Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 945

The sky brightened, and warm sunlight poured down on the earth.

Anathema’s corpse, his head buried in the ground, served as a tombstone marked by the lightning of Ideological Trust.

Right next to it, leaning precariously, was the Archangel’s Compassion, an artifact radiating a dazzling holy light.

The relic-grade artifact, containing the spirit of Kashuin, the Archangel of the Old World, flickered wildly.

It was obvious how agitated the Archangel must be, having met the Cult Leader only to lose sight of him right before his eyes.

However, instead of immediately picking up the staff embedded in the ground, Lenok channeled his magic to quickly scan the surroundings.

Nodding, Lenok detected traces of a familiar presence.

“As I thought… I was a step too late.”

The cult’s priestess had already vanished when Lenok escaped the sanctuary.

It was clear that Ureka Nydri had visited this place again and then left.

Anathema’s name, banished from Ars Nova, was a rare power unaffected by the ban.

The cult wouldn’t have willingly handed over Anathema’s corpse to Lenok.

They couldn’t retrieve the body due to the Ideological Trust lightning, but they must have tried something.

‘It would be hard to notice if they took hair or blood. But that woman wouldn’t be satisfied with just that.’

Ureka Nydri was a madwoman who would personally go to the scene as a priestess to get definite results.

Having taken the time to seek Anathema’s power, she wouldn’t be satisfied with a half-baked outcome.

She likely targeted a body part with spiritual efficacy, something inconspicuous.

‘She couldn’t have touched major organs like the heart. Yet, if there was a part worth risking the backlash for…’

Lenok flipped Anathema’s face and peered into his eye sockets, a wry smile forming.

The Apostle’s eye, which should have been under his left eyelid, was gone, as if it had been gouged out.

“The eyeball, then.”

In spiritual terms, the eye was a window to the soul.

That was probably the most the priestess could have harvested from the dead Anathema.

It was like having a part of his spoils stolen, but Lenok didn’t get angry at this point.

After all, it was Lenok who killed the Apostle and took possession of the body, and he wouldn’t have even been able to meet the Cult Leader if the priestess hadn’t created the sanctuary.

Besides, the priestess wouldn’t have been able to take the eye without paying a price.

After all, it was Anathema’s corpse, imbued with Lenok’s lightning.

Even the brief process of touching the body and gouging out the eyeball would have surely left the priestess injured.

Moreover, Ureka Nydri hadn’t realized the authority of the priest residing in Lenok’s body until the very end.

That was probably because the authority that Seina had left with Lenok had been completely cut off from the cult’s lineage.

If so, he could certainly use this lack of knowledge to his advantage when dealing with the cult in the future.

Thinking this, Lenok reached out towards the wildly glowing Archangel’s Compassion.

[Cult Leader-!!!!]

Whoooom!!

The Archangel’s Compassion vibrated, emitting an intense holy light.

The rainbow-colored gem at the end of the staff spun violently, unleashing a fierce surge of power.

[Where is he!!! Where is that person, where is he?!!!]

“The Cult Leader has left.”

Lenok answered calmly.

“He is an existence that resides in the memories of others. If it weren’t for this timing, there wouldn’t have been a chance to meet him.”

[Why!! Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?!!]

Kashuin breathed roughly.

[Didn’t you promise me!! I believed I would meet him again, again-!!!]

“Kashuin. Don’t misunderstand.”

Crack!!

Lenok slammed the Archangel’s Compassion back into the ground and spoke coldly.

“I said I would give you a chance, but the rest depends on your capabilities. Surely, we agreed on that?”

[Damn it, but-!!!!!]

Unable to contain his anger, Kashuin roared his thoughts.

[Not a single word reached him. Not a single word reached him!!!!]

“……”

[If this was going to happen, then what was I doing this for…!!!!!]

The Archangel’s Compassion responded to his will, unleashing a storm of holy light.

Dust scattered, and vegetation grew as if new life was sprouting from the ruins.

