Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 909

The Hearing (6)

The hearing hall was as vast as a giant temple.

Hundreds of officials from various regions were watching the archmage’s testimony in real-time.

However, the strange heat and excitement that had been felt at the beginning were no longer present.

The person attending the hearing was providing far more extensive information than the originally required testimony, a bizarre situation.

They could only listen helplessly to Lenok’s words, which were exposing the city council’s flaws and corruption, one after another, simply by testifying about what had happened.

“Hello? Yes, yes, Chairman. I’m listening.”

“The authenticity of the evidence submitted to the hearing has not yet been confirmed. Please calm down…”

“There are circumstances here… there’s a misunderstanding. If you would just listen to me…”

Some of the city council members sitting in the audience seats turned pale as they received phone calls after each testimony.

The sight of council members constantly bowing and answering calls, then quietly disappearing one by one, was like watching them being dragged to the execution ground, causing even the other attendees to stare blankly.

In contrast to the chaotic audience seats, the area around the mage in the center of the hearing hall was eerily quiet.

*Beep.*

Each time the video projected changed, Lenok’s answers flowed out without delay.

“The numbers are wrong again. I directly killed about 30 members of the execution squad. Oh, or is that number including those who were sacrificed in some kind of ritual among themselves?”

“……”

*Beep.*

“The agent’s request for designation. It wasn’t very helpful, but the deputy director was quite capable. When I went into the [redacted] at the request of the city council, [redacted].”

“……”

“The black mages who colluded with Reisen Azamaha? Looking back, it was too easy to kill them. I still doubt how they got that item back then. It’s clear that the [redacted] Order was involved, probably from the Apostle side-”

*Zzzzt!!*

Before Lenok could finish speaking, noise filled the microphone, obscuring his voice.

Lenok was casually delivering all sorts of major incidents that had occurred in the city, mixing his own impressions with classified information.

Everyone was stunned by the insane ideas and explanations of the mage who had lived as a freelancer in the shadows, and how he handled things.

The sound technicians were busy muting all the major events that were being mixed in as if they were breathing.

The scene was so chaotic that it seemed as if the concentration of everyone gathered here had completely evaporated.

“Haa…”

“No, not anymore…”

“I can’t…”

The faces of the judges walking in front of Lenok were already devoid of any spirit.

“The defense force’s rebellion. If I had known earlier that Lieutenant General Trepen had [redacted] when [redacted], it would have been better, but because [redacted] was [redacted]-”

“Stop, stoooop!!”

Finally, when more than half of Lenok’s words were being blocked, to the point where they had to stop him from speaking altogether.

The city council members couldn’t stand it any longer and jumped up from their seats, shouting.

*Thud!!*

The chair fell backward, making a jarring noise, but no one even paid attention to it.

“……”

In the deafening silence.

Some were desperately taking notes of the words that had come from the archmage, heads bowed.

Others were scanning the room with sharp eyes, looking for people who needed to be silenced.

Those who had gathered to hear the mage’s testimony were now looking for ways to avoid it.

However, Lenok, as if he didn’t care about any of that, leaned back leisurely in his wheelchair.

He was bringing out and looking at old memories that only he remembered, one by one.

The Judgment Covenant, which enforced the rules of the hearing, was merely a minor trigger to manipulate the situation…

The city council members, unable to control their expressions and unable to show their raw hostility, awkwardly met each other’s gazes.

The conclusion didn’t take long.

“Recess!! We will take a 30-minute break and then resume!!”

The city council members hurriedly left, leaving only those words behind.

The judges, who had been sitting in their seats with vacant expressions, hastily followed them.

The reporters, who had been clicking their cameras and microphones with blank expressions, belatedly came to their senses and began to move.

In the quiet hearing hall.

In the middle of the hall, where more than half of the audience had left in an instant, Lenok tilted his head with a bored look.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Haven.”

Senator Conrad Haven approached Lenok.

Lenok chuckled and nodded his head.

