Chapter 414: Freelancer (1)

“In Vulcan?”

“Yes. The disciple who was baptized, Ayun, her life signs have ceased.”

“Hmm…”

A somewhat indifferent response. Nevertheless, the man reporting did not stop speaking.

“Despite joining the church late in life, she had considerable talent and was considered a candidate for missionary work. I believe a thorough investigation into the cause of death is necessary.”

“Are you joking? What do you expect to accomplish by sending our people to that city?”

“…”

The man fell silent at the heavily scornful reply.

“It’s a high-risk area where strange powers run rampant, to the point that Bishop Walter Martinez died suddenly. I don’t want to bother with such a troublesome city that rejects our doctrines.”

Rumors are rampant in the cult’s Eastern Continent branch that the missionary Walter Martinez, who was dispatched to Vulcan, died after failing to overcome the tribulations, even after successfully bringing down an Apostle.

Didn’t the 2nd Apostle themselves come personally to select new missionary candidates to fill the void left by such a capable bishop?

As a result, hundreds of promising disciples died at once, causing a significant disruption to the cult branch’s power.

“Such a demonic realm, if we just forget about it for a while, they’ll fight amongst themselves and sort themselves out. If it were a lawless zone where order truly didn’t apply, it would be difficult to just stand by and watch… but in the end, it’s still a city, isn’t it?”

The voice chuckled sinisterly.

“If they want to survive, they’ll prune themselves in some way. Our role is just to stand by, watch, and pick up the crumbs. We shouldn’t send our people into that den of iniquity and draw unwanted attention.”

“That’s…”

“Especially with personnel being pulled for the central front’s development, unless it’s a direct order from the cult headquarters, let’s not create unnecessary work. Understood?”

His insight accurately pierced through the situation of the giant city, despite never having visited it directly.

Such intuition, recognizing what happens when a vast power is excessively concentrated in one place, is certainly not something that can be gained merely through experience.

Even for a cult that treats its doctrine-believing disciples as mere tools to be discarded, it is precisely for this reason that they can assess situations without being blinded by immediate losses.

In that sense, the voice that lightly dismissed the man’s words—the voice of the cult’s Northeast Branch Manager—was flawless in every respect.

“This is a direct order from the 2nd Apostle themselves.”

“…”

“The recent movements around the city, particularly Vulcan, are unusual, so quickly establish a new sphere of influence inside the city and reorganize personnel…”

“Hey, you should have said that first!”

Creak! Squish!

Sticky blood dripped from beneath the Branch Manager’s feet as she grumbled and stood up, staining her pants.

Sighing with her hands on her hips, she blankly lifted her head to look up at the sky.

“Damn it… I thought I could finally rest comfortably after this, but it was just a futile dream.”

The Apostles, who lead the cult’s core forces and act directly upon the Pontiff’s command, are each monstrous beings with a viciousness comparable to strategic weapons.

Among them, the 2nd Apostle, who is actively working, holds an even more special meaning for the disciples.

Unlike most single-digit Apostles who wander between ideals and reality, unable to properly control their madness, and are mostly in seclusion, the 2nd Apostle was the second to follow the Pontiff and still wanders across the continent, involving themselves in all sorts of affairs as a strategist.

It’s no exaggeration to say that there are almost no disciples who haven’t felt their consideration and touch in both major and minor ways.

Although the Northeast Branch Manager herself had no particular feelings for the 2nd Apostle, she also knew that there was no way to ignore their orders.

“Get ready to leave. I’ll depart as soon as I finish bathing.”

The Branch Manager shook the blood off her body, patted the man standing in front of her on the shoulder, and brushed past him.

“Pardon? Surely you’re not planning to go yourself?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? What do you think is the meaning behind our esteemed Apostle specifically giving orders to me, the Northeast Branch Manager?”

The Branch Manager laughed.

“Geographically, the Southern Cult Branch is much closer, yet they specifically contacted us here… it must be because our esteemed Apostle knows what I think of them.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter. I think I’m starting to understand what the Apostles are thinking… If our role is to establish doctrine where it’s needed, then we must follow.”

What does it mean to understand the will of an Apostle, born as a human and chosen by the Pontiff?

Perhaps her exceptional quality lies in acknowledging that specialness without flaunting it.

