Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 475

“Recovering it…”Lenok murmured, unconsciously echoing Lapis’s words. He was well aware that the Heavenly Gaze, Madrea Palsier, was an extraordinary powerhouse, unmatched by any other Ascended. Her single visit to the massive city of Balkan had instantly resolved the conflict between the Autonomous Territory and Balkan. An overwhelming presence that could quell most of the world’s conflicts with her mere existence. However, Lenok never expected Lapis to use the word ‘recover’ to describe the power that she had lost after failing her Ascension and dying. He knew that the Lighthouse Keeper’s qualifications and abilities were passed down through generations. But was she saying that it was possible to recover a separate authority through a different method? As if sensing Lenok’s question, Lapis naturally continued. [It’s not that my grandmother didn’t leave anything for me before she passed away. It’s just that my own shortcomings prevented me from properly recovering it until now.] “So, you’ve found a way now.” It was probably related to Lapis securing a bridgehead to advance to the central front with the main forces of the Eastern Continent. [I’d like to explain that part properly. Could we meet sometime soon?] “I’ll check my schedule. I’ll contact you when I’m about to leave.” Lapis never called Lenok for trivial matters. At least, this young Lighthouse Keeper was quite wary of the mage Evan, and she clearly treated his abilities and status with respect. Whether it was the attack by the Drug King or the Maze of Jintun, whenever she asked Lenok to come to her, it was never for something unimportant. Perhaps it was because Lenok was the one who had heard her grandmother’s last words. Thinking that, Lenok immediately ended the call, checked his calendar, and got up from his seat. “The things going on in the city right now…” The company’s listing related to expanding the distribution business into the public market. The technology expo where he had to apply to submit his second paper, and the schedule for receiving advanced research equipment were among the most urgent matters. Among them, the listing didn’t require Lenok’s direct participation, and there was still time before the expo. The only thing that bothered him was the task of bringing the research equipment directly to the lab… “I can deal with it when I get back.” Meeting the dean to hear about the expo and the matter of being selected as a technical advisor would have to wait until he returned. There were many things to do, but prioritizing tasks was something Lenok was always used to. Lenok contacted Jenny, Meyer, Sebastian, and Madam, asking them to handle the ongoing matters, and then headed to the nearby printer while he had some time. He picked up the top sheet from the printer, which was constantly running and printing out all sorts of data on hundreds of sheets of paper. [A Study on the Correlation Between Existence Projection Rate and Spirituality] “Existence projection rate, huh…” He knew what it meant, but it was the first time he had heard that term used directly during his checkup with Murphy. Lenok had asked Davi to search for and print out all related terms and papers to learn more about its meaning. Existence projection rate. A concept that defines the flow of time not as a continuous stream but as an infinite succession of frozen moments, and refers to the proportion of oneself that exists in that single moment. It wasn’t a method with much significance in terms of spells, but rather a way to clearly define the concept of life, and it was one of the terms that was re-examined by the Military Sorcerers later. Even if the existence projection rate alone didn’t have any particular meaning, calculating the error by comparing it with the size of one’s spirituality could quantify an individual’s ‘will to exist.’ How much one believes in and accepts oneself. In this world where even bio-information, spirit bodies, and mental images are distorted and altered, it was a clue, albeit not perfect, to prove oneself in some way. For a superhuman who had built up their hierarchy, the conviction in oneself was something that should never waver. In that sense, what did it mean that someone with a similar will to exist as Lenok had visited the central city? Lenok knew that he should never take that fact lightly. “A mirror reflecting the will to exist on the land running over the sea… This is too much even for a Zen riddle.” Lenok shook his head and put down the paper after reading it intently for a while. Papers related to spirituality were often filled with incomprehensible and difficult phrases. Because of that, research related to military orders or spirituality was often not officially recognized in academia. In the meantime, Lenok checked the replies that had come back from other brokers and grabbed his coat. “Okay… I guess it’s okay to leave for a while.” Davi, who was busily tapping his front paws on the laptop, jumped onto Lenok’s shoulder. [Are you leaving right away?] “That’s why I left the alibi that Ban was injured.” He backed up the data on the laptop and immediately looked for transportation to the place Lapis had mentioned. “It’ll take time for the equipment to arrive at the personal lab. Now is the only time I can spare.” [Will you be able to return before the equipment is delivered…] Lenok grabbed Davi’s front paw, who was making ominous noises, and shoved him inside his coat before leaving the lab. “A first-class ticket for the transcontinental train heading out of the city in two hours. I can book it, right?” [Can we also apply for the pet-friendly service?] “…” * * * The transcontinental train that he had taken