Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: The Five Pillars (10)
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The auction unfolded in a way no one could have anticipated.
After a brief introduction to the auction item, the Pillar of Water, it began with Kadim, the host, posing a question to the presiding auctioneer...
"Does the winning bid have to be paid in Luden coins?"
"Payment is possible with jewels or other valuables of high liquidity... but, ahem, first you'd need to have them appraised by our advisor here."
Oklamud and several elders sneered at the sight...
"Ha, what, are you going to pull out the underwear you're wearing? Hey, Coltran. That beast you keep seems a bit short on common sense. You'd better train it properly so it behaves at important events."
"...Kh."
"Pfft... ahem."
Passing through a crisis where the highest bid skyrocketed dozens of times in an instant due to the barbarian's reckless bidding...
"8.5 million Luden."
"8.5 million Luden! Raising the bid to 8.5 million Luden! Those wishing to bid, please raise your finger!"
"9, 900..."
"9.5 million."
"9.5 million, 9.5 million Luden! Maintaining the 50,000 Luden increment! Those wishing to bid, please raise your finger..."
"D-Damn it, 10..."
"10.5 million Luden."
Oklamud, whose available budget had been exceeded, finally exploded in a climax...
"You bastard! What the hell is this nonsense!?"
"..."
"Y-You, you, you, what the hell are you? What kind of bastard are you, you fuck? Do you think this is some barbarian dogfight gambling den? You don't even have the money to pay if you win, so why, why do you keep jumping in like a pants-shitting coward? Huh?!"
"Who said I don't have the money to pay, you penniless shit?"
Clang-!
...It culminated with Kadim pulling out an enormous amount of wealth from his inventory to prove his fortune.
And so, the Pillar of Water was sold for 10.5 million Luden. To a suspiciously wealthy barbarian.
The payment was made immediately: gems appraised at 7.2 million Luden and 3.3 million Luden worth of gold coins.
"You bastard! Quit your bullshit!! That's all fake, fake!! How could a barbarian looking like that beggar have that much gold and jewels..."
The relatively penniless Oklamud protested vehemently, but it was easily dismissed. The gold coins and gems had already been verified as genuine through the appraisal magic tool.
Even so, Oklamud's unreasonable tirade continued. When he began chanting a spell to threaten the buyer, the host, Conrad the presiding auctioneer, hurriedly stepped forward.
"N-Now, um... Elder Oklamud...? Please calm down. It's unfortunate this time, but there will be better opportunities next..."
"Shut up, you fat pig bastard!! I'll turn you and that stinking barbarian into charcoal!!! [Keruna!! Grun!! Agripa...]"
"...Enough, stop right there. If you actually use magic, I won't stand by idly."
Lowering his voice, the auctioneer lifted a necklace from his thick neck.
It was a magic tool guaranteeing mutual assured destruction: a necklace that summoned the Tower Lord. Even the elder, who had lost his reason and was rampaging, had to shut his mouth and freeze for a moment.
After that, Oklamud couldn't chant another spell. He didn't stop his furious shouting and thrashing, though. Eventually, he was dragged out by the arms and legs by other elders and subordinates.
"You bastard!!! If we meet again, I'll kill you!!! I'll really kill you!!! If you value your life, don't even set foot near the Magic Tower, you dog-shit barbarian!!!"
"..."
After the mudfish stirring up the water slithered away, the auction hall fell into such a profound silence that it felt like it had never been this quiet before.
In that hush, meaningful glances were exchanged. The remaining elders, especially Coltran, looked itching to demand the source of Kadim's vast funds right then and there.
But Conrad the auctioneer made the first move.
"Um... sir? Could you come this way for a moment? There are still some procedures left to formally hand over the item."
From barbarian to sir in no time at all. Kadim let out a hollow chuckle and followed the auctioneer.
In truth, the handover process wasn't much. After stamping a few places, the advisor handled the rest. The real reason the auctioneer had called him to this back room must be something else.
Sure enough, after some light small talk, the main point emerged.
