Chapter 637: Idolatry

After Roderick the Inquisitor Priest left, people started coming back.

They were none other than Burke, Kevin, and Marie. They began questioning Oliver about various things.

“Director, are you alright?”

“What on earth happened?”

But the most serious among them was Burke Post, the Director of the Tower of Magic’s Administration.

“Idolatry… You owe me an explanation.”

Unlike Marie and Kevin, who were worried, Burke’s attitude was firm, and even somewhat hostile.

A stark contrast to Burke’s usual demeanor.

To prove it, Burke’s outward calm was undermined by the immense turmoil within.

And the turmoil was just the beginning.

Burke was overwhelmed with a flood of negative emotions: confusion, anxiety, worry, restlessness, fear, and more.

It was understandable, though.

He had heard that Dark Magic practitioners overseas were worshipping Oliver.

And the source of this news was none other than the Inquisitor Priest.

This wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

One misstep and not only Burke’s career but also the entire Tower of Magic could suffer immense damage.

Despite the so-called “Age of Industry” or “Age of Magic,” the influence of the Pater Church in the present world couldn’t be ignored.

Burke thought, ‘Especially considering what Sir Roderick’s theory implies…’

It was not at all surprising that Burke, with a frown, demanded answers from Oliver.

A single misstep here could label him as a heretic, a demon worshipper, or worse.

“Xenon, an explanation is in order.”

“Look at this. Now-”

*Bang.*

Just as Marie was about to erupt in anger at Burke’s attitude, Oliver held her hand.

Marie paused.

Oliver and Marie locked eyes, and without a word, Oliver shook his head, silently telling her not to.

Though he appreciated her taking anger on his behalf, Oliver didn’t want her to, especially not now.

Because whether she liked it or not, Marie would have to regularly interact with the Tower of Magic and even play a significant role in the Dark Magic faction.

Understanding Oliver’s wishes, Marie bit her lip and swallowed her words.

Fortunately, this also helped Burke regain a bit of his composure.

“…My apologies.”

“No need for apologies. You had every right to act the way you did. You’ve risked a lot to help me, and now this unfortunate rumor has surfaced… I apologize.”

Oliver acknowledged the risks Burke took to assist in establishing the Dark Magic faction.

Although not overtly proactive, Burke had taken considerable risks, including putting his life and career on the line, to contribute—big or small—to the creation of the Dark Magic faction.

If Burke hadn’t been willing to help, the whole endeavor would’ve been impossible from the start.

As proof, anyone sharp enough within the Tower of Magic knew that Burke was aiding Oliver.

And now they hear that Dark Magic practitioners are worshiping Oliver?

This news was like a bomb for those who trusted him.

So, at the very least, Oliver felt he owed them an explanation.

“To put it simply, some Dark Magic practitioners in the Central Continent are worshipping a new Finger, seeing them as a savior of Dark Magic.”

“And this new Finger is…?”

“Lumberjack Dave.”

Oliver finished Burke’s faltering sentence for him.

It felt strange explaining himself like this, as if he were speaking about a third party.

Maybe it wasn’t that strange after all. Neither Xenon nor Dave was his real name, after all.

Just as Burke was about to speak again, Oliver raised his hand.

“First and foremost. I am not a Finger. I swear. I’m not part of the Black Hand. The name ‘Finger’ is something a few people have started calling me on their own.”

Burke didn’t argue with Oliver’s explanation.

He knew well how the title of ‘Finger’ had evolved over time.

The term ‘Finger.’

Originally, it was used to refer to the core members of the Dark Magic alliance within the Black Hand. But over time, it became an honorific given to powerful Dark Magic practitioners.

For almost centuries, those who were called Fingers remained relatively fixed and unchanged, so it wasn’t a big deal.

However, with the death of two Fingers and the rise of a new one, it was no surprise that such idolatry incidents had begun to occur.

Given the impact of a figure like Lumberjack Dave, who had helped the Archive deal with the sea monster and Fen, fought on equal ground with Puppet, and even repelled the Pied Piper, this wasn’t surprising at all.

“But you know it doesn’t end there, right?”

“Yes, I do. Even if that’s not the case, it could still be dangerous if people believe it to be true.”

Oliver was aware of the dangers posed by misconceptions, as Burke had just warned.