with Ivelin when returning to Balkan from the Maze of Jintun. Since there were many areas across the continent where flying was difficult even with magic, most transportation relied on land routes. Nevertheless, the levitating train, treated as a product of magical engineering, boasted considerable speed despite its poor facilities. Instead of sleeping on the train, Lenok focused on writing his paper with Davi, and he was able to arrive near the Trama Mountains, which Lapis had mentioned, in less than a day. Screech…!! “According to the route, it’s the same road we passed when we returned from the maze…” Lenok muttered as he looked up at the towering mountains that stretched out before him as he got off at the station. “Were these mountains here the whole time?” [Master was sleeping soundly except when he was talking to the black mage.] “…” Indeed, he had been barely conscious after the maze incident, except when he was facing Myung. Lenok, unable to answer Davi’s sharp remark, quietly packed his bag and left the station. As soon as he stepped out of the station and into the mountains, someone was there to greet him. Or rather, should it be called a person? [Ah, you’ve arrived.] A form like a baby dolphin floating in the air. It floated around Lenok, scattering faint light as if it was happy to see him. Lenok slightly opened his mouth as he realized that the voice echoing from it was a familiar tone. “…Lapis?” [I couldn’t come out to greet you myself, so I sent a spirit instead. I hope you understand.] “No, it’s not a big deal, but…” […!!] Lenok could feel Davi, who was curled up in his arms, tensing up. It wasn’t unusual for Davi to dislike other spirits, so Lenok immediately asked what he was curious about. “It seems you’ve contracted with another spirit. Is it a spirit you chose yourself?” A long time ago, before he had even met Lapis in person, she had sent him a bird-shaped spirit to request a conversation. It was a different form from the spirit he had met at that time. Rather than the spirit he had encountered back then changing its form, it was more likely that she had contracted with a new spirit. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a sorcerer contract with more than two spirits.” [I just found out which spirits I could contract with using the Lighthouse Keeper’s abilities.] Lapis quietly replied, as if she was embarrassed. [I’m certainly not a genius sorcerer like Evan.] “Why the modesty now…” Lenok chuckled at her words without realizing it. How many people of Lapis’s age led an organization like the Eyes of Azure? Regardless of her self-deprecation, it was clear that her abilities had reached a level that could not be compared to others. After that, Lenok began to climb the Trama Mountains, guided by the dolphin spirit. The sight of a large tunnel located between the huge valleys that unfolded as the peaks split on both sides. Lapis said. [This is the Valley of the Shattered Wing. It’s been almost half a month since the operation ended, and the cleanup is almost finished now.] Hundreds of Watchers, who appeared to be observers, were busily moving around, carrying supplies and cleaning up the traces of the battle. However, what caught Lenok’s attention was not the Watchers but the paved road they were building. They were making signposts, leveling the ground, and arranging solid stone slabs. It was unnecessary work if the Watchers were the only ones who would share the passage to the central front. “Are you planning to open the valley?” [I’m planning to designate the Valley of the Shattered Wing as a common area and share the road to the central front.] Lapis said. [Once we’ve completed the administrative agreements with the nearby city-states and taken the necessary steps, it will function normally.] “…” Designating the Valley of the Shattered Wing, which leads to the central front, as a common area without occupying it. Lenok read Lapis’s intentions from that short sentence and nodded. “You want the central front to become chaotic.” [You noticed right away, as expected. Yes. At least, we need the front lines to turn in that direction.] Lapis chuckled softly and lowered her voice. [It’s not yet public, but the Order of the Spellcasters and the Guido Order have signed a temporary truce.] “…” [That means the Apostles, who are under the Order’s command, will be less active on the front lines for the time being. Such a rigid power structure on the front lines is not desirable for latecomers like us.] “You’re preparing for war.” [We’ve been doing that for a long time.] Lapis, naturally accepting Lenok’s words, spoke again. [From a practical point of view… the fact that the Eyes of Azure are attacking the Valley of the Shattered Wing has become quite a hot topic in the northeast.] “Does that mean you need to be mindful of the surrounding attention?” [It would be difficult if the Lighthouse Keeper was evaluated as abandoning their mission and running the organization for personal gain. At least for the time being.] Such a flexible response that satisfies both practicality and reputation, which was hard to believe was being put forward by a girl who was not even twenty years old. That was why Lenok couldn’t help but feel somewhat doubtful about why Lapis had called him at this point. “Designating the passage to the central front as a common area doesn’t seem to have much to do with the organization’s long-term vision.” Lenok asked, rubbing his aching thighs after climbing the mountain for a while. “Moreover, it has even less to do with recovering the Heavenly Gaze’s abilities. Was this not the main point from the beginning?” [I’ve learned from experience that when the entire organization moves, it must always have two or more