A majestic tower towered in the center of the capital city of Gehenid. The building, which was dozens of stories tall and combined magical engineering and architecture, was truly worthy of its name.

[The 'Creative Economy Manager' says it is not a fake listing like a nine-story golden ivory tower.]

[The 'Trial Skyscraper Architect' can't sit still, excited at the thought of conquering the top floor.]

There were two guards on each side of the door engraved with a giant star pattern. I waited in my spot, and Reed approached them.

“I will challenge for the position of the master of the magic tower.”

The reason why conquering the Ragnape Republic of Magic is the easiest is because you only need to usurp the position of the Magic Tower Lord.

The gatekeepers' response to Reed's arrogant declaration was lukewarm.

"her."

“That’s right.”

They had no sense of professionalism and even chattered among themselves as if to tell others to listen.

“You can tell at first glance that he’s an outsider?”

“You must be from a remote place.”

“Yeah, those guys who learned a few spells somewhere think they’re geniuses. Then, when they first come to the Magic Tower and take a level test, they’re shocked.”

“That’s right. I thought I was an 8th circle great wizard, but in reality I’m only a 2nd circle. Phew.”

“There are still idiots who think dragons fly in streams? Hehe.”

Hey, is our lead okay?

He turned on the system function and looked over his head. The world destruction rate was rising. 51%, 52%, 53%... ... .

“Take a deep breath, Reid!”

“......Okay.”

It stopped at 55%.

['The Scales of Justice' whispers that she feels ignored because the outfit she is wearing lacks charisma.]

A neat shirt and pants, and a coat draped over his shoulders seemed insufficient. Should he have dressed him up in a more final, dark manner?

By the way, I received clothes as a reward for completing the tutorial. The ceremonial robe of the Unryong Cult Leader was mine, and the black swordsman's robe was Reed's. I'll have to actively consider it next time.

“I declared a challenge. It would be better to handle it according to the rules.”

Reed smiled dangerously and tapped the floor with his cane. A slight thud escaped him, pretending it was a mistake, and put pressure on the gatekeepers.

“Oh, I got it! Just wait!”

One of them hurriedly climbed the stairs. Reid was already somewhat calm and collected.

In the last episode, he was the ultimate mastermind who suddenly stormed into the top floor and killed the magician, but he is now very calm.

When I look at his profile, I strangely think I see a silver-haired knight.

"why?"

“I just saw it.”

I never said anything that I knew I would hate.

Reed and I waited for a long time, but the gatekeeper who had gone to deliver the news showed no sign of returning. The remaining gatekeepers also rolled their eyes and broke out in a cold sweat.

The situation was obvious.

“Is this the kind of treatment you get?”

“You’re angry, Aylet Rodelin.”

Reed was smiling with a face that showed no trace of anger. Instead, he looked delighted, as if he had found something funny.

“It’s funny how you expected the world to treat you kindly while you were with me.”

“No, that’s an over-interpretation.......”

“Well, it’s still a bit unreasonable that you have to go through this.”

His gaze changed. He spoke to me, staring at the doorway protected by multiple barriers.

“Eylet Rodelin, I’ll give you a riddle. Try to solve it.”

Why the sudden riddle?

There was no time to ask why, and no right to refuse.

“What do you call the person who saved the world?”

"hero?"

“What kind of human is trying to destroy the world?”

“Lead... Ah, no. The villain!”

“Then which of the two would be closer to the human who finally wants to conquer the world?”

"......villain."

“All correct. Excellent.”

The riddle's intent was clear.

“Villains should act like villains.”

The fact that he gave up on destruction is already a big step back for Reed to find a compromise. What more can he expect from this?

“Huh, okay. Let’s play villain.”

“I am glad that you and I are accomplices, Aylet Rodelin.”

“But please don’t kill me?”

“Don’t try.”

Reed approached the door, ignoring the gatekeepers. His mere approach caused the layers of barriers to shatter like glass.

He roared, generating a powerful magical force.

“If you don’t have the heart to welcome me, then I have no choice but to become an unwelcome guest.”

