Chapter 246: The Fallen Tower (3)
It was a bit of a stretch, really.
To equate a god descending from the heavens with himself, a mere traveler from Earth, was a strange notion.
Legends and doctrines of gods taking human form were common in the world he once knew.
“That’s quite an unexpected question.”
Yet, for some reason, the warrior’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Not many people connect ancient legends with the lives before them. What common ground have you found between us?”
“You appeared when the world was on the brink of destruction. Not born, but literally appeared. You fought against demons and dark gods, and…”
“You wield a sword and axe in battle. Though you seem to enjoy mixing in other weapons as well. A keen observation.”
…Weapons weren’t exactly what he intended to discuss. But perhaps it didn’t matter.
“The place I originally came from isn’t this continent you’re standing on. So, you could say I’m from another world.”
“Then where is your original world? Like me…”
“Was it Earth? Not quite. But as someone who doesn’t call this land home, my life’s path might offer you some guidance.”
The warrior slowly crossed the backyard, his gaze fixed on the pillar of light piercing the mountain peak beyond the hill.
Dalen placed his hands on his belt, sensing that time was running short.
“Are you a god?”
“If that’s what you wish to believe.”
The warrior chuckled, his pace slowing slightly.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“If you wish to see me as a god, then a god I am. If you wish to see me as a friend, then a friend I shall be. A brother or a comrade, if that’s what you desire. I have devoted my life to this continent for such reasons.”
”…”
“What does it matter what name you call me by? Isn’t that right? Whatever I’m called, you are you, and I am me.”
Damn. For someone with the build of a northern giant, he speaks like a seasoned sorcerer.
The warrior, who seemed to read minds with ease, slowed his steps even more. With a peculiar rhythm, he took his final step and spoke.
“The world is full of sorcerous things, isn’t it?”
Crunch.
The scenery around them shifted.
It happened the moment the warrior took his last step. Instinctively, Dalen expanded his senses to scan the surroundings.
Rumble…
They stood atop a snow-capped mountain.
To be precise, they were amidst dozens, if not hundreds, of peaks, in front of the tallest one where the pillar of light descended.
The massive noise of the cascading light was white. It reminded him of the white screen that filled the view when a game began.
The warrior, gazing up at the shimmering light, spoke again.
“The reason I came today is to tell you that your choice is imminent.”
“Choice?”
“I won’t interfere much. I’ve respected your decisions so far, and I intend to continue doing so.”
The warrior turned around.
In that instant, the distance between them vanished.
”…!”
Tap. Tap.
A gentle tap on his solid chest. Dalen slowly released his grip on the axe.
As the distance closed, his hand had instinctively half-drawn the axe.
But the man’s gesture was quicker. It was a light touch, not even exerting much force.
“Remember the resolve you had in the Revivach Forest on your second visit. If you don’t forget how you reached your current rank, you won’t lose your way.”
“What do you mean by that…”
“See you soon. Our next meeting will be in the labyrinth.”
Rumble──!!
The pillar of light intensified its glow. His senses blurred, akin to waking from a dream.
Instinctively, Dalen reached out. Without a clear reason or evidence, he knew.
Why he, who used to play games in his room, ended up on this continent.
He knew he had to reach out and grasp it to find out.
─────
─────
A sensation of floating, a dissonance in time and space.
Amidst the dizziness, something touched his fingertips. Dalen grasped it, pulling himself closer. A flash of white filled his vision.
And then the light subsided.
”…Dalen?”
The light was a bit blinding. Dalen squinted.
Sunlight streamed through the window, filling half his view. The other half was someone’s face.
Silky black hair.
Long eyelashes that curved beautifully when she smiled.
Dark eyes. A sculpted nose. Moist lips. Slightly flushed cheeks.
As his senses returned, a pleasant scent wafted in. The witch spoke softly.
”…Dalen, that hurts a little.”
Only then did Dalen lower his gaze. His bear-like hand was gripping her shoulder.
Sienna feigned a frown. Her long eyelashes drew together, forming a slight crease between her brows. She spoke.
“Could you let go?”
”…Sure.”
Dalen released his grip. Even after he let go, Sienna remained still for a moment before placing her hand on his chest and slowly stepping back.
She caught her breath and spoke again.
“I apologize for entering the room without a word.”
“It’s fine.”
“There was a reason. A messenger came from the Golden Palace.”
A messenger? To this remote city once ruled by vampires?
“A messenger from the White-Eyed Seer.”
“I see.”
If it was her, it made sense. The Seer could reach across the continent, even to the lands of the elves across the sea.
Moreover, since they had declared their intent to confront the Blood Lord upon leaving the labyrinth city, it was only natural for her to keep a close watch on them.
The battle with the Blood Lord was a fight for the fate of the continent, and having confirmed its conclusion, she must have sent a messenger.
But even so, what could warrant sending a messenger all the way to this distant southern region…
“The barrier tower in the labyrinth city has fallen.”
”…What?”
