Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1207

Outwardly, she had a plain and gentle appearance, unremarkable in any way.

Even Lenok’s eyes found nothing particularly unusual about her attire.

However, the moment the woman appeared, the legion’s generals froze as if turned to stone.

Mirva stared at her with an expression of disbelief, while Atia gritted her teeth, her face hardened.

“Apehlia, Your Eminence.”

Daimus, his complexion unusually pale, muttered from atop his tank.

“Why is the leader of the Front here now—”

Kiiiiing……!!

There was no answer.

Along with a sharp resonance that pierced the mind, something flowed into their heads.

A will that crashed down, ignoring spoken words, telepathy, the vibrations of matter, the environment, and location.

The moment it pierced through the strong consciousness and mental barriers of the soldiers and officers gathered here, ‘connecting’ them.

“Kuhh…….”

Thud! Thud!

The soldiers who had been forming a perimeter around Lenok rolled their eyes back and collapsed on the spot.

The driver on the tank’s hatch slumped over the gun barrel, and even the commanding officers staggered and fainted.

As if a wave was crashing around the woman, countless people convulsed and lost consciousness.

A silence, cold and eerie, replaced the chaos.

“Kuh…….”

“Haa, haa……!!”

“This is…….”

The officers and soldiers who had not yet lost consciousness gasped for breath, their faces pale.

Fainting without any warning, as if the power to their machines had been forcibly cut off.

A chilling sight, as if their consciousness had been forcibly overloaded and shut down.

The overwhelming power to completely neutralize a part of the Dead Rise Legion simply by emitting a thought.

The moment they realized that it was the manifestation of an unimaginable, transcendent innate ability.

[Ah, ah. Testing, testing.]

A soft thought flowed into Lenok’s senses.

The woman in front of him, smiling, slowly tapped her neck as she looked at Lenok.

[I’m sorry. It’s been a while, Lenok. It took a bit to establish the connection.]

“…….”

[I’m communicating by connecting to the soldiers’ minds, so please bear with it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to communicate with you like this.]

Chijijijik……!!!

Each time she conveyed her will, the broken mosaic [referring to the pattern in her eyes] swirled, emitting intense static.

It was as if the channel through which the woman and Lenok were communicating was different, causing errors in the process of converting their thoughts.

However, the woman didn’t even pay attention to the reactions around her or what she had done, and slowly began to walk.

[The weather is nice. The air is very refreshing as well.]

“…….”

[It’s been a while since I’ve been out, Lenok, so it’s much more enjoyable than being cooped up.]

A soft, low thought echoed through Lenok’s mind.

Her voice, not in words or sound, but directly conveyed through the senses.

The overwhelming thought that could steal the consciousness of the legion that had surrounded this place simply by conveying her will.

A transcendence that reached an abnormal level, which could be sensed at a glance the moment they met.

“I see.”

Lenok asked with a blank face.

“You are… the past connection Grisha spoke of.”

The Connector, called the strongest psychic in the history of the continent.

The leader who gathered the Ability Awakening Front and grew it into a massive force on the central front.

The guide who took in and led the lost innate ability users, teaching them how to live.

Apehlia Ionics Zaeldark.

[I received a report about you from the collective mental network.]

The Eminence smiled as she looked at Lenok.

[Javelin left a very high evaluation of you.]

“…….”

[Given the incident with the Consciousness Weapon, I thought I might eventually meet you, but I’ve finally had the opportunity.]

Eredis Javelin, the second seat of the Ability Awakening Front, whom he had met at the first gate.

Was it she who had reported a thousand things to the Eminence, she who was called a very skilled person even on the central front?

Certainly, there had been various problems in the process of taking over the Consciousness Weapon, so he thought a report would have been made, but….

[Actually, I’m only here to deal with the resurrected for another matter today. There’s no reason for me to interfere, but….]

The Eminence’s gaze momentarily turned to Grisha, who was standing behind Lenok.

[Since it’s a request from a dear friend, I wanted to check it out once.]

“…A friend.”

Lenok knew that Grisha had unexpected connections from living for so long.

Not only those related to the Eye of Azure, but also various people regardless of the Magic Tower or faction.

Even that Oliviera Ron Maze had maintained a somewhat ambiguous relationship with Grisha.

But he never imagined that Grisha would be close enough to call Apehlia a friend.

Even more so, he never thought that she, who was reluctant to mention past connections, would ask Apehlia for a favor for Lenok’s sake.

“Apehlia.”

Grisha opened her mouth with a heavy expression.

She looked worn out, having consumed and depleted a massive amount of her main power just from briefly confronting Songha.

As Grisha took a step forward, she formed a simple hand seal, and light gathered in her hand.

Paat!!

Grisha, holding a faint light, approached and extended her hand towards Apehlia.

Grisha’s eyes, as she looked at the Eminence, held a complex light.

“That deal… I never thought I’d be the one to bring it up first.”

[Hehe, Grisha…….]

Apehlia smiled and turned her gaze.

She placed her hand over Grisha’s outstretched fist and replied.

[It’s okay. You’ve never asked anything of me, even when I was struggling.]

“…….”

