468 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 468 "Moving?" "Yes, Elder. This place is just a trap meant to deceive our enemies." The dwarf, Banjoni, chuckled slyly, bringing up an unexpected subject. 'This isn’t the place? Then why did the Tower Lord...' Louisa felt her lips drying up. Even on the way here, she had her suspicions, but she was certain this was the site for the 'ritual' since she had been told that even an elder like herself couldn’t leave without the Tower Lord’s permission. The site was a vast cave located in an unnamed mountain range in the northern continent. Accommodations had been built to house hundreds comfortably. It was a suspicious setup that undeniably aroused mistrust, so she even secretly left a message for Ronian just before entering the cave. But now? '...This is bad.' If someone were dispatched here from MacLaine and were to fall into the trap, MacLaine, who regards this place as the last refuge of the Kasel Tower, would turn against her as well. She wanted to erase the 'code' left near the cave at once but could neither venture out again nor show any signs of uneasiness. "...Understood. Then where are we headed?" "You’ll find out upon arrival. Until then, please rest." "Until the Tower Lord arrives, I should be the highest-ranking one here, right? I should know." "Oh, Elder. You seem to be mistaken. I apologize, but the final authority on this matter is not you... but me." Banjoni smiled meaningfully, the purple spot covering half of his face twisting hideously. "I know you’re an aura user. However, Kasel Tower only recognizes mages who follow his will as commanders. You are..." "The pinnacle, the Tower Lord, has given me direct orders. Are you suggesting you might defy that?" His grin sent a chill down her spine, and worry crept in. To appoint him over an elder like me? 'Has anything been discovered? A sign that my brainwashing has broken?' The worst possible scenario crossed her mind for a moment, but reason soon denied that possibility. Kasel Tower doesn't forgive traitors. '...If the Tower Lord knew, he would have ordered an ambush by now.' Even if one is a mage, a surprise attack by an aura user at close range is impossible to fend off. That thought seemed to calm her previously jittery heart. Of course, only her rational mind was calm; the situation hadn’t improved. The sense of crisis only intensified. "Then I will consider that as your acceptance. We depart tomorrow morning. Rest well." Even after Banjoni left, Louisa found it difficult to fall asleep easily. 'Why...?' Why did the Tower Lord appoint that dwarf as the leader instead of her? 'If he knew my brainwashing was broken, he would have ordered my death. Even if suspected of betrayal, it would be the same.' That much was certain. Thus, beyond this path... 'There’s something I'm not supposed to know hidden here.' Additionally, while all the other surviving elders were sent to the battlefield, she was the only one brought here. This meant... 'While still needing me for this mission.' What could it possibly be? No answer came readily to her mind as she pondered. Knock knock. - Louisa, can we talk? Her father’s heavy voice came from outside the door. "Did you hear about the move?" "Yes, I didn’t know either." "Is the next destination really the place for the ritual?" "...What do you mean by that?" "Though the Tower Lord is siding with the Empire, he wouldn't exclude crucial forces from the battlefield just because you have ties to MacLaine, would he?" "...No, he wouldn't." Only then did she realize what her father was trying to imply. "Do you think the Tower Lord wants to eliminate me? If so, he would have acted sooner." "Yes, he would. But isn’t it strange that there’s another hidden agenda? Like needing the bloodline of the Four Great Houses. Because you’re an elder, I thought you might have some insight." "Hm? What's that supposed to mean...?" "Some individuals entered this safehouse just a while ago. Among them, a few caused a commotion, and I recognized their faces. It was Erina, the second of the West King’s House, and Granden, the heir of the South King’s House." "...What?" "It’s not all that surprising for the Tower Lord to have influence over others from the Four Great Houses. But why would those kids be here, especially since they don’t seem to have mastered the magic of the Kasel Tower?" Louisa’s expression hardened at his words. 'Why gather royals like this?' At such a critical time. If the need for her services was not a priority for the Tower, then it must indeed involve the ritual. The first thought that came to mind was... "...Sacrifice." The very word she uttered startled her, turning her face pale. The next day. The route Banjoni spoke of was surprising right from the start. "Inside the cave?" "It's a tunnel leading to the opposite side of the mountain range. Did you assume we would be going outside again?" While Banjoni’s voice carried a hint of mockery, Louisa did not react. The elite of Kasel Tower present here were primarily magic swordsmen. And the leader of those elites stood before her as Banjoni. 'A trap, yet a real path too, apparently.' That means the information left for Ronian is not entirely wrong. 'Thank goodness.' -Be careful. Recalling the last farewell heard in her final communication, Louisa unwittingly sighed with relief, picturing the much younger man’s voice. Then, shocked by her own reaction, she widened her eyes. '...What an absurd thought.' In such perilous times, risking your life on an adventure, and thinking about a man? ...Man? "Pfft." A sudden burst of laughter escaped her inappropriately given the serious situation. The dwarf walking ahead turned back, wrinkling his brow. "I detest laughing behind my back, Elder. Please be cautious." His brown eyes, burning with anger, carried an unspoken threat. His words were polite, yet there was a palpable tension, as if a fight could break out at any moment. His hand twitched towards the massive sword strapped to his back, almost itching to draw it. ‘I knew this guy wasn’t normal...’ She hadn’t expected him to be so brazen with his reactions towards an elder like her. This only confirmed that what lay ahead would not work in her favor. “I have no interest in you, so leave me alone, dwarf.” Grit. The grinding of teeth was followed by a surge of murderous intent from Banjoni. Her intentional choice of words seemed to hit a nerve, poking at his complex. Seemingly ready to pounce any moment, Banjoni took a deep breath, calming the waves of aggression radiating from him. "Hah... If you weren’t an elder of the Tower, there would have been bloodshed right here. Be grateful to the Tower Lord." Though his words were clearly confrontational, Banjoni refrained from violence and turned away. "We're the vanguard. Follow quietly." To Louisa, who dealt with the magic of soul and dimension, his actions felt unnaturally restrained. ‘A madman following orders without going berserk...’ As she heightened her senses, she detected the subtle traces of an intricate spell interwoven with his agitated demeanor. 'As I thought, brainwashing...' If he’s under brainwashing, he doesn’t intend to harm her just yet. With that realization, Louisa followed Banjoni with a heavy gaze. ‘Once I confirm the true ritual site...’ Even knowing that the magic swordsmen behind her were casting menacing glances. The large cave grew narrower as they proceeded. Whether naturally occurring or artificially made was a mystery, but the path split into two or three branches almost every hundred meters. And Banjoni moved without hesitation the whole time. ‘This time, the first path on the right.’ At each fork, Louisa left a magically concealed mark, a code agreed upon with Ronian. This subtle magical trace was almost undetectable and would only become noticeable an hour after the group had passed. The problem was... ‘They need to trust my mark, even after realizing it’s a trap.’ Her steps slowed with mounting worry, but there wasn't much more she could do in the moment. In truth, there were countless concerns, from the war between MacLaine and the Empire, but for now, she had to focus on what she could do. Even as she thought that way, Louisa couldn't shake a lingering unease throughout the half-day journey. Navigating the endless darkness with only a few torches for light was mentally taxing, even for a mage with the physical endurance of a knight. Especially when plagued with serious concerns. But the light ahead and the colossal energy emanating from it were enough to snap Louisa’s mind to attention. “This is...” "This is where our grand mission will take place. How do you like it?" Banjoni's voice boomed proudly as he spread his arms wide, revealing a vast arena-like space beyond him. A magical circle, inscribed with ancient writing Louisa couldn’t comprehend, emitted a subtle gray light—so expansive it illuminated the entire plaza. Wooooong. "...Astounding." Despite the precariousness of her situation, as a mage, Louisa couldn’t help but marvel at the scale and energy of the magic circle. As her gaze wandered across the enchanting designs, a distant noise disrupted her focus. Rumbles and quakes, like an earthquake, reverberated from beyond the path they’d traversed. Within the cave, this was noise they needed to be most vigilant about, and naturally, everyone turned their attention towards it. "What the...!?" "Huh? An intruder?!" "What!?" Louisa’s eyes widened at Banjoni’s exclamation. So soon? Surely MacLaine was still embroiled in war with the Empire? "What about the ones trailing us?! Father...!" Her heart filled with anxiety, unlike Banjoni who regained his composure and calmly replied. "Seems you're quite close, as the rumors go? They’ll be fine. Probably just the mansion collapsing, and by now the rear team should be quite far away. Whoever it is, they’ve dug their own grave." A mage cannot doubt the physical prowess of an aura user. Furthermore, they could trust each other for the time being as there was still value in utilizing one another. But Banjoni’s overly calm demeanor was unsettling. "Still, shouldn’t we at least prepare for the intruder? We don’t even know who it is." "It’s fine. Even if they survive this trap, they’ll get lost and perish in the labyrinth. The Tower Lord said no one short of a superhuman could break through the illusion magic of the maze. And as you know, the remaining superhumans are all in Rusfelheim." "...But our exit is blocked too?" There’s no need for concern. We have enough provisions here. Surely the absence of sunlight won’t affect you, being a mage?" "...Of course not." "Then you should patiently wait for the Tower Lord and prepare for the ritual. Ah, accommodations have been prepared." “Preparation? I haven’t received specific instructions.” "Simply perform your usual meditation and keep your magic refined. He will oversee everything." What was the meaning behind that vague smile? As Louisa recalled a possibility that had been nagging at her, her expression hardened. And then, suddenly— Bang! Another crash reverberated through the cave, much closer than before. Louisa realized it was closer this time. Even Banjoni, who had remained composed, now showed signs of tension. "Already?" As he turned his back to the sound, Louisa's eyes gleamed with determination.