Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 951

Whoosh…!!

Beyond the swaying, dancing veil, a rainbow-colored radiance flickered.

A library filled with the scent of old books. A chilling wave of thought emanated from between the fallen bookshelves.

The private laboratory of Oliviera Ron Maze, the chairman of the Cartel.

Within the domain controlled by the 8th-level Archmage, Lenok stood before her, dragging Peisha along.

[Regardless of your nature, I never thought you were one to take promises lightly.]

Oliviera’s telepathy echoed coldly as intense glares pierced through the veil.

[To raise the price after only a few days, it seems I misjudged you.]

“No, you saw me correctly.”

Lenok, with his hands in his coat pockets, shook his head with a smile.

“If I had no intention of keeping the deal, I wouldn’t have come to you like this after the meeting.”

[……]

“You must have heard that the Order moved to attack the satellite city, and that Anatema has fallen to become a Sixth Apostle.”

Clank!!

Lenok, simultaneously spreading his ironclad wings to block the magic eye light and pushing the fallen Peisha behind him, spoke.

“If unforeseen variables have affected the outcome, shouldn’t the terms of the deal also be adjusted?”

“Damn it, get out of the way!!”

Peisha, recognizing that the ironclad wings Lenok was wielding were Gilleon’s, cursed and struggled.

However, unable to overcome the power of the wings, Peisha was helplessly pushed back and rolled across the floor.

“The wings, still… Ugh…!!”

Peisha, glaring at Lenok with murderous intent, couldn’t hold back her nausea and bowed her head.

Only bitter stomach acid mixed with blood flowed from her empty stomach.

Lenok glanced at her and fell into thought.

‘I expected it, but her condition is worse than I thought.’

He had managed to save Peisha by feeding her a fragment of Anatema’s horn, but that only prevented her from dying from the backlash of the taboo. [A taboo is a forbidden act or practice, often with supernatural consequences.]

It was difficult to say that she had completely endured the harm of the taboo, which could even kill high-ranking transcendents. [Transcendent refers to individuals who have surpassed normal human limitations, often possessing extraordinary abilities.]

The reason Peisha was able to survive was probably because she herself was a very powerful physical ability user, and because the secret she mentioned while breaking the taboo was for Edan’s purpose, not Kaise’s.

[Yes… I heard that Anatema ultimately couldn’t overcome his greed and joined hands with the Order.]

Oliviera let out a cold sneer.

[It was a pathetic and utterly miserable story, to the point of being lamentable.]

“Is that all you have to say after hearing about the commotion that happened all night?”

Lenok smiled.

“I thought I’d get a more meaningful answer about the nobles of Ars Nova.”

[Considering that hypocrite’s nature, it’s not surprising that he would act so disgracefully.]

Oliviera scoffed.

[He had no interest in humans even during the civil war. He merely performed good deeds like a machine.]

“……”

[This was supposed to be his last chance, but would he be satisfied with just a brief manifestation? Moreover, to lend a hand in a grand scheme like the recreation of the veil, it’s something that would be impossible for someone who valued his time so much.]

As if smiling with her eyes, the light emanating from between the veil curved and distorted.

[But it’s not strange that those who stood on the same side as him couldn’t see it. They wouldn’t have the same eyes as me, after all.]

“So you’re saying you entrusted me with this task without any explanation, knowing all of that.”

[Explanation was lacking? I can’t agree with that.]

Oliviera tilted her head to one side and smiled languidly.

[Causality obtained from the contradiction within the twist of fate. If I had told a sensitive sorcerer like you that much, you would have understood my consideration the moment you met Anatema.]

That wasn’t wrong.

If Oliviera, bound by the taboo, were to explain the essence of Anatema, that explanation would have been the best she could do.

Rather, the fact that she was able to explain it to Lenok in that way was proof that she was benefiting from the Seven-Colored Treasure Eye.

“That’s right.”

But Lenok smiled even knowing that fact.

“That’s why I’m saying that the terms of the deal with you need to be changed.”

[……]

“Since I killed Anatema, who had fallen as an Apostle, and recovered his body, my efforts have become excessive.”

Lenok, rubbing his shoulder and tilting his head back, his eyes shone sharply.

“The original deal wasn’t to kill Anatema and recover his body, but to bring back a part of his body. Originally, you should have been satisfied with whatever part of his body I brought back.”

