Chapter 25

“‘Reject’ might be a vague way of putting it, but it’s not wrong.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. Basically, cases of someone gaining divine power and then perceiving mana are incredibly rare. The opposite is just as rare. Not impossible, but unusual.”

“First, ‘divinity rejects mana.’ That’s a matter of perception. To become a Steel Body user, one must first feel mana. To become a mage, one must first see it. Both require extremely delicate senses.”

“But divine power is forcefully poured into the body by the gods themselves, given in exchange for faith. It’s an imprint, an overwhelming presence.”

“So trying to sense mana once you already hold divine power is like trying to find stars at high noon. Tiny specks that are hard enough to see at night—how do you expect to find them in broad daylight?”

“Then what about ‘mana rejects divinity’?”

“Divine power is granted not by effort or skill, but entirely by a god’s choice. And gods prefer souls that are desperate, parched with longing. Between rich and poor, who do you think clings more desperately to the divine?”

“Those who ‘already have much’ may be devout, but they lack desperation. That’s why they are rarely chosen.”

“Wait, but I’m using divine power right now. Does mine fall under that too?”

“Oh, that tiny scrap of divine power? Don’t worry. That won’t hinder you from learning magic.”

“Why not?”

“Because the angel gave you something slightly different. If my guess is right, that divine power isn’t lodged in your body and soul at all.”

“Not in my body? Then where?”

“Most likely, in your imagery.”¹

“…Imagery?”

Shia smirked faintly.

“No more questions. Once you step onto the path of magic, you’ll learn naturally. Better you hear it directly from a mage than be biased by my half-baked explanation.”

While remembering Shia’s words, I heard the Tower Master speak firmly.

“As a friend, let me advise you—give up on trying to have both. It’s a waste of time.”

Well, it made sense from his view. He didn’t know my divine power was a fake.

“Still, I want to at least try.”

“Hmph… stubborn. But I suppose such stubbornness is what let you tear up this rotten barony from the roots. Fine. Then don’t come to me. Go to the Purple Magic Tower in Kesala March instead. The first step in magic is the most important. My colleague there is far more talented at guiding that step than I am. He may show you a path I can’t.”

“Kesala March?”

“You don’t know it? Surprising. Even outsiders from other continents usually hear the name at least once… well, let me explain.”

He pulled a map from a frame on the wall and spread it across the desk.

“Here. The southern region of the Baran Empire. Famous as the ‘Labyrinth City.’ It’s where I was based before coming to Sinan.”

He pointed to a coastal city, about 1,700 kilometers south of here.

But calling it just a ‘city’ wasn’t quite right. It was more like… a state pressed up against the sea.

“This isn’t just a march. It looks more like a small kingdom.”

The Tower Master nodded knowingly.

“Bigger than most domains, isn’t it? As you say, it’s practically a principality. The marquis rules like a king in all but name. The march works with the empire for mutual convenience—the empire keeps this vast, fertile southern land tied within its borders, while the march enjoys the empire’s shield.”

“And just how fertile are we talking?”

“Compared to this backwater? Not even close. Thanks to warm ocean currents, the climate is mild despite the latitude, and half the land is perfect farmland. And then there’s the port.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…Don’t tell me it’s an ice-free port?”

“Exactly. Impressive, isn’t it?”

“…That’s insane. So in winter, all the northern trade routes funnel straight through there.”

“Impressive indeed. But that’s not all.”

“There’s more?”

“I told you—it’s called the Labyrinth City.”

Labyrinths. Massive underground structures, natural or artificial, crawling with monsters.
Left unchecked, they spew beasts that turn regions into wastelands. But when managed, they become endless mines of magic stones, artifacts, and monster byproducts.

“The Kuscam Labyrinth there is one of the Seven Great Labyrinths of the Northern Continent. Vast beyond measure. Even after 300 years, no one has reached its bottom.”

“Wow…”

“Good farmland, mild climate, open sea routes, the hub of northern trade, and on top of that, a bottomless treasure-vault of a labyrinth. Can you imagine how prosperous the march is?”

“…And the population must be huge.”

“Of course. Just those officially registered number three-point-seven million. The floating population is even larger.”

“…!!”

Three-point-seven million. A modest figure on Earth—but here, in a pseudo-medieval world? Enormous.

To feed and sustain that many in one domain was staggering.

‘Enough infrastructure to support 3.7 million… incredible. Truly fantasy-level medieval.’

While I pondered, the Tower Master quickly drafted a letter of introduction, sealed it with wax, and pressed his signet ring into it.