Burke seemed satisfied with the response.

“Good, then… Do you think the Inquisitor Priest believes you?”

“…Sir Roderick knows that I’m not involved.”

“Are you sure?”

Burke’s serious expression lightened for a moment.

Depending on Roderick’s stance, things could become dangerous as soon as tomorrow.

“Yes. He said he believes me when I claimed I wasn’t involved. He understood it as a coincidence, caused by the recent events in the Central Continent and the confusion I’ve been caught up in lately.”

“If he truly believed you, he wouldn’t have come all the way here. Especially, not so suddenly.”

Kevin, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.

True to his character, Kevin was quick to point out an inconsistency.

If Roderick really believed Oliver’s innocence, there’d be no reason to visit. The fact that he came likely meant he had another agenda.

“He said he believed in my innocence but still asked me to come to the Central Continent and help purge the Dark Magic practitioners… He suggested it would prevent further misunderstandings.”

“Not a bad suggestion.”

“More like playing the hound.”

“How could he…!”

Burke, Kevin, and Marie all reacted differently.

Burke was satisfied, Kevin coldly saw right through the ulterior motives, and Marie simmered with indignation.

Oliver found their reactions quite impressive.

To receive such varied responses to the same information—likely a result of their different positions and relationships to each other.

It was a complex, subtle issue. Difficult, but also interesting.

“Are you going…?”

Marie cautiously asked Oliver.

Marie didn’t seem to like the idea of Oliver being used in this way, and it showed in her voice.

Seeing this, Burke tried to persuade her.

“It’s not a bad proposal, miss. As Xenon said, accepting it will prevent unfounded suspicions. Especially suspicions related to heresy and cults, that’s a worthwhile trade.”

A rational judgment, befitting a mage.

But Marie wasn’t convinced.

Part of her reluctance stemmed from the fact that she saw Oliver as a divine figure, but also the idea of acting as a hound for the Pater Church played a significant role.

One could argue that Oliver had already done so in Gallos, but it wasn’t the same.

Indeed, while Oliver did purge Dark Magic practitioners in Gallos, it was mostly extreme criminals or ones that couldn’t be reasoned with. The rest were persuaded and brought under the wing of The Selectors.

After all, what Armand had requested was not extermination but management and order.

In contrast, what Roderick was asking was closer to proving loyalty to the Pater Church by killing Dark Magic practitioners—like stepping on a cross.

Just as Kevin said, it was a job more suited for a hound.

It was Kevin who first pointed out this fact and then asked Oliver.

“Do you get what’s going on?”

Burke interjected.

“Going on? What do you mean?”

“The Dark Magic practitioners in the Central Continent are powerful and unruly, but that’s not enough for the Holy Knights to ask for outside help.”

“That’s… true.”

“So if they’re asking for help, there’s another hidden motive behind it. Either they want someone else to do their dirty work, bind someone with chains, or maybe just want to bring someone in and then dispose of them. The possibilities are endless.”

It was a gloomy hypothesis, bordering on conspiracy. However, it wasn’t impossible.

Burke grew more serious, and Marie’s expression darkened as well.

At that moment, Oliver spoke up.

“Whether there’s a hidden motive or not, or what it might be, I don’t know for sure.”

All eyes turned to Oliver.

“However, Sir Roderick didn’t seem to have ill intentions towards me.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because he spoke sincerely to me.”

Roderick had been surprisingly honest, talking openly about sensitive issues like his mild faith, his perspective on the gods, and his philosophy.

It might have seemed like nothing, but it wasn’t.

Most people, including Oliver himself, weren’t that forthright.

Especially given Roderick’s character, this was even more notable.

Whether Roderick actually harbored goodwill toward Oliver couldn’t be confirmed, but it was certain that he treated Oliver with genuine earnestness.

“Just because someone is sincere doesn’t mean that’s necessarily a good thing. Even a con man is sincere when cheating someone.”

Kevin remarked, and Oliver somewhat agreed.

Although Roderick had genuinely engaged in their conversation, he had also used that sincerity to persuade Oliver, even offering him a profitable deal.

‘But then again, most people, including Sir Armand, do the same, so I can’t really judge him for that.’

It was a conversation that left nothing clear and settled.