“……”

Kashuin’s emotions and will, which had been fading before meeting the Cult Leader, were now clearer than ever.

Like a withering flower, he had seemed to lose all reaction, but his encounter with the Cult Leader had revived him with renewed intensity.

After confirming this, Lenok picked up the Archangel’s Compassion and said,

“Although not a single word reached him, you certainly met him. Didn’t you?”

[…Yes. That’s why I’m even more furious.]

Kashuin cried out.

[If only, if only I hadn’t met him from the start…!!! I could have forgotten everything and disappeared, why…!!!!]

“Kashuin. I kept my promise.”

Lenok spoke calmly despite the Archangel’s deafening cries.

“Even before meeting the Cult Leader, I didn’t forget the promise I made with you and gave you a chance. Am I wrong?”

[……]

Kashuin’s surge of power abruptly stopped.

Sensing that he was listening, Lenok whispered softly.

“I am the only one who can fulfill your wish. And I will be the only one in the future.”

[Yes… You are the only one. I know.]

Kashuin hesitantly agreed with difficulty.

[I beg you. Let me meet him again. What do I need to do?]

“I’m not asking for anything difficult.”

Lenok smiled.

“I just want more active cooperation than you’ve been giving.”

[…Active cooperation?]

“The Archangel’s authority, the knowledge of the Old World. The things you’ve been neglecting while lazing around inside the artifact.”

The more Lenok learned about the cult, the more he felt the need for Kashuin’s knowledge.

The fact that the Gui-Do cult’s existence was part of the Cult Leader’s plan from the second world was obvious.

If so, the knowledge that Kashuin, who had ascended to the seat of the Archangel, possessed was likely to be similarly applicable to the cult.

“You wouldn’t deny that you doubted and questioned the promise you made with me, would you?”

[……]

“But I kept my promise, and I proved that I have the ability to do so.”

Lenok said, gripping the Archangel’s Compassion tightly.

“Now, you need to show that you are worth that much.”

[…Alright. If that person is pleased with you, then surely I will have another chance someday.]

Kashuin agreed.

[I had wished to disappear in anxiety and torment… but from now on, I will cooperate as much as possible to align with your position.]

“The agreement is done. Then, go back inside.”

[What? Wait, why make me say all that-]

Ignoring Kashuin’s noisy complaints, Lenok shoved the Archangel’s Compassion into his coat.

He had pressured Kashuin as soon as he left the sanctuary because he knew there would never be a moment when Kashuin felt as desperate as he did now.

Lenok had also used Kashuin’s existence to avoid the Cult Leader’s interference, so he needed to address this issue.

However, there were more pressing matters to attend to than Kashuin and the Archangel’s Compassion.

Recovering Anathema’s corpse. Wrapping up the meeting. As he organized the other tasks in his mind…

“Armas…!!”

A faint voice, as if about to break, echoed from behind Lenok.

With her light green hair and long ears, Rage, pale-faced, was staring at Anathema with a bewildered expression.

Anathema’s miserable form, with a goat’s head, reverse joints, and hooves grotesquely mixed into his body.

“You, you idiot…!!”

Rage lowered her head, standing before the corpse that had died without regaining its human form.

Suppressing her rising emotions, she unconsciously reached out towards the Apostle’s corpse, which was still crackling with lightning.

“Just to die like this, you went through all that…!!”

“That’s enough.”

Whoosh!

A figure that had accelerated at an incredible speed from behind Lenok kicked Rage’s shoulder hard, sending her flying.

Rage’s body, unable to resist, crashed to the ground and slid.

“Kuh…!!”

“Rage Mistra. Even if you are a member of Systema Aurum, I cannot tolerate any further action.”

Someone said in a cold voice, stepping on Rage’s arm with one foot.

A black suit. Black hair that blended into the darkness, and green eyes that glowed faintly beneath it.

Click!!

As he touched the visor covering his lower face, a familiar face appeared to Lenok.

