Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 724

The guardian spirit’s egg, which appeared at the same time as the territory declaration, began to crack upon recognizing Lenox’s voice.

As soon as he heard the explanation about the guardian spirit protecting the tower, Lenox remembered something.

The Phoenix War of the seven Blayver Magic Tower Lords. The small firebird form that made up its concept body.

Could it be that it was born as a guardian spirit after that relic melted into the engine?

However, Lenox knew that he had questions to ask Tatianna before that.

“Tatianna, did the Blayver Magic Tower headquarters also have a guardian spirit?”

“…There used to be, but I heard it was destroyed in the war,” Tatianna replied, recalling her memories.

“But I’ve seen the guardian spirits of other magic towers about twice. The spirit beasts belonging to historic magic towers are treated like tactical weapons.”

If it’s a sentient being born at the same time as the formation of a territory, it’s a being born from a concentration of powerful concepts and magical power.

Such a spirit beast would have a different dimension of growth potential and potential compared to ordinary creatures.

However, Lenox knew that there was a fact he needed to confirm before considering the combat power or value of the guardian spirit.

“What does it feel like? If it’s a spirit beast, can I think of it as a similar system to a spirit body?”

If the being that awakens from that egg is a being born based on Lenox’s self-awareness, he might have to make everyone else run away right now.

A pure aggregation of concepts not processed by Lenox’s reason and experience could easily recognize everything around it as an enemy.

Tatianna must have sensed Lenox’s urgent feelings, as she quickly opened her mouth.

“It’s a little different from a spirit body. Instead of being subordinate to the territory, it is said to have strong and high intelligence from birth.”

“…”

“As it is born with the formation of the territory, its characteristics vary greatly depending on the underlying concept…”

“The underlying concept…”

While Lenox was thinking that and slowly raising his magical power, his other companions noticed the cracks in the egg and began to approach.

“Oh, it’s waking up!!”

“Try giving it something to eat. It might take it!!”

“I have some small fish that came out while catching tuna. If that’s okay…”

“Why do you even carry that around?”

“Never mind, just give it to me!”

Amidst his companions making a fuss all around, Dylan, who had grabbed a fish, approached the egg with a crab walk.

Crack, crack…!!

Dylan held out the fish head to the cracked surface of the egg, and at that moment, Lenox heightened his senses to the maximum.

Something popped out of the eggshell and instantly swallowed Dylan’s body.

Chomp!!

With Dylan still in its mouth, fish and all, the form disappeared like lightning into the crack in the shell.

The egg faintly heaved, and a strange noise began to be heard from inside.

[Gulp.]

“…”

A sound like something was being rolled around in its mouth.

Lenox and everyone else stared blankly at the cracked eggshell, their mouths agape.

“…Ban, what should we do?”

“Should we save him?”

“Let’s… wait a little longer.”

Lenox couldn’t say anything and quietly answered.

From the moment something popped out of the egg and swallowed Dylan, he began to feel the egg’s emotions little by little.

Since it was a territory that Lenox had directly declared, the spirit beast subordinate to it might naturally be able to recognize it.

It was closer to a sharing of emotions, a synchronization of concepts.

And the emotion that the spirit beast wriggling inside the egg was feeling right now was one.

“At least it doesn’t seem to have murderous intent. If I had to say…”

“If you had to say?”

“It’s closer to gluttony.”

“Gluttony…?”

The moment Lenox muttered with a sullen expression, the egg shook violently as if it had eaten something it shouldn’t have.

Soon, something wriggled beyond the crack in the egg, and teeth appeared, spitting something out.

[Ptooey.]

Thud!!

“Ugh!!”

Dylan was thrown to the ground, his whole body covered in saliva.

Only the fish in his hand had cleanly disappeared, and surprisingly, his appearance seemed fine.

Covered in sticky saliva, Dylan frantically touched his face.

“T-This thing chewed me up and spat me out!!”

“Dylan, calm down.”

“What happened inside?”

The others, who had also been stunned by the absurd phenomenon, quickly approached Dylan.

Dylan quickly regained his senses and replied with a sullen look.

“The space inside the egg is a little wider than it looks. It seems to be connected to another space…”

“…”

“It rolled me around and just took the fish. At first, I didn’t think it was saliva.”

Only then did the mercenaries understand the situation, looking at the egg with bewildered expressions.

“So, this guy thought Dylan was inedible waste and spat him out.”

“It has a more normal taste than I thought. Or is that normal?”

“Seeing that it endured eating Dylan, it seems to have a surprisingly good stomach.”

“You bastards. Do you think I don’t know you’re insulting me while using the egg as an excuse?”

