Clank— clatter—

The sound of the slaves’ knee guards striking the ground spread through the plaza.

It was enough to make Miguel suck in a sharp breath and lift his shoulders, and for Thesaya to let out a quiet laugh. Even Nasser clicked his tongue under his breath. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Ian, however, didn’t spare the slaves a glance.

His brow narrowed slightly as he stared at Yog, whose massive body stood fully revealed. Across the creature’s gray upper torso were clear marks where lightning had pierced through.

"What did you just call me?" Ian finally asked, the words barely leaving his lips.

Yog’s grotesque face twisted as it let out a low chuckle.

—Ah, so you didn’t like it. But it suits the chaos you carry better than any other name, my friend...

Suits me, huh?

Ian clicked his tongue, though he could not deny it outright.

The essence bead he carried had always craved other forms of chaos. Only now did the thought cross his mind that perhaps it wasn’t simply an instinct.

When he fused with chaos, he could wield fragments of the power he had absorbed. And until now, he had never seen another demon capable of the same.

Which meant Yog might have seen straight through the true nature of the chaos within him.

—So you finally realized.... There’s no need to be surprised, my friend. Your chaos merely reflects you.

The leisurely whisper continued.

After all, in order to survive and see the end of things, he had always tried to seize every scrap of power he could.

"Right. Just another consequence of my choices." Ian murmured quietly.

At this point, there was nothing to gain from thinking about it any further.

After clicking his tongue briefly, he finally lowered his gaze toward the masked slaves.

They were kneeling with their bodies bent forward in a bow. Even those missing limbs had forced themselves into the same posture.

"Freeing all these slaves should’ve taken more power than the amount you took from me," Ian said, slowly scanning them.

There had to be at least forty survivors. Including those who had died, the total number would easily exceed twice that.

— At first, I took from them. After that, from the dying spellcasters. Though I must say, the taste was terrible.

Yog replied with a snicker.

Ian looked back at the creature and added, "And in the process, you decided to claim the body of a test subject for yourself?"

The writhing muscles of Yog’s face suddenly froze. It was likely because of the cold look in Ian’s eyes.

— This was an empty vessel, my friend. It was barely breathing, its soul already gone. And besides, I had to help these miserable things.

Yog continued quickly.

Unlike before, there was no laughter in its whisper. It clearly feared being sealed back into Ian’s pocket dimension.

—If I hadn’t taken this vessel, at least half of them would have died. And wiping out the spellcasters would have been much harder.

"Everyone has their excuses," Ian scoffed.

Relief seemed to wash over Yog at the reaction, and it chuckled softly again.

—This vessel will fall apart the moment I leave it anyway. There won’t be any trouble afterward, my friend. More importantly, right now....

It raised one hand slightly and gestured toward the masked slaves.

—Shouldn’t you decide what to do with them before my power runs out?

Ian’s eyes twitched.

At the same time, Thesaya abruptly turned her head.

Looking at Ian as he gazed down at the kneeling slaves again, she asked, "You’re not actually planning to kill them, are you, Ian?"

"...Just give the order."

The one who spoke was Nasser, standing beside her.

As Thesaya’s eyes flickered, he straightened the sword resting on his shoulder and continued, "I will give these people their rest. They have already had their vengeance. Now they may sleep without regrets."

Thesaya narrowed her eyes and turned toward him, while Yog’s snickering laughter followed.

—That wouldn’t be so bad either, my friend. With a single word from you, these creatures would gladly offer their lives. Thanks to you, they’ve already gained both freedom and revenge.

Thesaya drew in a breath and snapped her head back toward Ian.

"I disagree, Ian. Sure, they’re a little slow, but they’re not consumed by madness. And they’re victims of those experiments too."

"What exactly are you suggesting, Elder?" Nasser frowned slightly.

Ignoring him, Thesaya continued, "Let them live, Ian. They suffered for so long and only just regained their freedom. At the very least, they deserve the chance to enjoy it."

Ian’s eyes twitched. It wasn’t because her words were unexpected.

A quest window had suddenly appeared before him.

[Judgment or Liberation.]

The quest was to be completed either by killing at least five slaves or sending them outside the magic tower. Additional rewards were granted depending on the final number.

While Ian scanned the quest details, Thesaya hurriedly added, "Or... actually, yes. That’s it. We could make them attendants. Servants of this place. They could act as guards too. That’s better than leaving it empty."

Nasser let out a short laugh. "So after freeing them, we make them slaves again. A very practical suggestion, fitting for a mage, Elder."

"Shut up, Nasser. Do you even understand how painful it is to become a subject of those experiments?"

Her expression twisted as she spat the words and turned toward him.

Glaring at the momentarily frozen Nasser, Thesaya continued, her voice carrying magic, "Do you have the slightest idea how unjust and miserable it is to be forced into becoming one of the dark kin when you never wanted it?"

Instead of answering, Nasser stared at her with a look of sudden realization. Only now had her past likely crossed his mind.

"Ahem, now, now. Let’s calm down, shall we? Why are we fighting among ourselves?" Miguel cleared his throat and stepped in.

