Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1264

Kuurururung!!!

Cranes and trucks moved busily, carrying away piles of dirt. Runes were being engraved and combined between the steel bars, taking shape.

Buildings and commercial structures were being formed in real-time, completing their shapes and taking on their structural forms.

This was the 49th district of the great city of Balkan.

The district, which had been devastated by the aftermath of the subjugation battle, had been nearly half restored in a week.

“As you’ve probably already heard, the Central Council, led by Senator Meyer, has begun the post-war recovery efforts,” Jenny said as she walked past a hill overlooking the construction site.

“Senator Meyer is a person who is friendly to you within the council, so he’s giving a lot of special consideration to the 49th district.”

“I see.”

“Most of the residential and commercial areas have been restored. It’s probably the fastest recovery rate of all the districts. All that’s left is to rebuild your magic tower…”

Jenny, who had been explaining smoothly, trailed off slightly.

She, who had learned the Ouroboros magic system, must also know how Lenox had been using the magic tower against the legion.

A magical domain that takes the form of a labyrinth and imitates the environment of the ancient world, crushing intruders from their very souls.

A structure that possesses output surpassing that of a war machine, with the ability to freely transform its shape and wield power at the same time.

Having stayed until the end to coordinate the situation, she must have understood how special the design of Lenox’s magic tower was.

That’s why Jenny must have guessed that rebuilding the magic tower would be a difficult task.

“The magic tower I completed just before the war was more like a testbed to maximize the performance of my magic,” Lenox replied, walking beside Jenny.

“There were many parts designed with damage in mind to conduct performance tests during the subjugation battle. I’m planning to build the new magic tower in a different form, so you don’t have to worry too much about securing the site.”

“That’s a relief, but…”

“I’m thinking of adding about a dozen more functions and forms necessary for transformation, but most of the attempts won’t be done on the ground anyway. It won’t interfere with the restoration process of the 49th district in any way.”

“Not on the ground? What kind of form are you thinking for the magic tower?”

“Rather than having a specific form in mind… since I’ve gained transcendence, I don’t have to be bound by the laws of physics anymore.”

Lenox looked up at the sky above the 49th district, where restoration work was underway, and muttered.

“Just ‘storing’ extreme lightning in the tower would easily allow me to surpass the limits. Maybe it’s even possible to turn the entire tower into a giant lightning pillar.”

“…”

“Both options seem fine, so I’m having trouble deciding… Should I just plant a few hundred-meter-sized lightning strikes in the sky of the 49th district and adjust the form?”

“…Do you want to see the entire Balkan in chaos? Sorry, but I have no idea what that would feel like, even if you ask me.”

Jenny, who had been listening to Lenox with a disgruntled expression, nodded.

“Do whatever you want. Whatever form it takes, I can reorganize the work process to fit the new magic tower’s shape.”

“It won’t be so inconvenient that it interferes with your work. Don’t worry.”

After that, Lenox walked through the construction site with Jenny, discussing potential forms for the new magic tower.

“There are a few noteworthy points in the official letter from the Central Council regarding the victory parade,” Jenny said as she moved into the hallway.

“The council, led by Senator Meyer, has decided to fully support you. They want to make it clear that you are not at fault for this war.”

“Is there anything that needs to be prepared separately in that process?”

“Yes. They asked for our cooperation in preparing for the victory parade, and I thought it would be best to get your confirmation on this matter.”

Woo-oong…!!!!

They crossed through the remains of the melted golden debris scattered everywhere.

The broken parts of the magic tower that had been left for days after the subjugation battle.

The wind brushed through the ruins, creating a strange resonance like a musical instrument.

The reason why the two, after looking around the construction site of the 49th district, returned to the ruins where the war had ended.

“If we’re going to prepare for the victory parade in response to the Central Council’s invitation, we need to hurry,” Jenny said, raising her hand toward the golden debris.

“It’s around here. I’ll go in right away.”

Kiiiing…!!

As magic power rotated within Jenny’s body, a golden halo rotated around her wrist.

The moment a clear radiance, far more vivid than the halos used by her tower colleagues, descended into reality.

Following Jenny’s gesture, the golden debris, reaching tens of meters in size, began to vibrate violently.

As if forcing the defunct parts to operate, they rotated, collided, and scraped against each other, creating space by brute force.

