Chapter 1122: Afterglow (10)

The Adamant Thunder Annihilation Campaign.

Lennok knew that the Legion’s large-scale subjugation operation, planned specifically to target him, had been under preparation for a long time.

Deadrise’s 7th Legion Commander, Deimus, had hinted at its existence during a Pandemonium meeting.

And during the fight between Adamant Thunder and Cheonbeon, he had announced the plan, making it clear they intended to carry it out.

Lennok, disguised as Victor, had infiltrated during that time and heard all of the Legion’s plans.

That’s why Lennok could hear about the ‘war’ Jenny spoke of without being surprised.

‘They plan to make full preparations before starting the Legion Parade.’

The Annihilation Campaign was a large-scale operational plan that Deadrise intended to execute, even going so far as to borrow Pandemonium’s power.

Naturally, it would be impossible to even attempt without mobilizing the Legions stationed at the headquarters.

The problem was that most of the Legion’s forces were currently gathered at Deadrise headquarters for the upcoming Legion Parade.

‘They won’t move until the Marshal returns. Are they trying to hide the true orchestrators of the operation by using mercenary forces?’

The Legion Parade was a ceremony to announce the return of Deadrise’s Marshal, Ethan Bajour.

There was no way Deadrise would take action before officially announcing Ethan Bajour’s return.

Lennok knew this fact, but from Jenny’s perspective, simply acquiring such information would naturally cause alarm.

However, Jenny also seemed to have a rough idea of what the signs of war appearing on the Central Front meant.

“The information we’ve acquired this time is fragmented, so we know it’s not a systematic operation yet,” Jenny said, pointing at the screen.

“After trading with Eyes of Blue and running the Lighthouse, we haven’t seen any proper military movements either. Perhaps the danger isn’t imminent.”

“……”

“But now that we know this, we have to prepare. Only then can we protect the tower in any situation.”

Jenny shook her head, her expression thoughtful as she pointed at the screen.

“The City Council won’t step forward, and the Central Council will maintain an ambiguous stance even if they intervene. There aren’t many forces or allies we can rely on in this matter.”

“I see.”

“So, Van. Can you tell us if you know anything about the news related to this?” Jenny asked.

“I won’t stop you if you plan to continue operating in the central region, but if possible, I hope you can secure information that can only be obtained in the field.”

“……”

“I can’t ask you to stay in Vulcan indefinitely because of a war whose timing is unknown. At least if we formulate a plan that allows us to prepare when you’re not here–”

“No. There’s no need for that.” Lennok said calmly.

“Deadrise headquarters is preparing to march towards Vulcan. The orchestrators of the attack you’re talking about are probably them.”

“……What did you say?”

Instantly, the air in the conference room froze.

Lennok quietly spoke, looking at those whose expressions had hardened.

“I secured relevant intelligence while traveling back and forth from the Central Front. There’s no doubt that the Legion is planning to return.”

“What in the…”

“The Legion is returning?”

“Why only now…”

His colleagues were caught off guard by Lennok’s unexpected reply, their expressions stiff with shock.

Even Jutiya Heiberk, the Central Council noble sitting at the end of the conference room, had a slightly changed expression.

But Lennok, aware of this, quietly looked around.

“I’ll investigate the timing of the attack myself. But before that, let’s make one thing clear.” Lennok said calmly.

“Under no circumstances will I leave the tower’s defense to you. You don’t have to worry about that part.”

“……Van.”

Silence fell.

Was it because he had pointed out that they were formulating a defense plan for when Lennok was away?

However, Lennok had no intention of being absent when the Annihilation Campaign actually occurred.

Since he knew the Legion was the main force, he could find out the timing of the campaign at any point.

It would be sufficient if he simply organized his schedule in advance and returned to the Magic Tower before then.

There were plenty of ways he had in mind.

“It’s alright, Van.” At that moment, Felix approached Lennok and patted his shoulder.

“I know what kind of person you are. You’ve proven it time and again, risking your life.”

“……Felix.”

“If the existence of the Magic Tower restricts your whereabouts, then what is its purpose?” Felix said, looking at Lennok with calm eyes.

“The tower will be safe wherever you are. So don’t worry.”

“……”

[It seems now is not the time to be discussing strategy.] Mad Manson stood up, nodding his mechanical head.

[If Van has specifically identified the Legion, there’s no need for further deliberation. I’ll search for information on the Legion in other areas.]

As soon as they heard Mad Manson’s words, Weian and the other mercenaries rose from their seats.

