Chapter 243: Prank (5)

After that day, William and Aileo visited again, but Harold turned them away, promising to give them an answer later.

Two days passed, and the day of the Tower Lord Election finally arrived.

Masters from all corners of the world began to gather at the grand entrance of the Tower of Wishes.

From the lowest-ranking Trainees to the 1st Grade Apprentices, a buzz of excitement rippled through the crowd.

“Who do you think it’ll be?”

“Who knows? I don’t really care. I doubt much will change in the Tower, no matter who becomes the Lord.”

Naturally, the Trainees of the Tower of Wishes were deeply invested in this momentous occasion, as the Lord’s position had been vacant for over 250 years.

But there was more to it than that.

The Tower Lord Election wasn’t just capturing the attention of those within the Tower of Wishes.

In Syron Square…

Although it was still relatively early, a large crowd had already gathered in the square.

A passerby, noticing the massive rectangular screen floating in the sky, asked, “What’s that?”

“Huh? Haven’t you heard? The Tower of Wishes installed it the morning before yesterday. Something about a ‘video receiver,’ I think.”

“A video receiver? Why would the Tower of Wishes install something like that?”

“They’re broadcasting the opening of the Tower’s top floor today.”

“What? The top floor? You mean the Tower Lord’s chamber—the one that’s never been opened before?”

“That’s right. The Tower of Wishes is selecting a new Lord of the Tower this year. To commemorate the first Lord’s selection in 250 years, they’re giving ordinary people like us a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse inside the Tower Lord’s chamber.”

“Hmph… the top floor of the Labyrinth is opening for the first time in 250 years. So that legendary door actually exists. Honestly, I thought it was just an urban myth whispered around Syron.”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“So, everyone gathered here is here to witness it, right?”

“It’s a moment that will go down in history. That’s why we’re all here at this hour.”

He was right.

Seeing the new Lord of the Tower of Wishes was a tale worthy of bragging about for generations to come.

The passerby reluctantly spread out a mat in Syron Square, joining the throng of onlookers.

All were there to witness the birth of the first Lord of the Tower of Wishes in a quarter of a millennium.

Thus, the entire Tower of Wishes—indeed, all of Syron—focused its attention on this historic Tower Lord Election.

The conference hall buzzed with Masters. An inexplicable tension hung in the air among the fifteen present.

Normally, Master Aileo, as chairman, would have conducted the meeting. However, he was also a candidate for the position of Lord of the Tower.

The Grade 1 Apprentice tasked with overseeing the voting swallowed hard, his throat dry.

This is driving me crazy. Did I foolishly volunteer for this?

This glorious occasion marked the selection of the Lord of the Tower after a long vacancy.

To ensure fairness, several Grade 1 Apprentices had been allowed into the hall, including the one overseeing the voting.

But as he stepped into the chamber and faced the fifteen Masters, his knees trembled uncontrollably.

If I make even the slightest mistake here…

The Masters would never forgive him.

His promising future would be clouded by disgrace.

As Harold mentally repeated, “Let’s do this,” Aileo nodded to him.

“Hmm… Begin.”

“Yes!”

The voting method was remarkably simple. Each participant would write the name of their chosen candidate on a single slip of paper and submit it. The ballots would then be counted publicly, right before everyone’s eyes. It seemed unbelievably straightforward for an election to determine the Lord of the wealthiest tower on the continent. Yet there was no simpler or more reliable way.

Just as the 1st Grade Apprentice was about to distribute the slips of paper, Harold unexpectedly declared, “I hereby withdraw my candidacy for Tower Lord.”

A wave of surprise washed over the Masters’ faces at Harold’s sudden announcement. William and Aileo exchanged relieved glances, as if they had anticipated this turn of events. But confusion lingered. For the past two days, Harold had refused to align himself with any faction and had taken no decisive action whatsoever.

They couldn’t help but wonder why Harold had even declared his candidacy for Lord of the Tower if he was going to withdraw so easily.

Regardless, Harold’s neutrality had been a burden for both Aileo and William, so his withdrawal was a relief to them both. Neither found the prospect of him siding with the other particularly appealing.

With that minor incident resolved, the ballots were distributed to the fifteen voters.

