[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-223":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334669,1778,"Chapter 223","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-223",223,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 223: The Way Back (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before setting off in earnest, Oscar reorganized their formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll take the lead, just like when we crossed the mountains earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a group formation, the most crucial roles are the front and the rear guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front leads the way, identifying terrain and sensing possible dangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rear guard protects the group and monitors the overall situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced over each member of the group, starting with Sasha, who was slung on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sasha can’t fight due to the backlash from the heart demon, and Edna’s not in much better shape.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had to compare, Edna was slightly better off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, she could still walk on her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this were the same situation as before, I would’ve asked Kaya to take the rear…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wasn’t in good shape either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was visibly pale, likely from pushing herself too hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To confirm, Oscar asked her,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are you feeling, Miss Kaya?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, not great.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She answered with a slightly apologetic expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liberating my world lets me go beyond my limits temporarily, but the aftereffects are intense. I probably won’t be able to exert much power for at least three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three days…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was worse than he expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it made his decision clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned to Oran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like you to take the rear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave it to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a confident nod, Oran naturally moved to the back of the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Kaya approached and apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry I’m not much help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all right. Judging by the battlefield, it was clearly a fierce fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She deserved praise more than anything—holding off five baron-class demons at once and protecting everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, she fought while being aware that Yuribe could show up at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure she must have felt then was unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks for seeing it that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking more at ease, she made a light gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take care of Sasha instead. Carrying her on your back would make it hard to react quickly in an emergency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This much is no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll leave her to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar carefully passed Sasha to Kaya, then looked intently at her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing his stare, Kaya asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you looking at me like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just puzzled for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could someone this rational and considerate really have killed her entire clan out of selfish greed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I pride myself on being good at recognizing bad people. They always give off a certain vibe.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how harmless a mask they wore, they couldn’t hide the scent of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t read anything like that from Kaya Lockwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Come to think of it, Oran's the same.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world knew the “Violet Brigade” as a criminal group so dangerous that even the Imperial Family couldn’t touch them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And both Kaya and Oran were supposedly part of that group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet from what he had experienced, neither seemed like the people those grim rumors described.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…If I get the chance, I should ask them more about the Brigade.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Oscar spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s begin moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like when they crossed the mountains, Oscar took the lead once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the more they walked, the more he could feel their pace slowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It can’t be helped. Everyone’s in bad shape, and Edna’s joined us too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time that thought crossed his mind, he felt grateful for the distance Edna had carried them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, they had cut almost half the way through the Red Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, it was hard to imagine how long it would've taken to cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Edna, following behind, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar, the sun’s about to set.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar looked up at the sky, his expression darkening slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At this pace, we’ll need at least three more full days.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had covered only half the distance, yet it would take just as long to cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their speed was nearly halved compared to before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing a sigh, Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s set up camp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go string up my perimeter threads around the area.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Oran left, Oscar began setting up tents and lighting a fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he added logs to the fire, Edna, sitting beside him, began dozing off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Edna, if you’re sleepy, go lie down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ssshh. I’m not sleepy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She should at least wipe the drool from her mouth before denying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar barely held back a laugh as he offered a gentle warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s okay. We’ll be walking more tomorrow than we did today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If you insist, I’ll take your advice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But brush your teeth first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dragons have strong teeth. We don’t get plaque or cavities. So brushing is pointless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your breath can still smell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, Edna reluctantly began brushing her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always hated doing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh, human toothpaste tastes awful and weird.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some people like the taste so much, they turn it into ice cream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those must be creatures with wrecked taste buds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finally finishing, Edna disappeared into her tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, her slow, steady breathing drifted out from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take the first watch. I’ll wake you for the second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having laid Sasha down inside her tent, Kaya returned and sat beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. I was planning to take turns with Oran tonight anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to go that far…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the Tower Master trapped in the mind demon, it actually helps us more if you recover quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm, well. I suppose that makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding slowly, Kaya began eating her soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short while later, Oran returned from setting up the perimeter threads and sat across from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I made the thread perimeter a bit denser than usual. Since we’re weaker than last time, I thought we might get monster attacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Smart thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handing Oran a bowl of soup, Oscar cautiously asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would it be okay to ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, what’s up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s about the Violet Brigade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Oran's eyes immediately sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Bro! If you were curious, you should’ve asked earlier!