Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 692

The Witch and the Magic Tower (7)

-The Blaber Magic Tower’s rosary’s life torch has been extinguished.

In a dark office, nearing evening.

A chair sits in the middle of a room, covered in dust as if it hasn’t been used in a long time.

A woman perched on the edge of it, head bowed, watching the fading sunset.

Only the curt voice of a man echoes through the communication line, roughly connected to the floor.

-It seems that the field report from Malasia, the 3rd seat who was sent along, hasn’t come in, so it’s presumed she died during the operation. We are currently planning a new dispatch.

The silent woman asked.

“What’s the headquarters’ opinion?”

-They’re asking to move up the schedule as soon as possible.

The man replied.

-After it was confirmed that the fifth lighthouse built by the Blue Eye is ignoring part of the central front’s barrier, it seems that quite a few forces are feeling a sense of crisis.

“……”

-I heard that Jebyeok and Yanikus Barbaria, who recently joined, are guarding the lighthouse. It seems that some are already proposing negotiations, with the condition of borrowing the lighthouse’s power.

“Hmm…”

-It seems we need to complete the satellite as quickly as possible and succeed in the demonstration to take over the warlords.

A satellite launched from the Balkans that can observe the central front.

The minds and bodies of talented mages who were active in the war were used as materials to process into an engine, and a deal was made with the magic tower to secure a power source.

A gamble that involved a huge loss. But if successful, it could greatly change the power dynamics of the outer forces of the central front.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until the rosary of the Blaber Magic Tower took that ‘power source’ and ran away from the tower.

“Did you hear anything from the tower master?”

The woman asked.

-……I was only told to handle any unforeseen matters autonomously.

“Still the same.”

The woman gave a cold sneer at the man’s words.

“His own disciple is ruining a project worth trillions of cells, and he still says he has no intention of stepping in directly?”

-You know where the tower master is focusing his power right now.

The man said, sounding troubled.

-If he’s not there, the first gateway to Ars Nova [a legendary city or location] will be completely closed. It’ll be difficult to take action right away.

“……”

The Blaber Magic Tower Master. A great mage who has transcended humanity with his unique flame-based magic.

Contrary to his reputation for wielding hellish flames, the tower master is well known as a very cruel and cunning person.

When he volunteered to supply power to the gateway to the central city, it seemed like he was taking a loss.

But now, he has secured a position that no one can easily replace.

That’s why the Blaber Magic Tower was able to gain a strange neutral position while intervening in the front lines and profiting from it.

That’s also why they were able to jump into the satellite production business by making a deal with the magic tower, but now that there’s a problem, that fact is holding them back.

The woman remained silent at the man’s communication, and only after a long time did she speak again.

“Stockton. Do you remember how long it’s been since we returned to this city?”

-……It’s been so long since we spent time on the central front.

The man called Stockton replied.

-I’d say it’s been at least 15 years.

“Right. It’s already been that long since we were active in this city.”

-……

“Look here. The reserve office used by headquarters. It’s not even being properly maintained.”

The woman, who brushed the dust off the armrest of the chair with her finger, smiled bitterly.

“I thought it would stay the same even after time passed, but I was mistaken. All the caretakers we left in the city thought we wouldn’t be coming back.”

-……Commander Peisha?

“I don’t think people can be fixed and reused.”

Following Peisha, who slowly rose from her chair, sticky blood flowed down, solidifying.

The blood that flowed to her feet soon stained the window of the darkening office red.

“So, I’m going to dispose of everything that’s old and broken. Whether it’s people or things.”

Behind Peisha, who turned her gaze, were dozens of corpses piled up like a mountain.

All of them were cut off in chunks, as if by an invisible blade, and had stopped breathing.

While the main force of Dead Rise was moving on the central front after leaving the city, they had entrusted asset management to these managers.

As soon as Peisha returned, she had summoned them and slaughtered them all.

Stockton, who belatedly realized the meaning of Peisha’s words, sighed softly.

-If headquarters finds out, they will surely reprimand you, Commander.

“I don’t care.”

