Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 969

“Victor.”

Having finished their business at the chapel, the members of the group began to leave the cathedral one by one, disappearing from sight.

Whether they remained in the city to attend to other matters or departed from Balkan immediately, there were no questions or answers exchanged.

It was an organization composed of members who had little interest in each other’s whereabouts or well-being.

They could part without a word, only to gather again as if nothing had happened, plotting their next scheme.

It was Highrea’s voice that stopped Lenok as he was about to gather his magic power and stand up.

Highrea, who had finished her prayers in the chapel, turned her gaze towards Lenok.

“I don’t mind you taking the Forbidden Armament, but you’ll at least have to participate in the operation that will take place in the royal capital.”

[The royal capital?]

“There were a few plans we were going to carry out with the help of the Doctor, on the premise that we would recover the Forbidden Armament.”

Highrea replied, looking troubled as she glanced at the snack box that Ermong had half-eaten.

“The Clown confirmed that a [Door] is hidden beneath the Kavahim Royal Palace.”

[…….]

“We’ll start the operation when the Fisherman arrives, and we need the power of that armament to attack the [Door]. If we have a skilled manipulator, it would be a great help.”

[A Door…]

Highrea’s explanation was brief, but Lenok understood what she meant by [Door].

The last operation he had with the Clown, the existence of a rift he had said he needed to confirm beneath the royal palace.

One of the passages connecting this world to the outer sea was slumbering beneath the kingdom of knights.

Lenok, having reached that conclusion, tilted his head to one side.

[So that was the second plan you mentioned to me.]

The message Highrea had sent to Lenok. The two plans mentioned in that message.

He understood that the second plan, which was not about the underground temple, was referring to this.

“That’s right. We have some time before we finalize the participants, so let me know when you’re available.”

Highrea, who readily admitted it, said that as she pointed to Victor’s gauntlet.

“If you need time to handle the Forbidden Armament, we can wait.”

[…….]

“I kept it a secret from the other members, but you haven’t completely controlled that armament yet, have you?”

Highrea’s eyes, having removed her eyepatch, shone with an inorganic light.

“I can still see the soul within the armament struggling. It knows you’re qualified, but it’s refusing to be used.”

[Annoying. Can’t even that be hidden from someone with the talent of duality?]

Lenok scoffed as he said that, but he didn’t deny Highrea’s words.

As she said, Lenok was only forcefully suppressing and using the Forbidden Armament, and he had not yet made the soul within the armament submit.

Sssshhh…!!

Even now, if he listened carefully, Lenok could constantly hear the whispers of someone unknown in his ear.

A desperate cry echoing as if cursing, hating, and resenting the user.

But Lenok didn’t even bat an eye, knowing that.

The moment he obtained the Forbidden Armament, he understood that the human used as the material for the armament was a being who had accumulated that much karma.

[I can hear a voice. It’s mixed with the evil thoughts that only those who have killed, captured, and toyed with humans can possess.]

“……”

Lenok raised his gauntlet, noticing Highrea’s slightly surprised expression.

[Contrary to the reputation of the Ascendant’s bloodline, the soul contained within was a human with quite a vicious taste in life. Perhaps becoming the material for the Forbidden Armament was a kind of punishment.]

“That’s…”

[I’m not someone who feels guilty about trampling on such a corrupt soul.]

Lenok’s voice, echoing from behind his mask, slowed down.

[Rather, I’m more interested in increasing the weight of the punishment this soul bears.]

“……”

[I’ve already obtained the senses. I have more than enough to handle the augmentation of spells and the extraction of thoughts. I don’t need that much time.]

“……I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Highrea, with a wry smile, placed her hand on her hip and raised her gaze.

She seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, as if pondering something, before finally meeting Lenok’s gaze.

“But… yes, I should tell you this.”

[What is it?]

“Your guess might be right. There was a rumor that the soul used in that Forbidden Armament was a very infamous human collector in the central city.”

[…….]

Useful information that Lenok never expected to hear from Highrea at this point, after the events of Pandemonium.

