouth.

“If so, may I ask at least the reason why you visited the top floor of the Mage Tower? Although it is said the Chief Mage of the Mage Tower has the authority to freely enter the top floor. Haven’t you, Chief Lee, not been visiting the top floor normally?”

Why else, naturally because of the quest.

However, it was a quest that started from the Tower Master in the first place.

According to the words I spat out.

I had no choice but to keep silent at Yugweed’s question as well.

This time too, the words I spat out remained consistent.

“I shall not answer.”

Seriously, there is no separate snout of terror like this ones.

I am such a suspicious person.

I was exercising my right to remain silent as if advertising it.

Even so, the gazes directed at me did not turn into suspicion.

‘This kind of response is a bit touching.’

Of course, not being suspected didn’t mean it was over.

Marcelo, who had been bowing his head, shifted his gaze.

Anyone could see his empty eyes were directed at me.

“…I believe there must be unavoidable circumstances for you to say so, Sir. However, Sir, would you please understand my feelings just for this once?”

I will say this once again.

On the Arcana Continent, mages.

Among them, the mages of the Mage Tower were absolutely not saints.

Regarding the Mage Tower’s anecdotes proving this, didn’t I hear them through rumors from afar, and through Jesica from up close?

‘They literally blew away an entire area simply because it was in their way.’

Such mages were trying to understand me, who was suspiciously acting by anyone’s standards.

I did not want to experience it in this way, but.

I could definitely feel that the Mage Tower had changed.

However.

“It is a pity. Chief Marcelo.”

“…Sir?”

“Even so, I cannot comply with your request.”

The reason I didn’t answer even while buying useless suspicion was entirely because of Marcelo. Yes, I hoped Marcelo wouldn’t be disappointed.

‘Because the Tower Master you are anxiously waiting for is already dead.’

At the point when his body and consciousness were separated, the Tower Master was as good as dead. If not, he wouldn’t have been able to pass down the Archmage class to Jesse.

That was exactly the reason why I didn’t panic.

‘This too must be part of the Tower Master’s plan.’

Though I still don’t know what his ulterior motive is.

Just as it appeared in the quest objective.

A plan that could only be achieved if the Tower Master’s own body died.

Because of that, even if it were someone else.

I could absolutely never tell Marcelo.

Even if.

“…I have understood your intention, Sir.”

Even if he is disappointed in me.

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Belie looked at the Black Magic Studies Senior, Matis.

Matis was just keeping his eyes closed quietly.

It was merely a procedure, not an interrogation.

Even so, he likely didn’t even want to see Chief Lee Ho-yeol answering questions on the podium just because he was the first witness. In fact, Belie’s feelings were no different.

‘…No, everyone must be feeling the same.’

Although Skilled and Adept Mages might not know.

All the mages of Senior rank and above gathered here knew.

The burdens the adventurer Chief Lee Ho-yeol had shouldered for the Mage Tower.

The Mage Tower’s transgressions.

The moment the Elder Mages including Karimzeva were revealed to be demon worshippers, Chief Lee Ho-yeol had diverted all pouring worldly attention and arrows towards himself.

Not only that.

So that the staggering Mage Tower wouldn’t completely collapse.

So that they could advance towards a new truth.

The one who led the winds of change was also Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

‘Because everyone knows, they must be making such expressions.’

Because it was Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

Everyone in this place completely trusted him.

Even if he was not providing any answers regarding the Tower Master’s disappearance.

They believed there must be unavoidable circumstances for the Chief Mage.

“I have no objections to the Q&A.”

“I also have no remaining doubts.”

“I think it would be good to wrap this up soon?”

Pure Mana Studies, Bangrit Tom.

Earth Magic Studies, Maia Deian.

Enchantment Magic Studies, Kiko Armin.

Spirit Magic Studies, Peiyan Rot…

“I agree.”

Lastly, up to herself and Black Magic Studies Senior, Matis.

Rank was irrelevant.

Because even the Elder, Yugweed, was nodding at the declarations of the Seniors.

Marcelo was the only one in the Crystal Hall who didn’t express his opinion.

‘Marcelo…’

Belie knew well what kind of existence the Tower Master was to Marcelo.

Because she knew it too well.

Sometimes she even felt disappointed in Marcelo.

‘I know it can’t be helped.’

Belie thought from Marcelo’s perspective.

After the Tower Master showed a reaction for the first time.

Not even a day had passed.

