Chapter 1049: Milestone (36)
Excavators moving in all directions, trucks transporting rebar.
Architects arriving for construction, and wizards assisting with the work.
Hundreds of laborers swiftly transported materials according to the managers’ instructions.
Lennok silently looked down at the construction site, leaning on his staff.
“…”
La Haven, a satellite city designed during the urban expansion and development plan, but then canceled and abandoned.
The sight of a colossal dock being constructed in real-time, matched to the War-Mage Tower floating in the sky above the satellite city.
“It’s truly difficult for you and me to find time for each other.”
Councilman Meyer, leaning on his staff, stood behind Lennok.
“It’s already been several days since this incident concluded, and only now have we had a moment to speak.”
“Councilman Meyer.”
“The War-Mage Tower. Befitting friends who conduct business across the continent, their work is quite decisive. They accepted our investment terms and percentages with almost no negotiation.”
Meyer coughed lightly, approached Lennok’s side, and spoke while looking at the dock.
“Their only condition was that a transit point be established near Vulcan within a week. This dock, nearing completion, is the result of that.”
“…”
“I didn’t put in any particular effort, yet word spread that I handled the negotiations well.”
The old councilman made light of it, but Lennok knew that the War-Mage Tower was not an organization insensitive to profit and loss.
It was unlikely that Lyraiel Thorben, who commanded the War Business, would have taken a lenient stance in negotiations with the City Council.
It was more accurate to assume that Meyer, as the negotiator, quickly mediated between both sides and presented a compromise.
But instead of dwelling on that fact, Lennok changed the subject.
“I didn’t expect the satellite city to be chosen as the location for the Thorben Magic Tower’s investment.”
“La Haven was, quite literally, a satellite city designed to function as an entire port,” Meyer replied.
“An environment bordering both sea and land. An altitude relatively safe from the influence of magnetic storms. A suitable place for various modes of transport to transit, regardless of land, sea, or air.”
“Do you intend to restore the satellite city’s facilities as an opportunity with this agreement?”
“That is one intention, but it is also to prevent Thorben’s money from directly influencing Vulcan.”
Meyer’s eyes grew cold as he answered Lennok.
“The enormous capital the Thorben Magic Tower earned from its War Business. From the City Council’s perspective, it’s certainly tempting money, but it’s also true that its origin is unclear.”
“…”
“We plan to expand the investment scope while observing the trend. No matter how large Vulcan’s domestic market is, the influx of external capital is always welcome. But if a problem were to arise, then…”
“You intend to cut off the tail, satellite city and all.”
“Because there is only one Magic Tower directly ‘permitted’ to be established in Vulcan.”
At Lennok’s answer, Meyer turned his head and smiled slyly.
“Wouldn’t that benefit your Magic Tower in many ways too?”
“…”
Hearing that much, Lennok inadvertently let out a wry smile.
The reason for explaining the War-Mage Tower’s investment agreement. The reason for redeveloping the satellite city of La Haven as a port and using it as proof of the agreement.
Was it to filter Thorben’s capital and prevent their influence from growing larger than Lennok’s Magic Tower?
“La Haven will henceforth be used as the official primary transit point for external forces like Thorben who come to Vulcan,” Meyer said.
“Now that the Skyway has opened with Professor Evan Vylun’s development of the anti-gravity engine, the demand for trade towards Vulcan is higher than ever.”
“…”
“If things proceed smoothly, as you said, it might even become an opportunity to restore the satellite cities that have been abandoned for decades.”
“That would be predicated on things going well with the Thorben Magic Tower.”
“Precisely. Your role, standing in the middle, will become even more crucial.”
Meyer’s smile, as he looked at Lennok, transformed into one of utmost benevolence.
“Just as it has been from the first time I met you until now.”
“…”
“So, I look forward to our continued collaboration.”
A pleased smile, as if looking at a safely hidden treasure.
John Meyer was still exactly as he had been when they first met.
A powerful figure who openly displayed his greed and ambition in everything, but at the same time possessed commensurate competence.
A man with the willingness and ability to accommodate Lennok as much as possible, as long as their objectives and directions aligned.
“Yakson Yanushika Greenway is working as a pharmacist in my Magic Tower.”
In that case, Lennok also had no choice but to pay a fitting price.
“I will prepare some health-benefiting elixirs, so please visit the Tower sometime soon.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Lennok headed towards the War-Mage Tower which was landing on the dock in La Haven.
His visit to the satellite city before departing for Kundara was not solely to discuss the intentions of Meyer and the City Council.
Beep- Beep-
Hundreds of guides, holding red warning lights, moved in unison, stretching their hands towards the sky.
With each signal, the colossal body of the War-Mage Tower, floating in the sky, slowly lowered its altitude and settled onto the center of the dock.
