Inside the same mansion as before, a large group of people stood in neat rows across the training ground. Among them was Yuki.
At the very front stood Konta, while Baron Jack silently waited behind him.
Konta raised his voice proudly.
"You all choosing to join this assault proves just how much you love your homeland! How much you love this land!"
The crowd shouted together with burning spirit.
"YAAAH!!"
Their voices echoed like an organized army chant.
Konta continued,
"Our enemies in this assault will be demons… powerful demons. So if anyone wishes to step back, now is your chance. No one will blame you."
Silence filled the air.
Not a single person moved.
Seeing that, Konta grinned loudly.
"That's the spirit! Tomorrow, all of you will march into battle!"
He stepped aside and gestured toward Jack.
"Now then… let Lord Baron Jack say a few words."
Jack walked forward confidently, his cloak swaying behind him as he declared with authority,
"Tomorrow will be the final day of those demons' lives!"
The soldiers roared together once more.
"Yes, sir! YES!!"
Meanwhile, deep inside a forest…
Around fifty to sixty demons marched forward through the wilderness. As they advanced, they casually sliced apart trees and tall grass blocking their path. Heavy footsteps echoed across the ground.
Ssk…
Dham…
Most of them carried enormous weapons, while some wore thick armor.
Some time later…
It was noon.
Yuki and Konta were walking through the city streets while shopping. Yuki carried several bags filled with ingredients like meat, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes.
Konta spoke proudly,
"You're staying at my house tonight. Feeding a guest ordinary food would disgrace my honor."
"Y-Yeah… yeah…" Yuki replied awkwardly. "But we already bought so much stuff. What else do we need?"
Both of Yuki's hands were already full.
"The last thing we need is paper," Konta answered.
Yuki sighed silently and continued walking beside him.
Eventually, they arrived before a gigantic tower.
Yuki's eyes widened in shock.
"Woah…! What is this, Sir Konta?!"
Konta looked up at the massive structure.
"This is a MAGICARF Tower. One of the Seven Towers."
Yuki tilted his head in confusion.
"Magicarf Tower? One of the Seven Towers?"
Konta laughed lightly.
"I see… so you don't know about them."
Yuki nodded.
"Hahaha, don't worry. I'll explain," Konta said in a teacher-like tone. "The Magicarf Towers are known as the guardians of humanity. Every tower has its own master, and each one specializes in something unique."
He pointed toward the enormous structure before them.
"This one is called the Tower of Knowledge. There's also the Tower of Strength, the Tower of Magic, and four others."
"I see…" Yuki muttered, pretending he fully understood.
Then curiosity filled his eyes.
"So if this is the Tower of Knowledge… does that mean I can find knowledge inside?"
"Of course," Konta replied. "Each tower is named after its specialty. Inside the Tower of Knowledge, you can find almost every piece of information in the world. Even the smallest details."
Yuki's eyes sparkled instantly.
"Sir Konta, take these bags and head home first. I'll come back later!"
Konta blinked in confusion.
"Wait… what? Where are you going?"
"Where else?" Yuki replied while walking away. "I'm going into the tower to get some knowledge. See you later!"
He waved casually and headed toward the tower.
Konta simply stood there silently, staring at Yuki's back before eventually turning around and leaving peacefully.
Yuki entered the tower.
The inside was unbelievably bright, almost like daylight itself. The place was crowded with people wearing matching green uniforms lined with black stripes.
Yuki slowly stepped farther inside while staring around in shock.
"Wow… it's way bigger on the inside!"
As he wandered deeper into the tower, a man wearing the same uniform approached him with a gentle smile.
"Sir, how may I help you?"
"Oh… um…" Yuki hesitated. "I want some information. Do you know where I can get it?"
"Yes, sir. If you seek knowledge or information, you'll need to go to Floor 23. You can take the lift."
The man pointed toward a strange machine nearby.
Yuki stared at it blankly.
"Lift…? What's a lift?"
People continuously entered and exited the metal box-like structure.
Yuki looked at it suspiciously.
"So…?"
Then he turned back toward the man.
"How do I use that thing?"
The employee smiled kindly.
"Ah, I see. You've never used one before. Then let me show you."
Both of them stepped inside the lift. A few people were already inside, so the man guided Yuki into another one beside it.
The man pressed the button labeled 23.
The doors closed.
Suddenly, the lift began moving upward.
The unexpected motion startled Yuki badly.
After a while, the lift stopped and the doors opened again.
"In this lift, you simply press the number of the floor you wish to visit," the man explained calmly. "Now then, please go ahead. This is your floor."
Yuki slowly stepped out…
But his eyes never left the man.
He stared at him with suspicious shock the entire time.
Then—
Pat.
The lift doors suddenly closed behind him.
Yuki jumped slightly and turned around nervously.
"S-So… what do I do now?"
There were no rooms nearby. Only a long corridor stretched ahead of him, and at the very end stood a massive door.
Step… step… step…
Yuki slowly walked toward it.
He pushed the giant door open.
Zssss…
The moment he entered—
His entire body froze.
It was an enormous hall filled with endless bookshelves. Countless books covered every wall from top to bottom. Chairs and tables were spread throughout the room.
Floating lanterns drifted through the air, illuminating everything with soft golden light.
And even more shocking—
Some books floated through the air like birds.
Yuki's eyes widened completely.
His mouth slowly opened in disbelief.
Shock.
Confusion.
Fear.
Wonder.
He could do nothing except silently stand there… staring at the impossible scene before him.