For a moment, the demons did not attack. The exhausted magicians were
finally able to catch their breath.
Was it because Jaekiel had dealt with the Spider Goddess?
That wasn't the case.
In fact, there hadn't even been a confrontation between them.
-Ah, I see. You wish for me to remain as if dead, don't you? Of course, I
can do that for you.
As soon as Jaekiel grasped his ice spear, the Spider Goddess spoke,
showing no intention of fighting.
-Well then, I will remain as though dead for a day. You can do whatever you
want. After all, escaping this maze is impossible… The only outcome is
staying with me.
After those words, it seemed as though the Spider Goddess had been sealed,
ceasing all activity and withdrawing all demons. This allowed Jaekiel to
return to the first floor and take a moment to check on the magicians.
'What exactly is the Spider Goddess up to?'
Jaekiel couldn't understand her true intentions.
'Anyway, it's unsettling, but there's nothing I can do.'
The Spider Goddess and the demons vanished as though they had never
existed, and Jaekiel was concerned about leaving the first floor for too long,
given the condition of the magicians.
After returning to the first floor, Jaekiel and Seina checked on the Imperial
Tower magicians. The first person they checked on was, of course, Anes.
"Ah, Auditor…"
Anes immediately recognized Jaekiel, though she seemed unsure of what to
say, acting quite awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, I've become a burden."
"I was the burden, having been unconscious for a week. You showed great
courage. It couldn't have been an easy decision."
Jaekiel praised Anes without reservation.
Anes gave a subtle expression. She was happy, but it was clear she couldn't
fully rejoice.
A brief silence passed.
"..."
After some time, Jaekiel broke the silence.
"Anes, about that time…"
"I'm fine."
Anes immediately responded.
"I'm truly fine. It was my mistake, and it caused the situation. I will try
harder in the future. I'm actually more worried that I may have made you
uncomfortable."
"I'm fine."
"Yes. In that case, it's okay. The First Princess's words weren't completely
wrong, as it helped me reflect on myself."
Anes quietly nodded. It seemed like she had gained a lot of insight since
then.
"Sounds like you had some great realization."
"Hmmm, yes. It was about my preferences…"
Anes immediately shook her head vigorously.
"Anyway, I'm sorry for being a burden. My arm is broken, so I can't be of
much use. I'm also worried about the other Imperial Tower magicians…"
"Don't worry. Seina will be there to protect you."
"Ah, you mean the elder from the Blue Tower…?"
Jaekiel nodded calmly.
When Jaekiel explained that Seina had been assisting him outside the maze,
Anes was surprised.
"It seems the elder from the Blue Tower holds you in very high regard,
Auditor. It's rare for someone to go this far for just a simple favor."
"Indeed. It's much appreciated."
"I'm relieved. But…"
Anes hesitated with her lips.
"The more I talk, the more I take up your time, right? I don't want to be a
burden. Please, go ahead with your duties."
Anes was worried she was taking up too much of his time. Jaekiel was once
again reminded of how lucky he was to have such people around him.
'Both Seina and Anes.'
He felt deeply grateful for their kindness. He would have to repay them
later.
However, there was still something he needed to talk about.
Jaekiel spoke candidly to Anes about the Spider Goddess and the current
situation. There was no reason not to share it with his trusted secretary.
Anes's expression became very serious.
"Her attitude is as if she wants us to try everything we can, knowing we can
never escape. Who exactly is this woman called the Spider Goddess?"
"But it's not like there's no way out. I heard the Purple Tower has almost
fixed the teleportation magic circle."
"Ah, that's a relief."
Anes sighed in relief.
"I'll stay here with the Imperial Tower members on the first floor, and if
you fix the magic circle on the second floor, we'll be able to escape. There's
hope now."
"How do you know I can fix it?"
"You've always done amazing things effortlessly. I'm sure this will be no
different."
Anes's strong belief in him was clear.
'She's trying to face the past calmly and is working even harder on her
mission.'
Moved by admiration, he unknowingly placed his cold hand on her white
nape.
"…Eek?"
As soon as his cold hand touched her neck, Anes shivered and stared at
Jaekiel with wide eyes, clearly startled.
"Get a hold of yourself and stay strong. All this hardship will be rewarded
later."
"Reward…?"
Perhaps misunderstanding, Anes's eyes spun around. Jaekiel sighed deeply.
The previous incident had been so intense that it couldn't be helped.
But then, at that moment.
"Excuse me, Auditor of the Imperial Tower, do you have a moment?"
Someone was calling for Jaekiel. It was the elders of the Purple Tower.
"The head of the Purple Tower elders requests a conversation."
The head of the Purple Tower elders.
Jaekiel nodded lightly.