Scribble-scribble.

Each voter wrote the name of their preferred candidate on the ballot, then placed it in a small box held by a 1st Grade Apprentice, who carried it forward.

Less than five minutes had elapsed—a mere blink compared to the Tower’s 250-year history—and the vacant Lord of the Tower position would soon be filled.

“Alright… let’s begin the count.”

Tension hung heavy in the air, not just among the Masters, but also among the 1st Grade Apprentices tasked with tallying the votes.

With a rustling sound, the first ballot was unfolded.

The teller announced the first vote.

“The first ballot goes to Master Aileo.”

The second ballot was unfolded.

“The second vote goes to Master William.”

And then the third.

“The third ballot is blank… an abstention.”

Aileo: 1 vote, William: 1 vote, Abstention: 1 vote.

A perfectly even split.

The vote count continued steadily.

About ten minutes later, after fourteen ballots had been counted, the results were:

Abstentions: 2, Aileo: 6, William: 6.

All fifteen Masters, including the candidates themselves, had cast their votes, leaving only one ballot remaining.

If the final ballot was another abstention, the entire election would be nullified and a revote would be required. Otherwise, the Lord of the Tower would be decided by a single vote.

“The final vote is for…”

Rustle.

The vote counter’s hands trembled as he unfolded the ballot, his eyes widening in surprise.

“The final vote goes to… Mr. Aileo.”

A brief silence hung in the air.

At the same time, joy and disappointment flickered across the faces of several Masters.

Damian, who had nominated Aileo, stood up, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Congratulations, Master Aileo! Or should I say, Tower Lord now? Ha ha!”

Laura’s expression soured at Damian’s laughter.

In contrast, William, who had lost the election, appeared surprisingly calm. A faint smile even played on his lips as he approached Aileo.

“Congratulations,” William said. “I hope you will lead us well in the future.”

“I will strive to meet your expectations,” Aileo replied.

The two men shook hands.

Just then, Valen, one of Aileo’s supporters, stepped forward and said…

“Instead of lingering here, we should hurry to the top of the Labyrinth. The citizens of Syron and the disciples of the Tower are eagerly awaiting us.”

“Very well, let’s go.”

At Valen’s words, the Masters left the meeting hall and began their ascent of the Labyrinth.

Some led the way, others followed behind.

Among those bringing up the rear, Delfina approached Harold, who was walking at the very back.

“Tch, I was going to cast my vote for you, Harold. But you’re withdrawing without even trying?”

“So the Old Hag was the one who abstained besides me?”

“Neither of you fools impressed me. All this divisive politicking and sly coaxing—I can’t stand it.”

“Kluk.”

“Ugh, you’re just a spineless old man. If you wanted to become the Lord of the Tower, you should have at least tried, win or lose. What were you so afraid of that you slipped away like a coward?”

Harold grinned at Delfina’s grumbling, causing her to scowl even more fiercely.

“What’s so funny that you’re grinning like an idiot?” she demanded.

“Just thought of something amusing,” Harold replied.

“Amusing?”

“Well, not quite yet. It’ll become amusing soon enough. Heh heh.”

”…What are you talking about?”

“Just a hunch. Here’s a hint: that old hag who abstained from the vote made the right choice.”

”…?”

Delfina stared at Harold, who continued to chuckle to himself, with a puzzled expression.

As they continued their exchange, everyone reached the top of the Labyrinth.

The Masters looked around with expressions of awe and curiosity.

“Ho, so this is the Tower Lord’s chamber,” one of them remarked.

“I’ve spent decades in this Labyrinth, but this is my first time climbing to the top,” another added.

Even the Masters frequently ascended to the Grand Master’s office on the floor below, but this top floor was new territory for them all.

Led by Aileo, a group of over twenty people emerged from the stairwell into a vast corridor.

At the corridor’s end stood a magnificent, ornately decorated door.

The sight of it sparked a glint of curiosity in their eyes.

So, this is the legendary, unopenable chamber of the Tower Lord!

It was the door to a room that had become a myth, not only within the Tower of Wishes but throughout all of Syron.

Before the door stood numerous video transmission devices, broadcasting live footage to the Tower of Wishes and Syron Square.

