After hearing about Pandemonium’s next plan from Highrea, Lenox returned to the settlement and finalized the distribution of the spoils from the subjugation battle.
Pandemonium, led by Highrea, had acquired a total of 12 relics and artifacts from the battlefield.
It was more than enough for the members gathered there to share, excluding the Ironclad Dragon King.
Since each member had vastly different techniques and abilities, their desired relics didn’t overlap, making the settlement process quick.
Most of the artifacts the members took were tainted with forbidden arts and human sacrifice, so Lenox quickly lost interest.
‘A scepter used directly by a cardinal of the Order. I’m very curious to see how grotesque the forbidden arts it’s steeped in will be.’
‘This might not be a bad haul to take back to the Blood King’s Castle.’
Ermong and Sarin seemed quite satisfied with the ‘scepter’ and ‘serum’ they obtained in this settlement.
Since many of the items up for settlement were equipment from the Order, they would be useful to them in some way.
‘You’re right, Victor…’
On the shoulder of the doll, whose jaw joints were clicking, was a stiff, sandpaper-like cloak.
Chebien looked at Lenox with the doll’s opaque eyes and spoke in a gloomy voice.
‘It’s only right that those who want something should prepare the price first…’
‘……’
‘My puppetry technique has compatible aspects with your manipulation technique… We can definitely help each other…’
With that, Chebien took out a cracked mask from his chest and offered it to Lenox.
The mask was shaped like a crying human face with bizarre patterns painted on it.
As Lenox looked down at it, Chebien quietly said,
‘The key to the Masquerade. A starting device to hold a masquerade… You need this to control the puppets…’
He had been unusually quiet throughout the settlement, so he must have been thinking about the real-world transaction Lenox had mentioned.
If he was willing to hand over the Masquerade’s starting device first, Chebien really seemed to want to learn about the magic manipulation techniques from Lenox.
‘I’ll see you at the central front… I’ll bring the Masquerade then, and we can talk…’
The staggering doll turned and disappeared into the ruined satellite city, its cloak fluttering.
As Lenox watched its retreating figure, a fur ball that had rolled to his feet spoke in a deep voice.
‘Those who manipulate mediums tend to be closed off and antisocial by nature.’
‘Doctor.’
‘To think that a weirdo who locks himself in a room to make dolls would bow down this much… You must have made quite an impression on him during this operation.’
The Doctor chuckled slowly.
‘He’s a craftsman with a quirky personality, but he makes dolls so precise that they can ‘replace’ humans. If you can coax him well, he could be helpful to a special-type manipulator like you.’
‘Why are you suddenly giving me such pointless advice?’
‘You must have heard the story from Highrea.’
The Doctor answered, slowly shaking his furry body.
‘The commander has opened the path, and the Underworld King has volunteered to be the door. Pandemonium will now officially expand its activities to the central front.’
‘……’
‘In the process, there’s a possibility that new members will join the organization, or that members who haven’t been active in the field for a long time will return in large numbers.’
The Doctor looked up at Lenox intently.
‘If the timing is right, Pandemonium’s top forces might participate in the next operation. So, wouldn’t it be good to prepare as much as possible?’
Just as Lenox paused at the unexpected words, the Ironclad Dragon King slowly turned towards them.
He walked over with his characteristic expressionless face and lowered his gaze to the Doctor.
‘Dragon King. Thank you for keeping your promise this time.’
The Doctor looked up at the Dragon King and chuckled.
‘It must have been a torment for the noble long-lived species of Kundara to watch the squabbles of the lower beings. It must have been hard to hold back.’
‘The time given to life is not a matter of individual talent or ability. This dragon does not distinguish between high and low based on innate lifespan.’
The Ironclad Dragon King said with an expressionless face.
‘The transcendents of the short-lived species are no less than the honored ones of Kundara. Their wars should not be degraded as mere squabbles.’
‘……’
The Dragon King, who had stopped in front of the Doctor, slowly raised his gaze.
He lowered his eyes as if looking at the sky beyond the ceiling of the art museum lobby and said,
‘The Silver Star has moved, and the Center has reacted. The others will not be able to resist that great flow either.’
‘……Silver Star?’
