Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1269

The Fourth Paper (3)

Whirr-ooo-

A massive blue eye swirled beautifully, blinking slowly.

Its gaze, fixed and then blurred as if observing, looked down at the vast hall of the council chamber.

That gaze was not on the council chamber, but seemed to look far beyond the city of Balkan.

“The [Eye of Promise] was one of the byproducts of the scenario Kaise designed during his regression.”

Lenox, gazing up at the eye with his sapphire staff, turned his gaze to the blond boy slumped in the council seat.

The mayor, Ormeon, who was smiling and looking at him with his chin resting on his hand, said,

“It was a plan to create the authority of the council (意思權能) [a power of will or intent], which would act on behalf of all contracts and authorities in the world, but it ended in failure. The contracts outside the continent managed by the transcendent Biseok were concepts that we couldn’t touch here.”

“……”

“Well, it wasn’t a meaningless failure since we succeeded in contacting Biseok because of that, but Kaise didn’t like it that much.”

The mayor said in a leisurely tone.

“The result of that scenario was modified to manage all the authorities and qualifications throughout Balkan, and that’s the spirit attached to the Central Council Main Building, the Eye of Promise…”

“Your explanation is unnecessarily long.”

Lenox cut him off.

Lenox, holding the blue staff, turned and walked through the vast hall of the council chamber.

“I understand how it works. It directly manages and distributes intangible concepts like qualifications and authority… It’s a kind of system that modifies innate abilities.”

“……”

“The request to upgrade my Magic Tower to the highest executive body in Balkan has been approved. Other tasks are sufficient to be completed later through my proxy.”

Whoooom!!!

Centered on the blue staff in Lenox’s hand, a bright blue magical radiance swirled softly like a wave.

The mage instantly understood how to handle intangible concepts and qualifications and freely manipulated them.

Lenox, leaning on his staff, stood before the boy and said,

“Let’s get back to the main point. What does it mean that Balkan is trying to advance directly into the central front?”

The great city of Balkan. Located in the southern part of the Eastern Continent, this city is the largest city-state in the history of the continent.

A population of tens of millions. A system close to a nation with dozens of districts the size of small cities.

The largest population and area on the continent. The overwhelming domestic market within Balkan allowed the city to exist without relying on external inflows.

Rather, other cities or forces were constantly trying to invest or flow in capital, aiming for Balkan’s domestic demand.

After the urban expansion development plan failed decades ago, Balkan’s size had not grown any further and had maintained the status quo for a long time.

It was only very recently that the satellite cities that had been abandoned outside the undeveloped districts began to be redeveloped, coinciding with the success of La Haven.

As such, Balkan had maintained its current trend for a long time, so Lenox was also mindful of the mayor’s words.

“If you need a direct line to the center, you wouldn’t need to move like that. Do you want to become one of the largest forces dominating the central front?”

“I’m not planning to start right away, but as soon as the post-war processing is finished, I’ll form a team and start formulating related policies in earnest.”

The boy said, tapping the table.

“The start will be moving the infrastructure that exists in the outer districts of Balkan. After that, we will gradually increase our authority and scope, and we are even considering moving the administrative agencies in the central district.”

[Moving the administrative agencies, that’s quite serious.]

Ollinik, sitting in the council seat, uttered a slow transmission.

The metal sphere that replaced his head slowly rotated, looking down at the boy.

[Beyond just establishing a bridgehead for advancing into the center, you are even considering moving the administrative capital.]

“I don’t know if such a thing is actually possible. Has there ever been a case in history where a single city-state has declared a direct advance into the center?”

“It’s an absurd idea. Even putting aside the grand goal, it would require an excessive budget.”

“Just formulating related policies will face considerable backlash. Are you not planning to maintain your position as mayor for long?”

Beyond just moving some of Balkan’s infrastructure to the center of the Eastern Continent, the explanation that they would move some of the administrative agencies was a radical one that even the transcendents listening to the story expressed their disapproval.

Having stayed in this city for a long time and built up their status, they would not be in a position to welcome changes in the environment now.

“Our Shihae Sword Sect has remained in Balkan for decades, making it our mission to continue the sword principles.”

Ha Baek said.

“Moving the city now is the same as denying the history and identity of our sword sect. Is there any reason why we should follow that proposal?”

“I’m not saying we’re going to move the entire giant city to the center.”

The boy, who had been waiting for the surrounding opposition to subside, said with a smile.

“It’s impossible in the first place, and people wouldn’t tolerate such a decision. You know that, right?”

