Jack hesitated, glancing at the few remaining Abyss operatives. Their interrogation was nearing its end. “So, you’re leaving today?” he asked Gaon.
“Yes. Is that a problem?” Gaon replied.
“No, it’s just… some of the guests, the mages, want to meet you.”
“For mentorship?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Tell them to come to Gardion Tower later. I plan to offer guidance periodically.”
“…!” Jack’s face lit up with surprise. Gaon, an 8th Circle Archmage, planning to mentor regularly? “You intend to reclaim the top spot.”
A 7th Circle mage’s teachings would draw crowds, but an 8th Circle mage like Gaon would attract a flood of mages to Gardion Tower.
Not just mages—nobles, kingdoms, and factions seeking alliances or favor would flock to the tower, exponentially boosting its influence.
Gardion would not only regain its past glory but reclaim its place as the greatest magic tower.
“Will it come to that?” Gaon asked.
“Of course! An 8th Circle’s teachings would tempt even rival tower masters. Fire Tower or Rud Tower’s leaders might sneak in disguised!”
Jack’s jest about Gardion’s rivals—Fire Tower and Rud Tower—drew a faint smile from Gaon.
It wasn’t the joke that amused him but the mention of “8th Circle.” Gaon hadn’t revealed his 9th Circle ascension to Jack, Rotes, or Taylor.
Concealing his true power was strategic—8th Circle authority was sufficient to command respect without exposing his full strength, especially with hidden enemies in the human and demonic realms.
Gaon extended his hand, and a stack of documents floated to him—records of the interrogation’s findings.
He handed them to Jack. “These will help with the cleanup. I’ve cross-checked them, but verify again.”
Gaon had no intention of personally purging Ramuran Kingdom’s Abyss infiltrators. With Belmar Duchy’s capable forces, it wasn’t necessary.
“Be cautious during the cleanup. Many wall-crossers may appear.”
“Yes, I’ll take care,” Jack replied, pocketing a small iron medallion engraved with the Belmar griffon.
“This will ensure no one hinders you in Ramuran. Though Gardion’s Elder Medallion should suffice…”
“Thanks,” Gaon said.
“No, thank you for accepting it!” Jack bowed deeply.
“No need for thanks. I need to finish the interrogations now.”
“I understand. Safe travels, Lord Gaon.” Jack bowed again and left.
Gaon turned to Elgrin, floating him forward.
He paused Bone-Crushing Agony and lifted the Silence spell.
Before Gaon could ask, Elgrin pleaded, “I swear, I don’t know anything!”
Gaon nodded, understanding.
A wind blade swiftly severed Elgrin’s neck.
Slash!
He moved to the next operative.
***
In Jack’s office at Belmar Duchy, he silently read Gaon’s documents.
The contents were shocking. Even the Romard Marquisate?
Ramuran Kingdom had three factions: Belmar Duchy’s faction, the Southern Nobles’ Alliance led by the Romard Marquisate, and the Loyalists following the king in the capital.
Belmar’s faction dwarfed the others combined, but the Southern Nobles and Loyalists weren’t negligible.
The documents revealed the Romard Marquisate’s deep ties to the Abyss, a devastating blow.
Jack frowned, murmuring to himself.
He had promised Gaon good results, but purging the Romard Marquisate and others listed would weaken Ramuran’s national strength.
Even with decent relations with neighboring kingdoms, conflicts like border skirmishes were common.
A weakened Ramuran would invite aggression.
How do I minimize the damage? Ignoring the Abyss was as dangerous as a weakened state.
Jack continued reading, searching for a solution.
“…!” His eyes widened at Gaon’s written message. Gaon urged him to purge without worry—neighboring kingdoms wouldn’t invade. I was overthinking it.
Gaon was heading to Gardion Tower, currently embroiled in internal strife.
Tower Master Sterun and Vice Tower Master Graxios vied for leadership, while Great Elder Balversa’s Elder Council and Sdrin’s faction added to the chaos.
But Gaon, the tower’s founder and humanity’s only 8th Circle mage, would swiftly resolve the conflicts. Even without claiming the Tower Master title, his influence was unmatched.
A stabilized Gardion, backed by Gaon, would deter invasions, securing Ramuran.
At that moment, Veslin spoke. “Lord Gaon has departed.”
“Understood,” Jack replied, focusing on the documents.
But Veslin’s next words made him pause.
“The former duke has awakened.”
“…!” Jack stood, shocked, and rushed to Marek’s bedroom.
He found Marek, pale and weakened. “Father! Are you alright?”
“Yes, I feel drained, but it’s far better than that damned situation,” Marek replied, gritting his teeth.
“What happened?” Marek asked.
Jack smiled wordlessly, then recounted everything—Abyss’s infiltration, Gaon’s intervention, and his identity.
“What? Lord Gaon?” Marek exclaimed, stunned.
“I confirmed it. It was truly him.”
Marek fell silent, processing. “Where is he now?”
“He’s left for Gardion.”
“Then it’ll be sorted in days,” Marek said confidently.
“…What?” Jack was puzzled. He expected Gardion’s stabilization but thought it would take time. Despite its faded glory, Gardion was among the top ten towers, with immense scale and tangled factions.
Marek knew this, yet predicted a swift resolution?
“Why the surprise?” Marek asked.
“Days, really?”
Marek chuckled. “You think that because little information about Gaon remains.”
“…?” Jack’s confusion deepened. Belmar’s archives held extensive records on Gaon, collected meticulously by Marek, from credible accounts to wild rumors.
“You mean those absurd rumors?”
Jack asked, recalling tales of Gaon toppling oppressive royal families, destroying a 7th Circle Archmage’s circle, or slaughtering defiant nobles—stories dismissed as exaggerated.
“Why are those absurd?” Marek countered.
“…Because…” Jack faltered.
Such actions would spark rebellion unless backed by overwhelming power.
Overwhelming power…
Gaon was an 8th Circle mage, founder of Gardion, and former Varta Emperor. Marek, seeing Jack’s realization, grinned.
“Rumors exist for a reason. Now, prepare. No, you focus on the cleanup—I’ll lead a caravan to Gardion myself!”