Shhhk-
KWAH-AAAAAANG!!!!!
With a heavy shockwave, the enormous steel fortress firmly docked near the pier.
Thick chains flowed from the stern of the War-Mage Tower, hooking onto the mooring devices, tightening to stabilize its balance.
“The balance of this main cannon is off.”
“We might need to replace the entire power cable for the deck.”
“I’ve scoured Vulcan’s black market, but couldn’t find the parts.”
On the deck, wizards, bandaged all over, held tools and were repairing damaged equipment.
Broken cannons were welded and repaired, the deck opened to reveal electrical wires, and damaged lines were identified and sorted.
There were also wizards redrawing complex magic circles on parts, or chanting new spells to imbue them.
The Thorben wizards skillfully repairing and restoring the damaged parts of the half-destroyed War-Mage Tower.
“He’s here.”
“Ah, Van. Long time no see.”
Discovering Lennok on the deck, the wizards turned their gaze towards him.
“If you have time, could we ask you to review the last battle?”
“I’d like to ask for advice if you have any tips on the efficiency of Property Transformation.”
The wizards approached nonchalantly, as if they had already forgotten the outcome of the battle.
They spoke to Lennok without hesitation, even after being unilaterally beaten by him.
“Hey, hey. Everyone, go back to work. What are you doing?”
Suddenly, a woman with a strong, imposing presence stepped between the wizards, blocking their way.
As the woman, carrying a Lightning Broadsword, blocked their path, the other wizards grumbled and retreated.
After confirming this, the woman finally turned her head towards Lennok.
“I didn’t hear from higher-ups that you were coming today. What brings you here?”
“Where is Lyraiel Thorben?”
“Engine room.”
The woman turned her back sharply, as if she had expected it.
“Follow me. I’ll show you.”
“Harlin, was it?”
Lennok, recalling her name, asked, remembering the battle he had fought with her.
A War-Mage specialized in combat, with reflexes pushed to their limits.
Even as a Lightning Wizard, she used a weapon called a Lightning Broadsword, which had stuck in Lennok’s memory.
“It seems your body has recovered enough to move already.”
“…Isn’t it usually not the person who beat me up who says that?”
Harlin grumbled, frowning.
“I was lying for three full days, unable to move a finger, and only got up today, so cut me some slack.”
“What about the other Saint Wizards I fought?”
“Still groaning and moaning.”
Harlin said with an indifferent expression.
“My injuries from the engagement had fewer after-effects, but you directly trampled the Domains of the others.”
“…”
“Giselle is the only one who’s somewhat fine; Old Man Albert and Razaart still can’t even get up. It’s ridiculous.”
Harlin’s expression, gripping the hilt of her broadsword, momentarily turned troubled.
“As spellcasters of the same lineage, I trusted in our lightning resistance and thought we could endure, but we were swallowed whole instead. From the start, you were the superior counterpart in all magical capabilities.”
“For someone saying that, you don’t seem to hold any grudge against me.”
“You must have heard the explanation from Lyraiel, right?” Harlin retorted to Lennok’s question.
“It was something we started willingly, and we have no complaints about the outcome. On the contrary, if we were thoroughly crushed to this extent, we have no choice but to acknowledge it.”
“…”
Harlin, walking ahead, turned her gaze towards Lennok.
“Most importantly, you didn’t kill a single person. Even the auxiliary batteries of our Magic Tower know that’s much harder to do.”
“Are you saying that as a joke right now? That wasn’t for your sakes–”
“Oh~ I know. Not for our sakes, but because of the Tower Lord, right?” Harlin said.
“But that, in itself, is proof that you’re considerate of the Tower Lord. So that doesn’t matter either.”
“…”
“So, please take good care of that senile old man after we leave.”
She slowly sheathed her Lightning Broadsword at her waist and spoke quietly.
“Our master. He’s crazy, but not a bad person.”
“…Indeed.”
Lennok knew as well.
That the Tower Lord, who tried to discard everything but the power of lightning and act virtuously, was in fact not such a person.
That the old man who behaved with arrogance and single-mindedness was a being entangled in bonds and lingering affection, like his Guardian Spirit Beast.
He was a wizard as entangled in worldly affairs as he tried not to be.
Why was Lennok able to recognize that aspect of the Tower Lord so easily?
Perhaps because he saw that same facet of the Tower Lord reflected in himself, like a mirror.
Lennok looked at Harlin’s retreating back, smiled bitterly, and shook his head.
“The Tower Lord has good disciples.”
“…The fact that you can say something like that certainly makes you different from that old geezer.”
Harlin turned her gaze away with a displeased expression, then finally stepped aside.
Nodding before the colossal door leading to the engine room, Harlin said,
“Lyraiel is inside. Go on in.”
Lennok gave Harlin a brief nod, then immediately pushed open the engine room door.