No matter how meticulous and precise Oliviera’s plan was, she couldn’t have imagined that Lenok would kill Anatema himself and return.

Therefore, at the time of the deal, she thought that any part of his body would be fine, but the situation had changed.

From Lenok’s perspective, having obtained Anatema’s entire body, there was no reason to hand over the initiative of the deal to Oliviera.

“Of course, I have no intention of handing over Anatema’s corpse entirely. You know that, right?”

Lenok nodded with his arms crossed.

“Which part of Anatema’s body to hand over is an unagreed-upon matter. We need to set new conditions for that part.”

[You impudent bastard.]

Oliviera’s gaze turned cold.

[Are you trying to play word games with me over the price of the deal?]

“It’s not about changing the agreed-upon conditions, but about adjusting the parts that haven’t been agreed upon.”

Lenok was not fazed by Oliviera’s sharp words.

“You also found out that I had business in Kundara and arbitrarily presented it as a price, didn’t you?”

[……]

The deal that Oliviera proposed to obtain Anatema’s causality was the result of her finding out Lenok’s purpose and presenting it.

The reason he accepted the deal was because the information about Kundara was that important to Lenok,

but now that he had the initiative in the deal, there was no reason not to point out that fact.

Oliviera also immediately read Lenok’s intentions and let out a cold smile.

[You never do anything smoothly. That’s why I’ve tried to avoid borrowing your talents as much as possible.]

“I have a very different opinion on that matter.”

Lenok smiled.

“I thought I was presenting a very moderate solution.”

The reason the deal with Oliviera had changed was because of the unprecedented situation of Anatema becoming an Apostle. [Apostle, in this context, refers to a powerful being who has aligned with a specific faction or ideology.]

Of course, Oliviera could not have foreseen or planned for that in advance.

Since it wasn’t that she intentionally tried to take more profit than necessary from Lenok, Lenok also only went as far as adjusting the terms of the deal.

If Oliviera had been determined to use Lenok, she would have started by turning the Cartel headquarters into a wasteland.

[Heh heh… Fine. Even the fact that you’re spouting such audacious words in front of me doesn’t make me angry anymore.]

Kiiiiing…!!

Oliviera’s magic eyes, as she spoke, flickered more intensely than ever before.

With Oliviera’s cold words, a quiet silence fell in the laboratory.

[In any case, it’s true that you achieved victory against Anatema. In that regard, you have clearly exceeded my expectations.]

Oliviera, leaning her body with her arm propped up from beyond the veil, slowly withdrew her thoughts and spoke.

[Considering his nature, he would have been thinking of escaping before his defeat was even confirmed, but to say that you managed to take his life. You’re still a master of fighting, both now and then.]

“Is that what you call a compliment?”

Lenok shook his head, as if dumbfounded, while retorting.

“I wouldn’t have been able to win so cleanly if I hadn’t met a few special conditions. I also received help in the process of killing Anatema.”

Regardless of Anatema’s own martial prowess, there was no need to mention how powerful the Sixth Apostle’s authority to merge with the earth and reduce damage was.

In terms of the value of the ability alone, the damage reduction ability felt overwhelmingly superior to the Apostle’s technique of manipulating the earth.

Anatema also knew that, so he fought against the 8th-level transcendents without even considering defeat, let alone his own death.

The decisive factors that led to his death were two.

That Lenok was a mage who could chant strategic-level destruction spells even while engaging in hand-to-hand combat with an Apostle, and that a transcendent with the authority of inevitability had lent a hand.

It would have been difficult for Anatema to even guess either of these factors, so his defeat was a foregone conclusion.

That’s why Lenok didn’t feel much emotion about the battle with Anatema.

For Lenok, what was really important was what happened after Anatema died.

“So, do you agree to adjust the terms of the deal?”

[……I’m listening.]

Oliviera, with her arms crossed, tilted her head back.

[However, you must know that it’s not because I’m giving in to your claims, but because I highly value what you accomplished at the meeting.]

“……”

[It’s something I’ve been considering since I borrowed your talents, so don’t forget that I’m also taking a loss.]

Oliviera’s cold, subdued words were proof that she was now making an effort to tolerate Lenok’s words.

Given her nature, she would not have even associated with someone who proposed a change in the deal like this.