Ignoring the Doctor’s question, the Dragon King walked past the two of them and said,
‘If you plan to do something in the Center, you should consider it. The Silver Star will no longer show mercy to those weaker than itself.’
‘……’
‘If you use the ritual weapon that this dragon has given you, you will soon realize it.’
The Ironclad Dragon King then glanced at Lenox.
‘Those who are broken beyond repair have something in common.’
‘……’
The Dragon King walked away without even waiting for an answer, disappearing into the lobby.
He seemed completely indifferent to the settlement that had taken place in the satellite city.
Ermong, who had approached with the scepter in hand, muttered with a dumbfounded expression,
‘That lizard is impossible to figure out from beginning to end. Was that all he wanted to say by staying until now?’
‘The highest-ranking long-lived species of Kundara have existed as transcendents for hundreds of years and have been waiting for the outer calamity.’
The Doctor replied in a leisurely tone.
‘It’s impossible to know how they, who have watched the rise and fall of Ars Nova, view the current human species.’
‘The Ironclad Dragon King is known to be a transcendent with a strong and upright character, even among the Dragon Kings of Kundara. If it hadn’t been for this incident, it would have been impossible to bring him into Pandemonium in the first place.’
Highrea said from the side.
‘It’s a good thing that we finished this war without any major problems. He doesn’t seem to have any intention of opposing or splitting from us, so it’s not a bad outcome in many ways.’
‘Now that the Gyeonroe subjugation battle has failed, they’re done with their business. Do you think they’ll want to work with criminals like us next time?’
‘If he didn’t intend to, he wouldn’t have bothered to warn us about Maleon Gnosis’s betrayal.’
The Doctor said with a chuckle.
‘A long-lived species of that age doesn’t decide their course of action for just one reason. The fact that he temporarily stepped down from his position as Dragon King and joined the Demonic Labyrinth must have a reason beyond that… It’s enough to weigh the benefits appropriately as long as it doesn’t conflict with his purpose.’
‘Doctor. You seem suspiciously knowledgeable about long-lived species. Are you trying to become a dragon or something?’
‘Well, I did dream of something similar to that at one point.’
‘……Huh?’
‘That’s not an important story. Ermong, the settlement is over, but what are you going to do now?’
Ermong frowned at the Doctor’s blatant change of subject, but soon forgot about it like a goldfish and fell into thought.
‘Hmm, well. I’ve been too busy adjusting this body to think about anything else… I guess I should go back to Vulcan for now.’
‘I see. You’re going back to Vulcan?’
‘The Deep Web must be in an uproar after this subjugation battle, and I haven’t even checked a single page yet.’
Ermong puffed out his chest with an expectant expression.
‘There must be friends all over the bulletin boards desperately looking for me, and I haven’t even properly announced my survival yet. I need to go and cause some proper chaos.’
‘……’
‘Don’t look at me with such a pathetic expression, Highrea. We’ll have to go back to Vulcan together anyway, so shouldn’t we get along for a while?’
‘No, I’m not going back to Vulcan.’
‘Huh?’
Highrea slowly rubbed her wrist as she looked at Ermong, who had widened his eyes.
‘With Pandemonium deciding to expand its activities to the central front, my role has also temporarily changed. This operation will be the last thing I do in Vulcan for the time being.’
‘Huh? But that’s not good.’
Ermong tilted his head.
‘If Highrea disappears, the contact in Vulcan will be gone. The importance of this city has already increased because of the subjugation battle, so leaving the person in charge vacant at this time is…’
‘Who said I was leaving the person in charge vacant?’
‘Huh?’
‘Isn’t there someone who’s going back to Vulcan to replace Highrea?’
Ermong turned his gaze at the Doctor’s question and closed his mouth as he felt Highrea and the Doctor staring intently at him.
‘……’
‘……’
The gazes of Sarin, who seemed to be faintly sneering, and Lenox, who was openly mocking him.
Ermong felt an ominous sensation, and his body moved before his mind could understand.
Whoosh…!!
‘Kuek!!’
Just as Ermong turned to run away like lightning, a whip made of blood had already tightly bound his ankle.
Ermong, restrained by Sarin’s blood manipulation, went into a frenzy.
