[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 240: Ascension (4)

The first thing to vanish was the floor.

The platform that had supported all the chairs in the presentation hall disappeared, replaced by clouds.

What was even more astonishing was that not a single person fell through the clouds.

“……”

At that moment, one of the audience members absentmindedly looked up at the ceiling—and their face went slack with awe.

Seeing that reaction, others followed suit, lifting their heads.

The phenomenon spread like a trend.

“Beautiful.”

Above their heads wasn’t the ceiling of a building—it was a painting-like moon and starry night sky.

Though startled by the sudden transformation, the audience erupted into cheers.

“White Tower prepared something like this?”

“It feels like I’m dreaming. Hopefully we don’t wake up too soon.”

“So this is what people mean by ‘dreamlike.’”

The projection that the Yellow Tower had presented couldn't possibly quench the thirst the way this could.

The vivid experience that felt as though it had brought the real sky down to them moved everyone from the very beginning.

Most assumed it was simply an illusion created by magic—but a few knew better.

“...World Liberation?”

“Keh, things are getting interesting.”

“I almost instinctively began gathering mana myself.”

Those especially sensitive to magic—Master-level mages—

They alone realized immediately that what they were seeing was someone’s mental world.

“Your Majesty! This is a clear violation of regulations—a fraudulent presentation!”

One beat late to process the situation, Tony Havertz shouted.

He drew all eyes to himself as he walked across the clouds to kneel before the Emperor.

“In the White Night Festival’s presentation rulebook, Clause 1, Article 8 clearly states:

A mage of Level 7 or above is prohibited from using magic to assist in a presentation.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor, who knew those rules better than anyone, gave a slow nod.

After all, the entirety of the White Night Festival's regulations had originated from his own mind and hand.

“It’s truly a beautiful sight—but rules are rules.”

The Emperor then cast a subtle look of disapproval at Schwein Koch.

“This time, White Tower's ambition has gone too far. Have the world withdrawn immediately.”

Having achieved the situation he’d wanted, Tony Havertz regained his composure.

He then glanced at his master, the Yellow Tower Lord Pentalion, who rarely acknowledged his competence.

‘What do you think now, Master? I handled this situation alone.’

But his master’s twisted expression remained fixed, showing no sign of softening.

Tony tilted his head, puzzled by the unexpected reaction.

‘Why?’

Driven psychologically into a corner by Yellow Tower’s presentation, White Tower had overextended.

World Liberation, of all things.

It wasn’t that the other towers didn’t know how to use it—

They had refrained because it was banned and could lead to disqualification.

‘There’s no way Master didn’t know that…’

Just as that thought passed through his mind—

A chilling hypothesis brushed past his consciousness.

‘No… No, it can't be. It shouldn’t be…’

His head snapped toward the stage, eyes locked on Schwein.

Swallowing nervously, Schwein finally opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, I regret to say… this world is not mine.”

“……Hmm?”

At this unexpected response, Emperor Ludwig’s eyes widened slightly.

Only two people had taken the stage.

If Schwein hadn’t used World Liberation, then the other person must have.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned to that "other" person.

“Yes. Though I’m lacking, this is indeed my world.”

With a calm admission and a gentle smile, Oscar looked every bit the nobleman.

The Emperor, staring at him in disbelief, asked,

“...Hold on. I’m not following. Are you saying, Oscar Crucian, that you’ve reached Level 7?”

“No, Your Majesty. I am still a Level 6 mage.”

“……”

The Emperor’s pupils trembled.

If Oscar was telling the truth, then this wasn’t a simple violation of presentation regulations.

It was a breach of the very structure and principles—

A defiance of the established, immutable magic system.

‘World Liberation is a power only available to those who’ve reached Level 7.’

Not once in the hundreds of years since the magical system was formalized had that fact ever been challenged.

But a single Level 6 mage had just shattered that truth in front of everyone—

And did so with an utterly serene expression, as if to say: If you’re already shocked, this will only get worse.

After a moment of thought, the Emperor spoke again.

“Andre Bright.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“In your expert view, is White Tower’s claim valid?”

“Hm.”

Andre Bright, an 8th-level mage, swept the area with his mana.

After a short moment, he withdrew his power and gave a polite bow.

“Based on my examination, Oscar Crucian is indeed a Level 6 mage, and this world is certainly constructed from his mana.”

“……I see.”

The Emperor slowly nodded, then made his proclamation.

