Chapter 1275: Dark Play (1)

The Victory Ceremony celebrating the triumph of the Subjugation Operation concluded with surprising speed.

It happened during Evan Vylun’s fourth thesis presentation, which Adamant Thunder had been personally invited by the Central Council to attend.

Thousands of spectators who witnessed that moment were thrown into such chaos that the event could not continue.

Of course, not everyone gathered in the grand plaza was so deranged as to ignore the schedule and run wild—

[There’s a huge commotion from the religious groups. You’re aware, right?]

“……”

Vulcan’s District 44. Alejandro Murphy’s hospital ward.

Lennok furrowed his brow in the conference room, which he was using as a temporary office in place of his Magic Tower.

Through the video call, Ormeon, looking gaunt, slumped and spoke.

[An enormous number of religious groups want to worship you or Professor Vylun as a god. Many have already applied to change their corporate names.]

“Why is my name coming up there?”

[Adamant Thunder. Are you really asking because you don’t know?]

Ormeon scrunched up his face.

[Rumors that you cooperated with Professor Vylun’s research were rampant even before I was released from The Prohibition. You even came to directly observe the presentation, so it’d be stranger if your name didn’t come up.]

“……”

[Initially, no matter how much of a genius Professor Vylun is, it’s unrealistic for him to develop such an absurd technology all by himself. At least, without the cooperation of a Transcendent-level wizard… wouldn’t it have been… impossible…?]

“Don’t draw out your words, it’s annoying. And don’t look at me like that.”

Lennok remained unperturbed by the mayor’s narrowed, suspicious gaze on the screen.

Anyway, his face wouldn’t be visible due to the Targeted Resistance spell during a video call, so there was no need to show it.

“I merely cooperated at their request, and the research topic and content were all determined by them. Don’t needlessly drag my name into it, and ensure the City Council’s position is clearly organized and announced.”

Lennok didn’t care, as he had no plans to roam outside under the identity of Evan Vylun for the time being.

But from Ormeon’s perspective, it wouldn’t be strange for this situation to be interpreted entirely differently.

As if his conjecture was not wrong, the boy, sprawled across the wide wooden desk, tore at his hair with both hands.

[GAAAH…!! This, this isn’t the ending I wanted…!!! The thesis presentation should’ve concluded as the highlight of the Victory Ceremony, followed by a smooth transition to an investment briefing, but what is this…!!!!]

“……”

[No, such a scenario never existed even when Kaiser was alive. What kind of researcher suddenly tries to create… matter with a thesis?! Is he trying to become a god?!!]

“I asked you to call it Particle Sculpting technology. It’s not creation.”

[Don’t change the subject. To me, it’s the same thing. That’s why the stock market across Vulcan is paralyzed right now. We had everything planned for the conclusion of this Victory Ceremony, but things got unnecessarily complicated, and of all times….]

Ormeon mumbled about how he should have secured investment promises for Vulcan’s central expansion, but instead was receiving a deluge of petitions from religious groups.

The shock from the fourth thesis presentation, which swept through Vulcan and even halted the Victory Ceremony, seemed to have been a significant blow to the mayor.

Lennok, who had been staring intently at Ormeon, casually dropped a remark.

“The construction materials for the Magic Tower to be built in District 49 will be supplied by the Vylun Research Institute.”

[…Huh?]

“Since we now know that the fourth thesis’s theme is the creation of matter using Particle Sculpting technology, there’s no reason not to use it.”

Leaving the frozen boy behind, Lennok stood up.

“Materials similar to those used in Kundara’s Ninth Tribulation are expected to be procured, so keep the related policies in mind. Once we develop materials capable of withstanding the Outer Sea, we’ll begin reconstructing the Magic Tower.”

[No, wait a minute. Ninth Tribulation, you mean, you’re not thinking of dragging the Magic Tower—]

Lennok cut off the call with the mayor, who had started to ramble, and turned away after closing the screen.

He had confirmed that the mayor, uncharacteristically, harbored other intentions for the Victory Ceremony, despite his bluster.

