When the city folk began to lose their mind and attacked Viers, the blind old lady stood up in surprise.

The next second, she was in the air, flying like a meteor and opening a hole in the Governor-King’s palace.

Alvared had anticipated it. He sat on his throne with a bored expression on his face.

“Have you gone mad? Selling your territory to outsiders and allowed them to commit genocide!”

“This place is mine to do whatever I please. You have no right to order me anything.”

“I will not sit idly as this atrocity unfolds!”

Alvared’s eyes narrowed as the blind old lady raised her Victa threateningly.

“You have improved… But it’s useless. You cannot stop our ambition.”

“...Ah!?”

Less than ten people in the Valkut region had the ability to feel the mighty presence that exerted his strength inside the palace. It was like a shiver to the core of their soul.

In the throne room, there was now a quartz statue.

“You will not kill her, marquess?” Alvared said unfeelingly.

“Killing her would alert the meddlesome bunch behind her back and use too much energy. I’ll need all my strength for the crossing.”

The mysterious marquess’ deep voice echoed through the royal hall. The broken wall had been repaired without a single stone out of place. A simple feat for the Governor-King.

The Governor scoffed while looking at the quartz statue. The floor showed the scene of Viers and the Church.

“Stay silent and watch… Just like you did, two hundred years ago.”

Alvared let things unfold naturally. The Governor-King stayed unmoving on his throne even as the scene showed the Road of Silver activated and Mita’s sacrifice.

Mita kept battling the Valkut forces after her allies’ escape. Against overwhelming odds, Mita still managed to inflict injury on Unem and Jerrold before being defeated.

Silver Legion’s last stand is always something.

“The opening act is done. Time for the next phase of our plan,” the marquess’ words reverberated as the sound wave bounced on the walls.

“Indeed. A fitting invitation must be made,” Alvared flicked his hand and a magical pattern floated in the air. After doing his thing for a while, he glanced at the unmoving quartz statue.

“You stood and watched as the Empire crumbled from inside and outside, sister. Now you’ll do the same as the Coriz Empire reemerges from the ashes.”

***

As Mita feared, someone above Level 5 had a hand in creating the Valkut barrier. Even with the Road of Silver, we can't escape the barrier.

Viers and the others were on a craggy hill far from civilization. Even though they were stuck inside Valkut’s barrier, Jerrold had lost their tracks. As long as they stayed low, hiding from the Valkut forces was very much possible in an area as big as Belgium.

Viers sat leaning on a tree, resting. One leg extended straight and one tucked to the chest. Nearby, things developed as he expected.

“Let me go! I have to go back! Back to Master Mita!”

Rose was consumed by her emotion and shock while the others tried to calm her down. Damon and the others suffered minor to medium wounds but not so bad to the point of collapse.

It went on until Ciel slapped Rose on the cheek to return her to her senses.

“Do you want to make Mita sacrifice her life for nothing!?” Ciel said.

Reason returned to Rose as her cheek throbbed and she broke into tears.

So cliché, Viers kept his thoughts to himself. He wasn’t injured but quite tired. Paina and Farley were similarly resting inside him. Dia was perched on the top of his head.

Aaah, good ol’ mentor hazard. Obi-Wan, Dumbledore, Rengoku, Jiraiya, Ouki… Mentor figures die for the sake of the still immature ward… Gosh, who knew teaching is actually a job with a high mortality rate? By the way, I’m Boram’s master… Do I have to be worried?

“All right. I know we’re pretty banged up after the five-minute fight but we have to move and find some cover. It’s too open here,” Damon said.

“Yes. If I’m not wrong, the Road of Silver dropped us in a Red Zone. We have to-”

Rachel’s words were interrupted by the very earth itself.

“Earthquake!?” June gasped. It was pretty intense.

“Everyone, look!” Bryan pointed to the horizon.

Holy… One thing after another.

Even Viers was at a loss for words. An absolutely gargantuan tower was rising up from the ground and pierced the sky. It was like a tower made from houses and buildings jumbled together without a care, sticking on each other as if a giant glued them together.

“Is that… Valkut city?” Wendy saw some familiar landmarks.

