I Became a Retired War Hero the Heroines Are Obsessed With – Chapter 23

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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The Mages’ Tower, commonly known as the Magic Tower.

This was the place every mage in the world dreamed of entering.

A high salary.

Superb research facilities and support, negating the need to worry about materials.

(Though very occasionally) the teachings of the world’s greatest mage.

With all this on offer, it was practically paradise for a mage.

However, with rights came responsibilities.

Mages belonging to the Magic Tower had to follow the Tower Lord’s instructions above all else.

No matter what.

“Sigh… Just a little more and I’ll have my research results.”

“Me too. My next promotion evaluation is coming up soon…”

“Shut up, you brats! If you want to go back, calculate the coordinates quickly!”

Startled by the rough voice, the mages frantically scribbled with their pens.

This was the Isle of Wisdom.

And among its locations, this was the place that suffered the most damage from the battle between Allen and the Archbishop.

Someone approached the busy mages of the Magic Tower. It was the Holy Kingdom’s elite, trained solely to hunt “Heretics” – an Inquisitor.

“How is the work progressing?”

“Ah, yes… No problems. Your Eminence.”

A mage, calculating coordinates, responded awkwardly to the question from the man clad in pure white armor.

Romeo Sergius, the Inquisitor of Diligence.

This man, characterized by his slicked-back, light brown hair, was one of the Seven Virtues, trained to oppose Archbishops.

True to his title of Diligence, Romeo hadn’t slept a wink since setting foot on the Isle of Wisdom.

Even when the mages of the Magic Tower took turns resting, he alone wandered the island, purifying the Magi-tainted nature.

The mages, initially impressed by Romeo’s diligence, became increasingly perplexed as his actions continued for several days.

“Um… are you alright? I understand you haven’t slept at all…”

“I’m fine. It’s my duty to eliminate this filth as quickly as possible.”

Romeo replied with a bright smile, showcasing his pearly white teeth.

“Still, it’s dangerous if you accumulate fatigue. There could be a Heretic ambush…”

“There’s no problem. God is watching over me. How could I, his servant, be defeated by such a wicked being?”

“Ah, yes…”

“So, you don’t have to worry and can just focus on your work.”

He truly looked as healthy as his strong teeth suggested.

Convinced that further persuasion was futile, the mage buried his head back in his papers and continued writing.

“Then, I’ll return to the purification work.”

“Yes. Be careful.”

Even to the perfunctory reply, Romeo made the sign of the cross and bowed respectfully.

Watching him leave, the mage turned to his colleague and asked,

“Are all people from the Holy Kingdom like that?”

“He’s just unusual. Even the Holy Kingdom is a place where people live. How don’t you know that, considering there’s a Magic Tower branch there?”

“Still, he hasn’t slept for days…”

“Don’t worry about it. Are you done with the calculations? If we don’t finish by today, the branch manager will fry us alive.”

“Ugh, almost done.”

Tracking faint magical traces to locate a teleportation point was like searching for a grain of sand in a desert.

Or a grain of salt in the ocean.

At least, they were fortunate the Thorn Princess’s magic wasn’t in the Magic Tower’s database.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have even attempted this task.

“Ha… This is going to kill me…”

“Hey, hey, don’t get a nosebleed. If that gets on the formula, we’re all dead!”

And so, after much hardship, the mages completed a single magic circle.

Standing before the enormous circle, the branch manager shouted,

“Tower Lord! It’s finished!”

Space distorted, and a woman in a robe as colorful as autumn leaves materialized.

It was the arrival of Aerius Saturn, the Tower Lord and Zodiac Knight of Capricorn.

“Good work. It took longer than expected.”

“…I apologize!”

The branch manager couldn’t retort with, “Then you should have done it yourself.”

While the mages had toiled, Aerius had been scouring the Empire, attacking any location with traces of Heretics.

Since traces had even been found in his own branch, he had to lower his head as if to bury it in the ground.

His life was literally on the line.

“Ah, about that insect. It was an orphan raised by the Heretics from the beginning. Thanks to that, we had to comb through every orphanage in the Empire, but… don’t worry too much. Their methods are vicious, how could you have known?”

Despite her gentle tone, the branch manager lowered his head further.

“No! It’s my fault! I’ll be more selective in recruiting personnel from now on!”

“From now on… Yes. Whenever that may be, be thorough when you become branch manager again.”

At her words, the branch manager cautiously raised his head and asked,

“Yes, yes…? What… what do you mean…?”

“A major incident like this occurred, so someone has to take responsibility. You’re fortunate to have it end with a demotion. The navy personnel who leaked the patrol route were summarily executed.”

Aerius slowly approached the branch manager and whispered,

“At least you kept your life, didn’t you?”

The Tower Lord rarely made a personal appearance.

According to official records, Aerius hadn’t even shown her face during the war.

The branch manager only now realized the gravity of the situation, that she had personally intervened.

“Ah, ah…”

Just how many had died?

Smelling the stench of blood emanating from Aeris’ small frame, the branch manager fell to his knees.

As she was looking down at him, his face ashen with despair, Aerius turned away, her expression neutral.

“It’s unfortunate. He was quite diligent.”