Since he had conveyed that fact to Meyer, it should be fine to entrust the City Council’s affairs to him for a while.

As he gazed at District 49 visible through the window, a new broadcast began playing on the disconnected screen.

Static—

“In essence, the core of Particle Sculpting technology lies in artificially reproducing the environment of the Outer Sea.”

A channel where experts from various academic fields discussed the theory of the fourth thesis.

An expert, wearing a Technical Advisory Committee badge, held the microphone and was explaining the theory at length.

“By inversely combining Professor Vylun’s three types of mana theories, emptying the energy existing within specific coordinates is established as the first process. That’s the core.”

“According to the committee member, that process creates environmental conditions similar to the Outer Sea, which exists outside the world?”

“Yes. By artificially creating a spacetime that follows the rules of the Microcosm, we stack ‘observations’ to sculpt and build particles.”

The expert’s voice, holding the microphone, gradually quickened.

“This is a technology that brings the rules existing in the quantum world into reality, practically a miracle that blurs the boundary between the Macrocosm and the Microcosm. The name Particle Sculpting doesn’t fully convey its great significance.”

“That’s an interesting story. If matter can be created just by observation, why haven’t others discovered this fact until now?”

“Because it’s not something possible just by creating an environment similar to the Outer Sea.”

In response to the host’s question, a woman in a suit, sitting opposite, opened her mouth.

Maintaining a neat impression, as if from a corporate research institute, she turned on her microphone and said.

“As a result of verification by research institutes and corporations across Vulcan, Particle Sculpting is only possible when an environment is created by combining Professor Vylun’s three mana theories. If a similar environment is created by other methods, no matter how much you observe, particles are not sculpted.”

“Surely, you mean…”

“Professor Vylun’s presented Particle Sculpting technology is not an accidental discovery, but a meticulously designed technology combining his three previously published theses.”

The woman said calmly.

“It might even be evidence that he had already completed the theory for the fourth thesis when he published the first.”

“……”

A quiet silence fell among the audience listening to those words.

The host, too, listened with an astonished expression and then spoke.

“It seems Professor Vylun’s previous theses will see even more active derivative research and citations in the future.”

“That’s a given, but… I think research into Evan Vylun himself will become even more active.”

“Research into Professor Vylun himself?”

“As you’d know from the explanation, the theories Professor Vylun presented through his theses are not accomplishments that one person could design and achieve.”

The woman holding the microphone spoke with a burning gaze.

“Even the luminaries of academia are only understanding the principles of Particle Sculpting theory through the thesis, struggling even to catch up with Professor Vylun’s foundational knowledge. To understand exactly how he conceived and implemented these theories, one would have to meticulously dissect and unravel the life Evan Vylun has lived—”

“P-please calm down… everyone here knows how crucial Professor Vylun’s new theory is.”

“However, as Professor Vylun’s presentation suggests, Particle Sculpting technology is not a miracle technology that can instantly create any object.”

While the host, sweating profusely, tried to calm the overly excited expert, another researcher took the microphone.

“As a result of cross-verification by research institutes and corporations, the Particle Sculpting process consumes an enormous amount of power. It’s not just a matter of needing a lot of batteries; even drawing power from dozens of power plants wouldn’t be enough.”

“In that case, many power generation facilities for commercializing Particle Sculpting technology will be built throughout Vulcan?”

“That is precisely the policy currently being discussed first by the City Council. To develop undeveloped areas and construct large-scale power generation facility complexes—”

Beep.

Lennok simultaneously manipulated the electrical signal to turn off the screen as he turned his gaze away.

He had sufficiently confirmed what people thought about the fourth thesis.

The untrustworthy mayor, the decision to help Meyer, the preparations to head to the Demonic Realm.

But amidst all those overarching premises, one crucial matter remained.

‘Croken Asylus.’

A war mercenary belonging to Pandemonium, yet obeying no one’s command.

Cheondun (天遁). War God. A monster deemed beyond standard by all who knew him.

Ever since Jenny acquired information through the Lighthouse, Lennok had kept a close watch on Croken’s existence.

