Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 797

Betrayal and Fanaticism (5)

Level 8 of the Memorial Tower’s basement. Pavelon’s underwater garden.

Sitting amidst the ruins of a massive ancient site in the middle of the deep sea, Lenok was looking at his phone.

Click, click.

“The connection… isn’t working.”

Even with Davi’s help to connect the line, the phone wouldn’t respond.

He had planned to check on Pandemonium’s movements during this brief respite, but things didn’t go as planned.

The only remaining record was a single message from Highrea, sent just before Lenok entered Yorta.

[Victor. The mid-term settlement scheduled at Tokerphz has been canceled. Several people, including the doctor, have indicated they won’t be attending.]

“…”

[The internal Pandemonium line is unstable. It seems like something will happen soon, so be aware.]

Highrea’s message ended with that simple message.

However, Lenok realized that this seemingly simple message held a more subtle meaning.

‘It means something big enough has happened that Agnetta can’t properly fulfill her role as a messenger.’

A hybrid of an ancient species, and a messenger of the Demonic Realm who travels through the imaginary dimension.

It must mean that something big has happened, or is about to happen, that prevents her from properly fulfilling her role as a messenger.

‘The last time I saw Agnetta was definitely…’

After the operation at Jillian’s Citadel, Agnetta had left the continent at the request of the clown.

If it’s a warning that something big might happen, it’s probably related to that.

The moment he tucked the dozing Davi into his arms, a loud noise echoed from behind.

“Ah, there you are.”

Thud!

The shape of a massive door made of plaster.

“The view here is quite nice, isn’t it?”

The Judge, who had his subordinate soldiers move it to the ruins’ hill, asked with a smile.

“The river flowing from both the material and spirit realms collects the tears of the living and the dead… and therefore, it never dries up.”

“…”

“In short, this river has deepened over time, and it will continue to flow until the moment the world is destroyed.”

The Judge laughed, leaving Lenok in silence.

“Until then, only the gods of the outer sea will know where the spirits sleeping under this river will go.”

“Gods…”

Lenok, finding it hard to ignore what he had heard, looked at Oris silently before asking.

“Do you think the Outer Gods are gods?”

“Oh my, are we going to have a theological debate in the presence of the Order’s priestess? It’s not a topic I particularly want to answer.”

[…]

The boy shrugged his shoulders and replied.

“But it’s true that the Order and Yorta once held similar views on the existence of the outer sea. That’s why the Papal State and the Soul Requiem kept the remains of the Ascendant beyond the Abyss.”

“…”

“The bridge of souls created through the Night Parade of a Myriad Ghosts [a grand ritual to create a bridge of souls to cross to the next world] was also an expression of hope, believing that the answer lay outside.”

Yorta’s Night Parade of a Myriad Ghosts was a grand ritual to create a bridge of souls to cross to the next world.

They believed that the next world was beyond the outer sea.

Oris, who had been quietly watching Lenok, asked.

“Do you think it was wrong?”

“Is there any need to discuss right and wrong when it failed? It was just a low-level means that didn’t fit the subject.”

Lenok replied indifferently, raising his gaze.

“However, I’m not unaware that there are those who think of the outer sea in that way.”

“…”

“It wouldn’t be strange if the ghosts of Yorta felt awe when looking at the Outer Gods…”

Having seen the monsters swimming in the dark sea himself, Lenok didn’t find it strange that they were considered gods.

The essence and presence of the Outer Gods. It’s only natural to fear and revere their immeasurable power.

Not only ordinary humans, but even superhumans who know the secrets of the world would be no different in front of them.

Rather, being the oldest city, they might have had a deeper understanding and reverence for the Outer Gods.

However, he hadn’t considered that Yorta and the Order had once colluded in the process.

“You’re a crazy bastard. Knowing about them, you have no feelings about it?”

Oris said that and then nodded as if he understood.

“Ah, I see. Well, that’s why a guy like you could inherit Onion’s legacy.”

“…It seems you know what Madrich Onion was doing in the Balkans.”