“The hearing hasn’t even ended yet, is it okay for you to come out like this?”

“It’s okay. Now it is.”

Conrad couldn’t hide his bitter smile.

“Now that things have turned out this way, it’s as if the original purpose of the hearing has been lost.”

“Original purpose?”

“Most of the officials who attended today’s hearing were wary of your influence becoming too great.”

Conrad said quietly.

“The purpose was to reduce the standing of you, as well as the magic tower you lead, through this opportunity.”

“……”

“Perhaps they even wanted a justification to take away the extraterritorial rights held by the magic tower, or a portion of the item market. But you’ve ruined it all.”

Conrad said with a troubled look, staring at the stone tablet on the table.

“Purely because you answered the questions too well.”

“I see.”

“From the beginning… did you know that things would turn out this way?”

Conrad couldn’t help but ask at Lenok’s indifferent reaction.

Because Conrad could now understand the meaning of the words Lenok had asserted to him before the hearing began.

He hadn’t attended the hearing without any countermeasures or thoughts.

This mage had known from the start that everything that was happening here would turn out this way.

“They talked about admitting guilt and responsibility, but the premise was wrong from the start.”

Lenok laughed.

“I know what kind of reaction they want, but do you think there’s anyone who knows what happened back then better than I do?”

All the requests and operations he had handled as a freelancer to survive in this city.

However, Lenok had never forgotten or discarded anything he had handled after it was over.

Collecting related information with Jenny’s help and finding out the details was basic.

Furthermore, he had searched for techniques or magic that he himself could use more than once or twice.

“If you delve into the issue of motive, the city council can never gain an advantage over me.”

“……”

“The fact that they still don’t know that means…”

How exactly did the judges and city council members plan to play with Lenok, who had attended the hearing?

They probably thought it would be enough to list the things the bloodthirsty mage had done and make him admit to the charges.

They would have judged that this alone would worsen public opinion about the magic tower, reduce its standing, and allow them to gain the desired benefits.

However, the moment Lenok began to not only know the details of what had happened back then but also pull out all the details from his memory.

They realized that the flaws of the central council and public institutions that had opened this hearing would inevitably be dragged out as well.

And the fact that the city council members who attended this hearing had only just realized that meant-

“There are still idiots who haven’t realized why I’m staying in this city.”

Ignoring the flinching Conrad, Lenok gave a cold smile.

“I need to filter out all those guys here.”

“……”

After establishing himself as a freelancer, most of the work Lenok had done in this city was to investigate the Black Consumer Project.

That meant that everything Lenok had handled in Vulcan was deeply related to the city council’s flaws and corruption.

If they delved into all the charges presumed to be Lenok’s, the end result would inevitably be the central council or the council of elders.

If Lenok knew that fact and the city council didn’t, how could Lenok be put in a disadvantageous position in this hearing?

All Lenok had done was mix the corruption and flaws that the city council had committed into his testimony, as if he had no choice because of the Judgment Covenant.

That alone was enough to blur the essence of the hearing, cut down the city council members, and mess up the board.

“You weren’t bound by the geas [a magical compulsion] of the Judgment Covenant after all.”

Conrad sighed, looking at Lenok with a dumbfounded expression.

“Knowing that, you still agreed to the hearing, intending to use it as an opportunity to settle the things you’ve done in this city?”

“Are you disappointed that I didn’t kill all the hearing officials as rumored?”

“No. That’s not it.”

Conrad’s expression turned serious at Lenok’s teasing words.

“This result right now is the most definite proof that you are twisted.”

“……”

A moment of quiet silence flowed.

Because everyone recognized that Conrad’s assessment of Lenok was a statement that was infinitely close to his true feelings.

That was proof that Conrad Haven had also lost his composure due to what had happened at this hearing.

However, the senator, who was shaken by his own slip of the tongue, instead gave a bitter smile at the reactions of the two people before him.

Lenok, who was laughing with amusement rather than being angry at Conrad’s direct words, and Antares, who was watching the scene with the utmost interest.

