Volume 2

Chapter 38 : Born Indifferent

Yggdrasil, Ether Academy Headquarters.

In this turbulent time in the Imperial Capital, the massive sorcerer’s tower seemed somewhat crowded.

Grand Duke Sainthue and the Sainthue Family’s three-hundred-year legacy… even the wealthy Alchemical Association coveted it, not to mention Babel Tower’s internals and countless shady figures.

In this affair, the Ether Academy, implicated by Grand Duke Sainthue’s “oversight,” currently controlled nearly all his personal legacy, but it wasn’t theirs to divide freely.

The Ether Academy held the most direct claim, but the other two grand dukes in the Southern Territory, poised to carve up the Sainthue Family, weren’t pushovers.

The Alchemical Association unearthed some massive debt, aiming to profit amid the chaos.

The adventurer’s guild, Zero Point Explorers, planned to play their mercenary role as professional troublemakers, working for the highest bidder.

With internal factional strife in the Ether Academy as well—it was easy to imagine their desperation.

Thus, it wasn’t surprising that some, eager to win Anselm over, were willing to bow to Babel Tower.

“So, which of the three did you choose, my lady?”

Mingfuluo, hands in her white coat pockets, walked beside Ronggor, followed by a group of excited Babel Tower scholars.

“Phase Traveler, Barnes Kaitanart.”

“…Him? I thought you’d pick Essence Grand Duke.”

The fertile Southern Territory was ruled by four high powers.

The richest, most idyllic, yet smallest territory belonged to the Hydras.

The rest was divided among Grand Dukes Sainthue, Source Tree and Essence.

Now, with Sainthue dead, Grand Dukes Source Tree and Essence were bound to clash fiercely.

Source Tree’s stance wasn’t as direct as Essence’s—he was with the Alchemical Association, while Essence was one of the Ether Academy’s Supreme Nine Seats.

With the dual status of grand duke and Supreme Nine Seat, Essence was theoretically poised to take the lion’s share.

But this made him the prime target of factional attacks within the academy.

A single fifth-tier faction might not dare challenge a grand duke, but three or four, with Source Tree stirring the pot, put Essence in a precarious position.

This highlighted the importance of Babel Tower’s “help.” Let’s not forget… the young Anselm Hydra, de facto ruler of Hydra territory, could easily reach for Sainthue’s lands. With his aid, Essence could reverse his fortunes, and Babel Tower could perfectly demonstrate its “value.”

For Babel Tower’s sake, accepting Essence’s goodwill seemed the better choice.

Ronggor was smart enough to see that.

“I know what you’re thinking, Mingfuluo.”

Ronggor said warmly: “But I thought it over and decided… we shouldn’t rush into this.”

“Though everyone sees Babel Tower as Lord Anselm’s, that doesn’t mean we should willingly brand ourselves as such—we… don’t exist for any one person, Mingfuluo.”

“…So you plan to minimize the association between Babel Tower and Anselm?”

Mingfuluo’s brow furrowed slightly: “Ronggor… that’s dangerous. We have our current status and resources because of Anselm. If you hold this idea, it could bring us a lot of trouble.”

She spoke using a spell, audible only to Ronggor, who smiled: “We all respect Lord Anselm. Respecting him and maintaining independence aren’t mutually exclusive. Lord Anselm isn’t the Grand Princess; he willingly gives us autonomy. Why must we insist on being his vassals?”

“Besides, using this method to boost our weight isn’t exactly honorable. Lord Anselm wouldn’t appreciate us casually leveraging his influence, would he?”

Strange.

This morning, Ronggor had agreed to contact Anselm to show his support for Babel Tower, bolstering its leverage.

Though her current stance fit her character, why had she shifted to such an opposite perspective so quickly?

“My lady.”

Mingfuluo’s gaze sharpened: “Is that really all you’re thinking?”

Ronggor paused, then laughed: “What else could it be? Am I supposed to be close with the Phase Traveler?”

Noticing Mingfuluo’s suspicion, she asked seriously: “Or do you think there’s a problem with this?”

“…No, I just find your change of heart too sudden. This morning, you didn’t think this way.”

“That…”

The elegant noblewoman mused, “While preparing lecture materials this morning, I chatted with a young man whose ideas were similar. I suppose I was inspired by him.”

Mingfuluo’s steps faltered briefly, but she showed no outward change.

“That young man, was he your assistant, or…”

“No, just someone I spoke with in passing. Probably a newcomer who joined us recently,” Ronggor smiled.

At this, Mingfuluo understood.

Without a doubt, this was the work of that mysterious chess player who hadn’t “shown up” in a while.

Certain factions within the Ether Academy were trying to curry favor with Anselm by bowing to Babel Tower.