Before the Tower Master disappeared.

The person who first discovered the scene was.

A fortune amidst misfortune, Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

Marcelo must have been relieved more than anyone else.

Because he surely thought Chief Lee Ho-yeol would have grasped something from the traces the Tower Master left behind. However, the Chief Mage was keeping silent.

He didn’t say he didn’t know, but declared he wouldn’t answer.

‘I know your mind is complicated.’

Marcelo, with your personality.

While thinking you shouldn’t dare resent Chief Lee Ho-yeol.

You must also be blaming yourself.

However, Belie could guess it.

That Chief Lee Ho-yeol’s feelings would not be much different from Marcelo’s.

Because Belie was the sole figure.

‘Chief Lee…’

Who knew the real reason Ho-yeol had entered the Arcana Continent single-handedly.

Who noticed the fact that he had lifted the Simuard family’s terminal curse and returned even while millions of demons were rushing at him.

Because of that, she was the sole figure who even witnessed the sight of him returning to the Mage Tower covered in blood.

‘If I told the truth, Marcelo would…’

Surely be able to understand the Chief Mage’s feelings.

But it might also cause Marcelo to fall into greater self-blame because of it.

Besides, didn’t the Chief Mage say it himself?

-“Drastic emotional changes are not good for him.”

Because of that request, Belie had not uttered the truth of that day to anyone until now.

However, just because it was unknown didn’t mean it never happened. Thus, Belie believed without a doubt.

‘Surely, I believe you will set everything right.’

Belie looked at Ho-yeol.

At his back as he exited the Crystal Hall.

Suddenly, words Ho-yeol had left behind came to mind.

Surely, the Chief Mage had spoken like that.

-“Living is inherently swimming in solitude.”

“…Are you shouldering it alone this time too?”

Belie murmured quietly.

“…How can you bear that weight?”

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Anyway, these damned dark histories cause several people to get confused!

Just tell them clearly that everything is the Tower Master’s plan, that the Tower Master personally smashed the magic power sphere and left the Mage Tower. Disclosing it wouldn’t cause any harm, really.

‘I am sorry.’

Especially to Marcelo, I have no face to show.

Just how much have I received from Marcelo up until now!

Even if it’s for Marcelo’s sake.

To think there would be an issue we’d have to hush up between us.

‘No, so why did I have to say useless things…!’

Disregarding my self-blame, the mouth spat out shamelessly.

“You are selfish. Tower Master.”

Who should be saying that instead, Granfel.

‘I wasn’t going to go as far as saying this but…’

Even in the Crystal Hall, I thought I was going to die of embarrassment, you know?

Right, for a player, equipment is like life itself. Moreover, the Dawn Set didn’t show much difference from the suit I wore daily anyway. Even if I let that slide.

Flap-

But isn’t it a bit too much to drape this damned jacket over my shoulders even in daily life? It feels like the gazes at me are just because of my outfit, and it’s making me self-conscious.

“I shall officially demand accountability for your selfish actions.”

I too would like to officially demand accountability for you regarding my humiliation, Granfel.

However.

That’s not what’s important right now.

From now on, I.

Just like the Sword Saint, Shegwin.

Had to defeat the Transcender, who was simultaneously the former Archmage, the Tower Master.

More precisely, not the Tower Master, but ‘the Tower Master’s body’.

Amidst such a serious situation.

I whispered calmly.

Adding the lingering bitterness from the Crystal Hall.

“The one to answer Marcelo’s question is you, Tower Master. Not me.”

Please.

I hoped I could make those words a reality this time as well.

I moved my steps while earnestly wishing for it.

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【Arcana Continent Chronicles Official Homepage】

※ Emergency Update Notice

『The worst enemy is approaching your side.

A new boss monster, Tower Master, will be added.

The appearance area is ‘All over Earth’.』

That day, humanity realized.

Just what kind of existence a Transcender of the Arcana Continent was.

Hundreds of meteorites falling from the sky.

“Mom!”

“Over there, a huge amount of shooting stars are falling from the sky!”

“Sob sob, oh Goddess. Please…!!”

They witnessed it amidst despair.

“Unfortunately.”

As if pressing a rewind button.

“I believe in neither Gods, nor superstitions.”

A cluster of meteorites going backwards towards the night sky, towards space.

“Even so, if you were wishing upon them.”

An existence of Anomaly that surpassed even such a Transcender.

“I shall fulfill it in their place.”

Flap!