purposes.] The dolphin emitted a quiet resonance and gently tapped the nearby cliff with its fin. At the same time, a subtle wave emanated, revealing a hidden space. It was made so narrow that only one person could barely pass through, but even to Lenok, it was hidden quite intricately. It was clearly the result of a magical procedure, rather than a naturally formed terrain. [It’s one of the secret passages that run through the interior of the Trama Mountains.] “…A passage?” [It was the main reason why we chose the Valley of the Shattered Wing among the candidates for the passage to the central front from the Eastern Continent.] Lapis said that and flapped her wings in spirit form towards Lenok. [The inside is all cleaned up. You can come in slowly.] As she said, the passage inside the mountains was very neatly organized compared to the narrow entrance. The interior facilities were neatly constructed, and even lighting was installed to make the paths leading in all directions clearly visible. Although some construction equipment that had not yet been removed remained, the smooth, well-milled floor and the firmly coated walls were reminiscent of a fortress. Only then did Lenok realize that the construction that was underway outside was not limited to the valley. “The reason for attacking the Valley of the Shattered Wing wasn’t to open a road. The real effort was being put into this side.” [I’ve been thinking about it for a very long time.] Lapis’s voice echoed through the spirit’s back as it illuminated the dark corridor. [How can I fill my grandmother’s void? How can I inherit the mission she protected in a complete way…] “…” [And I realized.] She said quietly, with a somewhat sad tone. [I can never replace her as a great Ascended.] The winding corridor continued endlessly, splitting and merging in various directions. Following Lapis’s guidance, he walked endlessly through the secret passages that stretched like ant tunnels under the bedrock of this massive mountain range. Lenok used his magic sense to realize that the direction she was guiding him was towards the top of this mountain range, and he quietly began to listen to her words. [Even if we had enough time, I wasn’t sure if I could become an Ascended who could succeed the Heavenly Gaze and properly inherit her mission.] “…” [Apart from doing my best in my current position, I knew that I would need power and qualifications comparable to hers someday. As the leader of an organization, I had to look further and prepare for the future.] “So you’ve been preparing for this for a long time?” [Establishing a bridgehead to the central front is just an external justification. The real purpose was in the deepest part of these Trama Mountains.] The corridor of the passage suddenly widened, and the bedrock above his head was removed, revealing the darkening sky. Whoooosh!!!! The deepest part of the Trama Mountains, reached after passing through the complexly curved passages inside the mountain bedrock. The heart of the mountains, subtly hidden between the cliffs and bedrock. At the end of it, a crystal tower emitting a brilliant glow stood alone. It gathered all the light from all directions, and its glow became an eye that shone entirely towards the sky and illuminated the darkness. It was similar to the lighthouse he had seen in the floating island cluster, but unlike the half-collapsed lighthouse of the Autonomous Territory, it was in perfect condition. At that moment, as Lenok stood looking up at the towering crystal tower, a strong blue light flashed across the night sky. Fwoosh!! The blue light that had landed in front of Lenok drew a circular path as it rotated, and began to show a completely different landscape beyond it. “This is…” Even though he was standing on the ground, the landscape beyond the passage contained a cluster of light at a very high altitude. It was as if he was sharing his vision with someone else’s eyes, facing a different landscape from where he was standing. As if the landscape was slowly zooming in, as if he was falling into someone’s vision, Lenok’s body instantly arrived in that landscape. From the lowest level of the crystal tower, he had instantly reached the top of the tower. At the end of it, the Lighthouse Keeper that Lenok remembered was standing with her back to him. Lapis slowly turned her head and looked at Lenok. Her deep, blue eyes calmly reflected the darkening night sky. “The second lighthouse.” “…” “Compared to the first lighthouse remaining in the Autonomous Territory, its scale and abilities are both inferior, but it’s not the end.” Lapis said, hugging the dolphin spirit that had jumped into her arms and was rubbing against her. “From now on, the Eyes of Azure will start building new lighthouses all over the continent to observe and fix the outer sea.” “…I see.” Lenok nodded. The manifestation of an alien ability that he had never seen before while facing Lapis. What exactly did it mean to recover the Heavenly Gaze’s abilities? Why were her words now the ultimate goal that the Eyes of Azure would reach? The conjecture that had been following him in the back of his mind was turning into conviction. “Instead of inheriting the Heavenly Gaze’s mission with your own power, you were planning to forcibly expand the vessel by creating new lighthouses?” It wasn’t just a resolution to continue the Heavenly Gaze’s mission. For a Lighthouse Keeper, the existence of a lighthouse was an essential area for exerting their abilities. It wouldn’t end with just one broken lighthouse in the Autonomous Territory. Lapis was planning to build new lighthouses all over the continent and forcibly unlock the Lighthouse Keeper’s qualifications and abilities through that power.