[{"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-33":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},1334796,1778,"Chapter 33","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-33",33,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 33: Magic Power Plant (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whirrr!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unexpected flight was far from comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Silkworm thrashed about violently, solely intending to shake him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the rope he clung to hadn't been made of celestial silk, it would have snapped at least ten times by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And my spine feels like it’s about to snap too…! Once I get back, I’m tripling my core workouts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the results of his intermittent muscle training were proving their worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he still been in the frail body he woke up with initially, he would never have endured this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Screeeech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Silkworm glanced briefly at him, then abruptly shot upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piercing through the clouds in an instant, Oscar squinted his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson waves of clouds dyed by the sunset were breathtaking, but there was no time to appreciate the view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold air at high altitude was numbing his skin rapidly, and it felt like his lungs were freezing over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s the same for that thing. It won’t be able to endure here for long.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to prove his thoughts, the Heavenly Silkworm suddenly spun around to face him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Screeeee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A victorious laugh escaped its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course. Up here, Veronica can’t interfere, and I have no space to evade its attacks.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Screech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its gaze fixated on his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still gripping the gun, but barely — holding on through sheer willpower with no strength to pull the trigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature laughed smugly as if it knew this well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It then opened its maw wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The bite force of the Heavenly Silkworm can crush steel.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way he could avoid those densely packed teeth with his body in its current state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he accepted this uncomfortable truth, the taut thread slackened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Silkworm was now plunging toward him at a terrifying speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tilting his head back, Oscar gazed at the sunset-colored clouds above him and let out a faint sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…They say humans have two eyes so they can see both the strengths and weaknesses of others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And two ears so they can listen twice as much as they speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he released the thread in his left hand — the lifeline that had been keeping him alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Screeeeeee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Silkworm screeched with laughter as it approached him with its maw wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it laughing at the sight of its opponent surrendering to death, or rejoicing in the success of its plan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As its massive, sharp teeth came close enough to touch, Oscar continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And so, the reason humans have two hands is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The left hand, now free, took the gun from his faltering right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he aimed it directly at the gaping maw of the Heavenly Silkworm — at a range where he could not possibly miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…so they can land one more blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fleeting look of panic that flashed across the creature's dark pupils was all he needed to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s left index finger decisively pulled the trigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, his left shoulder also took the brunt of the recoil, shattering painfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both shoulders throbbed in agony, and his face was splattered with the creature’s bodily fluids, but Oscar grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your head is still just one, isn’t it? So this is my win, you bug.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Silkworm’s head disappeared entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its massive body trembled violently before going limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plummeting rapidly, Oscar muttered to himself as he captured the stunning sunset in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Save me, Veronica.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already adjusted his trajectory to fall toward the power plant’s roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from here on, there was nothing more he could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mana had run completely dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the power plant drew nearer at an alarming speed, his consciousness began to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, as his body broke through the roof of the power plant, a sharp voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Air Cushion! Gust Hands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Air Cushion spell caught Oscar mid-fall, drastically slowing his descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pair of conjured hands rose and wrapped around him gently, like petals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloud of dust billowed as he landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica, limping slightly, approached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, hey! Are you alive? Or…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling voice faltered as she reached out and grabbed the cold fabric of Oscar’s collar, shaking him cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this idiot dies on me like this, then I…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she bit her lip and lowered her head, Oscar, who had been lying still, suddenly opened his eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around and exhaled raggedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haah… haah. Am I alive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Do you even need to ask, you lunatic?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fist landed on his shoulder, drawing a yelp of pain from Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What followed was a long barrage of worried scolding mixed with insults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar! Veronica! Are you safe?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Elder, I think I’ve gone deaf in one ear now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he confirmed the arrival of the rescue team from the White Tower, led by Elder Maxim…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar finally let go of his consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tower Master! Tower Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the edge of a cliff, staring at the ashen fortress in the distance, Oscar slowly turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate who had succeeded in catching his attention spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The final line of defense has fallen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See for yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Majiro Wilson, one of the two 8th-level mages in the Magic Tower and known as its mastermind, activated his unique spell, Eye of the Sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of miles away, a vivid image of the battlefield appeared before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Oscar silently observed the sight of his allies retreating in perfect unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Majiro spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seeing the overwhelming size of the demon army, they must have concluded that holding the line was futile. They’ll likely keep retreating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If I were them, I’d fall back to Simon Gorge, which is favorable for defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon Gorge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar rubbed his temple wearily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worst-case scenario.