Ignoring the mercenaries who were bickering and throwing punches at each other, Jenny said,

“Ban’s words are always right about these things. Gluttony…”

Jenny raised her phone and nodded towards Lenox.

“Then let’s try feeding it until it’s satisfied.”

Soon, a truck arrived in front of the construction site.

The sight of tuna piled up like a mountain on the net on the truck.

Without the mercenaries and employees saying anything, they lined up to carry the tuna in front of the egg.

The moment the tuna was brought to the crack in the egg, the fish disappeared as if sucked in.

[Munch munch.]

“Oh, it’s eating!!”

“It seems to be eating even better than before.”

It seemed satisfied, smacked its lips, and happily shook the large egg from side to side.

[Chomp chomp.]

“…It’s kind of cute for an egg.”

“Here, eat more. But is it okay to tame it with such expensive food?”

“If it’s Ban’s spirit beast, it’s worth that much. Move quickly!!”

The mercenaries, as if captivated by the reaction, poured in bundles of tuna.

Only after finishing all the tuna piled up in the truck did the spirit beast stop shaking the egg, seemingly satisfied.

Only then did the mercenaries, who had finally taken a breather, speak with sullen expressions.

“But this guy doesn’t seem to have any intention of coming out of the egg, even after eating this much.”

“It comes out for a moment when it eats, but it barely moves. How fast is it?”

“Is it shy, unlike its size?”

“Ban’s spirit beast?”

Silence.

The companions, who looked back at Lenox without a word, understood among themselves.

“That’s unlikely.”

Lenox frowned.

“That’s a strangely unpleasant thing to say…”

“There might be a reason why it can’t come out of the egg.”

“If it was going to come out soon, it wouldn’t have appeared as an egg in the first place.”

“It might need an incubation period.”

The mercenaries were debating more passionately than Lenox. They seemed to have developed some interest in it during the short time they were feeding it.

However, Lenox had a rough idea of why the spirit beast was not coming out of the egg.

The emotion felt through the concept synchronization was closer to annoyance and bother than shyness.

However, Lenox was more concerned about something else regarding the spirit beast.

‘The appearance I saw when it swallowed Dylan. It didn’t seem to be in the form of a bird.’

If the concept of the Phoenix War had been completely melted and born as a guardian spirit, its form should be that of a giant firebird.

However, the appearance he had momentarily felt through magic detection seemed a little different from that of a firebird.

It was difficult to know because its movements were so fast and its appearance was not clearly felt through the eggshell, but if its appearance had changed, what could be the reason?

Perhaps it was because the underlying order of this territory was not flame magic, but the Uroboros magic system that Lenox had created.

The unusually strong gluttony and the leisurely attitude of not coming out of the egg.

Considering the principles pursued by the Uroboros magic system and the underlying concept of the Phoenix War, it was somewhat understandable.

While Lenox was pondering with his arms crossed, the large egg suddenly began to slowly approach Lenox.

“Hey, it’s moving.”

“Now the egg is wiggling and walking around.”

“Hmm?”

The large egg, which was standing next to Lenox, rubbed its shell against Lenox’s shoulder.

A gesture that seemed to blatantly express friendliness.

Could it be that it was recognizing Lenox and greeting him after satisfying its appetite?

[Hmm, hmm…]

And, Davi, who had been watching the whole situation from his arms, was flapping his tail wildly.

The cyber spirit was trying to act calm, but he couldn’t hide his agitation.

His tail was flapping so violently that the front of Lenox’s coat was bulging out.

Lenox chuckled and stroked Davi’s head as he watched Davi’s ears and tail flapping like crazy while glancing at the egg.

Davi probably hadn’t expected a new spirit beast to be born in this way either.

When Lenox continued to stroke the eggshell, the egg seemed satisfied and lay down on its back.

The egg staggered a few times and then stopped moving.

“Is it showing its belly?”

[Snore.]

“…”

“…It fell asleep.”

Could it be that it fell asleep after eating its fill and showing some affection?

Milla muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

“As expected of Ban’s spirit beast, it has a pretty good life…”

“If it’s a sentient being subordinate to the territory, it should be able to move freely around here at least.”

Lenox said that and gestured to Jenny.

“Let’s move the egg to the basement of the company building for now. Leaving it here will interfere with the construction schedule.”

“That would be right, wouldn’t it?”

Only after calling the workers to load the egg onto the truck and disappear did Lenox clean up the area where the unveiling ceremony had ended with the others.

Wei An, who was sweeping the construction site with a broom, glanced at the engine floating above his head with a curious expression.

“It’s really amazing. Is it okay for the tower’s engine to be like that without being installed anywhere?”

“It’s an engine that establishes the tower’s consciousness space and authority and acts as the power to maintain it.”