Each time, the ground shook violently, and heavy roars burst out incessantly.

Kugugugung!!!!

The debris collided and pushed each other away, revealing the landscape of an underground cavity inside.

As Lenox watched, Jenny lowered her hand and nodded.

“Let’s go in. I’ll explain as we go.”

“…”

Lenox, looking at the tangled vines and tree roots inside the cavity, followed Jenny.

A landscape like a prison, isolating and confining the space with the debris of the tower. Fewer than ten injured individuals were bound and confined in separate rooms.

Koo-oong!!!

The vice-commander of the Ghost Squadron, chained with broken armored wings.

A high priest of the Guido Order, barely clinging to life with his lower body crushed.

The commander of the mechanized corps, maintaining consciousness through a life extension protocol.

Survivors from the Legion who miraculously survived the war, imprisoned within the ruins of the collapsed magic tower.

“They’ve turned the tower’s debris into a prison to hold the captives,” Lenox observed.

“After the war, we recovered the prisoners, completed their emergency treatment, and confined them here,” Jenny said, walking through the corridors made of debris. “Although it’s mostly damaged, the materials used in your magic tower are incredibly strong, so it was a shame to just leave them.”

Jenny, having mastered the Ouroboros magic system [a magic system that focuses on cyclical energy], was the only administrator who could manipulate the magic tower in Lenox’s stead. Even though it was broken and collapsed, manipulating the tower’s debris to form specific shapes wouldn’t have been difficult for her.

It seemed Jenny had judged that a prison built from the ruins of Lenox’s magic tower was more reliable for holding them than any other confinement facility.

“Since this is an isolation space using the remains of your magic tower as a prison, it’s impossible to escape by ordinary means.”

“…”

“There’s a Funeral Guide [a person who deals with the dead and the afterlife] nearby, so even if someone manages to escape, they’ll be immediately discovered by the undertaker.”

It seemed the Funeral Guide who had come to find Balkan with Jutiya was now in charge of monitoring the prisoners. He hadn’t expected any assistance since they hadn’t participated in the subjugation battle, but it seemed they were helping with the post-war cleanup.

“However, the prisoners confined here are such dangerous Transcendent beings that we’ve prohibited entry to others…”

Thump!

At that moment, tangled vines burst out from the golden debris, emitting a sinister magical power. The vines and roots, imbued with a power Lenox knew well, seized the debris and violently shook the cavity.

A sorcerer’s presence, scattering ominous thoughts as if aware of Lenox’s arrival. However, that power and those thoughts couldn’t reach Lenox, nor even Jenny, and quickly faded away.

Watching this, Jenny shrugged and said, “Since you’re here, there won’t be any problems. Shall we see who’s awake first?”

“Let’s do that,” Lenox said, turning his gaze. They passed the isolation cells where unconscious prisoners were confined, and arrived at a solitary cell with debris piled up in front of it.

“…Yo.”

A large woman, restrained in a chair, struggled to lift her gaze to Lenox. The woman, whose left upper body was torn away, twitched her shoulder and made a gesture of saluting with her right hand. Looking at Lenox’s expressionless face, she spoke first.

“Long time no see, Ascendant…”

“…”

Atiya Elrickson, the 6th Corps Commander of the Dead Rise. A physical ability user who had lost her entire left upper body in the battle with the Incarnation and was now a paraplegic.

“How’s your body?”

“Well…? It’s a strange feeling to hear that from the person who wrecked my body.”

Atiya replied slowly, leaning back. “The doctor you have is quite skilled. Thanks to him, I’ve gotten much better.”

“…”

“I have phantom pain, but my right side moves well. Thanks to that, I think I could beg on the streets if I had to.”

Atiya shrugged and chuckled. “But you seem perfectly fine, even after trampling all of us alone.”

“…”

“I’ve been thinking, maybe it was inevitable that we lost the war. Seeing you makes me think that again.” As she scratched her neck with her right arm, a thick chain rattled.

“Well, it doesn’t matter what I say now. So, is there anything decided about our treatment?”

Koo-oong!!!

At that moment, the golden debris was pushed away as if it had been flung, and Atiya’s words were cut off. The debris that had been confining Atiya was removed, opening up the space where she had been held.

A strange silence fell, and the soldier with her left upper body torn away struggled to get up and walk into the corridor.

