Episode 129

After drafting the contract, they headed straight for the underground maze.

However, they didn’t simply pass by everything.

The territory of the Purple Tower was a vital hub, connected by many roads, and a region where trade was highly developed.

Therefore, it was natural that the area was vast. While not as massive as the trading post, it had plenty of buildings that could serve as traps.

They couldn’t leave it alone. If left as it was, unsuspecting human magicians would be easily overwhelmed and devoured by the hidden high-ranking demons.

“Let’s go for that building this time.”

“Yes, Master.”

It didn’t take long to decimate each building. With one blast of ice filled with Jaekiel’s cold energy, the situation was over.

“Freeze.”

Crack!

The entire building froze.

The demons inside couldn’t even resist, frozen in place with their eyes darting around. Jaekiel nonchalantly shattered their skulls one by one.

Crash!

As for the information, it had already been obtained from Laila of the Purple Tower, so there was no need to ask anything.

‘…There are so many.’

As he purified another building, Jaekiel thought to himself, ‘There are just too many. The demons seem to have prepared for this attack well.’

A question naturally arose in his mind.

‘Is this obsession with me truly this intense?’

Reflecting back on the time when he had earned the name Snow Ghost, the Demon Realm’s officials either avoided Jaekiel or found him a nuisance.

It meant they didn’t even want to deal with him.

However.

‘Why does this Goddess obsess over me so much?’

The so-called Goddess was different. She showed more interest in Jaekiel than anyone else and clung to him so obsessively.

What grudge could Jaekiel have against her to make her so obsessed? He had no way of knowing at the moment.

Even while thinking this, Jaekiel purged another building.

Crack!

The building froze instantly, and the demons shattered.

“…!”

The women’s eyes widened in surprise every time.

It was always the same. Laila and Seina didn’t even have time to assist as the situation was swiftly resolved.

“I announce that the Imperial Tower has purified this place.”

Jaekiel muttered on purpose and carved the Imperial Tower’s insignia in ice onto the building he had cleared.

Though he acted conspicuously, it wasn’t necessary—he was already receiving immense attention.

To the humans suffering in silence in the Purple Tower’s territory, there was no greater savior than Jaekiel.

“They said the Auditor of the Imperial Tower was amazing at the meeting exchange… and it wasn’t just a rumor! Incredible!”

“Are those with him also guests of the Purple and Blue Towers? Being next to the Auditor, they’re just background characters.”

“Be careful with your words! He might get angry if he hears you!”

The land was vast, so the number of citizens was naturally large. They gathered like clouds, keenly observing who was taking action.

Jaekiel was continuing to gain fame.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the underground maze.

On the way, they had cleared all the visible buildings, and now only the descent into the underground remained. It was time to begin the rescue mission.

As they took a brief rest, Seina parted her lips.

“It’s not like we haven’t met in a long time…”

Her expression was a mix of surprise and disbelief. She had been amazed each time Jaekiel had acted on the way to the entrance of the underground maze.

The last time she had met him was during the meeting exchange.

Of course, Jaekiel had been strong then, but now he was even more powerful. It was beyond what could be described as simply ‘strong.’

“Unlike before, I can feel the heat, but at the same time, the coldness has become much thicker. What kind of constitution do you even…? You’ve gotten even stronger than before.”

“Yeah, it seems that way.”

Jaekiel didn’t deny it.

Seina marveled inwardly. She knew better than anyone how difficult it was to elevate one’s mastery of cold energy and ice magic.

‘It’s like he’s become an ice sage.’

Seina, who had seen countless ice magicians in the Blue Tower, had never seen anyone achieve mastery as quickly as Jaekiel.

Surprisingly, she didn’t feel any jealousy.

Jealousy could only arise when the levels were similar. Jaekiel’s level seemed infinitely impressive to her.

Therefore, she could sincerely congratulate him.

Seina smiled warmly. Her braided hair fell elegantly over one shoulder.

“I’m truly happy to see my master achieve such success. As a disciple, I feel very proud.”

Though she could have been impatient and asked for something in return, Seina didn’t do so. She simply congratulated her master sincerely.

“Given the urgency of the situation, I regret that we can’t celebrate leisurely like at a feast. I’ll train hard, so that I can understand anything you teach me in the future right away.”

“Good, that’s a commendable attitude.”

Jaekiel praised Seina calmly.

Her cheerfulness was also quite welcome by Jaekiel.

And then, at that moment.

“Hey, we need to get inside the underground maze quickly…”

A woman in a purple robe carefully spoke up. It was Laila, the high-ranking magician from the Purple Tower.

