[{"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-90":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},1334986,1778,"Chapter 90","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 90: The Graveyard of the Dead (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village of Hendel, bathed in the glow of the sunset, was remarkably large for a mountain settlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by 5-meter-high wooden walls, the village housed dozens of quaint homes clustered together in harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the open central square stood a small fountain, adding a sense of spaciousness to the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a nice village. But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar observed the expressions of the villagers passing by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t sense the relaxed, warm atmosphere typical of rural mountain folk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone looks as though they haven’t slept in days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The likely cause of their unease was the undead said to appear at the graveyard every night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar surveyed his surroundings, an old ball rolled to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young girl, no older than five, came running after it, glancing nervously at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling on one knee to meet her eye level, Oscar gave her a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this your ball?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-yes…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The air's all out of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a loud whoosh, the ball inflated rapidly and floated back down in front of the girl’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the magical sight, the girl burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alice! I told you not to talk to strangers!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman, likely her mother, rushed over, grabbing the child’s hand and hurriedly dragging her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica, witnessing the scene, grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seriously? Did we do something wrong? Why’d she react like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Not sure. It seems they’re particularly wary of mages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no surprise, considering the mother had turned pale after seeing him use magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a young man who had been observing the scene hesitantly approached them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, are you perhaps mages from the White Tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we are. We’re here to see Chief George of Hendel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Oh, wonderful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, looking relieved, quickly offered to guide them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take you straight to the chief’s house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That would be helpful. Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they followed him, Oscar asked a simple question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do the villagers dislike mages in general?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah... I sincerely apologize for what just happened. Please, don’t take offense…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to apologize. I’m not offended. I was just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gauging Oscar’s sincerity, the young man nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, well... the atmosphere in the village wasn’t like this until last week. Things have been unsettled lately. Do you know what’s been happening here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard that undead are appearing in the graveyard at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. That’s why everyone’s on edge. Fights have been breaking out more frequently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t uncommon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the villagers, undead weren’t just trivial monsters—they were a source of tremendous fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After knocking on the door of a large house, the young man announced,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief, the guests from the White Tower have arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the commotion from inside, the door swung open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, welcome!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elderly man with white hair greeted them warmly and ushered them in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in, have a seat. Let me see... What can I offer you? Ah! I have some herbal tea that’s good for the body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than refuse, they waited patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the chief returned with a steaming pot of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the hospitality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure if city folk will like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s wonderful. Feels like it’s rejuvenating my body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling faintly, Oscar set down his teacup and introduced himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the pleasantries were done, he got straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope it’s not rude to bring this up right away, but I’d like to hear about the undead situation in detail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, not at all! It’s a relief that you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chief George eagerly began explaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first time those creatures crawled out of the ground was exactly nine days ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Skeletons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skeletons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the undead, they were classified as the weakest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While some could grow stronger over time, nine days wasn’t long enough for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How strong are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our guards have managed to defeat them several times, but they keep getting back up after a short while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the terrifying part of the undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without destroying their core with precise mana, they would continually resurrect—true to their name, undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening quietly, Killian asked his first question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was there anything unusual before the undead began appearing? Like a villager performing a suspicious ritual to see a loved one or someone buying a magical scroll?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can assure you, no such thing happened. None of the villagers have left recently, and the merchants who come by don’t deal in such items.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian glanced at Oscar, who nodded knowingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no lie in that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained further,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason I ask is that the emergence of undead usually falls into two categories.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising a finger, Oscar began counting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first is natural occurrence. You’ve probably heard of spirits with unresolved grudges defying the natural order to appear in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But... as far as I know, no one in our village died with such a tremendous grudge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That makes the second case more likely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s expression turned grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Necromancy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you saying a mage is responsible for this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a possibility. We’ll need to investigate further to know for sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then asked the chief,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, I heard rumors that mages from the Black Tower have been spotted nearby. Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it is. They showed up about a week ago and are staying at the village inn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know why they’re here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...No, we don’t. They have such an intimidating aura that no one dares to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The undead appearing nightly were merely skeletons—the lowest of the low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Would the Black Tower really come all this way just to mess around with such trivial monsters?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it was impossible for them to be unaware that this village lay within the territory of the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn’t have made an unnecessary visit without some purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there any chance there are hidden underground resources or a mine near the village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? No, nothing like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what about historical ruins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"None of those either…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it another dead end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, then what was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were the Black Tower people snooping around here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to resolve his doubts, Oscar slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood. Starting tonight, I’ll head to the cemetery to begin the investigation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, thank you! The lodging prepared for you is the house with the blue roof, just to the right of mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re the ones who should be grateful for your hospitality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they stepped out of the village chief's house, the sharp-eyed Veronica asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still suspecting the Black Tower, aren’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. They remain the most likely suspects. After all, they’re staying at the inn here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t it strange? If they were really the culprits, would they show themselves so openly like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were audacious enough to do just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar swallowed his retort and began walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar. It’s not that way. He clearly said the blue-roofed house to the right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know. But before going to the lodging, let’s grab something to eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he entered the inn where the Black Tower mages were reportedly staying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here is your order: steak, potato salad, and mushroom soup.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first floor of the inn was naturally a tavern and dining area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three ordered meals suited to their tastes, but unfortunately, there was no sign of the Black Tower mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re not here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a bit early for dinner, so that’s probably why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Steak is always the right choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nibbled at his soup while glancing repeatedly toward the staircase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You never knew when they might come down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him while eating her salad, Veronica voiced her curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you fought the Black Tower mages before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…No, why do you ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because you seem especially hostile toward them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hostile, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar gave a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had twenty years dulled even the enormity of the Black Tower’s crimes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Given the necromancy angle, I think it’s reasonable to suspect the Black Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s ancient history. Everything’s changed since the war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of, let me ask you something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly has changed? I mean, compared to before the war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, for starters, you know the Black Tower got a lot of hate during the war, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The 13th Tower Master of the Black Tower, Silgrim Fonerth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most infamous traitor in history, who betrayed humanity and sided with the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned 1,900 comrades who trusted and followed him into corpses, then crossed the Red Mountains that very night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling it a single act of betrayal didn’t do justice to the catastrophic damage he inflicted on humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An entire frontline was wiped out, and it took four months to recover from the demon forces that surged in through the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right. The Black Tower paid for producing that abominable man by being effectively dismembered after the war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dismembered, how?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal family outlawed necromancy under national law.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica spoke while chewing on her potato salad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s one exception, though. If the royal family grants special approval, it’s allowed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…That approval must be almost impossible to get.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. But even so, the Black Tower’s necromancy faction hasn’t completely disappeared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the faction survive if necromancy was forbidden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They use golems now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Golems?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. The Black Tower is a leader in the iron and steel industry. They craft mechanical golems from their unique advanced alloys. Since they can’t use corpses, they rely on golems.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Necromancy without corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t that like the White Tower without magic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That does sound like being dismembered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like I said, they had no choice but to adapt, whether willingly or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal family clearly despised and rejected the Black Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because they had firsthand experience with its power and danger during the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Which means that even in this crippled state, they’re still accomplishing that much.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as Oscar knew, the Black Tower ranked fourth in overall achievements among the towers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if not for the White Tower, they could have been one of the Four Great Towers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t realize they were doing this well…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a creaking sound came from the staircase leading to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar locked eyes with a group of individuals clad in black robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>",1772,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","943c79a2c1f1e074e8b4a68aef0680620493fc6b65fa3310decac6ba358982f3","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-91","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-89",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]