Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Wanna Marry Me After I Rip Off Your Limbs? (5)
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The Black Magic Tower could be simply described as the demon realm's castle manifested within the human empire.
At the same time, it was the only place inside the empire where demons could legally reside and black magic could be researched.
Some demons who had passed socialization certification lived in the Black Magic Tower, but they still endured all sorts of entry restrictions and behavioral constraints.
Black magic research was essential for the empire, but no nonsense would be tolerated.
And now, with only one day left until the exchange meeting...
Teddy, the secretary of the Black Tower Lord, who appeared as a young girl clutching a doll, was passing the time in boredom.
"Hmm~"
Boring.
Once the exchange meeting began, the day would be filled with nothing but fun, but the anticipation only made this endless waiting feel even more deflating and dull.
Teddy was the type who could never sit still.
Yet, the reason she was waiting patiently now was...
"...The Imperial Magic Tower."
It was undoubtedly the Imperial Magic Tower.
She was incredibly curious about what the Imperial Magic Tower would show at the exchange meeting. And she wasn't the only one feeling this way.
The Imperial Magic Tower had declared they wouldn't forget the Black Tower's attitude.
Was it truly born from confidence?
Or was it just empty bravado?
From the current situation, it looked like nothing more than bluffing.
"Lady Teddy, some guests have already arrived."
One of the Black Tower's mages reported. He wore his hood pulled low, thanks to the horns typical of demons.
"Which major tower representatives have arrived?"
"All four towers except the Golden Tower have arrived. Oh, and as you ordered, we've set up a festival around here to draw in as many spectators as possible."
"Good job. The more eyes on us, the better~"
The Black Tower wasn't just a single building; it was an entire district.
Since it was an exchange meeting, most events were held informally among key figures, but some presentations were done before crowds.
Teddy aimed to gather a massive audience with the festival.
To proudly showcase the Black Tower's strengths.
To thoroughly expose the Golden Tower's weaknesses.
...Everyone gathered would know the results anyway.
But one thing nagged at her.
"So, basically, everyone's here except the Golden Tower?"
"Yes. They made that declaration about not being late to this exchange meeting, didn't they? It seems to have had quite an impact."
"Talking big but taking their sweet time..."
Whether the Golden Tower inspector's provocation stemmed from solid backing or mere bluffing would be clear tomorrow.
Teddy went out to greet the VIPs.
Well, just light greetings, nothing more.
"How stingily has the Golden Tower treated us all this time?"
"Exactly. They've blocked other towers' progress!"
"Still, no one suffered as much as the Black Tower. All those major proposals we prepared endlessly—canceled or rejected mid-process, right?"
Wherever she went, talk was all about the Golden Tower. Everyone was watching their every move.
"They impose all these restrictions while hiding their own presentations and skipping the exchange meeting!"
"Let's see what they've got this time."
Of course, the gazes toward the Golden Tower were mostly resentful.
The Golden Tower's job was monitoring, restricting, and punishing other towers. Whether done well or poorly, it was hard to win their favor.
...But what if...
What if the Golden Tower, which couldn't even manage its own affairs properly, had been monitoring and sanctioning others?
Wouldn't that be utterly despicable?
As she walked, someone smiled warmly at Teddy.
"The Black Tower has had it the toughest all along."
"Heh heh~ Glad you get it~"
Teddy replied lightly as she passed.
Harboring demons and researching black magic... Naturally, the Black Magic Tower had faced the harshest treatment and suppression from the Imperial Magic Tower.
"The Golden Tower better brace themselves~"
Teddy muttered quietly to herself.
"My pranks can be pretty mean, you know? Cry all you want, I won't care."
Zekiel slowly rose from his bed.
"Ugh..."
Sharp pain stabbed at his shoulder and chest. White bandages were wrapped tightly around them.
Pain's there, but my body's much better than before.
That was his first impression of his condition.
The arrow wound was just a surface injury from depleted mana. What mattered was that the cold energy flowing through his body was smoother now.
...It even felt refreshingly healed.
Where is this...? Ah, the temple's infirmary inside.
Familiar.
He remembered collapsing during his match with Ether. This was the infirmary in the imperial palace temple—a place he'd been carted to countless times before.
"Hm?"
But soon, he had to furrow his brow.
Something unfamiliar stood out amid the familiar scenery.
His eyes took in the room filled with objects.
