Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1144

Showdown (14)

Chik, chik-

The casino cruise ship was heading towards the royal capital of Kabahim. Inside, a spacious bedroom with several bunk beds served as a resting place for the crew after their shifts. A bizarre laughter echoed through the room.

[Kikikik……]

A giant with a hooked nose, crouched in the middle of the room, chuckled and shook his body. Each time his eight arms moved, magical threads were drawn out like silk, hanging all around.

Chwararararak-

Thousands, hundreds, even tens of thousands of magical threads were drawn out, spreading in the air like transparent silk. The tailor, alone in the quiet room, laughed as he continuously produced and processed these magical threads.

“Not enough yet.”

Lennok, leaning against the bedroom door, watched the tailor with Davi.

“We used too much of the stored magical threads in Tokerphz. At this rate, we won’t be able to replenish our reserves before we reach Kabahim.”

[This guy is working slower than I thought?]

Manipulation techniques are notoriously difficult among special abilities, but a skilled user can apply them in any field. However, these techniques consume magical threads, requiring a large supply for large-scale applications.

The special artificial summon, the tailor of the imaginary dimension, was created by Lennok to address this disadvantage. Residing in the imaginary dimension, the tailor creates and stores magical threads, providing excellent support for manipulation techniques.

However, after being summoned and used, the tailor needs to replenish his reserves, which requires producing and storing a large amount of magical threads. While there was no shortage of reserves when Lennok was operating under Victor’s identity, a considerable amount had been used in Tokerphz.

“It was the first time fighting an apostle like that, so it can’t be helped. We’ll have to proceed knowing that our reserves are insufficient.”

It was also Lennok’s first time engaging two of the Order’s highest-ranking apostles in a 2-on-2 battle until a conclusion was reached. From the moment the tailor was summoned, the plan was to go all out, and once the forbidden weapon was used, there was no turning back.

“The gauntlet’s power is strong, but it’s also tricky because it consumes a huge amount of magic every time it’s used.”

Clank!!

Lennok raised his left hand, and a glass-colored gauntlet materialized in his grasp. He was lost in thought, looking at the forbidden weapon that distorted the surrounding scenery just by existing there.

“It’s great for supplementing firepower, but I’ll have to be more careful about when to use it in the future….”

Manipulation techniques are versatile, but they are less effective than Lennok’s other magic for instantly increasing output. In that respect, the forbidden weapon’s ability to directly manipulate the laws of physics was very useful for supplementing Victor’s lack of firepower.

However, the magic consumed to use this ability was so enormous that even Lennok’s vast reserves felt strained.

‘A forbidden weapon, huh.’

Lennok looked down at the faintly shimmering glass-colored gauntlet with a complex expression. This gauntlet, obtained from the Anathema Temple, was a weapon made using the bloodline of the ‘Rebellious Sky’ as ‘material’.

The Rebellious Sky, known as the strongest ascendant in history. Forbidden magic that activates abilities using his bloodline as material. And what that name meant to Lennok himself.

“…….”

Even though he believed he had fully understood the meaning in Kundara, he was still wavering. The bloodline of the Rebellious Sky. How should Lennok accept that word? Is it okay for him to accept that power in this way?

Even amidst the confusion, Lennok hesitated because he knew that this gauntlet was the key to opening the [Gate]. He understood that it was the key and the first thing to consider in this operation.

In the [Gate] hidden in the basement of the royal capital of Kabahim, would Lennok be able to face that secret once again? It would be a lie to say he wasn’t expecting it while participating in the operation-

“Victor.”

Squeak……!!

At that moment, Lennok heard the sound of space opening above his head. Agnetta, hanging upside down from the ceiling, was looking down at him with a dazed expression.

“Did you call me?”

“……Agnetta.”

Lennok, who had stopped thinking, put the gauntlet away and turned his gaze.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask before we start.”

“Okay, okay, tell me.”

Agnetta, with her hands on her hips, snorted.

“Fellow manipulators should help each other out. If Victor wants- huh?”

Agnetta’s gaze, which had been blank, stopped at the tailor in the middle of the room. The sight of the summon moving its eight arms in bizarre directions and constantly drawing out magical threads. The remnants of the imaginary dimension flickering strangely beneath the tailor’s feet.

