The teleportation magic circle.
The magic that allows teleportation by skipping across space is already well
known for its grandeur and difficulty. After all, a huge magic circle
wouldn't be necessary for no reason.
'Even if there is a magic circle, it's not all-powerful.'
Most magic circles break down after one use, unable to handle the power,
and they typically have limits on the number of people who can use them.
Jaekiel was particularly concerned with the latter.
"Head elder, why are you asking such a thing suddenly?"
He was asking if Jaekiel could abandon his companions while the
teleportation circle was being repaired. Was it because the teleportation
circle had a strict limit on the number of people?
To abandon his companions was unthinkable for Jaekiel. He couldn't
imagine how agonizing it would be for those left coldly behind, dying in
pain.
"..."
His temples throbbed with unease.
Jaekiel had once been forced to lose his team during the last mission of the
organization, "Balance." He couldn't help but react sensitively to such
matters.
"Hehehe, it seems like all sorts of thoughts are running through your mind."
Gendiz, the head elder of the Purple Tower, stroked his beard as though his
question was nothing extraordinary.
"I was just asking what you thought of the question."
"Auditor, I hope you don't misunderstand."
Jaekiel asked with a sharp tone, but Gendiz continued with a calm and
reassuring voice.
"This is the underground maze, and there is a risk that dangerous situations
could arise. If we wait until it happens to come up with a plan, it will be too
late. So I'm asking ahead of time."
Of all the magicians in the Purple Tower here, Gendiz was the highest
ranking. He was essentially their leader.
But if the leader had dangerous thoughts, everyone would be at high risk.
Therefore, Jaekiel asked directly.
"Head elder, what is it then? Are you planning to abandon them?"
Once again, Gendiz just laughed.
"Hehehe, you're answering a question with another question? That can't be
considered an answer, can it?"
There's a limit to how much one can avoid a topic.
When Jaekiel didn't stop his intense gaze, Gendiz continued on his own.
"Well then, I'll answer with a question. What if I say that I would abandon
those who need to be abandoned?"
Had he really been thinking that way?
Jaekiel spoke in a notably colder voice.
"If you decide to abandon someone, I will make sure you will be the one
left behind."
"You place more importance on loyalty and cooperation than I thought.
Truly not what I expected from an auditor."
He seemed truly surprised as he blinked his eyes.
Then, suddenly.
"Hm, I suppose I should stop testing you here."
Gendiz stroked his beard as he spoke.
"I'll just tell you the truth. The performance of the great dimensional portal
is excellent, and everyone can escape without exception. I just wanted to
test you."
"What were you testing?"
"I've become quite interested. Didn't I say? I've never encountered an
auditor like you before. I wanted to ask different things and observe your
reactions."
Gendiz laughed heartily.
"But the more I talk with you, the more I like you! I have a feeling that
you'll get along well with the Purple Tower in the future!"
Gendiz said he liked Jaekiel. Was this better than being disliked?
"Then let's get started. Will you provide protection? The magic circle
should be completed by tonight."
However, the location for the requested protection was different from what
Jaekiel had expected. They asked him to guard the first floor.
"First floor? But isn't the magic circle on the second floor?"
"The large magic circle is very sensitive. If a powerful magician like you is
nearby, it's prone to malfunctioning. The Purple Tower will do everything
we can to try it once."
"I understand."
Jaekiel accepted for now.
With a few lingering uneasy feelings in his heart.
A few hours had passed.
The magicians of the Purple Tower headed to the second floor to repair the
barrier, and Jaekiel, as requested, was tending to the Imperial Tower
magicians on the first floor.
The Spider Goddess, whom the demons called the Goddess, still showed no
response. There were no attacks from the demons either.
So, was it truly peaceful?
Not at all. It was because of a rumor.
Given the dire situation, various conspiracy theories spread. The tired
bodies and minds of the people began to fabricate and believe all sorts of
negative stories.
"Auditor, the magicians are becoming anxious."
Anes, her arm wrapped in bandages, came to see Jaekiel.
"Hm."
"Have you heard the rumor that's going around?"
