Chapter 1217: Adamant Thunder Annihilation Campaign (8)
The satellite city of Bailuts, located near the mega-city Vulcan.
A ghost town abandoned after the failure of its urban expansion development plan, and a den of various gangs and criminals.
In the past, Pandemonium’s interim settlement, led by The Doctor, had taken place here.
Lennok, too, had once participated in the settlement under the alias Victor, obtaining information about the Old World.
He had visited as Cheonbeon before, but he never imagined he would return to this city for Pandemonium’s sake.
And certainly not in the form of participating in an annihilation campaign under the identity of Victor.
BOOM!!
A massive theater located near the train station of the satellite city Bailuts.
In the half-destroyed ruins where the interim settlement had been held, several shadows stood scattered haphazardly.
The pale-faced nun, Hylaea, and Ermont, waving his hand vigorously towards them.
“Over here.”
“Victor! Long time no see. It’s the first time since the Anathema incident, isn’t it?”
“…….”
“How’s the gauntlet you selfishly snagged back then? My stomach still aches terribly from it.”
Lennok ignored Ermont’s nonsense without even listening, turning his gaze away.
Around the theater, several faces Lennok knew and didn’t know were mixed together.
The gloomy Puppet Master, Chebien, and a tall, eerie-looking woman with red eyes.
A blue-haired young man with his face covered by cloth, and a steel-hard black-haired man.
Including The Doctor and Lennok, there were eight members gathered.
Lennok knew four faces. Three were completely new.
Whether Pandemonium had recruited new members, or if these were members who hadn’t revealed themselves until now.
As Lennok heightened his sensory perception, the other members also naturally looked him over.
“…….”
The tall, red-eyed woman, the young man with his face covered in cloth, and the indifferent black-haired man.
One person observed the obsidian mask, another sniffed out his soul’s scent, and another met Lennok’s gaze directly.
Each of them, without exception, was an eccentric or a Transcendent, harboring unusual presences or will-thoughts.
Just as he was lost in thought, feeling the gazes pouring onto him from all directions, The Doctor spoke.
“Then, everyone on our side has gathered.”
The Doctor, looking down at the watch on his wrist, said in a grave voice.
“Other members might join later, but we don’t have much time. In 15 minutes, we’ll join the 7th Legion under Deimus’s guidance.”
“…….”
“Personally, I also believe that further reinforcements would be meaningless once Victor has joined.”
The Doctor cast a quick glance.
“However, are you alright? I understand the Kabahim matter only recently concluded.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Chebien, given the nature of his spellcraft, wouldn’t have an issue participating in the annihilation campaign after Kabahim, but your case is different.”
The Doctor calmly asked in response to Lennok’s chilling reply.
“Of course, having a Manipulation Spellcaster on our side who has directly faced Adamant Thunder would be a huge advantage, but there’s no need to overexert yourself.”
“Doctor. You’re being uncharacteristically considerate.”
Lennok sneered.
“I only showed my face because I had personal matters to attend to. I’ll handle my own body, so don’t concern yourself.”
The Incarnation Body, which consumed Jinwa’s Fruit, had literally separated its consciousness from Lennok and become a rampaging Lightning Body.
At this point, it was a lightning incarnation that had completely broken free from Lennok’s control and functioned as ‘Adamant Thunder’.
Lennok’s joining Pandemonium under the alias Victor was partly to observe the annihilation campaign from The Legion’s side.
But also because he judged that only by using The Legion’s power to ‘carve away’ the rampaging lightning could he obtain the 9th-level lightning Branching Point.
It was, in effect, about conquering a lightning wizard who had reached the threshold of Level 9 at the cost of losing his intellect.
Lennok even believed that only by lending his strength to The Legion as Victor could a balance be achieved.
“If your will is so firm, then there’s nothing more to say.”
The Doctor nodded.
“Here, I will explain the objective of the annihilation campaign, confirm your intent to participate, and then we will move.”
“Doctor. There’s something you should explain first.”
At that moment, the woman leaning against a wall in the theater, arms crossed, spoke.
Tall and slender, with long limbs. Despite wearing a leather jacket, she exuded an eerie, chilling aura.
The woman, her blood-red eyes glinting in the darkness as she stared at The Doctor, said with a sneer.
“You. You used to insist that strange furball was you. Why are you suddenly operating in a human body?”
“I don’t recall insisting on anything. But that’s a good question.”
The Doctor said with a shrug.
“That, too, is somewhat related to this annihilation campaign. I’ll explain.”
As The Doctor stepped forward, his appearance became fully visible.
