Chapter 154 - 154 Origin of the Tower

154: Origin of the Tower 154: Origin of the Tower Processing her words for a few moments, I eventually shook my head. “Oh, don’t apologise... From the way it sounds, there’s nothing you can do about it. Does that mean you’ll have to go back into hibernation after this?” “Certainly, that is the case... and thank you. For understanding, and for working so hard to allow me to speak with you like this, even if it is only temporary. It appears I was right to choose you after all.” Saying that with a mysterious smile on her lips, I flinched, proceeding to scratch the back of my neck awkwardly. “What is that about, anyway... You said before that you’ve been waiting to meet me, so is that from after I came here, or before...?” Following that, her smile only seemed to widen a little, and she lightly shook her head. “Now, I don’t want to give all of my secrets away just like that, do I? I understand you have many questions, Enki, and you shall certainly receive the answers you desire in due time. For as long as you continue doing the tremendous job you are, I have no doubt about that.” “...Can you at least answer me one question?” “Certainly, well, I suppose that depends on the question. What were you thinking?” “Where do Protagonists come from?” “Ah, I’m afraid not that one.” “...” As expected, what was probably the biggest mystery of them all, was something I simply couldn’t know the answer to. Because the person who knew didn’t want to tell me. “Oh, no, please don’t misunderstand. Enki, I would like to tell you, sincerely. However, I do not wish to place unnecessary pressure on you. Knowing the answer, perhaps would... make you doubt what you are capable of, and I wish for you to remain strong. Please understand I do not hide the truth out of malice, but faith that you will persevere to the end.” Hearing her honest plea, I sighed. Even if I didn’t like it, I understood where she was coming from and why she would do it. Although it was regrettable, I nodded my head. “I get it. I’m just too weak at the moment, right? Then, will you at least tell me when I reach Tier Four Authority?” “Yes, certainly... Tier Four or Tier Five. Whenever I feel you are ready to know. The truth is that these arbitrary tiers exist in the first place for such a reason. It is not a matter of trust, or a lack thereof, and not capability per se, but rather simple strength. I do not wish to assign you a responsibility I believe you cannot handle, and so the most efficient way to go is by building you up gradually like this.” “Right. But wait, how many tiers are there? There can’t be many after five, right?” “There are only five Tiers of Authority.” “Oh.” ‘I’m already at Tier Three, so if I only need four more dispatches to reach Tier Four, it shouldn’t actually take that long to reach Tier Five...’ Of course, the only reason I had come so far so quickly was because I was taking on a bunch of low-star Difficulty Contracts. The moment I start taking on more 3-stars, and then 4-stars and even 5-stars, progress in that department will grind down to a halt, I’m sure, especially with the number of dispatches required to promote itself increasing. ‘Anyway, I guess I don’t really need to focus on that. The important thing is getting strong, as she said. That way I’ll be able to handle the Tower, too... wait, that reminds me.’ Suddenly recalling the questions I had a long while ago now, I opened my mouth again. “With the Authority I have now, is there any chance you can tell me about the Tower?” Before, when I asked the Librarian about it, her answer implied that she did know something, so even though the Spirit should be the same, I honestly wasn’t expecting anything much. After all, with all this talk about Authority and needing to get stronger, I held no doubt that anything related to the Tower would follow the same pattern. However. “Certainly. I made it.” “...What?” At that moment, a distant memory flashed in my eyes. “Yes. The Augury Tower? It was me.” My eyes flared open at her answer. All of a sudden, I felt a rush of heat. I didn’t realise it at the time, but for it to have even bypassed the natural cooling of my heart, the enhancement of the Winter Goddess’ Blessing flowing through my body... “...” I must have really been furious. “...Let me ask you one thing first.” Even I realised how cold my voice probably sounded at that moment. All of it was directed towards no one other than the Spirit in front of me, the person who, at first glance, hadn’t done anything wrong in the slightest. But, if what she just said wasn’t a joke, then... ‘It’s her fault...?’ “―You would be curious about that, wouldn’t you... Very well then. What would you like to know?” “Do you know what happened because of you? Just... why...” “Isn’t that more than one question?” “Don’t fuck around.” “...Mm. My apologies. I was only trying to lighten the mood. Allow me to answer you then. First of all, yes, I am aware of the incident you speak of. However, I believe there is a misunderstanding.” “Misunderstanding? How?” “I may have created the Augury Tower, but I did not create magical beasts.” Taking in her words, I realised I might’ve gotten ahead of myself. “But... then, where did they come from...?” Even still, I had to ask. Clenching my fists under the table, I slowly calmed myself. At the same time, she answered. “That is a rather complex issue... An interconnection of World Stability distortion and the introduction of mana into your world would be the primary concerns. Would you like me to go more in-depth?” I thought about it for a moment, but eventually shook my head. “No, it’s fine. You don’t have a lot of time you can spend talking like this. It wouldn’t be fair to waste all of it explaining something I’m not going to understand anyway.” Finally feeling like I’d properly cooled down, the sharp chill within me pulsing just as strong as before, it was as if I was being forced to do so. Meeting her eyes again, or more precisely where they would be located beneath the blindfold, I let out another sigh. “What’s the purpose of the Tower?” “Certainly. To put it simply, its purpose is to serve as a temporary measure to maintain the balance of World Stability. For worlds in which no Antagonist yet exists, a Tower will be summoned in their place, waiting in preparation to counter the Protagonist that will inevitably appear.” “What... Really...?” Hearing the explanation, my first thought was that it made a surprising amount of sense. After all, if a Protagonist emerged in a world without an Antagonist, the balance of World Stability would instantly collapse, causing the world itself to soon follow. The Spirit... Leinth created the Tower as a countermeasure for such occurrences. That meant, not only was it something necessary for the world to exist, but it was also something that existed in other worlds than Earth, too... “Isn’t it basically a pseudo-Antagonist then...?” “You can certainly think of it that way. It was only possible to create with the power of World Stability, and due to the nature of the Protagonist, the Tower will inevitably be conquered by them, no matter the world it exists in. That’s why, until the moment a true Antagonist arises, the Tower will protect the world until then.” Following her words, I leaned all the way back in my seat, my hands subconsciously floating to rest against my face. It was like I was hit with a sudden revelation―or rather, that’s exactly what it was. ‘That means, all the Challengers and Frontliners of the Tower...’ Before they managed to clear the whole thing. Before anyone could conquer the Augury Tower of Earth, an Antagonist of Earth had to emerge. “...” Or otherwise, there was no choice but to stop them from clearing it myself.