‘Kieeeek!! Let go of me! Where are you touching me, you filthy vampire!!’
‘Since you like the ecosystem of Vulcan so much, there’s no need to find another person in charge.’
The Doctor said, climbing onto Ermong’s head as he was convulsing.
‘It’s fortunate that we don’t have to look far for a candidate who enjoys being with the demons of Vulcan.’
‘Shut up!! Get away!! No!!’
‘Congratulations, Ermong.’
The Doctor patted his body as he watched Ermong scream in terror.
‘It seems you’ll be the next person in charge of Vulcan for the time being.’
‘Nooooooo?!!!’
* * *
After the interim settlement was over and the minor commotion of Highrea and Ermong switching roles was settled,
Lenox ignored the other members and left Bairuitz to return to Vulcan.
He had moved because of the settlement, but he couldn’t move around much under Victor’s identity for the time being anyway.
‘My activity in the subjugation battle was more than I expected.’
It was unavoidable since it was one of the few ways he could directly intervene in the subjugation battle, but even considering that, Victor’s actions were more intense than necessary.
He not only helped the legion’s operation but also directly clashed with the Incarnation to buy time and played a decisive role in stopping the Ascension Ritual.
In other words, it meant that there were more variables in the subjugation battle than Lenox had anticipated, but it was also true that he had relied on his manipulation technique to control the variables.
Even now, Victor’s name was constantly being mentioned on the Deep Web and in the power rankings.
Since he had used Victor’s identity in succession after the incident with Kabahim, he had to refrain from activities for the time being.
‘There are many things to do in the aftermath, so there’s no need to worry about other identities…’
He was dealing with urgent matters first, but there were many things that required Lenox’s approval in the aftermath of the war.
Reclaiming District 49 and rebuilding the Magic Tower, as well as several other major tasks, were still unfinished.
And, more than anything, there were people waiting for Lenox in this city.
‘Gyeonroe.’
A quiet cafe on the outskirts of the bustling District 41, untouched by the aftermath of the subjugation battle.
A red-eyed girl sitting on the terrace raised her hand as she saw Lenox.
‘Over here, you’re a little late.’
‘It was clearly me who asked you to call that person and find someone.’
‘Isn’t it human etiquette to arrive 5 minutes early and wait?’
‘It was the etiquette of a summoned beast to urge the contractor even though they weren’t late.’
‘You never give in.’
The Blood Fiend grumbled and pushed the coffee placed on the table towards Lenox.
‘Here, the coffee you ordered. I changed it to decaf, is that okay?’
‘Who told you to change my order without permission?’
‘Why? You don’t drink coffee for the taste anyway, do you?’
The Blood Fiend tilted her head.
‘It’s not like drinking this will wake you up or put you in an awakened state. Even if it wasn’t, you don’t sleep well at night anyway.’
‘Don’t judge the human species by the standards of a vampire.’
Lenox said that, but he took a sip of the coffee she had ordered.
As Lenox savored the coffee, which felt like he hadn’t had in weeks, Lacey sipped on the fruit smoothie in front of her.
‘Ah, this is good. It’s a drink that Heiberk recommended, and it’s not bad after drinking it. I wondered why people grind fresh fruit to eat, but I like the texture.’
‘Jutia has been living on smoothies ever since she settled in this city. She doesn’t have a very reliable palate.’
‘Is that so? I don’t know much about the tastes of the human species. I don’t really know much about human preferences either.’
The girl turned her gaze.
The long-lived species’ eyes, watching the people walking beyond the terrace, sank deeply.
‘Come to think of it, it was always like that when I worked with Kaise.’
‘……’
‘I joined the project after receiving the offer, but I don’t think I knew all the colleagues I worked with well. Or… maybe I thought there was no need to know them.’
A faint regret filled the vampire’s eyes.
‘I thought it was inevitable that Kaise would change. The price that inevitably comes to a regressor. I thought even trying to prevent the side effects was meaningless.’
‘……’
‘I thought I knew everything and was prepared, but it seems that others weren’t. Every time Kaise changed like that, they changed one by one.’
A quiet silence flowed over the terrace in the midday sun.
