’Whoooooosh—!’

In the central area of the Ivory Tower, where the hundred-story tower had collapsed, the thick dust began to settle, revealing the fragments of shattered buildings. A large crater had formed in the center.

’Gurgle—’

There.

’Gurgle, gurgle—’

Lava, like droplets of blood, was welling up.

---

The Tower of Time had fallen. Fortunately, the residents of the nearby city had evacuated after hearing the emergency broadcast, and the streets were deserted. Simon brushed his sand-dusted bangs aside and stared at the surrounding ruins. A disaster of this scale would inevitably be followed by tragedy and sorrow, but...

"Future Simon is amazing," Serne muttered. "To think of saving the people in the tower amidst all this."

"Haha." Just before destroying the tower, Future Simon had used the dungeon to detect everyone inside, then wrapped them in the walls and pulled them to safety. Most had only fainted or been knocked unconscious.

"Over here," Merida called, waving from amidst the ruins. "Lord Daniela is here."

"Ah...!" Simon rushed over. He could see Daniela lying unconscious among the debris. Serne placed a feather on him to briefly diagnose his condition.

"His life isn’t in danger," she reported. "Reading his memories, it seems he cast a large-scale barrier across all floors to protect people as Bermude rose up with the lava."

Simon smiled bitterly.

"That’s Daniela for you." He was an incredible person. He felt ashamed for ever having suspected such a man.

"People from the main tower will be here soon to handle the situation," Serne said. "Let’s leave the cleanup to them."

"Wait, so what happens now? The Ivory Tower..."

"They’ll be subject to a major investigation by the Dark Alliance. Of course, I’ve already taken care of things." She smiled like a fox. "They’re not a criminal organization that attempted to destroy Kizen and failed. They are the victors who stopped the deviation of ’some radical elements’ and protected the peace alongside their important ally. See the difference?"

"It’s a fine line, but the nuance is completely different."

"Hehe. I’ve studied a lot of politics in my time."

[It’s useless.]

’Bubble-bubble-bubble—!’

Simon, Serne, and Merida quickly turned their heads.

"No way...!"

Lava was erupting from the ground. Serne shouted sharply, "Move!"

’BOOM! BOOM!’

Crimson magma burst from the ground in various places, like geysers.

"Is he actually alive?" Simon asked, dumbfounded. "Didn’t he get slammed down from the hundredth floor?"

"Just run for now, Simon," Merida said, wrapping herself in a blanket enhanced with defensive magic.

The three of them ran, dodging the surging lava. Simon roughly swung his arm to the side. Bone Armor emerged from his subspace, grabbing the fallen people and carrying them to higher ground. However, some he couldn’t reach were swept away by the flowing lava.

"What are you doing?!"

’RUUUUUMBLE!’

Suddenly, a wave of lava rose up in front of them, and the three of them stopped in their tracks.

[I won’t let you escape.] Bermude revealed himself from within the lava. His abdomen was hollowed out like a donut, but he was still moving. No matter how much of a powerhouse the Tower Master was, this sight far surpassed the realm of humanity.

"My, my. Instead of acting so disgracefully in your old age, why don’t you just disappear, Father?" Serne shot a verbal barb, a beautiful smile on her face.

[Serne.] Bermude’s body seethed. [Why did you betray me?]

"Shouldn’t you get your facts straight? You betrayed me first, Father." Serne tilted her head. "Your grand cause of destroying Kizen was just because you received orders from the ’Union’? Did they promise you a cure for that fatal disease of yours?" A feather bloomed at her fingertips, glowing with light. "You deceived and betrayed the Ivory Tower."

As she threw the feather, a dazzling explosion erupted. Simon and Merida shielded their eyes from the intense flash. Bermude’s body, engulfed in lava, seemed to crumble, but then it righted itself, perfectly fine, like a roly-poly toy.

"Give up. Soon, the necromancers from the Ivory Tower headquarters will arrive..."

"There will be no support from headquarters." Bermude emerged from the lava, revealing his full form. Seeing him in person, the sight of his entirely missing abdomen was even more gruesome. It was hard to believe he could move in such a state. "Do you see that?"

Bermude pointed toward the distant Headquarters Tower, where a crimson barrier was covering it.

"When I was first thrown out of the Tower of Time, I contacted headquarters and, with my authority as Tower Master, had them deploy an ’Asymmetrical Barrier." This barrier was designed to withstand an assault from Nephthys herself, so it could endure even if the continent sank. No one could get out for two hours. "And I also moved the barrier that made up the Tower of Time and spread it over a wider area."

Simon looked up. Indeed, there was a section where the sunlight was refracting at a certain point. There was definitely a barrier.

"Communication and teleportation are impossible," Bermude continued. "The scenario is this: Everyone who was in the Tower of Time died in an accident caused by Girdon tampering with the ’Frozen Clock." He lowered his arm and looked at Serne. "Kizen will lose its Student Council President and its overall fourth rank, but the Ivory Tower will also lose its home and its heir, so no suspicion will be cast. It will all be just a tragic accident."

Merida’s eyes widened.

"You think anyone would believe such a cheap trick?"

’Flash!’

