Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 66 A canvas where pure and passionate students painted their futures. That was the image of the Gray Magic Tower from long ago that the Gray Tower Master remembered. But today, the Gray Magic Tower reflected in the Gray Tower Lord’s eyes was starkly different. The pure and passionate scholars were gone. The Gray Magic Tower had become a den of schemers and traitors. The Gray Tower Lord gazed at their puppet with cold, detached eyes. "Was this your best?" The puppet answered with a dejected expression. "Yes. This was my best. I'm sorry for not meeting your expectations, Master." "I see. You've worked hard all this time." That was all the recognition given for the puppet's long service and contributions. The Gray Tower Lord reached out their hand toward the puppet. "..." The light faded from the puppet's eyes. The puppet that had managed the Gray Magic Tower in place of its absent master for so long returned to being mere inanimate matter. Then the Gray Tower Lord took in the sight of the tower with sorrowful eyes. That moment didn't last long. The Gray Tower Lord turned away from the tower without any lingering attachment. The Gray Magic Tower had lost its pride and lost its master. Now all that remained there were politicians and turncoats. [Region - Collapsed Gray Magic Tower] *** The Gray Tower Lord 'Wandering Star' is a legendary being. If one wishes to find eyewitness accounts of this being, they would need to seek out individuals with at least five years of Magic Tower experience. That's right. The master of this tower hadn't shown their face at the tower even once for a full five years. Even when they briefly visited the tower five years ago, they only made contact with certain individuals while concealing their identity. (E/N: no idea if male or female so 'they' all the way) Some say. -Even a merchant specializing in land and buildings would show more interest in distressed properties than this. Some ask. -Why do they keep someone like that as the Lord of a Magic Tower? Some answer. -Even considering all that, no mage greater than them has appeared yet. A Tower Master or Tower Lord is a symbol before being an owner of a tower. Their individual achievements sometimes surpass the achievements of the entire tower. The Gray Magic Tower's history isn't long. Compared to other towers founded by great noble houses with deep ties to magic and history, the word 'gray' seemed to fade even more. Nevertheless, they are treated as a proper Magic Tower. Because it is the place where Wandering Star established their foundation. Because it is where that being's achievements reside. The mages of the Gray Magic Tower speak with reverence. Thus, some marvel and accept the existence of a Tower Master cursed with wanderlust. ...And then ask. -So who actually runs the tower? -... Surprisingly, the Gray Magic Tower experienced no problems whatsoever in this regard. The Tower Master's absence was immediately filled by a certain individual's presence. The Gray Tower Lord was not an irresponsible person. They had responsibly(?) sought out someone to take responsibility in their place before abandoning the tower. Wherever the Tower Master's seal was needed, she was always there. With dark circles that had become part of her body, and a cynical smile steeped in fatigue and resignation. Demiya. She carelessly tied up her gray hair that had become dry as dust-soaked water while indulging in luxurious fantasies. Today for sure, she must bathe before collapsing unconscious. Unfortunately... Upon hearing that name mentioned right before her eyes, she quickly resigned herself. 'Risir...' It was a name like a nightmare to Demiya. The tower's mages unanimously praised his talent. They welcomed his affiliation with the tower with open arms. Demiya could not do the same. The command Demiya had received from the Tower Master was 'the survival and prosperity of the tower.' What was most needed for that was not securing talent, but securing finances. The financial securing plan that Demiya had been extensively carrying out behind the scenes for the past year. That had been ruined by Risir's appointment as Honorary Mage. *** There was a merchant house called Merichi. Having accumulated enormous wealth through commerce in the Southern Region and emerged as new power holders, they were troubled by their lack of legitimacy and honor. They had accumulated some money. Now they wanted to mingle with the high and mighty and gild their name, but those high and mighty people dismissed them as nouveau riche and refused to acknowledge them. The nobles' aggressive attitude shifts—fawning with "Ah, as expected of Lord Dolea" when receiving money, then immediately