Tatianna answered Jenny’s question.

“It’s actually abnormal that it’s visible to the naked eye like this. Over time, it will completely melt into the territory and only be encountered in the consciousness space.”

“Hmm…”

“That means it’s a rare event that can only be seen now.”

“Can I take a picture?”

“Did this bastard finally go crazy after catching tuna?”

“I think he drank too much seawater?”

While Dylan and the other mercenaries were bickering, Lenox silently looked at the engine floating and rotating in the air.

The shape of a golden snake rotating like a ring around a black, burning small sun.

Lenox, who had been staring at it for a while, nodded.

“Okay. Let’s take a picture.”

“What?”

“As expected, Ban knows a thing or two!! This kind of thing should be recorded!!”

“That’s not why.”

Lenox smiled as he looked at the triumphant Dylan.

“I’m thinking of using that as the symbol of the tower from now on. We’ll need a symbol or emblem to represent the tower in official settings.”

Since the establishment of the magic tower itself was carried out with the permission of the Central Council’s Senate, he would have to inform the Senate separately after the work was done.

At that time, a symbol and name for the tower that could be submitted in name was needed.

Jenny, who seemed to have noticed what Lenox was saying, immediately asked.

“What about the name? Have you decided on it now?”

“Well. I have a name in mind, but…”

There were many reasons for building the magic tower, but the biggest motivation was to properly establish the Uroboros magic system in the form of a discipline.

Even if he put aside the various benefits and geographical advantages that could be obtained in the process, it was clear that the essence of the tower was an educational institution.

Lenox smiled as he received the expectant gazes of the others.

“There’s no need to decide quickly. Do you have any other good ideas?”

* * *

“Seina, High Priestess.”

At the voice calling her name quietly from behind, the High Priestess slowly turned her gaze.

Stained glass, shining beautifully in the sunlight.

In the vast cathedral, decorated like a white palace, only the voice of the believer calling her name echoed.

“The preparations for the ritual are complete.”

“…I see. I have just finished my prayers as well.”

The High Priestess, who slowly stood up, straightened her long robe and took a step.

A follower quietly followed behind the High Priestess as she walked down the wide corridor of the cathedral.

The warm sunlight pouring down at midday.

The voices of children and the prayers of believers coming from below the cathedral.

The follower standing behind the High Priestess, who was looking at the believers outside the window who were praising and worshiping the owner of the order, urged her.

“High Priestess.”

“Let’s talk here.”

“…Yes?”

The High Priestess quietly said as she looked at the peaceful scenery of the cathedral.

“It’s not comparable to the main temple, but I like the atmosphere of the Order’s branch.”

“…”

“A world where faith becomes someone’s salvation… It must have been for this kind of scenery that all this work was started, not for the great holy war.”

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

Ignoring the bewildered follower’s answer, the High Priestess shook her head.

“Agritza never disturbs me when I’m praying. Do you know that?”

“…”

“After being baptized, she stopped calling me that way.”

The High Priestess smiled.

“The Order is changing little by little, Kamrodal. If you try to imitate it clumsily with only old memories, you’ll be found out quickly.”

[…I see.]

At that moment, a gloomy transmission flowed from the neck of the follower standing behind the High Priestess.

Completely opposite to the peaceful scenery visible outside the window, a voice that sounded like it was creaking in a damp swamp.

[I apologize if it bothered you. In the past, I was not allowed to see the noble High Priestess except by this method.]

The voice was awkward, as if a giant cephalopod was forcibly rubbing mucus to make a voice, but the High Priestess was not surprised.

She already knew who was speaking to her in this place.

Kamrodal, the 8th Apostle of the Order.

The eighth incarnation of the power of the Outer God, and one of the very few monsters among the apostles who maintained their sanity.

However, the High Priestess did not waver even at Kamrodal’s voice and immediately asked back.

“Does borrowing Agritza’s appearance mean that you have sacrificed her?”

The apostle’s technique he uses, Kamrodal’s doll, is the power to create a clone that replicates the memories and consciousness of a specific human.

However, as with other apostle techniques, it is a forbidden technique that uses humans as offerings.

Therefore, from the moment Kamrodal appeared in the form of a follower, she knew that she might not be safe.

However, Kamrodal let out a low laugh at the High Priestess’s question.

[Don’t worry. I have no intention of playing tricks with the follower that the High Priestess cherishes.]

“…”

[You are one of the few remaining priests who represent the divinity of that being… How could I go against that will?]

Kamrodal moved his doll to bow gracefully.

[It’s only when I lend the technique to other believers that I need a sacrifice. Your follower won’t die with this much.]

A soft voice that seemed to reassure the High Priestess.

However, the High Priestess was not reassured or shaken by Kamrodal’s words.

