Chapter 1183: Blooming (14)
“Pull your elbow back just a little more.”
“Like this?”
“No, that’s your shoulder, not your elbow. What are you even looking at?”
Vulcan Mega-City, District 20. A custom training ground on the outskirts of the downtown area.
Evelyn gave a bewildered look as she watched Lennok clumsily draw the string of a mechanical longbow.
She lowered her own bow and approached him, gently pulling Lennok’s elbow with one hand.
“If you pull your shoulder back too much there, your balance will be skewed. Just pull your arm straight back, like this.”
“Understood. This feeling.”
“You’re completely wrong, though?”
After a few attempts at correction, Evelyn shook her head.
“It’s no good. You’re not getting the hang of it at all. It’s a bit sudden to notice, but you have absolutely no athletic ability in this area, do you?”
“When learning the sensation or knack of moving one’s body, I always find it difficult to grasp the feeling.”
Lennok replied calmly.
“It’s easier for me to build it up directly from scratch, based on my own standards. That’s why I’ve always struggled.”
“Is that why you fight so well, even with such a strange body?”
Evelyn shrugged and retorted.
“Alright, assume the stance again. I can’t leave without even teaching you how to properly draw the string.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“What?”
Thwack!
The moment Lennok grasped the longbow and drew the string, his shoulder and elbow naturally pulled back.
The movement was incomparably more natural and practiced than before.
Lennok watched Evelyn, whose expression was slightly surprised, and asked.
“How is it, better than before?”
“…Wait, are you controlling your body with Magic Scribes again?”
“I analyzed the timing of your draw, the shift in your center of gravity, and your body’s proportions, then converted and systematized them to my own.”
Lennok smiled.
“Even if my body doesn’t learn the sensation, if my mind learns the technique, I can use it like this.”
“Right. You’re so smart.”
Evelyn sighed in exasperation and raised her own longbow.
Thwack!
She elegantly spun the longbow with a flick of her wrist, then glared at Lennok with green eyes and said,
“I’ll teach you a few more techniques and tricks. You can learn them on your own. You don’t need my advice anymore, do you?”
“No, I will unconditionally follow your advice on whatever I can do.”
Lennok quietly looked at Evelyn.
“You are the most outstanding archer among the people I know. I believe your perspective on archery is absolutely correct.”
“…”
“I’m not here to ignore your opinion or misinterpret it according to my will. My apologies if it came across that way.”
He had mimicked Evelyn’s movements with Magic Scribes because he thought it would be difficult to receive instruction from others otherwise.
He had no intention of disregarding Evelyn’s experience or advice as an archer.
If he had, he wouldn’t have sought her out to learn, especially with the limited time he now had.
Evelyn scratched her cheek, looking a little awkward, and quietly replied.
“It’s fine. I wasn’t upset. It’s not something you needed to apologize for in the first place.”
“That’s a relief. Shall we continue right away then?”
“…Now that you say that, I feel like I’m being tricked somehow. It’s just my imagination, right?”
After that, Evelyn grumbled but meticulously taught Lennok the nuances and techniques required for archery.
Where to look when shooting a moving target, how much to draw the string, and at what angle to shoot the arrow.
Only after summarizing the key points, explaining them briefly, and completing simple practical exercises did Evelyn ask.
“So, why are you suddenly trying to learn archery? You weren’t very interested in it before.”
“I felt it when using magic a while ago: the form of a bow is efficient for constructing the image of firing a spellcraft.”
Lennok replied.
“Especially when dealing with concepts difficult for me to control, it seemed quite helpful in precisely setting the direction and trajectory.”
It was something he had thought about since dealing with the Hellfire Illusion Palace, but the form of a bow and arrow was quite helpful in shaping the image of magic.
Even without directly using a bow, simply visualizing magic in a similar form showed room for improvement in manipulation and efficiency.
That was why he had taken the time to come and learn archery from Evelyn.
“What? So, you finally realize what an amazing weapon a bow is?”
Evelyn’s eyes sparkled, and she said with a boastful air.
“Yes. As you know, few weapons demand as complex a skill set and judgment as a bow. At its peak, it possesses the most precise and superior range among all ranged weapons. Furthermore, the potential to imbue it with mana or will-thought, more than firearms, makes its applications truly limitless—”
“Yes, you’re not wrong.”