He thought it highly probable that if Croken was returning to Vulcan now, it was connected to this current event.

However, even though Lennok was constantly running search spellcraft across the Outer Zone, he could not detect Croken’s presence.

Instead, he only belatedly obtained evidence of his arrival in Vulcan from an entirely unexpected source.

[Victor. Ermont’s regular report has stopped. It seems he’s gone missing.]

Hylaea’s message to Victor, transmitted via a secret line over the phone.

Her tone was much stiffer and more impersonal than usual.

[Ermont wouldn’t leave Vulcan alone at this time, so it must be someone else’s doing.]

“……”

After the conclusion of the Subjugation Operation, Ermont had swapped roles with Hylaea and was temporarily overseeing Vulcan.

But if he, who was usually absorbed in playing on the Deepweb, was absent at this moment, what could be the reason?

The answer seemed to be already known even by Hylaea.

[He’s back. He might be trying to meet you.]

“I don’t know what he wants…”

Hiding something is much easier than finding something.

No matter how keen Lennok’s senses were, finding Croken was near impossible if he chose not to reveal himself.

Especially if he made this vast mega-city his stage, it would be harder than finding a needle in a desert.

This was even more true now, when he had no idea what Croken’s immediate objective was in returning to Vulcan.

“……”

Then again, wasn’t it always the case that he never knew what Croken wanted?

Even when overwhelmed by his endless violence, Lennok had simply considered it natural.

Perhaps that was why Lennok could accept this situation so calmly now.

“……I should begin.”

Unanswerable questions. A sense of déjà vu whose origin he couldn’t pinpoint.

Such confusion was familiar to Lennok, yet now something was different from before.

He now knew the means to confirm what he was curious about, and the one to ask the questions.

All that was needed was to act.

Lennok, watching the moon slowly rising beyond the darkening sky, turned his steps.

Late evening, as the sun set and darkness descended.

Lennok sat alone in a library located in the Outer Zone’s downtown area.

He was the only person left in the library long past its closing time. Sitting alone in a deserted reading room, he inclined his pen.

In Lennok’s other hand, as he jotted down complex numbers and chemical formulas on paper, was a phone still in conversation.

“Yes. For the procurement of elixirs and catalysts, please follow the same procedure as last time.”

Lennok continued writing on the paper as he spoke to the person on the other end of the phone.

“If possible, look into the Pilenom Autonomous Region. The situation there has rapidly deteriorated recently due to the emergence of the Conqueror, so there should be quite a few merchants whose sales routes are blocked.”

[….]

“…No. We won’t intervene directly. It’s not a relationship that warrants it, anyway.”

Lennok hesitated for a moment at the reply from the other side, then shook his head.

“Once the recovery of District 49 is complete, I’ll immediately launch the item business. After the war, other Magic Towers have been actively requesting cooperation.”

[….]

“That’s right. As you said, there won’t be time to focus on the autonomous region for long… Yes, we’ll do that.”

Beep.

Lennok ended the call, put down his phone, and finally closed his eyes with a tired expression.

“It’s hectic…”

Post-War Processing was done, but that didn’t mean all other Magic Tower duties were resolved.

Preparations for the item business and the launch of elixir sales in District 49, which had been suspended during the war.

Days spent cultivating Ultimate Lightning alongside the Thorben Magic Tower Lord, while also investigating information about the Imperial Palace.

And on top of that, he was also managing consultations for the fourth thesis submitted under Evan Vylun’s name.

[Master is always like this, trying to handle too many things personally.]

Davi, curled up on the reading room desk, leisurely wagged her tail.

[If you used the work AI I developed, it would perfectly handle everything exactly the way Master does!]

“…I don’t think I have to handle all tasks personally, you know.”

Lennok sighed.

“It’s just that I need to personally set the direction of the Magic Tower before I leave, so I’m busy.”

[You’re so busy, yet you’re still doing spellcraft research too.]

“Since the Subjugation Operation confirmed my mastery of Mass Spellcraft and the Extreme Art, Fifth Law, I can’t be lax in finding their applications.”

