325 – Tower of Illusion

[Imperial Defense Agency Dangerous Person Report]

Name: Tower of Illusion / Yuna Yurensto Violetiris

Rank: Undetermined (Estimated Class 0, if not dealt with early, could become a national disaster)

Active Period: End of Lion Era 453 ~ Ongoing

#1

It appeared suddenly, swallowing a portion of the Academy grounds and a mad mage’s lab whole. It takes the form of a tower, but its interior is a world unto itself.

Hereafter, we will refer to it as the “Tower of Illusion.”

The Tower of Illusion has the following characteristics:

● It blurs the boundary between illusion and reality. Near the tower, things that never existed in this world are created, or existing objects disappear, such phenomena recurring repeatedly.

(Do not deploy individuals whose mental barriers are not sufficiently robust. There is a risk of their very existence dissolving and vanishing.)

● As an extension of Item 1, hostile lifeforms are being created in large numbers within the tower’s area of influence. The individual strength of each is less than even a low-ranking Academy student, but the quantity and rate at which they are being created is rapidly increasing.

(It is estimated that the more information is reduced to illusion within the area, the stronger it becomes. There’s a high possibility that it will strengthen rapidly if casualties occur.)

● It is gradually expanding the range of its influence. Initially, it engulfed 1/4 of the Academy, but now it has reached 50%. The faculty is gathered in the restricted zone at the center of the Academy, defending it, but it does not seem they will hold out for more than a week.

Based on these observations, the Tower of Illusion is clearly dangerous.

It is known that the Academy’s restricted zone contains the “Origin”, which allows the Academy to guarantee unconditional growth. Though it is unknown what exactly this is, it must hold enormous power.

That “Source” being absorbed into the Tower of Illusion must be prevented. I won’t bother explaining the dangers and the ensuing disaster.

#2

Students within the tower’s initial radius were pulled inside. We determined that if they died within, the Tower of Illusion’s output could increase. A rescue operation was launched.

We are currently conducting a rescue operation in collaboration with some teachers, and it’s going successfully. It’s fortunate that this year’s academy students possessed exceptionally sturdy mental barriers.

The first floor of the tower is a space reconstructed based on the resources of the Great Labyrinth (see attached documents, refer to the Academy Team Tournament records). Moreover, it is frustratingly fluid.

Because the internal trap layouts change every minute, even routes that have already been explored cannot be guaranteed safe. We need teams comprised of skilled personnel who can react instantly and improvise.

We found stairs leading to the second floor, but judged that rescuing lives was the priority, so we did not proceed with further exploration.

Most of the rescued students were in a state where parts of their bodies had been “Illusionized.” Their resistance to illusion magic has become extremely low, and they can be damaged and lost due to illusion magic.

It has also been confirmed that this “Illusionization” is contagious.

We are searching for a cure with the help of Saint Tara. Her divine power has been shown to slow and remove the progress of “Illusionization,” but this is like amputating an infected arm. They will permanently lose the infected area.

Men’s Dormitory A has been designated as a temporary ward, and we are isolating and managing the infected there. Please maintain magical shields when contacting patients.

#3

The Tower of Illusion could possibly become an even more dangerous demonic realm than the Eastern Front. The Empire’s power is great, but it is not infinite. A two-front war is something any nation should avoid.

Based on these dangers, I am requesting the dispatch of the Empire’s Sword Saint and the Captain of the Order of Knights.

The objectives are the collapse of the Tower of Illusion, and the elimination of Yuna Yurensto Violetiris.

#4

Everything up to this point has been said as Yuri Lanster, an agent of the All-Direction Bureau. Now, I speak as Yuri, a certain man’s fiancée, speaking candidly, Prince Irid.

Soon, a mad wizard will return from the Violet Tower.

He will try to save Yuna Yurensto Violetiris. And he will save her. Just as he always has.

I know it.

I know the risks if he fails. If the mad mage dies within the Tower of Illusions, and ‘it’ that he was sealing is released from the tower… perhaps the empire could be erased.

Considering such a risk, it might be wiser to deploy the empire’s Ascended Forces and eliminate him. That’s a perfectly reasonable conclusion.

The mad mage’s rage at Yuna’s death, I can soothe by saying that what happened was beyond my control. He loves me, after all.

He will be tormented by guilt for the rest of his life, but a completely insane mage won’t turn his blade on the empire. It’s certainly a relatively “safe” option.

But…

You, Your Highness, must know what it’s like for a man who has failed to save his lover. You must also know how he has achieved success up until now.

You must know what kind of man he is.

If the Defense Bureau sends an agent to investigate the Tower of Illusions, they will arrive at almost the same conclusion, almost the same proposal as in my report.

That’s why I drafted and sent it to you first. For this final paragraph.

Despite all these risks, give him a chance. Don’t leave his future in the dark, let him grasp his own joy. Please, make a judgment clouded with personal feelings.

Then, the mad mage, myself, Yuna, Aisha, and perhaps even that other one as well – “our family”—

will repay you, those you love, and the empire with grace tenfold.

