Dimpelmosser realized that something was going wrong.
'What is this? Normally Rotheron wouldn't step up like this.'
Who was Rotheron in the New Magic Tower?
He was a 6th-rank wizard, but he wasn't the type to flaunt his authority because of it.
Though his manner of speech was stiff, he respected everyone regardless of who they were, making him well-regarded in many ways.
Even when provoked by others, he didn't blindly fight but tried to resolve matters rationally.
Some said it was because of the mask he wore to hide his identity, but looking at his usual conduct, it wasn't just because of that.
That's why Dimpelmosser took this situation lightly.
He thought it was just a matter of detaining Rotheron for a few days as requested by the Bourgeois faction.
Of course, there was a risk in interfering with the Proletariat faction, but he had to trust the Bourgeois side when they said they would smooth things over.'If it had been Rotheron's usual personality, he would have calmly stayed for a few days and left.'
But what is this situation now?
What was this intense presence flowing from Rotheron, and why had he revealed his identity that he had kept hidden until now?
It was surprising that he was a beast-kin, amazing that a beast-kin from a barbarian race had achieved the Lexer grade, and astounding that he had created the fundamental framework of what could be called a wizard's prison, the investigation room.
But what was most surprising was what Rotheron was showing now.
The massive figure that rose behind his back was a muscular man with a long mane-like beard.
Beast-like ears symbolizing the beast-kin.
Special category [Origin] magic.
Magic that borrowed the power of the souls of old heroes to fight together.
'Is that special category magic?'
In some ways, it looked similar to [Necromancy], which communicates with the dead, but in reality, it was different.
Necromancy involves conversing with the residual thoughts of the dead or forcibly subjugating those who have become specters to command their power.
[Origin] magic was much deeper and closer to something sacred.
It connects to the Great Flow to inherit their power and resonates deep within the soul to communicate.
So Rotheron, as a user of [Origin] magic, had one alias.
[Channeler]
A title given to those who have reached the extreme of spiritual communion.
It was hard to understand how a human could receive such a title, but upon confirming he was a beast-kin, it made sense.
The beast-kin, known to be able to communicate with the souls of dead ancestors beyond nature.
With their special power called 'Spirit,' it would be fully possible.
[Origin] magic was Rotheron's unique magic created by combining Spirit and conventional magic.
"Were you deceiving us from the beginning!"
Dimpelmosser shouted to wash away his fear.
Rotheron responded with a sneer.
"Deceiving? There was never a rule that beast-kin couldn't enter the New Magic Tower to begin with."
The New Magic Tower actively welcomed other races to show its difference from the Old Magic Tower.
Of course, that was just for show, and cases of other races actually coming were extremely rare.
But even if they were a minority, other races certainly existed, and naturally, Dimpelmosser had no grounds to make an issue of Rotheron revealing his identity.
"And did you think you could hold me here?"
The heroic figure behind Rotheron extended its arms and grasped the ceiling.
If this were ordinary magic, it should have been absorbed by the magical devices upon touching the wall.
But this was both magic and Spirit.
-Crack!
As the heroic figure exerted strength, the ceiling crumbled and the devices inside broke.
[Origin] magic was not ordinary magic, so it was of a nature that could never be blocked by the devices in this investigation room.
"Ah, no!"
Dimpelmosser turned pale at the thought that the plan would fail at this rate.
Thinking that there was no turning back now and that he had to do something, he gathered magical power in the staff he was holding.
The Inspection Room wizards who were waiting outside also heard the commotion and rushed in.
They were shocked to see the translucent giant crushing the investigation room with bare hands but immediately responded.
"Block him!"
Magic unfolded immediately targeting Rotheron.
But Rotheron responded to such attacks with a sneer and moved quickly, with nimble movements reminiscent of a beast.
The sight of him dodging high-density magic in a narrow space like an eel was unbelievable even when seeing it with one's own eyes.
It felt like attacking a ghost or illusion that could be seen but not touched.
Even for a beast-kin with generally superior physical abilities, this transcended that level.
Dimpelmosser belatedly noticed the strange energy surrounding Rotheron's body.
"Could it be, that's also the power of [Origin] magic?"
"Too late to notice."
Not only the giant figure behind his back, but Rotheron had already summoned another hero's soul to possess his body.
The overwhelming physical abilities, reaction speed, and combat sense that increased as a result.
Rotheron's fist drove into Dimpelmosser’s jaw.
"Fistfighting in the sacred Magic Tower!"
"Is this the inevitable nature of a barbaric race!"
The Inspection Room wizards were shocked at the sight and criticized Rotheron, but he didn't even bother to listen.
Just a short while ago, he would have been reluctant to act this way for fear of revealing that he was a beast-kin but Rotheron had changed.
The battle in the underground of the imperial capital.
The beast-kin kidnapping incident in the southern wilderness.
And all the processes taking place now in Isla Machina.
Rotheron had always worn a mask and hidden himself, but he realized that he shouldn't do that anymore.
He shouldn't have thought that if he endured long enough, an opportunity would come.
To get an opportunity, he had to fight.
So he decided to accept.
His weak self.
His beast-kin self.
To take off the mask and face the world.
"Weren't freedom and openness the symbols of the New Magic Tower?"
Rotheron rotated his shoulder with a clenched fist to loosen it up.
"Then I can throw a few punches, right?"
"It seems like he'll handle things well on his end. Let's move quickly too."
"Yes! We need to catch that sneaky bastard quickly and teach him a lesson!"
As Rudger and Whiron prepared to leave, Gabriel stopped them from behind.
"Wait."
"What is it?"