Saying so, Lennok put down his pen and stood up.

Davi naturally climbed up Lennok’s arm and settled on his shoulder.

“Those two spellcrafts can be utilized in various ways across all my identities. I can’t waste an ability with such potential, can I?”

[That’s precisely why Master’s sleep time has been drastically reduced recently.]

Davi grumbled as they walked through the dark library corridor.

[Don’t worry, I’m also making a magic research AI for Master. Soon, I’ll make it so Master can do all magic without lifting a finger!]

“Surprisingly, I have absolutely no expectations.”

Perhaps because the time spent playing with Davi had decreased, Davi had been suspiciously focused on AI development recently.

Her ideas were commendable, but there was no possibility that Davi could create an AI better than Lennok himself in terms of spellcraft research.

“Enough of that, check the time. How long until the lunar eclipse?”

[About 3 minutes and 15 seconds?]

“Right, about 3 minutes…”

Lennok quickened his pace, watching the full moon outside the window slowly begin to be obscured.

“If I leave now, I’ll be on time.”

Shwoosh—

Each step down the empty library corridor, the moonlight faded, and the surroundings plunged into darkness.

As the full moon in the sky was enveloped by shadow and vanished, the night sky turned utterly black.

He walked alone through the darkness so profound he couldn’t see ahead, heading towards the book storage room.

The storage room was immersed in quiet darkness. A table set up for borrowing books.

Behind it, a library employee remained alone, organizing stacked books.

“…H-eek!! C-customer?”

The employee, spotting Lennok in the darkness, flinched and trembled.

But Lennok was not surprised to see the employee and quietly approached him.

“I’ve come to return a borrowed book.”

“R-return, you say…?”

The employee, who had been pale with alarm, soon looked troubled as he saw the book in Lennok’s hand.

“I’m sorry, but it’s long past closing time. You’ll have to come back tomorrow morning to return books.”

“Is that so?”

“The library’s return system isn’t even operating at this hour. I apologize for you coming so late, but…”

“Then who are you, still working alone here long past the library’s closing time? Just a ghost?”

“…Huh?”

The employee’s expression went blank for a moment after hearing Lennok’s words.

Staring blankly at his own reflection, he opened his mouth, seeing the darkness cast outside the window.

The employee’s eyes darkened rapidly as he looked at the night sky where the lunar eclipse was occurring.

“Oh… right… why… am I still… alone… until this hour…?”

“Since acquiring a fragment of transcendence, things I hadn’t noticed before are slowly becoming perceptible.”

Lennok, ignoring the employee’s rhetorical question, placed the book down.

“I wasn’t certain… but I thought I could vaguely guess where you were watching from.”

“……”

“A full moon that appears once a month. A total lunar eclipse that coincides with that period. On a day when such a symbol covers the sky, I thought your will would reach me, mediated by darkness.”

Ignoring the unresponsive employee, Lennok pointed to the title of the book he intended to return.

Celestial Spellcraft: Miniature Garden

“As I said, I came to return a book.”

Lennok smiled and asked the silent employee.

“A skull quiz. Do I still have more to solve?”

“……Hmph.”

The library employee, who had been staring blankly out the window, opened his mouth.

His two eyes were now consumed by an endless, dark void.

Staring intently at Lennok’s face, the employee soon broke into an eerie smile.

“To have honed your sense of humor in the short time I haven’t seen you, you’re a worthwhile child to lend books to.”

“……”

“Very well. I can’t leave a customer who understands the charm of a quiz standing in the cold, mundane world.”

Naoise Penn, who had been silently watching Lennok, slowly turned and spoke.

“Come in. Let us speak in my archive.”

Nox Biblio. A sorcerous archive containing all information on various bizarre concepts.

A repository of knowledge he had to revisit at least once, given his preparations targeting the Demonic Realm.

And the existence of a Transcendent who ‘knew’ more than anyone Lennok had ever met.

After completing Post-War Processing, the first thing Lennok had to do was meet the Answerer.