“The Black Consumer Project? Of course, I know. Wasn’t it the last Ascension ritual attempted on this continent?”

The Judge retorted as if it were nothing.

“I heard that they gained unimaginable results by learning from our and Makina’s failures.”

“…”

“That’s right. When Kaiser died, Yorta tried to find his soul as well… I’m not involved, so I don’t know much about it.”

He wanted to ask more, but as Victor, he didn’t need to show any connection to the megacity.

“You seem very interested in the city’s power structure.”

Therefore, Lenok turned the topic to Oris instead.

“You keep bringing up Onion, and you want to take his place by using the failure of the Soul Requiem as an excuse?”

“…It seems I’ve explained too much. You’ve been sharp since a while ago.”

Oris smiled bitterly, as if his intentions had been immediately read.

“Yes, you’re right. I want to bring down the Soul Requiem and change this city, which has been stagnant since the failure of the Night Parade.”

“…”

“There’s no need to think too hard about it. If helping you shakes the status of the Soul Requiem, I might be able to take that position.”

The boy, who spoke confidently, put his hands on his hips and declared.

“Wouldn’t I have more dignity to be at the top of Yorta than those guys trapped in gloomy tombstones?”

[…]

“…I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

Regardless of the fact that the Grand Judge was a powerful military commander, the boy’s appearance didn’t feel very dignified.

The priestess’s spirit also shook her head behind Lenok as if she was dumbfounded.

However, he could understand the boy’s desire to escape the tower’s basement and usurp the position of the Soul Requiem.

“By the way, you seem to know more about Yorta’s political situation and structure than I thought.”

Oris’s gaze, looking at Lenok, shone sharply.

“You met the Soul Requiem as soon as you entered the city, and you must have received knowledge from the spirit of the guide?”

“No, it was because of something I found in the prison where you had me locked up.”

The Judge’s expression changed strangely when he saw the papyrus Lenok took out.

“…The Ghost Observation Log?”

“It knew how to secretly peek into the Abyss by visiting the Soul Requiem.”

“Ho, an observation log…”

A strong curiosity arose on the Judge’s face.

He must have recognized at a glance that this papyrus was no ordinary object.

“There are more than one or two extraordinary artifacts in this old city, but this one has its own charm…”

“…”

At this point, revealing the existence of the Observation Log to Oris could act as an unexpected variable.

But despite that, the reason he took out the Observation Log in response to Oris’s question.

It was because he knew that this Observation Log acted as the most powerful source of knowledge within Yorta.

At this point, where the goal was clearly set, he had to think about how to best utilize the means he had.

If he was a participant in the Night Parade, he might know how to use this Observation Log better.

Oris, after listening to Lenok’s explanation, nodded.

“Okay. With this, I don’t think we need any special preparations.”

“Preparations?”

“I prepared various materials to teach you about Yorta’s customs, practices, and procedures…”

As he said that, the Judge had his subordinate soldiers flip over the plaster door they had brought up.

A huge amount of text and records were engraved in tiny letters inside the plaster.

Lenok, realizing that it was a record board engraved with Yorta’s internal customs and procedures, stepped back with a look of disgust.

“You were going to make me study? You have too much time on your hands. Where would I find the time for that?”

“No, but it’s absolutely necessary.”

The boy nodded firmly.

“You need to memorize these procedures to enter the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress.”

“…The Ghost Dragon’s Fortress?”

“I don’t need to explain it myself.”

Oris said that and glanced at the Observation Log.

“Why don’t you check it with that thing?”

As he said, the text of the Observation Log was slowly appearing on the papyrus that the Judge had returned.

=The Ghost Dragon’s Fortress. The command area of the upper level of the Cheongwi District, located in the northernmost part of Yorta.

=An extraterritorial area not under the control of the Soul Requiem, and the iron-blooded fortress ruled by the Ghost Dragon Yao Xun. The only city defense facility in Yorta.

=An ancient sanctuary where the Reverse Gate of the Abyss is located.

“…”

Only then did Lenok realize that Oris had mentioned a place called the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress.

