With a flash of light, Anser appeared alone inside Otto Mage Tower of the Magic Research Society.
Kafka, who had been accompanying him, didn't come in with him.
'So many rules.' He grumbled inwardly.
The Magic Research Society enforced strict regulations. Even members couldn't freely bring outsiders in or out. Recommending someone for admission required approval and authorization.
Some members had enough status to bend those rules and enjoyed certain privileges, but he clearly wasn't one of them.
Otto Mage Tower seemed even livelier than before. As Anser walked through the building, he occasionally overheard people mentioning Rock of Bral.
He picked up a newspaper from the bulletin board beside the main hall. Today's front-page headline read:
[Bane's Chosen Appears in Bral, Attempts to Seize the Star Palace.]
The report contained even more information than the intelligence he'd previously given the duty wizard. Some of it was news even to him.
Before coming, he'd already gone through the reports Osborn had posted on the party bulletin board.
Osborn had joined forces with the Giff leader General Smokefire and the hill dwarf Bruno to take control of the stone tower. In just a single day, more than a hundred adventurers had arrived, each possessing either considerable strength or influential backgrounds.
While maintaining the defensive wards, Osborn had quietly assigned people to record the number and rough identities of everyone coming and going. Together with updates on the Star Palace's movements, the information was promptly posted to the bulletin board for Anser's reference.
Rumor had it that someone incredibly formidable had launched a surprise attack on the military camp, fought Bane's Chosen head-on, and still managed to escape unscathed.
That same report had appeared in the Society's newspaper as well, so it was probably true.
'Don't tell me that's another Chosen?' Anser chuckled.
Royal authority, divine authority, good and evil, territory, wealth...
Right now, Rock of Bral had every ingredient imaginable. Wasn't this exactly the kind of stage ambitious people dreamed of?
The situation suited him perfectly.
Chaos was only temporary.
Whatever happened, Bane's Chosen couldn't be allowed to succeed.
If Rock of Bral became a domain ruled by Bane's tyranny, that Chosen's personal power and influence would inevitably grow, making them far harder to deal with.
'Mages aren't exactly the type to stay out of the spotlight, either. Things are about to get interesting.'
If the Magic Research Society ever reached a consensus internally, its constructs alone would be enough to flatten the Star Palace.
The problem was that such a consensus was nearly impossible.
They needed a justification powerful enough to make the Society abandon its neutrality.
"Anser."
A calm voice sounded behind him.
"Mr. Mason."
Anser had already noticed the psion approaching. Turning around, he found himself facing an ugly yet composed man.
"The Tower Master is looking for you. Do you have a moment?" Mason quietly studied Anser, immediately sensing that something about him had changed since their last meeting.
"I do. I've admired the Tower Master for quite some time." Anser spoke with exaggerated sincerity.
"Follow me."
Mason wasted no words and headed toward the staircase.
Anser quickened his pace and followed behind him.
Each occupied with their own thoughts, neither of them spoke.
After reaching the top floor, Mason pushed open the door, revealing a spacious reception room and five spellcasters seated on sofas.
Jiandar was among them.
Including Anser and Mason, there were seven people in total.
'They're all seasoned veterans. Looks like they guessed I might come.'
Without changing his expression, Anser quietly observed the four unfamiliar faces.
"Anser, let me introduce everyone. This is Tower Master Quide..." Jiandar stood up with a smile and began introducing those present.
Mason silently took a seat in the corner and lowered his head without saying a word.
"Good afternoon, Tower Master..."
Anser smiled politely.
Aside from the Tower Master, the other four were all members of the Magic Research Society assigned to Otto Mage Tower.
Each mage tower only had around a dozen official members, meaning these seven were everyone Otto Mage Tower could currently gather.
Quide was tall, dark-skinned, and carried himself with effortless elegance. At a glance, it was obvious he was a pure sun elf.
Judging by his appearance, he was also the youngest-looking person in the room besides Anser.
"What an extraordinary gift—it's obvious at a glance!"
Quide exclaimed with genuine admiration, undisguised astonishment filling his eyes.