Conrad shook his head and turned away, feeling as if he had glimpsed a fragment of the conversation between superhumans who were beyond understanding and common sense.

“But even that… might be better than festering in this city. I’ll be going now.”

Conrad briefly greeted Antares and left his seat, and the hearing began again.

The exhausted-looking council members returned and sat in their seats, and the judges once again stood in front of Lenok in turn.

However, as if some kind of agreement had been reached during the break, they omitted a large number of minor charges and left only the major ones.

“Due to urgent matters for the people in charge of this hearing, the rest of the hearing will be conducted more briefly.”

The judge, who had cleared his throat, came forward and opened his mouth towards Lenok.

“From now on, we will omit the minor charges procedurally and focus only on the serious charges that cannot be overlooked for the stability of the city-”

“Before more of the city council members conducting the hearing get arrested?”

“…No.”

The judge’s lips twitched faintly, but he did not lose his composure.

Perhaps because he believed that Lenok was abiding by the Judgment Covenant, he simply shook his head, looking at Lenok with a strong gaze.

“It is to confirm the karma that even you, who are blurring the essence of the hearing, cannot escape.”

“Karma, huh.”

Lenok laughed.

“Do you really believe such a thing exists?”

“Either way, you won’t properly admit to any of your charges here.”

The judge said, roughly placing the judgment document in front of Lenok.

*Thud!!*

“So we will ask directly and find out the truth.”

At that moment, a grand funeral scene unfolded before Lenok’s eyes.

A long funeral procession where the entire city was mourning and grieving for the death of one person.

The moment Lenok realized that he had seen this scene somewhere, the judge asked.

“Do you admit to the charge of murdering Madrich Onion, the archmage, hero of the Great War, and former Chief Justice?”

“……”

The judge, who was standing in front of Lenok with a wary expression, played the related evidence video.

“Let me say in advance, if any words other than admitting to the charges come out first in the upcoming hearing-”

“I admit it.”

“-we will immediately stop the testimony and the agenda… what, what did you say?”

Ignoring the judge who was belatedly shocked, Lenok nodded calmly.

“I killed Madrich Onion.”

“……”

In an instant, the hearing hall was enveloped in a quiet silence.

Not the insane monologues that took away their souls or the stories about the city council’s flaws,

but a simple and straightforward admission.

In fact, at the sight of Lenok admitting to the charges for the first time, the city council members and various officials who were present held their breath.

“He was an excellent military strategist and a steadfast warrior. He understood what he had to do until the very end.”

Lenok closed his eyes.

“I didn’t see it directly, but he was probably a great judge. I feel sorry for him.”

“You…!!”

At those words, one of the judges seemed to be overwhelmed and rushed towards Lenok, but.

At the same time, the other judges forcibly subdued him and slammed him to the floor.

“Maysa!!”

“That, that man killed Chief Justice Onion…!!”

“……”

Lenok did not bother to react to the intense reactions.

Because Lenok still remembered what Onion had dreamed of and what his end was like, even after he couldn’t let go of his regrets after the failure of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons [a failed magical ritual].

That was why Lenok didn’t want to add any meaningless comments.

The secret of the project he had heard from him was enough to respect his death.

“……”

However, perhaps Lenok’s unusual attitude was perceived differently by others.

An unusual atmosphere began to circulate in the hearing hall, which had been in a lull.

The city council members began to discuss something, and the cameras began to film the scene of the hearing hall more intently.

And the way the judges looked at Lenok had changed.

The conclusion was reached not long after.

“…Let’s end the hearing here.”

Among them, the Chief Justice who had first presented the Judgment Covenant to Lenok opened his mouth first.

“Instead, there are a few things I would like to ask the archmage.”

“You want to ask me something?”

Lenok chuckled.

“I think you’ve missed one of the most important Q&A sessions in this hearing.”

“……”

The Chief Justice could not answer those words and remained silent.

Because he also knew what incident Lenok was pointing out.

