Chapter 1136: Showdown (7)
[We inform you that 48 hours have passed since the Pandemonium terrorist attack at Torquepaz Stadium ended.]
[A wave of mourning is spreading across the city following the largest disaster ever, which engulfed the commercial district near the stadium—]
[Concerns are being voiced from all sectors regarding how long this chaos, which has shaken the Western Continent, will persist.]
“……”
The casino fell silent the moment the news broadcast. People who had been pulling slot machines or absorbed in card games turned their heads.
Pandemonium’s large-scale terrorist attack occurred during Freya’s world tour. The largest act of destruction in history, where a stadium capable of accommodating 100,000 spectators was completely obliterated. The newscaster’s voice, reporting the latest developments, was also subdued.
[Rapid evacuation from the scene resulted in no civilian casualties, but the extent of the damage to the police forces involved in suppressing the situation has yet to be estimated.]
[However, it is being argued that this is due to the large number of individuals with inaccurate identification records within the Police Department’s database…]
[The whereabouts of Pandemonium, known as the mastermind behind this attack, are still unknown.]
“Pandemonium, huh…”
People exchanging cards between tables looked at each other with strange expressions.
With the poker-faced dealer between them, the customers quietly began exchanging information.
“It’s no coincidence that there were almost no civilian casualties despite a terror attack of this magnitude. It was definitely an intentional outcome.”
“I don’t know what they’re thinking. Pandemonium has almost never been concerned with casualties in this manner before.”
“The execution of the crime was abnormally smooth. Crime consultants say it was the result of at least five individuals moving within Pandemonium.”
“Are you saying just five operatives could create a disaster of this scale…?”
The bustling downtown area of Torquepaz, where luxurious shopping malls and casinos were clustered. Most visitors here were high-ranking officials from various parts of the continent or individuals with considerable assets. As they were in a position to hear various news faster than others, many of them held unrevealed information about the recent attack.
“There were those who were secretly observing the scene until observations were blocked. The circumstances strongly suggest the Guido Cult’s involvement.”
“There was a premonition of an Apostle’s appearance. Similar historical records were found in the doctrines held by apostates.”
“Hard to believe… Are you saying Pandemonium and an Apostle from the Guido Cult clashed, using the stadium as a battleground?”
“It seems certain that Pandemonium and the Guido Cult clashed once without our knowledge.”
The city of pleasure where the most cash assets on the Western Continent flowed. Naturally, most of the information exchanged here was valuable.
“……”
Lennok, who had been sitting near the casino bar, listening to the customers’ hushed conversations, stood up.
Rumble, rumble…!!
As soon as he walked out of the casino, countless construction vehicles could be seen on the roads. Heavy equipment, including trucks and cranes, were all heading in one direction.
The ruins where Torquepaz Stadium, which Lennok had obliterated a few days ago, once stood. He heard the murmuring voices of citizens.
“Did you hear? The Syndicate funded all the money needed to rebuild the stadium.”
“Those criminal businessmen who run casinos in the underworld?”
“You know the City Council actively hosted Freya’s concert, right? Given what happened, the City Council won’t be able to escape responsibility.”
“Is the balance within Torquepaz shifting entirely towards the Syndicate? This city might only be left with casinos and entertainment facilities.”
It might be good news for visitors who came to Torquepaz to gamble. But for the citizens living in this city, it was a complex issue. While an increase in external visitors would certainly enrich the citizens’ pockets, the city’s foundation would become unstable in return. It wouldn’t be strange for them to feel uneasy, given that citizens couldn’t control this balance themselves.
Lennok thought so as he slowly moved his steps.
While Victor’s description had become somewhat known due to Pandemonium’s attack, Lennok did not bother to change his appearance. It didn’t matter much if this masked appearance became known, and most troublesome situations could be avoided with perception distortion magic.
The hotel district located in the city center. He entered the lobby of the most opulent and high-ceilinged luxury hotel there. He passed through the dazzlingly lit casino hall with its top-notch facilities and walked towards the elevator.
The most luxurious suite, located on the top floor of the hotel building. An accommodation facility that occupied the entire top floor, offering a panoramic view of Torquepaz.
“Victor.”