turning to "Well, that's just how Dolea is" behind their backs—made even cunning merchants tremble with rage. Merichi devised a solution to this problem and took interest in the Gray Magic Tower. They sought to secure legitimacy by making the family's eldest son an Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower. Thus, Merichi had launched an aggressive sponsorship campaign on the Gray Magic Tower for the past year, and had begun the stage of solidifying their promise with the tower while heralding an upcoming "the boss has gone crazy" spending spree. Regarding that matter, Demiya was so excited she could barely sleep at night. If only this matter could be resolved, the tower's finances would have ample room, and she might be able to enjoy that legendary thing called vacation that existed only in stories. (E/N: Va...cation? I have no idea what this word means but this is what the translation is saying.) 'Will I finally get to visit a place called a cafe... eat delicious food... buy new clothes... look into cosmetics... sleep all day in bed, hehehe...' Demiya couldn't believe it. Could she really indulge in such luxury? -No, you can't. That was heaven's answer. Just then, a wandering mage named Risir appeared and became the tower's idol-like figure. The Master Council unanimously proposed Risir's appointment as Honorary Mage. Demiya refused. The Master Council unanimously proposed Risir's appointment as Honorary Mage. Demiya refused. The Master Council unanimously proposed Risir's appointment as Honorary Mage. The Master Council unanimously proposed Risir's appointment as Honorary Mage. THE MASTER COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PROPOSED RISIR'S APPOINTMENT AS HONORARY MAGE--- Demiya fainted. Thus, the position of Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower went to the wandering mage Risir instead of the Merichi house's eldest son. For reference, the appointment of Honorary Mages was limited to once every two years by tradition. The Merichi house's position on this was clear. -Regrettable. The way the Merichi house expressed regret was as intense as the way they showed sincerity. They not only cut off their support without hesitation but also mobilized all their influence to express their disappointment to the tower. Trading companies that had maintained good relationships with the tower for a long time suddenly turned their backs. Demiya fainted. Of course, some stubborn mage might say this about the matter. -The Honorary Mage position is essentially sold for money, is that right? To make an excuse that wasn't an excuse, most towers had already been strengthening their external political influence this way since the past. Rather, the Gray Magic Tower, which had maintained its honor until now, was the exceptional case. This was also why the Merichi house coveted the Gray Magic Tower's recognition over any other tower. In that sense, could it be called good news? This incident would elevate the Gray Magic Tower's honor even higher. Oh right. Fortunately, there was one more piece of good news. With Risir's help, the tower successfully cut out the infected part called Gerhen. Thus they could take another step closer to the value of integrity. The minor problem was that Gerhen's house, Dryder, had been one of the tower's major sponsors? Thus, the tower repeatedly encountered good fortune(?) in pursuing clean values. They were enthusiastically facing a financial crisis. It was truly ironic. The closer they got to honor, the poorer they became, and the further from honor, the wealthier they became. Having unintentionally chosen the former in [becoming an honorable beggar vs becoming a dishonorable rich person], Demiya had to devise countermeasures. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind immediately. This was how Demiya, the tower's actual chief administrator, came to feel resentment toward Risir. "Risir. Isn't he our tower's Honorary Mage? Yet you're assigning him such trivial tasks as mediating disputes between merchants." In such circumstances, Master Mortier, the tower's representative Risir enthusiast, had come to the office to express his dissatisfaction. "Master Mortier. Do you know how many resources were consumed in this Honorary Mage selection and appointment ceremony?" The Gray Tower Lord's proxy. Demiya spoke with authority in her fatigue-soaked tone. "That's...!" How cowardly realistic! Master Mortier lowered his eyes. "Let me ask you one question, Master Mortier. What did our Gray Magic Tower gain from this Honorary Mage appointment?" "We gained a talent with incomparable potential and value." "Right. A talent obtained by paying a very precious price. I think this is a process of confirming that