"Take me with you."
Surprised by the unexpected words, Rudger raised an eyebrow, and Whiron whistled.
"Haha! Are you upset because I called you weak? That determination is admirable, but unfortunately, you won't be helpful in the upcoming battle. Rather, you'll only hold us back."
Whiron's words sharply pierced Gabriel’s chest.
It could be said that he lacked consideration, but this was rather Whiron speaking out of concern for Gabriel.
In a practical situation like this, one cannot sort out a person's feelings with half-hearted consolation.
It was a much better choice to speak while pointing out reality coldly like this.
Gabriel bit his lip.
He knew he wouldn't be helpful, but hearing it directly felt like it was tearing his heart out.
He knows that he is weak.
Although he had learned time magic, an unprecedented magic, it was not helpful at all in combat.
All he could do was stop time and run away.
If he was ambushed in a situation where he couldn't stop time, he couldn't even cope.
Hadn't he almost died from poison because of that?
"I know very well that I won't be helpful. But that doesn't mean I can just sit here and watch."
"You could die if you go. Is that okay with you?"
To Whiron, Gabriel was a weak man.
He called him weak not only because he hadn't trained his body but more because he had looked into his inner self.
Whiron doesn't look down on a person just because they have a weak body.
If the body is weak, one can work hard to make it stronger.
But a person whose spirit is also rotten cannot do that.
Whiron saw Gabriel as the latter.
Just a common citizen seeking a safe life.
If only he had no talent, it would be understandable, but he was full of potential yet put his own constraints and bowed his head in cowardice.
It was commendable that he spoke up to fight, but such a person is not helpful in battle.
"I still have to go."
"Why?"
"Because there's nothing I can do if I stay here."
"So you'll jump into a fire? Don't you know that's even more foolish?"
"I..."
"Don't speak with a half-hearted mindset!"
Whiron bellowed.
As he was about to use force to stop Gabriel who wouldn't listen, at that moment, Rudger extended his hand to restrain Whiron.
"Teacher?"
When Whiron looked at him with a questioning gaze, Rudger shook his head telling him not to and gazed at Gabriel.
"Don't hold us back."
It was a short statement, but it contained a clear meaning.
As if he hadn't expected Rudger to give permission, Gabriel’s expression was stunned before turning into a smile.
"Get ready and come out."
Rudger left those words and went outside.
As he was looking at the night view of the city, Whiron approached from behind and asked.
"Teacher. Why did you make that choice? You know that weakling won't be helpful."
"That's not necessarily true."
"Yes. He might be helpful. But he won't survive. For his own sake, we should have stopped him. You must have known that."
"I know. But I couldn't bring myself to refuse."
"...Unexpected. I didn't think the teacher would be so weak to pleas. I thought you would cut down such words in one stroke. Or is it because of past connections?"
Whiron knew that Gabriel and Rudger were acquainted.
Even to the extent that Gabriel would send complex gazes toward Rudger.
"That man is just confused. He simply doesn't know what he should do."
"If you're confused in battle, you die. Or do you believe that man will find his path?"
"Rather than believe, I just hope so."
Rudger recalled Gabriel’s figure.
He recalled his past.
The man who cried sadly after losing the woman he loved.
The sorrowful emotion he had while taking care of that daughter who had lost her memories.
That weakness of having to bury it in his heart while hiding the truth.
Rudger knew.
He knew better than anyone.
"More than 10 years ago. By now, it's been 12 years. In the past, he lost someone he loved. And he's doing his best to save the daughter she left behind. Someone who always ran away like a coward and asked to be excluded from fights has said he wants to fight for the first time."
Rudger turned to Whiron and asked.
"How could I refuse?"
"Do you feel guilty toward that man?"
"I do toward everyone I've hurt."
"Does that include yourself among all those you've hurt?"
Whiron had pinpointed the essence correctly.
"Of course not."
Rudger said no, but Whiron could tell.
In fact, the one who was suffering more than anyone was Rudger.
Rudger was suffering but allowed Gabriel to participate because of his sense of guilt toward him.
Conversely, Gabriel hated Rudger but at the same time understood his situation.
"Well. As someone who just jumped in, it might not be my place to say, but I hope this turns out well."
"I'm grateful even for just your words."
Just then, Gabriel, who had finished preparing, came outside.
In reality, all he had to pack were a few artifacts.
The time Rudger gave to Gabriel was to allow him to sort out his feelings at the end.
"I'm ready."
"Good. Then let's go."
Gabriel and Rudger didn't say much to each other.
But even without conversation, there was something felt in their actions and gazes.
Rudger, Whiron, and Gabriel slowly walked into the island's steam.
From now on, it was a head-on battle.
The wolf continued to run across the sea.
How long had it run across the endless ocean? In the distance, a huge fog filled with steam could be seen.
It wouldn't be strange for sea fog to rise in the early morning, but Freuden felt that this was quite an artificial phenomenon.
Freuden then discovered a black silhouette visible within the sea fog.
"That is..."
What gradually revealed itself was a massive mountain. Or something that looked like a fortress.
Soon, a loud sound like a horn echoed far across the sea.
The appearance of the island was gradually becoming clearer as the approaching sea fog drew near.
"That is Isla Machina."
It was like a huge creature had wrapped a cocoon called fog around its body to hide itself.
He didn't think much about it being an island made of machinery, but facing it on the sea, it was extraordinarily huge.
'Rene is there...'
Freuden gripped the wolf lord's fur with a determined face.
As they approached the destination, the wolf lord accelerated its pace even more.
One person and one lord landed on the island of mechanical devices.