Agneta, hanging upside down from the vast room’s ceiling, waved her hand in welcome.
“You’re here.”
Bang!!
The bedroom door inside the suite burst open, and Freya, with disheveled hair, walked out. Her expression was listless, as if she had just woken up from a deep sleep, still drowsy. She looked at Lennok with half-closed eyes and asked.
“Did you find the Clown?”
Two days had passed since the battle with the Apostle concluded. The group remained in Torquepaz, dealing with the aftermath of the fight.
It was expected that Freya couldn’t immediately continue her concert due to the terror that swept through Torquepaz. However, the Clown’s whereabouts had completely vanished right after the decisive battle with the Apostle. Even if the two Apostles disappeared with the obliteration of the stadium, the operation would become complicated if the Clown didn’t return. At that point, the other members, who had been preparing to leave, changed their plans and began searching the city.
“……Ha. Of course.”
When Lennok didn’t answer, Freya looked at her phone with a tired expression. Leaning against the bedroom door, she tapped on her phone, then tossed it onto the bed and said.
“I’ve talked to my agency. Tomorrow, a representative will arrive to take care of what happened here.”
“And?”
“We’ll probably find a ship to leave Torquepaz by tomorrow or the day after.”
She said that, then leaned back on the sofa and yawned lazily.
“If that psycho doesn’t come back by then, the schedule will be completely messed up. I’m done with it.”
“……”
Lennok ignored her and looked towards the balcony outside the suite. The balcony was so large it was like a decent-sized garden. Beside the transparent railing overlooking the city, there was even a large swimming pool.
Soryu was leaning against the outermost edge of the balcony, eyes closed, concentrating. The moment Lennok approached, Soryu spoke.
“The most luxurious hotel suites in Torquepaz are famous for their daily rates, which run into tens of millions of cells.”
He turned to Lennok with a cool gaze and slowly stood up, saying.
“Thanks to that, I was able to attempt a search from this extravagant place overlooking the entire city… but there’s no significant gain.”
“……”
“There’s no trace of the Clown anywhere. In the worst case, we must consider that he may have already left Torquepaz.”
“Extravagant, you say? Do you still feel such emotions, even as a royal of Kabahim?”
Lennok narrowed his eyes behind his mask.
“Who was it who boasted about the artifacts inherited in the last settlement?”
“I wasn’t boasting; I merely used them as a bargaining chip for information.”
Soryu forced a bitter smile.
“There’s no way I, an exiled royal, would have many royal assets left. I wasn’t very interested in inheritances in the first place.”
“Then what was your reason for participating in this operation?”
Lennok scoffed.
“Wasn’t it to reclaim the throne that rules Kabahim?”
“……Do you only think of things in that way? It’s not like that.”
Soryu stepped past Lennok, placing a hand on the glass railing. Soryu’s eyes, looking down at Torquepaz, instantly darkened.
“It’s to resolve the curse placed upon this bloodline, the bloodline ability of the Kabahim Dynasty that I’ve carried since birth.”
“……”
“I used to think this ability given to me was a blessing. I often wondered how I could use it to become stronger.”
Soryu murmured.
“But after leaving Kabahim, I realized it wasn’t. This power given to me was merely a clumsy imitation of Ars Nova’s mistake.”
Crackling…!!
The railing Soryu held slowly froze from the outside. A faint chill emanated merely from touching it, without using any force. It was proof that Soryu himself could not perfectly control his bloodline ability.
“Meaningless excuses.”
Lennok scoffed.
“If you had perfect control over your bloodline ability, would you still be thinking such thoughts?”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have. If I were like you, I would certainly have thought differently.”
Soryu slowly turned around.
“If I were a trait-type spellcaster, blessed by birth like you, or a monster who could toy with even himself like the Clown, I wouldn’t have worried.”
“……”
Soryu was a direct descendant of the Kabahim royal family, an exiled prince. But the ice-type bloodline ability he inherited at birth still remained within him. He had continuously strived to control his bloodline ability, which was both a blessing and a curse, but seeing spellcasters who transcended the norm, he had realized the truth. Soryu’s own talent and capacity were not strong enough to overcome his given fate.
