Chapter 98 – An Unexpected Visitor (3)
The Panoptes agents would likely conduct a formal investigation and leave without causing too much trouble.
The comprehensive inspection of the magic towers that the Ten Towers had declared wouldn’t be accomplished in a day or two. There was no need or reason to waste resources and manpower conducting detailed investigations on towers that were already bowing their heads, like now, in the early stages.
Their main concern was the traitors allied with Argyrion, not the majority of ordinary magic towers.
Still, there was always that slim possibility.
“After all, the Artificial Commandments are buried deep under Mount Etna.”
Even if the Panoptes investigation team decided, “Since we’re here, let’s take a look at Geryon’s and Kaicle’s magic towers,” there would be nothing to find.
Carisia also knew the circumstances well, so this phone call was nothing more than a formality. I ended the conversation and turned to Lampades.
“I’m not exactly the sociable type myself.”
He sure knows how to joke. Even back when I was still actively working, I had never seen a troubleshooter who was better at tracking down people than him.
“Haha, you’re too kind. I’ve never seen a troubleshooter as widely connected as you.”
There’s something called **bioelectricity**—the electrical signals generated by biological activity, like the neurons that fire when humans think.
Lampades was exceptionally skilled at detecting such bioelectricity. Whether it was due to the unique magic of each person or their bioelectric signature, he claimed that with his magic, he could feel the “individuality” of each person, even at a distance.
Seeing someone with such talents being so humble makes me think I’ve underestimated him.
Right now, I don’t exactly have the authority to personally divert the company’s funds… Actually, why would this be considered personal?
Finding Kynemon is clearly part of company business. I have no qualms about spending the budget.
“By the way, do you need any other relics besides the Thunder Jewel?”
“No! No, I swear, I don’t need any other relics. It’s just that, as the head of the tower, I have some other matters to deal with, so it might take a little time.”
Lampades waved his hands frantically. Ah, so time is the issue.
I quickly calculated the schedule in my head. Thanks to the recent relic heist, the development of the Artificial Commandments had progressed significantly.
…And at the same time, it raised some critical questions.
What exactly had the ancient Divine Cult done? The reason I was trying to find Kynemon was to answer that question.
Adjusting Lampades’ extra-dimensional radar would make the investigation for relics much easier. However, finding the ancient relics of the Divine Cult, especially those imbued with the souls of priests, was a different challenge.
Pluto’s Grand Temple was the last stronghold of the cult. After thoroughly searching it, we had only found six relics.
Including the relic of Phoibos that I had already acquired, there were seven known relics of the ancient Divine Cult. The other five likely vanished during the war between the Divine Cult and the Mage King.
More specifically, they probably became spoils of war for the magic towers.
This was where Kynemon came in.
He knew all sorts of secrets about the magic towers. Back when I was active as a troubleshooter, I had no interest in such matters, so I didn’t pay much attention…
But now, as the Ten Towers push for a full investigation of relic ownership, Kynemon might be sitting on a list that could expose the weaknesses of the towers.
I should have listened more carefully when he suggested we join forces and overthrow the corrupt magic tower system. Back then, I had no interest in reforming the mage society, so I just brushed him off.
While I was lost in thought, Lampades suddenly asked,
***
“May I contact my people at the magic tower? I’m worried that this is my first time at another tower and I might be causing some trouble.”
Lampades rarely spoke so directly, but there was an underlying message in his words.
On the surface, he was asking for protection from the inspectors for his tower, given that he had mentioned his people.
But beneath that was the message conveyed by the phrase “causing trouble.” It emphasized his willingness to resort to force if things didn’t go as planned.
This was non-negotiable.
Orthes nodded calmly.
“Of course. Oh, Astraphe is probably chatting with young Kine about things typical of girls their age, so she might not pick up the phone.”
Kine was also a mage raised by Orthes. The fact that he had placed Astraphe with Kine could be interpreted in two ways.
“Don’t worry, my trusted associate is with Astraphe,” or “Astraphe’s life depends on your cooperation.”
“Both interpretations are probably true in this case.”
If Lampades faithfully fulfilled Orthes’ “request,” Kine would serve as Astraphe’s protector. But if Lampades deviated from Orthes’ expectations, Kine could easily become the knife that strikes Astraphe down.
Either way, it meant Orthes had no immediate intention of harming Lampades’ people. With a weak nod, Lampades asked,
“How much time do I have?”
“Oh, there’s no rush. I just hope you’ll find the time to look into it while you’re here.”
“‘Find the time,’ huh. So, he wants me to find Kynemon within my stay at the Hydra Corporation.”
Lampades’ stay at the Hydra Corporation was scheduled for about ten days. A rather tight deadline.
To find Kynemon and bring him back within that time frame, Lampades would inevitably have to act. And during his absence, the only person who could protect his tower’s people was Orthes.
Given that Orthes had pledged protection, he would surely keep his promise. But finding someone who had slipped out of Orthes’ sight within ten days was undoubtedly a difficult task.
“So, why are you looking for Kynemon?”
Lampades asked with genuine curiosity. Orthes had never pressured him with such a direct request before, even though he had promised to visit him someday.
‘That’s why I went to the evaluation committee, thinking Orthes might be dead…’
A bitter feeling rose within him, as if he were a fish caught in a net. But aside from the sting of that realization, a reasonable question came to mind.
If Orthes were a fisherman, he would be a very patient one. He would wait for years without a hint of impatience to catch one fish.
Orthes had never once shown himself while Lampades was building up his tower, only to appear now, when Lampades least expected it.
For Orthes to suddenly make such an unusual request—to find Kynemon—what had Kynemon done in the past to warrant this?
‘Or should I be thinking differently?’
Maybe Kynemon possessed something that Orthes coveted…
Orthes, seemingly deep in thought, nodded. Perhaps he thought it was appropriate to share this mission with Lampades, who would be carrying it out.
‘Though he won’t reveal all the details, of course. That’s how he always operates—leaving things intentionally vague.’
“I need something from Kynemon,” Orthes finally said. “Just tell him that I’ve prepared a suitable reward. And that I regret what happened before.”
“What happened before?”
Orthes had always thrown himself into the most dangerous missions on the frontlines of the extra-dimension. He would take on high-risk assignments and return as if it were routine, only to accept another just as perilous.
Many troubleshooters who took on similar high-risk missions died, leading to rumors that Orthes was secretly behind their deaths. But…
Orthes had completed those high-risk missions even when he had no fellow troubleshooters with him. That reckless, extra-dimensional madness was why people openly called him a doomsayer.
If Orthes and Kynemon had worked together, it must have involved an exploration of a contaminated extra-dimensional zone. Had Orthes made a mistake during one of those missions?
Orthes? Making a mistake?
Seeing the doubt on Lampades’ face, Orthes gave a sheepish smile.
“Haha. When we were exploring a contaminated extra-dimensional ruin, I came across a relic and decided to test it. But it turned out to be consumable. I gave what was left to Kynemon, but I suppose he didn’t feel it was a fair division. He’s been avoiding me since.”
It’s a plausible reason, but…
‘Isn’t that a bit too trivial for doomsayers to fall out over?’
“Oh dear, I’ve kept you too long. I’ll leave you to contact your people.”
“…Right.”
Orthes got up and left the room.
‘He knows as well as I do that contacting my people is just an excuse. What should I demand to throw the inspectors off…’
Lampades fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, Orthes took another call from his boss.
“Yes, have the inspectors left? Already?”