NOVEL FROG Chapter 9
The Mage Tower’s Mage Tower Core remembers the Mages who possess the authority to control it. The Ten Commandments can access information regarding the Mage Tower Cores belonging to their lineage.
The combination of these two facts informs us that Mages who illegally occupy a Mage Tower are at risk of being discovered at any time. The punishment for illegal occupancy varies based on the duration and reason but can reach a maximum of an extermination order.
The criterion for illegal occupancy is if no registration changes have been made for more than one month after the Tower Master is replaced.
Registering with the Apex Towers doesn’t impose any tax obligations on Upper Mage Towers. Therefore, most emerging Tower Masters who inherit a Mage Tower choose to register diligently within the time frame rather than pay fines.
“In other words, if Hydra Corporation were to occupy all the Mage Towers in Etna City, the Apex Towers would inevitably become aware of it.”
The original Baek Mu-myung hid her true purposes thoroughly but did not conceal her activities related to the organization known as Hydra Corporation.
Her end was somewhat predictable from the point she neglected the management of her subordinates.
I hope both the Apex Towers and the protagonist Simon, who will someday arrive, do not uncover Carisia’s true intentions.
“So, we won’t be merging your Mage Tower, Geryon, or Kaicle’s Mage Tower. Outwardly, that is.”
Geryon let out a hollow laugh. There was a sense of self-mockery in being a puppet with a mortgaged future.
“A mere figurehead. Generous in sparing my life, I suppose.”
Generous, indeed.
Originally, I should have met my fate when I challenged Carisia.
I quickly glanced at her complexion without her noticing. She didn’t seem dissatisfied.
“The three Mage Towers appear to be in a tense state while waging war against each other… Oh. I apologize. That doesn’t sound good. Let’s say they are entering a competitive phase.”
A false war led by Geryon. It was the conclusion I drew about Carisia’s intention in capturing Geryon.
“No one would think it strange if we suddenly recruit mercenaries or construct new facilities, right? We’ll use that situation to reshape our organization and, ultimately, Etna City itself.”
*
“In a more efficient and healthy direction, of course.”
Orthes’s plan could be described as radical at best and delusional at worst.
The absurd idea of creating an Eleventh Commandment.
The biggest issue was that no one here knew whether the Artificial Ten Commandments allegedly created by Kaicle actually existed.
Geryon’s question mirrored the doubts of the board members.
“It would be a luxury to hope for something beyond mere survival from a captured perspective. But I can’t help but ask: Is there any way to find the Artificial Ten Commandments? No, do you have a way to meet Kaicle?”
“Huh? I already told you, it’s inside Etna Mountain.”
“Should we send search droids into the bubbling lava? Or hire a water or ice element Mage to cool the lava while advancing?”
“That’s—”
Orthes’s words, which were flowing smoothly, suddenly cut off. The smile he always wore vanished, leaving his expression almost blank. It was a side of him not typically seen in his relaxed demeanor.
Those carefully watching Orthes noticed his gaze momentarily shift towards Carisia.
Then, Orthes returned to that faint smile and said.
“It’s a secret.”
It was obvious. There was likely only one person in this world who could put him in such a dilemma.
“I don’t mean to imply I don’t trust you all, so please rest easy.”
His next statement likely went beyond the level Carisia had permitted. Just what kind of method does the boss intend to use to draw out Kaicle, to keep such plans even from the board members?
And what kind of relationship does Orthes have with the boss, as he is the only one privy to this plan?
Their relationship was certain, but how the two met and formed the current level of trust remained completely shrouded in mystery.
*
Damn it.
I hadn’t thought about how to meet.
I hurriedly checked Carisia’s expression again. Still a slight smile. She seemed to be in a rather good mood.
In other words, she hadn’t sensed any discomfort or flaws in the nonsense I was spouting. I’d just play it off as a secret and improvise the rest later.
*
The meeting ended.
How we would create a state of tension and reorganize the organization was something to discuss after securing Kaicle.