“If Deadrise is the opponent, there’s plenty of data we can look for.”

“Traces from when they operated as a private military company should still be in the Undeveloped District.”

“Let’s go together. I know a mercenary acquaintance there.”

Deadrise, along with the Cartel, was a militant organization that operated in Vulcan, known as one of the three core leaders of the underworld.

Naturally, many of their connections and information from their time operating in Vulcan still remained in the city.

For mercenaries or freelancers who had scraped by in Vulcan’s underbelly, accessing such information would not be difficult.

Mad Manson, along with Felix, and several other mercenaries including Weian, quickly set their destinations and left the conference room.

As Tatiana Chiglet and Jordan also followed them out, only Jenny and Jutiya Heiberk remained in the conference room.

“……Things suddenly became simple. Or rather, more complicated?” Jenny chuckled, leaning back in her conference room chair, and asked Lennok,

“So, Van. When are you going to explain what happened in Kundara?”

“It would take too long to explain everything that happened there.” Lennok smiled, choosing a chair opposite her and sitting down.

“Anyway, the other stories have already been reported in the media. I’ll just briefly explain the parts that haven’t been revealed yet.”

Lennok then gave a brief summary of what happened in Kundara.

A massive Satellite City where Long-lived Beings, living for hundreds of years, resided.

The existence of the Silver Dragon who dreamed of ascension there and sought to acquire the qualifications.

And the final conclusion, crashing down along with Kundara itself.

“Oh?” However, the part that Jenny latched onto in Lennok’s explanation seemed entirely different.

“You lured Long-lived Beings with Obaekro and were treated like a master?”

“Hm?”

“Hmm, this is quite… information that could make money.” Jenny mumbled, resting her chin on her hand, her expression instantly serious.

“Long-lived Beings are so obsessed with Obaekro, and that fact isn’t widely known yet.”

“……That’s true.”

“We can definitely capitalize on it.” Jenny said, her eyes sparkling.

“Let’s acquire a company that sells Obaekro-related derivatives. If nothing else, we can profit by taking a commission.”

“Jenny?”

“If we play this right, it might even be an opportunity to sweep up all the rare treasures said to be piled up like mountains in Kundara…”

Jenny, mumbling various things to herself, suddenly sprang to her feet.

“Just wait a moment. I’ll come up with a proposal!”

Bang! Jenny burst through the door and disappeared, hastily gathering her meeting notes.

As Lennok stared blankly at her retreating figure, Jutiya Heiberk, sitting on the opposite side, chuckled.

“It wouldn’t have been easy for Bajour’s granddaughter to remain calm after hearing about the Legion.”

“……”

“She’ll need time to think alone. Jenny knows it’s a flimsy excuse, so just let her be.”

“That’s…” Lennok, understanding the meaning of Jutiya Heiberk’s words, quietly closed his mouth.

Lennok had told Jenny about chasing the truth behind the Black Consumer Project before.

In that process, they had discussed the existence of Ethan Bajour and Jenny’s own birth.

Jenny had maintained a composed attitude, saying she wouldn’t mind and would do what she had to do.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t remain completely detached or indifferent.

Whether as Bajour’s kin or as a long-time partner, Lennok believed Jenny deserved to hear everything, but…

Jenny seemed to have already reached a conclusion on how to confront the facts about Kaiser and the Legion.

Had she said she wouldn’t be bound by the project’s failure, that she wouldn’t live swayed by such things?

Perhaps Jenny’s answer was an even more correct and proper direction than Lennok’s.

To that extent, Lennok respected Jenny’s decision.

“So, what was it really like?” Jutiya Heiberk, pushing up her thick glasses, smiled at Lennok.

“Kundara. Did it go well, just as I said?”

“……Indeed.” Lennok gave a wry smile and looked away.

“Certainly, it wasn’t entirely wrong. Though I’m not sure if ‘went well’ is the right way to put it.”

Just before leaving for Kundara, Lennok had played Obaekro with Jutiya Heiberk and sought her advice about the Outer Tribulation City.

He had done so assuming that a Central Council noble would know a lot about Kundara’s Long-lived Beings.

But Jutiya Heiberk had told Lennok nothing, merely giving him unfounded assurances that things would go well.

It was only after setting foot in Kundara himself that Lennok truly understood what she meant.

“I never imagined Long-lived Beings would be so fond of a game like Obaekro.”

“They’re absolutely crazy about it, aren’t they?” Jutiya Heiberk chuckled.