Shhhk!!
The door slid open, and a faint whooshing sound of compressed air resonated.
A engine room filled with hazy steam. Blue lightning swirled and flashed everywhere.
Lyraiel, standing before a massive, intricately designed machine too complex to understand its purpose, turned her gaze.
“My partner mentioned she had something to say about the Thorben Magic Tower’s investment agreement.”
“I already concluded discussions with Jenicia Bajour about that this morning,” Lennok said, approaching Lyraiel. Lyraiel nodded readily.
“We will revise the treaty to ensure that the purchase of land in District 49 does not occur after we depart Vulcan.”
“Did Jenny contact you already?”
“Vulcan has many shrewd negotiators, both overt and covert,” Lyraiel answered casually.
“It wasn’t an unreasonable condition, so I accepted. Is that why you came?”
“…No, it’s another matter.”
Lennok put his hands in his coat pockets and asked, “I heard you’re planning to leave Vulcan soon.”
“Since my grandfather’s position has been decided, we cannot remain here indefinitely,” Lyraiel said, adjusting the heavy machinery in the engine room.
“There’s also the issue of reduced engine output due to the Hall of the Thunder God’s overload, so we plan to depart within a few days to carry out our pre-scheduled itinerary.”
“It seems there aren’t enough suitable parts to properly repair Ars Nova’s Strategic Mobile Battleship, is that right?”
“It seems my grandfather has already told you that much,” Lyraiel replied, unfazed.
Her answer was casual, as if she had expected it.
“The Imperial Duel Ritual that forcibly summoned my Guardian Spirit Beast when we first met. I wondered what it meant when you said it was a reinterpretation of the Imperial Palace Tournament in the capital… it was only possible because the War-Mage Tower itself is a modified battleship from the capital.”
“It requires such specialized parts and resources that my grandfather certainly handed down a difficult item to manage.”
Lyraiel stood up, turned to Lennok, and asked, “Is that all you’re curious about?”
“No, I want to know where the War-Mage Tower’s next destination is after leaving Vulcan.”
“…”
Lyraiel tilted her head at Lennok’s puzzling words and said,
“Currently, we are directly or indirectly involved in over 15 battlefields across the continent.”
“So?”
“Including simple capital investment, we are involved in over 40 battlefields. It’s not an itinerary where we can simply decide on one destination at a time.”
In this continent, where all sorts of superhumans and monsters run wild, the War Business was indeed a field with endless potential.
Moving on the front lines, supplying elite War-Mages and war equipment, the Thorben Magic Tower’s schedule was inevitably always busy.
But Lennok shook his head even after hearing Lyraiel’s explanation.
“Just the general direction will suffice. Where are you heading?”
“…For now, we plan to move towards the Western Continent.”
“Good. That should be enough.”
“…?”
Lennok smiled at Lyraiel’s confused expression.
“I have a personal matter, and I need to visit near The Veil.”
“…”
“However, around Vulcan or near the Eastern Continent won’t do. I want to avoid the vicinity of the first Gateway if possible.”
Lyraiel crossed her arms.
“What are you trying to say?”
“If we’re heading in the same direction, couldn’t we travel together until then?” Lennok said, smiling.
“If you’re willing to give me a ride, I won’t refuse.”
“…”
The laboratory located near Lennok’s private residence.
The deepest part of the laboratory, separated and isolated.
Lennok, who had meticulously arranged various items on the workbench, held a heavy piece of iron in both hands.
Click!!
The old musket smoothly rotated, finishing its reload.
The moment mana was imbued and manipulated by will-thought, the gun’s form inverted, transforming into a shotgun, a flamethrower, and a rifle.
Teremer’s Demise, an Old World magic gun acquired from Machina.
A treasure possessing six changing forms, and the ability to fire spellcraft itself as bullets.
And a tool that Lennok knew was once directly used by a Magic Gunner.
“…”
Lennok, holding the musket in both hands, carefully inspected it with a discerning eye, then set it down with a satisfied expression.
Click.
On the wide-spread workbench, dozens of artifacts — rings, staves, prayer beads, keys, papyri, and pocket watches; gauntlets, monocles, eyeballs, and Penteracts — quietly shone.
Useful tools Lennok had collected and acquired from various parts of the continent since he awakened in this world.
It was time for a final check of equipment with unique and distinctive abilities, powerful enough to be used even after reaching Level 8.
“The Curse-Eating Ghoul is still with Felix, presumably…”
Click, click.
One by one, he stored the organized artifacts back into his person.
The pocket watch and staff went to his waist, rings and prayer beads on his wrist and fingers, and the papyri and eyeballs were slipped into a sub-space.
He pushed them into the pockets and sleeves of his shadow coat, organizing them and memorizing their locations.
