Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: 14. Farther Than Love, Closer Than Friendship (8)
"Any rumors about demon activity?"
"Nothing's reached my ears."
"Could there be a mole in the Magic Tower?"
"If you're asking my personal opinion, yeah, pretty likely. Tower mages are obsessed with magic more than anyone. So they'd either despise demon magic with extreme prejudice or get totally enchanted by it—those are the only two options."
Big Sis had been stuck in the Magic Tower for a while after coming back after so long, which made her movements a bit stiff. But today, we both had time, so we could finally chat leisurely.
I hadn't forgotten the reason I'd come here, so after some light catch-up on recent events, I asked about the Tower. Her answer was a bit ambiguous.
"So there might actually be a collaborator."
"If you're that sure the demon wants something from the Tower, wouldn't it be faster to check directly?"
"Yeah, you're right."
"I think it's almost a given."
About that much.
It was a statement that revealed a serious lack of trust in the Magic Tower—or rather, trust in a different sense.
A personal grudge was probably mixed in with that assessment.
It must have eased up enough for her to come here so naturally, but old prejudices die hard.
"Anything suspicious, then?"
"...No idea. Aside from Professor Elvin, I'm not that close to the other professors."
"Any way to find out?"
"Most professors are paranoid about hiding their research results. If someone's deeply into demon magic, traces would show up in their work, but there's no easy way to check."
"Can't just break into their workshops."
"You know mages get stronger the more thoroughly they prepare. Their workshops are tough nuts to crack."
So, we'd have to rely on the Magic Tower Lord's authority or Professor Elvin's information network.
But both were people I hesitated to ask directly.
The Tower Lord might be the lesser evil, though.
And if I was really going to lean on them, I'd need to clearly define what I wanted to know and what I'd offer in return.
"I'd recommend the Tower Lord."
"I think she's more reliable and less likely to stab me in the back."
"Exactly. But her position means there'll be questions she can't answer, so we need to prepare even more carefully."
"Makes sense. Even the Tower Lord can't know every professor's personal achievements inside out."
"And even if she does, there are things she can't say. Who'd stick around if the big boss spilled secrets?"
True enough.
In the martial world I belonged to, hiding your power didn't mean much. Unless you'd reached the pinnacle where concealment itself was mastery, you could usually tell who was stronger just by locking eyes—sword or not, length, habits, all that got figured out before blades even crossed.
But for mages, all you could tell at a glance was their mana reserves.
Keeping secrets was the key to preserving your full strength.
"So, you met the Tower Lord."
"Yeah."
"First impressions?"
"More level-headed than I expected."
"She is, as long as you don't touch her research. She's extending her lifespan just to keep studying. Wants more knowledge, so she clings to life."
"Hard for a mortal brain like mine to comprehend."
Could studying really be that fun?
From my perspective in both lives, where physical pursuits felt more natural, no amount of racking my brains could make me get it.
Anyway.
My questions wouldn't ruffle the Tower Lord's feathers, so I'd curate a wide list, then trim on the fly based on the vibe during the talk.
We put our heads together, debating which questions would expose collaborators without prying into personal matters.
We brainstormed, debated, took breaks with coffee now and then.
Maybe because we'd run into Professor Elvin, Big Sis's furrowed brow smoothed out as she laughed like her old self, and we spent the time together.
Neither of us were the type to slack off on work, so we finished the question list before sunset.
After that, we just relaxed with Big Sis.
Astraea's vibes put me in a good mood.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Tsk tsk. These young ones have no fear of demons."
Magic Tower Lord Gwendolyn had a real-time grasp on the fragments of events unfolding in the Tower. Naturally, every system in the current Tower was under her control, and any tricks to slip away triggered immediate alerts.
So she knew someone was scheming to steal something.
Of course, she'd prepared countermeasures.
The problem was not knowing who, how, or when.
What good was knowing the methods if you didn't know the culprit or the timing?
But one thing she was certain of: high chance it was one of the professors.
Bypassing the Tower's advanced protections required exceptional skill.
In other words, a professor. The culprit was a master mage.
"Hm. Someone who could take on a professor holed up in their workshop."
Yulius.
His combat prowess was known even to Gwendolyn, who paid little heed to worldly affairs.
Back at the Academy, he'd never gone all-out in duels or spars, always humble.
His true power only became apparent after arriving in the Empire.
The physical might to single-handedly dismantle the Demon God Cult, the goddess's power to hold against demons, and mental fortitude unshaken by ordinary trials.
As an anti-demon weapon for the final battle, he was a once-in-a-millennium talent. Even as a human noble, a monstrous figure fit for one per era.
Gwendolyn imagined piercing his defenses with her magic.
Hm. She could do it.
If he stood still and just blocked stubbornly.
Running a life-or-death sim, she saw her 16 protective barriers shatter in an instant, and before her first attack spell could even prep, she was dead.
For her, bored outside of research, this tension was a thrilling novelty.
She unwittingly moistened her dry lips with her tongue.
"Worth fighting. But no reason to."
If there were no responsibilities, she'd gladly trade blows. But right now, her position demanded devotion to the Tower's gains and safety—no room for games.
Besides, they had to clean up the demon issue first before any further talk.
Ah, so boring.
"Tower Lord. A guest has arrived."
"Who?"
"Professor Elvin."
Not the most welcome visitor. Elvin was sharp. Quick on the uptake, nimble in action.
All for his own economic and social gain.
The Tower was a political institution too, so guys like him were necessary, but watching him strut in front of you was nauseating.
"Let him in."
"Yes."
The homunculus returned with quick steps, escorting a man with a brazen face.
"Greetings, Tower Lord."
"Yes. What is it?"
"I have a report regarding the demon matter."
"Speak."
"The demons are definitely moving. But there's suspiciously little trace of it. They might have already infiltrated deeper inside."
"I agree. There've been periodic attempts to breach the barriers."
"You already knew."
With that, Elvin pulled a paper from his robes. No mana reaction, so nothing dangerous.
"Documents prepared by Sir Yulius. Details his experiences against demons, especially high-rank ones, as thoroughly as possible."
"Now that's interesting."
"I'm no fighter, so I thought you'd make better use of it, Tower Lord."
"Good. I'll take it gladly."
A pity it was just words on paper, but chances to learn common traits of Demon God Cult executives were rare.
He'd read it meticulously later; for now, into the robes it went.
"Oh, right. Sir Yulius asked about your schedule."
"He coming by?"
"Yes. Said to relay that with your many friends, you'd handle contacts well."
Despite her attempt at nonchalance, a sly smile escaped the Tower Lord's lips. She appreciated the wordplay—backhanded praise right to the face.
If they ever opened up fully, his dark true thoughts might spill out more than expected.
"Can't leave the Tower anyway because of these demons. Tell him to drop by whenever."
"I'll relay that exactly."
"Good. Not a word changed. If the demon issue resolves well, maybe a commendation after."
The Tower Lord smirked again at his face lighting up rapidly at "reward."
So straightforward.