Peisha laughed.

“How long has it been since Bajur entered the divine state, and you expect me to stand by and watch things turn out like this?”

-……

“Now that I’m back here, I won’t let a single mistake slide.”

Clang!!

As she kicked the chair away, the office window shattered, and the blood that had pooled under the old building dripped down.

A strange scene, as if the entire building was shedding tears of blood in regret.

“How much time did you say we needed until the satellite is complete?”

-……About a week.

“Cut it down to three days. For every day that’s added, I’ll cut off the head of the person in charge.”

Casually reaching into the pile of corpses, she pulled out a spear that shone brightly.

The length of the spear blade was so long that it seemed to pierce the ceiling, far exceeding Peisha’s height.

A huge spear that seemed too heavy to even hold and swing with both hands.

Even though it was buried among corpses and blood, there wasn’t a single stain or drop of blood on the blade.

A clean spear, as if it had absorbed all the vitality and blood from the pile of corpses.

Peisha, lightly twisting her wrist and holding the spear shaft in reverse, said.

“Within three days, kill Tatiana Chiglet and secure the Phoenix Hall. Hang the heads of the remaining people involved on the satellite and launch it.”

-……

“We need to show them clearly this time.”

Peisha’s eyes gleamed eerily as she ran her other hand down the spear blade.

“So that they won’t forget us, just as we haven’t forgotten this city.”

* * *

Click!!

A man with green hair walks out, opening the thick iron door.

Lenox, seeing the man come up to the bar, ruffling his hair, asked.

“How did it go?”

“It was much easier than I thought?”

Kilian, a pureblood werewolf, answered, putting a cigarette Lenox had tossed him in his mouth.

“He’s smart, so he gives up quickly. He answers honestly when asked.”

He leaned against the bar counter, smiling and puffing out smoke.

“But he only answers the questions he’s asked, trying to avoid pain, so I think I need to come up with more informed questions. That’s why I came up for a bit.”

Kilian is a werewolf from the Dyke Corporation, an experienced expert in torture and other grim tasks.

Lenox had Kilian, an expert, interrogate the captured Halfman, rather than creating a grim atmosphere himself.

He thought it might have been a while since they had been in contact, but Kilian had rushed to District 49 as soon as he heard the news.

That’s because the news Lenox mentioned was a topic that Dyke Corporation could not ignore.

“Ban, is that news really true?”

Kilian asked, glancing at Lenox.

“Is Dead Rise coming back?”

Dyke Corporation has been actively involved in the underground arms industry with Lenox’s help for a long time.

For them, who make a good profit selling illegally manufactured firearms in the back alleys of the Balkans, the return of Dead Rise is a matter of great concern.

It was no surprise that Kilian had come straight to the bar and cooperated quietly after hearing the news.

“The circumstances suggest it’s almost certain. But the main force isn’t returning directly.”

Lenox explained calmly.

“It seems they’ve only sent a few key members back to the Balkans for some kind of project.”

“What are their names? I need to know their names to interrogate him more specifically.”

“That’s…”

“Peisha Grisburn.”

Tatiana, who was leaning against the counter silently, wrapped in bandages and healing spells all over her body, said.

“That’s the only name I heard.”

Tatiana’s quiet mention. But the reactions of the others who heard the name were completely different.

“……Peisha? Peisha is back?”

Kilian muttered in disbelief, and Jenny’s face became even more serious.

Even Jordan, who had been listening silently, seemed unable to manage his expression easily.

“Is she famous?”

“You don’t know? No, I guess so…”

Kilian asked Lenox, as if he was more dumbfounded, then nodded as if he had understood.

“Sometimes I forget what kind of mage you are. You came to the city after Dead Rise left, didn’t you?”

“She’s a well-known demoness, the most ferocious in Dead Rise.”

Jenny explained instead.

“Demoness?”

“She uses several possessed possession abilities, and she’s also very famous as a killer who enjoys killing people.”

Tatiana continued.

“Hiring the killer Cerberus Corps is probably entirely her taste. Peisha likes those kinds of people very much. Maybe…”

With that, the others’ gazes naturally turned to Lenox.

