Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 574

Lenox’s assertion that he had come to see Olivia hung in the air.

However, Virgil remained silent for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty.

“Perhaps the Chairman was already aware that this situation might arise.”

“What do you mean?”

“Before returning to the lab, she said you might reveal a very important secret.”

“…”

“She told me to give you this answer if you tried to bring up the matter of the restricted area.”

Was she implying that she already knew how much Lenox had figured out and what his next move would be?

Lenox sighed softly and shook his head.

“Let’s hear it first.”

“It was a miracle that you managed to walk the tightrope at the edge of the forbidden zone, so be satisfied with returning alive even after witnessing the follies of your youth.”

“Ha, follies…”

Lenox, who had been frowning, couldn’t help but chuckle at those words.

It seemed that even the proud chairman of the Cartel didn’t look fondly upon his immature and ignorant past.

He hadn’t expected the current Olivia to explain everything so conveniently.

The reason why the past Olivia showed Lenox her memories and cooperated was because she knew her time was running out.

The Olivia who cooperated with Lenox in the distorted spacetime and the current Olivia who reigned as the chairman of the Cartel were completely different beings.

‘She must have had some idea of how her past self would react in that situation…’

Did Olivia know that her past self had shown her memories to Lenox?

The meaning behind the name ‘Black Consumer Project.’ The meeting between Kaiser and Alcaide, their new plan, and the creation of a city as a cradle for their grand dream.

Did she realize that she had opened those memories herself for Lenox to see?

Lenox thought she probably did.

‘The past Olivia seemed to recognize her future self when she awakened the Seven-Colored Treasure Eye. Then the opposite must be true as well.’

The Seven-Colored Treasure Eye, with the power to intervene in causality.

Lenox still didn’t know the extent of that eye’s power, but it was clear that the scenery it viewed was not bound by time and space.

There must have been a good reason why he temporarily set aside his level 8 Radiant Magic and switched to the magic eye system.

It was still unknown what Olivia wanted and desired after the failure of the Black Consumer Project and Kaiser’s death.

However, it seemed clear that Olivia’s answer at this point was indirectly saying that she was still not free from the influence of the forbidden zone.

“Ah, it seems the planning department has reached a conclusion about the Machina tickets.”

Virgil, who had been tapping on his laptop on the office desk to check his emails, frowned slightly.

“Yes… They managed to get the tickets…”

“Managed to get them?”

“They say that it’s highly likely that these alone won’t be enough to get deep into the core of the Machine City.”

“What does that mean?”

In response to Lenox’s question, Virgil read the text in the email thoroughly, and only after fully understanding it, he explained again.

“The Machine City’s security barriers update and change their patterns every quarter, and it seems that even tickets that have been issued become ineffective if they are not periodically renewed.”

“Updates…”

“The outer areas of the Machine City have relatively slow updates for outsiders, but the special districts in the city’s core are very strict.”

He knew it wouldn’t be easy from the start, but the obstacles were indeed formidable.

Unless he officially obtained tickets from the Machine City, it would be difficult to sneak in.

Lenox, after some thought, asked.

“Can you find out more about how to update the tickets?”

“They say that the encryption pattern embedded in the ticket is altered to generate random variables. The specific method itself doesn’t seem to be public.”

Virgil replied, having received a response from the planning department again.

“Altering the embedded encryption pattern to generate variables. There’s the answer.”

Lenox’s eyes shone brightly as he pondered.

Even if it was impossible alone, there was a way if he borrowed Davi’s power.

“By comparing the patterns of two different tickets, we can deduce the encryption pattern used to generate the variables. Then we can renew the tickets without the Machine City’s permission.”

“…Was it really that easy?”

Virgil, looking dumbfounded, shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but the headquarters only has one ticket. It’s the one extracted from the corpse of the former Third Director, Kansoah, who died recently.”

“…”

Did that mean he needed one more ticket to compare and renew the encryption pattern of the ticket?

He would have to inquire with other organizations besides the Cartel.

“I understand. Then, let’s get Kansoah’s ticket first.”

Just as Lenox was about to stand up, Virgil grabbed him from the side.

“Ah, and this is a different matter, but I think I should mention it in advance.”

“What is it?”

“While you were in the restricted area, there were several serious clashes with agents on our side.”

“…”

“I know you’re also an external advisor for the agents. I’d like to hear your opinion on this matter.”

Beep!

The screen on the wall of the president’s office descended, and several photo materials began to be projected as a three-dimensional hologram.

Factory branches that had been attacked and turned into ruins. High-rise buildings that had been smashed in half. And other business sites that had been devastated.

