Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 414

-I received a message through the Achilles headquarters.

Panoa’s calm voice came through the phone.

-It’s just as Ban said. I never thought they would actually send a message directly.

“Madrich himself stated it so definitively.”

-They must know that sending such a message is leaving behind evidence that is disadvantageous to them… It seems they have completely taken over Achilles.

With the conflict between the two companies at a standstill, the fact that Achilles is sending a message is practically an official admission that they have joined hands with Madrich.

It was no wonder that Panoa was surprised by their reaction, even taking such a risk to send a message.

Lenox, with the phone tucked between his shoulder and ear, answered while moving his hands non-stop.

“They must know that there’s no turning back once they’ve joined the project. Since we’ve caught on, there’s no need to hide it.”

-…Achilles is known as an organization with rigid decision-making, despite their technological prowess, befitting a security company. For them to change so much with just Madrich’s presence…

Perhaps their shift, overturning their existing stance overnight, felt that unfamiliar to Panoa.

She thought she knew the competitors operating in the public sphere well, so the blow would be even greater when she was caught off guard like this.

Lenox could understand Panoa’s feelings to some extent, so he agreed with her appropriately.

“He’s been active since before the days of the Law of Restraint [a law that limited certain activities]. It’s not surprising that Achilles’ judgment has become more rational.”

-….

“Their actions were abnormally swift right after the Law was lifted, it’s not that we were slow to react. So, what was the message they sent?”

-It’s the building address and appointment time in the central district. It’s marked for about a week from now.

“Too late.”

Lenox shook his head decisively.

“I had a feeling, but they plan to drag us around using the project as bait. If we agree to this, we’ll be cooperating until they complete the new project.”

-It’s true that Ban-nim’s contact with Madrich Onion himself has greatly reduced our options. But if we continue the war with Achilles in the current situation…

The importance of Dyke and Achilles in their respective businesses is at a level that is difficult to replace with other companies, and if things continue like this, it is highly likely that the city government will intervene before either of them collapses.

Lenox could win with a very high probability in the operations he participated in, but with the underground production facilities already seized, could continuing a local war of attrition be the answer?

The longer they waited for the city government’s intervention, the more advantageous it would be for Achilles.

“There’s more than one way to untangle a complex knot.”

Lenox said, glancing sideways.

“I’m moving to find that shortcut now.”

-…Understood.

Lenox finished his brief call with Panoa, shook the dirt off his hands, and put his phone in his pocket.

“So, are you feeling a bit better now?”

“…Not yet.”

A slightly subdued voice came from behind the workbench where Lenox was standing.

A spacious vegetable garden spread out inside a huge greenhouse.

Evelyn, who was squatting between the rows, pulling out carrots one by one, glanced at Lenox and muttered.

“Maybe I’ll feel better if you help me a little more with the garden.”

“Actually, I was feeling a bit responsible before I came here…”

Lenox said, looking up at the grand ceiling of the greenhouse above his head.

The vast expanse of soil stretched out beneath his feet, and the sight of strangely shaped plants growing everywhere.

When did she find the time to create and cultivate such a huge garden while being busy with her agent and watcher duties?

Lenox muttered, trimming the countless carrot roots piled up on the workbench.

“I think I’m starting to understand the agent’s decisions more and more.”

“That can’t be… !”

Evelyn shouted softly.

“This is just a hobby!”

“Even if you say that.”

Lenox replied to Evelyn, recalling all the things she had done.

The agent’s archer. The Blue Eye Watcher [a type of agent]. The owner of a local market vegetable store.

Lenox tilted his head, imagining her life, which had essentially been three jobs at once.

“Honestly, even you think you’ve lasted quite a while, right…?”

“No!!”

Lenox chuckled at the sight of her shaking her head, denying reality with her short black hair flying around.

“I’m just kidding. You wouldn’t be dismissed from the agent position for something like that.”

He threw the trimmed carrots into the basket behind the workbench.

Already, mountains of neatly trimmed vegetables were piled up behind the garden, waiting to be transported.

“With the Law lifted, other special agencies can now intervene in underground matters. Would it be too much to imagine that they used a suitable pretext to suspend the ace of the field response team to keep the agent in check at this point?”

“…”

“Staying in the North Continent longer than your scheduled vacation would have been a good excuse, and it’s a suitable step for political maneuvering to check the agent and take away their power. Actually, thinking about it, I feel a bit responsible too, but…”

“I was somewhat aware of the disciplinary matters.”

Evelyn said, pouting.

“But thanks to the director’s arbitrary intervention, my disciplinary level was raised, and I became unemployed…”

Evelyn muttered forlornly, nibbling on a carrot she had just brushed off the dirt from.