“People who are new to archery often give up quickly if they miss the target a few times, but that’s the wrong way to think. From the perspective of mental discipline, patiently waiting for the desired moment while meticulously considering the surrounding environment, it has far greater depth than other martial arts. But many people nowadays, clinging to the needlessly convenient equipment known as firearms, forget this fact and are deprived of the opportunity to master themselves, which is truly regrettable—”
“…Evelyn. You’re suddenly acting like a different person. Are you alright?”
Lennok, who had been listening to Evelyn’s suddenly verbose explanation and continuing the conversation, said while drawing the string.
“Anyway, in that respect, I thought it was a very suitable form for the new spellcraft I’ve learned, so I came to you to learn archery.”
“New spellcraft? When did you learn another new magic?”
“I’ll tell you later. I don’t have time right now.”
“What? You’re not just teasing me, are you? Don’t you know cutting off mid-sentence is the nastiest thing to do?”
Lennok smiled at Evelyn’s sulky face and naturally changed the subject.
“How is life at the Tower? I was too preoccupied when we last met, so I’m late in asking.”
Immediately after the Kundara incident, Lennok had extended an offer to scout Evelyn for the Tower.
The offer was that if she didn’t intend to return to the Agents, the Magic Tower could provide her with full support.
Evelyn replied that she would decide after working with the Agents one last time, and ultimately resolved to become a member of the Tower.
Although proper procedures couldn’t be followed as construction had begun, Jenny was already fully supporting her.
“There are no inconveniences at all regarding living. I know a lot of faces, too. In fact, everyone is trying so hard to be nice that it’s almost overwhelming.”
However, Evelyn averted her gaze with a subtle expression even after hearing Lennok’s words.
“But I’m trying to select and teach people with potential at the Tower… I’m not sure yet.”
“It doesn’t seem to be going as smoothly as you’d like.”
“It’s… a bit different from how we educated and trained at the Agents, I suppose.”
Evelyn scratched her head, looking disheartened.
“There, we’d deploy them in real situations to test their capabilities and then officially recruit them as agents, but I can’t do that here.”
“If needed, I’ll hand over the Magic Tower’s operational command.”
“No, I wasn’t fishing for something like that.”
“Even if you don’t need it, it will be an authority you’ll have to take on eventually, won’t it?”
“…That’s not what I’m talking about.”
Evelyn, looking bewildered, sighed as she turned back to Lennok.
“I’m just agonizing over direction. I don’t want to just idle at the Tower, but I’m not going to be training Agents here either.”
“That’s fine too.”
“Those kinds of things, if they’re not my acquaintances, then… it’s fine?”
“You can scout Agent personnel you know and bring them to the Tower.”
As Lennok said that and drew the string, an arrow sharply embedded itself into the target.
8 points. After confirming the score, Lennok nocked another arrow and said.
“Operational agents capable of elite performance in the field would be helpful in any way. If you wish, I can support you.”
“…It’s not as easy as it sounds. Current and former special agency agents cannot change their affiliation without City Government authorization.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Swish!
9 points. Lennok, holding a new arrow after hitting the target, said.
“My last scheduled appointment before the Legion Parade is a dinner with a City Councilman.”
“…What did you say?”
“I’ll discuss it with the City Councilman.”
Lennok said, slowly drawing the string.
“They’ll likely grant a request to ‘borrow’ some personnel from the special agencies.”
“No, it’s not about that…”
Evelyn raised her bow with a complex expression, then lowered it without drawing the string.
Glancing at Lennok, Evelyn asked.
“So you’re going to the Legion Parade after all. Have you already made your decision?”
“It seems there are things I can only hear by meeting him directly.”
Lennok replied, aiming the arrowhead at the target.
“Just as the result cannot be changed once an arrow leaves the string, this matter will be the same.”
“…”
“Preparation is complete. All I can do now is give my best to the process, so I must practice like this from now on.”
“…Then, have you already decided ‘which way’ you’re going?”
“Not yet.”
Lennok said that and slowly released his hand from the drawn string.
Watching the arrow fly away from the string, Lennok quietly replied.
“But it will be decided soon.”
La Haven, a satellite city near the outermost reaches of Vulcan.