“I don’t know why, but it’s said that all of those Ascendant’s bloodline members were corrupted and ruined in bizarre ways.”

Highrea, as if observing something from Lenok’s reaction, calmly said again with a glance.

“If you have trouble handling the Forbidden Armament, look into its name.”

[Name?]

“The name of the human used as the material for that armament. And the name given to it when the armament was completed.”

Highrea’s gaze, looking at the glass-colored gauntlet that emitted a quiet light, was tinged with a complex emotion.

“It’s a living human and a weapon in itself. Just by recognizing what it was called, it will surely help in controlling its fate.”

[That’s quite… an interesting idea.]

The method Highrea had just told him was not information that the Doctor had given him.

Lenok, instinctively sensing that, asked.

[Is that from experience?]

“……No. I won’t answer that.”

Highrea smiled and raised her gaze.

“It’s a story I don’t want to reveal, especially to someone as perceptive as you.”

[…….]

Highrea said that she had planned to steal the Forbidden Armament as soon as Anathema died and had gathered the members.

That was only possible because she was so well aware of the existence and whereabouts of the Forbidden Armament in the first place.

If she knew so much about the Forbidden Armament and even knew how to handle its power to the point of telling Lenok.

Then, wasn’t it because Highrea’s talent was once about to be ‘processed’ in that way?

[……Alright.]

But instead of asking more about Highrea’s past, Lenok grabbed his robe and turned away.

Originally, he should have gone back and investigated the Ice Artisan instead of talking about the talent of duality.

However, Lenok was also quite fatigued from manipulating the Forbidden Armament with his Incarnate body.

As the members of the Demonic Labyrinth had said, it was true that the continuous battles and the schedule without recovery were becoming a burden.

For now, it was more important to organize the gains from today’s work and recover his body.

[I’ll consider the Door of Kavahim later.]

Lenok’s eyes flashed behind his mask as he glanced back.

[But you should know that it’s not because I obtained this armament, but because I’m interested in the [Door] itself.]

“……”

[If I participate, the plan will proceed under my leadership. Make sure to tell that to the fool who calls himself a Fisherman.]

“Well. He’s someone who’s completely insensitive to that kind of conflict or stimulation in the first place…”

Highrea, with a wry smile, nodded.

“But if you participate, the Clown will definitely be happy. I guarantee that.”

[A guarantee about the feelings of an illusionist.]

Lenok chuckled and raised his magic power.

[That’s the most unreliable certainty in the world.]

* * *

An immeasurable crowd was walking down the avenue paved with white marble.

Everyone, without exception, had a solemn expression, clasping their hands together, murmuring prayers, and bowing their heads.

Although all the tens of thousands of people gathered here did not know each other, they all shared the same purpose.

They took four steps, stopped, bowed their heads, prayed, and then took another four steps.

The fourth is the number of contradiction, symbolizing death, rest, and the next.

But that was why it was the only way to reach paradise in this world where salvation did not exist.

The main headquarters of the Guido Order.

The procession of countless believers making a pilgrimage to the holy site of the Pantheon.

“They’re like insects.”

Ureka, sitting in the courtyard of the white palace, looked down at the scene with a cold gaze.

She was wearing a splendid ceremonial robe, but the blue cloth that tightly wrapped around one of her arms, almost as if it were bandaged, stood out.

A blue shroud with a rough texture that was hard to believe was meant to wrap around an arm.

A strong whisper that made even the priests, who were silently waiting behind her with towels and staffs, flinch.

But Ureka didn’t pay any attention to such priests and murmured quietly.

“Even in a time when the Order is in chaos, they should be doing their best to fulfill their duties, yet they’re spending their time on a pilgrimage to offer prayers?”

“……”

“Salvation doesn’t come just by vaguely wishing for it, but they’re mistaken.”

Ureka, having said that, turned her head and looked at the young man sitting across from her.

“Don’t you think so?”

“……Well.”

The 2nd Apostle, who was leisurely sipping coffee across from her, said.

“I can understand their feelings of helplessness. They believe that the teachings of the Order are true, so they are clinging to it so desperately.”