“I think it is… The tower is the Underbelly. Nobody knows if Valkut existed first or the Underbelly,” Viers shared the knowledge of a local.

They said the Underbelly was a place where the Governor-King had no influence. Whoever thought that were fools.

Viers almost believed it. Almost.

A flock of birds flew in every direction, away from the tower that was still rising ever higher, their animal instinct telling them to stay away from danger; some went past Viers and company.

“W-what happened to everyone in the city?” Rose grimly reminded. Damon and the others had no answer for her.

“Greetings, rogues of the Estellian Church and their allies.”

“Ah!”

“Jerrold Wright!”

A massive hologram projection of the goatee villain superseded the skyscraper tower.

“I know you’re listening somewhere so I’ll get to the point. You all have made a mess of our intricate plan. Therefore, the esteemed Governor-King has created a special venue to show his appreciation. This is Valkut city’s true form, an ancient Magitek Wonder!”

“What's a magh tek he is blabbering about?” Max asked. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“A relic from ages past, very few remain. Each is different but you can think of them as great fortresses capable of turning the tide of war. Even among the recorded Wonders, this one’s size is mind-boggling,” Wendy, the history girl, shared her understanding.

…In other words, this world’s version of Gu House? Viers connected the similarities immediately. More importantly, is that created using magic or technology!? If an advanced scientific civilization existed in the past…

As the youths were being swallowed by the tower’s shadow, Jerrold continued his message.

“This is a trap, plain and simple. I can't have you guys cause havoc in the city for a year before running back to the Church. Refusal is not an option for you people, not when the lives of innocent citizens depend on it. To make things easy for you, there’s one more incentive.”

The projection changed, it showed the unconscious Mita. her body was in a wretched state after the battle.

“Master!” Rose cried sharply.

“We’ll hereby turn the good Vestal into our ally. The brainwash will finish in three days. Feel free to come and rescue her before that time.”

“Damn it!” Rachel grimaced.

“Bastard!” Bryan cursed.

“Lastly, to a certain young man who is both the savior and murderer of my daughters, the truth awaits you in the tower. I’ll be waiting.”

The projection ended, what was left was the ashen taste in their mouth and the weight in their heart.

“We should-”

“Sleep.”

Damon interrupted Rose’s sentence.

“But-”

“We will rest and think about it with a cool head. We will not do anything impulsive and stupid, not with this many lives at stake. Vestal Mita taught you that much, didn't she?”

Damon glared at Rose.

“...Yes.”

“Then I trust you’ll not do anything idiotic such as sneaking and going on your own. If we are going to pull off a miracle, we need to stick together. Am I clear?”

“...Yes, sir. Forgive me.”

Rose dropped her head but Damon patted her shoulder.

“We are their hope. If we lose too, who will they rely on next? Don't worry, there’s no one among us who will abandon them.”

Rose raised her head and the determined gaze of her friend was waiting.

“Everyone…” Rose felt the warmth of their support.

But there was a single exception, Viers was giving Rose his back.

“...Except one, maybe,” Damon corrected.

***

A few hours had passed since the revelation. The tower’s menacing form and the thundercloud that perpetually surrounded its upper region were the perfect depiction of a villain's stronghold.

Viers sighed while seeing the tower’s silhouette that blocked the sunrise.

Level 4s and Level 5s, ancient weapons, mysterious shadows of an even stronger being that created the barrier… I’m so~ under-leveled for this shit. I should have grind levels for at least a decade before attempting this quest. What a miscalculation on my part. Paina’s backstory is actually this significant, who knew? There has been no indication that Paina was an extraordinary person with great destiny. Heh… Life is truly unpredictable.

The rest of the gang was doing their thing. Damon and Wendy were strategizing. June was tending Rachel's wounds. Conn was praying. Ciel and Rose were making some food.

The most interesting was the talk between Bryan and Max, that Viers eavesdropped.

“That dream again?” Bryan whispered.

“Haah… haaa… yeah,” Max’s breath was racing right after waking up from his nap. “A dream… of black fire.”

“The inheritance is calling you. Not heeding its call would make it worse,” Bryan said.