Lenox shook his head and turned away, watching her munch on the carrot with both hands like a rabbit.

“So, you’ve just become a vegetable seller, is that what you’re saying?”

“…No way!”

“You were using the money you earned as an agent to cultivate this huge garden, so preparing for your retirement too quickly has backfired.”

“Are you going to keep saying that?”

It was true that he was prolonging the conversation because Evelyn’s denial was more amusing than he had expected.

He had teased her enough, so he should comfort her and get to the main point.

Lenox thought, slightly softening his tone.

“Well, I was just saying that, but you’ll be able to return soon. No organization would want to lose an archer like you.”

“…Really?”

“Honestly, the initiative in your relationship with the agent isn’t really on their side, is it?”

Evelyn Marcia is an outstanding superhuman.

Beyond being high-ranking and powerful, she is capable of doing her part in any situation, and she is a strong person who stands in a unique position in her own specialty.

There are many people in the underground who respect her character, which possesses a sense of duty and responsibility commensurate with her outstanding skills.

If she really intended to leave public service, it wouldn’t be strange for a struggle between organizations to recruit Evelyn to break out.

Even if the director of the agent had no attachment to the organization he was in charge of, he wouldn’t treat a talent like her carelessly if he were in his right mind.

“It’s a nominal dismissal, and it’s probably a severe disciplinary action close to suspension. It’s just for show, so don’t worry too much.”

“I guess so, but…”

“If it doesn’t work out, let’s start a new life as a freelancer in District 49. I could even bet that Jenny would do a few somersaults if we took you there.”

“Ahaha, what’s that?”

Evelyn’s weak smile. She must understand the situation she’s in.

Especially since Palad O’Con, the deputy director who had worked with her for a long time, would have explained this situation to her.

However, it was inevitable that Evelyn would feel resentful towards the agent for this kind of treatment, especially with other special agencies trying to keep her in check.

He guessed that she wanted to hear some silly comfort rather than a clear analysis or solution.

Lenox answered by throwing her a properly trimmed carrot.

“Hoo… It’s not that I don’t want to see that prickly woman do somersaults, but I’ll refuse.”

Evelyn, who had sighed softly, got up from her seat, looking slightly more energized.

“I can’t possibly ask a broker who clearly has no connection to exercise to do something unreasonable.”

“It’s a pity that Jenny doesn’t appreciate your thoughtful consideration.”

“Okay. Shall we talk about work now?”

Paang!!

As Evelyn lightly stomped her foot, a green wave rose around her, lightly shaking the soil. At the same time, the vegetables that had been deeply buried in the field popped out slightly, making them easier to pick.

“Madrich Onion. Is that why you contacted me?”

She asked, wiping her forehead with her gloved hand, having finished harvesting the vegetables in the entire garden in an instant.

“Do you want to know where he’s staying?”

“The longer we drag this out, the higher the chance that the situation will become more complicated.”

Even after being dismissed from the agent position, she had been hearing about the city’s affairs without fail.

Lenox thought there was no need to beat around the bush and nodded.

“If the city council starts to intervene in this matter, it will be difficult for me to move. I want to take care of things quickly before that happens.”

“I heard that Dyke and the Cartel have joined hands and started to oppose Achilles. If the conflict between the underground and the public attracts attention, things will get complicated…”

“That was the structure we originally intended, but Madrich himself moved faster than expected, and the story changed.”

Lenox said, tidying up the workbench and reaching for the vegetable baskets piled up behind the garden.

“Their intention to drag things out is too obvious. Rather than being dragged around by their tricks, I’d rather go find him myself.”

“…Onion-nim has never shown himself directly during his decades as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.”

Evelyn said, looking slightly troubled.

“He knows that, so he’s trying to drag you around with the promise of a conversation with him.”

“I’ve secured his location. All that’s left is to confirm it.”

“…What? How on earth?”

If he found Madrich’s main body and confronted him, he would react in some way.

That was almost the only way to set aside the problems of this increasingly complicated situation and achieve his goal.

Lenox knew that cutting through the complex knot might not be the best way, but it could be a viable alternative.

“The problem is that the location is outside the megacity, in a completely unexpected environment… I’d like to hear an expert’s opinion.”

“Where exactly is the coordinate you secured?”

“It’s the sea.”

Lenox replied.

“The coastline located in the southeast of the undeveloped district. It’s a sea area that once belonged to the Balkan territory, and now it’s the place where the city government’s direct naval forces, which have all been disbanded, were stationed.”

“…Naval forces?”

Lenox asked slowly, looking at Evelyn, who seemed slightly bewildered.