[To think that the stubborn mage who hated owing or giving debts to others would ask for one someday.]

Apehlia, who had received the light containing something condensed from Grisha, asked.

[Did the lighthouse incident change you? Or was it the report about the thousand things?]

“Either way, it means the same thing.”

Grisha hesitated and quietly replied.

“I just don’t want to see Lapis sad.”

[…….]

“If our end is near, and even that reprieve is fleeting….”

Grisha, who had silently raised her gaze, murmured.

“I’ve come to realize that there are things more important than my own beliefs.”

[I see.]

Apehlia shook her head.

[That’s a shame. I wanted to bring you before the ending came.]

“…….”

[If you’re going to be like that, then even if I take you as I please, you’ll just be a pretty ornament.]

“…I’m sorry.”

[It’s okay. Just being like this, I was able to recall old memories….]

Apehlia smiled.

Her thoughts became clear and distinct in an instant, without any stuttering.

[I also know that we can never go back to the time when we traveled together.]

“…….”

Just like Antares and Kroken, Grisha and Apehlia must have shared similar memories.

The journey of countless seekers who set out to save the world. The miserable failure they faced at the end.

Memories scattered like echoes and bubbles, piercing their hearts and lacerating their memories.

A past that Lenok didn’t know, yet one that had clearly existed at some point.

The connections and memories of that time had changed, and they were standing here like this.

As if proving Ethan’s words that nothing remains unchanged.

[So, let’s end this deal by taking your leave today.]

Apehlia’s gaze shifted past Grisha, towards the generals who were watching this place with hardened expressions.

[All of the Dead Rise Legion. You all need to acknowledge my prestige here.]

“…Your Eminence.”

[Since I received the favor of a friend who has never asked anything of me, I intend to do my part as well.]

She smiled as she looked at the generals who were looking down at her from all sides.

[If you don’t comply, I’ll have no choice but to force it. Is that okay?]

“Apehlia, Your Eminence… This is a serious matter directly related to the legion’s principles.”

Mirva said with a hardened expression.

“Do you not know what it means for you, who attended the parade for this matter, to step forward for this mage?”

[…….]

“Your Eminence stepping forward could lead to a conflict between the legion and the front. Do you intend to shed blood here?”

The opponent was the one who had directly confronted the marshal, putting him in critical condition and blowing up the headquarters.

He was the mage who had killed Lieutenant General Lenore of the 9th Legion, destroyed the munitions factory, and fought with the general right before this.

The legion had no intention of letting Lenok go, no matter what happened, but

Given the opponent who had intervened in this situation, even the generals could not easily take action.

The leader of the Ability Awakening Front, which occupied a corner of the central front. A transcendent being with a status equal to that of the legion’s marshal.

It was a situation where such an existence was interfering in the legion’s affairs and trying to end the situation as she pleased.

That was why the legion’s generals were trying to avoid being led by the Eminence in the current situation, but—

[Mirva Neosoto.]

However, Apehlia gave Mirva a gentle smile.

[I don’t like repeating myself twice.]

“…….”

Gooooooo-!!!

Mirva’s complexion turned pale, and at the same time, a strange ringing began to sound.

The moment Apehlia raised her thoughts, the mental barrier and artifacts protecting Mirva shattered.

As the atmosphere rapidly intensified, Lenok, sensing the signs of ability, hardened his face.

‘This is an unbelievable innate ability. It’s not an individual’s consciousness, this is…!’

Would this be the feeling if the consciousness of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people were wielded like a weapon and crushed?

He had heard that she was called the strongest psychic on the continent when she was active, but the power he felt was far beyond that evaluation.

A sense of pressure that was on a completely different level from the innate ability users Lenok had met so far.

“Damn it……!!”

The other legion commanders also sensed it and began to raise their magic power with hardened faces.

Perhaps they had realized that they had no other choice at this point.

The moment Apehlia turned her mosaic-like eyes and the legion commanders activated their systems to strengthen their mental barriers.

Songha, who had drawn his sword from his waist, slammed it down in front of Apehlia.

Kwaaang!!!

The tremendous force of the sword, still in its scabbard, slamming into the ground, emitting a roar and splitting the earth.

The legion commanders momentarily flinched and turned their gaze towards Songha.

“Commander… ?”

“Let them go.”

Songha said with a smile.

“I think we’ve had enough fun. Isn’t it time to admit it?”

“…….”

“We lost. This parade ends here.”

Songha’s words, as he casually stroked his sword, were met with opposition from the other generals.

“Commander Songha, but…!!”

“Headquarters has been destroyed, and Lieutenant General Lenore has fallen in battle.”

“How can we… when the marshal hasn’t even regained consciousness yet!!”

[Songha. Your greeting is lacking.]

Apehlia waved her hand.

[Are you not going to act like before?]

“We’re both too old for that.”

Songha smiled and tilted his head.

“Not to mention you, isn’t it almost 10 years since you’ve been on the field?”

[…….]

“It’s not that I don’t have anything to say, but I’ll follow your mediation here. I got carried away and did some unnecessary things in the middle too.”

Songha shrugged his shoulders and gestured towards Apehlia.

“Instead, stop by the headquarters and check on his condition. You can do that, right?”