Now, he had two choices left. Either completely erase the bloodline power from within him, or, even with external help, make it stronger. In either case, it was clear that the answer lay in The Gate located beneath Kabahim’s Royal Capital.
“If I hadn’t joined Pandemonium, I wouldn’t have even known that a spellcaster like you existed. For that, I consider myself indebted to the Director.”
Soryu said, looking at Lennok’s mask with a cold gaze.
“That’s why I participated in this operation. Even as an exiled prince, my presence inside the Royal Palace would surely be helpful.”
“I’m not interested. Just make sure you don’t unnecessarily hold us back.”
Lennok looked down at Soryu through his mask.
“After all, it won’t be me who decides that, but that crazy illusionist.”
“……”
Soryu nodded silently instead of replying. Having come this far, he must have already prepared himself for whatever might happen.
Lennok ignored Soryu and immediately turned to leave.
In the center of the suite’s living room, illuminated by dazzling chandeliers. Pandemonium’s members were gathered around a large sofa, big enough to seat dozens of people with room to spare. Agneta hanging from the chandelier, Freya sprawling on the innermost part of the sofa, yawning blankly. Soryu leaning near the balcony entrance, and Chebien’s puppet standing stiffly in front of the ultra-large TV. Even Antares, sitting on the edge of the sofa with his eyes closed.
But in that quiet atmosphere, Lennok felt the gaze of others drawn to him. Less than two days had passed since the battle with the Apostle at Torquepaz Stadium concluded. The other members had also observed and remembered how Lennok fought the Apostle and achieved victory. The presence of a Manipulation Spellcaster within Pandemonium, who might now be comparable to the Clown in strength. As Soryu mentioned when looking at Lennok, others too began to harbor different impressions regarding his spellcraft and talent.
Screeech—
At that moment, the ultra-large TV on the suite wall flickered with static, and Hylaea Odinsen’s voice echoed.
[It’s time. Has everyone gathered except for the Clown?]
In a strange silence, Hylaea Odinsen spoke with a calm voice.
[I’ll explain the success or failure of this operation first. Kabahim’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has permitted Freya to enter the Royal Capital earlier than her original schedule.]
“……”
[They must have thought there was no justification to stop Freya from coming to Kabahim earlier than planned, especially with such chaos in Torquepaz. So far, it’s as expected.]
Hylaea Odinsen’s words continued in a cool silence.
[However, the extent of the terror damage was far greater than anticipated, making it unavoidable for some members’ identities to be partially exposed. For example—]
Beep.
The image of the obsidian mask Lennok wore appeared on the screen. A pattern-like drawing, as if the mask’s shape had been rendered into a composite sketch. Naturally, the gazes of the others turned towards Lennok.
[Tens of thousands watched Victor commit the terror. There was no way to stop word from getting out. Is that alright?]
“I’m not interested.”
Lennok retorted, turning his gaze.
“There are far more important matters. What about the Guido Cult?”
[Currently, the Syndicate is recovering bodies and damages at the scene, using stadium reconstruction as an excuse.]
The rustling sound of Hylaea Odinsen flipping papers could be heard through the speaker.
[All Guido Cult followers disguised as police were killed at the scene. It’s estimated that nearly all priests dispatched from the Guido Cult’s Northwest Branch were annihilated.]
“……”
[However, for the Fifth Apostle and Eighth Apostle, who were the main attackers, no related information could be found. It seems the Syndicate is deliberately concealing this information.]
The Clown’s self-destruction. Lennok’s use of the Forbidden Armament. The space within the stadium had completely vanished as two powers, beyond the scope of conventional spellcraft, overlapped at a single coordinate. However, it was difficult to confirm that the Fifth Apostle and Eighth Apostle were completely dead in that explosion. Setting aside the Fifth Apostle, Camlodal was an Apostle who had always manipulated others like puppets using his tentacles. Even if he lost his avatar here, he would suffer some damage, but it wouldn’t be a fatal injury. At the very least, they wanted to confirm whether the Apostles’ bodies or remains were left at the scene to assess the Guido Cult’s damage, but—
The reason Lennok and the other Pandemonium members were still in Torquepaz was not for that.
“The Clown, Atrin Kizard’s whereabouts?”
