THE TOWER

A makeshift encampment at the edge of the forest was doused in silence. In front of dozen or so tents stood roughly twenty people all warily looking at the front, where a beautiful, young woman was standing next to a horse-like beast. Her eyes were cold as she scrutinized every single one of them, and they felt storm of blades pierce through their hearts whenever they met her eyes.

At the front of the group from the camp stood Yunchi and Teros, frowning while their hands were curled up in fists. If Leno didn’t return, Yunchi thought. It means she killed him… but how?! Both should be just Creators!

“Your welcoming party,” the woman said, her lips curling up in a slight smile. “Wasn’t very welcome, you know?”

“… what happened to Leno?” Yunchi asked, gritting her teeth. Her usual, beautiful appearance distorted slightly as she looked at the woman in front of her.

“He disrespected the Queen,” the woman said casually. “So, naturally, he got his comeuppance. Oh, in case you don’t understand, I killed him.”

“… do you truly wish to start a war with us, Queen?!” she had returned from the Clan just yesterday, and was clearly already in a bad mood.

“War? With you lot?” the woman scoffed. “Why bother? You guys are already at war with practically everyone else.”

“We always have been,” Yunchi sneered. “And look at us. We still prevail, while countless others fell.”

“Oh? Is that so?” the woman laughed softly as she spoke. “Aah, naive child. You think your Clan fought with everyone and won? You’re just a measly Clan in one of the Divine Realms, having only a single Divine Magus. Do you not even understand why you’re left alone to play your little game of tyranny? Ha ha, you truly are cute. Instead of having asked your daddy for more men, you should have asked him why that Dragon didn’t just burn your asses to a crisp.”

“How did you--”

“Enough, Yunchi!” a powerful voice suddenly blasted down an aura that made everyone besides the woman nearly suffocate. A mere moment later, space next to Yunchi tore open, through which a middle-aged man, adorned in silver battle armor walked through. On his side a golden scabbard hung, while his long, black hair was tied to a ponytail. His face already showed signs of age, and even his bushy beard slowly gained silver hue.

“Ho ho, speak of the daddy.” the woman sneered casually.

“Y’se, what are you doing?” the man asked, furrowing his brows. “You have no reason to be here.”

“When you’re sending a heap of nobodies down to my realm and my domain, you either inform me Sylac, or I’ll kill them.” the woman’s playful tone disappeared and was instead replaced by an angry one.

“That was my mistake,” the man said in a flat tone. “So you come to me.”

“Like I have time to travel to your shitty home. Leave this realm Sylac,” Y’se suddenly threatened as she raised her brows. “This isn’t a place where you can run rampart.”

“… is that a threat?”

“Did I sound like I was giving out candy to fucking children? Of course it’s a threat, you senile old fart! Do you want me to make it clearer? Fine! If you don’t leave my domain within a day, I’ll eradicate your entire fucking Clan from grounds up. How’s that? Clear enough for you?!”

“…”

“Grandfather, are you going to let her talk to us like that?!” Yunchi suddenly cried out. “Just kill her! Who will even care?!”

“Shut up!” the man suddenly slapped her as he shouted, causing her to spit out a mouthful of blood. Shocked, she remained on the ground, shaking. “If you break the Pact, you won’t just be waging war with us, Y’se. We are not alone.”

“Oh? Who else, huh? Even if you group up all the Clans within Seven Divine Realms, do you really think you can win the war Sylac?” Y’se spoke calmly, almost mockingly, as she stared down the middle-aged man. “We have already tolerated your hunts long enough. The only reason your Clan’s even standing today is because we don’t have time or desire to deal with you cockroaches. However, if you push us, we’ll be happy to fill up a river or two with the corpses of your children.”

“Oh, you will?” another voice suddenly joined in, finally causing Y’se’s expression to stiffen slightly, whereupon Yunchi and Sylac relaxed. An older man, wearing plain, brown robes suddenly appeared next to Sylac. He had calm and indifferent expression, and every single move of his body caused the space around him to distort.

“The granddaddy finally decided to show up, huh?” Y’se said, smiling. “What a rare occasion.”

“Children needn’t hear us,” the man waved his hand lightly, whereupon everyone except him and the woman suddenly collapsed onto the ground, fast asleep. “Now, we can be honest. First, congratulations on becoming a Divine Magus, young Queen. I believe even the Ancients would envy you on your speed.”

“I can’t speak for them, but you seem to fit the bill just as well.”

“You jest, my Queen,” the old man smiled lightly, waving his hand. “It gives me pleasure to see the birth of another Divine Magus in my lifetime.”

“Why did you send them here?” Y’se asked, skipping more pleasantries.

“… hmm, why indeed?” the old man smiled, showing his slightly yellow teeth. “Every action has a cause and effect, young Queen. But, above all, there’s a reason for it.”

“Oh, good. Old farts speaking in riddles. When have I heard this before? Oh, every damn fucking day.”

“With long years of life, you learn patience,” the old man said. “As for why I’ve sent them here… the reason is simple, of course: to kill the Dragon.”

“And you thought I’d just allow that to happen?”

“Far from it,” the old man shook his head. “It’d be stranger if you just turned a blind eye. But, you must understand young Queen, their number needs to be reduced. If the war was to spark out, who can say which side they’d fight for?”

“There are no sides, senile fuck,” Y’se retorted. “I don’t know under which banner you’re serving, but whoever is telling you to fabricate these sides and plant seeds for the ‘war’ won’t last forever. First Clans have already began moving, as did hidden sects. All of this stinks of your old hands. What are you planing, old fuck?”