✠

Seijin, a young man with the impression of a kind teacher. He was a wizard who entered a dungeon called the 'Slime Farm' to write a thesis for the 4th Circle, and was saved by Ailet.

Seijin still thought of her, his savior, from time to time.

'Ms. Eyelet... ... .'

She was truly amazing. She was granted such powerful divine powers that she seemed like a saint, and she was also able to use her aura at a high level.

His ability alone was awe-inspiring, but his humanity added to it, making him even more admirable. He was a precious healer, and although he could manipulate mercenaries with his chin, he healed everyone without a single fuss.

As a magician who values ​​reason and has an ordinary personality, Seijin could not even guess how deep one's faith and good deeds must be to reach such a state.

'He must be someone with an incredibly pure soul and good character!'

I've heard that the divine power is rapidly declining these days. However, Seijin somehow felt certain that he alone still had the divine power wrapped around him.

'You ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) will definitely stand out. When I see you again someday, I will definitely repay your kindness... '

Kwaaaaang!

“What, what?!”

The floor shook with a sudden explosion. Seijin and other magicians who were researching lost their balance and fell on their butts.

The Pitch Black Tower is a structure that incorporates advanced magical engineering, so it is perfectly designed to withstand earthquakes. However, if the entire tower is shaking, the situation is clear.

“Tch, intruder!”

“Stop the intruders... quite a bit!”

From the bottom of the circular staircase came a variety of noises, including screams, explosions, and bangs.

“Hey, what the hell is going on downstairs?!”

They could not bring themselves to see it with their own eyes. The ominous sounds stirred up the fear of the wizards. However, there was a sound in the world that was overwhelmingly more terrifying.

That's right, silence.

Suddenly, the sound coming from below disappeared.

If I were to lean on the railing and look down, it would seem as if a hole blacker than an abyss would open up. A hellish hole that would suck in all the light and devour it.

Then the silence was broken.

The thumping, measured footsteps were gradually coming closer. Seijin covered his mouth and hid his body, glancing sideways at the stairs.

A figure melted into the darkness.

He was a handsome man with long black hair who exuded a strange decadence. On the other hand, he had a strange sense of intimidation, and the coat draped loosely over his shoulders seemed more majestic than the robes of an archmage.

From the shadows that stretched behind him, a darkness so pure and unsullied was about to rise. He slowly climbed the stairs, leading the endless darkness like a servant... ... .

“......!”

I made eye contact with Seijin.

The eyes were redder than blood and profound. It was clear that what was inside the young and beautiful shell was not a young man, but some other, older being.

'Maybe it's the devil... ...!'

A beautiful one who is served by darkness. It was a reasonable suspicion. The devil said she was beautiful in order to lure humans!

'Oh, I'm dying!'

Hib!

Eventually, Seijin fainted. He could not bear the oppressive energy and the fear he had created himself.

At that time, there was a person who belatedly chased after Reed and closed the distance.

“Ah, I finally did it! Reid, go easy on me.”

“It’s no longer possible here.”

“Does that mean you can’t control your abilities? You’re not a beginner.”

“Even a simple provocation is quite effective when you do it.”

The momentum that seemed to bring all living things to their knees had subsided slightly. Seijin's fellow magicians who could hear the conversation nearby thought.

'Hey, are you trained?'

'Is that woman's servant girl?'

Meanwhile, Reed and Aylet continued to climb the stairs. After Reed swung his power a few more times, after a while, no magician or swordsman appeared to stop him.

Now that the only question left was how to get up there, Aylet asked.

“No way.”

The center of this spiral staircase is a vertical empty space that runs through the entire tower. The movement of high-ranking magicians between floors is accomplished by ascending and descending this space using levitation magic.

Reed extended his right hand toward Aylet. Her hand was covered with his own, as if offering an escort.

“Okay, let’s go up!”

“.......”

"lead?"

Reed stared intently at the hand of Aylet that had been entrusted to him for a moment, then made a sudden move. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him.

"what are you doing?"

“I think this is safer.”

There was no time to protest in this ambiguous position. Soon, the two bodies floated up, defying gravity.