Chapter 1335: Engineered Transcendence (13)

Vulcan, District 49. The conference room on the top floor of the building temporarily used in place of the Adamant Tower.

Jutiya was sipping a smoothie and watching the news in the grand auditorium, which could accommodate hundreds of people.

[“Half a day has passed since the meeting between Ascendant Dadam and Adamant Thunder, who visited the mega-city, concluded safely.”]

[“The two, who met in the undeveloped zone, are said to have exchanged several matters regarding the political situation of the Central Continent…”]

[“In front of the undeveloped zone, where the talks have ended, delegations from across the continent are lined up, waiting to meet the Ascendant…”]

Flags and insignias of countless city-states and factions moved in succession along the streets.

Delegations from various parts of the continent, formally attired and orderly, waited their turn, guided by the special agents.

Jutiya, wearing thick glasses on the tip of her nose and looking at the news with a languid expression, murmured…

“Everyone’s working so hard…”

Perhaps the only active Ascendant of the Outer Lei Clan to have resumed her activities at this point.

Though they surely knew her nature—not fond of humans—countless superhumans formed a massive crowd, eager to meet her.

Practitioners who had severed ties with the mundane world and sought enlightenment, or high-level Transcendent beings from factions and groups with no connection to Vulcan or the Eastern Continent.

Were they so desperate to meet an Ascendant that they would simply flock to Vulcan, even though it was unclear if Dadam would even see them?

Even in this era, where some Ascendants had left and disappeared, the prestige of a Level 9 being had not diminished in the slightest.

As she chewed on her straw and leisurely reached to change the channel, someone poked her shoulder from behind.

“Heiberk.”

“…Ah, it was you.”

Jutiya looked back at the black-haired girl standing with a sullen expression and raised her hand, her eyes still sleepy.

“Long time no see, Blood Emperor. I heard you’ve been busy researching artificial blood for Adamant Thunder. Any progress?”

“None at all. Without that regrettable man, Thorben, we’re not getting good results.”

The Blood Emperor sat in a chair next to Jutiya, crossed her arms, and shook her head.

“Adamant Thunder’s blood is difficult to analyze quantitatively in many ways. Not only is it a mixture of various types of mana and impurities, but all those characteristics complexly combine to hinder ‘reproduction’ itself.”

When Lennok returned after finishing his work in Kundara, the Blood Emperor had brought together Jutiya, Thorben, and Evelyn to form a small group dedicated to Adamant Thunder’s health management.

It was an attempt to improve Lennok’s health by utilizing the abilities and connections of Kundara’s True Bloodline, an Ars Nova noble, Thorben’s Tower Lord, and a city government Agent.

Recently, the Blood Emperor had been particularly focused on researching and manufacturing artificial blood, exclusively transfusable to Lennok, by analyzing blood samples of Adamant Thunder secured by Murphy.

As a master of Blood Magic, she possessed the ability to easily analyze and reproduce the blood or components of any living creature.

If she could create artificial blood transfusable to Lennok, it would be possible to handle all kinds of accidents… This was the ambitious goal of her research.

“Interesting. You’re saying Adamant Thunder’s blood is so different from a normal human’s that it’s difficult to make artificial blood?”

“Quite the opposite. Even at that level, Adamant Thunder’s blood isn’t significantly different from a normal human’s. That’s precisely the problem.”

The Blood Emperor shook her head with a troubled expression.

“Beings who reach high levels differ from ordinary humans even in their metabolism and cellular composition. It’s those differences and unique characteristics that allow us to create artificial blood tailored to a specific superhuman.”

“…Oh.”

“Adamant Thunder’s blood components are similar to a normal human’s, yet he simultaneously possesses immensely complex mana, far surpassing even Dragon-kind. I still don’t understand how his physical body remains human even after reaching such a level, or how he can contain such vast transcendence within a shattered vessel.”

She, a True Bloodline of Kundara, spoke of a wizard with greater talent than anyone she had seen in her entire life.

While there might be stronger Transcendent beings, or more advanced Seekers, there was no wizard more talented than him.

She had believed that by studying his physical composition, she could find the unique characteristics stemming from that talent, but so far, her efforts had yielded little.

Was it because he still harbored such talent despite his body deteriorating, or was it because his shattered body allowed such immense talent to exist?

The incomprehensible causality and correlation of that sequence only confused her further.

“At least that man, Thorben, understood Adamant Thunder relatively well, which helped us find direction, but now it’s become a headache.”