“As you’ve all heard, White Tower has not violated any of the presentation regulations. Resume the demonstration.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Oscar bowed his head in gratitude, then turned back to face the audience.

His face felt hot.

Countless emotions reflected in the stares aimed at him.

But Oscar welcomed the pressure and opened his mouth once again.

“From long ago, humans have looked up to the sky.”

For this presentation, Oscar had chosen not to showcase complex spell structures or theories.

Instead, he relied on storytelling—pulling the audience in through narrative.

“In that high sky, some said gods resided. Others believed the souls of the dead became stars embedded in the night.”

Oscar's voice wasn't loud, but every listener caught it clearly.

“Yes. The sky has always been an object of awe. The stage for myth. Forever out of our reach, dismissed as a fleeting illusion.”

When something becomes too easily obtainable, its value declines.

And in that sense, the sky's value was beyond measure.

No one in history had ever reached it.

Oscar paused, slowly scanning the audience—

As if trying to meet the gaze of each individual person.

“……And here today, White Tower makes its declaration.”

Oscar’s deep magic surged as a spatial spell took shape.

The location it unfolded?

Beneath the clouds.

Raising one hand gently, Oscar whispered sweetly,

“The sky humanity has longed for… is finally within our grasp.”

KWOAAAAAHH!

A ship burst forth from beneath the sea of clouds, rising from the ground.

All eyes widened in astonishment as the ship soared upward—into the sky.

Oscar watched the flying vessel and bowed like a gentleman.

“Behold. The airship, heralding humanity’s arrival to the Age of the Sky.”

The audience was struck speechless.

No one even dared to breathe too loudly,

As if worried they might somehow mar this historic moment.

But this won’t last long, Oscar thought.

He didn’t rush the audience, instead waiting patiently.

Finally, it came.

Clap. Clap.

The sound of applause echoed through the still air.

And then—

Clap clap clap clap!

The standing ovation thundered, filling the starry sky above.

Everyone rose to their feet, offering praise to the White Tower.

Oscar glanced sideways and quietly asked,

“How do you feel?”

“…For a lifetime.”

In Schwein Koch’s mind, the eight years he had dedicated to this research flashed by like a time-lapse.

He shed hot tears as he looked at the result of the research he had poured his youth into.

“A sight I’ll never forget, not for the rest of my life.”

Even as tears flowed nonstop, Schwein didn’t close his eyes—

as if trying to etch this sight into his retinas.

So that one day, if someone asked about this moment, he could describe it better than anyone.

“If it weren’t for you, Elder, no one could have even started this research.”

“…And if not for you, this scene wouldn’t exist either.”

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

As the two shook hands on stage, the applause and cheers grew even louder.

A standing ovation that lasted a full 14 minutes—

twice as long as the one the Yellow Tower received during their presentation.

Of course, not everyone in the hall was clapping.

“……”

In particular, Tony Havertz of the Yellow Tower was huddled with his mages, heads together.

They were likely trying to identify even a single flaw in the airship to secure funding for railway installation.

‘Efficient, I’ll give them that.’

Honestly, it was impressive.

The exterior of the airship was beautiful enough to captivate anyone at first glance.

And it wasn’t just a pretty shell.

‘Go ahead, attack all you want.’

We’ll take it all.

Soon, the applause began to die down, and the emperor slowly opened his mouth.

“An airship, huh…”

He wore a wistful expression, as if reminiscing about the past.

“I once tried something like that myself. I’m reminded of the days I debated with the former White Tower Master daily.”

It was less of a “debate” and more of a constant fight.

They bickered almost every day, got emotional, and then rejoiced like madmen whenever progress was made.

Looking back now, it was a fun time.

Recalling those days, Oscar spoke up.

“You must be referring to Project Skydawn. It greatly inspired us as well.”

“…Is that so?”

A satisfied yet bittersweet smile crept across Emperor Ludwig’s lips.

“Well then… I’m glad to hear it. The former White Tower Master would have been delighted to see this stage.”

“He certainly would have.”

That much was undeniably true.

Even now, his heart swelled with so much joy it felt like he might explode.

“I already thought the train technology would change the world… and then you brought out something even greater.”

The emperor turned his gaze toward the Yellow Tower.

“Now, I imagine they have more questions than I do.”

“…Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty.”

Tony Havertz bowed and immediately asked a question, as if waiting for the moment.