Leaning his head forward slightly, he looked from Ian to Thesaya and then to Nasser and said, "To be honest... I also don’t feel right about killing them outright. Just like back on the top level, it’s hard not to feel sorry for them."

"I must first offer my sincere apology for my rudeness, Elder. I will apologize as many times as necessary until your anger fades," Nasser said, immediately bowing politely with the sword held loosely in both hands.

Thesaya snorted. "Forget it. I didn’t say that just to hear your apology. Go on and say what you were about to say."

"Thank you for your understanding, Elder," Nasser answered respectfully before looking at both her and Miguel. "Your words are indeed full of mercy, Priest. However, these individuals have already been tainted by chaos. Even if we grant them freedom, they will eventually fall into madness."

He slowly scanned the kneeling slaves, who still had not moved.

"And that madness may create new innocent victims."

"Tch...."

"That’s... not entirely wrong."

Thesaya clicked her tongue while Miguel awkwardly smacked his lips.

Yog’s chuckle followed immediately afterward.

— Seems you’re having trouble deciding, my friend.

Instead of answering, Ian smacked his lips.

It’s annoyingly right today.

Though he disliked it, he was already leaning toward simply putting them down.

—In that case, may I offer a new proposal that everyone might find acceptable?

Yog’s subtle whisper continued.

Ian’s brow twitched, and Thesaya turned toward the creature.

"What is it?"

Behind the sewn eyelids, Yog’s glowing gaze shifted toward her.

—It’s true that these creatures carry chaos. But it’s insignificant. If someone were to control it for them, they could remain stable in that state for a very long time.

Ian’s eyes narrowed further.

At the same time, Thesaya’s eyes widened. "So you mean like you and Moro? Ian could take them as his vassals!"

"Huh? What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Vassals?"

Nasser and Miguel both frowned as they looked at her.

Yog chuckled again.

— As quick as ever, Pointy-Ears. Yes, a very simple solution. It wouldn’t even burden him. Our friend is already capable of holding hundreds of pitiful things like these.

The faintly flickering violet gaze turned toward Ian.

—What do you think?

Of course, Ian did not answer immediately. He was staring at a new quest window that had appeared before him.

[Seizing Vassals.]

It was a quest completed by placing marks on a certain number of slaves or test subjects. It was clearly a corruption-exclusive chain quest.

That was the real reason his eyes had narrowed.

"That’s not a bad idea, Ian! While you’re at it, you could have them help manage the tower too." Thesaya said eagerly, turning toward him.

Yog’s whispering laughter followed.

—It won’t be difficult, my friend. And if I assist you, it will be even easier.

Nasser exchanged a glance with Miguel. "If I understand correctly, you must proceed with caution, my lord. If the Great Church learns of this, even by accident, you will be classified as a corruptor immediately."

"Ugh, well, that’s a problem." Miguel groaned quietly and shook his head.

It was obvious he had given up trying to reach a conclusion. Perhaps he believed his opinion no longer mattered.

After all, the decision wasn’t his to make. Ian was the new master of the magic tower.

Thesaya and Nasser also fell silent, watching him.

"All of you, stand," Ian commanded.

The kneeling slaves rose in unison.

"You heard everything we said, didn’t you?"

The masked slaves placed one hand over their chests at the same time. It was clearly a gesture of affirmation.

Ian nodded slightly and continued, "You endured long suffering before finally reclaiming your freedom. So I will leave the choice in this matter to you."

The companions, Yog, and even the slaves' red eyes focused on him. It was obvious no one had expected those words.

"Those who wish to leave, go stand back there. I’ll let you go. The frontier is full of demonic realms, so there should be at least one place where you can hide and live."

Ian stretched out his arm and pointed behind them. "Of course, you’ll probably fall into madness faster out there. But accept the consequences of your choice. That’s what freedom means."

He then lowered his right hand, extending only his index finger toward the slaves.

"If you want to stay here as my vassals, remain where you are. I won’t take away your free will, conduct human experiments, or inflict unnecessary suffering."

Ian slowly swept his gaze across the red eyes behind their masks and shrugged.

"However, you’ll continue serving as attendants, keeping the magic tower in order and maintaining it."

By now, the red eyes of the slaves held different expressions.

Some seemed conflicted. Others already looked as though they had made their decision.

It was more than enough to confirm that they still possessed their own free will.

"Lastly, if any of you simply wish to die, step forward here. I’ll grant you rest without pain."

Ian pointed to the ground in front of him and folded his arms across his chest.

"Whatever you choose, it’s your freedom. But don’t take too long. I’m tired."

The slaves bowed their heads slightly in acknowledgment before beginning to look at one another.

Yog’s amused whisper followed.

—Now that’s a proposal everyone can accept.

Its tone sounded almost impressed.

Thesaya’s exclamation came next. "You really are something, Ian."

"You always surpass my expectations, my lord," Nasser added.

Miguel also let out an impressed chuckle as he returned the hand axe, its sacred flames now completely extinguished, to his belt.

Ian, however, gave no reaction.

In truth, the decision hadn’t been made out of respect for them.

This should divide them clearly enough.

All he really wanted was to complete both quests. Each of them granted not only experience points, but also increased one of the stats a mage needed.