Then, Kevin asked once more.

“Have you made up your mind? Are you going to follow the Inquisitor Priest’s request? You need to give an answer, whether it’s yes or no.”

Marie looked displeased while Burke radiated approval.

In response to Kevin’s question, Oliver answered. Marie seemed disappointed, and Burke appeared satisfied.

“I think I probably will.”

“Avoiding it isn’t an option? Couldn’t you ask for help from the Inquisitor Priest who’s already supporting you?”

Kevin referenced Armand.

The Inquisitor Priest of Gallos and also the one who first helped Oliver.

He’s also the person who taught Oliver that individuals can still suffer even when the right thing is within their reach.

Indeed, with Armand’s assistance, Oliver might have found a way to dodge this request.

After all, Armand was an Inquisitor Priest too.

However, after thinking for a moment, Oliver shook his head.

“It’ll be difficult.”

Recalling Roderick’s response and emotions when Oliver had initially used Armand as an excuse, Oliver gave his answer.

Roderick had genuinely said that Armand would allow it, and it wasn’t a lie.

Armand had no reason to obstruct a fellow Inquisitor Priest’s requests.

Even if Armand decided to help, given Oliver’s current situation with idolatry, it would only lead to worse outcomes.

So, the best option Oliver saw was to cooperate for now.

“Director…”

Guilt began to seep into Marie’s emotions.

Though she hadn’t spoken her thoughts aloud, she knew why Oliver was making such a choice.

It was because now, Oliver had things to protect.

The Selectors, Fighter Crew, Redevelopment Union.

In other words, he had responsibilities now.

In the past, Oliver, who stood alone as a fixer, wouldn’t have faced such a dilemma.

If pressed, he could abandon his current identity and start over.

In fact, Oliver had created a false identity for this very purpose.

However, in the end, Oliver had unintentionally shouldered one thing after another, and these responsibilities had become shackles that confined him.

As guilt and apology rose in Marie’s throat, Oliver drained the last of his coffee, stood up, and placed his hand on her shoulder.

It was awkward yet kind, stiff yet warm.

“But it’s alright. We’ve bought ourselves some time.”

“Time for what?”

“Time to investigate some things. Is the Elder currently in the Tower of Life School?”

“Of course, he’s the Grandmaster. Why?”

“I need to ask him something.”

***

*Rustle… Rustle…*

Within the vast grounds of the Tower of Magic, numerous towers teeming with individuality stood side by side.

Each tower served as the headquarters for different factions and was designed to reflect the characteristics of each faction.

For example, the Life School tower, built on hierarchy and eugenics, was shaped like a grotesque cone that narrowed as it rose.

The Moirai School tower was a fusion of the gigantic World Tree and a tall tower.

In contrast, the Alchemy School’s tower took the form of massive step-farming structures, while the Golem School’s tower was more akin to a sprawling factory than a tower.

These unique designs were typical of the mages.

Yet, the most distinctive among them was the Elemental Faction’s tower, which combined five smaller towers into a single grand structure.

The five colossal towers were merged in a gear-like formation, creating a strange yet magnificent tower.

In some ways, the tower best represented the birth of the Elemental Faction itself.

The Elemental Faction came into being through the forced integration by Merlin, during the time before the Archive.

A place united by resolute and undeniable force.

The five towers were occupied by the Gaia, Enlil, Skadi, Mjolnir, and Agni minor factions, with their representatives, the Grandmasters of each minor faction, residing within.

And today, amidst the confusion of the Inquisitor Priest’s sudden visit, someone perhaps even more shocking cautiously visited one of the Elemental Faction towers.

“It’s noisy outside.”

“Well, the Inquisitor Priest did visit after all.”

In the Elemental Faction, within Skadi’s minor faction Grandmaster’s office, two elderly persons conversed alone.

One of them was the room’s owner, Tilda Iceye, the Grandmaster of the Skadi minor faction.

The old man sitting across from her-

“-You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m dealing with a more shocking guest. What brings you here, Dark Magic practitioner?”

Tilda addressed the Dark Magic practitioner, more precisely, the Puppet Immortal.

Tilda spoke with determination and resolve.

In contrast, the Puppet Immortal responded with a calmness bordering on leisure.

“A conversation.”