Chapter 1379: Variation (18)

Maiya Lonsdale, who had gone missing in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, returned to Gateway City having lost an arm – an unexpected turn of events.

Lennok left the Pandemonium members behind and walked out of the hotel with Maiya.

Above the late evening sky, crimson Flame Flowers blazed beautifully, flickering.

Following the flames, a faint veil unfolded, gently swaying like a curtain of stars.

Tourists and explorers watched the scene from various spots across the streets.

The bustling downtown outside the hotel was still crowded with countless people.

It was so busy that Lennok found it difficult to continue their conversation with Maiya.

“Did Croken Asylus urge your participation in this plan? It seems that tyrant was pleased with what you did in the subjugation operation.”

Fortunately, Maiya seemed to understand Lennok’s brief explanation without difficulty.

Like an Enforcer, her reaction was extremely concise.

Lennok, with a cigarette between his lips, turned to Maiya and asked,

“I heard you were missing for a long time. Do you know the inside story of the war?”

“It would be strange if I didn’t, given the scale of the incident that wiped out the Legion. I heard what the outcome was.”

Maiya lifted her gaze.

“Bajour… so that bloodline finally departed first. Perhaps it was inevitable. They were, in many ways, a new beginning.”

“…”

“I only hope that the failure of the Ascension Gate does not also become one.”

Even amidst the chaotic crowd, Maiya’s steps remained unwavering.

Likewise, Maiya’s unfulfilled wish, returning from the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, had not changed in the slightest.

The Enforcer candidly confessing this to Adamant Thunder was likely because the two had worked together long ago in Machina.

She still remembered the conversation they had at the train station on the day he killed Hermes and left the Machine City.

“If you intend to cooperate with the plan, I won’t object. There’s no reason to refuse the participation of Vulcan’s strongest wizard.”

“…”

“When we clashed at Anathema’s Temple, your skill was already at its peak. I don’t know how much stronger you’ve become since the subjugation operation, but…”

Maiya Lonsdale’s expression as she spoke calmly was utterly dry.

“It’s a journey through the Ascendant’s Paradise Lost. To achieve our goal in that fallen orchard, we can never have enough excellent team members. Even if they are people one cannot trust.”

“You haven’t changed since I heard you went missing for a long time in the Demonic Realm.”

She still pursued her own goals, even while belonging to Pandemonium.

She cooperated with the plan, following the Director’s strategy, but did not socialize with the other members.

That terribly dry and parched demeanor was exactly as Lennok remembered Maiya Lonsdale’s nature.

Maiya Lonsdale, who had gone beyond the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors and even further, what had she seen and returned with?

“You said the Nether King’s end would be the key to this plan. Did you learn anything about him in the Demonic Realm?”

“I sought an answer to my question.”

“An answer?”

“The rulers who governed the Great Empire would know if my deepest wish could be granted.”

Maiya walked through the crowd, her face expressionless, and said,

“Excluding Kaiser Bajour, they are the Venerable Ones who met the most wretched failures in this world. They might even know a way to undo my mistakes.”

“…”

“I went beyond the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors and reached the Imperial National Mausoleum, but the Grand General of Brilliance was not in a state to answer questions. So I went deeper, beyond the Demonic Realm…”

Maiya, who had been silent, spoke.

“At some point… I realized I was inside the Council of Fate.”

“…What?”

“I met a long-lost blood relative there.”

Lennok knew who the blood relative Maiya referred to was.

Maiya Lonsdale’s clone, consumed by the corpse flowers that wandered inside the Imperial National Mausoleum.

That creature was made using the corpse of Maiya’s actual blood relative, Clark A. Lonsdale, as its base.

Had Maiya met Clark not inside the Mausoleum, but only after crossing the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors?

But the statement that she reached the Council of Fate, located deep within the Imperial Palace, immediately after crossing the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors…

“I don’t clearly remember what happened there. But it seems I gave up my arm there to gain some right.”

Maiya touched the spot where her severed left arm used to be.

“In the process of using that right to rescue the soul of my bound blood relative, I vaguely glimpsed the Nether King’s end in Paradise Lost.”

“…”

“And I learned that the Imperial Three Grand Dukes were involved in the fate he met.”

“…The Imperial Three Grand Dukes?”

Lennok, hearing the unexpected words, stopped walking.

“I don’t understand what you mean. Did the Imperial Three Grand Dukes wish for the Nether King’s death? Besides, they usually remain deep within the Demonic Realm and don’t show themselves outside.”