“That’s unfortunate. Shall I send a message to Thorben Magic Tower and ask for him back?”

“No. Don’t say things you don’t mean… Are you trying to tease me, Heiberk?”

Akendrias El Thorben was a madman who, even during his stay in Vulcan, showed almost no interest in anything other than Lennok.

If that old wizard, obsessed with lightning, had left Lennok, he might have done so with the resolve never to see him again.

Having left Vulcan with such resolve, Thorben would not return to this city for any reason.

Both Jutiya and the Blood Emperor were well aware of that fact.

“More importantly, why are we having this meeting today?”

Ignoring Jutiya’s languid smile, the vampire’s red eyes glinted as she looked around the conference room.

“It’s rare for us to gather like this unless it’s something truly significant. Did Adamant Thunder summon everyone himself?”

As Lennok’s Magic Tower grew in scale and began to accept diverse members, full gatherings of all the Tower’s affiliates became much less frequent.

Most individuals didn’t require advice from others in their specialized fields, and vastly different research and businesses were conducted simultaneously within the same Tower.

Immediately, the Blood Emperor and Jutiya, engaged in entirely different fields—blood research and accounting—rarely encountered each other outside of small gatherings.

Such meetings only occurred during major events that threatened the Tower’s existence, like a Subjugation Operation, or when Lennok personally summoned all involved parties.

“An Ascendant we haven’t seen before has visited Vulcan.”

Jutiya took a sip of her smoothie and spoke nonchalantly.

“It seems some problem arose in the city, so Adamant Thunder had a conversation with her.”

“…?”

For a moment, the Blood Emperor, not understanding Jutiya’s words, tilted her head.

Then, the conference room door burst open, and people poured in.

CRASH!

“No, what kind of negotiation?! We obviously need to finish investigating that Ascendant Dadam first!”

“Gathering information about the relic is more important. Didn’t you hear what they offered as a price for the negotiation?”

“She’s a Transcendent being who existed as an Ascendant even when the Central City was thriving. Historical data on her has already been collected. There’s no need to search further.”

[She was a prominent figure long ago, merely forgotten after decades of seclusion. It’s unlikely her disposition has changed significantly now.]

“You never know. She’s not human, but a demi-human Ascendant, right? Couldn’t a Transcendent leading another race change their stance depending on external circumstances?”

Warriors and mercenaries, beastfolk and robots, wizards and superhumans mingled, entering with loud chatter.

The quiet conference room instantly became boisterous, and the air buzzed with activity.

Superhumans, arguing amongst themselves, would still throw a comment toward Jutiya and Peshia.

“Jutiya!! I messed up my year-end tax adjustment and I’m screwed, help me out! The penalty taxes in District 49 are insane!”

“Peshia, the artificial blood you made for me last time was really useful. Thanks to it, I don’t have to worry about dying and can spar like it’s a real battle!”

“Wayen. You should be thinking about not getting hit during sparring, what nonsense are you talking about? More importantly, were you asking such a favor of Van’s summoned creature?”

“Shut up, Mila! A hatchling training under Lieutenant General Atiya wouldn’t understand. I face death every time I meet the Demoness!”

“What, punk? Shall we see who the real hatchling is right here?”

Mercenaries, loudly chattering and fighting even as they greeted Jutiya and Peshia.

As Mila and Wayen grabbed each other by the collars, Lennok entered the conference room with Jenny.

“It seems most of the people who needed to gather are here.”

Leaving Jenny, who was frowning and flipping through a file, Lennok stood at the podium in front of the conference room.

As Lennok surveyed the room, the dozens of superhumans who had been loudly chattering simultaneously fell silent.

The mercenaries who had been bickering, the wizards discussing their theses, and the warriors exchanging notes on their training achievements all went quiet.

“Everyone must be busy, so I’ll keep it short.”

Lennok said, standing before the now-silent conference room.

“There’s a matter that requires discussion, and I called those who participated in the Subjugation Operation to hear their opinions. Is anyone here unaware of the current situation?”

“…”

A momentary silence fell.

Not because they were unaware, but rather a subtle silence born from not knowing who was unaware.

As Lennok’s impassive gaze swept over the group, Jutiya nonchalantly shifted her gaze towards the Blood Emperor.

Only after Lennok’s eyes naturally followed hers did the vampire grumble and raise her hand.

“…Was I supposed to raise my hand and speak directly?”

“It’s embarrassing, but I don’t come out of the apothecary often… Is it important?”

“If you all didn’t get carried into my infirmary every other day, you’d have time to watch the news.”