“It’s a bit awkward to ask now, but…” Atiya asked with a sullen expression. “Am I going to die here today?”

“If I had intended to kill you now, I wouldn’t have kept you alive until now,” Lenox said, turning his gaze. “I received a request from Dylan. He wants to learn the magic discharge technique you possess.”

“Who’s Dylan?”

“The wrestler mask guy.”

“……Ah.”

Only then did Atiya, recalling the mercenary they had encountered in the labyrinth, chuckle.

“I thought you weren’t interested since you refused so vehemently, but that regenerator guy does have an eye for talent.”

“From now on, you will be responsible for teaching the Tower’s mercenaries the magic discharge technique you possess.”

*Clank!*

Lenox, receiving the magic restraints from Jenny, fastened them onto Atiya’s wrists as he spoke.

“For now, we’ll keep you alive. We’ll guarantee you the personal time you need to prepare for training the mercenaries.”

“Ha, in this state, I can’t run far anyway. What’s the point?”

“Murphy is an expert in creating life support devices, as well as prosthetics and other replacement equipment.”

At Lenox’s words, Atiya momentarily stopped moving.

“If things go well, he might even be able to make a prosthetic arm to replace your left upper body.”

“……Hmm. Now that it’s come to this, I don’t particularly crave such life-extending devices.”

Atiya grinned and nodded.

“But hey, if you’re going to keep me alive, there’s no reason to refuse. I’ll do my best to do what you ask.”

Jenny, watching Atiya follow the training personnel who had come to escort her, shook her head.

“A half-paralyzed legion commander. Even if she’s no longer a threat…”

“Does she seem dangerous?”

“I’ve talked to her a few times, and she has a very strong will, even compared to other superhumans of her caliber.”

Jenny crossed her arms.

“She may be bowing her head now, but I don’t think she’s completely surrendered to us.”

“That’s why she hasn’t given up on life yet. And that’s why we were able to propose this deal.”

Lenox lowered his gaze.

“Atiya’s magic discharge is a technique that could be very helpful to the mercenaries if they can learn it. Even if it’s a skill based on her physical characteristics, they might be able to learn the basics.”

“You have a good eye. You were paying that much attention to the opposing transcendent during the war?”

“Personally, I’m hoping it will be more helpful to Mila than Dylan.”

“Mila?”

“Mila’s superpower is similar to Atiya’s magic discharge. It might help her overcome her stagnant growth.”

Lenox replied, seeing Jenny tilting her head in confusion.

“I also feel that Atiya Elrickson’s personality is quite similar to Mila’s. If their personalities and wills are similar, wouldn’t it be easier to learn the technique?”

“Wasn’t the connection between personality and will just a baseless rumor among physical ability users? I didn’t know you believed in such superstitions.”

“When it comes to helping others grow, not myself, I can’t completely ignore such psychological factors.”

Lenox said this as he began to walk.

“Let’s go see him. It seems like they’re ready on that side too.”

“……”

Deep within the massive prison made of golden debris.

Especially in the narrow confinement cell where fragments of debris were pieced together to press down on his entire body.

“……Endure.”

The man, who had been lying face down in the debris-filled cell, opened his mouth.

Lenox, confirming his face, turned his gaze with an expressionless face.

“Baragan.”

The third commander of Dead Rise, an 8th-level archmage [a powerful magic user].

A friend of Kaise Bajur, a project associate, and a colleague of Ethan Bajur, a high-ranking general of the legion.

Baragan, his entire body bound by sharp chains, was looking up at Lenox from within the shared confinement cell.

“It wasn’t difficult to restrain him since all of his major meridians were severed.”

Jenny, taking out a tablet from her pocket, read the information on the screen.

“We suppressed his blood circulation with the Blood Demon Magic of the Blood Hole [a dark magic technique], and pierced his limbs with chains inscribed with Jutiya’s incantations to bind his arms and legs.”

“……”

“But even after recovering a little, he tried to use his magic power just now. He’s the only sorcerer in this prison who can do that, so… we had to use a slightly rough method.”

As Jenny said, sharp fragments of chains pierced Baragan’s limbs and were embedded in the wall.

A grim sight, as if the sorcerer’s entire body had been pierced by chains and pinned to this underground chamber.

“From here on, it’s about the improvement plan, so listen for a moment.”

Jenny said, tapping on the tablet.