Potted plants, fruit baskets, bundles of what looked like medicinal herbs... The sheer volume was staggering. He couldn't tell if he was in a sickroom or a warehouse.
As Zekiel tried to get out of bed...
"You're supposed to stay lying down until today."
His head snapped around.
A woman stood at the now-open door.
"You're awake?"
"..."
The woman entering while brushing her hair behind her ear was Anes, the telekinetic mage and Zekiel's dedicated secretary.
"You can enter this space too?"
"When I heard you'd been out of contact for days and finally learned the truth today, I got permission to visit. As your dedicated secretary, it's only natural."
"Days...? Was I out that long?"
"Yes. The inter-tower exchange meeting is tomorrow."
Zekiel slowly furrowed his brow.
That long? My realm is still lacking.
If his body had been a bit better and his cultivation higher, that match would've been nothing... It sparked a desire to improve.
He nodded.
"Got it. We'll head out as soon as I'm discharged."
Meanwhile, Anes tilted her head.
"...You're still so strange, Inspector."
"Why?"
"After such a severe injury and barely saving your life... You don't seem surprised at all. Like it's no big deal."
"Well..."
It was something he'd been through countless times.
Missions of unimaginable difficulty in the past, dancing on the edge of life and death each time, and hospitalization as standard after.
Zekiel gestured with his chin at the items around.
"...Never mind that. Did you bring all this?"
"Gifts for you, Inspector. From tower staff, Luipl residents, imperial treasury guards... So many senders that it piled up like this."
"Hm."
Visitors' gifts—first time for him.
A strange feeling stirred.
His missions always required hiding his identity, so no one knew. His sickrooms had always been empty.
"First time seeing the tower staff unite like this. Guards said it's their first time sending gifts too. Seems you're widely respected."
"Respected? Nah."
Zekiel waved it off lightly.
But...
A peculiar emotion brushed his chest. After writing that marriage proposal and getting caught in events, he was experiencing things he'd never felt before.
Being famous isn't so bad. And I can handle it.
The sensation was oddly intriguing.
With a graceful turn of her cube, Anes spoke.
"So, should I report right away? Or if you're not fully recovered, I'll stand by."
"Do it casually. My condition's perfect now."
"Yes. Then..."
Anes handed over a few documents.
"First, the Black Tower's brimming with confidence. They didn't hesitate to provoke the Imperial Magic Tower and even took a commission."
"Pretty arrogant. What's this commission?"
"That demonic sword from Luipl."
Demonic sword— it took a moment to recall.
The one that absorbed fear. He'd recovered it.
"Right. That thing."
"They asked to bring it to the Black Tower."
Anes's expression soured as she said it.
"Under the pretext of researching for the empire's benefit, but who knows their real intentions. The Black Magic Tower's always like this."
"Like what?"
"They periodically try dangerous things, testing the Imperial Magic Tower. Commit first, then play innocent if called out and drop it."
"They just can't wait to cross the line."
"Yes. We've blocked it for the past ten years, but..."
Anes sighed deeply.
"The problem is they've played the victim card. If we can't show our substance at this exchange meeting, it'll be obvious how they'll spin it."
"Skip their risky attempts, claim we sanctioned them without merit."
"Exactly the issue. Someone has to rein in the Black Tower, but our unlikable image..."
Zekiel quietly stroked his chin.
The Golden Tower reminded him of his past self.
Monitoring and sanctioning others inevitably bred resentment, even if righteous. You could never win the affection of those watched.
But letting loose is predictable disaster.
He knew what happened if ignored.
They'd cry foul from past suppression and demand freedom briefly, but soon unleash continent-threatening dangers.
...No choice but to crush them at this exchange meeting.
"We'll need solid allies from now on."
The Golden Tower's isolation meant he couldn't guarantee handling it alone forever. They needed backers.
"...Allies?"
"Yeah, ones who'd side with the Golden Tower."
Right then...
"Ah, you're awake?"
Footsteps approached from the door.
First one, then three.
"Inspector! Are you awake, sir?"
"E-excuse me...!"
The three blurted out urgently.
"I'm the messenger from the 1st Princess..."
"It's me! Secretary Teder from the 2nd Princess!"
"I've come on orders from the 3rd Princess..."
"..."
Anes blinked in bewilderment.
Zekiel watched the commotion calmly.
Instead of frowning, he smiled.
"Perfect timing, everyone."
Come to think of it, I already have more allies than I can count.