Lenox, realizing the meaning of their glances, frowned silently.

“She might be interested in me?”

“Well, not necessarily…”

It had been a long time since the rumors about the bloodthirsty mage had become more famous than the person herself.

The others avoided eye contact at Lenox’s reaction.

Jenny cleared her throat and said.

“You probably know her, too. Peisha was Beck Clinton’s teacher.”

“……Beck Clinton? You mean that guy from the Cigar Bang gang?”

Lenox immediately remembered the name and asked back.

A powerful spearman he had encountered when he had not been in the city for long.

A superhuman who belonged to Cigar Bang, had some acquaintance with Jenny, and died tied to the clock tower after a battle with Lenox.

Was Peisha Grisburn the one who taught him that fighting style, which involved receiving the power of various animals called ancestral spirits?

“I see. That’s why Beck knew you…”

If Peisha was one of the colleagues who had been alive since the days when Kaise was with her, and she had taken Beck as a disciple, it was no wonder that she was acquainted with Jenny.

It’s not known what happened between Jenny, Kaise’s granddaughter, and the Dead Rise executives after Kaise’s death,

But it should be assumed that they did not completely fail to attempt contact with Jenny.

“She kills people every day, and she doesn’t discriminate between criminals and civilians, so many people know her name.”

Kilian cleared his throat and added.

“In the past, there were times when no one could do anything even though they knew it was Peisha’s doing.”

“She wasn’t like that originally.”

Jordan, who had been silent, suddenly opened his mouth.

“It’s meaningless to say this now, but she changed greatly after being hit by the karma of her own actions.”

“……”

“I don’t want to defend Peisha. But…”

Jordan shook his head silently with a clouded expression. The others also closed their mouths without being able to answer his words.

Jordan is one of the veteran members who was with Kaise during his lifetime, not just Jenny.

He must have known the Dead Rise executives who were with Kaise for a long time.

But the way Jordan called Peisha didn’t seem to be just on an acquaintance level.

“But I never thought that woman would come back first… I thought it would be difficult for her to come back after she left like that.”

As Jenny muttered in wonder, Tatiana raised her gaze.

She asked, touching the bandages wrapped around her body with a tired look.

“It was quite a while after I encountered her on the central front. What happened in the Balkans?”

“Right before Dead Rise advanced to the central front, they had a major clash with the Antares Mercenary Group.”

Jenny replied.

“In the process, Peisha had a one-on-one duel with Antares… and lost.”

“……”

“I heard that her spine was completely broken and she was on the verge of death, so if she’s back, she must have finished her treatment. Or-”

“Or she’s confident that she can win even if she meets Antares again.”

The people in the room fell silent at Lenox’s last words.

Because they deeply realized how dangerous Peisha Grisburn was.

Kilian, who sighed softly, nodded and got up from his seat again.

“First, I’ll beat that Halfman a bit more and get some information. I know about Peisha, so I can at least compare the facts.”

After Kilian disappeared into the basement of the bar, Jenny turned her gaze to Tatiana.

“I want to hear a proper explanation now. Why did those guys come back? And what’s your relationship with them, Tatiana?”

Lenox turned his gaze.

“Would it be better if I did it?”

“……No. I’ll do it.”

Tatiana took a heavy breath and then explained in detail what had happened so far.

The fact that the Blue Eye is rapidly reorganizing the power structure of the outer forces of the central front.

That Dead Rise is working with the Blaber Magic Tower to create a satellite using humans as materials.

And that Tatiana broke the contract and ran away, even though the materials and power source were promised to be supplied by the tower.

“I see. The Blue Eye’s lighthouse…”

“……”

At Jenny’s words, which she muttered as if in wonder, Lenox turned his gaze silently.

“I thought their lineage was completely cut off after Cheon Gyeon’s death, but their actions are much more aggressive.”

“They’re also being heavily checked. The reason for the current situation is also…”

Tatiana nodded.

“So I tried to delay the satellite production by stealing the Phoenix Hall. Even if they don’t need anything else for engine production, they’ll definitely need this item.”