“The Council of Fate was the culmination of the observation system created by the Imperial Palace to observe the world’s causality. I merely saw that the Imperial Three Grand Dukes were intertwined with Myeong’s causality there.”

Maiya turned her gaze towards Lennok, who did not answer.

“The detailed truth can only be found directly in Paradise Lost, I suppose. Do you understand why I’m telling you this now?”

“…Perhaps.”

Lennok answered without much thought.

Because a particular person came to mind the moment he heard Maiya’s story.

“Is it because I know someone related to the Council of Fate?”

“No need for circumlocution, then. I heard that the Central Scribe of the Council of Fate resides in the Magic Tower you govern.”

Maiya said calmly.

“I’d like to meet her after this business is concluded. I’ll pay whatever price is necessary.”

“Alright. Do so.”

“…”

Suddenly, Maiya turned her gaze and stared intently at Lennok.

“What are you looking at?”

“I didn’t expect to get such a quick answer.”

“I’m interested in the Council of Fate’s affairs too. There’s no reason to be difficult about the conditions.”

Lennok replied calmly.

“Sharing what right you gained there, and what your blood relative’s role was, will be sufficient. Besides, Heiberk isn’t someone who takes my direct orders.”

“…Is that so.”

Maiya, walking through the crowd, turned her head.

“It seems that war had meaning in some way. I sense your stance has become more lenient than before.”

“If you’re talking about back in Machina, don’t you think that’s too long ago?”

“It didn’t seem much different even at Anathema’s Temple.”

“We were enemies then. What are you talking about, trying to steal my gauntlet?”

“It’s true that Pandemonium sometimes feels like a band of thieves.”

“It’s not that it ‘feels like’ one; it is a criminal organization.”

Perhaps because they had worked together on the Ascension Gate incident in Machina, Maiya didn’t seem to hold much resentment towards Adamant Thunder.

Rather, she seemed lost in a peculiar sentimentality, reminiscing about that time, and uncharacteristically brought up various topics.

“This chatter is getting long. Weren’t we originally here to choose a prosthetic arm to replace your left one?”

Lennok said, looking at Maiya’s empty left sleeve.

“Even for an Enforcer, a missing arm would inevitably cause a sharp drop in combat power. You’ll need equipment to perform your role in this plan.”

“A missing arm doesn’t always weaken combat ability. There are abilities one can only gain by accepting loss.”

Maiya said, looking down at the place where her left arm used to be with an expressionless face.

“Sacrificing my arm wasn’t an unfortunate accident; it was my will, and as a result, my ability has grown stronger. I’m looking for a prosthetic arm for a different reason.”

“…”

Maiya was the continent’s best technician, having honed her combat skills for decades.

Her hands and arms were tools for embodying that skill in reality, irreplaceable means.

The ability Maiya gained by sacrificing one arm as a Geas, given her ambidexterity, must be truly formidable.

Yet, why was she searching for a new prosthetic arm immediately after returning from the Demonic Realm?

“We’re here. This way.”

“This place is…”

Throughout the bustling streets, antique lanterns swayed, and people sharing drinks caught the eye.

A strange sense of déjà vu, as if the street scene was subtly familiar, despite being his first visit. Only after hearing Maiya’s explanation did he find the answer.

“They say there used to be a black market here back when the Conjunction Spell Master dominated this area. It transformed into a commercial district after redevelopment once Cheonbeon became the city’s owner.”

“…I see.”

So the black market where he first encountered the Conjunction Spell Master, after fighting the Blaiver Tower Lord, was near here.

Even after a considerable amount of time, the streets were as bustling as ever with all sorts of superhumans and Long-lived Beings.

It seemed true that the entire city had become an outpost for Demonic Realm exploration, as many shops selling artifacts or relics were visible everywhere.

Maiya stopped in front of a particularly splendid and crowded grand workshop.

“This is the Seven-Branched Spear, carved from the horn of a Seven-Horned Beast. It’s equipment where mana flows divided, making it extremely useful in group battles.”

“This is the Unchained Dragon Scale Armor, woven from the scales of a Sub-Dragon species. While it can’t compare to relic-grade defenses like the Black-Chained Dragon Scale Armor, it boasts excellent durability…”

“The Lava Greatsword, forged from flame iron excavated near the Imperial National Mausoleum in the Sixfold Demonic Mirror of Return. The entire blade is constantly heated to ultra-high temperatures, and for an additional fee, fire-attribute spellcraft can be embedded…”

Unique equipment and items, usually only seen in District 49 exchanges, were displayed everywhere.

