Chapter 325
Chapter 325
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Chapter 325
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Tower of Illusions
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📋 Imperial Defense Bureau
Dangerous Individual Report
Name: Tower of Illusions / Yuna Yurensuto Violetiris
Rank: Undetermined (Estimated Class 0; failure to respond early could lead to national disaster)
Activity Period: Late Year 453 of the Lion Calendar ~ Ongoing
#1
It suddenly appeared, swallowing part of the academy grounds and the mad mage's laboratory whole. It takes the form of a tower, but its interior is an entire world. Hereafter referred to as the 『Tower of Illusions』. The Tower of Illusions has the following characteristics:
● Blurs the boundary between illusion and reality. Near the tower, phenomena repeatedly occur where things that never existed in the world are created, or existing objects vanish.
(Do not deploy personnel whose mental barriers are not sufficiently robust. There is a risk that their very existence will melt away and disappear.)
● As an extension of the above, numerous hostile lifeforms are being generated within the tower's area of influence. Individually, their power falls short of even the lowest-ranked academy students, but the quantity and generation cycle are accelerating.
(Estimated, but it appears to grow stronger as more information reverts to illusion within the domain. Casualties could cause a dramatic surge in power.)
● Gradually expanding its range of influence. It initially eroded a quarter of the academy, but now covers 50%. Faculty and staff are clustered in the central forbidden zone for defense, but they won't last more than a week.
Based on these observations, the Tower of Illusions is unequivocally dangerous. The academy's forbidden zone is known to contain the 『Origin』, which guarantees unconditional growth for its members. Whatever it is, it harbors immense power. We must guard against the moment that 『Origin』 is absorbed by the Tower of Illusions. There is no need to explain the peril or the catastrophe that would follow.
#2
Students within range at the time of the tower's emergence were sucked inside. We judged that their deaths within would boost the tower's output and launched rescue operations. Currently cooperating with select faculty on extraction efforts, with success so far. This incoming class of cadets possesses exceptionally robust mental barriers—fortunate indeed. The 1st floor is a space reconstructed from the Great Labyrinth's resources (see attached materials; reference academy team competition records). Moreover, it is fluid to an exasperating degree. Trap layouts shift every minute, so even cleared paths offer no safety guarantees. A team of veterans capable of instant improvisation is required. We located stairs to the 2nd floor but prioritized rescues and halted further exploration. Most rescued students had portions of their bodies 『illusionized』. They now have drastically lowered resistance to illusion magic and risk erasure from illusion-based damage. This 『illusionization』 has also been confirmed as contagious. With Saint Tara's aid, we are exploring treatments. Holy power slows and removes the progression of 『illusionization』, but it is akin to amputating an infected limb—the affected areas are lost permanently. Male Dormitory A Block has been designated as a temporary ward for isolating and managing the infected. Maintain mana shields when contacting patients.
#3
The Tower of Illusions may become a demonic realm more perilous than the eastern frontlines. The Empire's might is formidable but finite. No nation can sustain a two-front war. Given these risks, we request dispatch of the Empire's Sword Saint and Capital Knight Order Commander. Objectives: Collapse of the Tower of Illusions and elimination of Yuna Yurensuto Violetiris.
#4
Up to this point, speaking as former Imperial Defense Bureau agent Yuri Lanster. Now, a personal word as Second Prince Irid's fiancée, Your Highness. The mad mage will soon return from the Violet Magic Tower. He will attempt to rescue Yuna Yurensuto Violetiris. And he will succeed, just as he always has. I know. I understand the risks of failure. If the mad mage perishes in the Tower of Illusions and the 'thing' he sealed is unleashed from it... the Empire itself might vanish. Rather than risk that, deploying the Empire's transcendent forces for assassination may seem the wise choice. It is a valid perspective. The mad mage's fury over Yuna's death could be assuaged by claiming it unavoidable. He loves me, after all. Though guilt would torment him for life, a fully deranged mage turning his blade on the Empire is unlikely. This is undoubtedly a relatively 『safe』 option. But... Your Highness knows well the anguish of a man who fails to save his lover. You know how he has succeeded thus far. And what manner of man he is. If Bureau agents are dispatched to investigate the Tower of Illusions, you will receive reports and proposals nearly identical to this one. That is why I sent this first—for this final paragraph. Despite all these dangers, grant him this chance. Do not consign his future to darkness; let him seize joy on his own. Make a judgment steeped in personal sentiment, I beg you. Then the mad mage, myself, Yuna, Aisha, and perhaps that last one too—our entire 『family』— will repay you, your loved ones, and the Empire with double the grace bestowed.