“……”

“What I want to say is closer to the macroscopic direction the city council should take… It’s about creating insurance or a way out in advance.”

The boy, sitting on the chair and swinging his legs, turned his gaze.

“Considering what’s to come, Balkan’s involvement in the central front is not a choice but a necessity. It’s better to prepare and be ready in advance than to move only after things happen, right?”

“Do you mean you want to share the direction the Balkan City Council is pursuing in advance at this meeting?”

“If it’s not now, when the Legion is defeated and the central part of the Eastern Continent is secured, there won’t be an opportunity for so many transcendents to gather and discuss.”

The mayor agreed with Lenox’s question.

“The forbidden area where the 2nd Command was stationed is currently the only candidate where Balkan’s infrastructure can be moved without any burden… It’s actually a strategic point directly connected to the path to the central front.”

“……”

“As soon as the victory ceremony is over, this council will give benefits and formulate related policies so that the Adamantine Magic Tower can establish a branch in the forbidden area. You don’t have to cooperate, but at least you need to understand the direction of the council so that you can minimize losses even if you disagree later.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand the premise.”

Kiriya Ubertz, the former commander of the Kabahim Knights, looked down at the mayor with a cold expression.

“Why does Balkan need to advance into the center? I thought this city was the most free from the power struggles in the central front.”

“……”

“The country where I was born was ruined and eventually destroyed by its obsession with the central plains. If you’re thinking of following the same path, I won’t cooperate.”

Kiriya’s gaze sharpened towards the mayor, who did not answer.

There was no transcendent in this place who did not sympathize with Kiriya’s words, who took a firm stance while mentioning the destruction of Kabahim.

Even Rage Mistra, who had been listening to the story silently, muttered as if he was displeased.

“There is no case among the civilizations that have formed city-states that have directly advanced into the center. There is no reason why Balkan should make such a reckless attempt-”

“Why do you think there isn’t?”

The mayor, who had interrupted Mistra’s words, raised his gaze with a smile.

“There is one, isn’t there? Ars Nova.”

“…That’s.”

“I think everyone is mistaken, but the central cities were not occupying the central plains from the beginning.”

“Ormeon. You…”

Mistra frowned as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Are you saying that Balkan should occupy that city instead of Ars Nova?”

“That’s right. Balkan will advance into the central front and take the place where Ars Nova has fallen.”

The mayor nodded and looked around with a smile.

“Because… if we want to survive, that’s the only way, right?”

“……”

Silence fell.

Even the transcendents who were worried about the direction of Balkan. Even the transcendents who opposed it, thinking it was unprecedented.

It was because they had not thought that Ormeon would talk about the end of the world and discuss the reason.

The destruction that all the transcendents living in Balkan were aware of but thought was an unsolvable problem.

The mayor was mentioning that and saying that they had to go to the center to survive.

“Among the [scenarios] of the project, there were several times when the end of the world was predicted and divined. Everyone has heard of it.”

The boy swept his finger across the table.

“According to ‘Condensed Formula: Astrology’, the destruction is the process of the sea coming down and touching the world… It’s the end itself where the void of the outer sea swallows the star.”

“……”

“The atmosphere will boil and the sea level will rise. The two seas of the world and the universe will rise from the sky and the ground at the same time and swallow the continent at the same time.”

Ormeon said in a tone that did not even have any emotion.

“The city-states of the four continents are highly likely to suffer enormous damage. Neither side will last long, and eventually all the continents will sink under the sea. If you want to survive until the end, you must have a foot in both the center and the Eastern Continent.”

“……”

“Let me say it again. Advancing into the central front is not a choice but a necessity. I don’t intend to move Balkan to the center, but at least we need to secure the path to the central city in advance.”

In the silence, the boy’s explanation continued.

“This is also why we are trying to establish a branch of the Magic Tower in the forbidden area where the 2nd Command was stationed. It’s not enough just to have a garrison stationed there. Unless we move some of Balkan’s infrastructure and manage it directly, it will be difficult to protect that place for a long time.”

“…Ormeon.”

“We will create a path to the central front as quickly as possible and invest the city government’s budget and manpower to manage it steadily. Establishing a branch of the Adamantine Magic Tower will be a good justification for the current government to intervene in the forbidden area.”

It was not about entrusting the management of the forbidden area to Lenox’s Magic Tower, but it was enough to use the name of Adamantine, who had won the subjugation war, as a justification.

