Chapter 1493: Hunting the First Apostle (27)

“We’ll place the supplies from Vulcan in the temporary hangar. I’ll make a path over there, so for now….”

“Miss Aris. A meeting request has come in from the Towerfeld Magic Tower. They want to discuss the supply of Elixir 2.0….”

“Please handle the containers with the artifacts carefully. They have internal protection magic, but many of the items are fragile….”

Two days after the hunt for the First Apostle ended. After the war between the Alliance and the Cult in the Crystal Canyon concluded and things had settled down to some extent.

Lennok had bid farewell to Betagron and immediately moved to the Central Front, arriving at the border area where the magic tower’s new branch was being constructed.

In the center of a vast plateau surrounded by dense forests and mountain ranges, workers and sorcerers moved about ceaselessly.

Among them, he could see Jenny leading the magic tower’s staff and affiliates, followed by a few familiar faces.

“We will maintain the distance between the magic tower and the Lighthouse at around 20 kilometers, just as it is now. This was agreed upon with the Eyes of Blue beforehand, so please adhere strictly to the specifications.”

“Access to the Lighthouse’s vicinity is strictly forbidden. We were only promised visibility of the surrounding area via the Lighthouse, so please be mindful not to make contact with the Watchers.”

Workers bustled about in all directions, carrying supplies, as the cornerstone of a massive structure was laid upon the red soil.

Jenny and Aris each led their own groups, handling related tasks, while Tatiana consulted with acquaintances from other magic towers.

They must have left on this business trip around the same time Lennok departed from Vulcan for the Order Alliance headquarters, yet it seemed they still had a mountain of work to do.

In the dense forest, hidden from the eyes of others. Perched on a branch, Lennok concealed his presence and looked down at the scene, lost in thought.

‘They look busier than I thought… Are they planning to absorb the Legion’s entire remaining infrastructure after the subjugation war?’

The site where the magic tower’s new second branch was being built was a crucial junction directly connecting the Eastern Continent and the Central Front.

It was the very same massive military facility that Deadrise’s 3rd Command had once illegally occupied and used.

The Legion was dismantled after the subjugation war, but the fortresses and factories that had belonged to them were left intact.

They were likely bustling about like this to secure ownership of those assets and utilize the fortresses and factories for the magic tower.

As his thoughts reached that point, he began to understand why Jenny was so engrossed in this work.

Her explanation that she intended not just to project the magic tower’s military power onto the Central Front, but to extend its influence over the entire Central Continent.

That’s why Jenny was likely trying to utilize the magic tower’s new second branch as a massive production plant based on her item business.

If she truly wanted a plant capable of distributing vast amounts of war materials to the Central Front, then the current scene made perfect sense.

However, if what was being built here was a munitions factory repurposing the Legion’s 3rd Command—

‘I shouldn’t have just made the offer to Betagron and waited. Should I have persuaded him on the spot and sent him to the magic tower?’

Betagron was a Transcendent in the field of magical engineering, capable of assembling large-scale production plants in real-time on the battlefield.

His direct combat abilities were weak, but he was an outstanding magical engineer who could single-handedly manage a front in the war between the Cult and the Alliance.

He himself claimed to be just a simple inventor, but Lennok had immediately recognized how valuable his abilities were in non-combat fields.

If he were here, where the Legion’s plant was being rebuilt and the magic tower’s new branch constructed, he would have been a tremendous help.

[Master. Should I go back right now and snatch that weaponized being?]

“…No time for that. Besides, that wasn’t what I was worrying about in the first place.”

Rejecting Davi’s extremely radical suggestion, Lennok stopped pondering and stood up.

He had stopped by briefly to see if there were any problems in the process of establishing the new branch, but it seemed there were no immediate major dangers or variables.

There were quite a few people from other magic towers here as well, so the chances of any particular problems arising were slim.

He wanted to talk to them directly to confirm, but Lennok suppressed the thought and turned away.

Considering what he had to do next, it could be problematic for Lennok to show his face here.

“Lady Tatiana?”

“Aris, Jenny. Have you heard the news circulating in the Central region?”

Tatiana, who had been talking with affiliates from other magic towers, approached the two with a grim expression and whispered.

“The Cult lost the war against the Alliance. They say the Leader personally took action, and the First Apostle is dead.”