Romeo Sergius, the Inquisitor of Diligence, shook his head as he watched the scene.

Seeing his gleaming, pure white armor, Aerius frowned slightly.

“You were here too.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, Capricorn.”

“Tsk, if the Holy Kingdom had done its job properly, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“I apologize. It must be due to our lack of faith.”

Despite Aerius’s rude tone, Romeo simply bowed his head.

Seeing this, she shook her head.

“This is why I can’t stand religious zealots… Enough with the pointless talk, get on the magic circle.”

“Yes. Everyone, move!”

At Romeo’s command, the paladins moved with precision.

The mages of the Magic Tower also took their positions around the circle, and Aerius drew upon her magic.

“Such a hassle in my old age… I won’t make this easy for you.”

Her desolate, ochre eyes gleaming, Aerius planted her staff in the center of the magic circle.

The magic circle, imbued with the blood, sweat, and tears of countless mages, erupted in a brilliant light.

Imperial forces: Capricorn and ten mages from the Magic Tower.

Holy Kingdom forces: The Inquisitor of Diligence and twenty paladins.

A combined force of thirty-two advanced towards Espina Pereza, the Archbishop of Sloth.

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Meanwhile, Allen, having entered the Imperial Treasury, Procyon’s Vault, blinked in astonishment at the dazzling display.

“Wow… Is this a museum?”

He couldn’t help but think that, with all the treasures neatly displayed.

Swords, spears, axes, maces, and other bladed weapons, along with shields, armor, and other defensive gear, were all meticulously organized, evoking a strange sense of satisfaction.

“Accessories, robes, staffs, are these potions? Well, I need to know something…”

The problem was, he lacked the knowledge to discern the value and properties of these items.

Of course, as treasures selected by the Empire, any choice would be decent, but human nature craved the best.

“This is really making me think hard.”

What should he choose from this vast collection?

He had used Bloodstorm effectively, so a spear?

Or the most versatile option, a sword?

Should he opt for practical armor?

The endless possibilities made his head spin.

Even seemingly ordinary accessories could be enchanted with powerful magic.

He didn’t want to choose something and then be disappointed later.

“This is frustrating…”

If only he specialized in a single weapon.

Ariana would have chosen a sword, Amy or Lux a staff.

Sena… he wasn’t sure.

“I can’t just choose one now.”

Having dabbled in various combat styles to survive, he couldn’t settle on a single weapon.

Perhaps armor was the best option in this situation.

As he walked towards the armor display, a strange sound reached his ears.

Hmmmmm!

“What’s that?”

He followed the sound and found a strangely shaped staff.

Like most staffs, it was made of wood, with a metal serpent coiled around it.

“A staff? I use magic, but… it’s only supplementary.”

He felt drawn to it, but magic wasn’t his style.

He preferred the visceral feel of physical combat.

As he turned away, disappointed, the sound echoed again.

Hmmmmm!

“Huh…?”

He looked back, and the staff had transformed into a spear.

Not just any spear, but one identical in form to Bloodstorm, the weapon he had wielded countless times.

To be precise, it was a replica of Bloodstorm, entwined with a metal serpent.

The only constant was the serpent.

“You… can you change your shape at will?”

As if in response to his question, the serpent nodded.

What kind of magic was this?

“Am I hallucinating? Otherwise, how could something appear that perfectly matches my desires…? Don’t tell me it’s a cursed weapon?!”

Worried it might be something like a cursed sword, he stepped back.

The serpent glared at him.

It was made of metal, so it shouldn’t have had any expression, yet he felt as if it was cursing him.

“…Find another owner.”

Sensing a bad omen, he turned away.

One thing he had learned in his life was to trust his instincts and leave immediately when something felt wrong.

However, it seemed he was a step too late.

HMMM!

Sensing a killing intent from behind, he turned to see the weapon, now in the form of Bloodstorm, flying towards him.

He hastily infused his fist with aura and swung.

HMMMM!

Struck by his fist, the weapon flew back, then stopped mid-air and stared at him.

This thing could move on its own?!

“You think I’ll take you just because you do this? I’ll have you sealed as soon as we’re out of here…”

As he spoke, the Mithril Golem’s words echoed in his mind.

“Touching an item constitutes a choice…?”

HMMM! HMMM! HMMM!

As he frantically looked around, he noticed the other items, previously displayed casually, were now encased in a transparent magical barrier.

He had a strong feeling that touching anything else would be a grave mistake.

Had it done this on purpose?

“You bastard! What is the meaning of this?!”

HMMM! HMMM! HMMM!

The weapon, as if mocking his outburst, made a series of noises.

Then, as if asking what he would do about it, it began to float towards him.

“Haha…”

Seeing it bobbing up and down right in front of him, he couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

Why was this happening to him?

“Ha… Fine. I give up.”

There was nothing he could do now.

He resigned himself to his fate and grabbed the weapon.

HMMMMM!

“Alright. Since it’s come to this, I’ll be in your care.”

And so, he acquired an unwanted treasure.

A weapon that might be the only one of its kind in the world…

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[Bro got lucky with the most op weapon probably lel (forgot to put this under the right novel when i uploaded the novel RIP, this is last weeks mising chapter)]