Chapter 265

Although Walwiss was glad that Elena was safe and fine, he was now stuck in a difficult situation. He had mobilized too many of the citys troops to save his granddaughter. Of course, the main reason why he had brought up all that fuss to gather troops was to capture Zich and his companions rather than to save Elena; but since they had failed to accomplish their first goal, they couldnt prevent their reputation from getting tarnished.

As expected of Sunewickthe city of the magical towerthe highest authoritative figure was the master of the magical tower, Walwiss. However, like other cities, Sunewick also had mayors and other bureaucrats, and Walwiss couldnt just ignore them either. Since he went overboard in this incident, there was now friction between him and them.

Walwiss didnt regret his decision. If he encountered the same situation, he thought he would do the same thing again. Yet, it didnt change the fact that he now had many troublesome problems to deal with. Moreover, on top of this difficult situation, some mages were protesting against Walwiss. They werent just ordinary mages, but all from elite families and members of the highest meetings in the magical tower.

Of course, it wasnt like they were leading a coup dtat. They had simply requested Walwiss to step down from his current position. During normal times, he would have simply been able to ignore their requests, but now, with his weakened political position, Walwiss took considerable damage from them. Walwiss was the master of the magical tower because he was the most talented mage, but that didnt mean he was guaranteed a life-term position. Since the mages in the tower had gathered for the benefit of the tower, if the master brought some great harm, they were sometimes chased away from their position.

The people asking Walwiss to step down argued that Walwiss actions had seriously damaged the magical towers reputation and relationship with the city. Thus, the mages in the magical tower were split into two large fractions.

Overall, the general public opinion was that regardless of what Walwiss did, it was not enough for him to step down and get expelled from the magical tower; however, he should take responsibility for his actions. Normally, these kinds of complaints would quietly simmer down and disappear, but those who challenged Walwiss authority were from elite families and brought it to the public light.

And thats what the situation of the magical tower is like. Since they were collaborators now (at least on the outside), Orland explained the current situation of the magical tower to Zich in great detail.

Zich fervently listened to Orlands words as if he believed that Orland would return the same attitude and courtesy. However, both of them had no intentions to join hands and walk the same path together; they just wanted to use each other.

However, regardless of how bad the situation is in the magical tower, my fathers influence and power is still substantially high. It would be hard for an outside force to attack him. While saying this, Orland stole a glance at Zich.

Orland thought that the main reason why Zich had asked for his help despite Zichs status as the Karuwiman Honorary Knight was because of Walwiss powerful status as the master of the magical tower. Therefore, if Zich judged Walwiss influence and authority to have plummeted low enough, Zich could start moving independently and think that he no longer needed Orland.

Orland needed to absolutely prevent that from happening. Of course, he also knows that I have a connection with the other elite families in the magical tower, so he wont be able to break our cooperation so easily.

Yes, youre right. Zich agreed to Orlands words. Sir, youre able to assess the situation very well. I chose to cooperate with you because you are one of the top mages in the magical tower despite your young age, and you are knowledgeable about Walwiss Dwayne. Yet, I really did not make a mistake in choosing you. Its really fortunate that were working together.

After complimenting Orland, Zichs expression turned serious again. Sir, as you said, we cant move hastily. Moreover, the situation right now is strange.

Strange? What do you mean?

Sir, you told me that out of the top mages, there were a total of three people, including Wayne Jaewick who turned against Walwiss, right?

Yes, thats right.

Its strange because from my resources, there should be more than three people. But youre saying that only three stepped forward.

Is that so?

Yes. Do you think that perhaps, our enemies are hiding their numbers?

Yes, that is a possible explanation.

Even though Orland replied nonchalantly, he was taken aback. Honestly, there were a few more families that Orland could influence to turn against Walwiss. Like Zich said though, he didnt use them this time in case something happened.

As I expected.

Orland felt relieved that Zich let this slip by. However, he was shocked by what Zich murmured to himself next.

Is my evidence wrong? If it is, I might have to go back to the very beginning and investigate it all over again

If Zich decided to start his investigation from the beginning, he would no longer be Orlands ally and hed start looking for new culprits.

Then Ill become one of his suspects again. Zich had told him that Orland had been a strong suspect before he became convinced that Walwiss was the culprit. If it was the past, Orland would have just snorted if Zich told him he was a suspect, but the situation was different now.

I dont want to have a negative relationship with the Karuwimans.

If Zich suspected him as the culprit, all the benefits from this cooperation would cease, and hed be exchanging positions with Walwiss.

Damn it, I guess it cant be helped. I need to bring the other guys in. Orland didnt know how many collaborators Zich knew. He sneakily tried to ask Zich about it, but Zich shook his head and said he couldnt reveal that information.

If the people who turn against Walwiss are less than what he knows about, he might become suspicious of his evidence and re-investigate this whole matter.

Thus, it didnt matter if more people turned against Walwiss than what Zichs resources told him, but if fewer people turned against Walwiss than what Zich knew about, the situation would turn out unfavorably for Orland. However, Orland didnt know how much information Zich had.

I guess it cant be helped. I need to make all my collaborators turn against Walwiss.

Even though this would make the situation even more dangerous, Orland was unable to let Zich go. The robed figures were all killed, and Zich would be critical for driving out Walwiss. Moreover, he couldnt let Zich become suspicious of him.

While watching Orland rack his brain, Zich watched him with clear satisfaction. Yep. Mobilize all your collaborators. Bring out all the cards you have. Zich could roughly estimate the number of collaborators Orland had by the people who turned against Walwiss, but Zich was sure that there were more people behind the scenes.

A guy like you wont reveal all the cards in your deck from the very beginning.

However, Orland now had no choice but to reveal all his collaborators. Zich thought, Well, why dont you start moving, my friend? How can you accomplish your ruined plan if not for me? Dont you have to earn my trust? Why dont you work hard so that I wont get suspicious of my evidence and start re-investigating?

Zich let Orland think for a very long time, and then finally said, Then, should we end the meeting for today? Lets wait a few more days. More collaborators might show their faces.

I got it. Even though he wanted to grimace, Orland couldnt do that in front of Zich. He pretended to be calm.

Ah, by the way, do you know the reason why your father is targeting you and Elena?

Its not certain that my father is trying to harm us.

Sir, I understand your feelings, but I need to get as many clues as possible. It would be okay even if its just a speculation, Zich asked with a serious expression. On the inside, however, he was thinking, Yeah, just tell me your made-up excuse about why Walwiss is targeting you and Elena.

If I have to think about a reason Orland hesitantly answered, I think it might be because hes embarrassed about me and Elena.

Embarrassed?

Orland asked, What image do you have of my father?

Hes extremely fearsome as a mage. I dont know what he is like as the head of the magical tower, but he has an image of a grandpa who loves and cares for his granddaughter Elena.

Is that so? There was a slight bitterness in Orlands voice.

Is thisnot an act? Zich tilted his head because Orlands expression looked very real. Zich judged that even if Orland was still acting, there was some truth mixed in with his words.

When my father was younger, his personality was not like this at all. He was an extremely cold person who determined a person's worth based on their magical achievement. In a way, his personality was similar to Wayne Jaewicks.

Zich thought this was quite surprising information.