Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 791

Yorta, the Military City.

The mid-level, Baekgui Youngro Administrative District.

This area handles most of the city’s internal administrative tasks, and compared to other districts that have received the Baekgui rank, it boasts uniquely vast and well-maintained facilities.

Naturally, the size of the river flowing through this area and the docks around it are also beyond easy estimation.

However, in the middle of the docks, where hundreds of ships should be coming and going in real-time, only one enormous ghost ship, billowing thick fog, stood alone.

Koo-ooo!

The ship’s form emitted an eerie, ghostly sound, radiating a dark, fluorescent light without restraint.

Each time it swayed, enveloped in thick fog and rattling its old chains, the dock’s area couldn’t withstand it, and the river overflowed wildly.

Splash!! Swishhh!!

“…….”

It was only natural that everyone passing through the administrative district stared with their mouths agape, unable to look away.

“……How did this happen?”

“That’s…….”

It was also reasonable to ask again, sounding even more dumbfounded after hearing the specific details.

“A law about ships that the docks can’t accommodate? Such a thing existed?”

“After the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts [a major spiritual event] was completely finished, we did a major overhaul of the city’s internal facilities.”

A man who appeared to be a clerk answered, sweating profusely.

“Because we expanded all the docks in each level, such a problem has hardly ever occurred…….”

“So, you’re saying you didn’t expect this kind of situation to happen?”

“The Soul Pacification Hall [a governing body for spirits] has also tried to abolish this rule several times, but failed.”

The clerk said with a troubled expression.

“How can we solve something that even the great spirits couldn’t touch?”

“…….”

The great spirits who reside on the top floor of the Spirit Tower, governing the city.

Even they struggled to abolish this rule, so what more could be said?

After hearing the explanation, they could only stare blankly at the ghost ship with an indescribable expression.

“So, who exactly is the owner of the ship?”

* * *

“Everyone seems very interested in this matter.”

[It’s only natural, considering how much attention it has drawn.]

Inside the control room of Onion’s ghost ship.

A vast space located just below the deck, designed so that one could look outside through the old glass windows.

Next to Lenok, who was sitting by the window, the spirit of the priestess stood side by side, looking outside.

Lenok, who was leisurely unfolding the papyrus and flipping through the phrases, muttered.

“I thought I could move straight to the Cheongui-level [upper level] if I did well, but it’s not going as smoothly as I’d hoped.”

Sipgui-jijeong. Baekgui-youngro. Cheongui-seorim.

The names of the lower, middle, and upper levels of Yorta, a tiered city and a water city.

Excluding the Ilgui, which are scattered indiscriminately, and the Mangui, which are outside the grading system, these three grades are the standard for dividing the levels.

Lenok, who had escaped from the fifth basement level of the Spirit Tower, first arrived at the Sipgui-jijeong residential district, which corresponds to the lower level.

There, Lenok immediately found a way to ascend to the upper level in the Ghost Travelogue and carried it out, creating this mess.

[I thought it was unusual when I checked the phrases in the prison, but you really are a bizarre non-believer.]

The priestess muttered as if she still couldn’t understand.

[I never imagined that the leader of Dead Rise would be someone who enjoys such eccentricities.]

“…….”

Lenok had explained to the priestess that the author of the Ghost Travelogue was Ethan Bajur.

Apart from hiding the resurrection spell from her, he judged that it would be difficult to hide the existence and identity of the travelogue while traveling together within Yorta.

However, perhaps because she was focused on Ethan Bajur’s existence, the priestess didn’t seem to think that another secret was hidden in the papyrus.

Rather, she only showed a strong interest in the kind of ‘guide’ that the Ghost Travelogue presented in this city.

[Still, it’s a good thing. If we use the records in the travelogue, we’ll be able to approach the Mugan faster.]

“I’ve been doing some research on that part anyway.”

Lenok lightly shook the Papyrus Aureus he was holding.