“As you can see, this is an artificial summon made by imitating your ability a little,” Lennok said.

“Of course, it’s not comparable to you, but it’s designed to be partially compatible.”

“…….”

“I’m going to leave this summon to you for a while- why are you doing that?”

“I don’t know.”

Agnetta’s expression turned sulky.

“Who told you to make something like this?”

* * *

“You look tired.”

A low voice came from behind Lennok as he walked out into the hallway. Lennok, who was wiping his face, found Antares and adjusted his mask.

“You were here.”

“That ancient species is a miraculous product that shouldn’t exist in this era,” Antares said.

“She must have had a very difficult time living in the human era and establishing her identity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Showing her a toy that imitates herself was not a good choice.”

“…….”

Did Antares already know that Lennok had reached a dramatic agreement with Agnetta in the cabin? Lennok, letting out a cold sigh, crossed his arms and turned his gaze away.

“It was necessary. I’ve decided to pay the price, so mind your own business.”

“I guess so. I agree with the direction to some extent.”

Antares smiled as he looked at the cruise ship cutting through the river.

“Her manipulation techniques rely too much on instinct. You’re being considerate so she doesn’t go to the dangerous front lines.”

“You didn’t come at this time to say something like that.”

Lennok sneered, fiddling with his mask.

“Did you want to foresee something for me?”

“…….”

Antares stared at Lennok for a while, then slowly stood up.

“What I saw on the pilgrimage was just a failed future. That’s why there are plenty of endings that I can’t foresee myself.”

“…….”

“There are futures and people that I can’t foresee… everywhere.”

Antares, making eye contact with Lennok behind the mask, said.

“That’s why the reason I can’t foresee you might be different from what I think. But I don’t care.”

“…….”

“Even if the process is set, if the result is unknown, it’s no different from being undecided.”

Antares’ hair fluttered in the blowing wind. The long black hair momentarily hid the seer’s expression.

“The old me didn’t know that. So I believed that the existence that could see both sides of fate would be the answer.”

“……The two sides of fate?”

The moment Lennok felt a sense of déjà vu and paused, Antares turned his gaze away.

“What I’m about to do now… is a struggle to pick up the arrogance and mistakes I’ve made.”

Buaaaang-

The cruise ship rumbled low, emitting a heavy thumping sound. The moment the huge hull gradually slowed down, cutting through the river and slowly stopping. The empty air shattered like glass and scattered, revealing the vast scenery of a citadel beyond.

Kuuuung!!!

A huge royal castle where the entire city is made up of a huge fortress and citadel. All the downtown areas and urban areas are part of the citadel and the walls themselves. The knight’s country, Kabahim. The moment Lennok realized that he had arrived at its royal capital and raised his gaze.

Puuuuuuuu-!!

Along with a majestic trumpet sound, dozens of flags were alternately lowered over the cruise ship. Colorful flags with the emblems of different knight orders and families fluttering. People who came out onto the deck late were amazed by the sight.

“The royal capital of Kabahim……!”

“The country of knights. Is this the citadel city?”

In front of the solid walls in the distance, dozens of knights in metal armor were lined up. The unique emblems of the knight orders were engraved on the armor shining under the sunlight, and they stood in a dignified posture, looking this way. The cool, calm gaze under the thick helmets that completely covered their faces was directed precisely this way.

Clank!!

A man who appeared to be the commander of the knight order, standing at the front, took a step forward, took off his helmet, and raised his gaze. The man, who had swept back the hair that flowed down from under his helmet, stared at the ship with sunken eyes and opened his mouth.

“I am Zailo Spenson, commander of the 10th Division and 8th Knight Order of the Royal Capital of Kabahim, and I greet His Majesty’s guests.”

Zailo, holding his helmet in one hand and placing the other on his chest, slightly bowed his head with a precise movement. Almost simultaneously, dozens of knights lined up repeated the same movement, making a resounding sound.

Thump!

“Welcome, guests. Welcome to the royal capital of Kabahim.”

Zailo, slowly raising his head, spoke in a calm voice and nodded.

“From now on, we will guide you to the royal castle.”