—To Second Prince Irid, from Yuri Lanster—
Cigarette smoke drifted lazily upward.
That was because Yuri Lanster, utterly exhausted, was leaning against a red brick wall, puffing on her smoke like a cloud treat.
She shot me a sidelong glance before exhaling a deep lungful of smoke with a huff. Then, in her usual flat tone, she said,
"You've arrived."
"Yuri, what happened?"
"As you can see. Yuna went berserk, and her transcendent ability swallowed the whole area. I... just finished rescuing every student who got pulled into that tower. Go on, praise me."
Yuri Lanster held out a Double Peace cigarette.
I let my lips curve up at her coquettishness. Yeah, even if the situation was grim and dire, a smile still came. Gotta laugh.
"...Thanks."
"That's not praise. Whatever... it'll come soon enough."
As she spoke, she offered a crisp envelope with no seal or signature. I tore it open lightly and unfolded the contents.
This was... a letter from Irid.
It said he'd buy as much time as possible, so sort this mess out before his hair fell out from stress. P.S.: Expect a gold bar to the crown of your head when it's done.
Relief washed over me. I'd even braced for a fight with the Empire.
The academy was a place where talented gems from nobility and commoners alike gathered. Naturally, its facilities were top priority.
Plus, Yuna's transcendent ability was incredibly dangerous. I'd thought the Empire might swarm in to handle it themselves—and that it could come to blows.
But thanks to Yuri, thanks to Irid, we'd bought time.
"Any ideas?"
"...Uhua Extra Module and Uhua Suppression. I'm planning to use those to contain Yuna's transcendent ability. But first, I need to reach her."
"Climbing the tower, then. Let's go."
"You sure you don't need more rest? You look beat."
Yuri flicked her cigarette butt away and said,
"I'll rest after it's all over—luxuriating in a queen-sized bed with one man and one woman tucked under each arm."
"Sounds good. I'll do the same with two women. Spend the whole day like that."
"I'll take the front, you the back."
"...We're talking combat positions, right?"
It had been a while since it'd just been the two of us.
We trudged toward the Tower of Illusions and entered. The 1st floor Great Labyrinth was viciously rearranged, but it was fine.
A blurred line between illusion and reality meant illusion magic was massively amplified. The world bent to a mere gesture.
Yuri's chains bought time; I dismantled traps. No words needed—we read each other's intent perfectly. Perfect synergy, zero delay.
We reached the 1st floor exit without issue.
Just as we ascended the landing toward the 2nd floor.
"........."
Pak!
Yuri Lanster stomped on my Achilles heel. I naturally buckled to my knees, and at that instant, a beam erasing all information streaked past the top of my head from the ceiling.
I reflexively scattered defensive illusion spells in all directions and looked up. There, upside down on the ceiling, hung the silhouette of a person. Honestly, I panicked for a second—did Yuna attack me?
She wore a pointed hat, held a staff, and had those familiar twin tails. But the size was off. The gaze was different. No affection in those eyes.
A different... person?
Yuri Lanster remarked,
"If Yuna ate well and slept well, she'd look like that. Impressive chest size, too. Not quite up to mine... not quite, but."
"You had to emphasize that?"
"Self-promotion is always key, isn't it? Mad Mage, head up first. I'll catch up right away."
"No, come with m—Guh!"
My body floated from Yuri's kick and tumbled into the stairs. The door slammed shut instantly. Clank, clank—the sound of it locking.
A sign to behave and go up quietly, no fussing. Could've just said it...
Her voice came from beyond the door.
"You wouldn't have listened if I did. You'd bring up how I charged the succubus queen solo and whine, 'What if you get hurt this time too?'"
"........."
"I've got pride and purity too. I'm not tagging along to be baggage, so just go up quietly. Before I devour you."
"Don't get hurt."
You too.
With that, fierce combat noises erupted beyond the door. Whatever that Yuna-lookalike was, I'd find out by advancing. That's what I thought.
I climbed the stairs. And then.
Suddenly, a sucking sensation pulled me somewhere, and the world transformed.
2nd floor.
The 『Tower of Illusions』... manifested by devouring my research lab.
In other words, my simulation gear, session logs, NPC data—all session-related materials had been pulled inside the tower.