Jaekiel found himself alone, joining a group of about eight Purple Tower
elders for a conversation.
There were urgent questions coming his way.
"How did you navigate such a complex underground maze…? Did you
already know its structure?"
Perhaps because of the Spider Goddess's behavior.
It wasn't just simple curiosity; there was an air of suspicion as if they were
wary of Jaekiel, wondering if he might be in league with the Demon Realm.
To Jaekiel, this was a completely ridiculous accusation.
"It was Laila, a high-ranking magician from the Purple Tower, who told
me."
They summoned Laila to confirm the truth.
"Even though you received the map, you're telling me you managed to
bypass all the traps just by looking at it…?"
One of the elders murmured in disbelief.
Indeed, the map drawn by Laila only marked the terrain; it didn't indicate
the locations of traps. Jaekiel had navigated through them purely by skill.
"I've heard that the Imperial Tower's Auditor was active even during the
meeting exchange… What's the secret? If you know anything about this
maze, please share."
Well, this was Jaekiel's first time here today.
Just as he was pondering how to respond.
"Enough small talk."
The one at the center of the elders spoke up.
He was wearing a purple robe and a matching pointed hat, with a white
beard that reached down to his belly button. It was Gendiz, the head elder
of the Purple Tower.
"Why did you visit the Purple Tower's territory, Auditor? I hope you
understand there are many questions."
"I only came to rescue the magicians."
"Just for that simple reason?"
Gendiz murmured in disbelief. There was a quiet murmur among the other
elders as well.
"The Imperial Tower is rescuing another tower?"
"Those who are usually in positions of surveillance and oppression?"
"I've heard that your attitude has changed since the meeting exchange. I
guess that rumor wasn't false…"
Amid the flood of words, Gendiz stepped closer to Jaekiel. His interest was
piqued.
"Auditor, as the head elder, I must ask you some important questions
regarding the Purple Tower. May I ask for an honest answer?"
"I'm always honest. You have my word."
Gendiz nodded.
"First of all, this demon called the Spider Goddess treated you with an
unusually favorable attitude. In the Demon Realm, it's basic to look down
on humans."
"I wish the question was clearer."
"Have you perhaps allied with the Demon Realm?"
Finally, a direct question was asked.
To Jaekiel, it was an absurd question.
"That's nonsense. You yourself saw with your own eyes that I tried to kill
the Spider Goddess."
"But their attitude was so suspicious. We've fought demons countless times,
and we've never seen one behave like that."
"Stop the suspicion. Is the head elder's questioning over?"
"One more thing. The demons were calling you Snow Ghost. Are you truly
the Snow Ghost?"
"I've been treated as such."
Jaekiel answered ambiguously on purpose.
It was a way to avoid giving a clear answer while not lying. Gendiz seemed
to interpret Jaekiel's response in his own way.
"I don't think that's the case. I heard the Snow Ghost is a revered figure in
the Blue Tower, a mythical being. But you're too young. However, there's a
possibility that makes sense."
Gendiz slowly explained his thoughts.
"Your cold energy is quite impressive. It's why the demons are mistaking
you for the Snow Ghost, causing such a commotion… It's troublesome, but
you're a much-needed asset. Would you be willing to cooperate with the
Purple Tower?"
"I will. I came here with the intention of doing so from the start."
"Thank you. The Imperial Tower has really changed a lot."
Gendiz finally smiled brightly.
It seemed that the doubts toward Jaekiel had cleared up, and after securing
cooperation, Gendiz felt reassured. The other Purple Tower elders had
similar expressions.
"You're very different from the auditors I've met before."
"Is that a compliment?"
"It's a compliment. If this were the old Imperial Tower, they would have
celebrated the fall of another tower."
Jaekiel wasn't particularly interested in small talk.
Instead, thinking of the reward for the injured Imperial Tower magicians,
Jaekiel handed Gendiz a scroll.
"Your magician promised me this reward. If I make a significant
contribution, could you share emergency healing magic for the Imperial
Tower magicians?"
Hmm…
Gendiz's expression became slightly ambiguous.
For a brief moment, it seemed as though he became serious.
But it was just a brief moment. Soon, Gendiz smiled widely and faced
Jaekiel.
"Hahaha! Of course! You've nearly faced destruction, so if things go well,
what can't we do for you? We'll do everything!"
"I heard the teleportation circle is being repaired. While you handle it, I'll
provide thorough protection."
"Sounds like a deal I'm very pleased with! But there's one very important
question left for you, Auditor."
"Alright."
"Then I must ask, Auditor, would you…"
Gendiz dragged out his words.
"…Would you be willing to abandon the other magicians of the Imperial
Tower?"
Silence.
It took Jaekiel a moment to understand the question.
Soon, Jaekiel frowned, doubting his ears.