Yakson cleared his throat, and a few others, including Murphy who avoided public activities, raised their hands.

Seeing this, Jenny put down the report in her hand and began to speak.

“Currently, an Ascendant of the Outer Lei Clan has visited Vulcan and is staying near the undeveloped zone. She is one of the less than ten Level 9 Transcendent beings remaining in the current era, making her appearance after decades of seclusion.”

“…”

“It’s a very unusual situation for an existing Ascendant to officially visit a city-state, so the city government acted quickly, and Van personally went to meet Dadam. Dylan and Hyun-gung accompanied him and heard the story with Van.”

Jenny glanced at Evelyn, leaning against the conference room wall, and Dylan, squished among the mercenaries, before continuing.

“The problem is Dadam’s very purpose for visiting Vulcan. According to her message, an Ascension Relic from the ancient era exists somewhere in this city.”

“…Ascension Relic?”

Jenny briefly summarized the events for those who were unaware.

Dadam’s visit and her purpose. The price offered for the destruction of the Ascension Relic and its significance.

Only then did the Blood Emperor understand the situation, her expression turning disgruntled, and Jutiya shrugged.

The mercenaries, who had known about the Ascendant’s visit but were only now hearing its specific purpose, exchanged glances.

“To find and destroy an Ascension Relic somewhere in Vulcan…”

“Indeed, if such an item remained intact in the city, it would certainly be dangerous.”

“A ritual altar from ancient times for receiving the qualifications of ascension. Absurd.”

“I’m confident I wouldn’t be surprised even if an Ascendant suddenly woke up in this damn city now.”

If an existing Ascendant personally came to find it, there was no need to doubt the relic’s power or abilities.

Even if one couldn’t become an Ascendant using the relic, it could still aid in increasing one’s hierarchy, growth, or awakening.

At the very least, if this fact became public, those coveting the relic would flock to the city from near and far like clouds.

Therefore, Dadam’s proposal to find and destroy the Ascension Relic didn’t sound so strange—

“An Ascension Relic from the ancient era… I don’t recall such a [scenario] existing at all when I joined the project.”

The Blood Emperor crossed her arms and tilted her head.

Even the vampire, a former associate of the Black Consumer Project, was unaware of the Ascension Relic.

“It might have been a plan or arrangement that was being carried out separately from the project from the beginning.”

Jenny replied with a calm expression, shifting her gaze.

“Van, what do you think? Was this also part of his plan?”

“…No.”

Lennok paused briefly before answering slowly.

“It was all concluded during the Subjugation Operation. He wouldn’t directly intervene in this timeline in any way now.”

“…”

“The Ascension Relic remaining in Vulcan now, rather than being part of his plan, seems more like… an arrangement the Imperial Palace prepared for him.”

During the final battle of the Subjugation Operation, Lennok had determined Kaiser Bajour’s fate.

He had used Ultimate Lightning Magic to completely erase Kaiser Bajour’s existence from all timelines.

Now, Kaiser’s will or causality could not significantly influence this world in any way.

Therefore, it was highly probable that the Ascension Relic was not for Kaiser but an outcome arranged by another entity for a Pseudo-Eclipse.

However, what remained incomprehensible was—

‘At the point the project was ending, Kaiser already possessed an Ideological Domain. Yet, he prepared a Pseudo-Eclipse…’

An ascension prepared for Kaiser, who had already reached Level 9 and could repeatedly regress by his own will.

The Pseudo-Eclipse and the Compressed Ritual that they had mentioned during the tripartite meeting with the Pontiff and the Director.

“…”

It wasn’t that there were no possible explanations.

What if the meaning indicated by the Pseudo-Eclipse wasn’t to make Kaiser an Ascendant?

What if the concept itself was an attempt to push Kaiser to a much higher ‘level’?

“Ultimately, it seems we cannot draw a conclusion without personally verifying the Ascension Relic.”

Lennok, having made his judgment, spoke.

“There’s a possibility that the arrangement prepared for Kaiser has been corrupted, now that he’s gone. Dadam’s proposal will have to be considered afterward.”

“I agree. I don’t know if Dadam can’t touch the Ascension Relic, or doesn’t want to, but it’s a problem that’s hard to just sit by and watch.”

Leaving his colleagues lost in thought, Jenny quickly shifted her gaze.

“It would be best to investigate the Ascension Relic’s form and structure ourselves before information leaks. Will you go alone?”

“If exploration and investigation are needed, it would be better to get help from others.”

