Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1268

The Fourth Paper (2)

Koo-oong!

The massive stone doors leading to the Council Main Building swung open, and Lenox stepped forward.

Behind Lenox, who was gazing up at the lobby hall with his staff in hand, dozens of transcendents lined up on either side, following him.

A rare sight: level 8 superhumans, transcending their ranks, walking through the Central Council Main Building, following a single mage.

Booo-ooo-ooo-

The aerial fortress and airships floating above the main building’s sky all rotated in unison, moving with Lenox.

The stone statues lined up on both sides of the lobby hall slowly moved, putting down the weapons they held and opening a path.

A majestic trumpet sound echoed like a symphony, and banners with the crests of families and the council fluttered softly from all directions.

[The authority to freely access and operate all facilities managed by the Central Council throughout Balkan.]

Kiiiing!

Ollinik reached out towards a stone statue blocking one side of the building.

The moment he made contact with the statue, which knelt and extended its hand, a small light descended into his hand, taking shape.

[Originally, this was one of the privileges granted only to the transcendents of the Light, who were bound by the Golden Edicts.]

Ollinik, holding the condensed thought like a sphere of light, offered it to Lenox.

[It is yours.]

“……”

[Access to the Central Armory, which the City Council has managed since the civil war. Access to the Relic Vault, where top-tier artifacts and weapons are stored. These are also yours.]

“……”

[Diplomatic immunity granted in the name of Balkan throughout the continent. The authority to declare extraterritoriality. These are now yours as well.]

Clank!

Krrr-rrr!!!

The walls of the main building opened and closed in various places, revealing relics, artifacts, grimoires, and sarcophagi that emitted dazzling light.

The process of the transcendents of the Light, led by Ollinik, materializing formless authority and transferring it to Lenox.

A succession ceremony where they accepted the Golden Edicts and passed on the privileges they held to Lenox.

An enormous amount of flashes went off from all directions to capture the scene of Lenox being treated as the owner of this city.

Flash, flash, flash, flash!!!

Click, click!

“This is Markton, a media partner of the Central Council. Please turn your head this way just once!!”

“We’re from the public broadcasting station, Teramike. If you could give us just three minutes for an interview, we will…”

“Could you please release the spell for a moment so we can take a picture?!!”

Loud shouts from reporters and media companies echoed from all directions.

People pushed forward, trying to get even a little closer to Lenox and those around him.

“D-don’t push!!”

“Waaahhh!!”

Thump, thump, thump!!!

Reporters, who had been pushing their cameras forward, ignoring the guards’ warnings, tumbled over the barrier in a chaotic mess.

Dozens of people were pushed into the main building, blocking the path Lenox was walking.

[Hmph.]

Ollinik, who was walking beside Lenox, let out a troubled sigh.

He rotated the metal sphere in place and raised his hand.

[Guards. From here to the end there.]

Ollinik pointed at the reporters and broadcasting personnel standing in the media line.

[Chase all the people standing in there out. They’re just getting in the way.]

“L-Lord Palace Master. But…”

A guard hesitated and spoke.

“The reporters gathered here are all accredited by the Central Council. If we chase them out without the Council’s approval-”

[The Golden Edicts have been established, and the world has become a much better place. Don’t you think so?]

Ollinik said leisurely.

[Decades ago, you wouldn’t have even been able to talk back to me like this.]

“……”

Ignoring the guard’s pale face, Ollinik turned his gaze.

[But today is such a good day to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. So, I’ll say it one more time.]

“Th-that…”

“Commander Kudus of the Guard.”

From behind the frozen guard, a calm, old man’s voice echoed.

Mayer appeared, leading dozens of attendants, to greet them in front of the main building’s lobby hall.

The stooped, white-haired senator was looking at him with a blank expression, his hands behind his back.

“It seems the Palace Master’s message was not heard. Get the reporters out of here right now.”

“S-Senator Mayer…!!”

“I don’t know which broadcasting station is behind you, but you should know your place. Do you not value your life?”

Mayer spoke with a somewhat pathetic tone.

