Chapter 1380: Variation (19)
After encountering the Conjunction Spell Master, Maiya immediately handed over her prosthetic arm and proceeded with the surgery.
Avesta Chapman was an 8-level Trait-type Conjunction Spellcaster and a surgeon of transcendent skill.
With his ability, securely attaching the prosthetic arm to Maiya’s shoulder would be no difficult task.
Less than twenty minutes later, Lennok received news of the surgery’s outcome.
Click!
“The surgery concluded smoothly. Her left arm’s nerve system was cleanly severed without any crushing, which made the work easy.”
The Conjunction Spell Master, still wearing surgical gloves, raised both hands and stepped out into the waiting room, speaking.
“I don’t know what tool was used to sever the arm, but it was an incredible feat. Even with a scalpel, meticulously, stitch by stitch, it wouldn’t be that clean. Did she perhaps make an offering of her left arm somewhere?”
“…That’s not a question I can answer.”
At the Spell Master’s strangely accurate question, Lennok, seated in the waiting room, offered a wry smile.
Maiya herself didn’t remember what happened when she offered her left arm to the Council of Fate. It wasn’t even clear why offering Maiya’s left arm could secure a specific right.
It was highly likely due to Clark A. Lonsdale, whom she met at the Council of Fate, but the specific circumstances remained unknown.
For now, he had to focus on the fact that Myeong’s death might be connected to the Three Grand Dukes.
If the outcome Myeong met in Paradise Lost was a result of the Three Grand Dukes’ intervention, then that fact needed to be thoroughly investigated.
At the very least, he needed to confirm how Maiya came to know that fact.
Lost in thought, Lennok looked at the approaching Spell Master and asked,
“Is the Enforcer resting in the operating room?”
“By now, she’s probably adjusting the sensations of the implanted prosthetic arm.”
The Spell Master washed his hands at the sink, then plopped down opposite Lennok, saying,
“She’s such an exceptionally skilled superhuman that the synchronization is already beginning. She’ll be fully adapted in about half a day.”
“I see.”
“By then, Pandemonium will likely begin moving in earnest for this plan as well.”
“……”
“Sometimes I think, after waking in this body, that Pandemonium is quite an interesting organization, isn’t it?”
The Conjunction Spell Master leaned back in his chair, resting his arm, and gazed intently at Lennok.
“I knew it was a gathering of madmen, but I never imagined they could readily bring in even the Exterminator of the Subjugation Operation. What kind of antics must one get up to in daily life to make such a strange companionship possible?”
“You’re part of Pandemonium, so I don’t know why you’re asking me.”
Lennok retorted.
“If we’re going to compare, isn’t it stranger that a Conjunction Spell Master, who was supposedly dead, has brazenly returned to Gateway City?”
“You’re not wrong. But, you see, this method is simply more convenient.”
The Spell Master said leisurely.
“Using my abilities makes it easier to be treated well and simpler to enter this unnecessarily bustling city. As you know, this city has prospered greatly since I was killed by Cheonbeon, hasn’t it?”
“……”
Mentioning his own death so nonchalantly, observing the situation with such detachment, the Spell Master’s attitude was far from normal.
No, strictly speaking, this entire situation of facing and conversing with the Conjunction Spell Master in Gateway City was ironic.
Even Lennok, who had experienced all sorts of bizarre situations, found working with Pandemonium absurd more than once, but he decided not to think too deeply about it.
The members of Pandemonium probably felt this current situation of working with Lennok was just as strange.
The Spell Master crossed his arms.
“It was necessary to retrieve the ‘dead me’ and adjust the spellcraft. There’s no need to delve too deeply into that part. Aren’t we both in a similar boat, having been outsmarted by Cheonbeon once each?”
“You’re finding common ground in useless places.”
“Common ground? I suppose I must acknowledge that a peculiar sort of pleasure subtly exists in that. How many opportunities do you think one gets to converse in such a way with the rare serial killer known as the Demon King of Vulcan?”
The Conjunction Spell Master chuckled.
“At least I’m somewhat satisfied with this second life I arranged for myself in that regard. There’s often a strangeness here that I never felt during my time in the Alliance.”
“I know what you expect from me, but I don’t think I can provide the experience you’re looking for.”
Lennok shook his head.
“I don’t particularly prefer killing people. Better to say it upfront before you misunderstand.”
