Chapter 151. The Imperial Magic Tower

"I thought I'd seen all sorts of people in my life, but apparently I was mistaken," Cor said.

"That's the beauty of life, wouldn't you agree?" Caron asked.

"You're the first fool I've ever met who would say that nonsense in front of the eighty-year-old Magic Tower Master," Cor said.

"And you're the first old geezer—I mean, elder—I've met pretending to be a seventeen-year-old kid," Caron retorted.

The Magic Tower Master, Cor, realized that Caron wasn't one to back down. He smirked as he stared at the young man in front of him. A conversation he'd had with the Queen came to mind.

"You'll know when you meet him. That one's far from normal. You'll like him."

Now, he understood why she had spoken that way.

This was a young man who was completely without fear. And that wasn't the only thing Caron lacked. He had no respect for elders, no regard for the authority of the Magic Tower Master, and none of the usual deference one would expect from a subordinate.

"You want to save the Magic Tower from yourself? That's a fresh load of nonsense. I'll give you one minute to explain," Cor said.

"What happens if I can't explain in a minute?" Caron asked.

"Hm... I could erase you from existence along with that cute little servant of yours," Cor said.

Amy muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible, "I'm not a servant..."

"Oh, a girlfriend then?" Cor asked.

"I'm Amy Altura, a knight of the Imperial Guards," Amy answered.

"Ah, my apologies, Dame Amy. Please forgive my rudeness. I have a terrible memory for faces," Cor said.

Caron knew well that the Magic Tower Master's comment was nothing but a mind game. He had clearly already sized up Amy.

Smiling, Caron met the archmage's eyes and said, "Honestly, I debated stopping by a few newspapers before coming here. Imagine the headlines:

Magic Tower linked to the Malevolent Emperor,

or

Magic Tower professor caught researching parasitic fiends.

"

He delivered the same words he had spoken to Barian earlier. While Barian had scowled so obviously it was comical, Cor's expression didn't even twitch. Instead, he chuckled and poured himself more tea.

"Quite the entertaining conspiracy theory," Cor said.

"Isn't it? But there's no smoke without fire," Caron replied.

"So, you're offering to stop spreading rumors for the Magic Tower's sake... if we pay you off? That's nothing but street-thug blackmail," Cor said.

It was a spot-on observation.

The Tower Master smirked as he continued, "The Queen told me you had a talent for negotiation. But this isn't negotiation—it's extortion, plain and simple. You must've learned some bad habits from Duke Halo. If word got out that you were threatening the Magic Tower with baseless rumors, wouldn't that be a fascinating headline too?"

"Magic Tower Master, you've heard the saying, 'A man with nothing to lose is the most dangerous,'" Caron said.

"But you have plenty to lose," Cor countered.

"Then how about someone who's desperate to lose it all?" Caron added.

"What?" Cor exclaimed.

"To be frank, my reputation has become quite the burden lately. Why don't we make this interesting? You ruin my name, and I'll destroy the Tower's. We both win that way, no?" Caron suggested. There was no hint of a bluff in his voice.

Cor studied Caron carefully. This wasn't the false bravado typical of his age. It wasn't a performance—it was genuine madness burning in his eyes. Intrigued, Cor decided to toss him some bait, drawing on what he already knew.

"I've been hearing stories about you from the missionaries of the Holy Kingdom—" Cor began, but was cut off.

"Oh, you mean the one about me carrying a demonic sword?" Caron interrupted.

Schring!

Without hesitation, Caron unsheathed Guillotine and gave it a deliberate swing, as if showing off a prized possession. He asked, "What do you think, Magic Tower Master? Does it look demonic enough? If you think so, spread the word. With an official label from the Magic Tower, it might even earn some credibility."

This young man wasn't just reckless—he was utterly insane. His thought process defied anything one would expect from a noble heir. Cor wondered how many people in the world would dare speak so casually about dragging others into ruin.

"But the honor of the Ducal Family of Leston will be tarnished," Cor said.

"That's precisely my wish, Magic Tower Master. If you're willing to fulfill it for me, I suppose I should be grateful," Caron said.

Cor realized he had to revise his strategy. After all, if Caron had come with malicious intent from the start, he wouldn't have bothered visiting the Magic Tower at all.

It was a deal. This man was here for a deal.

He's just like a hyena,

Cor thought.

The rumor about a Magic Tower professor researching parasitic fiends was already difficult to suppress. If it spread any further, it would brand the Magic Tower with an indelible mark of shame. That would be disastrous.