However, she also had a part in this deal with Lenok, so she thought there was no other choice.

“The first condition is about the safety of Peisha Grisburn.”

Lenok said, turning his gaze to the side.

Peisha, kneeling with chains on her arms, was vomiting.

“Because I fed the noble lady a fragment of Anatema’s horn, she can’t be used for your experiments. Anatema’s causality will no longer save this person’s life.”

“……”

“So, I’m going to take the noble lady’s safety back.”

[You’re going to take Peisha Grisburn’s safety back…]

Oliviera tilted her head to the side.

There was a subtle sneer in her gaze as she looked at Lenok.

[It seems you’ve taken a liking to that mad dog. Don’t tell me you’re going to use a mad dog to guard your house now?]

“She’s become a half-wit because her rank has been broken, but there are still some uses for her.”

Lenok chuckled as he watched Peisha twitch as if having a seizure when he tapped her shoulder.

“I didn’t expect it at all, but there are some parts where we can communicate.”

[Well. I don’t intend to make it easy for the noble lady’s safety.]

Oliviera’s magic eyes gleamed ominously as she looked down at Peisha.

[That woman is a traitor who betrayed Kaise and fled to the Central Front. As much as she insults and belittles others, the karma she has placed on her own neck is also a heavy sin.]

“……”

[Even if it’s not about circumventing the taboo using Anatema’s causality, there are plenty of ways to use her in my experiments.]

“Ha! Go ahead and try.”

Peisha, not wanting to lose, gritted her teeth and raised her gaze.

“Do you think I’ll be scared just because you threaten me like that? Kill me if you want. What kind of ridiculous threats are you making…!!”

“It’s not a threat, Grisburn.”

Lenok said with a blank face.

“Oliviera will dispose of you after the experiment is over. She wouldn’t have intended to keep you alive for long from the moment she took your safety.”

“What?”

“From the moment you were sent to the meeting, it was inevitable that you would be exposed to the outside. The generals of Dead Rise must have also noticed your survival.”

Peisha flinched for a moment at Lenok’s cold gaze.

“Of course, wouldn’t she try to kill you before the military moved to eliminate any troublesome possibilities?”

“……”

“But if I take your safety, the story is different. The military headquarters will try to confirm whether you have joined hands with me.”

“That’s ridiculous. There’s no way the headquarters would hesitate in their judgment because of that…!!”

“Well. Is that really so?”

Lenok smiled.

“At least the commanders I met weren’t transcendents who were free from personal feelings.”

[……]

“…You.”

Oliviera was silent, and Peisha gritted her teeth.

“Anyway, the condition I want to propose is this. I have the capacity to put a leash on this killer, and I also have a more convenient use for her.”

Lenok, ignoring Peisha’s words, turned his gaze to Oliviera.

“A high-ranking transcendent who can be thrown away as a consumable without any burden can be a valuable asset. Do you agree?”

[Not really.]

Oliviera replied indifferently.

[But I understand that you don’t intend to take the noble lady to cherish her. That’s enough.]

“Then-”

[Let’s hear about the other conditions. But this must be the last one.]

Oliviera, interrupting Lenok’s words, leaned back leisurely.

[If the noble lady’s matter is not that important to you, then this must be the reason why you requested a change in the terms of the deal. What do you want from me?]

“…As I said, I’m not asking for that much.”

Lenok smiled.

“However, I’d like to ask for just one more thing to ensure that you keep the terms of this deal more reliably.”

[Are you talking about cooperating with the Kundara matter?]

Oliviera sneered.

[I admit that it was my mistake to use the secret that Subsek was hiding, but I have no intention of cheating on the price just because I got what I wanted.]

“……”

[You are not one to overlook such imprudence, so why are you trying to get confirmation from me now?]

“It’s because going to the Outer City might be that important.”

Lenok, stroking his chin, replied.

“In any case, I need certainty. Especially if there are many complicated procedures required in the process of entering Kundara.”

[Certainty, huh. Alright, tell me.]

Oliviera scoffed.

[What do I have to give you to give you that certainty?]

“It’s simple. It’s not that difficult for you either.”

Lenok smiled brightly.

The hand the mage raised was pointing directly at the swaying figure beyond the veil.

“You just need to accompany me to the Outer City.”