As if adding an explanation, the photos showed the categories of businesses that had been attacked and photos of the agents involved.

“You know that the Cartel’s subsidiaries are conducting various businesses simultaneously, right?”

Virgil said.

“The agents are targeting the businesses that are particularly profitable. It’s a completely different approach than before.”

“Are you trying to ask me to tell you about the internal trends of the agents?”

“Of course not. I know you weren’t involved in this.”

Virgil smiled and shook his head at Lenox’s words.

“There’s no way a mage who’s been trapped in the restricted area for days could have been pulling strings from behind.”

“Then?”

“The headquarters’ strategy team has determined that the fundamental problem of this situation lies in the reorganization of the agent’s leadership.”

Tick!

The image of an elderly woman appeared on the screen. Her hair was white, but her sharp and deep frown was striking.

“Agent Director Greta Witherhild. She had been missing for quite some time, but she recently officially returned to her position as director. At the same time as her return, the agent’s stance began to change completely.”

Virgil continued to flip through the remote control, leaning one arm comfortably on the sofa.

“She is aggressively and forcefully cracking down on and weeding out unauthorized businesses in the outer areas. In the process, she is indiscriminately targeting not only us but other organizations as well.”

Images of the attacked areas and the agents continued to appear on the screen. Finally, a video recording of the attack site began to play.

Agents wearing black suits similar to Ivelin’s, shining their eyes in the dark, quickly infiltrated the factory area.

As Virgil stopped the screen, the screen zoomed in on the light emanating from the agents’ eyes.

At the same time, data quantifying the magic density and internal flow speed of the light appeared next to the screen.

Lenox also quietly shone his eyes as he looked at the data.

“Level 5 or higher. The instantaneous output is close to level 6.”

“Not only have the field agents been drastically reorganized, but the skills and levels of the existing agents have also greatly increased overall.”

Virgil explained.

“It must be Greta’s doing. I don’t know what kind of training she’s giving them, but their individual combat performance and organization are at a level that can’t be compared to before. They are now among the top three special forces operating in the shadows.”

Originally, the agents had been the only special forces that could intervene in the shadows during the time when the Law of Prohibition existed,

But as soon as the Law was lifted, several other special forces began to enter the shadows, and their position became precarious.

Was he saying that the organization’s atmosphere had changed drastically at the same time as the director’s return, and that they were actively pressuring the shadow businesses?

“What are you trying to say?”

Lenox asked.

“Are you trying to ask me to help stop the agents’ interference?”

“No, it’s the complete opposite.”

Virgil said with a smile.

“You don’t have to work as an external advisor for the headquarters. Instead, I hope you won’t help the agents either.”

“…What?”

“If you want anything in exchange for not getting involved in this, I’ll grant it. We can even give some of the Cartel’s businesses or shares to your distribution company.”

“You’re not asking for help, but you’re offering a reward for doing nothing.”

Lenox smiled wryly.

“I see what you’re thinking. Do you think this situation is that important?”

“Of course.”

Virgil nodded without hesitation.

“The field work will be handled by the board members of the headquarters. What I need to worry about is the strategic variables that can turn the situation around.”

A full-scale conflict between the two organizations where Lenox was working as an external advisor.

However, Virgil was more worried about Lenox intervening in this situation and changing the structure than the agents he had to deal with right now.

Virgil’s blatant behavior, worrying more about the possibility of turning Lenox into an enemy than receiving his help.

There was no need to ask how much this vampire was secretly wary of and considered Lenox dangerous.

“I can’t give you a definite answer. I don’t have any attachment to the position of external advisor in either case.”

Lenox also said, getting up from his seat, following Virgil.

Lenox, who had picked up the coat he had briefly taken off, turned his gaze slightly.

“More than that, if the agents’ power has been strengthened, the Cartel’s military force alone will not be enough. Especially since one of the directors has been lost, hasn’t he?”

“Ah, don’t worry about that.”

Virgil smiled and snapped his fingers, and the screen that had been turned off immediately turned back on, showing a completely different scene.

“While you were not at work, we officially received the Chairman’s approval and scouted three more directors.”

“…You’ve added three more directors?”

The Cartel’s directors were all powerful individuals made up of high-ranking transcendents of level 7 or higher.

Moreover, Olivia was a transcendent with a meticulous eye who would never bring someone into the board of directors unless they had a direct connection with her.

Even in the past, when they tried to scout one more new director, there was a clash with Lenox, and it was called off.

It was very unexpected in the conservative Cartel that three more people had passed such strict standards and become members of the board of directors.

At that moment, the screen on the wall of the president’s office changed and began to broadcast live.

Whoosh!

Inside a dark conveyor belt factory with no light coming in.