"What do you want, you crazy wolf?" Cor asked.

"Oh, come now. If anyone overhears, they might think I'm threatening you," Caron said with a smile, refilling his glass with wine. He continued, "Let's start by becoming friends."

"The Magic Tower maintains political neutrality. If we ally with the Ducal Family of Leston, neither the Imperial Palace nor the other nobles will stay silent," Cor said.

"It's not about the Leston family and the Magic Tower becoming allies. It's about you and me—just two friends," Caron suggested.

Caron didn't believe that Bail's connection to the Tower meant that it had fully fallen into the Malevolent Emperor's grasp. That was far-fetched. Some sympathizers could lurk within, but opposing the entire Magic Tower was a dangerous overreach. In the past, mages had often been dismissed as mere spell-flingers, but things had changed.

They're not just some mages anymore,

Caron thought.

The Magic Tower had now become the center of imperial civilization. In the coming battle against the Malevolent Emperor, the Tower could prove to be a valuable ally—far too precious an asset to turn into an enemy.

Cor scowled at Caron's offer of friendship, retorting, "Who threatens people during a first encounter and then asks to be friends?"

"True friends can laugh while stabbing each other in the back," Caron replied.

"Hah."

This young man wasn't just a madman—he was a madman who saw the big picture.

Cor knew all too well that people like this often became the storm that reshaped the world. The safest course was to avoid getting entangled with them. But as a mage, he felt his curiosity flare—he wanted to know what this lunatic had in mind.

"I'm curious to hear more of the nonsense you're spewing. Go on," he said.

Encouraged, Caron grinned and pulled out a scroll far longer than the one from before. He said, "Thought you'd say that. I even prepared a list of 'friendship dues.' It's quite extensive, so listen carefully."

Caron's smile widened with satisfaction as he added one more thing. "Oh, and just so you know, if you find my demands unreasonable, let me know. We can always begin a lovely round of mutual exposés."

This young man who wanted to lose things had no fear.

***

One hour later, Caron nodded with a satisfied grin and said, "Overall, that was a good deal."

"For you, maybe. It was completely one-sided in your favor," Cor said.

"Exactly. That's what makes it a good deal," Caron replied.

Things had gone far more smoothly than he had expected. The Tower Master had readily agreed to Caron's demands. Cor had provided him with an "Imperial Magic Tower Honorary Member Pass" granting free access to all Magic Tower branches throughout the empire. And on top of that, he'd even granted a handful of rare artifacts from the tower's treasure vault—the Magic Tower Master had practically turned into a giving tree.

"I was more than generous with my terms, Caron Leston. Don't forget that," Cor said.

"I'm sincerely grateful for your benevolence, Magic Tower Master," Caron replied.

"You have no shame whatsoever," Cor added.

Cor recalled the conversation they'd had in the treasure vault just thirty minutes ago. He had told Caron to only take what he could carry, and the bold rascal had responded without missing a beat:

"I have a pouch of dimensional space. Can I just pack everything into that and leave?"

The artifacts stored in the Magic Tower's vault were masterpieces, each more extraordinary than the last. From the Doppelganger Mask, which could alter the wearer's appearance at will, to the Alchemist's Stone, capable of creating elixirs from water... These were treasures that no amount of gold could buy.

And yet, Caron had taken three of them.

Of course, it was all under the pretense of a "loan."

"The Magic Tower is lending you those items. You will have to return them later," Cor reminded.

"Of course, of course. I'll use them well and return them in good condition," Caron answered.

"You planned to snag those artifacts from the start, didn't you?" Cor asked.

"Well, they are quite famous for their exceptional performance, you know," Caron said.

Perhaps it was the sense of victory that put him in such a good mood. Caron rose from his seat, looking utterly content as he continued, "I won't forget the Magic Tower's generous support for my long journey ahead."

"Now that you've gotten what you came for, get lost, you thieving troublemaker," Cor said.

"Ah, for any detailed matters regarding the Southern Forest project, please consult with my father," Caron added.

"Yeah, yeah. Just leave already." Cor hurriedly waved him off with a dismissive flick of his hand.

Caron grinned broadly in return and said, "Welcome to my circle of friends. I look forward to working with you."

With that, he got up and strode out of the guest chamber, his steps light with triumph. Amy, who had been quietly hovering at his side, offered a small bow to the Magic Tower Master before hurrying after him.

When the storm finally passed, Cor immediately called for Barian, who had been waiting outside.

"Did you summon me, Magic Tower Master?" Barian asked.

