Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 901

The Eye That Sees Fate (38)

In the middle of the ruined city, where the thought entity of the Compendium has vanished, a solid metal barrier rises on a hill where the remains of high-rise buildings have melted messily, blocking the view.

A lean man stands with his hands behind his back on top of the barrier, looking down at Renok.

Renok opened his mouth, looking at the grotesque figure with a metal sphere floating instead of a head.

“So, you’re the owner of that nasty scrap metal.”

[My apologies for the late greeting. I am Ollinik of the Gear Shrine.]

Instead of bowing, Ollinik rapidly rotated the metal sphere.

Charrrrrk!!

With each rotation of the sphere, the metal barrier thickened in real-time, increasing in size.

It was a blatant attempt to block the distance between Renok and Evan.

Ollinik spoke again, nonchalantly.

[First, I would like to congratulate you on your magnificent victory in this battle. It was a very impressive showdown.]

“…….”

[I am very interested in the new horizon of magic that you and Chun-beon have shown us all. If you don’t mind, for a moment-]

“Your flattery is too long.”

Renok immediately cut off Ollinik’s words and asked.

“What does it mean for the city government to recognize this result?”

[Hmm, as you know, many people are watching this fight. Not only the city government and the Central Council, but also countless eyes outside the city that we are not aware of.]

“…….”

[Although there were many variables, you clearly won against Chun-beon. From this moment on, that fact will never change.]

Ollinik said, clasping his hands together.

[But there is no reason to show the next events to the onlookers, is there? To ensure you fully enjoy the value of your victory, our Gear Shrine will cooperate.]

“You make excuses sound plausible.”

Renok sneered.

“Didn’t you try to stop me from returning to the Magic Tower a few hours ago?”

[It is true that I bet on Chun-beon, but I am not so foolish as to not accept the determined outcome.]

Ollinik gave a strange smile, as if he didn’t care.

[There are also possible compromises because of the differences in our priorities. You know that, don’t you?]

“…….”

Ollinik’s persuasion seemed to calmly state his opinion without any hesitation.

He emphasized that Renok had won against Chun-beon, and therefore, a reasonable compromise was possible.

In exchange for helping with that process, Ollinik was trying to save Evan Martinez’s life here.

It must be because he thought he saw potential in Renok comparable to Chun-beon, regardless of the outcome of the fight.

Renok, who knew all the circumstances, understood where Ollinik’s judgment was based.

But-

“It’s been quite a while since the Restriction Edicts were lifted.”

Renok said, slowly tilting his head to the side.

“There’s no reason to borrow the hands of the old monsters who have only just crawled out. Get out of my way.”

The leaders of the Gear Shrine and other prominent figures in the light cannot be trusted, and there is no reason to entrust mediation to them.

Now that the fight has ended in a satisfactory manner, all that remains is to take Lapis and finish the job.

In that process, the intervention of a third party is just an unnecessary hindrance.

Ollinik smiled and raised his hand.

[Well, then, I suppose there’s no helping it.]

Considering the safety of the Incarnate, a clash here could not be avoided.

Renok, having made his decision, reached out to the sky where the afterglow of lightning remained, about to smash the metal barrier at once.

Chwarararak!!!

The metal barrier that had blocked Renok’s path split open to the side, clearing the way.

“…….”

[I think you’re misunderstanding, I don’t mean to mediate while fighting you.]

Renok raised his gaze at the unexpected reaction, and Ollinik shrugged.

[Considering the scheduled meetings and other events, we shouldn’t be at odds from the start. I’ll be satisfied with a simple greeting today.]

The meeting between the 8th-level transcendent ability users that Renok had also been informed of.

Was he saying that the outcome of this battle might affect the scheduled meeting?

He manipulated the tens of meters of metal barrier with a single gesture and made it disappear, then spoke.

[But if you want to fully protect the value of your victory, you should hurry. After all, you won in a major battle watched by the entire metropolis.]

Ollinik smiled.

[In the process, everyone saw that you don’t even care about fighting a sorcerer of the same level, and that you are someone who would not hesitate to act if things go wrong.]

“…….”

[Now that you’ve proven in such a spectacular way that your twisted nature and madness are not exaggerated rumors, it’s only natural that the aftermath will be troublesome, isn’t it?]

“You’re saying interesting things.”

Renok crossed his arms and scoffed at Ollinik’s words.

“Are you now worried about when I might completely lose my mind and go crazy?”

