Chapter 638: Idol (4)
A conversation.
The longest-living member of the Black Hand’s fingers, who had established an expansive influence and, in a way, was the most secretive of the Puppets, was the one who responded.
He claimed to have come directly here to meet Tilda, the Original Master of the Tower of Magic and head of the esteemed Ice-Eye family, for a conversation.
He had come to the Tower of Magic, no less.
A situation that was beyond the scope of conventional understanding.
Tilda responded appropriately, exuding her signature icy killing intent.
“Have you come here to pull some stunt?”
Creeeak…
The moment Tilda opened her mouth, the temperature within the space plummeted, and a thin layer of ice formed on the walls.
Her magic had instantly dropped the room’s temperature.
Ordinary people would have been frozen in place by her overwhelming presence, and truthfully confessed everything. However, the Puppet, true to his alias “Finger,” simply blew on his hand to warm it.
“Haa… It’s cold.”
“I know what you’re up to,” Tilda began, as if implying that she knew something.
“You’re meddling with the Traditional School, aren’t you? Is that why you’re here? To scheme against the Tower of Magic as well… I don’t know what trick you’ve pulled, but if you think it will work here—”
“Hahaha…”
Before she could finish, the Puppet burst into laughter.
It was a simple laugh, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it was enough to halt Tilda’s words.
Startled by the sudden laughter, Tilda stopped, and during the pause, the Puppet smoothly took control of the conversation.
“Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just… so amusing.”
“…What’s so amusing?”
“It’s amusing to see such a transparent lie. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
Now it was the Puppet who asked.
“I’m well aware that the spies you’ve recruited are poking around among the Traditional Schools, including the Skadi School. And I know those spies have been keeping an eye on me. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
Tilda remained silent.
“I knew but chose to leave it alone. I was curious to see how you would respond. Whether you’d report it to the Tower and devise a countermeasure or keep it as your own little secret… As expected, you chose the latter.”
The Puppet sneered. Nevertheless, Tilda maintained her cold, unyielding expression.
The Puppet continued speaking.
“I don’t blame you. The Ice-Eye family fled from their homeland and wandered foreign lands for a long time. Naturally, you’d want to have backup plans for any contingency. It’s completely reasonable. I understand.”
“Watch your words. We have taken root here in the Tower of Magic and upheld our loyalty until now.”
“By loyalty, are you referring to the fact that you didn’t join Theodor’s rebellion? Rejecting his proposal to break free from the Curse of Aging, transcend death, and create a Tower meant solely for true wizards?”
“That’s correct.”
“Lies. The real reason you rejected Theodor’s proposal is because you were simply afraid, wasn’t it?”
“…”
“You were scared of Merlin, so despite the allure, you turned him down. You knew that as long as Merlin existed, no matter what proposal Theodor offered, it was impossible.”
Shk-shk-shk!
The Puppet’s words stirred Tilda’s emotions, and suddenly, thin, sharp ice spikes emerged from the icy layer surrounding her, all aimed at him.
These spikes of ice could rot skin upon the slightest contact.
Amid this, Tilda whispered coldly.
“You dare say such things without proof? Did you think I’d be intimidated by your so-called reputation as ‘Finger’?”
“Your anger is a good act. But there’s no need to pretend. Every World Tree around the Elemental School Tower is as good as blind right now, thanks to a friend of mine. So, you can be a bit more honest.”
“Ridiculous. Do you know who’s guarding the World Tree in the Tower of Magic?”
“Eve is guarding it. Now, you see what I mean, don’t you?”
Tilda flinched at the Puppet’s unhesitant response.
The security around the Tower’s World Tree was indeed under Eve’s protection.
Eve, the artificial intelligence, or rather, the spirit that served the World Tree… But now he was claiming to have blinded Eve’s sight.
This could mean only one thing: that there was another Eve who was aiding the Puppet.
It was hard to believe, yet the very absurdity made it seem credible.
“How…?”
“That’s not important. Let’s move on. Where was I…?”
The Puppet paused to think and soon remembered.
“Ah, right. We were talking about your fear of Merlin—not of the Archmage Archive but of Merlin the person. I can understand. After all, you saw him overthrow your mentor in his youth. And not in a one-on-one battle but with multiple wizards on his side. Though the ‘problem’ was that your mentor was the one who had the numbers.”
As the Puppet dredged up old memories, a faint crack appeared in Tilda’s composure.