“Ivelin Marcia…!!”

Rage’s expression twisted as she recognized Ivelin’s face.

“I thought you didn’t show up at the meeting, so you were still watching the situation!”

“You knew that the higher-ups were keeping a close eye on this meeting.”

Ivelin replied indifferently, nodding.

“The moment Anathema manifested, the Council moved, and I, who didn’t attend the meeting, was dispatched.”

“…!!!”

Ivelin looked down at Rage with a cold gaze and said,

“Anathema’s rebellion in the satellite city of Etanok. As a key figure in this situation, you and Slane Onyx will be taken into custody.”

[Well, we were a step too late.]

The moment Ivelin stepped on Rage’s back and channeled his magic, a huge metal sphere fell from the sky, blocking Ivelin’s path.

Kwaaang!!

The rotating metal wheel that crashed to the ground scattered the impact in all directions, and the ground shook violently.

[Even after the night turned to day, and after saying goodbye to an old friend, there’s still so much to do.]

Ollinic, standing with his hands behind his back on top of the giant metal sphere, said to Ivelin with a playful tone.

[Hyungung. I thought you quit being an agent, but may I ask where you’re trying to take her?]

“I don’t think there’s any reason to repeat the same explanation, Cheoknoe.”

Ivelin said, looking at him with a cold gaze.

“You’ve been watching this side for a while now.”

[……]

“Or do you want to hear an explanation right now about what kind of deal I made with the Council?”

[There’s a misunderstanding. I have no intention of going against the Council’s wishes either.]

Ollinic replied quietly.

Ollinic, looking at Anathema’s fallen corpse and the lightning tombstone above it, said,

[However, the other attendees who were fighting outside Etanok are returning.]

“……”

[I’d like to have some time to mourn the death of a foolish comrade together.]

“I didn’t know the head of the Gisu Shrine was such a sentimental person.”

Ivelin smiled.

“Alright. I’ll wait until Slane Onyx arrives.”

“You’re just saying you’ve joined hands with the Council in a roundabout way.”

Rage glared at Ivelin.

“Your kind has always sided with the one who has the advantage. I know that.”

“Even if you talk about races now, it doesn’t move me at all.”

Ivelin replied without batting an eye.

“If you want, I’ll allow you to finish your conversation with Kyunroe. You had something you wanted to say, right?”

“…No.”

Rage’s shoulders trembled at those words, and then she lowered her gaze.

Without even making eye contact with Lenok, she murmured in a voice that seemed about to fade away.

“It’s okay. I know I was foolish.”

“……”

At this point, did she even think she owed Lenok anything?

Dragging the resigned Rage, Ivelin turned his steps towards Lenok.

“Ban.”

“You were here.”

“I was a little late.”

Ivelin sighed softly.

“I’m sorry, but can I explain later?”

“As you wish.”

“……”

The reason why Ivelin didn’t attend the level 8 meeting. The reason why he appeared late to arrest Rage and Slane. And the reason why he joined hands with the Council, as Rage had sneered.

Lenok was curious, but if he didn’t want to explain, he had no intention of pressing him.

“Shouldn’t you at least pretend to be curious out of courtesy?”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Lenok said with a smile.

“If you want, I can help you arrest Slane.”

“…It’s okay. I know that neither Rage nor Slane are related to the cult.”

Ivelin lowered his voice so that Rage wouldn’t hear.

“However, the Council wants to hear about this meeting directly. Anathema’s change of heart is also an important reason.”

If a figure like Ollinic said that he had no intention of going against the Council’s wishes, then something was wrong.

The fact that the Council, which had hardly intervened in Vulcan, was concerned about Anathema’s change of heart seemed certain.

“Has the Council decided to move in earnest?”

“…Maybe.”

Ivelin, who had a serious expression, changed the subject with a mischievous smile.

“By the way, wasn’t this your first time meeting Slane? You seem eager to help, so I guess you didn’t like him at all.”