“The countermeasures committee, formed to handle the aftermath of the subjugation war, has requested the transfer of war prisoners. They specifically want Baragan, if possible.”

“Are you saying they want us to hand over the legion’s leadership to the city council?”

Lenox’s reply turned cold.

“Unfortunately, I don’t trust the city council that much.”

He could trust Mayor Meyer, whom he had known for a long time, but the central council to which Meyer belonged was different.

The Balkan power structure, deeply involved in the project and having privately exploited its results for a long time, made Lenox wary. How could they be trusted not to have other intentions now that Kaise was gone?

“I agree. But the countermeasures committee isn’t asking for the prisoners’ transfer without any basis,” Jenny said calmly.

“They say they need the legion’s leadership in custody to transfer the assets under Deadrise’s name that remain throughout Balkan. They claim following the continental legal procedures is the fastest way to handle it.”

“Does that mean they’re organizing the compensation to be given to me before the improvement ceremony?” Lenox asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

“That’s right. Especially regarding that part…” Jenny’s gaze turned cold as she looked down at Baragan.

“They said the life or death of the prisoners to be transferred doesn’t matter. As long as they can recognize their faces, it’s enough.”

“…” Lenox remained silent, processing the implications.

“They’re probably not trying to upset you after the subjugation war. I think this is worth cooperating with, what do you think?” Jenny asked, seeking his opinion.

“Kill him,” a voice rasped. The answer came not from Lenox, but from Baragan, who was trapped beyond the isolation chamber.

A bitter smile formed on the pale face of the sorcerer, who was bound by vines. “You can cut off my head and send it to the city council. If you sear the cut with your lightning, there won’t be any chance of regeneration.”

“…” Lenox’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes fixed on Baragan.

“If those disgusting old men need proof that they won the war, my head would be the most certain gift,” Baragan continued, his voice filled with a mix of defiance and resignation.

Jenny’s expression hardened at Baragan’s fierce words, but he didn’t care and stared at Lenox with bloodshot eyes. Lenox looked down at Baragan with an expressionless gaze before opening his mouth.

“Jenny. Could you leave us for a moment?”

“…Len,” Jenny hesitated, her concern evident.

“I want to talk to this guy alone,” Lenox stated firmly.

Jenny glanced at Lenox with an uneasy expression, but soon nodded and stepped back. As Jenny disappeared beyond the debris-filled corridor, Lenox took out a cigarette.

“Jenny seems more eager to not see you anymore than to get her hands on the legion’s assets…” Lenox muttered, a hint of amusement in his voice.

*Chik.* At the same time as lighting the cigarette, Lenox opened his mouth, having deployed a magic field to block the sound. “I’m not going to hand you over to the city council. From the start, I had no intention of killing anyone after the war ended.”

“Kekeke, this completely insane bastard…” Baragan laughed, the sound hollow and devoid of mirth.

“How can you say such nonsense so calmly after killing tens of thousands of people? You’re really out of your mind,” Baragan scoffed, his eyes narrowed with disbelief.

“Killing you now would just make your corpse another casualty scattered in the outer districts,” Lenox retorted, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Your value exists because you’re alive. The highest-ranking general of the legion who survived the subjugation war. One of the three commanders who worked closely with Kaise,” Lenox explained, his gaze unwavering.

“…” Baragan remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ground.

“As long as you’re alive, you’ll always be proof of this war. In this world where Kaise has disappeared, you’ll be a sign of the project’s failure,” Lenox continued, his words carefully chosen.

Instead of answering, Baragan lowered his head. His distorted expression beneath his disheveled hair suggested that he had lost the will to argue. The commander of the enemy forces, who had lost the will to live after losing the war and was only clinging to life.

Lenox looked down at Baragan before turning his gaze away. “Born as a member of a tribe that inherited the secret tribal magic, your life only existed to be a sacrifice for human offerings.”

“…What?” Baragan raised his head abruptly with an incredulous expression.

“You, how did you…” Baragan stammered, his eyes wide with shock.

The memories of the regressionist who remained in District 19. The memory of the moment when Baragan and Kaise first met. The sorcerer was shocked by Lenox’s words, which mentioned the moment that only Baragan now remembered.

“Kaise remembered the moment he met you in the jungle and accepted you as a comrade until the very end,” Lenox said, his voice calm and steady.