The incident was a nightmare for her.
Merlin, who was just slightly older than her, had boldly called for the unification of the Elemental School, and he had succeeded.
The reasoning was rational enough.
With a long-standing history, the Elemental School had entered a period of decline, and to retain its status in the new era, unity was essential.
Many wizards had somewhat agreed to this idea.
The problem was that there were others who didn’t agree at all.
The reasons were simple: the division of shares, distribution of power, and control that would follow such unification…
Yet Merlin resolved this complex issue with surprising ease.
By overwhelming force and skill.
When opposition arose to the unification, he openly challenged the Grand Masters and key figures of each faction, and even the so-called dark horses, to a duel.
Not just one-on-one, but all at once.
He boasted he would defeat them all single-handedly.
Refusing his challenge would have led to more than just humiliation.
In the end, wizards of every rank accepted Merlin’s challenge and were mercilessly defeated.
No room was left for even the possibility of “what if.”
That was Merlin before he became the Archive.
Arrogant and ruthless, yet possessing an indisputable level of skill.
In many ways, he embodied the ideal image of a wizard.
“Though, he changed completely after becoming the Archive.”
In the course of unifying the Elemental School, Merlin had forced her mentor, the Grand Master, into retirement, which subsequently led to the Skadi School being downgraded to a sub-school, and the disappearance of the Grand Master title altogether.
“Even his disciple defeated your son, didn’t he?”
“You remember such trivial matters quite well, I see.”
“Oh, I know plenty of ‘trivial matters.’ For example, how you secretly siphoned off Life Magic School wizards after Lake Village, how you personally investigate eschatology, and how you’re keeping tabs on the Archive’s new disciple. Quite dedicated for someone supposedly indifferent.”
“…”
“You’re curious, aren’t you? About the ultimate material that Theodor mentioned— the one capable of breaking free from the Curse of Aging and ushering in the Rebirth. Despite his frenzied mind, warped by inferiority toward the Archive and fear of death and decay, you know Theodor isn’t one to speak nonsense.”
“…”
“Aren’t you going to respond?” The Puppet asked, flicking one of the countless ice spikes pointed at him.
This gesture signified the end of his patience, suggesting that if she wanted something, she would have to speak plainly.
Tilda accepted.
“Do you know what that ultimate material for the Rebirth Theodor spoke of is?”
“How dull. Asking so directly.”
“…Does it have to do with your alliance with the Traditional Schools?”
“Now we’re finally having a conversation. The answer is yes. It wouldn’t have been easy to convince me otherwise, not with something of this magnitude.”
The Puppet stated that it was difficult, under normal circumstances, for a black mage to collaborate with wizards.
Though it was a perfectly reasonable sentiment, Tilda no longer thought he was bound by such conventions.
“Does the arrival of the Archpriest have anything to do with this?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“What exactly is it that you want from me?”
“I’m more curious about what you want. You’re keeping my ties with the Traditional Schools a secret and engaging in a conversation with me, the Puppet known as Finger… Impossible unless you had something you wanted.”
Tilda and the Puppet both revealed just enough of their intentions to make things clear.
It was a moment of decision. Naturally, silence fell between them.
A short but enduring silence.
The side with more urgency was the one to break it.
“…Before I answer, let me ask one question.”
“Speak.”
“Is the end really coming?”
Tilda asked, recalling the strange phenomena she had learned about in the colonial city of First Step on the New Continent.
It was an idea too terrifying and surreal to fully accept.
So dreadful that further investigation seemed reckless.
The Puppet, hearing her question, smiled and responded.
“Of course.”
...
“While I’m away at the Central Continent, could you look after the people around me?”
In the Grand Master’s chamber at the top of the Life Magic School’s tower, Oliver made his request.
Merlin opened his eyes slightly, a response that was unlike his usual calculated expressions and hints of surprise.
“Oh, my apologies. What did you say?”
“Did I not explain clearly? Today, I met with Archpriest Roderick, the Treasurer of the Pater Church.”
“I know who he is.”
“He asked for my help in suppressing black mages in the Central Continent.”
“I heard as much.”
“I requested that while I’m away, you keep an eye on the people in the Redevelopment Coalition.”
After hearing Oliver’s detailed explanation, Merlin paused thoughtfully.
Oliver noticed and asked again.
“Is my request too much?”
“…No, forgive me. I was simply unprepared for the question.”