He discreetly attached the Socket Belt to his waist, loading it with elixirs and pellets, and stored pre-rolled herbal tobacco in its case in his inner pocket.
He donned his gloves and straightened his clothes while inhaling vaporized potion liquid from a respirator.
Lennok picked up his shimmering coat one last time, then turned his gaze to the empty workbench.
[Fate Scale Ultimate Art: Five Laws]
[Hermes’s Mass Spellcraft]
[Black Rhapsody Unique Magic]
The research themes for spellcraft and Lennok’s own developing ideas were meticulously written on one side of the laboratory’s whiteboard.
The Provisional Ascension Gate, informally known as the Random Box, continued to operate, constantly storing and expelling all sorts of items even at this moment.
“…”
Lennok took one last look around the laboratory, which held the entirety of his time spent alive, then quietly closed the door.
It was true that after reviewing the War-Mage Tower’s Elixir Vault and Lightning Scripture Archive, Lennok had felt the urge to organize his own belongings.
The value of all the spellcraft and artifacts Lennok alone had amassed was by no means inferior to what an entire Magic Tower had accumulated.
But, the reason he was specifically finalizing this task at this very moment was none other than–
Flash!!
He arrived at District 49 and checked the basement of the training hall located at the back gate of the Magic Tower.
Felix and Peshia, engaged in a spar, wreathed in red mana. The Guileless leisurely offering advice from behind.
Mercenaries diligently training in the drill ground, and Cyrus playing Obaekro with someone in the Funeral Ship to the Sea of Return situated behind them.
Laborers incessantly transporting items on the lower floors of the Magic Tower, and wizards busily tallying and passing goods.
Jenny on the upper floor, talking on the phone with someone, and Jutiya next to her, yawning while typing on a computer.
Even the Guardian Spirit Beast dozing off in the underground hollow of the Tower, and the Tower Lord patting his belly beside it.
He took in and passed by all of it, one by one.
Whoosh-ooooo…!!!
Standing alone on the rooftop of the Magic Tower, looking down at the tranquil scene of District 49, which functioned perfectly even without Lennok.
From behind, someone’s voice echoed.
“You’re leaving.”
“…Claris Richellen.”
The Long-lived Being, arms crossed, was already standing behind Lennok.
Lennok glanced back at her, then offered a faint smile.
“Thanks to you. I’m ready.”
“…”
“I’m going to confirm Kaiser Bajour’s final moments. I intend to search for the conclusion he met in Kundara.”
Lennok said, “Because it has become clear that those I know are entangled in the end of the Black Consumer Project. To understand them, I have no choice but to uncover the hidden history myself.”
Was Lennok saying this to steel himself?
Or was he hoping this message would be conveyed to someone through Claris?
What Lennok wanted, what he was moving towards.
To articulate in words the reason he had thought needed no verbalization, only to circle back and deliberately state it now.
“I plan to return to the Sinclair Magic Tower soon. All my work here is finished,” Claris said with a calm expression, as if understanding Lennok’s words.
“And someone else will return to this city in my place.”
“…”
Claris smiled, seeing Lennok’s silence.
“If you have something to say, say it directly when you return. Don’t use someone else’s mouth.”
“…Indeed.”
Lennok slowly took a step forward.
Stepping over the rooftop’s boundary and into the open air, Lennok turned his head and gave a bitter smile.
Flash!!!
At that moment, an immense quantity of lightning struck beneath Lennok’s feet, transforming into a single path.
The instant a fierce light flashed from the very top of the Magic Tower, Lennok’s figure traversed District 49’s Jurisdiction at supersonic speed.
He passed over the outer districts and undeveloped areas, heading out of the megacity in an instant.
Whoosh-ooooo!!!!
As if waiting for the distant flash of lightning, the War-Mage Tower rose from the La Haven dock.
The steel vessel, wreathed in sharp lightning, ascended roughly, emitting a powerful engine roar.
Thump!!
Lennok stepped onto the constantly vibrating deck of the Tower.
[You’ve arrived.]
Olivera, clad in a magnificent robe and wearing a transparent veil, stood at the edge of the deck, arms crossed.
Olivera gazed at Lennok, then smirked coldly, her mystic eye flashing.
[Unlike you, you made it on time this time.]
“It wouldn’t be courteous to be late when they prepared the transportation,” Lennok said, straightening himself and looking down.
KWAH-AAAAAANG!!!!
The War-Mage Tower’s engine pulsed, drawing power, and the rotating thrusters at the stern glowed madly.
With each pulse, the colossal body of the Tower, floating in the sky above the satellite city, rapidly gained speed.
The ground scenery distorted, then blurred into a streaking line as it accelerated.
FWOOSH!!!
Lennok, looking at the receding satellite city and the scenery of Vulcan spread out behind it, turned his gaze forward.
“Departing for Kundara.”