It wasn't an act—Quide was genuinely astonished. If he hadn't already investigated Anser, he might have suspected that a metallic dragon had assumed human form just to toy with him.
Metallic dragons were known for exactly that sort of mischievous pastime.
No wonder everyone who had met Anser regarded him differently. Their evaluations were filled with praise so excessive that it bordered on the irrational.
"I still have a long way to go," Anser said with feigned modesty.
He hadn't cast any disguise spell. His extraordinary Charisma was on full display. To those old veterans, he stood out like a beacon in the middle of the night—impossible to overlook.
"It's only a matter of time," Quide replied.
He could tell Anser didn't really mean what he was saying, but that only seemed natural.
A true genius would never be timid or belittle themselves.
That realization, however, meant Quide would have to adjust his approach to the conversation.
Geniuses were almost always surrounded by intricate networks of relationships. Even those from completely unremarkable backgrounds inevitably attracted influential people.
"I heard you posted an enormous bounty and even opened your own Teleportation Circle. Do you have a grudge against Bane's Chosen?" Quide asked gently.
"I have several friends in Rock of Bral, including the halflings' leader and the Chosen of the Church of Selûne. They were hunted by servants of an evil deity, and I rescued them..." Anser briefly explained the surface-level reason.
"You're a man who takes responsibility. Your friends are fortunate to have you," Quide said.
Of course he already knew that much. This was simply a test to see whether there was a deeper motive.
Since the mind flayer crisis, Paladin Anser's deeds in Rock of Bral had steadily spread, and his reputation had continued to rise. Anyone who made even the slightest inquiry would learn about them.
"Bane's Chosen has joined forces with Amn in an attempt to seize Rock of Bral. Their objective is obvious. If they succeed, the situation could spiral out of control. Whether it's trade, transportation, or simply surviving, everyone will face enormous challenges..."
Anser wasn't exaggerating. If Bane wasn't stirring up conflict, then he wouldn't be Bane.
The Magic Research Society might not care who governed Rock of Bral, but there was no way it would stand by and watch its own interests suffer.
This time, the matter involved Chosen and a conflict of faiths. No one wanted to be eliminated for no apparent reason.
There was no shortage of ambitious people in this world, but when it came to both ambition and capability, no one could rival the community of wizards.
"The Society is still discussing the matter internally, but after speaking with several other Tower Masters, we've decided to dispatch a team to Rock of Bral to stand by. Better to be prepared than caught off guard."
"You're very familiar with Rock of Bral, so I'd like to ask you to serve as our guide. What do you think?" Quide finally got to the point.
Anser immediately understood what he meant.
"No problem. I'll take care of food, lodging, transportation—everything. Whoever you want to meet, I can introduce you."
"Excellent. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. There are still a few members we haven't been able to contact." Quide smiled in satisfaction. He enjoyed talking with intelligent people.
In truth, wizards didn't dislike sorcerers.
They disliked brainless sorcerers who relied solely on talent and charged ahead without thinking.
Many wizards had an almost pathological intolerance for stupidity.
With just a few exchanges, the major matters were settled, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.
Everyone chatted like old friends, speaking casually and comfortably, though part of the conversation was clearly intended to get a better sense of Anser.
Taking the opportunity, Anser recommended Kafka for admission to the Society. The Tower Master agreed on the spot and assigned Jiandar to personally evaluate him.
Everyone present knew it was little more than a formality.
As long as there were no conflicting interests, everyone was easy to get along with.
When the conversation was at its liveliest, Anser casually asked, "The Magic Research Society has such a long history. Does it possess any Artifacts or legendary equipment?"
Quide stared at him for several seconds before replying, "Of course. One Artifact is sealed inside our secret vault, while the others already have owners."
"Could you tell me what it is? By sheer luck, I happened to acquire a rather remarkable magic item, but I have no use for it myself. I'm thinking of trading it to the Society—or perhaps someone else—for something more suitable," Anser said vaguely.
"Heh... Your luck really is exceptional..."
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