“Is that so?”
“To be honest, I expected you’d ask whether you should even go to the Central Continent or inquire about Archpriest Roderick.”
“I’ve become a bit smarter.”
“A joke, is it?”
“Yes, but I’m half serious. Considering everything, going to the Central Continent feels inevitable.”
Merlin’s silence was agreement enough.
With black mages showing reverence toward Oliver, Randa’s hero, in a way that could lead to heresy, cultism, or even demon worship, he had no other option.
If he was to consider the future, helping now was the only choice, despite any danger or schemes involved.
In other words, questioning whether to go was meaningless.
“Knowing that, I prioritized the more pressing favor.”
“I see?”
“Yes. He seemed to be a knowledgeable and insightful man, much like Archpriest Armand. Though they differ in certain respects.”
Reflecting on Armand, Oliver continued.
Both were former paladins-turned-archpriests. That lent them similar tendencies—being proactive instead of merely praying. Though they had their differences too.
Seeing Oliver, who rarely spoke so openly, make an assessment, Merlin asked.
“Do you think he’s someone who can be trusted?”
“Can you clarify what you mean by ‘trusted’?”
“I mean, do you see him as dangerous?”
“I can’t say for sure. I’m not confident in my judgment. However, for someone in the clergy, he felt… unusual.”
Though Oliver had accurately assessed Roderick’s character, he held back on passing absolute judgment.
A cautious attitude that Merlin both found reassuring and, in a way, pitied.
“For a clergyman, he is unusually bold.”
“Yes.”
“Did he mention anything else?”
Oliver recalled Roderick’s words about the Archive.
The Archpriest had implied that the Archive was deeply entangled in the impending end times.
The Pater Church had been in discourse with the Archive on this very subject, respecting his insights. Some even speculated that the Archive might hold a direct connection to the end itself.
It was as astonishing as it was expected.
Thinking of this, Oliver replied.
“He did mention something strange.”
“What was it?”
“That I should call you ‘Master’ rather than by any other title. It seems that the proper term for a personal instructor must always be ‘Master.’”
“You’ve mentioned that before. What did you say to him?”
“I said it was just how things came to be… Does it feel awkward?”
“Not to me. I consider myself progressive and don’t mind such things. What do you prefer?”
“Hmm… I’d like to continue addressing you as I have. I’m used to it.”
“Then there’s no issue.”
Merlin smiled, and Oliver tried to return the smile.
Even if he didn’t quite succeed.
“That settles it. Back to our original topic: while I’m in the Central Continent, I’d appreciate it if you’d look after the people around me. I’m a bit worried about this idol worship trend over there.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“But don’t you plan to take anyone along? That girl, Marie… I think she’d be better off with you.”
“I’ve thought about it, but I feel Marie should stay here.”
“Worried she might cause trouble if she comes along?”
“No, I hope she’ll help establish the Life Magic School here. That’s actually why I brought her to the Tower.”
“Admirable. You’re thinking things through.”
“Thank you.”
“But you seem somewhat more hesitant than you once were.”
Oliver couldn’t argue; it was the truth.
He had indeed become more hesitant than before.
More things to consider, more ambiguity to face.
In the past, everything had been simple and clear-cut.
He only had to satisfy his curiosity and deal with anyone obstructing him through persuasion or force, as needed.
At least it wasn’t like now, with so many uncertainties clouding his path.
At some point, however, he found himself weighed down by complexities he couldn’t easily resolve.
It made him wonder when he had changed so much.
When he tried to establish the Life Magic School?
When Jane was kidnapped?
When Archpriest Armand offered him support?
When he encountered the demon?
Or was it when he confronted the flesh-eating chef?
Or perhaps when he went to save Marie and the Chosen Ones in Wineham?
When he lent a hand to the Fighter Crew?
Or maybe when he met Kent?
He couldn’t pinpoint a single moment.
Perhaps it was an accumulation of all these events.
Lost in thought, Oliver finally spoke.
“May I take my leave now? I need to reach out to Archpriest Armand. I have much to ask him.”
“Like what?”
“This and that. I’m traveling alone, so there’s plenty to prepare.”
“The Central Continent? Alone?”
“Yes… Is something the matter?”
“It’s nothing… But I doubt you’ll be going alone.”
“Pardon?”
“Burke. If he hears about this idol worship, there’s no way he’ll let you go alone.”