-From Yuri Lanster, to Second Prince Irid.-

–

Smoke curled and danced.

Yuri Lanster, looking utterly exhausted, was leaning against a red brick wall, consuming her cloud snack.

She glanced at me sideways, exhaled the smoke deep from her lungs with a whoosh, then, with her usual matter-of-factness, said,

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yuri, what happened?”

“As you can see. Yuna went berserk, her Ascended ability consumed the surrounding area. And I… I just managed to rescue all the students who were sucked into that tower. You should praise me quickly.”

Yuri Lanster held out a double piece.

I let a smile tug at my lips at her flirtation. Yeah, even when things are gloomy and serious, I can still smile. I should smile.

“…Thanks.”

“That’s not a compliment, you know. Well… it’s fine. You’ll be complimenting me soon enough.”

With that, she offered me a clean envelope, no seal, no signature. I tore it open lightly and unfolded the contents.

This is… a letter from Irid.

Saying that he’d buy me as much time as he could, and that I better clean up this mess before all his hair falls out from stress. He added a footnote about wanting to bash my head in with a gold ingot when it’s all over.

Thank god. I was even ready to fight the Empire.

This academy is full of brilliant, gem-like talents, nobles and commoners alike. Of course, the importance of the facilities is high.

Also, Yuna’s sublimation ability is incredibly dangerous. I was thinking that maybe the Empire would swarm in to resolve this situation, that we might have to fight.

But thanks to Yuri, thanks to Irid, we’ve bought time.

“Is there a way?”

“…The Myth Extra Module, and Myth Blocking. I’m thinking of using these to suppress Yuna’s sublimation ability. For that, we’ll need to meet Yuna first.”

“You’re going to ascend the tower then. Let’s go.”

“You don’t need to rest more? You look tired right now.”

Yuri flicked away her cigarette butt and said,

“Resting is for when it’s all over, when I’ll be luxuriating in a queen-sized bed with a guy on one side and a girl on the other.”

“I’ll do the same. I’m gonna luxuriate with two girls and just stay like that all day.”

“I’m in front, you’re behind.”

“…You’re talking about battle positions, right?”

It was a duo again, for the first time in a while.

We trudged into the Tower of Illusions. The great maze on the first floor was in a savagely altered state, but it was manageable.

The blurry boundary between illusion and reality, that meant illusion magic was greatly enhanced. The world moved with just a gesture.

While Yuri’s chain of glass bought us time, I broke through. We didn’t really need to talk; we could read each other’s minds well enough, so there were no delays in our teamwork.

Without much difficulty, we reached the exit of the first floor.

Just as we were about to ascend the stairs and enter the second floor,

“『Subtract』.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

*Thwack!*

Yuri Lanster stomped on the back of my knees. Naturally, I was forced to kneel, and at the same moment, a beam of light that seemed to erase all information from the world grazed the top of my head.

“『Shimmering Disruption』, 『Magic Mirror』.”

Instinctively, I scattered defensive illusion magic all around as I looked up, and I saw the shadow of a person hanging upside down from the ceiling. Honestly, I panicked for a moment. I thought Yuna had attacked me.

She wore a pointed hat, held a staff, and had those familiar twin-tails, but. The size was different. The gaze was different. There was no affection in her eyes.

A different… person, maybe?

Yuri Lanster commented.

“If Yuna ate well and slept well, she’d probably end up like that. Her chest size is considerable, too. Not as much as me… not as much as me.”

“Do you really have to emphasize that?”

“Self-promotion is always important, wouldn’t you agree? Mima, why don’t you go up first. I’ll be right behind you.”

“No, let’s go togeth– *cough!*”

My body was sent flying into the stairway by Yuri’s kick. And in an instant, the door slammed shut. I could hear the clicks and clacks of the door locking.

Guess there’s no need for chit-chat, just shut up and go up. They could’ve just said it…

Her voice comes from beyond the door.

“I know you wouldn’t have listened if I just said it. You’d start with your story about me charging the succubus queen all alone, and wonder if I’d get hurt again this time. Right?”

“……..”

“I have pride and loyalty too. I didn’t come along just to be your baggage, so just go up quietly. Before I eat you.”

“Don’t get hurt.”

You too.

With those words, a roar of fierce battle erupted from beyond the door. I don’t know what that thing that looks just like Yuna is. But if I go forward, maybe I can find out. That thought came to me.

I climb the stairs. And then.

At some point, I’m sucked into something, and the world changes.

–

2nd Floor.

The 『Tower of Illusion』… manifested as it swallowed my lab whole.

In other words, all the data related to the session—my simulation device, session logs, NPC data, everything—was drawn into the tower.

Is that why?

The scenery around me feels familiar. It’s a run-down back alley at night.

Even though the moon is clearly up in the sky, deep shadows obscure everything, making it hard to see. The haphazard, chaotic buildings and obstacles block out the moonlight.

Looking up, dirty cloths hang from clotheslines strung between the buildings. The windows of the surrounding buildings are either smashed or boarded up. The ground is covered in puddles of dirty water, and sewer rats scurry around.

