180 Trustworthy criminals (1/2)
”It's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. The streets are as lively as they could be and most of them do not have a single worry. Knowing fully well that Durthang is their home, the place they were born, lived and will die. All because of one single thing. The fact that the Archmage is here to protect everyone, to prevent both Massalia and Synnada to try something irresponsible. Well, you sure chose your way to die.”
Glancing through the open window, one could easily smell the fresh smell of the sea and the spices, even at such a height. However, instead of being normal, this only made the giant that talked previously frowned. If he could see two merchants haggling and even beginning to use their fists, he couldn't hear a single word of what was shouted. That was the normal situation.
”Tsk, tsk, tsk. You shouldn't have let the Tower fall to such a state. Maybe the spies don't have any idea that he died yet, but if they realize that the protections are beginning to fade, it won't be long before the news that you suppressed is known by everyone.” Truthfully advising the magus that were in the room, he couldn't help but shake his heads when he realized that the shock they received seemed bigger than he first thought.
After the death of the Archmage, his disciples had suddenly lost their way, the thing that always calmed them. And because the cure was provided by the Organization, it took them a few days before they finally contacted them. After all, they had no choice, knowing how important the Tower was for the two human nations around it. Even if the Black Gauntlet clearly doubted their ability at reading the situation.
It was not just a matter of losing the Archmage. After all, even with the death of some magus near the Wild Mountains, the survivors were strong enough to repel any army that would dare face them. Only a being as strong as a Dark God could fight back against so many full-fledged mages, especially when they were above the 5th Circle. Therefore, the very huge pie that was Durthang was not unguarded at all.
But because of the peculiar mind of the now-deceased Hero, the people he took as students were from all the corners of the world. In the end, they were all humans, but one was even a barbarian that would be killed on the spot if he ever dared to put a foot inside Genablum. All those identities that pacified the sovereigns previously now made them see an opportunity. Looking at them, the cold-blooded killer could see that their sense of belonging to the Tower was huge.
But what about a year, five years, ten years? In his life, he had seen sons killing their parents, sisters plunging a knife in the heart of their brothers, lifetime friends betraying each others for nothing more than a few gold coins. The day where the information leaked, that the Old Bob had passed away, the savior of mankind was dead, everything will become far more complicated.
”My advice? You should take whatever belonging you have here. And get the hell away from this place. In fact, you should destroy it.”
”DESTROYYYY THE TOWERRRRRR!” Hearing the shriek of the half-drunk woman, the giant saw that everyone else shared her sentiments. Looking at the one that was called Two, he could not see her acting the Archmage, making him deny any possibilities of the Tower surviving any longer. If there was someone that had enough charisma to make everyone submit, it could have been possible to make this institution of thousand years prosper for a few more.
But just with a few hours, the conflicting personalities that were suppressed by the Archmage were unleashed. And this Two was someone that wouldn't listen to the orders of someone less strong than herself. Unfortunately, the only one that could have stood his ground had died two years ago.
”Why should we listen to the words of a scum like him? We should kill him, that way, the other nations would reward us.”
”It is impossible to destroy the Tower. There is too many knowledge inside it.”
”But if we destroy it, where do we go afterward?”
Hearing the numerous complaints, of course, his proposal created more hatred than anything else. As for the one that proposed to kill him, he only noted in his head to kill him after this. Quite like Synnada and Massalia, the Organization also didn't dare to provoke the Archmage and let his disciples act rampantly. That was no longer the case, only they didn't realize that yet. That was why they were clinging on this building made of stone instead of dropping the hot potato while they could.
”Let me ask you a question then. When the Dark Gods, no, I should say, when Leilade Octavius, the one called a dark soul, will return and the Archmage is still not in sight, what will happen?” At those words, the mood of everyone sulked. Even now, they couldn't deny that the moment this will happen, the Archmage should be present to fight her. Even if they had heard three new Heroes had appeared, just a look at the fate of Avirus was enough to make everyone remember how powerful those monsters were.
”So what? What if the Archmage is dead and the entire world knows about … about … Burp … about it? Why should we destroy the Tower?” The fiery woman still had her mind muddled with alcohol. Looking at those men and women, some who were far older than him but still as naïve as a child, the giant was disappointed. If it had been someone from the Organization, he would have already been killed a long time ago. Not because of them, but because the world was not peaceful at all.
”To survive. Actually, never mind. I have already upheld the promise of the Organization. Now, go luck surviving on your own.” Realizing it was a complete waste of the time, the Black Gauntlet began to march toward the exit, only to be stopped by the same woman that distrusted him seconds ago. Of course, that change of behavior didn't shock him that much but greatly affected the other disciples. She was the only one of the 7th Circle now.
”Please, don't. I am sorry, I apologize, don't leave yet.” Like a small child that had created a mess and was apologizing to the adults in the room, there was nothing left of her previously drunk state. The reason for such a sudden change was when she heard the outlaw talked about the promise that bonded them together. Only at this moment did she realized that it meant the most powerful force of this planet was no longer on the same side as them. And will most likely don't wait a long before attacking the Tower for its secrets.