Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: The Tower of Trials
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‘Wouldn't that be the case?’
I didn't know the exact location of the king's tomb, but typically, a king's remains would be enshrined in the capital.
And this was the Nameless King's tomb we were talking about.
The most renowned and respected king in history.
There was a chance he was buried in his homeland instead of the capital, but the Nameless King's origins, even his real name, were still a mystery.
According to records, he had appeared suddenly during the era of war, as if he'd just dropped from the sky…
However, from the descriptions of the size and appearance of his most famous weapons, the Seven Sins Sword and the Red King's Armor, we knew he was human.
Though his most famous feature was his red hair, which blazed as brilliantly as a sunset.
[Then a fragment of the First Hub must be somewhere here.]
‘A fragment of the First Hub, you say…’
[It is one of the seven fragments needed to restore the Seven Sins Sword.]
I fell silent.
Come to think of it, the Seven Sins Sword was currently half-destroyed. I’d forgotten because it was still quite useful in this state.
[Excellent timing. Let us acquire it while we are here.]
‘Is there really a need for that? I don't see any advantage for me in restoring the Seven Sins Sword.’
[I know you are not one to rely on weapons. But obtaining a fragment of the First Hub means more than just strengthening the Seven Sins Sword.]
‘What do you mean?’
[The restoration of the Seven Sins Sword means the recovery of my existence. As I've said before, in my current state, there are restrictions even on simply conveying information, but as we gather the fragments and restore the sword, those restrictions will fade.]
‘Then you'll be able to tell me about yourself, Master?’
The Martial God seemed to give a bitter laugh before speaking.
[That is still a long way off. But if we continue to gather the fragments, you will surely find out one day.]
‘Hmm…’
Truthfully, there were many ways for me to get information right now.
There was the Iron-Blooded Duke, and there was Lise.
But…
For some reason, I felt that the one who knew the most about the forgotten era would be the forgotten Martial God himself.
After all, he was the one who had witnessed that era firsthand.
‘The Nameless King's tomb…’
I did have someone to ask.
I got up, immediately opened the partition door, and went over to where Hector was.
This spacious compartment was occupied by only two people, Hector and Seren, and a rather amusing scene was unfolding inside.
The two of them were sitting at opposite ends, as if they were complete strangers.
Seren was leaning her forehead against the window, staring outside with a bored expression.
Hector seemed to be reading a book.
“Reading in a carriage will make you sick.”
“…I have a strong stomach, so I'm fine.”
*Thud.* Hector closed his book and looked at me.
“Do you need something from me?”
“I have something to ask.”
I immediately explained the situation to Hector.
Hector listened to my story, thought deeply for a moment, and then spoke.
“You want to enter the Nameless King's tomb… It's not impossible, but it will be quite difficult.”
“Why?”
“In the Empire, Xinus I is generally considered the founding king, but some say the Nameless King is the true founder. After all, it was the Nameless King's achievement to unite the seven races and establish the entity known as the Empire… Because of this, his tomb is located in the deepest part of the Imperial Palace grounds.”
“Which means…”
“Basically, no one other than the royal family can enter.”
What a pain.
I thought for a moment before asking.
“Doesn't 'basically' imply there are exceptions?”
“That's right. If you can be accompanied by a member of the royal family, you should be able to enter.”
Royalty, huh…
To ordinary citizens, they might as well be the moon in the sky, but in times like these, the Bednicker status came in handy.
The Bednicker family holds power that is among the greatest in the Empire.
Even royalty couldn't look down on their standing.
“Can you pull some strings for me, brother?”
“I didn't realize you were so interested in the Nameless King.”
Hector said in a slightly surprised tone, then added with a troubled expression.
“It's not impossible… but it's difficult right now. The only one in the royal family I'm acquainted with is Lentus, and he's likely not in the capital at the moment.”
Lentus would be the 4th Prince.
The one who attended the Bednicker's Blessing Ceremony.
“Hmm…”
As I was pondering, Hector spoke.
“That's not to say there's no way. Our destination is the academy, after all.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are currently two members of the royal family attending the academy.”
“Oh? Who are they?”
“The 3rd Prince and the 4th Princess. If you can befriend them, you might be able to enter the Nameless King's tomb.”
Hector continued in a slightly troubled tone.
