Chapter 1182: Awakening (13)

The mana particle collapse incident that occurred in Vulcan’s District 25, designated as a restricted zone.

Lennok still remembered the vestiges of the past he encountered while resolving the incident.

The Kaiser Bajour of the past, who had visited District 25 for a project’s test-bed experiment.

And Olivera Ron Maize of the past, who was accompanying him and preparing the project.

This was a story from a time before the outcome of the Vulcan Civil War was decided, when Deadrise and the Cartel still stood on the same side.

There, Lennok resolved the mana particle collapse incident with Kaiser Bajour and received his Domain, the Eternal Tribulation Severing Leaf.

It was during the era when Kaiser Bajour was still striving to save the world.

The memory of that day when he realized he was merely a remnant of the past and sacrificed himself for Lennok.

Because of that incident, Lennok was still chasing Kaiser’s trail.

Because he was convinced that the failure of the Black Consumer Project brought him closest to this world’s demise.

Because he believed the end Kaiser met might have been another failure Lennok himself could have reached.

The people Lennok had met, and the people he still had to meet, remained there as momentary memories.

The emaciated man who appeared from beyond the mirror was also there.

Deadrise, Kaiser Bajour’s elite royal guard. The Gray Ghost.

He had worn Iron-Plated Wings and flown through magnetic storms even before the Skyway opened, proclaiming himself Kaiser’s wing.

He had pledged his life’s loyalty to Kaiser until the very end of the project, ultimately betrayed Kaiser, and now…

…he was one of the three Marshals at the apex of The Legion.

Gileon Miloze.

Groooowl!!!!

“……”

In the darkroom, where not a single ray of light entered, Gileon’s shadow fluttered.

The scene beyond the mirror distorted faintly, obscuring his slowly breathing face.

Such immense magical power that merely sitting and repeatedly breathing distorted the surrounding spacetime.

‘He’s completely different from the past self I saw in the restricted zone. Even if decades have passed…’

Lennok, watching him with a hardened expression, fell silently into thought.

‘The mana and presence I feel are closer to a magical beast than a human. What happened?’

The past Kaiser and others, whose memories remained in District 25, were from an event that occurred decades ago in the present.

It was a memory from a time when the project had just begun in earnest, far from having failed.

Lennok’s only memory of the past Gileon was fighting him for his life inside the power plant.

He had guessed that the past Gileon, loyal to Kaiser, would not be the same as the current Gileon, who had become a Legion Commander decades later.

But even Lennok, who knew this better than anyone, couldn’t instantly overlay Gileon’s presence with his past self.

How much had the talent selected by Kaiser Bajour—the superhuman who had risked his life in loyalty to him—changed over decades?

As Lennok hesitated, unable to easily gauge that gap and growth.

[……You’ve waited a long time.]

A faint light entered the darkroom, revealing the outline of Gileon sitting in the chair.

[It’s been years since I’ve been conscious for this long.]

“……You.”

Seeing his form through the mirror opened by Peshia, Lennok fell silent, unable to speak.

The countless tubes inserted along his entire body. The respirator covering his mouth.

He realized it was a type of life support device, quite familiar even to Lennok.

‘I heard rumors he was suffering from illness, but has it already reached an irreversible state?’

It was an apparatus worn by essentially a dying corpse, barely keeping them alive, maintaining all vital activities, including respiration and blood circulation, and keeping them seated to prevent bedsores.

It was similar to the life support device Jindun had worn when Lennok met him in the deepest cradle of the Hanghasa Labyrinth.

If his body was in such a poor condition, even breathing, let alone conversing, would consume immense mental energy.

But even at this moment, Gileon showed no intention of cutting the communication line Peshia had connected.

[…I’m sorry. Peshia……]

Gileon spoke in a whispering voice, breathing with difficulty.

[……Even knowing you were alive, I was slow to mobilize the command. You don’t have to forgive me……]

“There’s no need to apologize, Gileon.”

Peshia replied indifferently, gripping the shaft of her spear.

“It must be hard enough just being awake from hibernation. Instead, you should scold those staff officers who only decided on a direction after you stepped forward.”

[……]

A calm and composed answer, unbelievable for the Peshia Lennok knew.

But Lennok paid more attention to Gileon’s condition, rather than Peshia’s reaction.

Was he not merely suffering from illness and secluded, but actually in hibernation?

The illness plaguing Gileon seemed to have far surpassed the level of ordinary symptoms or ailments.

“I have something to discuss with the Legion command. It’s not for me, but for Adamant Thunder……”

Peshia looked at Gileon beyond the darkroom with a subtly uncomfortable expression.

“I didn’t expect you, of all the Marshals, to answer the call. What is that idiot Songha doing?”

[I answered the line myself……]

Gileon replied faintly, his voice almost extinguished.