The fortress of the Ghost Dragon Yao Xun.

The only defense facility in the military city, an extraterritorial area not under the control of the Soul Requiem.

And the name referring to the ancient sanctuary where the Reverse Gate of the Abyss was located.

It was probably a gateway that he had to pass through to reach the Reverse Gate.

While unintentionally cross-checking the existence of the Reverse Gate, the Judge pointed to the ship docked in the underwater garden.

“We don’t have much time, so shall we go and talk in detail?”

* * *

“The Ghost Dragon Yao Xun is not originally from this city.”

Goo-o-o!!

The mysterious cry of a ghost shark echoed from under the river.

As the shark-drawn ship swam down the river, Oris explained.

“As you can tell from his title, he wasn’t even human in the first place.”

“I’ve seen in documents that a creature called a dragon exists.”

“That’s right. Yao Xun was born as a dragon from the ancient species of Kundara. Moreover, he was a true-blooded dragon and became a military commander.”

“…”

The Outer City of Kundara.

A mysterious city where ancient species reside and strive to avoid destruction.

Yao Xun was a dragon from there, revered as a true-blooded dragon, and a being who was reborn as a military commander.

Among Lenok’s acquaintances, only Clarice Richelieu, Aris’s teacher, could be said to be similar.

The boy said, picking his teeth with a bored expression.

“I don’t know if you know, but ancient species don’t have souls.”

“…”

“That’s why ghosts of ancient species are never born, and all existing military commanders are only from humans or demi-humans.”

“Then why is the Ghost Dragon called by that name?”

“That’s because of the original technique that the Ghost Dragon has mastered-”

Oris stopped talking there and pondered.

“Hmm, it’s better for you to see and judge for yourself. I might be biased if I explain it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The technique that the Ghost Dragon uses is a type that is fiercely debated even in this city.”

The Judge said, raising his gaze.

“It’s even more so under the rules that exist within that fortress.”

Swoosh!

At that moment, the ship rose explosively and bounced out of the water, revealing its form.

Above the vast and secluded surface of the water, which was hard to believe was called a river.

At the end of the horizon, a huge fortress shining in a faint gray-white color could be seen.

“Yao Xun is very strict and doesn’t get close to anyone. I don’t have much contact with him either, so I don’t know much about him.”

“…”

“The fact that the Reverse Gate of the Abyss was hidden here was also a secret I learned only after being exiled… In the end, the Soul Requiem was hiding it from everyone and secretly plotting something else.”

The Judge said self-deprecatingly and waved his hand.

“I’m going to negotiate with the Soul Requiem from now on. Thanks to you having the artifact called the Observation Log, I have some time.”

“…You’re going to hold off the Soul Requiem alone and buy time?”

The boy smiled at Lenok’s reaction.

“I’ve given up on the Night Parade and been exiled, but I’m still a part of the tower. They won’t try to eliminate me easily.”

While Lenok was looking for the Reverse Gate of the Abyss in the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress, the Judge was going to hold off the Soul Requiem and buy time.

That was because if the Soul Requiem focused all its power, it could exert its influence even in the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress.

“Find the Reverse Gate of the Abyss inside the fortress. Whether or not you get Yao Xun’s cooperation is up to you.”

“You’re stating the obvious in a long-winded way. That’s what I was going to do from the start.”

Lenok replied, but he stood on the deck and began to estimate the distance to the fortress.

Regardless of the fact that Oris himself couldn’t take action, it was enough that he had provided the information about the Reverse Gate of the Abyss.

The remains of the Ascendant’s arrival. The cult leader’s old vessel that exists in the Abyss.

Having confirmed its existence and being convinced of the value of the knowledge, he had to move no matter what the situation was.

It wasn’t just a problem involving one cult leader or one cult.

Almost certainly, Ethan Bajur had also confirmed the existence of the arrival beyond the Abyss.

If so, wouldn’t the ‘Resurrection Technique’ that Ethan obtained also be a power related to the remains of the Ascendant?

“…”

All the strange secrets that Lenok had seen and heard in Yorta were connected to the remains that existed in the Abyss.