“……”
“Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I have no intention of acting recklessly. That kind of approach won’t be what’s needed for this operation.”
Lennok participated in this operation to recover the legacy of Myeong, who was defeated in Paradise Lost.
He wouldn’t hesitate to use force if necessary, but he also had no intention of wildly overdoing it.
This was a dangerous plan where success was not guaranteed even with careful assessment of the situation and thoughtful timing.
Even if the Conjunction Spell Master’s participation wasn’t a bad thing, there were things he needed to say before the Spell Master made his own assumptions and became disappointed.
However, the Spell Master’s reaction to Lennok’s words was entirely different from what he expected.
“Marvelous.”
The Conjunction Spell Master said in an admiring tone.
“Not killing people recklessly. Does one reach such a level that they can deceive themselves to that extent?”
“……”
“Are you concealing murderous impulses through such powerful self-hypnosis? Incredible. That control is certainly something to emulate.”
“You have no intention of listening to anything I say.”
He remembered the Conjunction Spell Master having an eccentric personality, but he hadn’t seemed this biased before.
Given that the Spell Master himself was a psychopath open to killing, combined with the notorious reputation of the Subjugation Operation, there was no way to rectify the misunderstanding.
It was beyond irritating, bordering on absurd, that the Spell Master was distorting everything Lennok said to suit his own interpretation.
Perhaps he should take comfort in the fact that the Spell Master regarded Adamant Thunder very favorably and was cooperative.
While a Trait-type Spellcaster’s presence would be helpful in some way, it didn’t seem like he could control such a madman to begin with.
“I don’t care what you think of me, but I’d appreciate it if you maintained as much caution as possible in this operation.”
Lennok sighed softly and stood up.
“You said earlier that you’d prioritize my instructions, but I have no intention of disrupting the existing plan. Minimizing variables is crucial until we enter Paradise Lost.”
“I’ve heard the general direction from the Enforcer, so you don’t need to worry.”
The Spell Master nodded compliantly.
“You plan to break through Gateway City’s Guardian and control The Veil, correct? We need to go all out from the start, so there must be no variables in the plan. I understand.”
“……”
“We haven’t even properly begun, but I already feel this was a wise decision. Good.”
The Spell Master stood up and nodded, looking down at Lennok.
Taking off his gloves and pulling down his surgical cap, the Spell Master offered a gentle smile.
“I’ll finish all my hospital duties within half a day and join you. This time, I’ll show you my skill.”
“What on earth did you understand from everything I just said?”
After parting ways with the Conjunction Spell Master, Lennok walked out onto the street to explore the commercial district further.
Gateway City was currently one of the foremost outposts leading the exploration and conquest of the Demonic Realm.
It was a place where relics and historical records from the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, as well as other unconquered Demonic Realms, flowed in.
By investigating here, he might find information about other Demonic Realms or ascertain the unknown location of Paradise Lost.
It was a reasonable decision to gather necessary information before the main plan, but—
“I thought the decision on your participation in this operation was already made.”
Lennok, sifting through ancient documents and historical records piled like mountains on a stall, glanced behind him.
“How long do you plan to keep monitoring me like that?”
“Regardless of the agreement reached about you, your transcendent power isn’t going anywhere.”
Soryu, leaning a frozen sword against his shoulder, replied.
His characteristic cold gaze silently watched Lennok, who was blended into the crowd.
“We agreed to your joining, but that doesn’t mean we trust you. I consider you an extremely dangerous entity that could go berserk at any moment.”
“Thoughts are free, but isn’t that something you shouldn’t say so openly to the person concerned?”
“Indeed, you certainly appear to be someone capable of normal conversation and communication.”
Soryu’s eyes grew colder.
“It’s true that you seem to have normal emotions… in some ways, even more normal than Victor.”
“……”
“But the fact that you show no anger at my words right now, for instance, means there’s definitely something missing in a crucial aspect. Your words and actions, in particular, give that impression at every moment.”
“Was not getting angry at those words just now enough to be treated as that strange?”
“The agreement for this operation was possible because we believed your astonishingly powerful magic would benefit us all. As such, we must share the responsibility for your existence.”
“Whether it’s the Conjunction Spell Master or you, it’s all the same—you can’t be reasoned with…”
If Chapman distorted every word due to Adamant Thunder’s notoriety, Soryu, on the other hand, was extremely wary of Lennok’s actions precisely because he had met Adamant Thunder directly.
