Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 765

Baritz Corporation’s internal security database.

A very old video was found within the network after infiltrating using Prescott’s terminal.

Wasn’t it said to be a video from when the Papal See visited the Balkans for the first and last time?

Although the term ‘Papal See’ was new to him, Lenok could easily guess what it meant.

It was probably a term for the elite group that assists the leader within the Order.

Or perhaps it was a name given to a concept representing the leader’s will.

However, Lenok knew that even a brief thought about the Order’s structure couldn’t last long.

Beyond the terminal screen, which was flickering as if it would explode at any moment.

At the edge of the unpleasant noise that burst through the screen and filled the entire studio.

The leader, who had turned his gaze this way, was looking at Lenok.

“…….”

A face blurred and obscured by the veil, as if paint had smeared across it.

A body slumped on a pure white throne, like a corpse, with pale skin cracked and crumbling.

Like his pathetic appearance, where it was uncertain if he was even breathing, the voice coming from beyond the screen was also faint and unstable.

Yet, despite all that, Lenok was focusing solely on the essence of the leader, rather than his dying appearance.

‘He has changed, but he hasn’t changed…’

The terminal screen. The old video. The sense of incongruity, smeared with noise.

The overwhelming presence of a transcendent, surpassing reason, that penetrated all those barriers.

Even if his appearance changes, even if the time and place of encounter change, it doesn’t change.

All the traces of the leader left in past memories and records are the same as the leader himself.

Can a way of existence that entrusts oneself to the faith and worship of others be considered something allowed to humans?

That choice, which even transcendents who challenge ascension dare not attempt, makes the leader seem even more dangerous and detached.

As if he is risking annihilation in every moment that exists in this world.

That choice, as if walking on a knife’s edge every moment.

Is it a coincidence that it seems similar to the way of life Lenok has chosen?

Just as Lenok hesitated at the unexpected continuation of the encounter he had reached after killing Amrita at the Far East Branch of the Order.

[It’s a long time ago…]

The leader, glancing down at his own appearance, opened his mouth.

[Memories from a time when I still had reasons to remain in the mortal world… My shameful appearance, repeating mistakes.]

“…….”

The leader spoke as if teasing Lenok.

[It’s not a sight I particularly want to show. Especially not to you.]

Does that mean the leader was conscious in this world when the video was first made?

The leader probably didn’t rely on the memories and records of others from the beginning.

The moment Lenok realized that fact and quickly recalled his memories, the transcendent let out a faint smile from beyond the veil.

[It’s truly ironic. What is desired doesn’t come on time, and what is waited for arrives only after its meaning has faded… Yet, I still can’t let go.]

“…You.”

[But even such encounters have meaning. Things that were impossible long ago are possible now.]

There were too many meanings contained in his words, making it difficult to grasp their meaning even after hearing them once.

Whether the overlapping and mixing of those unclear meanings was intended by the leader himself, or a side effect of the results he chose.

Either way, Lenok couldn’t find the answer right now.

That’s why Lenok decided to speak his mind first.

“If you knew what was happening outside, and yet didn’t refuse this meeting, there must be a reason. I know it.”

The fact that a video containing the leader’s appearance was left as data at Baritz Corporation.

And the fact that Lenok, who was writing a paper, came into contact with it while trying to obtain it, is no coincidence.

If there is a reason for this perplexing encounter that seems to have no connection.

Lenok was certain that it was due to one ‘motive’ that existed for both himself and the leader.

“The magic flow reproduction module manufactured by Baritz Corporation.”

Lenok’s voice echoed quietly in the silent studio.

“It’s no coincidence that you designed and ordered it.”

[…….]

The leader didn’t answer.

With a faint presence that seemed as if it would disappear at any moment, he simply waited for Lenok’s words.

It felt as if he already knew what Lenok would ask, yet he wanted to hear those words directly.

But Lenok knew that there was a question he had to ask, even knowing that.

“If what you and I desire overlapped even once in this world…”

Lenok asked, after hesitating.

“Was it because you, too, once tried to do what I was thinking of?”

The fundamental reason Lenok was trying to obtain the magic flow reproduction module was because he needed it to complete his third paper.

But if the leader had ordered it to be made a long time ago, what was his motive?

This strange coincidence that what Lenok and the leader wanted overlapped.

Lenok was asking if the leader had once tried to achieve the results of the paper he desired.

“You used the life support device as a pretext, but that wasn’t the real purpose. You wouldn’t have been obsessed with that kind of life.”

The method the leader chose to exist in this world was something beyond the physical and mental, something of a different form.

Considering him, it was unlikely that he ordered the module to create a life support device.

Wasn’t it possible that he had something urgent to deal with, like Lenok, and borrowed the help of Baritz Corporation to try it out?

If that data, which had been forgotten for a long time, was now rediscovered by Lenok and revealed its appearance.

“Did you use it to achieve the desired result?”

Perhaps the success or failure of his third paper could be confirmed right here and now.

That’s why Lenok thought it was worth taking the risk to confirm it with the leader here.

[…….]

The leader stared at Lenok for a while, then slowly turned his gaze towards the other side of the video.

Only the noise flickering beyond the veil hinted at the direction of his gaze.

No further information was given to Lenok, but

Even so, Lenok could sense that the leader had complex emotions about that question.

The pure white throne where the leader himself was sitting. The thousands of rows of people assisting him beneath the veil.