“Of course, given the academy environment, your status as a transfer student, and the limited time of three months, it won't be easy to build a rapport with them.”
“Mmm.”
“Personally, I recommend Prince Glen, the 3rd Prince. I've heard that Princess Ferist, the 4th Princess, doesn't enjoy socializing.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“…Right.”
Then, Hector glanced at me and suddenly cleared his throat to speak.
“We-well, since it's my youngest brother's request, as your older brother, this is the least I can—”
“Lord Hector? Do you have a moment?”
Just then, the coachman peeked his head in.
“What is it?”
“We're about to arrive at the academy, and they require the Bednicker seal before entry.”
“Hmm… Understood.”
Hector left first with a disgruntled look, and since I had no more business there, I was about to leave too.
“You.”
Suddenly, Seren stopped me.
“What?”
“What business do you have at the Nameless King's tomb?”
I looked into Seren's distinctive glass-like eyes and replied.
“I've always been interested in the Nameless King. It's been a dream of mine to visit his tomb if I ever came to the capital.”
“A guy like that didn't even know where the Nameless King's tomb was?”
…Sharp.
I had no real comeback, so I kept my mouth shut. After a moment's hesitation, Seren spoke.
“Don't approach the royalty carelessly.”
“What?”
“Just don't.”
With only those words, Seren squeezed her eyes shut.
“…”
If anyone else had said the same thing, I would have taken it as a warning not to act rashly before the noble bloodline of royalty…
But coming from Seren, it felt somehow significant.
‘…Is there something about the royal family?’
There was no time to dwell on the thought.
Just then, the carriage stopped, and the coachman's voice rang out.
“We have arrived at Cartel Academy!”
* * *
Of the streams of the Twilight River that cut through the capital, the widest part reached a breadth of a staggering five kilometers.
Cartel Academy was established on an island in the middle of that river.
The island was vast, almost too large to be used solely for the academy's grounds, but it wasn't always this big.
It was said to have reached its current size through continuous expansion projects.
Of course, since they couldn't block the river's flow downstream, it ended up with a long, narrow shape.
In any case, after crossing the bridge that served as the island's only entrance, we finally stood at the academy's gates.
“Whoa…”
“This is insane.”
The moment they saw Cartel Academy, gasps of awe erupted from all around once again.
I, too, was at a loss for what to even call this structure.
It looked like a royal castle, a tower, and a temple all at once.
Usually, when a single building evokes so many different feelings, it ends up looking chaotic, but that wasn't the impression I got now.
For someone like me with no knowledge of architecture, I could only marvel, ‘This is incredible.’
“Our esteemed guests have finally arrived.”
Just then, an old man appeared with a gentle voice.
With his handsome wrinkles, a beard that reached his navel, slender glasses, and a benevolent smile…
If he were holding a wide-brimmed hat and a staff made from an old tree, he would look exactly like the wizard from my preconceived notions.
‘…I'm actually a little moved.’
The tip of my nose tingled slightly.
The mages I'd met since my regression had been so delinquent and wicked that seeing such a classic appearance was strangely reassuring.
Hector and Barter bowed their heads respectfully.
“Greetings, Headmaster. I am Hector Bednicker.”
“Barter Goodspring.”
“Ho ho. To see two of the Empire's future pillars at once. It is an honor.”
The headmaster of Cartel Academy.
This meant that the old man with the kind smile was none other than the 7th-ranked Purple Archmage—Alderson Marv.
Alderson looked at Hector and spoke.
“How is Lord Asad doing?”
“He is well.”
“That is a relief.”
Asad, the recluse and guardian of the Bednicker family, was also one of the Seven-Colored Mages.
The 4th-ranked Green Archmage.
Naturally, he had some dealings with Alderson, who was also one of the Seven-Colored Mages.
“But there are more of you than I expected. I wasn't anticipating the members from Goodspring, so this is a bit awkward…”
As Alderson said, the group from the certification ceremony numbered over twenty at a glance.
Combined with our ten, that made a total of about thirty people.
Thirty in total was indeed an excessive number for a transfer.
Alderson, who had let out a hearty laugh, stroked his beard and spoke in a strangely meaningful voice.
“Well, I'm sure it will work out somehow. Follow me for now.”
We all followed Alderson in a crowd… and after passing between well-paved roads and streetlights, we arrived at a tower-shaped building.
“This place is…?”