“You should consider it fortunate that I don’t want to see your head being chopped off in the main building.”

“Y-yes, sir!!! Everyone, move out!!”

Only then did the guard hurriedly lead his subordinates and drag the fallen reporters outside.

The guards quickly dragged the protesting reporters out of the main building.

“Such problems occasionally occur after the transcendents were bound by the Golden Edicts.”

Mayer shrugged his shoulders, looking at Ollinik in front of the now quiet lobby hall.

“Palace Master, as you said, I didn’t want to see bloodshed in a good place, so I stepped in. Please understand with a generous heart.”

[It doesn’t matter. Senator Mayer. Although I gave a threat, it wasn’t my place to decide the execution.]

Ollinik smiled leisurely and looked at Lenox.

[If the person who lifted the Golden Edicts has no interest in it, there’s no reason for us to take issue with it either.]

“I’m glad we seem to agree on that point.”

Mayer nodded, following Ollinik’s gaze, and turned his attention to Lenox.

“Ban. It’s very good to see you again. I apologize for the delay in celebrating your victory.”

“Senator Mayer.”

“As you know, today’s event will be a victory parade to celebrate and commemorate your victory.”

Mayer looked up at Lenox with a clear gaze.

“Currently, I am acting as the proxy for the Senate’s authority, centered around the Countermeasures Committee. Therefore, for this victory parade, I can accommodate many of your requests.”

“……”

“If you wish, I can have all the broadcasting stations and reporters in the main and annex buildings removed right now. What do you say?”

“As I told Ollinik, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Lenox turned his gaze with a blank expression.

“Considering today’s schedule, there should be people watching. I won’t mind if they don’t bother me.”

“Understood.”

In that moment, the reactions of the transcendents watching from behind subtly changed.

They must have felt that Lenox’s attitude towards Mayer was slightly different from that of others.

However, Mayer did not show any sign of this and quickly gave instructions to his attendants.

“Let’s make that answer the policy of the City Council today and convey it throughout the central district. Then…”

Mayer bowed to the transcendents he had been with until just now and walked away with Lenox towards the other side of the lobby.

The transcendents, who had been there to transfer the authority belonging to the Central Council to Lenox, quietly watched their backs.

“Considering the massacre he committed in the subjugation war, that’s a surprisingly normal answer…”

Kiriya muttered, fiddling with the hilt of her sword.

Her expression, which was always as cold as ice, was unusually showing a faint hint of interest.

“Except when using magic, he doesn’t even show a trace of madness. He’s quite well-behaved compared to other extreme ability users.”

[It seems that the public was somewhat aware of Kyunroe’s humanity. However, his self-control has been highlighted in a different light through this war.]

“If that weren’t the case, so many people wouldn’t have gathered like clouds to see that one mage.”

Ha Baek replied quietly.

His eyes, blurred from losing his sight, vaguely followed Lenox’s back.

“But it’s truly unbelievable how strong his thought is. Even when I saw him at the last meeting, he was nowhere near this level…”

“……”

In the quiet silence, Ha Baek murmured softly.

“Even after hearing that he defeated both Ethan and Songha, I couldn’t believe it… I have no choice but to acknowledge that it was not a lie.”

Ha Baek, the head of the Shiegeom Sect, was a person who had taken Ethan and Songha as disciples at the same time long ago.

Knowing what kind of geniuses those two were, he had difficulty believing the results of the subjugation war.

However, even Ha Baek was vaguely accepting the results the moment he faced Lenox’s presence.

A chilling presence that seemed to have become a completely different being, even though they were clearly in the same rank.

Everyone felt, without being told, that the mage in front of them had gained an unfathomable transcendence through the subjugation war.

The fact that transcendents from all over Balkan had gathered in one place today was not a coincidence from the beginning-

“It’s time. Let’s move.”

Sleyn, a black-haired man who had been checking the time with a blank expression, said.

“We need to prepare as well to start the promotion process.”

* * *

Mayer guided Lenox directly into the deepest part of the Central Council.

They passed through the giant stone pillars that soared high into the sky, crossing the lobby of the Council Main Building.