Tens of millions to hundreds of millions of cells in cash were exchanged, and superhumans attempting bartering were also seen.

On one side, a heated auction was taking place over relic-grade equipment, while on the other, workshop artisans were crafting equipment in real time.

The vast workshop operated organically like a single living organism, constantly drawing in customers from the surrounding streets.

It was so busy that no one even paid attention when Maiya and Lennok entered.

“This is a very large workshop. I thought you didn’t like places like this.”

“You’re not wrong. I don’t like it.”

“Then why choose a prosthetic arm here—”

“S-Senior!”

At that moment, an old man wearing an apron rushed out from inside the workshop.

The old man, bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle before Maiya, said,

“Omegon, Batch 321 of the Enforcer Agency, greets you, Senior! You actually contacted us…!”

“…”

So the owner of this workshop was an ex-Enforcer who knew Maiya?

“It’s been a long time, Omegon.”

Maiya said curtly.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course, Senior.”

The old man bowed deeply, clasping his hands together in a very respectful manner.

“If you hadn’t helped me when I was exiled from the Machine City, how could I have started this business? It’s all thanks to your heavenly grace, Senior.”

“You were marked by the Committee for helping me, so it was only right that I did.”

“I’ll guide you inside right away. You said you were looking for a suitable prosthetic arm, correct?”

As if to prove his Enforcer background, Omegon didn’t ask anything about Maiya’s left arm.

He simply maintained his respectful demeanor and led Lennok and Maiya towards a display stand inside the workshop.

“Upon hearing you would visit Gateway City, Senior, I contacted acquaintances and procured these items. Please take a closer look while we talk.”

Inside the transparent display case, three types of prosthetic arms, each crafted in a different shape, were hanging.

First. A prosthetic arm shaped like armor carved from dazzling gold.

Second. A prosthetic arm shaped like a shotgun with a revolver cylinder attached.

Third. A prosthetic arm carved from obsidian with a gemstone embedded on the back of the hand.

Each item had an unusual material and appearance.

“The first one is made using Altima’s Gold. It has high mana conductivity and will-thought projection, and it’s something that can synchronize well with your senses, Senior.”

The old man said.

“It will be most helpful in reproducing your techniques perfectly. I placed it in front because it’s the one I recommend.”

“And the second?”

“It’s an item equipped with a Gunner Cylinder made in Endorose. It’s a prosthetic arm that uses cartridges, with the advantage of being able to use various tools instead of loading one shot at a time.”

“…Hmm.”

“The third one was excavated near the Imperial National Mausoleum in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors… but the damage is too severe, so I find it difficult to recommend this one.”

The old man hesitated and said,

“Its value as a relic is quite high, so I accepted it, but I wonder if it might cause trouble for you, Senior…”

“…”

Maiya, deep in thought, turned her gaze towards Lennok.

“What do you think?”

“Are you asking for my opinion?”

“Didn’t we do something similar in the Machine City? I need your discernment.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Were you serious about bringing me here for that?”

Had she remembered him working as a craftsman a few times in Machina?

Lennok, shaking his head as if dumbfounded, crossed his arms and said indifferently,

“It’s been years since I quit craftsmanship. I don’t think I’ll be of much help with this.”

“Any opinion is fine, just speak. Personally, I like the second prosthetic arm.”

“Really? I thought you’d prefer the first one that can synchronize with your senses. Didn’t the workshop owner recommend that one too?”

“Sensory synchronization isn’t something I particularly care about.”

Maiya said calmly.

“I’m confident I can perfectly handle any equipment, no matter how difficult. What matters is performance.”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No. Nothing.”

Indeed, Maiya Lonsdale was, in a way, one of a kind genius in Machina’s history.

Perhaps that’s why she could say such things as naturally as breathing.

Lennok shook his head, stepped forward, and examined the prosthetic arms.

The old man asked with an anxious expression.

“C-Can you really leave it to him? For equipment you’ll be using, Senior, it might be better to choose it yourself…”

“Workshop Owner.”

At that moment, Lennok, who had been quietly looking at the first prosthetic arm, asked.

“This first prosthetic arm, did you perhaps bring it from the Order Alliance?”

“Excuse me?”

The old man’s eyes widened.