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It certainly is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path to Simon Gorge led through their own territory, Sirin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Majiro cautiously asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a blatant threat, but what will you do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ignore it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who answered was the other 8th-level mage, Radan Lockwood, also known as the White Lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing the head of a white lion he had hunted himself, he spoke resolutely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Retreating now is exactly what they want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you serious? If we don’t go back, the people and mages of Sirin will all die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if we don’t press forward, the chance to kill the Grand Emperor will be lost forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar silenced the two, who often clashed due to their differing perspectives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred subordinates were waiting solely for his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them would probably want to go back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the Tower, to their family and friends in the fief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar was no exception to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned back to the ashen fortress, his expression a bit forlorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You've given us a tough dilemma, Emperor.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For weeks, they'd gone without food and rest, traversing this desolate land for one reason alone—to assassinate the Demon Emperor, who had been fatally wounded in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's in that fortress right now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy likely sensed his presence, and thus they were issuing threats, mobilizing their forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Telling him to go back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd lose everything precious to him by tonight if he didn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, lost in deep contemplation, bit his lip and cast a communication spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar face appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Master of the Tower? What brings you here at this hour?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy Master Marlon, I have orders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Yes, please go ahead.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the gravity of the situation, the old man’s gaze grew steely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Immediately evacuate all residents of the city into the Tower. Request reinforcements from the Imperial Palace, and activate every defensive magic array set up within the Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Are you serious, Master of the Tower?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Majiro’s question, he replied in the calmest tone he could muster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I return now, I can save the Tower and my people, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in that time, the Emperor would heal from his injuries, and the chance to kill him would disappear forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if that happened, it would take less than three years for humanity to face its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bitter smile crept up on Oscar's lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a cruel dilemma.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was crafted with a vicious malice, forcing either the White Tower or humanity to be sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......In that case, rather than a temporary survival, it’s better to open a path to a lasting tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the answer he had decided upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you won't regret this decision?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he certainly would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not, when he was sacrificing everything he held dear for a greater cause?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This decision would lead to the Tower's invaluable records and treasures, amassed over centuries, being burned and destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of the fief would die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would undoubtedly carry this regret and blame himself endlessly for this choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had to be sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t necessarily have to be him and the White Tower, but they were the ones most likely to succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a pained smile, Oscar responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps. But I’ll never voice that regret.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, I wouldn’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Majiro, who knew his nature, reluctantly agreed, his voice came through the communicator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I, too, will only follow the Master of the Tower’s decision.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Marlon. I’m counting on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s my honor. Finally, this old man gets a task worthy of him... Oh, Master of the Tower, your disciples are clamoring to speak with you. Shall I put them on?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of his rabbit-like disciples, he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Put them on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than a soft, chubby face appeared on the screen—his youngest disciple, Sasha, only five years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Master! When are you coming back?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our dear Sasha, I’ll return after a few more nights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How many more nights do I have to wait?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, let’s say about a hundred nights, just to be safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s a bit too many... Can’t you come back tomorrow?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart wavered as he saw Sasha’s eyes begin to well up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s just too much work to do, but I’ll return as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Master! Then should I come over there? You always say to combine our strengths when there’s a tough job!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, his second disciple, Gilliot, pushed down on Sasha’s head and barged in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hey, don’t squish my head! Dummy!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Oh really? Look at the manners on you. Who’s the dummy here? You don’t even have your front teeth.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Waaah!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon enough, his eldest disciple, Lloyd, appeared to mediate, his demeanor far more mature than his nine years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What are you two doing? The Master is watching. Gilliot, apologize first. Why’d you make her cry?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[She cries at the drop of a hat; you know that, too. Why are you acting like this?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[But this time, you pressed her head first.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It wasn’t even that hard…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Waaaaah! It hurt!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t tell if this was the White Tower or a daycare, it was such a chaotic mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finally settling the quarrel, Lloyd spoke with an unusually dignified look for his age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Master. Don’t worry about us here. I’m here, after all.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, as I always say...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[When you’re not here, I have to take care of the younger ones. Right?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew, even without being reminded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he looked at him with pride in his eyes, Lloyd carefully extended his pinky finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Another promise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Promise you’ll return after a hundred nights of sleep.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That promise-loving nature of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Oscar interlocked their pinky fingers, Lloyd’s face brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s a promise. You’ll come back for sure.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I promised.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would absolutely return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a faint smile appeared on his lips, he suddenly heard—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Then why didn’t you keep your promise?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shocking sight unfolded: blood-red tears spilled from Lloyd's large, round eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar felt his heart drop for a moment, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood oozed through the communication screen and, in an instant, smeared his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2046,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","3a7d7795fd6dd4a725ce115625dc060bb28328cba6a3ae5e10a9939d4a1782db","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-268","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-267",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]