At this time, Richard was already convinced that the other party could not be a threat to him-

Or rather, no one of the High Wizards would be.

No matter what field the opponent is, or what kind of spell they are trying to cast, as long as they are by their side, they will never have a chance to succeed in a sneak attack. Under the watchful eye of the "all-seeing eye", they can't even make a move.

That's why Richard put away his sword. As long as he is willing, he can take the other party's life at any time, this is his confidence.

Moreover, the man in front of him is a messenger sent by the "hanging man", and it is possible that he is related to the preacher; If Richard kills the other party over a trivial matter, it is equivalent to sending a signal that he wants to tear his face with the "collaborator". Making enemies for no reason is not what he should do now.

"That kind of swordsmanship just now is really powerful, and the momentum alone scared me to the ground......"

It wasn't until his shoulder was withdrawn from his neck that the other party finally breathed a sigh of relief, and he patted his chest and praised sincerely.

"You're really strong, could it be that you're a student of Lord Rasputchin? There is no way that your swordsmanship will go unrenowned...... By the way, I can exchange the knowledge I got here with you, why don't you tell me the name of the school of swordsmanship you use......"

The other party once again began his own speech, Richard completely ignored his meaning, and after confirming that the magic key was indeed real, he bowed slightly to the other party, did not say a word, and turned back along the way he came.

.........

Looking at the back of the man leaving, Crowley-Aleister Crowley closed his mouth and couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat secreted from his palms.

"What a dangerous guy......"

He thought to himself.

"That person can't be a student of Rasputin, but a collaborator."

"To be able to condense the momentum that can't be moved with the spiritual power of a high-level wizard, at least a master of swordsmanship...... Maybe even a legendary swordsman. With such a person, can the teacher's plan really succeed? ”

He obviously didn't think that the other party was a mind wizard.

On the one hand, the number of wizards in the rare realm is scarce, and on the other hand, ...... It is well known that the extraordinary abilities of a wizard and a knight are difficult to coexist.

It's not just a matter of energy, wizards and knights don't have the same parts of their bodies that can generate magic, and they interfere with each other. The higher the ranks, the more severe this interference becomes.

For example, a person may have both a mind capable of condensing the magic of the master rank and a body capable of refining the magic of the apprentice rank, but it is impossible for the whole body to become capable of refining the magic of the higher rank at the same time—it is not a human being who can do this.

Mr. Crowley shook his head.

"Forget it, it's none of what I am now. Anyway, let's complete the task given to me by Mr. 'Hanged Man' first. ”

He lifted the lenses on the bridge of his nose and patted his hands gently.

The bloodthirsty monsters in the depths of the darkness let out a frenzied roar at the same time, and the rotting bodies emitted an increasingly strong stench, while new muscles and bones grew from the patients' bodies, some with three arms and some with an extra leg...... This causes their bodies to swell and deform.

The zombies with new power immediately broke through the cage and rushed towards him from all directions, like an unstoppable tide of darkness and crimson.

However, no one pounced on Crowley. No matter how much they craved for flesh and blood, and how restless, they did not dare to approach the only living person in the dungeon.

The monsters were like kings who had come to greet them, and they surrounded the young people in the middle. They should not have any reason, but some sublime power that hangs over the cell, symbolizing the origin of life in the world, makes them instinctively feel awe and fear, and obediently choose to obey.

"That's the power that belongs to [Lady Crimson]...... A magic that strengthens and manipulates all living beings. ”

Mr. Crowley nodded in satisfaction. He tapped his hands again.

"Go, go make a fuss!"

— and the frenzy of decay broke through the fence and poured up from the ground to the surface......

*

Soon after Richard left the dungeon, he found that it wasn't just the neighborhood that had become empty.

If one can look down from above, they will see that the entire first level is as if it has been swept by a huge storm, centered on the dungeon where a large number of monsters are held, and the people who live here are all scattered and fleeing, and the farther away from the center, the larger the empty space left behind.

Richard's destination was the location of the Starfire Furnace, located in the very center of the ground floor. On his way to a fireside meeting, he ascended another secret elevator in addition to the ladder: an imposing hollow passage that ran through the entire wizarding tower, from the top floor to the ground floor.

