The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 142

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 142

 

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Sister Celestia. She said you’re remarkable people who reformed magic so that humans can use it in this era.”

 

They didn’t seem particularly pleased or impressed by my flattering tone. Perhaps they hear such words so often that they find them uninteresting.

 

Dean Theodore, who had been silently observing me the entire time, finally spoke.

 

“So, Ascetic. I’d like to know why you’ve come here.”

 

The man with long silver hair tied up high and sharp eyes had a low voice, though not quite as deep as Tuba’s.

 

That single statement alone could probably make any coward faint. As the leader of what could be called eccentric professors who might seem innocent, his charisma was truly impressive.

 

“If it’s missionary work, we’ll have to decline. We are a school of truth that pursues magic. We absolutely detest religious fanatics who draw upon external energy and dismiss it as divine power.”

 

Dean Theodore was not favorably disposed toward me. However, I didn’t mind.

 

I’ve been dealing with this kind of harsh treatment for months now. This is actually quite mild. When I visited some Anti-Saint Faction noble houses, I even had boiling water suddenly thrown at me.

 

“You misunderstand, Dean. I haven’t simply come here for missionary work. I’ve come to give you and the professors a warning.”

 

“A warning…?”

 

The Dean’s eyebrows twitched. Hoffman also showed interest in my opening, twitching his mustache.

 

Meanwhile, Professor Lumin made a “Hieek!” sound as if displaying his timid nature, wrapping his thick robe even tighter around himself. Professor Elara just maintained an expression like she wanted to study and dissect me regardless of what I said.

 

“A warning… What kind of warning do you wish to give?”

 

“About how the current political situation is unfolding. I want to inform you about what will happen to the Magic Tower, which most purely pursues knowledge in this situation.”

 

I began speaking, adding plenty of seasoning to what was really not that significant a situation.

 

“I understand that the Magic Tower’s current situation is one of pursuing neutrality and striving solely for academic purposes. However, the present situation is explosive, like a cord about to snap.”

 

I plucked out one of my hairs. A long, thin white strand fell onto the table. I handed one end to Celestia. Professor Elara’s eyes sparkled.

 

If I had both arms intact, I would have held both ends of the hair myself.

 

The taut hair seemed ready to break as we pulled it from both sides.

 

“Neither side intends to give up their interests… Eventually, the cord will snap.”

 

Snap.

 

The hair, under too much tension, fluttered and broke.

 

“What are you trying to say, Ascetic?”

 

“You stand in the middle of this broken cord. You don’t side with either party. That’s why you’ll be the first to suffer damage. In their struggle over interests.”

 

“Are you referring to the government forces of the Banquet Hall and the Central Church faction? Those two already reached an agreement with our Magic Tower long ago.”

 

“The situation has changed. Quite some time ago, in fact. Most of the Banquet Hall has already been ‘purged’ by someone and a new banquet has been held. The Central Church… has split into the Anti-Saint Faction and the Pro-Saint Faction.”

 

Professor Elara stealthily reached across the table and quietly took my two broken hair strands.

 

Hoffman beside her quietly asked for just one from under the table. I pretended not to notice and continued speaking.

 

“In this situation, who would gain the most power? Precisely, by drawing you, the third force, to their side.”

 

“But Ascetic, isn’t your situation exactly the same? You might be saying this to draw our Magic Tower to your side.”

 

Ding dong dang! Correct answer!

 

Dean Theodore spoke sharply, showing that he hadn’t obtained his position through trickery.

 

“Hehe… That’s right. I too have said these things to draw you Magic Tower members to my side.”

 

Dean Theodore’s eyebrows flickered, as if he had expected me to deny it.

 

Professor Elara carefully stored one strand of my hair as if it were a precious sample, having apparently given one strand to Hoffman.

 

“However…”

 

I placed my hand on the table. Then I removed my veil, folded it neatly, and placed it on the table. The scholars’ gazes were drawn to that veil. Even the Dean’s.

 

“What I want is fundamentally different from the Central Church or the Banquet Master.”

 

“What’s different about it?”

 

Wolfgang spat out bluntly.

 

“Then let me ask you one thing, pioneers of knowledge. If the Central Church made you their allies, what do you think they would do?”

 

I looked at Professor Elara.

 

“They would immediately ransack Professor Elara’s laboratory. Under the pretext of ‘blasphemy’ and ‘heretical experiments,’ they would try to burn or ‘control’ all of the Professor’s research materials.”

 

“…!”

 

Elara’s expression hardened.

 

“What about the Banquet Master… the Empire? He would see you as ‘tools.’ He would try to use the Magic Tower as the Empire’s shield and the most efficient ‘weapon’ to strike the Demon Realm or Centa. Your research would exist solely for ‘war.'”

 

“Didn’t you say the Saint clearly declared a ceasefire?”

 

“Yes. However, it’s only temporary—something that could be overturned if the situation changes even slightly.”

 

Dean Theodore’s complexion darkened. Because my words had precisely pierced through their fears.

 

“However, I am different.”

 

I slowly looked around at the four professors.

 

“I… forgive me, but I have absolutely no interest in whatever research you conduct in here.”

 

“…What did you say?”

 

Dean Theodore, who had been maintaining his charisma and composure, questioned back.

