After reaching the maximum level, my "soft rice system" finally arrived.

Amidst that dazzling spectacle, lies a vibrant city.

This is a city filled with the atmosphere of books, where bookstores with black tower logos can be seen everywhere.

Commoners, nobles, adventurers, scholars...

All sorts of people come and go from the bookstore, carrying scrolls of books in their hands. Regardless of age or gender, their eyes sparkle with a thirst for knowledge.

In the heart of the city stands a towering, dark tower that seems to connect the heavens and the earth.

Humans, half-elves, dwarves, vampires...

Humans and demi-humans were no longer separated by race; they all wore the same jet-black wizard robes and entered and exited the tower...

And above the azure sky.

A series of magical airships hummed as they slowly swept across the city.

.......

The departed soul stared at the illusory scene, opened its mouth, but no sound came out.

He felt as if he had returned to his youth, to the scene when he first saw that magnificent and splendid pure white tower that had never been broken.

It was an era when wizards could walk in the sunlight. Every wizard who emerged from the Three Towers received preferential treatment and courtesy in every country, and every adventurer's team would go to great lengths to recruit a wizard as a companion...

At that time, the White Tower was full of talented people. Although there were differences among the eight schools of thought, they all argued their points. Although many wizards had different ideas, they still loved each other.

At the annual Eight Pages Council, the elders of the Eight Pages School argue endlessly about their arcane philosophies, often escalating into actual combat missions to the warp...

As for the younger generation from their respective schools of thought, they mingled amicably in the audience below, drinking, discussing law, and chatting about interesting anecdotes and gossip from the mainland.

And his teacher...

The kind and elderly master of the White Tower.

He always sat in the chief seat of the Eighth Master, somewhat helplessly rubbing his forehead, calmly watching everything that was happening at the White Pagoda.

.......

This is the pure white tower in the memories of the departed souls.

It was a precious memory that he still cherished even though he had transformed into an immortal bone demon.

But all of this...

They ceased to exist after that holy war.

Therefore, he devoted his entire life to seeking revenge for the White Tower...

Even after two thousand years, he can't forget those wonderful people and things.

.......

"It really is... a scene that evokes nostalgia."

The voice of the departed soul was somewhat indistinct.

"Without a doubt, this is a civilization unique to wizards."

"The lineage of wizards has not been completely severed from my hands because of my slight willfulness."

Although he had already discerned the other party's background from the spells he used and had a vague guess about it.

Only those with a complete wizarding lineage...

To have a wizard who can learn freely in a relaxed environment, free from suppression and oppression.

That's why powerful wizards like Charles can be born.

But at this moment, when that real scene appeared before his eyes, he was still somewhat choked up by the shock.

After a long while, the departed soul finally recovered from its turbulent state and slowly began to speak.

"My last question—"

"In the world you inhabit, the world that preserves the legacy of wizards..."

Do gods and churches exist...?

The ghost's words were hesitant, tinged with uncertainty.

The scene that Ciel presented involuntarily reminded him of the Tower of Pure White.

The Wizarding Towers were incredibly powerful back then.

Even the monarchs of the great kingdoms must treat the Eight-Page Mage with respect.

However, even in such a prosperous wizarding era—

Yet, he still met such a tragic end.

So--

The scene that this young legend was showing him...

And why not? It's just like his white pagoda—

A dazzling, radiant dream, yet so fragile it could shatter at the slightest touch?

After all, the wizards' calamity has already been witnessed once in this world.

However, faced with the implicit reminders and warnings in the words of the departed—

Charles simply smiled and shook his head.

“In my world, there is indeed a church named after the Dawn.”

"However, that is based on the support and trust of the people, and then that trust is given back to them, thus forming a virtuous cycle—"

"As for those high and mighty beings like the gods—"

"It may have happened before, and it may happen again in the future."

"only--"

Charles spoke calmly, showing no fear or wavering despite knowing the tragic past of the wizards of this world.

"Whether they exist or not—"

"I think our world is ready to welcome them."

"As a friend of mine once said."

Suddenly, the image of Isabella's proud figure in military uniform appeared in Charles's mind, making him smile involuntarily.

"In that world where humans support each other, rely on themselves, and explore the laws governing the existence of all things with their own hands—"

"There has never been a place for a high and mighty god."

.......

On a dark, desolate wasteland, there stands an abandoned palace.

The palace is extremely magnificent and ornate. Even though it has not been repaired for a long time, you can still tell its former splendor from the details.

This palace once belonged to a duke in the kingdom and was his vacation residence, which he built at great expense.

However, time—

It has always been the most ruthless, yet also the most just.

Whether ordinary people—

Or perhaps they were powerful nobles, but in the face of the great catastrophe and the calamity of darkness, their fates were no different.

Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, that's all.

The deepest part of the palace.

A series of pale, decaying, and withered figures stood calmly.

These creatures of the twilight come in various forms. Some can be identified as powerful magical beasts before their birth, while others can be deduced from their tattered armor to have been powerful knights before their birth.

However, whether they were magical beasts or humanoids, they all exuded an extremely powerful aura—

Even the weakest among them is at least at the seventh rank.

The strongest among them have even reached the level of near-legendary, and are only one step away from the legendary realm.

Only those who reach legendary status during their lifetime can retain their near-legendary status after death.

However, these powerful twilight creatures simply stood quietly around the dark throne at the center of the palace.

A dark figure sat atop that black iron throne.

His eyes were covered by shadows, making his features extremely blurry and difficult to see clearly.

Behind him, layers upon layers of ethereal black wings drooped down, covering most of his body.

What happened around the throne room was undoubtedly illogical to outsiders.

In most cases, twilight creatures simply wander aimlessly, chasing after light sources to launch attacks.

How could things be like this right now—

Like a guardian, protecting something.

However illogical it may seem, it did indeed happen within this palace.