[Well, you never know. You might even be using your madness for your own benefit…]

Ollinik scratched his metal sphere with a strange look.

[At least, we try not to rule out that possibility. In the long history of the continent, there have actually been those who could do that.]

“…….”

[Those who had their own distortions even recognized by the heavens. Transcendent beings who have gained the qualifications to move on to the next nonexistent stage.]

Ollinik’s expression seemed to turn bitter for a moment as he placed his hand on his waist.

Without waiting for Renok’s answer, Ollinik slowly turned around.

[I don’t know if you can understand, but that was the reason why I was on the opposite side of you in this matter.]

Charrrrrk!!

At that moment, Ollinik’s body crumbled into metal dust on the spot.

Just like when he appeared without a sign, his departure was also strangely consistent, without any prelude.

Is this the power of Ollinik, the head of the Gear Shrine, who manipulates the bias of metal?

It is unclear whether he is manipulating the magnetism of existing metal or if he can only manipulate magnets.

However, it was clear that it was a power so different that even Renok had difficulty guessing its nature.

Considering that he bet on Evan in this fight and still appeared openly in front of Renok, he was not someone to be taken lightly.

The giants of the light who accepted the Restriction Edicts and went into seclusion.

It was clear that the old clans, who only began to move after Yorta and Makina were overturned, possessed a more sinister and bizarre power than expected.

Renok thought so and moved his steps towards the Incarnate who had fallen far away.

‘What should I do…’

The ability to control the Incarnate was regained immediately after it came into view.

Even so, the reason why he did not immediately retrieve the Incarnate was because he had to consider those who were watching this battlefield, as Ollinik had said.

As it was a battle watched throughout the city, the fate of Renok and Evan also had to be concluded in a way that was acceptable.

Buaaaang!!

At that moment, the sound of dozens of vehicles rushing towards the ruins could be heard from afar.

The rough friction of tires being worn down. The grating engine noise.

Dozens of airships appeared, shining bright lights on the ground, and an intangible barrier was added to the sky.

Kkiiik!!

The sight of dozens of tanks stopping at the edge of the battlefield and artillery units retreating in formation.

They brought an army to occupy the area, and they took their positions in an orderly manner as if establishing a front line.

The moment he realized that it was not to surround the battlefield, but rather to protect the ruins from the outside.

Bang!

The door of the airship that had landed on the ground opened, and an old man with a familiar face walked out, leaning on a cane.

“Renok, I ask for your understanding, though it may be a bit uncomfortable.”

“…Councilor Meyer.”

“Currently, an unidentified armed group is approaching from the outskirts of the city at an incredible speed.”

Meyer said, glancing at Evan, who was lying on the opposite side of Renok.

“They are most likely targeting you. It won’t be long before their identities are confirmed, so please bear with it for a moment.”

“…….”

Instead of answering, Renok silently stared at the barrier spread out in the sky.

A technique that conceals presence and sight and blocks the exchange of information, but the flow and pattern of magic are quite different.

At least, it was a type of magic manipulation not commonly seen near the city.

“That barrier. It’s not the Defense Force’s method. Did you outsource it?”

“Hmm hmm, I was going to explain, but it seems you’ve already figured it out.”

Meyer nodded, clearing his throat.

“We invited magic towers from all over the continent to consult with the Central Council. Many people showed interest in this matter, so it was unavoidable.”

“It seems you needed some useful commentators.”

“That means what you did this time was that shocking.”

Meyer, looking at the fallen Evan, murmured in a tone that could not hide his admiration.

“A monster who destroyed the city while being chased by the city government’s wanted order. His record was truly spectacular…”

“…….”

From Meyer’s perspective, who was entirely on Vulcan’s side, it was not strange to think of Evan that way.

Regardless of being an observer of the Azure Eye, it was obvious how Evan’s actions would appear to the outside world after Lapis was kidnapped.

Meyer, who was watching Renok’s expression, naturally changed the subject.

It was because he realized that Renok was not excited or reacting sensitively to the stimulus, even though he had just finished fighting.

“I will personally investigate the unidentified monster that intruded during the battle. I will share the information with you as soon as possible.”

“Understood.”

At Renok’s calm reply, Meyer, who had been subtly watching, naturally brought up the main point.

“Then, Evan Martinez’s life is…”

“I can allow you to investigate for a while, but I will decide his fate myself.”