Hence, the final question of the meeting was: “What happens if we can’t find Kaicle?”
Without hesitation, Carisia replied, “Our duties remain unchanged.”
Whether Orthes’s plan would fail or if it was a plan derived from a belief that failed was unknown to anyone on the board.
The meeting, which began with Carisia’s sudden summons, ended similarly with her dissolution order.
Only Orthes and Carisia remained in the meeting room until the very end.
Arabella turned her head slightly as she left the room.
Behind Carisia, with hands clasped behind his back, Orthes smiled softly.
“I can never guess what he’s thinking with that expression…”
Orthes was.
“I just want to go home.”
He was contemplating the hopes of every working person.
*
“Old man.”
Geryon’s safety was decided to be entrusted to Bertrand’s Miner Guild for the time being. There was a reason they had a previous acquaintance, making it easier to manage.
“Do you think your boss would believe that we’d conspire behind his back?”
Bertrand shook his head.
“Even so, it just means it’s not a threat. You, who challenged him directly, know that best.”
It was an embarrassing statement, yet Geryon nodded readily. His opponent had consumed an absurd amount of magic power and was in an unknown ambush.
And then he hadn’t landed a single effective blow before being captured.
Even though the slums and the underworld were stirring, creating a problematic rival might have originally seemed like a good idea to eliminate trouble, yet he was the one on the verge of being eliminated.
“Right. How does the boss fight?”
“Have you never fought him? From the rumors, he’s quite fierce. He wiped out the Lernian Tower single-handedly and is a tyrant who obliterates every fool from the underworld who dares challenge him.”
“The Miner Guild won’t get involved in such brawls. Their bodies are their assets. They might have strong physicals since they do strength work, and there are some who play with magic since they handle magic stones. But that’s about it.”
Difficult for others to meddle with, but conversely, they could not expand. The Miner Guild was limited to mere self-defense without expansion.
“Ah, so they just play along when others do?”
“That’s survival. As long as we can live by digging up the land, that’s enough. Now, answer. How does he fight?”
“A mad boar?”
It was a spur-of-the-moment remark, but Geryon felt that word accurately described Carisia’s fighting style.
“Actually, the magic that tore off my arm wasn’t light magic. It was sheer strength that twisted my arm one by one. Though she did incinerate my flung arm with a beam afterward.”
“Any memorable weapons?”
“Does she use any other weapons besides the gauntlet?”
“Is that so?”
Geryon wondered why the old man, who seemed uninterested in fighting, was probing into such trivial matters when he recalled Bertrand’s race.
“Cunning old man. You’re thinking of offering a bribe, aren’t you?”
Dwarves were renowned for their artifact crafting skills among races. Bertrand was clearly trying to win favor with the new ruler of the city, utilizing his talents.
“Survival strategy.”
Having his inner thoughts unraveled, Bertrand responded casually. If an appropriate gift could spare his life, then it was better to do so, an understanding the elderly gained over many years.
“Well then, let me ask you one thing. Just who is that Orthes guy?”
The eight directors of Hydra, all reputed to have a fierce presence in the city. And Orthes, who clearly behaves as their superior.
“That’s not the demeanor of just a pawn sheltered by the boss.”
Especially impressive was Cretone’s attitude. He could likely kill if he used three of his six arms, or even four if things went awry, yet he still displayed significant combat prowess.
Not to mention, his temper was just as foul. It was one thing for Cretone to bow to Carisia as her superior, but to do that for Orthes?
Bertrand pondered. There was too much to explain Orthes with a few words, and what was known was too little.
“First, let me correct a misconception. When the Lernian Tower was exterminated, Carisia wasn’t alone.”
“So, you’re saying he was there too?”
“Exactly. He was always by Carisia’s side in every fight over the underworld’s balance. Stronger and more trusted than anyone below Carisia. One could even say he’s the number two of Hydra Corporation.”
*
“Now, can you explain?”
As soon as all the board members left, Carisia turned in her chair to look at me.
“The reason you revealed that façade of a grand plan rather than our true purpose.”