The Villainous Son Loves His Mother - Chapter 79

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Yggdra Principality Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters.
In his office, Webster was speaking with an adventurer.
He leaned his elbows on the heavy desk and exhaled deeply.

The adventurer before him was known as “Valkyrie” Ayla.
As the leader of the high-ranking adventurer team “Saintess’s Covenant,” her spear skills and mastery of Holy Arts were widely recognized within the Guild as among the most formidable.
Ayla was a beautiful woman with shoulder-length golden hair that seemed woven from sunlight, and eyes as clear and blue as a winter lake.

“…Ayla. You’re saying a strange tower has appeared near the southeastern edge of the city, by the border of the ancient forest?”

Webster kept his voice calm and measured as he asked.
Ayla nodded quietly.

“Yes, Webster. The Blue Lion’s Shield discovered it during their routine patrol yesterday. This morning, I personally confirmed its presence with a few companions.”

This was the second Tower discovered.

“A Tower… a Tower, huh? Who built it, and for what purpose…? There might be others out there. Could it be connected to the Tower of Corpses?”

Dragon Soul, one of the Principality’s most elite teams, had been investigating the Tower of Corpses and hadn’t returned yet.

“The southeastern Tower appeared to be made of stone, but it had an unnatural… a white sheen. Most importantly, an indescribably powerful malevolent energy emanated from the Tower itself.”

“Malevolent energy, huh…? It could be some kind of ritual Tower.”

Webster turned a sharp gaze toward Ayla.

“Yes. If left unchecked, that Tower will undoubtedly bring disaster to the Principality. I urge you to destroy it without delay.”

Ayla’s words carried unwavering conviction.
As a descendant of Saintess Maricia, she possessed an exceptionally keen sensitivity to malevolent entities.
Her unequivocal assertion meant the situation must be dire indeed.

“Destruction, you say? Easier said than done, Ayla. You know as well as I do that the Guild currently lacks the spare combat power to undertake such a perilous mission. Undead attacks have surged in recent days, forcing us to divert adventurers to defend the city.”

Webster’s voice was tinged with bitterness.
The Dragon Soul, the Guild’s main force, remained missing.
Moreover, many mid-rank adventurers dispatched to investigate and suppress the undead had yet to return.

“But Webster, we have no time to hesitate. As far as I can sense, the malevolent energy emanating from that white tower is growing stronger even as we speak. While we can’t confirm where it’s flowing directly, the tower’s very existence is undoubtedly disrupting the balance of this land and fueling the undead’s advance.”

Ayla clenched her fist, her voice ringing with conviction.

“If we leave this unchecked, it will inevitably lead to irreversible consequences. Please, Guild Master, grant me—our team, the Saintess’s Covenant—the mission to destroy that white tower.”

Webster met Ayla’s unwavering gaze.
She was right. Time might indeed be running out.
Multiple towers—it was impossible to rule out the possibility that they were working in concert to perform some terrifying ritual.
If the reason for Dragon Soul’s failure to return was the party’s annihilation, then it’s highly likely that some terrifying threat exists within this Tower as well.
Sending high-ranking adventurers to their deaths would be a pointless tragedy.
The Saintess’s Covenant, an all-female team, is a unique group whose strength ranks among the top five in the Guild.
Their leader, Ayla, wields a replica of the Holy Lance said to have been wielded by Saintess Maricia herself, granting her overwhelming combat power against the undead.
Losing her would mean losing one of the Guild’s trump cards against the undead.

“…Ayla, I understand your courage and sense of duty all too well. But as Guild Master, I cannot send you into a reckless battle.”

Webster slowly shook his head.

“I’d like to assign multiple adventurer teams, but even the defenses around the capital are barely adequate. We can’t afford to further divide our forces.”

“Then what do we do now?”

“We wait. We’ve requested reinforcements from the Gaines Empire and other nations. Once our forces are strengthened, we’ll strike the Tower.”

“That will be too late! …Then we’ll go alone.”

Ayla stood firm, her eyes burning with a tragic resolve, as if she were prepared for any sacrifice. At this moment, she truly seemed like a descendant of Saintess Maricia.
Webster crossed his arms and pondered for a long moment. Sunlight streamed through the office window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air like tiny, luminous particles. The vibrant energy of the Guild in its peaceful days now felt like a distant memory.
The shadow of the Undead King, the undead swarming across the land, and the eerie Towers rising one after another…
The Yggdra Principality now stood on the brink of survival.

“…Understood,”

Webster said heavily after a long silence.

“However, there are conditions. While destroying the Tower remains our ultimate goal, reconnaissance must be our primary focus. Accurately assessing the enemy’s strength, the Tower’s internal structure, and above all, the level of danger is paramount.”

A faint trace of relief flickered across Ayla’s face.

“Yes, Guild Master. I understand.”

“No recklessness is permitted. If the situation turns unfavorable, you must immediately withdraw and report back. Let’s say… the investigation period is three days. Return after three days. This is a strict order from the Guild Master. Do you understand? Even Dragon Soul—the Yggdra Principality’s finest adventurer team—has yet to return.”

Webster said as if to emphasize the point.
Ayla bowed deeply.

“I will never forget it.”

“…Very well. Then, I formally assign the Saintess’s Covenant to investigate the white tower that has appeared in the southeast. The Guild will spare no effort in providing all possible support. …May fortune favor your endeavors, Ayla.”

Webster could only offer these words with a prayerful heart.
Ayla raised her head, nodded firmly, and left the Guild Master’s office.
Left alone, Webster sighed deeply once more, gazing up at the gray sky visible through the window.
It seemed to symbolize the Principality’s bleak future.

・
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Three days later, the Saintess’s Covenant had not returned.