“W-Well, yes… I asked an acquaintance from the Alliance for it, but… how did you know?”

“It’s not new. There are traces of someone having used it.”

Lennok said, looking closely at the part where the fingers of the prosthetic arm would be.

“The joints are clean, but the inner part, where the fingertips don’t reach, is subtly worn. Complex hand movements that an ordinary human wouldn’t do… evidence of frequent hand seals.”

“T-That’s…”

“Despite the prosthetic arm’s strength, there are still parts that are slightly worn. This means hand seals were performed abnormally strongly, to the point of breaking fingers, which isn’t common for an ordinary spellcaster.”

Lennok fell into thought.

“Either they suffered from very strong phantom limb pain, or the spellcraft they used was unique. Perhaps both.”

“…”

“The former owner was a spellcaster who used an expensive, relic-grade prosthetic arm, suffered from trauma-like phantom limb pain, and performed unique hand seals that left marks.”

Lennok put down the prosthetic arm, turned, and said,

“Isn’t it typically equipment used by a Conjunction Spell Master of the Order Alliance? If you look for a high-ranking Conjunction Spell Master with a missing left arm, you’ll quickly find the owner.”

“…”

The old man, speechless, fumbled for words before turning to Maiya.

Lennok ignored his reaction and headed to the opposite side of the display case.

“Maiya might have guessed, but equipment used by a high-ranking spellcaster would be ambiguous for an Enforcer to use. Let’s look at the second prosthetic arm.”

Lennok picked up the heavy, shotgun-like metal prosthetic arm and said,

“It’s heavy, but well-balanced. It doesn’t seem mass-produced; was it custom-ordered?”

“…Ah, yes. That’s right. I asked a friend who set up a workshop in Endorose for it…”

“Do you have no eyes?”

“What?”

Maiya cocked her head at Lennok’s sudden outburst.

But the old man standing beside him trembled as if struck by lightning.

“Y-Yes, that’s right…!! H-He’s a Long-lived Being, a mole-type whose eyes have degenerated…”

“You weren’t originally a craftsman who made prosthetic arms, were you? You seem more like a watchmaker or someone who made firearm parts.”

“How did you know?!”

“The finish of each component of the prosthetic arm is excessively precise. It’s so overly precise that it actually reduces its power.”

Lennok said.

“The composition and intermeshing of each component are strangely close, probably because the blueprint wasn’t directly viewed by eye when crafting it.”

“That’s impossible…”

“It seems there was an error in converting the units or specifications of the blueprint, which normally isn’t necessary. It’s only possible if the craftsman has to feel the blueprint with their touch.”

Lennok rotated the cylinder and then placed the prosthetic arm back on the display.

“It should have been a defective product, but the craftsman’s skill was so exceptional that no problems were found during inspection, and it made its way here. It would be best to return it.”

“S-Senior. Who exactly is this person?”

The old man stammered, turning his gaze towards Maiya.

“I’ve never seen anyone with such keen eyes in all my years running a workshop. What kind of skill does he possess to…”

“He is a genius who passed Machina’s Meister exam in one go.”

“E-Excuse me…?!!”

Maiya replied with a wry smile, ignoring the astonished old man.

“I knew he had a talent for these things, but I didn’t realize it was this much. Isn’t he practically using mind-reading?”

“You’re quite good at talking, considering you asked for my help.”

“It’s true that I saw a more interesting sight than I expected. In any case, a conclusion has been reached.”

Maiya picked up the third prosthetic arm, carved from obsidian and inlaid with a gemstone, and turned her gaze.

“I’ll buy this prosthetic arm. How should I pay?”

Not long after, Lennok finished his work and left the workshop with Maiya.

The prosthetic arm in Maiya’s hand had a mysterious shape, a blend of obsidian and platinum.

“It took more time than expected. When do you plan to start the operation?”

Lennok asked, leaving the old man, who was repeatedly bowing, behind them.

“You’ll need time to adapt to the prosthetic arm too. It would be better to set a definite preparation period.”

Replacing a superhuman’s body part with equipment isn’t a simple process.

It requires not only connecting nerves and blood vessels but also delicately synchronizing mana and will-thought.

However, Maiya’s answer diverged slightly from Lennok’s expectation.

“We plan to start immediately once the person we’re going to meet now joins. Those who haven’t arrived will have to be excluded.”

“Excluded?”

“Several members, including The Clown, are unreachable. Doctor is also coordinating his schedule.”