"S-Sir... don't misunderstand. It's not because you're Atalain or anything, but the amount is so large that I have to ask. Could you tell me the source of those gems and gold coins?"
Kadim answered honestly. It was earnings from fighting as a gladiator in Agon's arena. In truth, it was a drop in the bucket compared to his total profits.
Even so, the sum was so enormous for prize money that it sparked an unexpected misunderstanding.
"C-Could it be, then, that you, sir... are the renowned champion of that arena, Agon's Furious Horn?"
"..."
It had been a while since he'd heard that name.
Kadim shook his head. He told him that the one called Agon's Furious Horn no longer existed in this world. At those words, the auctioneer was startled again, nearly collapsing.
"What?! Agon's Furious Horn is dead?! B-By whose hand?!"
"..."
Kadim did not open his mouth.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. The auctioneer seemed curious about the answer but couldn't withstand the wordless pressure and changed the subject. After smoothing over the mood with idle chatter, he brought up another question.
"This is, um, a bit sensitive, so feel free not to answer if it's difficult... but could I ask why you went to such lengths to acquire the Pillar of Water?"
Kadim jerked his chin.
"Don't you already know? To enter the Magic Tower's lowest floor."
"Ah, haha, just as I thought! Then, um, are you supporting Elder Coltran... for the Frozen Heart?"
"No, I'm just cooperating with that elder because our goals align. My reason for going to the lowest floor is personal business."
"..."
The auctioneer's eyes darted busily; he fidgeted with his fingers anxiously. Kadim narrowed his eyes sharply and closed the distance slightly.
"I've answered your questions kindly, so let me ask one."
"..."
"I heard you're in a cooperative relationship with the Tower Lord. So why try to hand this 'pillar' over to the elders? They seem to believe that if someone reaches the lowest floor and masters the ancient grand magic, it could threaten the current Tower Lord's position."
That question pulled the trigger on his innermost thoughts. The auctioneer impulsively spilled what was on his mind.
"Sir, um, by any chance... are you thinking of helping purge the current Tower Lord?"
"...I don't even know who that Tower Lord is."
"Ah, a-ah. Ah, hahaha, ahahaha! I-Is that so. R-Right. N-No! What I just said was a joke, a joke... Haha, what nonsense I spouted... There's no way to kill that one anyway..."
It wasn't a joke. Just moments ago, this man's eyes had held a genuine desire to see the Tower Lord purged. And yet, no way to kill him?
As Kadim was about to press for details, the auctioneer lowered his voice and said something else.
"However... if you're really going to the Magic Tower's lowest floor... I have one warning. Aside from the current Tower Lord, I'm the only one who's been to the Magic Tower's lowest floor, right in front of the first Tower Lord's tomb..."
"...!"
"I'm neither a wizard nor a mercenary, so I couldn't identify it clearly. But... there was something on that floor that I absolutely couldn't ignore—something extremely, extremely ominous. That feeling... haa... how to describe it? Something that makes all your senses go dark if you stay still too long...?"
"..."
"Anyway, it's not a place you can visit with peace of mind, so make sure you're mentally prepared before entering..."
The warning didn't fully register in Kadim's ears. From the moment the auctioneer mentioned having been to the lowest floor, his nerves focused on one thing alone.
"...Did you see the first Tower Lord's body there yourself?"
"Pardon? Ah, no. The body should be in a coffin... I only saw the outside..."
"..."
Now that he thought about it, that made sense. In a normal tomb, the corpse wouldn't be left out in the open. For Kadim, who had clung to a sliver of hope that it might not be a fake tomb, disappointment was inevitable.
But it was too early to be disappointed.
The auctioneer seemed to have more to say, trailing off slyly...
"Um, ahem... but... since it came up, about the first Tower Lord... Lady Melissa."
...He rekindled the embers of hope that had already died down to ashes.
"She might still be alive."
A spark ignited in his hollow eyes.
The greatest guide, Duncan Wheeled, paced the interior of the Magic Tower in a red robe.