This was proof that the incident at Anathema’s Temple, where Lennok alone overwhelmed Pandemonium’s members, had left a strong impression on him.
Lennok shrugged and turned to walk.
“Do as you please. If you’re going to monitor me anyway, you might as well come help me with some research. Don’t we need more investigation into Paradise Lost?”
“Are you aware that your strangely cooperative attitude only makes me more suspicious?”
“Utterly finicky.”
Even as he said that, Soryu approached and began reading through ancient documents and books one by one.
He, too, agreed that this kind of investigation was necessary to find Paradise Lost.
Turning the old pages of a document, Lennok asked Soryu,
“So, what do you plan to do first when the operation begins? Will you adjust The Veil to locate Paradise Lost?”
They had gathered to recover the Nether King’s legacy, but Jinwa’s Paradise Lost was constantly moving, making its location impossible to pinpoint.
He knew that gathering in Gateway City itself was to interfere with The Veil, search the Central Front, and find Paradise Lost.
It wouldn’t be strange if the plan began immediately, now that the necessary members had assembled.
However, Soryu’s words were somewhat different from what Lennok had expected.
“The plan has already begun. Hylaea is moving towards the Guardian’s residence as soon as the agreement was made.”
“The Guardian’s residence?”
“Have you ever wondered why Gateway City has been so peaceful since Cheonbeon left?”
“……”
At Soryu’s ominous question, Lennok paused his hand.
It was the sense of unease Lennok had felt immediately after first arriving in Gateway City with Ermont.
And now Soryu was pointing it out in a subtly different way.
“Currently, Gateway City is protected by an extremely powerful Transcendent. Regardless of their obscure origin, it’s a fact that the city’s peace is maintained because of their existence.”
“This is the first I’m hearing about a Guardian. What do you mean by ‘obscure origin’?”
Soryu, having inherited the relics of the Kabahim royal family, was a superhuman who had reached the early stages of Level 8.
If he said so, it was clear that Gateway City’s Guardian was an extremely powerful Transcendent.
The problem was that Lennok had never heard directly about the existence of Gateway City’s Guardian.
Was it a Transcendent who had newly taken control of the city after Cheonbeon, in his guise, killed the Conjunction Spell Master and left Gateway City?
Or simply a guest who, finding Gateway City to his liking, protected it out of goodwill?
Given the prosperity of the Flame Flower business in Gateway City, the latter seemed more plausible, but were there still such benevolent Transcendent beings left on this continent?
“Well… they do claim an origin, but the contents are hard to believe. I’m not sure if it’s right for me to explain.”
But Soryu trailed off instead of answering Lennok’s question.
“It would be best to hear the details directly from Hylaea. She laid the groundwork from the Central Office for this operation.”
“……”
“The results will be out soon, so wait. I know what you’re thinking, but I don’t think you need to act recklessly just yet.”
“You treat me like a madman who can’t control himself at all.”
“My apologies if that was unpleasant. But in this operation, we must be extremely cautious.”
Soryu put down the old pamphlet, his expression growing cold.
“You must have received a general explanation from Maiya Lonsdale. The Nether King was defeated in Paradise Lost, and his remains fell into Jinwa’s hands, the victor.”
“……”
“But Jinwa, instead of idly toying with the Nether King’s remains and legacy, has been moving them out of Paradise Lost. Why?”
Soryu didn’t wait for an answer, speaking in a cold tone.
“I think that fact itself might be related to the intervention of the Three Grand Dukes. Evidence of the Three Grand Dukes’ involvement in the Nether King’s demise… or finding traces of them will be that important in this operation.”
“……First, I think I need an explanation of exactly what the Nether King’s legacy is.”
Lennok asked, sifting through the books.
“Even assuming we learned through Ermont that Myeong’s legacy is being moved out of Paradise Lost, how were we able to recognize it?”
“The decisive battle in Paradise Lost continued for over a week, casting an unending night over the entire Central Front.”
Soryu replied.
“That’s why even the legacy Myeong left behind after his defeat… took the ‘form of night’ as a result.”
“It took the form of night?”
“You’ll understand once you see it yourself.”
Soryu’s expression, as he said that, held a faint sense of complexity.
“The end the Nether King met in Paradise Lost was the loss of all his rights and qualifications.”
“……”
“He lost all rights to his soul and body upon defeat to Jinwa. Perhaps the Nether King we will encounter in Paradise Lost is already…”
The words did not continue to the end, and a cold silence flowed between the two.
