CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER94-THE GLORY OF THE MAGE TOWER SHALL NOT BE DEFILED

At last, the staircase came to an end.

A massive metallic gate barred their path—its surface inscribed with intricate runes that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat.

Upon its center was a recess, perfectly matching the shape of the Holy Sword’s crossguard.

"It seems the Holy Sword itself is the key to open it,"

Elarielle observed calmly after a brief inspection.

Lilith drew in a deep breath, then stepped forward and inserted Excalibur into the slot.

CLANG—

A deep, resonant chime rolled through the entire sanctum, reverberating for what felt like eternity.

Slowly, the enormous doors swung inward—revealing not a chamber, but an endless miniature cosmos.

Stars drifted across the void, their light swirling like dust in the wake of creation.

At the center of that vastness floated a radiant orb of purest silver—

its aura unmistakably resonant with the Holy Sword.

That was Excalibur’s lost origin—The Heart of the Prophet.

The sword in Lilith’s hand trembled violently, nearly slipping from her grasp.

Lilith looked at it, then smiled softly.

"Go, my friend. Take back what’s yours."

She released her hold.

Excalibur shot forward as a streak of golden light, racing eagerly toward the silver radiance.

When the two touched, there was no explosion, no thunder—only a gentle, sacred fusion.

Gold and silver intertwined, dancing like the dawn and dusk embracing the heavens—

until at last, they merged into one.

Before them now floated a renewed Holy Sword, its form graceful and refined,

its once golden glow now threaded with subtle silver starlight.

A force vast enough to rewrite the laws of the world stirred faintly within it.

The complete Holy Sword, Excalibur, had been reborn.

In the starlit expanse, a familiar phantom slowly appeared.

He gazed upon the restored blade, eyes filled with mixed emotion—

relief, remembrance, and a trace of buried regret.

"If we had wielded such a sword back then," he murmured softly,

"perhaps the fall of the Human Mage Tower would not have been so tragic."

He shook his head gently, dispelling the thought.

He belonged to the past—its glory and hope were now entrusted to the future.

Turning toward Lilith, he bowed solemnly.

"Miss Lilith, from this moment forth, the duty to restore the Mage Tower’s former glory

and safeguard the flame of humanity rests upon your shoulders."

Before she could respond, he raised a hand slightly, a faint smile forming.

"The inheritance is complete. Allow me to send you all out."

At that, both Elarielle and Reize immediately exchanged glances.

Their unspoken message was clear: After all that escort duty, we’d better not be leaving empty-handed.

Sensing their expectant gazes, the phantom sighed.

With a resigned gesture, he sent two beams of light—each containing refined soul power and ancient battle insights—

into their foreheads.

Both warriors felt a surge of energy within.

"Thank you for your generosity, elder!" they said together, exhilarated.

The gift was not as extravagant as President Leo’s rewards, perhaps—but still a blessing from an ancient powerhouse.

Better that than leaving empty-handed.

At that moment, Fiona popped her little dragon head out from Lilith’s armlet.

"Uh, excuse me, kind sir, I was wondering if I could—"

"Alright!"

The phantom cut her off hastily, his tone suddenly urgent.

"The relic’s energy is destabilizing! Farewell, everyone!"

A burst of brilliant white light enveloped the group before Fiona could finish her plea,

and in the blink of an eye, their figures vanished from the sanctum.

"...Damn it—!"

Fiona’s draconic curse was swallowed by the light of teleportation.

At that very moment, a powerful repulsive force swept across the ruins of the Mage Tower.

Every being within—no matter where they stood or what they were doing—

was forcibly expelled in an instant.

Many adventurers who were just inches from touching treasures or inheritances erupted in furious cursing,

but it was pointless.

The Tower’s judgment was absolute.

Soon, the grand halls of the once-glorious Human Mage Tower were empty again,

save for the lone phantom standing silently at its heart.

He gazed upon the broken walls and faded sigils—the ruins of endless glory.

After a long silence, a faint smile finally curved his lips.

"The Human Mage Tower... shall once again shine with the light of the Starborn."

"Quite the clever move, my lord."

The mocking voice came suddenly, echoing through the chamber.

The phantom’s soul flared with alarm as he spun around sharply.

Standing in the shadows was a man—human in form, yet exuding an unfathomable aura.

He smiled faintly, neither hostile nor friendly, his eyes glinting with ancient amusement.

Impossible!

How could this man appear within the Tower’s core chamber without his notice!?

Was he... not of this plane at all?

"Who are you?" the phantom demanded warily.

The man’s smile deepened.

"Me?"

"I’m the father of the new Mage Tower Master you just appointed."

The phantom’s form flickered violently, betraying his shock.

Her father?

Yet he could not perceive even the faintest limit to this man’s strength.

In his presence, the phantom’s soul felt as if it stood before the boundless night sky itself—vast and immeasurable.

Still, he forced himself to remain composed, asking the question that burned within him.

"My lord... may I ask, where did you obtain the Holy Sword Excalibur?"

Even at the height of the Mage Tower’s reign across Sakend,

they had never managed to locate the lost Holy Sword—so where had this man found it?

Leo merely chuckled and shook his head.

"The origin isn’t important."

(He wasn’t about to admit he’d just redeemed it from the system store.)

Then his tone shifted—subtle amusement giving way to sharp reprimand.

"But you—my daughter’s barely reached the Primary God Rank,

and you had the nerve to burden her with such a heavy destiny?"

Before the phantom could respond, the air trembled—

a suffocating, soul-crushing pressure descended upon him.

It was not merely power—it was a divine threat to existence itself.

The phantom’s light flickered chaotically, his soul core quivering under the weight—yet he forced himself to speak.

"My lord, the covenant has been made."

"Once she accepted the Mage Tower’s inheritance, whether willingly or not,

she must bear the fate that accompanies it."

Leo’s eyes grew cold.

"I respect that you once fought for humanity’s survival—you were a hero."

"But if you think you can scheme against my daughter, that’s another matter entirely."

"Do you truly believe I wouldn’t erase your last fragment of consciousness?"

The phantom was silent for a long time.

His light dimmed further, his voice low and faint.

"If my lord insists on striking me down, then do so."

"My true self perished long ago. This remnant lingers only to await its end."

Leo stared for a moment—then unexpectedly burst into laughter.

The dignified Master of the Human Mage Tower... resorting to such pitiful fatalism?

Truly a sight worth remembering.

He could tell—Vincent had indeed passed the inheritance to Lilith,

partly to preserve the Tower’s legacy through her immense fortune.

That binding was troublesome, yes—but nothing Leo couldn’t handle.

Still, Vincent himself was the real prize.

So Leo dropped the pretense and made his offer directly.

"Would you be willing to follow me?"

Vincent blinked, momentarily stunned—then his eyes hardened with pride befitting a former Tower Master.

"I, Vincent, once stood as the Master of the Mage Tower.

Even if my soul fades to nothing, I will never bow to another!"

"But I appreciate your kindness, my lord."

Leo sighed, genuinely disappointed.

Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he produced a small crystal vial.

Inside shimmered a liquid of radiant gold, pulsing with pure soul energy.

"A pity... This was prepared for you—Soul Restoration Water.

It could have rebuilt your body, restored your soul,

and even helped you surpass the limits that once bound your rank."

He toyed with the vial absently as he turned away, his footsteps slow and unhurried.

Yet to Vincent, every step felt like a call from paradise itself.

Just as Leo reached the edge of the hall—

"Wait!"

"My lord, please—wait!"