The characteristic of conspiracy theories is that, at first glance, they often
sound quite plausible. The current rumor that was spreading carelessly
around the first floor was no different.
The content of the rumor was simple.
It was that, taking advantage of the brief peace, the Purple Tower would
abandon the other magicians and use the teleportation magic circle to
escape only themselves.
"Of course, I've heard it."
"The magicians are becoming more anxious, and I'm worried. What do you
think, Auditor?"
Jaekiel could also feel the subtle suspicion. But for now, there was nothing
he could do but respond.
Only the Purple Tower magicians had access to the teleportation magic
circle in the Purple Tower's area. If they declared that they would all die
together, it would lead to a catastrophe.
"I've already warned them that if they abandon the other magicians and run,
they will be punished. I hope the warning works."
"I hope the warning reaches them."
Even amid the spread of various conspiracy theories, what ultimately keeps
people going is hope.
Many voices from all around were filled with hope.
"We'll be able to escape soon, right? The moment we get out, I'll eat until
my stomach bursts. Really until it bursts…"
"I want to see my family…"
"We'll see them soon. Let's stay strong together."
Hearing those murmurs, Jaekiel vowed to make sure their words would
become a reality.
He had lived many years in obscurity, but now, finally, there were those
who supported and followed him. It was only natural that he felt the desire
to protect them.
"Don't worry, everyone. It'll work out."
Seina, the elder from the Blue Tower, walked around, patting the shoulders
of those who were anxious, her reassuring smile on full display.
In that scene, Jaekiel fell into deep thought.
There was something else that weighed heavily on his mind, besides the
escape.
'Let's say we succeed in escaping, then what comes next?'
The problem was still the Spider Goddess.
Jaekiel's thoughts turned toward her.
She showed an eerie obsession with Jaekiel, and because of that, she had
attacked the continent. It had only been a week, but she had already caused
immense damage.
In simple terms, it was clear that even if Jaekiel left, the continent would
soon suffer again. Unless the Spider Goddess's life was cut short, this
vicious cycle would repeat.
'I need to find the perfect solution.'
Unless the root cause was eradicated, the problem wouldn't be resolved.
The way to ensure that all the magicians here escape safely while also
cutting off the Spider Goddess's life. And thus, bringing true peace to the
continent, at least for a while…
He pondered a way to satisfy all of those conditions.
How much time had passed?
Voom! Voom!
The ground resonated, and a massive energy spread from the second floor,
reaching them. All the magicians could feel it.
"Uh…!"
"This energy, it seems the magic circle has been fixed!"
Joy spread across everyone's faces.
Seina, who had been by Jaekiel's side, smiled brightly.
"Master, it seems the magic circle has been repaired, thankfully."
Was there any news more exciting than being able to return home from
afar? The magicians who had been slouched against the wall began to rise
one by one.
"Everyone, don't relax just yet."
"Get ready. Don't let your guard down until the very end."
Led by Anes and Seina, they set up their positions, waiting for news from
the lower floors.
Voom! Voom!
The sound of the magic circle resonating from the second floor was so loud
that it could be heard from where they were. With every surge of energy, the
magicians' joy grew.
"The Purple Tower will send word soon."
Someone murmured.
Jaekiel had created a path with ice, so the journey from the second floor to
the first wouldn't be difficult or take long. They waited.
One minute.
Ten minutes.
Thirty minutes.
They waited.
One hour.
Two hours.
They waited, waited, and waited some more.
The joy that had been on the magicians' faces slowly faded into worry and
concern, and the second floor suddenly fell silent.
"Something's strange… I'll go check and be right back."
Seina quickly headed toward the second floor.
How much time had passed?
When Seina returned…
"They've left!"
Her usually bright smile was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a face full of
confusion and anger.
"The magic circle has already activated, and there's no one on the lower
floor. The Purple Tower magicians abandoned us!"
"…!"
Despair immediately settled on the faces of the magicians.
-Tada, it's been a day!
Fwhaaack!
At the same time, demons began to appear from every corner.
The Spider Goddess had appeared once more