Chapter 1045: Milestone (32)
In the middle of the Magic Tower’s top-floor office was a sofa. Lennok and Jutiya sat facing each other across an Obaekro board placed on the table.
Click. Clack. The sound of stones tapping against the game board echoed rhythmically through the quiet office.
Lennok and Jutiya continued their game, moving and flipping stones without a single word.
As their hands moved back and forth, black and white stones were flipped, and ‘houses’ appeared and disappeared.
The game was incredibly fast-paced, and the situation changed so wildly that it was hard to tell who had the upper hand.
Even Jenny, who had been sitting beside them, watching the game with interest, was now nodding off.
“From EN12, each arc in order.”
“From SA5 to 10, bias.”
“From AB34 to the end, full advance.”
Click.
As Lennok placed a black stone, the pieces on the board flipped to black.
In an instant, nearly half of the white stones Jutiya had placed vanished.
“I expected as much, but you truly play well.”
Jutiya said, silently gazing at the scattered stones on the board.
“I’ve played Obaekro countless times, but there’s hardly anyone in Ars Nova who plays this well.”
“Indeed.”
Lennok replied in an indifferent voice.
“If the condition for acquiring user authority for a strong AI was set as an Obaekro match, it must mean the designer himself has played this game a great deal.”
“…”
Perhaps she hadn’t expected him to bring that up first.
Lennok gazed at the silent Jutiya.
“The strong AI search engine of Ars Nova, ‘Heiberk,’ hidden beneath the Deep Web’s unauthorized network. It’s your work, isn’t it?”
The existence of the search engine, which the Deep Web’s administrators had called Lennok to deal with.
In that process, Lennok had personally played an Obaekro match against the embedded strong AI to acquire the search engine.
After winning the Obaekro game using Jindun’s Papyrus and obtaining the search engine, he had gained information about the Cult’s First Apostle and the Director’s Incarnation.
It was, in effect, the incident that first brought the Pontiff, the Director, and Lennok face to face.
Lennok, too, still remembered that day.
“No way…!! That was your doing?!”
Jutiya, making a shocked expression, then chuckled and pushed up her glasses.
“Just kidding. I actually knew it all along.”
“…”
“Well, it’s true I thought I should confirm it myself.”
Jutiya, looking awkward at Lennok’s chilling response, which was hard to take as a joke, picked up a white stone and spoke.
“Because without an Obaekro player of such caliber, one wouldn’t be able to bypass the strong AI and seize control of the search device.”
Click!!
As Jutiya placed a white stone, half of the game board instantly flipped to pristine white.
The balance of the board, which had been tightly maintained until now, suddenly tilted in her favor.
“If it’s alright, won’t you return it?”
Jutiya asked, looking at the silent Lennok.
Squatting on the sofa, fiddling with a white stone, she spoke as if recalling memories.
“It was a practice piece I made in my foolish youth, so it’s quite clumsy. Now, it’s almost embarrassing to show to others.”
“Setting the user authority acquisition condition for the search engine to Obaekro was ingenious.”
Lennok replied, placing a black stone.
“To be honest, it was also intriguing. I hadn’t realized Ars Nova held a board game created by Jindun in such high regard.”
“Obaekro isn’t just a game that helps with Barrier Spellcraft or Spell Formation learning.”
Jutiya averted her gaze.
“It’s one of the only means to simultaneously measure various talents that are difficult to quantify: logical reasoning, multi-dimensional complex thinking, affinity for domains and spatial aptitude for spellcraft interpretation.”
“…”
“Because it’s a game that perfectly encapsulates the intricacies of magic, a skilled player can discern an opponent’s spellcraft aptitude through their moves.”
Jutiya slowly gathered the white stones and looked at Lennok as she spoke.
“By reading their spellcraft aptitude, you can see the foundation of their learning, and even infer their aptitudes and origins…”
“…”
“The Grand Spell Masters of Ars Nova could even read what kind of life an opponent had lived while playing Obaekro. Obaekro itself was a means of exchange and communication.”
Jutiya smiled, looking at the silent Lennok.
“Well, a spellcaster who beat a strong AI in Obaekro probably already knows that.”
“Hmm. I don’t have much interest in intuitive insight, but…”
Lennok frowned at the sudden remark, then tilted his head.
“However, regarding your demeanor and Spell Formation aptitude, I do have a few things to say.”
“Demeanor?”
“A tendency to prefer stable and solid moves. An unwavering composure even in crisis.”
As Lennok spoke, Jutiya nodded.
“Ah, I’ve heard a lot about such tendencies—”
“But at its core, a tendency to postpone crucial confrontations and attempt to escape.”
