Episode 163
Successor of the Tower (3)
“SSS+++? What the!”
Nazariu didn’t think he would get much of an answer until Theo powered up Parcelsus.
Because handling Parcelsus was absolutely impossible in the Magic Tower unless you had special knowledge.
Or at least there should have been a grimoire as good as Belphegor’s… …!
– Retrial attempted. EX rank… … . Additional data confirmed. Upgrading attempted. EX+ rank. Additional mysterious characteristics confirmed. EX++, EX+++… … . Final judgment, R rank.
“what?!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
But the mechanical sound of Parcelsus that followed made Nazariu jump up.
Jirimado was equally shocked.
During that time, I acquired numerous grimoires and mysteries for the Homunculus Project, but the highest rank I was able to obtain was EX rank.
Even that was only one skull of an ancient giant, luckily unearthed from a North Sea glacier.
Only a divine being can receive that much, but who would have thought that an R-rank that could only be classified in theory would appear!
“Stop!!”
Nazariu rushed to Theo in a hurry.
I don’t know what Theo is trying to feed Paracelsus.
But if that went in, Paracelsus would be finished.
Paracelsus’ artificial intelligence is completed based on carefully selected data under meticulous calculations.
But what if we mix in another type of data that is far superior to the data we’ve accumulated so far?
It was just contaminated.
“Sit still.”
But Nazariu was forced to sit down by Wellington.
“Please! Please stop!”
“If you continue to resist, we will have no choice but to resort to force.”
Even though I wanted to use my magical power, I couldn’t move an inch because of the control devices that were binding my hands and feet.
The more this happened, the more anxious Nazariu became.
“Paracelsus! As a first-class authority, I hereby command you! Stop data acquisition immediately! Terminate all functions!!”
but,
『Hoohoohoo! How did you get here? It won’t work like that, right?』
The moment Lordbroke stepped forward, Nazariu’s last efforts were in vain.
-Initiating function stop command. Failed. Rebooting system shutdown. Forced shutdown program execution. Failed. Investigating cause. Failed. All existing command authority lists have been deleted.
“what……?”
Nazariu’s complexion had now turned pale.
This happened because the ancient dragon’s factor data was mixed into the existing database, making it possible for Lordbroke to hack.
-Confirmed as a completely different category from the devil’s source code. Attempted to analyze new data by reinterpreting the existing algorithm. Failed. Trying again. Failed. Determined that comparison is impossible with the current database.
Paracelsus’ mouth was now swallowing Theo’s index finger whole.
Like a hungry beast, it struggled to swallow more blood.
– Partially separating the existing algorithm system. Expanding the database to merge the ancient dragon’s factor data and searching for new patterns. Failed. Searching. Failed. Needs more data. Disassembling the command system to suggest a new model… … .
Cheeeeeee!
Paracelsus twisted and turned, and white steam rose above the superheated orb.
Every time that happened, Nazariu tried to rush in, but he couldn’t because of Wellington’s restraint.
“Okay, the firewall has been taken down. Now, shall we open it up?
Like someone who has delicious food in front of them.
Messages flashed across Theo’s retinas, accompanied by Lordbroke’s laughter.
[The Ancient Dragon’s argument data has been designated as a protocol.]
[Hacking was successful.]
[The reading of the thoughts begins.]
Hwaaaaak!
“… … !”
At that moment, a tidal wave of data surged into Theo’s head.
-Devils are beings who failed to become gods.
-What should we do if we fail to obtain rank and fall into purgatory?
-How to bring down the dragon-like guardians.
.
-Just a chance to reach the Heavenly Pantheon.
.
-What kind of attempt is the end?
-Why do the shackles of time and the prison of space bring such adversity upon us?
.
.
Data that is jumbled up like trash, not organized at all.
There were so many things that were so hard to understand that it was hard to keep my balance because of the dizziness.
『You better get your mind straight. The algorithm was forcibly destroyed, and the data was scattered all over. If you ‘misunderstand’ these things, the neural circuits in your brain will all be destroyed.』
Lordbroke’s warning was so calm and so indifferent.