As Aileo paused to gaze at the door, Damian approached him from behind.

“Go ahead and say a few words,” Damian urged.

“I will,” Aileo replied.

Urged by Damian, Aileo took his first step forward.

Soon, he stood with his back to the door, facing the video transmitter.

“Ahem…”

He cleared his throat softly, trying to calm his nerves before he began to speak.

“To the esteemed members of the Tower of Wishes and the citizens of the Syron Territory…”

His quiet voice carried through the video transmitter.

The moment Aileo stood before the door, the video receivers in the lower levels of the Tower of Wishes and Syron Square lit up, displaying his face.

“To all members of the Tower of Wishes and the citizens of Syron Territory…” Aileo’s voice resonated through the square, and those watching began to murmur.

“Master Aileo has become the Lord of the Tower!”

“I knew it all along! Who else could possibly take the position?”

The Trainees of the Tower of Wishes who had supported Aileo, along with the citizens of Syron Territory, all extended their congratulations to the new Lord of the Tower.

Meanwhile, Aileo’s inaugural address continued.

After a brief pause,

”…Thank you.”

With everyone watching, the address concluded, and Aileo turned back toward the door.

“Huh? He’s opening it!”

“Finally, it’s opening!”

A breathless silence descended upon Syron as all eyes focused on the Tower Lord’s impending entrance on the video feed.

Tower of Wishes.

Among its many chambers, the Lord of the Tower’s chamber on the highest floor was known as the “Unopened Room,” though its inscription was unremarkable. It had remained closed for centuries, awaiting the return of its owner.

In his youth, Aileo’s curiosity about the Lord of the Tower’s chamber led him to ask his guru, Floria, “Master, what lies within the Lord of the Tower’s chamber?”

Floria replied with a gentle smile, “Nothing.”

At first, Aileo thought her words held a deeper meaning, but he later realized the chamber was truly empty.

The Lord of the Tower’s chamber—a void.

The Grand Masters had kept it vacant, awaiting the Lord of the Tower’s eventual return, a space to be filled with whatever the returning Lord desired.

This place held even greater significance for Aileo.

Touching the firmly closed door, he was overcome with emotion.

From now on, this place… will be my sanctuary.

His own space, not just as a Master, but as the Lord of the Tower of Wishes.

Swoosh.

The door, crafted long ago and meticulously maintained by the Grand Masters, glided open smoothly without a sound.

The first thing Aileo noticed was the spacious and comfortable chamber, occupying an entire floor of the tower.

Immaculately clean, the Tower Lord’s room was free of dust and musty odors, thanks to the self-purifying Sacred Scripture etched into its walls.

Clear sunlight streamed through the large windows on all sides, illuminating the interior brightly.

But even more captivating than the grand spectacle was the figure standing at the window of the Tower Lord’s chamber, visible to everyone watching the live broadcast from the Tower of Wishes. The mysterious figure’s back was turned, yet it held everyone’s gaze.

“What on earth is going on?”

Floria had been right—the chamber was empty.

Except it wasn’t empty of objects; it was empty of people.

As Aileo stood frozen in shock, the figure at the window turned toward the door. A handsome young man with white hair stood with his hands tucked into his pockets. Louis smiled at the wide-eyed onlookers, his grin almost rabbit-like in its mischievousness.

“Welcome. I was dying of boredom waiting.”

A faint amusement laced his voice as Aileo asked stiffly, ”…Who are you? How did you get in here?”

In response, Louis took a step toward the door.

“Who am I? Well, how should I put it?”

Another step echoed through the chamber.

Thud.

“First, 250 years ago, I was the youngest disciple of the Labyrinth. But now…”

Another step followed.

Louis’s slow, deliberate movements in the bright sunlight were vividly etched into everyone’s minds.

Thud.

“I am the owner of this very space you stand upon…”

Finally, Louis positioned himself at the center of the Tower Lord’s chamber.

A soft voice escaped his lips.

“Shall I say I am the current Lord of the Tower of Wishes, built for those who yearn?”

The voice resonated throughout the chamber, lodging itself firmly in the minds of all present: the fifteen Masters, the disciples of the Tower of Wishes, and even those watching the broadcast of the scene from afar.