“You said before you wanted to settle in the south, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Well, if anywhere, Kesala would suit you. Prosperous land, endless demand for fighters thanks to the labyrinth, plenty of mage towers and temples, even an Adventurer’s Guild to help newcomers settle. Perfect fit, wouldn’t you say?”

“…You make a convincing pitch.”

“Then go. Here’s the letter. Find an elf mage named Sodin Cross at the Purple Magic Tower. She should be seventh rank by now. Lower ranked than me, but as a study mage, none can match her. She’ll show you paths I never could.”

“Thank you.”

I tucked the letter away and glanced again at the map.

Kesala. All good… except for one thing.

1,700 kilometers.

That’s far. And following the Tigrid River before turning east, the real journey would be closer to 2,300.

Winter meant the sea route was impossible, and merchant caravans were too slow.

“…So on foot. Even at 100 kilometers a day, with delays, that’s about a month.”

The Tower Master’s eyes widened.

“…On foot? A month? You don’t mean to walk there?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Why!? You could’ve just asked the Archangel to help. She’d move you in the blink of an eye.”

“Oh, that freeloa—uh, I mean, that lady? She went back yesterday.”

—Kyaaa~! Three people! Three whole people came under me! This is why striking first pays off! I can finally rest on weekends! I can even take a vacation if I stack my leave! Boss Lumina! My loyalty was just tough love, you know that, right!? We’ll be together forever!! Long live!!

I pressed my temples, recalling Yuribel in her negligee, dancing around like a lunatic last night.

“I see… a shame. But really, 1,700 kilometers on foot? That’s madness.”

Of course it wasn’t. Food could be stuffed into the Hero’s Backpack with its expanded space and weight reduction. Water could be drawn from the Tigrid River. Both Shia and I were sturdy enough not to freeze. As for monsters or bandits, Hosik could take care of them before I even had to move. Minor wounds or illnesses could be handled with priestly miracles.

“…It won’t be that hard.”

“Hah. What a reckless man. Fine, then take this too.”

He handed me a golden card, palm-sized, engraved with intricate runes.

“What’s this?”

“A teleportation portal pass. Take it to the Blue-Gold Magic Tower in the Salt Kingdom’s capital. Hand it to them and they’ll let you use the portal. With it, you can go straight to Kesala March in one jump.”

“…That sounds precious.”

“Precious? And then some. Price aside, the Blue-Gold Tower barely releases any at all.”

“…Thank you very much.”

But just as I reached out, his hand slid back.

“Ahem.”

“……”

“…Ah. So not free, then.”

“Have some shame. Do you know how much this costs? Just give me this much.”

I glanced at the abacus he pushed forward and let out a hollow laugh.

“…That’s worth two inner-city houses.”

“Ahem! That’s what it’s worth!”

But then, from the corner of the office, the newly minted Acting Lord Dornea stirred from a nap, rubbing her eyes.

“That? Master bought those when they were dirt cheap and shoved them in a drawer. He’s just dumping junk on you now. Don’t fall for it.”

“Dornea!? How dare you betray your master!?”

“You’re the one who dumped lordship work on me. Hmph!”

I chuckled as she sulked back under her blanket.

So that’s how it was. In that case…

“Fine, I’ll buy it. But I’ll pay with something else.”

“…Something else?”

I reached into the Hero’s Backpack and pulled out a long white feather.

“With this.”

“…A feather? Wait. No. You don’t mean—!?”

“Yes. An Archangel’s feather. She left it as a gift before departing.”

“……!!!”

In truth, it was just one of the many she’d shed all over the house while lazing around for ten days straight. At first, I swept them into the trash while muttering “damn freeloader,” but then it hit me: Archangel’s feather. So I stuffed a whole bag full and tossed it in the backpack. Judging by the Tower Master’s bug-eyed stare, my hunch was right.

“Trade! I’ll take it! Hand it over!!”

He reached desperately, but I drew my hand back.

His eyes wavered in despair.

“Why… why not?”

“Really? You think some cheap metal plate is worth an Archangel’s feath—no, her sacred relic?”

“Th-Then what?”

I flicked his abacus back at him.

“At least this much more on top.”

“…You thief.”

“Now, now. Harsh words.”

“That’s worth four houses! Do you realize!?”

“If you don’t like it, fine. I’ll just walk to Kesala with Shia on my shoulders.”

“……”

“You know I’m already giving you a bargain. This is one-of-a-kind. Normally, the price would be whatever I said.”

He clenched his jaw.

“…Fine. I’ll send it. Pick up the money at a Kesala bank.”

I grinned and finally handed over the feather.

“Pleasure doing business with you, valued customer.”

“…Wait. Did you just call me a sucker customer?”

“Now, now. Just your imagination. Pure imagination.”