Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 320

Amidst the flickering noise, a heavy old man’s voice echoed slowly.

[I realized it only after the coup. The City Council was planning to use even our last desperate struggle as an excuse to lift the Prohibition Edicts.]

“……”

[The price of burning the military’s lives was nothing more than justification to lift the Prohibition Edicts. I was in despair at that reality. It was impossible to stand on equal footing with them. Not without overwhelming power that exceeded the standards.]

“So, you accepted Gearside’s proposal and decided to abandon your humanity?” Lenok asked.

“To reach Level 8?” Considering what Barclay had said and Trepen’s actions, it wasn’t hard to deduce his goal.

What could be the goal that Trepen, who had completed his hierarchy and risen to the position of Lieutenant General of the Defense Forces, would go so far as to discard his own body to achieve?

The Lieutenant General was planning to reach Level 8 here with Gearside’s help.

[I had been complacent for too long. I thought the time allotted to me was up, and I tried to give up.] The old man’s voice was utterly calm.

[But that wasn’t it. What I had to give up wasn’t my limit, but my humanity-]

Kugugugugugu!!!

Along with Trepen’s fading voice, a sudden, massive tremor resounded.

[-I’ve only just acknowledged it.]

But the epicenter isn’t this fortress.

The shockwaves erupting from outside the satellite city are reaching even here.

A powerful tremor that shakes not only the fortress but also the land near the satellite city.

Lenok, recognizing the location of the tremor, hardened his face and immediately ran out of the office.

“Davi!!”

He immediately deployed Davi into the control room database and hacked into the fortress’s central control system.

He bypassed the necessary permissions with the biometric data from Lieutenant General Trepen’s corpse and seized control of the fortress.

Lenok, who had brought up the giant monitor screen in the Delta satellite city area, slightly opened his mouth.

“Wait, could this be…!!”

Kwaaaaaa!!!

In the desert area near the horizon, far from the satellite city.

From that vicinity, a massive sandstorm erupts, and something huge rises from the ground, piercing through the surface.

Rising almost simultaneously at two points were two fortresses with the exact same appearance as the mobile fortress Lenok had infiltrated.

The mobile fortresses, which had been maintaining the outer front with just one unit, had revealed two more.

Everyone who had been fiercely engaged in combat near the fortresses stopped moving for a moment at the sight of the extraordinary scene.

But the shock didn’t last long.

The two fortresses that had risen to the ground, kicking up sand dust, began to move, passing through the satellite city.

Kugugugugu!!

Their heavy footsteps were directed towards the outskirts of the undeveloped area where the megacity was located.

Only then did the freelancers realize Lieutenant General Trepen’s true goal, and they screamed, and the communication network became chaotic.

“Damn it, they’re heading to Vulcan!!”

“I never thought he’d hidden two more fortresses…!!”

“Was he using all the Defense Force’s power as bait and waiting for this opportunity, that crazy bastard!!”

“We have to go stop them!!!”

[If the City Council wants chaos, I’ll give it to them.] Trepen’s voice echoed grandly through the vicinity of the satellite city.

[If they long for the Prohibition Edicts to be lifted by sacrificing millions of lives, then so be it.]

Wiiiiiiiiing!!

The cannons on the decks of the two fortresses began to rotate and heat up simultaneously.

The speed at which they moved forward, with their thick legs, felt faster than most vehicles.

[I won’t stop until I burn down the Council Clock Tower…!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!] Listening to the mad laughter, Lenok quickly assessed the situation.

[Ban. Are you listening?]

Immediately, Palad’s voice echoed through the communicator.

[Lieutenant General Trepen has moved. I believe you infiltrated the fortress control room, could you briefly explain the situation?]

“I will.” As Lenok explained how he got to the control room and what he saw inside, Palad let out a groan.

[Unidentified previous facilities in the desert area near the satellite city. It seems those two places were where unfinished mobile fortresses were hidden.]

“Judging by the circumstances, that seems to be the case.”