“……”

“I find your existence more interesting. You’re the one who acts as the voice of the Lord, yet you’re a priestess who dislikes the followers of the Order…”

The young man, looking intently at Ureka’s face, adjusted his glasses.

“Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that your existence is a sense of incongruity that has never existed in the Order before?”

“……!!”

A shocking question that made the faces of the priests listening to the conversation turn as pale as corpses.

If an ordinary believer had said that in front of Ureka, their skin would have been peeled off and their limbs would have been cut off before they could even close their mouths.

“I’m different from the other priestesses.”

But Ureka, instead of getting angry at the 2nd Apostle’s words, let out a cold laugh.

“How can a bastard child, who was born without the authority of the high priest that the successive priestesses have inherited, be the same as the priestesses you cherished?”

“……”

The authority of the high priest, which was lost with the death of the 10th priestess, Seina Naidri.

But Ureka Naidri, who took the position of priestess next, never received that authority.

A new priestess who had a talent and aptitude for rituals, but was not granted that authority.

Therefore, what was given to her was the authority of a servant who used apostles driven mad by madness through human sacrifice.

“I am the voice of the Lord, but I am also a being that symbolizes another aspect of the Lord.”

Ureka said.

“I am the anger that the Lord has abandoned, the humiliation that the Lord has forgotten, and the shortcomings that the Lord has cut off.”

“……”

“I have not forgotten that I am in this position because I am outdated and defeated.”

Ureka’s eyes, looking at the 2nd Apostle, shone cruelly.

“That’s why I’m a being that can become more fulfilled than any other priestess.”

Ureka did not deny that she was a being who did not have the authority that other priestesses had.

A priestess who was born with a sense of inferiority stemming from her shortcomings, and who even felt that performing the role of a high priest was difficult for the time being.

But her spirit was strong enough to accept that fact as her defining identity.

That was not a power that Ureka had gained by becoming a priestess, but a nature that she was born with.

“That might be true.”

Therefore, the 2nd Apostle acknowledged that Ureka’s words were not far off the mark.

“You’re not wrong. Perhaps what the Order needs now is a priestess like you.”

“……”

“But then why did you want to see me? You know that I and the previous priestesses have not interfered in each other’s affairs.”

The young man’s eyes flashed with a silver-white light behind his glasses.

“Do you want to say that even that part is different from the other Naidris?”

“……!!”

Just by meeting his eyes, an intense pressure that seemed to crush her soul poured down on Ureka.

It was only after being granted the talent, mental strength, authority, and power to become a priestess that she could barely face him.

Since when had he been in the left seat of the Pope, and how long had he been volunteering to dedicate himself to the Order?

The weight of the years and time that Ureka could not immediately read seemed to be contained under his eyes, crushing the mortals.

But Ureka, while frowning at the 2nd Apostle’s power that was crushing her, slowly said.

“I need help in unlocking the manufacturing ritual of the Forbidden Armament.”

“The Forbidden Armament.”

“The previous priestess seems to have stopped the manufacturing of the Forbidden Armament and sealed the ritual, citing efficiency issues, but that’s not my way.”

Ureka said, staring intently at the 2nd Apostle, who had averted his gaze.

“If there are any means available, shouldn’t we use them all?”

“Is that to compensate for the authority of the high priest that you do not possess?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Ureka grinned at the 2nd Apostle’s calm question.

“I’m planning to grind up the useless apostles and experiment with them before starting full-scale production. If it goes well, I can have an apostle wield an armament made from an apostle, realizing the betrayal of contradiction.”

“Ureka.”

The 2nd Apostle smiled wryly and raised his gaze.

“The position of an apostle is not something that can be easily replenished. Haven’t you learned that even after the events of Anathema?”

“……”

“It took so much effort just to find a candidate to temporarily fill the vacancy of the 6th Apostle. Kamrodal must be searching the entire continent to find a candidate to take that position again. I don’t think I can help you with using apostles as consumables.”

“It’s not that the old leaves its place after the new arrives.”

Ureka smiled and shook her head.