Though dismissed as foolish fanaticism and feared as an object of misunderstanding, the sheer number and magnitude of talents committed to that faith are undoubtedly immeasurable.

And precisely one of those exceptionally unique talents within that powerful and vast cult was now preparing to head towards the mega-city.

Lennok sat by the sun-drenched window, leisurely gazing out at the street.

If it were something he had to handle alone, he wouldn’t usually waste time like this, but if circumstances weren’t favorable, there was no other choice.

Moreover, if it was a problem that required active cooperation not just from Lennok himself, but from others, it was even more so.

In that sense, Palmer, the blacksmith from Machina, was clearly a difficult person to work with.

Clank, clank.

The incessant sound of metal friction and muttered self-talk came from behind him.

“This won’t work.”

“…”

“Damn it, this isn’t it either. The circuit connection is completely wrong. It makes output adjustment difficult.”

Bang!!!

Finally, unable to bear it, Lennok slightly turned his head.

“How about you just accept the proposal and compromise?”

“No, no!!”

Palmer shook his head, shouting.

“Me, who left Machina, secretly looking at blueprints of Machina through someone else…!! That’s impossible!!”

“…”

It had been 30 minutes already. Lennok suppressed a sigh and turned his gaze back to the window.

The reason he sought out Palmer, the blacksmith he rarely visited unless he had a definite purpose, after a long time.

It was to finish several things he needed to deal with before meeting Madrich Onnion.

Not long ago, Lennok had confirmed the location of the gathering point where Madrich’s Military Spirits converged, using the power of his new Mystic Eye and various preparations.

Since Madrich wouldn’t carelessly discard a Military Spirit like that of a Grimoire Gang boss, the location where that Military Spirit was recovered would likely be the area where Madrich’s main body resided.

In that process, there was a commotion adjusting the power of the Mystic Eye with Olivera’s help, but he had, in any case, succeeded in finding its approximate coordinates.

Aside from the fact that the found coordinates were located outside the city, it was undoubtedly a satisfactory gain.

‘Outside the city…’

In terms of distance, it wasn’t far from the mega-city. However, considering the terrain and environment, it was natural that Lennok couldn’t neglect his preparations.

Accepting Madrich’s proposal and entering his domain itself was fine.

However, Lennok knew that he had to thoroughly complete all necessary information and preparations before going.

Ordering new equipment modifications from Palmer was part of those preparations.

This was because he had succeeded in obtaining quite useful information while sifting through Gearside’s database.

Among them, what Lennok found was a custom personal weapon design combination chart that had been recently updated in Machina.

The data he obtained during the process of confronting Lieutenant General Treppen of the Defense Force and pursuing Gearside’s researchers contained blueprints for firearms that were being developed.

Therefore, Lennok tried to entrust the work to the person he knew could best realize those blueprints, but Palmer stubbornly refused the request, using the excuse that he wasn’t qualified to look at them.

“If you’re not going to help me, then I’ll be leaving.”

Lennok glanced at his watch and stood up.

“I thought it was a fair trade for sharing the principles of the blueprints, but since it’s come to this, I’ll have to entrust the work to another artisan.”

Palmer wasn’t the only artisan in the outer districts who handled firearms.

While the issue of trust was a bit of a concern, now was not the time to be picky about people, especially with such an opportunity to significantly upgrade Lennok’s firearms.

However, upon hearing Lennok’s words, Palmer shot up like lightning and blocked the workshop door.

“No!! Are you planning to carelessly show Machina’s secrets to others?!”

“…If you put it that way, shouldn’t you, Palmer, be criticized for being shown the blueprints in the first place?”

“Th-that… I may have left the city, but my heart still remains in Machina’s workshop, so it’s fine.”

“Then you should accept my request.”

“But how can I forget my principles and dare…”

“…”

[Is this eccentric, ill-tempered organic being playing games with Master right now?]

Even Davi, who had been napping with her head buried in Lennok’s lap, was getting annoyed by the fruitless conversation with Palmer.

However, Lennok roughly guessed why Palmer could only express himself in this way.

‘Palmer isn’t particularly obsessed with Machina’s reputation. He probably doesn’t want to eagerly look at the blueprints I hand him due to his pride as an artisan.’

[So what are we supposed to do?]

‘Perhaps he wants us to add an offer or reason that he can’t refuse.’

