Chapter 22 Prisoner of the Black Tower

Burn your own soul... and turn it into a fire of inheritance.

Even Annan couldn't help holding his breath.

He soon realized that the ceremony itself performed by Hugo Tower Master also belonged to "a fire that was not kindled for himself".

He'd burned out his wits -- and for a wizard, wits were pretty much all there was to life.

And for his life that was about to end, his soul, elements, and magic power are meaningless things that are about to disappear...but only at this last moment will they become extra valuable thing.

Like charcoal being fired in a kiln.

But what really surprised Annan was the fact that Tower Master Hugo planned to give the holy flame to Salvatore.

"...the holy flame?"

Annan frowned: "If I remember correctly, Master Hugo, you just mentioned... the holy fire is the energy source of the Zedi Black Tower, right?"

If the holy fire is lost, it must be burned by the tower owner. Just like the current Hugo - it was stuffed into a cabin without a strand, and it just hung on the top floor.

Through the power of the "Fire Stealer", instead of the holy fire, it can supply energy to the Zedi Black Tower. When Hugo got out of that device, the entire Zedi Black Tower stopped.

If the torch is also given to Salvatore... that probably means that Kaizisa will also lose his freedom completely and become a living battery.

Of course, Annan felt that Salvatore would not hate this kind of life.

Because after entering that device, the mind of the tower master can control the Zedi Black Tower like a finger. For example, the "thin and tall ghost" is the "illusion with entity" created by Hugo Tower Master using the power of Zedi Black Tower.

Moreover, the power from Zedi Black Tower can feed back the tower master and maintain his body. There is no need to eat, drink, sleep and excrete, just like falling into a dormant state in a space capsule.

In this way, Salvatore will not have to worry about lack of sleep, so he can get a stable spirit.

For Salvatore, who has been plagued by sleep deprivation... this may have been a relief. Because this can avoid his curse, and it can also make his sanity clear.

He can also stay safely in the Zedi Black Tower, and continue to conduct research to solve other people's difficulties. This seems like a good outcome for everyone.

...But Annan still felt that something was not right.

"If the price for giving him the holy flame is to keep Salvatore as the energy pillar of the Zedi Black Tower... I think we should tell him about it."

Annan clasped his hands and fingers in front of his abdomen, and leaned back slightly on the chair.

With a lazy attitude, he said serious words in a deep voice.

"Even though I think he's going to agree, he'll be happy. He's even prepared for it - but that's not why I'm able to make the decision for him.

"I think...you should understand me too."

What Annan said was just like the decision made by the owner of Hugo Tower at that time.

Should we sacrifice the mortal to save ourselves?

Even if you know that the victim may agree, it is more valuable to let your own life that must disappear... But it must be confirmed by the other party, or by someone who can speak for the other party.

Although it is a bit unlucky to say this... But the best example is like the organ donation of the deceased. This is indeed a good thing, and most of the deceased will agree, but if this is done without the knowledge or consent of the deceased and his family members...

Even if its result is for good, it is itself a kind of evil.

Evil deeds are not directly related to evil results.

Annan no longer wants to do this kind of "incomplete kindness". After all, he now has the ability to do what he wants to do perfectly.

Although it is unlikely, if Salvatore really suddenly wants to go out and have a look instead of being sealed in the wizard tower, then Annan is actually doing Salvatore a harm.

Maybe Salvatore himself didn't care,

But Annan had to take the situation into account.

After all, people change—he may not care now, but he may regret it decades later. This kind of decision that will completely change his life is better left to him.

Since his last life, Annan has already regretted this kind of "making decisions for others".

Of course... from another perspective, it is precisely because Annan attaches great importance to his friend Salvatore that he is so cautious. If it was those who Annan couldn't even remember their names, he might not care so much.

"—So, if you want me to be able to hide Salvatore's knowledge and determine his future without his knowledge... I think I will refuse."

Annan said seriously: "It has nothing to do with being correct, it's just that he should have the right to know about it - anyway, the bond you signed with him has ended by now, right?"

"It was already over. My wisdom has been completely exhausted, and now I can only think with the holy fire, but... if I want to follow this ceremony and give him everything I have, this curse will still be maintained .”

Tower Master Hugo sighed: "The soul cannot be given to others at will, so the Philosopher's Stone is so necessary. Elements cannot be traded at will... But there is a loophole in this curse, he did not limit me 'Only' burns wisdom into him. Since this ritual can burn the illusory concepts of wisdom and talent, it can also be made into a new model."

"In other words, this ceremony may not be successful."

Annan concluded: "This is similar to the ceremony of the man in the mirror."

"...Yes, this is an experiment too. An experiment with my own life."

Hugo Tower Master nodded calmly and said: "I will not hurt Salvatore. If something happens... At most, it will only happen to me. This is actually similar to what Michelangelo did. It's just that he decided at the time I ascended myself, and I decided to let Salvatore ascend for me.

"However, it is not that he is more selfish than I, nor that I am more noble than him.

"It's because the twin towers were originally [doors], the gap between the mirror and the reflection; while the black tower is [fire], emphasizing the inheritance relationship passed on from generation to generation. Our paths are different."

The tall and thin ghost image knew what Annan was worried about, so he gave a low laugh.

"You don't have to worry...you don't have to be afraid that Salvatore will be bound to the Black Tower of the Zedi for the rest of his life because of the lack of the holy fire. Rather, the holy fire must be given to him—only in this way can he complete the [four rounds of rotation] 】."

Hugo Tower Master spoke amazing words.

From the very beginning, his purpose was to create a god—but that god was not himself.

Annan was slightly taken aback, then nodded slowly.

He already understood the train of thought of Hugo Tower Master.

Even though Salvatore has not yet been promoted to gold...but he himself is the only creator of the Philosopher's Stone. With the Philosopher's Stone in hand, he doesn't need to think about the [Perfect Essence of Elements] issue.

He can easily extract his own elements into a perfect form.

And as long as he can complete the Philosopher's Stone, take over the work of Nicholas II, and completely complete the research and development of the new poisonous dust...he can use his identity as the "hermetic orthodox successor of the Hermes School" to realize the [work of creation] .

Nothing is more worthy of this achievement than "inventing a new method of making the Philosopher's Stone".

With the death of Nicholas II, Salvatore is now the only alchemist-alchemists can also advance to gold. Then after Salvatore advanced to gold, he would naturally complete the [Supreme Crown].

So, there are only two things that Salvatore lacks.

——That is [the rotation of the four wheels] and [the archetype of truth].