If they had given all kinds of privileges and authority to Lenox’s Magic Tower as a price, they could somewhat understand these rewards and compensation now, but-

“Of course, it would be good to get help from other transcendents or the Yangji forces, but I’m also considering cooperation with the Azure Eye. We will have to concede a considerable part regarding the independence of the Philemon Autonomous Territory, but without their [lighthouse] [a metaphor for a guiding force or beacon], it will be difficult to secure an organic connection between the center and the east… Why are you looking at me like that?”

The boy, who felt a strange silence all around, turned his gaze with a smile.

The council chamber where transcendents beyond hierarchy were looking at the blond boy with heavy gazes.

“You weren’t just sitting still and waiting for the end from the beginning.”

Lenox, who had been listening to the story with an expressionless face, said.

“Are you planning to create an alternative that will allow Balkan to survive when the destruction comes?”

“Kaise and I disagreed on that point until the end.”

The mayor tilted his head with a smiling expression.

“He didn’t understand the desire to survive, even if it was pathetic. So, we had to promise not to interfere with each other until the project ended at some point.”

“……”

“Now that he’s gone, I’ll move in my own way. The [scenario] that Kaise left in the Council of Elders during his regression… I need to test the various measures he took to avoid destruction.”

“I can’t understand…”

Ha Baek smiled bitterly with his eyes closed.

“Do you want to work so hard to continue the lineage of this city?”

“Shihae Sword Lord. I am the mayor of this city.”

The boy smiled with his chin resting on his hand.

“Isn’t it natural for a mayor to work for the development and well-being of the city?”

“……”

Instead of giving up and giving up in the face of destruction, they were trying to find a way to survive even a little longer until the end.

The mayor, who returned with the end of the project, was a completely different practitioner from Kaise, but no one could say that it was wrong.

It is not known why he is trying so hard to keep Balkan alive, or why he is here in a different form from Kaise’s memory.

At least, no one could object to the fact that Ormeon had secured a stronger justification than any transcendent in this place.

Ormeon, who nodded, got up from his seat.

“If everyone understands, I would like to ask for your active cooperation in the city government’s policies from now on. I won’t say that I want you to help with everything in the council, but at least you will have to cooperate in the creation of a new branch of the Adamantine Magic Tower.”

“If you want to build a branch of the tower in the forbidden area, there will be more than one or two policies and privileges that need to be drafted.”

Lenox said with an expressionless face.

“Do you think it’s possible to achieve it simply by giving and receiving authority?”

“Let’s talk about that part seriously as we proceed with the next schedule.”

The boy said with a smile.

“By the way, there’s one more main event that the city council has prepared to make this meeting happen today, right?”

* * *

The grand auditorium located in the annex of the City Government Central Council.

The grand auditorium, which can accommodate thousands of people, is a large-scale facility with a structure of 6 floors.

The audience seats were already packed with spectators, and countless filming equipment was installed among them.

The scale was not much smaller than when Lenox first arrived at the Central Council Main Building.

Unlike the case of Adamantine, it was because they knew that the schedule that would proceed from now on could be broadcast unconditionally.

Thud!!

As soon as they opened the door and entered, the eyes of thousands of people in the audience focused on the entrance.

At the same time as they saw Lenox walking with an expressionless face, the noisy voices in the auditorium stopped abruptly.

Those sitting in the audience looked at Lenox from all directions, holding their breath with an unbelievable look.

“Look over there. It’s him…”

“He really came. I thought it was just a ceremonial remark from the city council.”

“It’s practically the first time I’ve seen him in public since the hearing. Was today’s schedule… that important to him?”

Adamantine is a great mage who started as a freelancer in the shadows of Balkan and gained transcendence.

Since he had been using the outer districts as his territory since he first made his name, he rarely appeared at official events of his own will.

Except for the case of attending the hearing after the lighthouse keeper incident, it was such a rare move that it could be said that there was virtually no precedent.

That meant that the schedule that was planned from now on was of great importance to both the council and Adamantine.

In the silence that had settled down, Ormeon guided Lenox to the upper audience seats, avoiding the complicated tangle of wires and outlets.

“The auditorium is a bit too big, right? When the annex was built, they wanted it to be large enough to hold operas, circuses, and art exhibitions.”

“It seems that the city councilors who were in office at the time liked such events.”

“No? It was because it was hard to tell if they put money into related fields and embezzled it.”

“……”

The boy standing next to him smiled brightly as he looked at Lenox, who had closed his mouth.

“The value measurement of artistic activities is never accurate. I’ve given you a good tip, so I’ll let you get away with similar expense processing at the Magic Tower.”