“Ho ho, you’re giving me far too much credit, young Queen,” the old man said, still smiling. “If I had that sort of power to move strong factions, I’d long since have made my Clan the absolute ruler of realms. You’re looking in the wrong corner if you’re seeking answers.”

“Aah,” Y’se suddenly sighed, shaking her head. “Your plans are well oiled. I’m actually quite jealous. Long years indeed inspire patience. I wonder how many generations you had to spend brainwashing realms about Time and Creation? Hyordians, Hans, Reicorns, Loylers… just how many Clans helped you?”

“Oh?” for the first time the old man had surprised expression on his wrinkled face. “You’re well-read, young Queen. Alas, I can’t take credit you give me. I’m merely a few million years old.”

“Ha ha, whatever, keep playing your games. Go on, try killing her,” Y’se suddenly turned around as she jumped onto the horse-like beast. “I recommend you do it hastily. Otherwise… I’m not too sure if you’ll be able to handle the death that’s coming southward.”

“…” the old man knit his brows slightly. Suddenly, just as Y’se began moving, a shadow emerged from her side in the form of a bird and closed in onto her right ear.

“Eh?!” her shocked expression surprised the old man. What did she learn? “Right now? How could it be?!! Damn, Enwa, ride! Ride as if someone’s burning your asshole dry!!” Master…at least try and act like a proper Queen once in your life… the beast cried lightly as it shook its head. “So long, old man!” Y’se waved as she sped off. “I sincerely hope you die!”

“…” Likewise you demented whore…

* * *

Lynne, Thalia, Gru and the monkey were standing atop the hill. Their jaws hung on the floor, eyes as round and wide as eggs, unable to wipe shock off from their faces. Before them stood a gigantic tower. Rather, to call it gigantic is probably understatement of the year. At the bottom, the tower was as thick as a small village, and it rose into the sky cylindrically far beyond the point the eye could see.

“… what the shitting fuck?” Lynne muttered lowly as he blinked a few times, even pinching his cheeks just to confirm he wasn’t dreaming. “This… this is the Tower?!”

“… maybe we should turn back?” Thalia proposed. “Making that fort the center of the Kingdom sounds quite okay to me.”

“Boss, look!” Gru pointed at the bottom of the tower.

“What?” Lynne asked.

“With those two hills at the sides of the Tower, doesn’t it kind of look like a dick?!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“What? Am I wrong?” Gru asked, slightly confused. “But, to be fair, who’d wanna be fucked by this thing?”

“From the glares they’re giving you,” the monkey said casually. “You may become the first one.”

“… I’ll just shut up.” Gru said.

“Good,” Lynne grunted. “So… where’s the entrance?”

“Y-you’re really going through with this?” the monkey exclaimed. “I can’t sense jack shit from within it! That means that the walls are either made out of Divine Stone—they’re totally made from Divine Stone, aren’t they?”

“Who cares? Maybe this whole epoch about the Tower is just a big misunderstanding,” Lynne said, smiling nervously. “Maybe it’s even been abandoned all these years.”

“Welcome, travelers.” just as Lynne finished speaking, an old, dried up man appeared before them, his eyes half-closed.

“A CORPSE!!! RUN THE FUCK AWAY!!” Lynne exclaimed as he turned around and began running, only to be pulled back by Thalia.

“What corpse? He’s clearly alive. Don’t be an asshole.” Holy shit, he totally looks like a corpse! What she said and what she thought were two very different things.

“Khm,” the old man coughed slightly as his cheeks reddened. Did he just blush?! Oh my god the corpse just blushed!! “Again, welcome travelers. I am a Gatherer. I’ve been expecting you.”

“You have?” Gru was the least nervous of all.

“Well, even if I wasn’t Gatherer of Knowledge,” the old man said. “With the ruckus you’ve caused on your way here, the word would come.”

“Ruckus? Oh, what ever do you mean?” the group suddenly turned away and began whistling nervously.

“Aah, let’s see,” a scroll suddenly appeared before the old man as he began reading. “Beasts killed exceed---”

“It’s fine, it’s fine, we’re well aware of it!” Thalia interrupted, blushing. “Wait, did you say you’re a Gatherer of Knowledge?!”

“Indeed.”

“So… the Tower… isn’t… empty?”

“Ah, far from it,” the old man said. “It’s filled to brim. We’re actually thinking of expanding.”

“Just how many corpses did you stuff inside that gigantic thing?!!” Lynne exclaimed.

“Khm, books. It’s filled with… khm… books.”

“Oh. Great, now I come out as a judgmental asshole.” Lynne grumbled.

“That’s exactly who you are.” the monkey confirmed.

“Indeed.” Thalia added.

“Don’t worry Boss, I support you regardless of shortcomings of your character!”

“… ah, low and behold, my loving friends.” Lynne shook his head as he turned back to the old man. “Old man, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Although I’m not authorized to allow you to build the Kingdom around the Tower,” the old man interrupted and said. “I’m fairly certain that the Ruler of Tower will allow you to do that and much more.”

“Eh? Wasn’t that a bit too easy?” Lynne mumbled. “What’s the catch?”

“Uh… khm… there’s no catch,” the old man turned around, coughing nervously. “F-follow me inside the Tower. There’s absolutely, khm, no catch. That’s right. Our Ruler has kind and loving and completely not dependent personality.”

“…” We’re fucked!! They thought collectively as they followed the old man to the Tower, still washed with awe of its sheer size and scope.