Because the newly built lighthouse from the Blue Eye reached the central front, other organizations, wary of it, are taking various actions in sequence.

Was this what Ivelin was talking about when she mentioned the power of Lapis?

But Lenox had not even imagined that the aftermath of the events that started with the Blue Eye would reach this far.

“Ban, what are you going to do?”

Jenny turned her gaze to Lenox.

“If you get involved, I’ll help, but the company or the mercenary group can’t help.”

“Why not?”

“Well… they’re all out at sea right now.”

“……”

Jenny cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed by Lenox’s silent gaze.

“Ahem, we plan to rotate them after the distribution network is normalized. After the business system is established, we’ll hire specialized personnel separately. But the fact that they’re away right now… no, these days, the income from this side is no joke, you know?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Jordan gave a gentle smile from the side, leaving Jenny, who was running wild on her own, feeling unnecessarily guilty.

Tatiana also shook her head with a bitter smile from the side.

Lenox, who had organized his thoughts for a moment, spoke again.

“Tatiana. Can I see that Phoenix Hall for a moment?”

“……”

“I heard that item was originally planned to be used as the power source for the satellite.”

Lenox said, looking up.

“Even if you use anti-gravity technology, you’ll need a very powerful energy to launch a satellite and put it within the visible range of the central front. It must be an artifact with tremendous output.”

He said it lightly, but the distance from the Balkans to the central front is so far and treacherous that it’s hard to describe in words.

Yet, if a satellite launched from the Balkans can observe the central front, it would have to be launched almost to the point of going outside the outer sea.

In this world where humans cannot go beyond that sea, it is nothing short of a challenge to a great miracle.

It was also hard to believe that Tatiana had stolen the item alone and had been secretly hiding it all this time.

That’s why Lenox was thinking of checking the Phoenix Hall first.

“There are 888 layers of security barriers overlapping around the bar.”

Lenox said, as if persuading her.

“As long as you show it to me, I can manage it so that its energy or direction is not leaked to the outside, so you don’t have to worry.”

“888 layers? When did you put up so many security barriers?”

“Jenny. So many?”

While Jordan was gently scolding her, Tatiana nodded and got up from her seat.

“It’s not difficult. This was what I was going to do from the beginning, wasn’t it?”

“……”

“Let’s do it well this time without being disturbed.”

Tatiana smiled and brought the knife to the back of her hand again, drawing a magic circle on the floor with her blood.

This time, Lenox was also assisting from the side through his mental power, completely blocking external interference.

Hot blood, gathering one by one in the air as if supported by an invisible force.

The blood, shining in a clear red color, gathered together and floated in front of Tatiana, and soon began to transform into a specific shape.

“……This is.”

A small red crystal that could fit in one hand.

Tatiana, who received the crystal with both hands, carefully stepped forward and showed it to everyone.

“This is the Phoenix Hall left by the former Blaber Magic Tower Master.”

The beautiful and elaborate appearance, as if it were shaped like the head of a small bird, was impressive.

Inside the crystal, as if flames were alive, the beautiful red mental energy rotated endlessly.

The Phoenix Palace. True to its name, the crystal in the shape of a phoenix’s head was elegant even to Lenox’s eyes.

“Can you explain the abilities and uses of the Phoenix Hall in more detail?”

Lenox, stepping forward, said that and reached out his hand to the Phoenix Hall.

“You need to know the meaning of the phoenix in advance to estimate the satellite’s production location-”

[Confirmed user of the ultimate flame-based unique magic.]

The phoenix on Tatiana’s hand opened its mouth.

The shape of the phoenix, which was wriggling as if it were alive, was now looking directly at Lenox.

The bar was silent. Tatiana was sweating profusely.

“……Huh?”

[Recognition of suitable factors completed. Conditions for succession as the 9th tower master met.]

“W-wait a minute. This is…!!”

[Starting the handover.]

Whoosh!!

At that moment, flames that erupted from the middle of the bar poured down onto Lenox’s head in an instant.