“Can you check if there are any closed military facilities near this sea area that are not recorded on the city map?”

* * *

He shook off the dirt mixed with the harvested vegetables, trimmed the roots, and set aside the ones that looked unusable.

A landscape neatly arranged on the mountain of baskets. Lenox raised his hand again.

Charrrruk!!

With a gesture, a few strands of mana moved gracefully, tirelessly shaking off the dirt from the vegetables, sorting them, and classifying them.

He skillfully balanced the vegetables according to their shapes and sizes, building high towers between the baskets.

While moving the neatly sorted piles of vegetables onto several large carts, Evelyn, who had been on the phone, approached Lenox.

“Ban, I’ve found someone who can guide you.”

“Is it someone who knows the exact location?”

“It’s someone who works in the agent’s security department, a former member of the city government’s direct naval forces. They may not know the exact location, but they’ll be familiar with the terrain, so it’ll be helpful.”

Evelyn said, ending the call and starting to write a message.

“I told the deputy director to replace their promotion exam with this guiding task. They’ll do their best… But are you sure you’ll be okay without me?”

Evelyn looked up at Lenox with a sharp gaze.

“Your mana is too unstable. That new magic system you told me about. You haven’t completed it yet, have you?”

“…That’s right.”

Lenox nodded, smiling wryly.

“But that’s not because my research is lacking, but because what I need to contain has increased in the meantime.”

It wasn’t that he lacked power, but that it was overflowing.

Since deciding to create a new magic system, Lenox had gained more than one or two new abilities.

He had not only embarked on research into Oliviera and the Magic Eye, but also deepened his understanding of the imaginary dimension through his battle with the 3rd Director, Ayun, and understood the Military Command Art by encountering Madrich.

While clashing with Graham, the head of the Achilles technology team, and refining the partial deployment of the magnetic field and the formula defense system, the power that Lenox had to contain in his vessel continued to increase.

Was it Lenox’s greed to try to reorganize all that power and order under a single law that was increasing day by day?

But it was also true that he was convinced that only a determination filled with that much will and arrogance could transcend the hierarchy.

“If it’s a matter of process rather than results, it’s not difficult to decide where to focus. But it’s also true that I’m putting off that answer.”

Lenox said, grabbing the handle of the cart and slowly pushing it forward.

Squeak!!

At the same time, the other carts connected by mana moved in unison, leaving the vast greenhouse in perfect order.

“After meeting a sorcerer of that caliber, I’ll be able to come to some kind of conclusion about the magic system, at least.”

He was on his way to face an 8th-level transcendent being who had reached the pinnacle of their abilities.

It was highly likely to be a visit that Madrich himself did not intend, a kind of uninvited guest.

But even if the end of that conversation turned into a battle, Lenox guessed that he would learn a great deal from it.

“It’s too dangerous. If I go with you, I can at least manage to clean up the mess…”

“Your suspension is the result of a power struggle between the agent and other special agencies.”

Lenox cut her off.

“If it’s discovered that you’ve intervened in Madrich’s affairs at this point, you might not be able to return to the agent at all.”

“I know that, but…”

Apart from receiving her help, Lenox had no intention of harming Evelyn’s job or daily life in the slightest.

That was not the trust and cooperation that Lenox and Evelyn had tacitly agreed upon and exchanged.

He still felt somewhat indebted to her, and he didn’t want her to make a reckless decision to help Lenox.

In the long run, it would be beneficial for both of them if she remained with the agent.

Perhaps understanding what Lenox was saying, she sighed softly, raised her phone slightly, and said.

“The dispatch procedure is complete. When do you want to go?”

“Now that I’ve secured Madrich’s location, there’s no need to drag it out. I plan to check if the coordinates I found are accurate as soon as possible and move.”

The most important thing was to hear about the details of the project and follow the trail of Alcaide.

And to buy time to quickly organize and resolve the situation with Dyke and the Cartel.

Considering that Madrich had given them a week’s leeway, he would have to finish the pursuit faster and find the Military Command Art user to crush his purpose.

Hearing the truth about the project was the next step.

“Tomorrow evening. Tell them to meet me in District 57, the closest to the undeveloped district’s coastline.”

Lenox said, smiling at Evelyn.

“I also need time to prepare one last thing.”

“Prepare?”

“I’ve learned how to do something interesting while going through various things recently.”

Time and place, equipment and supplies, alibi and circumstantial evidence.

All that was left was for Lenox to refine his own power and go to meet Madrich.

Before heading to the sea area where Madrich’s Military Commands were gathering, Lenox was planning to work on the magic of manipulating space one last time.

If he combined the new skills he had acquired so far, it might be a clue to the combat mobility that had been a problem for a long time.