She swung her arm, and a curse shot out. But Bermude simply flicked his cloak, deflecting the curse and sending it back at Merida.

’Thwack!’

She was sent flying and collapsed to the ground. Already at her limit, Merida lost consciousness.

"Merida!"

"Actually, it doesn’t matter if they believe it or not," Bermude chuckled. "Simon Polentia. The one who shot me down was probably another personality of yours that appeared when you went berserk with the ’Frozen Clock.’ But when I was hit by that black attack, I was certain." The corners of his mouth lifted. "You were the child ’the Elder’ wanted."

"I don’t need the Ivory Tower anymore. By offering you to him, I can advance to a new stage." He strode forward.

Serne stepped in front of Simon.

"Run."

"No. You’re just as exhausted."

Both of them had run out of Jet-Black and stamina. Simon, from when he went berserk. Serne, from when she released the ’Absolute Seal.’ Both had already overcome near-death experiences, and it was a wonder they were even standing. They were in no condition to fight.

’Pier is out of strength from helping me. Akyumus is seriously injured, and Herseva needs time. Summoning Prince also requires Jet-Black...!’

With every step Bermude took, the sky darkened with pyroclastic flows. Simon raised the Greatsword of Ruin with a trembling arm, and Serne leaned against his back, a feather in her hand. The light flickering on it was faint.

"This is your last chance, Serne," Bermude said heavily. "Offer him to me."

Serne said nothing.

"We may not be related by blood, but you are of the same kind as me. You have ambition, and for that, you wouldn’t care what happens to the Ivory Tower. You can still turn everything back now."

"Don’t be mistaken." Serne glared at her adoptive father with disgust. "My hostility towards you isn’t just because you betrayed the Ivory Tower."

"Then—"

"You tried to kill Simon." The corners of her lips lifted. "Simon and Meirin are not within the scope of what I’m willing to compromise, Father."

Simon looked at Serne with surprise as she suddenly placed her right hand on his head and began to stroke his hair.

"Simon, at least, has to live for another ten years."

"Wh-What are you doing?!"

"Revenge." Serne’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "How dare you treat me like a child?"

"I never did!"

Bermude’s eyes grew cold as he watched them.

"Is it because of a man? I never knew you had that side to you. What a ridiculously absurd ending." He raised his arm. "Disappear."

Crimson lava surged up behind him. At Bermude’s gesture, a wave of lava rushed towards the two of them. Simon and Serne stood back-to-back, watching the approaching wave.

’Can I cut through it in one blow in this condition?’ Even if he couldn’t, he had to. Having made his resolve, Simon slid his left foot back. ’Space itself...!’

’SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!’

An otherworldly blue wave surged forward and crashed into the crimson wave of lava.

"This is!" Bermude’s face contorted into a grimace.

"So you were here. Hmph!"

Simon’s face lit up as he turned around. A burly man who had made a grand entrance riding a wave landed gracefully on the ground. He was so relieved to see the man, it almost brought tears to his eyes.

"Senior Phantasus!"

"Hahahaha!" With a cheerful laugh, Phantasus raised his muscular arms. "Good to see you, my successor! I’ve been hearing about your exploits and cheering you on! Hmph!"

Serne, who was acquainted with him, also waved.

"My, it’s been a while, Senior."

"Hmph! You look the same as ever! I’m glad you’re both safe!" In Phantasus’s arms, Merida was sleeping soundly. With a simple gesture, he created a wave in the air and laid Merida down on it. The wave carrying her quickly moved away from the battlefield, passing through the ruins. "The evacuation is more or less complete! Hmph!"

The ruins of the Tower of Time, which had become a lava field, were flooded in the blink of an eye. Waves crashed everywhere, carrying the injured to distant places.

"The risk has become a reality," Bermude scowled. "Nephthys’s greatest masterpiece, and the former Student Council President of Kizen, Phantasus Hugh Ikel."

Phantasus slammed his two fists together with a ’thud!’

"A pleasure to meet you, Tower Master."

"How did you get here?"

"The necklace my sister is wearing told me her location."

"I don’t think we need to fight here." Bermude shrugged. "You’re merely being used by Nephthys. She knew this would happen and pushed your sister into the Ivory Tower. Don’t you find it despicable? How they’re still using your weakness to order you around like a student, even though you’ve graduated."

"I’m sorry, but Merida is not my weakness."

"If you pretend you didn’t see this, I’ll let your sister go." Bermude waved his hand. Far in the distance, volcanoes suddenly erupted on either side of Merida, who was riding a wave. Phantasus’s wave quickly twisted to avoid the pyroclastic debris. "But if you choose to fight, I cannot guarantee your sister’s life, let alone your own. Back down now."

"Hahahahaha!" After a hearty laugh, Phantasus lowered his stance and drew up his Jet-Black. "I’m sorry, but these two are the juniors from Kizen I cherish the most! I can’t just look the other way!"

"How unfortunate." A murderous glint flashed in Bermude’s eyes. "Then you shall die here as well."

Phantasus grinned, revealing his white teeth.

"I will make you pay for your sins, Tower Master."

As the two powerhouses gestured, lava and waves surged forward and clashed.