The shape of a pier, now nearing completion after investments and business cooperation from the Thorben Magic Tower.
Unique streamlined buildings and structures stood everywhere, and all sorts of flying vehicles lined up in the sky.
Airships floated in an orderly fashion, as if a path had been made in the sky where no roads or signposts existed.
Helicopters, boats, or jets and discs. Flying vehicles with free and distinctive designs, unconstrained by form.
“Professor Vylun’s words when he announced the anti-gravity engine have ultimately become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
A middle-aged man with dark blonde hair gently swirled his wine glass, observing the scene.
“Here is the Skyway he mentioned in his second paper presentation. Perhaps he had been imagining this sight long ago.”
“…”
The top-floor lounge of an 8-star hotel built near the pier.
Surrounded by transparent glass walls, it offered a spectacular view of the pier’s sky.
The lights emitted by the countless flying vehicles moving in lines everywhere illuminated the sky, coloring it in vibrant hues.
“Just a few years ago, flying through the magnetic storms in Vulcan was a privilege reserved for the City Government Air Force.”
The middle-aged man, receiving wine from a waiter, turned his gaze and said.
“But now, even merchants are coming to the pier, leading their own airships. Van, what do you think?”
“You didn’t call me here to talk about that right now.”
Lennok replied indifferently, not even looking at the wine glass.
“Senator Haven. Why did you set the meeting place in La Haven?”
Senator Konrad Haven, of the City Government Central Council.
A highly influential figure in the Senate and a politician who directly intervened in major city affairs, both internal and external.
An individual Lennok had conversed with when he announced the anti-gravity engine under the identity of Vylun, and during Adamant Thunder’s hearing.
“It has no particular meaning. I merely wished to hear your thoughts before departing on a business trip.”
Konrad turned to Lennok and said.
Even after a long time, his characteristic profound presence and gentle demeanor remained unchanged.
“Your Magic Tower is the only organization officially collaborating with Professor Vylun. You must have some sentiments on the matter as well.”
“…”
“This pier is a miraculous outcome that would never have been completed without Professor Vylun’s anti-gravity thesis. It would not have happened if he hadn’t literally announced he would open the Skyway and shared his technology.”
Konrad tilted his wine glass and said slowly in a profound voice.
“Thorben’s money, the City Government’s regulations, the cooperation of citizens, and connections with other cities… sometimes, without the genius of a single person, none of it means anything. I learned that fact from a failure long ago.”
“…”
“Though the direction is quite different, I consider your existence an unprecedented singularity in Vulcan’s history.”
Konrad murmured, gazing at the myriad airships outside the glass ceiling with a mild expression.
“From the City Council’s perspective, we don’t particularly wish to affirm it, but we don’t deny the existence of such a ‘scenario.’”
Konrad slowly rose from his seat, picking up the briefcase leaning beside him, and said.
“That is also the reason why the destination of this business trip is the Deadrise Legion Parade.”
“…Indeed.”
Lennok glanced away.
“The City Council plans to send a Senator directly to the Legion’s parade?”
“The City Council was aware even when the Legion left Vulcan and advanced to the Central Front.”
Konrad said, gazing idly at the airport’s outer window.
“That they had embarked on a long journey to return someday. That they had chosen a path of hardship for a greater ambition than simply conquering Vulcan.”
“…”
“Therefore, it is necessary to meet with the Legion command and adjust their direction before the parade begins.”
Konrad said that and slowly started to walk.
“They, too, must know how many dangerous things are buried in this city. It’s a kind of agreement that’s needed.”
Following Konrad’s steps, attendants dressed in various uniforms quietly appeared and followed behind him.
The City Council’s direct elite special agency, [Hollow Eater], who had not revealed themselves during Lennok and Konrad’s conversation.
Ooooh!!!
A superhuman unit, scattering an empty presence as if their bodies and souls were hollow, escorted the Senator.
The Senator, standing among the superhumans with vacant eyes, looked back at Lennok with a heavy gaze.
“You may or may not attend, but you must know that the outcome of the Legion Parade will be related to you.”
“…”
“Seeing the large-scale construction underway in District 49, I can surmise how you are taking that fact.”
“Did you intentionally call me all the way here to confirm that?”
“No, rather, to inform you.”