Jutiya’s words abruptly stopped at Lennok’s calm statement.
Paying no mind to her reaction, Lennok looked down at the game board and continued.
“You’re trying to drag out the game by avoiding critical moments. You try to push the moment of your defeat as far back as possible.”
“…”
“But that’s different from simply not wanting to lose. Is it that you anticipate defeat from the start and plan for what comes after?”
“…You.”
“Nor are you giving up on this board to aim for the next game. If that were the case, you would have tried to observe and analyze my moves as much as possible. Rather, it’s…”
Lennok stroked his chin, observing Jutiya’s rarely surprised expression.
“It seems closer to a calculation to directly determine the moment the game ends.”
“…”
Silence fell.
It was a quiet moment where not even the breathing of Jenny, who was still dozing beside Lennok, could be heard.
Jutiya, staring at Lennok through her thick glasses, opened her mouth.
“Didn’t you just say you weren’t very interested in intuitive insight?”
“I just don’t have interest now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do it.”
Lennok chuckled.
“I figured you wanted an answer, so I decided to show off my skills for once. How was it?”
“…It was the worst. I feel quite annoyed.”
Jutiya replied with a languid smile.
“I regret even asking. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have brought this topic to you.”
“Haha.”
Despite the utterly scathing assessment, Lennok laughed, resting a hand on his chin.
He already knew whether Jutiya’s harsh criticism stemmed from his answer being completely wrong, or from it hitting the mark so accurately in the opposite sense.
“Thanks for the high praise. Planning to play more?”
“…No.”
Jutiya, who had been staring intently at the board through her glasses, tossed the white stone she held onto the board.
“I surrender. It’s annoying, but you’re right.”
Jutiya shrugged.
“I knew the tide had turned from the beginning. Playing more would only make it worse. I lost.”
“…”
Jutiya began to calmly tidy up the scattered stones.
Lennok watched her for a moment, then spoke nonchalantly.
“There are some things that can only be achieved by clinging on desperately, even to the point of becoming unsightly.”
“What?”
“At least, I tend to believe that kind of struggle is necessary. I do think your way might be correct too.”
“…”
“Well, that was unnecessary talk.”
Lennok chuckled, seeing Jutiya momentarily fall silent.
“If you wish to reclaim the strong AI, I can return it. I’ll even tell you what it’s currently being used for.”
“As expected, you weren’t just holding onto it.”
“But there are conditions.”
Lennok said, leaning back on the sofa with his arms crossed.
“I possess the search engine because I won an Obaekro match against the strong AI and acquired user authority. Strictly speaking, I am also a legitimate owner.”
“…”
“Since the search engine’s algorithms have been copied, returning the original isn’t difficult, but I will require compensation.”
“What compensation do you want?”
“The World Tree’s leaf and a Singularity Reactor component, which you offered during the funeral ceremony.”
Lennok’s eyes gleamed.
“I’ll need their location coordinates, or at least equivalent information.”
“…”
“As the Central Scribe of Ars Nova’s Council of Fate, you seem to hold a lot of information, and I’m personally quite interested in that.”
Lennok said, shaking Jenny’s shoulder to wake her, as she was still pretending to sleep.
“Ah, but if you know anything about the Outer Tribulation City, I’ll take that first. Either is fine.”
“…Outer Tribulation City? Are you referring to Kundara?”
“This might be the first time I’ve mentioned it here, but I plan to visit Kundara soon.”
Lennok nodded at Jutiya’s wide-eyed reply.
“The city of Long-lived Beings, hidden by the Veil. A natural sanctuary created to avoid destruction, wasn’t it?”
“…”
“As a noble of Ars Nova, you must know something about the Outer Tribulation City. I’d like to hear your advice on that.”
The Outer Tribulation City was a hidden place, more closely intertwined with Ars Nova than any other city on the continent.
Given that the Veil surrounding Ars Nova was Kundara’s creation, there was no need to elaborate on their connection.
That’s why Lennok thought Jutiya might know about Kundara’s Long-lived Beings.
He was interested in the World Tree’s leaf and the Singularity Reactor component, but receiving useful advice before going to Kundara would be beneficial.
As Lennok thought this and looked up to gauge Jutiya’s intentions.
“…Why that expression?”
“No, I just assumed you already knew…”
Jutiya stood there, mouth agape with a rarely seen dumbfounded expression.
Her reaction was as if she’d never imagined being asked such a thing at this point.
“So, you’re going to Kundara and want advice, right?”
As Lennok cocked his head at her peculiar reaction, Jutiya offered a wry smile.
“In my opinion, you’re perfectly fine as you are. I don’t think I have anything specific to tell you.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re saying. I haven’t even told you about my preparations for Kundara, have I?”