“I don’t need it.”

Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh!!!!

The moment the transcendents, led by Ormeon and Lenox, crossed the auditorium, the lights and cameras installed all around the audience seats flashed like crazy.

The reporters and spectators were pressing the shutter button in succession as if they didn’t want to miss the scene of Lenox standing there.

Many of them were seeing Lenox in person for the first time, and strange exclamations were heard from all directions.

“That strange rumor was true. He really doesn’t get captured in photos…!!”

“Did he really not use any spells or magic? How is that possible?”

“Even if it’s his constitution, it doesn’t make sense. There’s no way a human can reflexively deviate from the act of designating an object…”

“Ugh, it’s blinding.”

Unlike Lenox, who didn’t even blink, the boy next to him frowned at the flashes pouring down.

“I’m sorry, but can you take pictures later? The people who need to be photographed in this place aren’t us.”

=I hope you will understand with a generous heart, Ormeon.

At that moment, a soft voice mixed with mechanical sounds echoed next to the two of them.

A woman who had modified her entire body with machines, riding on a small floating chair, was standing next to the audience aisle.

=Many of the people who attended here are academics or professional researchers. They are people who make a living out of curiosity about phenomena that they cannot understand.

“…Ah, Bridges.”

Ormeon, who had a bitter smile, turned his gaze.

“It’s been a while since we met, do you have to greet me like that?”

=Nice to meet you, Tower Lord.

The woman called Bridges ignored the boy’s words and extended a handshake to Lenox.

To be precise, the mechanical arm attached to her side.

=I’m Bridges, who leads the City Council’s direct technical advisory committee. Please feel free to call me Ada Romil Bridges.

“That’s too long of a name to call casually.”

=Oh my, excuse me.

The inorganic woman’s expression changed slightly, as if surprised and cheerful.

=I didn’t expect you to be someone who could take a joke. I thought you were someone who had no blood or tears in the last war.

“……”

=Well, if you were someone who was emotionally dry, you wouldn’t have come to this presentation yourself. I apologize for my rudeness to the war hero.

“You have a lot of unnecessary words for someone who has modified their body with machines.”

Lenox turned his gaze.

“Are you the manager in charge of this schedule at today’s victory ceremony?”

=That’s right. Today’s schedule is a monumental event even within the technical advisory committee.

Bridges nodded with a smile.

=There are many experts who are seeing each other’s faces for the first time. That means that there are many people who are looking forward to the distinguished guests who came to today’s victory ceremony.

“……”

=In fact, there were frequent political conflicts among the various organizations under the City Government Central Council over who should be in charge of this matter.

A faint languor lingered in Bridges’ voice, which was mixed with mechanical sounds.

=Since it is expected that the aftermath of this event will affect the entire city in the future, the city government and the various organizations of the council are on high alert. It’s a place where a lot is at stake in many ways.

“……”

=In fact, I was worried about whether it was okay to host today’s event in the name of the advisory committee, but if Ormeon said he wanted to use us as a justification, there was nothing we could do.

“Bridges. If you say that, it sounds like I forced the committee to do it.”

The boy sitting next to Lenox said with a bright smile.

“Well, okay. Then, shall we have another organization take over the work instead of the advisory committee?”

=It’s too late, Ormeon.

Bridges threw her gaze down with a soft smile.

=It seems that the other protagonist of today’s event is also ready now.

Whoosh!!

As soon as those words were finished, the curtain beyond the platform was drawn, and a young man wearing a research coat walked forward.

Every time the pale-faced researcher moved, the heat of the people in the audience seats grew even more.

The moment the young man, who had grabbed the microphone on the platform, slowly raised his gaze.

The people who saw his face shouted and stood up, and began to clap their hands all at once.

Kugugugu-

Wowwwww!!!!

In response to the applause, the entire vast auditorium shook violently like thunder.

Even the other transcendents, as if they understood and sympathized with the enthusiastic response, leaned their consciousness forward towards the platform.

Professor of the Department of Elemental Studies at the Lavatenon Magic University, a research institute directly under the city government.

The author of the paper with the most citations in all academic and research fields.

A technician who is receiving astronomical royalties from all magic towers and research institutes.

A researcher who has achieved outstanding research results and made a name for himself in just a few years throughout the continent.

In the midst of the pouring applause, Evan Bailen’s eyes opened and focused.

And he made eye contact with Adamantine, who was looking down at the platform with an expressionless face from the other side of the audience seats.