The magic particle exposure incident that occurred in the closed area, District 25.

The most serious and dangerous incident that Lenok had moved in this city under the name of the Adamantine, and the first agenda that Lenok had moved in cooperation with the city council.

There was no way the city council would have overlooked the incident where he had met the past Kaiser and returned after all the twists and turns.

From the beginning, they had ended the hearing at an earlier point so that the related issues would not even be mentioned in this hearing.

That much, the matters related to Dead Rise could be seen as a sore spot for the city council…

Lenok did not continue to speculate, but instead leaned back in his chair and nodded.

“I allow it. If you have something to say, go ahead.”

“…First, let me tell you that the video of this hearing is being broadcast live throughout Vulcan.”

A city council member, who appeared to be a member of the House of Representatives, explained the situation.

“The full transcript of the testimony given at the hearing will not be released, but the video itself is being broadcast. From now on, answer the questions carefully.”

“You’re broadcasting the video live, but you haven’t released all the contents of the hearing?”

Lenok tilted his head slightly and chuckled as if he understood immediately.

“You were planning to control the audio output from the beginning. Then, what’s the reason for broadcasting this hearing? Ah, you don’t have to tell me.”

Lenok sneered, looking at the flinching city council members.

“I’m sure you’ll just keep talking about responsibility and justification. But the reason I attended the hearing is not for such things.”

“Is the reason you attended the hearing not to admit to the charges for the things you’ve done?”

“It was to let you know.”

Lenok said, looking back at the hundreds of cameras pointed at him.

Although his face would not be visible, his voice would be heard.

Then, there was something he had to say.

“That I don’t bother to hide it. And that I have no intention of doing so in the future.”

“……”

The sight of people quietly avoiding eye contact, unable to even properly meet his gaze.

It wasn’t to excuse or evade the things Lenok had done so far.

Everyone had clearly realized that he was using this hearing as a place to communicate his will.

“You came to talk about rights, not responsibility… In the end, we’ve all been played by you.”

The old Chief Justice, who had closed his eyes, slowly raised his hand and muttered.

“Then, let’s conclude the testimony here. As someone who has sworn to the Judgment Covenant, do you have any last words?”

“What do you mean?”

“Those who have sworn to the Ars Nova Judgment Covenant are granted the right to designate the closing remarks of the hearing as a reward for keeping the covenant.”

“……”

“It’s okay to omit it if you don’t have any, but if you want to convey something using this opportunity, there won’t be a better chance than this.”

The Chief Justice asked as if he didn’t expect much.

“Wouldn’t you like to say even a word to the citizens who were trembling in fear because of your thousand battles?”

Was this the only opportunity to directly convey Lenok’s words through the broadcast screen that was being transmitted throughout Vulcan?

Although he hadn’t moved while taking all those reactions into account, he was aware of how the gaze directed at him would change after the hearing.

If there was something he had to say to those who feared him, didn’t understand him, and now revered him…

“…I see.”

At that moment, Lenok understood what words he would utter and laughed.

The Infinite Labyrinth. The miracle he had encountered at the end of the Cradle of the Dull [a place of great power].

The inevitability that had walked out from beyond the blood-stained Reverse Gate, a single word that Lenok had casually thrown out.

Now, he felt like he could understand a little bit of what kind of feeling he had when he said those words.

He slowly picked up the microphone and turned his gaze towards the hundreds of cameras looking back at him.

“I think you would have already understood if you watched the hearing.”

He opened his mouth, recalling the words the commander had said in the middle of the quiet hall.

The words that he hadn’t understood back then, but now he could sympathize with, and Lenok repeated-

“I don’t kill people that easily.”

Lenok smiled and put down the microphone.

“So don’t be too scared.”

“……”

The reporters blinking their eyes, the judges with pale faces and tightly closed mouths.

Even the city council members who had been busy on the phone turned their gazes with bewildered expressions.

A quiet silence echoed through the hearing hall like a soundless echo.