“...I can't leave. You need all the help you can get. The timing couldn't be worse,” Max shook his head.

“On the contrary. I think this is the perfect time. You should go, Max. Find the Ebony Fire then, after your strength increases, you can swoop in and save our asses,” Bryan joked with a smile. “It’s fine. We’ll hold the fort in the meantime.”

“Bryan…” Viers couldn't see Max’s face but he could picture what kind of face he was making. “You’re a good friend.”

“That’s what friends are for. I’ll talk to Damon and the others.”

“Viers… Can we talk?”

The soft voice of Rose made Viers cease his invasion of privacy which he cared very little about.

“Evening Rose, care to join me in appreciating the Tower of Doom?” Viers said.

“You mean the Magitek Wonder?”

“I’ll call it as I see it, the Tower of Doom,” Viers turned around to talk face to face. She looked tired, with red eyes, but seemed to have found her resolve.

“We’ll infiltrate the tower,” she said.

“I’m not surprised. You guys are incapable of taking another path.”

“Please, help us.”

Rose said the words with the sincerity of clear mountain spring water.

A lesser man would have said yes then and there… Or a better man, Viers was not sure.

“Let me get this straight. You’re asking me to go to a dangerous place where we might lose our lives.”

“I'm glad,” Rose sighed.

“Hm?”

“You said ‘might’. That means there's still a chance in your mind.”

Heh, well spotted, Rose.

“To answer your rhetorical question, yes. Please help us save Master Mita and the people of Valkut.”

“And why the hell would I do that?” Viers said lightly. “No matter how you slice it, we don't stand a chance against Level 4s, let alone the Level 5s behind them. The tower is an execution ground they prepared for us. Walking into an enemy’s trap is the height of foolishness.”

“You’re right… Master Mita wouldn't wish for me to do this. The odds are very against us, but I’m not giving up yet. None of us are. With your help, our chance of success will change from one in ten million to one in a million.”

“...That doesn't inspire confidence,” Viers turned his head to a nearby tree. “How about you come out?”

Rose didn't understand until Ciel stepped out from the tree’s shadow.

“Ciel!? What are you doing there?” Rose was genuinely surprised.

“Sorry for sneaking. I’m just worried about you,” Ciel acted slightly embarrassed. “You talking to Viers confirms my fears.”

“Ciel, I don't understand.”

“You're about to make a bargain with the devil. No offense, Viers,” Ciel said.

“Some taken, I’m so much better than a devil,” Viers scoffed.

“...We need help,” Rose said weakly.

“That I agree, unfortunately,” Ciel sighed. “That’s why I'm not here to stop you, but I’ll stop any outrageous and unfair deals.”

“Well, no harm in listening I suppose. Go ahead, Blessed. Offer this devil a deal.”

“I can offer you wealth and status,” Rose began after a slight hesitation.

“Not interested,” Viers shot her down immediately.

“I can trade you Church’s treasure that gives you centuries worth of lifespan.”

“Nuh-uh, not hitting it for me,” Viers was still disinterested.

Rose frowned. “I can give you a permanent blessing that I can only perform once in my life to give you various benefits.”

“Angelic blessing? No way. I’m not gonna let you put a marker on me as long as I live.”

“This is different!” Rose exclaimed.

“Even so, nope.”

“...Would my soul be enough?” Rose said in a defeated tone.

“Rose, no!” Ciel interjected.

“Your soul? Why would I want that? What good would it do to me? And who knows what your sugar daddy angel would do if I had your soul? Naw, your soul doesn't interest me.”

“Th-then. My b-body?”

Viers’ expression became a stone statue and gave Rose a drilling gaze of tedium.

“F-f-forget I said anything. I wasn't thinking straight,” Rose regretted what she said and took it back.

“Rose…” Ciel sent her a pitying gaze. She was truly at her wit's end.

“It’s just… I don't have anything else…”

“Finally realized it, did you?” Viers said. “Rose, there’s nothing you have that is more important than my life. Nothing in this world is.”

Rose dejectedly lowered her head. She knew it was a long shot but hearing the rejection hurt all the same.