Anselm knew she wouldn’t miss such an opportunity to significantly boost Babel Tower’s status, so he had already set his price, waiting for her to pay it.

And that mysterious figure had clearly anticipated this, influencing Ronggor’s change of heart to prevent her from contacting Anselm, while subtly conveying a message:

—Don’t habitually rely on that devil.

Mingfuluo instinctively reflected: Was she being too hasty? Contacting Anselm to have him attend was merely a flourish to further elevate Babel Tower’s standing in the eyes of others. After all, some Ether Academy factions had already lowered themselves, which was proof enough of Babel Tower’s current worth.

Anselm’s presence wasn’t necessary… No!

Anselm must have been certain she would contact him, which is why he set such a steep price. If it were something inconsequential that she could refuse or abandon, his demand would be meaningless, wouldn’t it?

What was it that would make her inevitably seek Anselm’s help, to have him stand with Babel Tower?

What was it… what was it…

“Oh, good afternoon, Lady Ronggor.”

A gentle voice that sent a chill down Mingfuluo’s spine sounded ahead.

In the bustling cross-corridor, the young Hydra leaned on his cane, smiling warmly: “I heard you’re holding a lecture at the Ether Academy this afternoon. I’m… quite interested.”

“…Lord Anselm, I’m honored by your recognition.”

Though puzzled, Ronggor respectfully bowed slightly: “If you’d grace us with your presence and offer guidance, I’d be immensely honored.”

She glanced at Mingfuluo, her expression helpless, as if assuming Mingfuluo had summoned Anselm.

But Mingfuluo knew full well she hadn’t given Anselm an answer. So why was he at the Ether Academy—

“No, I’ll have to pass.”

In the pleasant atmosphere, Anselm said with a bright smile: “While I’m intrigued by your lecture, Lady Ronggor, Lord Solen has invited me to witness his new fifth-tier spell, so I must excuse myself.”

With that, he turned casually toward the other end of the cross-corridor, preparing to leave.

As he took his first step, Mingfuluo instinctively called out: “Wait!”

“…Hm?” Anselm tilted his head. “Is something the matter, Arlo?”

The subtle nickname stunned the Babel Tower scholars and the deliberately slowed steps of passing sorcerers became lively with intrigue.

“You… I mean, Lord Anselm.”

Mingfuluo’s breathing quickened, not because of the nickname, but because of what his actions implied.

“Lord Solen invited you…” She maintained her composure, keeping her tone as steady as possible, “but the timing is so… inconveniently clashing?”

She lowered her head further: “If possible, I’d still hope… you could attend Lady Ronggor’s lecture.”

The proud female scholar, who had clung to a shred of dignity and decorum no matter how tormented last night, now appeared so humble.

When the illusory warmth and resonance between them were stripped away, only a cold, hard barrier remained.

“I’m regretful too, Arlo.”

Anselm sighed: “I won’t have the chance to attend Lady Ronggor’s lecture.”

“…”

Mingfuluo, head slightly bowed, said nothing, while Anselm continued warmly: “Perhaps another time. For now…”

The young Hydra didn’t glance at the Babel Tower scholars, murmuring to himself:

“Lord Solen’s side is, after all, more important.”

At this moment, Ronggor sensed something amiss, but before she could speak, Anselm was already walking toward the other end of the corridor.

The deliberately slowed sorcerers quickened their pace again, and the Babel Tower members, standing still, seemed… out of place.

“…Mingfuluo.”

Ronggor, feeling a bad premonition, said softly: “Didn’t you call Lord Anselm here?”

Before Mingfuluo could respond, her communication crystal vibrated.

As Ronggor connected, a voice suppressing rage burst through:

“Lady Ronggor, care to explain… Why is Anselm with Solen!”

“Mr. Barnes, we didn’t know…”

“It doesn’t matter what you know! Anselm shouldn’t be with anyone else! Do you understand me? Damn it… you didn’t really think I had any expectations for your Babel Tower, did you?”

Ronggor was speechless.

After a brief silence, the Phase Traveler, calming down, said gravely: “Whatever it takes, secure Anselm. Even if you can’t get him to your lecture, ensure… he doesn’t appear with anyone else!”

“This isn’t just about me, Lady Ronggor.”

Barnes said coldly: “At worst, I lose out on more of Nakisai’s legacy. But you… hmph, think carefully.”

The call ended, and Lady Ronggor’s face paled slightly.

“…That was the Phase Traveler?”

Mingfuluo asked softly.

Ronggor pocketed the crystal, silent, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

“Ming…”

“Leave it to me, my lady,” Mingfuluo said calmly. “I’ll find a way.”

Though she spoke calmly, her fists were tightly clenched.

I should’ve realized… Why, just because Anselm now controls Babel Tower, did I think we could rest easy?