So other members hadn’t mentioned Victor much because even The Clown was unreachable?

Given The Clown’s personality, he wouldn’t skip this out of fear, so it must mean there’s a significant reason.

But Lennok was more intrigued by the member Maiya was going to meet.

A superhuman whom Maiya, who showed almost no interest in other Pandemonium members, was urging to join.

“A superhuman you’re personally going to meet for their participation? They must be quite skilled.”

“Undoubtedly, an outstanding talent. However…”

Maiya’s expression was ambiguous.

It was a rare reaction for an Enforcer who handled everything with precision.

“I’m not sure if they’re someone who should be here.”

“…What do you mean?”

Lennok only understood why she reacted that way after they arrived at their destination.

The clean director’s office in a new hospital building, located in the middle of Gateway City’s commercial district.

A bustling building, overflowing with patients visiting the hospital.

“I never expected to see you in a place like this.”

The man, sitting in a pristine director’s office wearing a white gown, extended his hand towards Lennok.

“I am Avesta Chapman. It’s an honor to meet the continent’s most elegant slayer.”

“…”

The Conjunction Spell Master offered a handshake with hands still in surgical gloves.

Lennok silently stared at the outstretched hand for a long time, then averted his gaze.

“Why is this person here now?”

A strange situation: the Right-Brain Conjunction Spell Master was in Gateway City, replacing the Left-Brain Conjunction Spell Master whom Lennok had killed.

Had he come to this city, knowing that another version of himself had died here?

It was astounding that he wasn’t just visiting the city, but boldly opening a hospital and accepting patients.

“The Conjunction Spell Master possesses the Trait-type Spellcraft necessary for this operation.”

Maiya said with an expressionless face.

“He was considering participating after hearing about the plan to traverse Jinwa’s Paradise Lost. He wanted to collect rare experimental materials there.”

“…”

The Spell Master said,

“The humans consumed by that Spell-Word Sorcerer are, in a sense, very rare somatic bodies.”

“I want to collect data on the humans who became nutrients in Paradise Lost. I’m also curious about what became of the Nether King there.”

“…”

“But I’m also considering establishing myself in this city again, replacing ‘me.’ Accepting patients here isn’t so bad.”

The Conjunction Spell Master was a madman who treated humans like test subjects, due to his Trait-type Spellcraft, but he was also one of the continent’s top transcendent surgeons.

A complex individual who toyed with innocent humans yet also saved many patients who sought him out.

Lennok, speechless, stared intently at the Spell Master’s face, then shook his head.

“I have no intention of following your methods, so do as you please. Whether you cooperate or not, it seems there won’t be any share for you.”

“Hm?”

Myeong’s legacy, left after his defeat by Jinwa, was something Lennok intended to recover. Whatever the price, he had no intention of handing it over to others.

He had said this because the Conjunction Spell Master, who was considering participation, seemed curious about Myeong’s legacy. However…

The Spell Master seemed to have understood Lennok’s words in a completely different way.

“Indeed, you won’t hand over a single one of Paradise Lost’s humans? You’re the type who prefers to kill them all yourself.”

“…What?”

Lennok, about to retort that it was nonsense, stopped and closed his mouth, seeing the Spell Master’s expression.

The Spell Master, with his hand still outstretched, looked at Lennok with a deeply impressed expression.

“I never imagined you possessed such killing intent. Truly, professionals are on another level. I’ve learned something.”

“…”

While Lennok was speechless, the Spell Master stepped forward and nodded naturally.

“Alright. I’ve made my decision after hearing you out. I’ll participate in this plan. Now is not the time for hospital work.”

“…”

“Opportunities to observe such an expert up close are rare. In this matter, I will prioritize your instructions as much as possible. I look forward to working with you.”

The Conjunction Spell Master, having made his decision in an instant, took off his surgical gown and began to coordinate his schedule.

He seemed full of anticipation, literally moving to join the plan right then and there.

As Lennok remained speechless, Maiya, standing beside him, quietly gasped.

“An excellent way to persuade someone. Did you give an appropriate answer tailored to their personality? It was so real it gave me chills.”

“…”

“…It wasn’t just that you two simply got along well, was it?”

Instead of answering Maiya’s words, Lennok silently looked up.

It wasn’t his first time meeting the Conjunction Spell Master, but it was the first time he had been so cooperative.

Ironically, among all their encounters, this seemed to be the one where he had earned the most goodwill.