Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 315

Giving up on dispelling Felix’s misunderstanding, I turned my head, and the others continued to speak.

Everyone had been carrying out this operation from their respective positions, and the amount of information they needed to exchange was excessive.

“The secret facilities relocated inside the satellite city Delta are two: an artificial flesh cultivation facility and a nuclear fission reactor.”

“The mobile fortress is located near the coordinates where the reactor facility is. They probably intend to charge the fortress’s power source in that vicinity.”

“How about attacking the reactor itself to blow up the mobile fortress?”

“That’s difficult. It would essentially be a suicide mission, and detonating the reactor itself wouldn’t be easy. Even if it’s a relocated facility, it would have dozens of safety devices.”

It was a brilliant idea, but the investment cost was too high, and the risk was even greater.

“So, in the end, we have to face the generals directly…”

“If Lieutenant General Trepen dies, control of the fortress will be transferred to other major generals in order. If we kill all the generals, there will be a temporary gap in the command system.”

“We can take advantage of that gap to take over the authority and seize the fortress.”

“Since it’s military equipment, there will be a self-destruct sequence built in for emergencies. Even if we activate the sequence and keep the lieutenant general from stopping it, it’s a success.”

“Then isn’t that the same as detonating the reactor to self-destruct?”

“……”

In the chillingly subdued atmosphere, Pallard quickly cleared his throat and tried to smooth things over.

“It’s just that such a method exists. What’s important is to move with that kind of resolve and ensure the operation is a success. How can we work together if we don’t have this much flexibility?”

“……”

“However, what bothers me is that these two aren’t the only relocated facilities in this area.”

Pallard subtly turned his head, changing the subject.

“Among the information we got from Archive 6, the area around here was particularly lacking. There were two more unidentified relocated facilities in the desert area surrounding the satellite city Delta. It would be good if we could check those out as well, but…”

“Time is too short. The mobile fortress will move as soon as it finishes charging its power source at the reactor.”

Hina said with a somber expression.

“Once the mobile fortress starts moving, it will be extremely difficult to secure an entry route. We have to finish things here.”

Just the fact that the fortress is moving makes the entry routes we can assume extremely narrow.

In fact, the only way is to try to climb onto the rear of the advancing fortress, but in that process, the forces that have entered the operation are too easily shot down.

The fact that it is now charging its power source near the reactor was, in fact, the most suitable opportunity.

“…I guess so.”

Pallard’s expression was somewhat uneasy.

He looked like he was forcing himself to hold back something he wanted to say.

Instead of letting it pass as nothing, Lenok kept that image in his memory and walked forward.

“Then, let’s form teams to enter the mobile fortress and start the operation.”

Lenok said, flicking his hand to rotate the holographic map displayed on the operation table.

A three-dimensional map of the satellite city Delta, contained in the city expansion development plan data.

And the appearance of the mobile fortress, which had a huge area half the size of the satellite city, in its vicinity.

Lenok, who amplified the entire map in an instant by deflecting magic power, placed three bright blue arrows in front of the three-dimensional map.

“There are three entry routes. We will start the attack when we succeed in approaching within about 3km of the fortress.”

The surroundings quietly changed as his calm gaze swept over the group.

Lenok let out a sharp laugh and turned his head.

“It’s not that complicated, so you’ll have to follow me well.”

* * *

After the operation briefing, there was a short break.

Considering the schedule that Lenok and Pallard had worked out together, this was practically the last time to catch our breath.

For Lenok, who had been driving in the command vehicle for more than half a day, it was a very tight schedule, but he had no intention of complaining.

Click!

He opened the case inside his coat and took out a new cigarette.

The rooftop of a ruined building with a clear view of the satellite city.

Lenok, sitting on the railing with a cigarette in his mouth, glanced down at the ground.

There was a reason why Lenok, who had difficulty even climbing the stairs, had come all the way up here.

Fortunately, he could find the familiar golden hair not far away.

She was in the middle of a discussion with Hina about the agreed-upon entry route. Her work regarding Lenok was important, but she wouldn’t neglect this operation either.

Only after confirming Alice’s appearance did Lenok reach into his coat.

“Davi.”

[Human life is really annoying.]

The baby fox, who had crawled out of Lenok’s coat and onto his arm, stretched out.

[Why are you so interested in other people?]

“Do you want to discuss the social life of spirits and humans?”

Lenok asked, taking out various items from inside his coat.

“It’s an interesting topic, but we don’t have much time right now. I need your power.”

Gearside, at the forefront of magical engineering research. And the opponent is that huge mobile fortress itself.

Of course, Gearside would have done some work to modify the mobile fortress.

Having already confirmed that Davi’s power works by fighting Gearside’s combatants once.

There was no doubt that the possibilities for the cerebral spirit [a spirit that resides in the mind] to play a role in this matter were endless.

“Seizing control of the mobile fortress. Is it possible?”

It’s not like Lenok is asking Davi this now for no reason.

Through his recent experiences, he could somewhat guess what kind of crossroads the cerebral spirit was at, as a fellow spiritist [a person who can interact with spirits].