[He must have planned to complete the two unfinished fortresses with Gearside’s help and advance, using the Defense Force’s power as bait. It’s an idea that’s hard to conceive with a sound mind.] Palad sighed.

[Right now, Ilya and Felix are each leading agents and mercenary forces, engaging with the generals. It’s difficult to pull out forces right now.]

“……”

[It’s not something I should ask of you, who single-handedly recaptured the fortress, but there aren’t many people who can move right now.]

“The problem is that there isn’t just one fortress.” Lenok said, turning his gaze outside the control room.

Through the window, two fortresses were moving non-stop, quickly moving away from the satellite city.

“I don’t know where Trepen is, who has been resurrected by reconstructing his body, but I can’t stop two fortresses alone.”

[I’ll go with Hina.] Palad replied calmly.

“Are you sure?” Although he holds the position of Deputy Director of the Agents, Palad’s combat ability is practically non-existent.

If he were to encounter the resurrected Trepen, he wouldn’t last even five seconds.

But Palad laughed with an unconcerned voice.

[The moment Ban, you recaptured the fortress control room, the role of the control tower is over. All that’s left is to deal with the commanders holding out at the reactor and the fortress’s back gate. But that’s not an area I can help with.]

[I will join you as well.] Immediately, Aris’s cold voice echoed through the communication network.

[The main Defense Force power that was stationed on the satellite city’s main street is almost completely dealt with. The remaining forces can be handled by our freelancers… In that case, it would be right for me to focus on stopping those newly appeared fortresses as well.]

“……”

[Wasn’t it you who told me to keep some of my power in reserve in case of an emergency?]

“Understood.” Lenok didn’t say anything more and stood up.

“Then, from now on, we need to find a way to traverse that distance and reach the fortresses.”

The distance to the two fortresses that had just appeared was at least 10km, even if you took the shortest route.

If he were alone, he would somehow close the distance even if he had to grind the engine of his bike, but it would be difficult to reach that speed with Palad, Hina, and Aris.

[Ban, what are you talking about? Just come down to the deck quickly.]

“What?”

[I told you I could help, didn’t I?] Lenok, looking down at the deck through the control room window, confirmed the two’s figures and let out a hollow laugh.

On the deck below, which had become a complete mess, Palad, having picked up one of the scattered fighter jets, was smiling and waving his hand.

[I was a fighter pilot, you know.]

“Haa…”

[It’s been decades, but delivering three people is not that difficult. Just get on quickly.]

* * *

“So, how do you plan to fit four people into a two-seater fighter jet?”

“……” Palad slightly turned his head at Aris’s cold words.

Aris sighed deeply.

“The idea itself isn’t bad, but the problem is that there’s a limit to the number of people who can ride.”

“It would be possible if we could get another fighter jet…”

“Then we’ll be short on pilots this time.” Lenok took Hina’s words.

“It’s not impossible to find another working fighter jet if we search this deck… But is there anyone among the two of you who can fly a fighter jet?” Aris and Hina simultaneously looked at each other and shook their heads.

“I can somehow manage an armored vehicle, but aircraft…”

“I even got my Vulcan driving license a month ago.”

“……” Aris had acquired the rather irrelevant information that she had obtained her license a month ago.

In the end, Lenok nodded towards Aris.

“You should go first.”

“How are you going to follow?”

“I do have experience operating aircraft, but I’m not sure if I can handle a fighter jet.” Lenok said that and winked at Hina.

“Even in case of a crash, it’s better to take someone who is relatively sturdy.”

At those words, Aris and Hina’s expressions simultaneously crumpled.

“I’m not that sturdy…”

“Your unnecessary consideration is impressive.”

“…Isn’t that not what’s important right now?” He felt like he had unintentionally lost favor, but in any case, the situation was urgent.

In the end, Aris got on the back of Palad’s fighter jet, and Lenok and Hina found another working fighter jet and took their seats.

Hina, who was fastening her seatbelt in the back, asked.

“Have you really ever flown an aircraft like this before?”