“I’ve been checking the records written here since earlier, and it’s definitely not something made for travelers to Yorta.”

[Huh?]

“Rather, it’s closer to a journal where Ethan Bajur wrote down his impressions while traveling through Yorta.”

Lenok said that and casually held out the papyrus towards the priestess.

“Look at this. The phrases in the travelogue are showing records that are thoroughly related to the place and situation I’m in. Moreover, if you look closely at those records…….”

The priestess, who had inadvertently turned her gaze towards the papyrus, stopped for a moment.

The phrases written in the travelogue were telling her completely unexpected information that she could not even imagine.

=The taste of the Headrain River water is surprisingly slightly different depending on the level.

=Sipgui-jijeong is sweet. Baekgui-youngro is salty. The river water in the Cheongui-seorim level tastes bitter.

[……What is this?]

The priestess asked, looking bewildered, and Lenok nodded as if to tell her to read more.

=Personally, I liked the sweet taste of Sipgui-jijeong the most.

=I was amazed that the taste didn’t change even when I took the river water, so I drank it from a water bottle for a while, but I got tired of it after a week and stopped.

[…….]

“As you can see, he’s completely out of his mind.”

Lenok smiled coldly and took back the papyrus.

“So, it’s fun to look through, but…… there’s no way these records themselves were left for advice or guidance. This incident is the same.”

Lenok, who tapped the deck of the control room where he was sitting, said.

“Even if there’s a law that all ships must be moved to docks that can accommodate them, how many people actually have such ships?”

[You mean it’s a journal limited to the author’s perspective.]

The priestess, who understood Lenok’s words, nodded.

If he hadn’t obtained Onion’s ghost ship in the deal with the Grand Inquisitor, he wouldn’t have even been able to attempt this.

Moreover, even after moving to the middle level, he was stuck in the administrative district, attracting all sorts of attention.

“The travelogue is just Ethan Bajur’s personal opinion, and even if there are records that happen to match, it doesn’t tell you the method or the aftermath.”

Lenok, who folded the papyrus and put it in his pocket, said.

“But if you keep this in mind, this travelogue will definitely be of great help within Yorta.”

[…….]

“If I do a little more research, I think I’ll be able to know for sure how to use it…….”

[How about using the power of revelation to look into this papyrus?]

“No. If I use that much power, it’s possible that it will affect Ethan himself.”

Lenok immediately shook his head.

“He’ll even find out that the travelogue he left in Yorta is being shown to others. I don’t want to take that risk.”

Of course, apart from that, there was no guarantee that the resurrection spell embedded in the papyrus wouldn’t be detected by the power of revelation.

If the priestess were to find out about the existence of the resurrection spell, would she try to use that spell on herself?

She said she wasn’t bound by the death of the flesh, and she actually showed a detached attitude.

But if she thought there was a way to actually come back to life, there was no telling how the priestess would react.

It was awkward to hide this fact from the priestess, who was cooperating with him now, but he had no intention of resurrecting the core leaders of the Order.

His current journey with her to investigate Yorta was only possible because their goals temporarily aligned.

After achieving what they wanted in the Mugan, it wouldn’t be strange if they split up and tried to kill each other again at any time.

[But at this rate, won’t we be stuck in the middle level?]

The priestess asked, looking troubled.

[To enter the Mugan, we’ll have to ascend to at least the upper level, which corresponds to Cheongui-seorim.]

What she said was not wrong.

This was because the Mugan and other forbidden areas that Lenok was trapped in the underground prison of the Spirit Tower and built on top of the tower were completely different spaces.

In this city, which was shaped like a staircase, to approach the upper floors of the Spirit Tower, one had to reach an area where the tower was visible to the naked eye.

The Cheongui-seorim upper level, located close to the Spirit Tower even within Yorta.

At least, he had to quickly ascend there to find a way to enter the Mugan.

However, Lenok shook his head even as he agreed with those words.