“No, this is perfect. In fact, if you don’t know, it’ll be far more helpful to go without knowing.”
Jutiya nodded emphatically with a serious expression.
“I don’t know what you plan to do in Kundara, but if you go like this, things will definitely work out well. I guarantee it.”
“…”
Was she playing a guessing game with Lennok, or was she simply being perverse and didn’t want to give him the answer?
Given Jutiya’s personality as he’d observed it so far, either option seemed possible, making it hard to be sure.
“Alright. I understand.”
Seeing her so confident, even giving a thumbs-up, Lennok shook his head.
“For now, I’ll take that as you not wanting the search engine back.”
“Ack.”
The Magic Tower’s Underground Hollow, where Lennok’s Guardian Spirit Beast resided.
Several people were gathered in the space where the Thorben’s Tower Lord, now a Shikigami, was staying.
“Hey, old man. If you’re awake, take a look at this.”
Dylan poked the Tower Lord, who was lying on the floor, with his sword sheath and asked.
News was broadcasting about the signing of an investment agreement between a War-Mage Tower and the City Government.
The Tower Lord glanced up at the news, then yawned widely with a bored expression.
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“Your capital is about to flow into this city right now, don’t you have anything to say?”
Dylan asked, settling comfortably in front of the Tower Lord and adjusting his sword sheath.
“You’re the largest shareholder of the Thorben Magic Tower. Don’t you know which areas or facilities in Vulcan they’re planning to invest in?”
“Hmph, what an insolent fellow.”
Thorben said, stroking his beard with an unenthusiastic expression.
“Are you saying you want to make a profit by making this old man an insider informant?”
“No, I’m saying tell your great-granddaughter to give up on investing in District 49.”
Dylan crossed his arms.
“Since District 49 is centered around Van’s Jurisdiction, we plan to acquire all remaining land there soon.”
“Hmm…”
“No matter the cost, we intend to buy it all. There’s no need for an unnecessary bidding war with other Magic Towers, right?”
“Ahem.”
Belber, who had been watching Dylan nervously from the side, spoke.
“The Tower Lord might accidentally let slip some insider information, there’s no need to outright refuse…”
“Belber, shut up.”
With a thud, Mila’s foot landed squarely in Belber’s abdomen.
While Belber hunched over at a right angle, retching, the Tower Lord let out a strange sound of admiration.
“Ohh! What an excellent kick. Its speed is truly like lightning itself. Would you not consider learning lightning magic?”
“…Old man. What does the speed of my kick have to do with lightning magic?”
“Don’t mind him, Mila.”
While Mila replied with a bewildered expression, Soo-ryun, arms crossed, spoke as if accustomed to it.
“This Grand Spell Master has already urged more than five people to learn lightning magic, giving all sorts of reasons.”
“…”
“Old man. We belong to Van’s Magic Tower, not yours.”
Dylan asked, standing with his sword sheath like a staff.
“If you acknowledge Van, shouldn’t you stop trying to persuade us like this?”
“You’re mistaken. Learning lightning magic doesn’t necessarily mean you have to join Thorben.”
The Tower Lord said with a proud expression.
“If you have carved the causality of lightning, you are no different from a fellow disciple, regardless of affiliation or origin. What does it matter which Magic Tower you belong to!”
“He’s completely mad.”
“To disregard this old man’s goodwill, who wishes for even one more person to realize the true value of mighty lightning, you truly are despicable wretches!”
“Could you please stop shouting? It’s noisy.”
The mercenaries, too, seemed to understand that this lightning-obsessed old man was merely loud, and harmless within the tower.
Their wariness of the Tower Lord was momentary; soon, the mercenaries were casually deflecting even his outrageous remarks.
Lennok, watching the Tower Lord and the mercenaries bickering against the sloped railing, moved his feet.
“Van!!”
Dylan, as if knowing, waved his sword sheath towards Lennok.
“Is the conversation over?”
“No. I tried to give him feedback on the Thorben Magic Tower’s investment direction, but he just spouts nonsense.”
Dylan shook his head.
“It would be good if we could contact Lyraiel Thorben before she leaves Vulcan.”
“Jenny is coordinating her schedule for that, I hear. Just wait a little longer.”
“Van, most of the stocks listed in Vulcan are fluctuating right now.”
Belber, who had been cowering after being hit by Mila, quickly interjected.
“When an external force like the Thorben Magic Tower gets involved, that’s an opportunity. If we get investment information from the Tower Lord and realize a profit, the Magic Tower’s assets will multiply several times over—!!!”
“Pretend you didn’t hear that, Van.”
“Why is this guy like this, really?”