A faint smile seemed to momentarily cross the Senator’s face.
“The reason a City Government Central Council Senator attends the Legion Parade. And despite that, the reason I am telling you this. You, of all people, will understand without me having to say it.”
“…”
“You seemed to understand gestures that would be difficult to express in words better than I expected. Perhaps that is why the Chairman granted you the position of Tower Lord.”
Konrad, putting on his fedora and covering his face, turned away.
“The airship is about to depart. Regarding the deployment of Agent personnel you mentioned, I will convey your opinion to the City Council. We shall see each other then, if the opportunity arises.”
“An interesting response. Do you believe there will still be an opportunity in this city after the Legion Parade?”
“Of course.”
A faint hint of a smile was mixed in Konrad’s profound voice as he turned his back on Lennok.
“The City Council doesn’t choose a scenario destined for failure. This itinerary is merely part of that.”
“…”
Sitting by the window of a quiet café, Lennok silently watched the empty seat Konrad had left.
Outside the window, a colossal airship took off from the first-class pier, gaining speed.
Kwooooh!!
The airship, shaped like a long submarine hundreds of meters in length, sped across the pier’s sky.
Other airships traversing the Skyway, as if by prior arrangement, made way for the Senator’s airship.
As Lennok looked up at the sight, Davi explained from within his coat.
[They say it’s the City Government Air Force’s newly built continental-class cruiser, the ‘Adrasteia’.]
“…Is that so?”
[They say it’s intended to replace the aerial fortress damaged by Croken Asylus… but in reality, it seems to be closer to a cruiser built for key City Council figures.]
Davi tilted her head.
[If something like that starts flying around Vulcan’s airspace to keep tabs on Master, things will get troublesome.]
“Konrad Haven’s reason for attending the Legion Parade is not to keep me in check, nor to side with the Legion.”
Lennok looked up.
“If anything, it’s closer to the opposite.”
[Huh? Is that so?]
“Davi. You really have no interest in the communication of organic beings.”
Lennok gave a wry smile and shook his head.
“The very act of revealing his business trip destination in front of me was clearly intentional. The subtle mention of the Magic Tower’s establishment authority, granted by the Senate, was also like that.”
[Hee hee.]
“He’s personally attending the Legion Parade, yet he’s separately giving me a heads-up about it. I understand he was trying to strike a balance, but…”
Lennok, with an expressionless face, sipped the remaining coffee as he gazed at the sky where the airship had disappeared.
“Conversely, it means the City Council is confident that they won’t suffer a loss, no matter which way things go.”
[That’s quite a confidence.]
“Decades have passed since Kaiser’s death, and Vulcan has become a city-state home to tens of millions. The City Council’s power and authority must be greater than I imagined.”
Lennok rose from his seat, returned his cup to the counter, and turned away.
“Someday, I may have to definitively sort out our positions regarding this city with them… but that wasn’t what needed to be done right now.”
He hadn’t needlessly sought out the Senator, who was just about to depart on a business trip, for nothing.
While it was true that Konrad had requested it, Lennok himself had only just finished his preparations.
The brief respite he had after the Kabahim incident.
Magic Tower remodeling. Research and training, examinations and treatments. Information gathering and preparation for thesis writing.
He had to put aside all the tasks he had tried to handle with leisure and move now.
“I’ve deliberated for a long time, but now I’ve decided.”
He stood before the truth of the Black Consumer Project, which he had pursued for so long.
Kaiser’s death. The project’s failure. The final encounter in Kundara.
One person, holding all those secrets, was returning to the Legion.
Lennok’s eyes grew cold.
“I will attend the Legion Parade under the identity of Cheonbeon.”
Fwoosh!
He walked alone through the empty spaces of the ornate architecture.
The outskirts of the pier facility, where people didn’t come and go. With each step between the steel frames, he drew up mana.
Flames caught from the cuffs of his coat and shirt, engulfing his body in a crimson glow.
The moment the rising fire, blossoming beneath the wide-open sky, completely covered and consumed Lennok without a trace.
Whoosh!
Lennok’s form, which had been standing on the pier deck, instantly burned away and vanished.
The schedule for the Legion Parade, which he would attend as Cheonbeon, was just around the corner.
It was time to meet Ethan Bajour.