Maybe that's why.
The surroundings felt familiar. A dingy back alley at dead of night.
The sky clearly had a moon, yet thick shadows made it hard to discern shapes. Ramshackle buildings and obstacles haphazardly blocked the moonlight.
Looking up, dirty cloths hung on lines strung between structures. Windows were shattered or boarded up. The ground pooled with filthy water, and sewer rats scurried about.
It was the intro to Bennett's session, 『S2. Curse Toward the Stars』.
But not exactly the same. Heavily rearranged based on session data. Like the Great Labyrinth turned nightmarish, this floor would be too.
To think it'd turn the arrow back on me like this.
By rights, the cultists should stir and monsters overrun the world after Abraham's death. So my task: head to Abraham Manor and prevent that tragedy?
What're the clear conditions...?
Do I have to navigate this session-like thing solo?
Lost in thought, I heard a squeak—a rat's death cry.
I turned toward the sound.
There stood a dog-like bipedal monster drooling as it stared at me, grinding the rat into the asphalt with its vicious clawed left foot.
Monsters already? What's the timeline? No, it's just based on my session data. A wholly different story?
Stay calm. No time for overthinking.
I sensed killing intent. Fine. By lore, it wasn't that strong; a head-shake illusion spell would handle it.
Magic wouldn't cast.
"GRRAAAAAH—!!"
In an instant, the monster's arm expanded. No— it swung at me, closing the distance to my face in a blink. I curled up, bracing for impact.
Crunch! Snap!
The sensation of my left arm's bones—the shield—shattering into three pieces. Numbing pain. I flew about three meters, crashing into a pile of trash bags.
Even mid-flight, I tried casting. All fizzling. No mana flow, couldn't gather or manipulate it.
Quick assessment: Like in the succubus queen's dream, some 『restriction』 bound me.
"Ngh..."
Clutching my grotesquely bent arm, I staggered up. No magic? What does a mage live on without spells?
Wait... not just that. As an info-being, I couldn't repair or tweak my body. Fist clenched and opened. Physical specs dropped to just below average adult male.
Civilian.
Yeah, nerfed to generic civilian A.
Grrr. The monster advanced step by step. To end me and feast.
Stay calm.
All I had left: broken arm, average body. Could I outrun it?
Impossible. Mobility gap too wide.
Kill it, then...?
Possible.
Yeah, stats nerfed, but my brain's intact. I can think, act. That's enough.
Just rattled earlier—from that Yuna-thing's attack and sending Yuri off.
I modeled that monster, set its traits and behaviors, coded its AI. Its moves were transparent.
I grabbed an empty bottle by the trash, smashed it against the wall inverted.
Crash!
Improvised jagged weapon ready. Dodge all its attacks, land all mine—win. Even without magic. Simple.
Slit the carotid, bleed it out.
"Come on, you bastard... Magic blocked or not, I'm the mad mage. Bring it!"
"Grrr, KYAAAK—!"
The dog-head charged. Leaped. Its movements felt slow-motion. Moonlight through building gaps lit its foul yellow eyes.
And then.
Vrooom, vrrrrroooom—!
Engine noise?
VROOOOM—!!
From an alley gap beside the monster burst a massive bike. It slammed the beast's flank, sending both flying.
What the—? What just happened?
As I gawked wide-eyed, the biker nimbly balanced mid-air and landed. The monster convulsed on the ground, vomiting blood—internal damage.
The rider, black coat billowing, drew a shotgun from their back and aimed.
"Farewell."
Bang!
Gunshot, acrid powder smoke, casing clink. Monster dead.
The mystery biker slung the shotgun back, wheeled over to me. Tinted helmet hid the face... but height around 180cm, seemed middle-aged.
Right arm: heavy prosthetic. Pitch-black metal, humming with each motion.
In a deep, resonant voice—familiar, but helmet-distorted—he said,
"You alright?"
"Ah, yeah. Thanks to you. But who...?"
"Hah, forgot to take off the helmet. On or off, the world's so dark now—can't tell what's there anymore."
The biker removed the helmet with both hands. Beneath: disheveled white hair. I couldn't help but be shocked again.
I knew that face.
Of course—the whole sim got swallowed. Even 'they' got pulled into the 『Tower of Illusions』!
"Creator, right on time. Ready to save the goddess?"
"Abraham...!"
I wasn't alone.
The tower held self-aware NPCs too!
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