talent's value." "But Tower Master Proxy, you know about that person called Kal of the Red Box!" "A former mercenary. Someone who committed serious crimes as easily as eating before laundering his identity. Considering his disposition, there's a high probability Risir won't be respected. When such a young person holds an honorary position, it's bound to have various interpretations." "If you know that, then why...!" Demiya looked at Mortier meaningfully. "I too have high expectations for him, just like you all." "..." Contrary to her words, her expression was extremely dry. In reality, Demiya wasn't harboring any particular expectations for Risir. Right now, the criminal organization 'Leather Chain' in the northern back alleys has escaped even the control of the city nobles. As a major funding source for the city nobles, they had cut off all external communications and contacts and begun independent action. Right now, Kal would be moving strictly according to orders from above. In such circumstances, would he meekly hand over goods just because a merchant came asking for his stuff back? It was unfortunate for the merchants, but in the current situation, the probability of them recovering goods or rights tied up in the north was extremely low. Folda too would understand immediately once he went to the scene and felt the atmosphere firsthand. Therefore, Demiya thought. This dispatch of Risir. If no complaints came from Folda, that would be sufficient. *** For merchants, information is not much different from life itself. The worst situation that could arise from lack of information might just be losing some money, but merchants are a species whose lifeline is connected to their purse. Conversely, financial profit can revive even a dying merchant. The anecdote of a major trading company's head, who was on his deathbed from chronic illness and old age, burning his last flame by shouting "Did it rise?!" upon hearing the two words "good news" from outside his door was quite famous. Therefore, Folda made efforts to stay informed about most information, including the trends and political situation in Bondaless. It was a habit that greatly contributed to his rise from the bottom to his current position as a mid-level trading company head. Some say about Folda. He really knows all sorts of things. Folda knew that the criminal organizations dominating Bondaless's back alleys were not simple gatherings of criminals, but combinations of adventurers and mercenaries who had gotten a taste of black money. He knew that the recent movements of 'Leather Chain,' one such criminal organization, were ominous. Among all merchants, Folda was the first. The first to show movements of withdrawing all business related to Bondaless's north. As such, Folda's intelligence network was unrivaled even among Bondaless merchants. Folda was aware of this fact himself, which is why he was experiencing extreme confusion now. "I'm sorry for not recognizing you, Sir Risir! I'll resolve the problem you mentioned right away!" "Haha, thank you. By the way, do you know me?" "How could I not know! Of course I know!" "Haha. Why is it obvious that you know me?" Risir. To think I was completely unaware of such a big shot. Right now, the name of the man bowing his head to Risir is Kal. He was the manager of the Red Box with customers throughout both the light and dark sides of Bondaless, and someone trusted by Leather Chain. Who could there be that would make such a Kal not just treat carefully, but completely unable to cope? "Here it is! This is Folda's property!" "My, thank you for the quick work." "For Sir Risir to say such things! It's an honor! If there's anything else you need my help with, please find me anytime!" Who could there be that could resolve problems so smoothly with the current 'Leather Chain'? It would be difficult even for most city nobles, Magic Tower Masters, or Upper-Class Adventurers. "Folda, is this the right safe?" "Yes? Ah. Yes! That's right! Thank you!" He had achieved gains he hadn't even expected. 'Risir.' Folda engraved that name, which would be unfamiliar to anyone in the city, into his mind faster than anyone else. *** "What is all this about?" The tower was thrown into commotion by an untimely procession of carriages. Demiya asked her secretary for the full story. "The trading company heads of Bondaless have urgently requested an audience...!" The trading company heads who usually put the tower on the back burner while watching the nobles' moods? Suddenly? Demiya's dark-circled eyes trembled. At this very moment. Rumors about an Honorary Mage were spreading rapidly among the merchants. That there was someone who could cleanly solve problems that even the city nobles couldn't handle.