“…”

“The Order Alliance Leader is scheduled to officially announce it in a few days… and there’s a rumor that the number one contributor was Adamant Thunder.”

As soon as Tatiana finished speaking, a heavy silence fell.

“According to acquaintances of mine who asked around among the Alliance’s Spell Masters, he practically handled the First Apostle all by himself. However, it seems there was another huge fight right after that ended. The Alliance is desperately keeping that part under wraps, so I couldn’t find out more.”

“…”

“It’s possible Van clashed with the Order Alliance. We need to check if anything has happened to him….”

“Regarding that, he’s fine.”

Aris looked up with a wry smile.

Stroking the nape of her neck, she vaguely glanced in Lennok’s direction.

A peculiar gesture, as if she could sense his direction despite not knowing his exact location.

“If something had happened that was serious enough to affect his Mind Imprint, I would have been able to tell one way or another. The fact that there’s no news means he’s safe. That’s all that matters.”

“Aris. That….”

“I’ll look into what happened between Van and the Order Alliance myself. If there’s a huge uproar on the Central Front, we’ll find out soon enough anyway.”

Jenny sighed with a complicated expression and shook her head.

“It hasn’t even been that long since he returned from Paradise Lost, and he’s already off to a war like that… Sometimes I wonder if the infamous reputation circulating in the world is closer to the real Van than the one I know.”

“Those bastards from the Cult seem to call Van the Demon King of Paradise Lost. Don’t you think it’s a rather fitting title? In the sense that he’s racking up achievements in battle, it’s quite appropriate—.”

“Tatiana, not at all! Just like a War-Mage who used to be active in the Central region….”

“I don’t really care what kind of weird nickname that Adamant Thunder fellow gets.”

While Tatiana and Jenny bickered nonsensically, Peshia, who had been standing behind them with a soured expression, opened her mouth.

“We’ve been doing this bullshit for days now, and I don’t get why those Watcher bastards haven’t shown their faces even once.”

“Demoness. I told you. We agreed not to interact directly until the construction of the new magic tower branch is complete—”

“Right, and I’m saying I don’t understand the reason for that in the first place.”

Peshia glared beyond the construction site with a sharp voice.

“They’re providing visibility of the surroundings with the Lighthouse’s power, yet they tell us to never approach the Lighthouse itself. They’re being so openly suspicious, it’s fucking annoying… They must have some sinister scheme.”

“Hey, there’s no need to go that far… The Eyes of Blue isn’t that kind of organization.”

Jenny retorted to Peshia’s words, looking incredulous.

“If they had some other ulterior motive, they wouldn’t have told us so openly not to approach the Lighthouse. Maybe they’re storing some dangerous relic?”

“The Eyes of Blue are involved in so many things… They’re famous for always being busy, so it’s hard to guess unless you’re an insider.”

“Personally, I don’t agree with the methods of the Eyes of Blue, but they are among those who propose a reasonably rational alternative to the apocalypse.”

Aris replied in a calm tone.

“The end hasn’t even arrived yet. I doubt they would do anything to break our trust this early.”

“Peshia Grisbern. I don’t know if you’re in any position to be calling someone else sinister.”

Tatiana stared at Peshia with a cold expression.

“I still haven’t forgotten what you tried to do. You tried to use the souls of my comrades, who died because of my master, as mere materials for a satellite.”

“…”

“I’m tolerating your presence out of respect for Van’s wishes, so I’d appreciate it if you’d follow his decision and stay quiet.”

“Fuck, that’s not the problem….”

Peshia flared up, about to retort to Tatiana’s words, but quickly swallowed her words.

“…Ha, fine. Whatever. What more is there to say. I’ll shut up, just like you all want.”

“…”

“What are you standing around for? Let’s get back to work. Wasn’t restoring this fucking plant Jenicia’s top priority?”

It was sudden, but he could really feel how much Peshia Grisbern had changed since the end of the subjugation war.

The very fact that she, who had been mad for blood, had learned to be patient with others showed just how significant that war had been for her.

Tatiana also realized this and fell silent, while Peshia quickly turned away.

“Just you wait until the construction of the magic tower branch is finished. In any case, I’m going to find out what those Watcher bastards are hiding in that Lighthouse!!”

“…Actually, maybe she hasn’t changed at all?”

Watching Jenny tilt her head in confusion, Lennok, who had been smiling wryly, turned around.