[Alright.]

Apehlia gave a gentle smile.

[Is it okay to entrust the diagnosis of Ethan to me?]

“Even if it were someone else, Ethan wouldn’t be defeated by you.”

Songha replied nonchalantly.

“In a way, it might be the purest way to use your ability for its original purpose.”

[……Hehe, you’ve become quite interesting, Songha.]

Apehlia, who had been staring at Songha, suddenly had a vacant look on her face.

[You certainly seem more human than before.]

“…….”

[Okay. I’m interested in Ethan’s condition.]

Apehlia said as she began to walk.

[This kind of development wouldn’t be bad either.]

“Did everyone hear that?”

Songha said quietly as he drew his sword from its scabbard.

“Open the way. Today, we’ll end the parade under the name of the Eminence.”

“…….”

Clank!!

Kugugugung!!!!

Perhaps it was because they understood that the situation was over the moment Ethan’s name was mentioned. The silence did not last long.

Daimus raised his hand with a blank face, and the weapons that had surrounded them began to move.

Tanks, armored vehicles, and the legion’s unknown walking weapons crossed the mountain range, clearing the way and moving aside.

A cold and static silence, unbelievable for a moment ago when they were fighting each other for their lives.

The soldiers, supporting their unconscious comrades, stepped aside, looking at Lenok with murderous intent.

“Martinez.”

Songha, who was standing at the end, said with a smile, his arms crossed.

He scratched his disheveled white hair, having completely let go of his sword.

“I didn’t think it would end like this when I first saw you, but it ended up like this after all. It’s amazing in a way.”

“Regarding the Eminence’s intervention—”

“No, that’s not it. You know it too, don’t you?”

Songha’s eyes, hidden behind his white hair, were no longer smiling.

“You’re the first person to hear about the project’s failure and not pay the ‘price’. The only outsider who didn’t go mad even after drinking Ethan’s blood.”

“…….”

“I don’t know how that’s possible, or why you can do that, even after receiving the curse of the reverse heaven… but in the end, this wasn’t the ending Ethan intended.”

Songha tilted his head with a blank face.

“The reason we created the restraint called the prohibition and locked ourselves away was to avoid paying the price, just like you.”

“…I see.”

Was the purpose of the prohibition placed on the project related to the reverse heaven that was passed down through Bajur’s blood?

Lenok silently pondered the fact, and then realized that he was not surprised.

Yes, Lenok already knew what Songha was trying to say.

That Lenok had already achieved the most important and core goal of attending this parade.

Despite the conflicts and commotion that had occurred in the process, he had finally obtained a secret that might be related to himself.

He knew that he had heard all the secrets and truths of the project and had not given anything to Ethan.

He knew that this moment alone had meaning, that he had obtained a price worth enduring the rampage of the Incarnation.

Songha must have known that as well, which was why he was showing such a faint lingering attachment at the end.

“So, let’s meet again someday.”

Songha, with his usual dazed smile, turned his head.

“Maybe it won’t be me, but Ethan who will come to find you directly.”

“…….”

There was no time to ask questions or get answers about those words.

As if the moments of fierce fighting had been a lie, he lightly turned away.

Lenok quietly watched Songha’s back as he shook his head, holding his sword, and walked away towards the legion.

On the opposite side of the legion, which had opened a clear path to the other side of the mountain range, Apehlia approached Lenok.

[Evan Martinez. It was fun. I hope we can meet again if we have the chance.]

“…Your Eminence.”

[I also have a lot of questions about your innate aptitude. I’d like to discuss it, but….]

She smiled gently and waved her hand.

[After all, it’s better to postpone the fun for later. Farewell.]

“…….”

The commotion of the parade, which had been dramatically concluded through Apehlia’s intervention.

However, Lenok could not easily guess what meaning today’s events would have for the entire continent.

Now that the leader of the Ability Awakening Front had directly intervened in the legion’s affairs, mediating and ending the situation.

It was clear that the Connector, who called Grisha a friend, was taking Lenok’s side right now.

But the bizarre mosaic that covered Apehlia’s eyes was making all those positive assumptions seem hollow.

Chijijik……!!!

A mass of mosaics that were tangled and overlapping like an insect’s compound eyes, yet extremely finely divided and stuttering.

That bizarre appearance of them forming the pupils seemed to clearly indicate that she was ‘not human’.

That Apehlia Ionics Zaeldark had long ago transcended humanity and been reborn as something else.

If he was vaguely feeling that her sensitivity and values were no longer human, was it just a delusion?

“Then I’ll say it here as well.”

Lenok, who had been silent, raised his gaze.

“If you want something from me, you’ll have to come yourself next time. Not some kind of mind-polluted entity.”

=…….

Apehlia did not answer.

Instead, she just gave Lenok a grotesquely bright smile.

Lenok, who had faced that long-broken and distorted sensibility right in front of him, turned away without hesitation.

The long and chaotic parade ended in a direction that no one had predicted until the very end.

The secrets of the project learned at the parade. The identity of Ethan and the origin of his power.

What Lenok had gained and lost in return.

He had to organize all of that and now prepare for the events after the parade.