Hands flew from all directions to cover Belber’s mouth and chin, pressing them down haphazardly.
From Belber’s mouth, which was kneaded like dough, his true intentions quickly spilled out.
“Argh!! The Thorben Magic Tower preferred stock I bought three years ago is still at its lowest price. Please—!!”
“He’s finally revealed his villainous true colors.”
“I told you to stop confessing your terrible investment skills to Van, didn’t I?”
“No, you mean a guy who invests in stocks actually touched a Magic Tower’s preferred stock?”
Even the Tower Lord, who had been listening with apparent disinterest behind the mercs berating Belber, added a remark with a dumbfounded expression.
“Lyraiel, that girl, must have created those preferred shares specifically to fleece speculative forces in reverse. Of all things to choose, why that…”
“Uwaaaagh!!”
[Woof]
Belber’s wailing was so desperate that the Guardian Spirit Beast, which had been sound asleep with its paw in its mouth, stirred.
As the pot-bellied young dragon showed signs of waking, the startled mercenaries began dragging Belber outside.
“Van, we’re off then!!”
“Manson was right. Let’s find a curse user.”
“Let’s put a spell on this guy so the word ‘investment’ never comes out of his mouth again.”
The mercenaries quickly finished their plotting and disappeared, and the Underground Hollow became quiet once more.
“You truly have talkative and noisy disciples.”
The Tower Lord, lying with the sleeping young dragon’s belly as a pillow, laughed heartily.
“They’re terrible as wizards, but with guys like them around, every day wouldn’t be boring.”
“Their aptitude and talent for magic aren’t exceptional.”
Lennok replied.
“Knowing that, you still thought of teaching Mila lightning magic.”
“Hmm, were you listening?”
The Tower Lord grinned.
“I have no intention of sugarcoating their shortcomings. In any case, compared to you, they’re merely faint embers.”
“…”
“But one cannot give up on learning simply because they lack talent. Isn’t that why you, too, are teaching magic to your disciples?”
“I have no intention of forcing them onto the path of magic.”
Lennok replied.
“I merely wish to assist them in the process of blossoming their inherent abilities or talents.”
“Hmm, I understand, since the magic system you created is quite unique…”
The Tower Lord, whose Domain had been assimilated by Lennok’s Ouroboros Guardian Spirit Beast, would surely understand how bizarre that magic was.
The creation magic Lennok had personally forged to transcend his rank and ascend to Level 8.
Yet, the Tower Lord knew its true value but had kept silent in front of the War-Mage Tower.
“I offer my gratitude for this matter.”
Lennok, who had been lost in thought, broke the silence and spoke.
“Thanks to your silence about my magic system and protecting my Guardian Spirit Beast, I was able to conclude things in my own way.”
“…”
“The Thorben Magic Tower’s losses will be compensated by us later. At the very least, I don’t intend to leave them perpetually in danger.”
“Enough. As I felt last time, you try to uphold morality in unnecessary areas.”
The Tower Lord chuckled.
“My disciples would be grateful for the experience of fighting a wizard like you, taking it as a stepping stone for growth. They wouldn’t ask for more than that.”
“…”
“More importantly, I am extremely curious about the enlightenment you gained in the Hall of the Thunder God.”
The Tower Lord asked, looking up at Lennok with glittering eyes.
“Surely, you didn’t enter the sanctuary and come out empty-handed. Tell this old man honestly what you obtained.”
“I didn’t bring back an enlightenment that transcends the Horizon of Thought from the sanctuary.”
Lennok said, extending his hand.
“Instead, I brought out something with a clearer form than that.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. If you didn’t gain enlightenment, you wouldn’t have been able to return from that sanctuary in the first place.”
The Tower Lord tilted his head.
“After all, apart from the entity at the core of that Hall of the Thunder God’s sanctuary—”
“I came to you because I wished to discuss that very matter with you.”
Lennok curved his fingers, feeling the air.
As Lennok’s hand, wandering as if searching for something invisible, grasped the air.
[Piercing Thunder Key]
KWA-A-ANG!!!
The air cracked like glass, and a golden, glowing key sprang into Lennok’s hand.
“….!!!!”
Lennok lifted it, watching the Tower Lord’s eyes bulge as if they would pop out of his head.
A massive key, the size of Lennok’s forearm, glowing intensely while constantly sparking with sharp lightning.
The failed answer left by an Old World Transcendent, or the Lightning Emperor who held the secret art of Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft from the First World.
“There was one last thing I wanted to try before heading to Kundara.”
Lennok said, raising the Lightning Emperor’s Key like a great weapon.
“The transformation of the Celestial Lightning Body. If possible, could we begin immediately?”