[{"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-323":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},1334719,1778,"Chapter 323","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-323",323,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 323: Terror (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the pub behind, Oscar looked around the quiet street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trash scattered across the ground, white steam billowing up from manholes, rats rummaging through garbage bins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city's emptiness stirred an inexplicable sense of nostalgia, and for a brief moment, loneliness crept in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From an alleyway, a small face peeked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Master, over here!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Sasha as she fluttered her hands excitedly, Oscar stepped into the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spun around in place, checking the surroundings thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you hurt anywhere? I was so surprised when your mana suddenly disappeared, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, permafrost iron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded lightly, as if he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The inner room—floor and walls alike—was entirely made of permafrost iron. That’s probably why it lost track of my mana.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-What? They built an entire room out of that insanely expensive material?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. And it was pretty spacious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Who in the world owns a place like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Designer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that answer, Sasha’s innocent-looking eyes wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, at a speed incomparable to before, she began spinning around again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you hurt anywhere?! Anywhere at all?! If there’s even a scratch the size of a fingernail, I’ll— ngh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar grabbed the back of her neck and lifted her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha dangled helplessly, like a kitten caught by its mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting her eyes at the same height, Oscar spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, take a deep breath. Calm down. I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-huff! Hah! Huu… haaah… Okay, please put me down now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gently setting her down, Sasha straightened her clothes and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That weirdo didn’t do anything strange to you, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar explained everything—the conversation he had with the man, and even the details of the deal they’d made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing it all, Sasha frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What part?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar pressed his index finger against her furrowed brow, smoothing it out, he asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fact that he wants to examine your body, for one. And overall, it feels like everything is flowing exactly the way the Designer wants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t be helped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Designer held the information they needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, that meant he had the upper hand in the negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, we’ll move according to what he says.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you say so, Master……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha agreed reluctantly, but she still looked dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something else bothering you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course there is. You’re putting yourself in danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was it—she was worried about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I appreciate the concern, but is this really that dangerous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You heard what Kaya and Oran said, didn’t you? Not to get involved with the Designer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was then. Now I have you with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If something goes wrong, or if we decide it’s a trap, we can just set up a new board then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That confidence came from one thing alone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha, an eighth-level mage, was at his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This operation is only possible because I trust you completely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t take on something this risky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of thought, Sasha’s eyes sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clenched her small fist, as if steeling her resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what happens, I’ll protect you, Master! Just trust me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, at the western wall of Rouen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, waiting for the Designer, checked the time and muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought he’d be late……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At exactly 12:00 AM, he appeared—right on the dot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We agreed to meet at midnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling gently as he approached, the Designer shifted his gaze to Sasha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A pleasure to meet you, Sasha Maestro. Or should I call you the White Tower Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After studying him briefly, Sasha nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call me the White Tower Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. Are you ready to move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before we go, I’d like an explanation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An explanation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where we’re going, and why you think the Violet Brigade’s leader is there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short pause, the Designer nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right. There’s nothing I can’t say. We’re heading to the airport.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……The airport?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if it’s Rouen’s airport… it should still be under construction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In a few hours, that airport will explode.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Violet Brigade’s elites plan to kill the workers and guards staying there overnight, plant a large quantity of explosives, and detonate them at dawn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s gaze turned icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this is a joke, I’d rather not hear it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know many amusing jokes, but unfortunately, this isn’t one of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Is this why you met with the leader alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, yes. Sharp memory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who casually predicted a horrific terrorist attack smiled as if amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Sasha snapped sharply,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you smiling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because it’s funny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly is funny?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing the hostile looks directed at him, the Designer tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, realization dawned on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see how this could be misunderstood. I haven’t finished yet. There’s more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tonight, the leader will appear at that airport.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To kill people and plant explosives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, the Designer continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To eliminate the perpetrators before anyone is killed and before any explosives are set.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them understood immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha blinked in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… the culprit— no, what do you mean? I don’t get it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We didn’t plan this. When I asked the leader, he said it was news to him as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But tonight, the terrorist attack will happen. And by tomorrow, word will spread across the continent that the Violet Brigade was responsible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Oscar understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone’s trying to borrow your name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If people believe it was us, no one would question it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have any suspects— no, I guess there’s no need to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the leader didn’t know, that was exactly why he’d go personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re absolutely right. When I first got the information, I thought it was strange too—so I confirmed it with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did you get that information?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of answering, the Designer smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m afraid that’s a secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You sure have a lot of those.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll be informed of everything you need to know. No need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Let’s hope so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, let’s move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three vaulted over Rouen’s western wall and entered the plains beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, the massive airport—slowly taking shape—came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you think that is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha, deep in thought ever since hearing about the terror plot, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who would want to attack the airport… and why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hard to say. There could be many reasons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every airport under construction across the continent was backed by the Imperial Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attacking one was tantamount to challenging the Empire itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, the terrorists were dangerously bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And there is something else bothering me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at the back of the Designer’s head as he walked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Violet Brigade was already a group of public enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding another crime to their name wouldn’t change much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So then… why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why stop the attack at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because someone was using their name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or because they were enemies of whoever planned it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a very simple reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning around, the Designer spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Airships are incredibly convenient. We’d like to use them as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he really believe that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming from one of the continent’s most infamous criminals, it sounded far too innocent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Oscar shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if the airport is completed, it’ll be hard for you to use it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only people with verified identities will be allowed onboard. Passenger safety, you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that won’t be an issue. We have dozens of forged identities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a loss for words, Oscar shook his head and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the leader going alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unlikely. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him travel solo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a monster he always keeps with him. We call it the Mad Fiend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same creature Kaya and Oran had mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even the Designer called it a monster, it had to be exceptionally powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With those two, stopping the terrorists should be easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Designer replied in an ambiguous tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I certainly hope so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rouen Airport—its basic structure completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As two guards patrolled the corridor in pairs, one spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really don’t get it. Why patrol a building that isn’t even finished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on. Do you know how much money’s been poured into this place? Of course they’re being careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, it’s so clean there’s not even an ant in sight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Designed by an architect handpicked after rigorous Imperial screening,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rouen Airport was meant to embody overwhelming scale and pristine order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards had never once felt confined inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The towering ceilings made it hard to believe they were even indoors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And there are over a hundred workers staying here overnight. Wouldn’t it be bad if a criminal sneaked in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound came from a side corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two guards exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did you hear that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I did.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering their voices, they turned their flashlights toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving slowly, suppressing their footsteps like thieves—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech, screeeeetch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man was crouched in the dark corridor, drawing something on the floor with chalk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-Who’s there?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t move!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards shouted, but the man ignored them, continuing his work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that… a magic circle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it. This feels really bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even to their untrained eyes, the floor-etched circle was complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly not a simple spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, it was the last thing they would ever see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……It’s complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man bowed his head deeply, reporting to someone unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy voice—one that seemed to vibrate through the very space—answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still bowing, the man spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the Great Rite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1646,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","ebc14541da4d2409baf1358e9b398a0f6daff1871f287d9a07c5864a86970fd5","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-324","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-322",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]