The power furnace that supports the tower's flight is located beneath this ground, like the center of a volcano. It was the heart of the hot lava flowing.

When Richard approached the central area, saw the ruins of large houses, saw the smoking buildings on fire in the distance, and saw several panicked-looking residents of the Magic Tower running by, and behind them a group of patients spitting and spitting on them, he realized that the situation at the bottom of the Magic Tower had reached its worst situation.

Empty streets, people running for their lives, and hideous-looking monsters chasing after the survivors...... It's all the same apocalyptic scene depicted in a zombie movie.

Richard believed that the culprit of the tragedy was the Dark Wizard sent by the Hanged Man, or perhaps even the plague he had sown. And this is all impossible for Richard, who did not know beforehand, to prevent,

…… But at least he can stop something. For example, to prevent the situation from getting worse.

If this continues, the plague will undoubtedly spread to the next level along the leaky ladder system. Because that's what the Hanged Man is for, to create chaos for the Magic Tower.

Until special potions are developed, this catastrophe that has led to the degeneration of demons cannot be effectively controlled.

Just as it takes a spell to weave a curse to prevent it from spreading and spreading, only wizards who specialize in the realm of life can research potions for illness to solve the plague at its roots.

At present, only the wizards at the top level have the ability to solve it, and I am afraid it will take a long time. Until then, thousands of lives were in the hands of the ladder system – or rather, Richard.

As long as...... He changed his mind.

Due to the medium-range fear technique still around him, the patients did not dare to approach, and Richard was not in any danger to his life at this time, but a lingering cloud was shrouded in his heart.

He didn't mind killing enemies, killing sane monsters, or betraying the Tower, he didn't have any nostalgia for this dark and cruel place anyway.

But no matter what, conniving at the death of people turning them into zombies is still difficult for him to accept. Perhaps someone can be an accomplice in this disaster with peace of mind...... But Richard couldn't.

Perhaps because he was once an ordinary person, Richard didn't think so much about the conditions of the hanged man when he agreed to it, and he never expected such cruel consequences.

"And, again, in front of me."

Richard couldn't help but sigh.

He doesn't think he's the particularly loving type. But for a modern person, even if an animal such as a cat or a puppy dies in front of it, not to mention feeling sad, at least it will feel heavy, right?

What's more, you have to watch others being bitten and devoured by the sick, and the person who is bitten becomes a new man-eating monster after being infected......

"I've decided, Miss Real Name......"

"Sir, are you trying to shut down the ladder system?"

Before Richard finished speaking, the other party had already offered it.

"Yes."

He nodded, asking with a slight hesitation.

"Miss Real Name, do you think my idea is not well considered?"

If it were to do so, it would mean tearing up part of the agreement with the hangman. He had chosen not to do anything because he didn't want an accident to happen, and he might be suspected and even retaliated against.

Rationally, this is not a wise choice. After all, whether it is being suspected or being an enemy of the legend, it is what he wants to avoid the most now...... Or the most feared thing.

The dark-haired girl replied calmly.

"From what I know, people who are indifferent to the suffering of others lack basic empathy skills, and they are unable to understand the emotions of others, and sooner or later they will suffer because of it."

"I don't think it's necessarily wrong to follow your own sense of morality. Even from the most practical and rational point of view, your choice is still in your own self-interest: material benefits can be interests, and spiritual feelings are also interests. Forcing yourself to make decisions you don't want to make is likely to become a psychological flaw and burden for you in the future. ”

Makes sense. But Richard knew better that no matter what choice he made, Miss Real Name would probably be kind enough to find the right reason for him.

Having said that, after hearing her words, Richard really relaxed.

Because this is his companion, the most trustworthy man in the world—

"Can you help me with this?"

"Of course. I've finished realigning the ladder system. ”

After a moment of silence, the black-haired girl spoke again.

This time, there was more seriousness in her tone than ever before.

"Sir, don't hesitate, don't worry about my opinion, just act according to your heart's thoughts, and I will make your wish come true."

The real name gently placed his hand on the neckline of the evening dress that was as black as night on his body, and whispered.

"Serving you is the meaning of survival that I have found after waking up...... I believe that I exist for this purpose. ”