"Send a message to all branches at once," Cor ordered.

"And your command is?" Barian asked.

"Caron Leston is now classified as a high-level threat. Spread the word—avoid getting entangled with him at all costs," Cor explained.

"...Should we consider him an enemy?" Barian questioned.

"Are you insane? If Caron Leston asks for something, comply without question," Cor said.

"Understood," Barian said.

Anyone listening could have thought the Magic Tower Master had been thoroughly outwitted. Yet Barian knew his superior better than that. Normally, Cor found everything a tedious burden—but right now, there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Caron Leston... What an amusing fellow," Cor muttered.

Caron was the kind of man who spoke his mind without hesitation, even in front of the Magic Tower Master himself. Not only that, but he also had no qualms about bleeding the Magic Tower dry.

And yet, strangely enough, he wasn't entirely unlikable.

"If he comes back a few more times, he'll uproot our very foundations. Barian, do you know what Caron took from the vault?" Cor asked.

"I'm not sure, sir," Barian replied.

"The Doppelganger Mask, the Alchemist's Stone, and the Ring of Betrayal. He picked out only the most valuable treasures," Cor said.

"When you say the Ring of Betrayal... Do you mean?" Barian asked cautiously.

"Yes, the very one you're thinking of," Cor confirmed.

"...Isn't that too dangerous?" Barian asked.

"What else could I do? He would drag the Magic Tower's reputation through the mud otherwise. All things considered, this was the better option," Cor said.

Barian stared directly at the Magic Tower Master's face, scrutinizing his words. He wondered if Caron's blackmail had really worked on the Tower Master.

That can't be right,

Barian thought.

The influence of the Magic Tower ran far deeper than most could imagine. There was no way a mere threat had cowed the Magic Tower Master.

Caron Leston... The Tower Master actually likes him,

Barian thought.

The realization clicked into place. The Tower Master had intentionally made concessions.

"Barian, if you want to keep playing the role of the head of the Magic Tower's sales division, you'll need to sharpen your instincts about people," Cor said. He took a slow sip of tea and glanced at Barian, a faint smile curling across his lips. He explained, "Caron Leston is a young man who stirs up storms. He sweeps everything around him into his path. A hurricane, if you will."

"He sounds... dangerous to be near," Barian said carefully.

"He is. Men like him twist the course of history," Cor said.

Finally, he understood why even the Queen, who was notoriously difficult to please, had taken a liking to Caron. Caron's mindset was entirely different from the average person's—so different that most would wonder if he was completely insane.

People called men like Caron lunatics, but Cor liked lunatics.

"If you can't avoid a hurricane, you have to settle in the eye of the storm, Barian," Cor advised.

He was sure that Caron Leston was destined to become a leading figure. No—he could already be one.

"How interesting," Cor remarked, then chuckled quietly as he gazed down at the vermin sprawled on the floor.

Bail was the man who had disgraced the Magic Tower's honor.

"Extract his memories. Kill him if you must. Do you understand what I mean?" Cor asked.

"Are there any specific things you want to focus on?" Barian asked.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"The Malevolent Emperor and the Revanchists. I think we have some of the Malevolent Emperor's subordinates as spies within the tower. Root them out, every last one of them. Skin them alive if you must—but be thorough," Cor ordered.

"I'll see to it," Barian said.

Caron Leston had given the Magic Tower a rare opportunity for self-cleansing—a chance to regain its integrity.

A sharp man like Caron surely knew he could use this situation to tighten his grip on the Magic Tower. Even so, he had extended his hand in friendship. The Magic Tower wouldn't come out the loser in this deal.

"Yes... A bargain, indeed..." Just as Cor nodded with satisfaction, the communication orb on his desk began to vibrate. Moments later, a frantic voice crackled through.

"Magic Tower Master! We have a serious problem!"

It was the branch manager of one of the Magic Tower's official shops, his voice trembling with panic.

Cor's brow furrowed and he asked, "What happened?"

"Caron Leston! He... he swept through the shop! He took travel artifacts—magic braziers, portable beds, expedition tents, water dispensers—anything useful for a journey!"

"Did he pay?" Cor asked.

"Of course not! He just said something about collecting a generous 'friendship fee' and walked off! What should we do?"

"...That insufferable bastard," Cor said. He was at a loss for words.

The mighty, storied Imperial Magic Tower had just been thoroughly ransacked by a single troublemaker.

In the end, wherever that Mad Dog roamed, devastation was sure to follow.