Even though the remaining members had searched the surroundings after the situation was settled, there was still no suitable clue. It was as if he had simply turned into a handful of dust with the obliteration spellcraft Lennok unleashed.
“The backlash from predicting his luck still remains within me.”
Antares said, closing his eyes.
“Atrin Kizard is alive. However, I don’t think I can foresee his location.”
“Hehehe, let me say this now…”
Chebien’s puppet let out a gloomy chuckle.
“If the Clown doesn’t return in time, I will withdraw from this offensive operation…”
“……”
“It’s an operation that won’t run properly without that illusionist… There’s no reason to foolishly throw myself into the Royal Capital to commit suicide…”
“Anyone would think you’re on the front lines. What are you talking about, when you’ll just be fiddling with puppets in the back?”
Freya, who had been sprawled on the sofa, sat up with an annoyed look.
“That psycho wouldn’t have died in a place like this anyway. Discussing his life or death is pointless.”
“Even so, we must consider the worst-case scenario.”
Soryu replied with a cold expression.
“If his location can’t be foreseen, we need to re-plan the operation, accounting for the Clown’s absence.”
“Hey, I told you. Are you going to make me say useless things?”
“No. It’s necessary.”
Freya and Soryu’s gazes clashed in the air.
“Even if the Clown doesn’t return, the operation must proceed. Are you planning to go to Kabahim for the concert alone?”
“That…”
As Freya momentarily frowned, Soryu said in a cold voice.
“An opportunity to infiltrate Kabahim’s Royal Capital this easily won’t come again. Even if Chebien withdraws, we’ll proceed as planned.”
“……”
The Clown had not died, yet his whereabouts remained unforeseeable. In the worst case, even if the Clown didn’t return, Freya had to go to Kabahim for the concert as scheduled. If the other members abandoned the operation in this situation, Freya would have to arrive in Kabahim alone. Soryu was arguing that the operation must be pushed forward to prevent such a situation.
“I can just cancel the concert. What’s the problem?”
Freya tilted her head, arms crossed.
“I’ll tell my agency to make an announcement and pay the penalty. Do you think this is my first tour?”
“You must know that Kabahim’s reason for allowing your visit this time isn’t just for the concert.”
Soryu said in a cold voice.
“They need your spellcraft to open The Gate in the Royal Capital. If you cancel the concert in this situation, they will definitely retaliate.”
“……”
“There’s no choice. We absolutely must go to Kabahim now.”
Agneta, who had been watching the situation with a blank expression, finally asked as if realizing something.
“Oh, are you two fighting right now?”
“……”
A chilling silence fell upon the luxurious suite.
Freya, frowning with her arms crossed, and Soryu, with a stern expression. Antares lost in thought, and Chebien’s puppet silently motionless. In the subdued atmosphere, Lennok silently looked around.
[Sorry to interrupt your discussion, but I have news related to that topic.]
At that moment, Hylaea Odinsen said from beyond the screen.
[The Syndicate contacted our line. They’ve secured the Clown.]
“……!!!”
At that instant, Freya and Soryu whipped their heads around.
“Where? Where is he?”
“What do they want? Did they just contact us for money now?”
[No. Not money, but they have one demand.]
Hylaea Odinsen replied with a slightly hesitant tone.
[They want to see the mastermind behind this attack. It seems they want to speak with Victor directly.]
“……”
Naturally, all members’ gazes turned to Lennok. The Syndicate. A force that, along with the Torquepaz City Council, divided this massive city of pleasure. Lennok had only heard the name a few times since coming to Torquepaz, but he could guess what kind of force they were. Did this coalition of criminal organizations that dominated the entertainment city want to see him?
“Location?”
[Not far from here. The underground black market in the innermost downtown area.]
Hylaea Odinsen said.
[They say the Western Continent’s largest human auction house is located there.]
“The mere mention of the Clown’s name wouldn’t be proof that he’s there.”
Soryu tilted his head.
“Is there any concrete evidence that the Syndicate has secured the Clown?”
[Well, I don’t know if it counts as evidence, but… they added one postscript.]
Hylaea Odinsen replied with a slightly strange tone.
[The Forbidden Armament ‘Sorrow’, previously held by the Eighth Apostle, is scheduled to be put up for auction there. What do you want to do?]