Besides, the reason Lennok had come all this way today wasn’t just to watch the construction of the new magic tower branch.

Peshia’s speculation that the Eyes of Blue were hiding something had some merit, but there was one crucial difference.

The Eyes of Blue weren’t refusing access to the Lighthouse to hide some suspicious scheme or dangerous item.

It was simply because the plan that was about to unfold inside that Lighthouse must never, under any circumstances, leak to the outside.

“It is time.”

At the same time. Inside a conference room within the massive, magic-tower-like Lighthouse, located on the border between the Central and Eastern Continents.

Standing before the podium, Lapis Falcia opened her eyes.

“We will now officially begin the strategy meeting for the conquest of the Second Gate.”

The Second Gate, which the Grand Duke of Grasping, one of the Three Grand Dukes of the Ars Nova Empire, has made his residence.

The conquest of the Gate, where the Ascendant Pyeonram was presumed to be held captive, was about to begin.

The vast auditorium was filled with dozens of superhumans who had answered the summons for this conquest operation.

“The harpooner of the 6th Wandering Fleet, Lord Aratus, is entering.”

A middle-aged man wearing a worn-out beret and chewing on a thick cigar walked in, carrying a massive harpoon on his back.

“The special-grade gunslinger of Endorose, Lady Marietta, has joined us.”

A woman with an impressive mane of curly hair kicked the door open with her heeled boot and grinned.

“The 1st-class special agents of Paragon, Lord Lightner and Lord Sloan, have decided to cooperate.”

A young man with spiky yellow hair like lightning and another with an impressive tan followed.

“The Chroma Absorption of Sinclair Magic Tower, Lady Claris Richellen, has accepted the invitation….”

“Supreme Committee Member of Kundara’s Elder Council, Euphoria Aosel….”

“The True Blood of the Blood King’s Castle. Odilo Tribiyer has joined the Eyes of Blue….”

Every one of them was a Transcendent from an organization, society, or city renowned throughout the continent.

The other superhumans who had already arrived in the conference hall couldn’t hide their surprise and began to whisper among themselves.

“So many famous powerhouses….”

“You know how much the Reconnaissance Agency profited from cooperating with Cheonbeon in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors conquest.”

“A lot of the information needed for the current conquest is being distributed through The Agency. They want to usurp that position.”

“The Agency said they’d lend information for this operation too. A chance like this won’t come again.”

Had the events in the Central region after the fall of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors really had that much of an impact?

“Before we begin, there is one matter I must address.”

However, Lapis didn’t even offer a greeting to the Transcendent beings entering the conference hall in real time.

Instead, she simply stood before the podium with a blank, emotionless face and stared blankly at the others.

“The Grand Duke of Grasping, who currently occupies the Second Gate, was one of the most famously cruel nobles in the old Empire. According to historical records, there is abundant testimony that he enjoyed flaying humans and cutting off their wrists to make into works of art.”

“…”

“The environment inside and outside the Second Gate is so harsh that an average superhuman cannot endure it. Therefore, please understand that we have no choice but to exclude those who are not sufficiently resolved and prepared.”

“Wait, sorry, but I can’t agree with that.”

A mercenary with bushy sideburns raised his hand, chewing on a cigarette filter.

“Doesn’t participating in the conquest itself mean we’re putting our lives on the line? What idiot here applied without knowing this would be dangerous? This is a pointless procedure.”

“The Grand Duke of Grasping was one of the most skilled Manipulation Spellcasters in old Ars Nova, a monster who mastered the art of toying with humans.”

Lapis said with a blank face.

“It wouldn’t be surprising if applicants who lack the means or ability to resist his spellcraft become the Grand Duke’s toys the moment they enter the Gate.”

“…So?”

“To put it bluntly, it means that bringing along applicants who might become a hindrance is worse than not bringing anyone at all.”

Lapis’s calm words caused the atmosphere in the conference hall to turn cold.

They realized that the purpose of this meeting at the Lighthouse was to select the superhumans who would participate in the operation.

“I don’t see why you, the Lighthouse Keeper, get to decide that on your own. Who set these so-called ‘suitable criteria’?”

The mercenary, who had been listening to the conversation with a displeased expression, crossed his arms and sneered.

“The people gathered here are likely just as skilled as the Watchers you command. And an amateur who’s done nothing but inherit the authority of the Heavenly Sight is going to select and command them?”