“He considered it meaningful that he could show you a world wider than the jungle,” Lenox continued, his expression unchanging.

“…” Baragan remained silent, his mind reeling from the revelation.

“If Kaise changed your fate of having to die as a sacrifice, then killing you now would likely be problematic…” Lenox said, turning his gaze away.

“So, instead of killing you, I’d like to propose a deal.”

“…A deal, you say?” Baragan asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“Kaise took Edan’s body to return to the present world to eliminate the backlash of regression,” Lenox stated, his tone matter-of-fact.

While Baragan paused at the unexpected words, Lenox calmly crossed his arms and said. “While investigating the ancient calamity in Kundara, I learned that the resurrection process took place in the Four Heavenly Demon Mirrors [a set of powerful artifacts]. That’s probably why Kaise, who was resurrected in Edan’s body, was late for the parade.”

The project is completely over, but we cannot move forward without tracing its cause and effect. The Four Heavenly Demon Mirrors that Kaise chose for his resurrection. The hell of the human world that is connected to the imperial palace of the central front.

Baragan, a close friend of Kaise, was likely to know something about the Demon Mirrors.

With Baragan detained, Lenox had no intention of missing the opportunity to interrogate him.

“What is it about the Four Heavenly Demon Mirrors that made Kaise choose them as his place of resurrection?”

“……”

“The Demon Mirrors’ origin is corrupted, using the central organs of the Imperial Palace as materials. I need to know what kind of power lies dormant there.”

Silence fell.

Baragan looked up at Lenox with an unreadable expression.

Looking down at the sorcerer, Lenox took out a black scale from his pocket.

“If you won’t answer, I’ll have to implant this in your head and extract your memories.”

“……”

“Using the Black Scale of the Compendium, I can bypass your mental defenses, which are based on her secret sorcery, and delve into your memories. It will be a somewhat rough method, but-”

“……No.”

At that moment, Baragan quietly spoke.

“I’ll tell you. Because now… such things are no longer important to us.”

“……”

“You’re right, Lenox.”

Baragan said, lifting his gaze with a gaunt expression.

“Kaise left like that because he accepted the ending you set for him. I knew it.”

“……”

“I was just trying to deny it, even though I knew. But, if Kaise no longer has to… bear the burden of what’s next…”

Baragan closed his eyes, unable to finish his sentence.

Lenox quietly waited for him to continue.

“The Four Heavenly Demon Mirrors are…”

Baragan’s voice sank low.

“It’s a hell ruled by the corpse of a dead Great General. In that place, every day, all life is killed and revived… and their deaths are used as fuel to burn.”

* * *

“Is it over?”

“Yes. Though the result wasn’t entirely satisfactory.”

Jenny shook her head as she saw Lenox emerge from the ruins after his conversation with Baragan.

“That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you’d be able to get any meaningful information from that sorcerer.”

“I didn’t expect Baragan to know all the information I wanted either.”

Lenox said, lighting a cigarette.

“He was a sorcerer who had been away from the legion for a long time, even if he was a commander, so he wouldn’t have known as much as Kaise himself.”

“……”

“But still, I got a meaningful keyword about the central front. If I can find a way to approach the Demon Mirrors with this-”

Kwarurururung-!!!!

At that moment, Lenox’s words were cut short by the sound of thunder exploding overhead.

Thunder cracked, piercing the sky where not a single cloud existed.

A blue-tinged lightning dragon roared fiercely, violently painting the sky.

Jenny, who had been staring blankly at the sky with her mouth open, muttered.

“…Wait a minute. I’ll check what’s going on.”

Jenny took out her phone and immediately contacted someone, checking messages.

After rapidly typing and exchanging messages, she turned to Lenox with a bewildered expression.

“Th, the Master of the Torben Magic Tower… seems to have heard that you’re on the move.”

“…What?”

[SAJIIIIIIIIIIIL!!!!!]

A voice like a roar echoed through the scattering thunder.

[Where are you!!!! I can’t take it anymore!!]

“No way…”

Lenox frowned, understanding the situation.

“Is he flying around District 49 looking for me right now?”

“No, it’s not just that…”

Jenny hesitated before speaking.

“They say he’s flying directly here right now?”

[I have something to show Bonno quickly!!!!]

“……”

Silence fell.

Lenox sighed and turned his head.

“I’ll go out and talk to him myself.”