Renok said, turning around with a cold gaze.

“I don’t want any unnecessary interference.”

“I understand. We will do that.”

Meyer nodded without complaint.

“However, we will take care of the repair and reconstruction of the facilities around the fortress. The isolation zone of the Hexagonal Fortress is something that needs to be taken care of for the sake of material distribution.”

“And in the process, you will secure data about what happened here?”

“You must have gained a lot from your perspective. The enlightenment and fame you would gain from fighting and winning against a sorcerer of the same level. The changing status is not something to be taken lightly.”

Meyer gave a wry smile at Renok’s words, which he had thrown out with a smirk.

“However, I hope you understand that the city council cannot do that. At least, we need evidence that the council intervened in the conclusion of this battle.”

“…….”

“Even for the sake of the citizens who are anxious because of this incident.”

Since he could no longer interfere with Evan’s life, was he saying that he needed to secure at least the data about the fight that took place here?

“It’s not something I can answer.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Meyer gestured, and dozens of people appeared from among the armored vehicles surrounding the area.

Investigators, coroners, researchers, and city councilors. Magicians from the Magic Tower.

Experts from various fields, summoned by the authority of the Central Council, cautiously began to record the traces of the battlefield.

In the process, most of them were stiffening and sweating profusely, unable to read Renok’s expression.

It was no wonder that they were terrified, as they were digging for traces in front of the person who had turned the entire city into ruins.

But that was only for a moment, and as Renok just watched without any particular reaction, the actions of the others also became more natural.

Soon, the moment soldiers wearing power suits slowly approached Evan, who had fallen in the center of the blast.

“…….”

Renok silently raised his gaze.

He wasn’t just glancing, but rather smirking as if he had encountered an unexpected situation.

Meyer, who had been watching Renok, immediately noticed the change and turned his head.

[Get out of the way.]

A sharp female voice echoed from below the cracked ground.

Bushes and trees exploded from the broken cracks, sending everyone nearby flying.

Kwaaaaaang!!!

The soldiers wearing power suits flew in all directions like toys and crashed into the piles of ruins.

At the same time, the barrier technique spread out in the sky shattered like glass, scattering a loud noise.

Drrrrrrrk!!

Overgrown roots burst through the ground and crossed the battlefield.

Bushes grew rapidly on the roots, covering them with new branches and roots.

In an instant, hundreds of people were trapped in place by the bushes and tree roots that grew above their feet.

The magicians, who belatedly realized what the power of this technique was, shouted in alarm.

“S, sorcery…!!”

“An unbelievable amount of magical power. How can a human possibly…!!”

Kwaaaaaa!!!

A giant tree that had grown in the blink of an eye spread its thick branches and cast a wide shadow on the ground.

A giant tree that had grown to the size of a high-rise building stood tall in the middle of the ruined city, capturing everyone’s attention.

A mysterious woman with bronze skin stood on the tip of the tree’s branches.

She brushed back her loose white hair and used one hand to support Evan’s body and lift him up.

“…Too late.”

She stared at Evan’s face and then turned her gaze silently towards the ground.

“The fight is over. Evan lost.”

The intense gaze of the sorceress, burning like fire, stared intently at Renok’s face.

“And, are you… the crazy magician who kidnapped Lapis?”

“…….”

Thud!!

At the same time, several superhumans appeared among the collapsed steel frames and concrete debris, looking down at the battlefield.

A young man with a resolute expression holding a spear. A muscular female martial artist with heavy gauntlets on both arms.

A beastman with a dog’s head, constantly reciting prayers with his eyes closed.

A scarred man with his hands behind his back, tilting his head in annoyance.

The army of observers who appeared in the center of the battlefield in an instant, riding on the roots of the giant tree, and joined the ranks.

Kugugugu!!

They were all physical ability users who were scattering a vicious killing intent and magical power.

The only organization that could mobilize such power on a single battlefield and take such drastic action at this time.

Meyer, who immediately realized the identity of the opponent, muttered with a stiff expression.

“I see. In the end, it’s from the Autonomous Territory…”

The unidentified armed group that had been approaching from outside the city.

The identity of those who had entered the outskirts of Vulcan at an incredible speed, even ignoring the magnetic storm, was the main force of the Azure Eye that had returned from the central front.

* * *

A giant tree that had sprung up in the middle of the city on the outskirts of the fortress.

The sorceress who appeared while retrieving Evan, and the observers who appeared, occupying all sides, led by her.