This was the opening of Bennett’s session, 『S2. Resentment Wished Upon the Stars』.

But it isn’t exactly the same. It’s heavily arranged based on the session data. Since the great labyrinth has been transformed into a more brutal version, I expect this floor will be as well.

So, the arrow finally flies back to me, huh.

If things were normal, cultists should start stirring and monsters should begin swarming the world after Abraham’s death. Does that mean my job is to go to Abraham’s mansion and prevent that tragedy?

What’s the clear condition… what is it?

Am I supposed to navigate this session-like thing all alone?

Lost in thought, *snap*, a rat’s death cry reached my ears.

I turned my head toward the sound.

There, drooling, a bipedal monster resembling a dog was staring at me. Its left paw, tipped with vicious claws, was grinding a rat into the asphalt.

Monsters are already roaming? What time is it? No, this is just based on the data of my session. Is this a completely different story?

Calm down. This isn’t the time to be thinking.

I feel the intent to kill. It’s okay. According to the settings, it’s not that powerful of a monster, I should be able to handle it with illusion magic, just mess with its head a bit.

“『Phantom Harpoon』, uh, uh…?!”

The magic won’t activate.

“KRaaaH──!!”

In an instant, the monster’s arm expands. No, it didn’t get bigger. It was swung at me, and somehow, it was right in front of my face. I crouched down, bracing for the impact.

*Crack*! *Snap*!

The feeling of the bones in my left arm, which I used as a shield, breaking into three pieces. A searing pain. I was sent flying about three meters, landing in a heap of trash bags.

Even while flying, I tried to cast a spell. But they all failed. I couldn’t even feel my magical power, couldn’t gather it, couldn’t manipulate it.

I quickly assessed the situation. Just like in the Succubus Queen’s dream, some sort of 『restriction』 has been placed on me.

“Ugh…”

I got up, clutching my grotesquely bent arm. Magic is forbidden. If you take away magic from a mage, what the hell are they supposed to live on?

Just a sec… That’s not all. I’m supposed to be an information-based lifeform, yet I can’t heal or manipulate my body. I clench and unclench my fist. My physical stats have dropped to slightly below average for an adult male.

A civilian.

Yeah, I’ve been nerfed down to a plain civilian A-rank.

A growl. The monster approaches, step by step. To cut off my breath and enjoy its feast.

Calm down.

All I have left is a broken arm and an average body. Can I even outrun that monster in this state?

Impossible. The difference in mobility is too great.

So, could I kill that monster instead…?

Possible.

Right, even if my stats have been nerfed, I still have my head. I can think and move. That’s enough.

I was just a little flustered because I got attacked by something similar to Yuna earlier, and after letting Yuri go.

I modeled that monster, wrote its characteristics and settings, and even made its movement algorithms. I know exactly how it’s going to behave.

I grab an empty bottle from a trash can, hold it upside down, and smash it against the wall.

*Clang!*

A makeshift weapon with sharp, jagged edges is complete. If I dodge all its attacks and land all mine, I win. I can even win against magic users. It’s simple.

I’ll slice its carotid artery and let it bleed to death.

“Come on, you b*stard… Even if you blocked my magic, I’m a crazy mage. Come get some!”

“Krrruk, Kyyyaaak──!”

The dog-headed monster charges. Leaps. It looks like slow motion. Moonlight streaming through the gaps between buildings illuminates its rancid, yellow eyes.

And then.

VRoooM, VRoooM──!

An engine?

VROaaaNG──!!

From the alleyway beside the monster, a huge bike burst out. The bike’s frame slammed straight into the monster’s side, and they both went flying.

What. What just happened.

As I stared, wide-eyed and bewildered, the bike rider, with remarkable agility, regained his balance mid-air and landed on his feet. The monster coughed up blood, writhing on the ground. It looked like its insides had taken a hit.

The rider, black coat billowing, pulled a shotgun from his back and aimed.

“Farewell.”

BANG!

The shot, the acrid smell of gunpowder, and the sound of the shell casing dropping. The monster was dead.

The mysterious bike rider slung the shotgun back onto his shoulder, then dragged the vehicle to my side. The helmet’s dark tint obscured his face, but… he was around 180cm tall, and seemed to be quite old.

And his right arm was a heavy prosthetic. It was made of pitch-black metal, and buzzed with each movement.

He spoke in a deep voice. It was a voice I felt like I’d heard before, but the helmet muffled it, making it unclear.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes. Thanks to you. But who…?”

“Hah, right. I forgot to take off the helmet. The world’s dark whether I wear it or not; now I can barely tell the difference.”

The bike rider took off his helmet with both hands. And beneath it, limp white hair fell loose. I couldn’t help but be shocked once more.

I know that face.

So that’s it, the simulation was swallowed whole. ‘They’ were also sucked into the 『Tower of Illusions』!

“Creator, you arrived right on time. Are you ready to save the Goddess?”

“Abraham……!”

I wasn’t alone.

Inside the tower, there were NPCs with self-awareness too!