Damn it. That’s not good.
The Barrier Tower.
A towering structure in the center of the Silver District’s plaza, a sacred site for all explorers of the labyrinth city.
It was widely believed that the Barrier Tower played a crucial role in holding back the monsters emerging from the labyrinth.
The truth was slightly different.
While the Barrier Tower did contribute to the labyrinth’s suppression, its more critical function was as a gateway to the labyrinth.
The only safe passage to and from the labyrinth on the continent.
The reason countless warriors and sorcerers paid hefty tolls to enter the Silver District was to step into the labyrinth through the Barrier Tower’s teleportation magic circle.
”…And that Barrier Tower has fallen.”
Tap. Tap.
Dalen drummed his fingers on the table. The atmosphere in the mansion’s meeting room was tense.
“And it was a bomb attack, no less.”
“Yes. We didn’t anticipate this either.”
The messenger from the White-Eyed Seer nodded.
It was a predictable story. Who expects to be hit and then gets hit?
Fortunately or unfortunately, there had been no bomb attacks on the Barrier Tower from behind the monitor.
But such an attack had occurred only once in hundreds of cycles, and even then, it was when Dalen had joined the dark god and became the perpetrator himself.
‘An event that could only occur if the protagonist character acted has happened without my intervention.’
This meant that the current cycle’s progression was spiraling out of control.
He had been aware of this for some time, but hearing such unexpected news still left him breathless.
“Just the other day, we signed a truce, and now the Golden Palace is facing such hardships. Have you caught the culprits?”
“Yes, Tower Master. They were agents of the Empire.”
”…I see.”
Felber stroked his beard with a troubled expression.
As he said, it hadn’t been long since the city alliance and the Empire signed a truce.
For the Empire to launch a direct attack on the labyrinth city at this timing was akin to openly mocking them.
Of course, with the end drawing near, such a significant event couldn’t be interpreted solely through diplomatic lenses.
“It’s hard to believe it’s just the Empire’s doing.”
“Hmm? Why do you say that?”
Bjorn asked. The dwarf’s beard and face were smeared with soot.
He had been holed up in his makeshift workshop until dawn, even last night. Since reaching the fifth rank, he had been more engrossed in research than ever before.
“The timing is too convenient. Exploiting the period when the Seer’s gaze was focused on the south, and using explosives instead of magical means to avoid detection.”
Even the Seer’s all-seeing eyes, which spanned the continent, had been focused on the south for the past few months.
Dalen and his party had been roaming the vampire count’s domain, intent on defeating the Blood Lord, while the Holy Knights were struggling to fend off the dragon army led by the Dragon God himself.
Two battles with the fate of the continent at stake. Given the circumstances, it’s no wonder the terrorists managed to infiltrate the city.
If that were all, it wouldn’t be a problem, but the terrorists had persistently targeted the Barrier Tower’s little-known vulnerabilities.
The defensive system of the barrier tower was primarily designed to withstand magical attacks.
Given that the tower was fortified with all sorts of spells and supernatural abilities, it would take at least a fifth-tier transcendent to bring it down through sheer physical force.
And it wasn’t as if the transcendent beings of the Golden Palace would allow such a powerful entity to roam freely in their territory.
“With that amount of explosives, I can’t even begin to imagine how many spatial pouches they must have used.”
“When they brought it into the city, they mixed it with regular cargo over several months. And as you mentioned, they used spatial pouches to transport it into the Silver District.”
“Hmm… over several months…”
“They were careful not to arouse suspicion. No transcendent above the fourth tier was involved, and they only used spatial pouches crafted within the labyrinth city’s magic towers.”
Dalen rubbed his temples at the messenger’s explanation. The method was eerily similar to the terrorist attack he had orchestrated from behind the scenes.
And the mastermind behind that attack, the dark god whom Dalen’s character served, was none other than Enaxagus.
The culprit behind this attack was undoubtedly the same entity, manipulating the empire under the guise of the Pantheon.
“The Golden Palace shares your view, Dalen. This isn’t merely a diplomatic issue. It’s the work of a dark god.”
The messenger seemed to agree.
He, too, was one of the transcendent beings of the Golden Palace, having lived for centuries and witnessed the true nature of dark gods.
“However, the Seer has assured us not to worry. The barrier tower is merely the entrance to the labyrinth. The labyrinth city itself is designed to function as a barrier, so monsters can’t ascend.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
”…Then what is?”
“The fact that the entrance to the labyrinth is blocked is the problem.”
Tap. Tap.
The tapping of fingers on the table ceased. Dalen let out a deep sigh and rose from his seat.
“I apologize for the sudden decision, but we need to move immediately. I’ll explain the details on the way.”
“What?”
“Right now?”
Dalen nodded. After quickly checking his gear, he continued.
“Right this moment. Our destination is the headquarters of the Holy Knights.”
“The Holy Knights…?”
“Enaxagus, that bastard, seems intent on preventing us from obtaining the Stone of Wishes.”