“If we just get close to the Mugan, we’ll have an opportunity. There’s no need to get the proper qualifications to enter the tower.”

If Ethan Bajur had mentioned visiting the Mugan directly, that record would surely be left in the travelogue.

At least, if he just got close to the Mugan, he could find the relevant records in the travelogue and find out how to do it.

Lenok was convinced of that and was looking for a way to enter the top floor of the Spirit Tower somehow.

[So, you never had any intention of following the doctrines and laws.]

“There’s one way to go directly to the upper part of the Spirit Tower. I have a hunch about one of the most important secrets of this city.”

Ignoring the priestess’s words, he turned to look at the administrative district officials who were watching the ship from afar.

“I’m going to confirm that from now on through the travelogue and a conversation with them.”

[……I understand.]

The priestess, who had been silently watching Lenok, nodded with a firm expression.

[I’m expecting a solution worthy of a fiend from the Pandemonium.]

“I’ve said it many times, but don’t you think you’re smearing my face?”

* * *

The day after Onion’s ghost ship docked at a new pier.

After day and night had changed once more, and the interest of the passersby had slightly faded, it was late in the evening.

‘There was almost no loss of life or property when the ghost ship was taken out of the lower level.’

Lenok, who was sitting on the old desk in the captain’s room, was lost in thought.

‘But it will be different in the middle level. Just the fact that the ship is docked will make the dock space insufficient.’

Therefore, Lenok was sure that the treatment of this ship would be decided soon.

By now, the investigation into the fact that Lenok had made a deal with the Grand Inquisitor to get the ship and was imprisoned on the fifth basement level as a result would be over.

If the related report had been sent to the higher-ups of Yorta, the decision on this matter was likely to be made.

‘Either way, there are ways, but what’s more concerning is…….’

Lenok turned his gaze to the travelogue he had placed on the table.

=In Yorta, ships crossing the river are used as a means of proving one’s identity.

=It is said that during the Night Parade, the act of crossing the spirit realm using ships was considered sacred.

=It is clear that this custom was newly created after the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts failed once.

“…….”

Lenok’s gaze deepened as he read the phrases that appeared on the papyrus.

Papyrus Aureus. However, it was not possible to find all the records in the travelogue as he wished.

He was just repeating various experiments using the fact that he could adjust the search terms according to the environment.

As a result, Lenok succeeded in extracting keywords related to the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts in connection with the ghost ship, but he had to accept an equally unsatisfactory result.

=When I was investigating the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts, I realized that the Soul Pacification Hall was still managing this information.

=At the same time, the fact that rumors and information about the Night Parade were openly circulating within Yorta as well.

=If information is being controlled, but is constantly leaking and spreading, what could be the reason?

At this point, Ethan Bajur did not solve all the questions about the Night Parade, but simply left them as records.

That was probably because Ethan himself had come to this city not to solve the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts, but to overcome his own death.

However, with just this record, Lenok was able to be certain of the assumptions he had been thinking about.

The reason why Madrich Onion still had such a mindset even after leaving Yorta and crossing over to Balkan.

The fundamental cause of clinging to an endless wish and dwelling on that regret.

Yorta, the Military City. The grand plan for ascension that began in the oldest city-state was…….

Knock knock!!

At that moment, someone quietly knocked on the door of the captain’s room.

Lenok slowly leaned back in his chair and answered.

“It’s open.”

“……Excuse me.”

A man with a tense face opened the door and entered, followed by several attendants.

The middle-aged man looked at Lenok’s obsidian mask and then slowly bowed his head.

“It is an honor to meet the successor of Lord Onion. I am Stenbergh, the district chief in charge of Baekgui Youngro.”

“Sit down.”

The district chief in charge of the middle level had come himself.

Considering that, the attendants and attire were very simple.

The fact that he had come late in the evening, at the boundary between day and night, made it clear that he had visited to avoid the attention of those around him.