The Gearside combatant disguised as Rundel, Colonel Bilen who had undergone physical modification, and even the data from the artificial flesh cultivation facility that Gearside had directly worked on.

Davi’s growth, who had directly and indirectly encountered Gearside’s network and data that went beyond the existing level of magical engineering, was progressing at an excessively rapid pace.

The fact that he had been talking more recently was probably part of that growth.

And Lenok knew well that now that he had expanded his experience and capacity so tightly, something that defied common sense might become possible.

He was a spirit that Lenok himself had created, not anyone else.

If there was a being who had inherited that genius in its most complete form, who else would it be but his spirit?

[I think I’ll know after directly contacting the fortress’s central system circuit.]

Davi replied.

[The system network installed in a strategic weapon of that size is very closed, so it will be difficult to do anything without directly contacting and interfering with the circuit.]

“What about other obstacles?”

[Even after infiltrating the central circuit, it will take time to bypass all the firewalls, deceive the access rights, and take control… Even if I get the authority, it won’t last long.]

Davi’s words were straightforward, as if he had anticipated Lenok’s thoughts.

[Military weapons above a certain level are designed to go through a decision-making review process in every sequence each time they move. Even if I bypass the firewall once, if an abnormality is detected the moment an order is given, the system will be immediately blocked. But…]

“But?”

[If Master helps me, it’s not impossible.]

The last word was filled with calm conviction.

It clearly showed the trust that this spirit, who had spent a considerable amount of time with Lenok, had.

Lenok smiled and gently stroked Davi’s head.

“You’ve grown a lot. You’ve even learned how to flatter me.”

[I referred to a list of 100 phrases to make my boss feel good, was it okay?]

“……”

[I’m kidding. Joke.]

It was a little different from what Lenok had expected, but the fact that Davi was slowly becoming more human was not bad.

He didn’t know what it meant for the nature of a cerebral spirit to resemble humans more than machines, but regardless, Lenok liked Davi.

A strangely picky personality, an active interest in humans, a clear ability in his specialty, and a heart that subtly cared for Lenok while pretending not to.

The spirit, who was always hiding inside Lenok’s coat, was clearly a good companion, not just because of his abilities.

“The problem is how much I can support you. I wonder how far the spiritist formula will work…”

[If we had researched with that woman for a little longer, we would have had tangible results, it’s a shame.]

“It can’t be helped. If that were the case, we might not have been able to steal Gearside’s data and grow like this.”

[That’s right. Without analyzing the technology of those machines, we wouldn’t be able to touch the fortress system.]

It was because they had absorbed some of the research results of the overwhelmingly high-level magical engineering that they were even able to attempt to penetrate the fortress’s internal control system.

Lenok and Davi were well aware of the fundamental reason why they could think this far.

Lenok, who had been lost in thought, slowly raised his head.

“Let’s try it out.”

[…Are you sure?]

“I thought it was still too early, but… I don’t know when you’ll get another chance like this.”

Lenok, who had learned various knowledge while studying spiritist formulas with Alice, understood when spirits grow.

A mental growth that greatly expands the horizon of existence itself by continuously facing environments and experiences that cannot be reached with one’s own abilities.

That must be because the spirit body itself is closer to the realization of an idea implemented by mental power than a physical entity.

In that sense, even this moment could be a great opportunity for Davi.

Even if it was a bit much for Lenok, expanding Davi’s abilities and broadening his direction now would be a great help in the future.

Knowing this for sure, Lenok did not hesitate.

Davi, who had swallowed hard, said.

[If I don’t wake up… please bury a toad house in a place where I can look down on people as much as possible.]

“You’ve become honest with your desires.”

Lenok said with a smirk.

“But if I thought it was dangerous, I wouldn’t have even tried it.”

Weeeeeeeeeeeng!!

At that moment, a colorless wave rose from Lenok’s hand and began to rotate slightly.

“Because you’re my partner.”

Lenok, who was looking down at the cluster of rotating waves of light, slowly brought it towards Davi.

* * *

Satellite City Delta. 4 AM.

A time when it was difficult to see ahead due to the fog and darkness.

The superhumans, who had finished their preparations without making a sound, began to disappear one by one into the fog of the city.

There were three entry routes for attacking the mobile fortress located at the rear of the satellite city.

Since each had a different starting point, it was necessary to secure a position in advance before the execution time.

The operation would begin in one hour, at 5 AM.

The time just before dawn when it is easiest to become fatigued.

There were not many options for our side, which was relatively outnumbered.

We had to be grateful that we could start the operation’s first move.

Lenok watched his disappearing colleagues, smoked a cigarette, and got up from his seat.

It was the last operation, but he had only switched to a stronger handmade cigarette.

He had no intention of going in doped up from the start.

Lenok was able to forcibly boost his condition by inhaling a lot of ampoules, various elixirs, painkillers, and cigarettes because the opponent and location he had to fight were clearly defined.

But this time, only the goal of attacking the fortress was relatively clear.

Other than dealing with Lieutenant General Trepen, neither the time nor the place of the battle was properly specified.

Since there might be situations where he would have to use his remaining strength during the operation, it was necessary to save and manage his stamina in advance.