Lennok replied.

“However, there’s no need to search the entire city for this. I plan to move with only two or three essential personnel.”

“If all the Tower’s affiliates move en masse, it will attract attention one way or another. It might be better to avoid unnecessary conspicuousness. Everyone heard that, right?”

Jenny swept her gaze across the conference room and beckoned with her hand.

“Van needs a meat shield for the first time in a while. Anyone want to volunteer?”

“Jenny, what are you even—”

Lennok shook his head in exasperation, then fell silent upon seeing most of the conference room raise their hands.

Most of them, excluding internal staff like Priscilla and Yanushika, had volunteered.

“It’s been too long since I worked with Van. I think I can actually be helpful now.”

“You’re wrong, Wayen. He needs a capable front-liner, right? Then I’m the most qualified, having worked with Van the most.”

“Get lost, Dylan. I need to repay the favor of getting our Priscilla a job at the Magic Tower. Is there a better opportunity than this?”

“Sister, please…”

The mercenaries, unable to wait, started bickering amongst themselves, and Priscilla, caught between them, couldn’t lift her head.

But it wasn’t just the Tower’s mercenaries offering to help.

“Thanks to the Tower Lord’s grace, my long-stagnant cultivation has progressed. I believe I can be of great assistance.”

“Van, the restoration of the Ritual Armament I possessed is almost complete. If I go, there will be no shortage of firepower.”

“This is a request from an Ascendant of the Outer Lei Clan. Naturally, it seems right that I, who am connected to them, should accompany you to the end.”

“Van. As you might have guessed, this situation has quite a few similarities to the Anathema incident.”

Felix spoke with his characteristic grave voice.

“Even more so in that something hidden in this city was revealed when the Prohibition was lifted due to the aftermath of a major accident. Therefore, we cannot ignore the possibility that this situation itself is related to Anathema, can we?”

“…”

“Only Peshia and I went to the Anathema mansion with you. So, you’ll need my help for this.”

It had been quite a while since he worked with his Tower colleagues, but he hadn’t expected them to be so enthusiastic.

Not only high-level Transcendent beings, but also mercenaries he had known for a long time were eagerly volunteering to accompany him.

“The ‘techniques’ you taught us after the Subjugation Operation seem to have been incredibly helpful.”

As if sensing Lennok’s thoughts, Jenny, who had been standing with her arms crossed, secretly whispered.

“Since then, everyone’s training intensity has increased abnormally. It seems they want to show off what they can do next to you, given the chance?”

“I see…”

“They all seem eager to step up, so just pick suitable ones. You’ll handle it all yourself anyway.”

The techniques he had taught his Tower colleagues after the Subjugation Operation.

Had the Apostle Transformation, which he had introduced as a new form of Ouroboros, been so helpful to the superhumans?

But Lennok didn’t ponder long, looking at his bickering colleagues scattered throughout the conference room.

“We’ll finish preparing for the expedition here, so tell me as soon as the team is formed. We need to adjust District 49’s schedule according to the personnel you select—”

“No.”

Instead, he simply turned his gaze to the Tower’s Administrator, who had been standing beside him all this time.

“You need to be the one coming with me this time.”

“…Huh?”

“It seems I’ll need your help, especially with the Ouroboros magic system you’ve mastered.”

At that moment, Lennok smiled, seeing Jenny’s uncharacteristically blank expression.

“You pick just one other person. Let’s take one front-liner to guard you and depart.”

“Van, do you mean…”

“There’s no need to drag this out. We should go find the Ascension Relic right away.”

“Jenny. I distinctly said I’d pick one person to come along.”

Lennok turned his gaze, his face expressionless.

“I respect your opinion, relatively speaking, but do you really need to bring a dog on this mission?”

“Can’t you shut your mouth, wizard?”

CLANG!

Peshia, having finished her preparations, glared at Lennok with gleaming eyes.

“I can kill things far better than any of those idiots around you. Even you can’t deny that.”

“…”

“Jenicia needed someone reliable when working with a scoundrel like you after all this time.”

Peshia swaggered, proudly striking her spear into the ground.

“She made a wise decision, fitting for her bloodline. I’ll follow quietly on the way, so let’s go.”

“Quietly, my ass… It’ll be a miracle if you don’t bark at some innocent passerby.”

“Shut up!!”

“See? She’s already barking.”

Watching the snarling Peshia and the indifferent Lennok, Jenny shook her head with a dumbfounded expression.

“…You two, aren’t you getting along much better than I thought?”