Flags and banners hung on the walls, and the honor guard and soldiers saluted from all directions.

Next to them, hundreds of attendants and council members moved, going through the procedures to guide Lenox into the building.

Restrictions, regulations, barriers, authorities, and all sorts of administrative procedures that had to be released in advance to allow the entry of an outsider not affiliated with the council.

“Since you won the war, the Central Council has also been focusing on post-war processing.”

Mayer said, walking beside Lenox in the midst of the commotion.

“In the process, we were able to resolve many problems that had been piling up inside and outside the council, using the war as an excuse.”

“……”

“The internal reorganization is nearing its end, along with the completion of the administrative procedures. It’s finally organized enough to show you.”

Thump!

The moment the marble door at the end of the lobby was opened, a platform overlooking the city outside the council was revealed.

The form of a high platform where tens of thousands of citizens were all looking up at the Council Main Building.

On top of it, a council spokesperson was giving a keynote speech to the citizens in a calm tone.

[Citizens. The recent war in Balkan was not just a local conflict caused by puppet warlords.]

[It was an act of unauthorized interference by the Central Government, ignoring Balkan’s security, and furthermore, it was part of a sabotage operation that threatened the city’s existence…]

[The victory in this war not only protected the city but also provided an opportunity to seriously review and reaffirm Balkan’s policies and direction…]

[In the process, we recognized the significant contribution of the Master of the Magic Tower and have arranged this event to commemorate it.]

[To the citizens who suffered from this war, we promise compensation in the name of the city government. We will also comprehensively reorganize the welfare pledges that were divided among the districts and grant tax reduction benefits…]

Wowwwww!!!

With each mention of the speech commemorating the victory of the war and the various benefits promised to the citizens, the people gathered in front of the City Hall responded with cheers.

While Lenok silently watched the scene from behind, Meyer spoke.

“Through this keynote speech, people will know whose side the council is on. They will also clearly understand what justification and benefits we are offering for that purpose.”

“……”

“The citizens will not refuse. They already know who the owner of this city is.”

Meyer said quietly.

“This is a process to clarify what everyone knows and to solidify it so that it does not change.”

“…Meyer. I am not interested in possessing this city.”

Lenok, who had been listening to the spokesperson’s speech with an expressionless face, replied.

“Apart from the benefits that come with it, the responsibility is not something I desire. You know that, don’t you?”

“Indeed. But that is why it is a position and status that is only granted to you.”

Meyer said in a gentle tone.

“Knowing that you are not a transcendent being who is obsessed with power or status, many people, conversely, accept you being above them.”

“……”

“This city is vast. It is too large to be ruled by force, and too distant to be governed by rules. There is a delicate balance somewhere on that boundary, a point of agreement that cannot be established by force or law.”

Meyer turned his gaze away from the silent Lenok.

“Therefore, you are the only one who can truly place the opinions of all of Balkan under your standards. Others know that as well.”

“……”

“Whether you want it or not, the city council has already accepted you. They have promised to treat a transcendent being not bound by the Law of Restraint [a magical law that limits the power of transcendent beings] as an equal to the council.”

Having said that, Meyer slowly took a step forward.

“I intend to show that proof to everyone living in Balkan today.”

[Now, finally, I will show you, the citizens, proof that the painful war has completely ended!!!]

Whoosh!!!

The moment the speaker shouted, the thick curtain behind the platform was drawn back, revealing the people who had been confined.

Dozens of people with their hands and feet bound, kneeling, their eyes covered, and their heads bowed.

However, most of those faces were of the powerful figures that the citizens of Balkan knew well.

[Citizens. These are the traitors who were colluding with the Legion within the city council.]

The spokesperson said, holding the microphone as he walked in front of the restrained council members.

[They are the council members who shared internal information of Balkan ahead of the recent war and cooperated to allow the Legion to gain an advantageous position outside of Balkan.]

Wowwwww!!!

Lenok, who had been listening to the resounding cheers, turned his gaze.

“So, that’s what you meant by dealing with the troublesome issues inside and outside the council. You used the war as an excuse to eliminate the Legion’s faction within the city council?”