As Lenok waited silently with his arms crossed, the district chief spoke with difficulty.

“I heard that this is your first time in Yorta, but you seem to know more about the city’s old laws than we do.”

“…….”

“Thanks to you, we were also very surprised. It seems that he left behind a lot of wisdom.”

His attitude was unusually polite, perhaps because he was associating what Lenok had done with Onion’s actions.

As Lenok did not answer, the district chief spoke again.

“We have finished confirming what happened at the tomb of the Frost Lord. However…….”

“It seems you’ve heard about what happened on the first basement level.”

“……The Grand Inquisitor is currently claiming that he only followed the proper procedures.”

“…….”

The owner of the huge courtroom that existed above the water. Considering the ghost of the boy, it was not surprising.

The district chief, who was watching Lenok’s reaction, coughed and said.

“Ahem, anyway, since the Frost Lord has been annihilated, the fifth basement level is closed. The commotion will also be dismissed. What remains is the treatment of Lord Onion’s forced movement of levels using this law…….”

“Listen.”

“After careful review, it was determined that the law that Lord Onion reminded us of is still in effect.”

Stenbergh, who had naturally started calling Lenok Onion, said with a troubled expression.

“The current dock here is also insufficient to accommodate Lord Onion’s ship. According to the rules, we should send you to the Cheongui district right away, but…….”

“But?”

“The upper levels of Yorta are basically spaces prepared for the ghosts participating in the Night Parade.”

Stenbergh explained to Lenok’s words.

“It is also a spirit area where Baekgui and Cheongui are still repeating rituals to maintain the Spirit Tower properly.”

“I know that the minimum requirement to participate in the Night Parade is to achieve the Baekgui rank.”

Lenok retorted, tilting his head slightly.

“Are you saying that I don’t have the qualifications to go up to the upper level?”

“That itself is not an area that we can judge and decide…….”

Stenbergh answered, looking embarrassed.

“Unless the Soul Pacification Hall directly applies an exception to this matter, we do not have the authority to handle it on our side.”

“…….”

“All I can do is to decide which Night Parade Lord Onion will participate in and guide you to the place where the examination will be held.”

He was speaking in circles, but it was a refusal that he could not go up without participating in the Night Parade according to the internal laws and regulations of Yorta.

As it was an old city, they were used to expressing their decisions in an indirect way.

“I don’t like participating in the Night Parade or being examined for qualifications.”

However, Lenok shook his head slowly after hearing those words.

“So, I will meet the Soul Pacification Hall directly and handle both matters at once.”

“……Yes?”

At that moment, the district chief’s expression turned blank.

“What do you mean…… That’s not something I can do with my authority.”

“There was a ritual to gather all the spirits and flesh in this world and lay a bridge to ascension.”

“…….”

Lenok, seeing the district chief’s reaction, who had stopped in his place, took off his glove and took out the ring of the guide.

Whooong……!!

At the same time, the faint form of a ghost appeared in front of the district chief’s eyes.

Lenok, watching the other party’s expression slowly change, was lost in thought.

The reason why Madrich Onion was still clinging to the existence of the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts after the Black Consumer Project failed.

The reason why the soul of the already fallen guide was still in this form and remained in the ring.

Above all, wasn’t the very existence of the Spirit Tower, which was firmly established in the center of Yorta, implying the fundamental cause?

“The Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts has not ended even though it failed once, and the Soul Pacification Hall is hiding that fact on the top floor of the Spirit Tower.”

“…….”

“I think I can talk directly to the spirits of the Spirit Tower about this fact. What do you think?”

The Black Consumer of Balkan. The Ascension Gate of Machina. And the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts of Yorta.

However, among the grand plans for ascension of the three cities, the Night Parade of Ten Thousand Ghosts, which started first, had not yet ended.

Lenok had long been convinced of that fact and was planning to meet the Soul Pacification Hall directly and enter the upper part of the Spirit Tower.