[Now, while I’m awake, this is about all I can do…… There’s no need to trouble the other Legion Commanders.]

From beyond the mirror, Gileon’s gaze, shadowed by darkness, slowly turned towards Lennok.

[This man… who holds Peshia… I was waiting for him.]

“……”

In the darkness, Lennok and Gileon’s gazes met directly.

Disheveled long hair. A handsome appearance that caught the eye despite his pale complexion.

His aesthetically pleasing face, like a painting, was one of the characteristics Lennok remembered about Gileon.

Of course, Gileon didn’t know Lennok recognized him—

[There’s much to do, but first, I want to express my gratitude.]

Gileon gasped for breath.

[Thank you for erasing the ‘memory’ that remained in District 25…… That was a mistake we couldn’t erase ourselves.]

“……!!!”

Lennok’s face instantly hardened at the completely unexpected answer.

Could Gileon Miloze already know what Lennok had experienced in District 25?

In the interim, Gileon, having calmly stabilized his breathing, spoke quietly.

[Kaiser always wished to erase the past remnant that remained in District 25…… I’m relieved that wish seems to have been granted, albeit late.]

“……”

It was certain. Gileon knew.

What it meant for Gileon to be aware of the events in District 25, which even Olivera only vaguely suspected.

Perhaps that itself was related to the special talent Gileon Miloze possessed?

[Likewise. I also want to thank you for saving Peshia.]

Gileon looked down at Lennok.

[Regardless of Peshia’s decision not to return to The Legion, she will always be my comrade and friend. That won’t change, no matter where she is or what she does.]

“I haven’t said a word about Peshia Grisbern’s whereabouts.”

Lennok replied in a chilling tone.

“I haven’t answered how I’ll deal with the Demoness, yet you treat me as if you already know.”

[It’s been a long time since I could move, but I can still see and hear things.]

Gileon said, closing his eyes.

[I know what kind of wizard you are. And that Peshia contacting me through this line wouldn’t be possible without your tacit approval.]

“……”

[At that point, I merely understood that Peshia had made the best decision for The Legion and herself.]

Awake from hibernation, barely sustained by life support. Yet, the moment he received the call, his thoughts reached that far.

As he had felt when dealing with the past Gileon, he was fundamentally a quick-witted and broad-minded individual.

If such a person, who was already like that decades ago, had grown strong enough to reign at the apex of Deadrise, then it went without saying that the man before him would be the most difficult opponent among the Marshals.

[You are undoubtedly chasing the remnants of the project…… So I thought I might meet you someday.]

Gileon’s voice faded.

[The reason I opened this line and answered the call today is, before Ethan returns…… cough, cough!!]

“Gileon. You’re speaking nonsense, unlike yourself……”

Peshia, gripping her spear shaft, hardened her expression.

“Are you alright? Did you take the wrong medicine?”

“……I know that many things I don’t know happened in Vulcan decades ago.”

Unlike Peshia, who tilted her head, Lennok, who had been silent, slowly responded.

“And that the lingering attachment you all left in this city isn’t some vain delusion.”

[……]

Lennok gazed indifferently at Gileon, who had lowered his head beyond the mirror.

“Perhaps there’s a reason and meaning beyond symbolism for The Legion returning to Vulcan. Is that why you’re using the Demoness’s defeat as a pretext for war?”

[At that time, we made countless mistakes……]

Gileon gave a weak laugh.

[We had to give up many things as the price for wanting too much. But the price we were willing to pay then is all that remains to us now.]

“……”

[The failure of the project was the demise for all of us who were with Kaiser. Perhaps that’s why Kaiser changed.]

In the frozen silence, Gileon whispered softly.

[But, I…… that’s why I felt I couldn’t be with Kaiser then.]

“……”

Gileon Miloze knew that Lennok had seen the past memories left in District 25.

Therefore, he was vaguely answering why he had changed over the decades.

Towards the end of the project, Kaiser changed, and those who followed him also had to change.

How Kaiser’s change of heart was perceived within Deadrise.

Why they still followed Ethan Bajour after one failure.

And, why Gileon was answering questions Lennok hadn’t even asked—

[Adamant Thunder. What you are curious about, you are not qualified to know…… And what you wish to know, you are not worthy to possess.]

Beyond the mirror, Gileon met Lennok’s gaze.

[That’s why I’m telling you this now. The Project Manager will soon return to rectify all mistakes.]

“……”

[You are not the one who inherits Kaiser’s legacy. Nor are you the one granted authority over the project.]

Gileon’s hazy eyes flashed indifferently for a moment.

[Withdraw from Vulcan. If you don’t, you too will ultimately meet the same end as us.]

Surely, these were the words Gileon intended to convey to Lennok in person.

The reason he, in his weakened state, specifically answered Peshia’s call and appeared here.