“To be frank, we’re shocked. A vehicle that flies through the sky is both astounding and terrifying…”

When a sentence ends with “but”, it usually means trouble is coming.

“There are some practical concerns we’d like to address.”

“Elder Schwein will handle that part,”

Oscar replied.

At that, Elder Schwein stepped forward.

“When you say ‘practical concerns,’ what exactly do you mean?”

“First, the battery. Even if it can fly, if the usable time is short, it’s just a flashy spectacle.”

Elder Schwein smiled as if amused.

He was fully prepared for this exact question.

“No need to worry about that. The White Tower’s airship, at least in theory, operates on infinite energy.”

“…Infinite energy?”

Tony Havertz’s face twisted in disbelief.

“That’s absurd! No such technology exists!”

“Of course it didn’t. We only just invented it.”

Schwein was about to introduce the new battery—a combination of Ouroboros and magitech—when,

“Wait, did you just say your battery uses the Yellow Tower’s magitech?”

Tony’s eyes gleamed like a predator that had spotted prey.

He now had grounds to claim a share in the technology.

But Schwein didn’t flinch as he nodded confidently.

“That’s right. Is there a problem with that?”

“Of course there is. We weren’t informed about this in advance.”

“Hmm? That’s strange. The head of your magitech department personally approved it.”

Startled, Tony paused, unsure if he really had.

But as his eyes met the Yellow Tower Master’s, he shook his head and narrowed his eyes.

“A lie like that will be exposed eventually.”

“Try to recall. When we submitted the documents regarding the delivery bikes used by the Wind Tribe, we included that detail.”

“…The Wind Tribe? Bikes?”

That Wind Rider delivery business or whatever?

Tony recalled the documents and looked like he’d just been struck on the back of the head.

“Th-then the battery patent listed in that document was…?”

“Exactly. It’s the same battery—though scaled up—that powers the Nosfela.”

“No way!”

Tony shook his head in disbelief.

The bike specs listed at the time were nothing like this.

‘If those bikes had infinite energy, there’s no way I would’ve missed it.’

The Zephyr-001 bike listed in the documents recommended a charge every six hours.

Its specs were worse than the Yellow Tower’s own mass-produced batteries.

So they hadn’t paid much attention to the battery section.

But then realization dawned.

‘Wait, did they… downgrade the specs on purpose because of us?’

The moment Tony realized everything had been a massive setup just for this presentation—

his face turned pale.

‘…And I’m the one who signed those documents in the end.’

Which meant he was the one responsible.

Where had things gone wrong?

As cold sweat drenched Tony’s back, Schwein continued his presentation.

“The Nosfela can carry about 200,000 tons of cargo.”

“That’s less than a train.”

“Yes. But the airship can circle the entire continent in just 18 hours.”

“…Hoo.”

It was an overwhelming speed.

The ability to ignore mountains, lakes, and rivers by flying over them—

that was a privilege only the skies allowed.

“Moreover, unlike trains, airships aren’t restricted to rails.”

“Lords and city mayors will be thrilled.”

As the emperor said, many lords and mayors were already lighting up with interest.

Trains required major investment now for future returns.

But the airship?

Practically free in comparison.

Even a child could guess which would be more appealing.

“Do you plan to build something like train stations as well?”

“Yes. We’ll construct airports in major cities, making the airships accessible to the public and boosting local economies.”

“Splendid. Absolutely splendid!”

The emperor stood and began clapping.

Naturally, everyone else followed suit in another standing ovation.

“Today’s White Tower presentation will go down in imperial history.”

“Ah… Your Majesty, forgive me, but our presentation isn’t over yet.”

Oscar spoke cautiously, and the emperor blinked.

“Hmm? There’s still more?”

“Yes. Though it’s not as revolutionary as the airship.”

“Hoho, still—if you’ve prepared it, we should see it.”

The affection in the emperor’s gaze was plain to see.

And rightly so—conquering the skies offered immense strategic value, especially with conflict against the demons looming.

“Thank you. This next announcement isn’t about a new invention per se…”

The crowd showed mild disappointment.

‘Well, they couldn’t have possibly brought two airships.’

‘Should’ve led with the minor stuff.’

‘Hope this doesn’t ruin the mood.’

Oscar saw their lack of anticipation and chuckled to himself.

Then, as if it were nothing, he dropped a bombshell,

“As of today, the White Tower has fully restored all past magical data, including 63 high-tier spells.”

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]