Anselm Hydra didn’t actively request Babel Tower from the Empress; it was “forced” upon him by Her Majesty.

From start to finish, he never showed any desperate desire for Babel Tower.

He merely provided it with generous treatment.

But it’s well-known that Lord Anselm’s benevolence is legendary across the Empire, even tracing back to the Celestial Conquest Dynasty.

No Hydra has ever been as merciful and tolerant as him.

He gave Babel Tower resources and support… But what does that prove?

Were those resources and support some great effort for Anselm?

No, never.

A mere trickle from his fingertips was enough for Babel Tower to thrive endlessly.

Nothing ever proved that Anselm Hydra valued Babel Tower highly.

To him, Babel Tower might just be an amusing, useful trinket.

His kind demeanor toward its members, starkly contrasting with Ivora, created the illusion that “Lord Anselm values us greatly,” making them believe he’d always stand by them.

But the truth? The truth was… Anselm didn’t care much for Babel Tower.

Established transcendent organizations and veteran fifth-tier powerhouses—weren’t they far more valuable than a fledgling Babel Tower?

Or rather, even if Anselm stood against Babel Tower, what could they say?

Everything Babel Tower had, who gave it to them?

Babel Tower, Mingfuluo… they never had a choice from the start.

They had to do whatever it took to ensure Anselm’s stance remained with them.

Otherwise, when the world realized Babel Tower meant little to Anselm, that he sometimes wouldn’t even stand by them…

Their situation would slide back to a place no one wanted, at best slightly better than under Ivora’s control.

But having tasted this, how could Babel Tower’s members accept their status plummeting again?

No one would, and Mingfuluo… was no exception.

“My lady, you go prepare for the lecture.”

Mingfuluo’s gaze followed Anselm’s departing direction: “I’ll ensure Anselm stands with us.”

“…Mingfuluo, you—”

“Don’t worry.”

The petite, cold woman forced a smile toward the elder who cared for her, stiff and awkward: “Didn’t you hear what he called me? Trust me, my lady.”

Ronggor was silent for a long time, then sighed softly, managing a faint smile: “I trust you, Mingfuluo… always have.”

She seemed to want to say more but couldn’t.

Yet Mingfuluo read her thoughts in that guilty, weary look.

She didn’t want Mingfuluo to make sacrifices… any sacrifices.

She, Hendrik, and others who watched Mingfuluo grow up didn’t want this girl, who had sacrificed so much for Babel Tower, to bear more alone.

Mingfuluo even realized the deeper reason behind Ronggor’s change of heart.

—This noblewoman, who saw Mingfuluo as a daughter, didn’t want her to grovel to Anselm just to make the Babel Tower slightly better.

The irony was…

Mingfuluo turned, her teeth nearly piercing her lip.

When she didn’t use reason to shield her emotions, the guilt surging in her heart was… tormenting.

The irony was that the person she feared would sacrifice more for Babel Tower was now presumptuous… making those who cared for her sacrifice instead.

Mingfuluo Zege, bearing others’ love, had to sacrifice those she loved—she didn’t even know what Anselm would demand, what Ronggor or Hendrik would have to give up, yet she had to choose this.

Even if Ronggor or Hendrik, knowing the conditions, would unhesitatingly sacrifice and urge her to do what she was doing… could she really do it with a clear conscience?

Could she presumptuously make others sacrifice while accepting their love?

It was as if this reality spoke for Anselm:

No matter how noble your ideals, they can’t hide your current baseness.

Yet, cruel as reality was, Mingfuluo had no reason to hate Anselm.

She thought the same way—Anselm merely presented the choice.

The young Hydra, the venomous devil, had no obligation to save others unconditionally.

In the end, Mingfuluo couldn’t condemn Anselm’s cruelty, only despise her own ugliness.

Even more absurdly, she had to bear the love of those she sacrificed, despise her own ugliness, and… grow ever more resolute in making sacrifices.

Do you have a choice, Mingfuluo?

In this open scheme, choosing to let Ronggor or Hendrik sacrifice would break her already near-nonexistent moral baseline, yet she had said… for her ideals, she could sacrifice everything.

She told Anselm that Erlin failed because he wouldn’t make sacrifices.

This thought had haunted Mingfuluo for fifteen years, from Erlin’s death to today.

Everything guided her, showed her what to do.

Should she hope for that mysterious figure to intervene again?

No, the situation was too urgent.

Anselm had clearly anticipated their intent and outmaneuvered them.

All she could do… was obey.

A voice in her mind urged her to make the most practical choice, the most efficient sacrifice, for it was an absolute boon for Babel Tower.

Only by strengthening Babel Tower could she reach the distant star of her ideals.

The voice said: No need to hesitate, Mingfuluo. You’re used to it. You were born for this.

You were made for this.

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