A mysterious man with dimly gray hair.
His body was trained, but not enough to call him a warrior. The mana flowing from him was vast, yet there was nothing special enough to call him a sorcerer.
Aside from the strange, non-human presence he gave off, it was difficult to discern any particular features. Was this the ‘vessel’ The Doctor had personally chosen for this mission?
It was a strange choice for a body, considering The Doctor used to employ a peculiar furball as his substitute.
“Doctor. You seemed skeptical about this annihilation campaign from the start…”
The puppet standing beside Lennok clattered its jaw, letting out a gloomy laugh.
The Puppet Master, Chebien.
Had he, who participated in the Kabahim [The Gate] Conquest Operation with Lennok, also appeared for the annihilation campaign?
As a spellcaster who manipulates puppets rather than using his true body, he might not have felt burdened attending the annihilation campaign.
Indeed, apart from him, the other members who accompanied them to Kabahim were not present here.
“I wonder why you’ve chosen to appear in person now… Could it be that the rewards offered by The Legion are that enticing…?”
“That’s not wrong either.”
The Doctor nodded.
“To be frank, I’m interested in the Operation System used by The Legion.”
“…….”
“At first glance, it seems like a program to organize The Legion’s command and structure, but its true value isn’t that.”
In the quiet silence, The Doctor spoke as if it were nothing.
“I believe it is a byproduct of the Ascension Plan that began in Vulcan and ended in failure.”
“What?”
“…….”
Ermont’s mouth opened slightly, and the other silent members one by one turned their gazes.
Hylaea, who had been standing quietly backstage, showed a hint of surprise.
“Are you saying Deadrise’s Operation System is related to the Black Consumer Project?”
“The Legion has never officially admitted it, but there’s a very high probability that it is.”
The Doctor adjusted his glasses.
“Otherwise, the circumstances of Ethan Bajour’s return at this time simply cannot be explained.”
“…….”
“Originally, I saw the Marshal’s return before the Legion Parade as highly unlikely. All the more so because I knew what he was trying to revive through.”
Inside the quiet theater, only The Doctor’s voice resonated softly.
“The Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors is not a place that can be used with a specific purpose or intention. As with Maiya Lonsdale, those who desired it are destined to pay a price in some way.”
“…So that’s why you were skeptical when Deimus proposed the annihilation campaign.”
“Nevertheless, the fact that Ethan Bajour revived from the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors implies that a ‘heavenly nature’ or ‘fate’ enabling him was artificially created.”
The Doctor slowly raised his gaze and said.
“Well, to put it simply, I suspect it’s a power derived from Vulcan’s Ascension Plan.”
“…….”
The moment he heard The Doctor’s words, Lennok felt a chill settle in a corner of his chest.
The explanation, full of The Doctor’s vague conjectures, was, in a way, piercing the correct answer with extreme sharpness.
Because he realized it was so sharp that it felt as if The Doctor already knew the answer and was merely prodding around it.
Was it because The Doctor’s intellectual capacity was immense, or because The Doctor had also participated in Machina’s Ascension Gate project?
“But no matter how brilliant a researcher I am, I cannot tamper with The Legion’s system without proper authority.”
Meanwhile, The Doctor’s explanation continued.
“Originally, I was considering taking the position of Legion Commander to examine the system, but the situation changed due to my deal with Deimus.”
“…You’re truly insane. You, Doctor, intended to become Deadrise’s Legion Commander?”
“He seems to value the success of this annihilation campaign very highly. Thanks to that, I gained an opportunity to examine the system merely by intervening.”
FLASH!!
As The Doctor raised his hand, a blue hologram window appeared before him.
Organizing the information about the tactical weapon formations and origins of various Legions displayed on the hologram window, The Doctor spoke.
“For this annihilation campaign, I intend to participate as an external technical advisor and observe the Operation System. For that, I needed a human body, even if somewhat inferior, that could inherit the system.”
“So, in the end, you needed a human body to use the Operation System.”
THUD!
Ermont, dropping the long burlap sack he was holding as if throwing it, shrugged.
“Why have you been so long-winded? You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”
“…….”
“That might explain why you participated in this, but it has nothing to do with the objective of the annihilation campaign.”
“I simply summarized why I participated in this, Ermont, since everyone seemed curious.”
The Doctor calmly shook his head.
“Similarly, what we need to do in the annihilation campaign is simple. What The Legion ultimately wants is a variable.”
“A variable?”
“Adamant Thunder is the most outstanding Grand Mage in terms of instantaneous firepower projection across the entire Eastern Continent.”