He wasn't role-playing as a high wizard for a day. He was an intruder without permission, and this outfit was stripped from a high wizard Kadim had killed.
"..."
He'd heard that the auction had drawn away most of the elders and high wizards. It was the perfect chance to scout the unvisited depths.
But how could his mood be pleasant sneaking through a den of dangerous wizards? Especially after nearly dying to an ambush by them just yesterday?
"Haa..."
Still, Duncan didn't neglect his duty.
Last night, trembling in fear, Duncan had received further explanation from Kadim. The reason he'd ordered reconnaissance of the Magic Tower, about ancient mana and the demon incursion.
This mission was different in importance from any before. It wasn't just about earning Kadim's approval; the fate of the continent might be at stake. Grimacing, he threw on the Shadow Mantle aimlessly and headed for the staircase access wall.
"...Ascend, Al, Markine, Encio, Grun. To the 80th floor."
Reciting the cipher while touching the mystical runes carved into the wall, the wall twisted in a zigzag and receded.
Rumble rumble rumble...
Duncan had nearly mastered the method of navigating the Magic Tower's floors. By spying on wizards all day and studying basic spell knowledge from the books he'd brought. Still, venturing to the depths beyond the 80th floor for the first time was unavoidably tense.
Crossing the opening in the wall led to a dim corridor. He cautiously peeked and stepped in. As he took one step forward, the access wall closed automatically behind him.
Rumble rumble rumble...
And no sooner had the wall shut than footsteps approached from the far end of the corridor.
"...Even Conjurers can't surpass it anymore..."
"...No hope there; might as well go Battle Mage..."
"...!"
At first, he thought to flee back through the access wall. Realizing late that he had the Shadow Mantle on, he decided to observe the situation instead of running.
Thud thud, roll roll, roll roll—
Footsteps accompanied by wheel sounds; two wizards in blue robes were pulling a cart. Inside were piled heaps of unidentifiable baggage. Sensing an ominous aura, the moment he peered to see what it was.
Duncan nearly screamed.
Demons—mutilated demon corpses stacked high. Rotten entrails spilled from split bellies, severed limbs impaled in fleshy clumps like hellish topiaries.
Duncan shuddered in horror...
'N-No way they butcher demons like slaughterhouse meat and haul them around... Wait, I've done the same.'
...Recalling how he'd pulled a similar cart along the Golden Highway for over a week, he quickly regained his composure.
"Ugh, the rotting stench is piercing my nose. At least we're lucky to just carry it inside the tower..."
"True, in summer, hauling this all the way here on foot would make even Battle Mages rethink their career."
Roll roll, roll roll—
The wizards passed by without noticing the intruder.
Duncan narrowed his eyes sharply. Once the shock subsided, suspicion arose. Demon corpses in the Magic Tower's depths... An undeniably suspicious combination.
'...Let's follow them.'
The dark corridor gradually brightened, leading to an open space with good lighting. Even so, visibility wasn't fully clear. Thick, acrid smoke filled the air from all sides, hindering scouting.
Bubble bubble, bubble bubble—
The wizards stopped here. Coughing lightly, they dumped the cart's contents in a heap. The demon corpses were sucked into a hole in the floor, then whoosh—thick smoke billowed up like pipe tobacco. That hole seemed to be the culprit turning the place into a raccoon den.
At least fresh air from the windows kept it breathable. Duncan covered his mouth with his sleeve and drew closer.
But he overlooked one thing.
The Shadow Mantle only worked in the dead of night or shadows.
The moment sunlight scattered through the haze draped over him, the mantle's stealth effect vanished cleanly. Unaware, Duncan kept moving forward.
No matter how faint his presence, it was impossible not to be detected.
"Wh-What?! Who are you!"
"Who is it! Who dares enter the restricted zone without permission..."
"..."
The greatest guide, Duncan Wheeled, did not falter. Panicking and fumbling in such a situation was for inferior guides.
...In truth, he was frozen from shock, but he decided to play it that way. Seizing the moment, he adopted a stern expression like a high-ranking officer come to inspect and thought.
Master, please spare me.