* * *

The key to entering the royal capital of Kabahim, prepared by Pandemonium, was simple. With Freya, who had arrived for the concert, at the forefront, the dolls manipulated by Chebien imitated the staff and officials. Agnetta used manipulation techniques to move expressions and create voices, and Soryu controlled body temperature with her freezing ability. The clown’s illusion magic was used to erase all unnatural traces or flaws that occurred in the series of processes.

“I’ll bring all the lights and stage props this way.”

“Be careful not to tear the boxes!”

“From here on, we can’t contact the agency, right?”

“I applied for a preliminary inspection of the concert hall, when will it be possible?”

Dozens of people, making a lot of noise and carrying all sorts of items, were getting off the ship. All of them were fakes that only five ability users were acting and imitating. Dolls that acted like real people with lively movements, deceiving the eyes of the knights. Even the clown’s illusion magic, which neatly removed the unnaturalness and discomfort that occurred in the process.

“Low-level illusion magic is like magic, so if you try to deceive them outright, people with good eyes will often notice,” the clown whispered to Lennok, handing him an empty box.

“If it’s just about making the process smooth rather than the result, you can even deceive the discomfort of a high-level physical ability user.”

“…….”

“If you build up from small things like this, you’ll be able to deceive reality.”

The clown, mixed among the dolls, was humming and carrying materials. However, Lennok did not answer and just stared at the clown’s back.

Illusion magic that deceives the process, not the result. That delicate skill that touches on minor discomfort and covers up even huge unnaturalness. The clown said that the joint technique of the sorcerer was a power that shined much more in fields other than combat, but it was the same for him. How fatally and dangerously it functions when used for its original purpose of deceiving illusions. How easily deceiving and deceiving the premises and assumptions, so that they cannot even be doubted, makes it possible to overcome all kinds of difficulties.

The reactions of the knights, who were watching the group with sharp eyes but could not find any abnormalities, clearly proved it.

“Inspection complete. The investigation of your belongings and stage equipment is over.”

Zailo, the commander of the 8th Knight Order, who had led the inspection, stepped back and nodded.

“From now on, we will guide you to the royal castle.”

Whether it was because Freya’s identity was confirmed or because the concert schedule itself was planned in advance, the entry procedure was surprisingly quick. The knights, who had finished inspecting the props and luggage they had brought, politely stepped back and began to walk ahead.

Clank, clank!!

The knights, lined up at the back gate of the royal capital’s port, marched towards the royal castle in the distance. The sound of metal armor clashing with each movement echoed rhythmically, adding to the pressure. In the oppressive feeling as if surrounded by the knight order, Lennok quietly watched the knights.

‘Their physical abilities and magic efficiency are monstrous. They seem closer to monsters than humans.’

Although hidden by their armor, the bodies of the knights, confirmed through magic detection, were developed to a level comparable to beasts. Not only were their muscle and bone density, body temperature, and metabolic activity at abnormal levels, but even the magic they possessed was considerable. The entire knight order was estimated to be around level 5 and 6, and the commander, Zailo, was estimated to be level 7. However, as Soryu had said, the physical abilities of the blessed knights were close to one level higher than their own rank.

‘Even if I thoroughly specialized my own rank for combat, it wouldn’t be this much. Is this the power of the ‘blessing’ that is placed on the royal capital…….’

Only then could Lennok understand why the clown had first pointed out the blessing placed on the royal capital at the meeting. It would be a loss for them to fight head-on against the knights who had made oaths, placed a geas [a magical vow] on themselves, and received blessings throughout the royal capital. Moreover, considering the position of Pandemonium, which had to open the [Gate] and attack the inside, it would be even more so.

Clank!!

At the same time as Zailo stood in front of the huge gate of the royal castle, the gate slowly began to open. Zailo, who had turned to the group in front of the slowly opening gate, politely bowed his head.

“His Majesty is waiting. Please, this way.”

“…….”

Freya nodded slightly and took the lead, and the group slowly followed behind her. Walking through the vast corridor that stretched out inside the open gate, they stepped on the red carpet and headed to the golden audience chamber. The walls and pillars were intricately carved, and flags with the emblems of families and knight orders were hung on the ceiling.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Each time they moved, a majestic roar echoed, resonating as if welcoming the guests who had come to the royal capital. Knights and soldiers. Nobles and officials. Countless gazes that had been waiting in the audience chamber repeatedly focused and scattered. Among them, six knights standing in the front row of the hundreds of spectators.