Most of them were magic users who had built up their ranks, and warriors who had been perfected through countless real battles.

At the moment when others were easily shrinking back, unable to adapt to the sharp killing intent they were emitting.

Meyer looked at the scene and thought quickly.

‘The situation has become difficult. Had they already entered the outskirts of the city?’

The forces currently surrounding the undeveloped area where the Hexagonal Fortress is located are the Defense Force and the direct maintenance force of the City Council.

However, most of the core forces were not on this battlefield, but were surrounding the outskirts of the undeveloped area.

In order not to offend Renok, they had deliberately kept the powerful superhumans far away on the outskirts of the city and tried to confront him.

But, who would have thought that the main force of the Azure Eye would completely ignore the blockade prepared by the City Council and appear in the center of the battlefield as if showing off?

‘I heard that there was a very powerful sorceress among the high-ranking observers, but the range and scale of the technique is beyond imagination.’

If they had established a position in the central front, he thought that the power of the observers under their command would also be considerable.

But their ideas and methods were far beyond the scope of Meyer’s common sense.

The fact that they had ignored the blockade and erected a giant tree in the middle of the battlefield meant that they were using sorcery from thousands of meters away.

To be more precise, it meant that the sorceress’s range of sorcery was wide enough to cover almost the entire area.

“…….”

The sorceress, supporting Evan with one arm, was staring at Renok with burning eyes.

Even in the midst of all this, Renok was just watching, with his arms crossed, as if he found it quite interesting.

Meyer, who quickly exchanged glances with the other city councilors who had come to the scene, stepped forward.

“I am John Meyer, a senator of the City Government’s Central Council.”

“…….”

“As you mentioned, the fight is over. The outcome of this battle was already decided.”

Meyer spoke again, leaving Grisha without an answer.

“The Central Council is directly managing the situation and is trying to prevent any further casualties.”

“Casualties?”

Grisha, who had been listening to Meyer’s words silently, retorted sharply.

“Then what were you doing when Lapis was being chased by the city government?”

“The clash between Renok and Chun-beon was not a factor that could be suppressed from the outside.”

Meyer said, glancing back at Renok.

“In particular, Evan Martinez’s rampage was not something that could be mediated or stopped. If we had intervened rashly, there would have been more victims.”

“That’s a good excuse. You stood by because you were worried about the damage?”

Grisha sneered.

“What a coincidence. I’m the same, kid. The lives of Lapis and the observers are much more precious than the nameless trash of Vulcan.”

“…….”

“I would love to act as you say, but…”

The air around them turned cold at the sorceress’s ruthless words.

The mages of the Magic Tower and the city councilors who had followed them to the scene quietly reached into their pockets, one by one.

Grisha quietly supported Evan and muttered.

“Because Evan is still alive. I’ll follow orders here.”

“…….”

“Evan must have fought and lost to you. The most powerful observer among us lost. I don’t particularly want to deny that fact.”

Grisha said coldly, glaring at Renok, who stood with his arms crossed.

“But we will take the victory in this war. Evan lost, but the goal he wanted was perfectly achieved. I will repay you for this someday.”

“I see. Victory in war…”

Renok smirked and cast his gaze behind Grisha.

“It’s not wrong to express it that way.”

Meyer, for a moment, pondered the meaning of those words, and then, realizing the hidden intention in Grisha’s words, his expression stiffened.

“Wait, the fact that you achieved your goal, does that mean…!!”

Paaaaaaat!!

At that moment, a dazzling pillar of light fell in the middle of the Hexagonal Fortress.

A strong light that anyone standing near the ruined city could not help but turn their gaze to.

Kwaaaaaang!!!!

The tightly closed main gate of the fortress was flung open as if it had been smashed, and someone walked out of the broken fortress.

Lush ultramarine hair. A taller height and a more mature face than what was left in his memory.

A figure of an adult who had completely escaped his childhood and completed his full growth.

From that expressionless, even cold face, he could only recall the impression that remained in the photos.

“Lapis Falchier…?”

One of the magicians from the Magic Tower muttered as if he couldn’t believe it, and the moment Lapis raised his gaze.

Hwaak!!

With a single step, Lapis, who had crossed hundreds of meters and reached Evan, slowly turned around.

“…….”

Lapis, who had landed in front of the fallen Evan with a calm gaze, and Renok’s eyes met almost simultaneously.