Someone was moving slowly beyond the camera that was illuminating the darkness.

[Virgil. The agents are moving first.]

A voice that was somewhat languid but with clear pronunciation.

[If we delay any longer, we’ll have to completely give up this business. Are you thinking of giving the initiative to that nasty old woman?]

Click, the sound of the camera moving, and the screen turned to show a man.

Thick horn-rimmed glasses and short-cut hair.

Unlike his neat and tidy appearance, his face was covered in blood that was unknown who it belonged to.

The man brought the camera screen close to his face, then smiled as if he had just remembered something.

[Oh, was it too strong a temptation for our vampire director?]

“Don’t talk nonsense and focus on the field. Jayrock.”

Virgil replied in a cold voice.

“I’m discussing the current situation with Kyunroe. I told you that the decision on the field is up to you.”

[Kyunroe? Oh, I see. You are…]

The young man called Jayrock’s eyes seemed to spin around, then turned to Lenox, who was standing next to Virgil.

He stared at Lenox with interest, then winked and turned his gaze away.

Clang!

The moment Jayrock raised the staff he was holding, it collided with someone who appeared from the darkness, scattering sparks.

Jayrock, who clashed with an opponent wearing an agent’s black suit and fluttering silver-white hair, shook the camera and casually retorted.

[I heard there was a monster who refused the position of director and remained an external advisor, so I wanted to see his face at least once.]

“Stop talking nonsense…”

While Virgil sighed, the agent who recognized the presence of the camera scattered a sharp killing intent.

[Oh my, are you filming here?]

Rustle!

The agent, who spoke nonchalantly, waved his hand. At the same time, the camera screen that Jayrock was holding went completely dark.

[I can’t show my face. Please understand. My son, who’s playing at home, would be horrified if he saw it.]

With the voice, even the sounds that had been heard completely disappeared.

Virgil sighed and silently swept his hair back.

“He was a special mercenary who had been active on the central front until recently, so he has a very strong opinion. I’ll tell him to be careful later.”

“A special mercenary from the central front…”

“He apparently flowed into the Eastern Continent as the front lines fell into a lull. There are rumors that he was about to sign an executive contract with Deadrise…”

“…”

Virgil, not understanding Lenox’s silence, continued to speak nonchalantly.

“It seems he didn’t like the atmosphere there and walked out.”

“I see.”

“He’s picky, but his skills are certain. He’s been on the front lines for a long time, so he’s very knowledgeable about the mercenary industry on the continent.”

Virgil said, turning off the lights in the president’s office and preparing to leave, picking up his coat.

Was he planning to leave work immediately after finishing the meeting with Lenox?

“Before leaving the front lines, I heard he was looking for a special space-type sorcerer named Victor, but seeing that he flowed into Vulcan, it seems it didn’t go well.”

“…Victor?”

“Yes. Do you know him too?”

Virgil said, naturally opening the door to the president’s office and walking out into the hallway.

“He’s said to be a very arrogant space-type special sorcerer. He’s a new member of Pandemonium, and it seems the Order Alliance is watching his existence with interest.”

“…”

“Thanks to that, unexpected recruitment requests have been made to mercenaries, and I heard that Jayrock was doing something similar.”

He had never heard that the Order Alliance was looking for Victor.

Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since he had contacted Pandemonium.

Perhaps it was time to visit the church where Hairea resided and hear about their trends.

“One of the other directors is an externally recruited person along with Jayrock, and the other is a guy who was officially promoted from the board of directors. If there’s a chance, I’ll introduce them later-”

Whoosh!

A cold wind brushed past his spine. Immediately after, Virgil’s words stopped abruptly.

Lenox and Virgil’s gazes turned almost simultaneously to the window of the office where the lights were off.

The night sky was still not showing anything.

However, the senses of the two transcendents, who had surpassed humans, were clearly aware of the presence rushing towards the Cartel headquarters from beyond.

The faint roar of an anti-gravity engine echoed from beyond the cloudy sky.

Immediately after, dozens of transport ships flew in the air surrounding the Cartel headquarters, which had been turned off.

Dozens of figures who had fallen from the transport ships jumped down between the Cartel’s high-rise buildings and disappeared.

Transcendents wearing black suits, staring sharply at the dark president’s office where the lights were off.

Their appearance was exactly the same as the appearance of the opponent they had seen on Jayrock’s screen just a moment ago.

Lenox muttered quietly as he watched the scene.

“…That talk about a dispute with the agents, were you perhaps talking about a full-scale war?”

The special forces, the agents.

They, who had completely reorganized their forces under the command of a new director,

had begun to attempt a direct raid on the Cartel’s headquarters.