Kuuung!!

Two expressionless young men, an old man, a sharp-looking woman, a stoic giant, and even a smiling boy. The elite superhuman forces of the royal capital of Kabahim, the commanders of the Ten Knight Orders. Six of the ten knight commanders had already gathered in the royal capital. However, the knights’ gazes were not directed at the guests approaching across the center of the audience chamber.

“……Hey.”

“That’s right.”

The clown grinned at Freya’s whisper.

“It’s that man.”

A throne that seemed to be forged with solid metal, located in the deepest part of the audience chamber. A man with a handsome appearance was sitting on the throne, looking down at this place with an expressionless face.

Kugugugugu!!!!

The overwhelming presence that pressed down on the surroundings just by sitting on the throne and casting his gaze without saying a word. Just by looking at him, his gaze seemed to become a weight that pressed down on their shoulders. The man’s figure, exuding an enormous aura as if he would swallow the entire audience chamber. Is that man Aronbaiger Kabahim, the current king of Kabahim and called the monarch?

“…….”

From the moment the group entered the audience chamber, no one opened their mouths. There was no introduction of Freya, no words to inform the king of the group’s visit, and no guidance. There was no declaration to kneel before the king, no words to praise him, and no message to show respect. Hundreds of people in the audience chamber were just waiting for one person’s reaction. In that strangely heavy silence, the monarch, Aronbaiger, stood up.

Thump!!

Each time he moved and came down from the throne, a strong pressure that made their vision shake was felt. A sense of weight that seemed to crush and oppress the entire audience chamber with his presence and shake their very souls. However, the nobles and knights lined up in the audience chamber only bowed their heads deeper without saying a word. Only then did Lennok realize through the surrounding reactions that this was the proper way to have an audience with the king.

The talent of duality that Raymond and the clown had mentioned and warned about, possessed by the monarch of Kabahim. With his unique talent of observing one concept from both sides, he was planning to ‘look into’ the group gathered here. It had already been agreed in advance to use the clown’s illusion magic to avoid the monarch’s eyes. However, the moment Lennok saw the monarch’s eyes approaching in front of him, he momentarily forgot that premise.

Deep, dark blue eyes like the sea. Aronbaiger’s two eyes were in the form of double pupils.

“…….”

The monarch, Aron, who had come down in front of the group, slowly approached Freya. In his deep, dark blue eyes like an abyss, her figure was reflected from different angles. The moment Freya frowned at the eerie and chilling gaze that seemed to look into the depths of her soul.

Whoosh-

Aron, who had passed by Freya without any reaction, scanned the group lined up in the audience chamber. Chebien’s doll. Agnetta’s magical threads. Soryu’s ability. The moment the monarch’s gaze returned to Freya and passed by Lennok and the clown.

Aron, who had been walking with an expressionless face, stopped in front of Lennok.

“…….”

A suffocating silence continued forever. In the tense atmosphere, Freya’s expression hardened, and the dolls controlled by Chebien twitched. The smiling clown put his hands behind his back and tilted his head, and the moment Antares quietly closed his eyes.

Aron, who had been silent for a long time, spoke slowly.

“It’s a wondrous thing.”

Before he knew it, he was looking at Lennok with an incredibly gentle gaze.

“My soul is resonating and harmonizing like this. It’s blessing today’s miracle like this.”

“…….”

The talent of duality. A talent that allows one to observe one concept from two perspectives at the same time. Could it be that Aron had somehow glimpsed Lennok’s hidden secret through his eyes and talent? Lennok, who had prepared to draw up his magic, assuming the worst-case scenario, raised his gaze.

Thump!!!

Aron knelt down in front of Lennok with a solemn face. At the same time, the knights lined up on all sides knelt down and bowed their heads as if they had promised to do so. The overwhelming sight of hundreds of people lined up in the audience chamber bowing their heads and showing reverence to Lennok alone.

“Everyone, kneel down and worship.”

Aron, who had bowed his head, closed his eyes and muttered.

“The bloodline of the Rebellious Sky has returned.”