“If we couldn’t do anything with such a justification, we would be disqualified as politicians.”

Meyer smiled coldly at Lenok’s words.

“It’s the end of a power holder who lost in the power game, so there’s no need to pity them. They will humbly accept the fate they chose.”

“Looking at them, it doesn’t seem like they are…”

[Let me go right now?!!]

[Councilor Meyer!! I was wrong. Even now, please…!!!]

The council members struggled violently as they were dragged into the courtroom.

Looking at them screaming and begging, or conversely, raising their voices, it didn’t seem like they had expected this outcome.

Leaving behind the cheers that echoed behind the dragged-out council members, Meyer guided Lenok back the way they had come.

“As you can see, the city council intends to publicly reveal the results of the war and the post-war process through this ceremony. There are also several external events related to it prepared after this.”

“……”

“Of course, it would be great if you could attend and grace the occasion, but there will be plenty of opportunities even before the ceremony ends.”

Meyer, as if guessing Lenok’s thoughts, chuckled and moved his cane to walk.

“So, from now on, let’s deal with the most important task within the city council first. This way.”

The vast assembly hall located on the top floor of the main building.

A place where members of the upper and lower houses gather to formulate Balkan’s policies and determine the direction of the city.

Originally, the seats where the council members should have been sitting were occupied by transcendent beings of the light who had arrived in advance.

Slein, Ollinik, Kiria, and Mistra. Besides them, there were other transcendent beings that Lenok did not know, sitting on all sides of the tiered seats, looking at Lenok.

However, instead of giving them his attention, Lenok looked up at the huge object floating above the ceiling of the hall, which seemed to pierce the sky.

Something that Lenok had been aware of and had been ‘looking up at’ ever since he entered the main building.

Whoooosh!!!!

A huge blue eye, with a diameter of over ten meters, slowly swirled in the ceiling of the assembly hall.

Gathering and absorbing countless rituals and thoughts existing throughout Balkan, it slowly moved its focus, as if blinking its eyelids, and met Lenok’s gaze.

The moment the huge eye faintly blinked and shed a single tear that fell towards the ground.

Swoosh!!!

The blue tear stretched out and then stopped in front of Lenok, slowly swirling.

The moment he realized that its shape was similar to the staff Lenok was holding.

“I was thinking for a moment what kind of gift would be good while activating the [Eye of Promise] [a powerful artifact that can grant wishes and solidify agreements].”

A young boy’s voice echoed from beside him.

“I thought that the form of such a staff would be the most useful item for you at this time.”

“……”

“It’s been a while, Fortitude.”

The mayor of Balkan, Argis Ormeon, who had walked out from the side of the assembly hall, greeted Lenok with a smiling face.

“I was waiting for Meyer’s guidance to end. It seems you came faster than I thought, so you didn’t see it all the way through?”

“Did you want me to watch the council members’ trial to the end?”

“That’s right. This is only meaningful if you are here.”

The boy replied with a beaming smile.

“Eliminating the opposition for the transcendent being who won the decisive battle that determined the fate of the city. What better way to show that the balance has been tipped?”

“……”

“Personally, I didn’t have any personal connections with the council members, so I’m not very moved. If you knew what they were doing to hinder you, you might have had a more interesting reaction. Maybe I should have explained it a bit more beforehand?”

The mayor, with his arms crossed, tilted his head, then turned his body with a relaxed voice.

“Well, anyway, since I’m back, don’t worry about how they will be treated. I will definitely pay you back for releasing the Law of Restraint.”

“Pay me back?”

“As you saw with Councilor Meyer’s guidance, we plan to transfer all the assets and land of the council members who were tried today to you.”

At Lenok’s question, the boy tilted his head, looking at Meyer.

“Among the properties owned by the upper house members, there are many prime lands in the central district of Balkan, so it will be a great help in expanding the Magic Tower’s business, right?”

“……”

The mayor raised his small arm above his head and waved it around, looking excited.

“I’ll lift the building height restrictions for your Magic Tower, so how about creating a huge artifact auction house? It will activate the floating population in the central district and make a ton of money.”