It was to give a final warning before turning everything back decades.

“You’re mistaken.”

But Lennok smiled, even knowing that fact.

“I don’t wish to inherit Kaiser’s legacy or claim to be his successor. Rather, it’s closer to the opposite.”

[……]

“What I want is to confirm who Ethan Bajour is. I need to know what the Revived One wants to return for, and what he has become.”

With each word he uttered, Lennok’s voice grew colder.

“Because the end of Kaiser I saw in Kundara was precisely that.”

Outer Tribulation City, Kundara. The corpse of Kaiser Bajour encountered at the end of the Sanctuary of the Ninth Tribulation, which Lennok entered with Maleon.

Each time he recalled what Lennok had to sacrifice and what Maleon had to give up to confirm Kaiser’s demise, his chest grew cold.

Kaiser’s remains, decapitated and stored in the Ninth Tribulation. Who had cut off his head and taken it?

The task remained clear.

“Gileon Miloze. It’s interesting that you know about District 25, but you are not the one I need to meet.”

Lennok slowly tilted his head, his eyes chilling.

“I need to speak directly with the Marshal. Where is Ethan Bajour?”

[Ethan… should be returning from the Hanghasa Labyrinth by now.]

“What?”

Ascendant Jindun’s Hanghasa Labyrinth. Was Ethan Bajour returning from those ruins, now nothing but debris?

As Lennok paused at the unexpected answer, Gileon exhaled with difficulty.

[The Legion’s technology was partly used to create Jindun’s life support device…… so he probably underwent his final adjustments there.]

“……”

[The Legion Parade isn’t just a matter of procedure…… It’s for him to return…… cough, cough!!]

“……Are you saying the Legion Parade itself is the reason for Ethan Bajour’s return?”

[Cough!! Don’t worry…… you’ll know once the Legion Parade is over……]

Gileon, leaning on the armrest of his chair, held his respirator and gave a weak smile.

[But…… if you still want to know, come meet Ethan…… He won’t refuse. Just as he never refused anyone.]

“……”

[He has changed, yet he hasn’t changed. He is Ethan, and at the same time, Bajour.]

Gileon’s voice grew infinitely hazy.

[The reason we’ve followed him for decades is that ultimately, only Ethan can be our……]

Peshia watched his swaying form, as if he would collapse at any moment, with a hardened expression.

“Gileon. I……”

[It’s alright, Peshia. You don’t have to say anything.]

Gileon raised a hand to stop her words.

He lifted his emaciated face and smiled at Peshia.

[How was she? Was Kaiser’s granddaughter much like Kaiser?]

“……That.”

Peshia flinched, and Lennok’s expression vanished.

But Gileon ignored their reactions, coughing and trying to maintain consciousness.

As if, without doing so, his mind was too muddled to speak properly.

[If you, of all people, felt that way, then perhaps what Kaiser and Ethan did wasn’t entirely meaningless…… cough!!]

Gileon removed his respirator and covered his mouth with one hand, blood dripping between his fingers.

Following Gileon’s blood flowing in the darkness, unknown particles gathered and swirled around his hand.

As if something mixed in the atmosphere reacted the moment they saw Gileon’s blood.

Kiiiriiririik!!!

“……He wasn’t merely critically ill from a disease.”

Lennok muttered, realizing the cause the moment he saw the unusual phenomenon.

“He’s paying the price for gaining some kind of ‘ability’…… No, is he still using it now?”

[Cough, cough……!!]

“Your perception ability, which transcends mere speculation, is also based on that.”

Lennok looked up at Gileon with cold eyes.

“Gileon Miloze. Is that the price you bore after the project failed?”

[I fell ill from flying through Vulcan’s magnetic storms for a long time…… but if you lose something, you gain something too.]

Gileon muttered, leaning heavily on the chair as if about to fall.

[I’ve regretted countless things, but I’ve also gained something in return for that price.]

Kaa-gak, ka-ga-ga-gak……!!!

Unknown particles rotated around Gileon, coiling around him and surging upwards.

The moment the particles enshrouding Gileon in the darkroom endlessly stretched out and finally unfurled like a colossal wing.

A single, asymmetrical wing, darker than shadow and redder than blood, covered Gileon and the entire darkroom, casting a pall.

Kwaaaaah!!!

Something that looked like a colossal devil’s claw, or perhaps a bird’s wing.

Each time the wing swayed slowly, countless feathers fluttered and fell from it.

Decades since the civil war. Even after losing his Iron-Plated Wings, was he still positioned as The Legion’s wing?

The moment Lennok, feeling a strong sense of dissonance between Gileon’s colossal wing and his ability, lifted his gaze.

Their eyes met, just before the grotesquely distorted video feed cut out.

[As long as I live, the sky is my Domain, Adamant Thunder.]

“……”

[We will meet again soon.]