“…”

“If the Eyes of Blue is an organization that champions the grand cause of postponing the apocalypse, shouldn’t you be relinquishing command of the operation to someone else? From a utilitarian standpoint, that would seem correct.”

The gazes of the Watchers standing next to Lapis sharpened, but the mercenary only looked back at them with a dark smile.

“What, why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something I shouldn’t have? Surely the Eyes of Blue, with their grand cause, wouldn’t beat up or carelessly kick out someone who came to help with the conquest operation. Right?”

“…”

“At the very least, to convince everyone here, you should hand out the rewards beforehand, regardless of contribution to the operation, and then talk. Who’s going to agree when you come at us empty-handed and so shamelessly? Huh?”

The mercenary, who at first seemed to be raising a legitimate complaint, quickly revealed his true colors.

The ironic thing was that quite a few of the superhumans gathered in the conference hall sympathized with the mercenary.

The Eyes of Blue was a group famous among the major powers of the Central Front for its moderate disposition.

While there were those like Jenny and Evelyn who highly valued that disposition and interacted with them, there were also many who sought to exploit it.

They were a power that, unlike other organizations in the Central region, wouldn’t impose harsh punishments or exile even if someone openly voiced complaints like this.

That’s why the others wouldn’t refuse the chance to sit back and get a piece of the pie from this operation.

“…”

But despite the mercenary’s blatant attitude, Lapis simply stared at him with a blank expression.

A peculiar reaction, as if she had no interest whatsoever in the mercenary blabbering before her, a response that seemed to lack any emotion.

Watching her, he felt memories of his past days with the Eyes of Blue resurfacing.

From the floating island archipelago and the Cult’s Far East branch, through the Hanghasa Labyrinth, to finally parting ways with her in Vulcan.

Their destinations were different, so he couldn’t help her until the very end, and Lapis understood that.

In the end, he could only be free from it after leaving the Eyes of Blue.

A situation like this was no different.

If he had come here under a different identity, he would have respected Lapis’s judgment and waited patiently.

However, the one present here now was the embodiment of the most alien identity among his various personas.

One who didn’t care about the opinions of others, who could rampage as he pleased without regard for the situation or conditions.

In fact, in a frustrating situation like this, he might just be the most suitable one—

“Hey, can’t you hear me? Unlike her predecessor, this generation’s Lighthouse Keeper is completely stupi—”

[This is my first time participating in an operation led by the Eyes of Blue.]

Chwaak!!!

Just as the mercenary was delivering his tirade, a black Mana Thread wrapped around his neck, and his body was slammed into the floor.

Unable to even resist, the mercenary’s face was ground against the floor as he was pinned down, flailing.

[It seems you have a strange hobby here of listening attentively to the words of vermin who don’t know their place.]

Thud! Thud!! Crack!!!

“Ugh-eub, ubububub!!!!”

The flustered mercenary struggled and resisted, but he was pressed down so hard he couldn’t even make a squeak, as if his every move was being read.

The mercenary’s head, bound by the Mana Thread, was repeatedly slammed into the floor, bouncing like a ball, and the gruesome sound of breaking bones and joints could be heard.

“Kkeureuk…!!”

The mercenary, who had been convulsing and flailing his limbs, was instantly covered in blood, his body twitching to a stop.

Just as the other superhumans gasped at the sight of the mercenary, now bloodied and convulsing in the blink of an eye.

A shadow wearing an obsidian mask strode out from the back of the conference hall.

[If there are any more of you who wish to waste time pointlessly, step forward now.]

Crack!!

Victor, having crushed the mercenary’s shoulder under his foot, scanned his surroundings.

[If anyone has a complaint, I’ll smash your head in right here, right now.]

“Th-The Black Art!!”

“No way, from Pandemonium…!!”

“Why is a Manipulation Spellcaster here—”

The obsidian mask, the black Mana Thread, and the mysterious form of the glass-like gauntlet fitted on his left arm.

The complexions of a few Transcendent beings who recognized the sight changed, and the conference hall instantly erupted in a clamor.

A special-grade criminal on the black wanted list. The moment the most vicious Manipulation Spellcaster in all of Pandemonium revealed himself at the operation.

Amid the chaos that erupted in the conference hall, only Lapis stared at Victor with a bewildered expression.

“…Huh?”,