“There are also things that are filled anew only after they are emptied. The authority I was granted by the Lord is precisely what symbolizes that truth.”

“……”

“Now that many apostles who should have been protecting the Lord’s seat have been reduced to mere beasts, I feel that it is necessary to refresh the seat of the apostle once again.”

The power to use mad apostles that Ureka possessed was a new power granted to her because she did not inherit the authority of the high priest.

The new priestess was using her own existence and birth as an example to preach that the stagnant seat of the apostle should be emptied once.

“Of the ten highest-ranking apostles, only you, Kamrodal, and the 3rd Apostle, who is working through a deal with you, are operating outside the central front.”

Ureka, who was touching her arm wrapped in the shroud as if in pain, said.

“The successors to the seats of the 5th and 10th Apostles completed their selection rituals a few days ago. Once their minds are stable, they will begin the process of inheriting the apostle spells in earnest. The replacement and search for apostles have been underway for a long time.”

“……”

“Also, I will take back the remains of Amrita Praubel, which you have kept for the education of the new 10th Apostle. Although a successor has been chosen, they are not yet at a level where they can skillfully handle the apostle spells, so her remains are needed.”

Ureka, looking at the silent 2nd Apostle, asked.

“It’s for the sake of the Order. You wouldn’t refuse for personal reasons, would you?”

Ureka also knew that the 2nd Apostle had personally cherished the 9th priestess, Izel Naidri.

She also knew that he was still keeping the body of the 10th Apostle, Amrita Praubel, in whom her soul had briefly resided.

But even knowing all of that, Ureka unhesitatingly demanded her body from the 2nd Apostle.

That was possible because Ureka respected the 2nd Apostle’s status and position, but was also prepared to be hated by him.

Because she was accompanied by a blind fanaticism that her will was the will of the Pope, she was having a conversation with the intention of informing him of what she wanted in this place.

“If that’s the will of the new priestess, I will cooperate.”

The 2nd Apostle, having finished all of his coffee, placed one hand down and stood up, giving a gentle smile.

“However, there is one condition.”

“If it’s a request from the First Apostle, anything.”

“The recovery of Amrita’s remains will have to be after you resolve the lightning that is in your arm.”

Ureka’s face contorted.

“……Why?”

“Although the spell and nature are somewhat different, Amrita’s remains are also cursed with a very powerful curse.”

The 2nd Apostle gave a wry smile.

“It’s a curse that encrypts biological information and seals the apostle spell itself. The priests of the Order have been trying to lift it, but no one has been able to.”

“If you say it seals the apostle spell.”

“That’s why Seina quickly appointed the next 10th Apostle. At the point when Amrita’s scale spell was sealed, there was no other way but to create a new 10th Apostle and receive the apostle spell again. And above all-”

The 2nd Apostle, who had approached Ureka, who had lost her words, touched the shroud that was tied around her arm.

“The lightning in your arm is a lightning of thought that is more powerful than any magician I know.”

“……”

“If the lightning contained in this shroud affects the apostle spell… it wouldn’t be good for you or the next 10th Apostle, would it?”

The 2nd Apostle, having gently stroked the shroud, stood up and smiled.

“I don’t want to welcome the next priestess yet. At least, I want to see how far you’re going to go with the Lord’s will.”

“……I understand.”

Did he already know that she had touched Anathema’s remains and was struck by his lightning?

“If you are worried about the clash of curses, then it can’t be helped. But removing the lightning won’t take long.”

Ureka, having quickly suppressed her emotions, said, trying to appear calm.

Since sealing the lightning with the shroud, she had also been conducting investigations in various ways to solve the current problem.

At least, the remnants of thought left on the victim could not avoid the depletion of thought unless the caster himself was clearly aware of that fact.

“In the first place, there’s no way that magician would know that I was struck by the lightning of thought-”

“Ah, now that I think about it, I should tell you.”

The 2nd Apostle turned around as if he had remembered something and smiled.

“He asked me to send his regards. He asked if your arm was okay.”

“……”

This time, Ureka’s face was horribly contorted as if she had bitten into a bug.