 

“I don’t care whether you boil tea water, tear dimensions, or look at my hair under a microscope. I will respect the Magic Tower’s ‘freedom’ and ‘neutrality’ more than anyone else.”

 

“Just… respect?”

 

Theodore asked suspiciously.

 

“No.”

 

I declared in the most cool and trustworthy voice.

 

“I will protect you. Under the authority and name of the Saint, I will protect all of you at the Magic Tower.”

 

The professors’ eyes widened. Elara’s too.

 

“When the Central Church calls your research ‘heretical’ and sends the Holy Knights, I will ‘condemn’ them.”

 

The reason the Magic Tower pursues extreme neutrality and tries not to get entangled with any faction is because of what happened in the past.

 

“When the Banquet Master tries to use the Magic Tower as a ‘weapon’ and conscript the mages belonging to the Magic Tower not for pursuing truth but for killing, I will stand in their way.”

 

After getting involved in such similar incidents, the Magic Tower declined for a long, long time, and blood and dust accumulated on the pure truth they pursued.

 

That was not what the ‘Sage,’ the founder of the Magic Tower and father of all mages, wanted.

 

“The ‘perfect neutrality’ and ‘absolute freedom of research’ that you so desire. What can guarantee that is not the Central Church or the Banquet Master… but only me, the ‘Saint.'”

 

Theodore’s eyes narrowed.

 

“…What is the price of that ‘protection,’ Ascetic?”

 

With this, they were almost halfway won over.

 

I presented the main point.

 

“There are two things.”

 

I held up one finger.

 

“First, I will soon depart for the ‘Demon Realm’ according to my schedule. Due to schedule disruptions, I couldn’t finish dealing with all the anti-Saint faction bastards. While I’m away from the capital, please become my ‘representatives.’ If the Central Church attacks my ‘Order of Rest’ or the ‘orphanage,’ you must stop them in the name of the Magic Tower.”

 

“That’s… telling us to have an all-out war with the Central Church!”

 

Wolfgang shouted.

 

“An, an orphanage…? I’ve ne, never heard of such a thing.”

 

“Recently, I’ve been conducting welfare projects to help the poor who suffer under my name. However… that would be a thorn in the Central Church’s side.”

 

Dean Theodore kept his mouth tightly shut and listened.

 

“I’m making this request because I’m afraid they might harm those children. But the Central Church members know what’s proper, so they won’t actually do such things. You don’t need to worry too much.”

 

When I spoke as if I was worried about the children, they seemed to have nothing to say. Wolfgang let out a dry cough.

 

“Of course, it won’t be for free.”

 

I extended my second finger.

 

I looked straight into Dean Theodore’s eyes.

 

“I will provide ’25 times’ the amount you’ve been receiving while watching the Central Church and Empire’s moods, as research funding for the Magic Tower ‘immediately’ every year.”

 

“…!”

 

The air in the room froze. Ellara gasped for breath, Wolfgang’s steaming teacup went cold, and Lumin’s eyes went wide inside his hood.

 

It was a well-known fact that researchers would even lick shoes for research funding, but those in the sciences and engineering were even worse. Each piece of equipment costs as much as a car!

 

Moreover, this was the Magic Tower. Everything – artifacts, various grimoires – all cost money.

 

All the materials needed for research cost money too! To save that money, isn’t that why the Magic Tower interns run around on foot, climbing mountains to gather medicinal herbs and whatnot?

 

“I’m not trying to ‘control’ you. I want to become the strongest and most reliable fence so you can ‘research’ to your heart’s content.”

 

I picked up my teacup. They didn’t need justification or grand causes.

 

They were researchers. Not politicians or businessmen. What they wanted was research without interference and funding for that research.

 

Cults know everything~ what words people most want to hear and what they need~

 

“The Magic Tower must develop so people’s living standards can improve and there will be no more suffering.”

 

At my final comment, Wolfgang clutched his heart.

 

Dean Theodore, who had been pressing me down with charisma just moments ago, now spoke to me hesitantly.

 

“It seems you’re asking for too little. Ascetic, tell me what you actually want. Isn’t what the Saint gains too little compared to what you’re providing to the Magic Tower?”

 

I smiled slightly.

 

“I simply hope the Magic Tower can pursue truth without interference from anyone.”

 

Ellara looked almost moved.

 

“If it really bothers you… I’d appreciate it if you’d take my side as your top priority in any situation. Of course, if that becomes burdensome, you don’t have to.”

 

The professors had already completely fallen for my sweet words and looked ready to drool.

 

Dean Theodore seemed to have been won over from the moment research funding was mentioned.

 

They were researchers and scholars from the start, not politicians or shrewd businessmen. Winning them over was actually easier than making an ordinary country bumpkin my ally.

 

“Ah, Professor Ellara seems to have something specific in mind, so since I’ve come all the way to the Magic Tower, I’ll cooperate as much as possible if there’s something you’d like to do with me.”

 

Professor Ellara’s eyes sparkled. Dean Theodore subtly extended his gloved hand.

 

“I look forward to working with you, Ascetic.”

 

“I’m the one who should be saying that.”

 

In less than an hour, I had made all four pillars of the Magic Tower completely mine.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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