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The mana core of the magic tower remembers the mage authorized to control it. The Ten Magical Commandments can access information about the magic cores within their lineage.
This combination of facts means that mages who occupy a magic tower without authorization can be discovered at any time. The punishment for unauthorized occupation varies depending on the duration and reason, with the maximum penalty being an extermination order.
Unauthorized occupation is defined as failing to register the change of the tower master within one month after the replacement.
Registering the tower master in the legitimate magic tower does not impose any tax obligations to higher towers. Therefore, most newly emerging tower masters choose to register within the period rather than pay a fine.
"In other words, if Hydra Corporation occupies all the magic towers in Etna City, the legitimate magic tower will inevitably become aware of it."
In the original story, White No Name thoroughly hid her purpose but didn't bother to conceal the existence of Hydra Corporation.
Her downfall was somewhat anticipated from the moment she neglected the management of her subordinates.
I hope that neither the legitimate magic towers nor the protagonist Simon will ever discover Carisia's true intentions.
"So, we won't merge your tower or Kaicle's tower. At least on the surface."
Geryon let out a hollow laugh, sensing the irony of being a pawn with his future mortgaged.
"A figurehead, huh. Generous, considering they're sparing my life."
Generous indeed. After all, his fate should have been sealed the moment he opposed Carisia.
I quickly glanced at Carisia to see her reaction without her noticing. She didn't look dissatisfied.
"The three towers will appear to be in a state of tension, seemingly at war… Oh, excuse me. That doesn't sound right. They will enter a competitive system."
A fake war with Geryon as a front. This was my conjecture about why Carisia captured him.
"If we suddenly recruit mercenaries or construct new facilities, no one will find it suspicious. Using that situation, we will reorganize the organization and eventually, Etna City itself."
***
"In a more efficient and healthy direction."
Orthes's plan sounded revolutionary at best and delusional at worst.
Creating the Eleventh Commandment.
The biggest problem was that no one knew if the artificial commandment created by Kaicle even existed.
Geryon voiced the board members' doubts.
"As a captive, asking for more than survival might be a luxury. But I have to ask. How will you find the artificial commandment? Or even Kaicle?"
"Hmm? I told you. Inside Etna Mountain."
"Are you suggesting sending a search droid into the boiling lava? Or hiring water or ice mages to cool the lava as we advance?"
"That's─"
Orthes's words, which had been flowing smoothly, suddenly stopped. His usual smile also faded, replaced by an almost expressionless face. This was a side of him that the always relaxed Orthes rarely showed.
Those who had been watching Orthes closely noticed that his gaze briefly turned to Carisia.
Soon, Orthes smiled faintly again and said,
"It's a secret."
It was obvious. There was only one person in this world who could trouble him.
"It's not that I don't trust you all, so please be reassured."
Orthes's next words must have exceeded the level Carisia allowed. Just how was she planning to draw out Kaicle, and why was even the board kept in the dark?
And what was the relationship between Orthes, the only one privy to the plan, and Carisia?
Their relationship was clear, but how they met and built such trust remained a mystery.
***
Damn it.
I hadn't thought about how to meet him.
I hastily checked Carisia's expression again. She still wore a faint smile. She was quite pleased.
In other words, she hadn't noticed any inconsistency or flaw in my rambling. I'd have to wing it with the rest later.
***
The meeting ended.
The details of how to create a state of tension and reorganize the organization would be discussed after securing Kaicle.
So, the final question of the meeting was, "What if we can't find Kaicle?"
Carisia answered without hesitation, "Our tasks don't change."
Whether this meant they would prepare to take the throne using Etna City as a base even if Orthes's plan failed, or if it was born from Orthes's absolute confidence in success, no one on the board knew.
The meeting, which had started with Carisia's sudden call, ended with her order to adjourn.
Orthes and Carisia were the last to remain in the conference room.
Arabella glanced back as she left the room.
Behind Carisia, Orthes stood with his hands behind his back, smiling softly.
"Always with that expression, I can't guess what he's thinking…"
Orthes was.
"Thinking about getting off work."
He was contemplating every office worker's dream.
***
"Old man."
Geryon's custody was decided to be managed by Bertrand's Miner Guild for the time being. They knew each other, making him easier to control.
"Does your boss think we'll team up and betray her?"
Bertrand shook his head.
"She must think we pose no threat. You, having fought her directly, should know better."
It was humiliating, but Geryon nodded calmly. He had faced her after consuming an absurd amount of magical energy in a surprise attack.
Yet, he was captured without landing a single effective blow.
He had tried to preemptively eliminate a potential competitor, only to nearly be eliminated himself.
"How does she fight?"
"Never fought her? Rumor has it she's quite intense. A tyrant who annihilated the Lernian Mage Tower alone and crushed the dark faction idiots who challenged her."
"The Miner Guild doesn't get involved in such fights. Our bodies are our assets. We have some strong folks and a few mages who handle mana stones, but that's it."
The Miner Guild was difficult to mess with but equally unable to expand. Their strategy was survival, not dominance.
"Ah, so you just lie low when others do?"
"That's survival. We just want to keep digging and living as we always have. Now answer me. How does she fight?"
"A crazed boar?"
It was impulsive, but Geryon felt it accurately described Carisia's combat style.
"Actually, it wasn't light magic that tore my arm off. She snapped it, one joint at a time, with brute strength. Then she evaporated the thrown arm with a beam."
"Memorable weaponry?"
"Does she use anything besides her gauntlets?"
"I see."
Watching Bertrand nod, Geryon wondered why this old man, uninterested in fighting, asked such trivial things. Then he remembered Bertrand's race.
"Cunning old man. You're planning to bribe her?"
Dwarves were renowned artifact makers. Bertrand was clearly trying to win favor with the city's new ruler using his skills.
"It's survival strategy."
Even though his intentions were seen through, Bertrand responded nonchalantly. Offering suitable gifts to the powerful for survival was an old man's wisdom.
"Now, let me ask you something. Who is that Orthes guy?"
The Hydra's eight directors, known for their fiery tempers in the city, and Orthes, who clearly acted like their superior.
"He didn't seem like just a scholar with the boss's backing."
Especially noteworthy was Cretone's stance. With his six arms, three of which, even in a pinch, could kill, Cretone was a significant fighter. His temperament was foul.
While bowing to Carisia was expected, doing the same to Orthes?
Bertrand pondered. Describing Orthes in a few words was tough, given his numerous deeds and scant known details.
"First, a correction. Carisia wasn't alone when she wiped out the Lernian Magic Tower."
"So he was with her."
"Yes. In every battle over the dark faction's territory, he was always by Carisia's side. Stronger than anyone under Carisia and more trusted. Isn't he effectively Hydra Corporation's second-in-command?"
***
"Now, will you explain?"
As soon as the board members left, Carisia spun her chair and looked at me.
"Why did you tell them such a plausible lie instead of our true objective?"
Boss, destroying the Ten Commandments is your goal, not 'ours'.
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