“After it became popular in Ars Nova, it caused a huge sensation in Kundara too. I’ve never seen them take to new cultures like that before.”

“……”

“Given the Long-lived Beings’ characteristic of delving into something for hundreds of years once they take a liking to it, I knew they would still be engrossed in Obaekro.”

She sat with her legs crossed on the chair, sipping a fruit smoothie, and spoke leisurely.

“And your Obaekro skills, as I saw them, would have been more than enough to earn you good treatment from the Long-lived Beings, right?”

“I admit it was a useful means to understand the situation in Kundara.”

“Of course. There’s no way a wizard like you wouldn’t take advantage of such an advantage.”

Jutiya Heiberk’s glasses suddenly became opaque.

“But still, it seems the destruction of Kundara couldn’t be avoided.”

“……”

Silence fell.

Jutiya Heiberk, fiddling with her smoothie cup, asked,

“I saw the footage released by the media. There was a problem beyond just an Ascendant being born and dying, wasn’t there?”

“……Yes.” Lennok replied.

“They abandoned the Outer Tribulation Plan to escape outside the Outer Sea to avoid destruction. From now on, they will settle and live on the Western Front.”

“……”

“As a result, it may not have been the form they desired. To some extent, I consider it my responsibility.”

“Responsibility? What does that matter? In the end, it’s just a matter of how they themselves accept it.” Jutiya Heiberk shrugged.

“From the start, they knew that Outer Tribulation wasn’t a perfect alternative. Knowing that, they chose what they could do.”

“……”

“If it’s an outcome accepted by those who will live there, then it doesn’t really matter, does it?”

Jutiya Heiberk slumped back in her chair with a thud and said,

“If they were prepared either way, perhaps they just needed a catalyst for change.”

“A catalyst…” Lennok rested his chin on the conference table and closed his eyes.

He rubbed his eyelids tiredly and mumbled,

“Will that be enough?”

“Who knows? I don’t.” Jutiya Heiberk replied indifferently.

“At least it’s better than perishing and disappearing entirely, like my hometown.”

“……”

[This organic being is shamelessly using a pre-emptive strike.] Lennok, chuckling at Davi’s grumbling, stood up, leaning on his staff with one hand.

“Thanks for the advice. It was quite helpful.”

“Leaving?”

“I have a lot to do. I should take care of what I can in advance.”

He had a few days left until he confirmed his participation in Pandemonium’s ‘The Gate’ capture operation.

Before then, he needed to resolve the problems that had arisen for himself as much as possible, and also arrange alibis for his other identities.

Most importantly, Lennok had not forgotten what Claris Richellen had said before he left for Kundara.

At the same time Claris Richellen left Vulcan, one person would return to Vulcan from the Sinclair Magic Tower.

Aris Richellen would return.

He didn’t know when, but he knew it wouldn’t be long.

So, Lennok also needed to prepare before that time came.

The moment Lennok, leaning on his staff, left the conference room without hesitation and turned towards the lower levels of the tower.

“If you’re thinking of meeting Akendrias El Thorben, you should check the basement,” Jutiya Heiberk said, as if something just occurred to her.

“Something quite interesting happened down there recently, so the Tower Lord has been stuck there all day.”

“……Something interesting?” If something seemed interesting to this subtly ill-natured scribe, Lennok doubted it would be a pleasant experience for him.

“It’s just like what happened in Kundara.” Jutiya Heiberk nodded, a strange expression on her face as if suppressing a laugh.

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you, would it? It’ll be quicker to see it yourself.”

“……”

“Ah, Van. You’re here?”

At the entrance to the Magic Tower’s underground cavern.

Dylan Oakacy, wearing a wrestler’s mask, stood near the ramp leading down into the cavern.

He was pacing the corridor, looking subtly flustered, then quickly ran over.

“Ahem, ahem.” Dylan Oakacy cleared his throat and put his hands on his hips.

“Van.”

“Yes.”

“Take a look at me for a second.”

“I am looking.”

“Has anything changed about me?”

“……”

[He seems to want to banter with Master?] Davi cocked her head at Dylan Oakacy’s abrupt question, but Lennok didn’t answer.

Instead, he simply swept his Mystic Eye up and down Dylan Oakacy’s entire body.

Lennok stared at Dylan Oakacy’s face for a moment, then nodded and said,

“You’ve awakened your Miniature Universe, it seems. Congratulations.”

“……Huh?”

“So you’ve reached Level 7? You won’t die no matter where you’re thrown now.”