“It’s not a lie.” Lenok said that and naturally infiltrated Davi, who was hidden in his arms, into the cockpit instrument panel.

Davi, who had instantly interpreted and seized control of the fighter jet’s flight system, began to upload the algorithm he had completed before.

A flight algorithm that he had built and somewhat completed using the airships of the Philemon Autonomous Territory.

He never thought he would be testing its performance in a place like this, but now was not the time to be picky about tools.

[Automatic flight algorithm upload complete. System activation.] Instantly, the instrument panel lit up, the altimeter activated, and the fighter jet the two were sitting in slowly began to tremble.

[Secured travel distance. Entering engine ignition. 3, 2, 1.]

Wiiiiiiiiing!!

At the same time as Lenok pretended to grab the control stick and push it forward, the heated fighter jet ran across the deck.

Kwaaaaaa!!

The fighter jet, which had knocked away the supply boxes scattered nearby with just the wind pressure from its run, seemed to fall off the deck, but then it soared into the sky.

Hina, who was sitting in the back, screamed at the dynamic trajectory.

“Kyaaaaaaak!! The sturdy agent is going to die!!”

“……” Along with Hina’s scream, which seemed to have taken Lenok’s words to heart, they broke the sound barrier.

With the sonic boom that erupted into the sky, the aircraft regained its balance.

[The travel distance is a bit short, so it can’t be helped.] Davi grumbled in a dissatisfied tone into Lenok’s communicator.

[But at least we succeeded in accelerating.]

“Good.” Click! Lenok, who had instantly changed direction and aimed at the mobile fortress running in the distance, muttered.

“Let’s go right now.”

Kwaang!!

* * *

Two fighter jets taking off almost simultaneously.

Felix, who had confirmed the direction the aircraft that had broken the sound barrier were heading, turned his head.

“It seems things are starting to wrap up.”

“Keuheueh…” A sharp-looking man, soaked in blood.

But even the vigor that was strong at first was completely broken, and he was only leaning against the fortress’s leg pillar, barely supporting his body.

Felix, looking at him, slung the battle hammer he was holding over his shoulder.

Blood was dripping from the heavy hammer’s surface.

“The fortress you were so proud of has been captured, and all that’s left is Lieutenant General Trepen. Even with Gearside’s help, you’ll end up stopping near the city.”

The man, Major General Jellych, who had curled up his massive body, and the man who had bowed his head, said.

“If you wanted to regain your power, you should have started again in the shadows of the city. Did you think you could subjugate that city with such a reckless method?”

Major General Jellych convulsed faintly and raised his head to ask Felix.

“Antares… was it a bureau?”

“That’s right.”

“Ha, that’s absurd… Cough!” Jellych, who coughed up dried blood, laughed.

“The hero of 20 years ago was running a mercenary bureau behind the megacity?”

“……”

“If a strongman like you is doing mercenary work, it must be true. I thought it was just a coincidence… Hehe.” Jellych, who had bowed his head, said.

“Then, you guys are the ones who started again in the shadows to subjugate the city.”

“Hmm.” Felix, who stroked his beak with his thick hand, said.

“I thought you were a narrow-minded person for helping with this kind of thing, but you’re quite open-minded.”

“Kekeke… It’s not common for a dying man to hear this kind of advice.” Jellych’s expression, which had been chuckling, slowly faded.

“Like a mirror… not reflecting… your past self…”

“……”

“It’s… okay… this isn’t… bad…” The fading voice stopped abruptly, and the focus disappeared from his eyes.

Felix quietly looked down at Jellych’s face, then raised his hand and gently covered his eyelids.

The words he hadn’t been able to convey to him flowed out quietly.

“Then or now, we haven’t changed much. We’re just waiting for the right time and doing what we have to do.”

“─────.”

“Even if we lose our glory and fall, that city must remain there. Even for the sake of the tens of millions of lives living inside…”

“Magat-nim.” A mercenary who had appeared behind Felix, who was muttering, called him quietly.

Belber, who was known for being particularly greedy for money even within the mercenary group. But his expression was calmly subdued now.