Surely, the traces of the project left by Kaiser Bajur would be the same.

Knowing who Alcaide was and what kind of qualifications he had obtained, there was no time to hesitate.

Whoosh!

At the same time as Lenok’s figure landed on the river, the ghost ship quickly shrank and disappeared inside his robe.

The boy’s spirit, who was lying in the cockpit, was forcibly ejected and splashed into the river below.

“Damn it, would it hurt to give me a heads up?!”

Leaving Oris and the ghost shark grumbling and disappearing into the river, Lenok reached his hand down.

Crack!

Part of the water where his hand touched froze coldly, turning into a thin board that slid across the river.

Lenok, manipulating it with magic, immediately moved towards the pier where the fortress was located.

Swoosh!

Lenok, confirming the fortress’s barrier where the waves crashed and the presence of the guards, slowly tilted his head.

Lenok, who had walked around the edge of the fortress and came out to a nearby dock, muttered.

“I need to find a way to get in. The security seems tighter than I thought.”

[You’re not planning to sneak in?]

“I might need the Ghost Dragon’s cooperation to find the Reverse Gate of the Abyss. There’s no need to break Yao Xun’s rules from the start.”

Lenok replied, putting on his robe and stepping into the streets.

In a situation where he was being chased by the Soul Requiem, maintaining this appearance would surely make him recognizable.

However, Lenok thought that if he could recognize the signs in advance, he could use that situation itself.

[Wouldn’t you be able to find clues by checking the records in the Observation Log?]

“I plan to, but investigating the Ghost Dragon’s original technique comes first.”

Lenok replied, slowly moving out of the crowd and rubbing his shoulder.

“Oris said that the Ghost Dragon’s technique was related to the essence of the fortress. If he told me to judge for myself, it must be true.”

[It seems the Judge was mistaken. Can you really trust the insight of a quirky mage like you?]

“Are you just going to give useless advice from behind, you fanatic?”

Lenok replied, staring blankly at the passersby.

“However… there are many people wandering around the streets. It’s evidence that many outsiders have recently entered this street.”

[…]

“Perhaps, there’s an event or ritual near the fortress that outsiders can participate in-”

Swoosh…!!

At that moment, something brushed past Lenok’s senses and disappeared.

A strong killing intent that was staring at Lenok, going beyond just watching him, as if telling him to notice.

“…”

The priestess, sensing Lenok’s cold reaction, asked.

[…Are you alright?]

“No, it’s nothing.”

Lenok chuckled and turned his body.

“I was just a little surprised that they came so early.”

Crack!

Following the direction of his gaze, he quickly left the bustling street and entered a secluded back alley.

Even in the bright daylight, there were few people, so it must be a street that was usually used as a night market.

Boxes were scattered and all sorts of fruits spilled out at his feet.

Whoosh!

In the cold wind that blew, the scenery behind the night market began to come into view little by little.

Surrounding Lenok, who was standing in the middle of the night market, were the figures of dozens of ghosts glaring from all over the street.

Each of them wore tattered cloaks, and they were a military unit clutching long, curved swords and sickles.

Only the faded epaulets on their shoulders indicated that they were an organized group.

“I thought they would come eventually, but their reaction is too fast.”

Lenok looked back at them and asked.

“Has the Soul Requiem already started moving to hunt me down?”

“There aren’t many places for a lost sinner of Yorta to escape to.”

A pale-skinned man, hanging upside down and staring at Lenok, replied.

“If you were still in this city, I just thought you would have gone to a place that the Soul Requiem couldn’t reach.”

“…”

“But out of all the hiding places and sanctuaries, the fact that you chose this fortress…”

Has his intention regarding the Reverse Gate of the Abyss already been discovered?

Lenok thought that and began to gather his magic, trying to grab the magic threads with both hands.

At that moment, completely different words suddenly came out of the ghost’s mouth.

“It must be because you are the designated successor to inherit the Ghost Dragon’s Incarnation Technique?”

“…Incarnation Technique?”