How much time had passed since the conversation ceased? Soryu put down the book he was holding and stepped back.
“I’ve spoken too much unnecessarily. There’s no need to assume the worst situation already.”
“……”
“I’ll go examine the relics newly excavated from the Demonic Realm. I’ll contact you if I find anything about the Three Grand Dukes.”
Perhaps his conversation with Lennok made him feel there was no immediate need to monitor him.
Soryu seemed more interested in investigating other relics that might be related to the Three Grand Dukes than in documents.
But Lennok, instead of following Soryu, lowered his gaze at the stall piled high with ancient documents.
Because Lennok wasn’t just looking for information about Paradise Lost and the Demonic Realm for this operation alone.
Ancient documents and historical records excavated or acquired by explorers throughout the Central Front.
Could he find clues or records about the World’s Ten Laws here?
Lennok already knew that the ominous name of the Outer Heaven First Law, [Demigod Transformation], which he had obtained through continuous spellcraft research just before leaving Vulcan, might be related to the Three Grand Dukes.
‘After the Emperor left, the Imperial Three Grand Dukes became beings closer to Demigods than Ascendants.’
Lennok’s gaze, as he examined the documents, deepened.
‘If I could find out something about their existence, which contributed to the corruption of the Demonic Realm…’
Demigod.
If it wasn’t merely an honorific for a Transcendent, but referred to a specific state.
If he could uncover the meaning of that spellcraft, which he hadn’t properly used yet, he might learn more about the Three Grand Dukes.
If, as Soryu said, the existence of the Three Grand Dukes was central to this operation, then he needed to invest time in it.
Perhaps not just by sifting through these records, but by actually seeking out those involved.
The moment Lennok, thinking so, picked up an unread document.
“You’ll find theological books in the opposite corner.”
Someone from a bustling street corner spoke to Lennok.
A young man, wearing an apron and holding a potted plant, from the flower shop next to where Lennok stood.
Smiling gently with a pleasant face, the young man spoke to Lennok.
“For documents about the Demonic Realm, you’d do better to go two blocks from here.”
“……”
“I watched you for a while and it seemed you were looking for both types of materials.”
“Thanks for the explanation. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Not at all.”
The young man replied nonchalantly.
“Historical records about Demigods were strictly forbidden even in the Imperial Palace of Ars Nova. It’s not easy for later generations to recognize them.”
“Is that so?”
Lennok said, resuming his search through the documents.
“But considering how strictly they forbade records about Demigods, the Empire’s upper echelons seemed to delve into it quite deeply.”
“Because they considered it an especially dangerous method for those with outstanding talent.”
The young man smiled wryly.
“It was the Imperial Family’s consideration, wishing that the Empire’s talented nobles wouldn’t squander their abilities for nothing. It ended up being meaningless, but that was merely a twist of fate, not a wrong judgment.”
“A method that squanders talent just by knowing about it… interesting.”
Lennok replied casually.
“In many ways, it doesn’t seem like a secret that a resident of Gateway City would know.”
“Indeed, it’s not a story one can tell to those without qualification.”
The young man nodded calmly.
“But you already know the method to become a Demigod. You know what it means, and what means must be used.”
“……”
“Only when a correct understanding of the gods of the Upper Heavens is cultivated can one embody half of that within oneself. This is a great cosmic principle, so would not the reasons our superiors practiced it be the same?”
“……Yes. Perhaps so.”
Slowly, Lennok averted his gaze from the stall and turned his head.
Because he had known from the beginning that this conversation, heard just as he was contemplating the existence of the Three Grand Dukes, was no coincidence.
Amidst the countless flowing crowds, only Lennok and the young man seemed to be facing each other.
Lennok put down the document in his hand and said softly.
“Don’t you think the introduction is a bit too long for a self-introduction?”
“You are right, my introduction is quite late.”
The young man looked at Lennok and slowly placed his hand on his chest.
“I am Jain, a vassal of Yeongheo, one of the Imperial Three Grand Dukes. If it is not presumptuous, may this humble herald dare to speak?”
Unlike his friendly opening, he adopted an extremely formal demeanor as soon as he introduced himself.
Jain, smiling wryly and looking up, then spoke words Lennok had not expected.
“My great Grand Duke, whom I serve, has a message for an old acquaintance.”