Hylaea took over, speaking for The Doctor.
As she had also served as a broker in Vulcan, she would have a relatively accurate understanding of how the annihilation campaign would unfold.
“The Lightning Magic he uses is considered a spellcraft specialized in extreme lethality, and his personal martial power is also supremely strong.”
“…….”
“He possesses not only spellcraft but also numerous powerful innate abilities like his Mystic Eye and Spell-armaments, so he won’t easily run out of options in any situation.”
Hylaea said, looking around the darkened theater.
“Naturally, The Legion will prioritize exhausting Adamant Thunder’s power and confirming his full strength. It’s highly probable they’re prepared for a certain level of sacrifice in that process.”
“The battlefield where the decisive battle takes place will likely be the plains encompassing Vulcan’s satellite city and its outskirts.”
The Doctor said.
“Considering the forces The Legion has amassed for the annihilation campaign, a direct fire-power confrontation is inevitable… but precisely because of that, what Deadrise wants from us will be something different.”
“Deimus knows what kind of spellcasters Pandemonium has, so it’s not strange.”
Ermont stroked his chin and said boastfully.
“Well, it’s not unreasonable to want the help of a serious and profoundly divine wizard like me, fluent in all sorts of black magic.”
“They want an unpredictable variable in this war. In a way, one might call it shrewd?”
The tall, red-eyed woman smiled.
“Huhu… Thinking about conquering such a powerful Transcendent, I feel a little excited.”
“I will explain that part myself.”
CREAK…!!
As the dark theater doors opened, an expressionless black-haired man walked in.
A familiar face, clad in a black military uniform, boots clanking as he walked in without hesitation.
Deimus Rayan, Lieutenant General, the foremost of Deadrise’s 7th Legion Commanders.
He, one of the most outstanding commanders in The Legion and also a member of Pandemonium, had made his final appearance.
Deimus surveyed the figures scattered throughout the theater, stepping over fragments of the collapsed stage, and nodded.
“The final briefing for the annihilation campaign will be held soon. There, we will organize the unit’s forces and decide the deployment timing.”
“Deimus.”
“Rest assured. Pandemonium is a very valuable variable among the forces participating in the annihilation campaign, so you will not be treated lightly.”
Deimus said, meeting Victor’s gaze with an expression so cold it seemed no needle could pierce it.
“In this operation, you will be responsible for coordinating and adjusting the entire battlefield.”
“Deimus. You must be pleased that things are finally going your way…”
Chebien let out a gloomy laugh.
“After an annihilation operation conceived long ago finally bears fruit like this, what does it feel like…?”
“Until the operation is over, I harbor no sentiments. I merely calculate available forces and deployment, and coordinate the front lines.”
Deimus, answering with an expressionless face, slowly swept his gaze around.
“On that note, Doctor, I’d like you to introduce the members I don’t know. It seems new members have joined the Demonic Conflux.”
“…….”
Among the members gathered in the theater, there were three faces Lennok had never seen before.
The tall, red-eyed woman leaning against the wall.
The blue-haired young man with his face covered by a pure white cloth.
And the rough-hewn black-haired man, completely devoid of expression.
Every one of them was a superhuman possessing an extraordinary aura, even by Lennok’s perception.
Compared to the existing members of the Demonic Conflux, their presence was just as, if not more, chilling or heavy.
Deimus must have felt it too, desiring their introduction at this very spot.
“They are not yet officially inducted members.”
The Doctor said in a detached tone.
“They are the final candidates appointed by the Nether King before he withdrew from Pandemonium, but there are many whose origins are quite unbelievable.”
“Unbelievable origins?”
“Ah, I’ll introduce myself, at least my name.”
At that moment, the red-eyed woman winked and waved her hand.
“I’m Sarin Tribiyer of the Crimson Star Clan. You can call me Sarin.”
“…….”
Blood-red eyes and a chilling presence. Even the name of her organization, Crimson Star Clan, and her uniquely ancient-sounding name.
Lennok had already surmised that she was a high-ranking vampire the moment he saw her.
The identities that were utterly impossible to guess were those of the young man and the man who hadn’t spoken a single word until now.
However, the names the two then revealed, one after another, were utterly unexpected even by Lennok.
“Ezekiel.”
The young man with his face covered in cloth said in a clear voice.
“Ezekiel Ron Maize.”
“…….”
Instantly, Lennok’s shoulders, hidden within his shadow robe, stiffened.
Before Lennok could react to that name, the rough-hewn black-haired man spoke.
“Under Kundara, one of the Eight Great Dragon Kings. Iron Chain Dragon King.”