“You’ve developed a habit of interpreting other people’s kindness in a twisted way.”

“The arrest of Slane and Rage is just for show.”

Ivelin smiled awkwardly.

“They’re not beings that can be forcibly detained. Especially not Onyx, who is from the Mediator clan.”

“Mediator clan?”

“Slane isn’t human. You know that, right?”

Lenok nodded at Ivelin’s question.

“He was more of a demonic thought than a human. But he didn’t seem to be a long-lived species…”

“Onyx isn’t a long-lived species, but a phantom beast species. To be precise, he’s from the lineage of the Three-Legged Crow.”

“…Three-Legged Crow?”

Was the black-haired, red-eyed man who hosted the meeting actually a three-legged crow?

“They are called the Mediator clan because they symbolize balance with their three legs, and they are known to nest and live in the spirit realm.”

Ivelin explained.

“The reason why Slane led Anathema’s manifestation at the meeting was because he could contact Anathema, who had been banished from reality through the spirit realm.”

“I see.”

Lenok nodded, understanding the reason for trying to take Slane into custody.

“Like Anathema, you think Slane might have been influenced by the cult?”

“If a noble of Ars Nova became an Apostle, then it’s not impossible for a phantom beast species either. Above all, non-human species have innate emotions that are-”

“Wait.”

At that moment, Lenok raised his hand, stopping Ivelin’s words.

The moment Ivelin, noticing the change, immediately channeled his magic and turned around.

“If you’re going to slander me, I’d prefer you do it in front of me.”

Whoosh!

Slane, who was standing behind Ivelin, said with a blank face.

“I don’t get angry or argue with the sentiments of the human race. Ignorance is not a matter of persuasion, but of understanding and respect.”

“……”

A presence so faint that even Lenok only noticed it after he appeared.

A strange sense of incongruity, as if he wasn’t fully present in this place.

If he was a phantom beast species that nested and lived in the spirit realm. His origin was closer to a spirit than a long-lived species.

It was likely a case where he remained in the mortal realm without relying on a contract because his true form was too powerful.

“You said you came to take me into custody?”

Slane, who had walked up to Lenok, raised both of his hands.

“If you need a formal restraint, do as you please. I had things to discuss with the Council anyway.”

“……”

Ivelin, who had been staring at him, took out handcuffs and put them on Slane’s hands.

“You’ll be escorted to the central district with Mistra. Do you have anything to say?”

“There are too many things to say to finish in a day.”

Slane said, raising his gaze.

The other attendees were returning to the ruins where Anathema’s corpse lay.

Ollinic standing on the giant metal sphere. Habek riding on a horned beast.

Krode and a fainted Peisha, who had returned with Kiriya. Marcus Tranquiller, the leader of the Mirror Divers.

There were those who hadn’t returned to the meeting, and those who had left without regret.

“Since there’s no time, let’s deal with the most important matter first. The disposition of Armas von Anathema.”

However, instead of checking on each of them, Slane said, looking at Kyunroe.

“Anathema was a hero of the civil war, and his funeral procedures were decided after his death, but the moment he became an Apostle, it became meaningless.”

“……”

“Therefore, Anathema’s body itself is treated as an asset, not a deceased person, and is fully transferred to Kyunroe himself.”

Slane’s answer, turning his gaze in the quiet ruins.

However, Lenok was thinking about Slane’s intention in mentioning that fact at this point.

From the moment Lenok killed Anathema and embedded lightning in his corpse, it was decided where the ownership would go.

If so, it meant that there was something that needed to be announced at this place, based on the already decided fact.

“Also, the forbidden weapon of the central city that Anathema himself had sealed in his home has also lost its succession rights.”

As if reading Lenok’s thoughts, Slane spoke again.

“According to the rules of the Holy War, the ownership is transferred to Kyunroe, the person who defeated the Apostle. Does anyone disagree with this fact?”

“…What?”