“No, is that really all? That lukewarm reaction is all you’ve got?” Dylan Oakacy pointed at himself emphatically, looking dumbfounded.

“Do you know how hard I worked?! Shouldn’t there be more intense joy or surprise?!”

“Isn’t it not that surprising?” Lennok turned to leave.

“You’ve been working with me for several years. It’s about time you learned something by observation.”

“No, that’s…”

Dylan Oakacy had been working with Lennok even before Lennok built the Magic Tower.

He was a superhuman who had been with Lennok when Lennok taught Ouroboros to his colleagues, and when he established his Domain and built the Magic Tower.

If a physical superhuman of that caliber had been with Lennok for several years, constantly influenced by his magic and Domain…

It wouldn’t be strange for there to be a tangible growth in Dylan Oakacy’s realm of inspiration or intuition.

A crestfallen Dylan Oakacy walked behind Lennok, his shoulders slumped.

“Certainly, recently I felt a tingling sensation, and then something clicked, but still…”

“I’m joking.”

“But I trained to death and finally–Huh? What did you say?”

“It’s definitely an achievement you gained through your own hard work.” Lennok said, turning around.

In his hand was a brilliant silver short spear.

“V-Van…”

“Even if several conditions overlapped, completing your hierarchy would be impossible without your own efforts.”

Dylan Oakacy was a survivor of the Guido Cult’s immortal body experiments, a physical superhuman with powerful regenerative abilities.

However, since regeneration wasn’t Dylan Oakacy’s original talent, he often struggled to advance his hierarchy.

Lennok had even used the power of Kashuin, an archangel from the Old World, to release the limiter on Dylan Oakacy’s regenerative abilities.

But even with such strengthened regenerative abilities, completing his hierarchy would have been impossible without Dylan Oakacy’s immense personal effort.

Of course, the influence of being part of Lennok’s Domain was not insignificant in Dylan Oakacy’s ability to reach Level 7, but Lennok didn’t want to point that out and diminish Dylan Oakacy’s efforts or aspirations.

Lennok smiled, looking at Dylan Oakacy, who was trembling with emotion and pointing at the short spear.

“You’ve worked hard. This is a gift.”

“Van!!!!” Dylan Oakacy, arms wide open, rushed forward, past the short spear Lennok was holding.

His vigorous movements seemed to indicate he intended to embrace Lennok entirely.

Lennok immediately re-gripped the spear vertically.

“I’ll stab you.”

“Ah, no… I’m sorry.”

A suddenly docile Dylan Oakacy respectfully clasped his hands together and received the silver short spear.

“H-Hiyah… What kind of gift is this, anyway…” Dylan Oakacy’s eyes glazed over as he stared at the brilliantly shining blade of the short spear.

“I-It’s an insane item… Just holding it makes me feel intoxicated…”

“It’s a weapon crafted from parts of a high-level Long-lived Being’s body.” Lennok explained.

“I acquired a few of them by chance, but they don’t seem useful to me.”

“A, a Long-lived Being’s weapon…?” A horrified Dylan Oakacy hugged the short spear even more carefully than before.

He spoke with an embarrassed voice from behind his wrestler’s mask.

“Thank you… I wasn’t expecting any gifts at all… I-I’ll work even harder from now on.”

“Were you really not expecting it?”

“……Actually, I was a little bit.” Lennok chuckled, seeing Dylan Oakacy’s honesty, and started walking.

“Where is the Thorben Magic Tower Lord? I heard he’s been in the basement for quite a while.”

“Ah, about that.” Dylan Oakacy, who had been grotesquely rubbing the short spear against himself, froze with an awkward expression.

“……Well. Actually, I was going to tell you that first.”

“I’m listening.”

“Hmm…”

“……”

Bang! Lennok didn’t wait and immediately pushed open the door leading to the underground cavern.

Walking straight down the ramp and looking at the dark inner wall of the cavern, Lennok realized that something like a giant, pure white marshmallow was stuck to the wall.

“……?”

[?]

The giant marshmallow slowly writhed and exhaled.

Its taut, pudding-like outer skin rippled, shaking up and down.

“……No way.”

Lennok, realizing the marshmallow’s true identity, looked up with a shocked expression.

The giant marshmallow, hearing Lennok’s voice, squirmed and turned around on the spot.

Thump! Its colossal size was at least twice Lennok’s height. Its thick front and hind paws were swollen like logs.

Its abundant belly sagged forward, and lumps of fat were crammed around its neck.

[Bao!] A pure white dragon with three chins looked at Lennok and let out a joyful roar.