[Well… I don’t quite remember if it had any meaning.]

The leader said, after silently watching his followers for a long time.

[There have been too many failures to look back and reminisce about all those moments.]

“…….”

Although he trailed off, what the leader was implying was definitely not a feeling close to success.

Wasn’t it implied that the leader himself had already tried it and obtained a result close to failure?

[But comparing what I tried and what you are about to do… is a meaningless act.]

The leader spoke softly, as if reading Lenok’s thoughts.

[Because the time we have passed is not the same. Even if we ask the same question, different answers will come back. That difference is the value we should cherish above all else.]

Even if they plan and try the same thing, the results can be different.

A strange answer that, unlike the leader’s own failure, it might be different for Lenok.

[Trying to be the same while being different, trying to empathize while not wanting to. That’s why we have to reconcile the uncontrollable contradictions.]

While Lenok was thinking about that, the leader’s voice turned infinitely cold.

[For that, it’s not necessarily a bad thing to distort the truth…]

“…What?”

[It’s a poor excuse, but I didn’t trust myself that much.]

Beyond the veil, a cold gaze turned back to Lenok.

[So I ended up applying somewhat harsh standards to others as well.]

“Is that… the reason you’re answering the question?”

The leader smiled.

[Yes. Even if I try to deceive you with a hollow lie, too much time has passed for our answers not to overlap.]

“…….”

While Lenok was silent, the scenery of the video slowly began to collapse.

The old video within the Baritz Corporation security network.

At the same time as the playback time of that video ended, this space would also disappear.

Perhaps the video that exists within the network will never be opened again.

The moment Lenok sensed that and quickly raised his gaze.

[I know what you’re trying to do, but I won’t stop you. You might be able to obtain something different from me.]

The leader said, slowly flicking his finger.

The moment his cracked and crumbling fingertips gently stroked the armrest of the throne.

Thousands of followers assisting the leader from beyond the video, all turned their heads and looked at Lenok.

[If what you seek is near, you will soon encounter one of my failures.]

At the apex of the procession of countless followers who worship him, the leader smiled weakly.

[It may not be the meeting I had hoped for… Heh heh, please take care of me.]

Goooh…!!

The same eerie scene as when he first encountered the leader in his memory.

That sense of incongruity, as if forcibly filling the gaze between Lenok and the leader.

Just as Lenok felt that discomfort and was about to open his mouth to say something.

Pajijik…!!

Puh-ung!!

The terminal that was transmitting the video exploded on the spot and completely shut down.

[Heh, hek… Th, this is the limit. Master…]

Davie, slumped with his head on Lenok’s shoulder, muttered weakly.

The data overload that had rapidly surged the moment the leader began to move from beyond the records with his own will.

Davie had somehow suppressed it with the power of the Dream Battlefield, buying enough time for Lenok to have a conversation.

[Th, the magnetic field can’t suppress the output overload anymore…]

“…No. This is enough. You’ve done well.”

In the first place, it wouldn’t have been possible to infiltrate the network and obtain Baritz Corporation’s cooperation in this way without the power of a digital spirit.

Lenok knew that Davie would never try to cut corners or make excuses in this regard.

Lenok, who stroked the head of Davie, who had turned into a giant fox, slowly put down the broken terminal and stood up.

The silent scenery of the studio, with the unconscious Baritz Corporation personnel and the broken facilities scattered everywhere.

Only the blue multifaceted particles scattering like snow and the scenery of the digital realm connected through them revealed the traces of the domain.

Hu-u-u-ung…!

Lenok, who slowly withdrew his magic power and canceled the magnetic field, took out his cell phone.

In the messenger app, where unread messages were piled up, a new message had arrived.

[If you have checked the video, I believe you understand the behavior of the Papal See at that time.]

“…….”

It was as if the relationship between Baritz Corporation and the Order had been naturally explained through the video.

But Lenok hadn’t properly checked the contents of the video because he was talking to the leader in the record.

In the first place, the record itself didn’t work properly due to the existence of the leader who had his own consciousness from beyond the video.

But even so, the following message contained content that was sure to pique Lenok’s interest.

[We have a prototype based on the module ordered by the Papal See. If you would like to check the item, please come visit us anytime.]

“A prototype…”

[The Vice President is waiting for you.]

-Dante Clarkston, Team Leader of Strategic Planning Team 2, Baritz Corporation.

This must be the Baritz Corporation personnel who had spoken directly to Lenok in the internal security network earlier.

The person who was aware of the existence of the video from when the Papal See visited the Balkans, and who had thought of showing it directly to Lenok here.

Did he know how dangerous this video was, and what kind of value it held?

Lenok thought it was unlikely.

‘If he knew it was a record that could communicate with the leader, he wouldn’t have used it up like this.’

Lenok, who picked up the remains of the terminal, was lost in thought.

‘It wouldn’t have reacted every time the video was played either. If it only revealed its existence at the moment the leader himself wanted…’

In the end, it was right to think that the leader didn’t refuse this meeting because Lenok had directly checked the video.

If he thought that Lenok might be different from what the leader himself had failed at.

Again, there was no need to hesitate to complete the third paper right now.

“…Okay.”

Lenok muttered, then stretched out his magic thread and began to drag Prescott away.

He took the car keys from the unconscious agent’s pocket, found the car parked outside the studio, and immediately got in.

After throwing the slumped Prescott into the back seat, Lenok sat in the driver’s seat and inserted the car key.