Even she, with her outstanding intelligence, had no time to help him organize all of these, as it would take a lot of effort.
『I wonder what kind of system the artificial intelligence of the homunculus constructed by humans is made of. I will somehow block the data pile, so you focus on extracting the necessary parts.』
‘Yes, I understand.’
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Lordbroke and Theo each tried to divide the labor.
While Lordbroke protected Theo’s mind from being swept away by the data pile, he organized and analyzed Paracelsus’ database and algorithms, which he was most curious about.
Theo extracted the final data of Belphegor that he needed from among them.
It wasn’t an easy task, but since I had studied time magic before, I was able to easily select only the necessary information.
-Time is relative.
– But on the other hand, time is also special. If I can use it as I wish, I can aim for something greater.
– Look at time macroscopically. Instead, analyze it microscopically. Just as time, which originally consisted of only day and night, was divided into hours, minutes, and seconds, and thoughts could be broken down into even smaller units, if we could break it down into even shorter units and list them horizontally, it would soon become infinite (∞).
-If you can secure independence of thought, you can gain the wisdom to wisely overcome any adversity or disaster that may come.
The understanding of time gradually built up in my head.
-If you succeed in making your mind and will independent, what about your body? How can you use it to escape the constraints of time?
-The laws of the macro world and the laws of the micro world are different. And at the center of it all is light, which is the measure of the unit.
– Photons, which are neither waves nor particles, have absolute speed and can transmit data the fastest.
-If I could put my information encoded in it. If I could put my will in it. If I could contain my independent spirit.
.
-Light is knowledge. It is a lamp that can dispel the darkness filled with ignorance.
-If I could light my path with a lamp, the end would be beyond hell, beyond the infinite timeline, beyond the circle, beyond that, somewhere transcendent… … .
.
.
‘No. This is more than that. It even contains knowledge from other demons and grimoires.’
Theo quickly organized the necessary data from the endless sea of information and came to his senses again.
Parcelsus was half-lidded on his palm, emitting a puff of white smoke.
-Recovering the algorithm… … . Establishing a new system by designating new data as the first priority data… … . Resetting the commanding officer… … . Reestablishing the grimoire… … .
Paracelsus, who was spewing out unknown messages, seemed to be no longer the original Paracelsus.
『Hahaha! It’s really interesting how humans have developed their magical knowledge. Our dragons’ position will be precarious now.』
‘What on earth have you been doing?’
“Well, I didn’t do anything special. Instead, I played a really cute prank.”
Theo figured that Lordbrok must be grinning mischievously in his nest by now, one eye winking.
‘Are you kidding me?’
『It wouldn’t be fun if I told you in advance. Just take your time and look around. It’ll be a lot of fun to find. Hehehehe!』
Theo found Lordbroke’s laughter somehow ominous.
Of course, if she had played a prank that would have helped him, she would have played one that would have been a nuisance.
But somehow I had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy to reveal.
“What on earth… … did you do?”
“nothing.”
Theo simply shrugged in response to Nazariu’s question and tossed Paracelsus to him.
Nazariu had a very anxious look on his face, but he looked around Paracelsus and saw that there was nothing particularly wrong with the AI system itself.
“You… …what the hell are you?”
R-rated data that could not be obtained even from the Magic Tower or the Alchemy Guild.
Although Theo fed him blood, Nazariu did not think it was a mere illusion or catalyst and not the real identity of the R-rated substance.
‘I need to know the identity of the data that he gave to Paracelsus, otherwise the project is doomed to failure.’
It was clear that Ragnar had other secrets hidden within him that were unknown to the world.
It was just an unnecessary misunderstanding, but Nazariu couldn’t take his eyes off Theo.
But whether he does it or not.
Theo was facing a new change.
[We have successfully completed the subject’s perspective by obtaining new clues about time.]
[Current Achievement: 115%]
[You have exceeded your goal. Congratulations! You have discovered the secret of regression and successfully completed Scenario Quest #6.]