“The Cartel Academy's famous [Tower of Trials].”
It was dizzyingly high.
‘Is it about… 200 meters tall?’
At this scale, it could easily be called a mage's tower.
Alderson said with a grin.
“As I said, it seems we need to reduce the numbers a bit. Think of it as a transfer exam… We will only accept the fifteen prodigies who climb the highest into the academy.”
“Um… what happens to those who don't make the cut?”
“I'm afraid I cannot permit their transfer. They will have to return.”
At that, groans immediately came from the Goodspring group.
“N-No way.”
“This isn't what we were told!”
“After we came all this way…”
In contrast, the attitude of our group was calm, as this was a somewhat familiar process.
Being cut off based on performance was something we had experienced time and again in the Bednicker's training sessions.
I looked at the tower again.
It was dizzyingly tall, but climbing it didn't seem like it would be that difficult.
‘But something feels…’
The name "Tower of Trials" and all… something felt off.
Hector must have felt the same sense of unease, as he asked.
“So the standard isn't who climbs fastest, but who climbs highest?”
“That's right.”
Alderson looked around and said.
“This tower is approximately 217.1 meters tall and has 5 floors. There are stairs inside, so ascending shouldn't be difficult.”
About 200 meters.
A considerable height, but for the people here, it was a height they could climb without much difficulty.
In other words.
“…Is there something inside?”
Alderson smiled benevolently and said.
“It wouldn't be fun if I explained everything, would it? There's no rush. You'll understand everything once you enter the tower.”
“Hmm…”
“The time limit is one day. Ah, and any spoils you obtain inside this tower are all yours.”
“Spoils, you say…?”
“From simple gold coins to precious metals, books, and even magical artifacts I've crafted myself… A variety of rewards have been prepared.”
“…!”
At his words, the prodigies began to murmur among themselves again.
Alderson let out a good-natured laugh.
“Please think of it as an amusement ride and have fun. Ho ho ho.”
At that, the prodigies rushed toward the tower, and I was slightly impressed.
It seems not all mages are completely off their rockers.
I chided myself for my unfair prejudice against mages and followed the other prodigies.
* * *
Just after the prodigies left…
A young man approached Alderson.
It was Moland, one of Cartel Academy's professors.
“Your prank is too much, Headmaster.”
“Hmm?”
“Half of them won't even make it past the first floor.”
At that, Alderson let out his characteristic hearty laugh.
“One never knows how things will turn out. Professor Moland, you shouldn't underestimate the potential of the youth.”
“I have never underestimated them, but…”
Moland sighed.
At a glance, it might seem like Alderson had high hopes for those young prodigies, but that wasn't the case.
Every student at Cartel Academy knew.
They knew what kind of place the so-called [Tower of Trials] was.
Each section of the five-story tower was filled with various problems, puzzles, and traps that Alderson had painstakingly prepared.
Of course, they weren't threatening enough to cause serious injury or death, but…
They were more than enough to make ambitious youths despair and develop trauma.
“There's no harm to either side, is there? I get to be stimulated by watching the challenges of these spirited youths, and they get a chance to earn rewards befitting a great challenge… I always value fairness.”
“…”
He wasn't wrong.
The items hidden in the tower were truly worthy of being called treasures.
Not only were there magical artifacts personally crafted by Alderson, one of the Seven-Colored Mages, but also various collectibles he had paid a fortune to acquire.
Even ‘that item’ which Alderson cherished the most.
However…
‘If you value fairness so much, why did you put all the rewards on the 4th and 5th floors…?’
Moland knew.
No matter how talented any of the prodigies were, it was impossible for them to get higher than the 3rd floor.
It was only natural.
Even most of the academy's professors gave up halfway through the 4th floor.
Alderson said in an excited voice.
“Come, come! No time to waste. Let's hurry to the control room. I'm craving Professor Betty's tea. We still have some cookies from the Etique tea shop, so it'll be perfect to watch while we eat.”
Moland sighed once more and followed him.
‘It's a pity, but it can't be helped…’
Hoping that the number of despairing prodigies would be small, Moland followed Alderson.
* * *
A sign greeted us as we entered the tower.
[Welcome to the Floor of Rainbows!]
[※First Rule※]
[Talking is forbidden on this floor.]
[Penalty for violation.]
…This whole situation feels like déjà vu.