‘Considering the amount of drugs and cigarettes I have left, I can only fight at full power twice at best. My body won’t be able to handle more than that.’

Even for Lenok, a one-on-one battle with a high-ranking superhuman was a forced march that consumed a huge amount of mental power and nerves.

He could endure it once with drugs, but from the second dose, his life would be in danger.

If he didn’t carefully choose when and where to exert his full power, it wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed before even meeting Trepen.

Until now, he had been moving alone and choosing the moments when he could fight on his own, but in a large-scale operation with so many big shots participating, it would be difficult.

He had received special consideration for that, but even so, he had to be careful.

While Lenok was smoking a cigarette and thinking about various things, a familiar voice came from behind him.

“What are you doing here alone?”

Alice was looking up at Lenok with her head slightly tilted.

“…I was thinking about what I had to do. I tend to mentally rehearse the situation in advance.”

“There’s not much time left until the operation starts.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

“……”

She didn’t answer. Lenok also closed his mouth.

A contradictory situation where each was waiting for the other’s answer.

It was Alice who turned her gaze first.

“I learned a lot in the process of completing the hierarchy.”

She opened her mouth, looking down at the ground, following Lenok’s gaze.

“I realized that there is a need to wait rather than being anxious to find the answer I want.”

“Huh?”

“The generals of the Defense Forces must have known that at one time… The end of those who have lost their way is like that.”

“……”

Alice’s blue eyes calmly sank.

“Let’s try our best in this attack operation.”

Alice turned away, leaving only those words behind.

Lenok stared at her back for a while before turning his gaze above his head.

The gloomy darkness was fading, and the day was slowly breaking.

Dawn was breaking.

* * *

5 AM. Operation start.

The teams that had taken their positions at the agreed-upon locations began to run simultaneously, according to the clocks set to the exact time.

Ta-da-da-da-da!!!

There were three entry routes assumed in this mobile fortress attack operation. The routes were as follows:

Approach through the main street of the satellite city that had been secured in advance.

Internal infiltration through the reactor’s basement.

A surprise attack unit that goes around the city and stabs the rear of the fortress.

[Don’t stop!! Step on the gas!!]

[Break through the barrier!! Stick behind the barricade!!]

[Confirm the impact point, display it on the HUD. If you don’t want to die, avoid it!!!]

Kwaaaaaang!!!

The shouts and explosions that echoed incessantly through the wireless earphones in his ears were enough to guess how fierce the battles were on the other two entry routes.

‘Originally, I wanted to make the entry routes much more complicated, but…’

It was impossible given the limited number of forces available on our side.

No matter how much I thought about it, the moment we recognized each other’s existence in this satellite city, this operation was the only best option.

On the main street, the freelancer unit led by Alice was holding back the main force of the Defense Forces.

The agent unit led by Ilya was infiltrating near the reactor.

Finally, the Antares Office mercenaries, each of whom was a skilled and mobile individual, were quickly traversing the desert area outside the city to take the rear of the fortress.

A straightforward and simple operation that best utilized the specialties of the three teams, each with firepower, organization, and mobility.

The purpose was to disperse the headquarters’ attention in three directions and cause confusion in the command system.

The important thing was for at least one of the three entry routes to enter the fortress first and help the other routes enter.

It was an attack operation that would be impossible without the precise coordination of the three teams.

It would not have been possible to even attempt it if Pallard, who remained in the command vehicle, had not been grasping and coordinating all the situations in real time.

Pallard, who had been leading organizations like the agents in place of the director, would at least not make many mistakes in this operation.

He had taken care of all the parts he could. Now, all that was left was to watch the situation.

At the same time as our forces moved, the Defense Forces also began to respond.

The first to move was the huge mobile fortress that had been filling one side of the satellite city’s sky without moving until now.

Jiiiiiiiiing!!!

The thousands of turrets on the fortress’s walls all turned their heads at once and began to heat up their barrels after quickly warming up.

As soon as they confirmed that they were within firing range, they completed preparations for full-scale firing.

At the same time as the strategic weapon, which had been maintaining and supporting the outer front line alone, began to fire, the dawn sky of the satellite city was covered with hundreds of shooting stars.

Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa!!!

“Uwaaaaaaaah!!!”

“Keep the formation! Wait for rear support!!”

“Prepare for the impact!!!”

The freelancers, agents, and Defense Forces who had run through the rain of shells that poured down incessantly clashed with all their might.

It was the beginning of the mobile fortress attack operation.

And Lenok was walking somewhere, not showing himself anywhere in the chaos.

“……”

Only the distant explosions occasionally became noise and dampened the desolate streets.

He slightly lowered the volume of the shouts coming through his earphones and raised his head.

A steel pillar filled his vision.

The end of the mobile fortress’s leg, so high that its end could not be seen from close up.

Lenok was standing at the end of the fortress’s support, located in the most remote part of the rear of the satellite city.

The three entry routes mentioned in advance.

A fourth option that did not belong to any of them.

It was the result of all the allied forces present accepting that Lenok would move alone.

From the time they first started planning the fortress attack operation, Lenok had been estimating how to enter the fortress alone without cooperating with others.