Immediately, Seina’s gaze turned sharp.

“You’re in the position of receiving help, and yet you keep urging us? When it was time to take action earlier, you just stood there like you were stuck.”

“Was there really anything for me to do? As soon as the Auditor took action, the situation was resolved.”

“So, you’re saying that your skill is far inferior to the Auditor’s? Then stay silent if you lack ability and are only receiving help.”

“Elder, why are you speaking so harshly…?”

Laila seemed hurt by Seina’s words, and a flash of anger appeared on her face. Seina, on the other hand, unfazed, unfurled her scroll.

“What’s the matter? Should we renegotiate the terms of the reward? Perfect timing. We haven’t entered the maze yet.”

“……”

“Laila, if you have a complaint, say it.”

In the end, Laila bowed her head deeply.

“I-I’m sorry. Please help us…”

“Hmph.”

Seina scoffed.

“Apologize to the Auditor. Everyone knows how to hate the Imperial Tower, but no one seems to know how to be grateful.”

Every time Laila and her assistant tried to hold their heads high, Seina sharply put them in their place.

Jaekiel, without realizing it, patted Seina’s head. He did it out of admiration.

“…!”

Seina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah, I didn’t mean to. It’s just, you’ve impressed me.”

Jaekiel quickly pulled his hand back.

Patting an elder’s head like a child was improper, even for an auditor.

But then.

Surprisingly, Seina’s reaction was peculiar.

She reached up and touched her own head.

“Impressed…? So, is this a compliment?”

She muttered, then smiled broadly.

“I’m happy. Your hand feels so cold. It’s very pleasant for an ice magician like me.”

Her gaze felt almost like she wanted more, and it made him uneasy.

“Let’s slowly make our way in now.”

Jaekiel naturally changed the subject. They needed to move as quickly as possible, and they had rested long enough.

The group quickly entered the maze.

The maze was exactly what its name described: a labyrinth.

It was a place filled with complex paths and dizzying traps, where even a momentary lapse in focus could lead to danger.

Whoosh!

Jaekiel and his group proceeded as cautiously and quickly as possible, aiming to rescue the hostages.

Whoosh!

Jaekiel created ice paths, using his mana to glide along them at an incredible speed.

“Hey, is this the right path?”

“Elder, would I lie to you?”

Seina and Laila exchanged brief words, but Jaekiel sensed through his spiritual awareness that they were close to their destination.

‘The energy of demons and magicians is mixed together.’

At the end of the corridor, a fierce battle seemed to be unfolding. The smell of something burning and human blood faintly tickled his nose.

With that, Jaekiel immediately unleashed his ice spear.

Whoosh!

He pursued and shot at the dense demonic figures. With a thud, the sound of their foreheads being pierced rang out as he finally arrived.

Whoosh!

At the end of the corridor, there was an expansive chamber. As expected, it was filled with a large number of individuals.

Demons, magicians… it was a chaotic mix.

The demons and magicians, seeing the ice path Jaekiel had laid out, widened their eyes in surprise and immediately cried out.

“…Ice?”

“What is this human?!”

“A magician?”

They were all very surprised.

Jaekiel quickly assessed the situation.

It seemed the demons had surrounded the magician group, attacking them. The magicians were leaning against the walls, barely holding out.

Despite the bad situation, Jaekiel felt at ease.

“…Anes.”

It was because his personal secretary was still alive.

Of course, she didn’t look well. Her once neat bob cut was covered in dust, and her arms and legs had several cuts.

‘She’s been working so hard for the Imperial Tower.’

It was clear to see.

The Imperial Tower magicians, including Anes, looked exhausted, while the magicians in purple robes seemed relatively unharmed.

It was clear what this suggested.

Anes and the Imperial Tower magicians had been holding out while guarding the magicians of the Purple Tower.

It was then that Anes finally noticed Jaekiel.

“Ah…?”

At first, she thought more demons had arrived, and chewed her lips, but then she looked at Jaekiel again, her eyes wide in shock.

“Sir Auditor…?”

The expression of someone who had been desperately holding on quickly faded, and she stared at Jaekiel with blank eyes, as if hearing one of his usual absurd jokes.

“How did you get here…?”

“Muttering from afar, that’s not very polite.”

Jaekiel interrupted Anes, as speaking seemed to be a struggle for her, and he wanted to be considerate.

“Stay there and wait.”

He then took a large step forward.

“I’ll go directly.”

They could chat after the situation was resolved.

First, they needed to clear the area.

Whoosh!

It didn’t take long. Just seconds later, the icy hell began swallowing the demons whole.