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar had thought Oran might avoid the question, since the Violet Brigade was so shrouded in mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But surprisingly, Oran looked ready to spill even their base location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To tell the truth…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran glanced toward the tent where Sasha was sleeping and lowered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been holding my tongue because of the White Tower Master, but I was thinking of recommending you to join us if the opportunity came up. It’d be a blast if you became one of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Join…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tilting his head, Oscar crossed his arms and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t even know what exactly the Violet Brigade does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, well, it’s not like we’re anything special. Normally, everyone just does whatever they want. Then, if the leader brings in a big job, we all move together… I’m not really sure how to explain it, but you could basically think of us as a mercenary group.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s hard to believe, considering the imperial family designated you all as a top-tier criminal organization.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that part’s kind of unfair!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran made an expression that looked genuinely wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, do I look like a violent criminal? Or our senior for that matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why I’m asking. It seems different from the rumors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really are my little brother! No prejudices at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran flicked his fingers with a grin, getting into the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s true there are a few mentally questionable types in the group, but people like me and our senior are just looking for a place to lay low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s right,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya, who had been quietly listening, nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We only got on the imperial family’s bad side because of a few particular individuals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Specific individuals?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One example would be… the Designer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of that name, Oran’s face contorted with a grimace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve at least heard that name before, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. He’s the one who designs mana circuit structures for mages and knights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. But he doesn’t do that out of the kindness of his heart, like some kind of volunteer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t he get paid for it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He does, but if money was all he cared about, he wouldn’t have such a bad reputation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head with a sigh, Oran continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That guy’s a fanatic for mana circuits. He believes that without a perfect mana circuit, one can’t even advance to the next stage. So he refuses to step into the 8th level, constantly searching for a flawless circuit to install in himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why the bad reputation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He experiments on people with similar body structures to his. In the process, a lot of talented mages and knights ended up ruined. So yeah, there are quite a few people who hate his guts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s the kind of person who doesn’t care what methods he uses as long as it makes him stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya clicked her tongue lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s the type I hate the most. Total scumbag with a garbage personality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then is the most dangerous person in the Brigade this Designer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not quite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Definitely not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them answered at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Oran scratched the back of his head and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, Designer’s nuts, but at least you can talk to him. But Mad Fiend? You can’t even talk to that guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mad Fiend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar perked up at the unfamiliar nickname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya was the one to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Literally a madman. And I don’t mean that as an insult—he’s actually insane.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And he’s insane at level 8. Think of him as a walking catastrophe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An 8th-level lunatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just imagining such a being made Oscar shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not someone I want to get involved with. Usually, people who reach Master level or above don’t lose their minds like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. And just because he’s in the same Brigade doesn’t mean he’ll go easy on you. One guy mouthed off to him once and ended up dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the leader allowed that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, he’s undeniably strong. And for some reason, he listens to the leader to some extent. Not sure why, though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? What do you think? About joining us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already had his hands full managing the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had neither the reason nor the luxury to get close to a bunch of ticking time bombs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that disappointing answer, Oran clicked his tongue as if genuinely let down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? That’s too bad. Though, I kinda figured you’d say—hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Oran’s face stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he sprang to his feet and stared in one direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar picked up on the sudden spike of tension and confusion from him and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…One of my wires got cut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, is it a monster?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because their current force had weakened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, they’d never been attacked at camp even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But contrary to Oscar’s relatively casual assumption, Oran’s eyes were shaking violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s approaching too fast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How fast are we talking—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could even finish the sentence, Oscar slowly turned his head, sensing a dangerous presence from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, hunched over in a crouch, sat a shadowy figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their white hair was a tangled mess, and a bizarre single eye was embedded in the middle of their face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Eye Thief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran muttered in a strained voice, recognizing the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1922,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","f60863441d93fe52450597be66ea2b649a10fec4da7281a1e8e5729af38bb68d","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-224","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-222",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]