The voices of people passing by on the street were only faintly heard in the leisurely noon.
‘You, who brought Kaise’s end, should be able to answer.’
In the languid air, as if time had stopped, the Blood Fiend asked with a regretful expression,
‘Back then, if I had acted differently in the project, would anything have changed?’
‘If you had, you wouldn’t be in front of me, but a corpse on the legion’s side, lying in that field.’
Lenox said calmly.
‘It was something that was decided a long time ago. It was something that had already been decided in tens of thousands of iterations.’
‘……’
‘It wasn’t the past that we, who live in the current timeline, could change… so I could decide what to do with Kaise.’
Lenox, who had finished all the remaining coffee, stood up and raised his gaze.
Lenox, who was looking at the top floor of the high-rise building that soared high into the sky, muttered,
‘So, from now on, I should focus on the things that I can change, even if it’s just a little.’
‘……Okay.’
The Blood Fiend closed her eyes.
‘I’ve already told them over there. You can go straight up.’
‘……’
‘They’ll be waiting.’
Lenox didn’t answer and moved his feet.
He had guessed where he would be the moment he couldn’t find him in Pandemonium’s interim settlement.
Confirming his whereabouts through the Blood Fiend and clearing the surroundings in advance was just to have the minimum procedure.
It was less of a preparation and more of a minimum respect for the person he was about to meet.
Whoosh…!!
He headed towards the high-rise building that had risen across the street from the terrace.
The glass door opened, revealing a wide lobby hall with no one in sight.
As he boarded the elevator with the door open, the door closed naturally and ascended.
The elevator, which had stopped at the top floor without pressing a button, opened and revealed the office.
Whoosh…!!
Vergil’s office on the top floor of the cartel headquarters.
However, the vampire who always sat at his desk and greeted Lenox was nowhere to be seen.
There was only a young man standing, facing the wind blowing through the wide-open office window.
A serene figure with his face covered in thick cloth and wearing a pure white robe, standing with his back to Lenox.
But that presence was both incredibly familiar and infinitely unfamiliar to Lenox.
‘Ezekiel Ron Maze.’
A being that Lenox had come to recognize after finishing the matter with Kaise and looking around District 19.
One of the very few survivors who once belonged to that great and noble group.
The administrators of this world that Lenox had to face last for the ‘next’ step.
The Imperial Palace of the Ars Nova Empire.
The survivor of the now-destroyed imperial family was waiting for Lenox.
‘……’
Ezekiel did not answer Lenox’s call.
He only lowered his gaze, covered by the cloth, and looked at the scenery of the city spread out below.
After staring at the scenery of the vast city stretching to the horizon for a long time, he opened his mouth.
‘A long time ago, I believed that all of this was nothing more than a futile illusion.’
‘……’
‘After time passed, I thought it was a regrettable but unavoidable thing.’
Ezekiel slowly turned his head, and his gaze momentarily fixed on Lenox.
‘And now… I think I know why we’re standing here.’
‘For someone related to the Imperial Palace of the Ars Nova Empire, that’s an excessive amount of humility.’
Lenox’s expression turned cold as he looked at Ezekiel.
‘Are you trying to say that you came to meet me without knowing why you’re alive?’
‘After the Emperor left, we couldn’t know anything about ourselves.’
Ezekiel said.
‘But I know why you came to meet me.’
‘What?’
‘The [privilege] of the imperial family of the empire that was used as the power source of the forbidden arts.’
Lenox was speechless at Ezekiel’s words, which had hit the core without hesitation.
‘Isn’t that why you came to me, to ask about its origin and abilities?’
‘……’
‘I’ll teach you if you want. It’s not difficult for us.’
Ezekiel said that and slowly rolled up his sleeve.
At the same time as his pale white wrist was revealed, he pressed his wrist slightly with his other hand.
With a sound of flesh being cut, ‘blue blood’ began to flow from his fingertips.
Ezekiel, who had slowly moved his feet, held out his bleeding hand in front of Lenox.
‘Drink it.’
‘……What are you thinking?’
‘There’s no need for complicated procedures to talk about our abilities.’
Ezekiel replied.
‘The imperial privilege you want already exists within you.’