[Rating: S+]
[As a reward, you have acquired the ability to ■■ return.]
[You have acquired the ability to reinforce the spring as an additional reward.]
[You will need to find out more about the abilities yourself.]
‘■■Return ability… …’
Theo could vaguely guess what the blinded message was saying.
If you think about how this quest came to be, you can guess the reason.
‘I think it might have something to do with the chronograph the Dark Empress used.’
If the ability to revive some of the ghosts of the Mysterious Sword could be achieved in reality, it would be a very powerful force.
However, the ability could not be confirmed right away.
Boom!
Just then, the door they were in opened wide.
“Theo Ragnar!”
It was Cleve.
After defeating Shelford and Arin, who kept blocking our way with useless chatter, we charged forward with determination.
Shelford, who followed a beat later, shook his head at Theo.
Anything more than this means it was difficult.
Theo nodded in thanks and bowed to Cleve.
“It’s been a while, Cleve. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“you……!”
“You came in such a hurry that you seem to be out of breath. Would you like to catch your breath by having a cup of tea?”
Cleve’s heart began to boil as he looked at Theo’s leisurely smiling face.
But soon he regained his composure and looked around the room with cold eyes.
Inside, Nazariu and Jirima, her original targets, were sitting, simply bound.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like there was any particular interrogation or torture.
Cleve gestured to Theo to follow him.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
* * *
A room with only Cleve and Theo.
Cleve surrounded himself with auras to muffle any sound and asked coldly.
“What on earth are you thinking?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Don’t be a jerk.”
Theo smiled faintly.
“Actually, I didn’t mean to disturb Heukseol.”
“then?”
“There was something I was personally looking for. However, it was the group of the Tower Masters of the Magic Tower who obtained it first.”
“Was it a coincidence?”
“yes.”
“Are you asking me to believe that?”
“You may not believe it, but it is true. My work is done, so you may now take the party of the Little Tower Master from Heukseol.”
The tip of one of Cleve’s eyebrows twitched.
“Your business is over, so I don’t need you anymore… … But the damage Heukseol has suffered because of that is too great. What should I do?”
“It seems that what Heukseol needed was not the new soldiers of Sotapju.”
“That’s it… … !”
Cleve frowned before continuing.
“I almost made that slip of the tongue.”
“It’s a shame. I could have heard it.”
Cleve was now on the verge of laughing out loud.
It was cute and annoying at the same time to see them sneakily digging up the details of their messed up work.
It was also the scene in the past where she finally came to accept Theo.
It’s just a headache to meet them as a political opponent rather than an ally.
“Then let me ask you directly. Why are you chasing the party of the Little Tower Master of the Magic Tower from Heukseol?”
“Why are you curious about that?”
“Because this could be something I and Baek Gap-yong will need to take note of in our future activities.”
Even though he was captured so easily, the political prestige of the Little Tower of Matap was by no means small.
If he was caught wandering around Ragnar’s realm, it clearly means there was some trick to it.
“The Tower Master of the Tower is requesting to meet with our top leader. It’s as if he knew full well ‘who would be here.’”
Theo didn’t miss the way Cleve’s expression hardened slightly.
“You came to see Lord Deungryong, didn’t you?”
“… … !”
“But Lord Deungryong has been someone who has barely been active outside for the past several decades. He probably has no contact with the Magic Tower either, so there must be someone higher up. Then there is only one conclusion.”
“… … It would be better not to mention that name.”
Cleve was the first to sound the warning.
If we try to reveal any more facts, Theo will never be safe.
But Theo paid no attention and just kept on dotting.
“The former head of the household, Lady Hilda Ragnar.”
“You, really… … !”
“So that person was the one that Matap was trying to contact.”
Theo’s eyes sank coldly.
“But what I still don’t understand is why Sotapju went around revealing himself so blatantly for everyone to see, when he could have just quietly made contact.”
How the bastard of the Return Sword Family lives