[…Humans are truly troublesome creatures.]

Lennok inwardly chuckled at Davi’s sigh-laden words.

Pride is ultimately a complex blend of various emotions at play.

While far from rational or cold judgment, in a way, it is one of the important psychological defense mechanisms that make a person more human.

Perhaps because he possessed the most rational mind of a wizard, Lennok didn’t consider pride to be useless.

‘The problem is, I need a plausible lie to persuade Palmer. After all, the route by which I obtained the information is unofficial anyway…’

Lennok’s discovery of the personal weapon blueprint category was merely a byproduct of Davi overturning the Gearside database.

Even that information wasn’t something he held immediately; it was a gain from the process of organizing the chaotic data piles accumulated inside her with Davi’s help.

Given that, it was difficult to honestly explain to Palmer how he obtained these blueprints.

‘Machina… Gearside… That’s it.’

Lennok, having come up with a plausible excuse, leaned slightly towards Palmer and spoke.

“I didn’t want to say this, but… actually, these blueprints, I received them directly from an Enforcer of Machina.”

“Wh-what…?”

“Are you familiar with Maiya Renslit?”

There was no need to say which way Palmer’s wide-eyed reaction leaned.

Lennok, confident that he had hit the bullseye, began to rattle off the lie he had prepared, without a moment’s hesitation.

“I officially received permission from her during a request and acquired the blueprints. It’s as good as officially sanctioned by Machina.”

“Th-that’s certainly… but pr-proof…”

Instead of saying more, Lennok divided his magic into three strands, floated them, and, frictioning them at different speeds, pierced a nearby water bottle.

Crack! Zzzt!

“Maiya Renslit’s ultimate technique, known as the finest Enforcer of Machina. I learned a similar version by observing her. Is this enough proof?”

In reality, he hadn’t learned any techniques from her; he had only fought her and hammered out a compromise at the end, but what did it matter?

The day she would come to the mega-city to tell Palmer the truth would never arrive.

Lennok, seeing that Palmer’s expression was on the verge of completely giving in, smiled confidently.

“I have many things I’d like to entrust to you. For a start, how about you just check if the blueprints are truly legitimate?”

“Th-that so…?”

Palmer’s hand hesitantly reached for the data chip on the table, glancing at Lennok.

Beside him, Lennok continuously dropped tempting hints.

“From what I’ve seen, there’s also a system that adjusts cylinder pressure using the shotgun’s recoil. And a method for weaponizing rifle casings, and a way to forcibly expand the blank space optimized for spell enchantment…”

While everything about Maiya was a lie, the details about the blueprints were undeniable truth.

From new attempts that could fundamentally revamp the functions of shotguns, rifles, and revolvers, to new heavy weapon designs that Lennok might need.

Previously, due to mana limitations and the capacity and weight occupied by reduction magic, he couldn’t carry many firearms, but now, after absorbing the labyrinth’s mana and expanding his vessel, the situation was different.

Only magic that consumed a lot of mana and was large in scale wasn’t necessarily helpful in combat.

If he had the judgment and speed to unleash appropriate firepower where needed, there would be plenty of times when efficiency was more important than the sheer size of the firepower.

Separate from consistently researching magic and raising his own level, Lennok had no intention of neglecting his equipment.

“Let’s start by increasing the muzzle of the rechargeable shotgun to three barrels. If used in conjunction with the mana rotation I just showed you, it seems it could produce similar results with high efficiency… Aren’t you curious?”

No further answer was needed.

Palmer’s hand was now clutching the data chip so tightly, as if someone might snatch it away.

“…Come back in a day.”

He nodded, speaking with a hoarse voice.

“Leave the equipment with me, and I’ll handle it cleanly, just the way you want.”

“Understood.”

Palmer’s mind was already captivated by the new blueprints. Lennok left the workshop with a satisfied smile.

Pulling out his phone, he checked his messages, and contact from someone he had been waiting for had arrived.

A new project. Achilles and Madrich Onnion. The cooperation between the Cartel and Dyke Corp. and the controlling body that encompassed them all.

To conclude all this, there was one more person he needed to ask for help.

Considering the Military Spirit sorcerer he had to face from now on, there was no time to delay.

As Lennok thought so and immediately opened and checked the message.

[Evelyn: Sorry, but I’m unemployed right now…]

“…What?”