“You mean she could end up in a state worse than death.”

[Well. I wonder about that.]

Kamrodal neither affirmed nor denied it.

Instead, he stood next to the High Priestess with a languid tone and looked out the window.

[But you are definitely very different from Naidri. The previous High Priestess was much more… on the side of yearning.]

“Are you going to say that I’m not ready?”

[Of course not. How could I question the High Priestess who leads the sacrifice of the main temple?]

Kamrodal smiled slowly.

[It’s not a question of qualification. It’s a difference in attitude towards divinity.]

“…”

[Izel Naidri perfectly performed the duties of the High Priestess, but she constantly wanted to interfere with the future and destiny of the Order. Her attitude was of great help to the Order, which was fighting the holy war at the time.]

For the first time, the doll turned its gaze to the High Priestess.

The doll’s eyes were dyed black without even leaving the whites, and they were strangely transformed like the eyes of an insect.

[But you are different. Apart from the duties of the High Priestess, you have no interest in the affairs of the Order. It’s as if you know what attitude the Order should take now…]

“…”

[Even though you received the same divinity, you are so different. Could even this coincidence be arranged by that being? I can’t help but wonder…]

Only after listening to the 8th Apostle’s monologue did the High Priestess realize how he thought of her.

Kamrodal did not have any particular favor or dislike for individual High Priestesses.

He was simply thinking about and genuinely curious about the differences between the High Priestesses who had been passed down through generations, even thinking that it was his god and faith.

He was restraining himself due to the rules of the Order, but if given the opportunity, he would not hesitate to satisfy his curiosity.

“Kamrodal. Won’t you tell me why you came to see me now?”

[…Ah.]

Only then did Kamrodal make an awkward sound and stop the doll abruptly.

After a long time, he spoke, creaking like a toy.

[I’m sorry. Was I too long-winded?]

“Unquestionably so.”

[That’s right… If you think about it, this doll isn’t the real me. If you think about it, it’s a copy of my memories and will. So it seems that my true feelings came out unintentionally, so please understand.]

“I know.”

The High Priestess replied.

“That’s why you are one of the few apostles who have maintained their sanity.”

The madness that inevitably comes to the apostles who have received the power of the Outer God.

There is only a difference in degree, but in the end, everyone erodes their own humanity and becomes a monster who has lost their reason.

There are only about five apostles in the entire Order who can be said to have completely escaped that restraint.

And Kamrodal, along with the 2nd Apostle, was one of the only two apostles among the single-digit apostles who had completely retained their sanity.

He was infinitely dividing his consciousness and memories, putting them into dolls, and imitating an Ascended One to escape madness.

Among the same apostles, there were those who tried to imitate Kamrodal to prevent madness, but they all failed and became beasts even faster.

However, even though Kamrodal knew that fact, he had never shared his secret with the same apostles.

“…”

They serve the same god, have the same faith, and work for the Order, but they are beings that cannot be trusted.

While the High Priestess was silently engraving that fact, Kamrodal spoke again.

[As you may have already guessed, it’s about the Central Front.]

“I know that the ceasefire agreement with the Order Alliance has already been concluded.”

The High Priestess replied.

“Wasn’t the timing of the preemptive strike and the end point of the offensive already decided?”

[The Blayver Magic Tower Lord has relinquished all authority and duties and declared an indefinite rest.]

“…”

[Since the tower lord who supplied power to the first gate has stepped down, the gate will be closed for a while.]

The High Priestess’s expression changed slightly as she belatedly understood the meaning.

“That means…”

[If you want to enter the front line from the Order branch where you are now without going through the gate, you will have to pass through Jinwa’s Lost Paradise.]

Kamrodal said with a smiling voice.

[It wouldn’t do for the noble High Priestess to unknowingly become a follower of a fallen Ascended One.]

“…”

Even at Kamrodal’s words, the High Priestess quickly organized her thoughts and asked again.

“The tower lord was the first person to recognize the value of the gate. For such a schemer to step down and relinquish his authority at this point…”

[It must be because there was an issue with his safety or status that could not be ignored.]

Kamrodal nodded and replied.

[Since the fence-sitter who supplied power to the gate and maintained a neutral position on the front line has disappeared, everyone will now reach out to get their hands on the gate.]

“I need to prepare.”

[Can you do it in parallel with the war with the Order Alliance?]

“It’s okay.”

The High Priestess said that and turned her gaze out the window.

“I’ve found a candidate at this Order branch.”

[…A candidate?]

“Yes.”

The High Priestess’s eyes turned cold for a moment as she looked at the group of children running around in the distance.

“I have found a child with the aptitude for the 10th Apostle’s Balance Technique.”