“It would be better to discuss business-related matters with my partner. That’s not why I came all the way to the Central Council.”

Lenok shook his head.

“The city council’s treatment of me and my Magic Tower. The direction of Balkan after regaining the mayor after the war. That’s what I came here to discuss, right?”

“……”

Today, Lenok accepted the invitation of the Central Council not only for the presentation of his fourth paper.

It was not to enjoy the spectacle of the council members being tried on the side of the Legion, nor was it to discuss the various privileges and benefits he would receive afterward.

Lenok had come here because he knew that the mayor of Balkan, whom he had encountered in District 19, would be here today.

Everything else was ultimately just a secondary issue for Lenok.

“Okay. Well, there are several important schedules today anyway.”

The mayor, as if he knew Lenok’s answer, straightened his posture with a smile.

“Let’s finish the promotion process first. It’s about the staff you obtained.”

“What is it?”

“The promotion of Fortitude’s Magic Tower to the highest executive body of Balkan has been confirmed by a unanimous vote of the upper and lower houses of the Central Council.”

The boy, with his hands on his hips, said with a beaming smile.

“This is the first time in history that a highest-level magic management organization has been established in Balkan, and it is an organization that has been granted intellectual property rights, ownership, and business rights for all spells in the city.”

“……”

“That staff is proof that ‘authority’ has been transferred through an agreement between the Central Council and the transcendent beings bound by the Law of Restraint… a sign that your Magic Tower has become a management organization with a status equal to the Central Council.”

The mayor smiled.

“I thought about various methods, but I thought you would prefer to empower the Magic Tower rather than handing over the city council.”

“The Magic Tower…”

To be granted all management rights over magic and spells is, in fact, a treatment equivalent to the legislative, judicial, and administrative branches within Balkan.

Does this mean that Lenok’s Magic Tower, which was originally established with the approval of the council, is being promoted to an executive body with a status equal to the council?

For that purpose, they had gathered not only the upper and lower houses of the city council but also the transcendent beings bound by the Law of Restraint and adjusted the authority through the [Eye of Promise].

The statement that he was called to be treated as the owner of the city was not a lie from the beginning.

“Now, shall we talk about something a little different? There’s something I can say now that we’ve transferred authority equal to the city council to the Magic Tower.”

As the boy said that and snapped his fingers, the Eye of Promise flashed and showed the image of vast mountain ranges and plains.

Looking at the image that floated above the assembly hall like a hologram, the mayor opened his mouth.

“It’s about the issue of ownership of the forbidden zone in the central part of the Eastern Continent, where the 2nd Command of the Deadrise Legion was stationed.”

“……”

“It’s the place where the parade was held with the return of the Archfiend just before the subjugation war began, but the main force of the Legion was annihilated, leaving this place empty.”

The story that the 2nd Command, which had led the parade, had lost its owner after being emptied by the defeat in the subjugation war. He had seen related topics on the Deep Web [a hidden part of the internet].

“In that sense, there is one thing I would like to propose.”

The boy asked with a smiling face.

“If it’s okay with you, would you like to create a new branch of the Magic Tower in the forbidden zone where the 2nd Command was located?”

“A branch of the Magic Tower?”

“It’s surrounded by rough terrain and the land is highly toxic, but there’s a reason why the Legion placed the 2nd Command here.”

As the mayor snapped his fingers, the hologram map expanded, showing a wide view of the terrain of the Eastern Continent.

“It’s easy to produce metal because it’s rich in iron, and there are several herbs and catalysts that only grow here because of the toxicity. If you have a branch of the Magic Tower here, it will be easier to handle various items and elixirs.”

“……”

“Moreover, this place is located in the center of the Eastern Continent, so it also occupies the fastest route to the central front. It’s a strategic point that the Legion placed the 2nd Command in.”

“So, you’re not making this proposal just for the prosperity of my Magic Tower.”

Lenok asked with an expressionless face.

“That must be your real purpose, right?”

“Yes.”

The mayor nodded with a smiling face.

“Balkan is now planning to make a full-scale advance into the central front.”