“We’ve dealt with all the Defense Force’s elite units remaining nearby.”

“Good work.” Felix turned around and nodded.

“Shall we move towards the fortress following Ban?”

“Let’s split our forces in half.” Clank! Felix, who had raised his hammer, replied.

“Belber, you lead the others and go support the area near the reactor. The Lancer of Cybrid Echo might not have decided the outcome yet, so help them and follow along.”

“What about you, Magat-nim?”

“Of course, I have to follow them.” Felix said that and raised his beak.

The magnificent mobile fortress was standing firmly, blocking the wide sky of the satellite city.

“And we have the right tool for that here.”

“……” Belber didn’t answer, instead, he just gaped his mouth blankly.

* * *

Ssaeeeeeeek!!

“B, Ban-nim?” Hina, whose complexion had turned slightly pale, called Lenok from behind the fighter jet seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“This fighter jet, it feels like it’s going too fast…”

“It’s been a while since we came down from supersonic speed. Anyway, it’s impossible to drop you off halfway without slowing down…” It was obvious that they could move much faster than now if they used the automatic flight algorithm, but then it would be impossible to drop Hina off on one side of the other fortress.

Even if ejecting the seat was as simple as pulling a lever, it would be hard for her to be in good shape if she was ejected at supersonic speed.

In the end, to stop the two fortresses at the same time, they had to divide their forces.

Although Aris was moving with Palad’s help, Palad himself would be of little help in this battle.

In that case, it was reasonable for Lenok, who could do relatively more things, to take charge of one fortress, and leave the other to Hina and Aris.

“……” Hina stared at Lenok’s back and asked.

“Do you have a personal relationship with Professor Richelren?”

“…No. I just met her once before for another matter.”

“I see. I felt like you were avoiding Professor Richelren…”

“……”

“It’s not a coincidence, is it?” He had tried not to be conscious of it, but it seemed difficult to deceive an agent with even a subtle change in attitude.

The fact that Hina had noticed the reaction that he had never been caught doing before meant that he had been too reckless in sending Aris on Palad’s fighter jet.

Lenok, gently turning the control stick to one side, replied.

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Then?”

“It’s just that if that person were to find out about the technique I use, things would get complicated.”

In the process of hacking the fighter jet and injecting the automatic flight algorithm, he inevitably had to receive Davi’s help.

Even if he could deceive other people’s eyes, it was impossible to take out Davi and use his power while avoiding Aris’s senses, who had reached the same level.

He had expected that there might be a sense of discomfort, but he never thought he would be questioned so quickly.

“Can I hear what the situation is?”

“It’s about the spell. I’d like to avoid personal questions.” Hina, who had folded her arms, then smiled and looked out the window.

“That’s troublesome.”

“It is troublesome.”

“I thought a strong rival was going to appear for the team leader, but if it’s just that, I think it’s still okay.”

“…Stop with the useless talk, and get ready.” Lenok said that and turned his upper body, bringing his hand towards Hina’s head.

“We’re almost near the fortress.”

“If you take both your hands off the control stick like that…!!”

“It’s okay.”

[Residual Thunder Body]

Fzzzzzt…!!

The current that arose from Lenok’s fingertips seeped into Hina’s crown, and at the same time, her whole body’s reactions changed sharply.

Hina O’Neil was one of the test subjects with the best efficiency for the augmentation magic Lenok used.

“I put in a stronger one than usual, so the effect will last longer.” Lenok smiled as he looked at Hina’s face, which had a slightly dazed expression.

“Then, I’m counting on you.”

“Wait a minute, are you going to leave me in this state-!” Clunk!! At the same time as the fighter jet’s cockpit glass opened, the seat Hina was sitting in was ejected.

Her body, which was tied to the seatbelt, soared high into the sky.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaak!!!” Listening to Hina’s scream, Lenok raised his thumb without looking back.

“Baaaaaaaan!!” Lenok, leaving behind an echo that seemed to be filled with anger, immediately drove the fighter jet.